Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Organic Eggs Sold at Costco Recalled Over Salmonella Concerns

• A Study Involving 14,053 Participants Seeking Weight Loss Through GLP-1 Found That It Also Reduces Alcohol Use, With 45.3% Reporting a Decrease in Their Category of Alcohol Consumption. This May Be Because GLP-1 Potentially Diminish the Rewarding Effects of Alcohol, Similar to Their Effect on Food

• Common Skin Condition Linked to Ultra-processed Food

• Just 5 More Minutes of Vigorous Exercise Per Day Could Help Lower Blood Pressure

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Organic Eggs Sold at Costco Recalled Over Salmonella Concerns

If you've recently bought organic eggs from Costco, listen up! A recall has been issued for organic, pasture-raised eggs because of possible salmonella contamination. This recall affects about 10,800 packs of 24-count eggs under the Kirkland Signature brand sold in 25 Costco stores across Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

These eggs were first available on November 22. The specific packs being recalled have a Julian code of 327 and a "use by" date of January 6, 2025. It's important to check if you have any of these in your fridge.

The problem arose when eggs that were not meant for store shelves ended up being sold. The company behind these eggs, Handsome Brook Farms in New York, realized the mix-up and is now working to strengthen their checks to ensure this doesn't happen again. They are retraining staff and tightening up their supply chain.

So far, thankfully, no one has reported getting sick from these eggs. But if you have any of the affected eggs, you should not eat them. You can return them to any Costco store for a full refund or just throw them away.

Salmonella is a serious issue, and it's good to see the recall is being handled swiftly in cooperation with the Food and Drug Administration. So, check your eggs and stay safe!

Source: nbcnews.com

WEIGHT LOSS

A Study Involving 14,053 Participants Seeking Weight Loss Through GLP-1 Found That It Also Reduces Alcohol Use, With 45.3% Reporting a Decrease in Their Category of Alcohol Consumption. This May Be Because GLP-1 Potentially Diminish the Rewarding Effects of Alcohol, Similar to Their Effect on Food

In a big study, over 14,000 people trying to lose weight with a drug called GLP-1 found they started drinking less alcohol. Almost half of the people who drank alcohol before said they drank less after taking the drug.

GLP-1 drugs help people lose weight by making them feel full with less food. Researchers think these drugs might also make alcohol less appealing, which could be why people are drinking less.

The study looked at different weight loss drugs used in a telehealth program. Not just GLP-1, but other drugs like bupropion and naltrexone also led to drinking less. Even people on metformin, a diabetes drug, reported they drank less alcohol.

This might be because weight management programs encourage less alcohol. It has many calories and can make it hard to control eating.

These findings suggest weight loss drugs might help people not only lose weight but also drink less alcohol. This is good news, especially for those trying to manage both weight and alcohol use. More research is needed to fully understand how these drugs help reduce drinking, but the results so far are encouraging. This could be helpful for anyone looking to reduce both calories and alcohol intake.

Source: jamanetwork.com

HEALTH

Common Skin Condition Linked to Ultra-processed Food

A study from France suggests a link between eating a lot of ultra-processed foods and psoriasis. This skin condition causes itchy, scaly patches in colors like red or purple. This condition happens when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy skin. The study had over 18,500 participants. It found that those with active psoriasis symptoms often ate more ultra-processed foods. These foods are made using industrial methods and contain ingredients not usually found in home kitchens.

The researchers divided the participants into three groups. This was based on their intake of ultra-processed foods: low, moderate, and high. Results showed that the high group was more likely to have active psoriasis. This was after adjusting for age, body weight, smoking, and physical activity.

The study links a diet high in ultra-processed foods to worsened psoriasis. But, it does not prove that these foods cause the condition. Professor Wendy Hall of King's College London says the study is helpful. But, it lacks enough evidence to recommend changes to dietary guidelines. She stressed the need for better studies on how diet affects psoriasis.

Previous studies have linked ultra-processed foods to inflammation-related health issues. These include obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. As research grows, we must understand the effects of ultra-processed foods on health. This is especially true for those with chronic diseases like psoriasis. This study adds to the evidence that diet affects health and disease.

Source: newsweek.com

Just 5 More Minutes of Vigorous Exercise Per Day Could Help Lower Blood Pressure

A new study shows that adding just five extra minutes of strong exercise each day can help lower your blood pressure. This could be anything from running and cycling to climbing stairs. If you can push yourself to add 10 to 20 minutes, the health benefits are even better.

Researchers looked at the health data of over 14,000 adults with an average age of 54. They discovered that swapping just five minutes of sitting with vigorous exercise could lower systolic blood pressure (the top number) by 0.68 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) by 0.54 mmHg. These might seem like small numbers, but they make a big difference in reducing heart disease risk.

Health experts suggest doing 30 minutes of activities like walking, swimming, or biking most days to keep your heart healthy. Adding strength exercises can also help your blood vessels and lower blood pressure.

If you’re really busy, you can still fit in exercise. Try taking the stairs, parking your car further away from stores, or taking short walks during breaks. Every little bit helps.

Always talk to your doctor before starting a new exercise plan, especially if you have health issues like high blood pressure. They can guide you on safe ways to add more activity to your day.

Source: healthline.com

✢ A Note From Hem Hero

The information in this health newsletter is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment; always consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health. The publishers are not responsible for any actions taken by the reader based on the information provided.