Good morning. In today’s edition:

• The FDA Proposes Banning a Food Additive That's Been Used for a Century

• FDA Approves Zepbound, a New Obesity Drug That Will Take on Wegovy

• Extreme Heat Could Lead to 233% Increase in U.S. Excess Cardiovascular Deaths, Study Says

• Maltreatment in Childhood Might Lead to Sleep Problems Later in Life, Study Finds

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

The FDA Proposes Banning a Food Additive That's Been Used for a Century

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is thinking about banning brominated vegetable oil (BVO). This ingredient, used in sports drinks and sodas for almost 100 years, helps keep flavors mixed. But now, there are health concerns about it.

California decided to ban BVO, worrying it might be unsafe. This has made the FDA take a closer look. They're especially focused on new studies that suggest BVO could harm the thyroid, a vital part of our body.

In the past, the FDA allowed a little bit of BVO in drinks. They even removed it from their safe list in the 1960s but didn't fully ban it. Studies in the 1970s showed some health problems in animals from BVO, but the FDA thought these were fixed.

Now, with new research, the FDA is reconsidering. They always want to make sure our food is safe. BVO isn't allowed in drinks in Europe and Japan. With California planning a ban in 2027, the FDA is paying more attention.

Groups that focus on food safety are happy about the FDA's potential move. They think it's great the FDA is using the latest science to make food decisions. It's all about keeping our food and drinks healthy.

The FDA is now deciding whether to say no to BVO in the U.S. This is an important step to make sure what we eat and drink is safe. We're waiting to see what the FDA decides!

Source: npr.org

WEIGHT LOSS

FDA Approves Zepbound, a New Obesity Drug That Will Take on Wegovy

Big news! The FDA just approved a new drug called Zepbound by Eli Lilly & Co. It's going to compete with another obesity drug, Wegovy. Zepbound is special because it helps people lose more weight and costs less than Wegovy. It will be available in the U.S. by the end of this year.

Zepbound works by controlling hunger and how the body uses energy. People who tried it in tests lost about 20% of their body weight. That's a lot, kind of like the results you'd see with weight-loss surgery!

But remember, Zepbound can have side effects like feeling sick, diarrhea, and throwing up. Also, in tests with rats, it caused some thyroid problems. It's not clear if this happens in humans too.

The FDA is really focused on helping people with obesity because it's a big problem in the U.S. Nearly 70% of adults are overweight or obese. New drugs like Zepbound could be a big help, especially for people at risk of diseases like heart problems and diabetes.

Zepbound will cost about $1,060, but the actual price you pay might be different based on your insurance. Lilly is offering a special card to help lower the cost for some people.

Medicare doesn't cover these drugs right now, but there's talk about changing that. Eli Lilly wants more people to be able to get drugs like Zepbound to help them lose weight and get healthier.

Source: npr.org

HEALTH

Extreme Heat Could Lead to 233% Increase in U.S. Excess Cardiovascular Deaths, Study Says

Extreme heat is a big health risk, especially for the heart. When it's very hot, our hearts work harder to keep us cool, which can be dangerous for people with heart problems. A recent study showed that extreme heat caused about 1,651 more heart-related deaths each year in the U.S. between 2008 and 2019. Researchers warn that due to climate change, these numbers could increase significantly.

The study, published in "Circulation," used two scenarios to predict the future. If greenhouse gas emissions are cut back, the increase in deaths might be 162%. But if emissions keep rising, the increase could reach 233%. This means many more people could die from heart problems caused by heat.

Sameed Khatana, who led the study, highlights that the risk is higher for certain groups, like Black adults and older people. The study also notes that air pollution from climate change worsens heart health.

Experts agree that extreme heat is a global issue. It's not just a problem in the U.S., but also in countries with less resources to handle the heat. To combat this, hospitals could become places where people go to cool down. It's also important to know who is most at risk from the heat. Khatana calls heat a "silent killer" because its impact on heart health isn't always obvious. He stresses the need for major changes to reduce the deadly effects of extreme heat.

Source: statnews.com

Maltreatment in Childhood Might Lead to Sleep Problems Later in Life, Study Finds

A study from China has a big finding: kids who are treated badly might face sleep problems when they grow up. This research was published in Development and Psychopathology and suggests that how kids deal with their feelings is important.

Sleep is super important. It helps our body heal, remember things, and balance emotions. Good sleep helps us think and stay healthy. But many young adults have sleep issues. In China, about 1 in 4 young adults struggle to sleep well.

Sihan Liu and his team from Beijing Normal University wanted to know if bad childhood experiences affect adult sleep. They thought that mistreated kids might not learn to manage their feelings well, leading to sleep problems later.

They studied over 1,900 young people between 16 to 22 years old. These participants answered questions about their childhood, emotions, and sleep.

Most young people had okay childhoods. But some had physical and emotional harm, and a few faced serious sexual abuse.

Those who had a lot of harm as kids had more sleep trouble as adults. Bad childhood experiences might make it hard to handle emotions, which affects sleep.

The study shows that childhood experiences can impact adult sleep. It's important to help kids based on their experiences, especially in handling emotions.

Remember, this study is based on what participants remembered, so it might not be perfect. Plus, many came from less wealthy families, so the results might not apply to everyone.

Source: psypost.org

✢ 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.