Artificial Sweeteners and Health Concerns

Just how healthy are school lunches? An independent lab report says they would be a lot healthier if certain items – such as pre-packaged Lunchables – were removed from the menu.

Lunchables, produced by Kraft Heinz, contains crackers, cheese and meat slices. The lab also found lead that it said exceeded federal limits in food.

"The Lunchables and similar lunch kits we tested contain concerning levels of sodium and harmful chemicals that can lead to serious health problems over time," said Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports, which conducted the study. "The USDA should remove Lunchables from the National School Lunch Program and ensure that kids in schools have healthier options."

Kraft Heinz took issue with the report, saying it stands behind its product. In a statement, a spokesperson for the company said all of its products meet strict safety standards. The spokesperson also said that lead and cadmium occur naturally in the environment and should not be of concern because they appear at low levels.

"We are proud of Lunchables and stand by the quality and integrity that goes into making them," the company said.

A nutritionist weighs in

Sarah Herrington, a nutritionist at Brio-Medical, an alternative cancer treatment center, says many food options offered at schools skirt nutrition recommendations.

“Lunchables for schools are allowed because technically they meet guidelines by providing the ‘equivalent’ of whole grains and a meat / meat alternative,” Herrington told ConsumerAffairs. “But these are still highly processed food items that we are giving to our children.”

Herrington says processed grains and meat alternatives are linked to poor health outcomes later in life, such as cancer and diabetes, and that doesn’t begin to address the potential severe health complications associated with heavy metal toxicities such as lead. 

“These health outcomes are even becoming more and more prevalent in younger individuals, largely due to diet and lifestyle,” she said. “Excess sodium, or salt, also increases the palatability of food items, so children may learn to prefer those items over whole, natural foods.”

If you live in a rural area of America, your healthcare options are shrinking.

A new report from Chartis, a healthcare advisory firm, shows that 50% of the nation’s rural hospitals are operating at a loss and 418 are vulnerable to closure.

“America’s rural hospitals have been battling against drivers of instability for more than a decade, but this newest research suggests this crisis has accelerated quickly to previously unseen levels,” said Michael Topchik, national leader of the Chartis Center for Rural Health. “To learn the percentage of rural hospitals in the red has shifted 7% and now includes half of all rural hospitals is startling and should serve as an urgent call to action for everyone invested in rural healthcare.”

It costs a lot to operate a hospital and successful facilities require scale, meaning they need to serve a lot of patients. In rural areas, there often are not enough people to cover operating costs. But Val Mignogna, senior vice president of Clinical Operations at Gloria Gates CARE, sees other issues.

“Failure of reimbursement levels to keep up with the increase in costs, particularly labor and specifically nurses which are the key to the operation of all hospitals,” Mignogna told us.

Hiring is a problem

He also says rural hospitals face challenges in recruiting and retaining physicians. Dr. Bradley Serwer, an Interventional cardiologist and chief medical officer at VitalSolution a company that offers cardiovascular and anesthesiology services to hospitals nationwide, sees four reasons rural hospitals are closing their doors.

“A large percentage of rural community hospitals are losing money on an annual basis,” Serwer told ConsumerAffairs. “Reimbursement for inpatient hospitalization is not sufficient to cover expenses. Hospitals are monetarily penalized for readmitting patients within 30 days of their initial discharge. Many times, these readmissions occur due to a lack of sufficient resources to care for patients in their homes.”

He says other issues include difficulty in recruiting healthcare professionals, declining quality of care and a lack of community support. 

Is there an answer?

Sean Marchese, a registered nurse at The Mesothelioma Center, says rural hospitals have to find a way to overcome these issues. Part of the answer, he says, may lie in specialization.

“In the short term, rural hospitals can develop specialized programs for rare diseases and cancers that incentivize patients to travel for unique treatments and care,” Marchese said. “These services would also benefit local rural populations by providing sources of income that hospitals can funnel back into primary care services or local support programs."

Serwer says rural hospitals need creative staffing models that promote work-life balance, incentivize high-quality health care delivery, and reward those willing to help build and grow programs. 

Time is of the essence. The Chartis report found a record 28 rural communities lost access to inpatient care last year as a result of rural hospital closures or conversion to a model excluding inpatient care.

The report also found that 267 rural hospitals—nearly 25% of America’s rural obstetrics (OB) units—dropped OB services between 2011 and 2021.

What have Americans resolved to do better in 2024? Take care of themselves.

According to a new Statista study, eating healthier, exercising more, losing weight, drinking less, quitting smoking, and becoming a vegetarian/vegan represent nearly half of the goals that we have for the year. One of those, however, stands out like a sore thumb when it comes to getting scammed: losing weight.

Scammers are so resolved to help consumers lose money instead of weight that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says scammers are showing up everywhere. Not just in online pitches for things like weight loss pills, patches, creams, or “fake” Ozempic, but now they’re tying in subscriptions and endorsements to help convince someone to help them shed a few pounds. 

Shark Tank…

A case-in-point of that deception is products claiming to have been endorsed by celebrities or on popular TV shows like Shark Tank. The Shark Tank angle is particularly concerning, given the show’s massive viewership and the fact that its experts invest millions of dollars into product development which, when leveraged in an ad can look impressive to a consumer.

ConsumerAffairs research uncovered everything from Facebook pages for “Purefit KETO” and “One Shot Keto diet pills” that swear their product is either a “Shark Tank Official Product” or that “Every Judge On Shark Tank Backed This Product!" 

One supplement company that is investing all it takes to be the first result when you search for “Keto diet Shark Tank” is the company experthealthreview.com with a paid-for placement that says, "Official Shark Tank diet drink Reviews - #1 Weight Loss Gummies In 2023. Our Health Experts Tested 100s Of The Best Rated Shark Tank Diet Drink On The Market Today."

However, there’s nothing on ExpertHealthReview.com that mentions “Shark Tank” and the company did not respond to ConsumerAffairs' request for clarification and confirmation of Shark Tank’s endorsement. 

But, Shark Tank’s Lori Greiner isn’t too happy about it, that we know. Greiner pulled no punches on her website about how little consumers should trust anything they see related to Keto or diet aid productswith her name attached to it.

“I DO NOT sell or endorse any “Keto”, “Weight Loss” or “Diet Aid” Products and I’m NOT affiliated in any way with these ads,” Greiner says. “These are Fake Ads and Scam Ads. They photoshop their keto product into my hands.”

… or shark bite?

“Scammers will say just about anything to get you to buy their weight loss or fitness products,” Ari Lazarus, an FTC consumer education specialist, says. Lazarus says some of the just-about-anything weight loss promises will look like this:

• If someone says you don’t have to watch what you eat to lose weight? That's a scam.

• If someone says using their product helps you lose weight permanently? Scam.

• If someone tells you that, to lose weight, all you have to do is take their pill? Scam.

• If someone says thatDr. Oz, Dolly Parton, or Kelly Clarkson endorse their product? Very likely a scam.

• If someone promises that you can lose 30 pounds in 30 days? Royal scam.

• If a company says its weight loss product is “approved” by the FDA? Scam, scam, scam. Unlike prescription meds, dietary supplements aren't evaluated or reviewed by the FDA for effectiveness.

• If it’s a “review” site – like the one promoting Shark Tank’s love of a Keto product – or TikTok videos, be doubly careful. It’s best to stick to consumer product review sites that allow both goodandbad reviews of weight loss plans and products. 

For example, ConsumerAffairs has ranked the best weight loss programs based on thousands of verified consumer reviews.

If someone says you need to sign up for a subscription

If you find a weight loss company that offers you a “free trial” or says you need to sign up for a “subscription” or “plan” to make their weight loss system work, you should also proceed with caution. 

There are some unscrupulous companies that go hard and heavy with their come-ons, yet make it hard to cancel or get a refund. 

Free trial offers should always be viewed with skepticism, regardless of who is offering them. Before committing to any program or product, make sure you understand the terms and conditions. Reading the fine print is a hassle for sure, but it’s five minutes that could save you $500.

Another trick scammers and fraudsters use when making consumers sign up for subscription or membership programs is to have pre-checked boxes designed to trick you into signing up for more than you want without your consent.

Educate yourself about weight loss

Weight loss doesn't have a universal fix, but it certainly is well-studied. Over the years, ConsumerAffairs has produced many articles on the subject. It might be of help to read several of these just so you have a better idea of what's what.

• Probiotics contribute to weight loss, researchers say

• Low carb diets found to burn more calories and help maintain weight loss

• Weight loss is more successful when doctors offer specific tips

• Maintaining weight loss is possible with the right strategies, experts say

• Consumers struggling with poor fitness could have difficulties with weight loss programs

• FDA approves new prescription weight loss drug

• Eating most of your calories early in the day doesn't impact weight loss, study finds

• Mild weight loss could cut the risk of diabetes in half, study finds

• Study shows how consumers with obesity can maintain healthy weight loss

• Prioritizing fitness over weight loss is best for obesity-related health conditions, researchers say

• Rye products trump wheat in terms of weight loss, study finds

• Mayo Clinic launches new diet program focused on weight loss

• Weight loss from bariatric surgery may lower consumers' risk of cancer, study finds

• Non-sugar sweeteners shouldn't be used for weight loss, WHO says

• How does coffee affect weight loss? A new study finds out.

• Weight loss drugs may come with serious digestive risks

For years, many of us have been living by the long-held belief that our daily step count should reach or exceed 10,000. However, researchers from the European Society of Cardiology have found this may not be necessary to reap health benefits. 

According to their findings, walking and staying active is crucial to living longer and lowering the risk of death, but keeping your daily step count to around 4,000 per day can yield those benefits.

While exceeding that number is associated with greater health outcomes, the study showed that staying around 4,000 steps per day was linked with a lower risk of death from any cause. 

“Our study confirms that the more you walk, the better,” said lead researcher Maciej Banach. “We found that this applied to both men and women, irrespective of age, and irrespective of whether you live in a temperate, subtropical, or subpolar region of the world, or a region with a mixture of climates. 

“In addition, our analysis indicates that as little as 4,000 steps a day are needed to significantly reduce deaths from any cause, and even fewer to reduce deaths from cardiovascular disease.” 

Walking for longer life 

For the study, the researchers analyzed 17 earlier studies that included data on roughly 227,000 people. The team was most curious to understand how daily step count affected the participants’ risk of death from any cause, as well as the risk of death from cardiovascular disease. 

Their work revealed that walking is beneficial to consumers’ health and wellness, but the number of steps to take daily to retain the most health benefits may not need to be as high as many have believed. 

The study found that taking at least 2,337 steps per day reduced the risk of death from cardiovascular disease, while taking at least 3,867 steps per day reduced the risk of death from any cause. 

However, the more steps taken above those figures, the better the health outcomes. Taking 1,000 more steps than those recommended numbers was linked with a 15% lower risk of dying from any cause while taking an additional 500 steps daily lowered the risk of cardiovascular-related death by 7%.

These benefits continued to increase the more that the participants walked – even with as many as 20,000 steps a day. 

Younger adults have a slight advantage

The average age of the participants in the study was 64, and the researchers found that age might play a role when it comes to walking and health outcomes. 

Adults under the age of 60 had a nearly 50% lower risk of death when they took between 7,000 and 13,000 steps daily. Comparatively, adults over the age of 60 had a 42% lower risk of death when they took between 6,000 and 10,000 steps daily. 

Overall, the researchers hope that both consumers and medical professionals look to the benefits of daily exercise when thinking about improving health outcomes. 

“In a world where we have more advanced drugs to target specific conditions such as cardiovascular disease, I believe we should always emphasize that lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise, which was a main hero of our analysis, might be at least as, or even more effective in reducing cardiovascular risk and prolonging lives,” Banach said. 

If you have eye drops in your medicine chest, look closely at the brand before you use them. Eye drops sold under the brand names EzriCare Artificial Tears and Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Eye Ointment may be contaminated and have been linked to serious injury and at least one death.

More than a month ago the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory about infections linked to the products. Health officials warned the bacteria causing the infection is highly resistant to drugs.

“Most patients reported using artificial tears,” the CDC warned. “Patients reported more than 10 different brands of artificial tears, and some patients used multiple brands. The majority of patients who used artificial tears reported using EzriCare Artificial Tears, a preservative-free, over-the-counter product packaged in multidose bottles.”

CDC laboratory testing identified the presence of the outbreak strain in opened EzriCare bottles with different lot numbers collected from two states. The agency urged patients and healthcare providers to immediately discontinue using EzriCare artificial tears. Unfortunately, the message didn’t reach everyone.

Eight patients lost their vision

In an update last week, the CDC identified 68 patients in 16 states who had been injured by the infections, including four people who underwent surgery to remove an eyeball. One person died from the infection and eight others lost their vision. Thirty-seven patients were linked to four healthcare facility clusters. 

The drops, which were sold nationwide via Amazon, Walmart, and other retailers, have all been recalled but health officials are worried many of the contaminated products are still in the possession of consumers.

According to the CDC, patients should stop using EzriCare or Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Tears pending additional information and guidance from CDC and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). If patients were advised to use EzriCare or Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Tears by their healthcare provider, they should follow up with their healthcare provider for recommendations about alternative treatment options.

What to do

Patients who have used EzriCare or Delsam Pharma’s artificial tears and who have signs or symptoms of an eye infection should seek medical care immediately. At this time, there is no recommendation for testing of patients who have used this product and who are not experiencing any signs or symptoms of infection.

Eye infection symptoms may include:

• Yellow, green, or clear discharge from the eye

• Eye pain or discomfort

• Redness of the eye or eyelid

• Feeling of something in your eye (foreign body sensation)

• Increased sensitivity to light

• Blurry vision

If you’re over 50 and struggling to maintain a healthy weight, a new study suggests an unhealthy relationship with certain food could be a contributing factor.

Researchers at the University of Michigan (UM) found that 13% of people aged 50 to 80 showed signs of addiction to high-calorie foods and beverages in the last 12 months. The data were gathered by the National Poll on Healthy Aging. 

The researchers found that women struggle with food addiction more than men. The percentage was highest among women in their 50s and early 60s. It was also higher in older adults who say they are overweight, lonely, or in fair or poor physical or mental health.

The pollsters, supported by UM Medicine and AARP, asked 13 questions to measure whether, and how often older adults experienced the signs of addiction. In terms of food, the questions asked about the consumption of highly processed foods such as sweets, salty snacks, sugary drinks, and fast food. 

But is it really an addiction?

Is “addiction” too strong of a word? The researchers set some pretty high parameters. They focused on subjects’ intense cravings, an inability to cut down on intake, and signs of withdrawal.

“The word addiction may seem strong when it comes to food, but research has shown that our brains respond as strongly to highly processed foods, especially those highest in sugar, simple starches, and fat, as they do to tobacco, alcohol and other addictive substances,” said U-M psychologist Dr. Ashley Gearhardt. “Just as with smoking or drinking, we need to identify and reach out to those who have entered unhealthy patterns of use and support them in developing a healthier relationship with food.”

In order to be classified as addicted to highly processed food, subjects had to report experiencing at least two of 11 symptoms of addiction when it comes to processed food. By these criteria, addiction to highly processed foods was seen in:

The results

• 17% of adults aged 50 to 64, and 8% of adults aged 65-80

• 22% of women aged 50 to 64 and 18% of women aged 50 to 80

• 32% of women who say their physical health is fair or poor, and 14% of men who say the same – more than twice as high as the percentages among those who say their physical health is excellent, very good or good

• 45% of women who say their mental health is fair or poor, and 23% of men who say the same – three times as high as the percentages among those who say their mental health is excellent, very good or good

• 17% of men who self-report they are overweight, compared with 1% of men who indicate they’re around the right weight

• 34% of women who self-report they are overweight, compared with 4% who indicate they’re around the right weight

• 51% of women who say they often feel isolated from others, and 26% of men who say the same – compared with 8% of women

The most commonly reported symptom of addiction to highly processed foods was intense cravings, on the magnitude of smokers and those addicted to alcohol. Gephardt says questions about food cravings should become part of regular health screening at doctors’ offices.

Photo (c) Andrei Stanescu - Getty Images

Amazon’s latest push into the healthcare market has taken another turn. Six years after beginning its quest, the company announced that RxPass – a Prime membership benefit that offers consumers affordable, generic medications that treat more than 80 common health conditions – is now available in most U.S. states.

It’s not free, but it does meet the definition of affordable. With RxPass, Prime members can receive all of their eligible medications for a flat $5 monthly fee, plus have those prescriptions delivered free of charge. The company promised that there are no hidden fees and no markups to the $5 per month subscription. 

Who this will benefit

The company said that Prime members who pay more than $10 a month for their eligible medications will see their prescription costs drop by 50% or more by signing up for RxPass.

“Plus they save time by skipping a trip to the pharmacy,” said John Love, vice president of Amazon Pharmacy. “We are excited to offer our customers surprisingly simple, low pricing on the eligible medications they need each month.”

Enrolling in RxPass is pretty simple for existing Prime members. To sign up, members can go to the RxPass website.

From there, it’s a pretty easy sign-up process that verifies a person’s eligibility and prescription information. The company said that if customers have questions during the enrollment process or even after a prescription arrives, Amazon pharmacists are on hand 24/7 to help – be it coordinating with a customer’s doctor or helping with refills.

Will other retailers follow suit?

Don’t expect others to sit idly by while Amazon grabs up consumers trying to save money on prescriptions. In 2021, Walmart added prescription discounts to its Walmart+ membership program and invested considerable time in 2022 beefing up the number of Walmart Health locations. 

As PYMNTS noted earlier a couple of weeks ago, CVS is apparently planning to expand its healthcare offering, too, by acquiring Oak Street Health, a company centered on helping older adults stay healthy.

And to make sure rural America is taken care of, Dollar General is also seeing what it can do to bring affordable healthcare to consumers living outside larger cities. Taking a cue from the old mobile library van model, it’s partnering with DocGo to set up mobile clinics in Dollar General's parking lots where people can get preventative care services like vaccinations and immunizations and more immediate care services that address situations like the flu and COVID-19 or caring for a wound.

Many people in their 20s find they can eat and drink just about anything and not gain much weight. But when you hit 40, that changes quickly.

In fact, aging tends to slow down metabolism and the older you get, the harder it is to shed pounds. So, if you’ve resolved to lose weight in 2023, will speeding up your metabolism help? The jury is still out on that one.

Health experts at the Mayo Clinic say the best way to lose weight is to increase activity and reduce calories. But since metabolism is the process your body uses to convert food into energy, speeding up that process can’t hurt. 

“Supplements claiming to boost your metabolism may have little or no benefit and may contain substances that have serious side effects,” the clinic’s experts wrote. “How much you weigh largely depends on the choices you make about food and how much physical activity you get.”

Is there a way to safely speed up your metabolism? The ConsumerAffairs research team looked into it and found several natural ways to do it. And what we found may seem counter-intuitive: To speed up your metabolism you need to eat.

What to eat

The experts we consulted suggest eating breakfast and eating throughout the day. And you must eat the right kind of food.

They say you should start by eating more whole foods, which they describe as a simple way to improve your overall health and speed up your metabolism. That means cutting back on convenience foods.

Have a home-cooked meal with real ingredients once or twice a week. Add a couple of servings of whole fruits and vegetables to your daily diet and drink lots of water.

While altering your diet, get plenty of exercise to convert that food into energy. A combination of aerobic exercise and resistance training steps up fat burning and leads to an increase in metabolism.

Finally, cut back on caffeine and alcohol. According to the experts we consulted, both influence insulin output, glucose metabolism, and liver function and can slow metabolism.

Shoot for ‘normal’

If you’re in your 50s or 60s, you may find that even with these steps your metabolism isn’t going to return to the rapid rate of your 20s. Instead, it may return the rate to what is normal for your age.

If you're concerned about your weight or you think your metabolism is too slow, Dr. Donald Hensrud of the Mayo Clinic says you should discuss it with your doctor. 

“Your doctor can check for medical causes and help you adopt healthy lifestyle changes to aid your weight loss,” he said.

When January rolls around and the calendar flips to a new year, parking lots at fitness centers tend to suddenly be very crowded. There are a lot of New Year’s resolutions for improving health and fitness.

There are also plenty of gyms and fitness centers that can help with that, but which ones are the best? We checked ConsumerAffairs reviews to see how they rate on a 5-star scale and here are our top five. We included only national chains and companies with more than 100 reviews.

• Anytime Fitness 3.8 stars

• Planet Fitness 3.7 stars

• Curves 3.0 stars

• Gold’s Gym 2.9 stars

• 24-Hour Fitness 2.8 stars

Anytime Fitness

Anytime Fitness leads the pack. But like all health clubs, it has its share of detractors. Recent 1-star reviews seem to deal with club policies and complaints about local staff. Favorable reviews praise cleanliness, and on many occasions, local staff members.

The majority of negative reviews have to do with cancelation policies, which seem to be restrictive industry-wide. 

Planet Fitness

Planet Fitness is close behind in second place, and a couple of things stand out in customer reviews. At different locations across the country reviewers comment on maintenance and customer support.

“I just wanted to let someone know that the staff at PF Fredericksburg Costner Corner are amazing,” Angel, of Stafford, Va., wrote in a ConsumerAffairs review. “They always have smiles and are cleaning some type of equipment. It is refreshing to know that the staff truly cares about fitness and customer service.”

Curves International

Curves International is a women-only club – one of the largest fitness franchise chains for women, with over 1,000 locations in the U.S. and internationally. It offers group fitness classes, weight loss support and personal coaching.

“Very good customer service, clean place, great machines,” Blanca, of Reseda, Calif., told us during the early days of the pandemic. “Not so crowded, respectful crew.”

Gold’s Gym

Gold’s Gym, with a 2.9-star rating, is in fourth place. It has its share of gripes about membership and billing policies but gets a thumbs up from some customers for the quality and condition of equipment and the efficiency of the staff.

24 Hour Fitness

24 Hour Fitness, has a 2.8-star rating, dragged down in part by membership and cancelation policies. But even when things go wrong, at least one customer said the company made it right.

“I have had some issue with the billing statement, so I sent an email to 24H (and) within an hour, the location general manager called back and left a void message, explaining the issue and how to fix it. After that, I've received confirmation email that the issue has been resolved,” Don, of Allen, Texas, told us. Impressive!

According to our research, most gym memberships are paid in monthly dues which can range from around $10 to several hundred dollars a month, depending on the gym’s features and its location. 

Consumers considering a gym membership should get all the details in writing in an official contract. If it is difficult to cancel, know that going in.

Gym membership contracts and pricing schedules vary from company to company. Be sure to read the entire contract and ask questions before signing if you’re not sure what something means.

Memo to Santa – if you plan to stuff stockings with dark chocolate this year you might be advised to choose another candy. Despite previous studies, dark chocolate might not be so healthy.

Researchers at Consumer Reports (CR) report finding cadmium and lead, two heavy metals, in the dark chocolate bars they tested. Consuming just small amounts of those metals on a regular basis could lead to health problems in both children and adults.

So how much cadmium and lead are we talking about? The researchers conclude that eating just an ounce of dark chocolate daily would put an adult over the healthy limit.

The researchers also say that if you eat dark chocolate, the heavy metals are almost impossible to avoid. The research team tested 28 brands of dark chocolate bars. They found cadmium and lead in all 28.

Tunde Akinleye, the CR food safety researcher who led the project, says over-exposure to heavy metals can have negative health effects for people of all ages. He says it can lead to high blood pressure, immune system suppression and kidney damage, as well as other health conditions.

But who eats dark chocolate every day? You might be surprised. Consumer Reports cites data from Mintel suggesting that 15% of people who snack on dark chocolate do it every day.

Five brands with the least amount

But not to be a complete holiday buzzkill, the CR researchers did find five brands of dark chocolate with low levels of the metals. They are:

• Mast Organic Dark Chocolate

• Taza Organic Dark Chocolate

• Ghirardelli Intense Dark Chocolate

• Ghirardelli Intense Dark Chocolate Twilight Delight

• Valrhona Abinao Dark Chocolate

For years studies have heralded the positive health effects of dark chocolate. The candy is rich in antioxidants and has less sugar than other candies. 

A new study conducted by researchers from Duke-NUS explored the health benefits of B vitamins. According to their findings, vitamin B12 and folic acid may be used in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and slow the progression of the disease.

The researchers explained that the treatment may help prevent non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a severe form of liver disease where scar tissue and inflammation occur. 

“Our findings are both exciting and important because they suggest that a relatively inexpensive therapy, vitamin B12 and folic acid, could be used to prevent and/or delay the progression of NASH,” said researcher Dr. Brijesh Singh. “Additionally, serum and hepatic homocysteine levels could serve as biomarkers for NASH severity.” 

Improving liver health

The researchers started their work by examining the role that homocysteine, an amino acid, plays in liver disease. Earlier studies have linked higher levels of it to the development of NASH. This study assessed the interaction between homocysteine and liver function in preclinical trials. 

While the team was able to confirm that elevated homocysteine levels can impede consumers’ liver function, they also found that increasing consumers' intake of both vitamin B and folic acid promoted better liver health. 

The researchers found that taking supplements for both vitamins restored key liver functions. Not only did it slow the progression of liver disease and the development of NASH, but it also increased levels of syntaxin 17, which is an important protein in the liver. With higher syntaxin 17 levels, the liver was able to remove toxins and produce healthier cells. High levels of each vitamin were also linked with a lower risk of fibrosis and liver inflammation. 

“While fat deposition in the liver is reversible in its early stages, its progression to NASH causes liver dysfunction, cirrhosis, and increases the risk for liver cancer,” Dr. Madhulika Tripathi. 

While there are currently no treatments available for patients with NASH, the researchers hope their findings highlight the benefits of increasing vitamin B and folic acid levels. 

“Currently, the only treatment for patients with end-stage liver disease is to receive a transplant,” said researcher Patrick Casey. “The findings by Dr. Tripathi and her colleagues demonstrate that a simple, affordable, and accessible intervention could potentially half or reverse the damage to the liver, bringing new hope to those suffering from fatty liver diseases. The team’s findings underscore the value of basic scientific research, through which the scientific community continues to have a major positive impact on the lives of patients.” 

CVS, which added the word “Health” to its corporate name a few years ago, has announced plans to move even more deeply into the health care field.

Company CEO Karen Lynch, addressing reporters and analysts on the company’s second-quarter earnings call, said CVS Health plans to provide primary health care services by merging with or acquiring a provider. With that move, the company has telegraphed its intentions to compete with Amazon and Walgreens – two companies that are already moving in that direction. 

In addition to its retail drug stores throughout the U.S., CVS Health operates MiniuteClinics inside some of its stores, where customers can get a vaccination or urgent care. The company also owns Aetna, a major health insurance provider.

The addition of primary care services would greatly expand the company’s health care footprint. It would offer doctor offices that could provide annual checkups, as well as treat acute symptoms or injuries. 

Making health services more accessible

Company executives have said such an expansion would bring health care services to many people who have no doctor or who are underserved. It would also provide services during off hours and weekends when private practice doctor offices are closed.

Rather than build from scratch, company officials have said the best strategy would be to acquire an entity that is already providing those services. 

Walgreens and Amazon have already moved into the primary care space, with the former opening hundreds of primary care offices in partnership with VillageMD. Amazon announced in July that it is buying One Medical, a chain of primary health care offices, for nearly $4 billion. One Medical has 188 locations in 25 markets.

Aetna expands offerings in California

Meanwhile, CVS Health has announced that Aetna is entering the individual insurance exchange marketplace in California with its Aetna CVS Health co-branded insurance product. The company says those plans will provide affordable access to health care for more Californians.

"With millions of Americans being uninsured or underinsured, our plans provide quality care, at an affordable price and the ability to conveniently access this care using virtual technology and in-person care in their communities," said Dr. Kyu Rhee, chief medical officer at Aetna. "By bridging the gap between people and the support and services they need, we can offer a human-centered approach where, when, and how they need us."

As these plans roll out, CVS Health says policyholders will have access to Aetna's expansive network of primary care doctors, mental health providers, specialists, and hospitals.

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Missouri-Columbia explored how a preexisting digestive issue may affect pregnant women and their babies. According to their findings, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may increase the risk of complications and health risks for pregnant women and their newborns. 

“IBD is an incurable disease, and its relapsing and remitting nature is stressful for the estimated 3 million U.S. men and women diagnosed,” said researcher Dr. Yezaz Ghouri. “

Because this disease tends to affect women during their peak fertility period, we wanted to know the impact of IBD on maternal and fetal outcomes. To our knowledge, this study is the most comprehensive of its kind, using data from multiple institutions in 48 states.” 

Pregnancy risks

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from 8 million pregnancies between 2016 and 2018. They looked closely at those who had received IBD diagnoses and their pregnancy and delivery outcomes. The researchers also accounted for several health and lifestyle factors, such as high blood pressure, smoking, malnutrition, age, race, and obesity, among several others. 

The study showed that there were several health risks present among pregnant women with IBD. Compared to women without the digestive condition, pregnant women with IBD were more likely to spend extra time in the hospital after they gave birth, which also led to larger medical bills. The researchers found that women with IBD were likely to spend nearly $3,000 more on hospital bills than women who didn’t have IBD. 

From a health standpoint, IBD posed a risk to both women and their babies. Women with the condition were more likely to have a stillbirth, deliver early, and give birth to babies with low birth weight. Additionally, they had a higher risk of high blood pressure problems, gestational diabetes, and postpartum hemorrhage. 

The researchers hope these findings highlight the benefits of women working with their doctors to get a handle on IBD before getting pregnant, as it is likely to lead to better pregnancy outcomes for both them and their babies. 

“Based on our findings, we suggest that women who have moderate to severe IBD should get pre-conceptional counseling and be treated aggressively to achieve remission prior to getting pregnant,” Dr. Ghouri said. “Our study results illustrate the importance that IBD be optimally controlled prior to conception.” 

A new study conducted by the Mayo Clinic explored the way that consumers’ diet choices can affect their kidney health. According to their findings, incorporating more foods that are high in potassium and calcium are likely to lower the risk of recurring kidney stones. 

“These dietary findings may have particular importance because recommendations for preventing kidney stones have been based primarily on dietary factors associated with first-time rather than recurrent stone formation,” said researcher Dr. Andrew Rule. “Patients may not be likely to adjust their diet to prevent an incidence of kidney stones, but they are more likely to do so if it can help prevent recurrence.” 

Improving long-term kidney health

The researchers had over 400 participants who recently had their first kidney stones and over 380 people who hadn’t had a kidney stone involved in the study. All of the participants visited the Mayo Clinic in either Florida or Rochester between 2009 and 2018, and they answered in-depth questionnaires that assessed their diets. 

Ultimately, there were several links between diet and kidney health. Lower levels of calcium and potassium were two of the leading risk factors associated with getting the first kidney stone. After following up with the participants for more than four years, the researchers learned that increasing calcium and potassium intake was beneficial in preventing future kidney stones. 

The team recommends that consumers incorporate more foods that are high in both nutrients. This can include fruits and vegetables like apricots, bananas, peas, oranges, potatoes, cantaloupe, and zucchini, among several others. The researchers say aiming for 1,200 mg of calcium per day should be consumers’ goal, but there is no set figure for potassium intake. 

“Changing your diet to prevent kidney stones can be very difficult,” Dr. Rule said. “Thus, knowing the dietary factors that are most important for preventing kidney stone recurrence can help patients and providers know what to prioritize.” 

For more than 20 years, LASIK eye surgery has been a big business. Now, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wants consumers to know more about the risks and benefits before they undergo the operation.

The FDA has issued draft guidance to help improve the flow of information to both patients and health care professionals so that everyone knows what to expect with a successful procedure and what could go wrong.  

"It is important to provide patients with comprehensive labeling that clearly describes the risks involved with LASIK surgery, including potential adverse effects such as dry eye, pain and discomfort, and visual symptoms," said Dr. Jeff Shuren, director of the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health. "These proposed labeling recommendations, based on extensive consultation with stakeholders and patients, are intended to present information about LASIK in language that is easy to read and understand."

Shuren said the draft guidance is designed to support discussions that patients should have with their eye care providers to help them make an informed decision before proceeding with the surgery. 

LASIK is performed using lasers on an outpatient basis. It’s a procedure that permanently reshapes the cornea to change the way the eye focuses light rays onto the retina at the back of the eye. 

Corrects common vision problems

Doctors who perform LASIK surgery use it to correct common vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. It can also reduce a patient’s need to wear glasses and contact lenses.

According to the Mayo Clinic, there can be complications that result in a loss of vision, but they are very rare. Clinic doctors say other side effects of LASIK eye surgery -- particularly, dry eyes and temporary visual problems such as glare -- are fairly common.

A prominent Russian eye surgeon, Dr. Svyatoslav Fydorov, discovered the LASIK procedure in 1974 by accident when he was treating a young boy’s eye injury. The FDA approved the procedure in 1999. Since then, an estimated 10 million Americans have had the operation.

New FDA guidance

The FDA’s draft guidance includes the agency’s recommendations for both the content and format of patient labeling for LASIK devices. It includes:

• General information about the surgical procedure

• Indications for use, benefits, procedure alternatives, contraindications, warnings, and precautions

• Risks

• What to expect before, during, and after surgery

• Clinical study information

• Manufacturer contact information

The draft guidance also proposes the inclusion of a decision checklist as part of the labeling information that physicians provide to their patients prior to the procedure. 

To help patients fully understand the decision checklist, the FDA said it will provide information about who is a good candidate for LASIK and a summary of the long-term risks. 

A new study conducted by researchers from the European Society of Cardiology explored how women’s diets may affect their heart health. Their findings showed that eating more foods that are high in potassium may improve women’s long-term heart health and neutralize the effects of salty foods. 

“It is well known that high salt consumption is associated with elevated blood pressure and a raised risk of heart attacks and strokes,” said researcher Liffert Vogt. “Health advice has focused on limiting salt intake but this is difficult to achieve when our diets include processed foods. Potassium helps the body excrete more sodium in the urine. In our study, dietary potassium was linked with the greatest health gains in women.” 

Potassium can improve heart health

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from nearly 25,000 people between the ages of 40 and 79 who were enrolled in the EPIC-Norfolk study. Participants provided a urine sample, answered questions about their lifestyles, and also had their blood pressure measured. 

The researchers identified a link between women’s potassium intake, salt intake, and blood pressure. Independent of salt intake, higher potassium consumption was linked with lower blood pressure in women. However, the study also found that women with high sodium levels were able to improve their blood pressure when they increased their potassium intake. Each one-gram increase in potassium was linked with a 2.4 mmHg lower systolic blood pressure reading. 

“The results suggest that potassium helps preserve heart health, but that women benefit more than men,” Vogt said. “The relationship between potassium and cardiovascular events was the same regardless of salt intake, suggesting that potassium has other ways of protecting the heart on top of increasing sodium excretion.” 

For consumers looking to incorporate more potassium into their diets, the researchers recommend eating more beans, bananas, fish, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and nuts. The team says more women should also consider adding salmon or avocados into their diets to improve their long-term heart health. 

“Our findings indicate that a heart-healthy diet goes beyond limiting salt to boosting potassium content,” said Vogt. “Food companies can help by swapping standard sodium-based salt for a potassium salt alternative in processed foods. On top of that, we should all prioritize fresh, unprocessed foods since they are both rich in potassium and low in salt.” 

The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially declared monkeypox to be a global health emergency.

After the outbreak grew from 3,040 cases in 47 countries to 16,000 cases in 75 countries, and five deaths occurred in a month's time, the organization’s Emergency Committee decided that the virus represented a public health emergency that affects every corner of the world.

WHO officials say the risk of monkeypox is "moderate" on a global scale, but they note that the risk is high in the European region. While there is a risk of the virus spreading further internationally, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said there is currently a low risk of the virus interfering with international traffic.

Not necessarily related to monkeys

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the monkeypox virus has been around since 1958. It is part of the same family of viruses as the variola virus, which is connected to smallpox. Monkeypox symptoms are similar to the symptoms of smallpox, but they tend to be milder and are rarely fatal.

The CDC notes that the source of monkeypox is unknown. It is not related to chickenpox or – despite its name – specifically related to monkeys. While non-human primates such as monkeys can harbor the virus and infect people, so can African rodents like striped mice and tree squirrels.

Although he is declaring a public health emergency of international concern, Ghebreyesus said the outbreak is currently concentrated among sexually active gay men, especially those who have multiple sexual partners.

“That means that this is an outbreak that can be stopped with the right strategies in the right groups,” he said. “It’s therefore essential that all countries work closely with communities of men who have sex with men, to design and deliver effective information and services, and to adopt measures that protect the health, human rights, and dignity of affected communities.

“In addition to our recommendations to countries, I am also calling on civil society organizations, including those with experience in working with people living with HIV, to work with us on fighting stigma and discrimination,” Ghebreyesus said.

Addressing the outbreak

Not unlike the coronavirus, Ghebreyus said consumers may want to reconsider having gatherings while the current outbreak is a threat. However, he noted that it isn't mandatory to cancel these gatherings as a "default measure."

The WHO is taking the outbreak seriously and has laid out a plan to curb the spread of monkeypox as quickly and effectively as possible. The organization hopes to mitigate any further outbreaks by implementing a coordinated response to stop transmission of the virus. It is also seeking to protect vulnerable groups and strengthen clinical management and infection prevention and control in hospitals and clinics.

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Texas Health Science Center explored how consumers’ lifestyles can affect their risk of stroke. According to their findings, adopting heart-healthy habits may help lower the genetic risk of having a stroke. 

“Our study confirmed that modifying lifestyle risk factors, such as controlling blood pressure, can offset a genetic risk of stroke,” said researcher Myriam Fornage, Ph.D. 

Promoting long-term heart health

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from over 11,500 adults between the ages of 45 and 64. The team followed the group for nearly 30 years and tracked their cardiovascular health in seven key areas – smoking, diet, exercise, weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar. 

While having a genetic predisposition to stroke certainly elevated the participants’ risk of having one, the study also showed that taking steps to live a healthy life can lower that risk. The researchers learned that stopping smoking, eating better, getting activity, losing weight, managing blood pressure, controlling cholesterol, and reducing blood sugar lowered the risk of stroke by as much as 45%; this was true regardless of how high participants' genetic risk for stroke was.

However, the opposite was also found to be true. Participants with the poorest heart health increased their risk of stroke – especially when they had a genetically higher risk for the condition. Following the most healthy habits was linked with just over a 6% risk of stroke, whereas following the fewest healthy habits made strokes nearly 57% more likely. 

Moving forward, the team hopes these findings can be helpful in identifying those who may have the highest risk of experiencing a stroke because of both genetic and cardiovascular factors. Making these lifestyle adjustments can help promote long-term heart health. 

“We can use genetic information to determine who is at higher risk and encourage them to adopt a healthy cardiovascular lifestyle, such as following the AHA’s Life’s Simple 7, to lower that risk and live a longer, healthier life,” said Dr. Fornage. 

Earlier this year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) opted not to impose a total ban on phthalates in consumer products. However, findings from a recent study suggest that pregnant women could be endangered by that decision.

Researchers from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that pregnant women who are exposed to these chemicals have a higher chance of experiencing a preterm birth.

"Having a preterm birth can be dangerous for both baby and mom, so it is important to identify risk factors that could prevent it," said Dr. Kelly Ferguson, an epidemiologist and the study's senior author.

Preterm births spiked when phthalates were present

The research team analyzed data from over 6,000 pregnant women in the U.S. and found that those who had higher levels of phthalate metabolites in their urine were more likely to experience a preterm birth. Preterm births were defined as a delivery that occurred three or more weeks before the expected due date.

The researchers stated that the most consistent levels of phthalate metabolites came from personal care products like nail polish and cosmetics. Using statistical models, they predicted that lowering phthalate metabolite levels by 50% could prevent 12% more preterm births, on average. 

"It is difficult for people to completely eliminate exposure to these chemicals in everyday life, but our results show that even small reductions within a large population could have positive impacts on both mothers and their children," said first study author Dr. Barrett Welch.

The researchers recommend that consumers reduce their phthalate exposure by eating more fresh, home-cooked foods and avoiding processed foods that come in plastic containers and wrappings. They also say pregnant women can opt for fragrance-free or "phthalate-free" products to help lower their exposure.

The full study has been published in JAMA Pediatrics.

A new study conducted by researchers from the American College of Cardiology explored how dealing with the loss of a family member may affect consumers’ heart health. Their findings showed that heart failure (HF) patients who experience the death of a loved one may have a higher risk of dying themselves. 

“The association between bereavement and mortality was not only observed in cases of loss due to cardiovascular disease and other natural causes, but also in cases of unnatural deaths,” said researcher Hua Chen.

“Our finding that bereavement was associated with mortality in HF patients contributes to and extends the existing literature regarding role of stress in prognosis of HF and is consistent with studies reporting associations between bereavement and increased risk of incident cardiovascular conditions.”  

Grief and heart health concerns

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from over 500,000 heart failure patients who were either enrolled in the Swedish Heart Failure Registry from 2000-2018 or who had received a heart failure diagnosis between 1987 and 2018. The team followed up with the participants over the course of several years and looked at the Cause of Death Register to determine the link between grief and heart health. 

The team ultimately identified a link between grieving and heart failure. The greatest risk came after losing a spouse, as the study participants had a 20% higher risk of death. Losing a sibling, child, or grandchild yielded similar risks for those struggling with both heart failure and grief. 

The researchers also identified other risk factors that could impact how heart failure patients deal with loss. The study showed that losing multiple family members increased the risk of heart failure patients’ death by 35%. 

The team found that the risk of death was highest within the first week of losing a loved one. In that first week, the risk of death after losing a spouse shot up to 113%, while the risk of death after losing a child went from 10% to 31% in that time. In general, heart failure patients had a nearly 80% higher risk of death within the first week after experiencing a loss. 

The researchers explained that heightened stress during the grieving process may be responsible for the increased risk of death. They hope these findings inspire greater support and mental health resources for heart failure patients after losing a family member. 

“The findings of the study may call for increased attention from family members, friends, and involved professionals for bereaved heart failure patients, particularly in the period shortly after a loss,” said researcher Krisztina László.

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Melbourne explored how childhood health outcomes may linger into adulthood. According to their findings, contracting bronchitis before the age of seven may increase the risk of lung disease and respiratory concerns in middle age. 

“This is the first very long-term prospective study that has examined the relationship between childhood bronchitis severity with adult lung health outcomes,” said researcher Dr. Jennifer Perret.

“We have seen already that children with protracted bacterial bronchitis are at an increased risk of serious chronic infective lung disease after two to five years, so studies like ours are documenting the potential for symptomatic children to develop lung conditions, such as asthma and lung function changes, up to mid-adult life.” 

Long-term respiratory health risks

The researchers analyzed data from over 8,500 people enrolled in the Tasmanian Longitudinal Health Study. They tracked the participants' health outcomes for more than four decades and asked participants about their health histories and current health status. 

The study showed that nearly 48% of the participants had been diagnosed with bronchitis during childhood. The more severe the case of bronchitis was during childhood, the more likely the participants were to be diagnosed with asthma or pneumonia in middle age. 

“Compared with the majority who never had bronchitis, there was an incremental increase in risk for later asthma and pneumonia, which strengthened the more often a person has suffered from bronchitis as a child, and especially if they had recurrent episodes which were prolonged for at least one month in duration,” Dr. Perret said. 

“It is notable that the link with later adult active asthma was seen for participants who did not have co-existent asthma or wheezing in childhood, and a similar finding has been recently seen in a very large meta-analysis of school-aged children who had had a lower respiratory tract infection during early childhood.” 

Knowing that respiratory health during childhood can have lasting effects into adulthood, the researchers hope more medical professionals pay close attention to their young patients who struggle with lung health. 

“Collectively, these findings provide novel insights into the potential natural history of severe bronchitis in children,” the researchers wrote. “Importantly, they support initiatives to enhance awareness among primary care physicians to promote the timely diagnosis and management of protracted episodes of cough in children with close monitoring for subsequent development of asthma and other complications such as bronchiectasis.” 

While recent studies have found how consumers’ food choices can help them live longer, a new study conducted by researchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health explored how certain personality traits may affect our lifespans.

According to their findings, women with high levels of optimism may be more likely to live longer – sometimes past 90 years old. 

“Although optimism itself may be affected by social structural factors, such as race and ethnicity, our research suggests that the benefits of optimism may hold across diverse groups,” said researcher Hayami Koga.

“A lot of previous work has focused on deficits or risk factors that increase the risk for disease and premature death. Our findings suggest that there’s value to focusing on positive psychological factors, like optimism, as possible new ways of promoting longevity and healthy aging across diverse groups.” 

Improving lifespan

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from nearly 160,000 women who were enrolled in the Women’s Health Initiative study. The women were between the ages of 50 and 79 when the study began, and they regularly completed surveys about their life experiences. The researchers followed up with them for nearly three decades. 

There was a clear link between optimism and longevity. The researchers found that participants with the highest levels of optimism were 10% more likely to live beyond 90 years old and increase their lifespan by nearly 5.5%. The team said these findings held up regardless of several important factors like healthy eating and exercise, chronic health conditions, mental health, and demographic factors.

Moving forward, the researchers hope these findings inspire women to think differently about their health and wellness. 

“We tend to focus on the negative risk factors that affect our health,” said Koga. “It is also important to think about the positive resources such as optimism that may be beneficial to our health, especially if we see that these benefits are seen across racial and ethnic groups.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Warwick explored some of the risks related to dementia. Their findings showed that experiencing social isolation may increase consumers’ risk of dementia. 

“There is a difference between social isolation, which is an objective state of low social connections, and loneliness, which is subjectively perceived social isolation,” said researcher Edmund Rolls.

“Both have risks to health, but using the extensive multi-modal dataset from the U.K. Biobank, and working in a multidisciplinary way linking computational sciences and neuroscience, we have been able to show that it is social isolation, rather than the feeling of loneliness, which is an independent risk factor for later dementia.” 

Long-term dementia risks

The researchers analyzed data from over 462,000 participants with an average age of 57 who were enrolled in the U.K. Biobank dataset. The team analyzed the participants’ brain scans and accounted for socioeconomic, demographic, health, and behavioral factors, such as alcohol intake, smoking status, and physical activity. They followed up with the group for more than a decade to understand the link between social isolation and dementia. 

The researchers learned that social isolation played a major role in the participants’ long-term cognitive health. Those who experienced social isolation were 26% more likely to develop dementia. 

The team also looked at what role loneliness played in cognitive health. The findings showed that loneliness did increase the risk of dementia; however, for participants also struggling with depression, the link between social isolation and dementia wasn’t as strong. 

The researchers explained that social isolation affected the participants’ brains. This group had lower levels of gray matter in the frontal and temporal regions of the brain, which can affect memory and overall cognitive health. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected consumers’ social habits and made isolation more common, so the researchers hope more work is done to improve communication and interactions. 

“With the growing prevalence of social isolation and loneliness over the past decades, this has been a serious yet underappreciated public health problem,” said Rolls. “Now, in the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are implications for social relationship interventions and care – particularly in the older population.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from the American Heart Association explored the effect that omega-3 fatty acids may have on blood pressure. According to their findings, consuming around three grams of either docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) or eicosapentaenoic acid (EHA) per day can lead to better health outcomes.

“According to our research, the average adult may have modest blood pressure reduction from consuming about three grams of a day of these fatty acids,” said researcher Dr. Xinzhi Li. 

Improving blood pressure

The researchers analyzed data from over 70 clinical trials from 1987 through 2020 that explored the link between omega-3s and blood pressure. This included information on more than 5,000 study participants between the ages of 22 and 86; some of them had high blood pressure and others didn’t. 

The study showed that sticking to two to three grams per day of either DHAs or EHAs was linked with better blood pressure outcomes. Those with healthy blood pressure levels who incorporated this amount on a daily basis were likely to see a small drop in both diastolic and systolic blood pressure readings. 

However, for those already struggling with high blood pressure, the benefits were even greater. After eating three grams of omega-3s, the high blood pressure group experienced a greater dip in systolic blood pressure. On the other hand, those without hypertension noted a much smaller drop in blood pressure when increasing their DHA or EPA intake. 

The researchers explained that they want to do more work in this area, as there was no way to distinguish which participants were using omega-3 supplements and which chose to change their diets to incorporate more omega-3s. Regardless, these findings do point to the benefits of the fatty acid. 

“Our study supports the FDA guidance that EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by lowering high blood pressure, especially among people already diagnosed with hypertension,” Dr. Li said. “However, while our study may add a layer of credible evidence, it does not meet the threshold to make an authorized health claim for omega-3 fatty acids in compliance with FDA regulations.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Cambridge explored how consumers’ TV-watching habits may affect their long-term heart health. They learned that cutting back TV time to less than one hour per day may prevent more than 15% of coronary heart disease cases. 

“Our study provides unique insights into the potential role that limiting TV viewing might have in preventing coronary heart disease,” said researcher Dr. Youngwon Kim. “Individuals who watch TV for less than one hour a day were less likely to develop the condition, independent of their genetic risk. 

“Limiting the amount of time sat watching TV could be a useful, and relatively light touch, lifestyle change that could help individuals with a high genetic predisposition to coronary heart disease in particular to manage their risk.” 

Preventing poor heart health

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from over 500,000 adults enrolled in the U.K. Biobank. The participants answered questions about how often they watched TV and how much time they spent on computers. The researchers then created heart disease risk scores for the participants based on genetic risk factors of the condition. 

The team identified a link between time spent watching TV and long-term heart health. Ultimately, those who watched the most TV also had the highest risk of developing coronary heart disease; however, time spent on computers didn’t affect disease risk. 

Regardless of genetic risks, four hours or more of watching TV each day was associated with the highest risk of heart disease. However, cutting back on TV watching helped participants prevent their risk of coronary heart disease. Those who watched two to three hours of TV each day were 6% less likely to develop heart disease than those who watched four hours or more. That percentage was even higher for those who watched less than an hour of TV each day, at 16%. 

The researchers explained that there could be several reasons why this link between TV watching and heart disease exists. They said consumers tend to snack more when they watch TV for longer periods of time. Another factor is that most consumers watch the bulk of their TV after eating dinner, which is likely to increase cholesterol and blood sugar levels. 

“Coronary heart disease is one of the most prominent causes of premature death, so finding ways to help people manage their risk through lifestyle modification is important,” said researcher Dr. Katrien Wijndaele. “The World Health Organization recommends reducing the amount of sedentary behavior and replacing it with physical activity of any intensity as a way of keeping healthier. 

“While it isn’t possible to say for certain that sitting watching TV increases your risk of coronary heart disease, because of various potential confounding factors and measurement error, our work supports the WHO’s guidelines. It suggests a straightforward, measurable way of achieving this goal for the general population as well as individuals at high genetic risk of coronary heart disease.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from Yale University explored some of the health risks associated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). While these painkillers have anti-inflammatory properties, some of them may also make health concerns like cancer or heart disease more common. 

This study showed that a specific group of NSAIDs activate a protein – nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) – that works to reduce inflammation. While the team can’t say with certainty that NRF2 is the link behind these drugs and adverse health outcomes, the findings from this study indicate that this might be the case. 

“It’s interesting and exciting that NSAIDs have a different mode of action than what was previously known,” said researcher Anna Eisenstein. “And because people use NSAIDs so frequently, it’s important we know what they’re doing in the body.” 

Understanding the health risks associated with NSAIDs

The researchers conducted their study on mice to better understand how NSAIDs work in the body and can cause long-term health risks. Previous studies have shown that these drugs work by hindering the production of certain enzymes; however, this process doesn’t explain some of the health risks associated with these drugs, including a higher risk of heart disease. 

The team learned that certain types of NSAIDs like ibuprofen and indomethacin activate the NRF2 protein and produce anti-inflammatory properties throughout the body. The NRF2 protein is incredibly powerful and can affect several different bodily processes, such as aging, immune response, longevity, and metabolism. 

“That NRF2 does so much suggests that NSAIDs might have other effects, whether beneficial or adverse, that we haven’t yet looked for,” Eisenstein said. 

As more studies examine how these painkillers can be used to treat inflammatory conditions like asthma or Alzheimer’s disease, doctors may give their patients guidance on which NSAIDs to take for different ailments. 

Previous research has already shown that children who suffer from insomnia have a higher risk of developing anxiety and other mental health problems. But a new study from the University of Helsinki suggests that the condition can be devastating to older consumers too. 

Researchers found that consumers who developed insomnia in midlife experienced problems with their memory, concentration, and ability to learn. These problems persisted well into later life, affecting participants even after they had retired. 

"The findings indicate that severe insomnia symptoms were associated with worse cognitive function among those who were on statutory pension," said researcher Antti Etholén.

Symptoms worsen with prolonged insomnia

The researchers found that study participants who experienced insomnia symptoms over longer periods of time had the worst cognitive outcomes. However, the team noted that mental function improved by retirement age if symptoms eased over the years. 

The team stated that there are several ways for consumers to improve their chances of getting a good night's sleep, including adjusting the temperature and brightness of the sleeping area. Adjusting factors like coffee consumption, diet, and exercise can also help.

"Based on our findings, early intervention tackling insomnia symptoms, or measures aimed at improving the quality of sleep would be justified," said researcher and professor Tea Lallukka.

The researchers hope to continue researching this subject by investigating whether the treatment of insomnia could help slow down the development of memory disorders. The full study has been published in the Journal of Aging and Health.

A new study conducted by researchers from the American Heart Association explored the health risks associated with prediabetes. According to the findings, high sugar levels may increase young people's risk of being hospitalized due to a heart attack.

“Prediabetes, if left untreated, can significantly impact health and progress to type 2 diabetes, which is known to increase a person’s risk for cardiovascular disease,” said researcher Dr. Akhil Jain.

“With heart attacks happening increasingly in young adults, our study was focused on defining the risk factors pertinent to this young population, so that future scientific guidelines and health policies may be better able to address cardiovascular disease risks in relation to prediabetes.” 

Long-term heart health risks

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from consumers between the ages of 18 and 44 who were enrolled in the National Inpatient Sample in 2018. They looked specifically at hospitalization records for young adults who had heart attacks. 

The team was able to identify a link between prediabetes and heart attack risk. The incidence of heart attack was over 2.1% for participants with prediabetes. That paled in comparison to the only 0.3% of people who had healthy blood sugar levels.

“After taking into account various influencing and modifying factors, we found that young adults with prediabetes had 1.7 times higher chances of being hospitalized for a heart attack compared to their peers without prediabetes,” said Dr. Jain. “Despite having higher chances of having a heart attack, the young adults with prediabetes did not have higher incidences of other major adverse cardiovascular events, such as cardiac arrest or stroke.” 

The team identified other health and demographic factors that impacted the participants’ heart health. Prediabetes was linked with higher risks of both obesity and high cholesterol, both of which can impact heart health. The researchers also learned that consumers with prediabetes who had higher incomes and those who were Black, Hispanic, or Asian/Pacific Islander were all more likely to be hospitalized with a heart attack. 

Moving forward, the researchers hope these findings encourage more consumers to take control of their health before prediabetes escalates. 

“When blood sugar levels meet the criteria for prediabetes, this is a wake-up call to take action,” said researcher Dr. Eduardo Sanchez. “It’s important for people with prediabetes to know lifestyle changes are key to improving their glucose levels and overall health, and possibly reversing prediabetes and preventing type 2 diabetes. 

“Eating a healthy diet, being physically active, and losing weight, if needed, are all meaningful ways to reverse a prediabetes diagnosis. For smokers, participation in a program to stop smoking is also extremely important. Other lifestyle and behavior changes, like reducing stress, may seem small, yet they can have a large impact on many different areas of life and can make a difference as well.”

Drug overdoses cost the lives of more than 100,000 Americans in 2021, up 15% from 2020 and more than any other year, according to a new report from the National Center for Health Statistics.

The report claims that more than 80,000 people died using opioids (including prescription pain pills and fentanyl). Since the year 2000, prescription pain pills, heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine have killed more than a million people across the U.S.

“2022 will probably be as horrible as 2021 was, quite possibly worse,” Keith Humphreys, an addiction and drug policy researcher at Stanford University, told the Washington Post.

The Post reported that overdose deaths skyrocketed by 30% during the first half of the COVID-19 pandemic from 2019 to 2020. The publication cited strained finances, mental health issues, and the housing crisis as reasons for the spike.

Young and rural consumers affected most

Most of the people affected by the drug outbreak are younger Americans and those living in rural areas. A recent study from the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that young Americans lost an estimated 1.2 million years of life from drug overdoses between 2015 and 2019.

“Adult decedents have been the focus of most overdose mortality reports, despite the fact that adolescents (aged 10-19 years) and young people (aged 10-24 years) are increasingly dying of unintentional drug overdose,” the study authors reported.

“This troubling trend requires further study, given that adolescents and young people are deprived of many more years of work, community life, and family life than are older individuals dying of unintentional drug overdose.” 

Humphreys notes that fentanyl has significantly impacted the number of opioid overdoses. He says the drug, which is increasingly laced in counterfeit pills bought online and made in labs, is easier to produce than plant-based drugs. It’s also sometimes mixed with heroin, cocaine, or methamphetamines, which makes it an even greater concern. 

“There may not be much heroin around in 10 years because everything is fentanyl,” Humphreys said. “What do you do in a world where no one needs a farm anymore to make drugs?”

A new study conducted by researchers from Washington State University explored the long-term health risks associated with food insecurity. According to their findings, young adults who struggled to get enough food were more likely to develop diabetes and obesity within 10 years than those without food security issues. 

“When we look at the data 10 years later, we do see this separation in prevalence of diabetes: those that experienced risk of food insecurity at young adulthood are more likely to have diabetes in middle adulthood,” said researcher Cassandra Nguyen. 

Long-term health risks

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from nearly 4,000 people enrolled in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. Participants received medical exams at the start of the study to get a baseline assessment of body mass index scores and their risk for diabetes. They also reported on other important factors, such as the risk of food insecurity, social demographics, and overall health and wellness. 

The researchers ultimately identified a link between food insecurity and long-term health risks. Participants between the ages of 24 and 32 who were worried about having enough food at any point within the last year were more likely to develop obesity and diabetes by middle adulthood.

The team didn’t notice any higher or lower risk of disease among different racial or ethnic groups. However, they explained that food insecurity may make consumers more likely to follow unhealthier diets, which increases the risk for higher BMIs and diabetes. 

“Eating according to the dietary guidelines tends to cost more money, and it may cost more time,” Nguyen said. “It’s not always accessible to households that have limitations such as transportation to sources of lower cost, nutritionally dense food.” 

Moving forward, the researchers say consumers need to be educated about the resources available to those struggling with food security, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). 

“It’s really important to ensure that individuals who are experiencing food insecurity are able to be identified and that they have resources made available to them to be able to break the cycle,” Nguyen said. 

A new study conducted by researchers from the American Academy of Neurology explored how antioxidants can affect cognitive health. According to their findings, consumers with higher levels of antioxidants may be less likely to develop dementia. 

“Extending people’s cognitive functioning is an important public health challenge,” said researcher May A. Beydoun, Ph.D. “Antioxidants may help protect the brain from oxidative stress, which can cause cell damage. Further studies are needed to test whether adding these antioxidants can help protect the brain from dementia.” 

How antioxidants affect brain health

The researchers had over 7,200 people who were at least 45 years old involved in the study. The team took baseline vitals -- including a blood test, a physical exam, and a cognitive assessment -- at the start of the study. The researchers then tracked the participants' health outcomes over the course of 16 years. 

The study showed that participants who had the highest levels of three antioxidants – lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-cryptoxanthin – had a lower risk of developing dementia. Each 15.4 micromoles/liter increase of lutein and zeaxanthin was linked with a 7% lower risk of dementia. Similarly, each 8.6 micromoles/liter increase of beta-cryptoxanthin was linked with a 14% lower risk of dementia. 

The researchers explained that lutein and zeaxanthin can be found in broccoli, kale, spinach, and other leafy, green vegetables. On the other hand, beta-cryptoxanthin can be found in fruits, like persimmons, oranges, tangerines, and papayas. 

While the researchers hope to do more work in this area to better understand why this link between antioxidants and dementia risk exists, these findings highlight the cognitive benefits of having higher antioxidant levels. 

“It’s important to note that the effect of these antioxidants on the risk of dementia was reduced somewhat when we took into account other factors such as education, income, and physical activity, so it’s possible that those factors may help explain the relationship between antioxidant levels and dementia,” Dr. Beydoun said. 

Recent studies have discovered how consumers’ health during childhood can impact them into adulthood. Now, researchers from the American Heart Association have explored how experiences during childhood can affect long-term heart health. 

According to their findings, experiencing abuse during childhood may increase the risk of having high cholesterol as an adult. 

“Our findings demonstrate how the negative and positive experiences we have in childhood can have long-term cardiovascular consequences in adulthood and define key heart disease risk disparities by race and sex,” said researcher Liliana Aguayo, Ph.D. 

How childhood experiences affect heart health

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from over 5,100 adults enrolled in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study from 1985 to 1986 and 2015 to 2016. Participants were around 25 years old when the study began, and they received clinical exams at the start of the study and then every few years for nearly 30 years. The participants also completed questionnaires about their childhoods that focused on abuse, nurturing, and household organization. 

The researchers learned that participants who experienced abuse when they were kids had a higher risk for serious long-term health conditions, including high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes. However, the study also showed that certain demographic factors can impact consumers’ long-term heart health. 

The study found that high cholesterol was 3.5 times more common in white women and Black men who experienced frequent abuse as children. On the other hand, high cholesterol was nearly 35% less likely among those with no history of abuse or household dysfunction. 

White men who reported mild abuse during childhood were 35% more likely to have high cholesterol as adults when compared to white men with no such childhood history; similarly, white women who had experienced low levels of abuse during childhood were 26% more likely to have high cholesterol as adults. 

White men who experienced frequent abuse during childhood were also more than 80% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes during adulthood. 

While the researchers believe more work needs to be done in this area to better understand the link between childhood experiences and adult health outcomes, these findings highlight how the two can be connected. 

“Further research is needed to better understand the potential mechanisms linking childhood abuse and family environment to higher heart disease risk factors, as well as the impact of structural racism and social determinants of health, which likely influenced the differences we found by race and sex,” said Dr. Aguayo. “This information is critical to strengthening cardiovascular disease prevention interventions and policies, particularly those that focus on people who experienced abuse or other trauma during childhood.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Turku explored how consumers can work to lower their risk of serious health conditions. According to their findings, replacing at least one hour per day of sitting with physical activity can help lower the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. 

“It’s an encouraging thought that health benefits can be achieved by reducing the time spent sitting and increasing the amount of even light-intensity physical activity,” said researcher Taru Garthwaite. “For many, this may be an easier starting point than increasing actual exercise.” 

Benefits of staying active

The researchers had 64 middle-aged adults who were mostly sedentary and had metabolic syndrome participate in the study. While one group carried on with their usual routines, the other group was instructed to swap one sedentary hour of their days with more standing and light-intensity physical activity. The participants kept this up for three months and wore accelerometers to accurately measure their sedentary time, standing time, and active time. They also gave blood samples at the start and end of the study. 

“What makes our research design unique is that sedentary time and physical activity of both groups were measured with accelerometers throughout the entire three-month period, whereas in earlier studies activity has typically been measured only for a few days at the beginning and end of the study period,” Garthwaite said. “This makes it possible to receive more information on the actual behavior changes over a longer time period.” 

The researchers learned that swapping sedentary time for standing or active time was beneficial for the participants’ long-term health. The study showed that the participants in the activity group had lowered their total sitting time by about 50 minutes each day, and they were successful at being more active. 

This, in turn, improved their health in several key areas. The team reported improvements in insulin sensitivity, blood sugar regulation, and overall liver health. Because these participants had metabolic syndrome, they already had a higher risk for several health conditions, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Based on these findings, being more active and sitting less during the day can be effective at improving consumers’ health. 

While these findings are an important step in the right direction, the researchers hope consumers know that living a healthy lifestyle is key to improving long-term health outcomes. 

“Reducing the time spent sitting might still slow down the development of these diseases, but greater benefits can of course be gained by increasing the amount or intensity of physical activity in addition to sitting less,” Garthwaite said. 

A new study conducted by researchers from Arizona State University identified a risk factor linked to a serious disease common among infants – necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). 

Their work found that preterm infants who experience changes to the viruses in their gut – known as the gut virome – may be more susceptible to developing NEC. The disease can be deadly for infants, and it can also increase the risk for lifelong health concerns. 

“For many years now, there’s been some inkling that the microbiome is implicated in this rapidly developing disease,” said researcher Efrem Lim. “Studies have shown that changes in the microbiome of the gut in these preterm infants seem to predict the progression to NEC disease.”  

Changes to viral make-up indicate disease risk

To better understand how the gut virome can impact infants’ long-term health, the researchers analyzed nearly 140 stool samples from 23 preterm infants through their first 11 weeks of life. The team used a sequencing method that allowed them to test the bacterial diversity in the infants’ stool samples to see what role different viruses and bacteria play in the development of NEC. 

Ultimately, nine of the infants involved in the study developed NEC. The researchers observed notable differences in the bacterial and viral make-up of the infants diagnosed with the condition. While no single bacteria or virus has been identified as the cause of NEC, this study showed that specific bacterial-viral interactions occurred in all of the infants diagnosed with the disease. 

The study also showed that infants presented with lower diversity in viral composition in their guts within 10 days of their NEC diagnosis. This change in viral composition proved to be the biggest clue to the researchers that the infants had a higher risk of NEC. 

NEC poses a risk to infants

The researchers explained that NEC is most common in infants between two and six weeks old, and it can become life-threatening within a matter of hours. The disease attacks healthy intestinal tissue, and its precise cause remains unknown. 

With these new findings, the researchers hope more infants who have a high risk of developing NEC are identified in the earliest stages. They say their goal is to help develop better treatments for infants struggling with the condition. 

A new study conducted by researchers from the Veterans Affairs Research Communications explored the financial impact of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The team explained that PTSD creates over $230 billion annually in health care costs, which surpasses the cost of care for any other mental health condition. 

“The $232 billion annual economic burden of PTSD in the U.S. demonstrated in this study is staggering and fuels the urgency for public and private stakeholders to work together to discover new and better treatments, reduce stigma, improve access to existing treatments, and expand evidence-based recovery and rehabilitation programs,” the researchers wrote. 

The economic burden of PTSD

For the study, the researchers analyzed government publications, insurance claim data, and academic literature to understand the costs related to PTSD. This included information on both civilian and U.S. military populations. 

The researchers explained that 2018 was the latest year for which PTSD-related cost data was recorded. That year, the group estimates that total health care costs for PTSD exceeded $232 billion. 

The study showed that civilian costs for PTSD totaled nearly $19,000 per person each year. That figure was nearly $26,000 for military personnel. The researchers explained that the burden among civilians comes from unemployment and general health care costs, whereas the use of disability programs is higher among military members. 

Not just a military problem

The study showed that all consumers are struggling with PTSD – not just veterans. Civilians account for more than 80% of total PTSD costs, while veterans and active military personnel make up less than 20%. 

“Much of the research and legislative response on PTSD has focused on combat-exposed populations due to the high prevalence of the condition among the military population,” the researchers wrote. “However, the military population composed a small proportion of the overall U.S. population with PTSD. 

“With the increasing occurrence of national and societal traumatic events around the world, including COVID-19, civil unrest, and climate change, there is mounting concern of an increase in PTSD and burden in the civilian population. As such, the current cost estimate is likely an underestimation given these recent global traumas, the effects of which would not have been captured and are likely to result in increasing negative repercussions.” 

Improving PTSD treatment

The goal moving forward is to improve treatment and rehabilitation programs for consumers struggling with PTSD. As these efforts get stronger, the researchers say the economic burden that is linked to the condition will likely decrease. 

“Experts agree that there is a long-standing crisis in pharmacologic drug development for the treatment of PTSD, as no medication has been FDA-approved for PTSD since the only two marketed agents were approved 20 years ago,” the researchers explained.

“A burden that is often ignored in economic calculations is the cost for psychotherapy not covered under health plans, which represents a significant out-of-pocket [expense] for someone with PTSD, as demonstrated in the current study.” 

A new study has explored the link between mental and physical health struggles. The findings showed that those who struggle with a mental illness may have a higher risk of cardiovascular-related death. 

“Our systematic and meta-analysis of over 100 studies has confirmed a strong association between severe mental illness and cardiovascular disease, which became stronger in the 1990s and 2000s,” said researcher Amanda Lambert. 

Mental health affects heart health

For the study, the researchers analyzed over 100 earlier studies that included data on more than 30 million participants. The studies assessed individuals who were diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder between the ages of 16 and 65. The team looked at the relationship between mental health struggles and physical health risks. 

The biggest takeaway from the study was that cardiovascular-related deaths were twice as high among those who had a mental illness. This was true regardless of the participants’ mental health diagnosis; however, those with schizophrenia had the highest risk of cardiovascular disease mortality. 

The researchers also learned that the link between heart disease and mental illness has grown stronger in recent years. While the data in the study spanned several decades, the risk of cardiovascular disease-related deaths for those with a mental illness has become more pronounced since the 1990s. 

Though it’s unclear why this trend has emerged and gotten stronger in recent years, the researchers speculate that a few factors may come into play. 

“The increased relative risk of CVD diagnosis in more recent decades may be a result of disparity in smoking prevalence between people with [severe mental illness] and the general population or increased use of psychotics,” the researchers wrote. “The changes since the 1990s approximately coincide with the release of newer, second-generation antipsychotics which are known to have worse metabolic effects.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from the National Center for Atmospheric Research explored how wildfires in the Pacific Northwest can have wide-reaching consequences. 

According to their findings, these wildfires are likely to cause surges in pollution levels across all of North America. As a result, this can increase the risk for several pollution-related health complications. 

“Wildfire emissions have increased so substantially that they’re changing the annual pattern of air quality across North America,” said researcher Rebecca Buchholz. “It’s quite clear that there is a new peak of air pollution in August that didn’t used to exist.” 

Pollution’s impact on health

For the study, the researchers tracked wildfire emissions over the past 20 years and used a computer model to understand their impact. The data focused on three areas – the Northeast, the Pacific Northwest, and the central U.S. 

The study showed that wildfire emissions greatly impacted pollution levels across the United States. The team observed that carbon monoxide spiked, especially in the late summer months, across all of North America following peak wildfire seasons in the Pacific Northwest. 

Based on wildfire and pollution data from across the U.S. and parts of Asia, the researchers were able to narrow down their results to determine that the spikes in pollution were directly related to the wildfires in the Pacific Northwest. 

“Multiple lines of evidence point to the worsening wildfires in the Pacific Northwest as the cause of degraded air quality,” Buchholz said. “It’s particularly unfortunate that these fires are undermining the gains that society has made in reducing pollution overall.” 

The fear now is that this spike in air pollution will negatively affect consumers’ health – especially since the source of the pollution comes from wildfire emissions. These types of pollutants have a history of impacting respiratory health, cardiovascular symptoms, and pregnancy outcomes. 

“It’s clear that more research is needed into the health implications of all this smoke,” Buchholz said. “We may already be seeing consequences of these fires on the health of residents who live hundreds or even thousands of miles downwind.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from the American Heart Association explored some of the health risks that stroke survivors often face.

According to their findings, experiencing heart-related complications within one month of having a stroke may put patients at a higher risk for future heart attack, another stroke, or death. 

“We know heart disease and stroke share similar risk factors, and there’s a two-way relationship between the risk of stroke and heart disease,” said researcher Benjamin J.R. Buckley, Ph.D. “For example, heart conditions and stroke also increase the risk of heart conditions. We wanted to know how common newly diagnosed heart complications after a stroke and, importantly, whether stroke-heart syndrome is associated with increased risk of long-term major adverse events.” 

Long-term heart health risks

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from more than 365,000 treated for strokes between 2002 and 2021. The team analyzed the long-term heart health outcomes of people who developed stroke-heart syndrome, which is a condition defined by heart-related complications after having a stroke.

The researchers learned that heart complications following a stroke were fairly common among the participants. Over 11% developed acute coronary syndrome, nearly 9% developed atrial fibrillation, and over 6% developed heart failure following a stroke.

Ultimately, these heart troubles were linked with long-term health concerns. Those with atrial fibrillation following a stroke were 10% as likely to have another stroke within five years, while those who developed any kind of cardiovascular issues after a stroke were 50% more likely to have another stroke. 

“I was particularly surprised by how common stroke-heart syndrome was and the high rate of recurrent strokes in all subgroups of adults with stroke-heart syndrome,” Dr. Buckley said. “This means that this is a high-risk population where we should focus more secondary prevention efforts.” 

Higher risk of death

The risk of death among these stroke-heart syndrome patients was also higher. The study showed that developing heart failure post-stroke raised the risk of death within five years by nearly 85%. Similarly, those with acute coronary syndrome were 49% more likely to die within five years, while those with atrial fibrillation were 45% more likely to die within that time frame. 

The researchers hope to do more work to better understand which patients have the highest risk of developing stroke-heart syndrome and what health care professionals can do to best care for them.

“We are working on additional research to determine how stroke-heart syndrome may be better predicted,” Dr. Buckley said. “We also need to develop and implement treatments to improve outcomes for people with stroke-heart syndrome. For example, comprehensive exercise-based rehabilitation may be helpful after a stroke, so for people with stroke and newly developed heart complications, it should also be beneficial, maybe even more so.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute explored how consumers’ hydration may impact their long-term heart health. According to their findings, staying well hydrated may lower the risk of heart failure. 

“Similar to reducing salt intake, drinking enough water and staying hydrated are ways to support our hearts and may help reduce long-term risks for heart disease,” said researcher Natalia Dmitrieva, Ph.D. 

Hydration levels affect heart health

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from 15,000 people between the ages of 45 and 66 who were enrolled in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. The team tracked the participants’ overall health, including hydration levels and heart health, and followed them over the course of 25 years. 

The researchers measured the participants' serum sodium levels, which measures how much sodium is in the blood and is an indicator of dehydration. They learned that this had a direct impact on heart health outcomes. 

Healthy serum sodium levels fall between 135 and 146 mEq/L. Participants who started at 143 mEq/L were nearly 40% more likely to develop heart failure. With each increase of 1 mEq/L, the risk of heart failure went up by 5%. 

These findings were confirmed when the researchers analyzed another set of data that looked at 5,000 people between the ages of 70 and 90. The researchers found that middle-age is important in terms of hydration and heart health; when the participants’ serum sodium levels exceeded 142.5-143 mEq/L, they were 54% more likely to develop heart failure and 62% more likely to develop ventricular hypertrophy. 

While the researchers hope to do more work in this area moving forward, they hope these findings highlight the importance of consumers staying hydrated. 

“Serum sodium and fluid intake can easily be assessed in clinical exams and help doctors identify patients who may benefit from learning about ways to stay hydrated,” said researcher Dr. Manfred Boehm. 

A new study conducted by researchers from the American Heart Association explored some of the health risks firefighters face on the job. Their work showed that the more fires that firefighters are exposed to, the higher the likelihood that they’ll struggle with atrial fibrillation (AFib). 

“A few years ago, I treated a local firefighter for atrial fibrillation, and he felt dramatically better with the treatment, so he referred other firefighters to me for care, all with AFib,” said researcher Dr. Paari Dominic. “I decided to methodically examine AFib in the firefighter population, as it may shed light into the cause of atrial fibrillation in non-firefighters as well.” 

Heart health risks on the job

For the study, the researchers surveyed nearly 11,000 firefighters from across the country. They answered questions about their medical histories, specifically regarding their heart health, and the number of fires they typically fight in a year. 

The researchers found that firefighters had a higher risk than the general population for developing AFib. The risk among male firefighters was just under 3%, while the risk among female firefighters was just under 1%. 

“Among adults in the general population younger than age 60, there is a 0.1-1.0% prevalence of having AFib,” Dominic said. “However, among our study population, 2.5% of firefighters ages 60 or younger had AFib. Of the few respondents who were 61 or older, 8.2% reported a diagnosis of AFib.” 

The team believes there is a combination of several factors that contribute to these heart health risks: exposure to harmful chemicals and pollutants, psychological stress, and exposure to high temperatures. 

“First, and foremost, are the inhalation and absorption through the skin of harmful compounds and substances produced by the combustion of materials during a fire, including particulate matter, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, and benzene,” Dominic said. “Exposure to these substances, especially particulate matter in air pollution, even for a short time has been previously linked to an increased risk of AFib. 

“In addition, firefighters are exposed to high physical and psychological stress together with long work hours, all of which can increase their adrenaline levels and cause an imbalance in the mechanisms that maintain heart rate. Finally, heat stress (exposure to high temperatures) can cause an increase in core body temperature and severe hydration, both of which increase the demand for a higher heart rate, and may subsequently trigger AFib.” 

The study showed that the risk of developing AFib was 2% for firefighters who fought up to five fires per year. However, when that number increased to 31 or more fires per year, the risk of AFib was 4.5%. 

“Clinicians who care for firefighters need to be aware of the increased cardiovascular risk, especially the increased risk of AFib, among the unique group of individuals,” Dominic said. “The conditions that elevate their risk further, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, lung disease, and sleep apnea should be treated aggressively. In addition, any symptoms of AFib, such as palpitations, trouble breathing, dizziness, and fatigue should be investigated promptly.” 

Researchers have previously identified a link between mental health and physical health outcomes, and now a new study conducted by researchers from the American Heart Association is further proving that connection. 

According to the findings, consumers who struggle with a serious mental illness may have a higher risk of developing heart disease – even from an earlier age. 

“Even at younger ages, people with serious mental illness had a higher risk of heart disease than their peers, which highlights the importance of addressing cardiovascular risk factors for these individuals as early as possible,” said researcher Dr. Rebecca C. Rossom. “Interventions to address heart disease risk for these individuals are maximally beneficial when initiated at younger ages.”  

The link between mental health and heart health

The researchers analyzed data from 600,000 people between the ages of 18 and 75 who had received health care at a primary care clinic in Minnesota and Wisconsin between 2016 and 2018. The team used different risk analysis measures to determine how mental health impacted the participants' heart health outcomes. 

Ultimately, 11,000 participants were diagnosed with severe mental illness, including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and schizoaffective disorder. The researchers learned that participants in this group were nearly 10% more likely to develop heart disease within 10 years; comparatively, those who didn't have a serious mental illness had an 8% higher risk of heart disease within a decade. 

The risk shot up even higher when looking at the 30-year projections. Participants with mental illness were 25% more likely to develop heart disease, whereas those without mental health concerns were 11% as likely to develop heart disease long-term. 

The study showed several risk factors that may increase the risk of heart disease for those struggling with a serious mental illness. For starters, smoking was common among 36% of participants with mental health concerns, and obesity was common in half of this group. The team found that these participants were more likely to have high blood pressure and diabetes, both of which can increase the risk of heart disease. 

The researchers say these findings held up for the youngest participants in the trial – those between the ages of 18 and 34. With a better understanding of these physical and mental health risks, the team hopes health care professionals use this new information to help their patients.

“We encourage health care systems and clinicians to use the 30-year cardiovascular risk estimates for young adults with serious mental illness, as these may be used starting at age 18,” Dr. Rossom said. “Right now, estimates of 10-year heart disease risk are used most frequently, and they cannot be applied until people are at least 40 years old, which is too late to start addressing heart disease risk in people with serious mental illness.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania has explored how consumers’ alcohol intake may affect their brain health.

According to the findings, alcohol may have a negative impact on consumers’ brain size; the more alcohol that is consumed, the more brain volume consumers are likely to lose. The researchers say this finding also holds up for moderate drinkers. 

“These findings contrast with scientific and governmental guidelines on safe drinking limits,” said researcher Henry Kranzler. “For example, although the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism recommends that women consume an average of no more than one drink per day, recommended limits for men are twice that, an amount that exceeds the consumption level associated in the study with decreased brain volume.” 

One drink may have an effect on brain health

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from more than 36,000 participants enrolled in the U.K. Biobank. Participants answered questions about their alcohol consumption and underwent brain scans to better understand the link between drinking and brain health. 

The researchers learned that alcohol doesn’t have a positive effect on the brain, with brain health becoming worse for participants who drank more. However, drinking heavily wasn't necessary for participants to experience brain changes.

The study found that having as few as two drinks per day instead of one can age the brain up to two years. Similarly, going from two drinks to three drinks each day aged the brain more than three years. The researchers found that those who had as many as four drinks per day added a decade onto their brain’s health.  

“The fact that we have such a large sample size allows us to find subtle patterns, even between drinking the equivalent of half a beer and one beer a day,” said researcher Gideon Nave. 

“There is some evidence that the effect of drinking on the brain is exponential,” added study author Remi Daviet. “So, one additional drink in a day could have more of an impact than any of the previous drinks that day. That means that cutting back on that final drink of the night might have a big effect in terms of brain aging.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Georgia explored the cost of fungal infections across the United States. Their findings showed that health care costs reached nearly $7 billion in 2018, with hospital stays for these infections surpassing $37 billion. 

“Fungal infections are much more than a yeast infection or athlete’s foot,” said researcher Emily Rayens. “These infections can have a very big impact on people’s lives and have a very high mortality rate.” 

Rising health care costs

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from the National Inpatient Sample, which tracks hospitalizations and in-patient care in the U.S. This allowed them to evaluate the number of infections, the associated costs, and the health risks associated with fungal infections. 

Ultimately, there were over 666,000 recorded cases of fungal infections, with some of the most common types affecting the respiratory system and the bloodstream. The study also showed that consumers with immune system disorders may have a higher risk of contracting a fungal infection. 

Overall, the researchers learned that fungal infections accounted for 1.1% of all health care expenses in the U.S. in 2018. Hospital stays accounted for more than $37 billion in health care costs. 

Antibiotic resistance poses a threat

The researchers explained that the biggest concern with treating fungal infections is antibiotic resistance. There are currently only three types of drugs used to eradicate these kinds of infections, and they’re becoming less successful over time. 

“Our data show that the number of fungal infections and the costs of treating those infections are going up,” said Rayens. “The currently available antifungal drugs are not doing a good enough job to reduce mortality due to fungal infections.

"To address this growing clinical problem, our laboratory is focused on developing a preventive antifungal vaccine that would target multiple fungal infections. We believe a vaccine-based preventive strategy for vulnerable patients would be of great benefit in terms of reducing disease burden, mortality, and health care costs.”

Consumers have been up in arms over problems they’ve had with pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) for years, but companies like Cigna’s ExpressScripts, CVS Caremark, and UnitedHealth’s OptumRx have continued to grow by leaps and bounds. However, aid for consumers may soon be on the way.

Last week, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that it will attempt to block UnitedHealth Group’s acquisition of Change Healthcare, a company that provides payment and revenue cycle management to connect payers, providers, and patients in the health care ecosystem.

Consumers have the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), in part, to thank for that effort by the DOJ. Last September, the organization publicly called for DOJ officials to block the merger, saying it would produce an unfair competitive advantage for a company that is already one of the kings of the PBM hill.

NCPA kept the heat on regulators, repeatedly raising concerns with the DOJ and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) about the proposed acquisition and the broader vertical consolidation that is happening in the industry. The group alleged that UnitedHealth Group’s access to Change Healthcare's eRx system would be devastating to patients and independent pharmacies.

In arguing its case, the NCPA had plenty of ammunition that consumers aren’t happy with the current PBM-driven prescription world. Survey respondents spoke loudly about their dissatisfaction with health insurance plans and their PBMs. Namely, the participants took umbrage with how PBMs and insurance companies get to decide which pharmacies patients must use and whether they must use more expensive medicines when there is a less expensive alternative available. 

Getting more regulators on board

Getting the DOJ to add some muscle to its efforts is a major plus for the NCPA, but “there is far more for agencies like the DOJ and FTC, Congress, and state policymakers to act on in order to rein in PBMs and create a fairer, more competitive health care marketplace for consumers,” said NCPA CEO B. Douglas Hoey.

Before the DOJ announced its intent to block the UnitedHealth/Change Healthcare deal, the FTC had actually voted against fielding a study of PBMs and their business practices. But the agency apparently had a change of heart and has now decided that it might be a wise move to ask the public how it feels about the impact of PBMs after all. 

Requests for Information like the one the FTC has launched regarding PBMs can make a huge impact, and the agency is asking patients, employers, pharmacies, and any other entity that deals with prescriptions to comment on any issues or concerns they believe are relevant to the PBM situation. Interested parties have until April 25, 2022, to submit their comments on the FTC's website. 

Michigan further regulates PBMs

While things are brewing in D.C., Michigan regulators have decided they're going to do something about PBMs too. On Wednesday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed bipartisan bills designed to lower prescription drug costs by regulating PBMs that oversee coverage for employers, insurers, and others. Part of the laws took effect immediately, and the rest will go into effect beginning in 2024.   

“Without question, Michigan's new PBM bill is one of the most significant wins for consumers in years because it deals directly with several ‘back end’ practices that are known to generate billions in revenue for insurers but do nothing to lower costs for patients and plan payers,” Monique M. Whitney, executive director of Pharmacists United for Truth and Transparency, told ConsumerAffairs. 

Whitney says she hopes that Witmer’s support will help the pro-consumer movement pick up steam across the rest of the U.S.

“Besides important transparency requirements in the PBM licensing and regulation, Michigan patients will have protections generally not found elsewhere in the U.S., including the right to fair and impartial information about drug pricing and coverage (and access to lower cost alternative drugs) and exclusive authority over their own prescription transfers," she said.

Michigan might not be alone for long. Community pharmacists in Kentucky are leaning hard on its legislators to pass a bill designed to “prohibit insurers, pharmacy benefit managers, and other administrators of pharmacy benefits from imposing certain requirements on health plan insureds.”

“[This bill] would address the mail order mandates and ensure Kentuckians have safe, reliable access to the brick-and-mortar community pharmacy they choose,” wrote Cathy Hanna, president of the Kentucky Pharmacists Association. “This protects a critical link in Kentucky’s healthcare chain, particularly in rural communities where pharmacists are often the most direct and trusted provider contact for many individuals and families.”

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Waterloo explored how new technology may improve how older consumers take their prescriptions. 

They explained that prescription bottles equipped with smart packaging can help track when consumers take their pills and ensure that they don't forget to take their medication. The team argues that this would lead to better health outcomes. 

“Many of these products are advertised as user-friendly and efficient, but not all are tested with seniors in mind,” said researcher Sadaf Faisal. “So how would we know if older adults are able to use them for their day-to-day medication intake and are there any factors that can impact in-home utilization?” 

Benefits of new technology

The researchers had 10 participants with an average age of 76 years old involved in the study. The group was given smart packaging for their medications, and the team interviewed them on how well they were able to use it and what they thought of the technology. The participants took about 11 medications each day for several different chronic conditions. 

Many of the participants reported being comfortable with the smart packaging; those who were the most familiar with technology reported the greatest outcomes with the device. Because the packaging tracked their habits, they were less likely to miss their medication. 

“Across participants, we found fairly consistent pros and cons to the technology,” said researcher Tejal Patel. “The ability to learn the product easily was important for the participants to use it consistently. Feedback from their social circle – such as supportive children, partners, or health-care providers – also helped reinforce using the technology.” 

While there were benefits to this smart packaging, the participants also had some hesitations. For starters, the price of these devices was considered to be too high without any assistance from a health insurance plan. The participants also expressed frustration when the device glitched or didn’t perform as designed. 

The researchers believe these devices can ultimately be effective for older consumers. Moving forward, they hope health care professionals work with their older patients to ensure the best health outcomes. 

“For technology to be effective, it has to be accepted by the end-users,” Faisal said. “Smart, technology-based adherence products have the potential to support patients, but health care providers should assess older adults’ medication intake behaviors and barriers and facilitators to using a product before recommending them.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of California at San Diego explored how older women’s habits around the house may affect their heart health. 

According to their findings, keeping up with daily household activities, like washing dishes, cooking, or even taking a shower, may lower the risk of heart disease in older women. 

“The study demonstrates that all movement counts towards disease prevention,” said researcher Steve Nguyen, Ph.D. “Spending more time in daily life movement, which includes a wide range of activities we all do while on our feet and out of our chairs, resulted in a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.” 

All movement helps disease risk

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from over 5,400 women enrolled in the Women’s Health Initiative Objective Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Health study. For one week, the women wore accelerometers to measure the frequency and intensity of their daily movement. The team was primarily interested in analyzing movement that wouldn’t be considered traditional exercise, such as movement related to daily chores or activities. 

The study showed that activity that the team defined as “daily life movement” is an integral part of heart health. They classified daily life movement as any activity that occurs while standing or walking indoors, such as cooking, gardening, changing clothes, taking a shower, or doing dishes. 

The researchers learned that women who logged at least four hours per day of daily life movement had stronger heart health than those who did less than two hours of these activities. Women in the former group were 43% less likely to develop heart disease and more than 60% less likely to experience a heart disease-related death. They were also 43% less likely to develop coronary heart disease and 30% less likely to have a stroke. 

With many older women struggling with heart health, the researchers hope these findings bring some positive news. While traditional exercise is important for heart health, this study shows that staying active in the home throughout the day can also significantly benefit older women’s hearts. 

“Much of the movement engaged in by older adults is associated with daily life tasks, but it may not be considered physical activity,” said researcher Andrea LaCroix, Ph.D. “Understanding the benefits of daily life movement and adding this to physical activity guidelines may encourage more movement.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute explored how initiatives in schools may help boost kids’ mental health. Their work showed that extracurricular activities and resilience training may help improve kids’ mental health and prevent future mental health concerns. 

“With about 50 percent of mental health disorders beginning before the age of 14 years, prevention and early intervention are paramount if we want to reduce the lifetime prevalence of mental health disorders and allow children to live their best possible lives,” said researcher Harriet Hiscock. 

Prioritizing kids’ mental health

The researchers interviewed over 140 clinicians to better understand how schools can be doing more to support kids’ well-being and mental health. They answered questions on their experience working with kids through mental health struggles and what role schools can play in supporting children’s mental health. 

The clinicians believe schools have a powerful platform for helping prevent long-term mental health disorders for kids. They say administrators should either train school personnel to provide mental health support or integrate more mental health professionals into school buildings.

“Schools as buildings act as a trusted physical space where mental health clinicians could offer services that are otherwise challenging to access,” said researcher Kate Paton. “Clinicians believed teachers can offer prevention by supporting children through school-wide psycho-education, sport and social skill, and coping programs.” 

The researchers found that focusing on extracurricular activities and sessions that focused on developing strong coping skills geared toward resilience were the best options for children’s mental health at school. By offering these programs, the clinicians believe teachers will be able to identify children who have a higher risk for mental health concerns while providing them with the right tools and resources to promote well-being. 

“Whilst educators have identified many challenges to providing this support, including perceived stigma, lack of resources, and an overcrowded curriculum, understanding clinicians’ views on the roles of educators and schools and how they could work together to achieve good mental outcomes are important questions,” Paton said. 

“It’s important to understand whether different perspectives may exist between educators and mental health clinicians which need to bridged if these professionals are to work successfully together to achieve both good education and mental health outcomes.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from Washington State University explored a new way for older consumers to cut back on their salt intake.

According to their findings, cooking with more spice is one way to help reduce how much salt is added to food; over time, this pattern can have significant heart health benefits for older consumers. 

“We were working specifically with a population of older adults to see if we could reduce the amount of salt in a product and then tailor it to their tastes,” said researcher Carolyn Ross. “This is important because the ability to taste and smell is known to weaken with age, and weaker perception of salty flavors may induce people to season their food with excessive salt, which may increase their risk of cardiovascular disease.” 

Adding spice benefits consumers’ health

The researchers had 39 participants over the age of 60 involved in a taste-test trial over the course of several days. The participants tasted three different variations of a pasta sauce: one had no added seasonings, one was seasoned with herbs, and the third had a combination of chipotle seasoning and herbs. The group then answered questions about their overall health and the medications they were taking to better understand what factors may impact their sense of taste. 

The researchers learned that the combination of herbs and chipotle seasoning was the most effective at limiting the participants’ salt intake. When trying this combination of spices, the participants were unable to tell how much salt was used, and they were less likely to add more salt. However, the sauce that contained just the herbs wasn’t as effective in this way. 

The study also found that taking several different medications and having poor oral health may affect consumers’ sense of taste. These factors can affect saliva production, making it harder to distinguish between different flavors. The researchers say older consumers could be adding more salt to their meals because their ability to taste has diminished as they’ve aged. 

Ultimately, these findings were helpful in identifying tangible ways for older consumers to limit their salt intake. Now, the team plans to do more work to better understand what happens to consumers’ tastes throughout the aging process. 

“To date, a clear relationship between taste loss, and thus higher taste thresholds, and eating behavior remains to be established,” said Ross. “So, we are investigating a bunch of different possible factors.” 

While several studies have explored how social media use can impact consumers’ mental health, a new study conducted by researchers from the University of Buffalo explored the physical health toll associated with screen time. 

According to their findings, frequent social media use may increase consumers’ risk for a number of physical health concerns, including inflammation, a higher risk of disease, and a greater likelihood of doctors’ visits. 

“Social media use has become an integral part of many young adults’ daily lives,” said researcher Dr. David Lee. “It’s critical that we understand how engagement across these platforms contributes to physical health.” 

Social media poses a health risk

The researchers had over 250 college students between the ages of 18 and 24 participate in the study. They answered questions about their social media use and physical health and also provided blood samples. 

Using that information, the researchers identified a link between social media use and physical symptoms. The participants’ blood samples showed that more time on social media was associated with higher levels of the C-reactive protein (CRP), which is a biomarker closely associated with inflammation throughout the body. Over time, CRP can increase the risk for disease, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. 

“By looking at a biological marker in the blood, we were able to find a relatively more objective association between social media usage and physical health, but this correlational finding can’t rule out the possibility that poor health impacts social media usage,” Dr. Lee said. 

Participants who spent the most time on social media also more frequently reported experiencing headaches and back pains. These participants also visited their doctors with more regularity than participants who spent less time on social media. 

As the researchers hope that more work is done in this area, the team wonders if healthy consumers are less likely to spend lots of time on social media, whereas those with health issues are more frequent social media users. 

“There’s still work to be done,” Dr. Lee said. “But right now, I wanted to get the word out there that social media use may have a link to important physical health outcomes.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Virginia Health System explored how taking blood pressure medication may cause health problems. According to their findings, some of these medications can cause kidney damage to consumers if they are taken long-term.

“Our studies show that renin-producing cells are responsible for the damage,” said researcher Dr. Maria Luisa Sequeira Lopez. “We are now focusing on understanding how these cells, which are so important to defend us from drops in blood pressure and maintain our well-being, undergo such transformation and induce kidney damage. What is needed is to identify what substances these cells make that lead to uncontrolled vessel growth.” 

Understanding the risks of high blood pressure

To better understand why blood pressure medication has a negative effect on kidney function, the researchers conducted a study on both mice and humans that explored the ways these drugs affected artery and blood vessel health in the kidneys. 

The team identified renin cells as the major culprit behind many of the kidney health risks. When the body is functioning properly, these cells create a hormone that regulates blood pressure levels. However, when consumers are taking medication to regulate their blood pressure, it creates a buildup of these cells that can prevent healthy blood flow to the kidneys. 

The researchers explained that these findings may sound the alarm bells for many consumers. However, the team urges consumers who are taking blood pressure medications to continue doing so because they are an important way for those with hypertension to maintain their heart health. The team hopes more work continues to be done to understand why these medications interact so poorly with the kidneys. 

“It would be important to conduct prospective, randomized controlled studies to determine the extent of functional and tissue damage in patients taking medications for blood pressure control,” said researcher Dr. Ariel Gomez. “It is imperative to find out what molecules these cells make so that we can counteract them to prevent the damage while the hypertension is treated with the current drugs available today.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Exeter explored how older consumers may protect their cognitive function long-term. According to their findings, reducing frailty in older consumers and promoting a healthier lifestyle may reduce the risk of dementia. 

“We’re seeing increasing evidence that taking meaningful action during life can significantly reduce dementia risk,” said researcher Dr. David Ward. “Our research is a major step forward in understanding how reducing frailty could help to dramatically improve a person’s chances of avoiding dementia, regardless of their genetic predisposition to the condition. This is exciting because we believe that some of the underlying causes of frailty are in themselves preventable. In our study, this looked to be possible partly through engaging in healthy lifestyle behaviors.” 

Staying active benefits older consumers’ cognitive function

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from over 196,000 adults over the age of 60 enrolled in the U.K. Biobank. They evaluated the participants’ lifestyle habits and medical records and assessed their genetic risk factors for dementia and frailty. The team followed the participants over the course of a decade to determine their long-term health outcomes. 

The researchers learned that frailty and dementia were closely linked; the higher the participants scored on the frailty risk scale, the more likely they were to also develop dementia. Participants with the highest degrees of frailty were found to be nearly three times as likely to develop dementia than those with the lowest frailty scores. 

The study also showed that being frail increased dementia risks even more than genetics, as participants who were genetically predisposed to dementia but were physically strong and fit were less likely to develop cognitive difficulties. Those with high frailty scores and strong genetic risks were the most likely to be diagnosed with dementia. 

“These findings have extremely positive implications, showing it’s not the case that dementia is inevitable, even if you’re at a high genetic risk,” said researcher Dr. Janice Ranson. “We can take meaningful action to reduce our risk; tackling frailty could be an effective strategy to maintaining brain health, as well as helping people stay mobile and independent for longer in later life.” 

Moving forward, the researchers hope these findings are used to help promote more active, healthy lifestyles among older consumers – especially those who may have a higher genetic risk of developing dementia. 

“The risk of dementia reflects genetic, neuropathological, lifestyle, and general health factors that in turn give rise to a range of abnormalities in the brain,” said researcher Dr. Kenneth Rockwood. “Our study is an important step forward on the role of frailty, which appears to have a unique and potentially modifiable pathway in influencing dementia risk. That’s an incredibly exciting prospect that we must urgently explore to potentially benefit the growing number of people worldwide affected by dementia.” 

While many consumers have started using cannabis to support their physical and mental health, a new study conducted by researchers from Penn State explored some of the risks associated with the substance. 

According to their findings, cannabis absorbs many toxic heavy metals. When ingested, these metals may pose a risk to consumers’ long-term health. 

“Heavy metals, such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and chromium, are known to be carcinogenic,” said researcher Louis Bengyella. “The heavy-metal content of cannabis is not regulated; therefore, consumers could unknowingly be exposed to these toxic metals. This is bad news for anyone who uses cannabis but is particularly problematic for cancer patients who use medical marijuana to treat the nausea and pain associated with their treatments.” 

Dangers of ingesting heavy metals

For the study, the researchers analyzed earlier studies that evaluated how cannabis is impacted by heavy metals. This included how heavy metals can impact consumers’ health, how agricultural trends can impact how much metal the cannabis plant absorbs, and the ways that cannabis is used in phytoremediation (the use of plants to remove pollutants from the air or soil). 

From a consumer health standpoint, the researchers learned that heavy metals can damage important compounds in the body when they are ingested, including proteins, lipids, and enzymes. The team says this ultimately increases the chances of developing serious long-term diseases like cancer. 

“Cannabis consumed in combustive form represents the greatest danger to human health, as analysis of heavy metals in the smoke of cannabis revealed the presence of selenium, mercury, cadmium, lead, chromium, nickel, and arsenic,” said Bengyella. “It is disturbing to realize that the cannabis products being used by consumers, especially cancer patients, may be causing unnecessary harm to their bodies.” 

Changing the growing processes

To ensure that consumers are only reaping the benefits of using cannabis and avoiding potential health risks, the researchers explained that growers can make healthier and more sustainable choices. 

In addition to choosing land areas that haven’t been exposed to these dangerous metals, the team also recommends choosing different types of cannabis plants that aren’t as likely to absorb harmful chemicals. 

“The problem is at the level of the consumer who uses cannabis products, but the solution must come at the agricultural level,” said Bengyella. “We believe that is where we should hammer hard and solve the problem.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Barcelona explored how experiences during childhood may impact adolescents’ mental health. According to their findings, children have a higher risk of committing suicide by the time they reach adolescence when they experience mistreatment or abuse.

“Adolescence is a period of high emotional vulnerability and 70% mental disorders are estimated to come up during this time,” said researcher Lourdes Fañanás. “The brain of an adolescent undergoes a process of maturation and this process might involve difficulties in self-control and a higher impulsivity and emotional instability, which are decisive elements for developing some risky behaviors. 

“It’s also a period full of changes (family dynamics, new groups with classmates, new challenges and activities, etc.) that can involve an increase of stressful situations for young people.”  

Childhood can have a lasting impact on mental health

The researchers analyzed personality traits, life stressors, experiences with child abuse, and suicidal behaviors in nearly 200 kids between the ages of seven and 17 who took part in the study.

Ultimately, the team identified a link between childhood experiences and long-term mental health. Children who were mistreated from a young age were at a higher risk of developing suicidal behaviors during their teenage years. The team believes this relationship may exist as a result of a lack of emotional regulation.

“When there is a relational trauma during childhood – for instance, psychological, physical or sexual abuse, or negligence – three primary developmental capacities can be altered: emotional regulation, identity, and interpersonal relatedness,” explained researcher Laia Marques-Feixa. “If one reaches adolescence without having consolidated good bases in these skills, this person can have more difficulties due to the lack of solid psychological resources to deal with challenges, conflicts, and daily difficulties that come up over the course of our life.” 

Addressing emotions and suicide prevention

The researchers hope these findings emphasize the importance of suicide prevention resources and how focusing on addressing emotional regulation can be beneficial for children and teens in abusive, stressful homes. While strategies are required to ensure that children grow up in safe homes, it’s also important to support children as they grow and evolve during these difficult times. 

“Our research shows that, in order to reduce suicidal behaviors in adolescents, we need to work on the regulation strategies of emotions, as well as to reduce the potential exposure to new stressful events (changing homes, fights, suspension from school, etc.), especially regarding those people with records of child abuse,” Laia Marques-Feixa said. 

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Sydney explored the health benefits associated with delaying the clamping of the umbilical cord for premature infants. According to the researchers, waiting just one minute to clamp the umbilical cord may reduce the risk of developing a disability or dying. 

“Ten years ago, umbilical cords were routinely clamped quickly after a very preterm birth and the baby was passed to a pediatrician in case the child needed urgent help with breathing,” said researcher William Tarnow-Mordi. “But we now know that almost all very preterm babies will start breathing by themselves in the first minute, if they are given that time. 

“We think that, after delaying cord clamping, babies get extra red and white blood cells and stem cells from the placenta, helping to achieve healthy oxygen levels, control infection, and repair injured tissue.” 

Prioritizing infants’ health and safety

This study follows up on the 2017 Australian Placental Transfusion Study, which included data from more than 3,000 newborns from seven countries. 

Infants born at 30 weeks were randomly assigned to one of two groups based on umbilical cord clamping: one in which physicians waited at least one minute after birth to clamp the umbilical cord and one in which physicians clamped the umbilical cord after 10 seconds. The researchers followed up with the infants when they turned two years old to evaluate their health outcomes. 

The study showed that waiting just one minute to clamp the umbilical cord was better for preterm infants long-term; the overall risk of mortality or disability was nearly 20% lower among infants in this group. The risk of disability was 26% among the immediate clamping group, compared with a 23% risk for the delayed clamping group. Similarly, the mortality risk in the immediate clamping group was 11%, compared with 8% in the delayed clamping group. 

“Applied consistently worldwide, aiming to wait a minute before cord clamping in very preterm babies who do not require immediate resuscitation could ensure that an extra 50,000 survive without major disability in the next decade,” said researcher Dr. Kristy Robledo. “In other words, for every 20 very preterm babies who get delayed instead of immediate clamping, one more will survive without major disability.” 

Making this process the norm moving forward

The researchers hope these findings inspire health care professionals in labor and delivery to delay clamping the umbilical cord in premature infants.

“Midwives welcome this research – delaying cord clamping ensures that the physiological changes happening at the time of birth can happen and there are clearly very good outcomes especially for premature babies,” said researcher Caroline Homer. “We can all do this and now we know we should.” 

A new study explored how extreme heat may have a significant impact on consumers’ heart health. Experts explained that heatwaves, especially as they occur more often due to global warming, are likely to increase the risk for cardiovascular concerns. 

“The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recently reported that global temperatures are rising at a greater rate than previously projected, and that the number of extreme heat days will significantly increase across most land regions,” said researcher Daniel Gagnon, Ph.D. “Although we don’t yet fully understand the reasons, people with cardiovascular disease are at greater risk of hospitalizations and death during extreme heat events.” 

Rising temperatures affect heart health

To better understand how extreme temperatures can impact consumers’ long-term heart health,  the researchers analyzed several earlier studies that evaluated the same topic.

Ultimately, the researchers learned that persistent exposure to high temperatures puts additional stress on consumers’ cardiovascular systems. The study showed that there was a higher mortality risk due to heart failure, heart disease, stroke, and blood clots. Those health concerns were even greater for those with existing heart conditions.

To help lower the risk of long-term health concerns, the researchers encourage consumers to focus on staying properly hydrated and keeping cool when the weather gets warm. While not all consumers have access to air conditioning at home, some ways to stay cool include soaking feet in cool water, getting an electric fan, and wetting the skin with cold compresses. 

“Cardiovascular health professionals need to be aware of the negative consequences of extreme heat on cardiovascular health,” said Dr. Gagnon. “A better awareness and understanding of the cardiovascular consequences of extreme heat, and of the measures to take to prevent and mitigate adverse events, will help us all assess the risk and optimize the care of patients exposed to an increasingly warm climate.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from University College London explored how childhood cancer may affect consumers’ health into adulthood. According to their findings, cancer survivors have a higher risk of developing serious health concerns later in life, including cardiovascular conditions, immune system disorders, and other types of cancer. 

“Our study is the first to fully map out how surviving cancer early in life affects our health as we grow older,” said researcher Dr. Alvina Lai. “We believe it’s important for these long-term effects to be considered early on by families and their health care teams, so the benefits of a therapy can be weighed against any long-term risk. Awareness of these long-term issues is also important for survivors, who are better able to spot symptoms early.” 

Understanding the long-term health risks

For the study, the researchers analyzed the health records of over 3,400 people who had been diagnosed with cancer in England before the age of 25 and had survived at least five years post-diagnosis. They compared those results with over 13,000 people who had no history of the illness while paying close attention to the number of doctors’ visits and common medical conditions. 

The study showed that participants who had survived childhood cancer had overall poorer health outcomes than those who hadn’t been diagnosed with the disease. Cancer survivors were more likely to spend time in the hospital and have more visits with their general practitioners than non-cancer survivors. 

Additionally, when cancer survivors developed serious medical conditions later in life, it significantly affected their mortality. For example, immune system disorders or infections were associated with losing nearly seven more years of life among survivors when compared to those with no history of cancer. Similarly, developing heart disease or other cancers was linked with losing more than a decade of life. 

Different cancer treatments play a role in health outcomes

The researchers also learned that different types of cancer treatments affected the body differently down the road. Patients who received radiation and chemotherapy had more health risks, including a higher risk of developing cancer again, than those who had surgery. 

This also translated to more doctor and hospital visits. The study found that participants who received chemotherapy and radiation to treat their cancer had up to seven times more general practitioner visits related to heart diseases and twice as many hospitalizations for the same condition. 

“Combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy is effective at saving lives but is associated with a lower quality of life in the long term,” said researcher Wai Hoong. “Our study suggests using lower doses could reduce these long-term effects.” 

Moving forward, the researchers hope these findings spur future research projects that take into account the long-term health effects of cancer treatments. 

“Over 80% of children and young people diagnosed with cancer survive, but they face unique health care needs because of late effects brought on by cancer or its treatment,” said Dr. Lai. “We hope that further research can investigate how to minimize the long-term effects of cancer therapies.” 

Johnson & Johnson as we know it is no more. On Friday, the company announced that it intends to split off its consumer health business into a new publicly-traded company. In the company’s eyes, the separation would allow one entity to focus on consumer products and the other to hone in on business strategies in the medical and pharmaceutical sectors.

The company feels good about its chances. In announcing the split, it said the “new” Johnson & Johnson would remain the world’s largest and most diverse health care company.

“Throughout our storied history, Johnson & Johnson has demonstrated that we can deliver results that benefit all our stakeholders, and we must continually be evolving our business to provide value today, tomorrow and in the decades ahead,” Alex Gorsky, Executive Chairman of Johnson & Johnson, said. 

“Following a comprehensive review, the Board and management team believe that the planned separation of the Consumer Health business is the best way to accelerate our efforts to serve patients, consumers, and healthcare professionals, create opportunities for our talented global team, drive profitable growth, and – most importantly – improve healthcare outcomes for people around the world.”

Breaking down the split

The company hasn’t decided on a name for the consumer-focused operation yet, but shoppers don’t need to fret about their favorite brands changing names. Neutrogena, AVEENO, Tylenol, Listerine, Clean & Clear facial wash, Acuvue contact lenses, and BAND-AID will still be around and using the monikers they’re known by.

In confirming that those brands will stay put, Gorsky said having all of its consumer eggs in one basket will provide the company with the agility and flexibility to grow its iconic portfolio of brands and innovate new products. It doesn’t appear like there will be any cost-cutting job elimination either. 

“We are committed to the success of each organization, as well as our company’s more than 136,000 employees around the globe, who will remain the backbone of these businesses,” he said.

The new consumer company is expected to complete its separation in 18 to 24 months.

Health company focused on saving lives

On the other side of the Johnson & Johnson split, the company will play to its strength in pharmaceutical and medical needs, much like it did with its COVID-19 vaccine. The company said that side of the new Johnson & Johnson would continue to build on its offering of “life-saving treatments.”

“The new Johnson & Johnson would continue to play a leading role in advancing the industry forward by creating novel solutions, bringing together treatments spanning therapeutics, robotics, artificial intelligence and more, to change the way diseases are prevented, intercepted and eventually cured,” the company said.

The planned organizational design for the new health-focused company is expected to be completed by the end of 2022.

While several studies have highlighted the health risks associated with alcohol consumption, a new study conducted by researchers from Monash University found that there may be some benefits. According to their findings, moderate drinking may come with some protective health benefits for older consumers. 

“Excess alcohol consumption is a leading contributor to the global burden of disease and a major risk factor for mortality. Yet, prior studies suggested that moderate alcohol consumption may be associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events,” the researchers explained.

“However, this evidence is based on data from younger individuals, and confirmation in older adults is lacking. Thus, we sought to investigate the risk of CVD events and all-cause mortality associated with alcohol consumption in initially healthy, older individuals.” 

How alcohol impacts health

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from nearly 18,000 older adults enrolled in the ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) study. Participants reported on their daily alcohol consumption, and the researchers followed up with medical exams to determine the long-term health outcomes. 

The researchers divided the participants into five groups depending on how much they drank per week: zero drinks per week, 0-3.5 drinks per week, 3.5-7 drinks per week, 7-10 drinks per week, and more than 10 drinks per week. Most of the participants consumed between 3.5 and seven drinks per week; however, more than 18% drank no alcohol at all. 

In terms of health outcomes, drinking was linked with some protective benefits. Participants who consumed at least 3.5 drinks per week were less likely to develop cardiovascular disease than participants who didn’t drink at all. The study also showed that moderate drinkers -- those who had between 3.5 and seven drinks per week -- had a lower overall mortality risk than non-drinkers. 

While these findings point to the protective health benefits linked with moderate drinking, the researchers also noted that none of the participants had any significant health risks, including any history of cardiovascular disease. However, moving forward, they hope to do more work in this area to better understand how alcohol impacts consumers’ health long-term. 

A new study conducted by researchers from Houston Methodist Hospital explored the health risks associated with cardiovascular disease and the flu. 

According to their findings, consumers who have heart disease also have a higher risk of developing complications related to the flu if they become infected. To help prevent severe health outcomes, the team recommends that consumers with cardiovascular disease (CVD) get the flu shot. 

“It seems that younger Americans with high-risk conditions have not gotten the same memo that their older counterparts have received about the importance of getting the influenza vaccine,” said researcher Dr. Priyanka Bhugra. “That’s dangerous, considering people with heart conditions are particularly vulnerable to influenza-related heart complications, whether they’ve reached retirement age or not.” 

Health risks for cardiovascular disease patients

The researchers analyzed recent studies that explored the link between heart disease and the flu. They also looked into current rates of vaccination among cardiovascular disease patients of all ages. Ultimately, they found that heart disease is associated with an increased risk of health complications related to the flu. 

The data showed that the influenza virus was associated with a nearly 12% risk of a cardiovascular event, including a heart attack or stroke. This was true in two of the studies, which included information on more than 430,000 patients. 

The risk of a heart attack was even higher for CVD patients when they were admitted into the hospital with the flu, as was the risk of needing intensive care treatment. 

The flu shot can help

Because of the serious risks associated with CVD patients being infected with the flu, the researchers encourage these consumers to stay up-to-date on their yearly flu shots. 

While the flu shot benefits all consumers, the researchers say it is associated with significantly better health outcomes for consumers with CVD. There was a 37% lower risk of hospitalization, a more than 80% lower risk of being admitted into the ICU, and a less than 3% risk of a cardiovascular event. When patients were hospitalized, having the flu shot protected against serious health risks. 

Moving forward, the team hopes that CVD patients consult with their doctors about the best ways to stay healthy and protected against the influenza virus. While the flu shot plays an important role in that, following a healthy diet, taking the proper medication, and maintaining an exercise routine can also be important for long-term health. 

A new study conducted by The Endocrine Society explored one of the benefits linked with practicing intermittent fasting. 

According to their report, eating all food and snacks within an eight- to 10-hour window can help reduce the risk of metabolic disease, including diabetes and heart disease. 

“People who are trying to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle should pay more attention to when they eat as well as what they eat,” said researcher Satchidananda Panda, Ph.D. “Time-restricted eating is an easy-to-follow and effective dietary strategy that requires less mental math than counting calories. Intermittent fasting can improve sleep and a person’s quality of life as well as reduce the risk of obesity.” 

Health benefits of intermittent fasting

The researchers analyzed prior studies, clinical data, and the science behind intermittent fasting to better understand the health benefits of time-restricted eating. 

Ultimately, they learned that sticking to an eight- to 10-hour window of eating all meals and snacks can be beneficial to a person's long-term metabolic health. They explained that eating in this way helps regulate hormone levels and gets the body’s internal clock back on track. 

In doing this, people are likely to reap the countless health benefits associated with intermittent fasting. The study showed that regularly following this method of eating can help to reduce the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and liver disease. 

While it may not be an easy transition for consumers, the researchers explained that there are no dietary restrictions, and it can be a good way to be healthier long-term. 

“Eating at random times breaks the synchrony of our internal program and makes us prone to diseases,” said Dr. Panda. “Intermittent fasting is a lifestyle that anyone can adopt. It can help eliminate health disparities and lets everyone live a healthy and fulfilling life.” 

While recent studies have found that following healthy habits can benefit older consumers’ cognitive function, a new study conducted by researchers from Penn State explored another way to boost cognition. 

According to their findings, consistently engaging in social interactions with close friends or family members can lead to better cognitive function in older adults. They found that the cognitive boost lasted for up to two days after the social event. 

“Our study is one of the first to show that whether you have social interactions on one day can immediately affect your cognitive performance that same day and also on the following days,” said researcher Ruixue Zhaoyang. “The fact that we found that the cognitive benefits of having pleasant social interactions could manifest over such a short time period was a happy surprise and could be a promising area for future intervention studies.” 

Staying socially engaged

The researchers had over 300 older adults participate in the study. Over the course of 16 days, participants received notifications on their smartphones several times throughout the day that asked them questions about their social interactions: how they felt about each interaction, how many social interactions they had, and who they interacted with. Each prompt was followed up by cognitive assessments that measured skills like memory and processing speed. 

Overall, socializing had a positive effect on the participants’ cognitive function. The researchers learned that when participants interacted with their close friends or family members, they scored better on the cognitive assessments. Additionally, these benefits were seen for up to two days after the initial interaction. 

On the other hand, participants who had fewer social interactions didn’t perform as well on the cognitive tests. 

The biggest takeaway was that the more often the participants were socializing, the better they were performing cognitively. 

Moving forward, the researchers hope that these findings are used to help older consumers sharpen their cognitive skills. 

“Our findings suggest that the lack of positive social interactions in daily life could be a critical risk factor for declining cognitive function later in life,” said Zhaoyang. “Older adults who are relatively more deprived in certain social interaction experiences could potentially benefit the most from interventions that help to ‘boost’ their usual levels of social interactions in daily life.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Central Florida suggests that providing a more structured schedule for kids can help improve their health. 

The team looked specifically at behaviors that lead to obesity, including lots of screen time and little physical activity. They learned that kids tend to be more active and spend less time in front of screens on school days; however, the opposite was true on non-school days. 

Based on these findings, the researchers believe parents can do more to help foster good health in their children by adopting a more structured schedule all year round.

Sticking to a schedule

For the study, the researchers tracked the schedules of 50 children for two weeks. The children wore accelerometers to measure their physical activity and sleep, and parents kept records of their screen time, diets, and activities. 

Overall, the study showed that kids were more active and spent less time in front of screens on school days versus non-school days. During the week, screen time was down by nearly half an hour, activity was up by about 20 minutes, and sedentary time was reduced by an hour. 

The researchers explained that spending too much time in front of screens, sitting down for long stretches of time, and not getting enough exercise can all negatively impact kids’ health. This is why the team encourages parents to develop a similar routine on weekends, vacations from school, or potential school closures due to COVID-19 restrictions. 

“This means maybe having a very loose schedule that has time for children’s snack, free play time, maybe some indoor exercises that don’t require a lot of space such as aerobics, dancing to music, or even yoga. I also encourage rule-setting around screen and media time, especially in the evening as bedtime approaches, as this can be beneficial for the child,” said researcher Keith Brazendale.

“It’s not necessarily the program itself that always provides the direct benefit, but the presence of ‘attending something’ seems to shape behaviors outside of the program’s operating hours and almost sets a default schedule for the day for the child, like when they wake up or go to bed, or when they eat.” 

Though the kids’ diets didn’t have much of an impact on their behaviors, the researchers hope these findings highlight the ways that parents can keep their kids active and healthy any day of the year. 

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) explored how women’s health during pregnancy can impact their experiences during childbirth. 

Their findings showed that childbirth complications are more likely to occur when women contract severe infections during pregnancy. They explained that when infections develop into sepsis and women need to be admitted to the hospital, there is a greater likelihood of childbirth risks. 

“All the prior studies only looked at sepsis and delivery during the same admission, so delivery right after sepsis,” said researcher Dr. Stephanie Gaw. “But with the majority of sepsis cases that happen during pregnancy, the moms are treated with antibiotics or other medications and they get better. Nobody had looked at what happens to moms that are really sick at some point during their pregnancy, recover from that acute episode, and go home. Do they go on to have normal pregnancies? Do the babies do okay?” 

Identifying health risks

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from nearly 15,000 women who delivered at UCSF over a six-year period; nearly 60 women were admitted into the hospital with a septic infection over the course of their pregnancies. The team followed the women’s health outcomes from their pregnancies through delivery. 

Ultimately, the researchers learned that women who had experienced severe infections during pregnancy were two times as likely to also experience complications during childbirth. Women that contracted septic infections during pregnancy tended to have higher BMIs, were younger, and were more likely to also have pregestational diabetes. The study showed that urinary tract infections were the most common type of infection among the women who were hospitalized. 

“If pregnant women were admitted for severe infection, even after they’re discharged and they recover from that infection, there was an increased risk of complications related to pregnancy that are associated with core placental dysfunction,” said Dr. Gaw. 

The three biggest risks during childbirth following a septic infection during pregnancy were placenta dysfunction, hypertensive disease of pregnancy, and small birth weight. However, there was also a higher risk of stillbirth and C-section deliveries. 

“Having a baby that was small for gestational age was more common if you had sepsis during pregnancy than if you didn’t, even after controlling for other risk factors,” Dr. Gaw said. “One thing that could be changed in current prenatal care practice would be to add another ultrasound to monitor the baby’s growth. In the third trimester, that was not routinely done for all of these patients and isn’t routinely done in clinical practice right now.” 

Moving forward, the researchers hope the medical community continues to work toward improvements in this area so that pregnant women can deliver their children safely and without complications. 

“We need more data to identify potential interventions -- whether a woman gets malaria, COVID, or any other type of infection -- to slow the inflammatory process, so that these long-term, permanent changes to the placenta don’t happen,” Dr. Gaw said. 

When children experience food insecurity, it can affect everything from their performance in school to their development and health outcomes. Now, researchers from Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health found that experiencing food insecurity as a college student can have similarly detrimental outcomes.

According to their findings, students who experience food insecurity during their college years may have a harder time graduating or pursuing advanced degrees.

How food-related stress impacts school

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from over 1,500 college students enrolled in the Panel Study of Income Dynamics. The participants were in college in the early 2000s, and they kept up with study questionnaires until 2017. Both in college and post-college, the participants answered questions about their lives at home and their experiences with food insecurity. 

It became clear to the researchers that there was a link between college graduation rates and food insecurity. The study showed that food insecurity made the students 43% less likely to achieve an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree. It also lowered the likelihood of earning an advanced degree by more than 60%.

This relationship was even more pronounced for participants who were the first in their families to go to college. Forty-seven percent of first-generation college students who struggled with food insecurity graduated from college, compared to 59% of first-generation, food-secure college students. 

“These results suggest that we really need robust policies to address food insecurity among college students, especially now with the higher food insecurity levels observed during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said researcher Julia Wolfson, Ph.D. 

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of California at San Francisco explored the heart health risks associated with alcohol consumption. 

Their findings showed that having just one drink can immediately increase the risk of atrial fibrillation. 

“Common to contrary belief that atrial fibrillation is associated with heavy alcohol consumption, it appears that even one alcohol drink may be enough to increase the risk,” said researcher Dr. Gregory Marcus. “Our results show that the occurrence of atrial fibrillation might be neither random nor unpredictable. Instead, there may be identifiable and modifiable ways of preventing an acute heart arrhythmia episode.” 

Alcohol can affect heart rate

For the study, the researchers had 100 atrial fibrillation patients wear an electrocardiogram (ECG) for four weeks. All of the participants reported having at least one alcoholic drink per month before the study started. Over the course of the study, they recorded every time they drank alcohol by pressing a button on the ECG device. 

The study showed that alcohol increased the risk of an atrial fibrillation episode, and the more the participants drank, the higher the risk of atrial fibrillation. 

Having two or more drinks within four hours made atrial fibrillation three times more likely. Having just one drink made the condition twice as likely. 

While it’s unclear how consumers without a history of atrial fibrillation would respond to alcohol, the findings highlight the risks that alcohol poses to those with preexisting heart conditions or concerns.

“The effects seem to be fairly linear: the more alcohol consumed, the higher the risk of an acute AF event,” said Dr. Marcus. “These observations mirror what has been reported by patients for decades, but this is the first objective, measurable evidence that a modifiable exposure may acutely influence the chance that an AF episode will occur.”