2021 Artificial Sweeteners

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.” 

Several studies have pointed to the health risks that are likely to arise when young athletes experience multiple head injuries. Now, researchers from the American Academy of Neurology are exploring the risks associated with suffering recurring head trauma. 

According to their findings, multiple concussions during a young athletic career may increase the likelihood of more severe injuries with later concussions. The study also showed that changes to brain function, including blood flow to the brain and microstructure, are more common among frequently injured young athletes. 

“We know conclusions may have long-term effects on the brain that last beyond getting a doctor’s clearance to return to play,” said researcher Tom A. Schweizer, Ph.D. “It is unclear, however, to what extent the effects of repeated concussion can be detected among young, otherwise healthy adults. We found even though there is no difference in symptoms or the amount of recovery time, athletes with a history of concussion showed subtle and chronic changes in their brains.” 

The long-term effect of brain trauma

For the study, the researchers evaluated the brain function of nearly 230 young athletes. Some of the group had recently experienced a concussion, and nearly half of them had a history of concussions. The team analyzed brain scans of those who had recently been injured for up to a year after they had been cleared to resume play to understand what impacts the injury had on their overall brain function. 

The researchers learned that consistent head injuries can have long-term impacts. The study showed that no history of concussion was associated with a cerebral blood flow of 53 mL per minute, per 100g of brain tissue. Those numbers decreased to 40 mL per minute, per 100g of brain tissue for those with persistent head injuries. 

The brain scans also showed subtle changes to the microstructure of the splenium, which plays a role in sending sensory information from one hemisphere of the brain to another. The researchers say it is frequently affected when concussions occur.

Considering these scans were taken a year after the athletes had been cleared to resume activity, these findings highlight the long-term risks associated with experiencing consistent concussions. 

“Our findings suggest that an athlete with a history of concussion should be watched closely, as these subtle brain changes may be worsened by repeated injury,” Dr. Schweizer said. “Additionally, our results should raise concern about the cumulative effects of repeated head injuries later in life.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from the European Society of Cardiology explored the heart health benefits associated with staying properly hydrated. According to their findings, drinking the right amount of water can help protect consumers against heart failure. 

“Our study suggests that maintaining good hydration can prevent or at least slow down the changes within the heart that lead to heart failure,” said researcher Dr. Natalia Dmitrieva. “The findings indicate that we need to pay attention to the amount of fluid we consume every day and take action if we find that we drink too little.” 

Hydration is key

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from nearly 16,000 participants in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. The team compared the participants’ hydration levels with two primary heart health outcomes: heart failure and ventricular hypertrophy, which is the thickening of the left ventricle and an early sign of heart failure. 

To track the participants’ hydration habits over the course of nearly 30 years, the researchers regularly measured their serum sodium concentration. Levels of salt in the body are lower when people are more hydrated. 

“It is natural to think that hydration and serum sodium should change day to day depending on how much we drink each day,” Dr. Dmitrieva said. “However, serum sodium concentration remains within a narrow range over long periods, which is likely related to habitual fluid consumption.”

Ultimately, the team found that there was a clear relationship between the participants’ hydration habits and their heart health. Participants with the highest serum sodium levels were the most likely to develop both ventricular hypertrophy and heart failure by the end of the study. Increases in serum sodium levels were also associated with higher risks of both heart conditions. 

Protecting heart health

Moving forward, the researchers hope these findings highlight the importance of staying hydrated. Hydration habits can affect consumers’ heart health over long periods of time, and drinking more water can help promote better health outcomes into older age. 

“The results suggest that good hydration throughout life may decrease the risk of developing left ventricular hypertrophy and heart failure,” Dr. Dmitrieva said. 

“In addition, our finding that serum sodium exceeding 142 mmol/l increases the risk of adverse effects in the heart may help to identify people who could benefit from an evaluation of their hydration level. This sodium level is within the normal range and would not be labeled as abnormal in lab tests but could be used by physicians during regular exams to identify people whose usual fluid intake should be assessed.” 

Fitness trackers and other types of wearable technology have gained a foothold with consumers in recent years. Whether it’s a Fitbit, an Apple Watch, or some other device, people tend to like being able to track their daily activity. But researchers say devices like these can also help patients with serious health conditions. 

Researchers from UBC Okanagan recently conducted a study to test whether wearable devices could help doctors deliver better care to patients with Parkinson’s disease. They found that these devices’ tracking capabilities helped deliver more timely and accurate information that could be used to tailor health care, even from a distance.

“Even prior to the pandemic, telehealth helped deliver specialized care to patients living in remote and rural settings,” said Dr. Daryl Wile. “But with the complex nature of Parkinson’s, we wanted to enhance these appointments to better understand how movements vary throughout a patient’s entire day."

Using devices to tailor care

The researchers came to their conclusions after working with Parkinson’s patients who developed tremors or other involuntary movements. The participants were divided into two groups -- one that wore wearable devices and one that relied only on traditional face-to-face appointments.

The group of participants who wore the devices had their movements tracked throughout the study, and the information was sent throughout the day to their health care providers. That data was then analyzed and reviewed during telehealth appointments so that experts could identify the peak times that patients experienced Parkinson’s symptoms.

“With the integration of accurate and reliable data from wearable devices, we were able to tailor a patient’s medication to better manage their symptoms throughout the day,” said Wile.

Wearing the devices also wasn’t seen as a burden by the patients. They mostly reported positive experiences by being able to use them in conjunction with their telehealth appointments. The researchers say the results could help inform future health care options.

“There’s definitely a strong case to leverage multiple technologies to improve a patient’s quality of life and limit the added stress and cost associated with travel,” said study co-author Joshua Yoneda.

Plenty of previous research suggests that working the night shift can be harmful to consumers’ long-term health. Now, another recent study shows that it may cause potentially serious heart conditions.

Two researchers from the U.S. and China say they found evidence that consumers who work the night shift have a higher risk for atrial fibrillation -- a condition characterized by an irregular and often rapid heart rate that leads to poor blood flow. They say this is true for workers who currently follow this kind of schedule and those who previously worked it for a longer period of time.

"Our findings have public health implications for preventing atrial fibrillation. They suggest that reducing both the frequency and the duration of night shift work may be beneficial for the health of the heart and blood vessels,” said researcher Yingli Lu.

Women and physically inactive are most at risk

The researchers came to their conclusions after analyzing over 286,000 health records from the UK Biobank. They found that people who currently work night shifts on a usual or permanent basis have a 12% higher risk of atrial fibrillation than consumers who work during the day. However, they found that this risk rose to as high as 22% if consumers worked the night shift for 3 to 8 days per month over 10 years or more.

On top of the increased risk of atrial fibrillation, the researchers found that working the night shift under those same conditions drastically increased the risk of other heart conditions. For example, the increased risk of coronary heart disease was 35% higher for night shift workers.

The researchers found that women and those who are not very physically active had the greatest risk of atrial fibrillation when they worked the night shift for longer periods of time. However, the findings were more positive for those who were able to find time to be physically active.

“People reporting an ideal amount of physical activity of 150 minutes a week or more of moderate intensity, 75 minutes a week or more of vigorous intensity, or an equivalent combination, had a lower risk of atrial fibrillation than those with non-ideal physical activity when exposed to a lifetime of night shift work,” said researcher Lu Qi. 

The full study has been published in the European Heart Journal.

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of California at Davis explored the effects associated with health care professionals reducing opioid prescriptions for pain patients. 

Their findings suggest that while many practitioners want to lower the dosage of opioids that patients are using for pain management, doing so could lead to an increase in overdoses and mental health concerns. 

“Prescribers are in a really difficult position,” said researcher Alicia Agnoli. “There are conflicting desires of ameliorating pain among patients while reducing the risk of adverse outcomes related to prescriptions. Our study showed an increased risk of overdose and mental health crisis following dose reduction. It suggests that patients undergoing tapering need significant support to safely reduce or discontinue their opioids.” 

Monitoring patients on opioids

The researchers analyzed data from more than 113,000 patients who were prescribed opioids for pain management. They compared hospital records of patients that had their prescriptions tapered over the course of a year with those that had no changes to their prescription or health records before prescriptions were altered. 

Ultimately, the researchers found that reducing opioid prescriptions increased the risk of a mental health emergency or an opioid overdose by nearly 70%. Participants who experienced these changes to their prescriptions struggled with suicidal thoughts, anxiety, and depression, and others experienced drug withdrawal. 

The researchers identified two factors that contributed to a heightened risk of overdose or mental health struggles: having a higher dosage at the onset of the study or experiencing a significant reduction to a prescription in a short amount of time. The team explained that federal regulations have guided clinicians to taper opioid prescriptions in an effort to get a better handle on opioid therapies; however, doing so does come with risks, and it’s important that health care providers give their patients the proper support if they choose to reduce an opioid prescription. 

“Our study results support the recent federal guidelines for clinicians considering opioid dose reduction for patients,” said researcher Joshua Fenton. “But I fear that most tapering patients aren’t receiving close follow-up and monitoring to make sure they’re coping well on lower doses.” 

Finding a better approach

Prescribing opioids and monitoring the patients taking them can be a tricky process for health care providers, but the researchers hope these findings can be valuable when thinking about the best ways to handle patients’ prescriptions. 

“We hope that work will inform a more cautious and compassionate approach to decisions around opioid dose tapering,” said Agnoli. “Our study may help shape clinical guidelines on patient selection for tapering, optimal rates of dose reduction, and how best to monitor and support patients during periods of dose transition.” 

A new study conducted by the Alzheimer’s Association explored how air quality may have an effect on consumers’ long-term cognitive function.

According to their findings, improving air quality may reduce the risk of developing dementia. However, poorer air quality may have the opposite effect on cognitive function. 

“We’ve known for some time that air pollution is bad for our brains and overall health, including a connection to amyloid build-up in the brain,” said researcher Claire Sexton, D.Phil. “But what’s exciting is we’re now seeing data showing that improving air quality may actually reduce the risk of dementia. These data demonstrate the importance of policies and action by federal and local governments, and businesses, that address reducing air pollutants.” 

Cognitive benefits of better air quality

The researchers analyzed data from three different studies, all of which explored the relationship between air quality and cognitive function. Collectively, the studies examined large groups of consumers from both overseas and in the U.S., and they observed how air pollution levels over large spans of time impacted the participants’ long-term cognitive health outcomes. 

Across the board, the results were consistent: better air quality was associated with better cognitive function. The opposite was also true -- poorer air quality was linked with poorer cognitive function. Though higher levels of air pollution are likely to have a greater burden on consumers’ risk of dementia, these findings are important because they showed that this association isn’t fixed; when air quality improves, the risk of dementia and decreased cognitive function also improves. 

One study conducted in France showed that the risk of Alzheimer’s decreased by 17% and the risk of dementia decreased by 15% with each single unit decrease of air pollution. Another study involving older women looked at the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recommendations for reducing fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). They found that when areas were able to reduce these pollutant levels by more than 10%, the risk of women developing dementia was lower -- 14% lower for PM2.5 levels and 26% lower for NO2 levels. 

“These data, for the first time, highlight the beneficial effects of reduced air pollution on the incidence of dementia in older adults,” said researcher Noemie Letellier, Ph.D. “The findings have important implications to reinforce air quality standards to promote healthy aging. In the context of climate change, massive urbanization and worldwide population aging, it is crucial to accurately evaluate the influence of air pollution change on incident dementia to identify and recommend effective prevention strategies.”

The researchers hope these findings lead policymakers to focus on improving air quality so that consumers can experience better health and wellness. 

“Our findings suggest that air pollution may be an important factor in the development of dementia,” said researcher Christina Park. “Many other factors that impact dementia are not changeable, but reductions in exposure to air pollution may be associated with a lower risk of dementia.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from the Garvan Institute of Medical Research explored how cognitive decline may impact consumers’ bone health as they enter into older age. 

According to the researchers, the link between cognitive decline and poorer bone health is stronger in women than in men. They explained that older women who have cognitive issues are more likely to experience bone fractures over time. 

“Bone loss and cognitive decline are major public health issues, but both are ‘silent diseases’ that can go undetected and untreated for long periods, often until the conditions are severely progressed,” said researcher Jacqueline Center. “Our study has revealed a link between the two in women, which suggests that cognition should be monitored together with bone health, as a decline in one could mean a decline in the other.” 

Identifying women at risk

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from more than 2,000 men and women enrolled in the Canadian Multicentre Osteoporosis Study (CaMos). All of the participants were aged 65 or older, and the researchers tracked their health records from 1997 through 2013. 

Ultimately, the researchers identified a clear link between cognitive decline in women and subsequent bone fractures; this association was not as strong for the men involved in the study. They explained that regardless of bone health, cognitive decline over the course of five years nearly doubled the risk of bone fractures over the next decade. 

Moving forward, the researchers hope these findings highlight the need for older women to consistently be monitored for both cognitive decline and bone health so they can enjoy the highest quality of life. 

“What our study highlights is that cognitive health is potentially an important factor for providing more information to individuals and their health professionals on fracture risk, and ultimately improve health outcomes for our older population,” Center said. 

A new study conducted by researchers from New York University explored how consumers’ oral hygiene can impact their long-term cognitive health. According to the team, poor dental health can increase the chances of consumers losing their teeth; the more teeth lost, the more likely consumers are to struggle with their cognitive function. 

“Given the staggering number of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia each year, and the opportunity to improve oral health across the lifespan, it’s important to gain a deeper understanding of the connection between poor oral health and cognitive decline,” said researcher Bei Wu, Ph.D. 

Maintaining good oral health

The researchers analyzed more than a dozen earlier studies that included data on more than 34,000 adults, nearly 5,000 of whom were struggling with their cognitive function. The team compared the participants’ oral health with their overall cognitive health to determine how the two were linked. 

Ultimately, the researchers identified a clear link between dental health and cognitive function. As participants lost teeth due to poor oral hygiene, they increased their risk of both developing dementia and struggling with cognitive performance; this association was even stronger when participants lost teeth and didn’t have dentures. 

It’s also important to note that the more teeth the participants lost, the higher their risk was for cognitive impairments. Each missing tooth increased the risk of dementia by more than 1% and the risk of diminished cognitive function by nearly 1.5%. 

“This ‘dose-response’ relationship between the number of missing teeth and risk of diminished cognitive function substantially strengthens the evidence linking tooth loss to cognitive impairment, and provides some evidence that tooth loss may predict cognitive decline,” said researcher Xiang Qi. 

A new study conducted by researchers from University College London explored how consumers’ hygiene habits impact kids’ immune systems. 

Though many people believe that being too clean can do a disservice to kids’ immune systems because it doesn’t expose them to enough bacteria, the researchers explained that this isn’t the case. They say it’s important for consumers to maintain good hygiene in their homes, and it doesn’t come at the expense of children’s health. 

“Exposure to microorganisms in early life is essential for the ‘education’ of the immune and metabolic systems,” said researcher Graham Rook. “In this paper, we set out to reconcile the apparent need for cleaning and hygiene to keep us free of pathogens, and the need for microbial inputs to populate our guts and set up our immune and metabolic systems.” 

Maintaining good hygiene

The researchers evaluated several recent papers that explored how cleaning and hygiene affected kids’ immune systems. They ultimately determined that cleaning products and maintaining hygiene weren’t a detriment to kids’ health, and they identified a few reasons why. 

They explained that the widespread distribution of vaccines helps to boost the immune system regardless of what microorganisms consumers are exposed to. They also noted that cleaning products may impact consumers’ health, but it isn’t necessarily because bacteria are removed from the home. Instead, the chemicals in the cleaning products themselves can be detrimental to allergies and respiratory health. 

Ultimately, the researchers say maintaining proper hygiene around the home is important for immune system function, and consumers shouldn’t change up their cleaning routines due to worry or fear. 

“Exposure to our mothers, family members, the natural environment, and vaccines can provide all the microbial inputs that we need,” said Rook. “These exposures are not in conflict with intelligently targeted hygiene or cleaning.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Buffalo explored how kids’ personalities can affect their eating habits. 

The researchers learned that children who are more impulsive and extroverted are also more likely to be faster eaters. These findings are important because eating faster may increase the likelihood of obesity and other health concerns. 

“Temperament is linked to many child developmental and behavioral outcomes, yet despite emerging evidence, few studies have examined its relationship with pediatric obesity,” said researcher Robert Berkowitz. 

Monitoring children’s eating speed

For the study, the researchers surveyed nearly 30 families involved in a program geared toward helping kids maintain healthy eating habits. All of the children were between the ages of four and eight, and their parents answered questions about their eating habits and their personalities. 

The team learned that introverted and cautious children were more likely to eat slower, while the opposite was also true -- extroverted and impulsive children were more likely to eat faster. Because the children involved in the study were already at an increased risk of obesity, these findings are important when thinking about how eating speed can further increase the risk of childhood obesity and other health concerns. 

The researchers also found that being able to tell when you’re full can impact eating speed. Kids are more likely to have self-control and stop eating when they have a better sense of knowing when they’re full. This is also important because it can help enforce healthy eating habits and promote better overall health outcomes. 

“Parents may use food to soothe temperamental children and ease negative emotions,” said researcher Alyssa Button. “Future research should examine the different ways parents feed their children in response to their temperament, as well as explore whether the relationship between temperament and eating behaviors is a two-way street. Could the habit of eating slower, over time, lead to lower impulsiveness?” 

Moving forward, the researchers hope to do more work in this area, as knowing more about how personalities can impact kids’ relationships with food can help promote better health outcomes. 

“This study established relationships between temperament and eating patterns in children; however, there is still the question of chicken-and-egg and which comes first?” said researcher Myles Faith, Ph.D. “Research that follows families over time is needed to untangle these developmental pathways.”

Staying physically active is an important component of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. That advice is being showcased in a recent round of recommendations by the American Heart Association (AHA).

The group says more movement and less sedentary time should be a primary focus for those struggling with mildly high cholesterol or blood pressure. The organization released a statement that encourages health care providers to “prescribe” physical activity as a means of improving critical health markers. 

“The current American Heart Association guidelines for diagnosing high blood pressure and cholesterol recognize that otherwise healthy individuals with mildly or moderately elevated levels of these cardiovascular risk factors should actively attempt to reduce these risks,” said researcher Bethany Barone Gibbs, Ph.D. “The first treatment strategy for many of these patients should be healthy lifestyle changes beginning with increasing physical activity.”  

Health benefits of more movement

The experts released their guidance based on the number of consumers who struggle with moderately high cholesterol and blood pressure. They explained that nearly 30% of consumers nationwide struggle with cholesterol, while more than 21% have mildly high blood pressure readings. 

Conversely, consumers who spend more time being physically active and less time sitting are likely to have better health outcomes. Consistent exercise is linked with a 36% lower risk of cardiovascular-related death and a 21% lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease. 

“Increasing physical activity can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol, along with many other health benefits,” said Dr. Gibbs. 

Exercising more often is associated with tangible results in lowering both cholesterol and blood pressure; cholesterol can be reduced by as much as 6 mg/dL and blood pressure can fall by as much as 4 mm Hg if a person takes part in more regular physical activity. For those that fall in the mildly or moderately high category of either of these measures, that kind of reduction can make significant differences in terms of long-term heart health. 

Using health care providers as a resource

While the AHA recommends that consumers focus on physical activity, it’s important that they also receive resources and support from their health care providers. Changing activity habits can be difficult, so it’s important for doctors to help their patients find activities that are best suited to their needs and interests. They can also be sources of support and encouragement throughout the process. 

Though the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that adults engage in either 75 minutes of vigorous exercise or 150 minutes of intense exercise each week, increasing physical activity in any way is beneficial to consumers’ heart health. 

“In our world where physical activity is increasingly engineered out of our lives and the overwhelming default is to sit -- and even more so now as the nation and the world is practicing quarantine and isolation to reduce the spread of coronavirus -- the message that we must be relentless in our pursuit to ‘sit less and move more’ throughout the day is more important than ever,” Dr. Gibbs said. 

Some supplements on the market falsely claim to help cure infertility and other reproductive health issues, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned Tuesday. 

In a news release, the FDA said most of the drugs in question are unapproved and sold online. Many are falsely labeled as “dietary supplements.” Officials say the claims presented on the supplements could prevent consumers from seeking out treatments that are actually effective.

"It is important to know that these products are not based on proven scientific information, and they have not been reviewed for safety and efficacy," the agency said.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said it joined the FDA in sending warning letters to five companies for illegally selling dietary supplements that claim to cure, treat, mitigate, or prevent infertility and other reproductive health disorders. The warning letters were sent to: LeRoche Benicoeur/ConceiveEasy; EU Natural Inc.; Fertility Nutraceuticals LLC; SAL NATURE LLC/FertilHerb; and NS Products, Inc.

"These purported fertility aids seek to profit off of the vulnerability and frustration many may feel as they face difficulties in getting pregnant," the FDA said. "Relying on ineffective, unproven products can be a waste of time and money, and can possibly result in illness or serious injury."

Fake consumer testimonials

The FDA said claims that sound too good to be true probably are. False claims on some of the products include: "One product does it all" or "Miracle cure" or "scientific breakthrough" or "cure all." Some sellers even include fake consumer testimonials. Here are a few examples: 

• "You will get pregnant very fast and give birth to healthy children regardless of … how severe or chronic your infertility disorder."

• " … a perfect natural alternative to infertility drugs or invasive treatments."

• "best fertility supplements to boost your chance of pregnancy or improve your IVF success rate."

• "… treat infertility… effectiveness in preventing recurrent miscarriages during early stage pregnancy."

The FDA advises consumers to talk to their doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider before deciding to purchase or use any dietary supplement or drug. Effective, science-based infertility treatments -- such as FDA-approved drugs or assisted reproductive technology -- are available to those struggling to get or stay pregnant.

"Women and families who face fertility issues deserve the best that science has to offer,” said Daniel Kaufman, Acting Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “The FTC is proud to work with the FDA to ensure that when companies make claims about fertility treatments and cures, those claims are backed by solid scientific evidence.”

A new study conducted by researchers from the National Institute of Health and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes explored a new genetic form of ALS that’s specific to children. 

According to their findings, children experienced muscle-related symptoms around the age of four, while the majority of ALS patients are diagnosed in their 50s or 60s. The condition was linked to mutations in the SPTLC1 gene, which the researchers explained is related to the body’s fat production. 

“ALS is a paralyzing and often fatal disease that usually affects middle aged people,” said Dr. Carsten Bönnemann. “We found that a genetic form of the disease can also threaten children. Our results show for the first time that ALS can be caused by changes in the way the body metabolizes lipids.

“We hope these results will help doctors recognize this new form of ALS and lead to the development of treatments that will improve the lives of these children and young adults. We also hope that our results may provide new clues to understanding and treating other forms of the disease.” 

Understanding a new form of ALS

For the study, Dr. Bönnemann and his group analyzed medical records for 11 patients who showed signs of ALS from as young as four years old. However, unlike adults with ALS, the children’s symptoms were more severe for longer periods of time. 

“These young patients had many of the upper and lower motor neuron problems that are indicative of ALS,” said researcher Dr. Payam Mohassel. “What made these cases unique was the early age of onset and the slower progression of symptoms. This made us wonder what was underlying this distinct form of ALS.” 

After analyzing the DNA make-up of each of the patients, the researchers identified a key difference in the children with ALS -- changes to the SPTLC1 protein. While some of the children were born with a genetic mutation that created this change, others had it passed down from their families. 

With more blood tests, the researchers learned that the SPTLC1 protein was responsible for the overproduction of sphingolipids, which is a fatty acid found in brain tissue. They explained that the SPTLC1 protein is related to an enzyme known as SPT; in the ALS patients, there was no regulation of the SPT enzyme, which is what led to an abundance of sphingolipids in the body. 

“Our results suggest that these ALS patients are essentially living without a brake on SPT activity,” said Dr. Dunn. “SPT is controlled by a feedback loop. When sphingolipids are high then ORMDL proteins bind to and slow down SPT. The mutations these patients carry essentially short circuit this feedback loop. We thought that restoring this brake may be a good strategy for treating this type of ALS.” 

Moving forward, the team hopes to create treatment options for children struggling with ALS. By silencing the SPT enzyme, the researchers hope that they can better regulate the level of sphingolipids to help keep symptoms at bay. 

Google has teamed up with hospital chain HCA Healthcare to develop health care algorithms using patients’ medical records. 

In a press release, HCA said the goal of its multi-year partnership with Google is to “develop a "secure and dynamic data analytics platform" that it will use to advance operational models that will result in "actionable insights and improved workflows.” 

“Next-generation care demands data science-informed decision support so we can more sharply focus on safe, efficient and effective patient care,” said Sam Hazen, chief executive officer of HCA Healthcare. 

Improving operating efficiency  

The deal will give Google permission to extract certain patient data when needed, but the tech giant will also be able to develop analytical tools without patient records, the Wall Street Journal reported. HCA will be able to test the models independently. 

The hospital chain, which operates across about 2,000 locations in 21 states, said the data will help it see where improvement in clinical care is needed. 

“Data are spun off of every patient in real time,” noted Dr. Jonathan Perlin, HCA’s chief medical officer. “Part of what we’re building is a central nervous system to help interpret the various signals.” 

Sam Hazen, CEO of HCA Healthcare, added that the partnership will bolster the health system's efforts to improve and modernize several facets related to patient data.

"Next-generation care demands data science-informed decision support so we can more sharply focus on safe, efficient and effective patient care,” Hazen said. “We view partnerships with leading organizations, like Google Cloud, that share our passion for innovation and continual improvement as foundational to our efforts." 

Focusing on privacy

In announcing their collaboration, HCA and Google stressed that data privacy and security will be prioritized. Access and use of patient data will be addressed through Google Cloud’s infrastructure and HCA’s security controls and processes. 

Identifying information would be culled from HCA patient records prior to being shared with Google’s data scientists, and the health system will have control of access to the data, the Journal reported. 

A new study conducted by researchers from Michigan Medicine evaluated global health care trends related to diabetes. Based on results from more than 50 surveys that included responses from over 680,000 people around the world, the researchers learned that many diabetics aren’t receiving the care they need -- especially those from low- and middle-income countries. 

The team found that many consumers struggling with diabetes aren’t even aware that they have the disease. 

“Diabetes continues to explode everywhere, in every country, and 80% of people with it live in these low- and middle-income countries,” said researcher Dr. David Flood. “It confers a high risk of complications such as heart attacks, blindness, and strokes. We can prevent these complications with comprehensive diabetes treatment, and we need to make sure people around the world can access treatment.” 

Diabetes care is inconsistent around the world

The researchers had more than 680,000 participants between the ages of 25 and 64 involved in the study; they evaluated medical tests, exams, and responses to surveys about health care to determine how diabetes care differs around the world. More than 50% of the participants in the study had high blood sugar but hadn’t yet been formally diagnosed with diabetes at the start of the study; another 37,000 participants were diabetic when the study began. 

The team explained that there are six primary components to effectively treating diabetes: a combination of counseling efforts for diet, weight, and exercise and medications that work to lower cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure. Less than 20% of the participants with diabetes were receiving treatment in all six areas, and more than 90% weren’t receiving the full spectrum of blood pressure treatments. 

The study showed that regional and economic impacts play a role in the available treatments for diabetic consumers around the world. Low- and middle-income countries and regions struggled the most to provide adequate diabetes treatments and had the fewest resources available to detect the condition. 

The biggest deficits in treatment, both for those with and without diabetes diagnoses, were for blood pressure and cholesterol treatments. Maintaining healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels is important for all consumers, but it remains a crucial part of diabetes care. 

The researchers hope their findings highlight the disparities in diabetes care around the world. They explained that many of the medications necessary to manage blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol can be administered inexpensively, which would benefit those in low- and middle-income areas. 

Finding ways to improve diabetes testing can also work to identify those who may not be aware that they have the disease and ensure that more consumers are receiving treatment. 

A new study conducted by researchers from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine explored the health risks for kids when their mothers are exposed to air pollution during pregnancy. They found that in utero exposure to ultra-fine pollutants can increase the likelihood of children developing asthma by the time they’re in preschool. 

For the study, the researchers analyzed air pollution levels and health records for nearly 370 women and their children in the Boston metropolitan area. Using the women’s addresses, the team monitored the levels of ultra-fine pollutants that they were exposed to during pregnancy. They then followed up to see how the pollution impacted their children’s health. 

The study revealed that nearly 20% of the children developed asthma by the time they were in preschool, and girls were more likely to have respiratory issues during childhood than boys. The researchers explained that the majority of the women involved in the study lived near busy roadways and in high-traffic areas, both of which can contribute to children’s health risks. 

Ultra-fine particles are more likely than other types of pollutants to settle in the lungs and negatively impact consumers’ health. While efforts have been made to monitor and regulate air pollution, experts have previously struggled to get precise readings of ultra-fine particles, including how they impact children in utero. 

“One reason ultra-fine particulates are not routinely monitored is that there have been a number of unique challenges to measuring them accurately,” said researcher Dr. Rosalind Wright. “Fortunately, recent methods have been developed to provide such exposure data which allowed us to conduct this study.” 

Improving respiratory health

The team hopes that these findings highlight another way that air pollution can impact kids’ health long term. They also explained the importance of continuing to monitor ultra-fine particles, and how doing so can improve children’s respiratory health. 

“This research is an important early step in building the evidence base that can lead to better monitoring of exposure to ultra-fine particles in the United States and ultimately to regulation,” said Dr. Wright. “As we advance methods for measuring these tiny particles, we hope for replication of these findings, both within different geographic areas across the United States as well as globally. 

“Childhood asthma remains a global epidemic that is likely to grow with the anticipated rise in particulate air pollution exposures due to the effects of climate change,” she said. 

A new study conducted by researchers from the American College of Cardiology explored the heart health risks associated with drinking alcohol. According to their findings, alcohol can almost immediately impact heart rhythm, which can also increase the risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib). 

“Alcohol is the most commonly used drug in the world, and there is still a lot we don’t understand about what it does to our bodies, and in particular, our hearts,” said researcher Dr. Gregory M. Marcus. 

“Based on our data, we found that alcohol can actually influence the likelihood that an episode of AFib will occur within a few hours, and the more alcohol consumed, the higher the risk of having an event.” 

Alcohol’s impact on heart rhythm

The researchers had 100 participants with intermittent AFib involved in the study. Over the course of four weeks, the group wore monitors on their ankles and hearts that measured both alcohol consumption and heart rate. The participants self-reported on the heart monitors any time they surpassed three alcoholic beverages, and the researchers conducted interviews with the group to determine their typical lifestyle habits and medical histories. 

Over the course of the study, more than half of the participants experienced an AFib episode within hours of drinking alcohol, and the more they drank, the higher the likelihood of an AFib episode; however, even having just one drink led to complications with heart rhythm. 

“There is conventional wisdom that alcohol is ‘good’ or ‘healthy’ for the heart, based on observational studies, but that relates to coronary heart disease and heart attack,” Dr. Marcus said. “These new data present an interesting conundrum regarding the overall risks versus benefits of alcohol in moderation. But the data is very clear that more is not better when it comes to alcohol; those who drink more have a higher risk of heart attack and death.” 

Based on the blood alcohol reading from the ankle monitors, the researchers learned that each 0.1% increase in blood alcohol concentration increased the risk of an AFib episode by 40%. Surpassing two drinks in one sitting made AFib incidents three times more likely to occur for the participants. 

“When patients ask me what they can do to avoid an AFib episode, I tell them the evidence suggests that they should minimize, if not completely eliminate, alcohol,” Dr. Marcus said. “But we have to consider quality of life as well, which is both relevant to arrhythmia symptoms and the opportunity to enjoy a glass of wine once in a while for some. So, it’s not as simple as instructing everyone to avoid alcohol.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of California at Los Angeles Health Sciences explored the bone health risks common among postmenopausal women who experience an injury. According to their findings, one bone fracture anywhere in the body can increase the risk of future fractures.

“Current clinical guidelines have only been emphasizing hip and spine fractures, but our findings challenge that viewpoint,” said researcher Dr. Carolyn Crandall. “By not paying attention to which types of fractures increase the risk of future fractures, we are missing the opportunity to identify people at an increased risk of future fracture and counsel them regarding risk reduction.”  

Protecting bone health

The researchers came to their conclusions after analyzing health records for over 157,000 women between the ages of 50 and 79 enrolled in the Women’s Health Initiative study. They learned that postmenopausal women who experience one fracture are three to six times as likely to experience a subsequent fracture. 

This was true regardless of where in the body the first fracture occurred; this study analyzed bone breaks in the hip/pelvis, upper and lower wrist, lower leg and upper leg, shoulder, knee, and ankle. 

“Postmenopausal women and their physicians may not have been aware that even a knee fracture, for example, is associated with an increased risk of future fractures at other locations of the body,” Dr. Crandall said. 

The researchers found that ethnicity played a role in subsequent bone fracture risk. Women of Hispanic, Black, and Asian Pacific Island descent had a higher risk for multiple bone fractures in later life than white women. The team hopes these results lead to future changes regarding health care policies and protocols for postmenopausal women’s bone health. 

“Aggressive follow-up of postmenopausal women who experience initial fracture is indicated,” the researchers wrote. “Our results will inform counseling, future guidelines, and the design of intervention trials regarding the selection of appropriate candidates for pharmacotherapy.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from Georgia State University has explored the link between processed foods and long-term health risks. Their work showed that consumers who eat large quantities of processed foods may be at an increased risk of developing chronic infections, such as diabetes. 

“We observed that feeding mice a Western-style diet, rather than standard rodent grain-based chow, altered the dynamics of the Citrobacter infection, reducing initial colonization and inflammation, which was surprising,” said researcher Dr. Andrew Gerwitz. “However, mice consuming the Western-style diet frequently developed persistent infection that was associated with low-grade inflammation and insulin resistance.”

Processed foods can compromise health

The researchers conducted their study on mice and fed them two different types of diets to determine how food choice can impact health outcomes. The Western-style diet was primarily highly-processed foods that contained high traces of sugars and fats and lacked fiber. By contrast, the traditional diets of mice are grain-based and nutrient dense. 

The team analyzed how the diets impacted the Citrobacter infection, which is associated with E.coli. They also looked at the mice’s gut microbiota to determine how that was impacted by diet and how the risk of infection played into all of these factors. 

The researchers learned that eating highly-processed foods greatly impacted the mice’s gut microbiota. Switching the mice to a highly-processed diet led to less diverse gut microbiota, which ultimately made them more susceptible to health risks.

The team explained that having a variety of bacteria in the gut and intestines can benefit the body in several ways, including better digestion and immune system health. Without the nutrients necessary to diversify gut bacteria, health complications were more common. 

They also found that the mice fed the Western diet were more likely to get sick when repeatedly introduced to the Citrobacter infection. Because of the relationship between processed foods and gut microbiota, the mice’s immune systems were already compromised and their intestines weren’t able to properly break down the pathogen. This lack of nutrients made them more prone to chronic infections and conditions like diabetes. 

“These studies demonstrate potential of altering gut microbiota and their metabolites by diet to impact the course and consequence of infection following exposure to a gut pathogen,” Dr. Gerwitz said. 

Moving forward, the team recommends that consumers prioritize following healthy diets to ensure optimal gut health. This can improve immune system function, intestinal health, and overall wellness. 

“We speculate that reshaping gut microbiota by nutrients that promote beneficial bacteria that out-compete pathogens may be a means of broadly promoting health,” said researcher Dr. Jun Zou. 

A new statement released by researchers from the American Heart Association explored the health risks associated with consumers carrying excess belly fat. 

According to their report, body mass index (BMI) scores may not always be an indicator of an increased risk of heart disease. Instead, they say excess belly fat could be a better marker of heart disease risk; this means that those with a healthy BMI but a higher level of belly fat could be more susceptible to cardiovascular disease. 

“This scientific statement provides the most recent research and information on the relationship between obesity and obesity treatment in coronary heart disease, heart failure, and arrhythmias,” said researcher Dr. Tiffany M. Powell-Wiley. “The timing of this information is important because the obesity epidemic contributes significantly to the global burden of cardiovascular disease and numerous chronic health conditions that also impact heart disease.” 

Weight plays and heart disease risk

To better understand how weight and BMI can impact heart disease risk, the researchers analyzed earlier studies that have looked at all of these factors. They then identified what posed the biggest threat to consumers’ health, what lifestyle changes are possible to reduce the risk of heart disease, and the preventative measures health care providers should take to ensure that all consumers are given the highest level of care. 

Ultimately, excess belly weight was linked with a higher risk of heart disease, regardless of BMI; findings showed that consumers with a healthy BMI but excess belly fat could be at an increased risk of developing heart disease. The team recommends adopting healthy habits like following a healthy diet and engaging in regular aerobic exercise to improve blood pressure and lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, they found that the best health outcomes occurred for consumers who received weight loss surgery. 

“Additional work is needed to identify effective interventions for patients with obesity that improve cardiovascular disease outcomes and reduce cardiovascular disease mortality, as is seen with bariatric surgery,” Dr. Powell-Wiley said. 

Weight problems become more common

The researchers say the best way to identify those at the highest risk of heart disease is to continue monitoring BMI scores while also measuring consumers’ waist circumference to check for excess belly fat.

“As overweight and obesity prevalence increases among adolescents worldwide, it is critical to address how best to develop upstream primary prevention interventions and better treatment strategies, particularly for young patients with severe obesity,” Dr. Powell-Wiley said. 

Several studies have highlighted the differences that men and women experience when seeking health care for the same ailment. Recently, researchers from the University of Miami looked specifically at how pain is analyzed and treated between the genders. 

According to their findings, bystanders were more likely to believe that men needed serious medical treatment when men and women described the same level of pain intensity. The researchers also found that women were often dismissed and were recommended to receive mental health treatments. 

“If the stereotype is to think women are more expressive than men, perhaps ‘overly’ expressive, then the tendency will be to discount women’s pain behaviors,” said researcher Elizabeth Losin. “The flip side of this stereotype is that men are perceived to be stoic, so when a man makes an intense pain facial expression, you think, “Oh my, he must be dying!’ The result of this gender stereotype about pain expression is that each unit of increased pain expression from a man is thought to represent a higher increase in his pain experience than that same increase in pain expression by a woman.” 

Highlighting the gender disparities in pain expression

The researchers conducted two studies to analyze how consumers perceive men’s and women’s expressions of pain. Both studies were based on videos taken of men and women doing strength exercises after shoulder surgery. The patients in the videos ranked their own pain, and the researchers utilized the Facial Action Coding System (FACS) to record objective pain scores based on the patients’ facial expressions. 

At the end of both experiments, the participants determined how much physical pain they believed the patients to be in. The second study had participants dive even deeper and report on what kind of mental health services and medications they’d recommend for the patients. 

In both experiments, participants were more likely to believe that male participants’ pain was more severe than female participants’ pain, despite identical expressions of pain intensity. The researchers believe gender stereotypes played into these findings a great deal. Interestingly, the gender of the participants making the judgment call on the patients in pain didn’t yield different results; both male and female participants took men’s pain reports more seriously than women’s. 

“There’s a pretty wide literature showing demographic differences in pain report, the prevalence of critical pain conditions, and then also a demographic difference in pain treatments,” Losin said. “These differences manifest as disparities because it seems that some people are getting undertreated for their pain based on their demographics.

“I think one critical piece of information that could be conveyed in medical curricula is that people, even those with medical training in other studies, have been found to have consistent demographic biases in how they assess the pain of male and female patients and that these biases impact treatment decisions. Critically, our results demonstrate that these gender biases are not necessarily accurate. Women are not necessarily more expressive than men, and thus their pain expression should not be discounted.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of California at Davis Health found that children with Down syndrome may be at an increased risk of developing leukemia. These findings are important because children with Down syndrome are likely to be at a higher risk of several other serious health conditions. 

“One main strength of this study is its large cohort with more leukemia cases in children with Down syndrome than most previous studies,” said researcher Emily Marlow. “This allowed more precise risk estimation, especially for leukemia types such as AML-7, previously estimated from small case reports.” 

Understanding the health risks

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from nearly four million children who were born between 1996 and 2016. The team tracked their health outcomes and looked at what role Down syndrome played in both cancer diagnosis and their treatment success. 

Over the course of the study, nearly three percent of children with Down syndrome were diagnosed with leukemia; comparatively, those without Down syndrome had just a 0.05 percent chance of developing leukemia. The study also found that ethnicity and gender can play a role, as both leukemia and Down syndrome were more likely to develop in Hispanic children and male children. 

It’s also important to note that this association between leukemia and Down syndrome was consistent among different strains of the condition, including both acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL). 

Knowing the signs

The researchers’ biggest advice is for parents and caregivers to be aware of the signs associated with leukemia. Knowing the symptoms, including shortness of breath and extreme fatigue, and starting treatment as early as possible are likely to lead to the best health outcomes. 

“The good news is that childhood leukemia can be very treatable if caught early,” said researcher Diana L. Miglioretti. 

Gen Xers and millennials are in worse physical and mental health than prior generations at the same age, according to a new study from Ohio State University. Researchers say these consumers are facing higher risks for disease and death than their parents and grandparents because of unhealthy behaviors and several other potential root causes. 

The study authors found that younger generations -- in this study, those born between 1981 and 1999 -- have higher rates of alcohol use, smoking, obesity, depression, and anxiety. 

Markers of "physiological dysregulation” -- including problems like elevated blood pressure and cholesterol, excess belly fat, and substances in the blood -- were also prevalent among younger generations. The researchers said this suggests that there is a higher rate of chronic inflammation, which is a risk factor for earlier death. 

‘Societal problem’ 

For the study, lead author and OSU professor of sociology Hui Zheng and his colleagues examined health data pertaining to nearly 700,000 people. The data came from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1988-2016 and the National Health Interview Survey 1997-2018, both conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics.

The research team believes that the declining physical and mental health of younger generations is a complex issue with more than one root. Zheng said the issue of worsening health profiles found in Gen X and Gen Y is “not just an individual problem, but more a societal problem.” 

"Society needs to change the [obesity-promoting] environment, reduce inequality and enhance job security for younger generations,” he stated, adding that researchers may not even be seeing the full impact of this “alarming” trend. 

“People in Gen X and Gen Y are still relatively young, so we may be underestimating their health problems,” Zheng said. “When they get older and chronic diseases become more prevalent, we’ll have a better view of their health status.”

The study has been published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.

Staying physically active is an important part of all consumers’ routines, but findings from a recent study suggest that it may be even more important for kids.

Researchers from the University of Jyväskylä have found that kids who participate in regular physical activity can experience several health benefits, including reducing low-grade inflammation throughout their bodies. 

“Our study showed that children who were physically more active and less sedentary had a healthier inflammatory profile than children who were physically less active,” said researcher Dr. Eero Haapala. “However, our results suggest that the positive effects of high levels of vigorous physical activity and low levels of sedentary time on low-grade inflammation are partly explained by their positive effects on body composition.” 

Benefits of staying active

The researchers analyzed data from nearly 400 children between the ages of six and eight who were enrolled in the Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children (PANIC) study. The team looked at several different health measures -- including diet quality, physical activity, and low-grade inflammation -- and assessed both blood samples and activity monitor data. 

Participants with the lowest physical activity levels were at an increased risk of several health conditions. In contrast, kids who regularly engaged in physical activity were able to enjoy several health benefits. The researchers found that inflammation levels were highest in kids who were less physically active. Participants who struggled to be physically active also tended to eat more unhealthy foods and had higher body mass indices (BMIs). 

The findings are concerning because these risk factors put kids at an increased risk for developing heart disease and type 2 diabetes later in life. Because there is such a strong connection between lifestyle choices and disease risk, it’s important to know that being more active can help to reduce these risks. 

“The key message from our results is that increasing physical activity and reducing sedentary time are key in preventing low-grade inflammation since childhood,” Dr. Happala said. “They would be particularly important for overweight children.” 

Researchers continue to discover how detrimental exposure to air pollution is for consumers’ heart and lung health. Now, a new study conducted by researchers from the University of California at San Diego has explored the risks associated with exposure to pollutants emitted from wildfires. 

According to their findings, fine particulate matter (PM2.5) emitted following a wildfire is more harmful to consumers’ respiratory health than exposure to PM2.5 emitted from other pollution sources. Wildfires have been plaguing California for years, and as climate change intensifies and these events become more common, it’s important for consumers to understand the health risks. 

“As conditions in Southern California become hotter and drier, we expect to see increased wildfire activity,” said researcher Tom Corringham. “This study demonstrates that the harm due to wildfire smoke may be greater than previously thought, bolstering the argument for early wildfire detection systems and efforts to mitigate climate change.” 

The role wildfires play in respiratory health issues

To understand how pollution specifically derived from wildfires can impact consumers’ respiratory health, the researchers focused their analysis on PM2.5 levels in Southern California. They utilized the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) Hazard Mapping System, which highlights smoke exposure and compares that with levels of PM2.5 during seasons without wildfires. The team then compared those figures with hospital admissions data. 

The researchers found that a relationship emerged between PM2.5 levels and respiratory-related hospital admissions -- as pollution levels increased, hospital admissions also increased. However, exposure to wildfire smoke caused hospital admissions to rise even higher. 

“There is a daily threshold for the amount of PM2.5 in the air that is considered acceptable by the country and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),” said researcher Rosana Aguilera. “The problem with this standard is that it doesn’t account for different sources of emission of PM2.5.” 

The study showed that hospital admissions jumped from one percent when emissions levels increased independent of wildfires to as high as 10 percent when emissions levels increased due to wildfires. Though the effect of wildfire emissions on consumers’ health seems clear, the researchers are still unsure why these differences in hospitalizations exist. 

The researchers anticipate that climate change will lead to even more wildfires -- especially in the Southern California region. They hope that these findings highlight the health risks linked with these environmental events. 

Air pollution continues to pose a serious threat to consumers’ health -- especially heart and lung health. As these concerns continue to mount nationwide, researchers from the American Heart Association are looking at the long-term health risks associated with air pollution exposure. 

According to the researchers, consumers are more likely to develop heart and lung issues when they are exposed to air pollution for extended periods of time -- even when pollutants are at low levels. 

“When we restricted our analysis to individuals who were only exposed to lower concentrations of air pollution, we still found increased risk of hospital admissions with all of the studied outcomes, even at concentration levels below current national standards,” said researcher Mahdieh Danesh Yadzi, PhD. 

“More than half of the study population is exposed to low levels of these pollutants, according to U.S. benchmarks, therefore, the long-term health impact of these pollutants should be a serious concern for all, including policymakers, clinicians, and patients.”  

Harmful health risks from long-term exposure

The researchers utilized two primary sources for the study: hospitalization records for consumers enrolled in Medicare between 2002 and 2016 and levels of three main pollutants -- fine particulate matter (PM2.5), ozone (O3), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) — across the country. The team paid particular attention to conditions like strokes, pneumonia, atrial fibrillation, and heart attacks, among several others. 

Ultimately, the researchers learned that exposure to all three pollutants was associated with an increased risk of heart and lung disease, and each pollutant was linked with different health risks. Of all the conditions, participants were vulnerable to strokes based on exposure to two pollutants -- NO2 and PM2.5. Long-term exposure to ozone led to a greater risk of pneumonia, while exposure to NO2 was linked to a greater risk of stroke and atrial fibrillation. 

However, PM2.5 had the biggest effect on consumers’ health. The researchers found a direct correlation between PM2.5 levels and hospitalizations; each additional unit of the pollutant emitted into the air led to a significant increase in related hospitalizations. It was also linked with the greatest number of health concerns: heart palpitations, pneumonia, heart attack, atrial fibrillation, and strokes. 

These findings are particularly important because participants’ health risks persisted despite the fact that levels of air pollution remained much lower than national standards. Moving forward, the researchers hope that these results change the conversation around air pollution regulations. 

“People should be conscious of the air quality in the region where they live to avoid harmful exposure over long periods of time, if possible,” said Dr. Danesh Yazi. “Since our study found harmful effects at levels below current U.S. standards, air pollution should be considered as a risk factor for cardiovascular and respiratory disease by clinicians, and policymakers should reconsider current standards for air pollutants.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found that the range for healthy blood pressure is different for men and women. The team learned that women have a smaller range for what’s considered normal blood pressure than men, and elevated blood pressure is associated with an increased risk of heart disease. 

These findings come on the heels of other recent studies that have highlighted the differences in how men’s and women’s bodies function. Findings suggest that women are often misdiagnosed or mistreated for common but serious health concerns. 

“Our latest findings suggest that this one-size-fits-all approach to considering blood pressure may be detrimental to a woman’s health,” said researcher Dr. Susan Cheng. “Based on our research results, we recommend that the medical community reassess blood pressure guidelines that do not account for sex differences.” 

Recognizing differences in blood pressure

For the study, the researchers evaluated blood pressure readings from more than 27,000 participants that were involved in earlier studies. The main goal was to see how blood pressure readings impacted the participants’ risk for cardiovascular disease. 

Ultimately, the researchers observed some key differences between men’s and women’s blood pressure readings and later health risks. The biggest disparity came from the top number of the blood pressure -- the systolic reading. Though most health care professionals recommend that the systolic reading stays below 120 mmHg, the researchers found that the healthy range was lower than that for women.

For the men involved in the study, 120 mmHg proved to be an effective benchmark for later heart disease risks. However, when women’s systolic blood pressure exceeded 110 mmHg, they were at an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart disease. 

“We are now pushed to rethink what we thought was a normal blood pressure that might keep a woman or man safe from developing heart disease or stroke,” said Dr. Cheng. 

The researchers hope that these findings change the way that medical professionals look at their patients’ vitals. The differences in men’s and women’s experiences are clear, and it’s important to take them into consideration when implementing treatment protocols. 

“If the ideal physiologic range of blood pressure truly is lower for females than males, current approaches to using sex-agnostic targets for lowering elevated blood pressure need to be reassessed,” said researcher Dr. Christine Albert. “This important work is far-reaching and has numerous clinical implications.” 

Parents serve as role models when it comes to getting their kids to eat more fruits and vegetables; however, a new study is showing why getting kids involved in the food preparation process can also be beneficial to their healthy habits.

According to researchers from the University of Texas at Austin, school gardens can serve as a great opportunity to educate kids about the process of how fruits and vegetables are grown and maintained while also giving them more information about the benefits of eating more healthy foods. The study showed that programs like this in schools can be instrumental in changing kids’ eating habits. 

“A lot of the families in these schools live with food insecurity,” said researcher Jaimie Davis. “They live in food deserts and face a higher risk of childhood obesity and related health issues. Teaching kids where their food comes from, how to grow it, how to prepare it -- that’s key to changing eating behaviors over the long term.” 

Creating lasting healthy habits

The researchers partnered with more than a dozen elementary schools in Texas to see how school gardens can change kids’ eating habits. All of the schools received fruit and vegetable gardens, and classes were held for both students and their parents to teach them about how to care for the garden and how valuable fruits and vegetables are to their daily diets. Over the course of the school year, the kids reported on what they ate and had their blood pressure, weight, and body mass indices (BMIs) recorded at the start and conclusion of the study. 

The gardens were successful in changing kids’ eating habits and making them healthier overall. The program allowed kids to be introduced to new foods, and they also learned how to prepare healthy options at home. 

Perhaps most importantly, the students who participated in the garden program were eating half a serving more of vegetables each day than they were at the start of the study. While this may not seem like a huge change, the researchers say this is a step in the right direction that can set kids up for a lifetime of healthier eating. 

“We have been able to introduce children to a wide variety of vegetables that they’ve never had access to,” said Davis. “Parents I talk with ask, ‘How did you get my kid to eat kale?’ But when they grow the kale from seed and learn how to prepare it in olive oil and bake it into kale chips, they love it.” 

Changing behaviors for better health

The researchers didn’t notice any significant changes to the kids’ weight, blood pressure, or BMIs, but they’re confident that with long-term healthy eating efforts, those positive changes will come. 

“Behavior changes can be difficult to achieve, especially long term,” Davis said. “Changes to health parameters like blood pressure may take longer to manifest. Getting children to eat more vegetables can potentially set them up for long-term success.” 

For families living in food deserts and with food insecurity, which the majority of the participants involved in this study were, the consequences can be felt both mentally and physically. Moving forward, the researchers hope that more work like these school-supported vegetable gardens can be implemented so that more young people can enjoy similar benefits.

Diet has been closely linked with heart disease risk, and many recent studies have touted the benefits of consumers opting for more plant-based options as a means of improving their heart health. 

Now, a new study is focusing on how consumers’ fried food intake can negatively affect their health. Experts have found that the risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and stroke is linked to fried food consumption; the more fast food consumers eat, the greater the risk of heart disease or stroke. 

“Our meta-analysis indicates that fried-food consumption is associated with increased risk of CVD,” the researchers wrote. “The findings may support public health recommendations to control fried-food intake for preventing CVD.” 

Fried foods compromise health

The researchers analyzed data from nearly 20 previous studies to determine how fried food can impact consumers’ risk of developing cardiovascular disease. In analyzing data from over 754,000 study participants, the researchers were able to compare diet choices with health outcomes. 

They learned that participants who ate the highest quantities of fried foods were at the greatest risk of cardiovascular disease or stroke. Heart failure was the most common risk linked to fried food consumption; those who ate the most fried food were nearly 40 percent more likely to experience heart failure. That risk increased by 12 percent with each additional 114 grams of fried food consumed each week. 

Generally, fast food consumption was linked with poor health outcomes. The study showed that frequent fast food eaters were nearly 30 percent more likely to experience a serious cardiovascular event and more than 20 percent likely to develop heart disease. 

The researchers attribute the high fat content and inflammatory properties in fried food to be the reason behind the cardiovascular disease risk. While they plan to do more studies to better understand how fried food can impact consumers’ health, they hope that these findings can serve as a guide to establish stricter dietary recommendations for consumers. 

“Our study provided evidence for the adverse effects of consuming fried food on CVD and can be useful for dietary guidelines,” the researchers wrote. “[World Health Organization] suggested limiting fried-food consumption to reduce the amount of total fat intake and industrially produced trans-fatty acid intake for a healthy diet. However, no dietary guideline is approved for the specific effect of fried-food consumption on CVD.” 

Self-control is a big part of adulthood. Now, researchers from Duke University are exploring how developing a strong sense of self-control throughout childhood can have long-lasting benefits. 

According to findings from a new study, kids with greater self-control are likely to become middle-aged adults with healthier bodies and minds. 

“Our population is growing older, and living longer with age-related diseases,” said researcher Leah Richmond-Rakerd. “It’s important to identify ways to help individuals prepare successfully for later-life challenges, and live more years free of disability. We found that self-control in early life may help set people up for healthy aging.” 

Promoting better well-being in middle age

To see how childhood self-control affected outcomes in middle age, the researchers had over 1,000 participants involved in the study from the time they were born through their mid-40s. Starting at age three, the participants were interviewed and underwent medical exams every few years until they reached their mid-40s. During childhood, parents and teachers also reported on the participants’ behaviors, including impulse control, inattention, aggression, and perseverance, among several others. 

The researchers learned that the participants with the highest self-control during childhood were healthier both biologically and physically than those with lower self-control. This positive trait was linked with better brain function and an overall slower aging process, and the researchers found that children with self-control were more likely to be optimistic about the future as adults and have greater life satisfaction during middle age.

“Everyone fears an old age that’s sickly, poor, and lonely, so aging well requires us to get prepared, physically, financially, and socially,” said researcher Terrie Moffitt. “We found people who have used self-control since childhood are far more prepared for aging than their same-age peers.” 

While these findings point towards benefits related to greater self-control during childhood, the researchers hope that these findings serve as inspiration for consumers of all ages to adopt better habits for both physical health and emotional well-being -- no matter how old they are. 

“...If you aren’t prepared for aging yet, your 50s is not too late to get ready,” said Moffitt.