FDA Updates “Healthy” Claim, Providing a Refreshed Tool for Consumers
“SILVER SPRING, Md., Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is announcing a final rule to update the definition of the nutrient content claim “healthy.” There is an ever-growing crisis of preventable, diet-related chronic diseases in the U.S. that requires immediate action. The updated “healthy” claim marks an important step in fulfilling the FDA’s nutrition priorities, which are part of a whole-of-government approach to address this crisis. This rule will help ensure that consumers have access to more complete, accurate, and up-to-date nutrition information on food labels.”
Exercise and Diet Combine to Improve Liver Health in People With MASH
“A combination of exercise and diet significantly improved metabolic and liver health in people with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), according to study results published in the Journal of Hepatology. People who reduced their calorie intake and exercised regularly for 10 months saw clinically meaningful benefits including weight loss, improved cardiovascular fitness, increased insulin sensitivity, reduced liver fat and better liver health.”
‘Rucking’ Is The Latest Walking Trend You Need To Try. Here’s Why
“Walking remains an accessible and popular exercise for many reasons — you don’t need any fancy equipment, it’s good for your heart health, helps you sleep better, feel better and is a simple way to get your daily dose of fresh air. There are plenty of methods that can help keep your walks engaging and interesting. Lately, “rucking” ― a new walking trend ― has picked up steam on social media as a way to spice up your regular daily stroll.”
Health Department Finds Most Adult New Yorkers Infected With COVID-19 Experienced Symptoms Lasting One Month or Longer
“December 26, 2024 — Today, the New York City Health Department announced that 80 percent of adult New Yorkers infected with COVID-19 who were surveyed experienced at least one symptom lasting one month or longer. According to the results of the COVID-19 Experiences Survey in 2022, the most common symptoms were fatigue and decreased exercise tolerance. While post-acute symptoms may resolve within 12 weeks, many people will go on to develop Long COVID, an infection-associated chronic condition characterized by symptoms lasting three months or longer.”
When kindness becomes a habit, it improves our health
“It’s that time of year when it’s customary to be a little kinder and do nice things for others. Well, here’s something interesting: Research suggests that when we make acts of kindness a habit, it’s also good for our health. Whether it’s volunteering at a local food bank, or taking soup to a sick neighbor, there’s lots of evidence that when we help others, it can boost our own happiness and psychological well-being. But there’s also growing research that it boosts our physical health too, says Tara Gruenewald, a social and health psychologist at Chapman University.”
Dancing Helps People With Parkinson’s In More Ways Than One
“Key Takeaways: Parkinson’s patients who take dance classes have less depression. Patients scored progressively lower on depression tests following dance lessons. Their brains showed reduced signals from a region associated with depression.”
Why You Should Take Research on What Foods Are and Aren’t Healthy With a Grain of Salt
“Food research should be taken with a grain of salt. The science behind it is less certain than you might think. Over the past five decades, millions of Americans have made changes in their eating habits because often conflicting studies have found health benefits from various diets and foods. Some Americans have cut fat from their diets while increasing consumption of sugary foods; others have spurned carbohydrates while gorging on protein; still others have stopped eating staples of the past like grains, dairy, meat, and potatoes while gobbling up kale, blueberries, soy milk, and other supposed “superfoods.” Are people any healthier as a result? It isn’t clear.”
