My Choices Weekly News

Surprising benefits of one of the most simple forms of exercise
“When it comes to exercise, sometimes simple is best for accessibility and consistency. Not to be overlooked, walking is one of the simplest forms of exercise that provides numerous benefits in the short and long term.”

How to bridge the historical divide between physical and mental wellness
“In a comprehensive Genomic Press Interview published today in Brain Medicine, psychiatry resident Dr. Nicholas Fabiano reveals how a personal injury transformed into groundbreaking research on the intersection of physical and mental health. The interview showcases Dr. Fabiano’s innovative work in lifestyle psychiatry and his mission to bridge the historical divide between physical and mental wellness.”

Muscle strengthening exercise may help tackle insomnia in older adults
“Resistance or muscle strengthening exercise, using weights or the body itself, may be the best type of exercise for tackling insomnia in older age, suggests a pooled data analysis of the available research, published in the open access journal Family Medicine and Community Health.”

A Public Health Amicus Brief Highlights the Harm if the Supreme Court Invalidates a Key Provision of the Affordable Care Act
“Millions would lose access to free preventive health care services such as cancer screenings, the public health brief says.”

The ‘dark matter’ of nutrition: How AI and network science are transforming our understanding of food and health
“Network science and artificial intelligence can identify food molecules that negatively affect health as well as alleviate disease by proposing dietary changes, a Northeastern expert says.”

A prescription for produce improves health, new research finds
“When Davron Jones’ therapist prescribed fruits and vegetables, he was skeptical. The 52-year-old Alameda, California, resident was struggling with depression and alcohol addiction, as well as diabetes and a heart condition. His therapist, who worked at a community health clinic in nearby Oakland, thought improving his nutrition could help.”

Does a vegetarian diet help or harm your brain? Here’s what the science reveals
“In a recent review article in the journal Nutrients, researchers explored whether following vegetarian or vegan diets improves neurological health. Their findings indicate that well-planned plant-based diets, rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients, can protect against oxidative stress and systemic inflammation, which contribute to neurodegeneration. However, care must be taken to support cognitive well-being while also preventing nutrient deficiencies, particularly in vitamin B12, omega-3 fatty acids, iron, zinc, selenium, and iodine, as these nutrients play crucial roles in brain function and neuroprotection.”

Research debunks belief that e-cigarettes support smoking cessation
“Researchers at the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science and Moores Cancer Center at University of California San Diego have found that, among smokers in the United States, e-cigarette use does not increase smoking cessation and is actually associated with reduced tobacco abstinence. The findings, published March 5 in JAMA, refute the notion that e-cigarettes can help people quit, a common misperception among tobacco users and e-cigarette proponents.”

Medicare patients with cancer often receive aggressive treatment over supportive care
“Overall, claims records showed that 45% of the patients experienced potentially aggressive care (such as multiple acute care visits within days of death), while there was a low receipt of supportive care, such as palliative, hospice and advanced care planning in the last six months of life. While hospice care spiked to more than 70% during the month that death occurred, over 16% of patients spent less than 3 days in hospices. Moreover, receipt of advanced care planning and palliative care remained below 25%.”

Acceptability of self-sampling and self-testing for infections: a rapid systematic review on public users’ views
“Conclusions: This review synthesised evidence on the acceptability of SS/ST and factors affecting it across different infections, sampling approaches, settings, and populations. Evidence shows that most people with experience of self-sampling/self-testing found it acceptable and were willing to accept some discomfort in favour of several perceived benefits. This amenability to self-sampling/self-testing could be leveraged for diagnosing infections and preventing transmission. It can be used to support the viability of new models of clinical care and pandemic preparedness.”

Dancing your way to fitness: Study shows health benefits of free-form dance are comparable to conventional exercise
“Forget sneakers or cleats and put on those boogie shoes, as new research from Northeastern University finds that dancing can have the same health benefits as running and other forms of exercise.”

Diet and fitness apps linked to problem eating and body image issues
“New research has linked the use of diet and fitness apps to problematic eating habits and body image issues, particularly in young people. It highlights the fine line that exists between using these apps for motivation and using them to perpetuate potentially dangerous behaviors.”

Nutrition Misinformation
“Nutrition advice is rife with misinformation − a medical education specialist explains how to tell valid health information from pseudoscience”

FDA delays when a final rule on what foods can be labeled as ‘healthy’ goes into effect
“The US Food and Drug Administration’s new standards for foods before they can be labeled as “healthy” on their packaging will go into effect about two months later than planned, according to a government document scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on Tuesday.”

QA Exclusive: Food Safety Leaders React to Jim Jones’ Departure, FDA Layoffs
“Last week’s news of Jim Jones’ resignation from his position as deputy commissioner for human foods at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) following the Trump administration’s layoffs of 89 staffers in the agency’s food division has sparked concerns about the future of food safety in the United States, according to various stakeholders interviewed by QA magazine.”

Most plant-based restaurant meals are unhealthy, study finds
“In a recent study published in the journal Nutrients, researchers examined the menus of restaurants around the world to see whether plant-based offerings at both omnivore (OMNI) and vegan or vegetarian (VEG) eateries are ‘healthful’ in terms of avoiding saturated fats, refined grains, and deep-fried foods.”

The growing list of human viruses: Are we prepared for the next outbreak?
“In a recent review published in the journal Virology, researchers examined the increasing diversity of human viruses, their epidemiological significance, and preventive strategies to mitigate emerging threats.”

Brain aging linked to neuronal hyperactivation, not decline, study finds
“A study of nematodes by researchers at Nagoya University in Japan has found that aging-related decline in brain function is caused by the excessive activation of certain neurons over time, rather than a decline in neuronal activity. This finding, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggests that interventions aimed at reducing neuronal hyperactivation, such as dietary changes, could potentially mitigate age-related cognitive decline.”

New method uses stool DNA to track diet and health
“Scientists have developed a breakthrough method to track diet using stool metagenomic data. Developed by researchers at the Institute for Systems Biology (ISB), the new method, called MEDI (Metagenomic Estimation of Dietary Intake), detects food-derived DNA in stool samples to estimate dietary intake. MEDI leverages stool metagenomics, which refers to sequencing all the DNA present in fecal samples (including microbial, human, and food-derived DNA). This non-invasive, data-driven approach offers an objective alternative to traditional food diaries and questionnaires, which are still the gold standard in dietary assessment but can suffer from misreporting and compliance issues.”

Doctors Demand Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Panel Update ‘Outdated and Misleading’ Milk Recommendation
“Washington, D.C. — Doctors and dietitians from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a public health advocacy nonprofit with more than 17,000 doctor members, called on the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation today to update its health panel report, Healthy Beverage Consumption in School-Age Children and Adolescents.”

18 Foods That Have More Protein Than an Egg
“Eggs are a popular and easy source of protein. A large egg contains 6.3 grams of protein (13% of the DV). However, other foods have more protein per serving.”

Rising U.S. Childhood ADHD, Anxiety and ASD Tied to Caregiver Mental Health
“February 18, 2025 – Childhood mental, behavioral and developmental disorders include conditions like anxiety, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and depression, which can affect a child’s well-being, starting as early as preschool.”

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for the Treatment of Vestibular Migraine: A Prospective Pilot Study
“Conclusions – In this non-controlled, prospective pilot study, a MBSR program was highly effective for decreasing dizziness burden and improving measures of quality of life in subjects with VM. Future randomized controlled trials are warranted and forthcoming.”

Lifestyle and environmental factors play bigger role in health and premature death than genetics
“A new study led by researchers from Oxford Population Health has shown that a range of environmental factors, including lifestyle (smoking and physical activity), and living conditions, have a greater impact on health and premature death than our genes. The researchers used data from nearly half a million UK Biobank participants to assess the influence of 164 environmental factors and genetic risk scores for 22 major diseases on ageing, age-related diseases, and premature death.”

A Patient’s Ability to Perform a Cardiac Stress Test Offers a Critical Window on Their Mortality Risk
“New York, NY (February 19, 2025)  People who can exercise sufficiently on a treadmill during cardiac stress testing have a lower mortality risk regardless of their overall level of heart disease, a Mount Sinai-led team of researchers has found.”

Cancer incidence and deaths still higher in Appalachia despite progress
“Fewer people than before are being diagnosed with and dying from cancer in Appalachia, but cancer incidence and death rates remain substantially higher, especially in certain areas of Central Appalachia, compared to elsewhere in the U.S.”

Tim Davern: The Earth is a Liver
“I am fascinated by the Greek myth of Prometheus, the Titan who stole fire from the god Zeus and gave it to man in the form of enlightenment. For his crime, he was chained to a rock face atop a mountain and every day, Zeus’ eagle devoured his liver, but every night it grew back, ensuring eternal torment.”

If you are a Peloton subscriber, check this out
Northwestern Medicine and Peloton Team Up on Wellness Innovation, Starting With Heart Health
“CHICAGO — Northwestern Medicine announced a new initiative with Peloton, launching a 30-minute heart health walk featuring Peloton Instructor, Matt Wilpers, and Northwestern Medicine’s Clyde Yancy, MD, chief of cardiology.  The class coincides with Heart Awareness Month, and is the latest addition to Peloton’s Health Centered class collection, which includes conversations with medical advisors on how to incorporate movement for lifestyle goals and chronic conditions.”

New tools may help mental health hospitals close life expectancy gap through exercise
“An innovative set of resources released this month will help mental health services implement potentially life-saving exercise programs for patients, addressing the alarming gap in life expectancy faced by people with severe mental illness.”

A study confirms the positive effects of exercise on insulin signaling proteins in the brain.
“A study led by researchers at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, published in the journal Aging Cell, reveals that specialized brain cells involved in the body’s insulin response are activated after exercise. This finding suggests that physical activity may have a direct, positive impact on brain function.”

The “Wild West” of Cancer Misinformation Online
“Between 2013 and 2017, Australian wellness influencer Belle Gibson achieved Instagram fame by claiming she had cured her terminal brain cancer naturally. Gibson amassed a vast and lucrative following, encouraging her supporters to avoid chemotherapy and other medical treatments. But her story began to unravel when she was exposed in March 2015, with journalists from The Australian and Fairfax Media revealing she’d fabricated her diagnosis.”

DOGE vs. the NIH: Say goodbye to the greatest engine of biomedical research ever created
“Friday, the Trump administration slashed indirect costs associated with NIH grants. What does this mean, and why could it be so disastrous for biomedical research?”

Landmark Study Aims to Enroll 100 000 Black Women to Investigate Their Cancer Risks and Outcomes
“The study, which the American Cancer Society (ACS) launched nationally last May, aims to explore environmental and behavioral factors that influence cancer risk and outcomes in a cohort of more than 100 000 Black women, making it the largest ever research initiative involving this population. In the coming years, the study will enroll tens of thousands of Black women between the ages of 25 and 55 years who do not have a history of cancer. The goal: to better understand the specific drivers of cancer in this group and to inform approaches to address cancer disparities. The study will take place across 20 states and the District of Columbia, where collectively more than 90% of Black women in the US live.”

Scientists at Penn’s Institute for RNA Innovation pursue vaccines to stop celiac disease
“Jax Bari, an 11-year-old from Philadelphia, shows me a photo of himself. It’s hard to look at; in it, he’s sprawled out on the bathroom floor, sad, exhausted. He says, just hours earlier, he had accidentally consumed gluten while out to eat with his family. What followed was hours of vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain.”

FDA Approves Novel Non-Opioid Treatment for Moderate to Severe Acute Pain
“Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Journavx (suzetrigine) 50 milligram oral tablets, a first-in-class non-opioid analgesic, to treat moderate to severe acute pain in adults. Journavx reduces pain by targeting a pain-signaling pathway involving sodium channels in the peripheral nervous system, before pain signals reach the brain.”

Low-level traffic air pollution linked to liver damage and fatty liver disease
“Low levels of traffic-related air pollution harms the liver and may raise the risk of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease, a new study in mice suggests.”

Mindfulness treatment program reduces cravings in those with opioid addiction
“Key takeaways: Mean opioid craving was reduced by 67% in the mindfulness-based intervention. Anxiety was also significantly reduced from baseline to 24 weeks in both treatment groups.”

Opera introduces Opera Air – the first browser to actively improve your wellbeing
“Oslo, Norway – 4 February 2025 – The Norwegian browser maker Opera [NASDAQ: OPRA] is introducing Opera Air, the first browser built around the concept of mindfulness. Beyond being a powerful, secure, and fully functional browser, Opera Air is designed to make its users feel better while they browse the web. The new browser integrates mindfulness tools such as breathing exercises, meditation, binaural beats, stretching, and positive quotes directly into the browsing experience. Users also get to enjoy a minimalist Scandinavian design and frosted glass UI.”

Virtual reality meditation can alleviate depression and anxiety symptoms
“A new study from the Texas A&M University School of Public Health provides additional evidence that meditation using immersive virtual reality devices provides greater relief from depression and anxiety symptoms than meditation alone.”

“Healthy vs. Unhealthy Food” Isn’t a Good Mindset—and It Can Cause Harm
“Guilt-free. Decadent. Healthy. Indulgent. Clean. Junk. The words we use when we talk about food can be full of judgment masquerading as health advice. It’s what’s lurking behind the concept of food morality. Labeling foods with moral categories can bring feelings of virtue (“I’ll be good and order the salad!”) or shame (“I was bad and ate the brownie.”). It also ignores the many ways in which food nourishes us—physically, emotionally, and culturally.”

Study Finds High Prevalence of Vitamin and Mineral Deficiency in Type 2 Diabetes
“Key Takeaways: Micronutrient deficiencies, particularly vitamin D, are prevalent in individuals with type 2 diabetes, affecting overall health and disease management. A pooled analysis of 132 studies found nearly half of T2D patients have multiple micronutrient deficiencies, with vitamin D, magnesium, and iron being most common.”

The hidden health costs of NFL food advertisements
“A new study by a research team led by the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med), found that the foods advertised during National Football League (NFL) games, the most watched sporting events in the U.S., were frequently high in sodium, calories and fat content.”

Unhealthy diet may speed up biological aging, even in young adults
“The results of a new study involving 826 young adults suggest that diets high in fast food, processed red meat, and soda but low in fruits and vegetables may be linked to faster biological aging.”

Juice cleanse may harm gut and oral health
“Think your juice cleanse is making you healthier? A new Northwestern University study suggests it might be doing the opposite. The study, recently published in Nutrients, found that a vegetable and fruit juice-only diet – even for just three days – can trigger shifts in gut and oral bacteria linked to inflammation and cognitive decline.”

Kroger now offers nutrition coaching
“Kroger is strengthening its foothold in healthcare with a new nutrition coaching program that includes tips and tools for shoppers to encourage healthier eating, the grocer announced Monday. The program, known as OptUP Your Nutrition, is free to Kroger Plus loyalty members and includes a 30-minute virtual coaching session with a registered dietitian.”

New Findings Strengthens Case for Exercise Therapy in Cancer Care
“Key Takeaways: Exercise interventions significantly reduce anxiety and depression in older cancer patients, improving HRQOL. Mind-body exercises, such as tai chi and yoga, are more effective in reducing depression and anxiety than conventional exercises.”

CEOs and celebrities swear by cold plunging. New research calls its benefits into question
“That’s the question a group of University of South Australia researchers set out to answer through their unique meta-analysis of 11 global studies. But the results, published in the PLOS One journal on Jan. 29, were murky.”

Pickleball program boosts health and wellness for cancer survivors
“A new community-based pickleball program called Project Rally is helping cancer survivors improve their physical and social well-being, according to a recent pilot study. The program has shown strong results in terms of participation, enjoyment, and physical improvements.”

Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease, MASLD Drive Growing Liver Cancer Burden in the US
“Key Takeaways: Primary liver cancer in the US has increased significantly, driven by ALD and MASLD, with a 142% rise in prevalence from 2000 to 2021. Hepatitis C virus remains the leading cause of liver cancer, but ALD and MASLD are the fastest-growing etiologies, altering the epidemiological landscape.”

Mindful walking just might become the most important part of your day
“Our fast-paced society emphasizes productivity and constant activity, making moments of stillness and mindfulness challenging to find. While mindful practices might seem time-consuming or even impossible to engage in during a busy workday, walking offers a unique way to cultivate mindfulness while engaging in gentle physical activity.”

The FDA calls for at-a-glance nutrition labels on the front of packaged foods
“The Food and Drug Administration wants to change how packaged food is sold in the U.S. In the waning days of the Biden administration, the agency has proposed requiring a new label on the front of most packaged food and drinks aimed at helping Americans make healthier food choices.”

Science Update: Healthy eating not common during and after pregnancy in the United States, NIH study suggests
“Healthy eating during pregnancy and the year after giving birth may be uncommon in the United States, suggests a study by researchers at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) and other institutions. On a scale from “A” to “F,” study participants received a grade of “D” on a measure of healthy eating. However, eating habits remained stable during pregnancy and after, with scores changing little during the six times participants were questioned during the study. The authors concluded that their results suggest a need to improve diet quality during and after pregnancy.”

As little as 30 minutes of aerobic exercise per week may aid weight loss, reduce fat
“A new analysis of 116 randomized clinical trials reaffirms existing recommendations for achieving the optimal health benefits from exercise. It found that people who engaged in 150 to 300 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise five days a week saw clinically significant improvements in their body weight, waist circumference, and body fat composition. The study also concludes that the benefits of exercise increase with the number of minutes of physical activity. Modest improvements occur even with 30 minutes per week of exercise, and an increase in intensity produced even more positive results.”

US may finally require Nutrition Facts labeling for alcohol
“US regulators want to make it easier for people to know what’s in each of their alcoholic drinks of choice. The Treasury Department’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau has announced it is seeking public comment on two proposals aimed at overhauling how nutritional facts are displayed on beer, wine, and liquor packaging by requiring nutrition labels on bottles and cans for the first time ever. That said, the health information may not come in the form of physical labels.”

Face-to-face exercise programs improve mental health in heart disease patients
“A study led by researchers from the University of Granada, carried out in collaboration with the University of Castilla-La Mancha and the Radboud University Medical Center (The Netherlands), has shown that the context in which physical exercise is performed plays a key role in improving the mental health and quality of life of patients with coronary heart disease.”

Now that we have new ‘miracle’ diet drugs, what’s the point of exercising?
“New diet drugs are making it easier to lose weight. So does that mean we can stop exercising? Health experts say no. There is a long list of upsides to going for a walk or hitting the gym, and weight loss isn’t necessarily at the top.”

Benefits and risks of popular weight-loss drugs revealed
“Demand for weight-loss medications sold under brand names such as Ozempic and Wegovy continues to surge, with a recent study reporting one in eight Americans has taken or is currently using the drugs to treat diabetes, heart disease or obesity.”

Floods associated with 25% rise in US deaths from several major causes
“Over the last 20 years, large floods were associated with up to 24.9% higher death rates from major mortality causes in the U.S. compared to normal conditions. A new study in the journal Nature Medicine demonstrates the sweeping and hidden effects of floods—including floods unrelated to hurricanes, such as those due to heavy rain, snowmelt, or ice jams.”

Prevent Lung Cancer by Testing Your Home for Radon
“WASHINGTON — In January, the EPA recognizes National Radon Action Month and encourages Americans to test their homes for radon. Radon is an odorless, colorless, naturally occurring radioactive gas that, when left unaddressed, can build up inside a home. Over time, exposure to radon can cause lung cancer. The only way to know if your home has high levels of radon is to test for it.”

Study Finds 40% of Cancer Cases Are Preventable
“A recent study by the American Cancer Society reveals that approximately 40% of cancer cases in adults over 30 in the U.S. are linked to preventable risk factors. Lifestyle choices such as smoking, poor diet, and lack of exercise are key contributors to this staggering statistic. The findings highlight the critical role individuals can play in reducing their cancer risk.”

Health Benefits or Negative Impacts Still Uncertain for Most Supplements
“Lining grocery store shelves are supplements like omega fish oil, goat’s rue and others that sound more like the ingredients of a witch’s cauldron. Social media influencers also push high-tech sounding pills like CoQ10 or plant sterols to their followers. And you can find the classic supplements online or in person — vitamin D, vitamin C or a daily multivitamin.”

5 Foods to Avoid If You Have High Cholesterol
“What you eat impacts your cholesterol — and some foods might be better left off your plate. We asked Brad Biskup, PA-C, a lifestyle and cardiovascular medicine specialist at the Hartford HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute, for advice. He shares which foods to avoid and some simple tips to help improve your cholesterol and overall health.”

Physical activity linked to lower risk of having chronic conditions
“University of Iowa researchers are recommending all patients be surveyed about their physical activity levels, after a new study underscores the link between physical activity and chronic disease.”

Diet and exercise strategies that may lower your ‘biological age’
“The Summary: Research over the last year has found that certain diet and exercise regimens may help reduce a person’s “biological age.” Those regimens include following a plant-based diet, getting daily physical activity and doing strength training. Biological age is a measure of physiological health, rather than one’s number of birthdays.”

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.”

Hepatocellular Carcinoma Mortality Rates Rising in the US, Driven by Alcohol and Metabolic Liver Diseases
“A recent study examined the rising trajectory of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) mortality rates in the United States, highlighting stark disparities across age, sex, race, and liver disease etiologies. Conducted as a cross-sectional study, the analysis encompassed over 188,000 HCC-related deaths from 2006 to 2022, with projections extending to 2040. The findings underscore the growing public health challenge posed by liver cancer, particularly due to alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) and metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).”

Transcendental Meditation most effective at treating PTSD in largest review to date
“Researchers from Maharishi International University (MIU) and Augusta University have conducted the largest review and meta-analysis to date on meditation for PTSD treatment. Analyzing 61 studies with over 3,400 participants, the study compared four categories of meditation: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Mindfulness-Based Other techniques (MBO), Other Meditations (OM), and Transcendental Meditation (TM).”

Holiday Consumerism Can Leave Teens Feeling Inadequate
“Flex High School helps teens give thanks, not gifts. “High school students who are overcoming personal and environmental obstacles behind the scenes, face an even larger burden during the holidays””

VA and Veterans Yoga Project partner to enhance Veteran well-being
“VA offers free online and in-person yoga classes and mindfulness training to Veterans across the nation. VA hosts these classes through a partnership with Veterans Yoga Project, Inc., which is maintained by the National Center for Healthcare Advancement and Partnerships (HAP). The classes provide a no-cost opportunity to Veterans seeking to improve their mental, physical and emotional health through yoga and mindfulness practices.”

Reiki therapy demonstrates significant symptom relief for cancer patients receiving infusion treatments
“A recent study conducted at University Hospitals Connor Whole Health has evaluated a Reiki program designed for outpatients with cancer and receiving infusion treatments at two University Hospitals infusion centers.”

Delicious Bacon Highlights Food That Enraptures Our Senses but Endangers Our Health
“Some foods, no matter how simply prepared, contain many substances linked to disease.”

Study explores how culture impacts body image for Hispanic women
“While culture is intertwined with values surrounding food and body image, cultural differences have historically been overlooked by researchers and clinicians seeking to identify and treat eating disorders.”

Eating more plant protein may lower the risk of heart disease as much as 27%
“A recent study examined the potential effects that consuming different forms of protein may have on heart health. The researchers were interested in the ratio of plant vs. animal-based protein people consumed and their long-term health outcomes. The researchers learned that consuming a higher ratio of plant to animal protein could lead to a reduction of both coronary heart disease (CHD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD).”

Nutritional Immunology Across the Lifespan
“Special Issue Published in The Journal of Nutrition
Diet plays a critical role in regulating immunity in health and disease across the lifespan. In particular, recent discoveries from basic mechanistic research, epidemiological analyses, behavioral studies, and clinical trials provide increasing evidence that specific dietary patterns and nutrients program innate and adaptive immunity. Thus, diet is a major modifiable target for intervention to improve immunological responses.”

Poor Diets May Increase Risk of Gastrointestinal Cancer
“In the recent study, the researchers discovered that diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, legumes, and dairy were potentially protective against gastrointestinal cancers. The findings supported the World Cancer Research Fund and American Institute for Cancer Research guidelines that advocate for diets rich in whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and legumes—while limiting red and processed meats, sugary drinks, and processed foods.”

Short bursts of vigorous activity may lower cardiovascular risk in women
“Short bursts of incidental vigorous physical exertion, lasting less than a minute each, may almost halve the risk of a major cardiovascular event, such as heart attack or heart failure among women who don’t exercise regularly, finds research published online in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.”

New survey finds 56% say ‘alone time’ is vital to their mental health
“COLUMBUS, Ohio – Some say the holidays are the most wonderful time of the year. But for others, the hectic holiday season may be the most stressful. A new national survey of 1,000 Americans commissioned by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and College of Medicine shows that 46% of Americans say they don’t get the alone time they need during the holidays.”

Research reveals how fructose in diet enhances tumor growth
“Fructose consumption has increased considerably over the past five decades, largely due to the widespread use of high-fructose corn syrup as a sweetener in beverages and ultra-processed foods. New research from Washington University in St. Louis shows that dietary fructose promotes tumor growth in animal models of melanoma, breast cancer and cervical cancer. However, fructose does not directly fuel tumors, according to the study published Dec. 4 in the journal Nature. Instead, WashU scientists discovered that the liver converts fructose into usable nutrients for cancer cells, a compelling finding that could open up new avenues for care and treatment of many different types of cancer.”

How sweet! A daily dose of dark chocolate may cut your risk of diabetes
“The idea that eating cocoa-rich, dark chocolate may offer health benefits is not new. Cocoa is loaded with compounds called polyphenols that have been shown to help our bodies fend off inflammation, lower blood pressure and maybe even improve our moods. Now, a new study finds people who have a habit of eating a little dark chocolate — about an ounce per day — have a 21% lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, compared to people who don’t consume it.”

Ultraprocessed Foods Account for More than Half of Calories Consumed at Home
“A new analysis led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that more than half of calories consumed at home by adults in the U.S. come from ultraprocessed foods. Ultraprocessed foods contain substances with little or no nutritional value, such as colorings, emulsifiers, artificial flavors, and sweeteners. Examples cover a wide range of products, from chips and hot dogs to prepackaged meals. Researchers have long understood that a substantial proportion of the U.S. diet comes from ultraprocessed foods but it was not clearly understood where those calories were consumed.”

Public Health at Work in Uncertain Times
“The day made clear that, even in uncertain times, it’s through evidence-based tactics and strategies, combined with indefatigable passion and dedication, that public health work gets done.”

Scientific Report of 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Now Available Online
“WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, 2024 — The Scientific Report of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee is now available on DietaryGuidelines.gov. The report contains the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s (Committee) independent, evidence-based findings and advice to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Scientific Report, alongside public comments and federal agency input, will inform the two departments as they develop the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030, which is expected to be published in late 2025.”

Walking Daily May Add Years to Your Life—But You Should Aim for This Speed
“A recent study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that the most active American adults walk the equivalent of 160 minutes per day at about 3 mph. According to the findings, if the least active adults walked an extra 111 minutes at this pace each day, they could extend their lives by almost 11 years. Setting the treadmill to 3 mph and walking for 111 minutes won’t magically add that extra decade to your life. But, finding ways to make walking—or other moderate-intensity exercises—part of your regular routine can help improve your lifelong health.”