Eats « Weekly Gravy

So, you ate a banana. You’ve eaten bananas countless times in the past. But this time, your tongue and lips are itching and your lip is a bit puffy. If this happens to you, you are likely experiencing food allergy symptoms. You may have just joined the ranks of 32 million Americans who deal with food allergies. So, what do you do now? Food allergies range from mild to life-threatening. Navigating dietary restrictions can be overwhelming, but with knowledge and tools, allergy management becomes more straightforward. Here, experts explore food allergies, their causes, risk factors, common allergenic foods, symptoms, testing, and management/treatment options. What are food allergies? According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI), a food allergy is an abnormal immune response to a specific food protein. When the immune system misidentifies a food protein as dangerous, it produces an allergic reaction. It’s vital to know that symptoms can range from mild to severe, including hives, itching, swelling, stomach pain, vomiting and difficulty breathing. Some people may experience anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening reaction that can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, trouble breathing and loss of consciousness. What are the most common food allergens? A wide range of foods can trigger food allergies, but eight foods account for most allergic reactions, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The… read on > read on >

While it may be hard to find a truly healthy movie theater snack, it is possible to enjoy healthier options. A nutrition expert offers some tips as moviegoers return to theaters after a pandemic hiatus. “The experience of going to the movies and focusing on what you’re watching rather than what you’re eating can create this sort of mindless binging of unhealthy snacks,” said Courtney Ford, a senior registered dietitian at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. “One of the best things you can do is be intentional with what you order so you don’t eat more than you actually want to,” she said in a college news release. Popcorn is a whole grain that doesn’t dramatically affect blood sugar. It’s the healthiest item most often available at the theater, Ford said. But beware: Heavy salt and butter can offset its benefits. Chocolate-covered nuts are a great choice, she said. They offer protein. They’re also heart-healthy and have less sugar than chocolate-covered fruit. Some theaters have more on the menu. When they do, Ford suggests looking for items that combine a protein with a carbohydrate, such as a hot dog or a grilled chicken sandwich or wrap. Items high in protein will keep you full longer than less substantial foods. Stay away from the candy section, Ford urged. They pose the most health problems. “Snacks… read on > read on >

(HealthDay News) – Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk said Thursday it will limit distribution of its low-dose versions of the wildly popular weight-loss drug Wegovy, to ensure that people already taking the drug will have enough supply. The medication is one of three drugs from a class known as GLP-1 agonists. These medications have been shown in studies to be effective for weight loss but have faced shortages amid a boom in sales triggered by celebrity endorsements, the company said in a statement. The two other drugs in this class, Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro and Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic, are also used to treat type 2 diabetes. Wegovy is the same medication as Ozempic but it is available in higher doses. “Today, we are serving hundreds of thousands of U.S. patients with Wegovy,” the company said. “However, trends indicate that demand for Wegovy in the U.S. will exceed our current supply capacity.” While working to expand supply, the drugmaker is sending “limited quantities” of 0.25 milligrams (mg), 0.5 mg and 1 mg dose strengths to wholesalers. Those drugs will eventually be distributed to retail pharmacies. “We anticipate that many patients will have difficulty filling Wegovy prescriptions at these doses through September,” the company noted. However, “we do not currently anticipate supply interruptions of the 1.7 mg and 2.4 mg dose strengths of Wegovy.” Obesity and severe obesity have… read on > read on >

Hundreds of thousands of people are jumping on the Ozempic bandwagon and taking prescription medications to slim down, while others swear by intermittent fasting and other diet fads, but new research shows that they’re all likely barking up the wrong trees. There isn’t any shortcut or magic bullet to losing weight, keeping it off, and improving your health, a new study of more than 20,000 people affirms. “Most adults slowly gain weight over decades of their life but turn to drastic, often dangerous, means to decrease body weight,” said study author Colleen Spees, an associate professor of medical dietetics at Ohio State University in Columbus. “Indeed, non-evidence-based diet practices are on the rise in large part due to social media influencers and popular actors.” Take the craze surrounding the injectable type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic, she said. “Although it is not U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved for weight loss, individuals without diabetes are now taking Ozempic in hopes of rapid weight loss,” Spees said. Does it work? Yes, at least in the short term, she said. “Once individuals discontinue the use of this medication, their appetite returns along with the weight they lost while using it,” Spees added. For the study, researchers compared behaviors of more than 20,300 U.S. adults who were part of a national health and nutrition survey from 2007 to 2016. They… read on > read on >

Another experimental drug meant for Alzheimer’s disease looks so promising that drugmaker Eli Lilly plans to ask the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for full approval by the end of June. Known as donanemab, the medication clears amyloid plaque from the brain. In a late trial, the drug slowed memory and thinking declines in early symptomatic Alzheimer’s patients by more than a third, Lilly said Wednesday. About 47% of those taking the medication had no decline on a key measure of thinking over a year, compared to 29% of patients on a placebo. “We are extremely pleased that donanemab yielded positive clinical results with compelling statistical significance for people with Alzheimer’s disease in this trial,” Dr. Daniel Skovronsky, Lilly’s chief scientific and medical officer and president of Lilly Research Laboratories, said in a company news release. “This is the first Phase 3 trial of any investigational medicine for Alzheimer’s disease to deliver 35% slowing of clinical and functional decline.” But there were some risks noted in the results. The Lilly trial involved 1,700 patients, three of whom died during the study. Two of those deaths were attributed to brain swelling or microbleeds called amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA). “We are encouraged by the potential clinical benefits that donanemab may provide, although like many effective treatments for debilitating and fatal diseases, there are associated risks that may… read on > read on >

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is once again warning consumers to avoid muscle-building “supplements” that are anything but a safe alternative to steroids. In an advisory sent out last week, the agency said it continues to receive reports of serious side effects linked to selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs). The compounds mimic some of the effects of testosterone, and have long been under study for treating muscle-wasting and bone loss caused by certain medical conditions. None have been approved by the FDA, however, and the agency stresses that SARMs are drugs, not dietary supplements. Still, online companies are marketing SARM-containing products, with the help of social media. “Online vendors and social media influencers are using social media to make SARMs seem safe and effective,” the FDA said in its warning. Based on the reports the agency is receiving, that is far from the case: SARM-containing products are linked to sometimes life-threatening effects such as heart attacks, strokes and liver failure. Other side effects include testicular shrinkage, sexual dysfunction, fertility problems and even psychosis. The FDA has been warning consumers about the risks for years, and taken action against some companies that illegally market the products. But, experts said, because people are getting SARMs online from overseas companies, the problem is hard to tackle from the supply side. And from the consumer side, it may… read on > read on >

U.S. regulators are urging Americans to avoid Apetamin, an illegal drug used for weight gain and figure enhancement. The substance, typically sold as a syrup, is manufactured overseas, illegally imported and isn’t approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It contains a potent antihistamine called cyproheptadine, which requires a physician’s prescription in the United States. American consumers may find Apetamin online, on social media or in some retail stores, but they should not use it, the FDA warned in an agency news release. Among its dangerous side effects are potential overdose, sedation, cognitive impairment, dizziness, low blood pressure, disorientation and confusion, hallucinations, convulsions, and decreased breath and heart rates. It may lead to coma or death, the FDA said. The substance also decreases mental alertness, which may affect a person’s ability to drive a car or operate machinery. This strong antihistamine may be dangerously strengthened when taken with alcohol and other central nervous system depressants, such as hypnotics, sedatives, tranquilizers and anti-anxiety medications, the FDA said. Reports to the FDA’s Adverse Event Reporting System found young adults had taken Apetamin and experienced nervous system disorders, cardiac disorders and liver injury, the agency said. In one published report, someone who took Apetamin daily for six weeks developed autoimmune hepatitis. A chronic disease, this condition is treated with corticosteroids and immune system suppressors. It may cause… read on > read on >

(HealthDay News) – General Mills has recalled four varieties of its Gold Medal flour because of concerns over potential contamination with salmonella. The recalled flour has “better if used by” dates of March 27, 2024, and March 28, 2024, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The recalled products are both bleached and unbleached all-purpose flour in 2-, 5- and 10-pound bags. Other types of Gold Medal flour are not affected by the recall. Those who find recalled flour in their pantries should throw it out, the company said. The recall was issued after a sampling of the 5-pound size flour detected the potential presence of the bacteria. The FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention always recommend that consumers don’t eat raw products made with any flour. The bacteria is killed through baking, frying, sautéing or boiling. Always clean all surfaces, hands and utensils that come into contact with uncooked flour or dough. Anyone who finds recalled flour in their kitchen and discards it can contact General Mills Consumer Relations at 1-800-230-8103. About 1.2 million people are infected with salmonella each year in the United States. Healthy people may experience nausea, diarrhea, fever and abdominal pains about six hours to six days after infection. This can last four to seven days. Some people become so ill they may need to be… read on > read on >

Those TV ads for juicy burgers may trigger your emotions, making you believe you’ll be happier if you run out and get one for yourself. Unfortunately, a similar ad for salad does not appear to have the same emotional impact, according to new research from the University of Michigan. “Many people think that eating highly processed foods like cheeseburgers and french fries will make them happier, and these beliefs are especially strong in people struggling to control their intake of highly processed foods,” said study author Jenna Cummings, a former University of Michigan research fellow. “Regulating fast-food advertisements and changing beliefs about how highly processed foods affect emotions could help people eat more nutritious foods,” she said in a university news release. The study found that adults who did not already hold strong beliefs about how foods affect their emotions had increases in belief that they would feel good eating these types of foods. The same was not true for salads and yogurt parfaits. The aim of the study was to test how food ads affected food-related emotional expectations and whether these effects were different depending on individual “food addiction” symptoms. Past research has found that someone with food addiction can have strong cravings for highly processed foods. Other symptoms include diminished control over their intake, eating too much despite negative consequences, including distress and… read on > read on >

Women have heard for decades that cranberry products help prevent urinary tract infections. A new study appears to confirm that longstanding advice. About 60% of women over age 18 will suffer one or more urinary tract infections in their lifetime. About 30% will have recurrent UTIs, averaging two to three episodes a year, according to background notes with the study. A review of 50 randomized controlled trials found that taking cranberry supplements or drinking the juice reduced the risk of having repeat symptoms for a UTI by more than 25%. In children, cranberry products reduced these infections by more than 50%. People who were susceptible to a repeat infection after medical treatment such as antibiotics or probiotics saw a 53% reduction. “For the first time, we have consensus that cranberry products (concentrated liquid, capsules or tablets) work for some groups of people; specifically, people who experience recurrent UTI, children and people susceptible to UTI because of medical intervention,” said study author Jacqueline Stephens, senior lecturer in public health in the College of Medicine & Public Health at Flinders University in Australia. This updated review of research from around the world included nearly 9,000 people. Randomized controlled trials are considered the “gold standard” of research studies. “The inclusion of the totality of the global evidence and the rigorous review process means we are confident of the… read on > read on >