STORY-AT-A-GLANCE Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) evolved from simple claims processors into powerful health care intermediaries that control drug pricing and access through their relationships with insurers, pharmacies and drug manufacturers. PBMs engage in “spread pricing” — charging insurers more than they reimburse pharmacies and pocketing the difference — while also steering patients toward higher-cost medications […]
STORY AT-A-GLANCE Fatty liver disease can be caused by metabolic dysfunction or excessive alcohol consumption. While these are commonly divided into metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and alcoholic fatty liver disease (ALD), they are the same disease Fatty liver disease now affects 42% of U.S. adults and is prevalent among Hispanics (47%) and has […]
STORY AT-A-GLANCE A lawsuit alleges that ultraprocessed foods (UPFs), engineered to be addictive like cigarettes, caused a teenager to develop serious health problems like fatty liver disease and Type 2 diabetes UPFs are defined as “industrially produced edible substances” that lack essential nutrients and are loaded with refined ingredients, added sugars and unhealthy fats like […]
STORY AT-A-GLANCE Higher levels of visceral and subcutaneous fat are linked to reduced brain volume in critical regions like the hippocampus and frontal cortex, with women showing greater vulnerability to this effect Research involving 10,001 adults found that people aged 20 to 39 with increased visceral fat had nearly six times higher odds of reduced […]
STORY AT-A-GLANCE Mental exhaustion depletes your self-control, leading to increased aggressive behavior and impaired decision-making. This is demonstrated in a study involving 447 participants in cooperative gaming scenarios The prefrontal cortex, which manages cognitive functions and impulse control, becomes fatigued with overuse, similar to muscles that needs rest and recovery from training Mental exhaustion differs […]
STORY AT-A-GLANCE Alzheimer’s disease is a severe form of cognitive decline, affecting around 47 million people globally with projections to reach over 131 million by 2050; it disrupts neuronal communication and causes progressive brain cell deterioration A Penn State College of Medicine study demonstrated that daily physical activity, regardless of intensity, improves cognitive processing speed […]
STORY AT-A-GLANCE IBD prevalence is dramatically rising, with 100,429 U.S. youth under 20 affected, showing significant increases in both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis diagnoses Racial and demographic disparities exist, with White individuals experiencing the highest IBD rates, followed by Black, Hispanic and Asian populations Antibiotic overuse significantly increases IBD risk, with individuals receiving five […]
STORY AT-A-GLANCE Sleep is fundamental to children’s overall health and development, affecting everything from brain development and learning to mood regulation and academic performance During sleep cycles, NREM sleep repairs tissues and strengthens immunity, while REM sleep enables memory consolidation and learning, making both stages crucial for child development A November 2024 study found that […]
STORY AT-A-GLANCE Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that boosts immune function in older adults, helping to fight off infections and improve overall health Good sources of vitamin E include green leafy vegetables, certain fruits like kiwi and mango, and grass fed meats Beyond immunity, vitamin E protects against cell damage, promotes heart and brain […]
By: Mamavation STORY AT-A-GLANCE Space heaters come in six main types: propane (unsafe), fan, ceramic, infrared, oil-filled and panel heaters. Electric options are safer than propane, which can release harmful chemicals into indoor air Propane heaters pose serious risks including carbon monoxide poisoning, fire hazards, and release of formaldehyde, while electric heaters offer safer alternatives […]
STORY AT-A-GLANCE Colon polyps often have no symptoms but sometimes cause changes in bowel habits, rectal bleeding or abdominal discomfort Age and genetics play a role, but lifestyle choices like a diet high in processed meats and other processed foods also contribute to polyp development Chronic inflammation in your colon from conditions like Crohn’s disease […]
By: Ashley Armstrong STORY AT-A-GLANCE Glyphosate has become the most widely used herbicide in history, with usage increasing 100 to 300-fold since the late 1970s, resulting in its presence in 60% to 80% of the general population through food, water, and air exposure Research has shown glyphosate can accumulate in the kidney, liver, colon, and […]
STORY AT-A-GLANCE Research has identified a brain circuit involving the anterior cingulate cortex, pons and medulla that links slow breathing to reduced anxiety. Activating this circuit in mice led to slower breathing and decreased anxiety, while shutting it off increased stress and breathing rates The discovery of this brain circuit provides a neurological basis for […]
STORY AT-A-GLANCE From nail color and texture changes signaling anemia, lung conditions or thyroid problems to skin changes indicating eczema or Raynaud’s phenomenon, your hands offer valuable insights into your overall health Pay close attention to your nails — pale nails suggest anemia, yellowing could indicate lung or liver issues, and changes in texture like […]
STORY AT-A-GLANCE Consuming dark chocolate is linked to a 21% reduction in the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, while milk chocolate does not offer the same benefit and is associated with weight gain The beneficial effects of dark chocolate are attributed to its high polyphenol flavonoid content, which improves insulin sensitivity and helps manage […]
Download Interview Transcript | Download my FREE Podcast STORY AT-A-GLANCE Autoimmune thyroid disease is prevalent but often not fully understood, with many cases going undiagnosed due to the absence of positive thyroid antibodies in blood tests Consuming more iodine than necessary is a plays a major role in thyroid dysfunction, and reducing iodine intake reverses […]
Download Interview Transcript | Download my FREE Podcast STORY AT-A-GLANCE Thyroid health is intricately linked to iodine intake, genetics and overall metabolic balance, challenging the conventional “empty tank” model of treatment Autoimmune thyroid disease has a unique mechanism distinct from other autoimmune conditions, primarily driven by your body’s reaction to iodine Accurate thyroid testing requires […]
STORY AT-A-GLANCE New York State reported over 6,300 opioid overdose deaths in 2022, with fentanyl being the primary cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 45 Illegally manufactured fentanyls (IMFs) are often mixed with other drugs, significantly increasing the risk of overdose and complicating detection efforts Naloxone is a key tool in reversing opioid […]
STORY AT-A-GLANCE Singulair, an asthma medication, has been linked to mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and aggression due to its significant binding to brain receptors. Since 1998, there have been 82 suicides associated with its use, prompting the FDA to add a black box warning in 2020 Despite the serious mental health risks, […]
STORY AT-A-GLANCE Dust mites are microscopic, spider-like creatures that live in bedding and furniture, feeding on dead skin cells and producing waste that trigger allergic reactions and asthma The immune system of allergic individuals mistakenly identifies dust mite waste as dangerous, producing IgE antibodies that trigger symptoms through mast cells releasing histamine Asthma causes airways […]
By: A Midwestern Doctor STORY AT-A-GLANCE SSRI antidepressants are among the most harmful medications on the market, impacting society due to their widespread (and frequently unjustifiable) use Common side effects of SSRIs (and SNRIs) include sexual dysfunction (which is often permanent), emotional numbness, severe agitation, violent psychosis, cognitive decline, and birth defects The most concerning […]
STORY AT-A-GLANCE Bitter taste receptors, especially TAS2R14, are important for sensing a wide range of compounds and are found in various body tissues, influencing functions beyond taste, such as inflammation and metabolism Recent studies have discovered dual binding sites in TAS2R14, offering new insights into bitter taste receptor functionality A hidden pocket within the TAS2R14 […]
STORY AT-A-GLANCE Kimchi, a traditional Korean fermented side dish, contains probiotics as well as beneficial compounds like capsaicin that may support weight management through improved gut health and metabolism Recent research shows kimchi consumption led to significant body fat reduction in overweight participants, with improvements in metabolic markers like cholesterol and triglycerides Kimchi enhances gut […]
STORY AT-A-GLANCE Prenatal exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) from household items is linked to lower cognitive and physical development scores in children up to 6 years old Supplementing with Limosilactobacillus reuteri (LR) helps maintain a healthy gut microbiome, counteracting the neurobehavioral and endocrine disruptions caused by PBDEs Studies in mice show that maternal LR […]
STORY AT-A-GLANCE Muscle memory allows for rapid recovery of muscle strength and size after breaks in training, with both periodic and continuous resistance training showing similar long-term results While muscle strength and size decrease during breaks, they recover quickly with retraining, particularly within the first five weeks, due to retained myonuclei and neural adaptations Short-term […]
