Hello, health and wellness readers. My name is Kaitlin, your guide to the news you may have missed and how it could affect your life.
Here’s what our team analyzed this week:
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You may love brownies and pizza, but your brain has other favorites, reports Maxine Yeung. Here is a list of the best foods for brain health.
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Scary but true: drowning doesn’t always feel like drowning. Priscilla Blossom shares expert water tips to ensure you have a safer summer at the beach or pool.
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June Squibb is a movie star at 94 years old. She shared some tips on how to age well with Kerry Justich.
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What do we know about loneliness? Erin Donnelly spoke to expert Sam Carr to debunk some myths – like the belief that loneliness is a “disease to be cured”.
Should social media come with warning labels?
In an article for The New York Times, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy called for a warning label to be placed on social media sites. “The mental health crisis among young people is an emergency – and social media has emerged as a key contributor,” Murthy wrote. He pointed to to look for This shows that children who use social media for more than three hours a day are more likely to show signs of mental health problems. He wants Congress to place cigarette-like warning labels on social media to hold companies accountable.
What this means for you: This is just another example of how people in government are drawing attention to the potential mental health ramifications of social media use among children. This includes the bipartisan Kids’ Online Safety Act, which aims to implement stricter measures to prevent minors from accessing harmful content.
While there is research pointing to the dangers of social media in youth, other commentators argue that it may not be the villain in the story. Some suggest that the link between mental health issues and social media may have more to do with young people already facing these struggles in search of community. Furthermore, with so many different factors contributing to the decline in young people’s mental health (such as fears related to the pandemic, mass shootings and climate change), some argue that it is difficult to assess the specific negative impact of social media. Some believe that vilifying social media also ignores its positive elements, such as helping young members of the LGBTQ+ community connect when they can’t in person.
Extreme heat and humidity cause major health problems
Extreme heat is gripping the United States, with 100 million people under a heat warning due to what the National Weather Service called a “dangerous and long-lasting” heat wave. On Friday, Phoenix was the hottest place in the United States, reaching 117 degrees. In addition to the high temperatures, there is also a lot of humidity in many of the affected areas.
What this means for you: Extreme heat is a big problem. Last year set the record for the deadliest year for heat-related deaths in the US, with more than 2,300 deaths recorded. However, it is also humidity that is a problem, because “wet bulb” temperatures above 95°F will prevent the human body from cooling down through sweating. Online calculatorswhich combine relative humidity and air temperature, can help you estimate whether you are in the danger zone.
During periods of extreme heat and humidity, it is important to follow guidelines to stay cool.
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Drink plenty of water to keep your body cool and hydrated. Replenish electrolytes as needed.
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Avoid direct sunlight by staying indoors and seek shade when outdoors.
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Wear light, loose clothing to help keep your body cool.
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Spend time in air-conditioned places (try a free space like a library!) or use fans to help lower your body temperature.
World Health Organization issues warning about Fake Ozempic
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned the public about the increase in reports of fake versions of the diabetes drug Ozempic, which is the trade name for semaglutide. Counterfeit versions of the drug, known for its weight loss effect, were detected in Brazil and the UK in October 2023 and in the US in December 2023. The WHO has warned that these counterfeit medicines can harm individuals and may include additional substances not revealed. active ingredients such as insulin, which can cause blood glucose problems.
What this means for you: As the popularity of semaglutide medications increases, so does the potential for counterfeit versions of the medications – especially as insurance companies choose not to cover these medications or charge exorbitant prices for them.
This news also comes after Novo Nordisk sued medical spas for selling compounded semaglutide, which the pharmaceutical company said led to “consumer confusion and deception, as well as potential safety concerns.” It is important to highlight that these compounding pharmacies are not related to the fake versions of medicines currently on the market, but they also deserve some care.
Although compounded versions of semaglutide are not technically approved by the Food and Drug Administration, compounding pharmacies can legally produce versions of brand-name drugs on the FDA’s shortage list, such as semaglutide, due to high demand. However, the FDA does not review these compounded medications, placing them in a gray area.
As always, it’s important to talk to your doctor if you want to start taking either medication – and never buy medications that require a prescription, like Ozempic, from unlicensed retailers.
