LiveWell Clinic

09/10/2025

Study on alcohol, cancer link not expected to be published

The study, which found that having two drinks each day significantly raises the risk of dying from any alcohol-related cause versus one drink daily, was intended to inform new dietary guidelines. The Trump administration chose not to publish the final draft of the Alcohol Intake and Health Study, which highlights the health risks of alcohol consumption, including increased cancer mortality.
This suppression is likely a result of industry lobby pressure, especially at a time when young people are drinking significantly less than the generations that came before them.
The authors of the Alcohol Intake and Health Study pointed out that, despite mounting evidence showing that even moderate alcohol consumption is linked to an increased risk of cancer, less than half of Americans know of its carcinogenic properties.
According to their analysis, at one drink per day, a man has a one in 1,000 chance of dying from any alcohol-related cause. At two drinks, the odds increase to one in 25—that’s significantly higher than previously thought to be true.

Speaking to Vox, the authors said they were informed the results of their major study commissioned by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) would not be published. However, there appeared to be nothing wrong with the methodology of the analysis.

09/10/2025

The gut virome is the community of viruses, primarily bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria), that inhabit the gastrointestinal tract. It is a crucial, but complex, component of the human microbiome and plays a significant role in maintaining gut homeostasis and immune function, though its precise interactions with bacteria and the host are still being explored. Factors like diet, antibiotic use, birth mode, and genetics shape the virome's composition and diversity. An imbalance (dysbiosis) in the gut virome is linked to various conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease, metabolic disorders, and liver disease.
A new medical study explored the many functions and benefits of a healthy gut virome (in addition to the gut biome/ gut flora made up by other microbes like bacteria, yeasts or fungi).
It’s amazing how complex life is, and how we truly are symbionts, unique beings and hosts of a gazillion of other life forms. So much is needed to stay well and balanced.

09/07/2025

Breast milk feeding times may affect infant sleep

Something to be aware of as a breastfeeding/milk-pumping mom - label the bottles with date and time, and have them used around same time by your baby. It may help with their sleep schedule.
Breast milk composition changes throughout the day and differing hormone levels could affect infant sleep and wake cycles, according to a study in Frontiers in Nutrition. Researchers suggested that if breast milk is expressed at a different time of day than when it is fed to an infant, it could disrupt the infant's circadian rhythms.

FRIDAY, Sept. 5, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Busy moms might be sending their babies the wrong signal if they feed evening breast milk that was expressed in the mor

09/07/2025

A common nasal spray may block Covid infection, trial results indicated.
The over-the-counter antihistamine azelastine works against a range of respiratory infections, including the flu and RSV, according to German researchers.
So trying to use azelastine regularly twice daily for the first few (I would say 3) as soon after any known exposure may help lower risk of actually ending up with the viral upper respiratory infection? Worth a try, especially if you’re on your way to vacation, or just coming home from one and know you need to return to work.

The over-the-counter antihistamine azelastine works against a range of respiratory infections, including the flu and RSV, according to German researchers.

08/28/2025

Women, Menopause and Heart Health

Fewer than 1 in 4 women in midlife maintain optimal cardiovascular (CV) health during the menopause transition, according to a new analysis of data from the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN). The findings, published in Menopause, linked higher scores on the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8 (LE8) CV health framework to better vascular health, fewer CV disease events, and lower all-cause mortality.
The study, which included nearly 3000 women, also identified 4 LE8 components particularly influential in shaping long-term CV outcomes: blood glucose, blood pressure, sleep quality, and ni****ne use.
End-point cardiovascular disease
(CVD) events included myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure, and revascularization and 161 deaths over a median 19 years of follow-up.
“Previously we’ve shown that the menopause transition is a time of accelerating cardiovascular risk. This study underscores that it’s also an opportunity for women to take the reins on their heart health.” (Study author)

The Biggest Bang for the Buck

Among individual LE8 components, favorable baseline or improving scores for glucose, blood pressure, and ni****ne exposure were consistently associated with reduced risk for all outcomes. Sleep quality also emerged as a notable factor, with better baseline or improved sleep associated with lower risk of CVD events and mortality, although not linked with subclinical measures such as carotid thickness.
In 2022, the AHA added healthy sleep as an essential component of CV health to the association's original Life's Simple 7, for the current LE8 elements. Both insufficient and excessive sleep are linked to increased risks of CVD, including hypertension, obesity, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and heart attack.

Starting in midlife women should work against the common changes in LE8 components, such as an increases in visceral fat (belly fat), elevated LDL cholesterol, and the tendency toward hypertension. Insulin resistance and high blood sugar levels should also be managed. Sleep disruption during menopause is a well-known problem with damaging effects that can also be modified to support long-term cardio protection.

“With heart disease being the leading cause of death in women, these findings point to the need for lifestyle and medical interventions to improve heart health during and after menopause," El Khoudary concluded.
Ask your doctor to work with you on optimizing all your Life Essentials (LE8) before it’s too late.
❤️🩺❤️‍🩹🩺❤️

P.S. A little secret I learned myself just recently: newer evidence from large Scandinavian studies in women using hormone replacement therapy without interruption into high age (90 years or older), being on HRT did NOT increase their risks for CVD or death from cardiac causes IF they had started hormone replacement therapy within 10 years from their menopause.
(Of course the high agers didn’t survive because of their HRT, but rather because of their healthy lifestyle, including the LE8 above.)💕

08/18/2025

If you’re wondering why so many people around you have Covid19 lately, it is because we are in the middle of a Covid-19 wave, with all indicators—from wastewater to hospitalizations and deaths—climbing. The pace isn’t as fast as last winter’s surge and levels remain below last summer’s wave, but the trend is clear. Wastewater data show “moderate” Covid activity in the West and South and “low” levels in the Northeast and Midwest, though rates are rising everywhere.
Fortunately death rates are well below the levels seen in past years- mainly due to higher immunity levels in the entire population, but there’s still a few hundreds per week, mainly in the frail elderly. Overall though current death rate from Covid19 is 0.4% of deaths in the USA.

Razor-blade throat Covid is one of the strains going around, so severe throat pain could be from that. Older home self-swab tests still work to identify this. If repeat tests are negative and you don’t develop a cough, rather fever chills and nausea, go to the doctor to check for strep throat- we see a few adult cases of this too.

08/15/2025

Study links parents' chemical exposure to autism in children

Data from more than 500 families linked parents' exposure to chemicals at work before their child was born to a higher risk of autism severity and poorer behavioral issues and cognitive performance. The study in the International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health used job history data on exposure to 16 chemicals from three months before pregnancy to the birth of the child
On-the-job chemical exposure among moms and dads prior to a child’s birth was significantly linked to increased autism severity, worse behavioral issues and poorer cognitive performance, researchers found.

- Plastics and polymers were linked to poorer cognitive performance, reduced adaptive skills and increased behavioral problems like hyperactivity and social withdrawal.
- Ethylene oxide, a sterilizing agent for medical devices, was linked to higher autism severity and weaker daily living skills.
- Phenols were linked to increased autism severity and worse behavioral symptoms like hyperactivity, repetitious movements or vocalizations.

The strongest cognitive deficits were linked to fathers’ exposure to plastics and polymers

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 13, 2025 (HealthDay News) — A child’s symptoms of autism might vary according to their parents’ exposure to workplace chemicals, a new study say

07/30/2025

Let’s hope preventive care and tests like mammograms, colon cancer screenings, diabetic eye exams and PAP smears remain covered and recommended under the present Secretary of Health.
I understand the ostrich head -in-sand principle, but it doesn’t avoid trouble - it’s just ignoring its arrival.

The American Medical Association expresses "deep concern" over a report that Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy plans to remove members of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

07/30/2025

New Lyme disease test shows over 90% accuracy

The blood test checks for 10 protein antigens at once, increasing the chance of early disease detection.
Aces Diagnostics' LymeSeek, a blood test that uses multiple biomarkers and a machine learning algorithm, has demonstrated over 90% accuracy in diagnosing Lyme disease at all stages, including early phases. The test is expected to be commercially available by the end of 2026.

LymeSeek, a multi-antigen diagnostic test guided by machine learning, has shown over 90% accuracy in diagnosing Lyme disease.

07/27/2025

Protein builds muscle and can help with weight loss. But what’s the right amount? Recommendations are tricky, since everyone is different. In general, scientists say you need at least 1 gram for every 3 pounds of body weight (well, 2.76 to be precise) each day — and more if you exercise. So a 150-pound person would need 54 grams of protein, about the amount in a strip steak.

Don’t be fooled by social media ads and fads. The idea that Americans don’t eat enough protein is a lie. “The average man in the United States is overshooting the federal protein recommendation by more than 55 percent and the average woman by more than 35 percent,” according to this explainer by Alice Callahan, a Times reporter with a Ph.D. in nutrition.

Your body can’t store extra protein. Once you’ve eaten what you need, your liver breaks down the extra to use as calories or store as fat.

07/26/2025

Levothyroxine sodium recall since June 2025

Check your pills’ lot number and if it’s one of these ones affected, call your doctor for advice.

The recalled drugs are manufactured by India-based Intas Pharmaceuticals for North Carolina-based Accord Healthcare, NTD reported. They total 160,630 bottles and come in various doses, strengths, and packages, including:

Lot D2400536; expiration date, Feb. 28, 2026
Lot D2300325; expiration date, Jan. 31, 2026
Lot D2400679; expiration date, Feb. 28, 2026
Lot D2300087; expiration date, Dec. 31, 2025
Lot D2300092; expiration date, Dec. 31, 2025
Lot D2400722; expiration date, March 31, 2026
Lot D2300104; expiration date, Dec. 31, 2025
Lot D2300076; expiration date, Dec. 31, 2025
Lot D2300042; expiration date, Dec. 31, 2025
More information

More details on the recalled thyroid pills can be found on the FDA’s website.

SOURCES: U.S. Food and Drug Administration, alert, July 23, 2025; NTD, July 23, 2025

https://www.healthday.com/health-news/fda-upgrades-recall-on-160000-bottles-of-thyroid-medication

Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone

THURSDAY, July 24, 2025 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has upgraded a recall of a commonly prescribed thyroid medication due to

07/25/2025

Egg consumption may help reduce Alzheimer's risk

A study in the Journal of Nutrition found that eating more than one egg per week was associated with a 47% reduction in the risk of Alzheimer's disease. The study followed more than 1,000 adults for an average of 6.7 years and found 39% of the "total effect of egg intake" was linked to the choline content in eggs.
Sad that misguided past medical advice, taught a whole generation of people to avoid eggs -and mainly egg yolks- because of natural cholesterol content.
Thus, a superfood was avoided, to make room for fad foods like “low-fat yogurt” (same calories from starch and sugar but missing the fatty vitamins in milk).

About 39% of egg benefits came from choline intake, researchers found.