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To Protect Local Wildlife, Feed Your Cat Meatier Meals – Smithsonian

Posted: February 17, 2021 at 10:52 am

Cat owners who let their furry friends roam outside are familiar with the "gifts" they bring home. This behavior results in billions of birds and small mammals falling prey to a cat's claws, reports Jonathan Lambert for Science News. In an attempt to curb cats' impact on wildlife and investigate why felines still have the urge to hunt despite being well-fed, researchers at the University of Exeter in England designed an experiment to explore if a cats' extracurricular desire to hunt came from something lacking in their diet or from natural instincts, Science News reports.

When cats were fed a diet with a higher meat content or increased regular playtime, it reduced their hunting instincts and, in return, lowered the amount of wildlife casualties, reports Ed Cara for Gizmodo. The study was published this week in the journal Current Biology.

A total of 355 domestic cats from 219 homes known to bring back kill in England were recruited for the experiment. All cats were observed in their natural settings for seven weeks before any modifications to daily activity or their diet occurred, reports Gizmodo. These initial observations provided baseline data for how frequently each kitty brought home prey. Then, the researchers introduced one group of cats to a grain-free, high-meat diet. Meanwhile, another group got an extra five to ten minutes of play each day or a puzzle feeder enrichment toy meant to stimulate the feline's mind, Science News reports. The researchers also tested brightly-colored collars and bells to see if these devices deterred feline prey, reports Jack Guy for CNN.

Cats with the grain-free, protein-rich diet brought home 36 percent fewer dead animals than cats with unchanged diets, reports Layal Liverpool for the New Scientist.

"Some cat foods contain protein from plant sources such as soy, and it is possible that despite forming a 'complete diet,' these foods leave some cats deficient in one or more micronutrientsprompting them to hunt," says Martina Cecchetti, a graduate student at Exeter involved with the study in a press release.

Cats that received more playtime mirroring hunting behaviors brought back 25 percent fewer kills. This percentage reflects a drop in the number of mammals brought back, but not birds, Science News reports. On the other hand, the puzzle feeder caused the cats to bring home more prey, and researchers speculate it may have been out of frustration from their inexperience with the puzzle, Gizmodo reports. Cats with the bright collars brought home 42 percent fewer birds, but the same amount of small mammals, reports Science News. Meanwhile, bells did not reduce kills.

"We were surprised diet change has such a strong effect. Nutrition seems to have some bearing on a cat's tendency to kill things, and some cats that hunt may need something extra," says Robbie McDonald, an ecologist at the University of Exeter and co-author of the study, to Science News.

Most cat foods contain high-quality proteins. However, they're often plant-based and may send cats in search of micronutrients missing from their cat food, Gizmodo reports.

McDonald and his team plan to further look into how cat predation on wildlife can be reduced by either combining two or more methods they investigated in their study, or analyzing exactly what it is nutritionally that cats crave from their kills, Gizmodo reports . The researchers hope that their work inspires cat-owners to use these less controversial methods to protect wildlife from their felines.

"We hope that owners of cats who hunt consider trying these changes," McDonald tells Science News. "It's good for conservation and good for cats."

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To Protect Local Wildlife, Feed Your Cat Meatier Meals - Smithsonian

One Major Effect of Drinking Diet Soda Every Day, Says Science | Eat This Not That – Eat This, Not That

Posted: February 17, 2021 at 10:52 am

In many ways, diet soda is a healthier alternative to its sugar-filled counterpart. It's lower in added sugar and calories, both of which contribute to obesity and chronic health issues like type 2 diabetes and heart disease. However, it's still not the perfect solution. In fact, you may be better off just choosing a low-sugar soda alternative over one that's completely sugar-free.

Here's why: one of the most popular diet sodas out there, Diet Coke, uses an alternative sweetener called aspartame. The artificial sweetener has been under fire since its debut in the 1980s for its potential cancer-causing effects. While the American Cancer Society states that research around those effects is inconclusive, there may be another reason to be skeptical of the alternative sugar. (Related: 15 Underrated Weight Loss Tips That Actually Work).

According to a 2008 study published inThe Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology, people who drank aspartame-sweetened Diet Coke were more likely to experience moderate to severe fatty infiltration in their livers than those who drank non-diet sodas, including Sprite and Fanta. Why is this an issue? This infiltration can lead to a condition called, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) where fat builds up in the liver and causes cirrhosis, otherwise known as late-stage liver scarring.Cirrhosis can eventually lead to liver failure if not addressed early on.

There are other known health issues associated with the artificial sweetener typically found in diet soda. A 2017 Nutrition Reviews special article that reviewed nearly two decades worth of data on aspartame concluded that consuming aspartame in quantities even within recommended safe levels may "disrupt the oxidant/antioxidant balance, induce oxidative stress, and damage cell membrane integrity, potentially affecting a variety of cells and tissues and causing the deregulation of cellular function, ultimately leading to systemic inflammation."

Another reason not to reach for diet soda daily? One study suggests drinking just one of the artificially sweetened beverages daily was linked to an 8% higher risk of type 2 diabetes; however, the meta-analysis looked at observational studies, which can only show correlation, not causation. And another study indicated that consumption of artificially sweetened drinks was associated with a 21% percent higher risk of developing the condition in older women (again, the study showed a correlation, not causation).

At the end of the day, there is research that supports both sides of the argument on whether or diet soda is harmless or harmful for your body. Our advice? Cut down on your intake to play it safe. If you can't shake the craving, consider limiting yourself to three servings of diet soda a week and then try, eventually try to drop it down to just one serving a week.

For more, be sure to read29 Most Popular Diet SodasRanked!

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One Major Effect of Drinking Diet Soda Every Day, Says Science | Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

Salma Hayek’s Secrets to Staying Healthy | Eat This Not That – Eat This, Not That

Posted: February 17, 2021 at 10:52 am

At 54 years old, Salma Hayeks skin is glowing, her locks are as shiny as ever, and she is still rocking a bikini like it's nobodys business. Recently, her Instagram account has been filled with a stream of images, showing off her gorgeous figure and makeup free face. (Shes also been in the news for describing how she started to sob while filming a sex scene for her hit film Desperado; although still friends with her director and co-star, she has since taken her body image into her own hands.) So, what are her fountain of youth secrets? Here is everything the actress does to look and feel great. Read on, and to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had Coronavirus.

Salma Hayek is such a fan of juice cleanses, she started her own company, Cooler Cleanse. "When I feel stressed, I turn to food for comfort," she explains on the juice cleanse delivery services website "After doing a juice cleanse, I'm motivated to eat healthier and not emotionally. Cleansing is like my meditation. It makes me stop, focus and think about what I'm putting into my body. I'm making a commitment to my health and hitting the reset button."

I dont like to diet and Im not good at it, she admits on her Cooler Cleanse website. In a previous interview with More, she revealed she has a love-love relationship with food. "Everybody has a weakness and mine is food," she said. "If you love food and you love red wine and they put you in France, youre in a good place and youre in a bad place at the same time."

Salma revealed to the New York Times that she follows one rule when it comes to dieting. The only thing I do is that I dont eat animals every day. I eat all kinds of meat, but I consume it sparsely, she explained. I would never eat two meats in a day. Sometimes I go several days without eating meat, but then Ill go back.

In addition to juicing, her meals are filled with fruits and veggies. One of her specialties? This unique "breakfast special"basically a chopped up salad of papaya, blueberries, mango, strawberries, pomegranate seeds, celery, red pepper, and cucumber, atop almond and coconut butter and yogurt. "It doesnt sound like it tastes great but its delicious, she exclaimed on Instagram.

Salma makes a lot of her own beauty treatments. In an interview with Buzzfeed, she revealed that she relied on a few key ingredients to keep her hair glassy, but theyre very stinky. Anything thats greasy is actually really good for your hair, she explained, recommending avocado, coconut oil and even egg yolks and even one popular condiment. Mayo is really good for your hair! claims Salma. Another go to? Apple cider vinegar is good for you in many ways, she said. One way she makes sure to infuse it into her diet is via her juices, which she recently demonstrated on Instagram.

Unlike other celebrities, Salma tries not to make exercise a chore. "Some people have the discipline to exercise in the morning, and I didn't develop that," she told People. Instead, she discovered a more creative way to engage her muscles. "I work with a woman in London who taught me how to hold my body in a way where the muscles are activated all day long. So even when you brush your teeth, you're working the muscles," she continued. "It's restorative yoga. She taught me how to tone [my muscles] without clenching them. You relax them and focus on the parts that need to be used, but never with tension. If you're aware of your body, you'd be surprised by the effect it can have."

When she does workout, she infuses it with fun. I hate working out, but I love dancing, she joked on Instagram, showing off her moves while walking on a treadmill. She also gets her steps in by walking her dog. "This is my version of exercise and these are my #dogs coaches These are my trainers!" she shared in one Instagram post.

RELATED: Simple Ways to Avoid a Heart Attack, According to Doctors

Hayek loves a good rub downbut not just on her body. "Massage oxygenates, activates the circulation, and keeps the muscles healthy and firm. I cannot tell you, even just for the lymphatic [system], what the massage does for the face," Hayek previously told Vogue. As for yourself: To get through this pandemic at your healthiest, don't miss these 35 Places You're Most Likely to Catch COVID.

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Salma Hayek's Secrets to Staying Healthy | Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

The writer behind ‘Your Fat Friend’ has thoughts on diets, BMI and strangers’ advice – theday.com

Posted: February 17, 2021 at 10:52 am

Aubrey Gordon describes herself as fat, specifically "very fat." She uses the word purposefully, as a descriptor, in the same way she has blondish-brown hair and is 37 years old.

For the past five years, she has been the anonymous writer behind "Your Fat Friend," the online essay series about the discrimination and hate fat people face. With the recent publication of her book, "What We Don't Talk About When We Talk About Fat," Gordon started putting her name to her stories, both online and for her Self Magazine column.

The book, a series of essays, delves into the roots of fatphobia, the failure of the "war on obesity" and why it's not okay to tell fat people to love themselves. A former LGBTQ community organizer, Gordon, who identifies as queer, is now writing full time and co-hosting the podcast "Maintenance Phase," which debunks wellness and diet fads.

From her home in Portland, Ore., Gordon talked about what she hopes people will get from her book, and why she felt now was the right time to publish it.

Q: Why do you think people hate and I mean openly hate fat people, particularly fat women, so much?

A: It's a doozy of a question, right? There's misogyny wrapped up in it. There's ableism wrapped up in it. There are deep, deep, deep racist roots to all of this ... like even with BMI, that was based on the bodies of White Western European men and not people of color, so it does about a 50 percent job of predicting obesity in White people and then it goes down from there. We've been talking about a war on obesity for years, and that facilitates this kind of open season on fat people. Not only is it okay to have comments and opinions about fat people in some ways, it's sort of like you are being helpful to the greater public health.

Q: You share anecdotes about how people treated you horribly, from airplane behavior to strangers taking fruit out of your grocery cart, telling you it's "too much sugar." What surprised me is that when you tell your friends and family, they ask if maybe it didn't happen that way, or if you incited it.

A: They are not trying to be hurtful, not in a million years. But it can be jarring and painful to hear about someone you care about in that situation. One of the ways we push away that knowledge is with straight-up denial. Part of it is that this is a world they don't actually personally experience, and that can be alarming.

Q: It seems there has been some success with the body-positive movement, with Cosmopolitan magazine putting plus-size women, such as yoga teacher Jessamyn Stanley, on the cover, for example. But that got a lot of pushback, with some people saying that it was "promoting obesity."

A: It does feel like there's some willingness to move forward from some media outlets, influential ones in women's and health media in particular. But the biggest thing I see is that there's a willingness to engage in a conversation about how we see and treat fat people. It's not as deep as a conversation as I'd like, but it's a start.

Q: As a fat woman myself, one of the things that really struck me in your book was that programs to address obesity, like Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" campaign, do not include people with obesity in the planning.

A: Right. Thin people are the masters of weight loss although they've never had to do it. There's a community organizer saying, "Nothing about us, without us." And yet there are all these people talking about us and making decisions about our bodies without talking to us.

Q: How does that show up for you?

A: It happens in our individual lives where strangers come up to you and are like "have you tried paleo?" without knowing us or anything about us. The other issue is on a policy or institutional level. (Some people are) constantly ringing the bell on how dangerous it is to be fat, but that's not making fat people thin. None of our practices 95-98 percent of diet attempts fail have been shown to be successful long term. So it just ramps up the stigma of fat people as failures. If only we would try at this thing, which has been shown not to work.

Q: What do you hope people take away from your book?

A: I hope that folks are willing to accept that their ideas about fatness and fat people have not been particularly charitable. And they also haven't been particularly grounded in data or research or information or the experiences of the fat people in their lives.

Maybe people are willing to think about how they think about and treat fat people. Even if it's something like I'm not going to ask the fat person I'm with at the restaurant if they really want to get those fries.

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The writer behind 'Your Fat Friend' has thoughts on diets, BMI and strangers' advice - theday.com

From zoodles to lettuce wraps, this is what Katrina Kaif’s ideal meals look like – VOGUE India

Posted: February 17, 2021 at 10:52 am

Katrina Kaif's fitness routine isn't for the faint of heartthe actor makes sure to sweat it out at the gym, while adding yoga, combat practice, dance and pilates into the mix too: Exercise for me is something that not only physically but mentally is also very, very important for me. It releases endorphins, it keeps you feeling upbeat, happy and energetic." But working out well is just half the battle. The actor knows that her diet is just as important. I don't follow a specific diet. Having grown up in London, my palate already prefers non-oily and non-spicy food. I try and eat healthy in general egg whites over whole eggs, and a lot of salads, fruits and vegetables, she shared back in 2015. But now, six years later, she has a more directed approach. We spoke to her nutritionist, Shweta Shah, founder of Eatfit247, about Kaif's current routine.

Katrina is very particular about her workout routine, just as she is her diet. She is almost a nutritionist in her own right. She knows her body well and she knows exactly what suits her and doesn't, says Shah. I was introduced to her by her trainer Yasmin Karachiwala and we instantly hit it off. Katrina follows her own diets, but I step in when we want some tweaks to be made, or she wants to achieve any specific health goals.

She eats two home-cooked meals a day, and doesn't like to snack, shares Shah. Even when she's shooting, and has a hectic schedule, she sticks to clean, organic eating that is dairy-free and gluten-free. Some examples of her favourite lunch or dinner meals include steamed fish, edamame and avocado salad, zucchini or quinoa pancakes, lentil stews, lettuce wraps and zoodles. Soups are another go-to, and Kaif likes a wide variety to prevent boredom, using vegetables like ashgourd, asparagus, pumpkins and chickpeas. And when she's craving something sweet? Homemade peanut balls are her must-haves.

Being an actor, her life does get a little more stressful when she's working, and this can affect her sleep, hair and skin. But she doesn't take over-the-counter pills to deal with it. She likes taking the natural route," Shah confirms. For example, when she's struggling with acidity, she drinks water steeped with black raisins and fennel. The former contains iron, copper, magnesium, and potassium. These are alkaline minerals on the pH scale and may help balance acidity levels in the stomach. The latter contains a compound called anethole, which works as a soothing agent for the stomach. If Kaif is ever bloated, she adds fennel and coriander seeds to her diet.

But what's the key to being healthy all year round? Consistency. She doesn't change things often, unless a role requires her to look a certain way, says Shah. She believes in clean eating rather than following any fad diets.

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From zoodles to lettuce wraps, this is what Katrina Kaif's ideal meals look like - VOGUE India

#1 Biggest Danger Sign You’re Eating Too Many Potato Chips, Say Experts – Eat This, Not That

Posted: February 17, 2021 at 10:52 am

According to a 2020 Statista survey, 85% of the American population eats potato chips. Combine that with the fact that potato chips are the top-selling salty snack in the country, doing over $7 billion in sales in a year, to say that this fried food is popular would be an understatement.

They may be popular, but they're not good for you. In fact, potato chips are number one on the list of The 7 Foods Most Likely to Make You Gain Weight, according to a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine.

With a significant majority of the country indulging in this salty, fatty, fried food on a regular basis, it's highly likely that a good portion of people may be eating too many chips. But how can you tell?

Liz Lehman, MD, a board-certified and licensed anesthesiologist and founder of Aluminate Life, tells us that "The number one sign you're eating too many chips is feeling puffy and swollenespecially your hands, feet, and lips. This is due to water retention from excess salt."

You may also feel puffy and bloated due to weight gain caused by eating too many high-calorie chips. "The size of chip bags is getting bigger and bigger. Manufacturers know it's hard to stop eating chips once you start. The more salty, high-fat chips you eat, the more you want," and the more weight you can put on, says Leann Poston, MD, MBA, MEd, a doctor with Invigor Medical.

More than 1 serving a day is too much, shares Dr. Lehman. One serving is 1 ounce or 18 chips.

But even eating one serving of potato chips a day is a lot. Alexis Parcells, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon and owner of Parcells Plastic Surgery says that you should really be limiting your potato chip consumption to no more than the palm of your hand.

"Most traditional potato chips are seasoned with a large amount of salt and oil. Like any junk food, they can be tolerated in small doses (to fill the palm of your hand). Larger doses are proven unhealthy and will quickly lead to weight gain," Dr. Parcells says.

Dr. Lehman tells us that most symptoms of excess potato chip consumption are primarily related to excess sodium intake. The recommended sodium intake is less than 2,300 milligrams a day, but most Americans consume over 3,200 milligrams a day, Dr. Lehman says.

One serving of potato chips is one ounce, but oftentimes potato chips are packaged in single-serve, two-ounce bags. Because who can resist opening a bag of potato chips and not finishing it, that can lead to taking in as much as 660 milligrams of sodium if you polish off the whole bagthat's 29% of your daily recommended intake! Flavored bags, like BBQ, sour cream, or salt and vinegar, are some of the worst offenders. (See:The Unhealthiest Potato Chips on the Planet)

There's also a more subtle, nefarious reason why potato chips can make you feel bloated and swollen: inflammation.

"Potato chips are made with refined oils and processed carbohydrates, which are highly inflammatory. Refined oils are a class of omega-6 oils, which are inflammatory, especially when there is an imbalance of omega-3 anti-inflammatory fats. This leads to inflammation and pain throughout the body along with brain fog, fatigue, and weight gain," says Trista Best, MPH, RD, LD a registered dietitian with Balance One Supplements. (Related:14 Inflammatory Foods That Cause Weight Gain)

Most of the dangerous side effects of eating too many potato chips will be felt long-term, and it would be hard to pinpoint potato chips as being the sole culprit. However, if you know you're eating chips every day, it is more than likely that they're playing a role.

One of the worst side effects of eating too many potato chips is also incredibly difficult to spot: high blood pressure.

"Potato chips generally have between 120 and 180 milligrams of sodium per ounce. In the long term, this can cause high blood pressure. Unfortunately, most people with high blood pressure do not have symptoms associated with it, and this can be dangerous as it may not be properly diagnosed and treated. If left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart failure, coronary heart disease, and kidney disease," says Dr. Parcells.

Other long-term side effects of eating a lot of chips are weight gain, trouble sleeping, dry skin, kidney disease, headaches, and inflammation.

Potatoes are actually decently healthy. (Yes, even though they're "white" and have traditionally been associated with unhealthy carbs.) Most of the time, potatoes get a bad rap because we commonly consume them as deep-fried foods, such as with chips or french fries.

In reality, potatoes are an affordable carb and are a surprisingly good source of potassium (13% DV that's more than a banana!) and vitamin C (23% DV) when eaten with the skin.

Potatochips on the other hand, are a different story.

"Overall, potato chips aren't a health food. They're low in nutritional value, high in sodium (which can impact blood pressure), and often contain pro-inflammatory ingredientssuch highly processed vegetable oilswhich can lead to the development of health dysfunction and disease," says Sheri Vettel, RD, a registered dietitian at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.

But you can't really blame potato chips on all of your health problems.

"Aside from extreme circumstances (such as a primarily potato chip-based diet!), it's hard to look at potato chip consumption in isolation without considering the overall quality of one's diet as a whole," says Vettel

"For instance, if someone truly enjoys potato chips and has a primarily whole foods diet full of quality nutrient-dense foods, then there is less of a negative health impact from occasionally eating potato chips. For those eating the Standard American Diet (or SAD diet), snacking on potato chips even occasionally is taking away from the chance to eat more nutrient-dense foods," Vettel adds.

To determine if you need to cut back on your potato chip consumption, Vettelencourages reflection and listening to your body. Think about healthier snack alternatives, reflect on how you feel physically and emotionally after eating potato chips, and think about whether you have any health conditions (such as high blood pressure) that may require you to reevaluate your potato chip consumption.

If you're eating too many potato chips, consider snacking on a substitute: "Alternatives to standard chips include baked vegetable chips, apple chips, and air-popped popcorn. These snacks tend to be lower in salt, calories, and fat than fried chips and also provide fiber," says Dr. Parcells.

You don't even need to have a 1:1 substitute for potato chips to improve your health status. Instead, you can simply focus on adding more healthy foods to your diet that will "crowd out" the potato chips:

"By adding healthier foods to your diet, you will gently crowd out the choices that aren't the best for you. This concept of crowding out can help you create a healthier relationship with food in general, but especially around foods that aren't so nutrient-dense," recommends Vettel, who notes that working with a Health Coach is a great way to get clear on how your food choices make you feel.

For more on these salty, fatty foods, don't miss Ugly Side Effects of Eating Potato Chips, According to Science.

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#1 Biggest Danger Sign You're Eating Too Many Potato Chips, Say Experts - Eat This, Not That

FDA responds to questions about report on lead, other toxins in baby food – Food Safety News

Posted: February 17, 2021 at 10:52 am

Opinion

Editors note: For news about the congressional report, please click here.

The FDA takes exposure to toxic elements in the food supply extremely seriously, especially when it comes to protecting the health and safety of the youngest and most vulnerable in the population. Toxic elements, such as arsenic and lead, are present in the environment and may enter the food supply through soil, water or air. Because these elements occur in the environment, currently they cannot be completely avoided in the fruits, vegetables, or grains that are the basis for baby foods, juices, and infant cereals made by companies or by consumers who make their own foods. They also cannot be completely avoided by using organic farming practices. Our goal is to reduce exposure to toxic elements in foods to the greatest extent feasible and to further advance progress in this area through more research and enhanced collaboration among stakeholders.

FDA regulations and monitoring help to ensure the safety of baby foods sold or manufactured in the United States.

While the report released on February4, 2021 by the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy raises important questions on what more can be done to reduce toxic elements in baby foods, the FDA has been actively working on this issue using a risk-based approach to prioritize and target the agencys efforts. Consumers should know that FDA scientists routinely monitor levels of toxic elements in baby foods, along with other foods consumed in the countrys diet, through theTotal Diet Study. Further, the FDA also monitors baby food under the FDAs compliance program forToxic Elements in Food and Foodware, and Radionuclides in Foodand through targeted sampling assignments.

When toxic elements in food present a potential health concern, the FDA takes steps to reduce levels, such as using science to set action levels, making data public, and working with industry on identifying effective mitigation strategies.

For example, FDA sampling of infant rice cereal since 2011 has shown that manufacturers have made significant progress in reducing arsenic in infant rice cereal products through selective sourcing and testing of rice and rice-derived ingredients (e.g., rice flour). This progress has been advanced by the FDA through finalguidance to industryon action levels. Because of these efforts, infant rice cereal on the market now is safer than it was a decade ago and we expect that by using emerging science and good manufacturing practices companies will continue to reduce levels of arsenic in infant rice cereal.

Firms and individuals who manufacture or sell food have a legal responsibility under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to ensure the safety of their products. The FDA reviews information and takes action on a case-by-case basis. If the FDA finds that a product violates the law, the agency takes steps to stop the product from being imported, takes court action to stop its sale or recalls it if it is in the domestic market.

For example, onJanuary15, 2021the FDA ordered a U.S. company that had been put under court order for distributing adulterated food to stop distributing adulterated juice products containing potentially harmful levels of the toxic element inorganic arsenic and the mycotoxin patulin, until the company complies with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and other requirements in the court order. The FDA has also worked with several manufacturers whose products contained elevated levels of toxic elements, toremovethem from the market. In addition, between 2019-2020, approximately 65 import actions kept products with potentially elevated levels of toxic elements from entering the U.S.

The FDA currently has multiple ongoingImport Alertsfor toxic elements in food, including for arsenic in fruit juice, bottled water and dietary supplement products and for lead in candy, dried fruits, spices, dietary supplements, and other foods.

The FDA is continuing to work to ensure both domestic and imported foods meet the same standards for toxic elements.

For example, FDA scientists help ensure there are internationally-recognized standards to reduce the levels of toxic elements in foods by participating in Codex Alimentarius, an international food standard setting body of the Food and Agriculture Organization and World Health Organization. As part of FDAs work at Codex, our scientists have been instrumental in setting maximum levels and establishing codes of practices for toxic elements including lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury. Levels set by Codex, although not binding, can inform our regulatory decisions.

FDA provides consumers with actionable advice to limit exposure to toxic elements from food.

For example, consistent with the Congressional reports recommendations, the FDA has communicated advice about the importance of feeding infants a variety of grain-based infant cereals. Rice cereal fortified with iron is a good source of nutrients for infants, but it shouldnt be the only source and does not need to be the first one.

The FDA will continue working with our federal partners, industry and consumer and health advocates on our shared goal of reducing consumer exposure to toxic elements from food.

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)

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FDA responds to questions about report on lead, other toxins in baby food - Food Safety News

Best Exercises for Health and Weight Loss – The Jewish Voice

Posted: February 17, 2021 at 10:50 am

Think a single type of exercise will take care of all your needs? These tips can help you build a comprehensive fitness plan to improve your health and waistline.

Edited by: TJVNews.com

What are the best exercises for me?

For many of us, even when we understand how much regular exercise can improve our mental and physical health, the real challenge lies in developing an exercise routine that we can stick with. Its much easier to get up and get moving every day when you actually experience the results youre looking forwhether thats trimming your waistline, improving your sleep, mood, and energy, or easing symptoms of stress, anxiety, or depression.

Whatever benefits youre looking for from a fitness planand whatever your current fitness levelthe key is to mix different types of physical activity. The most effective exercise plans should include a mix ofthree elements: cardio (or aerobic) training, strength training, and flexibility and balance exercises. This will not only maximize the health benefits, it will also keep your workouts varied and interesting.

Of course, you can always sign up for personal training sessions at a gym, find workout plans online, or download a fitness app, but developing the right exercise plan doesnt have to be that complicated or expensive. These simple guidelines can help you make the most of your time and reap all the health and weight loss rewards of regular exercise.

How much exercise do I need?

The important thing to remember about exercise is that something is always better than nothing. By simply sitting less and moving more throughout your day, you can experience health benefits. For substantial health benefits, though, government guidelines in the U.S., UK, and other countries recommend that you aim for:

At least150 minutes (2.5 hours)of moderate-intensityactivity per week. Thats 30 minutes a day for 5 days a week, broken down into 10-minute bursts if thats easier.

OR

At least 75 minutesofvigorous-intensityexercise per weekwill deliver the same benefits, if your fitness level allows you to work out harder. That means running for 15 minutes, for example, instead of walking briskly for 30 minutes.

OR

You can combine both moderate- and vigorous-intensity exercise, remembering the general rule of thumb that 2 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise is the equivalent of 1 minute of vigorous-intensity activity.

AND DONT FORGET TO

Include muscle-strengthening activity at least twice a weekas part of your weekly totals.

Looking to lose weight?

You can gain additional health benefits by exercising for 300 minutes or more at moderate-intensity (or 150 minutes or more of vigorous-intensity exercise) each week. This can be especially beneficial for weight loss.

Start slowly

If youve never exercised before or have been sedentary for a long time, its advisable (after consulting with your doctor) to start off slowly and gradually build up to these activity levels. Instead of 30 minutes of walking 5 days a week, for example, start with 5 or 10 minutes and build up from there.

How many days a week should I work out?

A recent study in the UK found that people who squeeze all their exercise into one or two sessions over the weekend experiencealmostas many health benefits as those who work out more often. However, spreading your exercise sessions across three or more days a week may help reduce your risk of injury and keep your energy levels up throughout the week.

Moderate-intensity vs. vigorous-intensity exercise

Whether an activity is low, moderate, or vigorous intensity depends a lot on your personal fitness level. A brisk jog, for example, may be low intensity for a seasoned athlete but vigorous intensity for someone whos never exercised before.

Vary the intensity for faster results

Its safe to say that the ultimate goal for most people who exercise is to boost fitness while spending less time working out. But while most purported shortcuts are simply too good to be true, interval trainingbursts of vigorous-intensity activity alternating with lower-intensity activitycan actually deliver results.

For example, once youve warmed up, instead of walking at a moderate-intensity pace for 30 minutes, try interval training for 20 minutes. Walk at a moderate-intensity pace for one minute followed by jogging at a vigorous-intensity pace for one minute, then back to brisk walking for a minute, and so on. Or, you could alternate brisk walking with skipping rope or doing push-ups.

Alternating intensity in this way not only delivers cardiovascular benefits but can help you to squeeze a better workout into a shorter period of time. And as long as your doctor has cleared you to safely exercise this way, it can also help you lower your blood pressure, lose weight (especially around your middle), and maintain muscle mass. Interval training can also be a great way to vary your workouts and challenge your muscles in new ways.

Element 1: Cardio exercise

What it is:Cardiovascular or aerobic exercises are endurance activities that use your large muscle groups in rhythmic motion over a sustained period of time. Cardio workouts get your heart pumping and youll breathe harder than normal and may even feel a little short of breath. Cardio activities include:

Why its good for you:Whatever your age, cardio can help to increase your lung capacity, strengthen your heart and muscles, and improve your stamina and endurance. Cardio workouts can also:

Walking: an easy introduction to cardio exercise

Walkingbriskly for just 22 minutes a day will help you to reach your minimum weekly goal of 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity exerciseand in the process, lower your risk of heart disease and obesity. Walking doesnt require any special skills or training. Aside from a comfortable pair of shoes, you dont need any specialized equipment, and it can be done almost anywhere. You just have to resolve to get up and go.

Look for creative ways to fit a brisk walk into your daily schedule.Ditch the car and walk to the grocery store, for example, or take a walk during your lunch hour, or walk while youre talking on the phone.

Use a walk to clear your head.Use the time to take a break from the stressors of everyday life and give yourself some precious alone time. Fresh air and some time to think can work wonders for your mood.

Or make it a social event and walk with others. Invite friends, family members, or work colleagues to walk with you. Taking a walk can provide a great opportunity to catch up with an existing friend or strengthen the bond with a new one.

Enjoy time in nature. Walking in parks, on beaches, or along hiking trails or riverbanks can add to the mood boost you experience from exercising. Spending time in nature can release endorphins, the brains feel-good chemicals that improve mood and relieve stress.

Walk in a mall or on a treadmill. When the weathers bad, you can walk briskly around a mall while window shopping or use a treadmill in a gym or health club and catch up on your favorite TV show or podcast.

Walk a dog.If you dont own a dog, you canvolunteerto walk homeless dogs for an animal shelter or rescue group. Youll not only be helping yourself but also be helping to socialize and exercise the dogs, making them more adoptable.

Try mindful walking

Adding a mindfulness element to a walk can help break the flow of worries and negative thoughts that many of us experience when were stressed, anxious, or depressed. Instead of focusing on your thoughts, focus on how your body feels as you move. Notice the sensation of your feet hitting the ground, for example, or the feeling of the wind or sunlight on your skin, or the rhythm of your breathing.

Element 2: Strength training

What it is:Strength training, sometimes called resistance or power training, builds up muscles with repetitive motion using resistance from free weights, weight machines, elastic bands, or your own body weight. Power training is often strength training done at a faster speed to increase power and reaction times.

Examples of strength and power training activities include:

Why its good for you:Strength training builds and tones muscle and increases lean muscle mass. Aside from improving how you look and feel, resistance and power training can also:

The dos and donts of strength training

You dont need to spend hours every day lifting weights to enjoy the benefits of strength training. Exercising the major muscle groupslegs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and armsin 20- to 30-minute sessions twice a week is enough to deliver results and help keep you toned and strong.

Neither do you need to invest in a gym membership or buy expensive equipment for use at home. Inexpensive resistance bands can be used to exercise nearly every muscle in the bodyand they can also fit easily into a bag or suitcase so you dont need to put your fitness regime on pause when youre traveling or on vacation. There are even plenty of exercises you can do using your own body weight as resistance.

(www.HelpGuide.org)

Originally posted here:
Best Exercises for Health and Weight Loss - The Jewish Voice

How to Safely Get the Long Eyelashes You Want – AARP

Posted: February 17, 2021 at 10:50 am

Potential problems

Hypersensitivity or contact dermatitis, caused by an allergic reaction to the lashes themselves or the adhesive used to secure the extensions in place, is a possibility. (The solvents used to remove the extensions or the under-eye gel patches or tape used to cover the lower lashes can also cause problems.) This can lead to irritation in the form of redness, itching or burning. I've even seen people who experience so much swelling they can't open their eyes afterwards, says Ilyse Haberman, M.D., a New York Citybased ophthalmologist affiliated with NYU Langone Hospitals. If you experience burning or tear up during the application, speak up.

Another danger: If the individual extensions are too heavy, they put weight on your natural lashes, causing them to break or even fall out. The College of Optometrists in London has warned that repeated use of eyelash extensions can cause traction alopecia, a condition where the hair falls out due to excessive tension placed on the hair shaft. As a result, this can damage the hair follicle, which can slow down and even cease production of hair.

These bald spots are more than just unsightly. One of the functions of your lashes is to protect your eyes by helping to sweep debris away from your eyes, Thau explains. If you lose enough lashes and they sometimes don't grow back you're setting yourself up for eye problems down the road."

And then there are the problems that can pop up post-procedure. Women who want those pricey extensions to remain in place for as long as possible may slack off when it comes to hygiene. This encourages debris to accumulate in the lashes and oil glands that line the eyelid margins, potentially causing blepharitis (an inflammation of the eyelid and lash line) and styes (from a bacterial infection in the oil glands). What's more, you're at higher risk of getting eye mites at the base of the lash line because they're attracted to the bacteria and dead skin that's not being sloughed off, says Arian Fartash, an optometrist and the owner of Corona Vision Center in Southern California.

Practice good hygiene.Keep lashes and lid margins clean by washing them every night before bed. Oil-based products will break down the adhesive bond, causing lashes to shed prematurely, warns Fartash, who instead recommends We Love Eyes, a foaming oil-free cleanser, to patients. Another option, Fartash says, is hypochlorous eyelid cleansing spray. A lash sealant can also help, Richardson adds. Like a nail polish top coat, it creates a protective barrier around the adhesive, locking it in place and protecting it from dirt, oil and makeup."

Do your research.Find a reputable salon and stylist. Most states, though not all, require a license. Ask the stylist how many procedures she has done. Check online reviews to see what people are saying about their work, and look at before and after photographs on their website, advises Fartash, who has heard her fair share of horror stories from patients who haven't done their due diligence. There are people who go to nail salons to get extensions and end up with lashes glued under their eyelids, which scratch their eyes every time they blink.

Be sure the salon is sanitary.Employees should wash their hands and sterilize tools between customers.

Request a patch test.If having extensions applied for the first time, ask your stylist to do a patch test on your wrist, to be sure you're not allergic to the glue, Haberman suggests. But remember, even if you don't have a reaction in the salon, it is possible to have one for up to three days afterward.

Latisse:A prescription eyelash-growth treatment approved by the Food and Drug Administration, Latisse is swiped along the upper lash line, using a nail-brush-style applicator. One drop, before bed, is all you need for both eyes. (Since your eye should be closed during application, the solution will spread to the lower lash line.) It takes about three months to see full results. The only way to sustain the look is to keep using the stuff once you stop, lashes return to their original appearance.

Note of caution:If applied properly, Latisse is generally safe, though a small percentage of users may experience irritation or dry eye. Also, those who use drops to treat glaucoma should get the green light from their eye doctor before trying Latisse. And the serum may cause darkening of the eyelids, along the lash line, where the product is applied, which usually goes away once you stop using the product, says Vivian Shibayama, an optometrist at the UCLA Stein Eye Institute. The most-dreaded complication: an increased and permanent darkening of the iris though this kind of discoloration is rare. If you do develop problems, stop using the product and call your doctor.

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How to Safely Get the Long Eyelashes You Want - AARP

Military diet: All you need to know about the 3-day diet plan for weight loss – The Indian Express

Posted: February 17, 2021 at 10:50 am

There are many diet plans that people follow for weight loss depending on their health and well-being. But it must be noted that what may work for one person may not necessarily work for another in a similar way. Hence, it is always important to check with a qualified nutritionist before you take on any form of diet.

One such popular diet plan that everyone has been talking about is the Military diet, which promises weight loss in just three days.

Heres what you need to know.

As per the diet, one can lose up to 4.5 kg in a single week. And unlike many other diets, it is known to be economical as it does not require expensive supplements and foods. As the name suggests, the diet plan was reportedly designed by nutritionists to help soldiers reach the right weight and shape as quickly as possible. It is also called the army diet, navy diet, and even the ice cream diet.

Heres what it consists of

One has to follow a 3-day meal plan, followed by 4 days off. During the three days, one is encouraged to eat healthily but consume fewer calories. This weekly cycle is repeated for several weeks until the ideal goal weight is reached.

The food combinations are such that it helps burn fat and kickstart the metabolism which aids weight loss. On the four off days, a normal diet of 1300-1500 calories per day is recommended consisting of lean protein and vegetables. This is low on carbohydrates.

What can you drink?

While water can be consumed as much as possible, artificial sweeteners are to be avoided. One can also have herbal teas with stevia as a sweetener.

Heres what a sample meal plan consists:

Day 1

Breakfast grapefruit, 1 slice toast, 2 tablespoons of peanut butter, and a cup of tea/coffeeLunch cup tuna, 1 slice toast, and a cup of tea or coffeeDinner 2 slices of any type of meat, 1 cup green beans, banana, 1 small apple, and 1 cup vanilla ice cream

Day 2

Breakfast 1 egg, 1 slice toast, bananaLunch 1 cup cottage cheese/ 1 slice cheddar cheese, 1 hard-boiled egg, 5 saltine crackersDinner 2 hot dogs, 1 cup broccoli, cup carrots, banana, and cup vanilla ice cream

Day 3

Breakfast 5 soda crackers, 1 slice cheddar cheese, 1 small appleLunch 1 hard-boiled egg, 1 slice toastDinner 1 cup tuna, banana, 1 cup vanilla ice creamDo not consume any snacks in between.

Vegetarians and vegans can make easy swaps with nuts, lentils, tofu, and soy/tofu dogs. Vegans can eat nut/tofu cheese instead of cheddar, plus soy ice cream and vegan cottage cheese, as per WebMD.

Do you need to exercise more?

As per slimmingsolutions.com, walking for just 20 minutes can significantly boost ones weight loss on the diet.

What are the odds?

The diet works on the principle of creating a calorie deficit which helps lose weight faster. There are not many dietary restrictions which makes it easier to follow for a small duration of time.

However, since it is based on calorie deficit, it may create nutritional deficiencies if one follows it for several weeks at a stretch. This may also lead to fatigue. So, check with your nutritionist.

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Military diet: All you need to know about the 3-day diet plan for weight loss - The Indian Express


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