THURSDAY, Sept. 1, 2022 (HealthDay News) — Skin lightening merchandise might be harmful for shoppers once they include dangerous elements which might be unlawful for over-the-counter gross sales, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned Wednesday.

The doubtlessly dangerous elements are hydroquinone or mercury, the company stated in a information launch.

People who’ve used merchandise with hydroquinone have suffered unwanted effects that included rashes, facial swelling, and everlasting pores and skin discoloration, the FDA warned. Meanwhile, mercury is extremely poisonous and might injury the nervous, digestive and immune programs, in addition to the lungs, kidneys, pores and skin and eyes.

Skin lightening merchandise are marketed as therapies for uneven pores and skin tone, zits, age spots, freckles and wrinkles. Companies could describe pores and skin lightening merchandise as pores and skin bleaching, fading, night, brightening or whitening merchandise. The merchandise are sometimes bought as lotions, lotions, soaps or powders in retailers that cater to Hispanic/Latino, Asian, African or Middle Eastern communities, the FDA stated.

These merchandise restrict the pores and skin’s manufacturing of melanin, chargeable for pores and skin, hair and eye coloration. But hydroquinone and mercury can construct up within the physique over time.

“Skin lightening merchandise containing hydroquinone should not permitted for over-the-counter sale,” the FDA stated. “However, you may get a prescription pores and skin product containing hydroquinone out of your well being care supplier. The use of mercury in pores and skin lightening merchandise is banned.”

Consumers ought to test product labels and keep away from these containing hydroquinone or mercury. Mercury could also be listed as mercurous chloride, calomel, mercuric, mercurio or Hg. Illegal merchandise could also be inaccurately labeled. Avoid merchandise with handmade labels, labels in languages apart from English, or no label in any respect, the FDA stated.

Report any unhealthy response from a pores and skin product to your well being care supplier and to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm or by calling 1-800-FDA-1088.

More info

The World Health Organization has extra on mercury in pores and skin merchandise.

SOURCE: U.S. Food and Drug Administration, information launch, Aug. 30, 2022

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By Steven Reinberg HealthDay Reporter

HealthDay Reporter

MONDAY, Aug. 15, 2022 (HealthDay News) — The risks of faculty site visitors is a serious fear for a lot of dad and mom, a brand new ballot finds.

In truth, a 3rd of greater than 900 dad and mom surveyed final spring mentioned dashing and distracted father or mother drivers are their fundamental concern, and drivers who do not observe the principles ought to be banned from college parking areas.

According to the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health from University of Michigan Health, dad and mom stress that faculty site visitors could be hazardous to youngsters’ security. It’s a scene with rushed drivers, automobiles within the unsuitable spot, and youngsters making an attempt to get by way of the mass of automobiles and buses.

“Many dad and mom dread returning to the day by day problem of getting youngsters to highschool, and one of many prime issues entails youngsters safely strolling by way of automobile and bus site visitors,” Mott Poll co-director Sarah Clark mentioned in a ballot information launch.

Nearly a 3rd of oldsters concern for his or her kid’s security going to and from college, with greater than 25% pondering it doubtless {that a} little one will get damage close to the drop-off space.

Along with dashing and distracted drivers, different security issues included parking in no-parking areas, dropping off youngsters within the unsuitable place, youngsters not staying on sidewalks, and distracted bus drivers.

“Most colleges have a plan to handle site visitors and reduce the necessity for youngsters to stroll in entrance of or between automobiles,” Clark mentioned. “When dad and mom do not observe these guidelines, it disrupts the site visitors movement and should imply different dad and mom should drop off or choose up their little one in the midst of the street. This state of affairs could also be much more harmful if dad and mom are distracted by telephones or in a rush.”

School officers ought to take motion when dad and mom do not obey site visitors guidelines, most dad and mom say. About two-thirds of oldsters say the varsity ought to use cones, gates or different boundaries to direct site visitors. Also, most say cops ought to give warnings or tickets to oldsters who violate site visitors guidelines.

“Parents in our report overwhelmingly need college officers to be extra proactive in addressing college site visitors issues,” Clark mentioned.

Continued

Elementary college youngsters are most weak to site visitors accidents as a result of they’re much less more likely to know when it is protected to cross the road.

“Parents ought to first guarantee they’re constantly following the site visitors guidelines themselves. They may also take steps to organize their little one to journey safely to and from college by ensuring they at all times look each methods for site visitors,” Clark mentioned.

“School officers also needs to do their half to pay attention to any security issues and strictly implement guidelines,” she mentioned. “Ultimately, the accountability for protecting youngsters protected lies with the adults within the college neighborhood, together with dad and mom, bus drivers, college officers and legislation enforcement.”

More info

For extra on college site visitors security, see the U.S. Department of Transportation.

SOURCE: C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health, information launch, Aug. 10, 2022

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In early 2022, information shops nationwide picked up the story of a school scholar in Massachusetts who needed to get his legs and fingers amputated after alleged meals poisoning from leftover lo mein noodles. It turned out that the sickness was really attributable to a meningococcal blood an infection and had nothing to do with spoiled meals. But the story reminded individuals in regards to the significance of leftover meals security.

What Bacteria Lurk in Your Leftovers?

Bacteria are tough to identify. Many instances, the contaminated leftovers look, style, and odor wonderful, in line with Juan Leon, a researcher at Emory University. Here are some widespread bacterial culprits that may lurk in your meals and how one can forestall them:

Bacillus cereus: Uncooked pasta or rice might include spores of a micro organism known as Bacillus cereus. Spores are tiny protecting capsules that enable the micro organism to hibernate till they’re able to develop. These spores can survive at excessive temperatures, so cooking gained’t kill them. After the rice is cooked and cools to room temperature, the micro organism “wake up” and begin to develop.

Both the micro organism and its toxins could make you sick. The longer you allow cooked rice or pasta out, the extra possible it’s to have these micro organism and their toxins. If you eat the contaminated meals, you’ll begin to throw up or have diarrhea inside just a few hours. These signs can final about 24 hours.

Eat pasta and rice instantly after cooking it. Afterward, cool it shortly by storing it within the fridge. Eat the leftovers inside 1 day. When you reheat it, verify that each one the rice is steaming. Don’t reheat it once more: If you may have any left while you’re completed, throw it out.

Clostridium botulinum: Baked potatoes wrapped in foil are a well-liked and straightforward facet. But potatoes can include spores of Clostridium botulinum micro organism. These spores can survive oven temperatures. In the suitable circumstances, like when foil locks out oxygen, these micro organism can develop and make the lethal toxin that causes botulism. Paralysis and respiration issues often start 18-36 hours after consuming meals contaminated with these toxins.

If you roast potatoes in foil, make certain to eat them or put them within the fridge inside 2 hours.

Clostridium perfringens: These micro organism are carefully associated to the germs that may contaminate baked potatoes, however Clostridium perfringens prefers leftover meat. Usually, C. perfringens impacts dishes like roast beef and entire turkey. If contaminated meat is cooked and left at room temperature for too lengthy, these spores can begin to develop. After you eat the contaminated meals, the micro organism begin to make toxins in your physique. These toxins trigger diarrhea in 6-24 hours.

Always cook dinner meat, particularly massive batches of it, to a protected temperature. If you’re serving it buffet-style, use a heating gadget to maintain it hotter than 140 F. Store leftovers within the fridge straight away at 40 F or under. Reheat your meals to 165 F all through earlier than consuming.

Salmonella: You might need heard that you just shouldn’t style uncooked cookie dough. That’s as a result of egg and flour can carry Salmonella micro organism. But what in regards to the frozen cookie dough left over from final Christmas? Unfortunately, freezing doesn’t kill micro organism. So frozen cookie dough nonetheless may carry Salmonella. This kind of micro organism could cause nausea, diarrhea, and fever inside hours or days.

Luckily, it’s straightforward to take away this sort of micro organism from leftover cookie dough: refrigerate straight away and earlier than having fun with, merely cook dinner or reheat.

Staphylococcus aureus:Staphylococcus aureus micro organism can develop in meals that’s unnoticed for too lengthy. These micro organism are discovered almost all over the place, from our pores and skin to counter tops, so it’s very straightforward for meals to turn into contaminated. Staphylococcus don’t type spores, however they do make toxins that trigger stomach ache and diarrhea. Reheating the meals will kill the micro organism, however the toxins will stay. The micro organism can develop in quite a lot of meals, together with meat, eggs, salads, dairy merchandise, and baked items.

To assist forestall Staphylococcus poisoning, don’t go away leftovers unrefrigerated for greater than 2 hours.

The Importance of Hand-Washing

Even in case your leftovers are refrigerated and saved safely, touching them with soiled palms might introduce new germs, bacterial and in any other case.

“With some microorganisms, you need very little to cause a big effect,” Leon says. For instance, solely 18 norovirus particles are sufficient to make somebody sick.

To put that in perspective, an contaminated individual has “about 10 billion noroviruses per gram of stool [poop], and each of us defecates (poops) about 200 grams of stool,” in line with Leon. If you don’t wash your palms earlier than grabbing that slice of chilly pizza, it could possibly be very straightforward to unfold these germs.

When getting ready leftovers in his personal kitchen, Leon by no means skips the nice and cozy water and cleaning soap. “Hands tend to be the most likely vehicle of food contamination,” he says, “So if you take care of hand hygiene, generally you’re fine.”

There will all the time be some danger, Leon highlights. “We will never get down to zero risk, but what we can do is reduce the risk as much as possible by practicing good food safety habits.”

Tips for Leftover Food Safety

The means of storing, thawing, and reheating leftover meals provides many alternatives for micro organism to develop, in addition to different well being dangers. You may also help shield your self from the 5 widespread varieties of micro organism (and different germs) in leftovers by following these tips. Remember to clean your palms earlier than finishing any of those steps.

Storing

Bacteria develop quickest at 40 to 140 F, or anyplace between the temperature of your fridge and a sizzling cup of tea. These temperatures are known as the “food danger zone.”

After you eat, cool your leftovers quickly so that they don’t keep within the hazard zone for too lengthy. Don’t go away meals in your countertop for greater than 2 hours (or 1 hour, if it’s 90 F or hotter). Put leftovers within the fridge straight away, even when they’re nonetheless sizzling. If you may have loads of leftovers and are nervous about heating up your fridge, strive dividing the meal into smaller containers. Smaller parts cool extra shortly than bigger parts.

Proper storage will assist maintain moisture in and micro organism out. Wrap leftovers tightly or seal them in hermetic containers.

Most refrigerated leftovers are protected for 3-4 days. If you gained’t be capable of eat the leftovers inside 4 days, freeze them. They’ll often keep protected within the freezer for 3-4 months.

Thawing

You can thaw meals within the fridge, chilly water, or the microwave. The fridge technique is most secure as a result of it retains your entire dish at a protected temperature the entire time. If you utilize chilly water, shield the meals in a sealed bag. Make certain the bag doesn’t have any holes; if it leaks, micro organism out of your sink can splash onto the meals. If you thaw meals within the microwave, use a meals thermometer to verify that the leftovers are heated to at the least 165 F.

Eat or refreeze thawed meals inside 3-4 days. If you thaw meals with the chilly water technique, cook dinner the leftovers earlier than refreezing.

Reheating

Look for containers which are labeled as microwave-safe. Don’t reheat takeout containers or frozen dinner trays. Glass, paper, ceramic, and a few varieties of plastic are protected to reheat in a microwave. But some varieties of plastic include chemical compounds that may leak into your meals whereas being microwaved. Reheating fatty meals like meat or cheese can elevate your possibilities for contamination. These meals can shortly attain excessive temperatures, inflicting plastic to soften. If you utilize plastic wrap, don’t let it contact the recent meals.

When reheating meals within the microwave, cowl the dish and rotate it often. Make certain the masking has holes so steam can escape. Microwaves can go away chilly spots, so let the meals relaxation a minute so the warmth can unfold. Then verify the temperature in just a few completely different locations. It must be steaming all through.

When reheating sauces, soups, and gravies on the stovetop, convey them to a rolling boil. Cover the pot with a lid to protect moisture and assist the meals reheat evenly.

Whether you might be utilizing the microwave or the range, warmth leftovers till they’re 165 F all through. Check the leftovers’ inside temperature with a meals thermometer. Don’t reheat issues in a stress cooker, as a result of they don’t all the time get sizzling sufficient to kill micro organism.

If in Doubt…

When doubtful, throw it out. Don’t style iffy leftovers. You usually can’t style or odor harmful germs.

The post Leftover Food Dangers and How to Avoid Them appeared first on Healthy and Slim Life.

Jan. 26, 2022 — Are you considering of including dietary supplements to your weight loss program? While dietary supplements will be useful in some instances, they could be a very slippery slope, and customers should proceed with warning, one registered dietitian nutritionist says. 

Jamie Lee McIntyre, a dietitian and diet marketing consultant at JamieLeeRDN.com, says she sees extra curiosity in supplementation each January with folks’s New Year’s resolutions. But there’s additionally a year-round curiosity, she says, particularly for the reason that pandemic started, making it much more essential to grasp the dangers and rewards related to them.

First off, it’s essential to notice that the FDA doesn’t regulate dietary supplements.

“Though they are sold over the counter, they can be as dangerous as medicine. The least dangerous worst-case scenario is a waste of money,” says McIntyre. “For example, megadoses of water-soluble vitamins are literally flushed down the toilet through urine when there is no medical need or true nutrition deficit in the person taking it.”

“The most dangerous worst-case scenarios can be a food and drug interaction, such as vitamin K interfering with blood thinning medications, or toxicity, which can happen with fat-soluble vitamins and others,” she continues.

Reading labels for certification will help however is one other place the place schooling is important. Many complement makers will go for testing by a third-party operator to indicate a top quality and exhibit that what’s on the label is certainly what’s within the bottle.

McIntyre recommends searching for certification from Informed Sport, NSF Certified for Sport, or USP should you’re checking.

Beyond studying labels, it’s important to grasp your precise wants earlier than popping tablets or including powders to your drinks. Liberal use of dietary supplements may cause a number of points, says McIntyre.

“One of my very first patients I met as a new dietitian was an individual hospitalized for a gastrointestinal bleed because of his regular use of a laundry list of vitamin supplements,” she says. “Many labels even warn of this. While toxicity and food and drug interactions are the most dangerous complications, less dangerous but undesirable issues can arise, such as masking a different deficiency or undiagnosed health condition, or creating a new issue or symptom from taking an unnecessary supplement.”

For these trying to enhance health features through dietary supplements particularly for that goal, the slope will be simply as slippery.

“I often see clients taking pre-workout or ‘energy-boosting’ supplements, with high amounts of caffeine,” says McIntyre. “This can lead to diarrhea, rapid and irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, and dizziness, among other issues. Another common side effect is gastrointestinal distress and upset stomach.”

How to Get It Right

If you’re questioning should you want a complement of any kind and need to add it to your weight loss program in a secure method, there are steps to take to perform that. The first and finest option to go about supplementation is to begin together with your physician or a registered dietitian.

“I first perform a full nutrition assessment, complete with review of past medical history, allergies, current and past medication use, current supplement use, lab work (most often chem, heme and lipid panels), and, of course, a diet review using food logs or food questionnaires to understand where they stand in terms of current nutrient intake,” says McIntyre. “Labs that I would order separate from the panels I’ve mentioned would be iron and total binding capacity, ferritin, B12 and folic acids, as well as vitamin D.”

Depending in your way of life, this strategy could range.

“For certain populations, like athletes considering low-risk supplementation, lab work may not be necessary for implementing a product like creatine monohydrate. Or if I know a client is having a tough time meeting protein needs on a vegan diet, a minimal-ingredient plant-based protein powder could be low-risk,” McIntyre says. “As with all things nutrition-related, it comes down to the individual and what is required to determine the best approach truly specific to them.”

What about taking a easy multivitamin? Should you verify in with a health care provider or registered dietitian for that?

“A single multivitamin, in the absence of other nutrients and serious health conditions, can be a good insurance plan,” says McIntyre. “If a person has decided to take a multivitamin, I recommend looking for one that is third-party tested, contains nutrient dosing specific to the person’s needs based on sex and age, has good bioavailability of key nutrients, is convenient, and sold at a reasonable cost.”

Some multivitamins are focused to particular populations, like post-menopausal ladies, for instance. While these would possibly appear to be the fitting thought, you must once more tread fastidiously earlier than you’re taking one. For occasion, be cautious of dietary supplements that promise hormone stability or are in any other case not normal follow with out first getting a full diet evaluation and confirmed medical want for such a complement.

This holds true on this present second of the pandemic, too. Misinformation about what dietary supplements can and may’t do to forestall or treatment COVID is widespread.

“You cannot, nor would you want to, ‘boost’ your immune system with supplements,” warns McIntyre. “Yes, it is true certain nutrients support immune health. Vitamins A, C, and E, and minerals like zinc, all play a role in immune system function.”

That mentioned, “there is no need to take supplements if you eat a balanced diet, so the recommendation should be to include these foods in your daily diet for essential nutrients that support your immune system.”

And in a really perfect world, you’ll do exactly that — get the vitamins you want, with out dietary supplements.

“If there is a perceived, specific need for supplementation, it is always best to review your interest with your physician, dietitian, and pharmacist so that they can best help you navigate and choose what is right for you,” says McIntyre.

The post To Supplement or Not? Understanding the Benefits and Dangers appeared first on Healthy and Slim Life.