[{"_type":"story","category":"health","_rev":"r3PTtwKzzZk7giQHBKd2zp","_updatedAt":"2024-05-10T02:37:11Z","_createdAt":"2024-05-09T19:28:42Z","body":[{"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"7aa460a7d1e0","markDefs":[{"_key":"e14a8f29b2fc","_type":"link","href":"https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/06/well/eat/ultraprocessed-foods-harmful-health.html"}],"children":[{"marks":[],"text":"Even if you’re not a particularly health-conscious consumer, you’ve probably heard a thing or two about so-called “ultraprocessed foods,” or UPFs, and the long-term health concerns ","_key":"7726eb81948e0","_type":"span"},{"_type":"span","marks":["e14a8f29b2fc"],"text":"associated","_key":"7726eb81948e1"},{"marks":[],"text":" with consuming such products.","_key":"7726eb81948e2","_type":"span"}]},{"style":"normal","_key":"299394df94be","markDefs":[],"children":[{"_key":"6e45c91354160","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Among the most commonly cited issues that have been linked to these foods are "},{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"obesity, diabetes, heart disease, digestive issues, mental health problems, and premature death","_key":"e46f0b3ce505"},{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":". But even though experts seem to have a grasp on the “what,” they’re still trying to fully understand the “why.”","_key":"c165f7a587cc"}],"_type":"block"},{"_key":"6750d3cd1649","markDefs":[],"children":[{"text":"Defining the terms","_key":"e1b39a158c120","_type":"span","marks":["strong"]}],"_type":"block","style":"normal"},{"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Before we get into some of the gaps in our understanding of UPFs, let’s take a look at what they are and how they fit into a widely referenced food classification system:","_key":"3bf50921cb160"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"eb4b8bd6ce19","markDefs":[]},{"markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"Unprocessed/minimally processed foods","_key":"513e746464ed0"},{"text":": Fresh/frozen produce, eggs, meat, flour, rice, etc.","_key":"7d57624d2053","_type":"span","marks":[]}],"level":1,"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"73d8e49b8498","listItem":"bullet"},{"_key":"e28a3c54e324","listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"Processed culinary ingredients","_key":"057aa610d64b0"},{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":": Preserved items used in cooking like oils, honey, vinegar, butter, and sugar.","_key":"6aac9750352c"}],"level":1,"_type":"block","style":"normal"},{"markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"Processed foods","_key":"d4388e81855c0"},{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":": Canned, bottled, baked, or otherwise preserved, including beans and cheese.","_key":"d9ebd0c405cd"}],"level":1,"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"32f2a41e1566","listItem":"bullet"},{"style":"normal","_key":"a205aa9c9d37","listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"children":[{"text":"Ultraprocessed foods","_key":"bdfab06f9dfc0","_type":"span","marks":["strong"]},{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":": Additive-laden foods that range from cereal to chicken nuggets to energy drinks.","_key":"205754a20322"}],"level":1,"_type":"block"},{"markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"Analyzing the data","_key":"82879081b3fd0"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"84d9a1dfc0ac"},{"style":"normal","_key":"4667faab8ef3","markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Scientists have been studying the impact of UPFs for decades, during which time consumption of such foods has increased significantly. About two-thirds of the calories consumed by U.S. kids come from this category.","_key":"f733336346770"}],"_type":"block"},{"markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Widespread weight gain and a rise in various diseases are believed to be associated with this trend … but some experts say it’s not fair to vilify all UPFs. The categorization ","_key":"f56466ebf74a0"},{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"doesn’t take into account the nutrition","_key":"0e269e0ce3be"},{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":" included in these foods, so it’s important to recognize the difference between, say, infant formula and soda — both of which would fall under the UPF banner.","_key":"1cf6fbde955c"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"2f76795e8c84"},{"style":"normal","_key":"1f98c116d55e","markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Sure, it’s good to include plenty of fresh fruits and veggies in your diet. 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Medical ","_key":"3d87771f42f40"},{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"breakthroughs","_key":"35179b00a886"},{"marks":[],"text":" and broader ","_key":"a23c9d58c467","_type":"span"},{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"access","_key":"3879bfdef8d4"},{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":" to safe food have contributed to this trend, but humans still naturally want to ","_key":"eed112ad6613"},{"_type":"span","marks":["7dd8f7ebb2a1"],"text":"maximize","_key":"3d87771f42f41"},{"marks":[],"text":" the number of healthy years in their lives.","_key":"3d87771f42f42","_type":"span"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"0fee5b2bb072"},{"markDefs":[],"children":[{"_key":"f32a906b08670","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"And a growing number of them are plopping down big bucks in hopes of achieving that goal."}],"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"9a3e6a4690b9"},{"markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"Introducing the “longevity clinic”","_key":"d3de9210e6e10"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"cfc470dbac93"},{"markDefs":[],"children":[{"marks":[],"text":"It’s a relatively new pursuit within the healthcare realm, but the aim of longevity clinics is the same as countless programs that came before it. 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Decades ago, scientists warned of the serious health risks associated with exposure to the element, and a massive effort was soon underway to "},{"_type":"span","marks":["3018a822f20b"],"text":"eradicate","_key":"8d8b22e98b661"},{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":" such threats … but it didn’t completely solve the problem.","_key":"8d8b22e98b662"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal"},{"children":[{"_key":"d49b87cb4afe0","_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"Recent recalls"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"312e8a0ecbe0","markDefs":[]},{"markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Pouches of cinnamon applesauce were recalled last year after troubling levels of lead were found in them. 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Regular injections cause a patient’s stomach to empty more slowly, thus making them feel less hungry.","_key":"ef21ffb7e944"}],"_type":"block"},{"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"49b21ccf9462","markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"There are plenty of reasons for patients and doctors to be optimistic about the results.","_key":"2a5ed7fbc05b0"}]},{"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"children":[{"text":"The average weight loss is","_key":"ca812513568a0","_type":"span","marks":[]},{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":" between 10% and 20%","_key":"5552ca4e4f06"},{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":" of total body weight","_key":"5001bcdbc7fa"}],"level":1,"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"e6bef0d3b006"},{"markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Semaglutide could","_key":"9b23d4800d1a0"},{"_key":"22369542f860","_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":" reduce the risk of heart disease"},{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":" by as much as 20%","_key":"bfb9c156a585"}],"level":1,"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"fd2366bad1c7","listItem":"bullet"},{"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"f6e34e842423","listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"These drugs have received","_key":"41edf9476c420"},{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":" endorsements from big stars","_key":"68b12130f163"},{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":" including Oprah","_key":"b86ecc2651f5"}],"level":1},{"style":"normal","_key":"7bed84166608","markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"But should the roughly","_key":"b474eb3c0d310"},{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":" 70% of Americans","_key":"84bf535f7ff2"},{"text":" who are either overweight or obese be rushing out to get a prescription? Some skeptics aren’t so sure.","_key":"86c07e1e8cbb","_type":"span","marks":[]}],"_type":"block"},{"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"491c6057af2b","markDefs":[],"children":[{"marks":["strong"],"text":"Not quite a “miracle drug”","_key":"aca2b2523dfa0","_type":"span"}]},{"markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"In a recent NPR article Dr. Lisa Doggett laid out the case that, while Ozempic and similar medications have been credited with some impressive results, they don’t tackle the root causes of obesity. 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Age’ Tests: High-Tech Health Hack Or Pseudoscience Scam?","category":"health","body":[{"markDefs":[],"children":[{"marks":[],"text":"As more and more people gravitate toward technology as a way to help them stay healthy, a number of seemingly miraculous new services have begun to spring up — including a new class of tests aimed at determining a person’s “biological age.”","_key":"7de1499e63650","_type":"span"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"5212fe5a6d38"},{"style":"normal","_key":"3c951b9c5fca","markDefs":[{"_type":"link","href":"https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2024/02/05/1228753141/biological-age-test-dna","_key":"2ba2259d1bd8"}],"children":[{"text":"But as we’ve learned from supposed breakthroughs in the past, it’s ","_key":"bbd863fecb4b0","_type":"span","marks":[]},{"_type":"span","marks":["2ba2259d1bd8"],"text":"important","_key":"bbd863fecb4b1"},{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":" not to take big claims at face value.","_key":"bbd863fecb4b2"}],"_type":"block"},{"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"What do the tests actually do?","_key":"caa6db9f97c20"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"d06e367add5e","markDefs":[]},{"markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Genetic material has long been used for other applications —","_key":"1d441f288a340"},{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":" from tracing genealogy to identifying vulnerabilities to hereditary diseases","_key":"57d51cd21258"},{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":" — and biological age tests are being marketed as the next step forward in this trend.","_key":"32b6679c638e"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"2369503cf3ad"},{"children":[{"_key":"4858201990310","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Broadly speaking, the purpose of the test is to identify the proliferation of methyl groups attached to DNA, which some scientists believe is an accurate gauge of how fast a person is genetically 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And this type of prolonged inactivity combined with behaviors (like using a computer, reading, or playing video games) that don’t use much physical energy can have serious consequences including, but not limited to:","_key":"34112dc3515b0"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal"},{"style":"normal","_key":"263c605df5fd","listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"children":[{"marks":[],"text":"An increased risk of ","_key":"424c9bfd61f30","_type":"span"},{"marks":["strong"],"text":"diabetes","_key":"79854f28d5f8","_type":"span"}],"level":1,"_type":"block"},{"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"The development of ","_key":"35dab71987390"},{"marks":["strong"],"text":"heart disease","_key":"5563676355be","_type":"span"}],"level":1,"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"bc37abc0a5ff","listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[]},{"_key":"2fd368748418","listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Elevated rates of ","_key":"f201b7d00ea4"},{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"cancer","_key":"23cb4d8dc7d6"}],"level":1,"_type":"block","style":"normal"},{"level":1,"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"019b68af5330","listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"Serious pain","_key":"2086989cb7260"},{"text":" in the back and joints","_key":"61f6374fda5a","_type":"span","marks":[]}]},{"level":1,"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"76f4bd64e8b1","listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"children":[{"text":"Higher chances of developing ","_key":"1a2d277409ef0","_type":"span","marks":[]},{"text":"blood clots","_key":"f018b0420a38","_type":"span","marks":["strong"]}]},{"markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"So what are we supposed to do?","_key":"0764d15972c80"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"97f6f5367e0a"},{"style":"normal","_key":"73b35cd31888","markDefs":[],"children":[{"marks":[],"text":"Fortunately, there are a few basic steps almost anyone can take to work some strategic movement into the daily routine.","_key":"e6c51586b2e50","_type":"span"}],"_type":"block"},{"_key":"25a14e24c0e2","markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Let’s start by referencing a recent study that found walking just five minutes per hour can start to reverse many of the negative impacts of a sedentary lifestyle. 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However, ","_key":"f231b48a0ed20"},{"text":"some comments raised questions about its safety","_key":"0b4019876cae","_type":"span","marks":["strong"]},{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":".","_key":"f5265c26bf3a"}]},{"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"8bf23ec0c45c","markDefs":[],"children":[{"marks":[],"text":"The co-star of “The Morning Show” weighed in by dismissing the naysayers.","_key":"cd214d26fc7d0","_type":"span"}]},{"markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"“OK, so we’re kind of in a category of ‘you only live once,’” she said. “And it snows maybe once a year here. I don’t know — also, I want to say something:","_key":"e83279d60e310"},{"marks":["strong"],"text":" It was delicious. It was so good","_key":"e7698a46eaed","_type":"span"},{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":".”","_key":"d00056bc0f2d"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"e7b00c6800c4"},{"_key":"19c46e4d3519","markDefs":[],"children":[{"_key":"4bc8d2dcf8060","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"She later pushed back against those who said snow isn’t safe because the impurities haven’t been filtered out, noting that she grew up drinking unfiltered water straight from the tap — or even the hose."}],"_type":"block","style":"normal"},{"_key":"e86fd5c20bbc","markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"Take it from an expert","_key":"8444d5a53e5c0"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal"},{"markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"While Witherspoon’s creation might be unique, the concept of creating “snow cream” and other snow-based treats has been around for generations — and is even a common topic on TikTok.","_key":"780698dfd3db0"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"0713eb8dd816"},{"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"But that","_key":"275cc32be8230"},{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":" doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a good idea","_key":"2ebd5d4aa7ea"},{"_key":"8bca92451967","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":", advises physician Jennifer Johnson."}],"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"3a4afd30f5c8","markDefs":[]},{"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"b5484db0ed4f","markDefs":[],"children":[{"text":"Snow is basically just water, she noted, but since it can pick up contaminants from the environment, it’s a potential source of illness … especially for immunocompromised folks.","_key":"b258a87a98630","_type":"span","marks":[]}]},{"style":"normal","_key":"2f9fa08a1337","markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Of course,","_key":"7b905242446c0"},{"marks":["strong"],"text":" not all snow is the same","_key":"37253ebf54e4","_type":"span"},{"text":", and freshly fallen powder is far less likely to contain harmful contaminants than snow that has been sitting for several days.","_key":"da7c2447c8e0","_type":"span","marks":[]}],"_type":"block"}],"_id":"f9ddfa39-a567-44b3-a3f1-431d553f6735","category":"health","author":{"_ref":"phCNL32Gn","_type":"reference"},"id":"UmJOmWCv","visibility":"true","summary":"Some say it's a harmless wintertime activity, but others aren't so sure."},{"title":"Weight-Loss Drugs: Miracle Cure Or Troubling Trend?","_createdAt":"2024-01-19T20:44:46Z","_updatedAt":"2024-01-19T20:47:49Z","_rev":"4A550hyVSGx50kBPRzkFWi","publishDate":"2024-01-20","id":"sdZzA8P7","author":{"_ref":"phCNL32Gn","_type":"reference"},"_type":"story","category":"health","body":[{"_key":"0bff2b3e26bb","markDefs":[{"_key":"de6228d053dc","_type":"link","href":"https://www.axios.com/2024/01/19/weight-loss-drugs-america-obesity-diabetes-risks"}],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Many folks who have struggled with their weight for years have wished for a simple drug that would help them shed those unwanted pounds. And with the proliferation of drugs like Ozempic (","_key":"8e58fd5f79150"},{"_key":"3b0a070d3915","_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"initially created to treat diabetes"},{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"), their wishes ","_key":"3b084fdef717"},{"_type":"span","marks":["de6228d053dc"],"text":"appeared","_key":"8e58fd5f79151"},{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":" to be granted.","_key":"8e58fd5f79152"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal"},{"style":"normal","_key":"66cd11ed0b91","markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"But like many things that seem too good to be true, there’s more to this story than meets the eye.","_key":"e6f82f2829de0"}],"_type":"block"},{"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"A brief overview","_key":"a1dc4bf6f2c20"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"3018071ae878","markDefs":[]},{"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"As it stands, this unique class of drug — collectively referred to as GLP-1 agonists — involves an injection that, for most people, inhibits appetite and leads to significant weight loss.","_key":"ee5a566641720"},{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":" The early results are impressive","_key":"3649fadde0bf"},{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":", to say the least, and many experts are optimistic that they can lessen the risk of heart failure and other serious obesity-related health problems.","_key":"639552b796d8"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"ef77716ed01e","markDefs":[]},{"markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"But that doesn’t mean it’s the right option for everyone who wants to lose weight. Since the treatment is so new and doctors are frequently put in the position of trying to figure out whether a patient would make a good candidate or not.","_key":"03934a5acc940"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"d8c59d43bda5"},{"children":[{"marks":["strong"],"text":"The good, bad, and ugly","_key":"71b6946d34ad0","_type":"span"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"f45266dec623","markDefs":[]},{"markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"While the upside of such treatments is pretty obvious, there are some significant pitfalls to consider.","_key":"a93383d16f3c0"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"c9e228bfd9d9"},{"markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"First of all, there’s the cost","_key":"7bb12c43b7600"},{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":". 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