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Hello, it’s Thursday, September 7. You’re about to discover 6 ways to quickly calm your mind without meditation, 8 health benefits of “laugh yoga”, how to sleep your way to better productivity, a calming “Golden Moon” recipe, and more…

Essential

FDA Fast Tracks Drug for Dementia that Raises Risk of Death

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has fast tracked an antipsychotic drug known as brexpiprazole (Rexulti) for approval to be used in dementia, in spite of the fact that it did not show a “clinically meaningful benefit” in studies and also increased the risk of death, according to a report from the British Medical Journal (BMJ).

Brexpiprazole is set to become the first licensed antipsychotic for treating agitation in older dementia patients. This comes after years of work by the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to reduce the use of antipsychotic drugs for dementia patients following a warning in 2005 that they increased mortality risk by 60-70%.

The manufacturers of Rexulti are forecasting an additional $1 billion in annual sales of the drug. Clinical trials found that it barely outperformed a placebo– falling short of the “minimal clinically important” point– and increased the risk of death 4 times more than the placebo. No trials conducted in the U.S. showed any benefit of brexpiprazole for dementia patients.

“We are very disappointed that the FDA approved this additional label indication for brexpiprazole on such weak data,” said Nina Zeldes, a health researcher. “The FDA has set a dangerous precedent about the data it may require for future drug approvals for this vulnerable patient group.”

Vitamin D Could Improve Survival Rates for Digestive Cancers

Vitamin D supplementation is linked to a 1.5 higher survival rate for cancers of the digestive tract, including colorectal cancer, according to some recently summarized research. Getting adequate amounts of vitamin D has also been associated with a lower risk of developing colorectal cancer.

This analysis follows years of skepticism over whether vitamin D could provide any meaningful benefits for reducing cancer risk or mortality. Clinical trials have had mixed results with some showing potential benefits and others showing no benefit.

The latest summary pinpoints the immune system as an important piece of the puzzle. More specifically, cancer patients who had an immune system on “high alert” and took 2000 IUs of vitamin D daily had a 2.5 higher chance of survival. Patients whose immune system was not producing antibodies had no benefit from vitamin D.

Notably, the researchers point out that any potential benefits of vitamin D for digestive cancers were achieved using at least 2000 IUs daily. This high amount would need to come from a supplement, since it’s unlikely to be gained through diet or sun exposure alone.

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#1 Easiest Way to Eat Your Fruits & Vegetables

What if you could get a full cup of nutrient-packed vegetables just by eating a tasty bar?

Most people know how healthy whole fruits and vegetables are, but that doesn’t mean it's easy to fit them into your diet. After all, not everyone enjoys eating large bowls of kale everyday. Good Thinking Foods knows this, which is why they decided to make nutrition easier by creating their Good Thinking Bars. Each bar contains the equivalent of one whole cup of vegetables plus ½ cup of fruit and ⅙ cup of nuts. These bars— which come in three flavors— are also loaded with phytonutrients, like antioxidants and bioactive compounds, that support optimal brain function.

Find out more about the healthiest nutrition bars in the world here.

Important

8 Surprising Health Benefits of Quiet Time

Silence isn’t always comfortable, especially in a noisy world full of entertainment. But embracing quiet time can boost your health in a number of ways, including by lowering blood pressure, reducing cortisol (the stress hormone), and even improving sleep. It can also stimulate creativity and boosts concentration. Plus, some preliminary research shows that short periods of silence might stimulate brain growth. (More)

Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine May Benefit Heart Failure

Qiliqiangxin is a traditional Chinese medicine made of 11 different herbs, including ginseng, astragalus, danshen, and more. A recent study has found that this herbal medicine may have significant benefits for heart failure patients. Overall, it reduced hospitalization rates due to heart failure and lowered the risk of cardiovascular death. Qiliqiangxin was also well-tolerated and could be taken alongside standard medication for heart failure. (More)

Intermittent Fasting, Cutting Calories Could Improve Gut Health

Intermittent fasting and diets that cut back on calories are both strategies used for weight loss. A recent study compared them side by side to determine whether either one had a helpful impact on gut health as well as weight reduction. According to the findings, both strategies positively affected the gut microbiome. This suggests that healthy forms of weight loss could have the added benefit of improving gut health, regardless of which particular strategy is used. (More)

Drinking Water Quality Linked to Lung Infections in Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is a rare, life-threatening disorder in which the body produces thick mucus that can damage and trap bacteria in the lungs. According to some new research, higher levels of specific minerals and metals in drinking water may increase the risk of a lung infection caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in people with cystic fibrosis. Sulfate, vanadium, and molybdenum were specifically associated with the presence of certain types of NTM. (More)

5 Adaptogenic Herbs to Help You Feel Less Stressed

Adaptogens are a specific group of herbs (and mushrooms) that help your body cope with stress. Ashwagandha is one of the more well-known adaptogens and helps to calm your nervous system while also acting as an antioxidant. Ginseng combats stress as well and supports immune function at the same time– plus, the Asian type boosts energy. Eleuthero and rhodiola round out the list by alleviating both stress and fatigue. (More)

Worth Your While

7 Ways to Relieve Foot Pain from Standing All Day

6 Ways to Quickly Calm Your Mind Without Meditation

How to Do Laugh Yoga (+ 8 Amazing Benefits)

17 Top Foods for All-Day Energy

Your Personal Growth

How to Power Nap Your Way to Better Productivity

Compelling Health Fact

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death globally. In the U.S., someone suffers from a heart attack approximately every 40 seconds. A heart attack can hit at any time, but Mondays are the most common day of the week for one to occur.

Recipes

Quinoa Burrito Bowl

Vegetarian recipe filled with protein and fiber, plus easy homemade guac.

Golden Moon Milk

Ayurveda-inspired calming bedtime drink with stress-busting ashwagandha.

Honey Cinnamon Cashew Butter

Energy-boosting, delicious, and only 4 simple ingredients.

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100% Plant-Based Nutrition for Your Brain

Are you feeding your brain the food it needs to thrive?

Most people aren’t, but these nutrient-packed bars make optimal brain health much easier for you to achieve. Each bar contains only whole, plant-based ingredients (including a full cup of veggies) and are loaded with antioxidants that nourish and protect your brain. In fact, these bars are based on key foods included in the MIND and Mediterranean diets, which are two of the best for a clearer, sharper brain. Find out more about these brain-boosting bars here.

Laughter is the Best Medicine

> Did you hear about the heart-touching wedding? Even the cake was in tiers.

> Why shouldn’t you buy anything with Velcro? It’s a total rip-off.

> What sound does a witch’s vehicle make? Broooom broooom!

“Always and never are two words you should always remember never to use.”

-Wendell Johnson

Why Beat122? A "beat" is a genre of journalism focused on a particular sector. In our case, that sector is concise and unbiased natural health news that you can take action to live long and live well. The number 122 symbolizes positive change. And there is a double meaning to Beat122. The world's oldest person lived to age 122. Based on the science, we are certain you and many others can beat that, and our mission is to provide you with the best insights to do so!

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