Hello, it’s Thursday, November 2. You’re about to discover a good reason to hit the SNOOZE button tomorrow morning, 5 top plant foods for strong muscles, how to make your long-term goals finally stick, a delicious “Pumpkincredible” recipe, and more…
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Weight Loss Drugs Linked to Pancreatitis, Stomach Paralysis
A class of drugs known as glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonists, which are now commonly used off-label for weight loss, have been linked in recent research to serious gastrointestinal issues, including pancreatitis, bowel obstruction, and stomach paralysis (gastroparesis).
This type of medication – going by brand names like Ozempic and Wegovy – is used to help manage type 2 diabetes but can also help with weight loss, in part by slowing digestion and making people feel fuller for longer.
To study the effects of GLP-1 agonists, researchers examined health information from over 16 million patients from the years 2006-2020. They compared overweight, non-diabetic patients taking GLP-1 agonists to those taking bupropion-naltrexone, a common weight loss drug.
Compared to bupropion-naltrexone, GLP-1 agonist users had more than a 9 times higher risk of pancreatitis, over 4 times higher risk of bowel obstruction, and a 3.67 times higher risk of gastroparesis. The overall risks of any of these conditions is still fairly small, but the study authors believe patients should be made aware of them before taking GLP-1 agonists for weight loss.
Plant-Based Diets May Help Alleviate Long COVID Symptoms
Long COVID is a significant “complication” of the COVID-19 virus in which often debilitating symptoms persist for weeks, months, or years after the original infection. Treatment options are currently limited, but some emerging evidence suggests that plant-based diets may help with recovery.
Eating a diet rich in whole plant foods has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects and to help with many separate symptoms of long COVID, including fatigue, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, joint stiffness, and musculoskeletal pain.
The Mediterranean diet, in particular, has been linked in observational studies to better recovery outcomes after COVID-19 and a lower risk of infection. Also, the abundance of micronutrients and bioactive compounds found in all types of whole food, plant-based diets provide immune support that may aid recovery from viral infections.
This accumulated research has led some health experts to start recommending diet changes for patients with long COVID, but it’s important to note that no clinical trials have proven the effects of any specific diet for long COVID symptoms yet, although at least one is currently underway.
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Curb Cravings & Restore Your Energy the Easy Way
What if boosting your energy, improving your mood, and supporting healthy metabolism was as simple as drinking a cup of cocoa?
That might sound like wishful thinking, and it would be if you were to drink a standard sugar-laden beverage made with chemically-processed cocoa that’s been stripped of nutrients. However, pure cacao (the raw, “alive” form of cocoa) has numerous health benefits that would fill several pages. It contains potent antioxidants that fight inflammation and is a natural source of anandamide, a feel-good compound known as “the bliss molecule.” That’s why Earth Echo made pure, ceremonial-grade cacao the base of their indulgent Cacao Bliss superfood drink, which also contains turmeric for more inflammation-fighting power, MCT oil to curb food cravings, and cinnamon to support healthy blood sugar levels. It’s truly a “chocolate elixir” you can enjoy with ZERO guilt.
Find out more about the decadent, USDA Certified Organic Cacao Bliss here.
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8 Common Medications That Can Cause Dehydration
Certain medications pull water from your body, which means they can leave you feeling thirsty and may significantly dehydrate you. Laxatives are an example of this, flushing out water when they stimulate bowel movements. Many oral drugs for type 2 diabetes have a diuretic effect, meaning your kidneys pull in more water to dilute urine, as do certain meds for high blood pressure (commonly known as “water pills”). Lithium, a mood stabilizer for bipolar disorder, and Excedrin Migraine can also increase water loss via urination. (More)
Contaminants May Be Present in Cannabis, Hemp Flowers
Cannabis and hemp products are still relatively new in the U.S., although their use for medical purposes is growing. However, a recent study cautions that even medical cannabis can contain contaminants, including pathogenic fungi and mycotoxins, that may make people sick. The study authors encourage better U.S. and international standards for limiting these contaminants and advise immunocompromised people to be especially careful when choosing these products. (More)
Low Muscle Mass Could Increase Death Risk for Diabetics
Sarcopenia is the technical term for losing muscle mass and strength, something that often happens with age. It’s associated with a higher risk of falls and mobility loss as well as an overall poorer quality of life. Unfortunately, those with insulin resistance or diabetes are at a higher risk for sarcopenia, and recent research in diabetics links it to a greater risk of death from any cause. The best way to slow muscle mass loss is through strength (resistance) training. (More)
Hitting the Snooze Button Might Actually Be Good for You
It’s been claimed that using the snooze button on your alarm has a negative effect on your sleep cycle and ability to wake up in the morning. However, a new study found that this might be a myth. Apart from a little drowsiness after waking, hitting the snooze button did not have any bad effects on total night’s sleep, sleep quality, morning tiredness, daytime mood, or cortisol release. In fact, the “snoozers” performed a bit better on cognitive tests right after waking than non-snoozers, although the researchers did point out that the snooze button is not for everyone. (More)
7 Natural Remedies for Eczema
Eczema is the broad term for a group of highly frustrating inflammatory skin disorders. There’s no cure for it, but certain home remedies can help with relief and management. Coconut oil, for example, has shown a lot of promise for reducing inflammation and bacteria that can trigger eczema flare-ups. Using a humidifier can help skin during dry months, while stress-relieving activities like meditation and exercise may also reduce flare-ups. Oatmeal baths and a good moisturizer can be very soothing for skin as well. (More)
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Hormones are chemical messengers that coordinate hundreds of different functions in your body. Specialized glands make and release most of the 50+ hormones identified so far in the human body, but some organs like the kidneys, liver, and gut release hormones as well.
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| Partner of the day |  |
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> Did you hear about the claustrophobic astronaut? He needed a little space.
> What kind of exercises do couch potatoes do? Diddly-squats.
> What do you call a magic dog? A labracadabrador.
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“There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still.”
-Franklin D. Roosevelt
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