Six arrests after nearly 250 children poisoned by lead in their food in China
Another 17 individuals are also "under disciplinary investigation", including the head of a local hospital, while 10 government officials have been held "accountable".
It comes after a scandal involving Heshi Peixin kindergarten in Maiji, northwestern China, emerged earlier this month.
Police said staff at the private kindergarten had been adding paint powder to food in an apparent bid to make it look more appealing.
Testing showed 247 out of 251 of the kindergarten's children and 28 members of staff had "abnormal blood levels".
A further five children who finished attending the kindergarten in 2024 also recorded abnormal levels of lead in their blood, according to investigators.
A Sky News team in Maiji had been accused of returning tests for lead showing much lower levels than at the bigger hospitals.
Investigators have now found the management of the Second People's Hospital of Tianshui was "chaotic" and its laboratory department had been illegally modifying the results of the blood lead tests.
The head of the hospital is one of the 17 people facing disciplinary investigation.
Sky News was told how one child was found to have lead in her blood at 38 times the normal level.
Read more from Sky News:
Lead poisoning at high levels can cause long term injuries to the brain and the central nervous system.
A mother who lived near the kindergarten said: "Now if people send children to primary school, the first thing they ask is are you safe?
"Can it guarantee the personal safety of our children in the future?"
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Adaptogens: What are they? And are they actually effective?
Feeling frazzled? Can't quite kick that midmorning slump? Enter adaptogens, a group of stress-fighting herbs and mushrooms that have started popping up in just about everything, from beverages to chocolate bars. Even though these compounds have been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda, they've become increasingly popular in the mainstream wellness world thanks to their potential to help your body naturally adapt to stress. In fact, the global adaptogens market is projected to surge to nearly $9 billion in 2025 and reach over $12 billion by 2035. In today's hectic world, it's clear that people are craving more natural ways to stay calm and balanced, and adaptogens are stepping into the spotlight. But despite all the buzz, there's still plenty of confusion about what adaptogens actually do, how they work and whether or not there's any science to back up their claims. Using my experience as a registered dietitian, I dove into the latest research and spoke with two integrative medicine physicians to better understand what adaptogens are and whether they're worth trying. Table of contents What are adaptogens? How they're thought to work What the science says Are adaptogens safe? Are adaptogens worth trying? Supplements to consider Meet our experts A note on supplements The products included on this list are dietary supplements. Statements about these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Dietary supplements are not appropriate for everyone and may interact with other supplements or medications, so talk to your health care provider before adding a dietary supplement to your routine. What are adaptogens? Adaptogens are natural substances found in various herbs, roots and mushrooms that have been used for centuries in traditional medicine and are believed to help the body adapt to all kinds of stress, including physical, mental and environmental stressors. They're thought to support the body's ability to maintain balance (known as homeostasis), helping you function more effectively under pressure. Some adaptogens have also been proposed to enhance endurance. In fact, they were first introduced into professional sports a little over 50 years ago as a way to boost physical performance and increase athletes' resilience to stress. Today, adaptogens are frequently featured in capsules, powders, teas, coffee and tinctures aimed at promoting relaxation, focus, endurance and immune health. Common adaptogens you might see on supplement or food labels include: Ginseng: Ginseng has been used as a calming agent in traditional Chinese medicine and has been promoted for stress, fatigue, anxiety and brain function. Ashwagandha: Ashwagandha is a shrub that grows in certain parts of Asia and Africa. It's typically used to help reduce stress and contains a group of substances called withanolides, which may have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Rhodiola: Rhodiola is a plant native to cold regions in Europe, Asia and North America. It's been used to support athletic performance (although studies are small and results are mixed), increase energy levels and boost mood. Reishi: Reishi is a type of mushroom with anti-inflammatory properties. It's most commonly used to support the immune system, though it's thought to be potentially protective against certain chronic diseases, like heart disease. That said, most studies have been performed in labs and on animals, not on humans, making it hard to determine the extent of these potential benefits. Cordyceps: This genus of parasitic fungi may support energy and athletic performance, although studies are small and limited. It has also been studied for its potential to stimulate the immune system and reduce chronic inflammation. Lion's mane: Another mushroom in the lineup, lion's mane has long been used to support brain and gut health, as well as to help the body respond to anxiety, stress and fatigue. Holy basil: Also sometimes called tulsi, holy basil is an herb that's believed to support general well-being and may support immune health, blood sugar management and mood, says Dr. Tokunbo Akandé, pediatrician, integrative medicine physician and founder of Harmony 360 Health. Eleuthero: Formerly known as Siberian ginseng, this herb has been purported to enhance endurance and reduce fatigue. It's important to note that while some adaptogens have more research than others to support their proposed benefits, overall research remains limited, but we'll get to that more in a bit. (back to top) How they're thought to work A 2025 review published in Applied Sciences indicates that adaptogens support your body's stress response system — especially the nervous system and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which plays a key role in regulating stress hormones like cortisol. "By modulating cortisol production and stress signaling, adaptogens may improve resilience, mental focus, energy and immune function," says Dr. Shad Marvasti, board-certified physician and medical director at HonorHealth Integrative Medicine. This may also help your body stay steady under pressure, whether you're short on sleep, dealing with a demanding job or even recovering from a red-eye flight. 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According to the review, taking ashwagandha supplements for 56 to 60 days was associated with reduced stress and lower cortisol levels compared with a placebo. Another review reported that short-term use led to a 32% drop in cortisol levels among healthy individuals. Though ashwagandha may offer short-term benefits, its long-term safety and effectiveness remain uncertain. Ginseng is another adaptogen with some evidence supporting its stress-relieving effects, though much of the research is older or based on small sample sizes. A 2023 study in the Journal of Ginseng Research, for example, found that 43 participants who took Korean red ginseng (also known as Asian or Panax ginseng) daily for eight weeks maintained more stable levels of serotonin and epinephrine — neurotransmitters involved in mood and stress regulation — compared with those in the placebo group, who experienced significant declines. Among participants with higher self-reported stress, those taking ginseng also showed smaller increases in cortisol and a milder drop in serotonin. As for other adaptogens, such as holy basil, lion's mane, rhodiola and eleuthero, human research on their stress-relieving effects remains limited or lacking altogether. Overall, while the stress-relief claims of adaptogens are enticing, it's important to take them with a grain of salt. They may help with short-term memory and other cognitive tasks Emerging research suggests that adaptogens may offer some brain-boosting benefits. A 2025 review in Nutrients reported that several small studies found daily ashwagandha extract may improve memory and attention and reduce fatigue in both healthy adults and individuals with cognitive impairment. Lion's mane also shows promise, with one review suggesting potential cognitive benefits in middle-aged and older adults. Meanwhile, a 2024 meta-analysis published in Phytotherapy Research found that ginseng had a significant effect on memory, although it did not produce meaningful improvements in overall cognition or attention. Overall, while early findings are encouraging, the evidence for adaptogens in supporting memory and cognitive function remains inconclusive. Larger, well-controlled human trials are needed to confirm their effectiveness and identify optimal dosages. They may fight fatigue, though research is mixed Another draw of adaptogens is their potential to combat fatigue. However, according to the 2023 meta-analysis in the Journal of Functional Foods mentioned earlier, research on various adaptogens for fatigue is mixed and more data is needed before conclusions can be made. They may help boost athletic performance Although adaptogens have a longer history of use by competitive athletes, they've more recently gained popularity among everyday gym-goers. Their appeal stems from their reputation for enhancing stamina, performance and recovery. Scientifically, the idea has some logic: Exercise is a form of physical stress, so if certain plant compounds help the body adapt to stress, they might also support greater endurance or performance under physical strain. A 2021 review found that ashwagandha may benefit strength, power, VO2 max, fatigue and recovery in both trained and untrained healthy men and women. However, many of the included studies were small and carried a potential risk of funding bias. Ginseng, cordyceps and rhodiola also show some evidence of supporting athletic performance and recovery — particularly in trained individuals — but as with ashwagandha, larger and more rigorous studies are needed to help strengthen these results. They may help bolster your immune system Preliminary test tube and animal studies suggest that adaptogens may support immune function, likely due to their anti-inflammatory properties. A 2020 review in Pharmaceuticals concluded that certain adaptogenic herbs, including ashwagandha, rhodiola and schisandra, could be a useful addition to the management and prevention of viral respiratory infections. But more research is needed to determine the immune-supporting effects of specific adaptogens and define optimal dosages. (back to top) Are adaptogens safe? Adaptogens are generally well tolerated and considered safe for healthy adults, but they're not without risk. "Most adaptogens are safe when used appropriately, but they are not one-size-fits-all," says Akandé. "People with autoimmune conditions, thyroid disorders or those who are pregnant or breastfeeding should consult a health care provider first," he explains. Additionally, adaptogens may interfere with the effectiveness of certain medications, so it's important to check with your doctor or a registered dietitian before adding them to your routine. 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When taking adaptogens, start at a lower dose to assess your tolerance and never exceed the listed dosing recommendations, unless doing so under the specific supervision of a health care professional. (back to top) Are adaptogens worth trying? Adaptogens aren't a magic bullet for better health, and there's simply not enough research to definitively say they're worth the money. That said, if you're curious about whether these plant-based compounds could help your body better cope with stress, these products are generally safe to try — just talk with a health care professional first for personalized advice on safety and product recommendations. According to Marvasti, adaptogen supplements may be particularly helpful for individuals experiencing chronic stress, low energy or trouble focusing. It's important, however, to keep expectations in check. The effects of adaptogens are intended to be subtle and gradual — more of a gentle nudge than a dramatic shift. 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After all, adaptogens are just one piece of a broader wellness picture. "Adaptogens are a good complement to foundational wellness practices through healthy lifestyles including sleep, nutrition, movement and stress management," says Marvasti. (back to top) Supplements to consider We probably sound like a broken record, but it's important to first talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian before adding any new supplements — including adaptogens — to your wellness routine. Once you get the go-ahead, here are a few brands and products worth looking into. (back to top) Meet our experts Tokunbo Akandé, MD, board-certified pediatrician, fellowship-trained integrative medicine physician and founder of Harmony 360 Health Shad Marvasti, MD, board-certified physician and medical director at HonorHealth Integrative Medicine (back to top) Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. 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