Dr. Steven Gundry
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Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Is Urine The Secret Weapon Against Persistent Ant Hills In Your Yard?
There are tons of old wives' tales we tend to believe, even though there's little to no evidence to back them up. The five-second rule isn't real because germs can transfer almost instantly, and swallowing gum won't result in it being stuck in your stomach for seven years. But one of the more surprising claims going viral on social media is that urine can eliminate stubborn ant hills in your yard. Though there might be some evidence to back that claim up, the answer is a little more complicated than a simple yes or no. Instagram user @backyardgardengirl, who supports this claim, explains that collecting urine in a mason jar and sealing it for a few days allows it to ferment. This, in turn, allows time for ammonia to build up, a gas known for its strong, suffocating odor, especially at higher concentrations. Then pour the fermented urine over an ant hill, and it is believed to eliminate the mound (and kill some ants in the process) due to the effects of the ammonia. The day after applying the urine, you can rinse the area with water to help remove any lingering odor. Now, this isn't something recommended for daily use, but rather used as a sporadic extermination method you'd apply throughout the year to keep the ants under control. This method is a natural and chemical-free alternative to store-bought ant killers, and best of all, it doesn't cost anything to give it a try. But is there any evidence that proves it actually works? Why Human Urine Might Be An Effective Ant Exterminator As odd as it may sound, human urine could be an easy and effective method for getting rid of ant hills, but only when it's fermented and has high ammonium content. That's because ammonium is an effective ant killer and can even disrupt the pheromone trails ants leave behind that guide the rest of their colony to food and resources. While urine doesn't naturally contain ammonia, storing it allows the urea to break down into ammonia through a process called urea hydrolysis. According to a 2017 study published in the Journal of Environmental Management, untreated urine stored for 36 days saw its ammonium levels increase by 32%. When fermented properly and poured over an ant hill, especially one containing the queen, it may help break down the mound, disrupt the colony, and even kill off some ants. How well it works depends entirely on how strong the ammonium concentration is. Deciding how long you should let the urine sit and ferment is a little ambiguous. The scientific study says ammonia levels rose by 32% after 36 days. @backyardgardengirl didn't specify their time frame, but "let it sit for days," and was successful in keeping their lawn ant-free. So perhaps a trial-and-error approach might work best here. Urine containing high amounts of ammonia might break down an ant hill and hopefully put an end to ants in one easy hack. However, there's a chance human urine just isn't an effective ant exterminator. And that's because ants are generally attracted to urine, especially if it comes from someone with Type 1 diabetes, whose urine typically contains larger amounts of glucose. Because human urine contains urea, a compound formed when the kidneys break down proteins, ants are naturally drawn to it. A study conducted by wildlife ecologist Dr. S. Topa Petit and published in Austral Ecology tested several baits, including urea, human urine, sugar water, and even kangaroo urine. The researchers discovered ants were most attracted to the urea, and preferred human urine over kangaroo. Ultimately, when considering this DIY pest control method, it seems to all come down to the fermenting process, which breaks the urea down into ammonia. If urine is fermented for a long enough period, it undergoes chemical changes that might be enough to break down the ant hill and keep the ants away. But if urea is still present in the mix, there's a good chance the liquid might just soften the mound and attract even more ants in the process.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Five things I wish people knew about supplements
From collagen powders to immunity gummies, supplements are everywhere – in our Instagram feeds, on supermarket shelves and filling our bathroom cabinets. Promising better sleep, glowing skin, sharper focus or even a longer life, they're marketed as quick fixes for modern health woes. As a nutritionist, I'm often asked whether supplements are worth the money – and the answer is: it depends. Based on online claims, you might think they can cure almost anything. While some supplements do have a valuable role in certain circumstances, they are often misunderstood and frequently oversold. Yet many people are unaware of the risks, the limitations and the marketing tricks behind the labels. Here are five things I wish more people knew before buying supplements. 1. Start with food, not supplements If you can get a nutrient from your diet, that is almost always the better option. The UK's Food Standards Agency defines a food supplement as a product 'intended to correct nutritional deficiencies, maintain an adequate intake of certain nutrients, or support specific physiological functions'. In other words, supplements are there to support your diet, not replace real foods. Whole foods offer much more than isolated nutrients. For example, oily fish like salmon provides not just omega-3 fats, but also protein, vitamin D, selenium and other beneficial compounds. These interact in ways we don't fully understand, and their combined effect is difficult, if not impossible, to replicate in supplement form. Scientists have tried to isolate the 'active ingredients' in fruit and vegetables to recreate their benefits in pills, but without success. The advantages seem to come from the complete food, not one compound. That said, there are circumstances where supplements are necessary. For instance, folic acid is recommended before and during pregnancy to reduce the risk of neural tube defects in the foetus. Vitamin D is advised during winter months when sunlight is limited. People following a vegan diet may need vitamin B12, since it is mostly found in animal products. 2. You might not realise you're taking too much It is far easier to take too much of a supplement than it is to overdo it with food. In the short term, this might lead to side effects such as nausea or diarrhoea. But long-term overuse can have serious consequences. Many people take supplements for years without knowing whether they need them or how much is too much. Fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K are stored in the body rather than excreted. Too much vitamin D, for example, can lead to a build-up of calcium, which may damage the kidneys and heart, as well as weakening bones. High doses of vitamin A can cause liver damage, birth defects in pregnancy, and decreased bone density. Even water-soluble vitamins can cause problems, with long-term overuse of vitamin B6 being linked to nerve damage. Since most people don't regularly check their blood nutrient levels, they often don't realise something is wrong until symptoms appear. 3. Don't trust social media advice Spend a few minutes online and you will probably see supplements promoted as 'immune-boosting', 'natural', or 'detoxifying'. These words can sound convincing, but they have no scientific definition. They are marketing terms. The Food Standards Agency is clear that supplements 'are not medicinal products' and 'cannot exert a pharmacological, immunological or metabolic action'. Yet many online claims suggest otherwise. This kind of marketing, sometimes called 'healthwashing', gives the impression that supplements have powers they do not. Supplements are not subject to the same testing and regulation as medicines. This means they can be poorly formulated, wrongly dosed, or mislabelled. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has rules about how health claims can be made, including on social media. But enforcement is difficult, especially with influencer marketing and affiliate schemes. Multi-level marketing (MLM) schemes add further complexity. Sellers, often with no medical or scientific training, promote products using personal anecdotes rather than evidence. While the ASA provides specific guidance on how MLM sellers can advertise supplements, these rules are frequently ignored, are rarely enforced and often slip through regulatory gaps, meaning there are some truly astonishing claims being made. 4. The supplement industry is more about sales than science The global supplement market is worth over £100 billion. Like any major industry, its goal is growth and profit. This influences how products are developed and marketed. If a supplement truly worked, it would be recommended by doctors, not influencers. Some supplements are supported by evidence, but they tend to be the less eye-catching ones, such as iron or vitamin D. Many others are advertised with claims that stretch far beyond what the research shows and are often promoted by people with no formal training in nutrition or healthcare. 5. Some supplements aren't safe for everyone Being available over the counter does not mean a supplement is safe. Even products labelled as 'natural' can interact with medicines or cause harm. St John's Wort, sometimes used for low mood, can have dangerous side effects if taken alongside some antidepressants, birth control and blood pressure medications. Vitamin K can interfere with blood thinners like warfarin. High-dose iron can cause digestive problems and affect how some antibiotics are absorbed. Many supplements haven't been tested for safety in pregnant people. Others, like high-dose vitamin A, are known to be harmful in pregnancy and can pass through breast milk. If you're pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or managing a health condition, speak to a pharmacist, GP or dietitian before starting a new supplement. Supplements can support health when there is a specific need, but they are not a cure-all. Before spending money on a product with big promises, ask yourself: do I really need this, or would I be better off spending the money on nutritious food? This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Rachel Woods does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
Brandon Blackstock, Kelly Clarkson's ex-husband, died from melanoma. What experts want you to know about the 'incredibly deadly' disease
In Canada, more than 80,000 cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year. Kelly Clarkson's ex-husband Brandon Blackstock's cause of death has been revealed. A statement from the coroner where Blackstock lived in Montana confirmed that the 48-year-old former talent manager, "passed away peacefully at his home in Butte, Montana on August 7th under hospice care surrounded by his family." According to People, coroner Dan Hollis said Blackstock's "manner of death" was natural causes following his three-year battle with melanoma. The prospect of getting skin cancer may seem unlikely or altogether not that bad to sun worshippers and those who love getting a tan. But to those who've been diagnosed with the disease, including reality TV star Teddi Mellencamp, the truth is far more devastating. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum has been sharing her stage 4 melanoma journey with the public, explaining that her cancer spread to her brain and lungs, and expressing the challenges she's faced when it comes to the treatment process. This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle. 'The highs and lows of treatment for stage 4 brain and lung tumours are pretty extreme. Please go get your yearly checks,' the 43-year-old daughter of singer John Mellencamp wrote in an Instagram post. Like Blackstock and Mellencamp, Kathy Barnard has been through the tumultuous experience that is malignant melanoma. Barnard was first diagnosed in 2003 when she was 47 years old. In the past 22 years, she's faced the disease four separate times, including when the cancer spread to her lungs. ' I'm a huge outdoor athlete, and I'm very Scottish and pale skinned, and I just love the sun,' Barnard told Yahoo Canada in a previous interview. She grew up at a time when there was very little knowledge or information about the dangers of the sun, so she rarely took precautions to protect herself from its harmful rays prior to being diagnosed. 'I'm from the generation where everybody thought that you should have a base tan before you went on a holiday. I was the generation where they had tanning beds in gyms, and I would go to the gym all the time and use them.' Barnard is about to turn 70 and is currently cancer-free. She noted she's incredibly grateful for the innovative treatments that have helped her make it this far, many of which didn't yet exist when she was first diagnosed. 'I have been — touch wood — so unbelievably lucky,' she said. But she knows many skin cancer patients who haven't been so fortunate. That's why Barnard has made it her mission to educate the public, particularly young people, about the importance of sun safety. She founded the Save Your Skin Foundation, an organization offering support to skin cancer patients while advocating for prevention and education on the danger UV rays offer. The very real dangers of skin cancer 'It's a common misconception that skin cancer is a 'better' cancer to get,' Dr. Geeta Yadav, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of FACET Dermatology, told Yahoo Canada earlier this year. In reality, while some skin cancers have better survival rates than others, she noted melanoma in particular can be an 'incredibly deadly disease.' Melanoma can spread, or metastasize, in three different ways. Yadav explained that includes through tissue, beyond its original borders; through the lymphatic system, which can allow the melanoma to travel to lymph nodes or other parts of the body; and/or through the bloodstream, which allows the cancer to travel to other organs. In Mellencamp's case, she sought medical care after experiencing debilitating headaches. Her care team found tumours in her brain and lungs, meaning that her melanoma had metastasized via the bloodstream. This was also true in Barnard's case. When melanoma spreads, it tends to spread to non-regional lymph nodes, meaning lymph nodes not in the area of the original tumour, Yadav explained. This includes the lungs, the liver, the brain and the bones. Melanoma spreading to the lungs and brain are the two most common causes of metastatic melanoma-related deaths, she added. Metastatic melanoma is said to have a five-year survival rate of under 30 per cent, while the five-year survival rate of early melanoma can be as high as 99 per cent. Rates are on the rise Although we now have much more information about the importance of sun protection, skin cancer rates are on the rise. According to the Canadian Skin Cancer Foundation, one in every three cancers diagnosed worldwide is skin cancer. In Canada, more than 80,000 cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year. Additionally, more than 5,000 of those are melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Melanoma is also one of the most common cancer types found in young adults aged 15 to 29 and 30 to 49, as well as the seventh-most commonly diagnosed cancer in Canada. 'It used to be the cancer of old people. That's not the case anymore,' Barnard said. ' It's the fastest-growing cancer in our young people.' Protect your skin and get checked Smart sun habits, including daily application of sunscreen, are key to reducing your risk of skin cancer. However, Yadav noted so many people choose to skip SPF and soak up unprotected UV. 'It never fails to surprise me how cavalier people are about their skin health, especially considering how much effort many people put into addressing cosmetic skin concerns,' Yadav said. 'Remember, unprotected UV exposure can cause premature skin aging as well as cancer, and it's far harder to get rid of sunspots than it is to prevent them.' Sun protection goes beyond just SPF, which must be applied every two hours. It also includes UV clothing, trying to stay out of the sun during peak hours, wearing a hat and making sure you wear sunglasses. The latter is particularly important, as Barnard said there's been an increase in ocular melanoma over the past five years, including in younger demographics. Equally important as skin protection is early detection, especially since survival rates drastically increase if melanoma is found before it spreads, Yadav added: 'Follow the ABCDE rules — look for asymmetry, irregular borders of a mole, variations in colour within just one spot, diameter larger than six millimeters (about the size of a pencil eraser) and evolving sizes, shapes or colours. If you see something that looks suspicious, make an appointment with your doctor right away."
