'There's really nothing here': Doctor rebukes RFK Jr.'s 'Make America Healthy Again'
The White House on Thursday released its long-awaited 'Make America Healthy Again' report, painting a dire picture of American children's health. The lengthy federal assessment's goal is to identify the root causes of chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity and neurodevelopmental disorders in children. Dr. Vin Gupta discusses the report.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
The #1 Nut to Help You Lose Weight, Recommended by Dietitians
Nuts are high in calories and fat, so should you avoid them if you're trying to lose weight? Luckily, you shouldn't. Studies have shown that people who include nuts in their diets experience great metabolic health benefits. In fact, a review found that people who regularly eat nuts have less weight gain and a reduced risk of obesity. Registered dietitian Bianca Tamburello, RDN, with Fresh Communications, says, 'Nuts are a great food for weight loss because they're packed with healthy fats, which boost satiety, and protein and fiber to keep you full.' But she does note, 'Nuts are nutrient-dense and pack a good amount of calories per serving, but this is not a reason to avoid them. Be aware of portions and aim for one to two servings per day,' she adds. All nuts are wholesome foods perfectly packaged by nature, and each one provides health benefits. Yet, when it comes to weight loss, we'll have to go with almonds as the best nut to help you lose weight. Let's dive into the reasoning. If you're looking for a satisfying snack to improve your health while losing weight, look no further than almonds. With almonds, you know you'll be giving your body a boost of quality nutrients that may aid you in your weight-loss goals. Almonds are great for weight loss for several reasons. 'Fiber is an important nutrient in most diets, especially knowing the average American only eats about half of the daily recommended amount,' says Samantha MacLeod, M.S., RDN, a registered dietitian with Fresh Communications. 'If you are trying to lose weight, fiber can be important because it helps you to stay fuller and more satisfied for longer.' Two ounces of almonds contain over 7 grams of fiber. Additionally, high-fiber foods like almonds have been shown to help reduce inflammatory molecules in the body, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Fiber-rich foods like almonds are also associated with improved metabolism, a lower risk for heart disease and type 2 diabetes, better digestive function, and possibly even a lower risk of colon cancer. Almonds are high in anti-inflammatory plant compounds called flavonoids, polyphenols and proanthocyanidins. Research has found that almonds, particularly their skin, may have even more antioxidants than previously thought. Foods with anti-inflammatory benefits, like almonds, help support weight loss since evidence shows that excessive weight can lead to or can be caused by chronic inflammation. This increases your risk of metabolic conditions such as type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance. Data has also shown that eating almonds may help balance your microbiome, contributing to reduced inflammation. MacLeod also notes that the fiber in nuts can help keep blood sugar levels stable, which also helps reduce that inflammation. Your body is constantly rebuilding and maintaining your bones, muscles, cells and tissues, and it needs protein to do it. Tamburello notes that over-restricting food, a common mistake when losing weight, can lead to eating too much later on. Foods high in protein slow down digestion, keeping you full. Additionally, protein is key to maintaining your muscle mass. Muscle mass is a metabolically active tissue that helps increase your basal metabolic rate (BMR)—how many calories your body needs for basic functions. A higher metabolic rate leads to burning more calories. Two ounces of almonds have over 12 grams of protein, making them a great high-protein food to help you maintain your muscle mass. Almonds are a good choice if you're ready to include nutritious and delicious foods in your diet to help you lose weight, but any nut can help you with your goals. If you enjoy another nut more than almonds, feel free to make a swap. Other great options are: Cashews: Cashews haven't been studied as much as other nuts, but the existing studies show that eating cashews may help you maintain a healthy body composition. Participants in the studies had more muscle mass tissue and a lower fat mass, plus reduced inflammation in their blood vessels. Walnuts: Walnuts have consistently been shown to improve health markers that are beneficial for weight loss. Regular walnut consumption has been shown to improve the health of your microbiome because they are rich in polyphenols, which can help reduce inflammation, and fiber, which helps produce short-chain fatty acids—improving overall health. A healthy gut benefits all aspects of health, including aiding in weight loss efforts. Pistachios: These little green nuts can also support you on your weight-loss journey. One study found that the participants who ate pistachios daily saw decreased waist circumference (associated with visceral fat) and better blood pressure levels. The group eating pistachios also had higher blood plasma levels of antioxidants like lutein and beta carotene. Even though almonds and other nuts are high in calories, they have plenty of health benefits that can aid you in your weight-loss journey. MacLeod says, 'Generally speaking, nuts are high in fat and can be calorie-dense, but that does not mean you should exclude them from your diet if you are trying to lose weight!' And as we've seen here, the health benefits go beyond weight loss for overall health. Read the original article on EATINGWELL
8 hours ago
Ukraine war veteran runs 5k one week after receiving a prosthetic leg
ABC News' Chief Global Affairs Correspondent Martha Raddatz reports on a new American-run rehabilitation center in Kyiv.
The Hill
11 hours ago
- The Hill
Beyond MAHA: Defeating obesity requires a new strategy
Obesity is a major health problem facing our country. According to the CDC, more than 40 percent of the U.S. population is obese, defined as having a body-mass index above 30. As astounding at that number is, it is perhaps even more surprising that nearly 20 percent of children in the U.S. are obese. Obesity leads to significant health challenges, including diabetes, stroke, cardiovascular disease and liver disease. It is clear that as a nation we must face this crisis on multiple fronts. Diet and exercise certainly help, and it's critical to ensure that people of all socioeconomic backgrounds have access to healthy foods (free of preservatives, unnecessary dyes, high fructose corn syrups etc.) and are educated in making healthy lifestyle choices. The MAHA or 'Make America Healthy Again' movement has highlighted this as one of its key objectives, and if it is successful, we should see an impact on obesity — especially in children, where diet and exercise have a huge impact on weight-related health outcomes. Obesity in adults, however, is often more challenging. Many adults with obesity struggle to lose weight, despite considerable efforts to modify their lifestyle through diet and exercise. This is because our metabolism changes as we age, and many adults who are overweight develop metabolic dysfunction or 'metabolic syndrome,' which then further perpetuates weight gain and exacerbates the situation. It has become clear in recent years that many people struggling with obesity require medical intervention – not just lifestyle intervention – and that prescriptions can substantially improve weight loss. The explosion in use of GLP-1 agonists, such as Wegovy and Zepbound, over the last two years has underscored the need for medical intervention in obese and overweight patients. Currently, about 6 percent of the U.S. population, or 15 million people, are on GLP-1 weight loss treatments, and the numbers are only expected to increase. However, while most patients lose 10 percent to 25 percent of their body weight while on a GLP-1, they do not maintain GLP-1 treatment in the long-term, with approximately 80 percent of patients discontinuing treatment within 1 year. Gastrointestinal side effects, injectable administration, and high cost have prevented long-term use of GLP-1's for weight maintenance. And unfortunately, most patients gain back all the weight after stopping the medication. Healthcare professionals and the pharmaceutical industry now recognize that obesity — like most other medical conditions — requires an 'arsenal' of treatments, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Post-GLP-1 weight maintenance is now widely recognized as an emerging unmet need. And patients who are not candidates for or cannot tolerate GLP-1s require alternatives. Diet and lifestyle modifications are important alongside prescription medications in fighting obesity. If we are going to be successful in overcoming this major health crisis, we need to ensure that both the pharmaceutical industry and groups like MAHA work hand in hand. Both treatment and prevention are critical in order to regain control of our nation's health. Dr. Shoshana Shendelman, Ph.D. is a scientist and entrepreneur who has founded numerous biotech companies. She is a pioneer in the development of drugs and therapeutics for rare and underserved diseases. Currently she is Vice Chair of the Advisory Board of Columbia University Medical Center and Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.
