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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Cutting back on red meat? Here are other expert-approved sources of iron.
Iron is a vital mineral that supports bodily functions, but getting it from red meat can also come with some negative health effects. For example, research has shown eating more than one serving of red meat per week is associated with a higher risk of Type 2 diabetes. A study from earlier this year also found processed red meats are linked to increased risk of diseases, including cancer and dementia. And yet, a survey from Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital last year found nearly a third of Americans could have undiagnosed iron deficiency, which can cause symptoms including fatigue, palpitations, headaches, brain fog and restless legs. So how can you get the recommended dietary allowance of iron — about 8 milligrams for adult males and 18 milligrams for adult females — per day? Even if you're skipping red meat, there are plenty of iron-rich foods to add to your plate, registered dietitian nutritionist Meggie Connelly told CBS News. Best sources of iron other than red meat Connelly's suggestions for plant-based iron sources include: LentilsBeansTofuPumpkin seedsSpinach Certain seafoods are also great choices, she added, including: OystersClams Sardines Qianzhi Jiang, a registered dietitian and owner of The Nutrition Changer, said another important source of iron in the United States if fortified breads and cereals. According to the National Institutes of Health, about half of dietary iron comes from bread, cereal and other grain products in the U.S. Iron found in plant-based sources like nuts and beans, however, need to be transformed before our bodies can absorb it, Jiang explained, adding it's best to pair plant-based iron with vitamin C-rich foods to boost absorption. Still worried you're not getting enough iron? Supplements are another option to consider after consulting your doctor, experts said. "Supplements should be viewed as supplemental sources of vitamins and minerals. We should prioritize meeting nutritional goals from natural food sources," Jiang said. "This helps us get the most benefits of all sorts of nutrients while minimizing the risk of overconsumption." "The Wizard of Oz" as you've never seen it before Ghislaine Maxwell files Supreme Court brief appealing conviction Trump says no progress being made toward peace in Ukraine, says priority in Gaza is feeding people
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Cutting back on red meat? Here are other expert-approved sources of iron.
Iron is a vital mineral that supports bodily functions, but getting it from red meat can also come with some negative health effects. For example, research has shown eating more than one serving of red meat per week is associated with a higher risk of Type 2 diabetes. A study from earlier this year also found processed red meats are linked to increased risk of diseases, including cancer and dementia. And yet, a survey from Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital last year found nearly a third of Americans could have undiagnosed iron deficiency, which can cause symptoms including fatigue, palpitations, headaches, brain fog and restless legs. So how can you get the recommended dietary allowance of iron — about 8 milligrams for adult males and 18 milligrams for adult females — per day? Even if you're skipping red meat, there are plenty of iron-rich foods to add to your plate, registered dietitian nutritionist Meggie Connelly told CBS News. Best sources of iron other than red meat Connelly's suggestions for plant-based iron sources include: LentilsBeansTofuPumpkin seedsSpinach Certain seafoods are also great choices, she added, including: OystersClams Sardines Qianzhi Jiang, a registered dietitian and owner of The Nutrition Changer, said another important source of iron in the United States if fortified breads and cereals. According to the National Institutes of Health, about half of dietary iron comes from bread, cereal and other grain products in the U.S. Iron found in plant-based sources like nuts and beans, however, need to be transformed before our bodies can absorb it, Jiang explained, adding it's best to pair plant-based iron with vitamin C-rich foods to boost absorption. Still worried you're not getting enough iron? Supplements are another option to consider after consulting your doctor, experts said. "Supplements should be viewed as supplemental sources of vitamins and minerals. We should prioritize meeting nutritional goals from natural food sources," Jiang said. "This helps us get the most benefits of all sorts of nutrients while minimizing the risk of overconsumption." "The Wizard of Oz" as you've never seen it before Latest details on Walmart mass stabbing attack suspect New memo outlines plans for Qatari plane donated for Air Force One use Solve the daily Crossword
CBS News
3 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
Cutting back on red meat? Here are other expert-approved sources of iron.
Iron is a vital mineral that supports bodily functions, but getting it from red meat can also come with some negative health effects. For example, research has shown eating more than one serving of red meat per week is associated with a higher risk of Type 2 diabetes. A study from earlier this year also found processed red meats are linked to increased risk of diseases, including cancer and dementia. And yet, a survey from Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital last year found nearly a third of Americans could have undiagnosed iron deficiency, which can cause symptoms including fatigue, palpitations, headaches, brain fog and restless legs. So how can you get the recommended dietary allowance of iron — about 8 milligrams for adult males and 18 milligrams for adult females — per day? Even if you're skipping red meat, there are plenty of iron-rich foods to add to your plate, registered dietitian nutritionist Meggie Connelly told CBS News. Connelly's suggestions for plant-based iron sources include: Certain seafoods are also great choices, she added, including: Qianzhi Jiang, a registered dietitian and owner of The Nutrition Changer, said another important source of iron in the United States if fortified breads and cereals. According to the National Institutes of Health, about half of dietary iron comes from bread, cereal and other grain products in the U.S. Iron found in plant-based sources like nuts and beans, however, need to be transformed before our bodies can absorb it, Jiang explained, adding it's best to pair plant-based iron with vitamin C-rich foods to boost absorption. Still worried you're not getting enough iron? Supplements are another option to consider after consulting your doctor, experts said. "Supplements should be viewed as supplemental sources of vitamins and minerals. We should prioritize meeting nutritional goals from natural food sources," Jiang said. "This helps us get the most benefits of all sorts of nutrients while minimizing the risk of overconsumption."
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Professional Doctor Issues 'Warning' to Anyone Taking GLP-1 Medication
GLP-1 drugs have proved lifechanging for millions of Americans, but doctors say there are things people should consider before starting them. According to a new feature by the Washington Post, approximately 16 million American adults are on GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Zepbound, which act by mimicking a hormone in the body that regulates hunger and blood sugar. As a result, the drugs can be very effective at facilitating weight loss and managing Type 2 diabetes. But, as several doctors told the Post, the drugs themselves aren't miracle cures. They have to be used in conjunction with a balanced diet and exercise routine, says Dr. JoAnn Manson, chief of the division of preventive medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. "These medications can help someone lose around 15 to 21 percent of their body weight. But a significant portion of that weight — up to one-fourth — can be lean body mass and muscle," Manson told the Post. As a result, Manson recommends beginning every meal with 20 to 30 grams of protein from chicken, fish, beans, chickpeas or tofu and incorporating 60 to 90 minutes of resistance training with bands, weights and body-weight exercises per week. Drinking more water and avoiding lying down after meals are also recommended. Additionally, while Manson warns patients about how to avoid losing weight in the form of muscle, one of her colleagues cautions that simply relying on the GLP-1 drugs themselves to get you healthier is a mistake. "This perception — just take the shot and don't do anything else — is wrong. It's not going to drive real, long-term behavioral changes,' said Dr. Andres J. Acosta of the Mayo Clinic.' 'Patients aren't going to see the outcomes that we're seeing in the trials." Professional Doctor Issues 'Warning' to Anyone Taking GLP-1 Medication first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 15, 2025
Medscape
14-07-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Improving Outcomes on GLP-1s: Lifestyle Factors Remain Crucial
This transcript has been edited for clarity. This is Dr JoAnn Manson, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital. I'd like to talk with you about a recent Clinical Insights article in JAMA Internal Medicine, which is a very brief, succinct, two-page article about improving outcomes of patients on GLP-1 medications by integrating diet and physical activity guidance. The bottom line: Lifestyle factors remain crucial for patients on GLP-1 medications to optimize outcomes. This paper also comes with a companion JAMA Patient Page that contains patient-friendly and accessible information to help patients utilize these takeaways. I'd like to acknowledge that I'm a co-author of the Clinical Insights article and Patient Page. Now, we know that the GLP-1 medications and dual receptor agonist medications are very effective in terms of weight loss, achieving about 20% weight loss or more. But we also know from randomized trials that loss of muscle mass and lean body mass is also quite common, sometimes accounting for 25% or more of the total weight loss. Also, gastrointestinal symptoms — such as nausea, constipation, and reflux — can limit the use of these medications, lead to drug discontinuation, and subsequently results in weight regain. So, the goal of the Clinical Insights article and Patient Page is to help improve patient outcomes, avoid muscle loss, and avoid the gastrointestinal symptoms that can lead to drug discontinuation. The article provides information on how to incorporate a healthy diet while on GLP-1s, which consists of a largely plant-based diet that ensures adequate protein intake and adequate hydration — sometimes requiring 2-3 liters of water, or more, per day. These publications also help identify situations in which patients may benefit from micronutrient supplementation and, importantly, provide guidance on physical activity. Aerobic exercise is recommended but, in particular, resistance activities and muscle-strengthening activities can help mitigate the muscle loss and the lean body mass loss that commonly occurs on these medications. The Clinical Insights article and accompanying Patient Page also provide information on ways to minimize the likelihood of having gastrointestinal symptoms that would limit GLP-1 use. Overall, we hope that this information will be a good resource that will result in better care for patients on GLP-1 medications and better outcomes.
