Latest news with #JamieAlan
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
How to clean mold from your air conditioner safely
It's easy to view an air conditioner as a set-it-and-forget-it appliance, but these workhorse machines require regular cleanings to lower the risk of mold buildup. But if you're like most people, you probably don't know how to clean mold from your air conditioner (or how to identify if it needs cleaning in the first place). With that in mind, here's how to check and clean your unit and how to prevent AC mold in your home in the first place. There are a few reasons why mold can grow in air conditioners. For starters, "mold is present almost everywhere," Jamie Alan, an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University, tells Yahoo Life. But air conditioners in particular create a mold-friendly environment that allows spores to thrive. "Mold is a common issue in AC units because the cooling process naturally creates moisture," Flores says. "When warm air passes over the evaporator coils, condensation forms." If the moisture doesn't drain properly from your AC, or if the system stays humid due to poor ventilation or infrequent use, it creates an ideal environment for mold to grow, Flores says. There are a few things that can happen with a moldy air conditioner. "Mold will reduce efficiency and can also circulate spores throughout the home, which can cause health issues like allergies or respiratory irritation," Flores says. According to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI), mold and mold spores are incredibly common — you're going to breathe some of them in from the air around you. That said, some people are allergic to mold — their immune systems are overly sensitive to specific types of spores, which can lead to more significant reactions from exposure. Common reactions include sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose and nasal congestion. While there are hundreds of types of molds, the AAAAI notes that the most common ones that cause allergic reactions are Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium and Penicillium. As to what may happen if mold starts growing inside your AC, Alan says that really depends on the type of mold, as well as how your immune system typically responds to such spores. For instance, people who are immunocompromised or who have underlying respiratory issues are more prone to experience symptoms or health complications from mold exposure. Additionally, aerosolization of mold is a bigger potential issue than mold growing on a random surface, especially for people who are prone to mold issues, Alan says. If you're chronically exposed to mold by something like your AC blowing spores around, you could develop chronic allergy symptoms or other health concerns. "Patients could have lung infections, which could look like a fever, cough and trouble breathing," Alan says. Something else to consider: Certain types of molds, like black mold, can release toxins into the air that can make you sick, even if you don't have a mold allergy. "With things like black mold, there are more symptoms that patients may experience like fatigue, mood changes and brain fog," says Alan. There is also a specific immune reaction to mold spores called hypersensitivity pneumonitis where your lungs become inflamed due to mold exposure. "It leads to a flu-like illness with fever and fatigue, in addition to respiratory symptoms," says Dr. Robert Laumbach, associate professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Justice at the Rutgers School of Public Health. "Over time, this could lead to permanent lung damage, so we want to try to catch [it] early." A key sign that mold in your home may be making you sick is if you find that you're having asthma- or allergy-like symptoms in your home that seem to get better after you leave for the day. "Symptoms usually occur with exposure and then may resolve within hours," says Laumbach. (However, he says that it can take longer for symptoms to clear up for some people, so this isn't always a given.) Still, all of this doesn't mean you should panic if you happen to find mold in your AC — especially if you otherwise feel fine. "Not every type of mold causes health issues for humans," Alan points out. There are a few warning signs to look out for. "One of the most noticeable signs is a musty or earthy smell when the system kicks on," Flores says. "It is usually the strongest near vents." You may even spot mold on the vents or around the evaporator coils and drip pan, Flores says. "Unexplained moisture buildup around the unit or damp, stale air could also be red flags," he adds. But you may simply be tipped off to the presence of mold in your AC by how you feel when the AC starts running — pay attention for any telltale allergy symptoms mentioned earlier, like sneezing, a runny nose or coughing. While it's never a bad idea to call in the experts if cleaning your AC seems like an ordeal, in most cases, it's possible to tackle basic cleaning yourself. Flores offers these simple steps. Flores recommends protecting yourself first. That means wearing gloves, a face mask and goggles. "Disturbing mold can release spores," he says. Failing to protect yourself can increase the likelihood of experiencing allergy symptoms or irritation. While basic cleaning is fairly straightforward, it's important to familiarize yourself with your unit and to determine whether the company has specific suggestions for ongoing maintenance. You don't want to be poking around with the electricity still running. Removing these components allows you to clean in and around them more effectively, identifying any areas where mold may be growing. "Small amounts of mold in accessible areas like vent covers or drip pans can sometimes be cleaned with a mixture of water and a mild detergent or a diluted bleach solution," Flores says. But as you remove these parts, "be careful not to damage components," he warns. (This is where consulting the owner's manual may come in handy!) Giving your AC a chance to fully dry before turning it back on will reduce the chances for mold growth to return. If you suspect that mold is in deeper areas of your air conditioner, like the coils or blower motor, Flores says it's best to use professional-grade equipment and antimicrobials. "That's where trained HVAC pros come in, as we can safely clean and sanitize all affected areas without spreading the mold further," he says. Getting rid of mold from your AC unit is helpful, but it can come back again if you're not careful. As always, it's best to read the instruction manual for your unit and follow regular maintenance, as recommended. "Proper routine maintenance can address most of these issues before they become a problem for the home," says Sean Goddard, product manager of indoor air quality and coils at HVAC company Trane Technologies. Beyond that, Goddard says it can be helpful to keep tabs on your indoor humidity. "Indoor humidity should be kept between 30% to 50% for comfort and to prevent mold," he says. "Mold tends to grow when indoor humidity is higher than this range." If humidity is a big issue in your home, Goddard suggests investing in a dehumidifier to try to help lower those levels. You may even want to consider using UV light, Goddard says. "UVC light installed over your coil and drain pan can prevent microbial growth and mold," he says. Laumbach suggests wiping down the inside and outside of your air conditioner regularly to remove dust, and to regularly clean and change your filter. "Dust can be enough food for mold to grow," he says. "You want to keep those coils and the filter clean." You may even want to consider using an additional air purifier with a HEPA filter, or seeing if your AC unit can use a HEPA filter to tamp down on mold spores circulating in your air, says Tony Abate, a certified mold inspector and vice president and chief technology officer at AtmosAir Solutions. (Check out our favorite air purifiers.) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also recommends keeping your air conditioning drip pans clean and the drain lines unobstructed and flowing properly. Mold can be an issue in any air conditioner. Mold exposure can raise the risk of a range of health issues, from allergy symptoms to full-blown infections, making it important to stay on top of the spores in your home. Doing routine air conditioner maintenance and cleanings will help to lower the risk of mold issues happening in the first place. Omero Flores, CEO of American AC & Heating in Harlingen, Texas Jamie Alan, RPH, PharmD, PhD, associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University Robert Laumbach, MD, MPH, CIH, associate professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Justice at the Rutgers School of Public Health Sean Goddard, product manager of indoor air quality and coils at Trane Technologies Tony Abate, a certified mold inspector and chief technology officer at AtmosAir Solutions Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
These 7 Everyday Household Items Could Increase Your Risk Of Health Issues, Including Heart Disease
A new study suggests hundreds of thousands of deaths globally are linked to a certain phthalate chemical exposure (DEHP) in plastics. Specifically, they've been linked to cardiovascular-related deaths. DEHP is a type of phthalate, that is commonly added to plastics to make them more flexible. Here are some products where you might find them at home. Research has consistently shown that we should be wary of plastics—and that also goes for the chemicals used to make them, like phthalates. And while it's nearly impossible to fully avoid plastics in your day-to-day, a new study suggests you might want to try a little harder to limit how much you interact with the material, because it has been linked with serious heart issues. The study, which was published in the journal eBioMedicine, linked a specific type of phthalate called di-2-ethylhexylphthalate (DEHP) to cardiovascular-related deaths. Phthalates have been associated with a slew of other serious health complications, including endocrine disruption and fertility issues, by the way. Here's what the latest study found, plus what doctors recommend doing with this info. Meet the experts: Jamie Alan, PhD, an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University. Yu-Ming Ni, MD, cardiologist and lipidologist at MemorialCare Heart and Vascular Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA. Cheng-Han Chen, MD, cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, CA. Yanting Wang, MD, cardiologist and assistant professor of medicine at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. For the study, researchers analyzed data from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, a global health research center, along with estimates of regional DEHP exposure. The researchers found that, in 2018, an estimated 356,238 deaths globally were linked to DEHP exposure. Those made up nearly 13.5 percent of all cardiovascular deaths in people between the ages of 55 and 64. Of those, 349,113 were linked to people using plastics. People in some areas of the world that have booming plastic industries saw more of an association than others. 'The findings underscore the need for urgent global and local regulatory interventions to [curb] mortality from DEHP exposure,' the researchers wrote in the conclusion. DEHP is a type of phthalate, and it's commonly added to plastics to make them more flexible, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). DEHP is a colorless liquid that is especially prevalent in vinyl materials, which may contain up to 40 percent DEHP, per the CDC. DEHP can also be found in a bunch of common goods you interact with regularly, including certain types of flooring, wall coverings, and even your shoes. It's important to note that the study is observational, meaning it didn't find that exposure to phthalates actually caused these cardiovascular deaths. Instead, it just found a link. 'There may be unknown factors that can explain this rise in death related to phthalates,' says Yu-Ming Ni, MD, cardiologist and lipidologist at MemorialCare Heart and Vascular Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA. Still, it's entirely possible that phthalate exposure may raise the risk of cardiovascular disease and death, says Cheng-Han Chen, MD, cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, CA. 'Previous studies have linked phthalates found in plastic to increased inflammation in the bloodstream as well as cardiometabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity,' he points out. 'These problems could then lead to increased morbidity and mortality from heart disease.' However, Dr. Ni stresses that more research is needed. Some exposure to plastics, phthalates, and DEHP is bound to happen in the world we live in. "As with many chemicals that we are exposed to long-term, it's likely that the totally cumulative exposure over a lifetime is important," says Jamie Alan, PhD, an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University. So, she recommends doing that you can to limit your exposure. Experts singled out seven specific items that you should probably try to avoid, if you can: Plastic water bottles. Dr. Ni recommends focusing on reusable containers for liquids, like metal or ceramic water bottles. Certain shampoos. "If you find a phthalate-free shampoo that is affordable and that works, that can decrease exposure," Alan says. Plastic cookware. Putting plastic cookware, like plastic spatulas, in hot items raises the risk that phthalates will end up in your food, per Dr. Ni. Plastic utensils. Putting these products directly into your mouth raises your risk of exposure, Dr. Ni explains. Takeout containers. These are often made with plastic that can leach into your food, per Dr. Ni. Plastic food storage containers. Like plastic takeout containers, these can also result in phthalate exposure for your food, especially if you heat them up, Alan says. Other personal care products. Phthalates show up in a range of personal care products, making it important to look for products like soaps and hairspray without the chemicals, Alan says. (Labels will typically say "phthalate-free.") Of course, this stuff is everywhere, making it hard to avoid entirely. "My best advice is to reduce exposure where it makes sense," Alan says. It's also important to try to cut back on how many plastic products you buy. "Based on the available evidence, it is important we strive to limit the amount of plastic produced and ensure proper disposal for both environmental and biological health," says Yanting Wang, MD, cardiologist and assistant professor of medicine at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. You Might Also Like Jennifer Garner Swears By This Retinol Eye Cream These New Kicks Will Help You Smash Your Cross-Training Goals
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
What to know about GLP-1 supplements for weight loss
As the Food and Drug Administration cracks down on compounded versions of popular weight loss drugs Wegovy (semaglutide) and Zepbound (tirzepatide), Americans who rely on these cheaper medications may be drawn to a dicey sector of the dietary supplement market. From colorful patches and fruit punch-flavored gummies to prebiotic powders and under-the-tongue tinctures, dietary supplements that claim to 'complement' or 'supercharge' the body's levels of the gut hormone GLP-1 are a dime a dozen. While compounded drugs require at least a virtual consultation with a clinician to get a prescription, supplements are available over the counter. At best, such products are misleading, said Jamie Alan, an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University's College of Human Medicine. So-called GLP-1 supplements, named to echo the class of glucagon-like peptide-1 agonist drugs that includes Wegovy and Zepbound, are likely to be ineffective for weight loss. 'If you can buy it without a prescription, it's not an actual GLP-1 drug,' Alan said. 'It is something else that's marketed to support your endogenous GLP-1 production. These things are just older weight loss [supplements] that are rebranded, and there's really no scientific evidence for these.' Ashwagandha and green tea extract are among the natural ingredients that have been recycled in diet products for decades, Alan said. Ashwagandha is often advertised as a stress reliever, and though the stress hormone cortisol is tied to weight gain, there's little proof the evergreen shrub directly helps shed pounds. Green tea and green tea extract may have a 'possible modest effect on body weight,' according to mixed research cited by the Office of Dietary Supplements, some of which links the extract to liver damage. 'We're coming back to these products that have been ineffective in the past,' Alan said. Ingredients popping up on GLP-1 supplement labels include everything from berberine to chromium to saffron extract, which have a minimal body of research supporting their effects on weight loss. What's missing from the ingredient lists is also of note. The brand Kind Patches indicates its GLP-1 adhesive 'does not contain synthetic GLP-1 and is not a GLP-1 agonist drug.' Lemme, Kourtney Kardashian Barker's wellness brand, features an identical disclaimer for its GLP-1 Daily Support Capsules. Trim Biome GLP-1, manufactured by Inno Supps, boasts 'clinically studied ingredients' but not the hormone in the product's name. Lemme declined to comment; Inno Supps and Kind Patches didn't respond to a request for comment. Jeff Ventura, the vice president of communications for the Council for Responsible Nutrition, a trade group for the supplement industry, said in a statement that there are 'no direct comparators' for GLP-1 drugs in the dietary supplement industry. 'While some supplement ingredients have shown promise in limited studies related to metabolic health and weight management, they do not have the same effects as GLP-1 drugs,' Ventura said. 'It is very tricky, because they'll put that big 'GLP-1' on there and it makes you think, 'Well, maybe this is the drug,' if you're not thinking about how to read these labels or if you don't know how to read these labels,' Alan said. The FDA doesn't regulate dietary supplements for safety or effectiveness before they hit the market, whether they're a daily multivitamin or a post-workout protein powder. For that reason, the agency advises consulting a health care provider before adding any supplement to your regimen. 'There could be harm in some of these,' Alan said. 'There are going to be some people who might have a significant drug interaction, who might have a significant medical condition. In most people there's probably minimal risk of harm, but that's not true for everyone.' GLP-1 drugs aren't new, having been used to treat Type 2 diabetes since 2005. Demand soared after the FDA approved Wegovy and Zepbound for weight loss in 2021 and 2023, respectively. The ensuing shortages made it legal for compounding pharmacies to step in. Compounding pharmacies typically mix, alter or combine drug ingredients to meet a patient's specific needs. For example, a pharmacy may make a liquid version of a drug that only comes in pill form for a patient who has trouble swallowing. During drug shortages, they're also authorized to craft medications that are 'essentially copies' of commercially available drugs. Compounded versions of Wegovy and Zepbound skyrocketed in popularity — in part because they were generally sold for far less than their brand-name counterparts. Wegovy, for instance, has a list price of $1,349.02 for a four-week supply, though some insurance plans cover it. Meanwhile, WeightWatchers offers compounded semaglutide starting at $129 a month. That's coming to an end: The FDA declared the tirzepatide shortage over in December and did the same for the semaglutide shortage in February. Compounders must now pull their products. The grace period for tirzepatide manufacturers is over, and semaglutide producers have until Tuesday or May 22, depending on whether they're a state-licensed pharmacy or an outsourcing facility. That leaves a huge opening for GLP-1 supplement sellers to flood the $49.3 billion global market — and convince consumers a $15 pack of unproven patches will yield the same results as brand-name drugs that have undergone comprehensive clinical trials, said Dr. W. Scott Butsch, director of obesity medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Bariatric and Metabolic Institute. Butsch, who has previously consulted for Novo Nordisk (maker of Wegovy) and Eli Lilly (maker of Zepbound), said he was already concerned about the ubiquity of compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide in recent years. 'The FDA states very clearly: These compounded versions are not the same,' he said. 'They don't have the same ingredients. They have not been tested.' Worse still, Butsch said, compounders and now supplement companies are using lower pricing to target an already vulnerable clientele. Walmart, for example, sells a variety of GLP-1 supplements under $50. Blair Cromwell, the director of global communications for Walmart's U.S. Marketplace, said in a statement that dietary supplements are sold by third-party sellers on its Marketplace. 'Our policy allows the sale of dietary supplements if they comply with applicable regulations as well as federal, state and local laws, and FTC guidelines,' Cromwell said, adding that the company would be likely to review products marketed as GLP-1 supplements and 'remove them if found to make inappropriate or inaccurate claims.' '[The wellness market] has continued to prey on the desperate, and these are people who have poor access,' Butsch said. 'Patients with obesity have always had poor access to obesity medications.' He added, 'You have some optimism among people who think that they can save some money and still get the benefit. But it's a bigger carrot that they're carrying in front of the horse now.' Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, a cardiologist and the director of Tufts University's Food Is Medicine Institute, said, 'There's no simple dietary fix that's going to do what these drugs do in a short amount of time.' Still, the metabolic mechanism the supplements claim to achieve — boosting natural GLP-1 production — isn't without merit. 'The food I'm eating is biologic information that's activating hormones in my body, including GLP-1,' Mozaffarian said, noting that healthy fats and high-fiber foods have been shown to trigger GLP-1 production. But its natural release into the bloodstream is fleeting; GLP-1 drugs work by mimicking the hormone and keeping it around longer, which can aid in appetite suppression. 'It's too early for [GLP-1 supplements] to have science behind them,' Mozaffarian said. 'But I do think in the future we will be able to give people more clear recommendations on what's a natural, lifestyle way to boost your GLP-1 function.' For now, he said, 'I wouldn't spend money on these supplements, I would spend money on healthy food.' Alan, of Michigan State University, was blunt. 'It's snake oil at this point,' she said. 'You're really wasting your money.' This article was originally published on
NBC News
22-04-2025
- Health
- NBC News
What to know about GLP-1 supplements for weight loss
As the Food and Drug Administration cracks down on compounded versions of popular weight loss drugs Wegovy (semaglutide) and Zepbound (tirzepatide), Americans who rely on these cheaper medications may be drawn to a dicey sector of the dietary supplement market. From colorful patches and fruit punch-flavored gummies to prebiotic powders and under-the-tongue tinctures, dietary supplements that claim to 'complement' or 'supercharge' the body's levels of the gut hormone GLP-1 are a dime a dozen. While compounded drugs require at least a virtual consultation with a clinician to get a prescription, supplements are available over the counter. At best, such products are misleading, said Jamie Alan, an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University's College of Human Medicine. So-called GLP-1 supplements, named to echo the class of glucagon-like peptide-1 agonist drugs that includes Wegovy and Zepbound, are likely to be ineffective for weight loss. 'If you can buy it without a prescription, it's not an actual GLP-1 drug,' Alan said. 'It is something else that's marketed to support your endogenous GLP-1 production. These things are just older weight loss [supplements] that are rebranded, and there's really no scientific evidence for these.' Ashwagandha and green tea extract are among the natural ingredients that have been recycled in diet products for decades, Alan said. Ashwagandha is often advertised as a stress reliever, and though the stress hormone cortisol is tied to weight gain, there's little proof the evergreen shrub directly helps shed pounds. Green tea and green tea extract may have a 'possible modest effect on body weight,' according to mixed research cited by the Office of Dietary Supplements, some of which links the extract to liver damage. 'We're coming back to these products that have been ineffective in the past,' Alan said. Ingredients popping up on GLP-1 supplement labels include everything from berberine to chromium to saffron extract, which have a minimal body of research supporting their effects on weight loss. What's missing from the ingredient lists is also of note. The brand Kind Patches indicates its GLP-1 adhesive 'does not contain synthetic GLP-1 and is not a GLP-1 agonist drug.' Lemme, Kourtney Kardashian Barker's wellness brand, features an identical disclaimer for its GLP-1 Daily Support Capsules. Trim Biome GLP-1, manufactured by Inno Supps, boasts 'clinically studied ingredients' but not the hormone in the product's name. Lemme declined to comment; Inno Supps and Kind Patches didn't respond to a request for comment. Jeff Ventura, the vice president of communications for the Council for Responsible Nutrition, a trade group for the supplement industry, said in a statement that there are 'no direct comparators' for GLP-1 drugs in the dietary supplement industry. 'While some supplement ingredients have shown promise in limited studies related to metabolic health and weight management, they do not have the same effects as GLP-1 drugs,' Ventura said. 'It is very tricky, because they'll put that big 'GLP-1' on there and it makes you think, 'Well, maybe this is the drug,' if you're not thinking about how to read these labels or if you don't know how to read these labels,' Alan said. The FDA doesn't regulate dietary supplements for safety or effectiveness before they hit the market, whether they're a daily multivitamin or a post-workout protein powder. For that reason, the agency advises consulting a health care provider before adding any supplement to your regimen. 'There could be harm in some of these,' Alan said. 'There are going to be some people who might have a significant drug interaction, who might have a significant medical condition. In most people there's probably minimal risk of harm, but that's not true for everyone.' Why are compounded GLP-1 drugs going away? GLP-1 drugs aren't new, having been used to treat Type 2 diabetes since 2005. Demand soared after the FDA approved Wegovy and Zepbound for weight loss in 2021 and 2023, respectively. The ensuing shortages made it legal for compounding pharmacies to step in. Compounding pharmacies typically mix, alter or combine drug ingredients to meet a patient's specific needs. For example, a pharmacy may make a liquid version of a drug that only comes in pill form for a patient who has trouble swallowing. During drug shortages, they're also authorized to craft medications that are 'essentially copies' of commercially available drugs. Compounded versions of Wegovy and Zepbound skyrocketed in popularity — in part because they were generally sold for far less than their brand-name counterparts. Wegovy, for instance, has a list price of $1,349.02 for a four-week supply, though some insurance plans cover it. Meanwhile, WeightWatchers offers compounded semaglutide starting at $129 a month. That's coming to an end: The FDA declared the tirzepatide shortage over in December and did the same for the semaglutide shortage in February. Compounders must now pull their products. The grace period for tirzepatide manufacturers is over, and semaglutide producers have until Tuesday or May 22, depending on whether they're a state-licensed pharmacy or an outsourcing facility. That leaves a huge opening for GLP-1 supplement sellers to flood the $49.3 billion global market — and convince consumers a $15 pack of unproven patches will yield the same results as brand-name drugs that have undergone comprehensive clinical trials, said Dr. W. Scott Butsch, director of obesity medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Bariatric and Metabolic Institute. Butsch, who has previously consulted for Novo Nordisk (maker of Wegovy) and Eli Lilly (maker of Zepbound), said he was already concerned about the ubiquity of compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide in recent years. 'The FDA states very clearly: These compounded versions are not the same,' he said. 'They don't have the same ingredients. They have not been tested.' Worse still, Butsch said, compounders and now supplement companies are using lower pricing to target an already vulnerable clientele. Walmart, for example, sells a variety of GLP-1 supplements under $50. Blair Cromwell, the director of global communications for Walmart's U.S. Marketplace, said in a statement that dietary supplements are sold by third-party sellers on its Marketplace. 'Our policy allows the sale of dietary supplements if they comply with applicable regulations as well as federal, state and local laws, and FTC guidelines,' Cromwell said, adding that the company would be likely to review products marketed as GLP-1 supplements and 'remove them if found to make inappropriate or inaccurate claims.' '[The wellness market] has continued to prey on the desperate, and these are people who have poor access,' Butsch said. 'Patients with obesity have always had poor access to obesity medications.' He added, 'You have some optimism among people who think that they can save some money and still get the benefit. But it's a bigger carrot that they're carrying in front of the horse now.' 'No simple dietary fix' can match GLP-1 results Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, a cardiologist and the director of Tufts University's Food Is Medicine Institute, said, 'There's no simple dietary fix that's going to do what these drugs do in a short amount of time.' Still, the metabolic mechanism the supplements claim to achieve — boosting natural GLP-1 production — isn't without merit. 'The food I'm eating is biologic information that's activating hormones in my body, including GLP-1,' Mozaffarian said, noting that healthy fats and high-fiber foods have been shown to trigger GLP-1 production. But its natural release into the bloodstream is fleeting; GLP-1 drugs work by mimicking the hormone and keeping it around longer, which can aid in appetite suppression. 'It's too early for [GLP-1 supplements] to have science behind them,' Mozaffarian said. 'But I do think in the future we will be able to give people more clear recommendations on what's a natural, lifestyle way to boost your GLP-1 function.' For now, he said, 'I wouldn't spend money on these supplements, I would spend money on healthy food.' Alan, of Michigan State University, was blunt.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists Discover How Much Toxic Metal Used in MRI Scans Invades Human Tissue
New research suggests that MRI with contrast may create nanoparticles that infiltrate your tissues. The research is preliminary, and more work needs to be done. Doctors stress that MRI with contrast is a generally safe procedure. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is an important tool to help doctors see what's happening inside your body. But new, preliminary research suggests that a contrast agent used in some MRIs could spark a chain reaction that ends up with nanoparticles of metal embedded in your tissues. Meet the experts: Jamie Alan, Ph.D., an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University; Kelly Johnson-Arbor, M.D., a toxicologist at MedStar Health; Richard Reitherman, M.D., Ph.D., a radiologist and medical director of breast imaging at MemorialCare Breast Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA; Jeffrey Luci, Ph.D., research assistant professor of biomedical imaging physics at the Rutgers Center for Advanced Human Brain Imaging Research The research is in early stages, and there's a lot more work that needs to be done before drawing any major conclusions. Still, it's fair to have questions. Here's what the study found, plus what two toxicologists, a radiologist, and a biomedical researcher want you to know about the safety of MRIs. The study, which was published in the journal Magnetic Resonance Imaging, conducted test tube experiments to look for the presence of oxalic acid, a compound found naturally in many plant-based foods, that binds with metal ions. The researchers looked at the impact of oxalic acid on gadolinium, a metal that's used as an MRI contrast agent. (In case you're not familiar, MRI contrast is a substance injected into the body that changes the presence of water molecules to create better-quality images.) The researchers discovered that oxalic acid caused small amounts of gadolinium to seep out of the contrast and create nanoparticles that then infiltrated the cells of different organs. Again, the research was done in a test tube, so the researchers didn't find that getting an MRI with contrast would actually cause this. But it definitely raises the possibility. Gadolinium is a rare earth metal that is used in MRI contrast, explains Richard Reitherman, M.D., Ph.D., a radiologist and medical director of breast imaging at MemorialCare Breast Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA. It's found naturally in the earth's crust, although it's usually in minerals like bastnasite. Gadolinium is usually tightly bound to other molecules and is excreted from the body after the MRI (usually through urine), Dr. Reitherman says. As a result, it doesn't typically cause any bad health effects in most people. However, some studies have found gadolinium lingering in the kidney and the brain after MRI with contrast, and it can also be detected in blood and urine years after someone is exposed to it. Gadolinium isn't used in every MRI. 'In general, it is not used for musculoskeletal MRIs,' Dr. Reitherman says. 'However, it is used for brain, breast, pelvic, and abdominal MRIs.' Meaning, if your healthcare provider suspects that you ruptured a disc in your spine, you're unlikely to get an MRI with contrast. But if you have a suspected case of appendicitis or a tumor, you'll often get an MRI with contrast. 'Contrast is used for a lot of things and millions of people have had millions of doses of this with no issue,' Dr. Reitherman says. This is a little complicated. The gadolinium atom on its own is toxic, says Jeffrey Luci, Ph.D., research assistant professor of biomedical imaging physics at the Rutgers Center for Advanced Human Brain Imaging Research. 'But when used in a contrast agent for MRI, it is basically wrapped up in a large organic molecule that's designed to prevent it from becoming free,' Luci says. 'The purpose of that is so it can be excreted out of the body so it doesn't degrade and turn into something bad,' Dr. Reitherman says. 'The stuff that's injected is not toxic.' People can experience side effects from gadolinium-based contrast agents, including a burning or cool feeling around the injection site, headache, or nausea, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. However, people can have more severe complications of contrast agents, including kidney injury, brain damage, and 'significant' changes to the skin, says Jamie Alan, Ph.D., an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University. Just keep in mind that this is rare, with one older study suggesting that serious complications happen in just 0.03% of gadolinium-based contrast injections. Some people are more susceptible to complications than others, though. 'Although gadolinium is used as an MRI contrast agent on a daily basis in hospital settings and is generally considered to be safe when used as directed, it is associated with adverse effects in certain patient populations,' says Kelly Johnson-Arbor, M.D., a toxicologist at MedStar Health. 'In people with chronic kidney disease, exposure to certain types of gadolinium contrast agents is associated with an increased risk of developing a condition called nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF). NSF is a disease characterized by skin swelling, thickening, and pain.' As for whether these gadolinium nanoparticles will build up in your body over time and cause health issues, that's not clear at this point. 'No one has been able to show that gadolinium [accumulation in the body] is doing anything bad,' Luci says. 'But that doesn't mean we shouldn't be looking for reasons to make sure it's safe.' However, this is different from heavy metal poisoning, which is when metals like lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium can build up in the body and cause symptoms. (As of right now, there are no symptoms linked with these nanoparticles.) 'This is a preliminary study,' Alan agrees. 'This was not done in humans and may not translate. We really need more research to completely understand the long-term health effects and potential treatments.' If your doctor orders an MRI with contrast, experts agree that it's really best to get it done. 'This might be very important for diagnosis of your condition,' Alan says. 'Typically, MRIs are not scheduled unless they are absolutely needed because of cost and availability.' Dr. Reitherman agrees. 'Contrast is only used when it's necessary,' he says. But he also adds that potentially life-threatening health issues like tumors need gadolinium to be used in order for it to show up in imaging. Still, Dr. Reitherman says that more work is needed to learn about these nanoparticles, the potential impact they have on the body, and if they even form in humans. 'This is the basic science, and it's where we start,' he says. 'But it needs to move on to human experimentation and prove that this actually causes disease. Right now, the conclusions are theoretical.' If you have questions, Alan recommends talking to your doctor. 'Generally, this imaging is safe,' she says. 'Serious adverse reactions are rare.' Luci also stresses that you shouldn't be scared to get an MRI if your doctor says it's medically necessary. 'We really don't want to give people the wrong message and make them think that this is indicative of a risk or danger level that really isn't there,' he says. You Might Also Like Can Apple Cider Vinegar Lead to Weight Loss? Bobbi Brown Shares Her Top Face-Transforming Makeup Tips for Women Over 50
