Health Brief: More Than Half of Baby Foods Are Unhealthy; High Doses of ADHD Drugs Linked to Psychosis and Mania; New Vitamin D Guidelines

A baby is fed baby food. IvaD23/Shutterstock

Good morning, and welcome to The Epoch Times Health Brief for Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024. I’m Bill Thomas, we have a number of intriguing health stories to share with you right now, and here’s what’s going on.

New research shows the hidden dangers in commercial baby food, another study shows a connection between high doses of popular ADHD medications and mental health issues, and we have new information to share with you regarding vitamin D guidelines that could change your health routine.

Also, we'll take a look at a very serious neurological condition that currently affects nearly 1 million Americans.

We'll break down each of these stories one by one, but we begin with a study that exposes how a number of popular food products could possibly jeopardize the health of our nation’s most vulnerable population.

More Than Half of Commercial Baby Foods Are Unhealthy

It turns out most commercial baby foods are simply not healthy. Researchers looked at 651 processed food products for infants and toddlers sold in grocery chains all over the United States. They found that 60 percent of these foods failed to meet World Health Organization (WHO) nutritional standards.

Additionally, they found that 70 percent of baby food products lack sufficient protein and over 40 percent exceed recommended sugar levels. Food pouches and other snacks, which dominate the baby food market, ranked among the unhealthiest options.

You should know the study points out that poor nutrition during early childhood may lead to chronic diseases later in life, such as obesity and diabetes. This is because early childhood is crucial for developing taste preferences and proper dietary habits.

Experts now recommend that parents avoid processed foods for young children and instead, they suggest blending regular, healthy foods at home.

The study also highlights how misleading labels are also part of the problem. Researchers are calling for stricter labeling regulations to help parents make more well-informed choices.

As we continue, we are scoping out a new Harvard study now that concerns people taking medications for ADHD.

High Doses of ADHD Drugs Linked to Higher Risks of Psychosis and Mania: Harvard Study

This new research links high doses of ADHD drugs to psychosis and mania.

People taking high doses of amphetamines, like Adderall, to treat ADHD are five times more likely to experience psychotic episodes. Interestingly, it appears that only amphetamines, as opposed to other meds like the stimulant Ritalin, carried this risk.

So you know, the study considered a high dose of Adderall to be 40 milligrams, and the usual adult recommendation is half that, or 20 milligrams.

Now, when researchers analyzed 14 years’ worth of health records, they found that up to 63 percent of psychosis cases caused by amphetamines might have been preventable.

Naturally, the findings prompted the authors to recommend closely monitoring patients taking high doses of these medications.

They suggested that lower doses may be safer, all while being equally effective.

So, here’s the bottom line: If you or someone you know is on ADHD meds, keep an eye out for warning signs like insomnia, agitation, or auditory hallucinations, which are symptoms of psychosis and mania.

We’ll switch things up just a bit now, and new guidelines may be changing the way we think about vitamin D—the so-called sunshine vitamin—which is good for bone health, immune function, brain health, and more.

Vitamin D Dilemma: New Guidelines Flip the Script on Sunshine Supplements

The new changes stem from a lack of clear evidence that higher vitamin D levels prevent disease in healthy people.

As a result, the Endocrine Society, a global organization of thousands of experts from more than 100 countries, no longer endorses specific vitamin D levels to define sufficiency or deficiency.

The recommendations now advise against routine vitamin D screening and supplementation for most adults under 75.

The new guidelines do, however, suggest vitamin D supplements for children, pregnant women, and adults over 75, and they also recommend vitamin D supplements for people with prediabetes.

You should know that not everyone’s on board with these new guidelines. Peter Osborne, a nutrition expert, says that “vitamin D is an essential nutrient that plays a pivotal role in multiple functions in the body,“ and that ”it makes absolutely no sense to try to deter the medical community away from routine screening.”

Experts like Osborne say that vitamin D plays a crucial role in many bodily functions and that deficiency is common. Critics also point out that many studies use low doses of vitamin D, compared to what would be used in a clinical setting.

The new recommendations mark a shift toward more targeted vitamin D strategies that are based on a variety of individual factors, rather than age alone.

As we continue and because health is a primary concern for all of us, let’s stay on topic and talk about something that affects a large chunk of the American population.

Multiple Sclerosis: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments, and Natural Approaches

Multiple sclerosis, often referred to as MS, is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, essentially disrupting communication between the brain and the rest of the body.

Vision problems, muscle weakness, balance issues, and fatigue are common, but MS can also cause cognitive issues, speech problems, and even changes in taste and smell.

Now, let’s take a look at the global MS map, which shows a peculiar pattern. Oddly, the farther we are from the equator, the more MS cases we find. Some scientists think that vitamin D deficiency due to a lack of sunlight might be the reason.

Symptoms of MS can vary widely and usually show up between ages 20 and 40, making it the most common disabling neurological condition in that age group.

You should know that MS can be classified into four main types. The most common type, affecting about 85 percent of patients, is relapsing-remitting MS. It involves episodes of worsening symptoms followed by recovery.

Diagnosing MS is a bit like detective work. Doctors use a combination of medical history, neurological exams, MRI scans, and sometimes even a spinal tap to rule out other conditions.

While there’s no cure for MS yet, treatment options have come a long way. From therapies to lifestyle changes, the goal is to manage symptoms and reduce relapses.

Some patients even find relief through alternative approaches like yoga, acupuncture, counseling, and specific diets.

Research into MS is ongoing, with scientists exploring everything from genetic factors to potential environmental triggers.

Remember, while multiple sclerosis is challenging, many people with this condition lead full, active lives. Actress Christina Applegate, known for playing Kelly Bundy on the sitcom “Married... with Children,” was diagnosed with MS in 2021. But she continued to act and recently said she plans to remain involved in the entertainment industry in some capacity.

And now, it looks like our time is just about up for today, so we’re going to call it a wrap for this edition of The Epoch Times Health Brief.

Just a reminder, you can reach out to us anytime via email at [email protected]. You can also leave comments for us on the Epoch Times app, which you can download for free.

And don’t forget the Health Brief motto: We’re portable, affordable, and always on-demand.

And finally, as we do each and every day on this program, we wrap everything up with a very notable quote, and this one comes to us from actress Glenn Close, who said: “What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor, and more unashamed conversation.”

Before we go, a health tip that is as old as time: Drink water. It’s like a spa for your cells.

For all of us here at The Epoch Times Health Brief, I’m Bill Thomas.

The Epoch Times Health Brief program was written today by Hristina Byrnes and Makai Allbert.

Thank you for making us your one-stop source for a concise, accurate, and unbiased daily synopsis of many of the health stories you need to know about.

Enjoy the remainder of your day, and we'll see you right back here next time for another edition of The Epoch Times Health Brief.

For now, let’s all continue to watch out for one another and have an absolutely superb day today. Bye for now.