Good morning, and welcome to The Epoch Times Health Brief for Sunday, November 24th, 2024—just four more days till Thanksgiving and a much anticipated feast.
I’m Bill Thomas, we have several stories vital to your good health to share with you right now, and here’s what’s going on.
There is mounting evidence to support the notion that aspirin might be a double-edged sword regarding cardiovascular health, as Secretary of Health and Human Services nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. plans to target what some experts are calling toxic ingredients in common foods, and a new movement has parents coming together to stop kids from using cell phones until they’re in 8th grade, and we’ll tell you why.
Also, we’ll dive into the surprising causes of a very painful foot condition, and a new study suggests that cannabis use might be rewriting your genetic code, raising concerns about how it could affect your mental health.
Aspirin, Remarkable for Preventing Heart Attacks, Is Not for Everyone
For years, the mantra “an aspirin a day keeps the doctor away” was the go-to message with regard to preventing cardiovascular events, especially among older adults. However, in the past several years, three major clinical trials have found that low-dose aspirin, which is around 100 milligrams a day, is not effective for warding off heart-related issues in many healthy people.
One study actually highlighted an alarming rise in the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding for those taking aspirin on a regular basis. The risk of bleeding increases with age, leading experts to recommend that people begin to use aspirin only if they have certain risk factors diagnosed by their doctor.
Interestingly, researchers have concluded that aspirin’s benefits as a blood thinner stem from its ability to inhibit platelet aggregation, which is a fancy way of saying that it helps prevent blood clots that can lead to heart attack or stroke.
By the way, the American Heart Association is now saying that people without a history of cardiovascular problems, except those in particular high-risk categories like individuals with deep vein thrombosis or coronary artery disease, should avoid taking aspirin daily without first talking to their doctor.
RFK Jr. Has Taken Aim at These Additives. What Could He Do as HHS Secretary?
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has recently gained attention for his comments that “Americans are being poisoned,” because people in the U.S. eat too much ultra-processed foods, which have been linked to various chronic diseases and dreadful health outcomes.This issue has fueled Kennedy’s push for change as he is now nominated to oversee the Department of Health and Human Services, an agency with significant influence over America’s food supply and public health policies.
He has made headlines for focusing particularly on synthetic food dyes, including something called Yellow 5. This petroleum-derived dye, which is commonly found in many everyday foods like cereals and chips, has been found to contribute to hyperactivity, sleeplessness, and aggression in children.
Beyond food dyes, Kennedy is also targeting high fructose corn syrup for its widespread use in processed foods and potential links to obesity and Type 2 diabetes. Unlike the modified form used in Europe, the American version of the sweetener contains higher fructose levels, which could strain the liver and contribute to various health issues including heart disease, weight gain, and even behavioral problems.
Kennedy’s proposed revisions to food safety regulations could mark a significant shift in how the U.S. approaches food additives and public health. His plans include urging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to adopt stricter regulations on food dyes and certain ingredients, potentially banning harmful substances currently found in many of the foods we eat every day.
Saving Childhood: A New Movement Helps Parents Protect Young Kids From Smartphones
The smartphone era has transformed childhood, replacing outdoor play with digital obsession. Even more alarming, nearly two-thirds of teenagers now recognize their struggle with cell phone dependency, reflecting a broader shift where families now exist in a state of what experts call being “alone together”—physically present but each member lost in their own private universe.This growing concern has sparked a movement called “Wait Until 8th,” where parents are pledging to hold off on giving their kids smartphones until the eighth grade. The catch is that you need at least 10 families from the same school to sign up, which creates a support network and also makes it easier for kids when they realize they’re not the only ones without a phone.
More than 82,000 parents nationwide are already on board with the program, hoping to shield their kids from the negative effects of early smartphone use, which include things like shortened attention spans, cyberbullying, and exposure to inappropriate content.
One psychologist points out that for children under 5, excessive screen exposure can impede language and social skills development. Between ages 6 and 12, smartphones could disrupt what experts call the creation of critical cognitive and emotional foundation-building, and by teenage years, excessive phone use can negatively influence sleep patterns, self-perception, and mental well-being.
For families already dealing with excessive phone use, experts recommend a gentle approach to cutting back. Rather than going cold turkey, they suggest creating “coping kits” filled with activities such as being outdoors, going out to eat, and having open discussions about managing life without constantly staring at a smartphone.
Plantar Fasciitis: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments, and Natural Approaches
Plantar fasciitis, also referred to as “runner’s heel” due to its frequent occurrence in active people, involves significant heel pain. The foot condition is caused by inflammation of the plantar fascia, which is a thick band of tissue connecting the heel bone to the toes.This condition comes in two forms: The first one is acute plantar fasciitis, which often results from a specific injury and usually resolves itself within about six months. The second one is chronic plantar fasciitis, which can last much longer, with symptoms that can get worse over time. Early signs often include sharp pain in the heel of the foot after periods of rest, such as when you’re getting out of bed or standing after sitting for a while.
Common first-line treatments include stretching exercises, applying ice, and the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). For more severe cases, therapeutic interventions such as physical therapy, devices designed to improve the alignment and function of the foot and ankle, and certain injections may be helpful as well.
In addition to standard treatments, there are natural approaches that might be worth considering. Options like acupuncture and certain topical creams have shown promising results in some studies, and may be an alternative for potential relief without uncomfortable side effects.
Maybe even more importantly, prevention plays a critical role, because maintaining flexibility in muscles and joints, wearing supportive shoes, and gradually increasing activity levels could help reduce the risk of developing plantar fasciitis in the first place.
People who are experiencing foot and heel pain should consult with a doctor, as untreated plantar fasciitis can lead to complications like heel spurs and the loss of the natural curve of the arch in your foot.
Study Identifies Link Between High-Potency Cannabis Use and DNA Changes, Psychosis
A new study finds that using high-potency cannabis, that’s marijuana with more than 10 percent THC, which is the main psychoactive compound in the cannabis plant, can actually alter your DNA.It’s important to note that changes were observed in participants who used cannabis more than once a week in something called the CAVIN-1 gene, which is key to how our cells function. This could lead to serious problems with regard to how your body produces energy and fights off diseases.
Even more intriguing: the way cannabis use affects DNA appears to differ between people who’ve experienced psychosis and those who haven’t. According to the researchers, this discovery could be a game-changer, because it might pave the way for blood tests that could predict if people are at risk for psychosis before they even show any symptoms.
While some experts worry about the ethical implications of DNA testing (like privacy concerns and potential misuse), others see it as a valuable tool. One psychiatrist says that being able to tell someone to reconsider using cannabis because their DNA suggests they’re more susceptible to negative effects—could empower them to make more well-informed decisions about their health.
It’s also worth mentioning that mental health issues and substance use often go hand-in-hand, because they share underlying causes, including genetic factors, brain changes, and trauma.
More than 25 percent of adults with serious mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety disorder, and schizophrenia also struggle with substance use, creating a complex web that doctors are still trying to untangle.
And now, it looks like our time is just about up for today, so we’re gonna call it a wrap for this edition of the Epoch Times Health Brief.
And don’t forget the Health Brief Motto: We’re portable, affordable, and always on-demand.
And finally, as we do each and every week on this program, we share with you a very notable quote, and this one comes to us from Edward Stanley who said: “Those who think they have no time for healthy eating will sooner or later have to find time for illness.”
Stanley was a 19th-century British statesman.
One more thing before we go—the health tip of the day: If you can’t pronounce it, don’t eat it and don’t drink it!
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.
Thank you for making us your one-stop source for a concise, accurate, and unbiased weekly 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, have a fabulous Thanksgiving celebration coming up on Thursday and have an absolutely superb day today. Bye for now.
