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SILVER SPRING, Md.New findings show that healthcare professionals hold implicit and explicit weight-biased attitudes towards people with overweight and obesity. The extent and nature of these results, however, are mixed, according to a paper published online in Obesity, The Obesity Societys flagship journal. The new review is the first meta-analysis of pooled estimates of implicit and explicit weight biases across healthcare disciplines and found no presence of publication bias within the implicit bias pooled effect.

It is important to emphasize that health care professionals endeavor to provide the highest quality of care for their patients, but this review shows that weight-biased attitudes may be present within many healthcare settings. It is important that clinicians are aware of how their attitudes may affect their provision of care when working with people with overweight or obesity, said Blake Lawrence, PhD, BPsych (Hons), MAPS, research fellow, Western Australia Cancer Prevention Research Unit; Discipline of Psychology, Curtin School of Population Health; associate investigator, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute; Faculty of Health Sciences. Lawrence is the corresponding author of the paper.

Experts note people living with overweight and obesity rely on healthcare providers when seeking advice to improve their health, and a supportive patient-provider relationship is of the utmost importance for successful, long-term weight loss and improvements in health. Weight bias has been reported in physicians, nurses, dieticians, physiotherapists, psychologists, nutritionists and exercise professionals. Weight biases include assumptions that people living with overweight or obesity are lazy, incompetent, lacking willpower and self-discipline, and not motivated to improve their health, which can lead to depression, anxiety, substance use or suicidality. Longitudinal evidence shows that irrespective of baseline body mass index, adults who experienced weight discrimination have a 60% increased risk of death.

Electronic databases were searched such as MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science and PsycInfo to identify published articles reporting weight bias in healthcare professionals. Gray literature and pre-print databases were also searched (e.g., OpenGrey, biorxiv, psyrxiv) to identify unpublished manuscripts that were relevant to this topic. Reference lists of previous systematic reviews were searched for relevant articles, and studies were included from 19892020. Searches were limited to adult participants.

More than 40 studies consisting of 12,818 healthcare professionals met inclusion criteria with 17 studies providing sufficient data to be meta-analyzed. Among the studies that reported sample demographics, participants were middle-aged and more frequently female. A moderate pooled effect (standardized mean difference = 0.66; 95% CI: 0.37-0.96) showed that healthcare professionals demonstrate implicit weight bias. There was also a large degree of heterogeneity within the pooled effect (Q = 114.99, p < 0.001; I2 = 94.78). Healthcare professionals also report explicit weight bias on the Fat Phobia Scale, Antifat Attitudes Scale and Attitudes Towards Obese Persons Scale. More than 25 different outcomes were used to measure weight bias and the overall quality of evidence was rated as very low. Most studies that used or developed original outcomes did not report sufficient psychometric properties to determine their reliability or validity.

The studys researchers noted that any future attempts at assessing the extent of weight bias in healthcare professionals must either administer an existing outcome measure with sufficient psychometric properties or use a theoretical framework to develop a global measure, including context-specific sub-scales to assess weight bias across all healthcare disciplines and follow established psychometric conventions for questionnaire development. Researchers have recommended the Type 2 Diabetes Stigma Assessment Scale as an example. Each construct of the assessment scale, as well as the overall factor structure of the questionnaire, demonstrated high internal consistency and sufficient concurrent validity, convergent validity and discriminant validity. After development of a questionnaire, future research also needs to explore potential interventions to reduce weight bias in healthcare settings. Results of the review suggest that improving healthcare professionals knowledge of obesity as a disease instead of a lifestyle choice may begin to change their attitudes toward people living with obesity, and therefore, reduce weight bias in healthcare settings.

Awareness is an important first step toward combatting weight bias. Research is now needed to determine concrete steps that can prevent these negative attitudes from affecting patient care, and how to implement such strategies into healthcare policies and practices, said Rebecca Pearl, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville. Pearl was not associated with the research.

Other authors of the study include Deborah Kerr and Christina Pollard of the School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia; Elise Alexander, Darren Haywood and Moira OConnor of the School of Population Health and the Western Australia Cancer Prevention Research Unit, Curtin University, and Mary Theophilus of St. John of God Hospital in Perth, Australia.

The paper, titled Weight Bias Among Health Care Professionals: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis", is published online in Obesity and is freely available. The paper will be published in the November 2021 print issue.

The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

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The Obesity Society (TOS) is the leading organization of scientists and health professionals devoted to understanding and reversing the epidemic of obesity and its adverse health, economic and societal effects.Combining the perspective of researchers, clinicians, policymakers and patients, TOS promotes innovative research, education and evidence-based clinical care to improve the health and well-being of all people with obesity. For more information, visit http://www.obesity.org.

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Studies: Mixed results on nature, extent of healthcare professional's weight biased attitudes towards patients living with overweight/obesity -...

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a sense of urgency to generate new drugs and vaccines. In many cases, this urgency became a regulatory opportunity to bypass established regulatory pathways for new drugs.

While this has led to the fast emergence of many useful drugs and vaccines for COVID-19, it has also led to a general reduction in the quality of medical research from which to derive conclusions.

For example, according to Janet Woodcock, former director of the Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, an FDA analysis found that 6% of clinical trials are yielding results the agency deems actionable.

The lack of regulation coupled with a sense of urgency has also led to overhype and rushed development of certain treatments, including cell-based therapies often sold as stem cell treatments.

While some of these products have undergone well-designed, adequately controlled trials, most are in the early stages. Some clinics are nevertheless offering these unproven and unlicensed treatments to people, promising to boost their immune system or overall health to protect against COVID-19.

Promoting and selling unproven and unlicensed treatments can harm public health and could lead many to undergo untested and potentially harmful treatments.

Recently, a group of researchers from the University of California, Irvine, the Georgia Institute of Technology, the University at Buffalo, NY, and the University of Melbourne in Australia, published a report outlining misinformation around cell-based treatments for COVID-19, calling for their stronger regulation.

Efforts to rapidly develop therapeutic interventions should never occur at the expense of the ethical and scientific standards that are at the heart of responsible clinical research and innovation, said Dr. Laertis Ikonomou, assistant professor of Oral Biology at the University at Buffalo, and co-author of the study.

Scientists, regulators, and policymakers must guard against the proliferation of poorly designed, underpowered, and duplicative studies that are launched with undue haste because of the pandemic, but are unlikely to provide convincing, clinically meaningful safety and efficacy data, said co-author Dr. Leigh Turner, professor of Health, Society and Behavior at the University of California, Irvine.

The researchers published their report in Stem Cell Reports.

Researchers conducted a study in August 2020 of 70 clinical trials involving cell-based treatments for COVID-19. They found that most were small, with an average of 51.8 participants, and only 22.8% were randomized, double-blinded, and controlled experiments.

The authors concluded that the cell-based interventions for COVID-19 were likely to have a relatively small collective clinical impact.

Cell-based treatments for COVID-19 are still at an experimental stage, Dr. Ikonomou told Medical News Today. There are tens of clinical trials, of varied complexity and rigor, that evaluate various cell types, such as mesenchymal stromal cells, for COVID-19 treatment.

Expanded or compassionate use of cell-based interventions has also been reported, but these individual cases are unlikely to tell us whether and how cell therapies could help with COVID-19 and do not substitute for the systematic clinical evaluation of cell-based products, he added.

A few completed phase 1/2 trials have shown a favorable safety profile, but larger size trials are required. Eventually, properly-powered, controlled, randomized, double-blinded clinical trials will help determine whether cell-based treatments are a viable therapeutic option for COVID-19 and its complications, he explained.

The urgency of the pandemic has made it easy to exaggerate early-stage research. The scientists highlight this is especially the case in press releases, where media professionals can over-hype findings and understate or omit limitations to gain more media coverage.

The researchers also say that even when online media include limitations and key aspects of studies, other communication channels can strip these away easily. What is left then gets amplified, as the public is desperate to see positive news.

To address this, the researchers say science communicators should ensure they have an accurate understanding of the information they report and highlight the required steps for the science to advance without exaggerating its speed.

The researchers also say that simply feeding the public more information in what is known as the information deficit model alone is insufficient. They also suggest science communicators should strive for an engaged or dialogue-based communication approach.

Over-hyping of promising treatments and in particular cell-based treatments has been a longstanding problem, and it did not first emerge with the COVID-19 pandemic, said Dr. Ikonomou. It has become a salient issue during these times due to the global nature of this health emergency and the resulting devastation and health toll.

Therefore, it is even more important to communicate promising developments in COVID-19-related science and clinical management [responsibly]. Key features of good communication are an accurate understanding of new findings, including study limitations and avoidance of sensationalist language, he explained.

Realistic timeframes for clinical translation are equally important as is the realization that promising interventions at preliminary stages may not always translate to proven treatments following rigorous testing, he added.

The researchers say that commercial investments by biotechnology companies to develop cell-based therapies for COVID-19 have led to well-designed and rigorous clinical trials.

However, some other businesses have overlooked the demanding process of pre-marketing authorization of their products. Instead, they made unsubstantiated and inaccurate claims about their stem cell products for COVID-19 based on hyperbolic reporting of cell-based therapies in early testing.

Some clinics advertise unproven and unlicensed mesenchymal stem cell treatments or exosome therapies as immune boosters that prevent COVID-19 and repair and regenerate lungs.

Often, these businesses make their treatments available via infusion or injection. However, one anti-aging clinic in California shipped its kits to clients, where they were to self-administer with a nebulizer and mask.

Such companies often market stem cell treatments via online and social media. In an initial review of many of these brands, the researchers could not find published findings from preclinical studies and clinical trials to support their commercial activities.

Instead, they found that these companies drew from uncritical news media reports, preliminary clinical studies, or case reports in which those diagnosed with COVID-19 received stem cell interventions.

Promoting such therapies that have not undergone proper tests for safety and efficacy have the potential for significant physical and financial harm.

Health experts have documented adverse events due to unlicensed stem cell products, including vision loss and autoimmune, infectious, neurological, and cardiovascular complications.

Early in the pandemic, scientific and professional societies, including the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine and the International Society for Stem Cell Research, have warned the public against businesses engaged in the marketing of cell-based treatments that have not undergone adequate testing.

The researchers highlight that it is unclear whether these warnings reached individuals and their loved ones or significantly affected public understanding of the risks of receiving unlicensed and unproven stem cell treatments for COVID-19.

They also indicate that it is unclear whether these societies and organizations have an important role in convincing regulatory bodies to increase enforcement in this space. Nevertheless, at the time of writing, the FDA and Federal Trade Commission have issued 22 letters to businesses selling unproven and unlicensed cell-based therapies.

And while many of these companies have ceased market activity, the presence of other companies continuing to pedal the same claims makes it clear that regulatory bodies must increase their enforcement.

Additionally, the researchers question whether warning letters are sufficient to disincentivize clinicians and others to sell unlicensed products. They write:

If companies and affiliated clinicians are not fined, forced to return to patients whatever profits they have made, confronted with criminal charges, subject to revocation of medical licensure, or otherwise subject to serious legal and financial consequences, it is possible that more businesses will be drawn to this space because of the profits that can be generated from selling unlicensed and unproven cell-based products in the midst of a pandemic.

The researchers conclude that regulators should increase enforcement against unproven and unlicensed therapies for COVID-19.

They also say that science communicators should report on scientific claims more realistically and include the public in more discourse.

In the U.S. and elsewhere, there are regulations and enforcement mechanisms that deal with harms caused by unproven and unlicensed cell-based interventions and false advertising claims, said Dr. Ikonomou. It may be preferable to implement existing regulations more vigorously than introduce new ones.

Stakeholders, such as scientific, professional, and medical associations, can contribute towards this goal with reporting and monitoring of cell therapy misinformation. There is a shared responsibility to combat cell-therapy related misinformation and disinformation that undercuts legitimate research and clinical efforts and portrays unproven interventions as silver bullets for COVID-19, he concluded.

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COVID-19: Researchers warn against overhyping early-stage therapies - Medical News Today

When youre struggling to lose weight, it might be tempting to want to try every pill and potion on the internet that promises to blast, burn or melt the pounds away in a matter of weeks. The thing is, those concoctions could make things worse instead of better. So whats the skinny on herbal weight loss supplements? Obesity medicine physician Shweta Diwakar, MD, helps us understand how they work and why its better to stick with a supervised weight loss program.

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According to Dr. Diwakar, there is a lack of high-quality evidence to suggest how herbal weight loss supplements work.

Herbal supplements claim to cause weight loss through:

Most herbal supplements have limited or no consistent data to support long-term weight loss efficacy and safety. They also have the potential for adverse interactions between supplements and prescription medications. Unlike medications, supplements are not intended to treat, diagnose, prevent or cure diseases. Therefore, claims such as reduces pain or treats heart disease arent substantiated. Claims like these can only legitimately be made for drugs that go through scientific rigor, a process thats not routinely followed for dietary supplements, says Dr. Diwakar.

One mistake that people make is thinking that herbal supplements are good for them because the ingredients arent synthetic. Dr. Diwakar points out that herbs are not always safe just because theyre natural. In fact, increased herbal and dietary supplement (HDS) use is directly proportional to increased HDS-induced liver injuries.

HDS-induced liver injuries account for about 20% of the cases of liver damage in the U.S. The major implicated ingredients for these cases include anabolic steroids and green tea extract. Many weight loss supplements that are considered unsafe can be found online. Its important to recognize that these products can come with associated risks.

If youre getting an herbal product from a retail chain, keep in mind that the salesperson might have limited knowledge about how the product works. They also might not be aware of reported problems or how the herbs might interact with medications that you may be taking. Many herbal manufacturers also make false claims about the health benefits of these products. For all of these reasons and the lack of proven health benefits, its best to avoid herbal weight loss supplements or to talk to your healthcare provider about other options.

Other things to keep in mind should you still decide to try an herbal weight loss supplement:

Here are some key points about common herbal weight loss products and some insights as to their effectiveness as weight loss agents.

Ephedrine: Ephedrine is a common ingredient in herbal dietary supplements used for weight loss. Its also an ingredient found in asthma medicine. In addition, ephedrine is used to make methamphetamine or speed.

Ephedrine can slightly decrease your appetite, but no studies have shown it to be effective in weight loss. Ephedrine can be dangerous. It can cause high blood pressure, changes in heart rate, trouble sleeping, nervousness, tremors, seizures, heart attacks, strokes and even death. Ephedrine can also interact with many prescription and over-the-counter medications. In the US, ephedra-containing dietary supplements are no longer available.

St. Johns wort: St. Johns wort, also called hypericum, is a plant that has been used for centuries to treat mental disorders, nerve pain, malaria, insect bites, wounds, burns and other conditions. More recently, St. Johns wort has been studied to treat depression, but studies have shown that it was no more effective than a placebo.

There arent too many studies that examine the use of St. Johns wort as a weight-loss agent. However, keep in mind that it shouldnt be combined with anything that contains tyramine aged cheeses, cured or processed meats, wine, pickled or fermented vegetables and citrus or tropical fruit to name a few.

It also shouldnt be combined with:

Overall, using St. Johns wort for weight loss isnt a good idea because its potentially very dangerous.

5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP). 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is found in some over-the-counter weight loss formulas. This extract from a West African plant seed contains an ingredient that is linked to a rare and potentially deadly blood disorder. It has not been proven to be an effective weight-loss agent. Until more is known, 5-HTP products should be avoided.

Chitosan: This dietary supplement is made from chitin, a starch found in the skeleton of shrimp, crab, and other shellfish. Chitosan binds with fat in fatty food, moves it through the digestive tract and then, the fat is passed out of the body in bowel movements. Some research suggests that combining chitosan with a calorie-restricted diet might result in a small amount of weight loss. But taking chitosan without reducing caloric intake doesnt appear to cause weight loss. People with shellfish allergies might be allergic to chitosan as well.

Pyruvate: Pyruvate is formed when the body digests carbohydrates and proteins. Some research suggests that it may promote slight weight loss. Found in the form of pyruvic acid, pyruvate is in many different types of foods, including red apples, cheese, and red wine. Pyruvate appears to be safe, but its claims of boosting metabolism, decreasing appetite and aiding in weight loss need further study.

Aloe: Aloe, or aloe vera, is a plant that is related to cacti. Oral forms of aloe are added to herbal weight-loss products. Oral aloe causes bowel movements and many aloe weight-loss products are marketed as internal cleansers. Aloe supplements have not been proven to promote permanent weight loss. Taking oral aloe can lead to side effects such as abdominal cramping, diarrhea, electrolyte disturbances, and decreases in potassium. Therefore, taking oral aloe is likely unsafe, especially at high doses.

Cascara: Cascara is only marketed as a dietary supplement. It is a common ingredient in weight loss products and is mostly used as a laxative for constipation. Misuse of this herb can cause disturbances in electrolytes (such as potassium and sodium). Electrolytes help your body maintain normal functioning. Do not take if you are pregnant or lactating (can be passed into breast milk). Cascara may interact with medications such as digoxin and diuretics.

Dandelion: Dandelion is a natural diuretic (a substance that makes you urinate more often). This is how it causes weight loss. Dandelion has been known to cause allergic reactions. People who are allergic to ragweed and related plants (daisies, chrysanthemums, marigolds) are likely to be allergic to dandelion.

Glucomannan: Glucomannan is a sugar made from the root of the konjac plant (Amorphophallus konjac). It is available in powder, capsules, and tablet forms. Glucomannan might work in the stomach and intestines by absorbing water to form a bulky fiber that treats constipation. It may also slow the absorption of sugar and cholesterol from the gut. Glucomannan tablets are not considered safe as they can sometimes cause blockages of the throat or intestines. Glucomannan may interfere with blood sugar control. Blood sugar should be closely monitored if you have diabetes and use glucomannan.

Guarana: Made from the seeds of a plant native to Brazil, guarana is an effective central nervous system stimulant. It is used as a weight loss product due to its stimulant and diuretic effects. Guarana contains caffeine and may cause high blood pressure. Some of the extracts have been known to interact with anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin [Coumadin]) and lengthen the bleeding time in the event of a health emergency. Many advertisements state that guarana is free from side effects; however, this statement is not true. Side effects may include nausea, dizziness, and anxiety.

Yerba mate: Also known as Paraguay tea, yerba mate is a strong central nervous system stimulant (the doses typically used mimic that of 100 to 200 milligrams of caffeine). The main reported side effects excessive central nervous system stimulation (speeding up the bodys mental and physical activity) and high blood pressure. Yerba mate has not been proven as a weight-loss aid. A few cases of poisoning, which led to hospitalization, have been reported with the use of this product. When taken in large amounts or for long periods, yerba mate increases the risk of mouth, esophageal, laryngeal, kidney, bladder and lung cancers. This risk is especially high for people who smoke or drink alcohol.

Guar gum: Also known as guar, guar flour, and jaguar gum, guar gum is a dietary fiber obtained from the Indian cluster bean. Guar gum is often used as a thickening agent for foods and drugs. It has been studied for decreasing cholesterol, managing diabetes and weight loss. As a weight-loss product, it helps move foods through the digestive tract and firms up stool. It can decrease appetite by providing a feeling of fullness. However, like glucomannan, guar gum and guar gum preparations have been linked to causing blockages in the esophagus. The water-retaining ability of the gum permits it to swell to 10- to 20-fold and has led to gastrointestinal blockages. Guar gum can also cause large swings in blood glucose (sugar) levels. Diabetic patients should avoid this ingredient.

Herbal diuretics: Many herbal diuretics are commonly found in over-the-counter (OTC) weight-loss products and herbal weight-loss products. Most of the diuretics used OTC come from xanthine alkaloids (like caffeine or theobromine). Avoid anything that contains juniper seeds (capable of causing renal damage), equistine (neurotoxic and can cause brain damage) and horsetail/shave grass (contain several dangerous ingredients that can lead to convulsions or hyperactivity).

Herbal diuretics can interact with certain drugs like lithium, digoxin, or conventional diuretics such as furosemide or hydrochlorothiazide. They also do not provide enough water loss to be considered effective weight loss aids.

While many products out there suggest that they can help you lose weight fast, they can also come with a slew of health concerns. If you need help with starting your weight loss journey, talk to your provider. They can steer you in the right direction and help you find a program that is safe and effective.

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Is It Safe To Use Herbal Weight Loss Supplements? - Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that causes symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and bloody stools. Although weight loss is a common symptom of UC, the condition can sometimes cause a person to gain weight.

UC is a relatively common long-term condition that causes the immune system to react abnormally. This immune reaction produces inflammation in the colon and causes ulcers to appear in the colons inner lining.

A person with UC may experience some of the following symptoms:

UC can cause various other symptoms, which include fatigue, a loss of appetite, fever, nausea, and anemia.

These symptoms often only appear during flare-ups, which usually appear before a period of remission. When a person is in remission, they may experience few or no symptoms.

Although it is common to lose weight as a result of UC, some people may gain weight due to the disease.

UC can cause both weight gain and weight loss.

UC can affect a persons ability to digest food properly and absorb nutrients from it. Due to this, it can lead to serious vitamin deficiencies and malnutrition. Both of these effects can cause a person with UC to lose weight.

However, there are several reasons why UC can also cause a person to gain weight. These include:

There is not much research into whether UC can cause bloating. However, a 2016 study found that people with irritable bowel disease, which includes UC, had significantly worse belly pain, gas, and bloating than people in the general population.

Bloating is different than weight gain. Weight gain occurs over time when a person regularly eats more calories than they use through exercise and normal bodily activities.

Bloating occurs when a persons gastrointestinal tract is full of air or other gases.

When bloated, a person may find that their stomach feels full and tight as though they have eaten a big meal. This sensation can be uncomfortable or even painful, and it may cause a persons stomach to appear bigger than usual.

Learn about 18 ways to reduce bloating here.

There are several possible causes of weight gain in people with UC.

Some people with UC may have issues eating certain foods that typically form part of a nutritious diet, such as whole grains, cruciferous vegetables, fruits with skin and seeds, and nuts. Different foods can trigger flare-ups for different people.

Eating a well-balanced diet is a key factor in helping a person maintain a moderate weight. However, when certain foods trigger flare-ups, this can make eating a nourishing diet more difficult.

Learn more about the right diet for ulcerative colitis here.

Exercise is another key factor in helping a person maintain a moderate weight.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that adults should get at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity physical activity a week.

Some symptoms of UC may make it more difficult for a person to engage in regular exercise.

People with UC may experience abdominal pain, feel fatigued, and go to the bathroom a lot. This combination of symptoms can lower energy levels and impair the ability to exercise.

Some medications for UC can cause a person to gain weight. These include:

Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, may cause a person to gain weight. The long-term use of these drugs may also lead to a decrease in healthy muscle mass.

Biologics, or anti-tumor necrosis factor agents, are a common treatment for UC and may lead to weight gain.

For instance, some evidence links the common biologic treatment infliximab (Remicade) with weight gain. A 2018 study suggests that Remicade can cause weight gain in people with UC if they use it for an extended period. However, more research is necessary to confirm this effect.

Eating a balanced diet is key to maintaining a moderate weight.

The Crohns & Colitis Foundation recommends that people with UC avoid a number of possible trigger foods to minimize the likelihood of flare-ups.

Some of these foods may also contribute to weight gain. For example:

People with UC can identify foods that they can tolerate that are also healthy and contribute to a balanced diet.

These foods will vary among individuals but may include:

Learn more about what to eat to reduce colon inflammation here.

People with UC who are concerned about gaining weight can take steps to prevent it. These include:

Weight loss is a common symptom of ulcerative colitis. However, in some instances, this condition may cause a person to gain weight.

Some people with UC may struggle to eat a balanced diet, while others may be unable to exercise regularly due to symptoms such as stomach pain and fatigue. Some UC medications may also cause a person to gain weight.

A person may wish to try eating a varied, nutritious diet and getting regular exercise to prevent weight gain.

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Ulcerative colitis and weight gain: Causes and weight loss tips - Medical News Today

It seems like its so easy to put weight on, but losing it is another story. While eating in a caloric deficit and getting regular exercise are the main things necessary for effective weight loss, it comes easier to some than others. There are lots of reasons that someone has a hard time losing weight, and it may even be an issue that extends far beyond eating well and exercising.

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The culprit might just be your metabolic function. 88% of our country suffers from metabolic dysfunction, says Dr, Alexandra Sowa, a dual-board certified doctor in both internal and obesity medicine, Its crucial to understand whats going on inside your body so you can make smart changes for better health. Dr. Sowa recommends undergoing a targeted lab panel before starting any health journeys, so that you can know exactly how your metabolism is functioning, and what might make weight loss more difficult for you.

But what is your metabolism, and what does it do? Your metabolism is an intricate collection of systems that are responsible for converting what you eat and drink into energy. Your metabolism serves a crucial function in your body, and making sure its at its peak performance is an important factor for losing weight.

Other than getting labs done, one way you can make weight loss easier is by having realistic expectations. Just 5% total body weight loss can have a big impact on long-term health. Dr. Sowa says, If you set out to lose 10% in the first week, youll give up after day three because there is no way of accomplishing that. Repeatedly starting and stopping health changes can really affect your brain and psyche, making it impossible to ever achieve your goal. Setting small, achievable goals one by one like walking every day or having vegetables at every meal is the best way to achieve sustainable weight loss.

Aside from that, something that Dr. Sowa recommends is planning your meals ahead of time. I tell my patients that if you start a weight loss goal without a plan on how to execute, it is really just a wish! She says, Youll be much more successful if you make food decisions rationally one time a week, instead of in tired, hungry and rushed states 21 times a week.

Of course, before you start any new healthcare or nutrition regimen, always consult with your doctor. But these are all factors to take into account that may give you the boost you need to meet your health goals.

Dr. Alexandra Sowa is a dual-board certified doctor of internal and obesity medicine, and the founder of SoWell Health, a consumer metabolic health company.

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The Metabolic Factor You Might Be Missing Thats Making Weight Loss So Much Harder - SheFinds

Paul Wischmeyer was a teenage athlete when he learned firsthand just how devastating an intense illness can be. After spending the better part of a year severely sick and frequently hospitalized with undiagnosed severe inflammatory bowel disease, his colon perforated, landing him in the intensive care unit. When he finally recovered, he went from being a starter on his high school basketball team to being too weak to walk down the court profoundly disabled from just being in the hospital.

He built back his strength over the next few years, and eventually worked his way through medical school as a personal trainer in a competitive bodybuilding gym, where he helped clients sculpt their physiques by providing them with targeted workouts and having them add protein and other nutritional supplements to their diets. But it wasnt until his training in critical care medicine that Wischmeyer began to thread together his interest in bodybuilding with his interest in ICU recovery.

Critical care experts have long known that a stay in the ICU can lead to long-term weakness lasting months or even years after discharge, regardless of the specific illness. Wischmeyer was especially struck by his patients massive loss of muscle, which reminded him of his own experience.

Id watch people lose half their body weight in a short period of time and not be able to walk, he says.

Today, Wischmeyer, a critical care and nutrition physician at Duke University, is a leading voice among clinicians and scientists investigating whether increasing protein intake during and after hospitalization could be an important and long-overlooked component of recovery. Lean muscle melts away startlingly quickly in ICU patients, and muscle-wasting is a predictor of long-term impairment after hospitalization, studies show. Proponents of the approach say that protein, a nutritional cornerstone for body builders, may help critically ill patients retain muscle or rebuild it as well.

Protein is what everyone is interested in in right now, says Zudin Puthucheary, a clinical senior lecturer in intensive care at Queen Mary University of London. (Wischmeyer, like many researchers in the nutrition field, has received funding from industry.)

But some question whether simply adding more protein to patients diets will translate into increased muscle mass and better functioning. While several studies suggest that boosting protein levels early on after critical illness or surgery may improve recovery, they have mostly been small, and other studies have not shown a benefit.

Protein provision might be important, but there arent large studies to understand that yet, said Renee Stapleton, a pulmonologist and critical care physician at the University of Vermont Medical Center.

A handful of such studies are currently underway, but whether they will bring clarity to the protein picture remains to be seen.

Clinicians have a name for the long-term disability some people experience after an ICU stay: ICU-acquired weakness. Critical care physician Margaret Herridge of Toronto General Hospital began quantifying the effect some two decades ago. More than half of people in their 40s and 50s who spend a week on a ventilator dont return to work a full year after their hospital stay, she found, and a third never do. Even five years later, patients on average recover only three-quarters of the stamina and 6-minute walking distance of their age- and sex-matched peers.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted this issue by bringing huge waves of patients to the ICU. People hospitalized with COVID-19 tend to stay in the ICU longer than other patients, and that, along with the drugs and sedation they receive, likely ratchets up the risk of disability afterwards. I think COVID has highlighted for the general public a lot more about what happens in the ICU, including the challenge of reaching a full recovery, says Leeanne Chapple, a critical care dietician at the University of Adelaide in Australia.

Researchers think that the massive muscle wasting that occurs during a critical illness deserves much of the blame for making recovery difficult.

The first thing we do when anything bad happens is we stop making muscle, says Puthucheary. Not only that, the body also breaks down existing muscle through a process called catabolism. During muscle catabolism, proteins stored in muscle tissue are broken down into smaller molecules called amino acids and energy is released. That breakdown happens quickly: A person who undergoes surgery or who spends time in the ICU can lose up to a kilogram, or 2.2 pounds, of muscle mass per day during the acute stages of their illness.

Id watch people lose half their body weight in a short period of time and not be able to walk, Paul Wischmeyer

Theoretically, adding more protein to a patients diet can help minimize the muscle loss. Yet nutrition has traditionally gotten short shrift in medicine, some experts say; a 2019 report from researchers at Harvard University called for better education about nutrition during medical training. This is especially relevant to critical care, a specialty in which monitoring vital statistics, stamping out infections, and generally ensuring survival has been paramount, says Daren Heyland, a critical care physician at Queens University in Kingston, Canada.

But the mindset is shifting as physicians start considering nutrition as something that is really modulating the underlying disease process, rather than merely playing a supporting role, Heyland says. It is a major paradigm shift.

Ironically, this shift is driven by improvements in critical care. Today, doctors can save people from trauma and illnesses that would have led to death just two decades ago.

With all this great technology, are we creating survivors or victims? Wischmeyer says. Theres this epidemic of impaired quality of life that we have to address. And I think that is drawing a lot more attention to nutrition.

Dietary guidelines recommend that a healthy adult should consume around 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight each day. Current intensive care guidelines, meanwhile, suggest that adults receive 1.2 to 2 grams of protein per kilogram per day, generally delivered through a feeding tube. Wischmeyer and other experts advocate for amounts at the high end of that range, depending on a persons age and other factors.

Yet its not just a question of raising protein targets; clinicians need to ensure those targets are actually being met as studies in U.S. hospitals show that patients are often getting less than half the recommended amount. We are not getting anywhere near the lowest level of recommended protein, says Wischmeyer.

Nutrition interventions are challenging to study particularly in critically ill people, who are a heterogenous group. A blood pressure pill has a measurable physiological effect, and a clinician can see within hours of administering it whether it has done its job. But thats not the case for something like protein.

Not only would it take much longer to effect a change in body composition, there are no tests to track whether muscle cells are actually able to use the protein, says Chapple. Additionally, the timeframe of ICU interventions is generally limited to the week or two that a person spends there.

Most critical care studies have tested whether an intervention improves mortality in the months or year after an illness. But expecting a week of protein shakes to determine whether a person lives or dies is unrealistic, Wischmeyer says. Only recently have some studies begun using more nuanced endpoints measuring changes in a persons quality of life, such as their ability to stand up from a seated position or walk a certain distance.

Still, the idea that patients will benefit from increased protein does align with what researchers know about building back muscle after its intense loss, which was comprehensively demonstrated in a study called the Minnesota Starvation Experiment. The study, which ran from 1944 to 1945 and would probably not pass an ethics review today tracked the effects on 36 men of slashing caloric intake in half for six months. The researchers found that the loss of lean muscle mass was extraordinarily hard to reverse, and doing so required sharply increasing the mens calories and protein intake for as long as two years.

Past studies of athletes have helped researchers understand the cellular processes that occur when a person gains muscle. But its not clear how these processes work in critically ill people, says Arthur van Zanten, a critical care physician at Gelderse Valley Hospital and a professor at the Wageningen University and Research in the Netherlands. His work has shown that these patients usually have poorly functioning mitochondria organelles that provide energy to cells in the form of adenosine triphosphate, or ATP. Without enough energy, the body cant build muscle, no matter how much protein a patient consumes, van Zanten says.

Puthucheary and his colleagues are conducting a small study to test whether ketones an alternative fuel source derived from the bodys breakdown of fat or an amino acid metabolite called hydroxy methylbutyrate might work better. But given the altered physiology associated with critical illness, building muscle may simply prove too difficult, he says. For this reason, Puthucheary is also focusing on trying to prevent muscle wasting, which likely involves a different set of metabolic mechanisms.

Rather than making someone whos sick unsick, we are trying to work with the sick physiology, he says.

As researchers continue to investigate how exactly protein and related factors can affect the physiological processes that underlie recovery, a handful of large randomized trials of between 800 to 4,000 participants are currently investigating the basic question of whether increasing protein intake in the ICU improves recovery. A smaller trial combines protein delivery with exercise. In the next two or three years we will know exactly what is happening, says van Zanten. Im personally convinced the higher protein groups will do better.

Puthucheary is less certain for one thing, because most of them dont include exercise, which is also a key component of building muscle, he says but time will tell.

Other studies are exploring interventions that begin after a patient has recovered enough to leave the ICU. Wischmeyers team, for example, is using principles from elite athletic training to develop a diet and training regimen that people can start in the hospital, right after they leave the ICU, and then they can continue at home. Van Zanten and his colleagues are also investigating nutritional and other strategies for promoting recovery in the months after an ICU stay.

That long-term window is virtually unexplored, yet that period may offer an untapped opportunity, van Zanten says. In the ICU, clinicians can monitor precisely what nutrients a person receives, but thats much tougher after discharge. Peoples food intake often slumps when they are sent home, but with inflammation and catabolism resolving, its when protein and other nutritional interventions, as well as physical activity, are likely to be especially effective. It may not always be possible to restore function fully, says van Zanten, but I am very convinced that we can do a better job.

Alla Katsnelson is a science journalist based in Northampton, Massachusetts. Her work has appeared in Chemical & Engineering News, Scientific American, The New York Times, and other outlets.This article was originally published on Undark. Read the original article.

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Excerpt from:
Recovery from an ICU stay Is tough. Could more protein help? - AGDAILY

If you ever want to figure out which tea to drink for the most health benefits, the answer may surprise you: Out of the five major tea types Black, Green, Oolong, White, and Pu-erh white teais the most minimally processed,involving only harvesting (picking the leaves by hand), withering in direct sunlight, and drying the leaves. That means it has the potential to deliver the most antioxidants in their least altered form.

Made only from the buds and young tea leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant, white tea contains flavonoids and polyphenols, which makes it even more potent against oxidative stress than green tea, which is prepared from the matured tea leaves.

White tea delivers the most antioxidants of any tea due to its natural preparation method, andresearchhave shown it protects against diseases such as heart disease, neurodegenerative disorders, obesity and may even "play an important role in the prevention of cancer," according to one reviewstudypublished in theInternational Journal of Food Science, Nutrition and Dietetics (IJFS).

Thereview lists the impressive benefits of white tea, which reads like a list of the most important health concerns anyone can face, from heart disease to cancer. According to the research, the health benefits of white tea include:

1. Cardioprotective effects2. Antidiabetic potential3. Anticarcinogenic and antimutagenic activities4. Neuroprotective activity5. Antimicrobial properties6. Cardioprotective effects7. Anti-obesity potential

The health benefits of white tea also include protecting against bone loss and skin damage caused by the sun, as well as lowering your risk of insulin resistance and inflammation, which in turn protects the bodyfrom several life-threatening diseases. The tea has also beenshownto help boost your metabolism by 5 percent, which helps to promote natural weight loss.

Whitetea is sipped all around the world, but the plant is native to China, and when it's harvested the leaves are covered in tiny white hairs, hence its name. The drying process is also the leastdetrimental to the plant, compared to the process of other teas,which is why white tea is known as a delicacy.

Today, white tea is everywhere: You can find it as the main ingredient in skincare products including natural cleaners, facemasks, hand soap, lotions, and deodorant, added for its protection against skin damage benefits, as well as fragrances like perfumes and candles for its soft, floral scent. However, if you want to get the most from white tea, drinking it regularly hasbeenscientifically linked tonumerous health benefits.

Regular consumption of white tea has a protective effect against bone loss, according to a studythat involved postmenopausal women who are at a higher risk of bone fracture. Researchers set out to investigate the potential health benefits of white tea on female rats whose ovaries had been removed. After twelve weeks, theresearchers measured bone mineral densityand found that white tea reduced bone loss and increased a protein hormone calledosteocalcinthat helps build bone strength and reduce the incidence of fracture.

The extract in white tea may boost collagen and protect against skin damage, according to a study. Researchers tested white tea, rose, and witch hazel extract and formulations in a lab and the data showed white teahas a "protective effect on fibroblast cells" in the skin, against hydrogen peroxide-induced damage, supporting wound healing and healthier skin in general.

In a different study, researchers determined whether green tea or white tea extracts would prevent skin damage caused by the sun and found that both types of tea offered protection against the effects of UV skin damage.

A study investigated the effects of white tea extract on young diabetic rats for four weeks and found thatthe mice given the tea showed a decrease in blood glucose concentrations and LDL cholesterol (also known as bad cholesterol). The mice given the white tea extract also showed an increase in glucose tolerance compared to the mice not given the white tea extract. The researchers concluded: "White tea iseffective to reduce most of the diabetes-associated abnormalities in a streptozotocin-induced diabetes model of rats."

In Ancient China, people combined peppermint tea and white tea to detoxify their bodies, also known today as the anti-inflammation effect. Researchers in onestudy examined the two teas mixed together and found that the combined formula was associated with enhancingantibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Chronic inflammation has been linked to heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and certain cancers, along with other health-related illnesses, according to a recentstudy.

White tea may increase your energy expenditure as you lose weight, as well asboost the body's natural ability to burn fat, according to a study.White tea and green tea may "increase energy expenditure (4 to 5 percent), fat oxidation (10 to 16 percent) and have been proposed to counteract the decrease in metabolic rate that is present during weight loss," according to the study. "Daily increases in thermogenesis of approximately 300 to 400 calories can eventually lead to substantial weight loss," it concluded.

Therefore, researchers suggest thatwhite teamay be a helpful strategy for healthy weight loss or long-term weight maintenance.

It has been shown to help lower LDL cholesterol, help fight oxidative stress in the body,fight chronic inflammation and help protect against bone loss, and sun-related skin damage, White tea appears to lower insulin resistance and may help you lose weight, according to studies.

For more great content like this, read The Beet's Health & Nutrition articles.

Here are the best foods to eat on repeat, to boost immunity and fight inflammation. And stay off the red meat.

Excerpt from:
5 Health Benefits of White Tea: Lower Risk of Insulin Resistance - The Beet

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is a measure your doctor can take of how well your kidneys are working. You can improve your GFR and your kidney function by looking at your lifestyle, diet, and medications, and making certain changes.

Your kidneys are your bodys filtration system. They pull the water and nutrients you need from your blood, and send waste products, toxins, and extra fluid to the bladder to be released as urine. Your kidneys play a crucial role in regulating your bodys fluid and electrolyte balance, which can impact things like your heart rate and blood pressure.

When this filter isnt working well, or if youve been diagnosed with kidney disease, you need to monitor your kidney health carefully. Thats because any imbalance in this system can affect the entire body. Keep reading to learn what you can do to improve your GFR and protect, or restore, your kidney health.

The glomerular filtration rate measurement comes from the name of the filtering units inside your kidneys, called the glomeruli.

Glomeruli are complex structures made of tiny blood vessels called capillaries, along with protein mesh and layers of tissue that continuously filter your plasma. Each glomerulus is housed within a structure called a Bowmans capsule. Based on 2020 research, between your 2 kidneys, you have about 2 million glomeruli.

A number of formulas are used by groups like the National Kidney Foundation to calculate GFR. But the measurement essentially takes into consideration your gender, age, body size, and your blood creatinine level.

Creatinine is a waste product that your body creates as muscle breaks down. Everyone has some creatinine in their blood. Average levels range from:

These levels can vary. For example, in a 2009 research review, creatinine levels fell by an average of 0.4 milligrams per deciliter in pregnant women.

Because they can change with age and size, creatinine levels alone are not good indicators of kidney health. The GFR takes these other elements into account.

Most GFR results simply provide you with a measurement of 60 or higher, since you can have stage 1 or 2 kidney disease, but still have normal kidney function. This changes when your GFR drops below 60. Under 60, you begin to have some loss in function.

The National Kidney Foundation lists the following GFR scores and kidney disease stages, and what to expect in each:

As you advance through the stages of kidney disease, you will notice more and more symptoms, and your treatments may need to become more intense.

Hemodialysis is a treatment where an artificial kidney filters and circulates your blood when your kidneys can no longer do their job. Its a common method for managing end-stage kidney disease and kidney failure. However, with early diagnosis and careful management, you may be able to at least slow down the progression of your kidney disease.

In most cases, kidney disease is a chronic and gradually progressing disease. While its possible to improve your GFR, youre more likely to do so with acute kidney injuries rather than with chronic kidney disease. For most people with chronic disease, positive lifestyle changes may help slow the loss of kidney function.

Some studies have shown that GFR may increase over time in people at all stages of kidney disease by:

Here are other things you can do to help reduce further damage to your kidneys.

A balanced diet can go a long way in protecting your kidneys. Some foods put more strain on the kidneys and are best avoided, especially if you have known kidney damage. These include foods high in potassium, phosphorous, and sodium, like:

Getting regular exercise and keeping your blood pressure in check can help protect your kidneys. High blood pressure can damage the delicate structures in your kidneys.

Controlling your blood sugar is key to avoiding kidney damage. This is especially true if you have diabetes. People with kidney disease who have diabetes are more likely to have severe complications or a quicker decline in kidney health than those with kidney disease who dont have diabetes.

Drinking enough water is good advice for anyone, but it can also help your kidney health. Staying hydrated can improve your kidneys ability to filter toxins. Kidney experts recommend that you drink enough water to make around 2 liters of urine per day. If youre wondering how much water that is, itll vary from person to person.

Dehydration concentrates your urine, which can cause damage. Exactly how much water you should drink is up for debate, and clinical studies are still investigating just how much water it would take to help your kidneys. They have shown that any benefit is only seen with plain water, not sweetened drinks.

There are other cases where you may need to limit how much water you drink. If you have severe kidney disease, your doctor may place you on a fluid restriction. This is because your kidneys are less effective at removing extra water from your body. The extra fluid can lead to swelling and edema, and may need to be removed by other means, like hemodialysis.

If your kidneys arent working well, or if youve been diagnosed with kidney disease, its important to talk with your doctor about any medications youre taking. A number of medications can impair or cause damage to the kidneys. Your doctor can determine the best course of action in terms of stopping these medications or replacing them with a different kind of medication.

Medications that can cause problems with your kidneys called nephrotoxins include:

People with kidney disease should also avoid using drugs including:

As for natural supplements, talk with your doctor before taking any herbal remedies or vitamins.

Kidney disease can develop slowly over time, but some symptoms may be a sign that something is wrong. These include:

Talk with your doctor about your risks for kidney disease, or any family history of kidney problems. Many times, people are diagnosed with kidney disease when routine lab work is done for another reason.

If youve been diagnosed with kidney disease, you can also talk with your doctor about any medications or supplements youre currently taking, as well as your diet. Your doctor may ask you to make some changes to support your kidney health.

While few medications can help treat kidney disease, managing conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes can go a long way in extending the life of your kidneys.

Improving your GFR isnt easy, but it can happen. To increase your GFR and your kidney function, talk with your doctor about changes you can make to your lifestyle and diet. You can also discuss any new medications or supplements youre taking to increase kidney function.

The best thing you can do to protect your kidneys is to try to avoid damaging them in the first place. Avoid medications that are toxic to your kidneys, eat well, stay hydrated, and keep your blood sugar and blood pressure in control.

Link:
Can GFR Be Improved? Lifestyle Changes That May Help - Healthline

The I word is a biggie in the health world: inflammation. And it has somewhat of a split personality. Inflammation occurs naturally in the body and plays a key role in helping you recover from injury, trauma, and even a simple cut. Thats good. But its also at the root of a whole slew of serious health conditions and diseases. Not so good. On one hand, inflammation can help you heal, and on the other, it can make you sick.

Types of Inflammation

There are two main forms of inflammation: acute and chronic. Acute inflammation is how your body helps you heal short-term from something like an infection (you get a cold and dont feel great for a week while your body works to rehab itself) or trauma (you bumped your knee and it swells as your body goes into repair mode). Most of the time, this inflammation is positive. Chronic inflammation happens when inflammation builds up inside your body and hangs around longer than it needs to (from stress, diet, or disease, for example)and that can have negative effects on your health. Research suggests that chronic inflammation plays a role in everything from heart disease and arthritis to diabetes and cancer.

And just to complicate things, acute inflammation isnt always benign. In the case of acute joint pain, for example, theres a risk of infection or trauma, meaning that sometimes acute inflammation can be just as problematic as the chronic kind.

Phew. All of this brings us here: Its important to be able to identify between the two different types of inflammation, but its also important to know when you might need to consult a doctor. Heres how to figure out what type of inflammation youre dealing with and what to do about it.

If your inflammation is widespread: It might be chronic

Generally speaking, systemic inflammationinflammation that impacts a lot of different parts of your bodypoints to a chronic health issue, says Julie Chen, M.D., a nationally recognized integrative medicine doctor based in San Jose, CA. If you have chronic inflammation, you might describe your pain as more of an all over feeling or just generally feel pain in a lot of different places. Symptoms such as fatigue and achiness can be signs of chronic inflammation.

What to do: Depending on your symptoms, talk to your doctor about what kind of tests they may be able to do. Different blood tests or other diagnostic tests can measure biomarkers of inflammation that give clues into what could be going on. There are also many lifestyle interventions that can help you feel better. Take weight loss: Research shows that in people with psoriatic arthritis, a type of arthritis caused by chronic inflammation, weight loss on its own can significantly improve peoples disease and lower their levels of inflammation. If your symptoms are getting in the way of your day-to-day, talk to your doctor.

Ponchai Soda / EyeEmGetty Images

If your inflammation seems to be in one spot: Its probably acutebut it depends

Localized swelling and painsay, around your shoulder or your kneecould be acute inflammation. But chronic inflammation can sometimes show up in one area, too (and stick around for weeks or months). For many chronic inflammatory skin diseases, inflammation tends to occur in the same locations, says dermatologist April Armstrong, M.D., chair of the National Psoriasis Foundation Medical Board, and associate dean for clinical research at Keck School of Medicine at University of Southern California. To figure it out, your doctor may ask questions about how long the pain has been lingering.

What to do: That depends; dont write off localized inflammation (say, a swollen wrist or puffy feet) just because its in one spot. Always seek out medical attention if youre in pain or worried about it, since acute joint pain can require a medical professional to check for infection or trauma, says Anca D. Askanase, M.D., M.P.H., a professor of medicine in the division of rheumatology at Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons.

Otherwise, noting how long a rash has been at a certain location, for example, can shed light on acute versus chronic inflammation, and help you decide whether to get it checked out.

If your inflammation has been around 6+weeks: Its probably chronic

Whether youre talking about your skin, your joints, or both, keeping track of how long youve had symptoms is a good idea. Chronic inflammation of the skin can last for months or even years, explains Dr. Armstrong, while acute inflammation typically clears up in a few days or weeks. As for your joints? Chronic inflammation in the joints lasts longer than six weeks and defines chronic arthritis, says Dr. Askanase.

What to do: Theres no need to wait a certain amount of time before you seek help; you should always see your doctor if youre in pain, says Dr. Chen. And if pain and inflammation have been present for longer than six weeks, you definitely need to book an appointment with your health professional STAT.

If over-the-counter (OTC) or at-home remedies help you feel better: It depends

The majority of acute joint pain responds to traditional measures of rest, ice, elevation, and OTC anti-inflammatory drugs (think: ibuprofen). But that doesnt automatically mean that inflammation tamed by more conservative measures is acute. Pain from mild, chronic inflammation can respond to OTC medications just as easily as acute inflammation can, points out Dr. Chen. Alternatively? If acute inflammation is severe, then these medications won't help, but that doesn't mean that your pain is chronic, she says.

What to do: Monitor your pain and keep an eye on whether it returns, and how long it lasts. But regardless of duration, if youre in serious pain or have symptoms such as a fever (a potential sign of infection), always check in with your doctor.

If you cant stop itching your skin and now it looks thick and leathery: Its could be chronic

Notice raised areas of inflamed skin or scales or wrinkles that have built up on top the skin? That could be pointing toward a skin condition caused by chronic inflammation, explains Dr. Armstrong. Sometimes the body's natural response to chronic inflammation in an area is to grow thicker skin. Doctors use the term lichenification to describe the bark-like appearance of this skin. You dont usually see this kind of a reaction with acute inflammation, which tends to be more short-lived, says Dr. Armstrong.

What to do: Make an appointment with a dermatologist or a rheumatologist, who can help you identify what might be going on. And do your best to not scratch at the area in the meantime.

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How To Spot The Difference Between Chronic and Acute Inflammation - GoodHousekeeping.com

Known for its salty, savory flavor, the peanut is a popular snack and versatile ingredient used to make peanut butter, baked goods, smoothies, sauces, and more.

Its also incredibly nutritious, boasting a hearty dose of magnesium, folate, and vitamin E in every serving (1).

However, despite its impressive nutrient profile, many may wonder whether this salty staple can help or harm health, especially for people assigned male at birth (AMAB).

This article takes a closer look at the research to determine whether AMAB people should eat peanuts.

Peanuts are a great source of protein, packing more than 7 grams into each 1-ounce (28-gram) serving (1).

Protein is important for growth and development, as well as for wound healing, tissue repair, immune function, and more (2).,

Its also crucial for increasing strength and supporting muscle growth, especially when paired with resistance training (3).

According to one study, taking a peanut powder supplement increased muscle mass and strength among older adults when combined with resistance training (4).

Another study including 65 men with overweight and obesity found that consuming peanuts as part of a low calorie diet increased fat burning and decreased body (5).

Peanuts are high in protein, which can increase muscle mass and improve body composition.

Heart disease is a serious issue thats especially common among men (6, 7).

Diet plays a key role in heart health, and certain foods, including peanuts, have been shown to decrease several risk factors for heart disease (8).

Peanuts are rich in polyunsaturated fats like linoleic acid. Studies show that replacing carbohydrates or saturated fats in your diet with polyunsaturated fats may reduce your risk of developing heart disease (9).

One review found that eating peanuts and tree nuts at least twice per week was associated with a 13% lower risk of heart disease (10).

Other studies show that peanut consumption may increase levels of HDL (good) cholesterol, which may also benefit heart health (11).

Peanuts are high in polyunsaturated fats and may be linked to a lower risk of heart disease, which may be especially beneficial for men and others assigned male at birth.

Peanuts are loaded with arginine, an amino acid thats converted into nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is a compound that helps dilate the blood vessels to improve blood flow and circulation (12, 13).

Studies show that arginine supplements may help treat mild to moderate erectile dysfunction (14, 15).

Other test-tube and animal studies have found that arginine could improve semen quality, enhance libido, and increase testosterone levels (16, 17, 18, 19).

Peanuts are also a good source of resveratrol, an antioxidant that has also been shown to support sexual health in men (12).

According to some human and animal studies, resveratrol may likewise improve sperm quality and erectile function (20, 21, 22, 23).

Still, because most studies focus on the individual compounds found in peanuts, more research is needed to determine whether peanuts affect sexual function specifically.

Peanuts are high in arginine and resveratrol, two compounds that may support several aspects of sexual function.

Peanuts are delicious, versatile, and jam-packed with a long list of important nutrients.

They may also offer several benefits specifically for AMAB people and could help promote muscle growth, support heart health, and enhance sexual function.

Therefore, all genders can enjoy peanuts as part of a healthy, well-rounded diet.

Excerpt from:
Should Men Eat Peanuts? Nutrients and Benefits - Healthline

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