Moving pictures animate in the eyes of the many young children who grew up watching television. Many of whom captivated by the fairytales depicted in the animation styles of many media companies such as Pixar Animated Studios, Sony Pictures Animation, Or the remarkable Walt Disney Studio Animation.

They watch the heroes in their glory, portrayed with muscular, thin abled bodies as they defeat the usually obese hideous villains. All, of course with the support of their love interest, the conventionally attractive damsel in distress.

Even dating back to the beginning of the 1920s many of easily influenced children witnessed as villains in countless animated movies and shows were portrayed as obese and glutinous while the hero, usually a male, was portrayed as thin and able bodied. While not all animated films fall into this category, it does not bury the influence it had on society as we know it today as it enforces the idea that good shall be portrayed as thin while bad shall be portrayed as fat or obese. The way society understands concepts is the foundation of existing media that portrays diverse groups of people. This has led to the idea that fatness is an inherently bad feature, causing there to be unfair assumptions on ones character such as the claims that overweight people are glutinous or lazy.

Some examples of overweight or obese characters who are depicted as villainous include: Queen of Hearts (Alice in Wonderland), Ursula (The Little Mermaid), and Governor Ratcliffe (Pocahontas). The negative traits these characters are associated with, include but are not limited to: greed, gluttony, selfishness, wrath, loudness, entitlement, and cruelty. Children are fed and taught these types of negative associations and stereotypes by the media they consume that hold the bad representations.

Opposite of that, Media representation of what society deems attractive can also affect and influence the youth. With the appearance not only of female heroines on the screens of many children animated movies portraying images of small waists and a thin figure but also with the appearance of Women that are airbrushed on the cover of magazines to hide flaws. This aids in encouraging the vulnerable youth to be unsatisfied with their life, flaws, body and shape. This often leads to low self-esteem issues which can later form into an eating disorder due to the media creating unhealthy or even unrealistic image of beauty.

Horrifically, it has been witnessed through varies trends the encouragement of various eating disorders in the media. Many hashtags have been recorded to be in various social media such as the infamous #thinspo or #thinspiration which is a hashtag that depicted many pictures of thin actors, models, celebrities, or influencers with captions that glorify eating disorders. Those posts are shared with the cruel intent of inspiring people to get thinner with unhealthy means that easily lead to obsession causing various eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia.

Thinspiration blogs has sadly been dating back from as far as 2001 with yahoo deleting over a hundred websites that violated their policies as they were deemed pro-anorexia.

In the warped online world held by digital media, pro-anorexia is seen only as a lifestyle instead of a mental health condition, which in-turn, calls for the need of a diet consistent with the means of their lifestyle.

Commercials from the 90s found that there has been diets encouraging women to swallow tapeworm pills which not only can create blockage of bile ducts, but can also grow unsafe physical symptoms that are associated with eating disorders and it also encourages behaviors such as over-exercising, restrictive eating, and purging.

Studies have found that 35% of dieting becomes obsessive and 20% to 25% of those diets turn into eating disorders. And with the bad representation of plus sized people in the media, the pro-anorexia community, and the overall link between digital media and eating disorders; Its easy to get mixed up into the obsessive cycle of unhealthy diets, excessive workouts, and an overall toxic mindset.

As the writer of this article, I encourage you to diet safely and to treat your body with love. Please seek help and advice from these following hotline if suffering with mental issues in the United Arab Emirates: (8004673)

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Unraveling the connection between digital media and eating disorders. - Teen Ink

A plant-based diet might help improve health by managing weight and preventing illness, and doctors should take note, according toa commentary published May 26 in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine.

Doctors with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a nonprofit organization of health experts advocating for vegan diets, wrote in the commentary thatmedical experts should be more aware of the evidence-based benefits of diets rich in plant foods like greens, beans, fruits, and nuts.

Plant-based diets may be especially helpful forsix common health concerns, research suggests, ranging from cancer and cognitive decline to weight management and stable blood sugar.

Eating a mostly vegan diet could help you maintain a healthy weight, according to the commentary. The authorscite a 2013 study of more than 70,000 people which found vegans tended to weigh nearly 10 pounds less, on average, than their omnivorous peers.

Diets rich in plants may make it easier to maintain a lower weight because plant foods tend to be lower in calories than processed foods or animal products.Switching to a plant-based diet can help people lose weight , too a 2022 study found vegan diet led to weight loss in 12 weeks, compared to either a Mediterranean diet or participants' typical eating habits.

Vegan diets may also help with weight loss by feeding the gut microbiome, beneficial bacteria in your digestive system, with plenty of fiber, according to a 2019 study. Fiber may also help you feel full for longer after eating, according to dietitians.

Fiber is an important nutrient for long-term health and disease prevention, according to the commentary, and plant-based diets have been linked to lower risk of breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and prostate cancer.

Adding more vegetables, fruits, and grains may also prevent cancer by increasing your intake of antioxidants, micronutrients that help reduce inflammation and stress on the cells.

Plant based diets are also linked to significantly lower risk of diabetes, according to the commentary, and fiber likely plays a role.

Fiber slows the digestion and absorption of glucose as your body breaks down carbohydrates for energy, which helps prevent dips and spikes in blood sugar, dietitians previously told Insider.

As a result, plant foods may also help people who have diabetes manage their blood sugar too, research suggests.

The vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients in plant foods could also stave off cognitive decline, evidence suggests. A 2020 study found that combined with other healthy lifestyle factors, eating more vegetables, grains, and legumes was linked to significantly lower risk of Alzheimer's disease.

As a result, plant-based diets should be recommended to fight Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia, according to the commentary.

A wealth of evidence suggests eating plants is great for your heart by adding beneficial foods and reducing foods like meat linked to heart disease.

Studies show vegetarians and vegans have significantly lower risk of heart attacks and similar issues than omnivores.

Plant foods tend to be low in cholesterol and saturated fat, both of which have been linked to risks for heart health.

More research is needed, but the health benefits of eating plants may be protective against the pandemic, according to the commentary. Healthy plant-based diets were linked to significantly lower risk of severe coronavirus infection, one 2021 study found.

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6 health reasons to try a plant-based diet, according to doctors - Insider

New research finds lifestyle changes combined with weight loss drugs enabled people with obesity and overweight to maintain a weight loss of nearly 11 percent for up to five years.

Weight loss greater than 10 percent offers significant health benefits, according to researchers.

If weight loss can be sustained, metabolic abnormalities can be reversed with meaningful benefits in patients with type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and many other diseases where obesity is the root cause, lead study author Michael A. Weintraub, MD, lead author and fellow in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism at Weill Cornell Medicine, told Healthline.

Weintraub and the team presented their findings on June 12 at ENDO 2022, the Endocrine Societys annual meeting in Atlanta, Georgia.

Our real-world study, said Weintraub. Demonstrates that anti-obesity medications along with lifestyle changes can achieve significant weight loss of 10 percent body weight and that loss is maintained over the long-term.

The study analyzed data from 428 patients at an academic weight management center.

This research can help guide medical practitioners toward designing personalized, accessible treatment regimens to aid patients in long-term weight loss, he said.

All patients received counseling on following a low-glycemic diet and exercise by the obesity medicine specialist during their office visits and were offered additional counseling with a registered dietitian.

Medical intervention included FDA-approved and off-label weight-loss medications that included metformin, phentermine, and topiramate.

By their final visit, patients were using an average of two medications for weight management.

Followed for about 5 years, participants maintained an average weight loss of 10.7 percent.

In our study, we were surprised at the magnitude of weight loss achieved and maintained, said Weintraub. By adding anti-obesity medications, patients lost and maintained on average 10 percent of their body weight, which in this cohort was 23 pounds.

He added that a third of patients could maintain 15 percent or more long-term weight loss.

If weight loss can be sustained, metabolic abnormalities can be reversed with meaningful benefits in patients with type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and many other diseases where obesity is the root cause, Weintraub said.

Brian Quebbemann, MD, FACS, bariatric surgeon, and founder of The N.E.W. Program in Orange County, California, said for many people with overweight or obesity, a 10 percent weight loss would not mean they end up with moderate weight.

Yes, a weight loss of 10 percent provides some health benefits, said Quebbemann.

He compared it to a person with a blood pressure of 200 over 140 who is better off if theyre given medications that lower their blood pressure to 180 over 120. At that level, they still would be considered to have high blood pressure.

Yes, they are better off, but they are still a long way from achieving a healthy blood pressure, said Quebbemann.

Suchitra Rao, MD, bariatric physician at OConnor Hospital in San Jose, California, said that when used appropriately, weight loss drugs can help people reach their weight loss goals in a safe manner.

However obesity being a chronic, complex, and relapsing disease, she noted. It may be necessary to continue them long term for maintenance of weight loss and prevent weight regain.

Rao added that beneficial lifestyle interventions to promote and maintain weight loss include behavioral modifications for adapting our lifestyle to eat a healthy diet, learning to stay active regardless of age, stress management, and getting adequate sleep.

According to Minisha Sood, MD, an endocrinologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, while all medications have potential side effects, the real issue is whether the benefits of a medication outweigh its risks.

In the case of obesity, oftentimes the benefits do outweigh the risks, she said. Metformin, topiramate, and phentermine have been used for many years with success in a safe manner.

Sood pointed out that these medications have manageable side effects and can be easily discontinued if someone experiences intolerable adverse effects.

However, when the medication is discontinued, weight can increase.

Jonathan Purtell, a registered dietitian at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, said relying solely on lifestyle changes to lose weight does not work for many people.

The two most common would be hypothyroidism and PCOS, which would require not only lifestyle changes but prescribed medication as well, he said.

Asked if weight loss drugs are the best option for people seemingly unable to lose weight by diet and exercise alone, he said they could be a useful tool.

New research finds a combination of weight-loss drugs and lifestyle changes can result in significant long-term weight loss.

Experts say that once the medications are stopped, weight may return.

They also encourage people trying to lose weight to thoroughly assess their lifestyle to make healthy changes that encourage weight loss.

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To Lose Weight and Keep it Off, Study Finds Lifestyle Changes and Medications Can Be Crucial - Healthline

Developed in conjunction with independent clinicians, registered dieticians, nurses, and neonatologists, Prolacta's EHMD Protocol is backed by 15 years of clinical experience and more than 20 clinical studies.1 The protocol presents additional perspective on the standard of care in NICUs that can help premature infants avoid complications and reach key growth goals.

"This protocol provides best-practice guidance to members of the NICU team as we tailor nutrition to each infant's needs and risk factors," said Rangasamy Ramanathan, MD, professor of pediatrics, division chief, Division of Neonatal Medicine, LAC+USC Medical Center. "A standardized feeding approach for an EHMD with human milk-based products helps eliminate the uncertainty in meeting infants' protein goals to achieve adequate growth with fewer complications."

Prolacta's EHMD Protocol guides decision-making in the NICU as clinicians work to:

Prolacta's EHMD Protocol supports clinicians in delivering the optimal nutrients to fragile infants at the optimal time helping as they work to achieve better health outcomes,2-4 lower hospital costs,5,6 and significantly reduce the risk of complications and feeding intolerance associated with cow milk-based fortifiers.2-5,7-9

Over the past 15 years, more than 20 clinical studies involving more than 5,000 premature infants have shown that hospitals with the best outcomes followed similar feeding practices with the use of Prolacta's fortifiers.1 Inversely, it is proven that delayed fortification leads to less-optimal results in critically ill, premature infants.10

An EHMD is achieved when 100% of the protein, fat, and carbohydrate in an infant's diet are derived from human milk. An EHMD with Prolacta's 100% human milk-based fortifiers, compared with the use of cow milk-based fortifiers or formula, is known to reduce the risk of severe complications and feeding intolerance in preterm infants.7

Fortify Early for the Best Outcomes

Foryears, the risks associated with cow milk-based fortifiers left healthcare professionals in the NICU cautious about starting fortification too early. With Prolacta's EHMD Protocol, clinicians can safely begin fortification as early as the first week of an infant's life, confident that issues such as feeding intolerance and other complications have been shown to be significantly reduced.2,3,5,11

"Prolacta's EHMD Protocol can reduce the incidence of comorbidities, support adequate growth, and improve mortality rates, offering groundbreaking benefits for this fragile patient population," said Melinda Elliott, MD, FAAP, and chief medical officer at Prolacta. "Even the most vulnerable infants born weighing less than 750 g have been shown to greatly benefit from an EHMD, giving them the best chance for a healthy, bright future."2-5,7-9,11-15

Proven Safety; Flexible Feeding Advancement

To help meet each patient's unique needs, Prolacta's EHMD Protocol is designed to provide flexible feeding advancement based on each premature infant's weight, clinical status, and health risk factors.

Improved Short- and Long-Term Outcomes

Prolacta's EHMD Protocol supports adequate growth with fewer complications as measured by increases in length, head circumference, and weight.11 These gains lower the risk of long-term metabolic morbidities including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.16 Research has shown that Prolacta's fortifiers, when used as part of an EHMD, support healthy body composition with improvements in lean body mass, normal total body fat, and adequate bone mineralization.16 Furthermore, for premature infants fed an EHMD, the benefits of appropriate nutrition extend to long-term neurocognitive development.14

Compared to cow milk-based fortifiers, an EHMD with Prolacta's 100% human milk-based nutritional fortifiers has been clinically proven in more than 20 peer-reviewed clinical studies to:

For a copy of Prolacta's EHMD Protocol, email [emailprotected].

About Human Milk-Based Products

The major difference between cow milk-based and human milk-based products is the composition notably, the bioactive components that are unique to human milk. These include immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, milk fat globule membranes, and the wide spectrum of prebiotics known as human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), which are not easily manufactured and thus are greatly decreased or missing from cow milk-based nutritional products.20 Bioactivity is thought to support infants' immunity, development, growth,and long-termhealth.21

Prolacta's 100% human milk-based nutritional products have the highest bioactivity in the human milk industry.1 Prolacta's nutritional products are vat pasteurizedusing profiles defined by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)to ensure pathogen inactivation and the highest level of safety while retaining as much of the natural bioactivity of the milk as possible.1 Prolacta's vat pasteurized products retain higher bioactivity than products processed using other methods, including retort sterilization and ultra-high-temperature (UHT) processing.22,23

About Prolacta Bioscience

Prolacta Bioscience Inc. is a privately held, global life sciences company dedicated to Advancing the Science of Human Milk to improve the health of critically ill, premature infants. Prolacta's 100% human milk-based nutritional products have been evaluated in more than 20 clinical studies published in peer-reviewed journals. More than 80,000 premature infants have benefited from Prolacta's nutritional products worldwide to date.* Established in 1999, Prolacta is the world's leading provider of human milk-based nutritional products for hospital use and is also exploring the therapeutic potential of human milk across a wide spectrum of diseases. Prolacta maintains the industry's strictest quality and safety standards for screening, testing, and processing human donor milk. Operating the world's first pharmaceutical-grade human milk processing facilities, Prolacta uses vat pasteurization and a patented, FDA-reviewed manufacturing process to ensure pathogen inactivation while protecting the nutritional composition and bioactivity of its human milk-based products. Prolacta is a global company with headquarters in Duarte, California, and can be found online at http://www.prolacta.com, and on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

*Estimated number of premature infants fed Prolacta's products from January 2007 to December 2021; data on file.

References

1 Data on file.

2 Huston R, Lee M, Rider E, et al. Early fortification of enteral feedings for infants <1250 grams birth weight receiving a human milk diet including human milk-based fortifier. J Neonatal Perinatal Med. 2020;13(2):215-221. doi:10.3233/NPM-190300

3 Lucas A, Boscardin J, Abrams SA. Preterm infants fed cow's milk-derived fortifier had adverse outcomes despite a base diet of only mother's own milk. Breastfeed Med. 2020;15(5):297-303. doi:10.1089/bfm.2019.013

4 Delaney Manthe E, Perks PH, Swanson JR. Team-based implementation of an exclusive human milk diet. Adv Neonatal Care. 2019;19(6):460-467. doi:10.1097/ANC.0000000000000676

5 Assad M, Elliott MJ, Abraham JH. Decreased cost and improved feeding tolerance in VLBW infants fed an exclusive human milk diet. J Perinatol. 2016;36(3):216-220. doi:10.1038/jp.2015.168

6 Ganapathy V, Hay JW, Kim JH. Costs of necrotizing enterocolitis and cost-effectiveness of exclusively human milkbased products in feeding extremely premature infants. Breastfeed Med. 2012;7(1):29-37. doi:10.1089/bfm.2011.0002

7 Abrams SA, Schanler RJ, Lee ML, Rechtman DJ. Greater mortality and morbidity in extremely preterm infants fed a diet containing cow milk protein products. Breastfeed Med. 2014;9(6):281-285. doi:10.1089/bfm.2014.0024

8 Hair AB, Peluso AM, Hawthorne KM, et al. Beyond necrotizing enterocolitis prevention: improving outcomes with an exclusive human milk-based diet [published correction appears in Breastfeed Med. 2017;12(10):663]. Breastfeed Med. 2016;11(2):70-74. doi:10.1089/bfm.2015.0134

9 Sullivan S, Schanler RJ, Kim JH, et al. An exclusively human milk-based diet is associated with a lower rate of necrotizing enterocolitis than a diet of human milk and bovine milk-based products. J Pediatr. 2010;156(4):562-567.e1. doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2009.10.040

10 O'Connor DL, Kiss A, Tomlinson C, et al. Nutrient enrichment of human milk with human and bovine milk-based fortifiers for infants born weighing <1250 g: a randomized clinical trial [published corrections appear in Am J Clin Nutr. 2019;110(2):529 and Am J Clin Nutr. 2020;111(5):1112]. Am J Clin Nutr. 2018;108(1):108-116. doi:10.1093/ajcn/nqy067

11 Hair AB, Hawthorne KM, Chetta KE, et al. Human milk feeding supports adequate growth in infants 1250 grams birth weight. BMC Res Notes. 2013;6:459. doi:10.1186/1756-0500-6-459

12 Hair AB, Lee ML. The effectiveness of an exclusive human milk diet in premature infants <750g birthweight. Presented at jENS September 2021.

13 Fleig L, Hagan J, Lee ML, Abrams SA, Hawthorne KM, Hair AB. Growth outcomes of small for gestational age preterm infants before and after implementation of an exclusive human milk-based diet. J Perinatol. 2021;41(8):1859-1864. doi:10.1038/s41372-021-01082-x

14 Bergner EM, Shypailo R, Visuthranukul C, et al. Growth, body composition, and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 2 years among preterm infants fed an exclusive human milk diet in the neonatal intensive care unit: a pilot study.Breastfeed Med. 2020;15(5):304-311. doi:10.1089/bfm.2019.0210

15 Hair AB, Patel A, Kiechl-Kohlendorfer, et al. Long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes of extremely preterm infants fed an exclusive human milk-based diet versus a bovine milk-based diet. Presented at PAS April 2019.

16 Visuthranukul C, Abrams SA, Hawthorne KM, Hagan JL, Hair AB. Premature small for gestational age infants fed an exclusive human milk-based diet achieve catch-up growth without metabolic consequences at 2 years of age. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2019;104(3):F242-F247. doi:10.1136/archdischild-2017-314547

17 Huston RK, Markell AM, McCulley EA, Gardiner SK, Sweeney SL. improving growth for infants 1250 grams receiving an exclusive human milk diet. Nutr Clin Pract. 2018;33(5):671-678. doi:10.1002/ncp.10054.

18 Lucas A, Assad M, Sherman J, Boscardin J, Abrams S. Safety of cow's milk-derived fortifiers used with an all human milk base diet in very low birthweight preterm infants: part II. Neonatology Today. 2020;15(10):3-8. doi:https://doi.org/10.51362/neonatology.today/202010151038

19 Rahman A, Kase J, Murray Y, et al. Neurodevelopmental outcome of extremely low birth weight infants fed an exclusive human milk diet is not affected by growth velocity.Breastfeed Med. 2020;15(6):362-369. doi:10.1089/bfm.2019.0214

20 Ballard O, Morrow AL. Human milk composition: nutrients and bioactive factors.Pediatr Clin North Am. 2013;60(1):49-74. doi:10.1016/j.pcl.2012.10.002

21 Gila-Diaz A, Arribas SM, Algara A, Martn-Cabrejas MA, Lpez de Pablo L, Senz de Pipan M, Ramiro-Cortijo D. A review of bioactive factors in human breastmilk: a focus on prematurity. Nutrients. 2019;11(6):1307. doi:10.3390/nu11061307

22 Lima HK, Wagner-Gillespie M, Perrin MT, Fogleman AD. Bacteria and bioactivity in Holder pasteurized and shelf-stable human milk products. Curr Dev Nutr. 2017;1(8):e001438. doi:10.3945/cdn.117.001438

23 Meredith-Dennis L, Xu G, Goonatilleke E, Lebrilla CB, Underwood MA, Smilowitz JT. Composition and variation of macronutrients, immune proteins, and human milk oligosaccharides in human milk from nonprofit and commercial milk banks. J Hum Lact. 2018;34(1):120-129. doi:10.1177/0890334417710635

Media Contact:

Loren Kosmont[emailprotected]310-721-9444

SOURCE Prolacta Bioscience

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Prolacta Bioscience Introduces Its First Evidence-Based Feeding Protocol for an Exclusive Human Milk Diet in the NICU - PR Newswire

WASHINGTON Today, U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Chair of the Emerging Threats and Spending Oversight Subcommittee, led a Subcommittee hearing on cutting waste, fraud, and abuse in the federal government. The hearing focused on the Government Accountability Offices (GAO) most recent annual report detailing duplication, overlap, and fragmentation and ways for Congress and federal agencies to address these issues.

To watch Senator Hassans questioning, click here.

In her opening remarks, Senator Hassan stated, Congress and executive agencies actions to address the nearly 1,300 recommendations made in these annual reports have not only saved taxpayer dollars, but also have improved agency performance and resource management, and led to better delivery of services to the American people. I remain firmly committed to ensuring that Congress does its part to eliminate duplication, overlap, and fragmentation to achieve cost savings for taxpayers and improve program outcomes.

During the hearing, Senator Hassan questioned the head of the GAO, Comptroller General Gene Dodaro, on the GAOs most recent recommendations.

Senator Hassan asked Dodaro about the recommendation for the Department of Energy to run a pilot program to examine alternative ways to dispose of nuclear waste. Dodaro discussed the Energy Departments work to try to dispose of the waste both safely and efficiently, and urged Congress to help this project move forward.

In addition, the report detailed 200 federal programs across 21 agencies that are all related to combating diet-related chronic health conditions. Senator Hassan raised the need to consolidate duplicative programs, and Dodaro discussed the importance of Senator Hassans bipartisan bill to require agencies to identify duplicative or unnecessary programs and work with Congress to eliminate them.

Senator Hassan also addressed the IRS tax return backlog that is hurting Granite State families and small businesses. In particular, the backlog has been fueled by the fact that IRS requires amended tax returns to be filed on paper. In the 2019 duplication report, GAO recommended that Congress authorize IRS to add a scannable barcode to forms filled out on a computer, but submitted on paper. This would allow IRS to process returns more quickly and reduce data input errors, which could save millions of dollars every year. My legislation with Ranking Member Paul would give IRS this authority, and I will continue to urge my colleagues to consider taking up this commonsense reform, said Senator Hassan.

The hearing is part of Senator Hassans ongoing efforts to save taxpayer dollars and cut waste, fraud, and abuse in the federal government. The2020 government funding bill that was passed into lawincluded Senator HassansOversight.gov Authorization Act, which permanently established an online hub of information about Inspectors General and their work. The funding bill also included theStopping Improper Payments to Deceased People Act, which Senator Hassan cosponsored, to curb federal improper payments to the deceased and save taxpayer dollars. Furthermore, in 2019, President Trump signed into lawbipartisan legislationintroduced by Senators Hassan and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) to close a loophole in the Medicaid rebate program that results in big pharmaceutical companies overcharging taxpayers. The bipartisan legislation will save taxpayers approximately $3.1 billion over the next 10 years.

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Senator Hassan Leads Hearing on Cutting Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in the Federal Government - Maggie Hassan

Ayurvedic medicine is about much more than providing treatment. Ayurveda is one of the worlds oldest medical systems. Originating in India 5,000 years ago, it relies on a natural and holistic approach to physical, mental and emotional health.

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But how does it work? Where do you begin? And how do you know if its right for you? Integrative medicine specialist Yufang Lin, MD, yoga therapist Paula Brown, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500, and yoga therapist Renee Warren, C-IAYT, RYT 500, share what they know about the practice of Ayurveda.

The word Ayurveda is derived from Sanskrit and means science of life. In Ayurveda, theres an underlying belief that everything in life is connected. Because of this, general health and wellness rely on achieving balance and harmony.

When a person is imbalanced or stressed, theyre likely to develop disease. Ayurveda focuses on implementing lifestyle interventions and natural treatments, therapies and remedies to provide balance among your physical body, mind, spirit and the world around you.

Some ancient healing traditions, such as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda, suggest all individuals have energy, says Dr. Lin. Chinese medicine calls this energy system chi; Ayurveda calls this prana. Just like blood has to flow smoothly and in balance, Ayurveda suggests the energy system in the body also has to flow well and be in balance for us to be healthy.

Balance is achieved with the help of a healthy diet, restful sleep, regular exercise and stress management. If needed, botanicals, exercise, activities that promote mindfulness and other resources may offer additional support.

Every individual is unique, and Ayurveda defines a persons specific constitution, or prakriti. According to Ayurveda, these prakriti determine your physical, psychological, behavioral and immunological traits. Different constitutions respond to different treatments, so what works for you might not work for someone else.

According to Ayurvedic philosophy, each persons constitution is made up of three doshas: vata, pitta and kapha. You can think of doshas as energy types: each of these doshas is believed to dictate your emotional strengths and weaknesses, the foods your body needs and wants, the exercises that might work the best for you and more. Ayurvedic practitioners seek to help you find a balance among all three doshas. When the doshas are out of balance, illness occurs. The Ayurvedic practitioner uses nutrition, stress management, exercise and sometimes herbs to help a person regain health and balance.

Like increases like, so if you have trouble getting up and getting moving, you probably dont want to do a restorative yoga practice in the morning if you need to build energy and get going, says Warren. Instead, you might want to do some sun salutations where youre not holding postures for very long.

Heres what you need to know about each dosha.

According to Ayurveda philosophy, vata controls the flow of movement in your body and mind. Vata determines your flexibility, the movement of your muscles and joints, your blood flow and the way you breathe.

If youre dominant in vata, youre creative, flexible and quick to action. As youre snappy, you also have the downside of worrying or feeling anxious when you have too much vata. For someone with excessive vata, an Ayurvedic practitioner may suggest grounding techniques like sticking to a regular sleep-eat schedule, meditation, rest and relaxation. A walking meditation is a lovely meditation for someone that feels like they cant sit still, especially if its in the morning as the sun is coming up, says Warren.

Pitta is loosely translated as fire, so think of this energy type as something that consumes other things. Pitta, in Ayurvedic theory, is responsible for controlling digestion, hormones and metabolism.

If youre dominant in pitta, you tend to be dominant in leadership, competitive, strong-willed, confident and focused. In Ayurveda, when your pitta is off balance, you might be quick to anger or excitement, make rash decisions or participate in self-destructive behavior. Pitta imbalance also presents itself in inflammation, rashes, skin conditions like eczema or acne, and digestive issues like irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea and more. To balance pitta, Ayurvedic practitioners might suggest participating in cool, calming activities. Eating cooler foods or a Mediterranean diet that helps with inflammation are also possible suggestions.

Kapha is the element that holds everything together, from your cells to your muscles, bones and ligaments. The densest of the three doshas, kapha is known for endurance and lubrication.

If youre dominant in kapha, you may be comfortable sticking to a routine. Emotionally, you like to set expectations and hold to them. Kapha-dominant individuals are loyal, nurturing and dependent on others. But when imbalanced, kapha can cause excessive fatigue, weight gain, swelling, disinterest in new activities and inability to let things go. To combat an imbalance of kapha, essential oils may be helpful. Individuals are steered away from comfort foods to lighter fare like fruits and vegetables in smaller portions throughout the day. Increasing physical activity to get blood flowing is also a good practice.

In India, Ayurveda is considered a formal medical care system equivalent to conventional Western medicine. Its estimated that 80% of Indias population of 1.2 billion people use some form of traditional Ayurvedic medicine. In India, there are many government and private Ayurvedic medical schools, clinics and hospitals.And Ayurvedic medicine is an important aspect of traditional Indian culture. Proponents of Ayurveda feel strongly in its effectiveness, citing its history of use over millennia.

However, very few rigorous studies that meet Western standards of scientific validity have been conducted. Even fewer have demonstrated effectiveness.

Of particular concern is that approximately 20% of Ayurvedic medicines fall into a class called Rasashastra. This category intentionally combines and processes minerals, metals and gems for therapeutic purposes. The resulting Bhasmas, depending upon their raw ingredients, may or may not be safe. Some Bhasmas are intentionally made with lead and mercury. These have been associated with hundreds of reported cases of lead poisoning. Some Ayurvedic proponents state these are safe based on their preparation, and those that cause toxicity werent prepared properly. However, there isnt any published scientific evidence to support these claims.

Studies by Cleveland Clinics Chair of Wellness & Preventive Medicine Robert Saper, MD, MPH, have shown approximately 20% of Ayurvedic medicines available in the marketplace and online contain potentially harmful levels of lead, mercury and arsenic. Because of this, Dr. Saper suggests avoiding any products that contain Bhasmas in their ingredients.

The source of heavy metals in Ayurvedic medicines can come from intentional addition, contamination from the environment and contamination during the manufacturing process, says Dr. Saper. Regardless of the cause, lead is toxic and there are no safe levels to consume it.

Although Ayurveda doesnt have a nationally recognized licensure program in the United States, some institutions offer Ayurvedic certifications. The National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA) has also pushed for raising awareness about the Ayurvedic profession in the United States and an increase in scientific research to validate its existence.

If youre interested in pursuing Ayurveda, you should speak with your healthcare provider to ensure any herbal medicines have been tested by an independent laboratory such as Consumerlab.com for heavy metals and other contaminants. By working with an integrative medicine physician, you can receive a holistic evaluation that will help you bridge both traditional and complementary medicine techniques safely and effectively.

We evaluate the person holistically through mind, body and spirit perspective, says Dr. Lin. We dive into your lifestyle, how youre eating, how youre taking care of yourself, your thinking process, your spiritual beliefs, your stress management, your exercises and your environment. We take all these factors into consideration to understand what may have contributed to your imbalance, then make a plan to help you restore balance.

From there, you can work with your healthcare provider to find small lifestyle changes you can make each day that can benefit you and provide balance. Some lifestyle changes may include adjusting your bedtime, carving out a space for self-care and reflection, or even just increasing your physical activity.

There are all sorts of things you can do to create this routine to establish greater balance according to Ayurvedic principles, says Warren.

In Ayurveda, food is medicine, notes Dr. Lin. What you eat matters. You can change your diet to support your health.

Working with a specialist, you may incorporate specific safe herbs like ashwagandha, turmeric and ginger to help with stress, anxiety and inflammation.

But Dr. Lin warns that not all supplements available in the U.S., including Ayurvedic supplements, have gone through the rigorous safety, effectiveness and quality criteria used by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in drug testing.

I would caution people to be wary of supplements because some of the Ayurvedic medicines are contaminated with heavy metals, so safety can be an issue, she adds.

Speak with your healthcare provider before beginning any supplements to ensure theyre safe.

Many of these ancient healing traditions, such as traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine, are whole medical systems with much history and wisdom behind them, says Dr. Lin. Integrative medicine is about integrating those concepts with mainstream medicine in a safe and effective way by applying current modern scientific principles. Its not about one or the other.

Ayurvedic medicine has been around for thousands of years. But theres still a lot of research needed for Ayurveda to be considered for true integration into Western medical systems.

If you are interested in integrating Ayurveda into your lifestyle, you should see an integrative medicine specialist, advises Dr. Lin. An easy way to start would be exploring Ayurvedic recipes and cooking with Ayurvedic herbs and spices.

See original here:
What Is Ayurveda and Does It Work? - Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic

In the 42nd minute of a 2020 European Championship match in Copenhagen, 29-year-old Danish soccer player Christian Eriksen collapsed to the ground as he received a throw-in.

As the medical staff rushed to the field to administer defibrillation, teammates gathered around to shield Eriksen from the view of nearly 14,000 fans in attendance.

Prompt emergency medical attention likely saved Eriksens life. Studies consistently show that more than half the number of athletes who experience sudden cardiac arrest, often erroneously called a heart attack, die before they reach or are discharged from the hospital.

Sudden cardiac arrest isnt unique to soccer. Despite being rare, every year there are reports of amateur or professional athletes in sports like hockey, basketball, or football dying suddenly. In most cases, sudden cardiac death is linked to heart defects present from birth.

Read on as we explore why athletes develop cardiac arrest and what they can do to lower the risk.

Its rare for athletes to develop cardiac arrest. Congenital heart conditions, or heart conditions present from birth, are the most common cause in athletes under 35 years. In older athletes, most sudden cardiac deaths are due to coronary artery disease.

Researchers believe the most common congenital heart conditions that lead to cardiac arrest in athletes in the United States are:

Theres some debate whether HCM really is the most common cause.

A 2015 study looked at autopsies of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) athletes who died of sudden cardiac arrest from 2003 to 2013. One in four athletes had structurally normal hearts, implying that arrhythmias or electrical disorders may have been the most common cause of death.

The researchers only found definitive evidence of HCM in 8 percent of cases compared to 30 to 40 percent in previous studies.

Other heart anomalies that can contribute to sudden cardiac death include:

Dilated cardiomyopathy and Brugada syndrome can also be acquired conditions.

Acquired conditions are those that develop through your life.

The most common cause of sudden cardiac arrest in athletes over the age of 35 is atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of plaque in the wall of your arteries. Risk factors for atherosclerosis include:

Other acquired conditions that can lead to cardiac arrest include:

Estimates on how often athletes experience sudden cardiac arrest vary based on the definition of athlete and whether studies include cardiac events away from sport. They range anywhere from 1 in 3,000 to 1 in 1 million.

A 2016 study estimates that the risk of sudden cardiac death among Division 1 NCAA athletes is 1 in 53,703 athletes per year. Some groups of people, such as Black athletes, basketball players, and males, seem to be at a heightened risk.

In a 2020 study, researchers looked at how common sudden cardiac arrest was in middle school to professional athletes using a national surveillance program in the United States.

They identified 74 cases of sudden cardiac arrest with survival, and 105 that resulted in death. More than 80 percent of people were male, and the average age was 16.6 years.

In a 2021 study, researchers looked at the incidence of sudden cardiac arrest in athletes ages 11 to 29 in the United States over 4 years. They identified 331 total cases.

How to best prevent sudden cardiac arrest in athletes is still a matter of considerable debate. Guidelines and laws vary between countries.

The American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association (AHA) recommend screening by examining your medical history and performing a physical exam.

Researchers continue to debate the implementation of screening with an electrocardiogram (ECG), as is done in some countries. An ECG is a device that measures the activity of your heart.

Since 1982, Italian law has required pre-participation screening with an ECG for competitive sports practice. But this screening hasnt been uniformly accepted by the international scientific community.

In Italy, the most common cause of sudden cardiac death in athletes is arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. Some researchers argue that ECG isnt necessary in the United States, where HCM may be the most common cause of sudden cardiac death.

Researchers are continuing to examine the potential usefulness of genetic tests.

Eating a balanced diet may help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, especially for older athletes. Foods that lower your risk of heart disease are also likely to support athletic performance and overall health.

Having a certified athletic trainer and defibrillator on-site is linked to a much higher chance of survival after sudden cardiac arrest.

In a 2019 study, researchers found overall survival among athletes who had sudden cardiac arrest was 48 percent. However, if a certified athletic trainer was present and involved in resuscitation, survival rose to 83 percent. It increased to 89 percent with the use of an on-site automated external defibrillator.

Careful evaluation from a medical professional is needed before you can return to sport. A study by the AHA found evidence that athletes with genetic heart disease can remain competitive with a reasonably low incidence of cardiac events.

In some cases, it might not be possible to safely return. Your team or institution may also disqualify you over liability concerns.

Eriksen returned to football 8 months after his sudden cardiac arrest. Doctors fitted him with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. However, Italian medical authorities banned him from playing in Italy with his club team Inter Milan, leading him to sign with Brentford in the United Kingdoms Premier League.

The most common cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes is congenital heart disease. In older athletes, its coronary artery disease.

Sudden cardiac death is rare in athletes, and theres still debate on how to best screen for risk factors.

If you have a known heart problem, you can talk with your doctor about whether its safe for you to participate in sports and whether you should undergo further testing.

Original post:
Heart Attacks in Soccer and Other Sports: Causes, Outlook, Prevention - Healthline

Heart disease is a very general term that describes just about any problem with the structure or function of the heart.

In children and teens, structural changes that form before or just after birth are the most common cause of heart problems. In rare cases, these heart problems may be so severe that they cause serious consequences, or even a heart attack.

Less than 10 percent of all heart attacks occur in people under the age of 40. But the number of younger people having heart attacks is on the rise by about 1.7 percent more each year. This is mostly due to lifestyle factors such as substance abuse, dietary choices, and lack of exercise.

This article will review how heart disease can develop in teens. Well look at risk factors for a heart attack or sudden cardiac arrest, and how to help adolescents improve their heart health.

Heart attacks in teenagers are extremely rare. Sudden cardiac arrest in teens is more common but still rare. Although people often use these two terms interchangeably, they dont mean the same thing.

Heart attacks occur when blood to the heart is suddenly stopped, usually due to coronary artery disease. Your arteries become blocked, so not enough blood can make it to your heart.

Sudden cardiac arrest is when your heart stops pumping blood effectively. Blood cant get to important organs in your body, like your brain and lungs.

Teens can experience a heart attack or cardiac arrest for many of the same reasons as adults.

But lifestyle factors tend to be a lesser cause just because they havent had as much time to cause damage in teens. In adults, things like smoking, a lack of exercise, high cholesterol, and other factors build up over decades to reduce heart function.

In teens and young adults, congenital, electrical, or structural problems are more often the cause. Examples of these issues include things like:

Other conditions or factors associated with heart attacks or heart disease in adolescence can include things like:

The primary risk factors for heart disease and heart attack in teens include things like:

Genetics and family history may also play a part.

Blacks are more likely to have heart attacks or heart failure than other groups, and are more likely to die from heart disease, according to a 2015 study. They have higher rates of risk factors for these conditions. Disparities in healthcare access may contribute to these risk factors not being properly treated.

Asian Indians tend to develop coronary artery disease, a risk factor for heart attacks, at an earlier age than other ethnic groups, according to a 2018 study. This may be due to common dietary decisions, such as the overuse of dairy and underuse of fruits and vegetables, according to the study.

Besides heart attacks, cardiac arrest, or heart disease, many things can cause chest pain in teens. These include:

A 2021 study found that less than 10 percent of chest pain causes in children ages 13 to 18 were due to cardiac issues.

If you experience chest pain associated with a heart attack, it usually develops in the center of the chest and may come and go. Rather than a sharp pain, chest pain is usually described as a pressure or squeezing feeling.

A panic attack can sometimes seem like a heart attack. The two events share some symptoms, like sweating and shortness of breath. But there are key differences.

If your pain starts when youre feeling anxious, youre more likely having a panic attack. If your pain starts after some physical exertion, it could be a heart attack.

Its never too early to pay attention to your heart health. Adolescents can take steps early on to prevent cardiovascular disease by knowing their family history and risk factors.

Children and young adults should also be encouraged to establish heart-healthy habits early in life to prevent heart disease. Examples of heart-healthy habits include:

Heart attacks in the teen years are rare. Heart disease in teens usually develops because of a congenital or genetic issue.

Its not often that lifestyle choices cause heart disease to develop in adolescence. If heart disease does develop, its often due to factors like obesity or drug use.

Teens can take steps early to prevent heart disease and heart attacks by getting regular exercise, making balanced diet and lifestyle choices, and avoiding drugs and alcohol.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends screening all children, not just athletes, for risk of cardiac arrest starting when they enter middle school or junior high.

Read more from the original source:
Can a 17-year-Old Have a Heart Attack? - Healthline