Ignoring food’s role in health denies its benefits and risks related to the lack of it. The current expression is not just implying that food is a pharmaceutical (which it would appear to be) but that prescribing food is a medical necessity.

The long-term effects of COVID-19 are adding to the yearly death toll from diet-related chronic diseases in the US, which already stands at about one million. In the United States, malnutrition and chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), obesity, and certain malignancies are closely linked to poor dietary habits, making them the primary cause of death.

Among individuals in the United States, about 40% have pre-diabetes, and 11.3% have diabetes; most of these instances are type 2 diabetes. Around 37% of the U.S. population, or 126.9 million people aged 20 and more, will be living with cardiovascular disease in 2022. In 2021, there were 695,000 fatalities in the United States because of CVD, making it the top cause of death for both men and women.

Food Pharmacies

The food pharmacy is one new program model that aims to improve people’s diets by expanding their access to and consumption of healthy foods, especially produce. According to the available studies on the food pharmacy model’s effectiveness, these programs have helped patients better understand nutrition and overcome obstacles to healthy eating. As a result, they may have a major influence on health outcomes connected to diet.

Nevertheless, there has been a dearth of thorough research techniques and limited efforts to assess these programs’ efficacy. To properly evaluate the long-term impacts of food pharmacy programs on healthy eating and diet-related health outcomes, additional study is required. But the current evidence provides more than food for thought on the topic. How is this concept implemented?

Therapeutic meals are meals specifically designed to meet medical needs, and the food as medicine initiative also includes prescriptions for healthy food, produce, and other foods. They are usually supported by healthcare, the government, or charitable organizations, administered by clinicians through the healthcare system, and patients pay nothing or very little for them. But these programs are limited to specific areas of the world.

Researchers identified 32 papers in the literature examining food as medicine interventions using a PubMed database search and by polling a network of international colleagues. Several instances were located in other Western countries, although the majority were in the US. Other countries that contributed were Canada, the UK, and Australia. Brazil, Mexico, Germany, Ireland, and Finland did not have any. Philanthropic funding, rather than institutional or organizational backing, was crucial for the majority of activities. Statistics on the health effects of food-as-medicine programs were inconsistently available in the scholarly literature, reflecting these endeavors’ relative newness.

How Do They Work?

Located in Boston Medical Center! Founded in 2001, the Food Pantry dedicates itself to assisting low-income patients in overcoming nutrition-related illnesses and undernourishment. The Food Pantry serves as a bridge between patients and healthcare providers such as dietitians and doctors. Doctors at BMC clinics provide food prescriptions to improve patient health. Patients having cancer, HIV/AIDS, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and other long-term illnesses frequently visit the Pantry.

When it comes to nutrition, the goal of the food pharmacies at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is to help families struggling to put food on the table. They strive to ensure that families have access to the food and financial resources they require by providing direct grocery delivery to their homes and offering one-on-one resource navigation. Grocery delivery, financial consulting, and free fruit markets are a few of the programs provided because of partnerships with local businesses and organizations. Families who sign up for the Food Pharmacy program get free groceries for six months.

Another program that integrates medicine and food is at Tufts University. The Food Is Medicine launched this university-wide initiative at Tufts University’s Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. Its goal is to improve health care by implementing scalable food-based interventions. Interventions include nutritional meals, doctor education, and improved clinical care for diet-related illnesses.

The University of Utah Health’s response to food insecurity is the Food Pharmacy program. This initiative is a component of the larger Driving Out Diabetes effort. In late summer of 2020, the program was initially offered. Its goal is to help those in the community who are food insecure and dealing with long-term health issues related to nutrition.

The food pharmacy is a trailer that can be moved and has all the necessary equipment for food service. Patients with a meal prescription from their clinician have access to a large selection of nutritious food options held by the pharmacy.

Eligible individuals with valid referrals or prescriptions can pick up meals from the trailer at two sites during business hours.

The value of nutritious foods and meals cannot be overstated as we see the relationship between nutrition and disorders of physical and mental health. In addition to providing healthful foods, these programs also encourage people to educate themselves regarding what they should eat; in addition, the programs, in the long run, can save government money on treating illnesses resulting from poor nutrition. One of the prime examples of these illnesses is obesity worldwide, which is of prime importance in health and medicine.

The post Food Is the Prescription, and Food Pharmacies Could Be the Way to Better Health appeared first on Medika Life.

But then I saw scary headlines proclaiming that the sweetener xylitol — in the gum that I am chewing as I write — is linked to a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, and early death.

Here’s CNN:

“Common low-calorie sweetener linked to heart attack and stroke, study finds.”

The Washington Post offered this take:

“Sugar substitute xylitol linked to increased risk of heart attack, stroke.”

A recent study throws a wrench into the idea that sugar alcohols like xylitol and erythritol are universally healthy, natural sugar substitutes.

Before discussing the research findings, let’s briefly examine xylitol.

Sugar-Free Candy, Gum, Protein Bars & More

True story: I chewed on Xylitol-containing gum as I spied the striking headlines.

For years, xylitol has been a shining star in the sugar-free world.

Xylitol is touted for its low-calorie sweetness and dental benefits. You can find it in everything from sugar-free candy to gum to toothpaste.

New Study on Xylitol

But a new study throws a curveball . Could this seemingly healthy sweetener be linked to a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, and even death?

Hold off on tossing your sugar-free stash just yet.

This research follows a multi-step approach:

• Large-scale analysis (discovery cohort): Researchers began by examining blood samples from over 1,100 people undergoing heart evaluations. They were looking for interesting patterns related to how the body processes xylitol.
• Confirmation study (validation cohort): The investigators then used a more precise technique to confirm the initial findings in a separate group of over 2,100 people.
• Detailed lab studies: The researchers then conducted experiments using human blood components and animal models to understand better how xylitol might affect blood clotting.
• Direct impact study: Finally, a small group of healthy volunteers consumed xylitol to assess its effects on their blood clotting function directly.

This multi-pronged approach helped the scientists understand how xylitol interacts with the body and its potential impact on heart health.

Human Study Findings

This research explores a potential link between xylitol, a common sugar substitute, and heart health.

• Step 1: Finding a Clue: The study began by analyzing large groups of people’s blood (discovery cohort). They found that higher levels of a substance like xylitol seemed to be associated with an increased risk of heart problems over three years (major adverse cardiovascular events or MACE).
• Step 2: Confirming the Suspect: Next, they used a more precise method (stable isotope dilution) to confirm it was specifically xylitol, not similar molecules, linked to the increased risk (validation cohort).
• Step 3: Digging Deeper: Scientists then conducted lab experiments (mechanistic studies) to understand how xylitol might influence the body. They found that xylitol, at levels typically seen in the bloodstream after consumption, increased activity in cells involved in blood clotting. This phenomenon could potentially lead to a higher risk of blood clots forming.
• Step 4: Direct Test: Finally, they gave healthy volunteers a xylitol-sweetened drink and observed a rise in their blood levels and increased activity in those same clotting cells.

What Does All of This Mean?

This study suggests a possible link between xylitol and an increased risk of heart problems.

However, it’s important to note that this is a single study; more research is needed to confirm these findings.

It’s also important to remember that correlation doesn’t necessarily equal causation.

Just because high xylitol levels are linked with increased risk doesn’t necessarily mean xylitol itself caused the problem.

They can help you interpret this research in light of your health situation.

Xylitol may not be benign.

Conclusions

In conclusion, the study on xylitol sheds light on a potential link between this common sugar substitute and an increased risk of heart problems.

However, it’s important to approach these findings cautiously, as further research is needed to confirm the results.

As more research emerges, weighing the benefits of xylitol against its potential risks will be important, especially in individual health situations.

One more thing

Xylitol alert! This sweetener can be deadly for dogs.

Here’s a breakdown of the dangers:

• Rapid Blood Sugar Drop: Xylitol is processed differently by dogs than humans. It can cause a quick and severe drop in blood sugar levels.
• Symptoms: This drop can lead to vomiting, weakness, tremors, seizures, and even coma.
• Fast Action Needed: Quickly acting is crucial if you think your dog has ingested xylitol. Contact your veterinarian or animal poison control immediately: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control.

Remember: Keep Xylitol products out of your dog’s reach. These products include sugar-free gum, candy, baked goods, peanut butter, some medications, and other products that might contain it.

The post Is My Drink Plotting My Downfall? Xylitol Explained appeared first on Medika Life.

The year prior, our family grieved the loss of a best friend, Dee, who suffered a decade of various forms of cancer. Dee was a force to be reckoned with in the Ontario Cannabis Community. She was an OG hippie who never entirely left the sixties and was a maternal voice to those who required medical marijuana before cannabis was legal in Ontario. When Dee’s liver suffered its final fate, my Mom provided her with ultra-concentrated THC resin, notoriously known as “Rick Simpson Oil,” comparable to and a healthier option than addictive opioids, to ease her friend’s suffering. Also, as part of Dee’s protocol, she consumed large quantities of potent THC chocolate from morning to night. TCH or “tetrahydrocannabinol” is defined by dictionary.com as:

the primary psychoactive component in marijuana, hashish, and other preparations derived from cannabis plants, especially Cannabis sativa, or produced synthetically.

After Dee’s passing in August 2022, our family inherited a plethora of cannabis products from her family, some of which were stored in our refrigerator, such as unidentified half-eaten bars of chocolate.

My stepdad, Floyd, and I are not consumers of marijuana products, except specific strains of oils to induce sleep. However, Floyd does exhibit behaviors similar to a seagull; he can be seen descending upon the refrigerator at 8 PM each night, his flight path well known in inner circles.

On Christmas Eve, seagull Floyd embarked upon his usual journey through the various levels of the refrigerator. He had a sweet, insatiable desire and spied the unidentified chocolate sitting amongst other fully recognizable bars. Floyd ingested large quantities of the chocolate, tucking away multiple pieces of the brown goodness until he felt satisfied with his exploits. He returned to the sofa and became engrossed in watching people play pool on YouTube, a pastime I scratch my head at. A half-hour later, bed was calling. Floyd stood abruptly and realized all was not well; the world was spinning. He felt tremors deep within his stomach and began to emit a low growling noise that pilfered throughout the home.

From my loft, I heard what sounded like a cat dying. Was Santa in our living room? As I tip-toed downstairs and peered into the darkness, I listened to the animated howl from the kitchen. There, slumped over the table, was Floyd, trying to remove excess air trapped deep in his stomach.

“Are you OK? What’s THAT noise?” I gently placed my hand on Floyd’s back in concern.

“I don’t know…can’t seem to get rid of this gas,” he choked back.

I immediately went and retrieved my mother, who was also in bed, and asked her to come out and tend to Floyd. Mom jerked herself from under the covers, turned the kitchen light on, and checked Floyd’s vitals. His face was ashen grey; the man barely had the energy to lift his face off the wooden table. We were all afraid he may be experiencing a heart attack. My Mom dialed 911 and provided the known details, announcing the ambulance was soon en route.

While the three of us waited for the first responders to arrive, an opportunity arose to ask more questions. After gentle probing, my Mom and I discovered the culprit — Floyd ingested copious amounts of Dee’s marijuana-infused chocolate with high TCH content. When the ambulance arrived, and two male paramedics descended into our living room, my Mom and I were giggling like banshees — much to their bewilderment. Once the medics understood what they were dealing with, they, too, found amusement and relief in the situation.

Floyd ended up praying to the porcelain God in several violent incidents over the next two hours until nothing remained in his system.

Through Floyd’s escapades, our family learned valuable Christmas Eve lessons:

1. One will not die consuming THC; the nightmare will pass.
2. If in doubt, vomit as if your life depends upon it.
3. Eat a full breakfast the next day. Pancakes are a must.
4. Clearly label the contents of unidentified homemade treats.
5. Re-evaluate seagull behavior. There must be a therapist for that.

While it is easy to make light of the situation, in truth, a far worse situation could have unfolded if a food-related allergy or a young child had been involved. On Christmas Day, Floyd was back to his usual self, tucked into his brunch like there was no tomorrow; the seagull resurrected.

Have you or a loved one ever eaten something you shouldn’t have? If so, what transpired, and were there any health repercussions?

The post Caution! When Cannabis And Christmas Collide In Unexpected Ways appeared first on Medika Life.

Interest has increased so much that one course in nutritional psychology at a major university had over 100 students sign up. Many major universities in the US are offering master’s degree programs in this subject area.

Nutritional psychiatry is a relatively new and developing field that investigates the link between diet and mental health (including schizophrenia and psychotic disorders). Researchers and experts in mental health are starting to investigate how certain foods and eating habits can affect mood, cognition, and general mental health.

The gut-brain axis is one of the major topics of study in nutritional psychiatry, and the gut microbiota, which is made up of billions of different bacteria, resides there. Recent studies point to the importance of gut bacteria in affecting mental health and brain function. Having a healthy, diversified gut flora may boost mood and lessen anxiety and depressive symptoms.

Some dietary components have demonstrated the potential to promote mental health. Omega-3 fatty acids, which can be found in fatty fish, walnuts, and flaxseeds, have been linked to a lower incidence of depression and may be used to treat the symptoms of some mental disorders.

B vitamins are crucial for the health of the brain and cognitive function. Whole grains, leafy greens, and dairy products all contain them.
In addition, yogurt and other fermented foods, which include probiotics, might support the maintenance of healthy gut flora and may even enhance mental health.

The Mediterranean diet has been associated with a lower incidence of depression and cognitive decline because it emphasizes a high intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats like olive oil. This diet might protect against a number of mental health issues.

Studies have proven that what we eat can affect our mental health and mood. For instance, a diet high in whole foods can improve mental health while a diet high in sugary and processed foods has been linked to an increased risk of sadness and anxiety.

Numerous important variables and developing research have contributed to the shift in psychiatry toward including diet as a crucial component of mental health treatment. What has led to this new perspective on the treatment of mental health disorders?

Over time, nutritional science has made significant strides in understanding how various nutrients affect the body and the brain. Researchers began to learn about the potential effects of nutrition on mental health as they dug deeper into the connection between diet and health.

Globally, the prevalence of mental health illnesses is increasing, which has prompted researchers to look for complementary and alternative treatment modalities. Due to the drawbacks and side effects of conventional psychiatric therapies like pharmaceutical interventions, researchers and clinicians are now looking into alternative approaches, including dietary interventions.

Research on the gut-brain axis has become increasingly important in influencing how nutrition is incorporated into psychiatry. We see that research has shown that there is two-way communication between the gut and the brain, underscoring the gut microbiota’s potential impact on mental health. This research has sparked interest in the relationship between dietary choices, the gut microbiome, and, ultimately, mental health.

Depression and anxiety are two mental health problems that have been linked to chronic inflammation. The Mediterranean diet is one dietary pattern that has been linked to anti-inflammatory effects. There has been an emphasis on researching diets that could assist in reducing inflammation and enhancing mental health outcomes.

In recent years, patient-centered care and a more holistic approach to medicine have become more popular. This shift in thinking acknowledges that a variety of biological, psychological, social, and environmental elements, including nutrition, have an impact on mental health. Thus, psychiatrists are increasingly willing to think about and incorporate nutritional therapies into their therapy strategies.

As the research has evolved, so has the attitude of patients. People are becoming more interested in learning about holistic and lifestyle-based methods of managing their mental health. The new interest in these areas has seen a rise in psychiatrists taking nutrition into account as part of treatment as more people become interested in learning how diet can affect their mental health. But can a prescription be written for a diet? Who would fill it and how would insurance view it?

There has been a substantial paradigm shift in the field of treating mental illness as a result of the increased appreciation of food as “medicine” in psychiatry. Nutritional interventions offer a complementary strategy that can improve general well-being, even if they are not intended to replace conventional therapy. As nutritional psychiatry develops, it has the potential to offer patients a comprehensive and individualized approach to mental health treatment.

One stumbling block to the growth and inclusion of nutritional psychiatry/psychology is the financial factor. If a patient doesn’t have the means to buy these foods, how can they be helped to obtain them?

The post Psychiatry Is Turning to Nutrition in a New Appreciation of Food as “Medicine” appeared first on Medika Life.

In part one of this exciting journey, I shared the fight I endured while battling the pain of my impacted wisdom teeth. Now, there’s no longer a fight to be won because I am the ultimate winner. As I said before, I’m not big on fighting. However, I was determined to regain victory over my wisdom teeth.

A few weeks ago, I made the scariest and maybe the best decision of my life – I finally underwent oral surgery and got my wisdom teeth removed. Let me be the first to say my nerves danced in fear up to seconds before the actual surgery. However, I knew I could no longer bear the pain from something so small yet powerful – my wisdom teeth.

My Friendship With Sleep

Honestly, I was thrilled that I would be placed under anesthesia. I saw this as the secret weapon that would allow me to finally get magical sleep. Magically enough, I was right – post surgery, I slept like a baby. However, I was rudely awakened with immense pain once the “magical sleepy potion” wore off. I quickly shouted, “hooray, no more pain,” but I forgot that there would be even more pain to endure after the procedure.

I immediately thought to myself, “ugh, more pain!” Luckily, a little voice reminded me that the pain was only temporary this time.  

My Friendship With Food

For the first time, I can definitely say that I was transformed back to my “baby stage.” I ate baby food, mashed potatoes, smoothies, Ensure, spaghetti, and rinsed with a ton of salt water. It hurt to my core watching everyone around me eat tacos, burgers, pizza and pasta while I stuck to all the “soft food.” On top of this mini breakup with food, I was in pain 24/7. Sleeping was no longer magical because it was hard to find a comfortable position and I woke up several times throughout the night. Although sleeping was hard, it was the only thing I could do besides making salt & water my best friend and eating baby food.  With this, I got lots of rest. On the contrary, I was miserable all the time.

My Friendship With Medication

It all makes sense now; I understand why Oxycodone is so addictive.

My oral surgeon prescribed Penicillin for protection against infections, multiple doses of Tylenol and Motrin but the real bad boy was the Oxycodone. This was my first time using Oxycodone. My doctor specifically instructed me to “only take this medication as needed because there’s a limited amount of 8 pills only with NO refills.” While under anesthesia, those words barely made it into one ear. However, when the “post-surgery pain beast” was ready to attack, I quickly found the bottle of Oxy. Once again, while reading the bottle’s instructions, I was reminded there were NO REFILLS.

After taking my first dose of Oxycodone, the gates of heaven immediately opened and boom – the magical sleep potion had come over me again and the pain had vanished like it was never there. After waking up, I immediately said to myself “boy – oh – boy, this stuff is GOLDEN!”  Yes, I used ice packs and heating pads but there was nothing like the Oxy.

I slowly watched as the eight prescribed pills lessened and the amount got smaller. If there’s one thing I know for sure, that Oxy worked every single time.

Defeat At Last

As I attempted to make the best out of my situation, I continued to tell myself that “all of this is necessary for a lifetime free of wisdom teeth battles.” Days felt like months, and I became a “certified Googler” because I spent 90% of my time awake searching post-surgery best practices on Google. By day 6, all the Oxycodone was gone – as you should imagine. Thankfully, the pain had also gotten better, and I was able to talk a bit more. Throughout my entire post–surgery journey, I became acclimated to communicating through text and written messages. It was a relief to have the ability to say a few words here and there.

Before I knew it, I was throwing the apple sauce and baby food in the garbage and eating sandwiches and more solid food. I no longer had Oxy, but at least I had food.

Tips and Tricks

Throughout this entire post-surgery journey, there were a few things that made the process easier:

Salt & Water: Yes, rising with this four times a day was the most annoying thing ever, but it made my healing process 10x faster.

Getting rest: Sleeping and utilizing this time to get rest is the best thing you can do to place less stress on the body.

Having a support system: Whether physical or virtual, having people around to assist in caring for you will make recovery smoother.

Utilizing Medication: Let me just come out and say it – Oxycodone “saved” my life. Nonetheless, having some sort of pain reliever is important to assist with pain and discomfort.

Be patient: This is the HARDEST rule of them all because each day seems so long; trust me – the pain will go away, and you’ll be like me – looking back and smiling because I finally overcame my wisdom teeth.

Choosing the right surgeon: This plays a big role in every step of the procedure. You want to choose someone who you’re comfortable with and will be sure to provide accurate guidance. My operating surgeon was Dr. Mark Adamiak with Green Hills Oral Surgery, and they went ABOVE & BEYOND to make this entire process as close to perfection!

The post Defeating My Wisdom Teeth appeared first on Medika Life.

During the day, the young man carefully monitored his meals, counted his calories, looked at how he could make substitutions for items, read menus with a vengeance, and prepared himself to hit the scale the following day.

The battle of the bulge for him had been going on since his early 20s, and he had seen experts in weight control who had put him in group therapy and provided individual therapy to explore why he didn’t seem able to lose weight. The bottom line for him was that no one believed him.

No matter what he said or how carefully he monitored his food intake and maintained an exercise regimen, they all looked at him as though he were secretly sneaking high-calorie foods. If anyone looked at the calorie counters he kept during the day and perused the meals he claimed he had eaten that day and any soft drink he had had, they all concluded that he wasn’t telling the truth.

The grilling went on as they believed he was resistant to revealing what he was secretly doing and which they knew he had to be doing because he never seemed to lose weight. It appeared that he was gaining weight each month.

One behavioral therapist had a moment of incredible insight. When he got up in the morning, she asked if he noticed anything odd in his bedroom, his kitchen, or his living room. What a strange question, he thought.

Now she thinks I don’t know how to keep my apartment neat and clean, in addition to being someone who can’t control their appetite?

When he inspected his home as she had suggested, he went into the kitchen the following day. He discovered a high-calorie dessert half-eaten on the table, and a half-eaten sandwich near the refrigerator. Sure, he’d seen some of this before, but he thought nothing of it and cleaned the mess up.

Of course, he knew he shouldn’t have these things in the house or any other high-calorie drinks or food around, but he kept them to test his resolve to maintain his diet. He went back to the therapist and told her what he had discovered. He brought photographs he had taken so that she could share the information that he had.

A Strange Diagnosis

The diagnosis was clear, and to whom did she refer him? Writing on a notepad, she gave him the name of a sleep medicine physician because it appeared that he had what is known as a sleep-related eating disorder (SRED).

The man wasn’t alone in this unusual sleep disorder because the therapist had heard of other men and women who found themselves, after they had gone to sleep, in extraordinary situations where they were eating entire loaves of bread and stuffing their mouths full.

One man awakened to find himself sitting in his bed with a large bowl of cereal and ice cream, which he was gorging on even though he was asleep. Fortunately, it awakened him, and he began to wonder why he, too, was having a problem maintaining a healthy weight.

Some individuals with this unusual sleep disorder can find themselves in hazardous situations where they begin trying to prepare foods on the stove or in the microwave and may go back to bed after eating and leave the stove on.

All of these people experienced what is known as a parasomnia, in which they have no recollection of what they did while they were asleep. Typically, we might hear about people sleepwalking, also known as somnambulism, another highly dangerous activity. Still, not enough people or enough individuals in the healthcare field know about sleep-related eating disorders.

The literature points to the disorder being more prevalent in women, and 66 to 75% of those with SRED are females who develop the condition in their 20s.

The Evidence Is There

One of the problems with diagnosing sleep and eating disorder (ED) is the lack of literature available to professionals. The paucity of research publications on sleep-related eating disorder (SRED) is curious since researchers know two main drives in our lives are eating and sleeping. Wouldn’t that seem to indicate that these two areas should receive more attention, especially when they are combined in a disorder such as sleep-related eating disorder, but that’s not the case.

Research points to the fact that persons with eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder, also have additional problems. Up to 57% of those with eating disorders also show disorganized sleep patterns and an inability to maintain or initiate sleep.

And the combination of disrupted eating and sleeping can have serious consequences. EDs are associated with significantly higher mortality rates than other DSM-5 diagnoses ranging from 5 to 6%.

Another related condition, known as nocturnal eating syndrome (NES), is the disorder where the person wakes up during the night and needs to eat something to get back to sleep. The difference between this disorder and SRED is that the person is wide awake and knows they are eating while the SRED person eats and has no memory of it.

One question currently needing additional attention when there is problematic weight gain with accompanying futility related to dieting may be the consideration of a sleep-eating-related situation. How often have persons manifesting obesity been referred for a sleep study?

We know there is a strong association between sleep disorders and individuals having an accompanying problem maintaining weight. Once we note the relationship between these two exists in the individual, would it seem reasonable to continue psychotherapy for unconscious conflict or some other psychological disorder? Wouldn’t it seem appropriate for a referral?

Possible Causes of SRED

Even though there is a relationship between sleep disorders and eating while sleeping, there doesn’t appear to be one specific cause for this disorder. There is evidence that specific sleep-related medications for insomnia may cause this type of behavior, as can medications for various other problems, including restless legs syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and periodic limb movement disorder. Stress may also have a role in this disorder, and that, too, must be investigated.

The patient’s symptoms include waking up with little or no memory of eating, weight gain, not feeling hungry in the morning, or feeling fatigued during the day.

Once the person has been assessed at a sleep laboratory, a treatment plan can be prescribed, and the appropriate healthcare personnel will become involved.

Patients need to be honest with themselves regarding any weight difficulties they are experiencing and are advised not to jump to the conclusion that it must be a sleep disorder. It might be a sleep disturbance that adds to daytime issues, but not necessarily SRED.

The post Asleep and Stuffing Food Into Your Mouth with No Memory of It appeared first on Medika Life.

The Environmental Working Group is a non-profit organization that aims to improve our environment-related health. The group recently analyzed 39,000 US Department of Agriculture tests of 47 fruits and vegetables.

The bad news? Nearly 70 percent of conventional produce contains pesticide residues. Particularly striking that virtually all apples, cherries, nectarines, and peaches contained at least one pesticide.

Rather than focus on the “dirty dozen” fruits and vegetables, today, we turn to the so-called Clean 15 produce list. First, a disclosure: The Environmental Working Group receives funding from several prominent organic marketers.

Fruits and vegetables — the clean 15

Nearly 70 percent of the Clean Fifteen fruit and vegetable samples contained no pesticide residues. Can you guess the cleanest? If you offered avocados and sweet corn, you are spot on; fewer than two percent of the samples had pesticides.

I recently wrote about some of the upsides of avocado consumption:

Are Avocados A Weapon to Dodge a Heart Attack?AVOCADOS APPEAR TO BE ONE MORE TOOL to reduce your heart attack risk. A new study suggests that this fruit — known for…medium.com Could Phytochemicals in Avocados Protect Against Cancer?I love indescribable things, like the taste of an avocado or the smell of a gardenia. — Barbra Streisand.medium.com

Let’s turn to the whole list of so-called clean fruits and vegetables.

1. Avocados

2. Sweet corn

3. Pineapple

4. Onions

5. Papaya

6. Sweet peas (frozen)

7. Asparagus

8. Honeydew melon

9. Kiwi

10. Cabbage

11. Mushrooms

12. Cantaloupe

13. Mangoes

14. Watermelon

15. Sweet potatoes

Fruits and vegetables — Study methods

The Environmental Working Group analyzed over 44,000 samples taken by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the US Drug Administration.

Before testing the produce for pesticides, the researchers prepared each fruit or vegetable like regular folks might do, including rinsing produce with edible peels and peeling those with inedible peels.

Whether the fruit or vegetable is on the clean or dirty list, I always wash produce before peeling, cutting, or eating it. Why? I am not as concerned about the pesticides as getting enough produce into my diet. My eagerness to wash is that produce can be covered in bacteria, leading to food poisoning.

Did you know that produce causes nearly half of all foodborne illnesses? By contrast, meat and poultry are responsible for 22 percent of cases in the United States.Fruits and vegetables poison more Americans than beef and chickenEvery year, millions of Americans get sick from what they eat and drink. But it’s not always the foods you’d…www.vox.com

What is your approach?

The post Don’t Be Fooled — Not all Fruits and Vegetables are “Dirty.” appeared first on Medika Life.

Though I grew up in Roxbury, “the heart of Black culture in Boston,” I now live in Los Angeles, where I typically shop for groceries at Whole Foods Market or Trader Joe’s. Their produce is fresh, green, abundant. Organic options beckon as you walk in the door.

So it gnawed at me, a Black woman, when I recently walked into a supermarket in a lower-income L.A. neighborhood and was greeted instead by an array of processed, high-sugar, high-sodium foods — often offered with a nice discount: Coca-Cola products, five 2-liter bottles for $5; sugary cereals, two for $4; boxed brownie and cake mixes, four for $5.

The pandemic had underlined long-standing health disparities of Black and brown communities. Covid had resulted in a 2.9-year decrease in life expectancy for Black Americans, compared with 1.2 years for white Americans. Research had consistently shown that among the underlying factors giving rise to those poor health statistics — high rates of diabetes and heart disease, for example — is poor diet, fueled by a lack of healthy food options in their neighborhoods.

“I could go into a supermarket, and I can tell everything about the people who live [in the area] based on what’s in their carts, based on what’s at eye level, what’s not at eye level,” said Phil Lempert, also known as the “Supermarket Guru.”

In retail, specific product placement — not just a store’s inventory — heavily influences a shopper’s experience. So shouldn’t responsible markets encourage shoppers to make better choices?

“There’s a lot of racism, to be honest, I think, behind these decisions, whether it’s unconscious or implicit,” said Andrea Richardson, a policy researcher focused on nutrition epidemiology at the Rand Corp. and professor at the Pardee Rand Graduate School. The presence of a supermarket in your neighborhood should signal that you aren’t living in a food desert, but, I wondered, if the supermarket isn’t guiding you toward more healthful food choices, you might as well be.

Chaseedaw and Lilie’s Shopping List

– Oat milk
– Lettuce
– Ezekiel bread
– Breakfast sausage (MorningStar)
– Fruit
– Cereal
– Cashew cheese
– Quinoa
– Snacks/chips
– Soda/juice
– Meat (fish)
– Mushrooms

So when I flew home for Thanksgiving, I enlisted my mother, Lilie — who always cared about her kids’ diets — to help with more research. I have vivid childhood memories of her scouring multiple grocery stores — often traveling to different parts of town — for the freshest ingredients when none were available close by. We set out one Sunday last fall to buy 12 items on a simple “healthy eating” shopping list at five locations of Stop & Shop, a supermarket chain with stores in a cross section of Boston neighborhoods.

First the good news: We were able to find every item we wanted at each store. But, just as I’d experienced in L.A., healthy foods were easier to find in higher-income neighborhoods. In lower-income areas, junk food was more likely to be front and center.

At the Stop & Shop I recall from my childhood in Jamaica Plain, the food choices had become much more balanced, with a plentiful organic food section in the front of the store. My mom can now buy fresher greens locally.

But that likely in part reflects the gentrification that has taken place since I was a kid. Jamaica Plain now has a median income of almost $77,000 — though the poverty rate is 18.3% and the aroma of Dominican and Haitian patties still scented the air as we approached the entrance.

Our next two stops were in even fancier areas, Brookline (median income over $115,000) and Somerville — both green oases compared with many of Boston’s grittier neighborhoods.

At the Brookline location, each aisle started with low-fat, low-sugar choices like Crystal Light and V8, and the candy section was minuscule. In Somerville, the produce section was spacious, leaving plenty of room to browse the bins of guava and dragon fruit.

Our next Stop & Shop was in South Boston — a working-class, Irish Catholic community. It was strikingly different than our first three stops. The organic section consisted mostly of breakfast bars and cereals. The produce section positioned caramels, candied apples, and pumpkin-spice doughnuts in a bin alongside regular apples — at the bargain price of two packages for $3. The “International Foods” aisle sold everything you need for a very American Taco Tuesday, while a big part of this section was dedicated to Italian and Irish foods.

In the Grove Hall neighborhood in Dorchester — a predominantly Black neighborhood with a median income of $55,000 — the offerings were downright dispiriting.

Soda was displayed prominently near one entrance. And as we walked the aisles it seemed that many of the “sale” items were sugary soda products, chips, or cookies. This store had a dizzying array of snack food options, including 20 kinds of Oreos. And there wasn’t an organic food section at all.

The chain has been “doing a lot of work” to make sure that stores are “culturally relevant and [reflect] the demographics of the neighborhood,” said Jennifer Brogan, director of Stop & Shop’s corporate external communications and community relations.

How a store is stocked depends on size, product movement, shelf size, and a mixture of customer feedback and data. That data comes from companies like IRi, a research company, that provides consumer, shopper, and retail market intelligence and analyses.

Lempert, the “supermarket guru,” further explained that companies and brands pay retailers “promotional dollars” to put their goods “at eye level” or on sale, or make them available for consumers to sample.

But in making these largely commercial decisions, markets make it more difficult for people in low-income areas to eat healthfully, encouraging those with poor diets to continue the habits that landed them with diet-related illnesses.

“It has been well documented that junk-food companies spend significantly more money advertising in certain communities,” said Kelly LeBlanc, director of nutrition at Oldways, a Boston-based food and nutrition nonprofit. A 2019 report, for instance, found that junk-food advertising disproportionately targeted Black and Hispanic youth.

Stop & Shop has started to try to redress the inequity, with changes coming first to its Dorchester location, including an in-store dietitian. The Grove Hall store also sends out an ad circular that features promotional pricing on better-for-you items, which may include fish, vegetables, and fruit. It has joined the Fresh Connect food prescription program that allows participating doctors to prescribe to patients a prepaid Visa card that can be used to purchase fruits and vegetables.

Still, why not simply cut down on the soda and bewildering number of Oreos, I wondered. “I think our job is to give customers a choice,” Brogan said. “I also think we have a responsibility to help them make healthier choices.”

I’m glad my mom taught me how to make those choices early on.

Another thing I learned: There’s a whole science behind how supermarkets are organized, and depending on where you live, that could say a lot about the surrounding area. So the next time I think about moving, the first place I’m heading to is the local supermarket because, as Lempert told me, “going to that community grocery store is going to tell you about the neighborhood.”

[This article was published by Chaseedaw Giles both in The Boston Globe and on KHN News and is republished on Medika.Life with permission.]

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