Many Popular Oral Decongestants Don’t Work, FDA Panel Finds

Posted from: https://www.everydayhealth.com/cold-flu/many-popular-oral-decongestants-dont-work-fda-panel-finds/

A U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory committee on Tuesday unanimously agreed that common cold medicines containing the active ingredient phenylephrine do not work when it comes to relieving decongestion. If the FDA follows the recommendations of the panel (which it often does), it could end the sales of dozens of popular products, such as Sudafed PE, Tylenol Sinus + Headache, and Vicks DayQuil Cold and Flu. Noting that the FDA has been evaluating data with regard to the efficacy of oral phenylephrine (PE) since 2007, the 10-member Nonprescription Drug Advisory Committee (NDAC) said, “we have now come to the initial conclusion that orally administered PE is not effective as a nasal decongestant.” Their decision was based primarily on three large recent clinical trials evaluating the effect of these medications containing phenylephrine. The advisory panel highlighted that previous studies supporting the use of such products had significant deficiencies and did not meet current quality standards. While finding that these medications were no more effective than a placebo, the group stressed that it found no safety issues with these products. A Potential Major Disruption for the Cold Medicine Industry NDAC recognized that its decision could lead to a seismic shift in the pharmaceutical industry. Medicines containing phenylephrine are used by millions of Americans and generate billions of dollars in sales, according to the panel. “We understand that a significant impact on industry would be inevitable,” wrote the committee. In response to the decision, the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) , a trade association representing drug manufacturers, issued a statement saying that regulations for phenylephrine remain unchanged at this time, and products containing the ingredient continue to be on store shelves. “We are disappointed by the outcome of today’s FDA Advisory Committee meeting because its non-binding recommendation is at odds with the numerous clinical trials and previous regulatory determinations affirming oral PE as a safe and effective decongestant at its labeled dose,” said CHPA president and CEO Scott Melville. “As stated in the FDA briefing document and highlighted by the committee chair, FDA has not identified any safety issues with orally administered PE. The meeting was a scientific review of recent research on PE efficacy.” Timing for a full decision on this by the FDA is still uncertain. No Cure for the Common Cold Lauren Eggert, MD , a clinical assistant professor who specializes in pulmonary, allergy, and critical care medicine at Stanford Health Care in California, says that she wasn’t surprised by the decision. “Even back when I was in training as an internal medicine resident, there has been little to no evidence that these products are really effective in treating the common cold,” says Dr. Eggert. “The best treatment is just going to be good old-fashioned supportive care. I know it’s not glamorous and it’s not a quick fix, but when you have a cold, you really just need rest and hydration.” That said, she sees no harm in taking these products for patients who believe these medicines make them feel better. “There may be a placebo effect and there is something to be said for that,” says Eggert. “The common cold is miserable. Patients sometimes tell me that they really believe things help them even if it’s not evidence-based. If it’s not harmful and a patient thinks something is helping, I fully support that.” Alternatives to Oral Phenylephrine While there’s still no cure for the common cold, other products are still considered effective at relieving cold symptoms. These include nasal sprays that contain phenylephrine. (It’s just the oral version that’s in question.) Health authorities say drugs containing an antihistamine and pseudoephedrine may also be effective. The FDA panel cautioned, however, that pseudoephedrine is now regulated as a “behind-the-counter” product and can only be bought from pharmacies in limited quantities because of concerns that it can be used to make crystal methamphetamine. Sarah Lynch, PharmD , a clinical assistant professor of pharmacy practice at Binghamton University at the State University of New York, further added that consumers may be confused by which products contain phenylephrine. “Consumers will often recognize a product by its most common brand name, like Sudafed or Benadryl or Nyquil, but these ‘brand name extensions’ will often manufacture products with other ingredients or combinations. Some of them may include phenylephrine, but many of them will not,” said Dr. Lynch in a statement . “Your pharmacist is a great resource if you have questions about any over-the-counter products you are using. Pharmacists can also make recommendations for alternative products that may help your symptoms as well.”

Is Snacking Good or Bad for You? The Truth, According to an RD

Posted from: https://www.everydayhealth.com/columns/everyday-dietitian/is-snacking-good-or-bad-for-you-the-truth-according-to-an-rd/

I may be a dietitian, but I love snacks! I eat them every day and rely on them to help me feel satisfied until my next meal. And, as a mom of young children, I spend a lot of time planning and fetching snacks for my kiddos (it seems like they always want a snack, doesn’t it?). If you love snacks, too, we’re not alone! A review published in Nutrients in April 2023 found that 90 percent of Americans snack at least once a day, and more than a quarter of respondents to the 2020 Food and Health Survey reported snacking multiple times each day. When I first became a registered dietitian and started counseling patients one-on-one, I was shocked to discover how many of my patients felt snacking was a bad habit they shouldn’t indulge in. Now, it’s true that there are good ways and bad ways to snack. One review found that Americans get almost a third of their daily calories from snacks, which means that collectively, snacks make up as much of your diet as a meal. But the review also noted that people who consumed snacks that were unprocessed, whole foods high in complex carbohydrates, fiber, and protein reported increased satiety (the feeling of fullness), while those who consumed processed foods marketed as “snack food” did not; and that, in turn, may have increased their risk of obesity. What Is a Snack? What counts as a snack anyway? Generally, a snack is considered any food that is consumed between the main meals of the day (usually breakfast, lunch, and dinner). A snack tends to be smaller in portion size (and hopefully calories) than a meal as well. As a general rule, the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health recommends limiting snacks to between 150 and 250 calories, and I wholeheartedly agree. While snacks are great in moderation, portion sizes must be kept in check and nutritious whole foods selected to ensure that your nosh is beneficial rather than detrimental. Nutritional Pros and Cons of Snacking Is snacking good for you or should it be avoided? As I mentioned earlier, the answer very much depends on what and how much you consume. All food contains calories, and, therefore, a snack adds calories to your day. The key is to use those calories to provide extra nutrients to your body while preventing yourself from being overly hungry at your next meal. A well-planned snack can be an excellent tool for getting in an extra serving of produce and increasing your fiber intake. In fact, a report from the American Society for Nutrition released in July 2023 found that the quality of the snack matters even more than its size! A while back, I remember when it was trendy to eat six small meals a day instead of three main meals. Proponents claimed that this snack-style diet was the best way to boost your metabolism and keep calories in check. But as UCLA Health points out, while this makes logical sense, when it is put into practice, the results vary. That’s because the small meals that people choose to eat also vary. While small meals can help you feel constantly full throughout the day and prevent large swings in hunger levels, they can also mean six occasions to eat more than your body actually needs. Say, for example, you eat 100 excess calories at each of these six meals (the amount in just two Oreo cookies or 2 cups of microwave popcorn ) — that adds up to an extra 600 calories over the day! Unfortunately, evidence suggests that eating more frequently does not increase metabolism or weight loss and may, in fact, increase the feeling of hunger . In contrast, a healthy and well-balanced snack that contains protein can decrease hunger and the hunger hormone ghrelin, past research noted. Snacks are especially important for anyone managing diabetes, since eating more often may keep blood sugar levels more steady between meals, notes Tufts Medical Center . That’s because snacks can be used to more evenly spread carbohydrates throughout the day; they can also be eaten with certain medications and can manage hunger and prevent blood sugar spikes after meals. It’s also important to note that not everyone who has diabetes needs to include snacks as part of their meal plan. For example, if you have type 2 diabetes and are trying to manage weight or insulin resistance, your healthcare team may determine that snacks are unnecessary. If you have diabetes, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) notes that your carbohydrate needs will vary depending on your body composition, activity level, and the medications you use. As a general recommendation to get started, the ADA says to stick with a healthy snack that contains 20 grams (g) of carbohydrates or less. A snack that includes protein and a vegetable is not only healthier and more nutritionally well-balanced, but will also be more satisfying! How to Snack Responsibly Wondering about the best time to snack? That really depends on your schedule; but one to two snacks per day between breakfast and lunch and between lunch and dinner is a great way to make sure you don’t arrive at your next meal feeling ravenous (and then overeat). One of the keys to healthy snacking is snacking for the right reason. If you reach for a healthy snack because you are hungry and your next meal isn’t for a couple of hours, that’s perfect. Unfortunately, many of us (myself included) occasionally find ourselves snacking because we’re bored, stressed, or angry. It’s easy to consume a meal’s worth of calories during this type of snack attack. Next time you go to snack, take a minute to assess your hunger level and how you’re feeling emotionally. If you’re truly hungry, go ahead and grab a healthy snack and enjoy! But if you’re reaching for an unhealthy snack because of an emotional reason, look for another way to process those feelings. When it comes to choosing snacks, something that contains protein has been shown to increase satiety and keep you feeling full longer. Protein-rich snacks could include nuts or nut butters, low-fat or fat-free dairy, or even meat or beans (think beef jerky or steamed edamame). Good carbohydrates also make for a healthy snack. Examples include fruit, vegetables, and whole grains. As MedlinePlus advises, a snack that incorporates both protein and a moderate amount of carbohydrates is perfection! Here are a few examples of well-balanced snacks: Veggie sticks and hummus Baked veggie egg cups Nut butter energy balls Cottage cheese and fruit on whole-grain toast Crispy chickpeas Hard-boiled egg and a piece of fruit No matter what you choose to snack on, make sure it is something that you enjoy and that will nourish your body. Gotta go — it’s snack time for me!

5G REMOTE KILL VECTOR: Science paper reveals cell phone signals can activate the release of biological PAYLOADS from graphene oxide injected into the body

Posted from: https://www.naturalnews.com/2023-09-14-remote-kill-science-paper-reveals-cell-phone-signals-release-biological-payloads-graphene-oxide.html

(NaturalNews) A science paper published in MaterialsToday Chemistry reveals that cell phone signals can be used to release biological or chemical payloads from…