🦟 Malaria Makes a Comeback in U.S.
Plus: Diet soda could be labeled a carcinogen by WHO
Health Squeeze
June 30, 2023
In This Newsletter
🩸 For the first time in decades, this disease is spreading in the U.S.
🙍🏻♀️ The important nutrient that 40% of girls and young women lack.
🧬 A breakthrough discovery for multiple sclerosis patients.
Health Q and A
What is the difference between bacteria and viruses?
Answer at the bottom
🦟 Malaria Makes a Comeback in U.S.
For the first time in 20 years, malaria is spreading locally in the United States.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a health alert after it confirmed five cases of the mosquito-borne illness, four of which occurred in Florida and one in Texas, all within the past two months.
Malaria is a potentially deadly disease caused by parasites transmitted through mosquito bites. Symptoms include fever, headache, and chills; in severe cases, it can lead to organ failure and death. Although the disease is highly treatable if identified early.
The illness is spread by a specific type of mosquito called Anopheles. And although local transmission in the U.S. is new, Anopheles have been here for a while.
Malaria is prevalent globally, though, with roughly 247 million cases and 619,000 deaths linked to the disease in 2020, according to the World Health Organization.
In the U.S., the CDC estimates that around 2,000 malaria cases per year usually come from travelers who pick it up in Asia or Africa.
But unfortunately, this year, both mosquito and tick seasons are shaping up to be more severe than usual.
According to Climate Central, a research organization, annual "mosquito days," defined as days with an average relative humidity of 42% or higher and temperatures ranging from 50 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit, have increased since 1979 in over 70% of U.S. locations studied.
And as global temperatures continue to rise, the threat from ticks and mosquitoes are becoming less seasonal.
Warm and mild winters have already brought early tick and mosquito activity this year, with Lyme disease cases reported even in the spring, which is atypical. Experts have also noted an expansion of tick populations beyond rural areas and into cities in recent years.
While the risk of contracting malaria in the U.S. remains low despite these recent cases, the CDC urges the public to remain vigilant over mosquito-borne illness as summer gets underway and report any unusual symptoms you may experience if you think it may be related to a bite.
Together with Apollo
😴 Achieve Optimal Well-being: Apollo's Wearable Trains Your Body for Better Sleep and Stress Relief.
Discover the power of the Apollo wearable. Developed by experts, it uses touch therapy with soothing vibrations to calm your nerves, melt away stress, and promote better sleep, relaxation, and focus.
Tested by thousands, users experience 40% less stress, increased focus by up to 25%, and an additional 30 minutes of sleep per night.
Please support our sponsors!
🩸 40% of Young Women Are Iron Deficient
Iron deficiency is a common problem among young girls and women, according to a new study.
The research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association analyzed 12 years of data for almost 3,500 girls and women aged 12 to 21.
It found that almost 40% of U.S. girls and young women have low iron levels.
The research also highlighted that 6 in every 100 females had extremely low iron levels, known as iron-deficiency anemia.
Iron is an essential mineral that plays a vital role in the body. It is crucial in producing hemoglobin, a protein found in red blood cells that is responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body.
Iron deficiency can cause several health problems, including fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath. Severe cases can result in anemia, a condition with insufficient red blood cells in the body to carry oxygen to the tissues. If left untreated, anemia can lead to severe complications, such as heart failure.
The research showed that many young females are deficient in iron due to several factors, including heavy menstrual bleeding, low intake of iron-rich foods, and chronic diseases. It also revealed that a young woman's likelihood of having iron deficiency or iron-deficiency anemia was significantly linked to race and ethnicity, poverty status, access to sufficient or quality food (also called food insecurity), and body mass index. Black and Hispanic girls and women were more prone to iron-level problems than their White counterparts.
According to the CDC, women of childbearing age should consume at least 18 milligrams of iron daily.
🧬 MS “Severity” Gene Discovered
Scientists have made a significant breakthrough in the study of multiple sclerosis (MS), identifying a gene variant that could be linked to the severity of the disease.
In a study of over 22,000 people with MS, researchers found that those carrying a certain gene variant experienced a more severe form of the disease, leading to a faster decline compared to those who did not carry it.
The study is a critical first step in understanding how genes affect the progression of MS and developing new treatments to slow the course of the disease.
While individuals cannot change their inherited genes, the knowledge gained through this study could lead to new medications that target the underlying mechanisms of MS progression.
MS is a neurological disorder that affects the central nervous system, causing various symptoms such as fatigue, vision problems, muscle weakness, numbness, and difficulty with balance and coordination. The condition occurs when the immune system attacks the body's myelin, a protective sheath around nerve fibers in the spine and brain.
The study, published in the journal Nature, highlights the importance of understanding the genetics of MS progression. Researchers believe that this knowledge could help identify new targets for drugs that could slow the progression of the disease, reducing disability and improving the quality of life for those living with MS.
📝 Health Snippets
Popular Sweetener Causes Cancer. According to multiple media sources, the World Health Organization is expected to list aspartame, an artificial sweetener, as a possible carcinogen. The International Agency for Research on Cancer analyzed the sweetener's potential carcinogenic effects this month, and a separate WHO and UN committee is updating its risk assessment, including an acceptable daily intake. The findings will be released on July 14.
Horse Tranquilizers Worsen Opioid Crisis. According to new CDC data, the use of an animal tranquilizer called Xylazine is on the rise and contributing to deaths from illicit opioids. Xylazine is used by veterinarians to sedate horses and other large animals. It has been detected in the bloodstream of people who use opioids, sometimes along with heroin.
Pregnant Women’s Protections. A new law called the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act goes into effect on June 30th in the U.S., requiring employers to offer "reasonable accommodations" to pregnant workers and nursing moms. The act specifies that accommodations such as longer breaks, less heavy lifting, and private spaces for expressing milk should be provided unless it would cause undue hardship for the employer. More than 30 states and cities have similar laws in place, but this is the first time there is a federal law protecting pregnant workers.
President Biden’s Health. President Biden has started using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine at night to help with sleep apnea, a condition in which breathing can stop and start during sleep, according to a statement from the White House. Biden has disclosed a history of sleep apnea since 2008.
In partnership with Apollo
Apollo’s Wearable Technology. Achieve Optimal Well-being: Apollo's Wearable Trains Your Body for Better Sleep and Stress Relief. Get 40% off Today by Clicking here.
Please support our sponsors!
Answer
Bacteria are single-celled organisms that have the ability to nourish themselves and reproduce. They can be found in various environments, including the air, water, and soil. They can multiply rapidly and exponentially, with one cell becoming millions within a short period. In contrast, viruses are smaller than bacteria and require a host cell to grow or reproduce. When a virus infects the body, it attaches itself to a healthy cell and uses the cell's nucleus to replicate itself.
If you enjoy this newsletter, please consider sharing a short message of love! It will get added to our living, scrolling wall of testimonials on the homepage
Prefer to not see any ads? Support our team with our premium membership
How did you like today's newsletter |
Was this forwarded to you? Sign up here.
Want to advertise in The Health Squeeze? Go here.