Latest / Morning Medical with Dr. Chow / Vitamin A in Measles, Butter vs Oils Study, and Mental Health in Turbulent Times

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Vitamin A in Measles, Butter vs Oils Study, and Mental Health in Turbulent Times · Morning Medical with Dr. Chow

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Hello and welcome to another episode of Morning Medical with Dr.
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Chow.
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I'm Dr.
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Chi-Ming Chow, your host, here to bring you the latest in medical and health news from around
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the world.
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Today, we're diving into a topic that's been generating quite a bit of discussion recently:
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the role of vitamin A in measles treatment and its relationship with vaccination.
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Recently, there has been some buzz around vitamin A and its use in treating measles.
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Both the World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend
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vitamin A for all patients with measles, not just those with severe cases.
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This recommendation has been supported by the U.S.
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Department of Health and Human Services, which noted that vitamin A can reduce mortality from
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the disease when administered under the supervision of a physician.
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However, it's crucial to remember that vitamin A is not a substitute for the measles, mumps,
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and rubella vaccine.
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Dr.
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Ericka Hayes from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia emphasized that while vitamin A
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can support the immune system, it won't prevent measles.
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The MMR vaccine remains the most effective way to prevent the disease, with a two-dose series
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being 97 percent effective against measles.
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Some misinterpretations have arisen from recent statements suggesting that because vitamin A is
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available, vaccination may not be necessary.
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This is a dangerous misconception.
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Vitamin A is primarily used for its benefits in maintaining a healthy immune system and
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supporting immune cells, not as a preventative measure against measles.
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The American Academy of Pediatrics Red Book highlights that vitamin A should be
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administered to children with measles in specific doses, depending on their age, and
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always under medical supervision.
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This ensures that the vitamin is dosed appropriately and safely, as high doses can
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lead to significant toxicities.
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The recent measles outbreak in west Texas, with 159 cases and one death, underscores the
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importance of vaccination.
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Measles is one of the most contagious viruses, and the growing number of unvaccinated
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individuals increases the risk of its spread.
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Dr.
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Tina Tan from Northwestern University highlighted that if vaccination rates do not
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improve, outbreaks will continue, potentially leading to more severe cases and even deaths.
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Measles can lead to serious complications, including subacute sclerosing panencephalitis,
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a rare but fatal neurological disease, and immunodeficiency.
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These complications highlight the critical need for maintaining high vaccination rates to
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protect those who cannot be vaccinated, such as infants under one year of age and
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immunocompromised individuals.
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In summary, while vitamin A has its place in supporting the treatment of measles, it is not
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a replacement for the MMR vaccine.
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Vaccination remains the key strategy in preventing measles outbreaks and protecting
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public health.
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Let's continue to advocate for high vaccination rates and ensure that accurate information is
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shared in our communities.
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Let's delve into a significant study that's been making waves in the nutrition world: the
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link between butter consumption and mortality.
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A large-scale study, which followed participants over 33 years, has shed light on
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the impact of butter and plant-based oils on our health and longevity.
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The study found a clear association between higher butter intake and increased mortality
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risk.
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Participants in the highest quartile of butter consumption were more likely to die over the
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study period compared to those in the lowest quartile.
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Specifically, the hazard ratio for mortality was 1.15 for those with the highest butter
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intake, meaning a 15 percent increase in risk.
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On the flip side, the study revealed that consuming more plant-based oils was linked to a
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lower mortality risk.
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Oils such as olive, soybean, and canola were particularly beneficial.
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For example, increasing the intake of canola oil by just five grams per day was associated
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with a reduced risk of death, with a hazard ratio of 0.85, translating to a 15 percent
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decreased risk.
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Interestingly, even when olive oil, often hailed for its health benefits, was excluded
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from the analysis, plant-based oils still showed protective effects.
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This suggests that there are affordable alternatives to olive oil that can also confer
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health benefits, such as soybean and canola oils.
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The study also highlighted the potential benefits of substituting butter with
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plant-based oils.
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Replacing just 10 grams of butter daily with an equivalent amount of plant-based oils was
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associated with a significant survival benefit, particularly in reducing cancer mortality.
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However, the change did not significantly affect cardiovascular disease mortality.
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These findings align with the dietary recommendations from the American Heart
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Association and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which advocate for reducing
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saturated fats, like those found in butter, and replacing them with unsaturated fats found in
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plant oils.
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Such dietary adjustments could lower the risk of chronic diseases and promote longevity.
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It's important to note that not all plant-based oils are created equal.
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While olive, soybean, and canola oils were associated with reduced mortality risk, this
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wasn't observed for corn and safflower oils, possibly due to their lower consumption in the
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study population.
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The study's authors, including Dr.
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Dong Wang from Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, emphasize that butter's
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high saturated fat and cholesterol content make it less suitable for long-term health, whereas
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plant-based oils offer antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties.
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This research underscores the importance of making informed dietary choices.
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Opting for plant-based oils over butter might not only enhance longevity but also help reduce
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cancer-related deaths.
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As such, dietary guidelines should continue to emphasize the benefits of plant-based oils
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while minimizing saturated fat intake for optimal health outcomes.
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The ongoing political turmoil surrounding United States President Donald Trump's tariff
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policies has been causing significant anxiety among Canadians.
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This is not just a fleeting feeling but a pervasive sense of dread and helplessness as
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reported by many individuals across the country.
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The "shock and awe" strategy employed by Trump since taking office, characterized by rapid and
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unpredictable policy changes, has intensified these feelings.
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Canadians have expressed their mental health struggles in response to these political
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developments.
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Tracey Collins from Saskatoon shared how her anxiety has spiked due to the constant barrage
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of unsettling news.
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Despite wanting to stay informed, she finds the news so distressing that she's had to increase
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her anxiety medication.
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Her fear is that the current trajectory could lead to a dictatorship if Trump remains in
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power.
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Similarly, dual citizen Maria Lirio from Fort Erie feels torn between the United States and
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Canada amidst the trade war.
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While shopping in New York, she's encountered Americans apologizing for the situation, and
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back in Canada, she finds people harboring anger.
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Her plea for leaders on both sides to resolve their differences reflects a deep desire for
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peace and cooperation between the two nations.
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Research has shown that political stress can lead to poorer physical and emotional health.
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The American Psychological Association has highlighted that political anxiety, especially
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surrounding elections, can have detrimental effects.
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In a study of U.S.
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psychotherapists, patients who were not Trump supporters experienced a decline in positive
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emotions after the 2016 election, demonstrating the profound impact politics can have on mental
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health.
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The "constant threat" posed by this political climate can lead individuals to feel
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overwhelmed and anxious.
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Amanda Friesen, an associate professor at Western University, explains that our cognitive
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and emotional systems are not equipped to handle the relentless flood of information
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about global and political events.
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This can result in mental and emotional deterioration as people try to process these
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threats.
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Annette Buchholz from Vulcan, Alberta, draws parallels between Trump's actions and
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historical tyrannies, expressing her fear of history repeating itself.
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She feels burdened not only by the tariffs but also by the looming possibility of Canada
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becoming a part of the United States, which she describes as a nightmare scenario.
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Jan Miles from Stratford, Ontario, has long struggled with anxiety and depression, and the
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ongoing tariff disputes have exacerbated her condition.
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Despite the distress it causes, she finds herself unable to look away, likening it to
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watching a train wreck unfold before her eyes.
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To manage the stress of constant news exposure, Amanda Friesen suggests limiting one's intake
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to avoid information overload.
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She advises subscribing to daily newsletters from trusted sources instead of being glued to
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the news cycle.
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This approach can help balance staying informed with maintaining mental health.
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Janet James from Elie, Manitoba, shares the sentiment of many, feeling as though she's
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living through apocalyptic times.
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Despite trying to limit her news consumption to twice a day, she finds it still impacts her
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mental health negatively, leaving her worried and unable to sleep.
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President Donald Trump's nominee for the United States Food and Drug Administration
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commissioner, Dr.
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Marty Makary, recently faced a tense confirmation hearing with senators.
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During the hearing, he expressed his intentions to scrutinize school lunches, the abortion pill
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mifepristone, and agency advisory committees if confirmed for the position.
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Dr.
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Makary, a surgeon and researcher at Johns Hopkins University, has been an advocate for a
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cultural shift within the FDA.
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His nomination is part of a broader series of appointments, with Senate confirmations for
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Makary and Dr.
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Jay Bhattacharya for the United States National Institutes of Health scheduled for March 13,
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along with Dr.
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David Weldon for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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If confirmed, Dr.
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Makary will report to Robert F.
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Kennedy Jr., the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
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Kennedy himself has pushed for stricter regulations on chemicals in food and has
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advocated for limiting access to soda and processed foods in school lunch programs.
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During the hearing, Dr.
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Makary emphasized the importance of examining the ingredients used in school lunches,
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particularly focusing on seed oils and food dyes.
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He proposed a pilot program to help some school districts transition to healthier foods, noting
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that many districts wish to do so but lack the knowledge or funds to implement such changes.
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Dr.
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Makary highlighted the need to consolidate scientific research on seed oils and dyes,
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pointing out that the FDA recently banned red dye number three.
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He stressed that half of the nation's children are sick, and there's a pressing need to
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address the root causes of these illnesses, such as general body inflammation and insulin
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resistance, which are significantly influenced by diet.
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In addition to school lunches, Dr.
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Makary plans to form an 'expert coalition' to review data on the abortion pill mifepristone.
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He assured that he has no preconceived plans regarding mifepristone policy and intends to
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thoroughly examine the data collected under the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy
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program.
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Mifepristone, used in medication abortions and miscarriage care, has been a focal point of
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abortion restrictions in some states since the Roe v.
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Wade decision was overturned in 2022.
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Dr.
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Makary committed to following the law and regulations when reviewing data on this
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medication, while maintaining an open, scientific stance.
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The hearing also addressed the cancellation of a recent meeting of the FDA's Vaccines and
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Related Biological Products Advisory Committee, which was supposed to discuss the composition
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of flu vaccines.
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Dr.
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Makary stated that if confirmed, he would re-evaluate the necessity of convening such
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meetings, ensuring they are held when needed.
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Dr.
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Makary expressed the importance of reviewing the ethics policy of FDA advisory committees to
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prevent conflicts of interest.
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He emphasized the need for transparency and independence in the scientific review process,
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while acknowledging existing rules against conflicts of interest in committee memberships.
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Libraries have long been cherished as places of knowledge and community gathering.
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But now, thanks to an innovative program called Libraries with Heart, libraries in Central
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Florida are stepping up to play a crucial role in community health.
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This initiative is a collaboration between HCA Florida Healthcare, the American Heart
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Association, and the Orange County Library system, aiming to make libraries a hub for
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health resources beyond just books.
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Through this partnership, library patrons aged 18 and older can now check out blood pressure
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monitoring kits.
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In 2024 alone, these kits were checked out 459 times, showcasing their popularity and the
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community's engagement with this health resource.
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Jimmy Clarity, vice president of community impact for the American Heart Association,
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emphasized the importance of meeting people where they are, saying, "It’s a place where
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people gather and spend a lot of their time and can access resources.
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It’s not just about checking out library books anymore."
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To ensure that patrons can effectively use these kits, each library branch has at least
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two staff members trained in demonstrating their use.
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Additionally, there are outreach teams dedicated to bringing these kits to individuals
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who may not be able to visit the library or who are unaware of the program's existence.
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This proactive approach helps extend the program's reach and impact.
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The Libraries with Heart program doesn't stop at blood pressure monitoring.
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It has also equipped every library in the system with automated external defibrillators,
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or AEDs, thanks to a generous donation from UCF Lake Nona Hospital.
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This donation also covered the costs of training library staff in cardiopulmonary
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resuscitation and AED use, further enhancing the libraries' capacity to respond to health
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emergencies.
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This initiative is a shining example of how community partnerships can transform public
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spaces into vital health resources.
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By integrating health and wellness tools into everyday locations like libraries, the program
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not only raises health awareness but also empowers individuals to take charge of their
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health.
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It's a testament to the power of community collaboration in improving public health and
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wellness.
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As we wrap up today's episode, it's clear that health innovation can come from unexpected
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places, like libraries, and that community partnerships are vital in promoting wellness.
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Thank you for joining me on Morning Medical with Dr.
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Chow.
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I'm Dr.
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Chi-Ming Chow, wishing you a healthy and informed day.
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Tune in next time for more updates on the latest medical and health news.