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Bemotrizinol, the First New Sunscreen Option in over 25 Years · Morning Medical with Dr. Chow

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  Welcome to Morning Medical with Doctor Chow, your daily dose of the latest in medical and
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  health news from around the globe, powered by artificial intelligence.
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  I am Doctor Chi-Ming Chow, and it is a pleasure to have you with us today.
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  Let's get started with our first story.
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  Pope Leo the Fourteenth has made a remarkable recovery after undergoing surgery to remove a
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  cancerous nodule from his lung.
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  Just days after the operation, the Pope has resumed work from his hospital room at the
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  Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome.
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  According to his medical team, the surgery involved the removal of the lower section of
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  his right lung and confirmed a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma, which is the most common type
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  of lung cancer.
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  Doctors have reported that the Pope's post-operative recovery is progressing as
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  expected.
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  His lung has recovered well, as shown by recent chest X-rays.
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  Despite the surgery, Pope Leo is said to be in good spirits, eating, walking, and undergoing
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  respiratory physiotherapy.
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  He even celebrated Mass with other priests in a special chapel set up near his room.
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  In addition to his physical recovery, Pope Leo has been actively engaging in his duties.
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  He recently met with Archbishop Paolo Rudelli, the Vatican chief of staff, to discuss
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  administrative matters of the Holy See.
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  This meeting signifies the Pope's commitment to his responsibilities despite his health
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  challenges.
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  As of now, the Pope is expected to remain in the hospital until at least October twentieth.
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  The Vatican has not announced any changes to his planned trip to South America, which
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  includes visits to Peru, Uruguay, and Argentina, scheduled for early November.
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  The Vatican spokesman, Matteo Bruni, noted that the Pope is grateful for the prayers and
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  support he has received during this time.
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  For the first time in over twenty-five years, there's a new option for sunscreen on the
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  shelves in the United States.
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  A skin-protecting chemical known as bemotrizinol, which has long been a favorite in
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  Europe and other parts of the world, has received approval from the Food and Drug
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  Administration.
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  This new ingredient, sometimes referred to as BEMT, was approved in June, and now sunscreens
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  containing it are becoming available in stores across the country, including formulations from
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  well-known brands like Neutrogena.
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  Dermatologists are excited about this development because bemotrizinol fills an
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  important gap in the sunscreen market.
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  It provides broad protection against both ultraviolet B rays, which cause most sunburns,
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  and ultraviolet A rays, which pose the greatest risk of skin cancer and wrinkles.
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  This dual protection qualifies it as a broad spectrum sunscreen.
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  Previously, manufacturers had to combine multiple ingredients to achieve this level of
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  protection.
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  One of the significant advantages of bemotrizinol is that it does not have the
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  cosmetic downsides of some older sunscreen ingredients.
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  Many sunscreens, especially those using mineral bases like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, can
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  leave white streaks on the skin.
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  This can be particularly problematic for people with darker complexions, who might be
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  discouraged from using these products due to the visible residue.
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  Bemotrizinol, on the other hand, offers strong protection without these cosmetic issues.
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  Another benefit of bemotrizinol is its minimal absorption into the skin.
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  Safety data collected over decades shows that it barely penetrates the skin, addressing
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  concerns about chemical accumulation in the body, which has been an issue with some older
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  sunscreen chemicals.
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  Just last month, the Food and Drug Administration revoked approval of oxybenzone,
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  an older chemical, due to concerns over its absorption levels.
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  In contrast, bemotrizinol's large molecule size prevents it from being absorbed into the
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  bloodstream, making it a safer option.
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  The Food and Drug Administration's safety review of bemotrizinol included studies
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  involving more than five hundred patients.
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  These studies confirmed that the levels of bemotrizinol absorbed into the skin were nearly
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  undetectable.
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  Moreover, research indicated that daily use of bemotrizinol-containing sunscreens for up to
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  three weeks did not cause irritation or allergic reactions.
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  Consequently, the Food and Drug Administration has designated bemotrizinol as "generally
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  recognized as safe and effective," placing it alongside other safe ingredients like zinc
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  oxide and titanium dioxide.
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  While bemotrizinol is recognized as safe for human use, more evidence is needed regarding
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  its environmental impact, particularly on coral reefs.
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  Some sunscreen ingredients have been shown to harm coral reefs, leading to bans on chemicals
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  like oxybenzone and octinoxate in places like Hawaii and parts of Florida.
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  Although the European Union's environmental agency has found limited evidence of
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  environmental toxicity with bemotrizinol, longer-term research is necessary to fully
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  understand its impact on marine ecosystems.
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  In addition to its broad protection and safer profile, bemotrizinol offers another advantage:
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  stability in sunlight.
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  Unlike avobenzone, which is the only other chemical-based ingredient that filters
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  ultraviolet A light and is known for its instability, bemotrizinol does not break down
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  quickly under the sun's rays.
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  This stability means that bemotrizinol maintains its protective properties longer,
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  although dermatologists still recommend reapplying sunscreen every few hours,
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  especially if you are swimming or sweating.
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  It's important to remember that sunscreen should be part of a broader sun protection
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  strategy.
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  While bemotrizinol is a promising new option, it should not be relied upon solely for
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  protection.
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  Taking breaks in the shade, wearing hats, and using sun-protective clothing are all crucial
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  elements of effective sun safety.
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  As always, clothing provides excellent protection against harmful rays, sometimes even
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  better than sunscreen alone.
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  A recent study, co-authored by researchers from McMaster University, has brought to light the
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  potential impact of ultra-processed foods on brain health.
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  Ultra-processed foods, or UPFs, are those that have been heavily altered from their original
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  form and often contain additives, preservatives, and artificial flavors.
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  These foods are designed to be cheap and convenient, making them a prevalent choice in
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  many diets.
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  However, this new research suggests that indulging too heavily in these foods might have
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  ramifications beyond what we can see in terms of weight and cardiovascular health.
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  The study, published in JAMA Network Open, indicates that individuals who consume a high
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  percentage of their daily calories from UPFs might be more susceptible to changes in their
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  brain structure.
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  These changes could serve as early indicators of conditions such as stroke, dementia, and
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  cognitive decline.
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  This finding is particularly concerning given that, according to Statistics Canada, nearly
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  half of the calories consumed by Canadians come from ultra-processed foods.
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  Russell de Souza, an associate professor at McMaster's Mary Heersink School of Global
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  Health and Social Medicine, emphasizes that many people might not be aware of the potential
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  harm these foods can cause to the brain.
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  De Souza hopes the study's findings will encourage people to reconsider their dietary
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  choices before any serious health issues manifest later in life.
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  He points out that while UPFs are convenient, they often lack essential nutrients and can
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  contribute to inflammation in the body, which in turn affects brain health.
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  The research involved analyzing the diets and brain MRI scans of over eight thousand seven
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  hundred Canadian adults, with a median age of fifty-eight.
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  The participants were divided into groups based on their UPF consumption, with the highest
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  consumers getting nearly forty-five percent of their daily calories from such foods.
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  Those in this group showed increased levels of body fat, particularly visceral fat, which is
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  known to release inflammatory proteins that can harm the brain.
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  Dr.
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  Sonia Anand, another co-author of the study and a vascular medicine specialist, noted that the
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  MRI scans of participants with high UPF intake revealed brain changes akin to silent strokes.
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  Silent strokes do not show immediate symptoms but can accumulate over time, leading to
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  neurological issues such as vascular dementia.
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  Dr.
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  Michael Hill, a neurologist at the University of Calgary, not involved in the study,
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  corroborated these findings, stating that the accumulation of such injuries increases the
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  risk of neurological problems later in life.
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  It's important to note that not all processed foods are ultra-processed.
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  Many processed foods still retain nutritional value and are necessary for a safe and stable
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  food supply.
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  However, UPFs are largely devoid of beneficial nutrients like fiber, vitamins, and minerals,
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  and are often high in added sugars, fats, and salts.
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  This distinction is crucial as it highlights the need for dietary choices that prioritize
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  whole or minimally processed foods.
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  While the damage from a UPF-heavy diet may not be reversible, making dietary changes can slow
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  further progression of potential brain damage.
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  Dr.
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  Hill advises that even when craving something sweet or salty, preparing it at home with whole
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  ingredients is preferable.
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  The mantra "eat foods that will rot, but not rotten food" underscores the importance of
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  choosing fresh, whole foods over heavily processed alternatives.
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  The study's authors highlight the necessity of improving health literacy to increase awareness
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  about the impact of UPFs on health.
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  They suggest that systemic changes, such as government interventions to make healthy foods
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  more accessible and affordable, could help reduce the reliance on UPFs.
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  Countries like Chile have successfully implemented measures like front-of-package
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  labels to reduce UPF consumption, particularly among children.
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  Such strategies could serve as models for other nations, including Canada.
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  As we continue to explore the fascinating world of weight-loss medications, recent studies
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  suggest that these drugs might offer a host of health benefits beyond just shedding pounds.
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  This insight comes from research into glucagon-like peptide-1, or GLP-1 medications,
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  including well-known names like semaglutide, which is the active ingredient in drugs such as
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  Ozempic and Wegovy.
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  Let's delve into the seven serious health issues that these medications might help
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  address even before any significant weight loss occurs.
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  Semaglutide has been shown to provide cardiovascular benefits that extend beyond
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  weight loss.
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  A major study published in The Lancet found that this drug reduced the risk of heart
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  attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular death among individuals with existing cardiovascular
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  disease and obesity.
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  Interestingly, these benefits were observed across different body weights and were not
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  fully explained by the weight loss alone.
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  Next, GLP-1 medications have also been linked to reduced joint pain and improved mobility.
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  The STEP 9 clinical trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that
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  semaglutide significantly reduced knee osteoarthritis pain and improved physical
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  function among adults with obesity.
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  While the exact mechanism is still under investigation, the reduction in joint pain
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  suggests that these medications could offer relief beyond their weight-loss effects.
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  Promoting kidney health is another potential benefit of GLP-1 medications.
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  These drugs may help protect kidney function through various mechanisms, including
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  improvements in blood sugar, blood pressure, and inflammation.
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  The landmark FLOW trial, also published in the New England Journal of Medicine, showed that
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  semaglutide reduced the risk of major kidney-related complications and cardiovascular
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  death by 24% among patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease.
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  GLP-1 medications may also help reduce liver inflammation and scarring, particularly in
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  conditions like metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, or
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  MASH.
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  A clinical trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that semaglutide
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  improved liver tissue findings among patients with MASH, including reductions in inflammation
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  and liver scarring, with a significant number of patients experiencing resolution of MASH
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  without worsening liver fibrosis.
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  Moving on to respiratory health, real-world research presented at the European Respiratory
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  Society Congress has linked GLP-1 medications to fewer asthma attacks and chronic obstructive
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  pulmonary disease flare-ups.
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  Researchers speculate that the drugs' potential anti-inflammatory effects could be playing a
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  role, although more studies are needed to confirm these findings.
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  Mental health and addiction are areas where GLP-1 medications might also offer benefits.
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  The brain contains GLP-1 receptors in regions involved in regulating appetite, emotions,
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  motivation, and responses to rewards.
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  Emerging research suggests that semaglutide may have potential benefits for mental health and
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  addiction, although this area requires further exploration to establish a clear connection.
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  Lastly, GLP-1-based medications are being investigated for their potential benefits in
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  treating inflammatory skin conditions, including psoriasis.
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  A clinical trial published in JAMA Dermatology found that adding tirzepatide, a medication
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  similar to semaglutide, to an existing psoriasis treatment improved skin clearance
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  among adults with moderate to severe psoriasis and obesity.
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  It's important to note that while these potential benefits are promising, the effects
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  of GLP-1 medications can vary by drug and individual.
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  Patients should consult with healthcare providers to understand the potential risks and
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  benefits specific to their health conditions.
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  As research continues, these medications may become a key component in managing a range of
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  health issues beyond weight loss.
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  In recent news, a recall has been issued for certain batches of Flintstones vitamins, Aleve,
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  and Claritin tablets due to distribution errors.
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  The Canadian Food Inspection Agency, or CFIA, has announced that Flintstones Complete
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  Multivitamins and Minerals tablets, 10 milligram Claritin Allergy Tablets, and 200
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  milligram Aleve tablets have been recalled.
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  This recall was prompted after customer-returned products were mistakenly
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  reintroduced into saleable inventory and then redistributed across wholesale markets.
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  The recall affects products manufactured by Bayer Incorporated, a well-known pharmaceutical
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  company.
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  The CFIA is urging consumers to verify whether their purchased products are part of this
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  recall.
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  Consumers are advised to contact the recalling firm directly to ensure their safety.
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  Additionally, any health-related side effects from these products should be reported to
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  Health Canada immediately.
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  Mistakes like these serve as a reminder of the importance of rigorous checks and procedures in
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  the distribution of pharmaceuticals.
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  Ensuring that products are safely returned and not mistakenly reintroduced to the market is
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  crucial to maintaining consumer trust and safety.
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  It's always wise to stay informed about recalls and to check the safety of medications and
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  supplements in your home regularly.
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  If you have any of these products at home, take a moment to confirm their safety.
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  You can do this by contacting the place of purchase or checking directly with Bayer
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  Incorporated.
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  It's better to be safe and ensure that none of the recalled items are in your medicine
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  cabinet.
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  As we wrap up today's episode, I want to thank you for joining me on Morning Medical with
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  Doctor Chow.
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  Stay informed, stay healthy, and I'll see you on our next episode.
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  Take care!