United States: The investigation revealed that persons who consume alcohol heavily face a greater probability of developing brain lesions. 

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A postmortem evaluation checked for brain injuries among individuals who died when they reached approximately 75 years of age. 

The study determined that persons who drank more than eight alcoholic beverages each week presented an extreme risk of developing brain injuries. 

People who drank heavily ended up with brain lesions when compared to non-drinkers, with increased frequency by 133%. 

The analysis demonstrated that outside of heavy drinkers, the former heavy drinkers showed an 89% increased risk, whereas moderate drinkers faced a 60% elevated risk level. 

What are the experts stating? 

According to Dr. Leana Wen, NN‘s wellness expert, previous Baltimore health commissioner, and emergency physician, “I think these are compelling results that link heavy alcohol consumption with lasting impacts on the brain,” local12.com reported. 

“It’s especially telling that former heavy drinkers have evidence of sustained damage, although halting that heavy drinking does appear to lower risk,” Wen added. 

Wen noted that the grave study findings need relative assessment despite their severity level. 

“There are caveats to this study,” as Wen noted. 

“It is important to point out that these findings are associations that are suggestive rather than proof of cause and effect,” the expert continued. 

United States: Evidence from a recent trial demonstrates that patients with low back pain achieve benefits from mental pain treatment strategies. 

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Multiple studies conducted by JAMA Network Open confirm that both mindfulness meditation and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) help decrease pain symptoms in people with chronic back pain. 

The effective treatments that patients used led to reduced opioid painkiller consumption levels based on study results. 

According to the senior researcher Eric Garland, a professor of health sciences and psychology at the University of California-San Diego, “These therapies aren’t a total cure, but they teach people how to develop the inner resources they need to cope with chronic pain and to live a better life,” US News reported. 

Current research identified this study as the biggest investigation measuring the effectiveness of mindfulness treatment and CBT against opioid-dependent chronic pain. 

The clinical study attracted 770 adults who received treatment for their lower back pain at locations in both Boston and Wisconsin.; Madison. Boston, and Salt Lake City. 

Furthermore, as per the co-lead researcher Dr. Bruce Barrett, professor of family medicine and community health at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, “The people in this study had quite severe back pain that interfered with their life and was bad enough to need opioid medication. Usually, in that condition, people don’t really get better over time on their own,” US News reported. 

A research study used random assignment to divide patients between receiving mindfulness therapy sessions and CBT group therapy sessions over eight weeks. 

The mindfulness therapy taught participants to recognize bodily sensations, which granted them better competency in managing both their pain responses and other symptoms, according to investigators. 

The CBT group members learned strategies to transform negative behavioral patterns and thinking patterns that underlie the manifestation of back pain. 

“Mindfulness is a self-regulated tool that comes from within, unlike surgery or medication where something is being done to you from the outside,” as Garland stated. 

“By learning these techniques, patients continue to experience lasting benefits,” he continued. 

United States: The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy Jr. emphasized Monday that community water fluoridation should end while praising Utah for banning fluoride in the water supply. 

According to Kennedy, “It makes no sense to have it in our water supply. And I’m very, very proud of this state for being the first state to ban it. And I hope many more will come.” 

Federal Agencies Reevaluate Fluoride Safety 

The Environmental Protection Agency announced the start of a new fluoride health effects review, which combines forces with the departments of Kennedy Jr. while analyzing potential federal water fluoridation constraints. 

Kennedy has scheduled a meeting with his Community Preventive Services Task Force to develop fresh recommendations about water fluoridation, according to an HHS official. 

In 2013, the federal task force approved water fluoridation through its review process due to significant public health advantages over costs in preventing cavities in people. 

“As soon as I was nominated by President Trump as administrator of the EPA, the secretary instantly reached out to start talking about issues that he is so passionate about. And number one on that list was fluoride,” as per EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. 

The addition of fluoride to public water supplies has operated in many parts of the country for numerous years to guard people against dental cavities. 

Science supports water fluoridation as a secure, affordable healthcare practice that delivers advantageous results. 

Kennedy leaned on a review from the National Toxicology Program of the federal government that found elevated fluoride exposure could reduce child intelligence. 

Health Concerns Spark Renewed Debate 

The measurement of fluoride surpassed accepted standards for water distribution systems. A federal court issued a decision in 2019 that the US Environmental Protection Agency needed to take action regarding fluoride-related IQ effects based on the review findings from the reported study despite its acknowledgment of the need for further research. 

Kennedy made statements to reporters that surpassed the report content by outlining multiple health dangers, such as hyperthyroidism and osteoarthritis. 

Previously, the EPA reduced its water fluoride limits in 2011 following a National Academy of Sciences report, which revealed possible thyroid and arthritic symptoms when water reached maximum levels. 

“They have not been completely well studied, but they are alarming enough that we shouldn’t be demanding that parents accept something for their children and in their homes that is essentially a medication,” Kennedy stated.