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","visibility":"true","_updatedAt":"2024-04-04T23:30:34Z","author":{"_ref":"phCNL32Gn","_type":"reference"},"body":[{"style":"normal","_key":"fab0c41b4091","markDefs":[{"_type":"link","href":"https://gizmodo.com/viagra-sildenafil-prevent-alzheimers-disease-risk-1851374440","_key":"2990d5f44b8c"}],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"You’re probably at least somewhat familiar with a certain “little blue pill” and its ability to address a particularly personal below-the-belt issue. 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","visibility":"true","author":{"_ref":"phCNL32Gn","_type":"reference"},"category":"health","_id":"9c2faa20-9f37-4b73-af27-847a138889e4","id":"oRDzhMIE","publishDate":"2024-04-02","_rev":"MNyFA6Wl2mHeLEv4h8Plzu","title":"Get The Lead Out: What An Applesauce Recall Tells Us About Our Food Supply","_type":"story","body":[{"style":"normal","_key":"d2fa2f70c8e1","markDefs":[{"href":"https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/24115827/lead-poisoning-symptoms-exposure-children-cinnamon-paint-battery-pollution-global","_key":"3018a822f20b","_type":"link"}],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Back in the day, lead was in all kinds of things — from paint to gasoline. Decades ago, scientists warned of the serious health risks associated with exposure to the element, and a massive effort was soon underway to ","_key":"8d8b22e98b660"},{"_type":"span","marks":["3018a822f20b"],"text":"eradicate","_key":"8d8b22e98b661"},{"text":" such threats … but it didn’t completely solve the problem.","_key":"8d8b22e98b662","_type":"span","marks":[]}],"_type":"block"},{"markDefs":[],"children":[{"_key":"d49b87cb4afe0","_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"Recent recalls"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"312e8a0ecbe0"},{"markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Pouches of cinnamon applesauce were recalled last year after troubling levels of lead were found in them. Months later, other cinnamon-flavored foods were recalled for the same reason.","_key":"eb6cca4ba5480"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"382a5a4acdef"},{"_key":"e86befa0ea2d","markDefs":[{"_type":"link","href":"https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2024/04/01/1241470280/lead-pipes-plumbing-water-contamination","_key":"2ccdb5bc0163"}],"children":[{"_key":"987a99d105380","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"This might’ve seemed like an anomaly, but evidence shows that lead is more common in the U.S. food supply than many would assume. And in cities like Chicago,"},{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":" lead pipes are still being used ","_key":"919b12976905"},{"_key":"9590081e05af","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"that "},{"_key":"987a99d105381","_type":"span","marks":["2ccdb5bc0163"],"text":"transport"},{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":" the dangerous element directly into hundreds of thousands of homes.","_key":"987a99d105382"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal"},{"markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"The average levels of lead","_key":"65acba596c280"},{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":" dropped by nearly 80%","_key":"32e59eaa2e4a"},{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":" for all but the oldest Americans between the years of 1978 and 1991.","_key":"8b96dc03e825"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"a31686de6a48"},{"markDefs":[],"children":[{"_key":"7d15230d537d0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Other nations weren’t so diligent, though, and lead use actually increased in many parts of the country. 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issues.","_key":"a044053a91ee2"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"ee6f795d5b91"},{"markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"Do your research","_key":"5276e1a1bd7d0"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"73099b3fc0c2"},{"markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Before choosing a food, it’s important to understand your own cat’s unique needs. For example, cats can develop sensitive stomachs due to a variety of factors — from allergies to food intolerances to a more serious medical condition.","_key":"11d7f62b88130"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"2254caceb3b9"},{"markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Your pet’s veterinarian can help ","_key":"57b66a64a6750"},{"text":"diagnose the root issue","_key":"2f71637bcafe","_type":"span","marks":["strong"]},{"_key":"38065dce731b","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":" — but if you’re looking for a great mix of nutrients specially formulated for a cat’s sensitive stomach, the following breakdown can be a beneficial resource."}],"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"ce2f69674863"},{"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"Wet food: ","_key":"92e3d743162e0"},{"_key":"55a03003743e","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"The high moisture content of canned cat food can be helpful for cats, especially those that frequently lose water due to vomiting or diarrhea. But they’re not all made the same, and the experts’ top picks include Royal Canin Digest Sensitive and Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet."}],"level":1,"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"5ac71a687b47","listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[]},{"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"d6080574a304","listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"Dry food: ","_key":"9886a7f676ca0"},{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Bagged food is more affordable and some cats simply prefer the crunch, so if you’re looking for the best option to suit a sensitive stomach, be sure to keep an eye on carbohydrate content (which can upset a cat’s digestion). Top picks include Purina One Plus Sensitive Skin and Stomach and Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach and Skin.","_key":"5b87500b4cb6"}],"level":1},{"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"c4cbb74a2776","listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"Young and old:","_key":"b57817b81ae80"},{"text":" Kittens and senior cats have unique needs. Consider Royal Canin Kitten Loaf in Sauce or Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Kitten Ultra Soft Mousse in Sauce for kittens and Purina Pro Plan Adult, Wellness Core Digestive Health, or Hill’s Science Diet Specialty Perfect Digestion Adult for older cats.","_key":"6dbb097e12d3","_type":"span","marks":[]}],"level":1}],"title":"Does Your Cat Have A Sensitive Tummy? 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Instead, an","_key":"19c345f7c5ae0","_type":"span"},{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":" active lifestyle","_key":"09f8b4469bb2"},{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":" and a diet ","_key":"14022a6f3a5b"},{"marks":["strong"],"text":"rich in nutrients","_key":"e55c2fbed3ef","_type":"span"},{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":" are the best ways to reverse a trend brought on by processed foods and a sedentary culture, she says.","_key":"eea464425358"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"2e870713be56","markDefs":[]},{"_key":"c194676c29d4","markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Furthermore, we still don’t know all of the possible risks associated with these drugs.","_key":"dff4ba53cce00"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal"},{"markDefs":[],"children":[{"marks":[],"text":"And that’s not even considering the prohibitive cost of these medications and a limited supply that might put those who need the drugs to treat their diabetes at risk.","_key":"141460fd27080","_type":"span"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"d8e55f771a67"},{"children":[{"marks":[],"text":"Physician Jonathan Bonnet agrees, asserting: “While these drugs are ","_key":"0536b8e331390","_type":"span"},{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"powerful and wonderful tools","_key":"5e438c5cfb65"},{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":", they are not a panacea.”","_key":"bf560578cf80"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"6fb594dcbdcb","markDefs":[]}],"_type":"story","title":"Doctors Warn Ozempic Addresses Obesity Symptoms, Not Causes","_rev":"TtyOCZFkS2Fnx1xTC8j5Bq","image":{"attribution":"Shutterstock","asset":{"_type":"sanity.imageAsset","description":"Ozempic weight loss drug packaging is seen in this illustration photo with the Novo Nordisk logo in Warsaw, Poland on 19 November, 2023. 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genetic insight is becoming popular, but how much does it really reveal?","id":"G2wtpXsw","visibility":"true","title":"‘Biological Age’ Tests: High-Tech Health Hack Or Pseudoscience Scam?","category":"health","_updatedAt":"2024-02-06T01:07:09Z","author":{"_ref":"phCNL32Gn","_type":"reference"},"_type":"story","publishDate":"2024-02-06","body":[{"markDefs":[],"children":[{"_key":"7de1499e63650","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"As more and more people gravitate toward technology as a way to help them stay healthy, a number of seemingly miraculous new services have begun to spring up — including a new class of tests aimed at determining a person’s “biological age.”"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"5212fe5a6d38"},{"style":"normal","_key":"3c951b9c5fca","markDefs":[{"_type":"link","href":"https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2024/02/05/1228753141/biological-age-test-dna","_key":"2ba2259d1bd8"}],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"But as we’ve learned from supposed breakthroughs in the past, it’s ","_key":"bbd863fecb4b0"},{"_type":"span","marks":["2ba2259d1bd8"],"text":"important","_key":"bbd863fecb4b1"},{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":" not to take big claims at face value.","_key":"bbd863fecb4b2"}],"_type":"block"},{"markDefs":[],"children":[{"_key":"caa6db9f97c20","_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"What do the tests actually do?"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"d06e367add5e"},{"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"2369503cf3ad","markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Genetic material has long been used for other applications —","_key":"1d441f288a340"},{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":" from tracing genealogy to identifying vulnerabilities to hereditary diseases","_key":"57d51cd21258"},{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":" — and biological age tests are being marketed as the next step forward in this trend.","_key":"32b6679c638e"}]},{"markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Broadly speaking, the purpose of the test is to identify the proliferation of methyl groups attached to DNA, which some scientists believe is an accurate gauge of how fast a person is genetically aging.","_key":"4858201990310"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"e3ebb47f1215"},{"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"6255ec56fc81","markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Steve Horvath developed one such test and said: “You can use methylation ","_key":"07aca56938870"},{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"to measure time in all cells","_key":"6ec3bb5bfb3d"},{"text":" that contain DNA.”","_key":"25ec56ac9ada","_type":"span","marks":[]}]},{"markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"Does it live up to the hype?","_key":"6bf6aeded7d80"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"a90463f501d3"},{"style":"normal","_key":"79bd8ec8b479","markDefs":[],"children":[{"marks":[],"text":"While scientists acknowledge that such DNA markers do increase over time, not everyone is convinced that measuring them is an accurate gauge of biological age.","_key":"714087f5fa090","_type":"span"}],"_type":"block"},{"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"bce985314629","markDefs":[],"children":[{"marks":[],"text":"Geriatrician Luigi Ferrucci, for example, cautioned that if someone were to take a test at this point, “","_key":"b6a3ba24bb350","_type":"span"},{"text":"it must be based on curiosity.","_key":"dbab94fa61c2","_type":"span","marks":["strong"]},{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"”","_key":"000400e6575c"}]},{"_key":"bdb300a58b0b","markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"That doesn’t mean there’s no value to the results and the current crop of tests might end up being a big step toward 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Of course, the big takeaway at this point is that leading an unhealthy lifestyle is, well, unhealthy.","_key":"6e28bcba83ae0"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal"},{"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"042eb95e032a","markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Horvath touted the fact that his team “spent over 10 years trying to understand","_key":"ee0565f70a020"},{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":" what factors accelerate your epigenetic clock","_key":"39d6aea1d96b"},{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":".”","_key":"225f013038b0"}]},{"style":"normal","_key":"2b10cdf6b04a","markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"But you’d probably be able to guess the biggest culprits: smoking, poor nutrition, and lack of exercise.","_key":"78060ffea9b80"}],"_type":"block"}],"_rev":"jC4xndmAc1uvhIjyryhHVx","_id":"236638dc-496e-4974-a678-d53221265aae","_createdAt":"2024-02-05T21:27:41Z"},{"visibility":"true","id":"VG8shckh","title":"Humans Are More Sedentary Than Ever, But These Simple Tips Can Help","body":[{"children":[{"_key":"f47f0966bb170","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"For most folks, there’s no need to go out into the field and toil away day and night. The rise of industrialization and automation has not only made life easier, but it’s also made people far less "},{"marks":["aec31548c7a4"],"text":"active","_key":"f47f0966bb171","_type":"span"},{"_key":"f47f0966bb172","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"."}],"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"82ea5ea4640a","markDefs":[{"_type":"link","href":"https://www.vox.com/even-better/24048120/microdose-movement-sitting-sedentary-posture","_key":"aec31548c7a4"}]},{"style":"normal","_key":"d4be112128c6","markDefs":[],"children":[{"text":"Understanding what’s at stake","_key":"e85e9ed995aa0","_type":"span","marks":["strong"]}],"_type":"block"},{"markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"According to researchers, the typical American adult spends nearly 8 hours of every day sitting. And this type of prolonged inactivity combined with behaviors (like using a computer, reading, or playing video games) that don’t use much physical energy can have serious consequences including, but not limited to:","_key":"34112dc3515b0"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"438ec33a4d16"},{"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"children":[{"_key":"424c9bfd61f30","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"An increased risk of "},{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"diabetes","_key":"79854f28d5f8"}],"level":1,"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"263c605df5fd"},{"style":"normal","_key":"bc37abc0a5ff","listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"children":[{"_key":"35dab71987390","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"The development of "},{"_key":"5563676355be","_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"heart disease"}],"level":1,"_type":"block"},{"markDefs":[],"children":[{"_key":"f201b7d00ea4","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Elevated rates of "},{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"cancer","_key":"23cb4d8dc7d6"}],"level":1,"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"2fd368748418","listItem":"bullet"},{"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"019b68af5330","listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"children":[{"_key":"2086989cb7260","_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"Serious pain"},{"marks":[],"text":" in the back and joints","_key":"61f6374fda5a","_type":"span"}],"level":1},{"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Higher chances of developing ","_key":"1a2d277409ef0"},{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"blood clots","_key":"f018b0420a38"}],"level":1,"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"76f4bd64e8b1","listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[]},{"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"97f6f5367e0a","markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"So what are we supposed to do?","_key":"0764d15972c80"}]},{"markDefs":[],"children":[{"marks":[],"text":"Fortunately, there are a few basic steps almost anyone can take to work some strategic movement into the daily routine.","_key":"e6c51586b2e50","_type":"span"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"73b35cd31888"},{"markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Let’s start by referencing a recent study that found walking just five minutes per hour can start to reverse many of the negative impacts of a sedentary lifestyle. 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German regulator BfArM is considering banning the export of the Ozempic weight loss drug, manufactured by the Danish Novo Nordisk company due to shortages caused by popularity in the United States. Ozempic is commonly prescribed to patience with diabetes or a risk or getting diabetes however Ozempic is also effective as a stand alone weight loss solution.","_updatedAt":"2024-01-19T20:46:28Z"},"crop":{"right":0,"top":0,"left":0,"bottom":0,"_type":"sanity.imageCrop"},"hotspot":{"height":0.8354518902464108,"_type":"sanity.imageHotspot","width":0.8595890410958903,"x":0.5633561643835611,"y":0.48714467892550084}},"summary":"There are still some important details to iron out before we know for sure.","_id":"a9bd4259-4359-483a-b908-a217867eb999","body":[{"style":"normal","_key":"0bff2b3e26bb","markDefs":[{"href":"https://www.axios.com/2024/01/19/weight-loss-drugs-america-obesity-diabetes-risks","_key":"de6228d053dc","_type":"link"}],"children":[{"_key":"8e58fd5f79150","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Many folks who have struggled with their weight for years have wished for a simple drug that would help them shed those unwanted pounds. And with the proliferation of drugs like Ozempic ("},{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"initially created to treat diabetes","_key":"3b0a070d3915"},{"marks":[],"text":"), their wishes ","_key":"3b084fdef717","_type":"span"},{"_type":"span","marks":["de6228d053dc"],"text":"appeared","_key":"8e58fd5f79151"},{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":" to be granted.","_key":"8e58fd5f79152"}],"_type":"block"},{"_key":"66cd11ed0b91","markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"But like many things that seem too good to be true, there’s more to this story than meets the eye.","_key":"e6f82f2829de0"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal"},{"markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"A brief overview","_key":"a1dc4bf6f2c20"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"3018071ae878"},{"markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"As it stands, this unique class of drug — collectively referred to as GLP-1 agonists — involves an injection that, for most people, inhibits appetite and leads to significant weight loss.","_key":"ee5a566641720"},{"marks":["strong"],"text":" The early results are impressive","_key":"3649fadde0bf","_type":"span"},{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":", to say the least, and many experts are optimistic that they can lessen the risk of heart failure and other serious obesity-related health problems.","_key":"639552b796d8"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"ef77716ed01e"},{"markDefs":[],"children":[{"_key":"03934a5acc940","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"But that doesn’t mean it’s the right option for everyone who wants to lose weight. Since the treatment is so new and doctors are frequently put in the position of trying to figure out whether a patient would make a good candidate or not."}],"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"d8c59d43bda5"},{"_key":"f45266dec623","markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"The good, bad, and ugly","_key":"71b6946d34ad0"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal"},{"markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"While the upside of such treatments is pretty obvious, there are some significant pitfalls to consider.","_key":"a93383d16f3c0"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"c9e228bfd9d9"},{"style":"normal","_key":"2f5a0ed128ec","markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"First of all, there’s the cost","_key":"7bb12c43b7600"},{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":". 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And while there are some impressive pharmaceuticals on the market that have shown some real benefits, many people can achieve their desired results with some ","_key":"9d48c9275d6f0","_type":"span","marks":[]},{"text":"strategic","_key":"9d48c9275d6f1","_type":"span","marks":["62a603786efd"]},{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":" lifestyle changes.","_key":"9d48c9275d6f2"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"77dec5b1b827"},{"markDefs":[],"children":[{"_key":"08da3430e5620","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"One popular method involves “intermittent fasting,” which is characterized by not only"},{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":" restricting the number of calories consumed","_key":"edc8669a8475"},{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":" but also the hours within which a person eats. The strategy has long been recommended as a way to lose weight, but researchers have now identified some other potential benefits.","_key":"a08bc5659bdb"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"f939cdd49b49"},{"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"20a0aa546479","markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"A gut reaction","_key":"e7dd94f9a2820"}]},{"_key":"a54ef2f50e6f","markDefs":[],"children":[{"marks":[],"text":"It all started with a study in China involving 25 volunteers who stuck to an intermittent fasting regimen for about two months. Participants","_key":"29811b48c05c0","_type":"span"},{"text":" lost 16.8 pounds on average","_key":"cc45e5c9586b","_type":"span","marks":["strong"]},{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":", which equaled to nearly 8% of their body weight.","_key":"dec1e69a90f4"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal"},{"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"6f3e2d84a3b4","markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"But researchers also found some significant changes in the volunteers’ brain and gut activity. As a whole, the evidence seems to suggest that this type of diet is an effective way to break the vicious cycle of weight gain that so many people have tried unsuccessfully to escape.","_key":"a09e90491afe0"}]},{"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"1ab6be946f00","markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"Uncertain connections","_key":"21c42aaea88f0"}]},{"style":"normal","_key":"dbf89cb76a78","markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Although the results are compelling, researchers note that it’s not yet clear how or why these areas of the body are impacted by this particular change in dietary habits. Nevertheless, the study seemed to paint an unmistakable relationship between each of these factors.","_key":"61118c9a73440"}],"_type":"block"},{"children":[{"marks":[],"text":"“The observed changes in the gut microbiome and in the activity in addiction-related brain regions during and after weight loss are","_key":"b5eba711b2420","_type":"span"},{"_key":"c3081216011a","_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":" highly dynamic and coupled over time"},{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":",” explained health researcher Qiang Zeng.","_key":"f4429be1f1d4"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"dc2ae09b88e4","markDefs":[]},{"markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"So should you give intermittent fasting a shot? A lot depends on your personal goals, but the latest evidence is giving scientists around the world more reason to dig deeper into the issue.","_key":"ed5b8b5f29f20"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"32fd05560ba5"}],"_rev":"82FHgd9pw3o6Yf54dWfEhc","author":{"_ref":"phCNL32Gn","_type":"reference"},"_updatedAt":"2023-12-28T01:28:15Z","slug":"/story/2023/12/how-intermittent-fasting-can-do-more-than-help-you-lose-weight","id":"bt21qAuo","_type":"story","summary":"A new study found important links to the brain and the gut.","publishDate":"2023-12-28","_id":"69d0b2db-e89f-4f0f-8418-30ab18084b8e","category":"health"},{"_createdAt":"2023-12-19T00:55:11Z","_id":"2320a0c8-5dc1-4ecc-b80f-b5c3fef94d9b","summary":"It's easy to feel helpless, but it's important to know how to fight back.","author":{"_ref":"phCNL32Gn","_type":"reference"},"id":"M4b35YC5","image":{"asset":{"uploadId":"pj7nmRcqvKC0Uxmaq4eJ2ldVmPwFK53a","_rev":"82FHgd9pw3o6Yf54cbM9wh","sha1hash":"b17ddf1945ae2fe84f333fa21c83f06559f157dd","path":"images/8mioycse/v3/b17ddf1945ae2fe84f333fa21c83f06559f157dd-6000x4000.jpg","creditLine":"Mariano Gaspar/imageBROKER/Shutterstock","metadata":{"palette":{"darkVibrant":{"background":"#5d3326","_type":"sanity.imagePaletteSwatch","foreground":"#fff","title":"#fff","population":0},"lightMuted":{"background":"#d0c3b4","_type":"sanity.imagePaletteSwatch","foreground":"#000","title":"#fff","population":7.25},"vibrant":{"foreground":"#000","title":"#fff","population":0,"background":"#cc9484","_type":"sanity.imagePaletteSwatch"},"dominant":{"_type":"sanity.imagePaletteSwatch","foreground":"#000","title":"#fff","population":7.25,"background":"#d0c3b4"},"_type":"sanity.imagePalette","darkMuted":{"background":"#3b3d47","_type":"sanity.imagePaletteSwatch","foreground":"#fff","title":"#fff","population":0.4},"muted":{"background":"#946459","_type":"sanity.imagePaletteSwatch","foreground":"#fff","title":"#fff","population":0.01},"lightVibrant":{"background":"#edc3a3","_type":"sanity.imagePaletteSwatch","foreground":"#000","title":"#000","population":0.12}},"hasAlpha":false,"lqip":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","dimensions":{"_type":"sanity.imageDimensions","width":6000,"aspectRatio":1.5,"height":4000},"isOpaque":true,"blurHash":"VALqLe0001RqoM~U^g?H4:E1Dg4:TMtRR4yX0ME4tRMw","_type":"sanity.imageMetadata"},"_type":"sanity.imageAsset","mimeType":"image/jpeg","assetId":"b17ddf1945ae2fe84f333fa21c83f06559f157dd","extension":"jpg","description":"Model Released - Latin doctor sitting at his desk explaining the treatment and prescription to his patient","url":"https://cdn.sanity.io/images/8mioycse/v3/b17ddf1945ae2fe84f333fa21c83f06559f157dd-6000x4000.jpg","size":2828078,"_createdAt":"2023-12-19T01:02:13Z","_updatedAt":"2023-12-19T01:02:13Z","_id":"image-b17ddf1945ae2fe84f333fa21c83f06559f157dd-6000x4000-jpg","originalFilename":"sstk-14042946ao.jpg"},"crop":{"top":0,"left":0,"bottom":0,"_type":"sanity.imageCrop","right":0},"hotspot":{"width":0.8972602739726023,"x":0.44863013698630116,"y":0.4820025504957012,"height":0.9640051009914024,"_type":"sanity.imageHotspot"},"_type":"image","attribution":"Shutterstock"},"_rev":"82FHgd9pw3o6Yf54cbMRSd","visibility":"true","body":[{"markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"The randomness of disease is both unfair and unpredictable. Worse yet, it often takes months or years to accurately diagnose some ailments.","_key":"7e740a7eb9220"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"a01648bc80e4"},{"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"0d01df97a6dc","markDefs":[{"_key":"5853b6af901d","_type":"link","href":"https://www.vox.com/even-better/2023/12/17/23961273/chronic-illness-covid-19-diagnosis-help-support"}],"children":[{"_key":"1ea1b80ae31e0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"But when a doctor finally delivers the news, despite how hard it might be to process, it’s crucial to develop a "},{"_type":"span","marks":["5853b6af901d"],"text":"game plan","_key":"1ea1b80ae31e1"},{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":" that will help ensure a full and fulfilling life despite living with chronic disease.","_key":"1ea1b80ae31e2"}]},{"_key":"d2b61bf33d01","markDefs":[],"children":[{"text":"It’s increasingly common","_key":"d93686b9c4db0","_type":"span","marks":["strong"]}],"_type":"block","style":"normal"},{"markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"One important thing to remember is that an unwelcome diagnosis doesn’t have to derail your plans for the future. In fact, one estimate indicates that ","_key":"dfd78e6b38580"},{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"three-fifths of all Americans","_key":"4624874f372f"},{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":" have at least one chronic illness.","_key":"6e35fb7015b6"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"72274b9305a3"},{"_key":"3eb01c27dda0","markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"These include widespread diseases like high blood pressure and diabetes or more uncommon ailments that might be harder to identify. But no matter the issue, chronic illnesses by their very nature are not likely to go away, so it’s important to know what you should expect and how to prepare for the unexpected.","_key":"89cb201a126e0"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal"},{"markDefs":[],"children":[{"_key":"6f4b5c7dc4410","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Experts have a few tips:"}],"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"804eb8b8a5d1"},{"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"2496816eedec","listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"Go ahead and grieve","_key":"ffc753abee3c0"},{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":": Even though chronic illness isn’t a death sentence, it could lead to significant losses … from physical mobility to the career you’ve spent years advancing. So it’s only natural that the stages of grief would apply, and you should explore them all.","_key":"3287996aa483"}],"level":1},{"style":"normal","_key":"7a6b619a3815","listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"Make some adjustments","_key":"26ad8580af650"},{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":": After the initial shock wears off, medical and mental health professionals can offer some personalized tools that will help identify the next steps toward developing a positive attitude that will help you fight this battle with poise and courage.","_key":"20b99dd5c0e6"}],"level":1,"_type":"block"},{"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"children":[{"_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"Reach out for help","_key":"5baaba6dddee0"},{"_type":"span","marks":[],"text":": Don’t try to do it alone. There are support groups, specialists, and loved ones who will be there for you along the way. And if you’re not sure what you need, it’s OK to admit that and just take things one step at a time until you get back on track.","_key":"efa667475aa6"}],"level":1,"_type":"block","style":"normal","_key":"f77eb411a3af"}],"_updatedAt":"2023-12-19T01:03:23Z","title":"Being Diagnosed With A Chronic Illness Is Tough. These Steps Can Help.","slug":"/story/2023/12/being-diagnosed-with-a-chronic-illness-is-tough-these-steps-can-help","_type":"story","category":"health","publishDate":"2023-12-19"}]