Are you interested in hearing about health topics that are in the news?

I sent this USA Today article to my nephew.

He’s 22 and in the National Guard as part of ROTC.

Did you know that only 20% of young people in America are eligible to be in the military?

Why is this?

People are obese, chronically ill, and unable to complete the physical fitness test.

My nephew said, “In basic training, there were probably five people that couldn’t pass the physical fitness test by the end of the two and a half months, and they just let them graduate anyway, cause the Army needs people so bad.”

How can we have a functioning society if our young people are this physically unwell?

Gel Nail Polish has been banned in Europe.

The EU has far stricter rules when it comes to ingredients that are allowed in cosmetics and personal care products.

The ingredient Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide (TPO) has been banned because it is believed to be an endocrine disruptor (harmful to reproduction).

Endocrine disruptors have the potential to interfere with the body’s hormone system, which can have adverse effects such as reduced fertility and birth defects.

Regulations set forth by the European Union are typically stricter because they are based on potential risks, which may or may not be observed in a real-world setting.

You have to choose your exposures.

We are living in a chemical soup, and I encourage you to limit your exposure to all the chemicals in cleaning products and personal care products.

Do you avoid red meat?

In a new study of nearly 5,000 adults, researchers stratified people by overall diet quality (HEI >80 vs <80) and red meat intake.

Those who eat red meat as part of a high-quality diet receive more protein and key nutrients, including vitamin B12, zinc, selenium, choline, and vitamin D.

But here's where it gets interesting: they also had lower odds of depression, PTSD, and bipolar disorder. 

And more diverse gut microbiomes. All while staying within healthy saturated fat limits.

The take-home: when part of a high-quality diet, red meat was linked to better nutrition and mental health, with no downsides detected.

Based on this news, will you be making any changes?

I'd love to know.