Mexico suspends poultry imports from Brazil after bird flu case
"With the aim of protecting the national poultry industry, Mexico is temporarily suspending the import of chicken meat, fertile eggs, live birds, and other poultry products from Brazil as a precaution," Mexico's Agriculture Ministry said in a statement.
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Daily Mail
41 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
The signs your body is deficient in vital mineral linked to development and immune function
An overlooked vitamin might actually be one of the most important for every part of the body. Zinc is the second most abundant metal vitamin found in the body behind calcium, regulating metabolism, immune health, wound healing and cell growth. But about one in six Americans don't get enough of it through foods like meat, eggs and dairy, as well as legumes and whole grains. The body doesn't produce the mineral on its own, so food and supplements are key for getting enough. Deficiencies could lead to an increased risk of severe infections, infertility and even growth delays. It's rare to be deficient in zinc, though people with eating disorders, substance use disorders or gastrointestinal conditions, as well as vegans and vegetarians, might be at a greater risk. Additionally, older adults often consume fewer foods high in zinc, and their bodies may not absorb or utilize zinc as efficiently, increasing their risk of deficiency. Doctors warn that too much zinc can be toxic, however, leading to nausea vomiting and headaches, so it's important to discuss with a professional before considering supplement use. Slow-healing wounds One of the most common symptoms for people who are deficient in zinc, especially in older adults, is slow-healing wounds. Zinc is a control master of the immune system, especially in all stages of wound healing. It helps promote platelet activity, which is essential for blood clotting, and has been shown to lower inflammation from damaged tissue. It also plays a role in skin cell migration, replacing the outer layer of skin and rebuilding skin structure to close cuts and scrapes. Additionally, the mineral has antioxidant properties, which protects cells from damage throughout the healing process. Fast wound healing is critical because it prevents infections and other contaminants from entering through the open spaces and traveling to the bloodstream. Experts recommend using topical zinc sulfate creams on wounds to speed up the healing process. Hair loss Notice hair clumps in the shower or signs of balding? Zinc - or a lack thereof - may be to blame. One of zinc's many responsibilities includes regulating hair growth and hair follicle health by helping to produce keratin, a protein that provides the structural foundation for hair strands. This means not getting enough may disrupt the hair growth cycle, as it makes hair follicles weaker. Zinc may also regulate the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which can contribute to hair loss. Over time, a zinc deficiency may cause hair thinning and shedding, eventually resulting in conditions like alopecia areata and male pattern baldness. Acne Acne and breakouts may be common among adolescents and teens in puberty, but a zinc deficiency in a person of any age may also lead to unsightly pimples. When expensive skincare products fail, it may be time to look at zinc intake. Acne is one of the most common skin conditions in the US, affecting about 50million Americans. One 2020 review found people with acne tend to have lower zinc levels than people without it. The researchers also found that zinc can help quell your breakouts, leaving you with fewer zits. This could be because zinc has anti-inflammatory properties; similar to how it helps with wound healing, it reduces swelling and redness in the skin. It has also been shown to fight bacteria that cause acne and regulate the production of sebum, which clogs pores and leads to breakouts. Additionally, people with zinc deficiencies have more eczema flare-ups, rashes, and xerosis - dry and scaly skin. These flare-ups occur because the uppermost layer of skin contains the most zinc compared to deeper skin layers. Chronic disease and infections Some evidence also suggests a lack of zinc may fuel chronic diseases. Zinc plays a role in insulin synthesis, storage and secretion, so low amounts of it could inhibit the pancreas from producing enough insulin. Without insulin, glucose builds up in the bloodstream, eventually causing type 2 diabetes. Zinc may also help reduce oxidative stress and strengthen the immune system by increasing the activity of T-cells and natural killer cells, key defenders that protect the body against infections. Recent research has suggested zinc supplementation may help treat common infections like pneumonia. Vision loss Even your eyes may suffer if you don't get enough zinc. Zinc aids in communication between the retinas and the brain. The retina is the light-sensitive layer of nerve tissue in the back of the eye that receives signals and sends them to the brain. Without this line of communication, patients may suffer blurry or distorted vision that can eventually lead to complete blindness. Zinc also helps vitamin A create a pigment called melanin, which protects the eye against UV radiation. Zinc levels in the eyes naturally decline with age, but there is some evidence that supplements, when used in combination with antioxidant vitamins, slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), vision decline that comes with age. Loss of taste If your favorite foods suddenly taste a little off, zinc deficiency could be the reason. Because zinc is required for cell growth and repair, a deficiency would slow the regeneration of taste buds, which naturally break down over time. Fewer taste buds overall decreases the amount of taste receptors in the mouth, which can alter taste. An enzyme called carbonic anhydrase VI, found in saliva, is also dependent on zinc, so this may also disrupt taste perception. And not getting enough zinc disrupts communication between the brain and these diminished taste receptors. Stunted growth Zinc may not get much spotlight, but without it, growth in children can stall. It is essential for healthy growth because of its influence on DNA replication and protein translation. Without enough, cells can't properly divide to make a child grow. Zinc also stabilizes the structure of zinc finger proteins, which are transcription factors that bind DNA and control which genes are turned on or off. This process is essential during bone formation, tissue growth and repair and embryonic development in the womb. A lack of it can slow down growth and development, and deficiency-related symptoms, like loss of appetite and diarrhea, can compound the problem. The mineral may also boost how well vitamin D supports bone health by helping bone cells make more DNA.
The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
The most common side effects of different fat jabs revealed – as researchers find vomiting and nausea top symptom
FAT jabs do often sound like a magical quick fix to overeating and demanding hunger pangs. But the drugs can leave some users feeling seriously unwell and many in hospital. 2 After scouring social media, scientists have found the most common side effects of the popular fat-busting meds. Vomiting, nausea and headaches are the most talked-about side effects of the jabs, according to the new study, which analysed thousands of Facebook posts. The US researchers looked at how people in the US were discussing GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy, Ozempic, and Mounjaro on public pages. They found that gut issues were the most frequently mentioned side effects overall, especially among users of semaglutide (the active ingredient in Wegovy) and tirzepatide (the active ingredient in Mounjaro). Mental health concerns like anxiety and depression were also raised, but far less frequently. The study, published in JMIR Infodemiology, found that vomiting was most often mentioned in posts about Mounjaro, a drug containing tirzepatide, at 3.8 per cent. Meanwhile, Wegovy users mentioned depression more than any other group, with 1.57 per cent of posts referencing the symptom. The drugs, originally developed for type 2 diabetes, have soared in popularity thanks to their dramatic weight-loss effects, with celebs like Oprah Winfrey and Sharon Osbourne singing their praises. But they've also been linked to less glamorous side effects, such as joint pain, fatigue, hair loss, and in some cases, gallbladder problems. Despite the risks, experts say the drugs are still safe and effective for most patients. Weight Loss Jabs - Pros vs Cons They help control blood sugar, trigger rapid weight loss, and cut the risk of dying from heart disease by around a fifth in people with obesity or type 2 diabetes. Roughly 1.5million people in the UK are now taking GLP-1 drugs, which have been hailed by some as game-changers in the fight against obesity. In the US, this number is even higher, with over 2 per cent of the population, approximately 4 million people, currently using these medications for weight loss. But health officials warn they are not a silver bullet and can come with side effects. The scientists found these effects varied by brand. Zepbound, a newer tirzepatide drug which is approved in the US but not the UK, was linked more often to high blood pressure, While Ozempic posts mentioned gallbladder issues most. Ozempic is approved for weight loss in the US but is only approved for diabetes in the UK. Scientists from the University of Maryland, who are behind the study, analysed nearly 60,000 unique public Facebook posts uploaded by US users of the medicines between 2022 and 2024, They used cluster analysis to map out which symptoms were often mentioned together. They found that vomiting, nausea and pancreatitis - a condition where the pancreas becomes inflamed - often came hand in hand, while anxiety frequently appeared alongside depression and fatigue. Posts about side effects spiked after major events including the US Food and Drug Administration approving Wegovy for teens, celebrity endorsements, and wider insurance coverage in the US. 2 Despite these increases, the proportion of people talking about side effects actually dropped over time. Scientists say monitoring social media could be a useful way to spot side effects that might be missed or underreported in clinical trials. But they warned that Facebook posts don't tell the full story as symptoms were self-reported, which means they can be exaggerated or incomplete. There is also no way to verify dosage, how long people were on the drugs, or even whether they were using genuine products. However, the findings offer insight into what real-world users are experiencing, beyond the controlled world of clinical trials. Everything you need to know about fat jabs Weight loss jabs are all the rage as studies and patient stories reveal they help people shed flab at almost unbelievable rates, as well as appearing to reduce the risk of serious diseases. Wegovy – a modified version of type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic – and Mounjaro are the leading weight loss injections used in the UK. Wegovy, real name semaglutide, has been used on the NHS for years while Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a newer and more powerful addition to the market. Mounjaro accounts for most private prescriptions for weight loss and is set to join Wegovy as an NHS staple this year. How do they work? The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less so your body burns fat for energy instead and you lose weight. They do this my mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which signals to the brain when the stomach is full, so the drugs are officially called GLP-1 receptor agonists. They slow down digestion and increase insulin production, lowering blood sugar, which is why they were first developed to treat type 2 diabetes in which patients' sugar levels are too high. Can I get them? NHS prescriptions of weight loss drugs, mainly Wegovy and an older version called Saxenda (chemical name liraglutide), are controlled through specialist weight loss clinics. Typically a patient will have to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, classifying them as medically obese, and also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure. GPs generally do not prescribe the drugs for weight loss. Private prescribers offer the jabs, most commonly Mounjaro, to anyone who is obese (BMI of 30+) or overweight (BMI 25-30) with a weight-related health risk. Private pharmacies have been rapped for handing them out too easily and video calls or face-to-face appointments are now mandatory to check a patient is being truthful about their size and health. Are there any risks? Yes – side effects are common but most are relatively mild. Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea. Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at said: 'One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.' Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia. Evidence has so far been inconclusive about whether the injections are damaging to patients' mental health. Figures obtained by The Sun show that, up to January 2025, 85 patient deaths in the UK were suspected to be linked to the medicines.
The Guardian
11 hours ago
- The Guardian
Top medical body concerned over RFK Jr's reported plans to cut preventive health panel
A top US medical body has expressed 'deep concern' to Robert F Kennedy Jr over news reports that the health secretary plans to overhaul a panel that determines which preventive health measures including cancer screenings should be covered by insurance companies. The letter from the the American Medical Association comes after the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday that Kennedy plans to overhaul the 40-year old US Preventive Services Task Force because he regards them as too 'woke', according to sources familiar with the matter. During his second term, Donald Trump has frequently raged against organizations and government departments that he considers too liberal – often without any evidence. The US president, and his cabinet members such as Kennedy, have also overseen huge cuts and job losses across the US government. The taskforce is made up of a 16-member panel appointed by health and human services secretaries to serve four-year terms. In addition to cancer screenings, the taskforce issues recommendations for a variety of other screenings including osteoporosis, intimate partner violence, HIV prevention, as well as depression in children. Writing in its letter to Kennedy on Sunday, the AMA defended the panel, saying: 'As you know, USPSTF plays a critical, non-partisan role in guiding physicians' efforts to prevent disease and improve the health of patients by helping to ensure access to evidence-based clinical preventive services.' 'As such, we urge you to retain the previously appointed members of the USPSTF and commit to the long-standing process of regular meetings to ensure their important work can be continued without disruption,' it added. Citing Kennedy's own slogan of 'Making America healthy again,' the AMA went on to say: 'USPSTF members have been selected through an open, public nomination process and are nationally recognized experts in primary care, prevention and evidence-based medicine. They serve on a volunteer basis, dedicating their time to help reduce disease and improve the health of all Americans – a mission well-aligned with the Make America Healthy Again initiative.' According to the Affordable Care Act, public and private insurance companies must cover any services recommended by the Preventive Services Task Force without cost sharing. In a statement to MedPage Today, Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Andrew Nixon did not confirm the reports, instead saying: 'No final decision has been made on how the USPSTF can better support HHS' mandate to Make America Healthy Again.' Reports of Kennedy's alleged decision to overhaul the taskforce come after the American Conservative published an essay earlier this month that described the taskforce as advocating for 'leftwing ideological orthodoxy'. It went on to accuse the panel of being 'packed with Biden administration appointees devoted to the ideological capture of medicine', warning that the 'continued occupation of an important advisory body in HHS – one that has the capacity to force private health insurers to cover services and procedures – by leftwing activists would be a grave oversight by the Trump administration'. In response to the essay, 104 health organizations, including the American Medical Association, issued a separate letter to multiple congressional health committees in which they urged the committees to 'protect the integrity' of the taskforce. 'The loss of trustworthiness in the rigorous and nonpartisan work of the Task Force would devastate patients, hospital systems, and payers as misinformation creates barriers to accessing lifesaving and cost effective care,' the organizations said. In June, Kennedy removed all 17 members of a US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention panel of vaccine experts. Writing in a Wall Street Journal op-ed, he accused the committee of having too many conflicts of interest. Kennedy's decision to overhaul the immunization panel was met with widespread criticism from health experts, with the American Public Health Association executive director Georges Benjamin calling the ouster 'a coup'. 'It's not how democracies work. It's not good for the health of the nation,' Benjamin said.
