Latest news with #ClevelandClinic
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Should you drink ice water in hot weather?
Things are hotting up across the U.S. — this past week saw hundreds of record highs broken from the Plains to the East Coast under the threat of an oppressive heat dome, and temperatures will soon head back up again. Staying hydrated is a crucial step to keeping safe from dangerously high temperatures. Dehydration, which occurs when the body uses or loses more fluid than it takes in and reduces your body's ability to sweat and maintain a normal temperature, can result in heat injury, urinary and kidney problems, seizures, and low blood volume that is potentially deadly. The fix is drinking more water — especially before exercise or exposure to such conditions. 'Drinking more water in hot or humid weather helps lower body temperature and replaces water lost through sweating,' the Mayo Clinic explains. But, does it matter what kind of water you drink? Is ice water in extreme heat better? Here's what the experts have to say... Some people may prefer cold water because they consider it to be thirst-quenching. However, the science doesn't point in one specific direction. One study found that crushed ice is beneficial compared with cold water when trying to work out in the heat. Other research has found that drinking hot water might help to cool you down faster in dry heat. Gastroenterologist Dr. Brian Weiner told the Cleveland Clinic that there isn't a lot of science to back up the claim of whether or not cold water is good for you. 'We all need to hydrate ourselves. That's critical. In terms of studies or science about this, it is relatively limited,' he explained. "There's absolutely no benefit to the temperature of your water. The most important thing is to stay hydrated,' registered dietitian Beth Czerwony told WKYC. Men should drink about 13 cups of water and other beverages a day. Women should drink around nine. If you're outdoors, Robert Rimorin, the athletic trainer for the University of New Mexico baseball team, said staying hydrated and drinking plenty of cool fluids can help you to avoid the two main types of heat-related illnesses, which are heat exhaustion and heat stroke. 'The first way people can prevent heat exhaustion is to stay hydrated,' Rimorin says. 'It will help keep you, your tissues and your organs cool.' Some research has found that cold water can significantly delay the increase in core body temperature during an exercise session. Weiner, who has studied water temperatures and the ice diet for years, recently explained to The Washington Post that this may be because blood vessels in the mouth and upper esophagus that are exposed to cold water and ice cool the blood that is then circulated throughout the body. Cold tap water, he said, seems to cool athletes down faster, and cold beverages were better than room-temperature or hot beverages. 'It turns out that sweating stops before fluid can completely be incorporated into the body. There's some kind of reflex that acknowledges liquid intake, and studies have shown that it kicks in more at the cold tap water level,' said Weiner. Pennsylvania Emergency Dr. Harry Emmerich told WMDT that super cold water is hard for the digestive system to handle, and can cause esophageal spasm, which creates chest pains and abdominal cramping. That's in addition to the sensation of 'brain freeze.' "It's kind of the equivalent to getting a brain freeze when you drink a slurpee. You get such a significant difference between your body temperature and the ice cold water, that will be at 32 degrees, which will cause spasm, cause your heart rate to drop, and cause your blood temperatures to drop,' he said. During heat exhaustion, drinking ice water will not cause a stroke, Shelton noted. But, it could cause someone to lose consciousness. "There are reports of rare cases who when they consume cold beverages they do pass out. This is an unrelated illness it doesn't relate to heat. This can happen to someone whether they are in warm temperatures, cold temps — it's just a nerve-related consequence that can happen," family physician Dr. Karla Robinson told WCNC. People who may be experiencing heat exhaustion should consider drinking water that's closer to room temperature, Evansville Dr. David Schultz told Tristate 'The cold ice water gets into the esophagus and the stomach, and there are nerves along the esophagus and stomach known as the vagus nerves,' Dr. Schultz explains. 'These nerves can fire up, send a signal to the brain and actually cause an individual to pass out and lose consciousness briefly.'
Indianapolis Star
6 hours ago
- Health
- Indianapolis Star
RFK Jr. says there may be 'more cavities' under fluoride bans: 'It's a balance'
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said on Thursday that nixing fluoride from public drinking water may result in more cavities. "It's a balance," Kennedy said during interview on Fox News' "The Faulkner Focus" on Thursday, June 26. "You're going to see probably slightly more cavities. Although in Europe, where they ban fluoride, they did not see an uptick in cavities. The issue is parents need to decide because the science is very clear on fluoride." Fluoridation is not banned in Europe, according to the American Dental Association (ADA). However, adding fluoride to drinking water is not as widespread in European countries as in the U.S. Some European countries fluoridate their water, while others do not and the reasoning and result of those actions varies, according to BBC reporting. USA TODAY has reached out to ADA for more information. Kennedy's response came after anchor Harris Faulkner asked him how removing fluoride from public drinking water would affect children who don't have access to dentists or proper oral healthcare. Kennedy has been pushing to ban fluoride in public drinking water. In April, during a meeting with President Donald Trump, he said that kids get "stupider" the more fluoride they take in. Kennedy's remarks were met with backlash, as the study he pulled from was criticized for inadequate statistical rigor and other methodological flaws. A Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson told USA TODAY on June 27 that Kennedy's comments reflect an effort to balance reducing exposure to unnecessary chemicals while maintaining protections, like preventing cavities in children. The Department of Health and Human Services has advised the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to meet with the Community Preventative Services Task Force to study and make a new recommendation on fluoride, the spokesperson added. Fluoride bans: Two states have now passed fluoride bans. These other ones introduced bills. Fluoride is a naturally-occurring mineral found in many foods and water and has been long thought to help prevent tooth decay, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Throughout the day, the protective outer layer of our teeth, called enamel, breaks down. Natural minerals within the enamel are broken down by bacteria, plaque and sugar. This is called demineralization. To gain these minerals back, people must consume food and water that contains chemicals like fluoride, calcium and phosphate, the Cleveland Clinic states. This is known as remineralization. The Cleveland Clinic says with too much demineralization and not enough remineralization, tooth decay may begin. Exclusive: As RFK Jr. targets fluoride, Texas is coming for kids toothpaste In 1945, Grand Rapids, Michigan, became the first city to fluoridate its community water, adjusting existing levels in the supply to the therapeutic 1.0 parts-per-million (ppm). Since then, the levels have been adjusted to a maximum of 0.7 ppm or 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liter of water, which is considered optimal for preventing tooth decay. Health risks from exposure to fluoride require a much higher concentration, according to the American Dental Association. To get fluoride toxicity from drinking treated water, a person would have to consume 5 liters of water per kilogram of body weight, meaning the average person would die from drinking too much water before fluoridation of that water could hurt them, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Utah and Florida have banned fluoride from public drinking water – Utah in March and Florida in May. Kennedy has championed these states, and others looking to pass bans, including Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Nebraska, South Carolina, North Dakota, Arkansas, Tennessee, Montana and New Hampshire. After Utah passed its fluoride ban in March, the ADA released a statement saying dentists "see the direct consequences fluoride removal has on our patients." "It's a real tragedy when policymakers' decisions hurt vulnerable kids and adults in the long term. Blindly calling for a ban on fluoridated water hurts people, costs money and will ultimately harm our economy," ADA President Dr. Brett Kessler said in a news release. The ADA has also pointed to studies, like one 2024 study conducted by the University of Queensland, which found that children exposed and not exposed to fluoride showed no difference in IQ testing. This story was updated to add more information. Contributing: Natalie Neysa Alund, Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy and Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY
Daily Mail
10 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Runner baffles doctors by curing his cancer without drugs or surgery - using an unconventional method
A 103-year-old marathon runner claims he halted the spread of his cancer with a radical diet overhaul. Mike Fremont, from Cincinnati, Ohio, went against doctors' advice and rejected drugs and surgery when he was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer at age 69. Doctors at the Cleveland Clinic told him the disease would kill him within three months unless he began chemotherapy and radiotherapy, followed by surgery to remove the main tumor. At that point, the cancer had already spread to his lymph nodes — a stage known as metastasis — when the disease is still potentially curable, but at high risk of becoming terminal. Typically, doctors use drugs to shrink the tumor so it can be surgically removed. But instead of opting for proven treatments, Fremont switched to a strict vegan diet centered on whole foods like sweet and white potatoes (without oil), tofu, leafy greens, legumes, vegetables, fruit, and non-dairy milks. He claims the plant-based lifestyle cured his metastases. Two years later, he underwent surgery to remove the tumor and says he has been cancer-free ever since. But doctors remain fiercely skeptical, warning that even the strictest vegan diet cannot replace chemotherapy or immunotherapy. 'While a healthy diet plays a supportive role in cancer care, doctors argue it must be combined with medical treatments. Nutrition alone cannot eliminate cancer.' Cancer experts previously told the Daily Mail they are seeing a 'concerning' rise of patients using controversial treatments. A 2023 study found 70 percent of cancer patients use alternative medicine, one in three of that share use it as their sole method of treatment and 27 percent hid it from their oncologists. Dr Heber added: 'A nutritious diet should be used along with proper treatments in cancer patients, but diet alone absolutely cannot cure cancer.' Around 75 percent of colorectal cancer patients will be alive five years after their diagnosis with treatment. Without treatment, survival rates drop to just 44 percent after three years, making medical intervention absolutely crucial. A former Yale University wrestler, Fremont had been an avid runner since the 70s when he was grieving the death of his wife. His first of more than a dozen marathons was the 1972 Boston Marathon. At 103, the retired engineer and climate activist still holds multiple world records as the fastest marathoner in the 88, 90, and 91-year-old age categories. That's why it was so shocking when Fremont got the world-upending news in 1991. He said: 'I contracted a cancer which the Cleveland Clinic said would kill me in 3 months unless operated upon. 'I said no, I was going on a diet! 'The tumor had metastasized into my lymphatic system and would have required efforts to treat the metastases with radiation and/or chemotherapy.' Two years later he underwent an operation to remove the tumor from his colon when it began to bleed. After the procedure, doctors checked for cancer spread in 35 places around Fremont's body, he said, and found zero signs of cancer spread to other parts of the body. Fremont believes that his stellar health and advanced age are primarily due to his habits, rather than genetics. His father died of liver cancer, and his mother of a heart attack. He said: 'The results of the diet have been perfect and it has been since that diet that all my world records have come about as well as such distinction in the US.' And he doesn't plan on slowing down. 'My route is 5 miles long, through a scenic park near Cincinnati with mixed surface, lots of hills,' he said. 'The first mile is at my maximum speed, the other four under pressure to run fast. I resolved at age 98 to run 5 miles rather than 10, but to do it at speed.' Fremont has always followed a disciplined fitness plan, saying he runs five miles three times a week and incorporating push-ups and pull-ups. A typical day of eating for Fremont begins with oatmeal, syrup, and blueberries for breakfast. Lunch consists of beans, while dinner includes broccoli florets topped with ketchup. Fremont also lives a low-stress lifestyle, using exercise as a form of emotional release. He also does not drink or smoke. His healthy lifestyle has been shown to prevent cancer and its recurrence. Research has shown that a structured exercise program for stage II and III colon cancer patients reduced recurrence by 28 percent, lowered mortality risk by 37 percent over eight years, and showed benefits with just 1.5 to 2.25 hours of brisk walking weekly. Focusing on whole, unprocessed plant foods increases the amount of beneficial nutrients and compounds taken in that help reduce inflammation, a key factor in cancer development. Additionally, these dietary choices can support healthy weight, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar control, all of which contribute to a lower cancer risk But there is no concrete evidence diet alone can reverse cancer.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
RFK Jr. says 'more cavities' under fluoride bans is 'a balance'
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said on Thursday that nixing fluoride from public drinking water may result in more cavities. "It's a balance," Kennedy said during interview on Fox News' "The Faulkner Focus" on Thursday, June 26. "You're going to see probably slightly more cavities. Although in Europe, where they ban fluoride, they did not see an uptick in cavities. The issue is parents need to decide because the science is very clear on fluoride." Fluoridation is not banned in Europe, according to a 2018 fact sheet from the American Dental Association (ADA). However, adding fluoride to drinking water is not as widespread in European countries as in the U.S. Some European countries fluoridate their water, while others do not and the reasoning and result of those actions varies, according to BBC reporting. USA TODAY has reached out to ADA for more information. Kennedy's response came after anchor Harris Faulkner asked him how removing fluoride from public drinking water would affect children who don't have access to dentists or proper oral healthcare. Kennedy has been pushing to ban fluoride in public drinking water. In April, during a meeting with President Donald Trump, he said that kids get "stupider" the more fluoride they take in. Kennedy's remarks were met with backlash, as the study he pulled from was criticized for inadequate statistical rigor and other methodological flaws. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services did not immediately respond for additional comment when contacted by USA TODAY on Friday, June 27. Fluoride bans: Two states have now passed fluoride bans. These other ones introduced bills. Fluoride is a naturally-occurring mineral found in many foods and water and has been long thought to help prevent tooth decay, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Throughout the day, the protective outer layer of our teeth, called enamel, breaks down. Natural minerals within the enamel are broken down by bacteria, plaque and sugar. This is called demineralization To gain these minerals back, people must consume food and water that contains chemicals like fluoride, calcium and phosphate, the Cleveland Clinic states. This is known as remineralization. The Cleveland Clinic says with too much demineralization and not enough remineralization, tooth decay may begin. Exclusive: As RFK Jr. targets fluoride, Texas is coming for kids toothpaste Fluoride was first introduced in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1945, according to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC). Utah and Florida have banned fluoride from public drinking water – Utah in March and Florida in May. Kennedy has championed these states, and others looking to pass bans, including Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Nebraska, South Carolina, North Dakota, Arkansas, Tennessee, Montana and New Hampshire. After Utah passed its fluoride ban in March, the ADA released a statement saying dentists "see the direct consequences fluoride removal has on our patients." "It's a real tragedy when policymakers' decisions hurt vulnerable kids and adults in the long term. Blindly calling for a ban on fluoridated water hurts people, costs money and will ultimately harm our economy," ADA President Dr. Brett Kessler said in a news release. The ADA has also pointed to studies, like one 2024 study conducted by the University of Queensland, which found that children exposed and not exposed to fluoride showed no difference in IQ testing. Contributing: Natalie Neysa Alund and Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA TODAY Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: RFK Jr. on fluoride bans: Probably 'more cavities'
USA Today
13 hours ago
- Health
- USA Today
RFK Jr. says 'more cavities' under fluoride bans is 'a balance'
"It's a balance. You're going to see probably slightly more cavities," Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said on Fox News. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said on Thursday that nixing fluoride from public drinking water may result in more cavities. "It's a balance," Kennedy said during interview on Fox News' "The Faulkner Focus" on Thursday, June 26. "You're going to see probably slightly more cavities. Although in Europe, where they ban fluoride, they did not see an uptick in cavities. The issue is parents need to decide because the science is very clear on fluoride." Fluoridation is not banned in Europe, according to a 2018 fact sheet from the American Dental Association (ADA). However, adding fluoride to drinking water is not as widespread in European countries as in the U.S. Some European countries fluoridate their water, while others do not and the reasoning and result of those actions varies, according to BBC reporting. USA TODAY has reached out to ADA for more information. Kennedy's response came after anchor Harris Faulkner asked him how removing fluoride from public drinking water would affect children who don't have access to dentists or proper oral healthcare. Kennedy has been pushing to ban fluoride in public drinking water. In April, during a meeting with President Donald Trump, he said that kids get "stupider" the more fluoride they take in. Kennedy's remarks were met with backlash, as the study he pulled from was criticized for inadequate statistical rigor and other methodological flaws. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services did not immediately respond for additional comment when contacted by USA TODAY on Friday, June 27. Fluoride bans: Two states have now passed fluoride bans. These other ones introduced bills. What is fluoride? Fluoride is a naturally-occurring mineral found in many foods and water and has been long thought to help prevent tooth decay, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Throughout the day, the protective outer layer of our teeth, called enamel, breaks down. Natural minerals within the enamel are broken down by bacteria, plaque and sugar. This is called demineralization. To gain these minerals back, people must consume food and water that contains chemicals like fluoride, calcium and phosphate, the Cleveland Clinic states. This is known as remineralization. The Cleveland Clinic says with too much demineralization and not enough remineralization, tooth decay may begin. Exclusive: As RFK Jr. targets fluoride, Texas is coming for kids toothpaste When was fluoride introduced in the US? Fluoride was first introduced in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1945, according to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC). Where is fluoride banned in the U.S.? Utah and Florida have banned fluoride from public drinking water – Utah in March and Florida in May. Kennedy has championed these states, and others looking to pass bans, including Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Nebraska, South Carolina, North Dakota, Arkansas, Tennessee, Montana and New Hampshire. American Dental Association responds to fluoride bans After Utah passed its fluoride ban in March, the ADA released a statement saying dentists "see the direct consequences fluoride removal has on our patients." "It's a real tragedy when policymakers' decisions hurt vulnerable kids and adults in the long term. Blindly calling for a ban on fluoridated water hurts people, costs money and will ultimately harm our economy," ADA President Dr. Brett Kessler said in a news release. The ADA has also pointed to studies, like one 2024 study conducted by the University of Queensland, which found that children exposed and not exposed to fluoride showed no difference in IQ testing. Contributing: Natalie Neysa Alund, Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy and Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@
