In Today’s Note:

• Surgeon Streamed Procedures and Gets Medical License Revoked🩺

• Can You Drink Too Much Water?💧

• Could Weight-Loss Drugs like Ozempic Treat Addiction?💊

• Scientists Set Portion Sizes for Children to Tackle Obesity 🍩

“Health is a crown on the head of the healthy only the unwell can see”

Live Streaming Surgeries 🩺

1/Dr. Roxy Banned from Practice After Livestreaming Surgeries on TikTok

Dr. Katharine Grawe, also known as Dr. Roxy, has had her medical license permanently revoked by the Ohio Medical Board due to her controversial practices. Dr. Roxy gained popularity on TikTok by live-streaming plastic surgeries and answering viewer questions during the procedures. The board concluded that her actions harmed patients and showcased an extreme lack of professionalism. Despite her plea for leniency and a promise to change her social media practices, the medical board remained firm in their decision. Dr. Roxy's TikTok account is now set to private.

2/Patient Relief

The decision to permanently revoke Dr. Roxy's medical license brings relief to former patients like Mary Jenkins, who underwent breast reconstructive surgery after battling cancer. Dr. Roxy's actions, which included livestreaming surgeries on TikTok, raised concerns about patient privacy and ethics violations as early as 2018. The medical board listed severe complications and intense medical care needed by three patients she operated on. One patient suffered a perforated intestine and experienced severe damage, bacterial infections, and brain function loss due to toxins in her blood. While the medical board's authority is limited to Ohio, their disciplinary actions are reported to the National Practitioner Databank and made available online.

Portion Sizes for Children to Tackle Obesity🍩

1/Government Urged to Establish Standard Portion Sizes for Young Children to Tackle Obesity Epidemic

Health officials have been urged by leading scientists to address the obesity epidemic in young children by implementing standard portion sizes. A report from the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) revealed that young children in the UK are consuming excessive amounts of salt and sugar while lacking sufficient fruit, fiber, and vegetables. With one in ten reception-age children being obese, the experts estimate that by 2050, the obesity crisis will cost the NHS £10 billion annually. The report highlights the need for formal guidance on portion sizes for young children, as large servings contribute to excessive calorie intake.

2/Dietary Imbalance and Sugary Drinks Pose Challenges to Children's Health

The SACN report also emphasized the detrimental effects of imbalanced diets and sugary drinks on children's health. Sugar intake was found to be too high, leading to dental issues and long-term health concerns, adding to the burden on the NHS. Data from long-running projects indicated that children from disadvantaged backgrounds had an even worse diet. The report called for age-appropriate portion sizes to be developed and communicated for children aged 1 to 5 years, along with recommendations such as avoiding fizzy drinks, prioritizing milk and water as beverages, and introducing children to vegetables through repeated exposure. The report's recommendations, including continuing breastfeeding into the second year, ensuring vitamin supplementation, and addressing nutrient deficiencies in vegan families, are currently being considered by the government.

Ozempic Treating Addiction💊

1/Ozempic and Weight Loss Drugs as Potential Anti-Addiction Treatments

Weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, which target a hormone that regulates hunger and weakens the brain's association between food and pleasure, have been observed to reduce cravings for nicotine, alcohol, gambling, and other compulsive behaviors in some users. Researchers are intrigued by this phenomenon and are conducting studies to investigate whether these drugs can be repurposed as treatments for addiction. However, data from human trials are still limited, and pharmaceutical companies are not currently focusing on addiction treatment with these drugs. Scientists are keen to conduct further research to understand the effects of these drugs on the brain and their potential as anti-addiction treatments.

2/The Science Behind Semaglutide and Addiction Treatment

Semaglutide, initially developed as a diabetes treatment, is a GLP-1 agonist that triggers the release of a hormone called glucagon-like peptide–1 (GLP-1) in response to food. GLP-1 acts on the brain's reward pathways, reducing the brain's association between pleasure and addictive substances like food, cocaine, alcohol, and opioids. Animal studies have shown promising results, with GLP-1 agonists reducing cravings and consumption of addictive substances. Clinical trials are currently underway to evaluate the efficacy of GLP-1 agonists in treating addiction in humans. However, researchers are cautious about safety concerns and the need for more comprehensive studies to support the off-label use of these medications for addiction treatment.

Can You Drink Too Much Water?💧

1/The Importance of Hydration

Proper hydration is crucial for overall health, but the recommended amount of water intake varies. While eight cups a day is a general guideline, factors like climate, activity level, and personal health conditions influence individual needs. In temperate climates, men should aim for about 15.5 cups of fluid intake per day, while women should aim for around 11.5 cups.

2/The Dangers of Overhydration

Overhydration can be dangerous, leading to a condition called hyponatremia, where the body's salt concentration becomes too low. This occurs when excessive water intake overwhelms the kidneys' ability to excrete it. Signs of overhydration can be similar to dehydration, but paying attention to thirst and urine color can help differentiate. Feeling excessively thirsty or having clear urine may indicate the need to moderate water consumption.

3/Safe Hydration Practices

In hot weather, it's important to drink water before feeling thirsty. The CDC recommends consuming approximately one cup of water every 15-20 minutes when working outdoors in the heat. This regular and consistent hydration pattern is more effective for maintaining optimal hydration levels. Additionally, eating regular meals alongside drinking water helps replace lost salts and maintain electrolyte balance for overall well-being.

Disclaimer: This health newsletter is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. The views expressed in the newsletter are those of the authors and not necessarily of the publisher or editor. Any information presented should be carefully evaluated and discussed with a healthcare provider before making any changes to medical or lifestyle choices.