We all want a “magic bullet” that will remove or mitigate the threat of COVID-19, particularly one that is inexpensive, widely available, and well-tolerated. While we wait hopefully for a vaccine, various alternatives have been proposed, some with scientific basis and some without. One of the more scientifically sound ideas suggests that vitamin D may help protect people from COVID-19 infection and/or severe illness following infection. It is certainly refreshing to see something positive among today’s seemingly endless stream of depressing news headlines, which may explain why various media outlets have seized on this theory. Bold headlines have made proclamations such as “Vitamin D Can Help Reduce COVID-19 Risks” and “Study Finds Vitamin D Reduces COVID-19 Risk”. But is the enthusiasm supported by science?
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Before starting a new medication, patients and their providers must weigh their options: how do the benefits of treatment compare to the drug’s potential side effects? For chronic medications, patients will receive treatment for the foreseeable future, so the potential risk of medication-induced weight gain can play an important factor in treatment decision making. When evaluating the side effects of chronic medications, how well can we tease apart a real risk from a perceived risk?
As COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc on our health and economy, it should come as no surprise that food security is another casualty of this pandemic for many U.S. residents. More than 20% of U.S. households reported being food insecure in April 2020, which is defined as not having sufficient access to food due to a lack of resources. By comparison, in 2018 11% of U.S. households were food insecure at some point, suggesting that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a massive impact on the ability of U.S. residents to feed themselves and their families. The numbers are even more dire for households with children aged 12 and under, 40% of which report some level of food insecurity in the wake of COVID-19. This is especially troubling because food insecurity has lasting long-term health implications for children, including higher prevalence of obesity and emotional, behavioral, and academic problems.
Fitness and health influencers around the globe have promoted coconut oil as a superfood, and a quick internet search reveals numerous lists of alleged benefits, ranging from seizure prevention to weight loss. One of the claims that seems to top almost every list of purported benefits is that coconut oil has a positive effect on heart health. But is an oil higher in saturated fat than butter really heart healthy? Should we all be replacing olive oil, butter, or other vegetable oils with coconut oil for to help our hearts?
If you visit a New York City or Philadelphia restaurant (when you’re able to go out to eat again), you may be surprised to see a label on the menu that you’re unfamiliar with. Both of these cities require chain restaurants with 15 or more locations nationwide to post sodium warning labels next to menu items and combination meals containing more sodium than the recommended daily limit of 2,300 mg. A single menu item with over a day’s worth of sodium may sound like a rarity, but at Applebee’s, for instance, every single sandwich and pasta dish has more than 2,300 mg of sodium. Sodium warning labels are a relatively new policy tool that cities can use to help educate consumers about the sodium content of their foods, and prompt restaurants to reduce sodium content to avoid labels.
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