health news today

Small decrease in kidney function leads to poor health: study

June 28, 2023

A new Canadian study published in the British Medical Journal suggests that even a small reduction in kidney function could result in poor health outcomes for young people.

Researchers surveyed health records from eight million people in Ontario from the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) between 2008 and 2021. The research focused on adults aged 18 to 65 who had at least one test for kidney function but no history of kidney disease.

Of the participants, 18 percent between the ages of 18 to 39 had kidney function somewhat “below normal levels” but not enough to trigger the threshold of having chronic kidney disease.

Dr. Manish Sood, the senior researcher of the study and kidney specialist at The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa, says patients in this group are in the “gray zone.”

“We showed in young people 18 to 39 even a slight decline – 25

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Indigenous harm reduction project gets cash

June 23, 2023

An Indigenous-led harm reduction research project has been given about $1.2 million by Health Canada to investigate treatment options for people living with opioid use disorder.

“I’m very proud of this Indigenous-led, strategic, multi-partnered, research-backed, wellness and harm reduction project,” Roger Augustine, retired Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief for New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, said in a Wednesday’s statement.

Augustine is the founder of Gitpo Spirit Lodge, which is leading the project based in Natoaganeg, or Eel Ground, First Nation, in New Brunswick.

Gitpo Spirit Lodge, which opened in 2021, is an Indigenous wellness center focused on engaging with tradition to offer harm reduction and wellness programming.

The new pilot project will research the use of cannabinoid products by people currently receiving opioid agonist medications, which include methadone, naloxone or buprenorphine treatment.

Gitpo Spirit Lodge will work with Natoaganeg First Nation and Dr. Shelley Turner, a member of

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Taurine may help slow the aging process, new animal study shows

June 18, 2023

Cows on top of a hill at sunset — Taurine is a compound found in dairy products as well as some energy drinks. Kevin Day/Getty Images

Taurine is a compound found in humans as well as dairy products and some energy drinks.
In a study, researchers say taurine was effective as an anti-aging agent that promoted longevity in mice.
Experts say the findings are promising, but more research needs to be done by humans.

A deficiency in the nutrient taurine appears to drive aging in animals, but experts say more research is needed to determine if the same effect is found in humans.

A study published today in the journal Science reports that supplements of taurine slowed the aging process in monkeys, mice and worms and extended the healthy lifespan of mice in middle age by up to 12%.

“For the last 25 years, scientists have been trying to find factors that not only let us

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Can You Prevent a Whistleblower Lawsuit?

June 11, 2023

When a whistleblower suit is brought against a company or practice, there are usually many warnings that were ignored or not dealt with appropriately. Many times, wrongdoings are brought to light internally first and properly addressing concerns can prevent a lawsuit.

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Often, the employee who becomes the whistleblower tries to raise the issue internally before going outside the company.

There are also fears of retaliation by many whistleblowers. Fear of retaliation can lead an employee to report wrongdoing to an outside board or entity.

So how do you avoid a whistleblower issue?

While it’s impossible to ensure that you will never have a whistleblower suit on your hands, you can take steps to make sure your employees’ concerns are acknowledged.

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Need a Practical High School Graduation Gift?

June 8, 2023

We’ve got you covered. If you know a recent high school graduate, you should find out if they have a simple estate plan to allow their parents or guardians to make medical and financial decisions if they are incapacitated.

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With high school graduation season in full swing, it is essential to remember that at age 18, parents no longer have the right to make medical and financial decisions for their child, something should happen.

We always recommend that 18-year-olds have simple estate planning documents in place, in the event of incapacity.

If your child goes away to school and has an accident, you want to be able to speak to doctors and medical personnel regarding their care.

Unfortunately, sometimes accidents

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Opinions | Today’s Opinions: Healthy eating, Memorial Day, Paris Olympics

June 5, 2023

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An apple a day keeps the discord away

Several years ago, when Gwyneth Paltrow tried to show how people on low incomes can still eat healthily, she was roasted online for posting a $29 grocery haul that includes scallions, cilantro, seven limes and two types of leafy greens.

Now, now — let us not re-ridicule Ms. Paltrow for dreaming big. This is not a problem with her. This is a problem with the system.

the Editorial Board writes that healthy eating is way too hard in the United States, where up to 55 million people live in food deserts, areas without easy access to full-service supermarkets. It’s no wonder many Americans turn to closer-to-home packaged and fast food — and suffer the attending cardiovascular risks.

The good news is that there

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The Government of Canada announced over $7 million to help address harms related to substance use in Ontario

March 17, 2023

Improving health outcomes for people at risk of substance-related harms and overdose in Ontario

March 14, 2023 | Toronto, Ont. | Health Canada

Every day, families and communities across Ontario are losing loved ones to overdoses from the increasingly toxic illegal drug supply. Collectively, through harm reduction and treatment services, as well as prevention efforts alongside all levels of government, the Government of Canada is working in tandem to try to reduce stigma, save lives, and ensure all people who use drugs have the life-saving substance use services and support they need.

Today, the Honorable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, announced over $7 million in federal funding for 8 projects in Ontario through Health Canada’s Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP). The funding today announced will allow Ontarians to access greater prevention, harm reduction and treatment services including access to safer supply

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Biggest Loser Winners Hannah Curlee and Olivia Ward 12 Years Later: ‘It’s a Continued Journey’

March 10, 2023

The Biggest Loser season 11 winner Olivia Ward and her sister, runner-up Hannah Curlee, had their lives changed forever when they competed on the show in 2011.

“I tell people, I feel like I won the weight loss lottery,” Ward, 47, tells PEOPLE exclusively.

Starting the show off at 261 lbs., Ward and Curlee, 44, who was at 248 lbs., both lost almost half their body weight during the competition, with Ward losing 129 lbs. and Curlee 120 lbs. More than a decade later, they say they feel lucky to have had the opportunity to participate in the once-controversial weight loss show.

“Losing the weight was wonderful,” Ward says. “But just to have that experience and to be around that type of expertise and that kind of support . . . what I left knowing that I had this incredible opportunity to pass on what had been given to me.

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