In 1933, a doctor shared the story of a woman who lost 40 pounds in less than two months after she stopped eating fats altogether. However, one key detail isn’t mentioned in his version of events: she died by the end of it. A fat-free diet is far from healthy; fat is a necessary part of our diets. It is essential to many bodily functions, from hormone production and cell regulation to vitamin A, D, E and K absorption. Read full article here
Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here