Eating

Good news: midlife health is about more than a waist measurement. Here’s why

Retrieved on: 
Friday, April 19, 2024

During the appointment they measure your waist.

Key Points: 
  • During the appointment they measure your waist.
  • GPs and health professionals commonly measure waist circumference as a vital sign for health.
  • Men are at greatly increased risk of health issues if their waist circumference is greater than 102 centimetres.
  • More than two-thirds of Australian adults have waist measurements that put them at an increased risk of disease.

How much is too much?

  • A ratio of 0.6 or more places a person at the highest risk of disease.
  • This can kick off a discussion about their risk of chronic diseases and how they might address this.
  • For women, hormone levels begin changing in mid-life and this also stimulates increased fat levels particularly around the abdomen.
  • Finally, your family history and genetics can make you predisposed to gaining more abdominal fat.

Why the waist?

  • Visceral fat surrounds and infiltrates major organs such as the liver, pancreas and intestines, releasing a variety of chemicals (hormones, inflammatory signals, and fatty acids).
  • These affect inflammation, lipid metabolism, cholesterol levels and insulin resistance, contributing to the development of chronic illnesses.
  • In addition to the direct effects of hormone changes, declining levels of oestrogen change brain function, mood and motivation.
  • These psychological alterations can result in reduced physical activity and increased eating – often of comfort foods high in sugar and fat.
  • And importantly, the waist circumference (and ratio to height) is just one measure of human health.

Muscle matters

  • On current evidence, it is equally or more important for health and longevity to have higher muscle mass and better cardiorespiratory (aerobic) fitness than waist circumference within the healthy range.
  • So, if a person does have an excessive waist circumference, but they are also sedentary and have less muscle mass and aerobic fitness, then the recommendation would be to focus on an appropriate exercise program.
  • Conversely, a person with low visceral fat levels is not necessarily fit and healthy and may have quite poor aerobic fitness, muscle mass, and strength.

Getting moving is important advice

  • Exercise can counter a lot of the negative behavioural and physiological changes that are occurring during midlife including for people going through menopause.
  • And regular exercise reduces the tendency to use food and drink to help manage what can be a quite difficult time in life.
  • Measuring your waist circumference and monitoring your weight remains important.


Rob Newton receives funding from National Health and Medical Research Council, the Medical Research Future Fund, Cancer Council Western Australia, Spinal Cord Injuries Australia and the World Cancer Research Fund. Rob Newton is a board member of The Healthy Male.

Draft guideline on good agricultural and collection practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin - Revision 1

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, April 18, 2024

REFERENCES ....................................................................................................................................... 14

Key Points: 
    • REFERENCES ....................................................................................................................................... 14

      29

      Guideline on Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin
      EMA/HMPC/246816/2005

      Page 3/14

      30

      EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

      31
      32
      33
      34
      35
      36

      This guideline on Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin

      37

      1.

    • Due to the inherent
      complexity of medicinal plants and herbal substances the quality of these starting materials requires an
      adequate quality assurance system for the collection and/or cultivation, harvest, and primary
      processing.
    • (either outdoor, indoor or in greenhouses) should be carefully considered, since each of the mentioned
      types could have several problems and advantages.
    • The used cultivation method may be dependent on
      the final application of the herbal medicinal product.
    • primary processing of herbal substances that are used for the preparation of herbal medicinal products.
    • medicinal plants and herbal substances, ensuring that they are handled appropriately throughout all
      stages of cultivation, collection, processing and storage.
    • their preparations are exposed to a large number of environmental contaminants of both biotic and
      abiotic origin.
    • to existing wildlife habitats and must adhere to CITES (Convention on International Trade in
      Endangered species of Wild Fauna and Flora).
    • https://health.ec.europa.eu/document/download/bd537ccf-9271-4230-bca1-2d...
      4 https://health.ec.europa.eu/document/download/fd318dd6-2404-4e67-82b0232...
      3

      Guideline on Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin
      EMA/HMPC/246816/2005

      Page 5/14

      104

      4.

    • Guideline on Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin
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      149

      8.

    • Guideline on Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin
      EMA/HMPC/246816/2005

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      7.

    • Where possible, stable varieties and cultivars naturally
      Guideline on Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin
      EMA/HMPC/246816/2005

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      resistant or tolerant to disease should preferably be used.

    • Guideline on Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin
      EMA/HMPC/246816/2005

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      270
      271
      272
      273

      The application should be carried out only by qualified staff using approved equipment.

    • The following should be noted:

      Guideline on Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin
      EMA/HMPC/246816/2005

      Page 10/14

      309
      310

      ?

      311
      312
      313

      ?

      314
      315
      316
      317

      ?

      318
      319
      320

      ?

      321
      322

      ?

      323
      324
      325

      ?

      326
      327
      328

      ?

      Damaged plants or plant parts need to be excluded or limited in accordance with a specific
      pharmacopoeia monograph, where relevant.

    • Guideline on Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin
      EMA/HMPC/246816/2005

      Page 11/14

      347
      348

      directly to the sun (except in cases where there is a specific need) and must be protected from
      rainfall, insect infestation, etc.

    • The label must be clear, permanently fixed and made from

      6

      Reflection paper on the use of fumigants (EMEA/HMPC/125562/2006)

      Guideline on Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin
      EMA/HMPC/246816/2005

      Page 12/14

      386
      387

      non-toxic material.

    • Certain exudates that have not been subjected to a specific treatment are

      Guideline on Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin
      EMA/HMPC/246816/2005

      Page 13/14

      425
      426
      427

      also considered to be herbal substances.

    • European Pharmacopoeia General Monograph ?HERBAL DRUGS? 07/2017:1433

      Are obtained by subjecting herbal substances to treatments such as
      extraction, distillation, expression, fractionation, purification, concentration
      or fermentation.

Draft guideline on good agricultural and collection practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin - Revision 1

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, April 18, 2024

REFERENCES ....................................................................................................................................... 14

Key Points: 
    • REFERENCES ....................................................................................................................................... 14

      29

      Guideline on Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin
      EMA/HMPC/246816/2005

      Page 3/14

      30

      EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

      31
      32
      33
      34
      35
      36

      This guideline on Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin

      37

      1.

    • Due to the inherent
      complexity of medicinal plants and herbal substances the quality of these starting materials requires an
      adequate quality assurance system for the collection and/or cultivation, harvest, and primary
      processing.
    • (either outdoor, indoor or in greenhouses) should be carefully considered, since each of the mentioned
      types could have several problems and advantages.
    • The used cultivation method may be dependent on
      the final application of the herbal medicinal product.
    • primary processing of herbal substances that are used for the preparation of herbal medicinal products.
    • medicinal plants and herbal substances, ensuring that they are handled appropriately throughout all
      stages of cultivation, collection, processing and storage.
    • their preparations are exposed to a large number of environmental contaminants of both biotic and
      abiotic origin.
    • to existing wildlife habitats and must adhere to CITES (Convention on International Trade in
      Endangered species of Wild Fauna and Flora).
    • https://health.ec.europa.eu/document/download/bd537ccf-9271-4230-bca1-2d...
      4 https://health.ec.europa.eu/document/download/fd318dd6-2404-4e67-82b0232...
      3

      Guideline on Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin
      EMA/HMPC/246816/2005

      Page 5/14

      104

      4.

    • Guideline on Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin
      EMA/HMPC/246816/2005

      Page 6/14

      147
      148
      149

      8.

    • Guideline on Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin
      EMA/HMPC/246816/2005

      Page 7/14

      185

      7.

    • Where possible, stable varieties and cultivars naturally
      Guideline on Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin
      EMA/HMPC/246816/2005

      Page 8/14

      227
      228

      resistant or tolerant to disease should preferably be used.

    • Guideline on Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin
      EMA/HMPC/246816/2005

      Page 9/14

      268
      269
      270
      271
      272
      273

      The application should be carried out only by qualified staff using approved equipment.

    • The following should be noted:

      Guideline on Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin
      EMA/HMPC/246816/2005

      Page 10/14

      309
      310

      ?

      311
      312
      313

      ?

      314
      315
      316
      317

      ?

      318
      319
      320

      ?

      321
      322

      ?

      323
      324
      325

      ?

      326
      327
      328

      ?

      Damaged plants or plant parts need to be excluded or limited in accordance with a specific
      pharmacopoeia monograph, where relevant.

    • Guideline on Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin
      EMA/HMPC/246816/2005

      Page 11/14

      347
      348

      directly to the sun (except in cases where there is a specific need) and must be protected from
      rainfall, insect infestation, etc.

    • The label must be clear, permanently fixed and made from

      6

      Reflection paper on the use of fumigants (EMEA/HMPC/125562/2006)

      Guideline on Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin
      EMA/HMPC/246816/2005

      Page 12/14

      386
      387

      non-toxic material.

    • Certain exudates that have not been subjected to a specific treatment are

      Guideline on Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin
      EMA/HMPC/246816/2005

      Page 13/14

      425
      426
      427

      also considered to be herbal substances.

    • European Pharmacopoeia General Monograph ?HERBAL DRUGS? 07/2017:1433

      Are obtained by subjecting herbal substances to treatments such as
      extraction, distillation, expression, fractionation, purification, concentration
      or fermentation.

Stop asking me if I’ve tried keto: Why weight stigma is more than just being mean to fat people

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, April 10, 2024

People may think weight stigma only manifests as rude comments, is harmless or can even do some good.

Key Points: 
  • People may think weight stigma only manifests as rude comments, is harmless or can even do some good.
  • But the reality is that weight stigma is often insidious, and pervasively entrenched into our society and environment.

Fat microaggressions

  • The impacts of microaggressions have been described as “death by a thousand cuts,” referring to how seemingly minor incidents, when repeated cumulatively, contribute to real harm.
  • With combined input from reports of lived experiences, expert testimony and large studies with diverse samples, we identified four main types of fat microaggressions.
  • Think fat jokes, unintelligent, gross, and/or unattractive fat characters on TV and in movies (like “Fat Monica” from Friends or Gwyneth Paltrow’s character in Shallow Hal), and thin friends complaining they “feel fat” in front of a larger person and commenting on how much they hate their bodies.
  • Our data confirm that indirect microaggressions are the type most experienced by fat people — they invade every aspect of daily life and remind fat people that they are not viewed as OK.

Clothing exclusion

  • One type of direct microaggression that emerged as its own category in our analysis was clothing exclusion.
  • It is also common to see clothing in stores with claims that “one size fits all,” that really don’t.
  • Fat activists have also long recognized that clothing exclusion acts as a proxy for other societal forms of erasure, in that the more standard options fail you, the more you are likely facing other forms of everyday oppressions.

Benevolent weightism

  • You would be hard-pressed to find a fat person who has not tried multiple weight-loss methods, only to end up unsuccessful and feeling worse about themselves than ever.
  • Indeed, the most likely outcome of weight-loss attempts is weight regain, and usually, weight rebound above your initial starting point.
  • Studies that show otherwise are often methodologically flawed and frequently misleading in their headline messaging.

Why fat microaggressions matter

  • Across four studies, we established the prominence of fat microaggressions in the lives of fat people and linked experiencing fat microaggressions to poorer mental health, such as greater stress, anxiety and depression, and worse self-esteem.
  • Fat microaggressions were even associated with discrimination-related trauma symptoms, including feeling on edge or constantly on guard, fearing embarrassment or feeling isolated from others.

How you can help

  • Greater awareness and recognition of fat microaggressions is an important first step to confronting them.
  • If you really are concerned about health, do not tell fat people they need fixing; these microaggressions make people’s health worse, not better.
  • Challenging anti-fat attitudes when they manifest in these other ways is key to a more inclusive and less harmful world.


Angela Meadows has received funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. Megan Lindloff and Rachel Calogero do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

No, taking drugs like Ozempic isn’t ‘cheating’ at weight loss or the ‘easy way out’

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, April 10, 2024

Hundreds of thousands of people worldwide are taking drugs like Ozempic to lose weight.

Key Points: 
  • Hundreds of thousands of people worldwide are taking drugs like Ozempic to lose weight.
  • As demand for semaglutide increases, so are claims that taking it is “cheating” at weight loss or the “easy way out”.
  • We don’t tell people who need statin medication to treat high cholesterol or drugs to manage high blood pressure they’re cheating or taking the easy way out.

How does it work?

  • GLP-1 gets secreted by cells in your gut when it detects increased nutrient levels after eating.
  • GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) medications like Ozempic help the body’s own GLP-1 work better by mimicking and extending its action.
  • Read more:
    The rise of Ozempic: how surprise discoveries and lizard venom led to a new class of weight-loss drugs

What can users expect? What does the research say?

  • Higher doses of semaglutide are prescribed to treat obesity compared to type 2 diabetes management (up to 2.4mg versus 2.0mg weekly).
  • A large group of randomised controlled trials, called STEP trials, all tested weekly 2.4mg semaglutide injections versus different interventions or placebo drugs.
  • Trials lasting 1.3–2 years consistently found weekly 2.4 mg semaglutide injections led to 6–12% greater weight loss compared to placebo or alternative interventions.
  • Weight reduction due to semaglutide also leads to a reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure of about 4.8 mmHg and 2.5 mmHg respectively, a reduction in triglyceride levels (a type of blood fat) and improved physical function.
  • Another recent trial in adults with pre-existing heart disease and obesity, but without type 2 diabetes, found adults receiving weekly 2.4mg semaglutide injections had a 20% lower risk of specific cardiovascular events, including having a non-fatal heart attack, a stroke or dying from cardiovascular disease, after three years follow-up.

Who is eligible for semaglutide?

  • Australia’s regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), has approved semaglutide, sold as Ozempic, for treating type 2 diabetes.
  • The TGA has approved Wegovy to treat obesity but it’s not currently available in Australia.

What else do you need to do during Ozempic treatment?

  • In addition to taking medication, people had brief lifestyle counselling sessions with dietitians or other health professionals every four weeks as a minimum in most trials.
  • The aim of these trials was to show the effect of adding the medication on top of other lifestyle counselling.


A review of obesity medication trials found people reported they needed less cognitive behaviour training to help them stick with the reduced energy intake. This is one aspect where drug treatment may make adherence a little easier. Not feeling as hungry and having environmental food cues “switched off” may mean less support is required for goal-setting, self-monitoring food intake and avoiding things that trigger eating.

But what are the side effects?

  • In on study these led to discontinuation of medication in 6% of people, but interestingly also in 3% of people taking placebos.
  • More severe side-effects included gallbladder disease, acute pancreatitis, hypoglycaemia, acute kidney disease and injection site reactions.
  • Here are some potential risks and benefits

    To reduce risk or severity of side-effects, medication doses are increased very slowly over months.

  • Health, Meat and Livestock Australia, and Greater Charitable Foundation.
  • She has consulted to SHINE Australia, Novo Nordisk, Quality Bakers, the Sax Institute, Dietitians Australia and the ABC.

Hardman & Co Research on Arbuthnot Banking Group (ARBB): 2023 - delivering strategy with strong profit growth

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, April 10, 2024

The saying goes, the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

Key Points: 
  • The saying goes, the proof of the pudding is in the eating.
  • ABG’s 2023 results proved that the strategic positioning of the group, as a relationship bank, has created enormous value.
  • Customer deposits grew 21% to £3.8bn, loans by 6% to £2.3bn and FUM by 29% to £1.71bn.
  • Please click on the link below for the full report:
    If you are interested in meeting the company, you can register your interest by clicking on the above link

Walmart and Sam’s Club Fight Hunger. Spark Change. Campaign Returns to North Texas to Help People Facing Hunger

Retrieved on: 
Monday, April 1, 2024

Now, for the 11th straight year, all U.S. Walmart stores and Sam’s Clubs are launching the Fight Hunger.

Key Points: 
  • Now, for the 11th straight year, all U.S. Walmart stores and Sam’s Clubs are launching the Fight Hunger.
  • campaign, with the goal of providing people facing hunger with access to the food and resources they say they need to thrive.
  • campaign is a way that we invite our customers, members and suppliers to fight hunger alongside us.
  • Kellogg Company; Keurig Dr Pepper; Kodiak; Kraft Heinz; Monster Energy; Pepsi-Cola Advertising & Marketing, Inc.; Red Bull North America; and Unilever.

Triple-I: Dog-Related Injury Claim Payouts Hit $1.12 Billion in 2023

Retrieved on: 
Monday, April 8, 2024

On a positive note, the average cost per claim decreased from $64,555 in 2022 to $58,545 in 2023.

Key Points: 
  • On a positive note, the average cost per claim decreased from $64,555 in 2022 to $58,545 in 2023.
  • “Education and training for owners and pets is key to keep everyone safe and healthy,” said Ruiz.
  • “It is important to recognize that any dog, including ones that are in the home, can bite or cause injury.
  • As we mark National Dog Bite Prevention Week, let's commit to increasing our understanding of the issue and taking proactive steps towards prevention.

NEW SURVEY FROM TRUE LEMON REVEALS THAT HYDRATION IS ONE KEY TO HAPPINESS

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 9, 2024

BALTIMORE, April 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- While it's no secret that hydration is essential for health, a new survey commissioned by True Lemon and conducted by OnePoll uncovered its impact on overall happiness for Americans. Among the 2,000 respondents, 46% who drank the most water (10+ glasses a day) said they were very happy compared to only 22% of those who drank the least water (1-3 glasses a day).

Key Points: 
  • BALTIMORE, April 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- While it's no secret that hydration is essential for health, a new survey commissioned by True Lemon and conducted by OnePoll uncovered its impact on overall happiness for Americans.
  • Those that drank the most water also reported finding happiness and appreciating the little things in their days.
  • "Adding a packet of True Lemon to your water allows you to reap all the hydration benefits of drinking water by making it delicious."
  • **This random double-opt-in survey of 2,000 general population Americans was commissioned by True Lemon between Feb. 16 and Feb. 22, 2024.

Jollibee Unlocks Unique Flavor Cravings with the Return of Ube Pie and the Debut of Two New Chicken Sandwiches

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 9, 2024

WEST COVINA, Calif., April 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Global restaurant brand, Jollibee, world-famous for its delectable Chickenjoy fried chicken, is also beloved for its crispy and juicy Chicken Sandwiches and irresistible pies. On a mission to spread the "joy of eating" across North America, Jollibee is bringing back the unmistakable color and flavor of its Ube Pie dessert and introducing two new mouth-watering Chicken Sandwich options—the Bacon and Cheese Chicken Sandwich and Aloha Chicken Sandwich. Fans of Jollibee's iconic menu items—both savory and sweet—as well as first-timers seeking new and dynamic flavor profiles will not want to miss these exclusive menu items that will be available at all Jollibee locations across the U.S. for a limited time only.

Key Points: 
  • WEST COVINA, Calif., April 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Global restaurant brand, Jollibee , world-famous for its delectable Chickenjoy fried chicken, is also beloved for its crispy and juicy Chicken Sandwiches and irresistible pies.
  • On a mission to spread the "joy of eating" across North America, Jollibee is bringing back the unmistakable color and flavor of its Ube Pie dessert and introducing two new mouth-watering Chicken Sandwich options—the Bacon and Cheese Chicken Sandwich and Aloha Chicken Sandwich .
  • Jollibee's new Bacon and Cheese Chicken Sandwich ($7.99 USD) starts with the brand's signature hand-breaded chicken breast fillet, savory umami mayo and buttery brioche bun.
  • The Bacon and Cheese Chicken Sandwich, Aloha Chicken Sandwich and Ube Pie dessert are available now at all U.S. Jollibee locations , while supplies last.