🧬Obesity increases risk of iron deficiency

Obesity increases the risk of iron deficiency in children and young adults because it disrupts the mechanisms that regulate iron absorption.

The culprit is obesity-induced inflammation.

Inflammation reduces iron absorption and the efficacy of iron fortified foods, while increasing the turn over of red blood cells.

Iron status is an issue, but the real challenge is the prolonged inflammation leads to fatty liver and diabetes.

🥊 Punchline

This study highlights the ‘hidden hunger’ problem: deficiencies modulated by inflammation due to nutrient-poor but energy rich diets.

🧠 Feeding the lonely brain

Women who perceive themselves to be lonely head greater cravings and motivation to eat.

Although this copying mechanism is well know, the brain of lonely women were found to be more reactive when shown pictures of high calorie foods, such as sugary foods.

The brain regions associated with self-control towards eating behaviors were blunted.

This may be part of a vicious cycle between unhealthy eating and negative mental symptoms.

The more you crave, the more you eat and the greater the risk of anxiety or depression, which may lead to eating more

🥊 Punchline

Loneliness can affect people beyond feelings; they underreport what they eat, their desire to eat, and their cravings especially for unhealthy foods.

🦐 ‘Forever chemical’ exposure from seafood may be underestimated

PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are know as ‘forever chemicals’ because of their ability to disrupt our hormonal health.

Their source is consumer products such as plastics and nonstick coatings.

A new study suggests that people with diets high in seafood may face a greater risk of exposure to PFAS.

Shrimp and lobster had the highest concentrations, due to feeding and living on the seafloor in proximity to sources of PFAS.

🥊 Punchline

Seafood is a great source of protein and micronutrients. However, understanding the risk-benefit balance is especially important for the vulnerable ones, such as coastal communities, pregnant people and children.