Walking, Food Dyes, and “People Kibble”: Your Weekly Health Roundup
Public Health Without Politics offers health tips, policy insights, and strategies to combat America's chronic disease crisis.
Welcome to this week's edition of Public Health Without Politics.
From walking off weight to phasing out food dyes, this week’s health headlines offer a little something for everyone—yes, even your dog. Here’s the latest on what’s trending, what’s true, and what it means for your health.
Trending in Health this Week
How much do you need to walk to lose weight? 3 hours and 20 minutes per week, according to this article.
No bread for me, thanks: Going without pasta and bread a few times a week could be as good for your health as intermittent fasting, according to a new study.
Why are so many young people getting cancer? Unhealthy diets, sedentary lifestyles, and chronic alcohol abuse are possible links, but more research is needed.
Speaking of cancer, if you want to reduce your risk, matcha may help. But so far evidence is spotty.
Take Fido for a walk! Turns out, your dog needs a balanced diet and regular movement just like you.
Creatine before your workout or after? Doesn’t matter, just make sure you’re consistent.
“People kibble” is trending: Chopping up a week’s worth of veggies, grains, and protein into one big bowl isn’t fancy—but it gets the job done.
If you’re having trouble sleeping, these 8 fruits can help you nod off.
So Long, Food Dyes
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced this week that food dyes will be phased out of America’s food supply by the end of this year. The initiative encourages food companies to replace dyes like Red 40 and Yellow 5 with natural alternatives or include warning labels. This move builds upon a recent FDA ban on Red Dye No. 3 due to cancer risks.
How does this impact me? With the emergence of Make America Healthy Again movement, you’ve likely heard that these food dyes are banned in Europe and may cause cancer. The truth is they are not banned in Europe—Europe doesn’t care as much about the color of their foods. What’s worse, they will be replaced by “natural” food dyes that come from sketchy sources overseas. I’ll have an op-ed on that out later.
COVID Vaccines and Heart Problems: What Yale Found
A new Yale study finds that rare heart inflammation after mRNA COVID shots is likely due to an overactive immune response—not the vaccine itself. Cases were mild and far less common than heart issues from COVID infection.
How does this impact me? You’ve probably heard whispers that COVID vaccines might cause heart problems, especially in young men. This new study will help assuage those fears.
The Incomparable Jerry Ellig: A Tribute to my Old Friend
The Journal of Benefit-Cost Analysis published my article “The Incomparable Jerry Ellig,”— a tribute to a brilliant economist, mentor, and friend who brought clarity, integrity, and a deep sense of purpose to the world of regulatory policy and benefit-cost analysis.
Inspirational Quote
“Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.”
—Winston Churchill.
Have a great week,
—Richard