Toxic heavy metals are found naturally worldwide in soils that produce the cocoa bean tree — and those metals are showing up in chocolate, a new report warns. “We all love chocolate but it’s important to indulge with moderation as with other foods that contain heavy metals, including large fish like tuna and unwashed brown…  read on >  read on >

Prior studies have found that statin meds can help lower liver cancer risks, and new research suggests that at least one non-statin cholesterol drug can do the same. A team led by Katherine McGlynn of the U.S. National Cancer Institute looked at the health histories of almost 19,000 people tracked by the U.K.’s Clinical Practice…  read on >  read on >

Chicken, turkey and other poultry might get a little safer after new rules to limit salmonella proposed Monday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Poultry companies would be expected to keep salmonella levels below specific thresholds under the new rules and test for six strains of the bacterium that are strongly tied to illness…  read on >  read on >

People taking compounded versions of Ozempic have been overdosing on the drug, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns. These ODs typically are due to miscommunications or miscalculations regarding dosage, the FDA added. “Dosing errors have resulted from patients measuring and self-administering incorrect doses of the drug and health care providers miscalculating doses of the…  read on >  read on >

A healthy mouth also means a healthy heart, a new review suggests. People who’ve lost teeth are more likely to die from heart problems – and the more teeth lost, the higher the risk, researchers found. “Our findings clearly show that tooth loss is not just a dental issue, but a significant predictor of cardiovascular…  read on >  read on >

Added sugar can cause your cells to prematurely age, a new study warns. Each gram of added sugar is associated with an increase in a person’s cellular age, even when they eat healthy otherwise, researchers found. On the other hand, a diet rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients can help a person have…  read on >  read on >

As scorching temperatures continue to plague the United States this summer, millions of Americans are at risk for dehydration and heat-linked illness. But what about their medications? Can rising temperatures render those useless and leave patients vulnerable? Yes they can, so it’s important to understand the effects of heat and humidity on certain drugs, said Dr.…  read on >  read on >

Boar’s Head announced Friday that it was recalling all of its liverwurst products because they could be tainted with dangerous Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. “The company is also recalling additional deli meat products that were produced on the same line and on the same day as the liverwurst and, therefore, may be adulterated with L. monocytogenes,”…  read on >  read on >

An additional cinnamon product sold in the United States has been found to contain high levels of lead, health officials are warning. In a health alert issued Thursday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said the ground cinnamon product, sold as El Servidor, joins a growing list of cinnamon products that have contained high levels of lead. Through…  read on >  read on >

Farmers and folks living in agricultural areas may be exposed to levels of pesticides that confer cancer risks that are higher than if they smoked, new research shows. These extra risks were most pronounced for certain cancers: non-Hopkins lymphoma, leukemia and bladder cancer, the researchers noted. Various pesticides mix together to raise the odds for…  read on >  read on >