A common plastics chemical might increase a person’s risk of diabetes, a new study warns. People fed small doses of Bisphonol A (BPA) developed significantly worse insulin sensitivity within a four-day period, researchers found. “We were surprised to see that reducing BPA exposure, such as using stainless steel or glass bottles and BPA-free cans, may…  read on >  read on >

The stress hormone cortisol appears to play a role in tough-to-treat type 2 diabetes, a new study finds. About 1 in 4 people (24%) with tough-to-treat type 2 diabetes have elevated cortisol levels, researchers found. “These results are significant as they highlight a previously underrecognized factor contributing to the barriers when it comes to managing…  read on >  read on >

A person’s gut microbiome appears to increase their risk of developing type 2 diabetes, researchers claim. Specific strains of gut microbes are more commonly found in people with type 2 diabetes, and these strains seem to heighten the risk of developing the metabolic disorder, they say. “We believe that changes in the gut microbiome cause…  read on >  read on >

A new slow-release pill form of ketamine can quell hard-to-treat depression without producing psychedelic side effects normally associated with the drug, early research suggests. Patients on the strongest dose of ketamine tablets saw significant improvement in their depression compared to a placebo, researchers found. On a 30-point depression scale, people taking the ketamine pill improved…  read on >  read on >

Gun violence in the United States has become a national public health crisis, the U.S. Surgeon General declared Tuesday. “Today, for the first time in the history of our office, I am issuing a Surgeon General’s Advisory on firearm violence. It outlines the urgent threat firearm violence poses to the health and well-being of our…  read on >  read on >

For decades, millions of Americans popped a low-dose aspirin each day to lower their heart risks. Then, accumulated data prompted the nation’s two leading cardiology groups — the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association — to overturn advisories in 2019 and recommend against daily aspirin, citing a risk for bleeding that exceeded…  read on >  read on >

A lonely middle and old age could bring higher odds for a stroke, new data suggests. A 12-year study of people over 50 found that those who experienced chronic loneliness were 56% more likely to have a stroke, versus those who said they weren’t lonely. “Loneliness is increasingly considered a major public health issue. Our…  read on >  read on >