from EurekAlert

A recent headline featured in The Daily Mail proves once again how impactful fearmongering is on unknowing consumers. "How your shampoo bottle could be making you FAT: Scientists discover 11 chemicals in common plastics that contribute to weigh gain," it reads. Throw another pick on the junk science pile; or at least, it's portrayal.

According to the story, scientists examined 34 different plastic products and identified 11 chemicals commonly present that can affect human metabolism and contribute to weight gain. The products included beverage bottles, kitchen sponges, yogurt containers and hair conditioners. Martin Wagner, a co-author and associate professor at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, said their experiments show that "ordinary plastic products contain a mix of substances that can be a relevant and underestimated factor behind [being] overweight, and obesity."

The study itself, published in Environmental Science & Technology, describes how the authors characterized the chemicals and analyzed their joint adipogenic activities. Among some 629 unique compounds, 11 known metabolism-disrupting compounds (MDCs) were identified; including four phthalates and six organophosphates. Importantly, according the the article abstract, the chemicals extracted from one-third of the products caused murine 3T3-L1 preadipocytes to proliferate and differentiate into adipocytes, which were larger and contained more triglycerides than those treated with a reference compound, rosiglitazone.

The Daily Mail reported that while some plastic products contained known metabolism-disrupting substances, or obesogens, others did not but still induced the development of fat cells. "It's very likely that it is not the usual suspects, such as bisphenol A, causing these metabolic disturbances," said Johannes Völker, one of the study's authors. "This means that other plastic chemicals than the ones we already know could be contributing to overweight and obesity."

Caroline Rainsford, head of scientific services at the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA), quickly jumped on this study and misleading headline. In a blog post, she wrote "It’s certainly true that the study’s authors looked at packaging samples and found some of these samples contained chemicals they suspect to have metabolism-disrupting effects....just not the shampoo bottles! In contrast to what the striking headline suggests." 

In her blog, she worked her way through the paper, critiquing the study design and describing, for consumers, how to "interrogate" media articles such as these to come to their own conclusions. For example, she questioned how relevant it is to real life exposure to extract chemicals from plastics, concentrate them in a solvent and test them on fat cells grown in a lab.

"The results from the study certainly give us a fascinating insight into the behavior of fat cells in the presence of certain chemicals," she wrote. "Although we do have to consider what might happen outside of a lab... Are we exposed to the same amount of chemicals from plastic packaging when using everyday products? How will the chemicals get into our bodies?"

Rainsford further explained how solvents are used to extract chemicals to get enough of a material to perform the tests but the reality is, products such as shampoos and beverages are much less effective at dissolving those chemicals; not to mention the fact that laws covering cosmetics, foods and other products already take into account the potential migration of chemicals from packaging into products.

Furthermore, by adding these chemicals directly to fat cells, the researchers have taken a "short cut" to how they would be processed through the body. And, personal care products in particular are applied to skin or hair, which makes it more difficult for chemicals to enter the body.

Notably, in the paper's conclusion, the authors also highlighted, "Given that we aimed at investigating whether MDCs are present in plastic products, we used methanol to extract the samples. This simulates a worst-case scenario. Thus, even though we demonstrated that potent (mixtures of) MDCs are present in consumer products, it remains to be investigated whether these will migrate under more realistic conditions into air, water, or food, or can be taken up dermally." 
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"It’s always exciting to see new scientific research, especially that which relates to the cosmetics and personal care industry—which has science at its foundation," Rainsford wrote. "... But this headline-grabbing story is a reminder that in every case, it is helpful to approach new science with a critical eye, an open mind… and to draw your own conclusions."

from Cosmetic and Toiletries

Lack of sleep isn’t the only thing sapping your energy. Little things you do (and don’t do) can exhaust you both mentally and physically, which can make getting through your day a chore. Here, experts reveal common bad habits that can make you feel tired, plus simple lifestyle tweaks that will put the pep back in your step.

1. You skip exercise when you’re tired
Skipping your workout to save energy actually works against you. In a University of Georgia study, sedentary but otherwise healthy adults who began exercising lightly three days a week for as little as 20 minutes at a time reported feeling less fatigued and more energized after six weeks. Regular exercise boosts strength and endurance, helps make your cardiovascular system run more efficiently, and delivers oxygen and nutrients to your tissues. So next time you’re tempted to crash on the couch, at least go for a brisk walk—you won’t regret it.

2. You don’t drink enough water
Being even slightly dehydrated—as little as 2% of normal fluid loss—takes a toll on energy levels, says Amy Goodson, RD, a dietitian for Texas Health Ben Hogan Sports Medicine. Dehydration causes a reduction in blood volume, explains Goodson, which makes the blood thicker. This requires your heart to pump less efficiently, reducing the speed at which oxygen and nutrients reach your muscles and organs. To calculate your normal fluid needs, take your weight in pounds, divide in half and drink that number of ounces of fluid a day, Goodson recommends.

3. You’re not consuming enough iron
An iron deficiency can leave you feeling sluggish, irritable, weak, and unable to focus. “It makes you tired because less oxygen travels to the muscles and cells,” says Goodson. Boost your iron intake to reduce your risk of anemia: load up on lean beef, kidney beans, tofu, eggs (including the yolk), dark green leafy vegetables, nuts, and peanut butter, and pair them with foods high in vitamin C (vitamin C improves iron absorption when eaten together), suggests Goodson. Note: an iron deficiency may be due to an underlying health problem, so if you’re experiencing these symptoms of iron deficiency, you should visit your doc.

4. You’re a perfectionist
Striving to be perfect—which, let’s face it, is impossible—makes you work much harder and longer than necessary, says Irene S. Levine, PhD, professor of psychiatry at the New York University School of Medicine. “You set goals that are so unrealistic that they are difficult or impossible to achieve, and in the end, there is no sense of self-satisfaction.” Levine recommends setting a time limit for yourself on your projects, and taking care to obey it. In time, you’ll realize that the extra time you were taking wasn’t actually improving your work.

5. You make mountains out of molehills
If you assume that you’re about to get fired when your boss calls you into an unexpected meeting, or you’re too afraid to ride your bike because you worry you’ll get into an accident, then you’re guilty of “catastrophizing,” or expecting that the worst-case scenario will always occur. This anxiety can paralyze you and make you mentally exhausted, says Levine. When you catch yourself having these thoughts, take a deep breath and ask yourself how likely it is that the worst really will happen. Getting outdoors, meditating, exercising, or sharing your concerns with a friend may help you better cope and become more realistic.

6. You skip breakfast
The food you eat fuels your body, and when you sleep, your body continues using what you consumed at dinner the night before to keep your blood pumping and oxygen flowing. So, when you wake up in the morning, you need to refuel with breakfast. Skip it, and you’ll feel sluggish. “Eating breakfast is like starting a fire in your body by kickstarting your metabolism,” Goodson says. Goodson recommends a breakfast that includes whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fat. Good examples include oatmeal with protein powder and a dab of peanut butter; a smoothie made with fruit, protein powder, low-fat milk, and almond butter; or eggs with two slices of whole-wheat toast and low-fat Greek yogurt.

7. You live on junk food
Foods loaded with sugar and simple carbs (like the ones you’ll find in a box or at the drive-thru window) rank high on the glycemic index (GI), an indicator of how rapidly carbohydrates increase blood sugar. Constant blood sugar spikes followed by sharp drops cause fatigue over the course of the day, says Goodson. Keep blood sugar steady by having a lean protein along with a whole grain at every meal, says Goodson. Good choices include chicken (baked, not fried) and brown rice, salmon and sweet potato, or salad with chicken and fruit.

8. You have trouble saying ‘no’
People-pleasing often comes at the expense of your own energy and happiness. To make matters worse, it can make you resentful and angry over time. So whether it’s your kid’s coach asking you to bake cookies for her soccer team or your boss seeing if you can work on a Saturday, you don’t have to say yes. Train yourself to say ‘no’ out loud, suggests Susan Albers, a licensed clinical psychologist with Cleveland Clinic and author of Eat.Q.: Unlock the Weight-Loss Power of Emotional Intelligence. “Try it alone in your car,” she says. “Hearing yourself say the word aloud makes it easier to say it when the next opportunity calls for it.”

9. You have a messy office
A cluttered desk mentally exhausts you by restricting your ability to focus and limits your brain’s ability to process information, according to a Princeton University study. “At the end of each day, make sure your work and personal items are organized and put away,” suggests Lombardo. “It will help you have a positive start to your day the next morning.” If your office needs major reorganizing, avoid becoming totally overwhelmed by taking it one step at a time: start by tidying what you can see, then move through your desk and cabinets drawer by drawer.

10. You work through vacation
Checking your email when you should be relaxing by the pool puts you at risk of burnout, says Lombardo. Unplugging and allowing yourself to truly unwind allows your mind and body to rejuvenate and return to the office stronger. “When you truly take breaks, you will be more creative, productive, and effective when you return,” says Lombardo.

11. You have a glass of wine (or two) before bed
A nightcap sounds like a good way to unwind before falling asleep, but it can easily backfire. Alcohol initially depresses the central nervous system, producing a sedative effect, says Allen Towfigh, MD, medical director of New York Neurology & Sleep Medicine, P.C., in New York City. “But it ultimately sabotages sleep maintenance.” Alcohol creates a rebound effect as it’s metabolized, which creates an abrupt surge in the adrenaline system, he says. This is why you’re more likely to wake up in the middle of the night after you’ve been drinking. Dr. Towfigh recommends stopping all alcohol three to four hours before bedtime.

12. You check e-mails at bedtime
The glaring light of a tablet, smartphone, or your computer’s backlit screen can throw off your body’s natural circadian rhythm by suppressing melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate sleep and wake cycles, says Dr. Towfigh. Sensitivity to the digital glow of tech toys can vary from person to person, but in general it’s a good idea to avoid all technology for one to two hours before bedtime, he says. Can’t avoid checking your device before your head hits the pillow? Then hold it at least 14 inches away from your face to reduce the risk of sleep interference.

13. You rely on caffeine to get through the day
Starting your morning with a java jolt is no big deal—in fact, studies show that up to three daily cups of coffee is good for you—but using caffeine improperly can seriously disrupt your sleep-wake cycle, says Dr. Towfigh. Caffeine blocks adenosine, the byproduct of active cells that drives you to sleep as it accumulates, he explains. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine revealed that consuming caffeine even six hours prior to bedtime affects sleep, so cut yourself off by mid-afternoon and watch out for these surprising sources of caffeine.
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14. You stay up late on weekends
Burning the midnight oil on Saturday night and then sleeping in Sunday morning leads to difficulty falling asleep Sunday night—and a sleep-deprived Monday morning, says Dr. Towfigh. Since staying in can cramp your social life, try to wake up close to your normal time the following morning, and then take a power nap in the afternoon. “Napping for 20 minutes or so allows the body to recharge without entering the deeper stages of sleep, which can cause you to wake up more tired,” he says.

​For many people, as they age, hair loss can be a pressing — at times upsetting — concern.

Androgenetic alopecia is the most common cause, which is experienced by more than 50 percent of people over age 50, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

There are countless over-the-counter and prescription treatments for hair loss. Still, one popular anti-baldness drug, in particular, has generated controversy over recent reports that tie it to the incidence of depression — including suicidal ideation — and other negative health effects among users.

The headlines concerning these reports offer a reminder to those seeking anti-baldness treatments to consult their doctors about any new medication they might be considering.

Concerning Findings

The drug in question is finasteride, which is sold under the brand name Propecia.
Due to an investigation by Reuters, unsealed court documents and records reveal that U.S. regulators and drug manufacturer Merck were aware of reports of suicidal behavior among users of the drug.

They failed to include information of these potential risks in a 2011 update of the drug’s warning label.

Reuters revealed that since that call over whether that information be included on the warning label, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) received more than 700 reports of suicidal thoughts and deaths by suicide among those using Propecia or its off-brand generic versions.

That number included at least 100 deaths. The news agency reports that within the first 14 years of Propecia sales, the FDA received 34 of these reports, which include those of 10 deaths.

They report that an internal company assessment shows that in 2009, Merck itself received 200 reports of depression — including suicidal ideation — among male users.

It was determined there wasn’t a high enough number of reports or enough specifics about cases of suicidal behavior and depression to require more than what was deemed regular monitoring of this data.

It’s not the only worrying data around this medication.

A studyTrusted Source published in 2020 showed that reports of anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts among young men 45 or younger who used this drug increased significantly in the years since 2012.

That information was derived from a World Health Organization (WHO) database of drug safety reports from more than 150 nations, mirroring a 2015 study that looked at cases of sexual dysfunction and suicidal thoughts among people ages 18 to 45.

For its part, Merck said that “the scientific evidence does not support a causal link between Propecia and suicide or suicidal ideation and these terms should not be included in the labeling,” in a statement released to Reuters regarding the latest report.

“Merck works continuously with regulators to ensure that potential safety signals are carefully analyzed and, if appropriate, included in the label for Propecia,” the statement reads.

The FDA issued its own statement, asserting that it “continues to monitor postmarketing safety data for Propecia.”

The agency added that these kinds of reports do not “mean the drug caused the adverse event” and that related medical problems can be due to the “underlying disease being treated, caused by some other drug being taken concurrently, or occurred for other reasons.

What to ask your doctor before going on Propecia

Given Propecia, and other drugs like it are so commonly used, how concerned should you be if you’re seeking hair loss treatment?

“Patients should keep in mind that Propecia, or finasteride, is a very effective medication for most patients with male pattern hair loss, androgenetic alopecia, and that most people will feel better taking it because it is helping their hair loss,” said Dr. Carolyn Goh, associate clinical professor of dermatology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.

Goh added that people pursuing this medication “should be aware of their mood while taking it” and look to “alternatives if they have a history of depression or other mental health problems.”

Dr. Barney Kenet, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist, echoed those thoughts that if someone had a pre-existing mental illness, “it would be of concern that Propecia would unmask or exacerbate some mental health conditions symptoms.”

“There is also a low incidence of sexual side effects — low libido and erectile dysfunction — and for those reasons, it’s important that they have a good working relationship with their doctor,” Kenet told Healthline.

Despite the recent negative stories about the medication, a quick social media search finds direct-to-consumer companies such as Hims and Roman Health regularly touting the drug.

When asked whether she felt this is a drug that should be highlighted right now, Goh told Healthline that it should be made clear that it is “generally a safe and effective drug.”

“Direct-to-consumer companies have the benefit of making effective drugs more widely available, which is great, but perhaps discretion is advisable in this situation,” Goh added.

Kenet said that when you offer these medications to a wide audience through these kinds of channels, some customers who are at higher risk for negative side effects might not be getting all the information they need from a “glorified mail-order company.”

Both doctors said that, as with any medication, consult a doctor and medical team.
Research the medication and review with a doctor or medical team to discuss any underlying medical conditions to ensure appropriate treatment.

What else is out there?

If you have a history of depression or other forms of mental illness, what are alternatives if the reports about Propecia are a concern?

Goh suggested topical minoxidil, an FDA-approved treatment for baldness.
Topical minoxidil is also FDA approved for this kind of baldness, while it might not be as effective as finasteride, she added.

“Low dose oral minoxidil can be prescribed and may be a reasonable alternative. Topical finasteride can also be specially compounded and prescribed,” Goh said.

She cited studies in a 2018 reviewTrusted Source that show there “may be some benefit and safety” in topical finasteride, but “the studies are not rigorous and there is no commercially available formulation of it to know if it would be consistently helpful.”

“The laser comb, band, or cap — low-level laser therapy — is another option but tends to work less effectively. Platelet-rich plasma therapy with or without microneedling are other options as well,” Goh added.

Kenet also cited low-dose systemic minoxidil, but he stressed that this needs to be under the direct care of a doctor.

“There are weaves, toupees, and hair transplantation that are non-pharmaceutical,” Kenet added.

Hair loss and mental health

Underlying this discussion of safety around Propecia is the impact hair loss can have on one’s mental health. It can be distressing and sudden.

It also must be stressed that it impacts both men and women.

Estimates show that more than 50 percent of women will experience noticeable hair loss by age 50 and that female-pattern hair loss affects about 30 million women in the United States.

Essentially, for all people, it can take a psychological toll, especially those with underlying mental health conditions.

Whether compounded by the medication a person takes or not, what can one do to manage stress tied to balding?

Kenet said that “baldness is a big part of our culture, from movie stars to athletes.”
He said that while there is less shame attached to it now and that it doesn’t bear the stigma it had in the past, “it still can be quite traumatizing.”

Kenet recommends support groups like the digital platform “Patients Like Me” as well as the “The Bald Truth,” a radio show that is all things hair loss.

Goh highly recommends seeking help from a mental health professional.
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“Online forums can be very helpful and are easily accessible, but they may not be moderated, so should be approached with caution,” Goh explained. “Many people may be hesitant to discuss with family and friends, but they may be surprised by how many people have experienced similar situations, so could be a good source of support.”