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Health Hub with Monica Robins: Top health stories for November 8

Today's roundup of health stories includes an update on the infant formula shortage, influenza, and much more.

CLEVELAND — We have a number of updates for you on a busy Tuesday in health news. Check out Health Hub with Monica Robins:

INFANT FORMULA SHORTAGE

The FDA approved two overseas companies to sell infant formula in the United States.  

Parents can find Danone's Aptamil Care Stage one and two from Ireland, and also New Zealand's The A2 Milk Company Platinum Infant formula on store shelves. Both companies have other products that have been sold in the U.S. for several years. The FDA has been leveraging a number of flexibilities to bolster the supply of formula while ensuring the infant formula is safe and provides adequate nutrition. 

A couple of U.S. formula makers also say they're intending to expand their manufacturing capability to help keep supply stocked. The FDA is still advising against making infant formulas at home or diluting formula. Talk to your child's pediatrician for options.

SUPPLEMENTS VS. STATINS

A new Cleveland Clinic study shows over-the-counter dietary supplements claiming to help lower cholesterol aren’t very effective.

“What we looked at is the effect of 5 milligram of a low-dose statin compared to placebo and six commonly used dietary supplements for the reduction of LDL cholesterol in a patient population that is at intermediate risk for future risk of adverse cardiovascular events,” explained Luke Laffin, MD, cardiologist for Cleveland Clinic.

Dr. Laffin said they studied six supplements including fish oil, garlic, cinnamon, turmeric, plant sterols, and red yeast rice, and then compared them to statins, which are prescription medicines.

The results showed that a low-dose statin was much more effective at reducing cholesterol than any of the supplements.

He said they also found that statins are just as safe as the supplements.

In addition, the supplements did very little in helping to reduce cholesterol.

So, what does this mean for people with high cholesterol?

“If you have had conversations with your doctor about starting cholesterol lowering medicines, it’s probably best to continue those conversations and not resort to over-the-counter supplements which generally don’t have any great data, including in this trial, that they actually reduce cholesterol and decrease cardiovascular risk,” said Dr. Laffin.

Dr. Laffin said it’s probably best for people who are taking these kinds of supplements to treat high cholesterol to stop and switch to a proven medication.

ULTRA PROCESSED FOOD AND EARLY DEATH

A study out of Brazil found consuming a diet high in processed foods could lead to early death.

Researchers looked at data from dietary surveys to estimate baseline intakes of ultra-processed foods.

They found that over 500,000 adults ages 30 to 69 died prematurely in 2019 after consuming large amounts of things like frozen pizza, ready-to-eat meals, hot dogs, cakes, candies, sausages, sodas and doughnuts. We've long known these foods are linked to an increase in diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. 

FLU IS HERE

According to the Ohio Department of Health, we have 135 confirmed cases of influenza in the state that required hospitalization. That figure includes 14 hospitalizations in Northeast Ohio, eight of which were in Cuyahoga County. 

The predominant strain is H3N2, which is type A, and the same strain that caused a pretty bad flu season in the southern hemisphere.  

Experts are predicting we will likely see a lot of flu here in the coming weeks. 

Usually flu picks up in January, but don’t be surprised to see cases start to make a dramatic tick up by December. The flu shot does protect against type A and type B strains, and now is the time to get one, before you see the family for Thanksgiving.

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