Just Say No to acetaminophen with caffeine.
(or at least be careful-learn the facts)
Just Say No to butter flavored microwave popcorn.
Just Say No to butter flavored microwave popcorn.
(check it out and decide for yourself)
Maybe you already heard about these health hazards recently in the news. I just want to be sure you don't put your lungs, liver, health at risk, so I'm sharing what I have learned.
I must admit I stopped microwaving food some time ago, and I avoid pills like the plague unless I absolutely need them, but I would have wanted to know about this. So if you or someone you know might be at risk, please read on. I realize jumping out of airplanes might be a little dicey too! I rationalized that it was immunizing me against stress. Besides I stopped after 250 jumps.
#1: Mixing acetaminophen and caffeine may cause liver damage
What's the evidence? It's preliminary and based on tests in the laboratory on bacteria, and huge doses of both acetaminophen and caffeine were studied, but it needs to be taken seriously because of the serious possible adverse effects.
Dr Sid Nelson of the University of Washington in Seattle studied the effects of combining acetaminophen, a popular over-the-counter pain remedy, and caffeine on bacteria in the laboratory, and found that caffeine triples the amount of a toxic by-product produced while breaking down acetaminophen and this can cause liver damage and failure.
Some people could unintentionally take this combination because there are medicines that have caffeine and acetaminophen together - you can get them in prescriptions or over the counter for pain of headaches or menstrual cramps. And we have energy drinks and foods that contain caffeine, sometimes in large amounts that might be risky to take those pills with.
Dr Nelson said "the bottom line is that you don't have to stop taking acetaminophen or stop taking caffeine products but you do need to monitor your intake more carefully when taking them together, especially if you drink alcohol."For more details, see Science Blog
#2 Buttery flavor microwave popcorn might damage your lungs
Since an additive was changed to make popcorn have a more buttery taste at least 7 years ago, a number of workers in popcorn plants have been coming down with a rare, crippling and deadly disease, bronchiolitis obliterans, that is eating away of their lungs and their ability to breathe. Why does that have anything to do with you? Besides the fact we should care about the workers, popcorn lung has now been reported in someone who got it by popping popcorn in his own kitchen. Was not a popcorn worker.
This could be just the tip of the iceberg. A doctor who is an occupational medicine physician and knew about this disease recognized it, made the connection, and reported it to the government in July. Other doctors might be missing the connection because they don't know about it yet.
Diacetyl in the buttery flavoring appears to be the culprit. The government has known about it for at least 5 years, and did essentially nothing to regulate it, protect workers or warn consumers of a possible hazard. Finally, the House passed a temporary standard to protect workers days ago - it still has to go to the Senate. The flavoring and popcorn manufacturers have known about this problem for years . A couple weeks ago one of the popcorn manufacturers said his company has substituted a different flavoring ingredient so the consumer has a choice. Did they recall the the old ones from the shelves? Are there other hazards besides the diacetyl? What happens to the coating inside the bag when it gets hot? I don't think it's worth taking the chance, but you have to decide for yourself. Remember this it not medical advice. Can't give that here. I just want you to be informed so you can make your own decisions. At the very least, if you love microwave popcorn, I would check it out and stay informed. Personally I would make my own popcorn. For more information, visit The Pump Handle blog.
Wishing you the best of health,
Dr Joan
jbaricemd@gmail.com
Maybe you already heard about these health hazards recently in the news. I just want to be sure you don't put your lungs, liver, health at risk, so I'm sharing what I have learned.
I must admit I stopped microwaving food some time ago, and I avoid pills like the plague unless I absolutely need them, but I would have wanted to know about this. So if you or someone you know might be at risk, please read on. I realize jumping out of airplanes might be a little dicey too! I rationalized that it was immunizing me against stress. Besides I stopped after 250 jumps.
#1: Mixing acetaminophen and caffeine may cause liver damage
What's the evidence? It's preliminary and based on tests in the laboratory on bacteria, and huge doses of both acetaminophen and caffeine were studied, but it needs to be taken seriously because of the serious possible adverse effects.
Dr Sid Nelson of the University of Washington in Seattle studied the effects of combining acetaminophen, a popular over-the-counter pain remedy, and caffeine on bacteria in the laboratory, and found that caffeine triples the amount of a toxic by-product produced while breaking down acetaminophen and this can cause liver damage and failure.
Some people could unintentionally take this combination because there are medicines that have caffeine and acetaminophen together - you can get them in prescriptions or over the counter for pain of headaches or menstrual cramps. And we have energy drinks and foods that contain caffeine, sometimes in large amounts that might be risky to take those pills with.
Dr Nelson said "the bottom line is that you don't have to stop taking acetaminophen or stop taking caffeine products but you do need to monitor your intake more carefully when taking them together, especially if you drink alcohol."For more details, see Science Blog
#2 Buttery flavor microwave popcorn might damage your lungs
Since an additive was changed to make popcorn have a more buttery taste at least 7 years ago, a number of workers in popcorn plants have been coming down with a rare, crippling and deadly disease, bronchiolitis obliterans, that is eating away of their lungs and their ability to breathe. Why does that have anything to do with you? Besides the fact we should care about the workers, popcorn lung has now been reported in someone who got it by popping popcorn in his own kitchen. Was not a popcorn worker.
This could be just the tip of the iceberg. A doctor who is an occupational medicine physician and knew about this disease recognized it, made the connection, and reported it to the government in July. Other doctors might be missing the connection because they don't know about it yet.
Diacetyl in the buttery flavoring appears to be the culprit. The government has known about it for at least 5 years, and did essentially nothing to regulate it, protect workers or warn consumers of a possible hazard. Finally, the House passed a temporary standard to protect workers days ago - it still has to go to the Senate. The flavoring and popcorn manufacturers have known about this problem for years . A couple weeks ago one of the popcorn manufacturers said his company has substituted a different flavoring ingredient so the consumer has a choice. Did they recall the the old ones from the shelves? Are there other hazards besides the diacetyl? What happens to the coating inside the bag when it gets hot? I don't think it's worth taking the chance, but you have to decide for yourself. Remember this it not medical advice. Can't give that here. I just want you to be informed so you can make your own decisions. At the very least, if you love microwave popcorn, I would check it out and stay informed. Personally I would make my own popcorn. For more information, visit The Pump Handle blog.
Wishing you the best of health,
Dr Joan
jbaricemd@gmail.com
