- FERN-struck:
This image below looks more familiar to you than it does for us Cali denizens. I hope that warm Epsom soaks are easing your back strain from snow-shoveling! I just heard from a rowing and bike-riding buddy in North Carolina who was monitoring his heart rate while shoveling. Yup, it is very good exercise!
- What’s Going On?!
I just read that colorectal cancer is going non-linear for those under age 50 in America. Oy!
According to the Wall Street Journal, Colorectal cancers surpassed breast cancer for American deaths (aged 20-49) in 2023.
- It was colorectal cancers in men – not prostate cancer that was a top issue in prior studies.
- Now, colorectal cancer is the sad chart-topper for both Mars and Venus 🙁
In conventional thought, cancers were thought to rise with age. A Doctor named Madapa Kundranda in Phoenix advised that this new finding is “absolutely disconcerting.”
We do know that these insidious cancers can progress more rapidly in young people than in folks like me. [I am on a 3-year cycle for screening due to my age, and prior intestinal polyps (thankfully benign ones].
- Is it processed foods that are killing our young?
- Why did our western medicine system think that 45 years old was a benchmark for starting colorectal cancer screening?
Much remains to be studied and concluded about what is going on with the colorectal death rates, and what is a proper age for screening – in cases of genetic risk, and no risk from heredity.
Yet, clearly HOUSTON – We have a big problem!
Next, another big and truly unhealthy problem is getting just press…
I suppose we can feel a wee bit better as this trend is not for what we used to call “cancer sticks” smoked by Marlboro men and housewives. Rather, these rises are for nicotine pouches and vaping.
Is this a social phenomenon of concern? You bet, Red Ryder.The University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research reported last August (2025) that ““The patterns of substance use are changing over time, with cannabis use, vaping of both nicotine and cannabis, and psychedelic drug use increasing across all age groups.” What is good about that trend , absolutely nada.
4. Good? Grief!
No, I’m not quoting a Peanuts character. I am working my way through the untimely and tragic loss of a fine man of God.
This now-heavenly soul was my Reverend for a fleeting period of time.
A Grief Observed, written by C.S. Lewis is now on my reading list!
Here is my reason why as suggested by another man of the cloth, Iowa’s Evan Welcher …
“Those of us in bereavement must continue to take care of ourselves. We must try to eat right, exercise, keep house, do laundry, and for the sake of our fellow man, shower.
We must continue to stimulate our minds even though it hurts to not be able to share new things with our cherished one. We must endeavor … to work at our vocation and hobbies, because whether we find the joy in it all at the moment: we still live.”
Keep Calm and Carry on?!
5. Akkermansia Municiphila
Does a good gut support glory? I think so! So let’s broach a “gut bomb” that is gaining visibility – the Akkermansia bacteria.
These microbes “break down mucin in the gut, which strengthens the gut lining. This helps prevent toxins and harmful particles from leaking into your body and causing inflammation. Less inflammation means better control of blood sugar and a healthier metabolism. This makes Akkermansia important for managing conditions like obesity, Type II diabetes, and even some heart diseases.”
However, comma… we don’t know what we don’t know about long term effects. We do know that high levels of this bacteria correlate to the incidence of Parkinson’s Disease – yup. And, if it becomes excessive in some folks, leaky guts may result which is the opposite of what is intended for metabolic health,
“monitoring how much Akkermansia is in your gut is essential”,
especially if you have underlying health issues. Talking to a healthcare provider before taking Akkermansia supplements is always good.” Stay tuned as I’ll report back as your lab rat with a sample size of one…
.
6. Sugar Substitutes ?!
A topic that has bothered me for a half-century is America’s growing use of sugar substitutes such as aspartame, acesulfame potassium (ACE-K), and sucralose.
Science Direct offers a “big picture” (below) of what Ace-K can impact – from developing babies in womb, to the gut, endocrine system, and our liver.
Sure, our FDA approved the measured use of ACE-K.
Yet some concerned citizens like me shy away from ACE-K and artificialities as crutches for America’s sweet tooths.
Credit: Science Direct
I wager that you aren’t surprised that the American Beverage Association claims artificial sweeteners are safe to ingest.
We know that sugar can be inflammatory and lead to obesity and diabetes. What about artificial sugars? Results are mixed.
The Wall Street Journal just reported that “large scientific studies show a connection between consumption of non-sugar sweeteners and certain health problems and gut dysfunction.”
I ask – Who needs more of those? You may recall that I quote the legendary Jack LaLanne often about processed and unnatural foodstuffs:
“If man made it, don’t eat it.”
Shifting from these public service notifications – – – how is your vitality faring in your winter wonderland?
Credit: Nano Banana
Have you joined our Big KAHUNA movement?
Please do, you may help to save a life or two.
Until we meet again, stay well past forty,
DF
#bigkahuna, #strongtosave, #wellpastforty, Healthitude, Healthspan
