Health

WHO Cancer Arm Classifies Aspartame As “Possible Carcinogen” While Consumption Limits Remain Unchanged

(CTN NEWS) – The artificial sweetener aspartame has been classified as a “possible carcinogen” by two organizations associated with the World Health Organization (WHO).

However, they have concluded that it is still safe to consume as long as it is within the agreed-upon levels.

These rulings are the result of two distinct panels of experts affiliated with the WHO.

One panel examines whether there is any evidence indicating that a substance could be a potential hazard, while the other panel evaluates the actual risk that the substance poses in real-life situations.

Aspartame: Widely Used Sweetener Faces “Possible Carcinogen” Classification

Aspartame is widely used as a sweetener in various products, including diet sodas from Coca-Cola and Extra chewing gum from Mars, making it one of the most popular sweeteners worldwide.

Prior to the official announcement, Francesco Branca, the head of nutrition at the WHO, advised consumers to reconsider their beverage choices, suggesting that neither aspartame nor sugar should be the primary options.

Instead, Branca recommended considering a third alternative – drinking water – when faced with the decision of choosing between sweetened colas and sugary colas.

In an early Friday announcement, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), located in Lyon, France, made its first official statement regarding the additive aspartame, declaring it a “possible carcinogen.”

This classification indicates that there is limited evidence suggesting that the substance has the potential to cause cancer.

However, this classification does not consider the specific amount of aspartame consumption required for an individual to be at risk.

The evaluation of consumption levels and associated risks is the responsibility of a separate panel, the Joint Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), which is a collaboration between the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), based in Geneva.

Aspartame Deemed Safe by Expert Review: No Convincing Evidence of Harm

Following a comprehensive review conducted by the Joint Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), it was announced on Friday that there is no convincing evidence of harm caused by aspartame.

JECFA reaffirmed its recommendation for people to limit their consumption of aspartame to below 40mg/kg per day.

This consumption guideline was initially established by JECFA in 1981, and similar recommendations are followed by regulators worldwide.

Independent scientists, who were not involved in the reviews, commented that the evidence linking aspartame to cancer is weak.

Associations related to the food and beverage industry welcomed the decisions, emphasizing that aspartame is a safe and beneficial option for individuals seeking to reduce sugar intake in their diets.

The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that the existing consumption levels indicate that an individual weighing between 60-70kg would need to consume more than 9-14 cans of soda per day to exceed the recommended limit, considering the average aspartame content in such beverages.

This amount is approximately ten times higher than what most people typically consume.

Francesco Branca, the head of nutrition at WHO, reassured that their findings do not suggest any risk to most consumers, particularly those who occasionally consume products containing aspartame.

Aspartame Classified as “Possible Carcinogen” by IARC: Further Research Encouraged

In June, Reuters reported that the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) would classify aspartame as a “possible carcinogen” in Group 2B, alongside other substances like aloe vera extract and traditional Asian pickled vegetables.

On Friday, the IARC panel based its ruling on three human studies conducted in the United States and Europe.

These studies indicated a potential link between hepatocellular carcinoma (a type of liver cancer) and the consumption of sweeteners. The first of these studies was published in 2016.

The panel also considered limited evidence from previous animal studies, although those studies are controversial.

Additionally, the IARC noted that there was some limited evidence suggesting that aspartame possesses certain chemical properties associated with cancer.

Mary Schubauer-Berigan, the acting head of the IARC Monographs program, stated that the classification serves as an invitation to the research community to further investigate and gain a better understanding of the potential carcinogenic hazards related to aspartame consumption.

Independent scientists not associated with the WHO reviews commented on the weak evidence suggesting a link between aspartame and cancer.

Experts and Industry Respond to Aspartame’s “Possible Carcinogen” Classification

Paul Pharaoh, a professor of cancer epidemiology, explained that Group 2B classification is quite conservative and that any indication, regardless of its flaws, can place a chemical in that category or higher.

He highlighted that JECFA concluded that there is no convincing evidence of harm associated with aspartame.

Nigel Brockton, vice president of research at the American Institute for Cancer Research, expressed expectations that future research on aspartame would involve large observational studies that account for any intake of the sweetener.

Conagra Brands CEO Sean Connolly stated that the company would adhere to any government guidance regarding the use of aspartame in its products.

Some doctors expressed concern that labeling aspartame as a “possible carcinogen” might lead diet soda drinkers to switch to high-calorie sugary beverages. They emphasized that weight gain and obesity pose greater risks than aspartame.

Industry associations, such as the International Council of Beverage Associations and the International Sweeteners Association, reiterated their belief that aspartame is safe and provides consumers with a choice to reduce sugar intake.

This report includes additional contributions by Elissa Welle, Richa Naidu, and Jessica DiNapoli. The article was edited by Catherine Evans, Leslie Adler, and Mark Potter.

RELATED CTN NEWS:

Opill’s FDA Approval: First Over-the-Counter Birth Control Pill In The US

FDA Grants Full Approval To Leqembi, The First Alzheimer’s Drug Shown To Slow Cognitive Decline

WHO Report For Long COVID: Over 36 Million People In Europe Affected

Health

Report Causes Pfizer Stock to Climb Approximately $1 Billion Acquired by Starboard

(VOR News) – According to a rumor that activist investor Pfizer Starboard Value has taken a holding in the struggling pharmaceutical business that is expected to be worth around one billion dollars, the stock of Pfizer (PFE) is on the increase in premarket trading on Monday.

This comes after the report was made public. The report was made available to the general public following this. Starboard Value was successful in moving forward with the acquisition of the position.

Starboard is said to have approached Ian Read, a former chief executive officer of Pfizer, and Frank D’Amelio, a former chief financial officer, in order to seek assistance with its goals of boosting the performance of the company, according to the Wall Street Journal. Read and D’Amelio are both former Pfizer executives.

The purpose of this is to facilitate the accomplishment of its objectives, which include enhancing the overall performance of the firm.

In their previous jobs, D’Amelio and Read were chief financial officers.

It is stated in the report that the hedge fund is of the opinion that Pfizer, which is currently being managed by Albert Bourla, who succeeded Read as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in 2019, does not demonstrate the same level of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) discipline that Read did. Bourla took over for Read in 2019. Read was succeeded by Bourla in the year 2019.

Pfizer, a multinational pharmaceutical conglomerate, has made substantial investments in the acquisition of more companies that are involved in the research and development of cancer medicines.

These businesses have been acquired for billions of dollars. The biotechnology company Seagen, which was acquired by Pfizer in the previous year for a price of $43 billion, is included in this category. One of the businesses that can be classified as belonging to this category is Seagen.

In spite of the fact that the S&P 500 Index experienced a 21% increase in 2024.

No major trading occurred in Pfizer stock that year.

Due to the fact that the demand for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccines fell after the firm reached its pandemic peak in 2021, the share price of the corporation has decreased by over fifty percent since that time.

This drop has occurred ever since the company’s shares reached their maximum peak, which was during the time that this decline occurred. Not only have they not changed at all, but they have also remained essentially stable. This is in contrast to the S&P 500, which has gained 21% since the beginning of this year.

Recently, the corporation was forced to take a hit when it decided to recall all of the sickle cell illness medications that it had distributed all over the world.

Fears that the prescription could lead patients to experience severe agony and possibly even death were the impetus for the decision to recall the product. In spite of the fact that Pfizer’s stock is increasing by almost three percent as a result of the news that followed the company’s decision, this is the circumstance that has come about.

SOURCE: IPN

Health

New Study Reveals Drinking Soda Pop Increases the Risk of Stroke

If you drink too much soda, fruit juice and coffee, beware!

A recent report from global research indicates that excessive consumption of coffee or soda pop is associated with an increased risk of stroke, although the intake of black and green tea is correlated with a reduced risk. Excessive consumption of soda pop or coffee warrants caution!

Recent research indicates that it may substantially elevate the risk of stroke.

Consuming four cups of coffee daily elevates the risk of stroke, according to studies, although ingesting 3-4 cups of black or green tea daily typically offers protection against stroke. Additionally, consume more coffee; it may reduce your risk of mortality.

Recent findings from global research studies co-led by the University of Galway and McMaster University, alongside an international consortium of stroke researchers, indicate that soda, encompassing both sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened variants such as diet or zero sugar, is associated with a 22 percent heightened risk of stroke. The risk escalated significantly with the consumption of two or more of these beverages daily.

Stroke Risk Fizzy Drinks and Soda Pop

The correlation between fizzy drinks consumption and stroke risk was most pronounced in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and South America. Women exhibit the most elevated risk of stroke from bleeding (intracranial hemorrhage) associated with fruit juice beverages. Consuming over 7 cups of water daily diminishes the likelihood of stroke due to a clot.

Researchers observed that numerous items advertised as fruit juice are derived from concentrates and have added sugars and preservatives, potentially negating the advantages often associated with fresh fruit and instead elevating stroke risk.

Fruit juice beverages were associated with a 37 percent heightened risk of stroke resulting from bleeding (intracranial hemorrhage). Consuming two of these beverages daily increases the risk thrice.

Consuming over four cups of coffee daily elevates the risk of stroke by 37 percent, although lower consumption levels do not correlate with stroke risk. Conversely, tea consumption was associated with an 18-20 percent reduction in stroke risk. Additionally, consuming 3-4 cups daily of black tea, such as Breakfast and Earl Grey varieties, excluding green and herbal teas, was associated with a 29 percent reduced risk of stroke.

Consuming 3-4 cups of green tea daily was associated with a 27 percent reduction in stroke risk. Notably, the addition of milk may diminish or inhibit the advantageous effects of antioxidants present in tea. The lower risk of stroke associated with tea consumption was negated for individuals who added milk.

Disclaimer: This article is intended solely for informational reasons and should not be considered a replacement for professional medical counsel. Consistently consult your physician regarding any inquiries pertaining to a medical problem.

Starbucks Faces Sales Decline Amid Price Fatigue and Rising Competition

Starbucks Faces Sales Decline Amid Price Fatigue and Rising Competition

Health

Following a Diagnosis of Breast Cancer, What Else Should You Know?

(VOR News) – Even though breast cancer affects one in eight American women, receiving a diagnosis can make a woman feel isolated.

Experts in breast cancer from the American College of Physicians (ACS) advise patients on how to manage their disease so that they may better cope with this awful information.

First, the kind and stage of breast cancer dictates the course of your care.

In addition to immunotherapy and chemotherapy, there are various surgical options available for the treatment of breast cancer.

Women of African descent are disproportionately affected by triple-negative breast cancer, an extremely aggressive form of the disease that has never proven easy to treat.

According to the American Cancer Society, pembrolizumab (Keytruda), an immunotherapy, has been shown to be helpful when combined with chemotherapy and is currently the recommended course of treatment for certain combinations of triple-negative breast cancer.

In her presentation, Dr. Katharine Yao said, “It’s really important that the patient and physician discuss the patient’s preferences and values when deciding what type of treatment to pursue and that they have an honest, individualized discussion with their care team.”

She is currently responsible for developing breast cancer treatment recommendations for more than 575 hospitals and institutions nationwide in her role as chair of the American College of Surgeons’ National Accreditation Program for Breast Institutions (NAPBC).

Yao, vice chair of research at Endeavor Health NorthShore Hospitals in New York, pointed out that each decision made about a patient’s treatment plan should take her preferences and diagnosis into consideration.

She ought to think about whether she would prefer a mastectomy—a surgical procedure that involves removing the entire breast with or without reconstruction—or a lumpectomy, which involves a surgical procedure that spares part of the breast tissue.

She stated that “the breast cancer you have may be very different from the breast cancer you hear about in your neighbor, colleague, or friend” in a press release issued by the American Cancer Society (ACS).

“Consider that while discussing breast cancer with others.”

Throughout your journey, it is critical that you look after your emotional health because having breast cancer may have a detrimental impact on your mental health.

“Getting a cancer diagnosis does not mean that everything in your life stops to be normal.” Director of the Fellowship in the Diseases of the Breast program at the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas and state head of the American Cancer Society Commission on Cancer for Arkansas, Dr. Daniela Ochoa She thinks adding the burden of a cancer diagnosis and treatment to all the other pressures in life may be taxing.

“Managing stress and emotional health is vital component of a treatment plan.”

Ochoa recommends clinically trained psychologists and social workers who have assisted people in coping with cancer to anyone receiving treatment. Learning coping techniques might also be facilitated by joining cancer support groups or cancer wellness initiatives.

Breast cancer specialists say your care team is crucial.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) defines comprehensive care as having support at every stage of the procedure from surgeons, oncologists, patient navigators, nurses, social workers, psychologists, and other specialists.

After receiving a breast cancer diagnosis, women should see a surgeon or medical oncologist to explore their options; nevertheless, treatment shouldn’t be discontinued after just one appointment or after surgery is over.

Additionally, you can ask trustworthy friends or family members to accompany you to appointments and aid you with research or notes. They could serve as a network of support for you.

Yao stated in his talk that “one of the most important things is that patients should search out a team they have confidence in, that they trust will have their back when they need it, and a team they feel they can get access to and that will help them when they are in need.”

SOURCE: MP