Continuous glucose monitors (CGM) are about to become more accessible, as the Food and Drug Administration announced clearing the first over-the-counter device on March 5. The Dexcom Stelo Glucose Biosensor System will be available this summer and is intended for anyone 18 years and older who does not use insulin. This would include individuals with diabetes using oral medications to treat their condition, as well as people without diabetes who are looking to better understand how diet and exercise may impact blood sugar levels, according to the FDA’s statement. The agency does note that the nonprescription CGM should not be used by people with “problematic hypoglycemia,” also known as low blood sugar, “as the system is not designed to alert the user to this potentially dangerous condition.”

Given the increased access to these monitors and the growing trend of people who don’t have diabetes using them as “personal health devices” to monitor how foods impact their blood sugar levels and to motivate themselves to make healthy behavioral changes, it’s important to understand what a CGM is and who really needs one. Here’s everything you need to know.

🩸 What is a continuous glucose monitor?

It’s a wearable technology that allows you to track blood sugar levels 24 hours a day, without having to prick your finger for a blood test. The device is worn on either the arm or the abdomen, where a small sensor is inserted just under the skin. The sensor measures glucose levels and wirelessly transmits the data to a device, via a downloadable app, for viewing.

🔬 What information does it provide?

CGMs provide continuous information on glucose levels, allowing a user to see what their current numbers are at any moment, while also getting insight into trends, such as foods, physical activities, stressors or illnesses that may cause a spike. The alternative is using a finger-stick blood test, which provides data for only a point in time. “You don’t know if that number is going up or going down or holding steady,” Dr. Michael Natter, an endocrinologist at NYU Langone Health and a type 1 diabetic, tells Yahoo Life. The goal is to keep blood sugars within a certain range, as levels too high or too low can damage organs and lead to potentially life-threatening complications. For diabetics, this often requires management through insulin therapy.

🤷‍♀️ Who needs to use a CGM?

These devices are made primarily for those living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who are managing their condition with insulin. However, Dexcom reports that there are approximately 25 million people in the U.S. living with type 2 diabetes who do not use insulin and can still benefit from CGM technology.

According to Cleveland Clinic, the wearable device can provide several benefits, such as:

• Showing a more complete picture of how blood sugar levels change over time.

• Pinpointing any patterns in blood sugar changes so physicians can create a personalized plan for patients.

• Warning about blood sugar that is too high or too low.

• Reducing the number of finger-stick tests patients need to do, although they may still be required for diabetes management.

Natter points out that there’s also a population of diabetics who haven’t had access to a CGM because of different scenarios where insurance is unwilling to cover the cost of the device. Although the price of the over-the-counter device isn’t yet available, he says that population would “benefit from access to affordable nonprescription” CGMs.

💪 Why would a nondiabetic use it?

These monitors are the latest tool in biohacking — the trending practice of using medical methods to boost physical or mental performance, enhance health and well-being, or reach specific health goals. And while they’ve gained popularity among certain fitness fanatics and wellness gurus, experts have tried to figure out why.

Dr. Robert Shmerling of Harvard Health identified some possible reasons, such as potentially identifying prediabetes, “optimizing” blood sugar for “peak mental or physical performance,” the “illusion” of feeling more in control of their health, and simple curiosity.

However, there’s little research published to solidify any potential benefits of wearing a CGM as a nondiabetic. Some experts, including Natter, are skeptical. “I think there are downsides to having too much data. Because while these continuous glucose monitors are wonderful and relatively accurate, they are not meant to pick up very subtle glucose swings. And when we see a small spike after a meal, that could actually be very normal,” he says. “I fear that might be overinterpreted and misread as pathologic or bad.” Natter says that he’s also wary of foods becoming “demonized” because of resulting blood sugar spikes.

🤔 The main takeaway

While Dr. Jeff Shuren, director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, tells Yahoo Life that “giving more individuals valuable information about their health, regardless of their access to a doctor or health insurance, is an important step forward in advancing health equity for U.S. patients,” some physicians are hesitant about individuals monitoring their medical data on a nonprescription device.

“It gets a little bit nuanced,” says Natter. “If there’s someone taking medication and monitoring with any device, I think it’s safest to have a medical professional shepherding that patient through.”

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Alternative milks, such as oat and almond, have surged in popularity, while cow’s milk sales in the U.S. have been on the decline for years. While there are several reasons behind dairy’s drop in popularity and why many people are seeking alternatives, including lactose intolerance, some are questioning the benefits of cow’s milk and dairy in general. However, Michelle Routhenstein, preventive cardiology dietitian at Entirely Nourished, says that dairy does have several health benefits. “Pros for consuming dairy, particularly milk, include its nutrient-rich profile providing calcium, vitamin D, protein, potassium and other essential nutrients,” she tells Yahoo Life. Dairy has also been linked to a multitude of health benefits, including a reduced risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

That said, you don’t need to consume it. “A well-planned, balanced diet that includes these nutrients in sufficient quantities can provide all the essential nutrients necessary for good health, without the need for dairy milk,” says Routhenstein. Lisa Andrews, dietitian and owner of Sound Bites Nutrition, agrees, telling Yahoo Life: “You don’t have to drink milk, and you shouldn’t if it causes gastrointestinal distress, allergic symptoms or you hate to drink it.”

Whether or not people actually need dairy — and milk in particular — there are still many myths and misperceptions that surround it. Yahoo Life asked dietitians to weigh in on the five most common misunderstandings about dairy that they encounter. Here’s what they have to say.

Is dairy harder to digest as you get older?

You’re not imagining things if that digestive discomfort after drinking milk seems to be getting worse as you age. This is likely due to lactose intolerance, a condition making it hard to digest lactose, a sugar found in dairy products.

Most newborns are able to produce lactase, an enzyme crucial for the digestion of lactose in the small intestine. However, after the infant weaning phase, most people start to have lower levels of lactase. In fact, about 36% of Americans and 68% of people in the world have lactose intolerance. The rest might have a special gene and are able to continue digesting milk into adulthood.

The good news: “You don’t have to completely eliminate dairy foods when you have lactose intolerance,” Amanda Sauceda, dietitian and founder of ​​the Mindful Gut, tells Yahoo Life. “Despite reduced lactase levels, many people can still tolerate some lactose in their diets, often in the form of yogurt and firm cheese, which have lower lactose due to processing. There’s also a variety of dairy foods low in lactose or lactose free, and lactase supplements that can aid in digestion of lactose-rich foods.”

Does dairy cause inflammation?

Routhenstein says this is a misconception that “stems from the fact that some individuals experience gastrointestinal discomfort or allergic reactions to dairy, leading to inflammation in certain cases.” While there’s some concern that the saturated fat found in full fat dairy, for example, can cause inflammation, it may be that it worsens inflammation that already exists instead.

Dairy in general contains many ingredients known to have anti-inflammatory properties, such as whey protein, antioxidants, probiotics and omega-3 fatty acids. A systematic review in 2020 of 27 randomized controlled studies backs this up and suggests that dairy products have a neutral to beneficial effect on inflammation. In particular, fermented dairy, like yogurt and kefir, are thought to create an anti-inflammatory environment and support gut health.

Is dairy good for bone health?

Dairy has long been thought to be necessary for bone health due to its high amounts of calcium — a key mineral in bones. “Research indicates that children and older adults who avoid or don’t consume dairy products are at higher risk for bone fracture,” says Andrews.

Many studies observed dairy positively affecting bone growth in children and adolescents, and bone turnover in adults. In addition to calcium, dairy’s high levels of protein and phosphates encourage bone growth. Specifically, fermented dairy products, like yogurt and kefir, which also provide probiotics, are associated with a lower risk of hip fracture. However, a 2019 systematic review and meta-analysis found mixed results linking dairy to a reduced risk of osteoporosis.

While dairy can support bone health, it’s not the determining factor. “Other factors such as genetics, physical activity and overall diet also play an important role in bone strength,” explains Routhenstein. And there are other good food sources for calcium besides dairy, including dark, leafy green vegetables like collard greens, spinach and kale, sardines and fortified orange juice.

Does milk help you sleep?

You may have heard that drinking a warm cup of milk before bed can help you sleep better. While it’s certainly cozy and soothing, research is mixed on whether this advice is accurate. Sauceda says that “dairy is a source of tryptophan, magnesium and zinc, which are all necessary for the production of melatonin,” a hormone that promotes sleep. Milk is also rich in calcium and vitamins A, D, and E, and research shows insufficient intake of these nutrients is associated with poor sleep.

How much milk you drink might matter. A U.K. study of 500,000 middle-aged adults found that an overall healthy diet with a moderate amount of milk was associated with good sleep, but too little or too much was associated with sleep problems and mental health issues. Generally, it’s recommended to have about 3 servings of dairy daily.

It’s important to note that many factors, like stress, physical activity, medical conditions and environment (including noise and room temperature), can also have an impact on your sleep. However, most studies suggest that, with a well-balanced diet, milk may contribute to improved sleep.

Is milk full of antibiotics?

It’s highly unlikely antibiotics will be found in your milk. The Food and Drug Administration’s pasteurized milk ordinance and each state follow strict regulations that do not allow milk with antibiotic residues to enter the food supply. A farmer might use antibiotics to treat a sick cow (this is also under constant scrutiny); however, the cow is then isolated, and their milk is discarded until all of the antibiotics are out of the cow’s system.

Milk is also tested when a tank arrives to pick up milk from a farm and when it arrives at a processing plant. If at any point a sample tests positive for antibiotics, the milk gets dumped, and action is taken against the farm.

Key takeaway

Experts agree that research about dairy is mixed in some cases, but overall, there’s potential for several different health benefits to consuming dairy products as part of a well-balanced diet.

Maxine Yeung is a dietitian and board-certified health and wellness coach.

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HONG KONG, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Responding to gamer demands for an enhanced Switch controller experience and inspired by the Gamecube style, NYXI Wizard Series Joy-pad has taken the gaming community by storm. This idea was a brainchild of Michael, CEO of NYXI, who is tech-savvy, as well as being a nostalgia and gaming enthusiast. The success of the Wizard Series exemplifies NYXI unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional performance tailored to the gaming community’s preferences.

A Technological Leap Forward for NYXI

Fueled by the cutting-edge technology, NYXI is thrilled to unveil the latest innovation, the NYXI Warrior, which redefines NGC controllers with multi-platform compatibility and ultimate performance.

Brand-new Optical Microswitches

When milliseconds decide victory, NYXI’s optical microswitches in Warrior’s D-pad and A/B/X/Y ensure speed, precision, and durability. These switches feature instant activation, with 0.3mm actuation travel and 0.2ms response time—nearly three times faster than traditional mechanical switches. With up to 10 million clicks, NYXI’s optical microswitches offer lightning-fast precision crucial for competitive gaming, redefining gaming excellence.

Hall effect sensor technology for enhanced precision

NYXI Hall effect joysticks ensure no drift in lifetime. Additionally, NYXI also utilizes Hall effect sensors in the triggers to accurately measure changes in magnetic fields to ensure reliable game control. These sensors capture subtle movements, increasing accuracy in genres especially for racing games, FPS and other game genres that require fine manipulation.

Moreover, the NYXI Warrior controller features adjustable trigger lengths, granting gamers customization options for enhanced comfort during gameplay.

One Controller to Rule Them All

To elevate the gaming experience, along with HD rumble and an 8-way D-pad for precise directional control, NYXI have introduced interchangeable back paddles. This design allows gamers to freely choose programmable back buttons and activate turbo functions according to their personal preferences and gaming needs.

This customization feature enables gamers to seamlessly switch between e-sports and casual gaming with just one controller.

KEY FEATURES:

• Compatibility: Switch (3.0.0 or above), Gamecube, Wii, Windows (Windows 10 or above)
• Connectivity: Bluetooth, 2.4G Wireless Connection, USB-C Wired Connection
• Hall Effect Joystick
• Adjustable Hall Sensing Triggers
• Interchangeable Back Paddle
  –freely choose programmable back buttons and turbo function.
• Optical Microswitches A/B/X/Y & D-Pad
• Mechanical L/R Buttons
• HD RUMBLE
• 6-Axis Gyroscope
• 8-Way D-pad for Precise and Versatile Directional Control

The nostalgic design and innovative technological features elevate it beyond any other Gamecube controllers in the market today. As the ultimate in NGC controllers, NYXI Warrior stands out as the preferred option for nostalgic enthusiasts who want the best.

Pre-orders for the NYXI Warrior start on March 5th. Visit the website for more information: NYXIGAME.COM

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On March 1, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported findings from a recent Lancet study that revealed 1 in 8 people worldwide are now living with obesity. More specifically, the latest data reveals that, in 2022, 2.5 billion adults (or 43%) were overweight; of those, 890 million adults were living with obesity — a figure that’s more than doubled since 1990. Adolescent obesity has quadrupled since 1990, with 160 million 5- to 19-year-olds considered obese.

But what’s the difference between being overweight and being obese? And as the WHO report renews calls to help prevent and manage obesity on a global scale, what are some interventions that can help? Here’s what to know.

Obesity vs. overweight

Obesity is “a chronic relapsing disease characterized by excess deposits of fat that can impair health,” says Dr. Francesco Branca, director of the department of nutrition and food safety in the WHO. More simply, he tells Yahoo Life that it’s “a more severe form of overweight.” The differentiating factors are the health risks that obesity is associated with.

According to the WHO, obesity leads to higher risk of:

• Cardiovascular disease

• Type 2 diabetes

• Kidney disease

• Certain cancers

• Issues with bone health

• Reproductive health issues

• Impaired daily functions, such as moving and sleeping

Branca says that comorbidities of obesity — which include health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea — account for about 5 million deaths globally every year.

Overweight, on the other hand, isn’t correlated with any “reliable increased risk of morbidity and mortality,” Dr. Melanie Jay, director of NYU Langone’s Comprehensive Program on Obesity, tells Yahoo Life. “But we know that when someone is in the quote unquote overweight range, they have higher risk of developing obesity in the future,” as a result of natural weight gain patterns.

Each condition is defined by body mass index, which is said to measure body fat based on a person’s height and weight. Although the measurement tool is controversial, it is used as a screening method for weight categories such as:

Jay says BMI is “useful on a population level” for the sake of predicting levels of adipose tissue and fat, and therefore, rates of obesity. On an individual level, however, there are more metrics of health that need to be taken into account. For example, blood sugar levels, cholesterol and other factors are among the things that Jay looks for in her own patients. Other physical measurements, such as waist circumference, are also taken into account. “There are people who have higher body mass index that would be considered higher risk, but they individually are not because they are not having the same co-morbidities or complications at that BMI,” she says.

On the flip side, “You can have people in the overweight range who still have a lot of visceral fat, a lot of weight gain in their abdomen, who have a family history of diabetes, who might have pre-diabetes or diabetes. So that’s more important than their BMI at that point.” She adds that the measure alone “is not a good indication of health.”

Social determinants of health — defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as “non-medical factors that influence health outcomes,” such as the conditions under which people live and work, along with racism and climate change — also play a role in the likelihood of having obesity versus being overweight.

What causes or contributes to obesity?

Branca says that the disease results from “an energy imbalance, generated by unhealthy dietary intakes and inadequate levels of physical activity.” And while weight bias contributes to the belief that obesity is a result of personal responsibility, experts say there’s very little of that playing a role in a person’s diagnosis.

“Obesity is always an interaction of genetic predisposition and the environment that someone is living in, including the people they interact with and the food that’s available. And then there are medications and other things that increase the risk of obesity and cause people to gain weight,” explains Jay. “Most of obesity has nothing to do with personal choices.”

A spokesperson for the division of nutrition, physical activity and obesity at the CDC agrees, telling Yahoo Life: “Neighborhood design, access to nutritious, affordable foods and beverages and access to safe and convenient places for physical activity can all impact weight and health. The racial and ethnic disparities in obesity underscore the need to address factors that influence health and remove barriers to it, such as poverty, education and housing.”

This is why Jay says that obesity prevention requires high-level interventions. “That means structuring society so that healthier choices are automatic and easier, addressing our global food supply to have healthier choices and enough fruits and vegetables, and having built environments with opportunities for people to walk more and to do more physical activity safely.”

The bottom line, says Jay, is that “there are things that we know are fueling this global surge of obesity rates and then I think there’s still a lot of things we don’t know.” And because prevention is important in decreasing rates of obesity, experts say more attention needs to be paid to policies and their impact.

What does treatment look like?

“Treatment of obesity requires an integrated approach, including long-term support of lifestyle changes provided by a well-trained team of health practitioners — doctors, dietitians, psychologists — possibly accompanied by pharmacological and/or surgical treatment, depending on the severity of the condition,” explains Branca.

Jay says that “we’ve all heard about the newer injectable medications. But there’s also several medications that have been around longer, that are less expensive and might be more available at this moment.” But, she points out, “we have 1 billion people” living with obesity. “We want to prevent it,” she says. “We do need a lot more research and to be trying a lot more things when it comes to obesity prevention or even preventing further increases in the rates of obesity.”

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It’s almost time for the 96th Academy Awards! On Sunday, Mar. 10, Hollywood’s biggest names of the year will gather at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California to hand out those coveted gold statues. This year, Christopher Nolan’s epic biopic Oppenheimer leads in nominations with a whopping 13 nods, Yorgos Lanthimos’ quirky comedy Poor Things is in second place with 11 nods and Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon takes third with 10. Greta Gerwig’s box office record-breaker Barbie earned eight nominations, including for Best Picture, but both Gerwig and the film’s lead actress and producer, Margot Robbie, were notably not nominated in their respective categories.

The Oscars will see performances of all five of the original songs nominated this year, including a much-anticipated live performance of “I’m Just Ken” from Ryan Gosling. The awards show will also have a star-studded slate of presenters, which includes Zendaya, Nicolas Cage, Jamie Lee Curtis, Brendan Fraser, Matthew McConaughey, Michelle Yeoh and Al Pacino.

Are you ready to tune in? Here’s what you need to know about watching the 2024 Oscars this year — with or without cable.

P.S. — looking for where to watch all the Oscars Best Picture nominees? We’ve got you covered there too.

When are the 2024 Oscars?

The Oscars will be held on Sunday, Mar. 10.

What time are the Oscars on?

This year, the Oscars will start an hour earlier than usual, beginning at 7 p.m. ET.

What channel are the Oscars on?

The 96th Academy Awards will air on ABC, which you may have access to through cable or a live TV antenna. Don’t have access to ABC? You can stream the channel live with the help of a live TV streaming service like Fubo, Sling, DirecTV Stream and more, or grab yourself an old school TV antenna to tune into ABC free (as long as you live in an area with good enough over-the-air service). Here’s what we recommend for how to watch the Academy Awards without cable.

How to watch the Oscars:

Where to stream the Oscars:

Who is hosting the 2024 Oscars?

Jimmy Kimmel will once again host the Academy Awards this year.

Who is performing at the Oscars this year?

All five of this year’s Academy Award-nominated original songs will be performed at the Oscars this year. Jon Batiste, Becky G, Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell, Scott George and the Osage Singers, and — finally confirmed — Ryan Gosling and Mark Ronson.

Who is presenting at the 2024 Oscars?

So far, the list of confirmed Oscars presenters includes Zendaya, Nicolas Cage, Jamie Lee Curtis, Brendan Fraser, Matthew McConaughey, Michelle Yeoh, Al Pacino, Michelle Pfeiffer, Mahershala Ali, Jessica Lange, Ke Huy Quan, Bad Bunny, Chris Hemsworth, Dwayne Johnson, Michael Keaton, Regina King, Jennifer Lawrence, Kate McKinnon, Rita Moreno, John Mulaney, Catherine O’Hara, Octavia Spencer, Ramy Youssef and Sam Rockwell.

2024 Oscar nominees:

Best supporting actor

Sterling K. Brown, “American Fiction”

Robert De Niro, “Killers of the Flower Moon”

Robert Downey Jr., “Oppenheimer”

Ryan Gosling, “Barbie”

Mark Ruffalo, “Poor Things”

Best costume design

“Barbie” – Jacqueline Durran

“Killers of the Flower Moon” – Jacqueline West

“Napoleon” – David Crossman, Janty Yates

“Oppenheimer” – Ellen Mirojnick

“Poor Things” – Holly Waddington

Best makeup and hairstyling

“Golda”

“Maestro”

“Oppenheimer”

“Poor Things”

“Society of the Snow”

Best live action short film

“The After”

“Invincible”

“Knight of Fortune”

“Red, White and Blue”

“The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar”

Best animated short film

“Letter to a Pig”

“Ninety-Five Senses”

“Our Uniform”

“Pachyderme”

“War Is Over! Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko”

Best adapted screenplay

“American Fiction” – Cord Jefferson

“Barbie” – Noah Baumbach, Greta Gerwig

“Oppenheimer” – Christopher Nolan

“Poor Things” – Tony McNamara

“The Zone of Interest” – Jonathan Glazer

Best original screenplay

“Anatomy of a Fall” – Justine Triet, Arthur Harari

“The Holdovers” – David Hemingson

“Maestro” – Bradley Cooper, Josh Singer

“May December” – Samy Burch, Alex Mechanik

“Past Lives” – Celine Song

Best supporting actress

Emily Blunt, “Oppenheimer”

Danielle Brooks, “The Color Purple”

America Ferrera, “Barbie”

Jodie Foster, “Nyad”

Da’Vine Joy Randolph, “The Holdovers”

Best original song

“The Fire Inside” from “Flamin’ Hot”

“I’m Just Ken” from “Barbie”

“It Never Went Away” from “American Symphony”

“Wahzhazhe (A Song For My People)” from “Killers of the Flower Moon”

“What Was I Made For?” from “Barbie”

Best original score

“American Fiction”

“Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny”

“Killers of the Flower Moon”

“Oppenheimer”

“Poor Things”

Best documentary feature film

“Bobi Wine: The People’s President”

“The Eternal Memory”

“Four Daughters”

“To Kill a Tiger”

“20 Days in Mariupol”

Best documentary short film

“The ABCs of Book Banning”

“The Barber of Little Rock”

“Island In Between”

“The Last Repair Shop”

“Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó”

Best international feature film

“Io Capitano” (Italy)

“Perfect Days” (Japan)

“Society of the Snow” (Spain)

“The Teachers’ Lounge” (Germany)

“The Zone of Interest” (United Kingdom)

Best animated feature film

“The Boy and the Heron”

“Elemental”

“Nimona”

“Robot Dreams”

“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”

Best production design

“Barbie”

“Killers of the Flower Moon”

“Napoleon”

“Oppenheimer”

“Poor Things”

Best film editing

“Anatomy of a Fall”

“The Holdovers”

“Killers of the Flower Moon”

“Oppenheimer”

“Poor Things”

Best sound

“The Creator”

“Maestro”

“Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One”

“Oppenheimer”

“The Zone of Interest”

Best visual effects

“The Creator”

“Godzilla Minus One”

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3”

“Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One”

“Napoleon”

Best cinematography

“El Conde” – Edward Lachman

“Killers of the Flower Moon” – Rodrigo Prieto

“Maestro” – Matthew Libatique

“Oppenheimer” – Hoyte van Hoytema

“Poor Things” – Robbie Ryan

Best actor

Bradley Cooper, “Maestro”

Colman Domingo, “Rustin”

Paul Giamatti, “The Holdovers”

Cillian Murphy, “Oppenheimer”

Jeffrey Wright, “American Fiction”

Best actress

Annette Bening, “Nyad”

Lily Gladstone, “Killers of the Flower Moon”

Sandra Hüller, “Anatomy of a Fall”

Carey Mulligan, “Maestro”

Emma Stone, “Poor Things”

Best director

Justine Triet, “Anatomy of a Fall”

Martin Scorsese, “Killers of the Flower Moon”

Christopher Nolan, “Oppenheimer”

Yorgos Lanthimos, “Poor Things”

Jonathan Glazer, “The Zone of Interest”

Best picture

“American Fiction”

“Anatomy of a Fall”

“Barbie”

“The Holdovers”

“Killers of the Flower Moon”

“Maestro”

“Oppenheimer”

“Past Lives”

“Poor Things”

“The Zone of Interest”

More ways to watch ABC without cable:

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Source: Guangdong Hybribio Biotech Co.,Ltd.

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