July 16, 2024

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Health News: July 16, 2024

‘Probiotic’ Soda Company Poppi Sued for Consumer Fraud

Popular soda brand Poppi is facing a class-action lawsuit filed by a consumer who says its products don’t improve gut health as much as their marketing suggests.

In a lawsuit filed last week in U.S. District Court in San Francisco, Kristin Cobbs said she purchased Poppi drinks on multiple occasions because of their labels, which say they are prebiotic sodas and feature the slogan, “Be Gut Happy. Be Gut Healthy.”

But Cobbs later found that Poppi drinks contain only around 2 grams of prebiotic agave inulin fiber, which she said is insufficient to provide any real benefit. Cobbs cited research showing that consuming 7.5 grams of agave inulin daily for three weeks was insufficient to confer any meaningful prebiotic benefit.

If consumers drink more Poppi, any prebiotic benefits would be outweighed by increased sugar consumption, the lawsuit said.

Cobbs is seeking monetary relief for herself and similar customers.

Austin, Texas-based Poppi said in a statement Monday that it stands behind its products.

“We are on a mission to revolutionize soda for the next generation of soda drinkers, and we have diligently innovated to provide a tasting experience that millions of people have come to enjoy,” the company said. “We believe the lawsuit is baseless, and we will vigorously defend against these allegations.”

The Associated Press sent an email message seeking comment to Poppi, which is based in Austin, Texas.

Poppi is one of dozens of brands in the exploding category of functional beverages, which claim to improve health and wellness. U.S. sales of prebiotic and probiotic drinks more than tripled last year, according to data compiled by consulting firm AlixPartners.

Better way to get your probiotics: Grown by Nature Probiotic/Prebiotic 9 Strains (Powder)

Vitamin B12 deficiency is a common health problem that can have serious consequences – but doctors often overlook it

B12 is scarce in the diet, and it is found only in foods from animal sources. Fortunately, humans need only 2.4 micrograms of B12 daily, which is equivalent to one ten-millionth of an ounce – a very, very small amount. Without adequate B12 in the body, overall health and quality of life are negatively affected.

Signs and symptoms

One primary symptom of B12 deficiency is fatigue – a level of tiredness or exhaustion so deep that it affects daily life activities.

Other symptoms are neurological and may include tingling in the extremities, confusion, memory loss, depression and difficulty maintaining balance. Some of these can be permanent if the vitamin deficiency is not addressed.

However, since there can be so many causes for these symptoms, health care providers may overlook the possibility of a B12 deficiency and fail to screen for it. Further, having a healthy diet may seem to rule out any vitamin deficiency. Case in point: Because I knew Scout’s diet was sound, I didn’t consider a B12 deficiency as the source of her problems.

How B12 is absorbed

Research is clear that people who consume plant-based diets must take B12 supplements in amounts typically provided by standard multivitamins. However, hundreds of millions of Americans who do consume B12 may also be at risk because of conditions that could be hampering their body’s absorption of B12.

B12 absorption is a complex multistep process that begins in the mouth and ends at the far end of the small intestine. When we chew, our food gets mixed with saliva. When the food is swallowed, a substance in saliva called R-protein – a protein that protects B12 from being destroyed by stomach acid – travels to the stomach along with the food.

Specific cells in the stomach lining, called parietal cells, secrete two substances that are important to B12 absorption. One is stomach acid – it splits food and B12 apart, allowing the vitamin to bind to the saliva’s R-protein. The other substance, called intrinsic factor, mixes with the stomach’s contents and travels with them into the first part of the small intestine – the duodenum. Once in the duodenum, pancreatic juices release B12 from R-protein and hand it to intrinsic factor. This pairing allows B12 to be absorbed into cells, where it can then help maintain nerve cells and form healthy red blood cells.

A B12 deficiency typically involves a breakdown at one or more of these points on the way to absorption.

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Research-Based Approach to Hypothyroidism

Key Highlights: 

  • Understanding hypothyroidism and the role of thyroid hormones in the body. 
  • Nutrients iodine, selenium, and zinc are important for a healthy thyroid function. 
  • Identifying and avoiding gluten, ultra-processed foods, and goitrogens that impact thyroid function. 
  • Dietary recommendations and sample meal plans for hypothyroidism. 
  • Optimizing thyroid medication efficacy by adhering to intake timings and avoiding interactions. 
  • Tips for weight loss with hypothyroidism, including healthy eating habits and regular exercise. 
  • Addressing frequently asked questions about hypothyroidism and diet. 

Dietary Recommendations for Hypothyroidism 

Foods to Eat 

To build a good diet plan for hypothyroidism, you may try the following types of food. 

  • Healthy proteins like lean meats, fish, beans, and legumes. 
  • Foods with lots of fiber like whole grains, fruits,  vegetables, and nuts. 
  • Fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants like berries, leafy greens, bell peppers, and tomatoes. 

Dietary Nutrients and Hypothyroidism 

  1. Iodine

Role in Thyroid Function 

Iodine is important for the synthesis of thyroid hormones. If you don’t have enough iodine, it may cause or worsen hypothyroid problems. 

Sources of Iodine 

Common sources of iodine are as follows.  

  • Salt with iodine 
  • Seafood 
  • Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt 
  • Eggs 
  1. Selenium 

Importance in Thyroid Hormone Production 

Selenium is also key for a healthy thyroid. It helps change one form of the thyroid hormone into a form that can be used. 

Foods Rich in Selenium 

Foods rich in selenium are as follows.  

  • Brazil nuts 
  • Tuna 
  • Shrimp 
  • Beef, chicken, and turkey 
  • Whole grains like brown rice and oats 
  1. Zinc 

Impact on Thyroid Hormone Metabolism 

Zinc is also important. It affects how thyroid hormones are made and how they help your body. 

Zinc-Containing Foods 

Here are some foods rich in zinc. 

  • Oysters 
  • Beef, chicken, and turkey 
  • Pumpkin seeds 
  • Beans and lentils 
  • Foods with added whole grains, like brown rice and oats 
  1. Other Important Nutrients 

Vitamins and Minerals for Optimal Thyroid Health 

For a healthy thyroid, other nutrients are needed as well. They include the following.  

  • Vitamin B12 
  • Vitamin D 
  • Magnesium 
  • Iron 
  • Vitamin A 

You can get these in different foods, like meat,  vegetables, and whole grains. 

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Grown by Nature Selenium, Iodine, and B-12 Re-Natured®

Grown by Nature Pro-Mag X Magnesium Re-Natured®

Grown by Nature Zinc & Copper Re-Natured®

Grown by Nature Multivitamin, Mineral & Trace Elements 

Foods to Limit and Avoid With Hypothyroidism 

Gluten and Ultra-Processed Foods 

  • Impact on Thyroid Function 

A gluten-free diet may help especially if the cause for hypothyroidism is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Gluten may boost the immune response and inflammation. 

Ultra-processed foods are not good for you as well. They’re high in sugar and bad fats. They can cause inflammation and harm your thyroid. 

  • Identifying and Avoiding These Foods 

Opt for gluten-free grains like rice or quinoa. Also, eat whole, clean foods. 

Reduce ultra-processed foods. Instead, eat fresh fruit,  vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains. 

Goitrogens 

  • Types of Goitrogenic Foods 

Goitrogens are in some foods. They can harm the thyroid by blocking iodine from getting in. Foods that have goitrogens include vegetables like cabbages and soy products. 

  • Strategies for Reducing Goitrogens in the Diet 

If you enjoy goitrogenic foods, you can still eat them. Just don’t eat too much. Cook these vegetables. This will stop the goitrogens from acting up. Always have a balanced diet with many types of good foods. 

Soy 

  • Effects on Thyroid Function 

Soy is generally good. But it can harm the thyroid in some cases. Some studies say too much soy can hurt the thyroid. Some other studies say no. So, the evidence is mixed.  

  • Soy-Based Foods and Alternatives 

Always ask your doctor. They can tell you if you need to eat less soy or not. Foods with soy include tofu, tempeh, and soy milk. 

The Invisible Nuclear Threat Within Non-Organic Food

Whether you know it or or not, nuclear waste (cobalt-60) has been used for decades to make your food “safer.”

There is a profound misunderstanding in the mass market today about the value of certified organic food.  The question is not whether the 50% higher or more you pay at the register for an organic product is really worth the added vitamin, mineral and phytonutrient content you receive.  Even though organic food does usually have considerably higher nutrient density, it is not always the positive quality of what it contains that makes it so special. Rather, it is what you know the organic food does not contain, or what has not happened to it on its journey to your table, that makes buying organic a no-brainer to the educated consumer.  Let me explain.

The FDA presently supports and actively promotes the use of cobalt-60 culled from nuclear reactors as a form of “electronic pasteurization” on all domestically produced conventional food. They claim it makes the food “safer.”1 The use of euphemisms like “food additive” and “pasteurization” to describe the process of blasting food with inordinately high levels of gamma radiation can not obviate the fact that the very same death rays generated by thermonuclear warfare to destroy life are now being applied to food to “make it safer.”  This sort of Orwellian logic, e.g. WAR is PEACE, is the bread and butter of State-sponsored industry propaganda, and also informs other ostensibly “humanitarian” applications of weapons of mass destruction such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Inconceivably High Amounts of Radiation Used To “Pasteurize” Your Food

This is not a hypochondriac’s ranting, as we aren’t talking here about small amounts of radiation.  The level of gamma radiation used starts at 1 kiloGray (equivalent to 2,500,000 chest x-rays (40 millirems each) or 166 times a human lethal dose (5 Grays)) and goes all the way up to 30 kiloGray (75,000,000 chest x-rays or 4,980 times a human lethal dose).  The following table is a list of foods that are increasingly being “nuked” for your protection.

 

Source: FTSI, Food Irradiation

How Do You Know If Your Food Has Been Nuked?

When you buy conventional food, there is little assurance that it has not been irradiated.  Although labeling requirements specify that irradiated food sold in stores should have the international symbol – the Radura – affixed to it, oversight is particularly poor in this regard, and restaurant food and processed food containing irradiated ingredients are not legally required to be labeled as such.

Childhood Vaccine Injury: Two Years Old Suffered a Vaccine Injury After Routine MMR Vaccine Injection

Her little eyes started crossing right after.  

She’s under went surgery to try and fix the problem which it didn’t do. Because surgery will rarely fix a vaccine injury like this. Her eyes still cross to this day. This picture from the other day shows it, even though it looks much more dramatic at other times. But look how beautiful she still is.

Her second injury was when she stopped speaking after her MMR, but thankfully after detoxing her, words started flowing again, but we are still working with her speech for sure

For those of you that don’t know, after extensive doctors appointments and extensive DNA testing our girls are exempt from vaccines for life.

They carry THREE different MTHFRs, one of them being the one that makes it very hard for their bodies to rid of toxins (vaccines are LOADED with toxins.) I know I still get judged for not vaccinating by some on my friends list. But why?

It’s extremely dangerous for our girls to get vaccinated, which was confirmed by a doctor. 

Vaccines are not one size fits all, but yet they are treated like one.

They are dangerous for everyone, some more than others.

Where I stand today, it’s my biggest regret I have in life. Literally the biggest regret I have was vaccinating my babies.

I’m just extremely thankful her life was not taken from us by vaccines. From this point on, its about healing and doing what’s right. It took my baby being injured twice from vaccines before I got woke. I don’t want that being the reason you get woke too.”

How to Stay Hydrated in Hot Weather

It’s important to stay hydrated during scorching temperatures, especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors. But it is difficult to know how much more you need to drink, and which fluids are best, during the hotter weather.

When you sweat, you lose precious electrolytes, says The Washington Post. Electrolytes are chemicals that regulate nerve and muscle function, hydrate the body, balance blood acidity and pressure, and help rebuild damaged tissue.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises drinking an 8-ounce cup of water every 15 to 20 minutes when working outside in the heat. Drinking in short intervals is more effective than downing a gallon of water in one sitting, say experts, to keep you hydrated.

But if you are going to be exerting yourself for long periods of time outdoors in this scorching weather, consider supplementing your water intake with an electrolyte drink. Drinking water alone cannot replenish the electrolytes lost through sweating. Choose electrolyte beverages that have lower levels of sugar and caffeine. Sugar, caffeine and alcohol dehydrate the body.

According to Tammy Lakatos Shames and Lyssie Lakatos, known as the Nutrition Twins, it’s never too early to stay on top of hydration.

“We tell our clients to wake up and immediately start hydrating with 16 ounces of water. They make a habit of this, even on days when it’s not hot,” they tell Newsmax. “It’s also important to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables on a daily basis, especially in the heat, since they help with hydration and keeping electrolyte levels balanced.”

Drinking beverages with electrolytes can help the body stay hydrated and absorb water into our cells, boosting mental acuity and energy levels. When looking for electrolyte drinks, the main ingredients to focus on are sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and chloride, since these are lost in sweat and need to be replenished, say the experts. Mineral water is a good source of electrolytes and can be an excellent choice to help you stay hydrated in hot weather.

“We like Trace Minerals electrolytes and most of our clients keep the travel drops on hand for hot days or when they are out and about,” advise the Nutrition Twins.  

According to the Post, it’s important not to overdo water or a sports drink so that you don’t dilute your body’s sodium levels. The Cleveland Clinic recommends drinking one or two electrolyte drinks and then switching to water if you are still thirsty.

Everyone’s hydration needs are different. If you have a medical condition or take medication that could affect how your body processes liquids, check with your healthcare provider for the best solution for your hydration needs.

Related: Homemade Electrolyte Drink (With Flavor Options)

Why Not Regular Sports Electrolyte Drinks?

So why not just drink one of the many store-bought electrolyte drinks available (Gatorade, Powerade, etc.) these days?

Regular sports drinks contain lots of glucose, artificial flavors and colors, and not much nourishment.

I’m all for rehydrating, but are the preservatives, mystery flavors, and artificial dyes really necessary? I know from experience that these ingredients typically make me feel terrible and just aren’t worth it. Now when I need something more than water to hydrate I make my own version.

Natural Sports Electrolyte Drink Recipe

Coconut water is one of the simplest sports drink alternatives and can be used as is. It’s similar in structure to the fluid used in IV rehydration. For this reason, there are rumors it was used during the Pacific War as an IV electrolyte replacement. It makes a pretty good natural electrolyte drink on its own or with a splash of lime juice.

Coconut water is a great source of potassium and sodium and I even used it during labor. The only downside to coconut water is the price. If you want an inexpensive (yet still healthy and tasty) alternative, this recipe is the next best thing.

Homemade Electrolyte Drink Recipe

You can make this recipe in a variety of ways, but the ratios are the most important part. The base is any healthy liquid of choice and some good options are:

To turn the basic liquid into a sports drink, add some or all of these ingredients:

  • Salt – A high-quality salt adds sodium and other essential minerals. Table salt is pure sodium chloride and doesn’t have trace minerals, but Himalayan or sea salt are great options.
  • Calcium and Magnesium – Adding calcium magnesium powder helps replenish minerals.
  • Juice – Optional but adds sweetness and natural sugars if needed during exertion. Orange juice, lime juice, and fresh lemon juice are some of our favorites and add vitamin C and potassium.
  • Natural Flavors – Add natural flavors like fresh ginger, fresh herbs, or even natural-flavored stevia extracts

This recipe is naturally gluten-free and can easily be made low-carb by omitting the added juice.

Bacteria that cause gum disease may increase risk of Alzheimer’s

  • About 47.2% of U.S. adults over 30 and 70% over 65 have gum disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
  • Researchers from Tufts University have found a correlation between gum disease and Alzheimer’s disease in a mouse study.
  • The research team believes their findings may help reduce the number of patients with both periodontal disease and Alzheimer’s.

Gum disease — also known as periodontitis and periodontal disease — occurs through a bacterial infection within the mouth’s soft tissues. Previous research links periodontitis to diabetes, kidney disease, and cardiovascular issues

Now a team of researchers from Tufts University has found a correlation between gum disease through the bacteria Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) and Alzheimer’s disease via a mouse study. Scientists believe their findings may help reduce the progression of both periodontal disease and this form of dementia.

The study was recently published in the journal Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience.

For all natural oral health needs you can purchase Vitamyr Toothpaste & Mouthwash @ thepowermall.com 

Nearly 900,000 Yogi Tea Bags Recalled Over High Levels of Pesticide Residue

East West Tea Company, makers of Organic Yogi Echinacea Immune Support tea, recalled nearly 900,000 bags of the tea due to pesticide concerns. Yogi said in a statement that the traces of pesticides were detected during routine audit procedures and, while they don’t pose a risk to human health, are not up to the company’s quality standards.1

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), East West Tea Company initiated a voluntary recall on the tea on March 12, 2024 “because pesticide residues were detected above action levels.”2 Although the recalled tea is certified organic, the pesticide contamination highlights the challenges of maintaining the purity of organic products throughout the supply chain.

Expert Groups Demand EPA Ban on DCPA Pesticides over Danger to Pregnant Women and Babies

Nine organizations that represent farmworkers, public health officials, scientists, and consumers recently demanded that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) take immediate action to stop the sale and use of DCPA or Dacthal, a toxic pesticide with serious, permanent, and irreversible health risks, especially to pregnant women and their developing babies.

“Farmworker women and girls bear the heavy and dangerous burden of pesticide exposure every day. Not only are they the primary caretakers of their families, but they also ensure families around the country have food on their tables,” said Mily Trevino-Sauceda, Executive Director of Alianza Nacional de Campesinas. “Their health, along with the health of their unborn children and their family members, hang in the balance. EPA, it’s time to act. Suspend DCPA now, protect the health of farmworker women.”

In May 2023, EPA released an occupational and residential health assessment of DCPA earlier than planned, due to the startling findings of unmitigated harm to pesticide handlers, those that enter fields to tend crops, and those that live nearby DCPA spraying. EPA even took the rare action of issuing a warning due to the grave risks found in that initial human health assessment. Data from animal studies shows DCPA has adverse effects to developing fetuses, even in very low doses that would not affect the pregnant animal. Fetal thyroid disruptions in humans are linked to low birth weight, impaired brain development, decreased IQ, and impaired motor skills in life. This means that a pregnant woman could be exposed to DCPA without experiencing any effects, while causing significant and lifelong harm to a developing fetus. DCPA is also classified as a possible human carcinogen and likely has significant adverse effects on wildlife as well as human health.

“Because the danger is so great, we urge the agency to issue an emergency suspension order as soon as possible to stop further sale and use of DCPA to protect vulnerable populations from the certain harm that additional DCPA use would cause,” said William Jordan, Environmental Protection Network volunteer and former Deputy Director of EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs. The Office of Pesticide Programs is the EPA office responsible for reviewing and registering pesticides under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.

The manufacturer of Dacthal, AMVAC, is desperately trying to hold onto its license for this dangerous product, but EPA has rejected its proposed mitigation measures as not enough to protect people from harm.

Amy van Saun, senior attorney with Center for Food Safety said: “Given EPA’s duty to protect the public from pesticides that do not meet the federal safety standard, we demand that EPA use its emergency powers to immediately suspend the registration of DCPA, issue an order stopping its use this growing season to protect people from any further risk, and initiate cancelation proceedings to ensure it is not used going forward.”

Nearly Half of Cancer Deaths Linked to Lifestyle

Nearly half of cancer deaths and 4 of 10 cases of cancer are linked to a person’s lifestyle, a new study says.

Cigarette smoking remains the biggest cancer risk, contributing to 30% of cancer deaths and 20% of cancer cases, results show.

But excess body weight, drinking, lack of exercise, diet and skipping cancer-preventing vaccinations also increase a person’s risk of developing or dying from cancer, researchers said.

For the study, researchers analyzed nationwide data on cancer for 2019 and its risk factors to estimate the number of cases and deaths attributable to lifestyle risk factors.

Cigarette smoking contributes to 56% of all potentially preventable cancers in men and 40% of those in women, results show.

“The number of lung cancer deaths attributable to cigarette smoking in the United States is alarming,” given that smoking has greatly declined during the past few decades, lead researcher Dr. Farhad Islami, senior scientific director of cancer disparity research at the American Cancer Society, said in a news release.

Excess body weight contributed to about 8% of potentially preventable cancers, alcohol consumption to about 5%, exposure to the sun’s UV radiation about 5%, and physical inactivity about 3%.

“Interventions to help maintain healthy body weight and diet can also substantially reduce the number of cancer cases and deaths in the country, especially given the increasing incidence of several cancer types associated with excess body weight, particularly in younger individuals,” Islami said.

Looking at specific cancer types, researchers found that some could be completely or significantly avoided through lifestyle choices.

Foods to Avoid in the Case of Gastritis: A Comprehensive Guide for Dietary Changes 

Understanding Gastritis 

Causes of Gastritis 

The exact cause of gastritis can vary. For some, it’s an unhealthy lifestyle. For others, it might be related to certain medications or health issues. The common causes of gastritis are as follows.  

pylori Infection

pylori is a bacteria that is the leading cause of gastritis. It harms the natural defenses of your stomach, which leads to inflammation.  One can get H. pylori infection usually, through eating or drinking something that’s not clean. It’s especially common where living conditions aren’t good.

Other Causes 

 Some other things that can lead to gastritis are as follows.  

  • Overuse of painkillers called NSAIDs (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).  
  • Too much alcohol consumption 
  • Stress 
  • Autoimmune conditions  
  • Either bacterial or viral infections 
  • Pernicious anemia is an autoimmune disease that leads to a lack of vitamin B12. 
  • Crohn’s disease   
  • Celiac disease  

Symptoms of Gastritis 

  • Pain in the upper belly 
  • Feeling full too soon 
  • Feeling sick or  vomiting 
  • Feeling bloated after a meal 
  • Having less hunger than normal 
  • Burping and flatulence 
  1. Home Remedies 

There are also a few things you may try at home to aid with your management, which are as follows.  

  • Reduce alcohol or stop it completely. 
  • Avoid foods that are spicy, acidic, or fatty. 
  • Try to reduce stress by using relaxation techniques or therapy. 
  • Change the medications that may lead to gastritis. But always consult a doctor first

Foods to Eat with Gastritis 

 Some foods may aid the repair of the gut lining and some others can aggravate the lining.  

Anti-Inflammatory Foods 

Consuming certain foods that are full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory ingredients has the potential to help.  Some examples of such foods are as follows.  

  • Fruits like berries, cherries, and oranges. 
  • Leafy green vegetables like spinach and kale. 
  • Fish high in omega-3 such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines. 
  • Nuts including almonds and walnuts. 

Probiotic-Rich Foods 

Taking more probiotics enhances gut health overall. It may aid in managing H. pylori infection.  

  • Yogurt 
  • Kefir
  • Sauerkraut 
  • Kimchi 
  • Miso 

Better way to get your probiotics: Grown by Nature Probiotic/Prebiotic 9 Strains (Powder)

Foods that help Repair the Stomach Mucosa 

Some foods may help protect and repair the stomach lining which aids the recovery of the gut lining.  

  • Oatmeal 
  • Brown rice 
  • Gelatin 
  • Licorice root 

Foods to Avoid with Gastritis 

While we don’t completely understand how diet and gastritis are linked, avoiding certain foods might ease your symptoms. It may also stop the stomach lining from getting worse. 

Gastritis-Triggering Foods 

These are foods that may likely worsen your gastritis. They do this by setting off symptoms or by harming the stomach lining. Some examples of such foods are as follows.  

  • Spicy foods 
  • Fried or fatty foods 
  • Acidic foods, like tomatoes and citrus fruits 
  • Fizzy drinks 
  • Drinks high in caffeine 
  • Ready-to-eat meats like ham and sausage 

Foods that Increase the Risk of Gastritis 

There are some foods that you should keep an eye on. As they might put you at a higher risk of getting gastritis. These foods include the following.  

  • Red meat
  • Dairy products high in fat 
  • Foods high in salt 

Gastritis Diet Recommendations 

Changing eating habits based on your personal needs may help manage symptoms. It also promotes the repair process. Below are some tips to alter your diet to suit your specific needs.  

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