Medical school on Cherokee Reservation; Third of chocolate products high in heavy metals; Doubtful Alzheimer’s blood test - Morning Medical Update

Medical school on Cherokee Reservation

The first ever medical school on a Native American reservation will soon send graduates into the community. The Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine at the Cherokee Nation is located in Tahlequah, which is the capital of the Cherokee Nation. "It really comforts patients to know that someone like them is taking care of them," Caitlin Cosby, a member of the Choctaw Nation and student said in an interview.

Third of chocolate products high in heavy metals

A third of chocolate products have concerning levels of heavy metals, according to a study done by Consumer Reports. The study tested 48 popular products such as Hershey and Ghirardelli and found that 16 of them had higher than average levels of cadmium or lead. These metals are concentrated in cocoa, meaning dark chocolate contains higher levels.

Doubtful Alzheimer’s blood test

The first ever Alzheimer’s blood test has doctors and the Alzheimer’s Association up in arms. The test, called AD-Detect, can be ordered online for $299. An appointment is then set up by a doctor who will administer the test at a nearby lab and results are sent to the patient’s home. Experts warn that false positives may occur and worry that consumers may not understand the significance of their results. The company responsible for this service has not published any peer reviewed studies documenting the accuracy of the test.