01/17/25 - #307

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Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Ultra-processed Foods Damaging Immune System's Ability to Fight Cancer

  • 20lbs Down!

  • Older Adults Who Exhibit Concern for Guiding and Contributing to Future Generations, a Quality Known as Generativity, Are More Likely to Enjoy Psychological Well-being and Lead Fulfilling Lives, According to a Recent Study

  • Why Your Brain Flushes Itself of Waste During Sleep

…and lots more. Have a great day!

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FOOD & NUTRITION

Ultra-processed Foods Damaging Immune System's Ability to Fight Cancer

Eating lots of ultra-processed foods can harm our body's healing. It might also raise the risk of cancer, especially colon cancer. Researchers at the University of Southern Florida and Tampa General Hospital have found that our typical diet, high in processed foods and unhealthy oils, can cause chronic inflammation. This inflammation helps tumors grow.

Inflammation is our body's normal defense after an injury or infection. But when it doesn't stop, known as chronic inflammation, it can harm our organs and tissues.

Dr. Timothy Yeatman, a cancer expert, says that too many processed foods inflame our bodies. This inflammation shows up in colon tumors. "Cancer is like a long-lasting wound that doesn't heal. "Ultra-processed foods weaken your body's ability to heal. This lets cancer grow," he explains.

Another expert, Dr. Ganesh Halade, said that healthy fats, like those in avocados, help our bodies manage inflammation. But, fats from processed foods disrupt this balance. They cause more inflammation and a weaker immune system.

They study fats in tumor samples to understand how diets affect cancer growth. They found too many molecules that cause inflammation and not enough that help with healing.

Professor Francis Finucane says ultra-processed foods cause cancer and diabetes. He suggests better education about these foods, clearer labels, and less advertising to kids. He also wants 'sugar taxes' to fund health programs. These steps could help people make healthier choices and lower disease risks.

WEIGHT LOSS

20lbs Down!

Americans spend billions on weight loss each year, yet many struggle to lose weight. Dr. Ian Smith, a well-known author, has created a new diet called the Met Flex Diet. This six-week program claims to help you lose up to 20 pounds without giving up favorites like pizza, pasta, or wine.

The key to this diet is improving how your body uses food for energy. Often, people can burn either carbs or fats well, but not both. The Met Flex Diet helps your body get better at using both, which can kickstart your weight loss.

The diet includes daily meal plans that are simple and use affordable foods. It mixes fasting with regular eating, making it easier to stick with in the long run. You can still enjoy tasty foods and even some alcohol, making this diet feel less like a strict regimen and more like a doable lifestyle change.

Success stories show that it works. Lisa Davenport and Jill each lost 17 pounds and improved their health by following the diet. They also lowered their blood pressure and cholesterol.

Dr. Ian Smith believes this diet can lead to lasting weight loss by teaching you to enjoy healthy eating without feeling deprived. Whether it’s a carb day or a keto day, the diet keeps your meals interesting and effective. This approach shows that losing weight doesn’t have to mean giving up all the foods you love.

HEALTH

Older Adults Who Exhibit Concern for Guiding and Contributing to Future Generations, a Quality Known as Generativity, Are More Likely to Enjoy Psychological Well-being and Lead Fulfilling Lives, According to a Recent Study

A recent study in The Journals of Gerontology: Series B shows that older adults who help the young tend to be happier. This idea is called generativity. It means guiding the young, sharing knowledge, and contributing positively to society.

The study found that being generative requires four traits. They are: being outgoing, open to new experiences, connected to others, and focused on personal growth. Mohsen Joshanloo, the lead researcher, says generativity helps the person doing it and also benefits others. He notes that older adults are seen as less active. But, this study shows they can be very involved and impactful.

Data from 2,830 people aged 39 to 93 helped find these results. Traits like assertiveness, curiosity, community ties, and striving for personal goals were linked to generativity. These traits help older adults influence their communities positively and keep a sense of purpose.

The study finds that internal qualities and social ties are more important for generativity than external factors like income or health. Joshanloo hopes the findings will lead to new ways to help older adults stay active and important in society.

This research shows the need for older adults to stay active and involved. It challenges the idea that aging must bring decline. It shows a path for a vibrant, fulfilling older age through helping others.

Why Your Brain Flushes Itself of Waste During Sleep

When you go to sleep, your brain doesn't just rest—it cleans up. Inside our brains, there's a cleaning system called the glymphatic system. It works like a night-time janitor. It sweeps away harmful proteins that can cause diseases like Alzheimer's if they build up.

This cleaning process is controlled by something called norepinephrine, a brain chemical. Every few minutes during certain sleep stages, this chemical makes the blood vessels in your brain tighten and then relax. This movement helps push out the waste.

However, some common sleep medicines, like Ambien, can mess with this process. Studies show that these medicines lower the amount of norepinephrine our brains release during sleep. This means the brain doesn't clean as well as it should. While these drugs help us sleep, they might be stopping the brain from getting rid of toxins.

Dr. Maiken Nedergaard, a scientist who studied this system, says that this problem isn't just with sleep drugs. Some antidepressants can also interfere with how our brain clears waste.

We must know how these drugs affect our brain's cleaning routine, especially as we age. Researchers are now trying to make new sleep aids that help us sleep but also let our brain do its cleaning job right. This could lead to better sleep medicines that help keep our brains healthy.

✢ A Note From Hem Hero

The information in this health newsletter is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment; always consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health. The publishers are not responsible for any actions taken by the reader based on the information provided.