01/19/26 - #568

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • An 8-week Study of Adults Over 55 Found That Eating Greek Yogurt Daily Successfully Boosted Protein and Calcium Levels, but It Caused Only Minor and Mixed Changes in Bone Health and Inflammation Markers, Suggesting That a Longer Timeframe is Likely Needed to See Significant Improvements

  • Starter Dose of Wegovy Now Available as a Daily Pill Instead of Weekly Injection

  • Flu in the U.S. Reaches Highest Level in 25 Years

  • Extreme Heat Exposure is Linked to Higher Prevalence of Depression and Anxiety | Findings Suggest That as the Number of Days With Temperatures Exceeding 100 Degrees Fahrenheit Increases, the Rates of Reported Mental Health Issues Also Tend to Rise

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

An 8-week Study of Adults Over 55 Found That Eating Greek Yogurt Daily Successfully Boosted Protein and Calcium Levels, but It Caused Only Minor and Mixed Changes in Bone Health and Inflammation Markers, Suggesting That a Longer Timeframe is Likely Needed to See Significant Improvements

A small 8-week study looked at adults over age 55 who ate Greek yogurt every day. The goal was to see if it helped their bones and lowered inflammation.

Participants were split into three groups:

  • Some exercised and ate yogurt

  • Some exercised but didn’t eat yogurt

  • Others didn’t exercise but did eat yogurt

The yogurt groups ate two servings per day. This added extra calcium and protein—nutrients important for strong bones.

By the end of the study, people who ate yogurt had higher levels of calcium and protein. But changes in bone and inflammation markers were small and mixed. In the group that exercised and ate yogurt, one marker linked to bone breakdown went up slightly. In the group that didn’t exercise, one marker linked to slowing bone growth also increased.

When it came to inflammation, the non-exercisers saw a drop in one type (IL-6), but another (IL-1β) went up. In the exercise groups, inflammation levels mostly stayed the same.

The study shows that eating Greek yogurt can quickly boost important nutrients. But it may take more time—and possibly regular exercise—for yogurt to make a real difference in bone or immune health.

Bottom line: Greek yogurt is a healthy choice for older adults. It can raise calcium and protein levels, but you may need more than 8 weeks—and regular exercise—to see full benefits.

WEIGHT LOSS

Starter Dose of Wegovy Now Available as a Daily Pill Instead of Weekly Injection

Adults who want to lose weight now have a new option. The starter dose of Wegovy, a popular weight-loss drug, is now available as a daily pill instead of a weekly shot. This pill uses the same ingredient—semaglutide—as the original injection.

The 1.5 mg pill costs $149 per month for people paying without insurance. That’s cheaper than the $349 monthly price for the shot. Higher doses of the pill will cost more and be available soon. Some people with insurance may pay as little as $25 a month through a savings program.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the Wegovy pill in December 2025. In studies, people who took it lost about 14% of their body weight over 64 weeks. That’s similar to results seen with the shot.

Like other GLP-1 drugs, the pill may cause side effects like nausea or vomiting. About 7% of people in the study stopped using the pill because of side effects.

There are special instructions for taking this pill. It must be taken with a small amount of water on an empty stomach. After taking it, you must wait 30 minutes before eating, drinking, or taking other medicines.

Other drugmakers, like Eli Lilly, are working on similar weight-loss pills. Their version may not have the same food rules.

This new pill gives people another way to manage weight—possibly with more ease and lower cost than injections. Always talk to your doctor before starting any new medication.

HEALTH

Flu in the U.S. Reaches Highest Level in 25 Years

The flu is hitting the U.S. harder than it has in over two decades. New data from the CDC shows that doctor visits for flu-like symptoms—like fever, cough, or sore throat—are at their highest since the 1997–98 flu season. Nearly every state is seeing high or very high flu activity.

A new strain of the flu, called subclade K, is spreading quickly. Experts believe this strain is different enough from past flu viruses that it can avoid some of our immune defenses. Unfortunately, this strain appeared after this year’s flu shots were created, so the vaccine may only give partial protection. Still, doctors stress that the vaccine can help prevent severe illness and save lives.

So far this season, around 11 million people in the U.S. have caught the flu, 120,000 have been hospitalized, and 5,000 have died—including nine children.

Flu shots are down across the country. Only 42% of children and 48 million adults have received the vaccine this season—far fewer than in past years. Health officials are urging people to get vaccinated now, saying it’s not too late.

“This is a moment for action,” said Dr. Robbie Goldstein, Public Health Commissioner in Massachusetts. “Vaccines work. They protect not just you—but your loved ones, neighbors, and community.”

If you haven’t gotten your flu shot this season, doctors recommend doing so in the next couple of days. It takes about a week to build protection.

Stay safe, stay healthy—get vaccinated.

Extreme Heat Exposure is Linked to Higher Prevalence of Depression and Anxiety | Findings Suggest That as the Number of Days With Temperatures Exceeding 100 Degrees Fahrenheit Increases, the Rates of Reported Mental Health Issues Also Tend to Rise

A new study found that more days with extreme heat are linked to higher rates of depression and anxiety. Researchers looked at all 50 U.S. states. They found that when summer temperatures went over 100°F more often, more people reported mental health problems two years later.

The study used data from summer 2020 and compared it to mental health reports from 2022. For every 10 extra days over 100°F, the chance of reporting depression or anxiety went up by about 6%. This trend remained even after the researchers looked at other factors like age, income, and insurance.

People living in states with more uninsured residents or lower education levels were more likely to have mental health issues. That means the heat may hit hardest in places already struggling.

One surprise: states with more adults over age 65 had lower rates of mental health issues. The researchers say this needs more study.

The study doesn’t prove heat causes depression or anxiety, but it shows a strong link. The authors also say the COVID-19 pandemic may have added to mental health problems in 2022.

Still, the message is clear: rising temperatures could make mental health worse, especially for people in vulnerable communities. Experts say we need better planning to deal with heat and protect public health.

In short: As climate change brings more extreme heat, it may also raise the risk of mental health problems across the country.

✢ 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.