01/30/25 - #316

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Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Raising Vitamin D Levels Above 30 ng/mL (ideally 40–70 ng/mL) Lowers the Risk of Major Diseases and Improves Overall Health

  • About 1 in 8 US Adults Has Tried or Uses GLP-1 Medication With 1 in 4 of Those for Weight Loss but Muscle Loss Can Account for Up to 40% of Total Weight Loss. Scientists Discover Molecule That Reverses Muscle Loss in Mice, Suggest That Adding Drug to Boost This Molecule May Help Prevent Muscle Loss

  • Maladaptive Daydreaming May Mask ADHD Symptoms, Delaying Diagnosis Until Adulthood

  • Blood Pressure Readings While Lying Down Beat Seated Readings at Predicting Heart Risks | Supine Blood Pressure and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease and Mortality Health

…and lots more. Have a great day!

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FOOD & NUTRITION

Raising Vitamin D Levels Above 30 ng/mL (ideally 40–70 ng/mL) Lowers the Risk of Major Diseases and Improves Overall Health

Vitamin D is often called the "sunshine vitamin" because our body makes it when sunlight touches our skin. It does a lot more than just keep our bones strong. Keeping your vitamin D levels above 30 ng/mL can greatly lower your risk of serious diseases like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, which are some of the main causes of death in older adults.

As we get older, our bodies might not make enough vitamin D from the sun. This makes it important to get this vitamin from our diet or supplements. Foods like fatty fish, milk, and eggs are good sources. You can also take a daily vitamin D supplement, especially if you don’t spend much time in the sun or if your diet is limited.

Doctors suggest that adults should aim for vitamin D levels between 40 and 70 ng/mL to get the best health benefits. This helps not just with bones, but also supports your brain, immune system, and overall cell health.

It's a good idea for everyone, especially if you're over 45, to check your vitamin D levels with a simple blood test. This helps make sure you have enough to protect against big health problems.

In short, keeping your vitamin D up can help you stay healthy as you get older. Whether from sunlight, food, or pills, it’s an easy step to help you live a longer, healthier life.

WEIGHT LOSS

About 1 in 8 US Adults Has Tried or Uses GLP-1 Medication With 1 in 4 of Those for Weight Loss but Muscle Loss Can Account for Up to 40% of Total Weight Loss. Scientists Discover Molecule That Reverses Muscle Loss in Mice, Suggest That Adding Drug to Boost This Molecule May Help Prevent Muscle Loss

Many adults in the U.S. take a medicine called GLP-1 to help them lose weight. But there’s a problem: they lose muscle, not just fat. Since muscle is important for strength and health, losing it isn't good.

Scientists at the Salk Institute found a solution. They discovered a special protein called BCL6 that helps keep muscles strong. In their experiments with mice, they noticed that mice with less BCL6 had weaker and smaller muscles. But when they increased the BCL6 in these mice, their muscles got stronger and bigger again.

This finding could lead to new treatments that help people using GLP-1 medication lose weight without losing muscle. It could also help older people or those with serious illnesses who often lose muscle easily.

Researchers learned that how our body handles hunger and growth is key to keeping muscles healthy. When we're hungry, our body sends signals that can decrease muscle. But with the right treatment, we might be able to protect our muscles.

This study was published in a major science journal and is a big step towards helping people stay strong while losing weight. The scientists are excited. They hope to develop a treatment that boosts BCL6. It would help people lose weight healthily—keeping muscle while losing fat.

HEALTH

Maladaptive Daydreaming May Mask ADHD Symptoms, Delaying Diagnosis Until Adulthood

A new study shows that intense daydreaming might be why some adults discover they have ADHD later in life. This kind of daydreaming is different—it’s so deep and frequent that it gets in the way of everyday activities. People often daydream a lot when they're stressed or upset as a way to avoid real problems.

ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, usually starts in childhood. It can continue into adulthood. It makes it hard for people to focus, they may act without thinking, or feel very restless. These issues can affect work, school, and relationships.

Researchers at Selçuk University studied over 200 adults diagnosed with ADHD. They found that those diagnosed as adults often had intense daydreams. This heavy daydreaming can cover up the signs of ADHD, making it tough to spot and diagnose on time.

The study found that adults with ADHD are less hyperactive. But, they still struggle to focus and manage their time and tasks. Knowing more about daydreaming habits might help doctors. It could help them recognize ADHD in adults earlier, and give them help sooner.

The study's findings are helpful, but the researchers remind us that the study has limits. It only reflects what people reported about themselves and was done in one place. More studies are needed to fully understand how deep daydreaming and ADHD are connected in adults.

Blood Pressure Readings While Lying Down Beat Seated Readings at Predicting Heart Risks | Supine Blood Pressure and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease and Mortality Health

It turns out we might be checking our blood pressure wrong. Usually, doctors measure it while we're sitting. But new research shows it might be better to do it lying down.

Last year, experts told doctors to follow strict steps for blood pressure tests. Patients must not eat, drink, or exercise for 30 minutes beforehand. They must have an empty bladder. They must sit still for five minutes. Their feet must be flat on the ground. They must raise their arm to heart level. But it's hard for busy doctors to follow all these rules perfectly.

A new study from Harvard, published in JAMA Cardiology, says even if doctors follow all these steps, checking blood pressure while lying down is still better. This method was much more accurate at showing the risk of heart diseases, strokes, and even death.

The study found that people whose blood pressure only went up when lying down were more likely to face heart issues and other health risks compared to those with normal readings. People with high readings only while sitting didn't show the same risks.

This research suggests that lying down blood pressure tests may catch hidden heart disease risks better than sitting tests. It might mean that lying down for a blood pressure check could become routine at the doctor's office or at home. Just remember to rest a bit in that position before taking the measurement.

✢ 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.