01/03/24 - #36

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Research Found Adhering to a Pre-conception Mediterranean Diet That is Low in Carbohydrates and High in Legumes, Whole Grains and Green Leafy Vegetables, Along With Consuming 80% Organic Foods, Was Associated With Improved Testosterone Levels and Reduced Sperm DNA Fragmentation

  • How Did Oprah Lose Weight?

  • New Research Has Found That People Who Live in the Poorest Parts of England Have More Than a 70% Higher Risk of Dying From Cancer Compared With Those Who Live in More Affluent Areas

  • Cognitive Trainings Using Video Games Might Increase Subjective Well-being of Individuals With Depression | the Study Also Found That Participants in the 3D Video Game Group Exhibited Higher Levels of Training Motivation

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Research Found Adhering to a Pre-conception Mediterranean Diet That is Low in Carbohydrates and High in Legumes, Whole Grains and Green Leafy Vegetables, Along With Consuming 80% Organic Foods, Was Associated With Improved Testosterone Levels and Reduced Sperm DNA Fragmentation

There's exciting news for men hoping to become dads! A study in Italy found that a special diet, the Mediterranean diet, can really help improve men's fertility.

What's this diet about? It's full of foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats. These foods are not only great for your heart, but they also play a big part in making men more likely to have healthy children. The study focused on men who had some trouble with fertility. They followed a diet plan where 80% of their food was organic.

The Mediterranean diet includes lots of beans, grains, and green veggies, and it's not high in carbs. It also has good meats like grass-fed beef and fish from the wild. Every day, these men ate green leafy veggies and fruits like apples and strawberries. They stayed away from things like white bread and fatty meats. Instead, they chose healthier fats like olive oil and nuts.

Another important part of this diet is eating less dairy, like milk and cheese. The foods in this diet also don't make your blood sugar go up too much.

For men over 45 thinking about having kids, this is big news. Eating like this, especially with mostly organic foods, can make a huge difference in improving health and reducing problems with sperm. This could mean a better chance of starting a family.

WEIGHT LOSS

How Did Oprah Lose Weight?

Oprah Winfrey, a well-known TV star, recently shared how she's been working on losing weight. She made a big change in her plan by starting to use weight-loss medicine. This was a new decision for Oprah because she used to think medicine wasn't the best way to lose weight.

Oprah's struggle with weight has been talked about a lot. She felt judged for over 25 years. But now, in a magazine called "People," Oprah says she sees things differently. She realizes she needs this medicine to keep her weight from going up and down.

Oprah's weight loss shows that it's not just about trying harder or eating less. Sometimes, like in Oprah's case, being overweight is a health issue that might need medicine.

Oprah also eats healthy foods, exercises, and follows a good daily routine. She keeps track of her food, has her last meal by 4 PM, drinks a lot of water, and stays active. All these things together show she's serious about staying healthy, especially as she's almost 70 years old.

People have different thoughts about Oprah using weight-loss drugs. Some are glad she's talking about it, as it helps others feel okay about using medicine for weight loss. Others worry about the effects of these drugs in the long run.

Overall, Oprah's journey shows that losing weight can be a personal path. It might need different methods, including medicine, to be successful.

HEALTH

New Research Has Found That People Who Live in the Poorest Parts of England Have More Than a 70% Higher Risk of Dying From Cancer Compared With Those Who Live in More Affluent Areas

A new study shows a big health problem in England: people living in poor areas have a much higher chance of dying from cancer than those in richer places. The risk is over 70% higher in less wealthy areas.

Researchers looked at cancer deaths from 2002 to 2019. They found that where you live can really affect your chances of getting and dying from cancer. The study paid special attention to deaths before age 80.

The results? People in cities like Hull, Liverpool, Manchester, and Newcastle, and some coastal areas near London, have the highest risk of dying from cancer. Even in poorer parts of London, the risk is lower than in other poor areas.

There's some good news: cancer deaths are going down overall. But this drop isn't the same everywhere. In London, there's a big decrease, but not as much in places like Blackpool and Essex.

The study also found that in poorer areas, more people die from cancers linked to unhealthy lifestyles, like lung and colorectal cancer. But for cancers not linked to lifestyle, like lymphoma and leukemia, where you live doesn't change the risk as much.

The study didn't look at people's ethnic backgrounds or their entire life's living conditions, which are important.

The big message? Where you live can greatly impact your health. Poor areas often have less access to good healthcare and health information. We need better health programs and easier ways to get screenings and treatment, especially in less wealthy areas, to help change these numbers.

Cognitive Trainings Using Video Games Might Increase Subjective Well-being of Individuals With Depression | the Study Also Found That Participants in the 3D Video Game Group Exhibited Higher Levels of Training Motivation

Playing a 3D video game, like "Super Mario Odyssey," could be good for people with depression. This comes from a study in Germany. It found that this game was better at improving mood than standard depression treatments or a computer brain-training program.

Depression isn't just about feeling sad. It also makes thinking and decision-making tough. The study, led by Moritz Bergmann, tested if playing a video game for six weeks could help people feel happier, more motivated, and improve their memory.

They tried this with 46 people who usually don't play video games. These people were split into three groups. One played "Super Mario Odyssey," another used a brain training program, and the last group got usual depression treatments like medicine and talking to a therapist.

The results were interesting. The video game group felt less depressed and more excited about their treatment. The brain training program helped with memory a little, but the video game group didn't see much change in memory skills.

This study suggests video games could be a low-cost and fun way to help treat depression, along with other treatments. But, the study had some limits. The people knew which group they were in, and it was a small group. So, more research is needed to confirm these findings.

✢ 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.