01/04/24 - #37

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Which Salmon is the Healthiest?

  • Switching the Flies’ Diet to a Low-calorie One Remained a Reliable Way to Extend Lifespan Even for Old Flies in ill Health: This Suggests That Human Metabolism May Respond the Same Way and Individuals Eating a High-calorie Diet Could Benefit From Reducing Their Calorie Intake at Old Age

  • Texas Found Startling Amounts of a Cancer-causing Chemical in the Air Outside Houston. Nobody Told the Residents

  • Starting Menstrual Cycles at a Young Age—before the Age of 13—is Linked to a Heightened Risk of Developing Type 2 Diabetes in Mid-life, Finds Research

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Which Salmon is the Healthiest?

Let's chat about something really cool: salmon. We're going to look at the difference between farm-raised salmon and wild-caught salmon. You might be surprised to know that 60% of the salmon we eat in the US is farm-raised. This is something to think about when you're eating at a restaurant or shopping for food. Make sure to read the labels!

Farm-raised salmon can have a lot more bad chemicals than wild-caught salmon. These chemicals can be harmful and might even increase the risk of cancer. Also, farm-raised salmon often have more sea lice, which are tiny bugs that you don't want in your food.

What do farm-raised salmon eat? They are usually fed pellets made from things like GMO soy and corn. These feeds might include low-quality stuff and even weed killers and antibiotics. That's not great for us.

Did you know that some farm-raised salmon are colored pink with chemicals? Wild-caught salmon, on the other hand, get their natural pink color from what they eat in the wild.

Health-wise, wild-caught salmon is a better choice. It has more omega-3s, which are fats that are really good for your heart.

Even though wild-caught salmon can cost a bit more, it's worth it for your health. So, next time you buy salmon, try to get the wild-caught kind. It's healthier for you!

WEIGHT LOSS

Switching the Flies’ Diet to a Low-calorie One Remained a Reliable Way to Extend Lifespan Even for Old Flies in ill Health: This Suggests That Human Metabolism May Respond the Same Way and Individuals Eating a High-calorie Diet Could Benefit From Reducing Their Calorie Intake at Old Age

Did you know changing what you eat could help you live longer, even if you're older? Scientists at the University of Connecticut found something amazing about fruit flies. When older, overweight flies started eating less, they became healthier and lived longer. This could be good news for people too!

As we get older, some of us eat more than we need, which can lead to being overweight. Being overweight means having too much body fat, and it can cause health problems like heart disease and diabetes. Earlier studies showed that animals live longer when they eat less. But, we didn't know if changing eating habits later in life would help.

The research team studied fruit flies, which are a lot like us in how their bodies work. These flies were eating a lot, just like when people eat too much junk food. But here's the surprising part: when the old, overweight flies started eating less, they got healthier and lived longer.

Usually, fruit flies live about 80 days on a high-calorie diet but can live up to 120 days on a low-calorie diet. The old flies, even when they were not healthy, lived longer after they switched to eating less.

This study is exciting because it shows that it might not be too late for people to improve their health by eating less, even later in life. The scientists are now studying female fruit flies to see if they react the same way. So, remember, it's never too late to make a healthy change in what you eat!

HEALTH

Texas Found Startling Amounts of a Cancer-causing Chemical in the Air Outside Houston. Nobody Told the Residents

In Channelview, Texas, near Houston, there's been a hidden health issue for 20 years. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) knew about high levels of a cancer-causing chemical, benzene, in the air. But they didn't tell the local people.

Benzene is a clear chemical with a sweet smell. It's in things like gasoline and plastic. Benzene can cause cancers like leukemia. Despite its dangers, it's still widely used.

K-Solv, a company in Channelview, is the main source of benzene. The TCEQ found a lot of benzene near K-Solv but let the company get bigger. Now, K-Solv can release 20 times more harmful chemicals, including benzene, than it did in 2005.

The air in Channelview has more benzene than before. Texas has its own rules for safe benzene levels, but they're not very strict. In fact, Texas allows much more benzene in the air than they did in 2005 and more than what is allowed in California.

People in Channelview are breathing this air every day. Small amounts of benzene can increase the risk of getting cancer. The TCEQ's data shows that people in Channelview have a higher chance of getting cancer from air pollution than other parts of Texas.

The TCEQ claims the air is safe, but many are getting sick. This story shows us that sometimes making money is more important than people's health. We should be careful about what's in our air and ask for changes to keep our communities safe.

Starting Menstrual Cycles at a Young Age—before the Age of 13—is Linked to a Heightened Risk of Developing Type 2 Diabetes in Mid-life, Finds Research

A study in the United States has found something important for women's health. It says that girls who start their periods before they turn 13 might have a bigger chance of getting type 2 diabetes when they're older. This study also suggests that these women could have a higher risk of having a stroke before they reach 65.

Researchers used data from a large survey, including responses from 17,377 women between 20 and 65 years old. These women shared the age they first had their periods. The study showed that 10% of them had type 2 diabetes. Those who started their periods very early, especially at age 10 or younger, were more likely to have diabetes.

For women with diabetes, having periods early also increased their chances of having a stroke. The risk of other heart diseases didn't go up, though. The younger a woman was at her first period, the higher her risk of stroke.

This study can't prove that early periods cause these health issues, but it shows a strong connection. One reason might be that these women have the hormone estrogen in their bodies for a longer time. Also, being overweight as a kid could be a factor. It's linked to starting periods early and health problems later in life.

This research is important because it helps us understand health risks for women. Experts say more studies are needed to find ways to prevent these health issues, especially in women who start their periods early.

✢ 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.