01/05/24 - #38

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Eating a Low-carb Diet Based on Meat? You May Gain Weight Later on, Study Finds

  • Light Exercise Could Be the Key to Reversing Childhood Obesity Linked to Sedentariness. It is Estimated That Physical Inactivity Will Have Caused 500 Million New Cases of Heart Disease, Obesity, Diabetes, or Other Noncommunicable Diseases by 2030

  • Pet Ownership Linked to Slower Rate of Cognitive Decline in Older Adults Living Alone

  • New Research Found That Nearly 30% of Caregivers of Severe Stroke Patients Experience High Levels of Anxiety, Depression or Post-traumatic Stress During the First Year After the Patient Leaves the Hospital

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Eating a Low-carb Diet Based on Meat? You May Gain Weight Later on, Study Finds

Are you following a low-carb diet that includes a lot of meat? A recent study says this might lead to weight gain later. The study, which looked at over 67,000 people, found that not all low-carb diets work the same for weight loss.

The key is the type of food you eat on your diet. Showed that people eating more meat and unhealthy fats on a low-carb diet tended to gain weight. In contrast, those who ate more plant-based foods like vegetables and whole grains were better at keeping weight off.

Dr. Qi Sun from Harvard's School of Public Health says choosing healthier food is important. This means eating whole grains, plant proteins, and good oils instead of just any low-carb food.

The research compared different kinds of low-carb diets. Some diets had a lot of animal proteins and fats, while others focused on healthier options like vegetables and olive oil. People eating more meat and unhealthy fats gained about 5.1 pounds in four years. But those who ate healthier lost about 4.9 pounds.

Red and processed meats, which are not so healthy, can increase the risk of diseases like heart disease and diabetes. So, it's better to avoid these in a low-carb diet.

In short, if you're on a low-carb diet, focus on eating healthy foods. This includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats. Not only can this help with weight management, but it's also better for your overall health.

WEIGHT LOSS

Light Exercise Could Be the Key to Reversing Childhood Obesity Linked to Sedentariness. It is Estimated That Physical Inactivity Will Have Caused 500 Million New Cases of Heart Disease, Obesity, Diabetes, or Other Noncommunicable Diseases by 2030

Did you know light exercise can help stop obesity in kids who sit too much? A big study from universities like Exeter and Colorado found this out. They looked at over 6,000 kids for 13 years, from when they were 11 until they turned 24.

Here's something interesting: more than 80% of teenagers don't exercise for 60 minutes a day, which doctors recommend. This lack of moving around could cause 500 million new cases of diseases like heart problems and diabetes by 2030.

But, the study showed something new. Doing light activities is better than hard exercise for keeping kids from gaining too much fat. Dr. Andrew Agbaje, who led the study, says kids should do light activities for three hours a day. This can include walking, helping around the house, or slow dancing.

The researchers used special devices to measure how much the kids moved and their body fat over the years. They saw that as the kids got older, they sat more and moved less. But even a little bit of light exercise made a big difference in stopping fat gain.

For adults over 45, this is important to know. It’s not just about making kids move, but about choosing the right kind of movement. Light exercise can help keep our kids healthy and lower their risk of getting obesity and other diseases.

HEALTH

Pet Ownership Linked to Slower Rate of Cognitive Decline in Older Adults Living Alone

Owning a pet might be good for the brains of older adults living by themselves. A new study says that having a pet can slow down memory loss and keep speaking skills sharp as people get older.

With more people getting dementia as they age, it's crucial to find ways to protect brain health. The study looked at this, focusing on adults over 50 in the UK. About 7,945 people, mostly around 66 years old, took part.

The researchers checked how well these people could remember words and speak clearly. They did these tests several times over a few years.

What they found was interesting. Older adults who had pets didn't lose their verbal skills as quickly. This was especially true for those living alone. It seems pets don't just keep people company; they might also help keep the brain healthy, especially when there's no one else around.

However, this didn't apply to older adults living with others. This shows that pets might be more important for those who don't have much human interaction.

Other studies agree. For instance, older adults who walk their dogs regularly tend to have slower memory loss. And those who have had pets for over five years usually have better memory and thinking skills.

It's still not clear if pets directly cause better brain health. More studies are needed. But for now, it looks like pets could be a good way for older adults living alone to keep their minds active and healthy.

New Research Found That Nearly 30% of Caregivers of Severe Stroke Patients Experience High Levels of Anxiety, Depression or Post-traumatic Stress During the First Year After the Patient Leaves the Hospital

Taking care of someone after a severe stroke is hard. It's not only about helping them with daily tasks but also handling a lot of emotional stress. A study from Michigan Medicine found that this stress is a big problem for many caregivers.

Imagine helping a loved one who had a stroke. It's a very tough and sudden situation. Even after the patient leaves the hospital, about 30% of caregivers feel anxious, depressed, or stressed for a whole year.

This study, published in the journal Neurology, tells us we need to think about the people who look after stroke survivors. These caregivers are going through a lot. They make big decisions and adapt to new challenges. Their feelings are important too.

The study shows that Mexican American caregivers often feel more stressed than white caregivers. Also, white caregivers tend to get over depression faster.

The research was done in Texas with families who had tough choices to make for stroke survivors. It checked on their mental health, focusing on anxiety, depression, and stress. Sadly, up to 16% of these caregivers had all three problems.

Dr. Lewis Morgenstern from the University of Michigan says it's important to support families in hospitals. Nurses, social workers, and doctors should help not just the patient but the whole family.

To sum up, this study tells us that people who care for stroke patients often face big emotional challenges. They need as much support and understanding as the patients they look after.

✢ 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.