01/11/24 - #42

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Breast Milk Sugar Eases Chemotherapy Side Effects, Study Finds

  • Vibrating Weight Loss Pill Shows Promise in Animal Testing

  • Study N=91,140 Found That Who Maintain or Increase Their Aerobic Fitness Are at Less Risk of Being Hospitalized in the Future, Particularly if They Were Hospitalized Previously

  • What is Ketamine, the Drug Tied to Actor Matthew Perry's Death?

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Breast Milk Sugar Eases Chemotherapy Side Effects, Study Finds

Chemotherapy is a tough treatment for cancer patients. It can cause painful side effects. One common problem is mucositis, where the digestive tract gets inflamed. This leads to pain, bleeding, and bad diarrhea.

Good news comes from a study at Vanderbilt University. Researchers there found a special sugar in human breast milk, called 2’-fucosyllactose. This sugar might protect the stomach from damage caused by chemotherapy. The study was done with mice, and the hope is it will help people too. This could mean less diarrhea and more comfort for those getting chemotherapy.

But there's more! Breast milk sugar could also fight bad bacteria in our bodies. This is important because usual antibiotics kill both bad and good bacteria. Breast milk sugar is smarter. It only goes after the harmful bacteria.

These sugars could also stop bacterial biofilms. These are slimy layers that cause tooth decay and other problems. They could even help ships by stopping biofilms that slow them down.

What about babies? Some baby formulas now add these sugars, but they can't match natural breast milk yet. Researchers are trying to make these sugars in labs.

Professor Townsend, who leads this research, is excited. He thinks these sugars could soon help people with stomach issues like Crohn's disease and IBS. It's surprising how breast milk, something so common, might have so many uses!

WEIGHT LOSS

Vibrating Weight Loss Pill Shows Promise in Animal Testing

Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have made a unique pill called VIBES, short for Vibrating Ingestible BioElectronic Stimulator, that might help people lose weight. Right now, they are testing it on animals and the results are looking good.

Dr. Shriya Srinivasan, who is leading this study, shared some cool findings. They gave VIBES to pigs, and these pigs ate about 40% less food. They also seemed relaxed and sleepy after eating, just like how people sometimes feel after a big meal.

The idea behind VIBES is to make you feel full so you eat less. This could be a big help for those trying to control their weight. The best part? They haven't seen any bad side effects in the animals yet.

Dr. Srinivasan hopes VIBES will be ready for people to use in one or two years. It's also expected to be affordable, which is great news.

VIBES is different from other weight loss drugs. It uses the body's natural way of telling your brain that you're full. This might mean it will have fewer side effects.

Dr. Srinivasan thinks people could take VIBES with their meals when they need it. It could help them make healthier choices and improve their health.

Keep your eyes open for this interesting vibrating pill. It's a new idea in the world of weight loss!

HEALTH

Study N=91,140 Found That Who Maintain or Increase Their Aerobic Fitness Are at Less Risk of Being Hospitalized in the Future, Particularly if They Were Hospitalized Previously

Here's some exciting news: staying fit can keep you out of the hospital! A big study at the University of Gothenburg found this out. It looked at over 91,000 people and their fitness levels.

The study, led by Frida Griffin and Mats Börjesson, found a simple thing: if you keep or improve your fitness, you don't have to go to the hospital as much. This is especially true for people who have been in the hospital before.

The numbers tell the story:

  • If you keep your fitness the same, you have 7% fewer hospital visits.

  • Make your fitness better, and that goes up to 11% fewer visits.

  • Had a hospital stay before? Keeping or improving your fitness can mean 14% fewer visits.

Now, for heart-related hospital stays:

  • Staying fit means 9% fewer visits.

  • Getting fitter? You get 13% fewer visits.

  • If you were in the hospital before and stay or get fitter, you can cut down your visits by 20%.

The study's leaders say this is really important. Staying active isn't just good for your health; it also means you might not need to go to the hospital as much. So, for folks wanting to stay healthy and away from hospitals, focusing on your fitness could be the answer.

What is Ketamine, the Drug Tied to Actor Matthew Perry's Death?

Ketamine, a drug first made in the 1960s, is in the news because of actor Matthew Perry's sad passing. Perry, famous for his role in "Friends," was 54 when he drowned in his Los Angeles home. Reports say he had used ketamine.

What is Ketamine?

Ketamine was first used to make people and animals sleep for surgery. Later, doctors found it could quickly help people with very bad depression. This was a big discovery because other depression medicines take longer to work.

In 2019, the FDA said yes to a nasal spray for depression that has ketamine in it. But, the good effects of ketamine don't last very long - they go away in a few days or weeks.

Matthew Perry and Ketamine

Matthew Perry was using ketamine to help with his depression and anxiety. He had a treatment about a week and a half before he died. But, the ketamine from this treatment probably didn't cause his death because it leaves the body quickly.

Ketamine's Risks

Ketamine is also used illegally for its dream-like effects. Too much ketamine can cause serious problems like forgetting things or passing out. It's very dangerous when mixed with alcohol and can lead to accidents or even drowning.

Ketamine can be helpful for some but needs to be used carefully. Matthew Perry's death shows how complex this drug is.

✢ 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.