01/12/24 - #43

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Japanese Researchers Identify Protein With Potential to Prevent Aging

  • What Wellness Trends Will Be Big in 2024? The Ozempic "Ripple Effect" and More Expert Predictions

  • A Rare and Neglected Flesh-eating Disease Finally Gets Some Attention

  • Artery Calcification is Almost Twice as Common in Night Owls Compared to Early Birds: Circadian Rhythm Appears to Be Particularly Important for the Heart and Blood Vessels During the Early Stages of the Disease

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Japanese Researchers Identify Protein With Potential to Prevent Aging

Scientists at Osaka University in Japan have made a big discovery. They found a protein called HKDC1 that could help stop our cells from aging. Think of our cells as tiny factories. Inside these factories are smaller parts called organelles, like tiny machines. These organelles are very important for the cell to work right. If they get damaged, it can lead to aging and sickness.

HKDC1 works like a repair person in our cell factories. It takes care of two important organelles: mitochondria, which give energy to the cell, and lysosomes, which are like the cell’s recycling center. When these organelles are in trouble, HKDC1 helps fix them.

Before this, scientists knew about another protein, TFEB, that helps keep these organelles healthy. But they didn't know exactly how it worked. Now, they found out that TFEB does its job by targeting the HKDC1 protein.

Here's what HKDC1 does: It helps throw away damaged mitochondria in a process called mitophagy. It works with other proteins, PINK1 and Parkin, for this. HKDC1 also helps repair damaged lysosomes by working with proteins called VDACs.

If there's less HKDC1 in the cells, these important processes don't happen properly. This shows how vital HKDC1 is for keeping our cells healthy and young. This discovery could lead to new ways to treat aging and diseases that happen as we get older.

WEIGHT LOSS

What Wellness Trends Will Be Big in 2024? The Ozempic "Ripple Effect" and More Expert Predictions

In 2024, we're looking at some cool health trends! Last year was all about mental health and new weight-loss drugs. Let's see what's next.

The Ozempic Wave

This year, there's a big focus on losing weight. Drugs like Ozempic are getting popular. They're inspiring new products, like berberine, that people say helps with weight loss. Experts think we'll see healthier options in snacks and fast food too.

Smartwatches Get Smarter

Smartwatches are going to do more than just track steps. They might start warning us about health problems early. Artificial intelligence (AI) could even give medical advice soon!

Science-Based Wellness

People want health tips that are proven by science. They're choosing products that have research backing them up.

More Social Activities

After spending a lot of time alone, people want to hang out more. Sports that bring people together, like pickleball, are getting really popular. In-person therapy is also on the rise, especially with young folks.

Living Longer and Healthier

Everyone wants to live a long, healthy life. This means eating more plants, getting good sleep, and taking care of our guts. Exercise and rest are important too. New things like temperature therapy are becoming trendy.

In 2024, health trends are all about smart technology, real science, and being social. It's about being healthy in body and mind. Let's make this year a great one for wellness!

HEALTH

A Rare and Neglected Flesh-eating Disease Finally Gets Some Attention

Mulikat Okanlawon from Nigeria had a tough childhood because of noma, a rare disease that eats away at the face. Now, she helps others with the same disease at Sokoto Noma Hospital.

Noma starts off looking like other sicknesses, like malaria. Mulikat got it when she was about 6 or 7. This disease is very dangerous. Most people who get it don't survive, and those who do need many surgeries for their faces. That's why it's called the "face of poverty."

Good news: noma is getting more attention. It's been added to the World Health Organization's (WHO) list of Neglected Tropical Diseases. This is a big deal for people who want to help those with noma.

Noma has been around for over 1,000 years, but it's still not well understood. It mostly affects poor children and is probably caused by bacteria. Without the right treatment, most people with noma can't make it.

Treating noma early with antibiotics can work, but it's hard for people in faraway places to get these medicines.

Mulikat's story shows how serious noma is. If she had better food and doctors when she was young, she might not have gotten so sick. Now, after many surgeries, she's helping others at the hospital.

WHO noticing noma is a great start, but more work is needed to really understand and stop this disease. Mulikat's job at the hospital is more than just work; she gives hope to others fighting noma.

Artery Calcification is Almost Twice as Common in Night Owls Compared to Early Birds: Circadian Rhythm Appears to Be Particularly Important for the Heart and Blood Vessels During the Early Stages of the Disease

Do you like staying up late? A study from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden says this might affect your heart. People who stay up late, or "night owls," could have more heart issues than early risers.

The study focused on artery calcification. This is when fatty stuff builds up in arteries, making it hard for blood to flow. This can lead to heart attacks or strokes. The researchers looked at 771 people between 50 and 64 years old. They checked their heart arteries using special scans.

People in the study said if they were morning or night types. About 22% of morning people had artery problems. But, about 41% of night people had these issues. This is almost twice as much!

Mio Kobayashi Frisk, a student researcher, said being a night owl might link to early signs of heart artery problems. Ding Zou, another researcher, added that our body's sleep cycle, or circadian rhythm, is important for preventing heart diseases.

The study was careful. It looked at other health things like blood pressure and smoking. But it only included people who didn't have heart attacks before, so they were generally healthier.

So, if you're often up late, think about your sleep habits for your heart's health. Small changes in when you sleep could make a big difference for your heart!

✢ 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.