01/19/24 - #48

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Healthy Omega-3 Fats May Slow Deadly Pulmonary Fibrosis. New Research Found Higher Levels of Omega-3, the Healthy Fat Found in Fish and Nuts, Were Associated With Better Lung Function and Longer Transplant-free Survival

  • Low-carb, Plant-based Diets Linked to Less Weight Gain Over Time

  • Hearing Aids May Help People Live Longer. Almost 25% Difference in Mortality Risk Between Regular Hearing Aid Users and Never-users Remained Steady, Regardless of Variables Such as the Degree of Hearing Loss (From Mild to Severe); Age, Ethnicity, Income, Education and Health

  • A New Study of More Than 400,000 UK Adults Found That Frequently Adding Salt to Foods Was Associated With an Increased Risk of Developing Type 2 Diabetes: Participants Who “sometimes,” “usually,” or “always” Added Salt Had a Respective 13%, 20%, and 39% Higher Risk of Developing Type 2 Diabetes

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Healthy Omega-3 Fats May Slow Deadly Pulmonary Fibrosis. New Research Found Higher Levels of Omega-3, the Healthy Fat Found in Fish and Nuts, Were Associated With Better Lung Function and Longer Transplant-free Survival

Researchers from UVA Health have found something interesting. Omega-3 fatty acids, the good fats in foods like salmon and flaxseeds, may slow down a harmful lung disease known as pulmonary fibrosis. This disease makes lungs scar badly and can lead to needing a lung transplant.

The research team looked at omega-3 fat levels in people's blood. They noticed that people with higher omega-3 levels had healthier lungs and didn't need lung transplants as soon.

Dr. John Kim, a lung care expert at UVA Health, said, "People with more omega-3 fats in their blood had better lung health. They also lived longer without needing lung transplants." Omega-3 fats come from what they eat.""

Omega-3 and Lung Health

Omega-3 fats are already known to be really good for health. They can lower the risk of heart problems and some cancers. Now, they might also help with a group of lung diseases that lead to pulmonary fibrosis.

The study used data from over 300 people with lung diseases. Most were men, as this lung problem is more common in men. The results showed that people with more omega-3 fats in their blood had better lung function, no matter if they smoked or had heart disease.

Dr. Kim mentioned that more research is needed. They want to know exactly how omega-3 fats help lungs. They also want to know if eating certain foods or taking supplements could make a big difference for people with pulmonary fibrosis.

WEIGHT LOSS

Low-carb, Plant-based Diets Linked to Less Weight Gain Over Time

Have you ever thought about the best way to keep a healthy weight as you get older? Researchers at Harvard University have some news for you. They found that eating less carbs and more plant-based foods is a smart choice for long-term health.

What's a low-carb diet? It's when you eat fewer foods like bread and pasta. Instead, you focus on more proteins and fats. But it's not just about eating less bread. The study says what kind of proteins and fats you eat is important. Plant-based diets, which include lots of veggies, grains, and plant proteins, are better for keeping weight off than diets with lots of meat and processed foods.

The research is quite big. It looked at over 120,000 people for more than 30 years. Every four years, these people shared what they eat and how much they weigh. The study found that those who ate healthy plants and grains didn't gain as much weight.

But remember, the study isn't perfect. The people in it mostly had similar jobs and backgrounds. Also, they told the researchers what they ate themselves, which can sometimes lead to mistakes.

Other studies also say plant-based diets are good for you. They can help keep your weight down and reduce heart problems.

So, the main point? Not all diets with less carbs are the same. Choosing a diet with healthy plant foods is a good idea if you want to manage your weight as you get older.

HEALTH

Hearing Aids May Help People Live Longer. Almost 25% Difference in Mortality Risk Between Regular Hearing Aid Users and Never-users Remained Steady, Regardless of Variables Such as the Degree of Hearing Loss (From Mild to Severe); Age, Ethnicity, Income, Education, and Health

A recent study led by Dr. Janet S. Choi from the University of Southern California has found some exciting news: using hearing aids might help people live longer. In America, about 40 million adults have hearing problems, but only 10% who need hearing aids actually use them. This research shows how important it is to wear hearing aids.

Dr. Choi and her team looked at the health of almost 10,000 adults for ten years. They found that people who regularly use hearing aids had a 24% lower chance of dying early compared to those who never used them. This was true for everyone, no matter their age, background, or how much money they have.

Before this study, doctors knew that not treating hearing loss could lead to a shorter life. But they weren't sure if hearing aids could make a difference. Now, they see that they can.

Dr. Choi believes hearing aids are helpful because they can make people feel less alone and keep their minds sharp as they get older. If you can hear better, you might stay healthier and live longer.

Dr. Choi, who also has hearing loss, understands the challenges of finding the right hearing aids. Now, she's working on a special project using AI to help people choose the best hearing aids for their needs. This study is important because it encourages more people to think about wearing hearing aids.

A New Study of More Than 400,000 UK Adults Found That Frequently Adding Salt to Foods Was Associated With an Increased Risk of Developing Type 2 Diabetes: Participants Who “sometimes,” “usually,” or “always” Added Salt Had a Respective 13%, 20%, and 39% Higher Risk of Developing Type 2 Diabetes

Be careful with that saltshaker! A study from Tulane University has found that adding salt to your food often might increase your chance of getting Type 2 diabetes.

Researchers looked at the eating habits of over 400,000 adults in the UK for nearly 12 years. They found that more than 13,000 of them developed Type 2 diabetes. The big discovery? People who added salt to their food "sometimes," "usually," or "always" were more likely to get diabetes than those who didn't. The risk was 13%, 20%, and 39% higher for each group, respectively.

Dr. Lu Qi, who led the study, said this is the first time we've seen that less salt might help prevent diabetes. High salt intake might make people eat more, which can lead to being overweight and having inflammation—both big factors in diabetes.

The study also connected eating a lot of salt with having a higher body mass index (BMI) and bigger waistlines.

Dr. Qi plans to do more research by controlling how much salt people eat and watching what happens. But he suggests not waiting for these results to start using less salt. Swapping out salt for other seasonings is easy and can really help your health.

✢ 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.