Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Dietary Protein Intake in Midlife in Relation to Healthy Aging - Women Who Ate More Protein, Especially From Plant-based Sources Such as Beans and Grains, Had Better Health as They Aged

• 50 Pounds Down!

• Exercising Alone May Be Better Than Exercising With Your Spouse: a New Study Found That Older Adults Who Exercise With Their Spouse Achieve Lower Physical Activity Levels Than Older Adults Without Their Spouse

• Popular Myths About Sleep, Debunked

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Dietary Protein Intake in Midlife in Relation to Healthy Aging - Women Who Ate More Protein, Especially From Plant-based Sources Such as Beans and Grains, Had Better Health as They Aged

As we get older, staying healthy is really important. A big study looked at 48,762 women who were under 60 years old in 1984. It found out something interesting about eating protein and staying healthy as we age.

The study showed that women who ate more protein when they were middle-aged were healthier when they got older. Being healthy here means not having serious illnesses, feeling good mentally, and being able to think and move well.

What's really cool is that the type of protein matters. The study found that plant proteins, like those from beans and grains, are especially good. For every little bit more plant protein these women ate, they had a much better chance of aging healthily – 38% better! Animal proteins also helped, but not as much as plant proteins.

This is great news because it gives us a simple tip for staying healthy as we get older: eat more proteins, especially from plants. This doesn't just mean eating meat. Foods like beans, nuts, and whole grains are also packed with protein.

This study is important because it helps us understand what to eat to stay healthy as we age. It's especially useful for adults in their middle years, giving them a way to make better choices about what they eat for a healthier, more active older age. So, remember, adding more plant proteins to your diet can really help you as you get older!

Source: sciencedirect.com

WEIGHT LOSS

50 Pounds Down!

Imagine losing weight without giving up your favorite foods or changing how much you eat. That's what intermittent fasting is all about. It's a popular way to lose weight, and it focuses more on when you eat rather than what you eat.

Here's how it works: you eat only during certain hours of the day. For example, you might eat between 12 PM and 8 PM, and then not eat for the next 16 hours. Another way is to eat normally for four days a week and then fast for the other three days.

Our guest today used this method and lost an amazing 50 pounds! Before trying intermittent fasting, she struggled with her weight. She tried different diets and exercises but nothing really worked for her. Then, about a year and a half ago, she discovered intermittent fasting and it changed her life.

She shared her weight loss journey on social media and it inspired lots of people. She feels more energetic and focused now.

Remember, on days when you eat, it's still important to have healthy food. Not everyone might find this method easy or suitable, so it's always a good idea to talk to a doctor before starting any new diet.

Intermittent fasting is not just about losing weight but also feeling good inside and out. It’s about finding what works best for your body.

Source: TODAY

HEALTH

Exercising Alone May Be Better Than Exercising With Your Spouse: a New Study Found That Older Adults Who Exercise With Their Spouse Achieve Lower Physical Activity Levels Than Older Adults Without Their Spouse

Did you know that working out alone might be better than exercising with your spouse? A study from NTU Singapore found something interesting about older adults and exercise.

The study looked at people between 54 and 72 years old. The researchers from the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information (WKWSCI) at NTU found that those who exercised alone were more active than those who worked out with their spouses.

They studied 240 people and noticed another cool thing. People who got personal feedback from their fitness trackers did more exercise than those who didn't use these trackers.

This is important because there are more older people around these days. Being active is key to staying healthy as we age. This study suggests that maybe it's better for older adults to exercise by themselves.

Why might this be? The study doesn't say exactly, but it's something to think about. Maybe when we're alone, we pay more attention to our own exercise goals.

Dr. Sapphire Lin led this study, which was part of a big project at NTU. The project is about finding the best ways for older adults to stay healthy. Other team members included Associate Professor Sonny Rosenthal and Professor Rich Ling, who is now retired.

So, if you're planning to exercise, you might want to try doing it alone. It could be a smarter way to stay fit and healthy!

Source: ntu.edu.sg

Popular Myths About Sleep, Debunked

Sleep is super important, but there's a lot we might get wrong about it. Rebecca Robbins, a sleep expert, sets the record straight on some common sleep myths.

MYTH 1: Sleep Time Doesn't Matter Actually, it does! Our body has a natural clock that works with sunlight. So, sleeping at weird times can mess with our health.

MYTH 2: One Bad Night Ruins Everything Not really. A bad night's sleep can make you tired or a bit off the next day, but it's usually not a big deal. Just try to sleep well the next night.

MYTH 3: Falling Asleep Fast is Good If you fall asleep super quickly, it might mean you're not getting enough sleep overall. Normally, it should take about 15-20 minutes to drift off.

MYTH 4: Less Than 5 Hours is OK Nope, most adults need 7-9 hours. Not sleeping enough can lead to health problems and mistakes at work.

MYTH 5: TV Before Bed is Fine Watching TV in bed might make it harder to sleep. The light from screens can keep you awake, and stressful shows can make you anxious.

MYTH 6: Late Exercise is Bad It's actually okay to exercise before bed. It can help you relax and sleep better.

So, remember these tips for a good night's sleep. Sweet dreams!

Source: npr.org

✢ 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.