01/30/24 - #55

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • How Harmful is Alcohol in Small Amounts?

  • 46-year Old Woman Loses 154 Pounds, Wins Miss Alabama Contest

  • Cancer Incidence Rising Among Adults Under 50, New Report Finds, Leaving Doctors Puzzled and Worried

  • Simple and Reliable Early Prediction of Diabetes: Research Has Shown That a Mathematical Calculation Based on Just Two Values Taken From a Blood Sample Enables the Reliable and Inexpensive Diagnosis of Diabetes at an Early Stage

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

How Harmful is Alcohol in Small Amounts?

Dry January is a time when many Americans don't drink alcohol for a month. This got people talking about how even small amounts of alcohol might be bad for us. Canada is even thinking about telling people to drink less.

William Brangham from "NewsHour" chatted with Dr. Tim Naimi, an alcohol expert. Dr. Naimi shared that alcohol can cause a lot of health issues like accidents, cancer, and heart problems. This can happen even if you don't drink much.

Alcohol can also affect your mood, making you feel more sad or anxious, especially if you already have these feelings.

Dr. Naimi believes that drinking less is healthier. Canada used to say 10 drinks a week was okay, but now they suggest only two. This advice is for everyone, not just heavy drinkers. Drinking less is always better for your health.

A lot of people don't realize that alcohol can cause big problems like cancer and heart disease. It's as harmful as smoking in causing cancer. The more you drink, the greater the risk.

Some people think a bit of wine is good for the heart, but Dr. Naimi says that's not exactly true. Even a little alcohol can be harmful.

Dry January helps people think about their drinking. It's not about stopping forever, but understanding how much you drink. Many who try it feel better and drink less even after January ends.

So, after Dry January, it's smart to think about how even a bit of alcohol can impact your health.

WEIGHT LOSS

46-year Old Woman Loses 154 Pounds, Wins Miss Alabama Contest

Dana Bradley, a 46-year-old woman from Hartselle, has done something amazing. She lost 154 pounds and just won the Mrs. Alabama International contest. Four years ago, Dana's doctor told her she needed to get healthier for her kids. Her own mom had passed away young because she didn't take care of her health, and Dana didn't want that for herself.

Since 2020, Dana has worked hard to lose weight. She's a stay-at-home mom but still makes time to exercise every day. She wakes up at 4:45 AM, does some light weight lifting, and then runs six miles. Dana says she lost the weight by exercising and eating right.

What's special about Dana is she knows what it's like to be overweight. She's been there, so she really understands how to help others who are trying to lose weight too. She's even becoming a certified personal trainer.

Dana believes in not giving up, even if you make a mistake. She says you shouldn't wait until tomorrow to start improving your health. Just keep going and take small steps.

Her focus in the pageant was on being fit and healthy. Dana wants to help kids learn to be healthy too, working with groups like Girls on the Run and the Boys and Girls Club.

Next up, Dana will be in New York Fashion Week with designer Marc Defang. In July, she'll compete in the Mrs. International contest in Tennessee. Dana's story shows that with hard work and determination, you can reach your goals.

HEALTH

Cancer Incidence Rising Among Adults Under 50, New Report Finds, Leaving Doctors Puzzled and Worried

Doctors are surprised by a new finding: more young adults under 50 are getting cancer. This is unexpected because cancer is usually more common in older people.

Josh Herting's story is an example. He was only 34 and very fit, but he got a serious type of colon cancer. Sadly, his case isn't unusual now. More and more young adults are facing cancer.

The American Cancer Society discovered that from 1995 to 2020, adults under 50 were the only group with an increase in cancer. This is strange because America has an aging population, but it's the young getting more cancer diagnoses.

Especially, colorectal cancer has become a leading cause of death from cancer in men under 50 and the second for women, after breast cancer. It wasn't so common in young adults before.

Doctors like Dr. Scott Kopetz from MD Anderson Cancer Center are seeing more young patients with types of cancer that older people usually get. Even though cancer checks usually start at 45, now younger people are getting these cancers too.

The report says that in the US this year, about 2 million people might get cancer. The growing number of young adults with cancer is a big worry. Doctors think things like diet and how much people exercise might be reasons. But there's still a lot they don't know.

This increase in young adults getting cancer is a serious warning. It's telling doctors to learn more and find better ways to find cancer early. Understanding and fighting this trend is very important.

Simple and Reliable Early Prediction of Diabetes: Research Has Shown That a Mathematical Calculation Based on Just Two Values Taken From a Blood Sample Enables the Reliable and Inexpensive Diagnosis of Diabetes at an Early Stage

Diabetes is a sneaky health problem that often goes unnoticed until it's too late. But, a team led by Dr. Johannes Dietrich has discovered a simple blood test that could change this. This test could make spotting diabetes easier and quicker.

Here's how it works: The test uses a special math formula with two key numbers from a blood sample. These numbers are the insulin and glucose levels in your body. You take this test in the morning before eating breakfast. The formula then calculates something called the SPINA-DI. This number helps doctors figure out if someone might be starting to have diabetes.

Dr. Dietrich, who works at a university in Germany, highlights why this is a big deal. He points out that about 30% of people who have diabetes don't even know it. The tests we have now sometimes don't catch diabetes early or they might give wrong results.

The new method isn't just easy; it's also cost-effective and reliable. It was tested on groups of people in the USA, Germany, and India. The results were promising – it did a better job than some of the current tests.

This is especially good news for adults over 45. A simple, inexpensive blood test can now help find diabetes early on. Catching it early means people can start taking care of it sooner. This can prevent serious health issues and improve their quality of life. Dr. Dietrich and his team believe this test could soon replace more complicated ones, making early diabetes detection easier for everyone.

✢ 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.