02/19/25 - #330

Author

Health Horizon. Herald Staff
February 19, 2025

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Salad Chain Sweetgreen is Caving to Conspiracy Theories About Seed Oils. Why?

  • How Do You Stay Motivated While Losing Weight?

  • Losing Your Sense of Taste, Especially for Salty and Sour Foods, Could Be Linked to Early Death in Older Adults. Research Found Those Whose Sense of Taste Declined Since Their Younger Years Had a 47% Higher Risk of Dying in the Six-year Follow-up Period

  • Diabetes, Heart Failure, and Kidney Disease Medication First of Its Kind to Significantly Reduce Both Heart Attacks and Strokes | Sotagliflozin Medication Had 23 Percent Reduction in the Rate of Heart Attacks, Strokes Compared to Placebo

…and lots more. Have a great day!

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FOOD & NUTRITION

Salad Chain Sweetgreen is Caving to Conspiracy Theories About Seed Oils. Why?

Sweetgreen, a popular salad place, just changed its menu to stop using seed oils. Why? Big names like Joe Rogan and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have been saying that seed oils are bad for your health.

Seed oils, like canola and sunflower oil, are often used in cooking. Some believe these oils lead to health issues, such as heart disease and diabetes. They recommend using animal fats or different oils instead. These ideas have gotten a lot of attention and are influencing what food places like Sweetgreen serve.

Some famous people oppose seed oils. However, major health groups, like the FDA and the American Heart Association, say seed oils are safe. They also claim seed oils are healthier than many animal fats. They don't cause high cholesterol or other health issues that some people claim.

Sweetgreen's choice could be about keeping up with food trends or better managing ingredients, not just health concerns. They say they're listening to what eaters want and talking about what's really in our food.

Online, some customers are questioning why Sweetgreen is cutting out seed oils. But nutrition experts like Dariush Mozaffarian from Tufts University say the scare over seed oils is too much. According to science, seed oils are not as bad as some say.

This whole situation shows how tricky nutrition can be and how much influence famous people have on our food choices. It's important to look at the science and who's giving us health advice.

WEIGHT LOSS

How Do You Stay Motivated While Losing Weight?

Losing weight is tough, especially when you don’t see quick results. It's normal to feel discouraged if you're not seeing progress. Here are some tips to help you stay motivated:

  1. Find Reliable Advice: There's a lot of information out there, but not all of it is helpful. Instead of searching online endlessly, look for advice from someone who has successfully helped others.

  2. Set Achievable Goals: It’s easier to stay motivated when you have clear goals. Set goals that you can reach, and celebrate when you achieve them. Then, set new ones. Whether it’s fitting into an older outfit or preparing for a vacation, having a goal keeps you focused.

  3. Manage Cravings: Cravings can signal that your body lacks something. To reduce cravings, increase your intake of vegetables and balanced meals. Eating more greens and proteins can help stabilize your hunger.

  4. Prioritize Self-Care: Stress, hunger, and tiredness can derail your weight loss. Reduce stress by taking time for yourself, enjoying walks, or doing activities you love. Also, ensure you get enough sleep to maintain your energy.

  5. Increase Effort Over Time: As you age, you might need to work harder to maintain your weight loss. Be prepared to increase your efforts to keep up with changes in your body.

By focusing on these areas, you can maintain your motivation and continue making progress toward your weight loss goals. Remember, sustainable changes make a real difference.

HEALTH

Losing Your Sense of Taste, Especially for Salty and Sour Foods, Could Be Linked to Early Death in Older Adults. Research Found Those Whose Sense of Taste Declined Since Their Younger Years Had a 47% Higher Risk of Dying in the Six-year Follow-up Period

A recent study shows an interesting link. Older adults who feel they’re losing their taste for salty and sour foods may have a higher risk of dying sooner. Researchers found that people who sensed their taste had declined since youth faced a 47% higher chance of dying within six years.

This important study looked at more than 7,000 U.S. adults aged 40 and older. The results showed clear risks. Losing the ability to taste salt and sour flavors can be concerning.

This issue remained significant even if these adults didn't experience a similar decline in their sense of smell.

Why does this matter? For many older adults, changes in taste might not seem like a big deal. However, this study suggests that these changes could be early warnings of serious health problems. Although the research doesn't directly prove that a decrease in taste causes earlier death, it shows a strong link that can't be ignored.

The ability to taste salt and sour foods is particularly important. When older people notice that these flavors aren't as strong as they used to be, it could be a signal to seek medical advice. Paying attention to such changes and discussing them with a doctor might lead to early treatment of underlying health issues.

Monitoring taste changes can help doctors spot older adults at higher risk. This simple method may also allow them to address health issues sooner, possibly extending their lives.

Diabetes, Heart Failure, and Kidney Disease Medication First of Its Kind to Significantly Reduce Both Heart Attacks and Strokes | Sotagliflozin Medication Had 23 Percent Reduction in the Rate of Heart Attacks, Strokes Compared to Placebo

Sotagliflozin is a new medicine helping people with diabetes, heart failure, and kidney disease. It's the first drug of its kind that can greatly lower the chances of having heart attacks and strokes. Researchers from Mount Sinai led this study with exciting results.

Sotagliflozin works by blocking two proteins, SGLT1 and SGLT2. These proteins help move glucose and sodium in our bodies, which affects our blood sugar levels. This drug does a better job than others because it blocks both proteins, not just one.

The research, shown in a famous medical journal, included over 10,000 patients. These patients had a high risk of heart problems because of their kidney disease and type 2 diabetes. People who took sotagliflozin had a 23% lower risk of heart attacks, strokes, or death from these issues than those who took a placebo.

Dr. Deepak L. Bhatt, who led the study, believes sotagliflozin could be very important for treating people around the world. It not only helps with heart and kidney issues but also starts working quickly.

Mount Sinai is famous for its top-notch heart care. It continues to seek better treatments for serious health issues. This new medicine could change how doctors help patients with diabetes and heart diseases, making it easier to keep them healthy.

✢ 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.