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- 02/20/25 - #331
02/20/25 - #331
Health Horizon. Herald Staff
February 20, 2025
Good morning. In today’s edition:
Eating Too Much Red Meat Linked to an Increased Risk of Dementia and Cognitive Decline
How Important is Water for Weight Loss
Textbooks Need to Be Rewritten: RNA, Not DNA, is the Main Cause of Acute Sunburn - Textbooks Say That Sunburn Damages DNA, Leading to Cell Death and Inflammation. But Study Found in Mice and Human Skin Cells That This is a Result of Damage to RNA, Not DNA, That Causes the Acute Effects of Sunburn
RFK Jr. Is Already Taking Aim at Antidepressants
…and lots more. Have a great day!
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FOOD & NUTRITION
Eating Too Much Red Meat Linked to an Increased Risk of Dementia and Cognitive Decline
Recent studies show that eating a lot of red meat might increase your chance of getting dementia as you get older. Researchers from Mass General Brigham, Harvard University, and MIT looked at health data from 1980 to 2018. They found that eating processed red meat regularly could make your brain age faster by about 1.6 years for each serving you eat. A serving is about the size of a deck of cards.
The research also found something hopeful. Eating less red meat and more nuts or legumes, such as beans and lentils, may lower your risk of dementia by 19%. It can also reduce your chance of cognitive decline by 21%. These findings were shared in the journal Neurology.
Daniel Wang from Harvard led the study. He hopes this information encourages people to consider how diet impacts both their body and brain. "We often hear about eating right to avoid diseases like heart disease or diabetes, but brain health is just as important," said Wang.
Although the study only observed trends and more research is needed to understand everything fully, the message is clear. Eating less red meat and choosing healthier options can help keep your brain sharp as you age.
Experts say more research is needed. They also emphasize that better food choices can greatly benefit your brain health as you age.
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WEIGHT LOSS
How Important is Water for Weight Loss
Let's talk about the best drinks for weight loss when you're fasting. Fasting means you eat during a specific time to improve your health, and drinking the right things is a big part of it.
Water is the number one drink when fasting. It helps keep your body’s insulin and inflammation low, which is good for cleaning out old cells and making new ones—a process called autophagy. To make water taste better without breaking your fast, you can add a little salt or a couple of drops of lemon or lime.
You might wonder why we add minerals like salt or magnesium to water. Our ancestors used to get these from their natural diets, but today's tap water doesn't have enough of them. Adding minerals helps make up for this.
Tea and coffee are also great for fasting. They can help you feel full and increase your metabolism. Stick with black or add just a tiny bit of butter if you're really hungry.
Be careful with other drinks, though. Even if they don’t have calories, sweeteners can still make your insulin go up, which you don't want.
Keeping your drink choices simple—like water, tea, and coffee—and sharing your progress with friends can really help.
HEALTH
Textbooks Need to Be Rewritten: RNA, Not DNA, is the Main Cause of Acute Sunburn - Textbooks Say That Sunburn Damages DNA, Leading to Cell Death and Inflammation. But Study Found in Mice and Human Skin Cells That This is a Result of Damage to RNA, Not DNA, That Causes the Acute Effects of Sunburn
When we get too much sun, our skin turns red and hurts. We've always been told this is because the sun damages our DNA. A new study from the University of Copenhagen and Nanyang Technological University in Singapore shows that RNA, not DNA, gets damaged first.
RNA is a molecule similar to DNA but it doesn't last as long. It carries important instructions for making proteins, which are the building blocks of our cells. When UV light from the sun damages RNA, it triggers a quick reaction in our skin to start healing.
Researchers found that a protein called ZAK-alpha helps spot when RNA is damaged. Once it sees damage, it quickly sends signals to help the skin protect itself and start fixing the damage. This is faster than how our bodies respond to DNA damage.
This discovery changes what we thought we knew about sunburn. Assistant Professor Anna Constance Vind from the University of Copenhagen said, “Understanding RNA damage better might change how we prevent and treat sunburn in the future.”
This new information is important because it could lead to new ways to help our skin heal faster from sunburn. It also might help treat other skin problems that get worse with sun exposure. Dr. Simon Bekker-Jensen, another researcher, said, “This could change how we study sunburn and protect our skin.”
RFK Jr. Is Already Taking Aim at Antidepressants
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the new Secretary of Health and Human Services, is already causing a stir. Kennedy, who has strong views on medical topics, has criticized antidepressants. He claims they are overused and can be dangerous.
Kennedy argues that antidepressants, especially ones called SSRIs like Prozac and Zoloft, are linked to violent behaviors. He lacks strong scientific evidence for this. In a talk last year, he suggested, without real proof, that these drugs might relate to school shootings.
Many experts disagree with Kennedy. Research shows that SSRIs are safe and help a lot of people—13% of American adults use them for depression and anxiety. The Food and Drug Administration has said that while there can be some risks for young people, these drugs are generally beneficial.
Kennedy wants to fund "wellness farms" with money from a new tax on cannabis sales. People can visit these farms to stop taking medications like SSRIs. They can focus on lifestyle changes that may boost their health.
His views have worried many in the medical field. Before Kennedy's confirmation, 15,000 doctors signed a letter opposing him. They were concerned about his misleading claims on antidepressants. During her confirmation hearings, Senator Tina Smith said Kennedy's comments make it harder for people with mental health issues. She believes they promote stigma, which can hurt them deeply.
✢ 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.