02/24/25 - #333

Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Artificial Sweetener Aspartame Found to Spike Insulin Levels in Mice, and in Turn Helps Build Up Fatty Plaque in Their Arteries, Which Increases Their Risk of Heart Attacks and Stroke. Aspartame is Around 200 Times Sweeter Than Sugar, and Tricks Receptors in the Intestines to Release More Insulin

• Cutting Ultra-processed Foods Leads to Weight Loss and Better Mood: a New Study Shows That Cutting Ultra-processed Food Intake by Half in Just 8 Weeks Can Lead to Weight Loss and Improved Mood and Energy Levels

• U.S. Hospitals Are Battling Unprecedented Sustained Capacity Into 2024, Largely Driven by a Reduction of Staffed Hospital Beds, Putting the Nation on-track for a Hospital Bed Shortage Unless Action is Taken

• A Small Study of Adults With Severe Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Lebanon Found That These Individuals Had a Lower Daily Antioxidant Intake. After Six Weeks of Antioxidant Supplementation, Their Anxiety Symptoms Decreased

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Artificial Sweetener Aspartame Found to Spike Insulin Levels in Mice, and in Turn Helps Build Up Fatty Plaque in Their Arteries, Which Increases Their Risk of Heart Attacks and Stroke. Aspartame is Around 200 Times Sweeter Than Sugar, and Tricks Receptors in the Intestines to Release More Insulin

A new study has found that aspartame, a common artificial sweetener in diet sodas and sugar-free products, might be bad for your heart. Aspartame is super sweet, about 200 times sweeter than regular sugar. It tricks your body into releasing more insulin than usual.

Researchers from China, Sweden, and the USA did a study. They published their findings in the journal Cell Metabolism. They gave mice aspartame every day for 12 weeks, the same as if a person drank three cans of diet soda daily. These mice ended up with more fatty buildup in their arteries than mice that didn’t get aspartame. This buildup can make arteries narrow and hard, which is dangerous because it can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

The study also showed that these mice had more inflammation, which is a sign of unhealthy arteries. This is important for people, especially those over 45, to know because they are at a higher risk for heart problems.

The findings suggest that choosing aspartame to avoid calories might not be a good idea for people watching their heart health. We need more research on how aspartame affects people. For now, it may be best to use less sweetener or choose natural ones.

This study reminds us to be careful with diet drinks and sugar-free products, especially if you're trying to keep your heart healthy.

Source: scimex.org

WEIGHT LOSS

Cutting Ultra-processed Foods Leads to Weight Loss and Better Mood: a New Study Shows That Cutting Ultra-processed Food Intake by Half in Just 8 Weeks Can Lead to Weight Loss and Improved Mood and Energy Levels

A new study from Drexel University found that cutting back on ultra-processed foods (UPFs) like chips and candy by half can make you healthier in just 8 weeks. UPFs are everywhere and designed to make us want more. They are linked to serious health problems and even shorter lifespans.

This study included 14 adults who ate a lot of UPFs. They joined an 8-week program that helped them eat less of these foods. The program taught them about the dangers of UPFs, how to handle cravings with mindfulness, and how to plan healthier meals. It even gave them money to buy fresh fruits and vegetables.

The results were impressive. Participants cut their UPF intake by almost 50%. They lost an average of 7.7 pounds and lowered their intake of calories, sugar, fat, and salt significantly. However, they didn't start eating more fruits and vegetables, which shows they might need more encouragement to do so.

The people in the study felt better physically and mentally. They lost weight and felt happier and more energetic.

This study shows that with the right support and tools, people can eat less processed food and feel better. The research team hopes to help more people with this program and improve their health. They are excited about the good changes people saw in just two months.

Source: technologynetworks.com

HEALTH

U.S. Hospitals Are Battling Unprecedented Sustained Capacity Into 2024, Largely Driven by a Reduction of Staffed Hospital Beds, Putting the Nation on-track for a Hospital Bed Shortage Unless Action is Taken

Hospitals in the U.S. are staying busier than ever, even after the COVID-19 pandemic. A new study from UCLA says that if things don’t change, we could run out of hospital beds by 2032.

Before the pandemic, about 64% of hospital beds were in use at any time. Now, it’s up to 75%. This isn’t because more people are getting sick, but because there are fewer beds available. The number of beds ready for patients has gone down by 16%.

Dr. Richard Leuchter, who led the study, thinks this might be because there aren't enough healthcare workers and some hospitals are closing. These hospitals close when companies buy them and sell their parts to make money.

Having 75% of beds filled is risky. It means there’s not much room for more patients or sudden increases in the number of sick people. High occupancy can lead to longer waits in emergency rooms, mistakes with medicine, and other problems.

The study predicts that if we keep going this way, by 2032, about 85% of beds could be in use regularly. This could lead to many deaths each year due to overwhelmed hospitals.

To fix this, the study suggests preventing more hospitals from closing, changing how hospitals are paid, and improving training and hiring of healthcare workers. Also, new ways of treating patients quickly, like UCLA’s Next Day Clinic, could help keep hospital use down.

Source: eurekalert.org

A Small Study of Adults With Severe Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Lebanon Found That These Individuals Had a Lower Daily Antioxidant Intake. After Six Weeks of Antioxidant Supplementation, Their Anxiety Symptoms Decreased

A new study from Lebanon shows that adults with severe generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) may feel less anxious by eating more antioxidants. This study was published in Nutritional Neuroscience.

GAD is a condition where people worry excessively about daily life and find it hard to control their anxiety. Symptoms include feeling restless, being very tired, having tense muscles, and difficulty focusing. Researchers believe that brain inflammation and oxidative stress might increase anxiety. Antioxidants come from fruits, vegetables, and nuts. They help protect the body by fighting harmful molecules known as free radicals.

The research involved two parts. First, 155 healthy adults answered questions about their diets and anxiety levels. Those who were more anxious generally ate fewer antioxidants.

Then, 40 people with severe GAD were chosen for a second test. They were divided into two groups. One group drank a beverage full of antioxidants every day for six weeks, while the other group did not. The drink included green tea, cinnamon, and lemon, which are all rich in antioxidants.

The results showed that the group drinking the antioxidant beverage felt less anxious over time compared to the group that did not drink it. This suggests that antioxidants might help reduce anxiety.

The study has some limits. One is that participants might have changed their answers because they knew they were being studied. More research is needed to confirm these findings.

Source: psypost.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.