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- 02/27/25 - #336
02/27/25 - #336
Health Horizon. Herald Staff
February 27, 2025
Good morning. In today’s edition:
Eating Yogurt Regularly May Reduce the Risk of Colon Cancer, a Study Finds
Now I Know Why I’m Not Losing Weight
Measles Cases Are Rising in the U.S. Do Adults Need a Vaccine Booster?
One Day of Sleep Deprivation Can Alter Your Immune System and Increase Inflammation
…and lots more. Have a great day!
FOOD & NUTRITION
Eating Yogurt Regularly May Reduce the Risk of Colon Cancer, a Study Finds
Eating yogurt often might not just be good for your taste buds; it could also help lower your risk of colon cancer. Researchers at Mass General Brigham found that people who eat yogurt at least twice a week have a lower chance of getting certain tough types of colon cancers.
This study looked at over 150,000 people for more than 30 years. It showed that the good bacteria in yogurt help keep a healthy balance in our gut. This balance strengthens the gut barrier, which is very important. A strong gut barrier helps prevent conditions like colon cancer. If the gut barrier gets too weak, it can cause inflammation and increase the risk of cancer.
Dr. Tomotaka Ugai, a leading researcher from Brigham and Women’s Hospital, says that yogurt helps maintain a good microbiome in our body. “If you like yogurt, go for it,” he suggests. This is because yogurt not only helps with gut health but might also prevent other diseases.
Dr. Chris Damman, a professor and gut expert, agrees. He says yogurt has protective effects that other studies also support. He advises adding yogurt to your diet along with fiber and healthy fats to keep your gut healthy.
However, be careful when choosing yogurt. Some yogurts have a lot of added sugar that can harm your health. Pick plain yogurts and add fruits like berries or bananas for a sweet touch without the extra sugar.
WEIGHT LOSS
Now I Know Why I’m Not Losing Weight
Have you been fasting and not seeing any weight loss? Here are five reasons why this might be happening:
Born with Slow Metabolism: Some people naturally have a slower metabolism from birth. If you had a lot of diets or medications early in life, this could make your metabolism even slower.
Constipation: If you're constipated, you might be carrying extra weight from waste. This can make you feel heavier and affect the scale.
Stress and Infections: Stress raises cortisol. This hormone makes it harder to lose weight by increasing insulin. If you’re sick, the extra stress on your body can also keep you from losing weight.
Not Enough Sleep: Poor sleep can increase cortisol too, which messes up your blood sugar levels and can prevent weight loss.
Water Retention: Sometimes your body holds onto water, which makes you feel bloated and can keep you from losing weight.
To improve your chances of losing weight, try these tips:
Take important nutrients like electrolytes, B vitamins, and vitamin D. They help with insulin resistance, which is key for weight loss.
Use purified bile salts to help your liver and gallbladder work better, which can help you lose weight.
Work on getting better sleep and reducing stress, as both greatly impact your fasting results.
Be patient, especially if you naturally have a slow metabolism. If you’re new to fasting or keto diets, consider getting advice from a specialist.
HEALTH
Measles Cases Are Rising in the U.S. Do Adults Need a Vaccine Booster?
Measles is spreading quickly in West Texas and more cases are popping up. Since measles is one of the most contagious diseases, even more than the flu or COVID, it's important to talk about vaccines.
Dr. William Schaffner, an expert at Vanderbilt University, says that getting two shots of the measles vaccine usually protects you for life. The success rate is over 95%. But, some adults might need an extra shot. This includes people who got their first vaccine before 1968 because those early vaccines weren't as effective.
If you were vaccinated between 1968 and 1989, you likely got one shot, which is still very strong. But if you're at higher risk—for example, if you work in healthcare, go to college, or travel internationally—you might need another dose.
Why think about a booster? Because not enough kids are getting vaccinated today. In some places, like Gaines County, Texas, only about 80% of kids are vaccinated. This low rate can lead to more measles outbreaks.
Measles isn't just a risk for kids. Adults over 20 can get very sick, too. Complications from measles can be serious, like pneumonia or brain swelling, which can be deadly.
Experts like Dr. Schaffner advise adults to check their vaccine status and get a booster if needed. Staying up to date with your shots helps protect everyone, especially the most vulnerable.
One Day of Sleep Deprivation Can Alter Your Immune System and Increase Inflammation
Did you ever miss a whole night's sleep? It might have done more than just make you tired. A study by the American Association of Immunologists Inc. shows that missing one night of sleep can harm your immune system and raise inflammation. This can connect to big health problems like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
Researchers at the Dasman Diabetes Institute in Kuwait City looked at 237 healthy adults. They studied their sleep and health. They found that people with obesity often slept poorly and had ongoing mild inflammation. Healthy people who stayed awake for 24 hours showed surprising changes in their immune cells. This was especially true for monocytes. Monocytes are immune cells that help fight off threats and control inflammation.
Dr. Fatema Al-Rashed, who led the study, mentioned that today’s life—like long hours in front of screens and irregular work schedules—might be harming our sleep and health. The research team wants to learn more about how lack of sleep affects our immune system. They also want to see if better sleep habits or rules about using technology can fix these changes.
This study aims to influence public health policies and encourage better sleep routines. This could help reduce the impact of diseases linked to inflammation. So, think carefully before you decide to stay up all night—it might affect more than just how you feel the next day.
✢ 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.