Good morning. In today’s edition:

• A 1-Litre Bottle of Water Contains Some 240,000 Plastic Fragments: Study

• 200 Lbs Loss

• Cannabinoids Have the Potential to Be Used as a Preventive Approach to Limiting the Susceptibility and Severity of COVID-19 Infections by Preventing Viral Entry, Mitigating Oxidative Stress, and Alleviating the Associated Cytokine Storm

• Financial Stress is the Most Harmful Type of Stress to Biological Health, According to a Study Conducted on 4,934 Individuals From the UK Aged 50 and Over

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

A 1-Litre Bottle of Water Contains Some 240,000 Plastic Fragments: Study

Did you know your water bottle might have a lot of tiny plastic bits in it? A new study found something shocking: there could be around 240,000 small pieces of plastic in a one-liter bottle of water.

Scientists are talking about something called "nanoplastics." These are really, really tiny plastic pieces, way smaller than "microplastics." Imagine something so small, it's about 70 times thinner than a hair! The study found that bottled water has way more of these tiny plastics than we used to think – maybe 100 times more.

Why is this important? Nanoplastics are so small they can get inside our bodies. They can travel in our blood and even reach unborn babies. Before, it was tough to spot these tiny plastics, but now, with new tools, scientists can see them.

The researchers looked at water bottles from three big brands in the U.S. They didn't say which brands, but they found loads of nanoplastics.

This discovery is a big deal because it shows how much tiny plastic we're around, especially in bottled water. Every year, we make a huge amount of plastic, and it doesn't just go away. It breaks into smaller bits, including nanoplastics.

Now, the scientists want to check tap water and even snow in Antarctica for nanoplastics. Their work helps us understand that even the smallest things can affect our health and the environment.

Source: ndtv.com

WEIGHT LOSS

200 Lbs Loss

At 21, lying in a hospital bed and weighing over 400 pounds, I realized I had to change. My family, also struggling with obesity, joined me on this journey. We started at a total weight of 1550 pounds, and have now lost an incredible 560 pounds together.

Initially, my fitness routine was all about running, including marathons. But over time, I shifted to strength training, reshaping my body significantly. Growing up overweight was tough. By 18, I had diabetes, leading to depression and isolation. The turning point was a severe blood infection, limiting my movement. I knew then that I had to focus on eating healthy. Cooking my own meals and cutting out junk food, I lost 40 pounds in two months, and 100 pounds in five months.

Now, I exercise nearly every day, whether it’s hiking or specific exercises. Despite the challenge of excess skin, I'm committed to continuing my health journey.

Becoming a fitness trainer in 2015, I now specialize in helping those who face similar challenges. Helping others keeps me motivated.

My family's transformation has been a great achievement. We feel more energetic and enjoy life more. Our story is a testament to the power of determination and shows that it's never too late to change your life. If I can do it, so can you!

Source: truly

HEALTH

Cannabinoids Have the Potential to Be Used as a Preventive Approach to Limiting the Susceptibility and Severity of COVID-19 Infections by Preventing Viral Entry, Mitigating Oxidative Stress, and Alleviating the Associated Cytokine Storm

Scientists are exploring an interesting idea to help people with COVID-19. This is especially for those who have severe or long-lasting symptoms. They're studying cannabinoids, which are parts of the cannabis plant.

COVID-19, the illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, affects people differently. Some get a fever and cough, while others lose their sense of smell and taste. Vaccines are very helpful, but they don’t work equally well for everyone. Here's where cannabinoids might come in.

Cannabinoids could help in two major ways. They might stop the virus from entering our cells and also reduce the severity of symptoms for those who get sick. They do this by helping our body maintain balance and controlling an overactive immune response.

People suffering from long COVID-19 may feel very tired, sad, anxious, or have trouble sleeping. Cannabinoids could offer relief. They interact with a system in our body that regulates mood, memory, and pain.

But it's not simple. More research is needed to know how best to use cannabinoids. They affect people differently, and aren’t recommended for young people, pregnant women, or those breastfeeding.

There are different ways to take cannabinoids, like in oils or sprays. Smoking might not be a good idea because COVID-19 affects the lungs.

In summary, cannabinoids could be a helpful tool against COVID-19, but more information is needed. They show promise in preventing the virus and easing long-term symptoms. However, they should be used with caution and under medical guidance.

Source: mdpi.com

Financial Stress is the Most Harmful Type of Stress to Biological Health, According to a Study Conducted on 4,934 Individuals From the UK Aged 50 and Over

Did you know that worrying about money can be really bad for your health, especially if you're over 50? Researchers from UCL found this out by studying 4,934 people in the UK. They checked their health by looking at special signs in their blood. These signs show if the body's systems that keep us healthy are working right. Stress can mess with these systems, leading to big health problems like heart disease or depression.

The study grouped people based on their health risks. It found that stressful life events can increase the chance of being in the high-risk group by 61%. But it's not just big events that are harmful. Constantly worrying about money can also be really bad. People stressed about money were 59% more likely to be in the high-risk group.

Odessa S. Hamilton, who led the study, said that our bodies stay healthy when certain systems work well together. But long-term stress, especially about money, can upset this balance and make us sick.

This study is important because it shows that stress, and especially money worries, can affect our health a lot, even years later. And this is true for everyone, no matter what their genes are like.

In short, being stressed about money isn't just a money problem. It's a health problem too, especially for people over 50.

Source: ucl.ac.uk

✢ 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.