Good morning. In today’s edition:

• You May Be Eating Predigested Food. Here’s Why

• 300 to 150 Pounds

• Study Reveals That Closing Toilet Lids Has No Meaningful Impact on Preventing the Spread of Viral Particles. The Only Meaningful Way of Reducing Viral Particles Was Through Disinfection of the Toilet, Toilet Water, and Nearby Surfaces

• Oral Insulin Could Replace Injections for Diabetics, New Study Finds

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

You May Be Eating Predigested Food. Here’s Why

Ever wonder why snacks like chips and cakes are so hard to resist, even though we know they're not good for us? It turns out, many of these foods are almost like "predigested" because of how they're made. Let's explain what that means.

What's Predigested Food?

Food companies take simple ingredients like corn and wheat, break them down into parts like starches and proteins, and then turn them into the snacks we love. This process makes the food easy for our bodies to digest quickly, but it's not how we're naturally supposed to eat. It tricks our bodies into wanting more because we don't feel full the right way.

Why It's Important

Eating "predigested" food can lead us to eat too much because our bodies don't process it normally. We end up missing out on feeling full and don't get the nutrients we need.

What to Do

Choose foods that are less processed. Fresh fruits and veggies are great examples. Foods closer to their natural state are better for us. They help us feel fuller longer and give our bodies the nutrients they really need.

Making healthier food choices can help us avoid the pitfalls of processed foods and keep our bodies happier in the long run. It's about picking foods that are good for us, even when it's tempting to grab something quick and easy.

Source: edition.cnn.com

WEIGHT LOSS

300 to 150 Pounds

Fema Johnson, a 32-year-old mom from Atlanta, made a huge change during the pandemic. She didn't let anything stop her fitness journey. Starting at 326 pounds, a family trip made her realize she wanted to be healthier for her son, David, and herself.

Fema started simple. She drank only water instead of sugary drinks and chose healthier foods. Exercise became part of her everyday life. What's amazing is how Fema began to focus on feeling good and strong rather than just the number on the scale.

She slowly lost 150 pounds by setting small goals, like losing 5 pounds at a time. Fema's story shows it's possible to make big changes by taking small steps and believing in yourself. Now, she’s a personal trainer, sharing her journey to inspire others.

Fema's advice? Start small, keep going, and love yourself through the process. Her journey teaches us that change is possible with determination and self-care. She turned her life around and found joy in taking care of her health. Now, she feels in control and proud of her achievements.

Fema’s story is a powerful reminder that anyone can change their life, one step at a time. It's all about making a decision to start and then sticking with it, no matter what.

Source: FOX 5 Atlanta

HEALTH

Study Reveals That Closing Toilet Lids Has No Meaningful Impact on Preventing the Spread of Viral Particles. The Only Meaningful Way of Reducing Viral Particles Was Through Disinfection of the Toilet, Toilet Water, and Nearby Surfaces

Scientists found something surprising. Closing the toilet lid before flushing doesn't really stop germs from spreading around the bathroom. This study was done by experts at the University of Arizona and a cleaning company. They looked at how germs from the toilet can get into the air and land on surfaces nearby.

They used a special kind of virus that goes after bacteria to see how it would spread in real-life situations. They checked bathrooms at home and in public places, with the toilet lid up and down. It turned out, the lid position didn't make much difference in how much the virus spread.

What really mattered was cleaning. When they cleaned the toilet with a strong cleaner like Lysol, they found almost no germs in the water or on the toilet. Even the brush used for cleaning had fewer germs on it after being used with the disinfectant.

This finding is very important for places like hospitals. Keeping everything germ-free is crucial there. The study's main researcher, Charles Gerba, Ph.D., said that cleaning well is the best way to stop germs from spreading, not just closing the toilet lid.

Remember, cleaning your toilet and the area around it with a good disinfectant is the best way to keep your bathroom safe from germs. It's much more effective than just closing the lid before flushing.

Source: cidrap.umn.edu

Oral Insulin Could Replace Injections for Diabetics, New Study Finds

Good news for people with diabetes! Scientists have found a new way to take insulin without using needles. Now, you might be able to take it as a pill or even as a piece of sugar-free chocolate. This is big because it could make life much easier for the millions of people who need insulin every day.

Diabetes is when your body can't keep your blood sugar at a healthy level. Usually, people use shots to get their insulin. But scientists from Australia and Norway have worked together to create insulin that you can swallow. This special insulin works with your body's sugar levels to help in a smarter way.

They tried this new insulin on animals and it worked well. Even more interesting, when they gave it to baboons, the baboons liked taking their insulin as chocolate!

The goal is to start testing this new insulin on people by 2025. If everything goes as planned, it could be available for everyone by 2028. This insulin is also easy to keep because you don't have to put it in the fridge, and it's safe because you can't take too much of it.

Imagine not having to deal with needles anymore and still keeping your diabetes under control. This research is a step towards making that happen, making daily life a bit easier for people with diabetes.

Source: euronews.com

✢ 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.