Good morning. In today’s edition:

• A Caffeine Supplementation of 3 Mg/Kg Significantly Improved Performance of Elite E-sports Players, by Enhancing Reaction and Shooting Skills

• I Successfully Lost the Weight!

• Doctors Have More Difficulty Diagnosing Disease When Looking at Images of Darker Skin

• New Research Reveals That Coming Off Antidepressants Like Prozac Can Cause Not Only Physical Symptoms but Also Emotional, Cognitive, and Social Difficulties

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

A Caffeine Supplementation of 3 Mg/Kg Significantly Improved Performance of Elite E-sports Players, by Enhancing Reaction and Shooting Skills

In competitive gaming, every millisecond counts. Finding an edge can mean the difference between winning and losing. A recent study looked into whether caffeine could give that edge. It focused on elite e-sports players. The research involved nine skilled gamers. They were given either a caffeine pill or a placebo before taking tests. The test measured their cognitive abilities and shooting skills.

The findings were big. Those who consumed caffeine reacted faster and shot more accurately. Their brains seemed to work faster when making quick decisions or identifying targets. These are crucial skills in the fast world of e-sports. Additionally, their shooting accuracy improved, and they were quicker at hitting their targets.

These results suggest that caffeine could help e-sports players. It could boost their performance. However, it's important to use it wisely and in moderation. Too much caffeine can cause side effects. These include feeling jittery or anxious. They can hurt, not help, performance.

In conclusion, caffeine may help e-sports players. But, they must use it carefully. With the right balance, gamers may find that caffeine gives them the boost they need. It helps them excel in their chosen field. E-sports continue to grow in popularity worldwide. Strategies like caffeine may become more important for players seeking a competitive edge.

Source: nature.com

WEIGHT LOSS

I Successfully Lost the Weight!

In a magazine issue, incredible weight loss stories captivated readers. It showed people who lost half their weight. Among them are Missy Hendrick and Richard Neil. Their stories inspire with their determination.

Missy Hendrick, now 33, struggled with weight since childhood. At nearly 300 pounds, a tough marriage led to binge eating. But after her divorce, she did the Atkins program for 12 years. She lost an amazing 395 pounds. Her motivation? Her two sons, driving her to prioritize health.

Richard Neil, 28, battled binge eating too, reaching 426 pounds. Scary health warnings pushed him to action. With a workout DVD, he started his transformation. Through hard work, he shed over 200 pounds, now helping others as a fitness coach.

Their stories teach us that lasting weight loss needs lifestyle changes, not just diets. Missy and Richard stress the importance of sticking to it and not giving up.

Their successes encourage anyone facing similar struggles. Chris Powell is a weight loss expert. He praises their achievements and tells viewers to make small changes with easy exercises.

Missy and Richard show us that with determination and support, big transformations are possible. Their stories give hope and remind us of the strength within us all.

Source: ABC News

HEALTH

Doctors Have More Difficulty Diagnosing Disease When Looking at Images of Darker Skin

A new MIT study shows doctors find it harder to spot skin diseases on darker skin. Dermatologists and regular doctors are less accurate when looking at pictures of darker skin compared to lighter skin. This could be because medical training materials mostly show lighter skin, leaving doctors less experienced with darker skin.

The study, led by Matt Groh and published in Nature Medicine, involved over 1,000 medical pros. It found dermatologists correctly identified only 34% of skin conditions on darker skin, compared to 38% on lighter skin. Regular doctors faced similar struggles.

To help, researchers made an AI program. It learned from thousands of images and got up to 47% accuracy. When doctors used this AI, their accuracy got way better, especially for regular doctors.

But there are some differences. Dermatologists did better with the AI no matter the skin tone. Regular doctors did better with lighter skin. This shows we need different help for different types of doctors and skin tones.

This study reminds us to fix biases in medical training. By showing more diverse skin tones in materials and using AI, doctors can do better at spotting skin diseases. This means fairer treatment for everyone, no matter their skin color.

Source: news.mit.edu

New Research Reveals That Coming Off Antidepressants Like Prozac Can Cause Not Only Physical Symptoms but Also Emotional, Cognitive, and Social Difficulties

Stopping antidepressants like Prozac isn't just about dealing with headaches or feeling tired. A new study shows it's a lot more complicated. Researchers talked to 20 people who tried to quit these medicines. They found out stopping can also make you feel a whirlwind of emotions, mess with your thinking, and even make it hard to get along with friends and family.

People shared that once they stopped the medicine, they felt all kinds of feelings very strongly, both happy and sad ones. They also found it tough to think clearly or concentrate. Hanging out with friends wasn't as fun anymore, and some relationships got a bit rocky.

But there's a bright side. Some folks said exercising helped them feel a bit better during this tough time. They also mentioned how important it is to have support from doctors and loved ones. The study suggests that when quitting these meds, doing it slowly and at the right time makes a big difference.

This research is a big deal because it tells us that stopping antidepressants affects more than just our bodies. It touches our emotions, how we think, and our social lives. If you're thinking about stopping your medication, it's super important to talk to your doctor and make a plan that's right for you.

Source: onlinelibrary.wiley.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.