02/29/24 - #77

Author

Health Horizon. Herald Staff
February 29, 2024

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Cannabis May Play a Role in Maintaining Binge Eating as Research Suggests Cannabis Can Increase How Pleasurable or Rewarding People Find High-Sugar or High-Fat Foods. Patients With Binge Eating Who Use Cannabis Also Drink More Alcohol, Finds the New Study

  • What Foods Have You Cut Out of Your Diet in Order to Lose Weight Easier?

  • Researchers Have Discovered How to Fix a Defect That Causes Lupus, and Hope Their Discovery Will Offer Effective Long-term Treatment | the Study Found a Way to Reprogram the Defective Cells of Lupus Patients With Protective Molecules From Healthy People

  • A New Study Suggests That Sleep Deprivation Could Be Robbing Us of Our Ability to Fully Enjoy Life’s Happier Moments. By Using Emotion-inducing Film Clips, Researchers Show That While Our Negative Emotions Seem to Weather Sleepless Nights, Our Positive Feelings Take a Hit, Becoming Less Intense

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Cannabis May Play a Role in Maintaining Binge Eating as Research Suggests Cannabis Can Increase How Pleasurable or Rewarding People Find High-Sugar or High-Fat Foods. Patients With Binge Eating Who Use Cannabis Also Drink More Alcohol, Finds the New Study

Did you know that using cannabis might affect binge eating? A study from Drexel University found something interesting. About 1 in 4 people who get help for binge eating also use cannabis. This is important. Cannabis can make junk food taste better. This might make it harder to stop binge eating.

Binge eating is when someone can't control their eating. The study looked at 165 people and found that those who used cannabis also drank more alcohol and had more problems because of it. But, their binge eating or sadness didn't get worse because of the cannabis.

The researchers say that drinking alcohol and using cannabis could make binge eating more likely. This is because they change how we feel and our appetite. This is something doctors need to think about when they help people with binge eating.

The study also asked people about their eating habits, other eating problems, and if they felt sad. They wanted to see if there were big differences between people who used cannabis and those who didn't. They found out that using cannabis is linked to drinking more alcohol and having more issues with it.

Megan Wilkinson, who led the study, says doctors should ask about cannabis and alcohol use when treating binge eating. Since opinions and laws about cannabis are changing, it's important to keep researching how it affects binge eating. This could help doctors find better ways to help their patients.

WEIGHT LOSS

What Foods Have You Cut Out of Your Diet in Order to Lose Weight Easier?

Losing weight can feel tough, but it starts with what you eat and drink. Some foods and drinks can make it harder to lose weight, so knowing which ones to skip can help you on your journey.

Sugary Drinks: These include soda and fruit punch, packed with sugar. Try swapping soda for lemon water to help you lose weight.

Snacks like Potato Chips: Chips are full of fat and salt. Instead, try healthier snacks like apple slices with peanut butter.

Processed Meats: Foods like sausages and beef jerky are tasty but not great for losing weight. Choose healthier protein sources instead.

White Rice: It's full of calories but not much nutrition. Brown rice is a better choice because it has more fiber and nutrients.

Sweets and Fast Foods: Items like whipped cream, chocolate bars, and fried chicken are delicious but high in calories and fat. Enjoying these foods less often can make a big difference.

Drinks like Diet Soda and Store-bought Smoothies: Even though they may seem healthy or low in calories, they often have a lot of sugar. Drink water or homemade smoothies instead.

The Takeaway: Making smart food choices is key to losing weight. It's about saying no to some foods and yes to others. What changes are you thinking of making? Let's talk about how to eat better together!

HEALTH

Researchers Have Discovered How to Fix a Defect That Causes Lupus, and Hope Their Discovery Will Offer Effective Long-term Treatment | the Study Found a Way to Reprogram the Defective Cells of Lupus Patients With Protective Molecules From Healthy People

Scientists in Australia have made an exciting find that could change how we treat lupus. Lupus is a disease where the body's defense system attacks its own parts, causing pain and damage. Until now, treatments have mostly helped with symptoms but haven't cured the disease.

The researchers at Monash University found a way to fix the wrong immune cells in people with lupus. They used healthy molecules from other people to make the sick cells work right again. This new method was tested and worked well in labs and on animals. It's a big deal because it targets the disease directly without harming other parts of the body.

This discovery is not just good news for lupus patients but also for people with other similar diseases like diabetes and arthritis. The scientists are excited because this treatment uses the patient's own cells, making it safer and more personalized.

Lupus mostly affects women, especially those between 15 and 45 years old. This new treatment could make a huge difference in their lives. The next step is to test this method on people in clinical trials, which will start in a few years.

This research is a ray of hope for many. It's like finding a smarter way to fix the immune system without the side effects of older treatments. For people living with lupus, this could mean fewer symptoms and a better life ahead.

A New Study Suggests That Sleep Deprivation Could Be Robbing Us of Our Ability to Fully Enjoy Life’s Happier Moments. By Using Emotion-inducing Film Clips, Researchers Show That While Our Negative Emotions Seem to Weather Sleepless Nights, Our Positive Feelings Take a Hit, Becoming Less Intense

Ever feel like your morning cereal isn't as tasty or jokes aren't as funny when you're tired? A study says not sleeping enough might be why we can't enjoy fun stuff as much.

Scientists watched how people felt after watching different movie clips. They found out that when we don't get enough sleep, the happy moments don't feel as great, but the sad or mad feelings don't change much. This is big news for anyone staying up late for work or school.

The main idea? Not sleeping enough doesn't just make you yawn; it might steal some of your joy. Jared Minkel, who led the study, was surprised to see just how tired many people are every day. This tiredness could be part of why some folks feel down a lot.

But, the study mostly looked at college students, so it's not sure if this is true for everyone. Plus, they didn't check if things like drinking coffee changed how people felt.

Researchers want to keep studying this with more people to really understand it. They believe finding out more about sleep and our feelings can help everyone feel better.

So, next time you think about staying up late, remember: a good night's sleep helps keep the fun in your 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.