03/03/25 - #338

Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Ultra-processed Foods Tied to 4 in 10 Heart and Stroke Deaths in Canada

• Why is Losing Weight So Hard?

• Flu Season in the US is the Most Intense It's Been in at Least 15 Years

• About Two-thirds of Americans Are Getting Too Little or Too Much Sleep. People Not Getting the Right Amount of Sleep -- Seven to Nine Hours a Night -- Had a 29% Increased Risk of Premature Death From Any Cause, Finds New Study

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Ultra-processed Foods Tied to 4 in 10 Heart and Stroke Deaths in Canada

In Canada, foods like chicken nuggets, fries, and soda are very popular. However, a new study shows these ultra-processed foods are linked to almost 40% of heart and stroke deaths. Virginie Hamel, a dietitian and researcher, explains, "Ultra-processed foods are really impacting our health, especially when it comes to heart disease and strokes." These foods make up more than 40% of what many Canadians eat every day.

In 2019, about 37% of new heart disease and stroke cases and 38% of deaths from these diseases were caused by eating these processed foods. That means 96,043 people got sick and 17,417 died because of their diet.

Ultra-processed foods have a lot of sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats. They also have additives and don’t have many important nutrients. They don’t fill you up well, so people end up eating too much.

The good news is that cutting down on these foods can make a big difference. If Canadians ate half as many ultra-processed foods, about 45,914 fewer people would get heart disease or have strokes, and 8,314 lives could be saved each year.

Changing our food choices is key. We could help a lot by not advertising these bad foods to kids, putting taxes on sugary drinks, and making fruits and vegetables cheaper. Hamel says, “We need strong rules to help people make healthier choices because it’s tough to do on our own.”

Source: globalnews.ca

WEIGHT LOSS

Why is Losing Weight So Hard?

Ever wonder why losing weight feels so tough? Well, it's not just about willpower—science says there are real reasons. In 2020, people spent $71 billion trying to lose weight. If it were easy, it wouldn't be such a big business.

Let's start with metabolism. This includes your basal metabolic rate (BMR), which is the energy you need just to stay alive. There's also energy you burn doing things that aren't exercise, like walking to your car or tapping your foot, known as non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT). Plus, there's the energy used to digest food.

When you lose weight, your metabolism changes. Your BMR goes down because your body is smaller and needs less energy. But something else happens too—your body tries to save energy. It becomes more like a modern car that uses less gas, making it hard to lose more weight.

Also, when you diet, your body thinks you're running out of food. It makes you move less and feel hungrier. Hormones play a part too. Leptin, which helps you feel full, decreases; and ghrelin, which makes you hungry, increases.

All these changes—slower metabolism, less movement, and feeling hungrier—make losing weight really challenging. Plus, with all the tasty, high-calorie foods easily available today, it's even harder.

So, if you've struggled to lose weight, remember, it's not all your fault. Understanding these challenges can help you find better ways to manage weight loss.

Source: Myprotein

HEALTH

Flu Season in the US is the Most Intense It's Been in at Least 15 Years

This year's flu season in the US is the worst we've seen in 15 years. Data from the CDC shows that more people are seeing doctors for flu symptoms now. This increase is the highest since the swine flu outbreak in 2009-2010.

Although other illnesses like RSV are also making people sick, they are starting to decrease. Meanwhile, COVID-19 cases are going down too, putting the focus back on fighting the flu.

The flu is hitting hard, with some schools needing to close because too many students and teachers are sick. For example, a school district in Texas closed for three days after hundreds of students and staff got sick. Jeff Meador, a spokesperson for the district, said it’s one of the worst flu seasons he can remember.

Across the country, the CDC estimates there have been 24 million flu cases, 310,000 people hospitalized, and 13,000 deaths this season. Flu activity is highest in the South, Southwest, and western states.

Despite this tough flu season, the number of adults getting flu shots is the same as last year, around 44%. However, fewer children are getting vaccinated this year.

Health experts say it’s important for everyone 6 months and older to get a flu shot every year. They also remind us to wash our hands, keep surfaces clean, and stay away from sick people to avoid getting sick.

Source: apnews.com

About Two-thirds of Americans Are Getting Too Little or Too Much Sleep. People Not Getting the Right Amount of Sleep -- Seven to Nine Hours a Night -- Had a 29% Increased Risk of Premature Death From Any Cause, Finds New Study

A recent study found that about two-thirds of Americans aren’t getting the right amount of sleep. They are either sleeping too much or too little. Not getting the ideal seven to nine hours of sleep increases the risk of dying early by 29%. This important information comes from a report in JAMA Network Open.

Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center looked at the sleep habits and health of almost 47,000 people aged 40 to 79. They tracked these participants for several years to see how changes in their sleep affected their health.

They found that people who changed their sleep patterns over time had different risks. Those who started sleeping too much and later slept too little had a 19% higher risk of dying early. People who shifted from sleeping too little to too much had a 27% higher risk. The risk was higher for deaths linked to heart issues, especially for those who slept too much.

The study also noted that these sleep issues affected white adults and those with higher incomes more. There was no noticeable difference between men and women.

The findings stress the importance of keeping a consistent sleep schedule. Dayna Johnson from Emory University School of Public Health said that irregular sleep can hurt long-term health. More studies are needed to see if changing sleep habits can reduce these risks.

In summary, getting the right amount of sleep is essential for a long and healthy life.

Source: upi.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.