03/11/25 - #344

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Kennedy and Influencers Bash Seed Oils, Baffling Nutrition Scientists

  • Novo Nordisk Offers Wegovy for Less Than Half the Price Through New Direct-to-consumer Pharmacy

  • Upheaval and Firings at CDC Raise Fears About Disease Outbreak Response

  • Young Adults With Insomnia Slept Better on Days When They Engaged in More Vigorous Physical Activity or Were More Sedentary Than Usual. Conversely, Their Sleep Worsened on Days When They Engaged in More Light Physical Activity Than Usual

…and lots more. Have a great day!

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FOOD & NUTRITION

Kennedy and Influencers Bash Seed Oils, Baffling Nutrition Scientists

Lately, many people have been talking about "seed oils." These oils include popular cooking options like canola, soybean, and corn oil. However, some internet personalities, wellness experts, and even Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the new health secretary, have raised concerns about these oils. They call them "the hateful eight." They say these oils are tied to health problems like obesity and diabetes. Kennedy even suggested that fast-food restaurants should use beef fat instead.

Some companies and restaurants have stopped using seed oils. For example, the salad chain Sweetgreen made this change. A survey found that many Americans are now avoiding these oils.

Nutrition scientists are confused by these claims. Their research shows that seed oils are actually beneficial. They help lower bad cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease, making them healthier than butter or lard.

Seed oils are made by extracting oil from seeds and refining it, which makes them good for cooking at high temperatures. They are mostly made of healthy fats. Critics worry about the balance of fats in these oils, but studies haven't fully backed up these concerns.

Experts suggest that people should focus on eating fewer processed foods rather than avoiding seed oils. They recommend using different oils based on personal health and choosing olive oil when possible.

While the debate continues, more research is needed. Experts agree that plant-based oils are generally a safer choice than processed animal fats like beef tallow.

WEIGHT LOSS

Novo Nordisk Offers Wegovy for Less Than Half the Price Through New Direct-to-consumer Pharmacy

Novo Nordisk is making its weight loss drug Wegovy much cheaper. Now, through a new online service called NovoCare, the drug will cost $499 a month. Before, it was almost $1,350. This big price cut is meant to help people who don’t have insurance that covers Wegovy.

Wegovy has become very popular for helping people lose weight. The drug is taken once a week. With the new price, more people can afford it.

Novo Nordisk is doing this to keep people from using unsafe versions of the drug that appeared when there was a shortage. Those versions were not checked for safety like Wegovy is.

NovoCare will do more than sell Wegovy at a lower price. It will also send the drug right to your home, remind you when it's time for a refill, and let you talk to a case manager if you need help.

Soon, Novo Nordisk will also make Wegovy cheaper at regular pharmacies. This way, even more people can get it easily without paying too much.

This move by Novo Nordisk is similar to what its competitor, Eli Lilly, is doing. Both companies want to be the top choice for drugs that help with weight loss. These drugs work by controlling appetite and blood sugar levels.

HEALTH

Upheaval and Firings at CDC Raise Fears About Disease Outbreak Response

Recently, many people have been fired from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which has caused concern about how well the U.S. can handle diseases like bird flu and measles. These firings have happened during a time when diseases are a big worry, both here and in other countries.

The Trump administration has cut about 750 jobs at the CDC. Many of these were people just hired or working temporarily. Experts are worried because the CDC is very important for managing diseases and keeping people healthy. Dr. David Fleming, who used to work at the

.CDC, said this is a bad time for the CDC to be weakened.

The morale, or spirit, of the people still working there is very low, making their job even harder. Important meetings about vaccines have also been delayed, which makes people worried about future plans for vaccinations.

The CDC used to have teams that could quickly respond to diseases in the U.S. and help keep dangerous diseases from coming into the country from other places. But with fewer people, the CDC can't do its job as well. This includes checking travelers at airports to make sure they aren't bringing in new diseases.

People are watching closely to see how these changes will affect our health in the future. They hope that the government will act quickly to fix these problems and make sure the CDC can do its important work.

Young Adults With Insomnia Slept Better on Days When They Engaged in More Vigorous Physical Activity or Were More Sedentary Than Usual. Conversely, Their Sleep Worsened on Days When They Engaged in More Light Physical Activity Than Usual

Recent research from China indicates that young adults who struggle with sleep can improve their rest. Being active or relaxed during the day can help. Interestingly, light activity like walking didn’t help and actually made sleep worse.

A study in Psychology of Sport & Exercise followed 147 university students for a week. Students with insomnia noticed better sleep on days when they either exercised a lot or took it easy. This was not the case for students without sleep issues. Their sleep stayed about the same, regardless of how active they were.

Sleep issues can really disrupt daily life. Problems like not being able to fall asleep, stay asleep, or wake up feeling rested are common with insomnia. During stressful times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, many young adults report not sleeping well.

In the study, students wore fitness trackers and answered daily questions about their sleep. The results show that people with insomnia may sleep better if they either exercise more intensely or relax more.

These findings are interesting, but they remind us that the type of activity may matter. So, whether you choose to ramp up your workout or just relax, you might end up sleeping better.

This study helps us understand how daily activities can affect sleep, especially for those struggling to get good rest.

✢ 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.