03/12/25 - #345

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • "Dessert Stomach" is Real and It Lives in Your Brain

  • Global Obesity Rates Are Surging as People Gain Weight Younger and Faster Than in the Past

  • A Study of 6,000 Smokers in the United States Found That E-cigarette Use Does Not Enhance Smoking Cessation and is Actually Linked to Reduced Tobacco Abstinence

  • Type 2 Diabetes: New Plant-based Pill Shows Promise in Human Trials | the Researchers Found That in Addition to Reducing Liver Fat Content, HTD1801 Significantly Improved Blood Glucose Control

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

"Dessert Stomach" is Real and It Lives in Your Brain

Have you ever felt full after dinner but still had room for dessert? Scientists in Germany found out why, and it's because of how our brains work.

The term "dessert stomach" explains why we can always eat something sweet even if we're full. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research discovered that when we eat sugar, certain brain cells light up. This reaction comes from our need for quick energy, which sugar provides.

In their study, scientists looked at mice and found that they also seemed to have room for dessert. They noticed that when mice ate sugar, a group of brain cells called pro-opiomelanocortin (PMOC) neurons got active. These neurons release a chemical called ß-endorphin. This chemical not only makes us feel full but also makes us feel good, which makes us want to eat more sweets.

This response only happens with sugar, not with other foods like fats or proteins. When researchers stopped these neurons from working in mice, they didn't crave extra sugar anymore.

The study also included tests on people, showing that our brains react to sugar in a similar way as mice. This finding could help in treating obesity by controlling how much we crave sugar.

Scientists want to understand how this brain response impacts obesity. They also aim to improve treatments by focusing on these brain cells.

WEIGHT LOSS

Global Obesity Rates Are Surging as People Gain Weight Younger and Faster Than in the Past

Obesity rates are increasing quickly, and younger people are gaining weight earlier than before. Studies predict that by 2050, about 60% of adults and 31% of children across the world will be overweight or obese. This is a big jump from the numbers in 1990, showing that this is a major health problem.

Being overweight can lead to serious health issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and some cancers. This isn’t just about personal choices; it reflects bigger problems in society. Emmanuela Gakidou, a health expert, calls it a "profound tragedy and a monumental societal failure."

Many people in countries like the US, Brazil, and Egypt are already dealing with obesity. In the future, more people in Asia and Africa will face obesity because of growing populations. This will put a lot of pressure on healthcare systems, especially in poorer countries.

To fight this, experts say we need to take action now. Eating better and exercising more are important, but they aren’t enough by themselves. Governments need to create policies that make it easier for everyone to live healthier lives. This includes better food choices and more chances to be active.

We are at a critical time for global health. As obesity numbers grow, finding effective solutions is crucial. Everyone, from government officials to everyday people, must help tackle this big health issue.

HEALTH

A Study of 6,000 Smokers in the United States Found That E-cigarette Use Does Not Enhance Smoking Cessation and is Actually Linked to Reduced Tobacco Abstinence

A recent study from UC San Diego found that vaping does not help smokers quit tobacco. In fact, it might even make it harder. The study looked at 6,000 smokers in the U.S. and discovered that those who vape are less likely to stop smoking compared to those who don't vape at all.

John P. Pierce, Ph.D., is a lead researcher at the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health. He studied data from a large national study. He found that smokers who vape every day are about 4% less likely to quit. Those who vape sometimes but not every day are about 5% less likely to quit smoking.

Many people think vaping is safer than smoking cigarettes. While vaping might not have some of the same dangerous chemicals as cigarette smoke, it still has health risks. The long-term effects of vaping are still unknown.

The researchers made sure to compare smokers who were similar in how often they smoke, their desire to quit, and their home environment. Karen Messer, Ph.D., another lead researcher, said this careful comparison makes their findings strong and reliable.

This study helps us understand that vaping might not be the helpful tool for quitting smoking that many people think it is. It also shows the importance of accurate information and careful research in making health policies, especially about how vaping is shown to young people.

Type 2 Diabetes: New Plant-based Pill Shows Promise in Human Trials | the Researchers Found That in Addition to Reducing Liver Fat Content, HTD1801 Significantly Improved Blood Glucose Control

There's a new pill made from plants called HTD1801, and it's showing exciting results for people with type 2 diabetes. This type of diabetes is the most common and happens when the body doesn't use insulin well, causing high blood sugar.

HTD1801 comes from a natural ingredient called berberine, which has been used for hundreds of years in Chinese medicine to treat stomach problems and infections. Now, researchers are looking at it as a way to help with diabetes.

In a recent study by Peking University People’s Hospital in China, 113 people with type 2 diabetes joined a trial. They were divided into three groups. Each group took either a fake pill (placebo), 500 mg of HTD1801, or 1,000 mg of HTD1801 twice a day for 12 weeks.

The results were promising. People taking HTD1801 had better blood sugar control, especially those on the higher dose. The pill also helped lower bad cholesterol and reduce inflammation without causing weight gain.

Most people handled the pill well, although some had mild side effects. This study suggests that HTD1801 could be a helpful new treatment for diabetes.

This plant-based pill could become an important option for managing type 2 diabetes, especially for those who need something extra to control their blood sugar.

✢ 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.