03/24/25 - #353

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Eating More Fruits, Dietary Fibre, Dairy Products and Caffeine is Linked to a Lower Risk of Tinnitus (Ringing in the Ears). Higher Fruit Intake Was Linked to a 35% Reduction in Tinnitus Risk, Dietary Fibre a 9% Reduction, Dairy Products a 17% Reduction and Caffeine a 10% Reduction

  • Weight Loss Protects – Even When Weight is Regained. Having Lost a Great Deal of Weight Appears to Offer Some Protection Against Ill Health Even for Those Who Have Regained Some of Their Weight Loss, Finds New Study of People Who Have Undergone Weight-loss Surgery

  • Only 10% of Non-surgical Treatments for Back Problems Kill Pain - Only Six Out of 56 Treatments Analysed Yielded ‘Small’ Relief According to Most Comprehensive Worldwide Study, With Some Even Increasing Pain

  • Night Owls Who Stay Up Late, Called “Evening Chronotypes,” Have More Depression Symptoms Than People Who Are Early Risers, or “Morning Chronotypes.” on Average, Night Owls Had Poorer Sleep Quality, Higher Alcohol Consumption, and Acted With Less Mindfulness Than Morning Chronotype

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Eating More Fruits, Dietary Fibre, Dairy Products and Caffeine is Linked to a Lower Risk of Tinnitus (Ringing in the Ears). Higher Fruit Intake Was Linked to a 35% Reduction in Tinnitus Risk, Dietary Fibre a 9% Reduction, Dairy Products a 17% Reduction and Caffeine a 10% Reduction

If you’re over 45, you might reduce the risk of tinnitus — that bothersome ringing in your ears — by changing what you eat. A study suggests that more fruits, dietary fiber, dairy products, and caffeine could lower your chances of having tinnitus.

The study, published in BMJ Open, looked at data from eight studies with over 300,000 people. It found that eating more fruits could cut tinnitus risk by 35%. Dietary fiber lowered the risk by 9%, dairy products by 17%, and caffeine by 10%. However, these studies don’t prove these foods stop tinnitus directly, but they show they might help.

Why might these foods help? The researchers think the nutrients in these foods could protect the nerves and blood vessels in our ears. They might also reduce inflammation and damage that can affect our hearing.

Even with these findings, the researchers say the evidence isn't strong. They believe more studies are needed to be sure.

Tinnitus affects about 14% of adults worldwide and can lead to stress, depression, and more serious health issues. While there’s no cure, managing your diet along with other treatments like counseling or hearing aids might help reduce symptoms.

So, when planning your meals, think about adding some extra fruit, a serving of dairy, or a cup of coffee. It might not only make your meals tastier but could also help your ears.

WEIGHT LOSS

Weight Loss Protects – Even When Weight is Regained. Having Lost a Great Deal of Weight Appears to Offer Some Protection Against Ill Health Even for Those Who Have Regained Some of Their Weight Loss, Finds New Study of People Who Have Undergone Weight-loss Surgery

Losing a lot of weight can still be good for your health, even if you gain some back later. This finding comes from a new study at the University of Gothenburg about people who had weight-loss surgery.

The research, shown in The Lancet Region Health – Europe, looked into how gaining weight again impacts health over a long time. This area is not well-studied yet.

In this study, scientists looked at problems such as heart disease, cancer, and issues with tiny blood vessels. They used data from 1,346 people in the SOS study. This study compares bariatric surgery to regular obesity treatments.

At first, these people lost about 66 pounds one year after surgery. Four years later, more than half had gained back at least 20 percent of that weight. Researchers then compared those who gained a lot of weight to those who didn’t gain much.

Results showed no difference in cancer risk or how long people lived between the two groups. However, those who gained weight had a higher chance of small vessel disease. The rate of this disease was 11.0 per 1,000 person-years for those who gained weight, compared to 8.7 for those who didn’t.

Kajsa Sjöholm, the lead researcher, says, “People who regain some weight still enjoy long-term benefits. They can live as long as those who don’t regain weight.”

HEALTH

Only 10% of Non-surgical Treatments for Back Problems Kill Pain - Only Six Out of 56 Treatments Analysed Yielded ‘Small’ Relief According to Most Comprehensive Worldwide Study, With Some Even Increasing Pain

A big study has found that most treatments for back pain don't help much. Out of 56 different treatments tested worldwide, only six showed small benefits. It turns out that a lot of common treatments might not do anything or could even make your pain worse.

The study, done by researchers in Australia, looked at 301 clinical trials in 44 countries. They found that only a few treatments actually help people with back pain, and even then, the relief is often slight. If you have long-lasting back pain, there is hope. Treatments like exercise, spinal therapy, specific drugs, antidepressants, and taping can help.

Quick fixes like NSAIDs can help with sudden back pain. However, methods like paracetamol injections don't work well. The study says that out of all the treatments tested, over 45 didn’t show clear results on whether they help or not.

Some treatments, like massage, painkillers, and foot supports, can still help many people feel better. But, watch out for treatments like shockwave therapy and the drug colchicine, which could make pain worse.

This research tells us that treating back pain isn't straightforward and what helps one person might not help another. It's important to find what works best for you, keeping in mind that many treatments might only help a little.

Night Owls Who Stay Up Late, Called “Evening Chronotypes,” Have More Depression Symptoms Than People Who Are Early Risers, or “Morning Chronotypes.” on Average, Night Owls Had Poorer Sleep Quality, Higher Alcohol Consumption, and Acted With Less Mindfulness Than Morning Chronotype

People who stay up late, called "night owls," might face more depression symptoms than early risers, known as "morning types." This could be due to worse sleep, drinking more alcohol, and not being as mindful.

A study from the University of Surrey looked at answers from 546 college students. They shared details about their sleep, how mindful they are, their drinking habits, and their feelings of depression and anxiety. The results showed that those who stay up late generally don't sleep as well, drink more, and aren't as mindful.

The research in PLOS One doesn't say staying up late causes depression. However, it shows a strong link. Researchers believe that better sleep, mindfulness, and less drinking can reduce depression. This is especially true for young adults.

The study was peer-reviewed, which means other experts checked it before it was published. This makes the findings more trustworthy. However, the study mainly looked at college students, so the results might not apply to everyone.

Although the study has some limits, its findings are important. They suggest that for people who often stay up late, making some healthy changes in their lifestyle could improve their mental health.

This study helps us understand why night owls might have more mental health issues and what could help.

✢ 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.