03/25/25 - #354

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Eating Two Cups of Strawberries Daily (26 g/d) Modestly Improves Cognitive Processing Speed, Lowers Systolic Blood Pressure, Enhances Antioxidant Capacity, and Benefits Episodic Memory in Older Adults

  • FDA Orders Compounding Pharmacies to Stop Making Ozempic, Zepound Knockoffs

  • Marijuana Users at Greater Risk for Heart Attack and Stroke: Adults Under 50 Are More Than Six Times as Likely to Suffer a Heart Attack if They Use Marijuana, Compared to Non-users. They Also Have a Dramatically Higher Risk of Stroke, Heart Failure and Heart-related Death

  • Whole-body Hyperthermia (WBH) May Act as a Fast Antidepressant, With Mood Benefits Lasting Up to Six Weeks. It Likely Works by Resetting Stress Pathways and Increasing IL-6, Triggering Anti-inflammatory Effects. More Studies Are Needed to Confirm Long-term Safety

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Eating Two Cups of Strawberries Daily (26 g/d) Modestly Improves Cognitive Processing Speed, Lowers Systolic Blood Pressure, Enhances Antioxidant Capacity, and Benefits Episodic Memory in Older Adults

As we get older, it's important to keep our minds sharp and our hearts healthy. Recent research led by scientists like Kristin Delaney has found a tasty way to help: strawberries! Eating two cups of strawberries every day can make your brain work faster and lower your blood pressure. Plus, they increase the good stuff in your body that fights off disease.

In the study, 35 healthy older adults ate freeze-dried strawberry powder every day for 8 weeks. The results were positive: they thought faster, remembered things better, and had healthier hearts. This is exciting because as we age, keeping our brain and heart healthy means we can enjoy life more.

Why do strawberries help? They are packed with nutrients and antioxidants. These natural substances improve brain function and reduce risks for heart diseases. Researchers believe that the antioxidants in strawberries might help keep blood vessels healthy and lower blood pressure.

Adding two cups of strawberries to your daily diet is easy and delicious. You can eat them on their own, slice them into a bowl of cereal, or blend them into a smoothie. No matter how you enjoy them, they’re a sweet treat that’s also good for you.

Next time you're at the grocery store, consider picking up some strawberries. Making them a part of your daily routine could be a simple, enjoyable way to boost both your mind and your heart health. It's a tasty step towards a healthier life!

WEIGHT LOSS

FDA Orders Compounding Pharmacies to Stop Making Ozempic, Zepound Knockoffs

The FDA has told some pharmacies to stop making cheaper versions of weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Zepound. This happened because there is no longer a shortage of these drugs. Many people worry about these cheaper drugs. The original brands cost a lot more and insurance often doesn’t cover them.

Before, during the drug shortage, some special pharmacies were allowed to make and sell these less costly drugs. But in December 2024, the FDA said the shortage was over. Now, these pharmacies must stop making these drugs soon because the original makers, Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, own the rights to them.

Patients who found these cheaper drugs helpful now face hard choices. Without them, they might have to stop their treatment or pay a lot more for the same drugs.

These cheaper drugs aren't checked by the FDA for safety or quality. But companies like Ro and Hims & Hers, who sell these drugs, promise to keep helping their customers get good treatments that they can afford.

This new rule could make it harder to find and afford these important weight loss drugs. People are watching to see if Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk can make enough drugs and keep the prices fair without the cheaper versions on the market. This is a big change for people looking for help with weight loss.

HEALTH

Marijuana Users at Greater Risk for Heart Attack and Stroke: Adults Under 50 Are More Than Six Times as Likely to Suffer a Heart Attack if They Use Marijuana, Compared to Non-users. They Also Have a Dramatically Higher Risk of Stroke, Heart Failure and Heart-related Death

A new study has found that adults under 50 who use marijuana are more than six times likely to have a heart attack compared to those who don't use it. The study in JACC Advances shows that marijuana users face a greater risk. They are more likely to have strokes, heart failure, and die from heart problems.

Dr. Ibrahim Kamel, the lead researcher from Boston University, stresses the need for doctors to ask about marijuana use when checking heart health risks, much like they ask about smoking.

Although marijuana is legal in many states for both fun and medical reasons, this study warns it's not completely safe. "People should know about these risks," Dr. Kamel says.

The research involved looking at health records of over 4.6 million adults under 50. These people were initially healthy with no heart problems, normal blood pressure, and cholesterol, and they didn’t smoke tobacco. Over three years, those who used marijuana had:

  • Six times the risk of a heart attack.

  • Four times the risk of stroke.

  • Twice the likelihood of heart failure.

  • Three times the risk of dying from heart problems.

More research with over 75 million people found similar risks. Dr. Kamel reminds that marijuana users might also use other harmful substances, which could add to these risks.

He encourages patients to be open with their doctors about all drug use to get the best care possible. This important finding will be discussed further at an upcoming heart health conference.

Whole-body Hyperthermia (WBH) May Act as a Fast Antidepressant, With Mood Benefits Lasting Up to Six Weeks. It Likely Works by Resetting Stress Pathways and Increasing IL-6, Triggering Anti-inflammatory Effects. More Studies Are Needed to Confirm Long-term Safety

Whole-body hyperthermia (WBH) is becoming popular as a quick treatment for depression. It may improve mood for up to six weeks. This innovative method involves briefly heating the body to a high temperature before allowing it to cool down. It is believed to reset the body's stress response. It also raises interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels. IL-6 helps fight inflammation and may improve mood.

Depression is usually treated with medications and therapy. These methods can work, but they often take time to help and may cause side effects. WBH might offer a faster option. Studies show that patients often feel a mood boost right away, and it can last for weeks. This could be especially helpful for those who struggle with the slow onset of traditional treatments.

However, the excitement around WBH comes with a note of caution. Current research has some limits. It often involves small study sizes. Also, it mainly looks at people without other health issues. More studies are needed to confirm WBH's long-term safety. We also need to see how well it works with standard care as a supplement.

If WBH is shown to be safe and effective in larger trials, it could change how we treat depression. It may offer a quick and lasting lift in mood. This would be a big step forward. It gives hope and relief to those wanting quicker results from depression treatments. Stay tuned as researchers continue to explore the potential of this promising therapy.

✢ 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.