03/01/24 - #78

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Study Suggests Increasing the Recommended Daily Intake of Vitamin D to 2000 IU for the General Adult Population. The Current Guidelines Advise a Daily Intake Ranging From 400 to 800 IU

  • How Important is Cutting Out Sugar?

  • Abortions by Telemedicine and Mailed Pills Are as Safe and Effective as When the Pills Are Obtained by Visiting a Doctor. The Method Was About 98% Effective and Was Safe for Over 99% of Patients, the Study Reported

  • Distinct Brain Systems Are Altered in Depression for Natural and Monetary Reward Processing | the Study Provides the First Evidence That Reward Alterations in Depression Differ Depending on the Type of Reward

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Study Suggests Increasing the Recommended Daily Intake of Vitamin D to 2000 IU for the General Adult Population. The Current Guidelines Advise a Daily Intake Ranging From 400 to 800 IU

Heads up, everyone! A fresh study is telling us we might need more vitamin D than we thought. Right now, adults are told to get between 400 and 800 IU of vitamin D each day. But, this new research says bumping that up to 2000 IU could do us a lot of good.

Vitamin D is like a health superhero for our bones and muscles. It also might help keep away some big health problems. The problem is, not everyone gets enough, especially if they're not out in the sun much or eating foods loaded with vitamin D.

The researchers took a close look at lots of studies and found that 2000 IU of vitamin D is the sweet spot. It's enough to keep our vitamin D levels healthy without causing any side effects.

Figuring out the right amount of vitamin D hasn't been easy for scientists. They want to make sure we get enough to be healthy but not so much that it causes problems. This study helps by showing that 2000 IU is a safe and helpful amount for most adults.

So, what's the takeaway? If you're an adult, thinking about taking 2000 IU of vitamin D daily could be a smart move. It's always good to chat with your doctor first, but this could be a simple way to give your health a big boost. Stay strong and healthy with the right amount of vitamin D!

WEIGHT LOSS

How Important is Cutting Out Sugar?

Have you ever thought about what happens if you stop eating sugar for just two weeks? You might be surprised by how much you change, from losing weight to feeling more awake.

First thing you'll notice? Your face and belly might look slimmer. That's because your body starts using fat for energy when it doesn't get sugar. This change helps you lose weight, especially around the middle.

But it's not just about looking different. Cutting sugar helps your whole body. Your eyes might see clearer, your kidneys work better, your arteries get less clogged, and your brain thinks sharper. This means you remember things better, concentrate more, and feel happier.

Another bonus is sleeping more soundly. Less sugar means you don't have to get up to go to the bathroom as much at night. Plus, your energy levels out. You won't feel those big ups and downs during the day anymore, which helps you stay more active and burn more fat.

And those sugar cravings? They start to fade. Once your body gets used to less sugar, you won't feel that strong need to eat sweets. This makes it easier to keep the weight off.

In short, cutting out sugar can make you lose weight, feel more energetic, and improve your overall health. It might be tough to start, but the benefits are huge. It's not just about shedding pounds; it's about feeling better every day.

HEALTH

Abortions by Telemedicine and Mailed Pills Are as Safe and Effective as When the Pills Are Obtained by Visiting a Doctor. The Method Was About 98% Effective and Was Safe for Over 99% of Patients, the Study Reported

A new study found that getting an abortion pill through a video call or text message and having it sent to your home is just as safe and works just as well as seeing a doctor in person. This study, shared in 2024, says that 98 out of 100 times, the pill does its job without any problems. And it's safe for more than 99 out of 100 people who use it.

Doctors used telemedicine to help people in places where getting an abortion is hard. They just needed to know the patient's health history to send the medicine. Over 6,000 people tried this, and almost all of them had no issues. Serious side effects were really rare.

What's cool is it didn't matter if people talked to their doctor on a video call or just through messages. Both ways were equally safe and effective. This means people can choose what feels best for them, making it easier for more folks to get help.

This research tells us that the rules around using telemedicine for abortions might need to change. It's about making sure everyone can get to safe and effective medical care easily, no matter where they live. This could make a big difference in making health care fair for all.

Distinct Brain Systems Are Altered in Depression for Natural and Monetary Reward Processing | the Study Provides the First Evidence That Reward Alterations in Depression Differ Depending on the Type of Reward

Depression is more than feeling sad. It actually changes how our brain responds to fun stuff, like money or enjoying music. Scientists did a big study and found something new. When people have depression, their brains react differently to various rewards.

Imagine the brain has a special spot called the striatum that helps us feel excited or happy about rewards. In people with depression, this spot doesn't work the same way as in people who don't have depression. And it acts differently if the reward is money compared to something like good food or songs.

This is a big deal because it tells us depression messes with the brain in complicated ways. It's not just about not feeling happy. The brain's response changes based on what kind of reward it is.

The study was done by scientists from universities in Hong Kong and China. They think this could help make better treatments for depression. Everyday joys are important. Depression changes how our brain responds to them. This could lead to new ways to help people feel better.

But, there's still a lot to learn, like how medicine for depression might affect these brain changes. This study opens new doors for understanding depression and how to treat it, showing us that how we see rewards is more complex than we thought.

✢ 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.