03/04/24 - #79

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Researchers Have Demonstrated That Polypropylene is Transferred to the Vegetable When It’s Heated Up in a Bag

  • I Finally Hit 200lbs Lost

  • Suicide Rates in the U.S. Are on the Rise. Increased Access to Potentially Lethal Prescription Opioids Has Made It Easier for Women, Specifically, to End Their Own Lives; and a Shrinking Federal Safety Net Has Contributed to Rising Suicide Rates Among All Adults During Tough Economic Times

  • A Therapist-guided Digital CBT Reduced Distress in 89 Percent of Participants Living With Long-term Physical Health Condition. An Estimated 15.4 Million People in England Have One or More Long-term Physical Health Conditions. 30 Percent of These Individuals Also Have a Mental Health Condition

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Researchers Have Demonstrated That Polypropylene is Transferred to the Vegetable When It’s Heated Up in a Bag

Have you ever popped a bag of veggies in the microwave for a quick meal? It's super convenient, but scientists in Spain are raising concerns about this practice. When you heat vegetables like potatoes in their plastic packaging, some of the plastic might actually end up in your food.

Researchers at the University of Almería found that heating potatoes in plastic bags in the microwave causes chemicals to transfer from the plastic to the potatoes. They found a particular plastic component, polypropylene, makes its way into the veggies. Even more, they identified a new compound, HMPP-maltose, formed in the process. It might be harmful, though they're still studying it to be sure.

The team experimented with different cooking methods. They included microwaving in plastic and glass, boiling, and more. Their findings were clear: only microwaving in plastic led to these chemical transfers.

This discovery is important. It challenges our food safety understanding. This is especially true for plastics. Current safety tests may not consider all the ways food and plastic interact. This is especially true under the unique conditions of microwave heating.

Experts advise caution, suggesting that we might want to think twice before using plastic in the microwave. Cooking potatoes the old way avoids these risks. You can boil or bake them without plastic.

This research isn't just about potatoes. It's a reminder to consider the safety of all foods cooked in plastic. As convenient as it might be, the health of our meals could be at stake.

WEIGHT LOSS

I Finally Hit 200lbs Lost

Imagine spending your life trapped in a cycle of weight gain, feeling like each year adds not just age but more pounds to your frame. That was me, always the biggest among my peers, my family mirroring my struggles. By 21, a hospital bed became my turning point—I was over 400 pounds and knew I had to change.

In just five months of transforming my diet and focusing on nutrition, I shed 100 pounds. Exercise came next, from running half marathons to strength training, each step reshaping my body and my life. My family joined in, turning our collective journey into a mission. Together, we dropped 560 pounds from our initial 1550.

Losing weight wasn't just about physical health. It was a battle against diabetes, depression, and the limitations that came with being morbidly obese. The scare of being immobilized by weight and health issues made me realize the importance of taking action.

Now, working out six days a week and contemplating skin removal surgery, I'm not just lighter; I'm stronger, more alive. I became a trainer, focusing on those walking the path I once did. My family's transformation—560 pounds lighter collectively—proves the power of change.

This journey has been more than losing weight; it's been about finding myself and helping others do the same. If I can do it, truly, anyone can.

HEALTH

Suicide Rates in the U.S. Are on the Rise. Increased Access to Potentially Lethal Prescription Opioids Has Made It Easier for Women, Specifically, to End Their Own Lives; and a Shrinking Federal Safety Net Has Contributed to Rising Suicide Rates Among All Adults During Tough Economic Times

For a long time, fewer people in the U.S. were dying by suicide. But, around 1997, this started to change. Last year, about 50,000 Americans took their own lives, which is more than before.

Experts thought the rise was because of bad feelings, too much social media, and easy access to guns. But a new study says there are other big reasons. It found that it's easier for women to get strong pain medicine, which has led to more suicides. Also, when money problems happen and there's less help from the government, more adults feel hopeless.

The study looked at deaths from 1990 to 2017 and noticed more suicides when a strong painkiller became popular and during the 2007 money crisis. Especially for women aged 40 to 55, getting these medicines became a big problem.

The study also found that suicides went up with the economy's downs. Places like Sweden didn't have this problem during a money crisis because the government helped its people more.

The people who did the study say that besides personal help like talking to someone on a crisis line, bigger steps need to be taken. Helping someone find a job or get healthcare could save lives. This shows how important it is for the government to help its people, especially during hard times.

A Therapist-guided Digital CBT Reduced Distress in 89 Percent of Participants Living With Long-term Physical Health Condition. An Estimated 15.4 Million People in England Have One or More Long-term Physical Health Conditions. 30 Percent of These Individuals Also Have a Mental Health Condition

A study from King's College London has shown that a new digital program called COMPASS helps people with long-term health problems. It makes them feel less anxious and depressed. This is great news for many people. About 15.4 million people in England have these health issues. Almost a third of them also feel very down or worried.

In the study, 194 people tried out COMPASS, and 89% of them started feeling a lot better. This program is special. It uses a type of help called cognitive behavioural therapy. But, it makes it fit better for people with long-term health problems. They get to do activities online and talk to therapists on the phone, which really helps.

What makes COMPASS different is that it understands the extra challenges people face when they're not feeling well for a long time. It's not just about feeling sad or worried; it's also about dealing with daily life and health issues.

The study suggests that this kind of help could be given to more people easily, without them having to go anywhere. This is important because it means more people can get the support they need without a lot of hassle.

This program shows that when doctors think about both the body and the mind, people can start to feel better. It's a big step forward in helping people live happier lives, even with long-term health conditions.

✢ 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.