03/05/24 - #80

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Cannabis May Play a Role in Maintaining Binge Eating as Research Suggests Cannabis Can Increase How Pleasurable or Rewarding People Find High Sugar or High Fat Foods. Patients With Binge Eating Who Use Cannabis Also Drink More Alcohol, Finds the New Study

  • Is 5,000 Steps a Day Enough? Scientists Weigh In

  • Study of 2.9 Million Korean Adults Confirms People Who Quit Smoking and Continue to Not Smoke for the Next 10 Years Significantly Reduce Their Risk of Cancer, Particularly Lung Cancer

  • High Weekly Physical Activity Levels Linked to Lower Kidney Disease Risk in Diabetes + Overweight/Obesity: Boosting Weekly Total by Just Over an Hour Linked to 33% Lower Risk; Among ‘Improvers’, Effects Evident for Bouts Lasting Above or Below 10 Mins at a Time

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Cannabis May Play a Role in Maintaining Binge Eating as Research Suggests Cannabis Can Increase How Pleasurable or Rewarding People Find High Sugar or High Fat Foods. Patients With Binge Eating Who Use Cannabis Also Drink More Alcohol, Finds the New Study

Did you know that researchers at Drexel University have found a connection between cannabis use and binge eating? Binge eating means when someone eats a lot of food in a short period and feels like they can't stop. In this new study, about 1 in 4 people who were getting help for binge eating said they had used cannabis in the last three months.

The study was shared in a science magazine and included 165 people. Interestingly, those who used cannabis also tended to drink more alcohol and had more trouble because of their drinking. But, the study also found that using cannabis didn't make their eating disorder or feelings of being very sad any worse.

The researchers think that both alcohol and cannabis might make it harder to avoid binge eating. They can make you hungrier and affect your mood. They're suggesting that doctors should talk to their patients about using cannabis and alcohol. This way, they can better understand how it's impacting their eating habits and emotions.

This research is just the beginning. The Drexel team is curious to learn more about how cannabis influences hunger and mood in people who binge eat. They hope this information will help doctors come up with better treatments. Laws and views on cannabis are changing. It's important to stay informed about how it affects health. This is especially true for those with eating disorders.

WEIGHT LOSS

Is 5,000 Steps a Day Enough? Scientists Weigh In

Walking 10,000 steps a day sounds great for health, but it's a big goal. What if you walk 5,000 steps? Is that enough to help you lose weight? Let's see what the experts say.

John Ford, a fitness pro, tells us sitting too much isn't good. It can make us gain weight and lead to heart trouble. Walking is an easy way to fight this. But how much walking do we need?

Thijs Eijsvogels, a science expert on exercise, says adding 1,000 steps a day can make you healthier. Walking faster is also a good idea. It can help you lose weight without walking more steps.

Studies show walking 8,800 steps a day is best for staying healthy, but even 5,000 steps can help. It might not be the magic number for losing a lot of weight, but it's a good start.

Eijsvogels and Ford both try to walk 7,000 to 10,000 steps a day. They say you can find fun ways to walk more, like using a walking pad at home or choosing to walk instead of driving for close errands.

So, is 5,000 steps enough? It's a great place to begin. Walking more can help you lose weight and get healthier. Remember, every step counts!

HEALTH

Study of 2.9 Million Korean Adults Confirms People Who Quit Smoking and Continue to Not Smoke for the Next 10 Years Significantly Reduce Their Risk of Cancer, Particularly Lung Cancer

A groundbreaking study published in JAMA Network Open has brought new hope to millions of smokers worldwide. The research was meticulous. It examined health data from 2.9 million adults in Korea. It found strong evidence that quitting smoking can greatly cut the risk of cancer. This is especially true for lung cancer.

For years, doctors have been warning their patients about the dangers of smoking. They link it to many serious health issues, including cancer. However, this study provides some of the strongest evidence yet that it's never too late to benefit from kicking the habit.

The study found that people who quit smoking and stayed smoke-free for a decade saw a big drop in their cancer risk. This is a major discovery, suggesting that the body may start to heal and reverse some of the damage caused by smoking after a person quits.

What makes these findings even more encouraging is that quitting smoking at any age can make a difference. However, the study shows that quitting before middle age is especially effective. It lowers the risk of lung cancer. This type of cancer is one of the most common and deadly types linked to smoking.

This research is a strong reminder of the power of healthy lifestyle changes, even later in life. For long-time smokers, this study offers hope. Quitting now can still greatly improve your health and dramatically lower your cancer risk.

High Weekly Physical Activity Levels Linked to Lower Kidney Disease Risk in Diabetes + Overweight/Obesity: Boosting Weekly Total by Just Over an Hour Linked to 33% Lower Risk; Among ‘Improvers’, Effects Evident for Bouts Lasting Above or Below 10 Mins at a Time

If you're over 45 and dealing with diabetes and extra weight, here's some good news: just a bit more exercise each week could really help your kidneys. A study in the BMJ shows that people with type 2 diabetes who are also overweight can cut their risk of kidney disease by 33% by adding just over an hour of exercise to their week.

Kidney disease is a big problem for people with diabetes. It's risky, and when you have both diabetes and kidney disease, things can get much worse. This study tells us that keeping active over time is important, and it doesn't matter if you exercise in short or long stretches.

Researchers looked at data from a big study of over 1,700 adults. They found that those who did more exercise, like 329 minutes or more a week, were less likely to have kidney problems compared to those who did less.

The cool part? It didn't matter if the exercise was done all at once or in smaller bits throughout the day. Both ways helped.

This study reminds us that being active is key, not just for managing diabetes and weight, but also for keeping our kidneys healthy. A daily hour of walking, biking, or any heart-pumping activity could make a big difference. So, why not start now? Your health will thank you!

✢ 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.