Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Cinnamon Supplements Reduce Blood Glucose in People with Prediabetes: Research Found Consuming Roughly a Teaspoon of the Sweet Spice Can Significantly Reduce Blood Sugar Levels in Those with Prediabetes, Potentially Preventing Full-Blown Diabetes

• How Important Has Counting Your Calories Been to Your Weight Loss?

• Common Hair Loss and Prostate Drug May Also Cut Heart Disease Risk in Men and Mice

• Women’s Blood Lipids Metabolism Better in Countering Effects of Sleep Apnea

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

U.S Nutrition Panel’s Ties to Top Food Giants Revealed in New Report

Ever thought the spice that makes cookies yummy could help with blood sugar? Research says yes for folks with prediabetes. Taking a little cinnamon daily could lower blood sugar, which is great news to prevent diabetes.

Scientists found out that eating about a teaspoon of cinnamon for a month can make a big difference for people with too much weight and prediabetes. This is a cool discovery because before, experts weren't sure if cinnamon really worked.

Cinnamon is more than just tasty; it's been used for health reasons for a very long time. It has special stuff in it that might help our body deal with sugar better. The study showed that cinnamon can make blood sugar levels better and prevent sugar spikes.

What does this mean? Sprinkling some cinnamon might help manage blood sugar if you're at risk for diabetes. But remember, it's not a cure-all. Eating healthy and staying active are important too.

Even though this study is promising, more research is needed to understand how cinnamon helps fully. So, while adding cinnamon to your diet can be a good idea, it should be part of a bigger plan for staying healthy.

In short, cinnamon could be a simple and tasty way to help control blood sugar, but it's important to keep a balanced diet and exercise too.

Source: diabetes.co.uk

WEIGHT LOSS

How Important Has Counting Your Calories Been to Your Weight Loss?

Lindsey Lonergan had a big goal: she needed to lose 100 pounds that she gained during her pregnancies. She did three main things to lose the weight.

First, she walked a lot. Every day, she made sure to walk 10,000 steps. She used a FitBit to count her steps. Walking was hard at first, but it got easier over time. Lindsey also did exercises at home, like Zumba, because going to the gym was too hard with a new baby.

Second, Lindsey counted her calories. She used an app called MyFitnessPal to track everything she ate. This helped her eat what she liked but still stay within her calorie limit. She had to be careful not to eat too little or too much, especially because she was breastfeeding.

Lastly, Lindsey weighed herself every day. Some people don't like doing this, but it helped her stay on track. She used an app to watch her weight go down, which felt great.

Lindsey's story shows that knowing what works for your body and sticking to a plan can really help. Counting calories wasn't just about eating less; it was about choosing wisely and finding a balance. It was hard work, but Lindsey proves that with commitment, you can reach your health goals.

Source: newsweek.com

HEALTH

Common Hair Loss and Prostate Drug May Also Cut Heart Disease Risk in Men and Mice

Scientists have found something surprising about a drug called finasteride. Many men use it for hair loss and prostate problems. It might also lower cholesterol and reduce heart disease risk.

They studied health data at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. They found that men taking finasteride had lower cholesterol than those who didn't. "We were surprised," said Jaume Amengual, the study's lead researcher. The study wasn't perfect, but it was a good start.

They also tested the drug on mice with heart disease. The mice got different amounts of finasteride with their food. Mice that got a lot of the drug had less cholesterol in their blood and healthier livers. But the amount they got was much more than what humans take.

Finasteride works by blocking a protein that activates testosterone, a hormone linked to heart disease. This made the scientists curious if it could do more than just help with hair loss and prostate issues.

The next step is for doctors to see if finasteride really does help lower cholesterol in people. This could be important for transgender people. They might have a higher risk of heart disease and also take finasteride.

But remember, all drugs have risks. Always talk to a doctor before starting any new medicine. This discovery could lead to new ways to protect against heart disease, but more research is needed.

Source: aces.illinois.edu

Women’s Blood Lipids Metabolism Better in Countering Effects of Sleep Apnea

A team at the University of Ottawa found something interesting about sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is when you stop breathing for a bit while you're asleep. It can make it hard for your body to manage fats in your blood, which is important because too much fat can lead to heart problems.

The researchers, led by Pascal Imbeault, discovered that women are better at handling these blood fats when they have sleep apnea than men. They did an experiment. Healthy men and women ate fatty foods and then breathed air with less oxygen. This is like what happens if you have sleep apnea. They checked things like fat levels in the blood, blood pressure, and how much oxygen was in their blood.

Their findings showed that women did a better job of keeping their blood fats in check under these conditions. This might be why women with sleep apnea don't get related health issues like diabetes or heart disease as much as men.

This study is special. It's the first time scientists have looked at how men and women deal with blood fats differently when they have sleep apnea. This could help doctors better understand and treat heart disease in the future.

Source: uottawa.ca

✢ 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.