03/18/24 - #89

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • A First-of-its-Kind Review Links Junk Food to Over 30 Health Issues. This is What We Know

  • I Began Walking 20,000 Steps a Day—the Changes I Felt Amazed Me

  • Researchers Have Found That 90% of US Tattoo Ink Contained Ingredients That Weren’t Listed on the Label, Including Some With Known Health Effects | the Findings Highlight the Need for Tighter Manufacturing Regulations Around Tattoo Inks

  • Vape Use Significantly Impacts the Sleep Quality and Anxiety Levels of Young Adults

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

A First-of-its-Kind Review Links Junk Food to Over 30 Health Issues. This is What We Know

Have you ever heard that junk food isn't good for you? Well, a big study just found out it's even worse than we thought. Scientists looked at lots of research, involving almost 10 million people, and discovered eating too much junk food can lead to over 30 health problems, including some really serious ones.

What counts as junk food? We're talking about things like fast food, chips, sugary drinks, and frozen meals. These foods go through a lot of processing, which means they're changed a lot from their original form. They usually have lots of sugar, fat, and salt but not many good nutrients like vitamins.

In places like the US and Australia, almost half of what people eat is this kind of food. That's a lot! And it's not great because the study found that eating too much of it can make you more likely to get heart disease, feel very anxious or sad, and even increase the chance of getting diabetes.

The scientists say we need to do something about it, like putting warning labels on junk food, kind of like what we do with cigarettes. Right now, there are some rules about making food healthier, but they're not strong enough.

This study is a big deal. It's telling us we need to be careful about eating too much junk food. It's okay to have it sometimes, but not all the time. Making better choices can help keep us healthy.

WEIGHT LOSS

I Began Walking 20,000 Steps a Day—the Changes I Felt Amazed Me

Twelve years ago, I was hit with a big challenge. Doctors told me I have multiple sclerosis (MS), an illness that makes it hard for me to move around because it messes with my nerves. Walking even short distances was painful, and I also struggled with OCD, which makes you worry about things more than usual.

I tried a medicine called Tysabri, and it helped with some of my MS symptoms, but my legs were still sore. The doctor said exercising could make my legs stronger. The gym wasn't for me, so I chose to walk—20,000 steps every day.

Walking fit into my life easier than I thought. It made my legs stronger and helped me feel calmer. It also did something amazing for my OCD; it started to feel more under control.

After a while, I decided to walk 10,000 steps a day to not overdo it. This change kept me feeling good. What's surprising is I also started losing weight without even trying. Walking helped me shed some pounds, making me feel even stronger and happier.

I realized walking wasn't just good for my health; it was great for my mind too. Now, I enjoy walking inside my house or outside. It's helped me deal with my OCD better and made me feel more confident.

Walking has changed my life in so many ways. It's made me healthier, happier, and helped me manage my OCD. I think anyone can benefit from walking, even if it's just a little bit every day.

HEALTH

Researchers Have Found That 90% of US Tattoo Ink Contained Ingredients That Weren’t Listed on the Label, Including Some With Known Health Effects | the Findings Highlight the Need for Tighter Manufacturing Regulations Around Tattoo Inks

Imagine finding out that the ink for your tattoo has secret stuff in it that's not on the label. Well, researchers just discovered that 90% of tattoo inks made in the USA have hidden ingredients. Some of these can be bad for your health. This shows we need stricter rules for making tattoo inks.

Tattoos can mean a lot to people, whether it's for style, memories, or just for fun. Everyone expects the ink to be safe. But a study from Binghamton University in New York found surprises in 54 tattoo inks. Almost all of them had things in them that weren't listed on the package.

The study found stuff like PEG, which is okay in small doses but can be harmful if there's a lot. They also found propylene glycol, which can irritate your skin, and BHT, which could mess with your hormones. Other substances found could cause skin irritation or worse.

Only one brand, Dynamic, was honest about what's in their inks. This means many ink makers might not know what's in their products or they're not telling us.

Before 2022, the FDA didn't check tattoo inks closely. But now, there's hope for safer inks thanks to new laws. The researchers want their findings to make inks safer and help people know more about what's in their tattoos.

Getting a tattoo is a big decision. Everyone deserves to know their ink is safe.

Vape Use Significantly Impacts the Sleep Quality and Anxiety Levels of Young Adults

Vaping is not just a cool trend; it's causing real problems for young people. A study by the University of Surrey found that young adults who vape don't sleep as well and feel more anxious than those who don't.

Why does this matter? Well, not sleeping well can make everything harder. It can even make some people vape more to feel awake during the day. And feeling super anxious is no fun either.

The research also showed that vaping could make you feel lonely, especially for those who stay up late. This loneliness isn't good for anyone.

Dr. Simon Evans from the University of Surrey says vaping can mess with your brain and even lead to other bad habits. Even though vaping might taste good, it's not good for you.

The study found something interesting: young people who vape tend to worry a lot and not live in the moment. But, there's good news! Learning to be mindful, which means paying attention to the present, could help stop young people from starting to vape.

So, what's the big idea? Vaping can make it hard to sleep, make you anxious, and even lonely. But, learning to be mindful could help. It's important to take care of both your body and mind, and understanding the risks of vaping is a big part of that.

✢ 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.