03/20/24 - #91

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Consumption of High-glycemic Foods Linked to Lower Facial Attractiveness, According to a New Study

  • Fasting's Unknown Health Benefits Revealed in New Study

  • New Study Links Hospital Privatization to Worse Patient Care

  • Accelerated TMS for Depression

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Consumption of High-glycemic Foods Linked to Lower Facial Attractiveness, According to a New Study

Have you ever thought your breakfast could change how people see you? A new study says eating too many sugary foods like donuts or white bread might make you look less attractive.

The study checked over a hundred young people. They ate two kinds of breakfasts: one was full of sugar and the other was healthier. After eating, their photos were rated by people for attractiveness.

Turns out, those who ate the sugary breakfast seemed less attractive. The study suggests that what we eat, especially if it's a lot of sugary snacks, might impact our looks.

Why does this matter? Well, looks can influence our social and love life, and even work situations. This study isn't about judging people by their looks. It's showing us how our food choices might have unexpected effects.

The researchers think this could be because sugary foods affect our skin or hormones, changing how we appear. They believe more research is needed in this area.

For adults, especially those over 45, this study is a reminder. What we eat doesn't just affect our health; it might also affect how we look. It's not about big changes or not enjoying treats. It's about making mindful choices for our health and our appearance.

So, maybe next time you're choosing breakfast, you might think about picking something healthier. It could be good for your body and might even help you look your best.

WEIGHT LOSS

Fasting's Unknown Health Benefits Revealed in New Study

Did you know fasting could do more for your health than just help you lose weight? A recent study has found some exciting benefits of not eating for a bit.

Scientists watched 12 people who only drank water for seven days. They wanted to see how fasting changes the body. What they found was pretty cool. After three days of fasting, not only did people start burning fat instead of sugar, but there were also good changes in their blood. These changes help the brain in ways we didn't know before.

The study showed these health perks start showing up after three days of not eating. But, remember, this was a small group of people. We need more research to be sure these benefits will happen for everyone.

Fasting isn't right for some people, especially if they're not feeling well. However, this study gives us clues about how fasting can help us in new ways. This could lead to new treatments that don't involve fasting.

Thinking about trying fasting? Talk to a doctor first to make sure it's safe for you. Fasting might be more than just a way to lose weight; it could also be a step towards better overall health.

HEALTH

New Study Links Hospital Privatization to Worse Patient Care

A new study from the University of Oxford found that hospitals that change from being owned by the public to being owned by private companies often do not take care of patients as well. The researchers looked at data from 13 studies in countries with a lot of money. They found that, most of the time, when hospitals become private, the quality of care for patients goes down.

Why does this happen? The study says that private hospitals try to make more money. Sometimes, they might have fewer nurses or not offer services to people who cannot pay a lot. This can lead to not cleaning as often and more sicknesses among patients. Also, in some cases, more patients died from things that could have been avoided.

But, it's not all bad. In some places, like Croatia, becoming private made it easier for patients to see doctors or get help over the phone after hours.

Even so, the study makes people think again about if private healthcare is better. It shows that wanting to make more money doesn't always mean patients get better care. As countries deal with big health challenges, this study suggests thinking carefully before making more hospitals private. The most important thing should always be giving the best care to every patient.

Accelerated TMS for Depression

Depression can be really tough, especially when nothing seems to help. That's where something called accelerated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) comes in. It's a new hope for people who've tried a lot but still feel sad. A study in Quebec, Canada, shows it works well for many.

TMS uses magnets to wake up parts of the brain that help control mood. "Accelerated" means patients get treatment more often, so they might feel better quicker. Think of it like jumpstarting a car; sometimes, you need a strong push to get going.

The study had 247 adults who were really sad for a long time and medicines didn't work for them. But after TMS, nearly half started to feel a lot better, and over a third were so much better, it's like their sadness was gone.

What mattered was how sad they were at the start, how old they were, and how many medicines didn't work before. The kind of TMS machine didn't make a big difference, which is great because more people can try it.

So, what's the big message? Accelerated TMS is not only a good choice but also safe for people who've tried many things and still feel stuck in their sadness. If you or someone you know is going through a hard time with depression, talking to a doctor about TMS might be a smart move. It's about keeping hope and finding a new way to feel happy again.

✢ 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.