04/03/25 - #361

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • A High-salt Diet Induces Depression-like Symptoms in Mice by Driving the Production of IL-17A, a Protein Previously Identified as a Contributor to Depression in Human Clinical Studies

  • Eating Balanced Diet and Still Feel Hungry?

  • Existing Drug for Rare Disease Turns Human Blood Into Mosquito Poison

  • Ultra-processed Foods Harm Good Gut Bacteria, Weaken the Gut Barrier, and Raise the Risk of Diseases Like Diabetes, Heart Issues, and Depression

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

A High-salt Diet Induces Depression-like Symptoms in Mice by Driving the Production of IL-17A, a Protein Previously Identified as a Contributor to Depression in Human Clinical Studies

A recent study found that eating too much salt can cause depression-like behavior in mice. This might also be true for people. The research, published in The Journal of Immunology, points to a protein called IL-17A that is known to play a role in depression.

Dr. Xiaojun Chen, the lead researcher from Nanjing Medical University, suggests that cutting down on salt could help prevent depression. "Lowering salt in our diets might be an easy way to improve our mood," Dr. Chen said.

The study discovered that certain immune cells, named gamma-delta T cells, produce a lot of IL-17A when mice eat a lot of salt. Reducing these cells lessened signs of depression in the mice, showing a new possible way to treat depression.

Since many foods, especially fast foods, are high in salt, this finding is important. Eating too much salt is already known to be bad for our hearts and can cause other health problems.

In the study, mice were fed normal or salty diets for five weeks. The mice on the salty diet were less active and explored less, showing signs of depression. These behaviors were connected to higher levels of IL-17A.

Mice that couldn't produce IL-17A didn't show signs of depression on a salty diet. This confirms that the protein plays a role in depression.

This research encourages less salt intake and suggests new ways to treat depression by targeting the immune system. Dr. Chen hopes to explore this further.

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WEIGHT LOSS

Eating Balanced Diet and Still Feel Hungry?

Have you ever finished a big meal and still felt like you needed something more? This is common, especially if you have insulin resistance. This condition means your body isn’t using insulin well. As a result, your cells lack nutrients, even after you eat.

You might feel hungry if your meals don’t have enough nutrients. This is especially true for minerals like potassium and magnesium. These minerals help correct insulin resistance and reduce hunger, which can aid in weight loss.

Another problem could be low bile production. Bile helps break down fats and absorb essential vitamins and fats from your food. Without enough bile, your body can’t absorb all the nutrients from your meals, which makes you feel hungry and can hinder weight loss.

Also, not eating enough fats might make you feel unsatisfied. Fats are crucial because they help your body absorb vitamins, manage hunger, and support weight loss by making you feel full.

Intermittent fasting, where you eat during a short window and fast for the rest of the day, can also help. Fasting for longer periods forces your body to use stored fat for energy, which helps control hunger and promotes weight loss.

To sum up, if you often feel hungry after eating, ensure your diet is rich in nutrients. Add more healthy fats to your meals and consider intermittent fasting. These steps can help manage insulin resistance, make you feel more satisfied, and support your weight loss goals.

HEALTH

Existing Drug for Rare Disease Turns Human Blood Into Mosquito Poison

Scientists have found a new way to fight malaria using a drug called nitisinone. This drug was first used for rare genetic diseases. Now, it can kill mosquitoes that bite treated people.

Researchers at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine in the UK found that mosquitoes died within 12 hours after biting people on nitisinone. This find could help control mosquito numbers and cut down on diseases like malaria.

Nitisinone stops a certain protein from being made in humans. While this doesn't harm us, it is deadly for mosquitoes. The drug makes human blood toxic to these insects. This could greatly reduce malaria cases.

However, we should be careful. The effects of using nitisinone widely are not fully known. It could lead to mosquitoes becoming resistant to the drug, and we don't yet know if it affects other important insects.

Nitisinone may work better than other mosquito-killing drugs, such as ivermectin. This is because it stays in the blood longer. This means it has more chances to kill mosquitoes, including those that carry malaria.

More research is needed to make sure nitisinone is safe and effective for mosquito control. But this new method offers hope for stopping malaria from spreading without hurting other wildlife.

This drug could be a key part of the fight against malaria, offering a new way to protect people without harming the environment.

Ultra-processed Foods Harm Good Gut Bacteria, Weaken the Gut Barrier, and Raise the Risk of Diseases Like Diabetes, Heart Issues, and Depression

Did you know that eating lots of ultra-processed foods might be bad for your gut health? These foods stray from their natural form. They often contain artificial ingredients and lack key nutrients, such as fiber.

When you eat a lot of these foods, the variety of good bacteria in your gut can go down, and your gut barrier might get weaker—a problem some call "leaky gut." This can lead to more inflammation in your body, which is linked to several chronic diseases.

For example, if your gut isn't healthy, your body might have a hard time managing sugar levels, which can lead to type 2 diabetes. Bad gut health can also affect your heart and how you feel mentally, like increasing your chances of feeling down or depressed.

To keep your gut happy, try eating fewer ultra-processed foods and more foods rich in fiber and good bacteria. Foods like whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and yogurt are great choices because they help grow healthy bacteria in your gut.

Taking care of your gut is really important for your overall health. By choosing foods that are less processed and more natural, you help your gut stay balanced and reduce your risk of serious health problems. Start making better food choices today for a happier gut tomorrow!

✢ 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.