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- 04/10/25 - #366
04/10/25 - #366
Health Horizon. Herald Staff
April 10, 2025
Good morning. In today’s edition:
Mushrooms Are Superfoods Packed With Nutrients and Special Compounds That Boost Health, Fight Diseases Like Cancer and Diabetes, and Can Be Turned Into Many Healthy Food Products
Struggling to Lose Weight
A Study From Researchers at CU Anschutz Reveals That Nearly One in Five U.S. Adults Have Used Multiple Drugs in the Past Year, Showing That Substance Use is Fairly Common and More Complex Than Just Using One Drug at a Time. The Results Were Published in the American Journal of Public Health
Americans Without Diabetes Spent Nearly $6 Billion USD on Semaglutide and Similar Drugs in a Year, With an Estimate of 800,000 to a Million People Using the Drugs Who Don't Have Diabetes
…and lots more. Have a great day!
FOOD & NUTRITION
Mushrooms Are Superfoods Packed With Nutrients and Special Compounds That Boost Health, Fight Diseases Like Cancer and Diabetes, and Can Be Turned Into Many Healthy Food Products
Mushrooms are tasty and full of nutrients. They can improve your health, so they’re a smart choice for adults over 45.
These fungi are full of important vitamins like vitamin D2 and the B vitamins, plus minerals that our bodies need to function well. Mushrooms are full of antioxidants. These include compounds like hydroxybenzoic acids (HBAs) and hydroxycinnamic acids (HCAs). Antioxidants protect our cells from damage. They also help fight inflammation, which is linked to many serious diseases.
Mushrooms are famous for their β-glucans, a type of fiber that boosts our immune system and helps keep cholesterol low. They also have a substance called ergothioneine, which keeps our gut healthy and helps our digestion.
Mushrooms are great for people with diabetes. They are low in calories and sugar. Plus, they don't make blood sugar levels rise.
Research shows that mushrooms can even help prevent cancer and support heart health. Adding them to your diet is easy—try them in soups, salads, or as a meat substitute in dishes.
Understanding and using mushrooms for their health benefits is a smart way to look after our health as we get older. They're truly superfoods, packed with everything we need to stay healthy and strong.
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WEIGHT LOSS
Struggling to Lose Weight
Trying to lose weight but the scale won’t budge? It's not just about eating too much or too little exercise. Hidden factors, like how your body handles sugars and carbs, play a big role.
Insulin is a hormone that controls your metabolism. It reacts not only to obvious sugars but also to “hidden sugars” in our food. Foods like white bread and snacks might not taste sweet, but they turn into sugars in your body, causing insulin spikes. This can make losing weight harder than it seems.
Lifestyle habits also affect weight loss. Stress and lack of sleep can mess up your eating patterns, making you crave junk food. Also, snacking or eating too often throughout the day can keep your insulin levels high, which can stop you from losing weight.
To tackle this, cut back on sugars and starches. Eat less often and avoid snacks. Regular exercise is important, but so is managing stress and getting enough sleep.
If you’re sticking to your diet and exercise plan but don’t see changes, your body might still be adjusting and healing. Sometimes, weight loss takes time and shows up after other health improvements like feeling more energetic and not feeling hungry all the time.
Understanding these hidden factors can help you get past those tricky hurdles in your weight loss journey.
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HEALTH
A Study From Researchers at CU Anschutz Reveals That Nearly One in Five U.S. Adults Have Used Multiple Drugs in the Past Year, Showing That Substance Use is Fairly Common and More Complex Than Just Using One Drug at a Time. The Results Were Published in the American Journal of Public Health
Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus have found that about 20% of U.S. adults used more than one drug last year. This shows that using drugs is not only common but also more complicated than just using one type at a time.
The study in the American Journal of Public Health gathered responses from 30,000 people. It found four main ways people use drugs:
Medically Guided Use (11.5%): People mostly use drugs prescribed by doctors but also use some cannabis.
Cannabis-Focused Use (4.0%): People mainly use cannabis and sometimes other drugs too.
Self-Guided Use (3.4%): People use prescription drugs without a doctor’s advice.
Indiscriminate Use (2.1%): People use various drugs without favoring any specific type.
Karilynn Rockhill, PhD, who led the study, said it’s important to have health care that fits each person’s needs. “We need to really look at how we provide health care and public health services to tackle these different drug use patterns,” she explained.
The study found that people who focus on cannabis or use drugs randomly have a higher risk of addiction. They also tend not to visit doctors regularly.
Rockhill recommends improved check-ups and increased public health efforts. This can help find risks and support people in cutting down or quitting drug use.
Americans Without Diabetes Spent Nearly $6 Billion USD on Semaglutide and Similar Drugs in a Year, With an Estimate of 800,000 to a Million People Using the Drugs Who Don't Have Diabetes
In the United States, many people without diabetes are spending a lot on drugs meant for the condition. A new study shows that these people spent nearly $6 billion in just one year on drugs like semaglutide, which are also used for losing weight. Researchers believe that 800,000 to 1 million Americans without diabetes are using these drugs.
From 2018 to 2022, the number of Americans without diabetes using GLP1-RAs tripled. This led to them spending $5.8 billion in 2022 alone. This study was done by researchers from the University of Melbourne in Australia. They looked at a big national survey that tracks medical spending.
Drugs such as semaglutide and liraglutide aren't only for diabetes. They are now also helping people manage their weight. The study found that money spent on these drugs jumped from $1.6 billion between 2018 and 2021 to $5.8 billion in 2022. The researchers pointed out that even though more people are using these drugs, it's still a small number—only one in 250 adults without diabetes.
The big rise in spending on these drugs by people without diabetes is sparking talks. We need to keep healthcare costs reasonable. At the same time, we must ensure that everyone who needs these medications can access them affordably. This trend shows a shift in how these drugs are used and may lead to more studies to understand why this is happening.
✢ 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.