04/17/25 - #371

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Study on Middle-aged Rodents Suggests Low Vitamin K May Harm Cognitive Health With Age, Increasing Inflammation and Hindering Neural Cell Growth in the Hippocampus, Crucial for Learning and Memory

  • Facing High Costs and Drug Shortages, They Turned to Compounded Weight Loss Drugs Online. An FDA Ban Might End That

  • Lowering Levels of Bad Cholesterol Could Curb Dementia Risk by 26%

  • Children Born to Mothers Who Experienced Gestational Diabetes (GDM) During Pregnancy Are More Likely to Develop Attention-deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) and Externalising Behaviour. Externalising Symptoms Are Behaviours Directed Outward. Instead of Experiencing Depression or Anxiety

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Study on Middle-aged Rodents Suggests Low Vitamin K May Harm Cognitive Health With Age, Increasing Inflammation and Hindering Neural Cell Growth in the Hippocampus, Crucial for Learning and Memory

A new study suggests that not getting enough vitamin K may hurt brain health as we get older. The research, done on middle-aged mice, showed that low vitamin K levels led to more inflammation in the brain and slower growth of brain cells. These problems were seen in the hippocampus, the part of the brain that helps with learning and memory.

Vitamin K is found in leafy green vegetables like spinach, kale, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts. It’s already known to help with blood clotting and heart health. Now, scientists believe it may also protect the brain.

In the study, mice with low vitamin K had more trouble remembering things and learning new tasks. They also had fewer new brain cells in the hippocampus and showed signs of more brain inflammation. This kind of inflammation is linked to age-related memory loss and diseases like Alzheimer’s.

The lead researcher, Dr. Tong Zheng, said that vitamin K seems to help protect the brain, but more research is needed to fully understand how. The team also emphasized that people should eat a healthy diet full of vegetables. They should not rely on supplements unless a doctor advises it.

In short, eating more greens may help your brain stay sharp as you age. This research is one more reason to load up your plate with vegetables every day.

WEIGHT LOSS

Facing High Costs and Drug Shortages, They Turned to Compounded Weight Loss Drugs Online. An FDA Ban Might End That

Some people struggling with weight turned to online pharmacies to get cheaper versions of popular drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. These drugs, known as GLP-1 medications, help with weight loss and blood sugar control. But they’ve often been too expensive or hard to find.

When the original drugs were in short supply, special pharmacies started making “compounded” versions. These are copies made when the real drug isn’t available. For people like Lauryn McBride and Michelle Pierce, compounded drugs made a big difference.

McBride has insulin resistance and PCOS, which make losing weight hard. Wegovy didn’t help her, and it caused bad side effects. So, she turned to Mochi Health online. There, she got compounded tirzepatide, and it worked. She’s lost 45 pounds and feels better.

Pierce had the same health problems. Her doctor suggested a GLP-1 drug, but her insurance wouldn’t cover it. Even when they did, it cost too much and wasn’t in stock. She found a compounded version online for less than half the price. She lost 25 pounds and says her energy and pain improved.

Ken Foster was also told to try a GLP-1 drug, but couldn’t find it in stores. He never got the chance to try.

Now, the FDA is telling pharmacies to stop making compounded GLP-1 drugs. They say the shortage is over and worry about safety. But many patients are afraid. The only drug that worked for them might soon disappear.

HEALTH

Lowering Levels of Bad Cholesterol Could Curb Dementia Risk by 26%

A new study suggests that lowering “bad” cholesterol, also called LDL, may help reduce your risk of dementia. Researchers studied nearly 109,000 people and found that those with lower LDL levels had a 26% lower risk of dementia. They also had a 28% lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

LDL (low-density lipoprotein) is known as “bad” cholesterol because it can clog arteries and raise the risk of heart disease. HDL (high-density lipoprotein) is the “good” kind. It helps remove LDL from your body.

The biggest drop in dementia risk was seen in people with LDL levels under 70 mg/dL. But going even lower than 30 mg/dL did not offer extra benefits.

The study also looked at statins—drugs that help lower cholesterol. People with low LDL who took statins had a 13% lower risk of dementia than those who didn’t.

Doctors say this research shows a strong link between heart health and brain health. However, they caution that more research is needed. This study looked back at past health records, so it can’t prove that high LDL causes dementia.

Dementia affects about 57 million people around the world. That number could triple by 2050. Experts believe that up to half of dementia cases could be delayed or prevented.

Keeping your heart healthy—by eating well, exercising, and managing cholesterol—may also help protect your brain.

Always talk to your doctor before starting or changing any treatment or medication for cholesterol or brain health.

Children Born to Mothers Who Experienced Gestational Diabetes (GDM) During Pregnancy Are More Likely to Develop Attention-deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) and Externalising Behaviour. Externalising Symptoms Are Behaviours Directed Outward. Instead of Experiencing Depression or Anxiety

A new study shows that kids born to mothers with gestational diabetes may have a higher chance of ADHD and behavior issues.

Researchers looked at data from 200,000 mothers and their children across Europe and Australia. Children ages 7 to 10 with mothers who had gestational diabetes showed more signs of ADHD. Younger kids, ages 4 to 6, showed more “externalizing” behaviors—such as being aggressive, defiant, or overly active.

These behaviors are often seen before ADHD is officially diagnosed. ADHD is hard to spot early because there are no clear medical tests to confirm it.

Doctors don’t yet know exactly why this happens. High blood sugar and inflammation in pregnancy might impact a baby's brain development. This could lead to behavior and attention problems later on.

Dr. Rachelle Pretorius, a lead researcher, said these behavior issues might get better over time. However, they could still lead to ADHD symptoms. She also said that problems may be worse when gestational diabetes is linked to obesity or long-term inflammation in the mother.

While this study does not prove that gestational diabetes causes ADHD, it shows there may be a link.

The study was done by Edith Cowan University and others and was published in BMC Pediatrics. It was funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 program.

Women with gestational diabetes may want to talk to their doctor about how to support their child’s development.

✢ 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.