04/18/25 - #372

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Are Seed Oils Bad for You? A Registered Dietitian Explains the Facts

  • Ozempic Looked Like a Miracle Drug. But It Didn’t Work for Me

  • US Counties With Worst Drinking Water Violations Concentrated in 4 States: West Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Oklahoma, Finds Study. About 2 Million People Nationwide Do Not Have Running Water. Another 30 Million People Are Reliant on Drinking Water Systems That Violate Safety Rules

  • Probiotics May Improve Mood via Gut–brain Axis: Young, Healthy Adults Who Took Probiotic Daily for a Month Had Reduced Negative Feelings (Anxiety, Stress, Fatigue or Depression) Compared to Placebo. It Took About 2 Weeks for Probiotics to Work, About the Same Time as Antidepressants

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Are Seed Oils Bad for You? A Registered Dietitian Explains the Facts

You may have heard that seed oils are “toxic” or should be avoided. But according to experts, that’s not the full story. Seed oils like canola, sunflower, and soybean oil come from the seeds of plants. They contain fats your body needs, including omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids.

Some people worry that omega-6 fats cause inflammation. However, in the right amount, they help lower bad cholesterol and support brain and heart health. The real issue is balance. Most people get too many omega-6s and not enough omega-3s. A better balance may reduce inflammation and improve overall health.

Many seed oils are used in fast food and other ultra-processed foods. These foods also contain sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats. That makes it hard to tell if the problem is the oil or the overall diet. Using seed oils to cook veggies or fish at home is not the same as eating chips or fried foods.

Some seed oils are heavily processed and refined. But others, like cold-pressed oils, are made with less processing. The way an oil is made and how you use it matters more than the oil itself.

Bottom line: Seed oils can be part of a healthy diet if used in moderation. Focus on eating more whole foods like fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts, and whole grains. Variety is key. Instead of cutting out seed oils completely, try reducing fast food and processed snacks and aim for a better balance of healthy fats.

WEIGHT LOSS

Ozempic Looked Like a Miracle Drug. But It Didn’t Work for Me

Danielle Griffin, 38, thought she finally found the answer to her lifelong weight struggles when she started taking Ozempic. The drug was praised for helping people — including celebrities — lose large amounts of weight. But for Griffin, the results didn’t last.

She lost 13 pounds early on, but then her weight loss stopped. Even after switching to Wegovy, a similar drug, the scale wouldn’t budge. “It was frustrating,” she said. “Everyone around me was losing weight, and I wasn’t.”

Doctors say Griffin’s story isn’t unusual. About 1 in 5 people don’t respond well to GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic. Research shows up to half of patients don’t lose at least 5% of their body weight.

Dr. Marc Bessler says obesity is complex and different for everyone. "We can’t treat it like a one-size-fits-all condition,” he explained. Things like hormones, medications, and health conditions all play a role in how well weight loss drugs work.

Some, like Kyle Smith, had strong results at first but faced tough side effects or saw slower results the second time. Others gained weight back after stopping the drug.

Doctors stress that Ozempic isn’t a miracle cure. It helps some people — but not everyone. “There’s no shame if it doesn’t work for you,” Griffin said. “We all have different bodies and journeys.”

With two in five U.S. adults living with obesity, experts agree: treatment must be personal, not popular.

HEALTH

US Counties With Worst Drinking Water Violations Concentrated in 4 States: West Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Oklahoma, Finds Study. About 2 Million People Nationwide Do Not Have Running Water. Another 30 Million People Are Reliant on Drinking Water Systems That Violate Safety Rules

A new study shows that the worst drinking water problems in the U.S. are mostly found in four states: West Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Oklahoma. Wyoming County, West Virginia, had the highest number of water rule violations in one system.

Around 2 million people in the U.S. do not have running water. Another 30 million people get their water from systems that break safety rules. These problems are not spread out evenly. Low-income families and people of color are more likely to be affected.

Researchers also looked at who owns the water systems. Some are run by the government (public), and others are owned by private companies. Some experts think private companies might do a better job, but others worry they may care more about profit than safety.

The study found that both public and private systems can have problems. What really matters is the strength of local rules. Also, communities need funding and support to solve problems.

Mississippi had the most counties with serious water problems, followed by South Dakota and Texas. These places had the worst mix of poor water quality and high risk to people’s health.

The researchers hope leaders will use this study to fix unsafe water systems, especially in areas where people are most at risk.

Everyone should have access to clean, safe water—no matter where they live or how much money they have.

Probiotics May Improve Mood via Gut–brain Axis: Young, Healthy Adults Who Took Probiotic Daily for a Month Had Reduced Negative Feelings (Anxiety, Stress, Fatigue or Depression) Compared to Placebo. It Took About 2 Weeks for Probiotics to Work, About the Same Time as Antidepressants

Taking probiotics may help improve your mood, according to a new study. Probiotics are “good” bacteria found in yogurt, fermented foods like sauerkraut, and supplements. Researchers say they may benefit not only your gut but also your brain.

In the study, young, healthy adults took a probiotic every day for one month. They reported how they felt each day. After about two weeks, many noticed fewer negative feelings such as anxiety, stress, tiredness, and sadness. This timeline is similar to how long it takes for antidepressants to begin working. However, probiotics seemed to reduce only negative feelings, without dulling positive emotions.

The connection between the gut and brain is called the “gut–brain axis.” It includes nerves, hormones, and the immune system. Scientists believe that the bacteria in our gut may affect how we think and feel by using this connection.

Not everyone will respond to probiotics the same way. People who are cautious or avoid taking risks seemed to get the biggest mood boost in this study. The probiotic also seemed to help people recognize emotions in others more accurately.

Experts say probiotics can't replace antidepressants. However, they might help some people, especially in the early stages, before problems worsen.

More research is needed. However, probiotics might one day help mental health, especially for those with mild symptoms. Asking people how they feel each day turned out to be a simple and powerful way to track these effects.

✢ 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.