04/23/25 - #375

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Keto Diet's High Cholesterol May Not Be a Factor in Heart Disease, Suggests Study Which Followed 100 Healthy People on the Keto Diet for 1 Year. They Had Elevated Levels of LDL Cholesterol and ApoB but No Increased Heart Disease Risk. Only Those With Plaques in Arteries Had More Plaque Build-up

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

  • Measles Cases Spread to Three More States

  • Getting Treatment for High Blood Pressure May Reduce Your Chances of Developing Dementia | Following Up for 4 Years, Those Given Medication Achieved Better Blood Pressure Control and Had a 15% Reduced Risk of Dementia and a 16% Reduced Risk of Cognitive Impairment

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Keto Diet's High Cholesterol May Not Be a Factor in Heart Disease, Suggests Study Which Followed 100 Healthy People on the Keto Diet for 1 Year. They Had Elevated Levels of LDL Cholesterol and ApoB but No Increased Heart Disease Risk. Only Those With Plaques in Arteries Had More Plaque Build-up

A new study shows that high cholesterol from the keto diet may not lead to heart disease—at least not in healthy people. The ketogenic diet is high in fat and protein but very low in carbs. One common concern has been that it raises LDL cholesterol, often called “bad” cholesterol, which is linked to heart disease.

In this study, researchers followed 100 healthy people on a strict keto diet for one year. These people were known as Lean Mass Hyper-Responders. They had high LDL cholesterol and a marker called ApoB, but they also had many signs of good health. Their blood pressure, body fat, insulin levels, and triglycerides were all low. They also had high levels of HDL, or “good” cholesterol.

After a year on keto, the participants stayed healthy. Even with high LDL and ApoB, they did not show signs of higher heart disease risk. However, the researchers did find that people who already had plaque in their arteries were more likely to build up even more plaque.

The study suggests that having existing plaque may be more important than cholesterol levels when it comes to heart disease risk—at least for healthy people. The researchers say doctors may need to look at a patient’s full health picture, not just cholesterol numbers, when judging risk.

In short, if you’re healthy and follow a keto diet, higher cholesterol may not be as dangerous as once thought. But if you already have plaque, it’s still a concern.

WEIGHT LOSS

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

Many adults struggling with weight have turned to a new class of drugs called GLP-1 medications, like Ozempic and Wegovy. These drugs can help people lose weight and manage conditions like diabetes and heart disease. But high prices, insurance denials, and drug shortages have made them hard to get.

To get around this, some people have started using compounded versions of these drugs from online pharmacies. Compounded drugs are custom-made by pharmacies. They can be cheaper and easier to find, especially during shortages.

Lauryn McBride, who has insulin resistance and PCOS, said her doctor-prescribed Wegovy didn’t help. So, she tried a compounded version through an online provider. After a few tries, she found one that worked and lost 45 pounds.

Michelle Pierce faced high costs and a drug shortage. She turned to an online pharmacy and got her medication for less than half the price. She’s since lost 25 pounds and says she feels better than ever.

Ken Foster also struggled to get a prescription filled. He finally turned to a company called Fella, which requires check-ins and blood tests. He lost 25 pounds and saw big improvements in his health.

Now, the FDA may ban compounded versions of these drugs, saying they’re no longer needed and could be unsafe. Many patients worry they’ll lose access to the only treatments that worked for them.

For now, the future of online compounded GLP-1s remains uncertain.

HEALTH

Measles Cases Spread to Three More States

Measles cases are rising fast in the U.S., with three new states—Louisiana, Virginia, and Missouri—reporting their first cases of the year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now says at least 800 cases have been confirmed across 27 states. That’s nearly triple the number of cases reported in 2024.

Health officials say the new cases are linked to international travel. In Louisiana, the person who got sick was not vaccinated. They are now in isolation near New Orleans. Virginia’s first case is a child, but it’s not clear if the child was vaccinated. In Missouri, another child tested positive, but the exposure was limited and contacts have been traced.

Texas remains the center of the outbreak, with over 500 cases and two recent deaths—both young children.

Experts warn that measles is very contagious and spreads easily, especially among people who aren’t vaccinated. The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella and is considered safe and effective. Doctors strongly urge everyone, especially travelers, to check their vaccination records and get the shot if needed.

Despite the outbreak, some lawmakers are pushing to make it easier to skip vaccines. Health experts say this could make it even harder to stop the spread of diseases like measles.

The CDC and local health departments continue to monitor the situation closely. Getting vaccinated is still the best way to protect yourself and others from this serious illness.

Getting Treatment for High Blood Pressure May Reduce Your Chances of Developing Dementia | Following Up for 4 Years, Those Given Medication Achieved Better Blood Pressure Control and Had a 15% Reduced Risk of Dementia and a 16% Reduced Risk of Cognitive Impairment

New research shows that treating high blood pressure may help lower your chances of getting dementia or memory problems later in life. The study followed nearly 34,000 adults in rural China over four years. All of them had high blood pressure but had not yet been treated for it.

Half of the people received blood pressure medicine and were also given help to monitor their blood pressure at home. They got coaching on living healthier, like eating better, moving more, and taking their medicine regularly. The other half only had their blood pressure checked but did not receive medicine.

After four years, the group that took the medicine had better blood pressure control. They also had a 15% lower risk of developing dementia and a 16% lower risk of other memory and thinking problems.

High blood pressure can damage blood vessels in the brain over time. This damage may raise the risk of dementia, especially as we age. That’s why this study is important. It suggests that controlling blood pressure with medicine and lifestyle changes could help keep the brain healthy.

Experts say these results are promising. They believe that better blood pressure control could help millions of people avoid memory loss and other thinking problems as they get older.

If you have high blood pressure, talk to your doctor. Managing it now may help protect your brain in the future.

✢ 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.