04/29/25 - #379

Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Ultra-processed Foods (UPFs) Tied to 124,000 Premature Deaths Over 2 Years in US. UPFs Include Preservatives, Emulsifiers and Sweeteners. Sugary Drinks, Sweets, Chocolates, Pizzas, Hamburgers, Chicken Nuggets Are Defined as UPFs. By 2018, UPFs Made Up More Than Half Total Dietary Energy in the US

• Eating a Very Low-calorie Ketogenic Diet (VLCKD) Helped Obese People's Bodies Age Slower Biologically, Possibly Because of the Ketones Produced

• Unhealthy Lifestyle Can Affect Our Physical and Mental Health by Age 36 | Bad Habits Such as Smoking, Heavy Drinking, and Lack of Exercise Must Be Tackled as Early as Possible to Boost the Odds of a Happy and Healthy Old Age

• Pets Found to Deliver Significant Health Benefits to the Lonely | Group Activities With a Focus on Pets Foster More Meaningful Connections

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Ultra-processed Foods (UPFs) Tied to 124,000 Premature Deaths Over 2 Years in US. UPFs Include Preservatives, Emulsifiers and Sweeteners. Sugary Drinks, Sweets, Chocolates, Pizzas, Hamburgers, Chicken Nuggets Are Defined as UPFs. By 2018, UPFs Made Up More Than Half Total Dietary Energy in the US

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) may have caused about 124,000 early deaths in the U.S. over just two years, a new study shows. UPFs are foods made with preservatives, emulsifiers, and sweeteners. Examples include sugary drinks, candies, chocolates, pizzas, hamburgers, and chicken nuggets.

By 2018, UPFs made up more than half of the daily calories people ate in the U.S. Experts say eating too many UPFs can raise the risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and other serious health problems.

UPFs are cheap, easy to find, and often taste good. But they are usually high in added sugars, unhealthy fats, and chemicals. They also lack important nutrients like fiber, vitamins, and minerals that your body needs to stay healthy.

Doctors recommend cutting back on UPFs and eating more whole foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, and fresh meat. Making simple changes, like cooking meals at home or drinking water instead of soda, can make a big difference over time.

It is hard to avoid UPFs completely, but eating less of them can lower the risk of early death and help people live longer, healthier lives. Studies show that people who eat fewer UPFs feel better, stay active longer, and have fewer medical problems.

Choosing better foods doesn’t have to be hard. Even small steps can protect your health and lead to a longer, stronger life.

Small choices today can add up to big health benefits tomorrow.

Source: upi.com

WEIGHT LOSS

Eating a Very Low-calorie Ketogenic Diet (VLCKD) Helped Obese People's Bodies Age Slower Biologically, Possibly Because of the Ketones Produced

A new study found that eating a very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) may help slow down the way bodies age in people with obesity. Scientists used a tool called an “epigenetic clock” to measure biological age. Biological age shows how old your body is inside, not just how many birthdays you have had.

The study showed that people with obesity had faster biological aging compared to people with a healthy weight. But when obese patients followed a VLCKD for six months, their biological age slowed down. Their bodies became younger at a cellular level.

The main reason for this improvement seems to be ketones. Ketones are chemicals made when your body burns fat for energy instead of carbs. Higher ketone levels were linked to slower aging. The diet also improved blood sugar, cholesterol, and waist size.

Importantly, the researchers found that the VLCKD slowed aging better than weight-loss surgery. While surgery helped with weight loss, it did not slow biological aging the same way the diet did.

Obesity is known to speed up aging and increase the risk for heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. This study suggests that a VLCKD could be a powerful tool not just for losing weight, but for fighting the effects of aging.

More studies are needed, but these results show that what you eat can have a big effect on how your body ages — not just how much you weigh.

Source: mdpi.com

HEALTH

Unhealthy Lifestyle Can Affect Our Physical and Mental Health by Age 36 | Bad Habits Such as Smoking, Heavy Drinking, and Lack of Exercise Must Be Tackled as Early as Possible to Boost the Odds of a Happy and Healthy Old Age

A new study shows that bad habits like smoking, heavy drinking, and not exercising can harm your body and mind as early as age 36. Researchers in Finland followed hundreds of people for over 30 years, starting when they were in their late 20s. The study was published in the Annals of Medicine.

People who smoked, drank a lot, and didn’t exercise had worse mental and physical health than those who didn’t have these habits. Lack of exercise was mainly linked to poor physical health. Smoking was tied more to poor mental health. Heavy drinking was linked to problems with both.

The researchers checked the participants' blood pressure, waist size, blood sugar, cholesterol, and mental health. They also asked people how they felt about their own health. Those with all three bad habits scored much worse. The damage was seen by the time they were in their mid-30s.

Dr. Tiia Kekäläinen, the lead researcher, says it is important to tackle unhealthy habits early to avoid bigger problems later, like heart disease and cancer. But she also says it’s never too late to make healthy changes. Even starting new habits in midlife can help you live a longer, healthier life.

The study does not prove that bad habits cause health problems for sure. It only shows a strong link. Still, the message is clear: taking better care of yourself now can lead to a better and happier older age.

Source: scimex.org

Pets Found to Deliver Significant Health Benefits to the Lonely | Group Activities With a Focus on Pets Foster More Meaningful Connections

Pets can help people feel less lonely and even improve their health, according to a new study from Australia. Researchers found that older adults and international students felt better after joining pet-focused group activities.

The study included older adults living in aged care homes and students from Monash University. Each week, they met for an hour to take part in activities with real pets, robotic pets, and pets brought by families. This went on for 18 weeks. Before and after the program, participants filled out surveys measuring their health, feelings of loneliness, and how confident they felt talking to others.

The results showed major improvements. Loneliness scores dropped, and health scores went up. Many people said it was easier to start conversations when pets were involved. One older adult said, “Having a shared interest helped get the conversation going.” A student added, “It’s easier to talk when you have something in common like pets.”

Even robotic pets made people feel happier. Some older adults said they especially enjoyed the robotic dogs and cats. The program was also low-cost, about $150 per person.

Dr. Em Bould, who led the study, said the “Pets and People” program could work in many aged care homes around the world. After the study ended, one care provider expanded the program to five more locations.

This shows that pets don't just bring joy — they can also improve health, ease loneliness, and help people form new friendships.

Source: newatlas.com

✢ 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.