04/30/25 - #380

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Lion's Mane Mushroom is Packed With Compounds That Seem to Protect Your Brain and Body by Fighting Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Even Some Microbes, but Scientists Still Need to Do More Tests on People to Be Sure

  • The Hidden Struggles of Weight Loss

  • Heart Disease Deaths Worldwide Linked to Chemical Widely Used in Plastics: di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) Exposure Contributed to 356,238 Deaths, or More Than 13% of All Global Mortality From Heart Disease in 2018 Among Men and Women Ages 55 Through 64

  • Daily Pomegranate Extract (740 mg) for 12 Weeks Helped Lower Some Inflammation Markers and Blood Pressure in Adults Aged 55-70, Which Could Be Good for Healthy Aging

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Lion's Mane Mushroom is Packed With Compounds That Seem to Protect Your Brain and Body by Fighting Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Even Some Microbes, but Scientists Still Need to Do More Tests on People to Be Sure

Lion’s mane mushroom is a white, shaggy mushroom that looks like a lion’s mane. It has been used in traditional medicine for years and is now getting attention from scientists.

This mushroom contains special compounds that may protect the brain and body. These natural chemicals can help reduce inflammation, fight harmful bacteria, and protect cells from damage. Some compounds in lion’s mane may even help brain cells grow and repair, which could be useful for memory and thinking problems.

Early studies on animals show lion’s mane might help with conditions like Alzheimer’s, stress, and gut problems. Some small human studies have shown that people who took lion’s mane felt less anxious and had better memory. However, these studies were small and didn’t last very long.

So far, most of the strong results come from animal and lab studies. Scientists still need to do more research on people to know how well it really works. They also need to figure out the best dose and how long people should take it.

Lion’s mane is sold as a supplement in powders, capsules, and drinks. It is usually safe for most adults, but anyone with allergies to mushrooms should avoid it.

In the future, lion’s mane might be used to help with brain health, gut health, and even infections. But for now, it’s best to talk to your doctor before trying it.

WEIGHT LOSS

The Hidden Struggles of Weight Loss

Losing weight isn’t as simple as eating less and exercising more. Dr. Leonid Kim, a doctor who knows a lot about weight and health, explains why it’s tough for some people to lose weight and keep it off.

First, many things affect our weight that we can't easily control, like our body's natural balance and our surroundings. The food we crave and how much we eat can also be influenced by things we aren't fully aware of.

Genetics play a big role too. Have you noticed how some people can eat a lot and not gain weight? That's because our genes affect how our bodies handle food and where we store fat.

Our bodies also naturally resist losing weight. For thousands of years, humans needed to store energy because food wasn't always available. This means that when we lose weight, our bodies try to make us eat more by increasing our hunger signals and reducing signals that tell us we're full.

Counting calories is helpful, but it's not everything. Not all calories affect our bodies the same way. Protein calories might keep us full longer than calories from sweets.

Lastly, how society views being overweight can make things harder. People often wrongly think being overweight is a personal failing, rather than a complex health issue. This stigma can make people feel worse and even gain more weight.

Understanding these challenges can help us be more realistic about weight loss. It's important to focus on small changes that improve our health, not just the number on the scale.

HEALTH

Heart Disease Deaths Worldwide Linked to Chemical Widely Used in Plastics: di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) Exposure Contributed to 356,238 Deaths, or More Than 13% of All Global Mortality From Heart Disease in 2018 Among Men and Women Ages 55 Through 64

A chemical called DEHP, used in many plastic products, may be linked to thousands of heart disease deaths around the world. A study found that in 2018, more than 356,000 people aged 55 to 64 died from heart problems that may have been caused by DEHP. That’s over 13% of all heart disease deaths in that age group.

DEHP is used to make plastics soft and flexible. It can be found in food containers, medical tubing, and other plastic items. Over time, DEHP breaks down into tiny pieces. People can absorb these through food, air, or skin contact. Once in the body, DEHP may cause inflammation in the heart’s arteries. This can lead to a higher risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Researchers from NYU studied data from 200 countries. They found the most deaths linked to DEHP happened in India, China, and Indonesia. These areas may have higher exposure due to more plastic use and fewer safety rules.

This is the first global study to estimate how many heart disease deaths may be linked to this chemical. The researchers say the cost of these deaths could be as high as $3.7 trillion.

While the study doesn’t prove DEHP alone caused all the deaths, it shows a strong link. Experts say it’s a good reason to cut back on plastic use, especially in food and household products.

Reducing DEHP could help save lives—and protect your heart.

Daily Pomegranate Extract (740 mg) for 12 Weeks Helped Lower Some Inflammation Markers and Blood Pressure in Adults Aged 55-70, Which Could Be Good for Healthy Aging

A new study found that taking pomegranate extract daily may help lower inflammation and blood pressure in adults aged 55 to 70. This could be helpful for aging well.

In the study, 76 adults took either a placebo or 740 mg of pomegranate extract every day for 12 weeks. People who took the extract had lower levels of two key inflammation markers: IL-6 and IL1-β. These markers are linked to problems like heart disease and arthritis. Other markers, such as CRP and TNF-α, also went down slightly, but the change wasn’t strong enough to be sure it worked.

The extract also helped lower systolic blood pressure (the top number) by about 5 points. Even this small drop can reduce the risk of heart problems over time. Diastolic pressure (the bottom number) went down too, but not by much.

The study showed that even people who looked healthy on the outside had signs of hidden inflammation and higher blood pressure. The extract didn’t change blood sugar or cholesterol, but it helped with early warning signs linked to aging.

Taking pomegranate extract could be a simple, low-cost way to support better health as we age. It may be especially useful for people who aren’t taking medications and want a more natural option.

Researchers say more studies are needed to look at long-term effects and to test the extract in different types of people. Always talk to your doctor before trying any new supplement.

✢ 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.