04/04/24 - #101

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Research Shows Significant Positive Associations Between Daily Sodium Intake (Within the Range of Sodium Intake Between 2,000 and 7,500 mg/d), the Sodium–potassium Ratio, and Risk of CVD and Overall Mortality, With Women Having Stronger Sodium–potassium Ratio-mortality Associations Than Men

  • Diets Like Keto or Fasting Could Keep Cancer at Bay, New Study Finds

  • Eli Lilly Says FDA Delays Approval of Alzheimer’s Drug in Surprise Move

  • Study Shows Middle-aged Americans Are Lonelier Than European Peers. Contrary to Some Claims, Middle-aged Americans Might Not Be Experiencing an Epidemic of Loneliness. New Research Suggests That for Adults Aged 45–65, Loneliness Might Instead Be Endemic, or Constantly Present

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Research Shows Significant Positive Associations Between Daily Sodium Intake (Within the Range of Sodium Intake Between 2,000 and 7,500 mg/d), the Sodium–potassium Ratio, and Risk of CVD and Overall Mortality, With Women Having Stronger Sodium–potassium Ratio-mortality Associations Than Men

Scientists looked at the eating habits of over 400,000 adults to see how salt and potassium (found in foods like bananas and spinach) affect our health. They discovered something interesting: eating too much salt or not enough potassium can be bad for our hearts. But there's more – it turns out that this is especially true for women.

When people eat a lot of salt and not much potassium, their risk of heart problems and even dying goes up. The research showed that this risk is bigger for women than for men.

So, what does this mean for us? Well, while it's important to not eat too much salt, it's also important to eat foods that have potassium. This helps keep our blood pressure okay, which is good for our hearts.

Eating right isn't just about avoiding bad foods. It's also about choosing good foods that can help keep us healthy. For women, paying attention to how much salt and potassium they eat is especially important.

Remember, taking care of your heart starts with looking at what's on your plate. It's not just about eating less salt but also about making sure you get enough potassium. This simple change could make a big difference in keeping your heart healthy.

WEIGHT LOSS

Diets Like Keto or Fasting Could Keep Cancer at Bay, New Study Finds

A recent study has some cool findings: special diets, such as Keto and fasting, might not only help slow down cancer but also help people lose weight. Scientists at Semmelweis University in Hungary looked at lots of studies to see how changing our eating habits can affect cancer cells.

Cancer cells need a lot of energy, mostly from sugars we eat. The study suggests that if we eat less sugar or follow diets like Keto, we could stop cancer cells from getting the energy they need to grow.

Dr. Otilia Menyhárt, who helped with the study, said that when we eat less sugar, our body starts using fat for energy. This makes something called ketones. While our healthy cells can use ketones just fine, cancer cells have a hard time with this change, which might slow them down.

The study also found that eating less can make cancer treatments work better. Plus, using fat for energy instead of sugar can help with weight loss.

But, the study also says not all cancers react the same way to these diets, and we need to learn more. Also, it can be hard for people to stick to these diets, especially if they're sick.

In short, changing what we eat could help fight cancer and help us lose weight. But, it's important to keep studying to find the best way to eat for everyone's health.

HEALTH

Eli Lilly Says FDA Delays Approval of Alzheimer’s Drug in Surprise Move

Eli Lilly, a big company, has hit a bump in the road with its new Alzheimer's drug, donanemab. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has decided to wait longer before saying yes or no to the drug. This news was surprising because many people were hoping the drug would soon be available to help fight Alzheimer's disease.

The FDA wants to have a special meeting to look more closely at how safe and effective donanemab is. They haven't told us when this meeting will happen, which means the drug won't be approved as soon as we thought.

Donanemab is important because it could slow down Alzheimer's disease, which affects over 6 million Americans. Right now, there aren't many good treatments for people with this disease. But, there are some worries about side effects like swelling and bleeding in the brain.

Eli Lilly was hoping to compete with other companies that also have Alzheimer's drugs. Despite this delay, Eli Lilly is still hopeful and ready to answer any questions to get donanemab approved.

This situation shows how hard it is to get new treatments out to people. The FDA often asks for advice from outside experts before making decisions. Everyone looking for better ways to treat Alzheimer's is watching closely to see what happens next.

Study Shows Middle-aged Americans Are Lonelier Than European Peers. Contrary to Some Claims, Middle-aged Americans Might Not Be Experiencing an Epidemic of Loneliness. New Research Suggests That for Adults Aged 45–65, Loneliness Might Instead Be Endemic, or Constantly Present

Did you know some adults feel very lonely, especially if they're between 45 and 65 years old? Researchers at Arizona State University found out that Americans in this age group are lonelier than people the same age in Europe and Israel. This isn't something new that just started happening; it's been around for a while.

Loneliness isn't just feeling sad when you're alone. It's serious and can hurt your health a lot. Imagine it being as bad for you as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. That's why scientists are trying to understand it better.

By looking at a lot of information from thousands of people in 14 different countries, they learned that loneliness is growing for everyone, not just Americans. But in the U.S., it's especially high among baby boomers, people born between 1946 and 1964.

What's interesting is that loneliness doesn't always get worse as you get older. In some countries, like Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, people feel less lonely. This shows there might be ways to help people feel more connected.

Experts say doing things like volunteering can make a big difference. They also think the government should help more, like supporting people who take care of others. This could make it easier for them to spend time with friends and family.

Understanding loneliness is the first step in dealing with it. It's important for our health and happiness.

✢ 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.