Good morning. In today’s edition:

• 14% of American Adults Are Affected by Chronic Kidney Disease – and Anyone in That Category Should Be Very Careful About How Much Watermelon They Eat | a New Series of Case Studies Examines How a Favorite Fruit Can Cause Life-threatening Issues

• I Can’t Seem to Find a Way to Lose Weight

• There is No Evidence That CBD Products Reduce Chronic Pain, and Taking Them is a Waste of Money and Potentially Harmful to Health, According to New Research

• Unveiling the Troubling Impact of Depersonalization and Derealization on Depression Outcomes | Study Reveals That Those Experiencing These Symptoms Alongside Depression Face a More Severe Illness Course, Less Response to Treatment, and Overall Poorer Health Outcomes

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

14% of American Adults Are Affected by Chronic Kidney Disease – and Anyone in That Category Should Be Very Careful About How Much Watermelon They Eat | A New Series of Case Studies Examines How a Favorite Fruit Can Cause Life-threatening Issues

Many people look forward to watermelon season for its sweet, refreshing taste. But a recent study shows that people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) need to be careful about how much watermelon they eat.

About 14% of American adults have CKD, which means their kidneys can't clean their blood well. This can make it dangerous for them to have too much potassium, a nutrient that helps our hearts and muscles work right. Watermelon, though mostly water, has a lot of potassium.

New research in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that watermelon could be risky for those with kidney problems. While many know that bananas have a lot of potassium, not everyone knows that watermelon does too.

The study talks about patients with kidney issues who ate a lot of watermelon and then had serious health problems. For example, one person ended up in the hospital with a very slow heart rate because of high potassium levels caused by eating too much watermelon.

People with CKD should watch how much watermelon they eat to avoid these dangers. It's important to know which foods have a lot of potassium and to eat them in moderation.

As summer comes, everyone wants watermelon. But, if you have kidney problems, be careful. Keep track of how much you eat to stay safe and healthy.

Source: newatlas.com

WEIGHT LOSS

I Can’t Seem to Find a Way to Lose Weight

Have you tried many diets and still can't lose weight? Dr. Ken Berry, a doctor with 20 years of experience, says it's not your fault. The problem might be something called hyper-insulinemia, not laziness or lack of willpower.

Hyper-insulinemia is when there's too much insulin in your body. Insulin is a hormone that helps control how your body uses and stores fat. When insulin levels are high, your body stores more fat and doesn't burn it off, even if you eat less.

Dr. Berry suggests that failing to lose weight isn't about how much you eat but what you eat. Many diets cut calories but don't help with insulin levels, so they don't work well.

To check if you have hyper-insulinemia, Dr. Berry recommends two tests: C-peptide and fasting insulin. These tests can show if your insulin levels are too high.

If tests show you have hyper-insulinemia, you can manage it by eating fewer carbohydrates. Dr. Berry recommends the ketogenic diet or the carnivore diet. These diets reduce carbs and don't limit how much you eat, so you're not always hungry.

Lowering carbs helps manage insulin, which can make it easier to lose weight and keep it off. Understanding insulin and adjusting your diet can help you start losing weight for good.

Source: KenDBerryMD

HEALTH

There is No Evidence That CBD Products Reduce Chronic Pain, and Taking Them is a Waste of Money and Potentially Harmful to Health, According to New Research

Many see CBD products as a go-to for chronic pain. But, a new study by the University of Bath claims they might not work and could even be harmful. CBD, or cannabidiol, is a compound found in cannabis plants and is widely available in various forms like oils, creams, and edibles.

The research team included experts from the Universities of Bath, Oxford, and Alberta. They reviewed many studies up to late 2023. They found that most of the 16 trials they examined were randomized and controlled. The trials showed no big benefit of CBD over a placebo for pain relief. The study was published in The Journal of Pain. It also highlighted risks. These include inconsistent CBD levels and harmful chemicals in some products.

In the UK, medical cannabis is regulated. But, non-medical CBD products can be sold. They just need to have little to no THC. However, this lack of regulation can lead to products that are inconsistent in quality and legality.

About 20% of adults live with chronic pain. They may be desperate for relief and susceptible to unverified claims about CBD's effectiveness. Dr. Andrew Moore is a co-author of the study. He stressed the need for better protection against these misleading claims. The market for CBD products is still growing.

The study's authors urge more serious scientific investigation into chronic pain treatment. They advocate for stronger consumer protections. These would ensure quality and efficacy in pain management.

Source: bath.ac.uk

Unveiling the Troubling Impact of Depersonalization and Derealization on Depression Outcomes | Study Reveals That Those Experiencing These Symptoms Alongside Depression Face a More Severe Illness Course, Less Response to Treatment, and Overall Poorer Health Outcomes

Have you ever felt like you're watching your life from the outside? A recent study shows that people with depression who feel depersonalization or derealization have a harder time with their illness. Depersonalization is when they feel this way. Derealization is when they feel like the world is not real. They don't respond as well to treatment and generally feel worse.

Depersonalization makes you feel separated from yourself. It's like watching yourself from the sidelines, not really participating in your own life. Derealization makes the world seem foggy or dream-like, as if you're living in a movie that you can't escape from.

These feelings are common in many mental health issues, but doctors often don't focus on them when treating depression. This can make it harder for people to get better.

The study used data from the Gutenberg Health Study in Germany. It found that people with depression and these feelings of detachment have worse symptoms. They feel worse physically and mentally and often have more trouble in personal relationships. Recovery from depression is harder for them. Very few fully recover in five years.

It's important for doctors to recognize these feelings of detachment early. If they do, they might help people better. They would do this by providing treatments that address these issues. This could make a big difference in improving their chances of feeling better.

Source: psypost.org

✢ 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.