Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Decaf Coffee is Not Safe for Human Consumption, Health Advocacy Group Warns

• Keto Diet May Help People With Serious Mental Illness Take Back Control

• London-made HIV Injection Has Potential to Cure Millions Worldwide

• New Research Suggests That Loneliness Significantly Contributes to Addictive Smartphone Use Among Adolescents, With Self-esteem and Boredom Proneness Acting as Partial Mediators

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Decaf Coffee is Not Safe for Human Consumption, Health Advocacy Group Warns

A health group is warning that decaffeinated coffee might not be safe to drink. They want to stop the use of a chemical called methylene chloride, which is used to take caffeine out of coffee. This chemical is also used in heavy-duty tasks, like stripping paint and cleaning metal. But, it’s known to cause cancer. The World Health Organization and the Environmental Protection Agency say this.

California is thinking about banning this chemical in the decaffeination process. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is also looking into the matter after getting many complaints.

The FDA has set limits on how much methylene chloride can be left in decaf coffee to try to keep people safe. But not all coffee brands use this chemical to remove caffeine. Some have different methods that might be safer.

This issue is still being discussed, and it’s important for people who drink decaf coffee to know about how it’s made. This can help them make better choices about what they drink.

Understanding what goes into making decaf coffee can help everyone choose healthier options. As the debate goes on, keeping informed will help coffee lovers know more about their favorite decaf brews. Knowing these details can make a big difference in staying healthy.

Source: wfsb.com

WEIGHT LOSS

Keto Diet May Help People With Serious Mental Illness Take Back Control

Researchers at Stanford Medicine found that a ketogenic diet is low in carbs and high in fats. It might help people with serious mental illnesses. These include schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. This diet could improve their health and how they feel mentally.

The study observed 21 adults. They had schizophrenia or bipolar disorder and were taking antipsychotic medicines. These medicines often cause weight gain and other health issues like insulin resistance. For four months, the participants switched to a keto diet. They avoided processed foods and starchy vegetables, while getting guidance from a health coach.

The results were impressive. The participants lost weight. They dropped an average of 10% of their body weight and their waist sizes fell by 11%. But, they also felt better. Their blood pressure, weight, and triglycerides improved. So did their blood sugar and insulin resistance.

Three-quarters of the group also saw real improvements in their mental health. They reported feeling happier, sleeping better, having more energy, and feeling more satisfied with life.

Dr. Shebani Sethi, who led the study, explained that just like the diet helps the body’s metabolism, it seems to help the brain’s metabolism too. The study was small. But, the positive changes suggest the keto diet might help these people manage their health.

Source: newsweek.com

HEALTH

London-made HIV Injection Has Potential to Cure Millions Worldwide

Big news from London! Scientists at Western University have made a new shot that could possibly cure HIV. This could be a game-changer for millions of people all over the world. The team plans to start testing it on people later this year.

Professor Eric Arts, who is leading the study, explained that this shot targets only the cells that are hiding bits of HIV. Normally, people with HIV need to take medicine their whole lives, which can have tough side effects. This shot could one day let them stop taking those medicines.

Back in the 1980s, treating HIV meant taking lots of pills every day. Now, some people only need one pill a day, but the virus can still hide in their bodies. If they stop their medicine, the virus comes back quickly.

The new shot works by making the immune system wake up and attack the hidden virus. "It's kind of like a vaccine, where you might get three or four shots, one each month," said Arts.

The first tests will make sure the shot is safe. Later, they'll check if it really gets rid of HIV for good. Arts and his team, including a student named Ryan Ho, are hopeful. They have already seen good results in early tests with blood samples from people with HIV in different countries.

This discovery from London is not just a big step in science but also brings hope to many people living with HIV.

Source: lfpress.com

New Research Suggests That Loneliness Significantly Contributes to Addictive Smartphone Use Among Adolescents, With Self-esteem and Boredom Proneness Acting as Partial Mediators

Loneliness isn't just about feeling alone; it's also linked to how often teens use their smartphones, which can lead to addiction. Recent research shows that loneliness makes some teens turn to their smartphones more. Low self-esteem and boredom also play big roles.

Experts from groups like the American Psychiatric Association and the World Health Organization are worried. Too much smartphone use can be harmful, especially for young people's growth and health.

The study was done by Alexandra Maftei and her team at Alexandru Ioan Cuza University. They studied 357 teenagers in Romania. They used surveys to check how much the teens used their smartphones and how they felt about loneliness, self-esteem, and boredom.

Results showed a clear connection: the lonelier a teen felt, the more they used their smartphones. Teens who didn’t feel good about themselves or who got bored easily also tended to use their phones a lot.

Also, teens who wanted to fit in were even more likely to use their phones too much when they felt lonely or bored.

This research helps us understand why some teens might use their phones too much. It also points to ways we can help them use their phones more healthily. We need more studies to confirm these findings. We also need studies on other reasons teens might be drawn to their phones.

The study's findings are a key step in addressing teen smartphone addiction. They show how their feelings affect their phone use.

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.