04/23/24 - #114

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Is Red Meat Actually Bad for You?

  • Undertaking the Majority of Daily Physical Activity in the Evening is Linked to the Greatest Health Benefits for People Living With Obesity, According to Researchers Who Followed the Trajectory of 30,000 People Over Almost Eight Years

  • Many Cancer Drugs Remain Unproven 5 Years After Accelerated Approval, Study Finds

  • Sleep Quality Can Be Predicted From the Way One Walks, Study Finds. Individuals With Lower Sleep Quality Exhibit Less Variation in Their Pelvic Tilt, Particularly Noticeable When Initiating Walking After a Turn. Additionally, These Individuals Often Struggle to Maintain a Consistent Walking Speed

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Is Red Meat Actually Bad for You?

You've probably heard that red meat can cause serious health problems like cancer, diabetes, and heart attacks. But is that really true? Let's look closer at what the studies say.

Often, the news talks about studies where researchers ask people what they've eaten over the years to see if there are any health patterns. However, these studies can't definitely prove that red meat is what's causing health issues because they don't just focus on red meat. They don't usually study the effects of eating grass-fed or organic red meat, which might not have the same health risks.

How you cook your red meat also matters. Cooking it at very high temperatures or until it's very well done can create harmful substances. But if you cook it just right, like medium-rare, and add spices like garlic or rosemary, it's much safer.

Iron is another important factor. Red meat has a lot of iron, which can be good in small amounts but harmful if you have too much. This is especially true for men and older women, who might build up too much iron in their bodies. High iron levels can harm your organs and increase your risk of getting sick. That's why it's smart to check your iron levels if you eat a lot of red meat.

In the end, red meat can be okay if you eat it in moderation, choose healthier types like grass-fed, and cook it properly. Balance and variety in your diet are key.

WEIGHT LOSS

Undertaking the Majority of Daily Physical Activity in the Evening is Linked to the Greatest Health Benefits for People Living With Obesity, According to Researchers Who Followed the Trajectory of 30,000 People Over Almost Eight Years

Does the time of day you exercise matter if you're dealing with obesity? A big study from the University of Sydney in Australia says yes. After watching 30,000 people for nearly eight years, researchers found that exercising in the evening could be very good for your health.

The study was published in the journal Diabetes Care. It used data from wearable devices to see when people exercised. They could exercise in the morning, afternoon, or night. It turned out those who did most of their harder workouts—like fast walking or heavy cleaning—between 6 PM and midnight had the lowest risk of dying early and heart disease.

Why is exercising in the evening helpful? Dr. Angelo Sabag, an exercise expert at the university, says that working out later might help fight some of the heart risks that come with obesity. And it's not just gym workouts that count. Any moving around that gets your heart rate up for at least three minutes is good, including things like brisk walking or active cleaning.

Dr. Matthew Ahmadi, another researcher, explains that their study wasn't just about gym exercise. They looked at all kinds of exercise. It keeps you moving continuously. This is important for controlling blood sugar and lowering heart disease risk. This is especially true for people with obesity or diabetes.

More studies are needed to confirm these results. Evening workouts might help manage obesity and prevent related health issues.

HEALTH

Many Cancer Drugs Remain Unproven 5 Years After Accelerated Approval, Study Finds

A new study shows that many cancer drugs got fast approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). But, even after five years, they haven't proven to be effective. The FDA has a special program that lets some drugs be used sooner if early tests show they might work. This program started in 1992 to help get important medicines to patients quickly, especially for serious illnesses like HIV. Now, it mostly speeds up approval for cancer drugs.

The study looked at 46 cancer drugs approved fast between 2013 and 2017. The findings were surprising: even though 63% of these drugs later got full approval, only 43% showed real benefits in further tests.

This situation is tricky because these drugs are often the only hope for patients with rare or advanced cancers. Doctors need to be clear about what the drugs can and cannot do. They should explain the real benefits and not give false hope.

Recently, the rules for this program have been updated. The FDA now has more power to remove drugs from the market if they don't meet high standards in follow-up tests. This change should help make sure that drugs that don’t work well don’t stay available for too long. This is important to ensure that patients receive treatments that truly help.

Sleep Quality Can Be Predicted From the Way One Walks, Study Finds. Individuals With Lower Sleep Quality Exhibit Less Variation in Their Pelvic Tilt, Particularly Noticeable When Initiating Walking After a Turn. Additionally, These Individuals Often Struggle to Maintain a Consistent Walking Speed

A recent study shows that the way you walk might tell something about how well you sleep. The research was published in Sleep Science. It found that poor sleep often causes less movement in the pelvis. This is especially noticeable when people start walking after turning. They also struggle to walk at a steady speed.

Good sleep is important because it helps you feel rested and keeps your mood and brain functioning well. Poor sleep can make you feel tired all day, easily annoyed, and foggy-headed. Common causes of sleep problems include stress, health issues, or too much caffeine before bed.

The study looked at young adults between 18 to 36 years old. Researchers used technology to track their walking patterns and found that 41% of them were poor sleepers. They discovered that the way a person's lower back moves when they first start walking can predict how well they sleep.

Although the method used in the study predicted sleep quality with 62% accuracy, it highlights a link between our walking styles and sleep. Researchers suggest that changes in how we walk could also mean a higher chance of getting hurt, especially in the legs.

This research suggests watching how someone walks. It could help identify if they're likely to have sleep troubles. However, the study didn't account for how mood might affect walking and sleeping. This is an important factor to consider.

✢ 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.