04/25/24 - #116

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Are Seed Oils Really That Bad?

  • How Do You Stay Motivated?

  • Study Links Accelerated Aging to Cancer Risk in Younger Adults

  • Probiotics for Adults With Major Depressive Disorder Compared With Antidepressants: a Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Are Seed Oils Really That Bad?

When walking through grocery aisles, it’s easy to notice how many products contain seed oils like soybean, corn, canola, and sunflower oil. These oils are common in dressings, snacks, and even foods marketed as healthy. But are they safe?

Seed oils are rich in omega-6 fatty acids, essential fats that our bodies need but can't produce. The issue arises not from omega-6 itself, but from consuming much more omega-6 than omega-3. Ideally, our diets should have an equal amount of both. However, typical diets provide far more omega-6, with ratios often exceeding 25:1.

Excessive omega-6 can cause health problems. These oils integrate into our cells and can stay there, potentially leading to chronic inflammation and other issues. Unlike sugar, which can be burned off through exercise, seed oils remain in our tissues for a long time.

Additionally, these oils are heavily processed with chemicals, possibly leaving harmful residues. This contrasts with natural sources like fruit. Despite having sugar, fruit also gives essential nutrients. And, it doesn't deplete the body's reserves like refined sugars.

Next time you're shopping, consider what's in your cart. Choosing less processed foods. And, balancing your intake of fatty acids. Both of these changes can greatly impact your health. It might be wise to increase your intake of omega-3s to maintain good health.

WEIGHT LOSS

How Do You Stay Motivated?

Finding the motivation to lose weight can be tough. But understanding why you want to lose weight might help you get started.

In a survey of 2,000 people, the top reason for wanting to lose weight was to look better in clothes. Feeling good in your own skin can be a strong motivator. Other reasons included wanting to live longer for grandchildren, lowering the risk of diseases like diabetes, and being able to stand up more easily.

Two stories from a weight loss clinic show how sudden moments can motivate people. One woman decided to lose weight after she didn't recognize her own shadow because of how large it was. Another woman gained weight on purpose to avoid attention but wanted to lose it when her health got worse.

These stories show that knowing your own reasons can really help you stay motivated. One helpful tip is to put a full-length mirror in your bathroom. Looking at yourself from different angles every day can really make you want to start losing weight.

Remember, changing your diet is more effective than just exercising. Starting with what you eat can make your weight loss journey easier. If changing your diet seems hard, try eating just one meal a day to begin with. This can also help you lose weight.

By thinking about your reasons and taking small steps, you can find the motivation to start and keep going with your weight loss.

HEALTH

Study Links Accelerated Aging to Cancer Risk in Younger Adults

Recent research shows that faster aging might increase the risk of cancer in younger adults. Dr. Yin Cao shared these findings at a conference. She highlighted a worrying trend. Diseases seen in older people are now affecting younger ones.

Aging isn't just about having more birthdays. It also includes the wear and tear on our bodies from how we live, stress, and our genes. This is called biological age, and it might help explain why more young people are getting cancer.

The study looked at health data from over 148,000 people between 37 and 54 years old. Researchers focused on nine signs in the blood that tell us about aging. These include things like liver proteins, inflammation markers, and immune system indicators. They used these signs to figure out each person’s biological age compared to their actual age.

The results showed that those born after 1965 were 17% more likely to have faster aging. People with the most signs of quick aging were twice as likely to get lung cancer. They also had a higher chance of getting stomach, intestinal, and uterine cancers.

Understanding who is at higher risk because of faster aging could lead to earlier cancer checks. It could also lead to lifestyle changes that might help. More research is needed, especially with different groups of people, to fully understand these risks.

This study opens a new way to look at how our bodies age and the impact on cancer risks. It's important to keep studying this to help prevent cancer in younger adults.

Probiotics for Adults With Major Depressive Disorder Compared With Antidepressants: a Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis

When people have major depressive disorder (MDD), they often use antidepressants. But these medications can have side effects and sometimes people feel embarrassed to use them. A new study suggests that probiotics are good bacteria. They are in yogurt and supplements. They might be a helpful alternative.

Researchers looked at studies from the last seven years comparing probiotics and antidepressants. They chose specific studies. The studies were well-designed to ensure trust in their results.

They discovered this: Probiotics were as good as, if not better than, many common antidepressants. They even worked better than a placebo, which is a treatment that has no active ingredients. Plus, probiotics were easy for people to tolerate, even when used for eight weeks or more.

This doesn’t mean probiotics should completely replace antidepressants. However, the study shows they could be a good option to use with or instead of regular drugs. This is especially true for those who want fewer side effects.

Though the results are exciting, more research is needed to be sure. If you’re dealing with depression, it might be a good idea to talk to your doctor about probiotics. Remember, never change your treatment without professional advice.

This new research opens up more ways to treat depression. It could lead to new ways to help people feel better with fewer side effects.

✢ 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.