05/19/25 - #393

Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Brain Dopamine Responses to Ultra-processed Milkshakes Are Highly Variable and Not Significantly Related to Adiposity in Humans

• Weight-loss Drugs Aren’t Really About Weight

• ADHD Symptoms Appear to Influence Women’s Orgasms | The Researchers Found That Women With Inattentive ADHD Symptoms Reported Lower Orgasmic Consistency Than Those Without ADHD Symptoms or With Other Subtypes

• Men Are More Likely to Die of 'Broken Heart Syndrome,' Study Says. The Condition is Usually Brought on by the Stress of an Event Like Losing a Loved One. The Syndrome is Formally Called Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy. Men Die From It at More Than Twice the Rate.

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Brain Dopamine Responses to Ultra-processed Milkshakes Are Highly Variable and Not Significantly Related to Adiposity in Humans

Many people think ultra-processed foods—like milkshakes—might be addictive. That’s because they’re full of sugar and fat, and they taste really good. But a new study shows they may not affect the brain like addictive drugs do.

Researchers looked at how a milkshake changes dopamine levels in the brain. Dopamine is a brain chemical that makes you feel good. Some drugs increase dopamine a lot, which is one reason they’re addictive. Scientists wanted to see if milkshakes do the same thing.

The study included 50 healthy adults with different body sizes. Everyone drank a milkshake, and then researchers used brain scans to measure dopamine levels.

The results were surprising. The milkshake did not cause a strong dopamine response. In fact, there was little to no change in dopamine levels after drinking it. People with more body fat didn’t show a bigger reaction than those with less fat.

This means ultra-processed foods might not trigger the brain in the same way as drugs. While these foods can lead to overeating, it may not be because they create an addictive brain response.

So, even though milkshakes and other processed foods are enjoyable, they likely don’t cause addiction the way drugs do. Still, eating too many can be bad for your health.

Bottom line: A sugary milkshake may taste great, but it doesn’t seem to light up the brain like a drug. And that response doesn’t depend on your weight or body fat.

Source: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

WEIGHT LOSS

Weight-loss Drugs Aren’t Really About Weight

New weight-loss drugs like semaglutide (found in Ozempic and Wegovy) can help people lose weight. But doctors say the real goal should be better health—not just weight loss.

These drugs were first made to treat diabetes. Later, experts saw they also helped people lose a lot of weight. But they’re costly, not covered by many insurance plans, and often cause side effects like nausea. They also need to be taken for a long time.

Because of that, doctors don’t think everyone who is overweight should take them. Instead, they should be used by people at high risk—like those with heart disease, high cholesterol, or a dangerous kind of fat around their organs.

President Donald Trump is one example. In the past, doctors said he had some heart risks and was slightly obese. By 2024, he had lost 20 pounds and was no longer in the obese range. His medical report also showed he was on strong medicine to lower bad cholesterol. That drug likely helped his heart more than weight loss alone.

This shows that weight isn’t the only thing that matters. What’s more important is if a treatment makes a person healthier. Nearly 1,000 people in the U.S. die every day from diseases linked to poor diet.

Doctors and patients should look at the bigger picture. It’s not just about losing weight—it’s about fighting the kind of fat that harms the body and leads to serious illness.

Source: theatlantic.com

HEALTH

ADHD Symptoms Appear to Influence Women’s Orgasms | The Researchers Found That Women With Inattentive ADHD Symptoms Reported Lower Orgasmic Consistency Than Those Without ADHD Symptoms or With Other Subtypes

A new study shows that some women with ADHD may have trouble reaching orgasm during sex. This was most true for women with the “inattentive” type of ADHD. These women often get distracted or have trouble staying focused, even during sex. That can make it harder for them to stay in the moment and enjoy the experience.

ADHD is a brain condition that affects focus, self-control, and activity levels. It affects both men and women, but women often show fewer signs of hyperactivity. Instead, they may struggle more with attention, which is harder to notice. This may lead to delays in getting diagnosed or treated.

Researchers asked over 800 women about their sex lives and ADHD symptoms. They found that women with inattentive symptoms had less consistent orgasms. On the other hand, women with hyperactive-impulsive symptoms had slightly better orgasm experiences—even better than women without ADHD.

Women who took ADHD medication had more consistent orgasms, even if they didn’t currently show symptoms. This suggests that medicine may help improve sexual function for some.

The study also found that among women without ADHD, those who were lesbian, bisexual, or pansexual reported better orgasm consistency than straight women. But this difference wasn’t seen in women with ADHD.

The study didn’t prove cause and effect, but it shows that ADHD may play a role in sexual satisfaction. More research is needed to learn how to help women with ADHD enjoy healthy, fulfilling sex lives.

Source: psypost.org

Men Are More Likely to Die of 'Broken Heart Syndrome,' Study Says. The Condition is Usually Brought on by the Stress of an Event Like Losing a Loved One. The Syndrome is Formally Called Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy. Men Die From It at More Than Twice the Rate.

A new study found that men are more than twice as likely as women to die from a condition called “broken heart syndrome.” Doctors call it takotsubo cardiomyopathy. It can happen after a big emotional or physical shock, like losing a loved one or having surgery.

The body reacts by releasing stress hormones, like adrenaline. These hormones can stop the heart from pumping normally. This causes chest pain and shortness of breath. It feels like a heart attack, but the heart’s arteries are not blocked.

Most people get better, but some do not. The study looked at nearly 200,000 people in the U.S. between 2016 and 2020. About 11% of men with this condition died, compared to about 5% of women.

Doctors think men may have worse outcomes because they often have more serious stress triggers and less emotional support. For example, women may get it after losing a loved one, but men may get it after a stroke or surgery.

Some people may also be more sensitive to stress. Conditions like high blood pressure or high cholesterol could make it worse.

There is no special treatment yet. Doctors may use heart medicines or suggest ways to lower stress, like meditation or therapy.

If you feel sudden chest pain or trouble breathing, go to the hospital. You can’t tell the difference between this and a heart attack without tests. Getting help quickly can save your life.

Source: nbcnews.com

✢ 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.