05/03/24 - #122

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Current Research is Trending Toward the Concept of “Food as Medicine” – a Philosophy in Which Food and Nutrition Are Positioned to Support Health and Wellness. A New Study Provides Clarity for Protein, Fat, Carbohydrates, Fiber and Water Intake at Various Stages in the Human Lifespan

  • Things You Can Eat and Still Lose Weight

  • Women Are Less Likely to Die When Treated by Female Doctors, Study Suggests

  • How Your Personality Type May Put You at Risk of Depression

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Current Research is Trending Toward the Concept of “Food as Medicine” – a Philosophy in Which Food and Nutrition Are Positioned to Support Health and Wellness. A New Study Provides Clarity for Protein, Fat, Carbohydrates, Fiber and Water Intake at Various Stages in the Human Lifespan

In Baton Rouge, doctors Steven Heymsfield and Sue Shapses shared a new study. It shows that eating the right foods is as important as medicine. Their work was published in the New England Journal of Medicine. It guides us on how much protein, fat, carbs, fiber, and water we should eat at different ages to stay healthy.

Their report is called "Guidance on Energy and Macronutrients Across the Lifespan." It tells us that the right amounts and types of food can greatly improve our health. This is true from when we are babies to when we are old.

They have tips for all ages. They include special advice for pregnant and nursing women. They recommend a mix of vegetables, fruits, lean meats, seafood, dairy, and grains—especially whole grains.

The guidelines think about what people like to eat, where they come from, and how much money they have, making sure the advice fits everyone. This helps a lot for people with health problems like obesity or diabetes.

Dr. Heymsfield explains that "Food as medicine" isn't just a saying; it's a real way to prevent and fight diseases by choosing the right foods. By focusing on the important nutrients, we can create diets that not only keep us from getting sick but also help us live longer and healthier lives.

This study shows that understanding what we eat and making smart choices can really make a difference in our health as we grow up.

WEIGHT LOSS

Things You Can Eat and Still Lose Weight

Today we're looking at the best foods that help you lose weight and keep it off. If you've tried diets that leave you hungry and they didn't work, it's time for a change. Losing weight isn't just about eating less; it's about choosing foods that keep you full and healthy for a long time.

1. Coconut Cream: It's great for smoothies and sauces, low in carbs, high in fat, and keeps you full without increasing insulin too much.

2. Dairy Products: Foods like cheese and sour cream are low in carbs but have enough protein to fill you up. Just watch out for allergies.

3. Fatty Fish: Sardines and salmon are good choices because they have lots of protein and healthy fats that help you feel full.

4. Healthy Oils and Butters: Using olive or coconut oil in meals adds fats without carbs or proteins, helping manage insulin levels.

5. Macadamia Nuts: Low in carbs, high in fat and fiber, these nuts are tasty and filling.

6. Greens and Vegetables: They're packed with fiber and nutrients, filling you up, especially when paired with healthy fats.

7. Avocados: They have good fats and fiber, low in carbs.

8. Eggs: Mainly the yolks, they're very filling and nutritious.

9. Chicken Wings: High in protein and fat, they make a full meal.

10. Grass-Fed Beef: Rich in protein and good fats, it keeps you full for hours.

Eating these foods helps balance your body's hormones, making weight loss easier and lasting. This way, you can enjoy a healthy life without constant dieting.

HEALTH

Women Are Less Likely to Die When Treated by Female Doctors, Study Suggests

A new study shows that women in hospitals are more likely to survive. This is true when female doctors treat them. This research was done on people 65 and older who have Medicare, looking at almost 800,000 patients from 2016 to 2019.

The study found a small but important difference: 8.15% of women treated by female doctors died within 30 days, compared to 8.38% treated by male doctors. Even though the difference is tiny, researchers think it could save about 5,000 lives a year.

Why do women do better with female doctors? The study doesn't give a clear answer. But, it adds to other studies. They say female doctors might communicate better and be more careful about understanding women’s health problems. This can help avoid mistakes and make sure women get the right treatment.

Dr. Atsushi Miyawaki, who led the study, mentioned that medical schools need to teach more about women's health. Other experts in the study agreed that the way female doctors work could be why they see better results.

The study also talks about a bigger issue: women and minorities often don't get as good medical care as men and white people. Understanding why women respond better to female doctors could help improve care for everyone.

But, choosing a doctor should not just be about whether they are male or female. It’s more important to have doctors who listen and care, no matter their gender.

How Your Personality Type May Put You at Risk of Depression

A new study shows that certain personality traits raise the risk of depression. The traits are being very emotional (neuroticism) and liking to be alone (introversion). This research was done by the Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research in New York.

Researchers studied 1,494 people. They were aged 6 to 85. The study aimed to see how personality affects mental health at different ages. They filled out surveys about their personalities. They also said if they felt signs of depression or anxiety.

The results showed that people who felt both depressed and anxious had similar personalities. Particularly in young people, being very emotional was strongly linked to feeling depressed. As people got older, the influence of personality on depression seemed to decrease.

The study also found that the way personality traits affect anxiety and depression changes as people age. For example, being very responsible made young people anxious. But, it did not do so for older people.

Researchers Zhen Yang and Vilma Gabbay explained why this is important. They said understanding how personality affects mental health is important. They pointed out that the link between personality and mental health problems can change a lot. These problems include depression and anxiety. The changes happen from youth to adulthood.

This study helps us see that our personality can affect how we feel mentally, but this can change as we grow older.

✢ 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.