Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Panera to Stop Selling Charged Sips Caffeinated Drinks Allegedly Linked to 2 Deaths

• What is the Best Way to Lose Fat Fast?

• Scientists Discover an Underlying Genetic Cause for 15% of Alzheimer's Cases

• A New Study Has Found That Individuals Who Engage in Gardening Are Less Likely to Suffer From Multiple Sleep Complaints Compared to Those Who Do Not Exercise

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Panera to Stop Selling Charged Sips Caffeinated Drinks Allegedly Linked to 2 Deaths

Panera, a well-known restaurant chain, has decided to stop selling its Charged Sips drinks. These drinks have a lot of caffeine and have been linked to lawsuits claiming they caused two deaths.

Until recently, these high-caffeine drinks were still available on Panera’s website. Now, Panera is taking them off the menu and adding new drinks with less caffeine. They want to offer options that have less sugar and caffeine, like Blueberry Lavender Lemonade.

The issue with Charged Sips became serious after two people reportedly died from drinking them. Sarah Katz, a 21-year-old college student with a heart problem, died after having a Charged Lemonade. This drink has more caffeine than Red Bull and Monster Energy combined. Her family is suing Panera because there wasn't a clear warning on the drink.

In another case, a man named Dennis Brown from Florida died from a heart attack after drinking three Charged Sips. He didn't know just how much caffeine he was drinking, as much as 302 milligrams in one serving.

Panera hasn't spoken about these court cases. But, they said they're changing their drinks based on what over 30,000 customers said they wanted. Health experts, such as those at the Mayo Clinic, say most adults can safely have up to 400 milligrams of caffeine a day. That's about four cups of coffee.

Source: cbsnews.com

WEIGHT LOSS

What is the Best Way to Lose Fat Fast?

Losing fat quickly is a common goal, especially as we get older. One effective way is the ketogenic, or "keto," diet, which involves eating very few carbs.

Keto Basics: Keto helps you burn fat instead of carbs by keeping your carb intake under 20 grams a day. This triggers a state called ketosis, where your body uses fat for energy, helping you lose weight, especially around your belly.

Five Simple Tips to Start Keto:

1. Eat More Vegetables: Fill up on leafy greens and salads. They’re low in carbs and don’t raise your blood sugar.

2. Right Amount of Protein: Have a portion of protein the size of your hand at each meal. Choose fatty proteins like salmon or meat with visible fat, which are better for maintaining ketosis.

3. Healthy Fats: Include good fats from avocados, nuts, and olive oil. These fats keep you full longer and help you eat fewer meals, which is important for keto.

4. Try Intermittent Fasting: Skip breakfast and eat only between noon and 6 PM. This helps increase fat burning and reduces hunger.

5. Make It Enjoyable: Make keto a fun part of your life. Enjoy low-carb treats to keep things interesting. It's about improving your health and feeling good, not just losing weight.

By focusing on these tips, you can start keto successfully and see real results without getting overwhelmed. Remember, getting healthy is the way to lose weight sustainably.

Source: Dr. Eric Berg DC

HEALTH

Scientists Discover an Underlying Genetic Cause for 15% of Alzheimer's Cases

For the first time, scientists have found a genetic reason for some cases of Alzheimer's disease in older adults. They discovered that about 15% of people with Alzheimer's have two copies of a specific gene called APOE4. This gene is not just a risk factor—it actually causes the disease for them.

Alzheimer’s usually affects people over 65. But, those with two copies of the APOE4 gene can show signs of the disease much earlier. They may show signs up to ten years before others. This finding changes our understanding of the disease, showing that for some people, their genetics directly cause it.

Dr. Juan Fortea from the Sant Pau Research Institute in Barcelona, Spain led the study. Dr. Reisa Sperling from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston co-authored it. They examined brain data from thousands of people in the U.S. and Europe. Researchers found that people with two APOE4 genes develop brain plaques earlier, which are early signs of Alzheimer's.

This find is important. It could help scientists make better treatments. The treatments would target this gene, especially for those at highest risk. However, Dr. Sperling advises caution. Not everyone should rush to get a genetic test. This gene combo is not behind most Alzheimer's cases. This research shows the need for new treatments that focus on people’s genes to help prevent the disease.

Source: nbcnews.com

A New Study Has Found That Individuals Who Engage in Gardening Are Less Likely to Suffer From Multiple Sleep Complaints Compared to Those Who Do Not Exercise

A new study reveals that people who garden might sleep better than those who don't exercise at all. The research was shared in the Journal of Affective Disorders. It points out that gardening can help reduce sleep problems. These include insomnia, feeling too sleepy during the day, and sleep apnea.

Researchers, including Xiang Gao from Fudan University, looked at data from 62,098 adults in ten U.S. states. They divided the participants into groups: those who don't exercise, gardeners, and other exercisers. They found that gardeners were 42% less likely to have multiple sleep complaints than non-exercisers. Other exercisers were 33% less likely.

The study showed that the more time people spend gardening, the fewer sleep issues they had. This connection remained strong. This was true even after considering other factors such as age, lifestyle, and health.

The research suggests a link between gardening and better sleep. But, it doesn't prove that gardening is the direct cause. It did not track changes over time. Still, the results are encouraging.

Gardening is recommended as a safe and effective exercise, especially for older adults. More studies are needed to understand how gardening helps sleep. But, the current findings support the idea that gardening is good for sleep and health. For many, caring for their garden helps them relax and sleep better at night.

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.