05/20/24 - #133

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Study of Different Types of Ultra-processed Foods Shows Highest Mortality Risk is Associated With Consumption of Meat/Poultry/Seafood Based Ready-to-Eat Products (Processed Meats)

  • Ozempic Found to Cut Heart Disease and Keep Weight Off for Four Years

  • Healthy Lifestyle May Offset Genetics by 60% and Add Five Years to Life, Study Says

  • Recent Research Suggests That Childhood Adversities Have a Sustained, Detrimental Impact on Mental Health Into Older Adulthood | Specifically, Experiences of Adversity During Childhood Are Linked to Higher Instances of Depression and Anxiety in Later Years

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Study of Different Types of Ultra-processed Foods Shows Highest Mortality Risk is Associated With Consumption of Meat/Poultry/Seafood Based Ready-to-Eat Products (Processed Meats)

New research in the BMJ shows a link. It is between eating many ultra-processed foods and a higher chance of dying early. This is especially true for foods like ready-to-eat meats. These include sausages, deli meats, and canned meats.

The study followed many health professionals across the U.S. for over 30 years. It found that people who often ate these kinds of processed meats had a higher risk of dying from diseases not related to cancer or heart problems. Interestingly, the researchers did not find a strong link between these foods and dying from cancer or heart disease.

However, the research also showed something positive. People who ate better-quality diets seemed to lower some of the risks that come with eating processed foods. This means that improving what you eat can help protect your health.

For adults over 45, understanding these findings is very important. As we get older, the choices we make about our diet become more crucial to our health. Choosing foods that are less processed and more natural can be a big step towards staying healthy longer.

This study is a reminder of why it’s better to avoid certain convenient but highly processed foods. Focusing on eating better-quality foods can make a significant difference in how long and how well we live.

WEIGHT LOSS

Ozempic Found to Cut Heart Disease and Keep Weight Off for Four Years

Ozempic and Wegovy are well-known weight loss drugs. They have shown great results in cutting heart disease risks. They also help people keep off extra weight for up to four years. These findings were shared at the European Congress on Obesity.

The key ingredient in these drugs is semaglutide, which works by making you feel full. The study looked at more than 17,600 adults from 41 countries who were overweight and had heart problems. This study was part of the SELECT trial, supported by Novo Nordisk, the company that makes these drugs.

Results were promising: there was a 20% drop in serious heart issues like strokes and heart attacks. This improvement happened regardless of the participants' starting weight. It suggests the drug helps the heart in other ways, not just by causing weight loss.

Professor John Deanfield explained that this drug could change how we treat many long-term health issues. It would be like how statins helped people with high cholesterol.

Additionally, the study showed that those taking semaglutide lost more weight and kept it off longer compared to those who didn’t take the drug. After four years, these participants had notably smaller waist sizes.

These discoveries are important. They offer new hope for managing obesity and preventing its severe health problems. Obesity is a major concern worldwide. Ozempic and Wegovy could be key in fighting this issue.

HEALTH

Healthy Lifestyle May Offset Genetics by 60% and Add Five Years to Life, Study Says

A new study published in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine shows that living a healthy life can greatly reduce the effects of bad genes. These genes are linked to dying early. The research, which included over 350,000 people from the UK Biobank, found that bad genes alone could increase the risk of dying early by 21%. However, by following a healthy lifestyle, this risk could be reduced by 62% and possibly add up to five years to your life.

Key factors that impact how long you live include not smoking, eating well, staying active, and getting enough sleep. The study followed participants for about 13 years. It recorded over 24,000 deaths. The study grouped people by their genes and lifestyles.

Even those who were more likely to have shorter lives due to their genes could live longer if they lived healthily. Matt Lambert from the World Cancer Research Fund emphasized the importance of a healthy lifestyle. He said it can "help us live longer" despite our genetic risks.

This study points out how important it is for public health policies to promote healthy living to go along with regular healthcare. This can help lessen the effects of bad genes on how long we live.

Recent Research Suggests That Childhood Adversities Have a Sustained, Detrimental Impact on Mental Health Into Older Adulthood | Specifically, Experiences of Adversity During Childhood Are Linked to Higher Instances of Depression and Anxiety in Later Years

A recent study in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that tough experiences in childhood, like abuse or family problems, can lead to more depression and anxiety as people get older. James Lian from the University of New South Wales led the study. He said, "Our research helps us understand how what happens in childhood can affect us later." This can guide better ways to help older adults feel better."

The study looked at over 2,500 adults between 60 and 66 years old, asking about their childhoods and how they feel now. Findings showed that more than half of them had no tough times in childhood. However, those who did faced increasing mental health issues with each added challenge.

Researchers found four main types of childhood problems. People who grew up with a lot of family issues or other difficulties had much worse mental health later on. For example, people from very troubled backgrounds were more likely to be depressed or anxious. This was true than for those who had easier childhoods.

This study shows that knowing someone's early life can help improve their mental health. It suggests that doctors should consider a person's childhood experiences. They should do this when helping them with mental health issues.

Lian hopes to keep researching. She wants to find ways to lessen the impact of childhood problems. She also wants to discover what helps people overcome these early challenges.

✢ 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.