05/22/24 - #135

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • What Supplements Are Actually Beneficial to Take?

  • Scientists Might Be Able to Predict Whether You Will Gain or Lose Weight From the Size of Your Fat Cells

  • Yoga Shows ‘Most Improvement’ in Restoring Brain Health in Long-term Cancer Survivors, Northeastern Researcher Says

  • Study Identifies ‘Hot-spots’ in England of High Rates of Depression Linked to Deprivation. During 12 Years, the North West and North East of England Experienced Very Significant ‘Hot-spots’ of Both Depression and Deprivation

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

What Supplements Are Actually Beneficial to Take?

In the U.S., 31% of adults—that's around 80 million people—use supplements like vitamins and minerals. This adds up to a $50 billion market. But do you really need these supplements?

Experts reviewed 84 studies over 30 years involving lots of people. They found that for most healthy adults, taking vitamin and mineral supplements doesn't really help prevent cancer, heart disease, or early death.

Dr. Peter Cohen, a researcher at Harvard, says he likes multivitamins but only for people who need them due to specific health issues. "For most healthy people, there’s no reason to take these every day," he advises.

However, Andrea Wong, who works with supplement makers, believes that some vitamins can lower the risk of eye problems and memory loss, and help fill in when people don't eat well.

Both experts agree on one thing: Supplements can't replace a healthy lifestyle. Dr. Cohen suggests, "Save your money if you're healthy and eat a balanced diet. Spend it on healthy food instead." Taking vitamins isn't a shortcut to good health. It's more important to sleep well, exercise, and eat healthy foods.

Before you buy vitamins, think about if your regular diet is already giving you what you need. Supplements are helpful for some, but good food is usually enough for most of us.

WEIGHT LOSS

Scientists Might Be Able to Predict Whether You Will Gain or Lose Weight From the Size of Your Fat Cells

What if the size of your fat cells could tell you if you might gain or lose weight in the future? Scientists from the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden think it's possible. They studied the fat cells in the stomach area of 260 people with an average body mass index (BMI) of 32. Fifteen years later, they checked these people again.

The results were interesting. People with bigger fat cells tended to lose weight over the years, while those with smaller fat cells often gained weight.

Professor Peter Arner, who led the study, says that our body loses weight when we burn more energy than we eat, using up fat. His study suggests that losing big fat cells affects our weight more than losing small ones. It's like having a room full of big or small balloons. It’s easier to make space by letting air out of the big balloons.

Having smaller fat cells isn’t all bad, though. People with smaller fat cells usually have better health when it comes to their metabolism. This means they can gain a little weight without as much risk of getting diseases like type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure.

This discovery could help doctors create better weight loss plans in the future. Knowing the size of fat cells could be a big help for those who find it harder to lose weight.

HEALTH

Yoga Shows ‘Most Improvement’ in Restoring Brain Health in Long-term Cancer Survivors, Northeastern Researcher Says

A recent study reveals that yoga might be a powerful tool. It combats "chemo brain," which is a decline in thinking, among long-term cancer survivors. The research was led by Northeastern professor Neha Gothe. It shows that yoga could restore brain health better than other exercises.

The study involved 78 cancer survivors who had been cancer-free for about eight years. They were split into three groups. The first did hatha yoga. The second did aerobics. The third did stretching and toning. Each group performed their assigned exercises for 150 minutes weekly over 12 weeks.

All participants reported better memory, focus, and concentration. But, the yoga group saw the biggest enhancement in their thinking. This finding suggests that yoga's mindful movements and meditation could help manage chemo brain.

"Seeing the impact of yoga on cognitive function years after cancer diagnosis is promising," Gothe explains. She advocates for yoga as a therapy. Oncologists might prescribe it to help survivors manage cognitive issues.

The study highlights the unique benefits of yoga. Yoga combines physical postures, mindful focus, and breathing techniques. It provides more than just fitness. It also supports emotional regulation and stress management. These are crucial for better thinking.

As research continues, the hope is that more studies will add yoga to standard care for cancer survivors. This would make it a routine part of recovery and long-term health.

Study Identifies ‘Hot-spots’ in England of High Rates of Depression Linked to Deprivation. During 12 Years, the North West and North East of England Experienced Very Significant ‘Hot-spots’ of Both Depression and Deprivation

The University of Southampton and the University of Liverpool recently found areas in England where many people are very sad. It's because they live in tough conditions. This study looked at data from the last 12 years and found places where people struggle a lot with both sadness and poverty.

The research shows that in some parts of England, up to 39% of sadness comes from living in poor conditions. This issue is not the same everywhere. For example, the North West and North East of England have major areas where this problem is really bad. In the North West, about 17% of the region is affected, and in the North East, it's about 10%.

London and the South East have much lower rates of these problems. This big difference suggests that mental health issues vary a lot from the North to the South of England.

Dr. Dalia Tsimpida from the University of Southampton said understanding where and why people are sad can help us help them better. "Knowing the specific areas that are struggling allows us to focus our help where it is needed the most," she explained.

This study was published in the journal SSM Population Heald. It tells us that to fix these issues, we need to look at the problems people face in the areas where they live. This information can help make better plans to improve mental health in the most affected places.

✢ 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.