05/30/24 - #141

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Adding Just a Few Ultra-processed Foods to a Healthy Diet Raised Risk of Cognitive Decline and Stroke, Study Says

  • Use of Wegovy and Other Weight-loss Drugs Soars Among Kids and Young Adults

  • Migraines Are Getting Worse — and a New Study Says Climate Change Could Be Partially to Blame

  • Stress Can Be "the Triggering Factor" for Skin Problems. Dermatologists Share Their Advice

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Adding Just a Few Ultra-processed Foods to a Healthy Diet Raised Risk of Cognitive Decline and Stroke, Study Says

Eating just a few ultra-processed foods can increase your risk of memory problems and strokes. This is true even if you're trying to eat a healthy diet. This warning comes from a recent study, even for those who follow popular healthy diets like the Mediterranean, DASH, or MIND diets. These diets focus on eating lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and cutting down on ultra-processed foods.

Ultra-processed foods are things like frozen pizza, ready-made meals, and snacks such as hot dogs, French fries, and soda. These foods are often high in calories, sugar, and salt but low in good nutrients like fiber. Eating too many of these can lead to health issues such as obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

The research, which appeared in the journal Neurology, looked at data from 30,000 people. It found that eating 10% more ultra-processed foods could make you 16% more likely to have memory issues. For strokes, the risk was even higher. This was true especially for Black participants. They faced a 15% greater risk than those who ate less processed foods.

But, eating more whole or minimally processed foods, like fresh fruits and veggies, was tied to a lower risk of memory problems and strokes.

This study shows that picking healthier foods is important. It is important to protect your brain and heart.

WEIGHT LOSS

Use of Wegovy and Other Weight-loss Drugs Soars Among Kids and Young Adults

Recent studies show a big jump in teenagers and young adults using weight-loss drugs. The drugs include Wegovy and Ozempic. These medications, known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, saw a usage increase of nearly 600% from 2020 to 2023 in people aged 12 to 25.

Israel McKenzie, a 17-year-old from Tennessee, used Wegovy to dramatically change his life. He lost 110 pounds in nine months, which helped him feel better about himself and enjoy life more. McKenzie's story is part of a growing trend where young people are turning to these drugs for help with obesity.

Dr. Joyce Lee, a pediatrician and diabetes expert, analyzed data from nearly all U.S. pharmacies for this study. She found that in 2023, about 31,000 children between 12 and 17 and over 162,000 young adults used these medications.

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests starting treatment early for obese kids. This treatment can include medication, if needed. Wegovy was approved for kids over 12 in late 2022.

However, Dr. Lee warns that these drugs are for long-term use and we need to be sure they are safe for young people. Some face side effects like nausea, and the drugs can be hard to get due to supply issues and insurance coverage.

As more young people use these drugs, it's important to look at safer and easier ways to help them stay healthy.

HEALTH

Migraines Are Getting Worse — and a New Study Says Climate Change Could Be Partially to Blame

Have you noticed that migraines are becoming more common and painful? Recent studies suggest that climate change could be making these headaches worse.

Researchers looked at data from U.S. adults over almost 30 years. They found that the number of people getting migraines hasn't gone up. But, the headaches are disrupting lives more than ever. People are missing out on social events and struggling at work because of migraines.

The study shows that both the severity and frequency of migraines have increased. Dr. Fred Cohen is from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. He says that migraine problems are getting worse. This is especially true for men, while they have leveled off for women after an initial increase.

Why might climate change be involved? Dr. Cohen points out that extreme weather happens more often due to climate change. It can trigger migraines. This weather can mess with brain chemicals like serotonin. That can lead to headaches.

Other triggers include thunderstorms, very hot or cold weather, and even smoke from wildfires. With the climate changing, experts worry that more people will start having migraines, or their migraines will get worse.

The advice is to watch the weather, especially if it usually triggers your migraines. Treatments can vary. They include over-the-counter medicine, prescriptions, and lifestyle changes. For example, getting better sleep or avoiding certain foods.

This study highlights how important it is to consider the environment when looking at health issues like migraines.

Stress Can Be "the Triggering Factor" for Skin Problems. Dermatologists Share Their Advice

Stress doesn't just mess with your emotions; it can also mess with your skin. Dermatologists warn that stress is often behind skin issues like acne or eczema and even wrinkles.

Dr. Afton Cobb sees many patients whose skin gets worse because of stress. She notes, "Stress really does affect our skin a lot since it impacts our whole body."

Stress causes skin problems because it makes your body release certain hormones. Dr. Samer Jaber from Washington Square Dermatology says, "When stressed, your body releases hormones like cortisol, which can make your skin oily, block your pores, or weaken your skin’s natural barrier."

This can dry out your skin or make conditions like eczema and psoriasis worse. Stress hormones can also harm collagen and elastin, which keep your skin smooth and elastic. This can lead to more wrinkles and saggy skin.

Stress also affects your hair, causing conditions like alopecia areata, where hair falls out in patches, or telogen effluvium, where hair thins out a lot. Even itchy scalp can be a sign of stress.

To manage these issues, stick to a simple skin care routine: wash your face gently, use sunscreen, and moisturize. But it's also important to handle the stress itself.

Dr. Jaber suggests, "You can't always avoid stress, but you can control how you react to it." Sleeping well, exercising, and hanging out with friends can help. If stress gets too much, consider talking to a therapist.

✢ 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.