05/31/24 - #142

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Replacing Red Meat With Plant Foods May Reduce the Risk of Heart Disease

  • The Ozempic-like Obesity Drugs Create a Dilemma When People Have to Go Off Them

  • The Jump in Measles Cases in 2023 is 'Very Concerning' Says WHO Official

  • Chinese Scientists Develop Cure for Diabetes, Insulin Patient Becomes Medicine-free in Just 3 Months

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Replacing Red Meat With Plant Foods May Reduce the Risk of Heart Disease

Eating less red meat and more plant-based foods like beans, nuts, and soy might help lower the chance of heart disease. A study in The BMJ shows that choosing whole grains, dairy, and eggs instead of red meat could also be good for your heart.

Past studies have shown that eating a lot of red meat raises the risk of serious health issues. This is especially true for processed kinds like bacon and sausages. These studies often didn’t compare red meat with similar proteins, which might explain the inconsistent results.

Researchers in the U.S. studied data from over 43,000 men. The men had an average age of 53 and didn't have heart disease or cancer at the study's start. From 1986 to 2016, these men shared details about their diets and health.

Over 30 years, the study found more than 4,400 cases of heart disease. The results showed that each extra serving of red meat per day raised the risk of heart disease by about 12%, with processed meat being even riskier. However, replacing one daily serving of red meat with plant proteins reduced the heart disease risk by 14%. This risk dropped further, to 18%, for men older than 65.

Switching red meat with whole grains or dairy and processed meat with eggs also showed a lower risk of heart disease. These findings suggest eating less red meat and more plant-based or other healthy foods can be good for the heart.

WEIGHT LOSS

The Ozempic-like Obesity Drugs Create a Dilemma When People Have to Go Off Them

Imagine losing weight after years of failed diets. Then, you face the dilemma of stopping the medication that helped. This is the reality for many people using new obesity drugs like Zepbound, a GLP-1 agonist. Jonathan Meyers is a digital strategist. He lost a lot of weight and had less hunger on Zepbound. However, due to a nationwide shortage, he's struggling to access the medication and fears regaining the weight.

These drugs, like Wegovy and Mounjaro, show great promise. They manage obesity by affecting hunger hormones and metabolism. Yet, they pose a significant challenge: what happens when patients stop taking them? Clinical studies suggest many will regain much of the weight lost. Dr. Eduardo Grunvald from the University of California San Diego notes that chronic diseases like obesity need ongoing treatment. This is similar to managing high cholesterol or kidney disease.

Dr. Rekha Kumar, an endocrinologist, warns that social media misrepresents these drugs. They are not quick, cosmetic fixes, but serious medical treatments. For many, stopping these drugs isn't a choice but a need. It's due to other health issues. This leads to hard transitions.

Patients like Meyers must now navigate these changes. They may turn to less-regulated options from compound pharmacies. This situation shows the complex interplay between biology, medication, and the struggle to maintain weight loss. This is in the face of drug shortages and other hurdles. It's a pressing issue. It continues to affect many, showing the need for sustainable obesity solutions.

HEALTH

The Jump in Measles Cases in 2023 is 'Very Concerning' Says WHO Official

In 2023, measles cases jumped to over 320,000 globally, a big increase from 170,000 in 2022. This rise worries health experts because the world had been doing well in fighting measles.

Dr. Patrick O'Connor, who works on measles for the World Health Organization (WHO), finds these numbers "very concerning." He blames much of this on COVID-19. It caused fewer people to get vaccinated and lowered immunity in communities.

John Vertefeuille is from the CDC. He says the measles increase wasn't surprising. Fewer people have been getting vaccinated in recent years. He stresses that quick action is needed to prevent more cases and deaths.

Measles is very contagious but can be prevented. Two shots of the vaccine can protect 97% of people from getting it. However, vaccination rates have dropped. In 2022, only 83% of children worldwide got their first measles shot by their first birthday, which is the lowest rate since 2008.

Countries with very low vaccination rates, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, are most at risk. In places like Ethiopia, conflicts and the movement of people make it hard to get vaccines, which lowers vaccination rates even more.

Dr. Kate O'Brien from the WHO calls measles "the inequity virus" because it mostly affects those who are not vaccinated. Young children are at high risk of severe measles problems. These include pneumonia and brain swelling, which can be deadly.

Health leaders are working hard to raise vaccination rates. They want to protect communities worldwide.

Chinese Scientists Develop Cure for Diabetes, Insulin Patient Becomes Medicine-free in Just 3 Months

A team of Chinese scientists achieved a remarkable medical breakthrough. They successfully treated a patient's diabetes. They used an innovative cell therapy. This marks a big milestone in diabetes care. In July 2021, the patient received treatment. Eleven weeks later, they no longer needed insulin. Nearly three years have passed since they stopped taking diabetes medication.

This new treatment was pioneered by researchers from Shanghai Changzheng Hospital and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The therapy involves taking cells from the patient's blood. The cells are transformed into pancreatic cells that produce insulin. This process helps restore the body's natural ability to control blood sugar levels.

The success of this treatment could be a game-changer for millions of people. Diabetes is a big health issue worldwide. It is especially bad in China, where over 140 million people are affected. Traditional diabetes management includes daily insulin injections and medication. They can be costly and hard for many.

This new cell therapy's benefits could help more than just the individual. They could reduce the healthcare costs of diabetes. Professor Timothy Kieffer is a respected expert. He praised the development but warned that more research is needed. It's needed to ensure the therapy is safe and effective for more people.

This breakthrough shows the potential of regenerative medicine. It offers hope. One day, diabetes could be treatable without lifelong medication.

✢ 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.