06/04/25 - #45

Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Healthy Plant-based Diets Were Associated With a 25% Lower Lung Cancer Risk, Evident in Both Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (24%) and Small Cell Lung Cancer (27%), Study Finds

• Semaglutide Demonstrates Impressive Heart Benefits – Even Before You Lose Weight. Heart Disease: Semaglutide May Reduce Risk by Up to 20% in 6 Months

• Marijuana Use Among Older Adults in the US Has Reached a New High, With 7% of Adults Aged 65 and Over Who Report Using It in the Past Month, With Pronounced Increases in Use by Older Adults Who Are College-educated, Married, Female, and Have Higher Incomes, and Those With Chronic Diseases

• Having a Mix of Tea, Berries, Apples, and Grapes Every Day May Lower Your Risk of Chronic Disease and Early Death. People Who Had a Diet High in Flavonoids Had a 6–20% Lower Risk of Heart Disease, Type 2 Diabetes, Cancer, Respiratory Disease, and Neurodegenerative Disease, and Dying From Any Cause

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Healthy Plant-based Diets Were Associated With a 25% Lower Lung Cancer Risk, Evident in Both Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (24%) and Small Cell Lung Cancer (27%), Study Finds

A new study found that eating a healthy plant-based diet may lower your risk of lung cancer. Researchers looked at nearly 100,000 adults over about nine years. People who ate more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts had a 25% lower risk of lung cancer than those who ate the least.

This lower risk showed up in both types of lung cancer. For non-small cell lung cancer, the risk was 24% lower. For small cell lung cancer, the risk was 27% lower.

The study used a score to see how closely people followed a healthy plant-based diet. Higher scores meant eating more plant foods and fewer animal products, sweets, and processed foods. People with the highest scores had the lowest cancer risk.

The benefit was even stronger in people who had a lower body weight, smoked, or had no history of diabetes or lung disease.

Experts believe that eating more plant foods may protect the body by lowering inflammation and improving gut health. These effects may help reduce the risk of cancer.

This study adds to other research showing that plant-based diets can protect against many health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers.

If you want to lower your cancer risk, consider eating more fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains. This doesn’t mean you have to stop eating meat—but adding more healthy plant foods to your diet may be a smart step for better health.

Source: link.springer.com

WEIGHT LOSS

Semaglutide Demonstrates Impressive Heart Benefits – Even Before You Lose Weight. Heart Disease: Semaglutide May Reduce Risk by Up to 20% in 6 Months

Semaglutide is a drug used to treat type 2 diabetes and help with weight loss. Now, research shows it may also help protect the heart—even before major weight loss happens.

A large study followed over 17,000 adults who were overweight or obese and already had heart disease. Half took semaglutide, while the other half got a placebo (a shot with no medicine). After six months, those on semaglutide had a 20% lower risk of heart problems, including heart attacks, strokes, and death from heart disease.

What’s surprising is that the heart benefits began early—within the first three months. This happened before people had lost a lot of weight or reached the full dose of the drug. At 12 weeks, the semaglutide group weighed only about 3.6% less than the placebo group, yet they were already seeing heart health improvements.

Doctors say this is important. Even if someone doesn’t lose a lot of weight, semaglutide may still help their heart. It could offer a new way to prevent serious heart issues in people at risk.

More research is still needed. The study mostly included men over 45 with heart disease but no diabetes. Fewer women and Black participants were included, so the results may not apply to everyone.

Still, these early findings suggest semaglutide may help people with heart disease feel better and live longer—even before they lose much weight.

Source: medicalnewstoday.com

HEALTH

Marijuana Use Among Older Adults in the US Has Reached a New High, With 7% of Adults Aged 65 and Over Who Report Using It in the Past Month, With Pronounced Increases in Use by Older Adults Who Are College-educated, Married, Female, and Have Higher Incomes, and Those With Chronic Diseases

Marijuana use among older adults in the U.S. is growing quickly. A recent study found that 7% of adults aged 65 and older used cannabis in the past month. This is a sharp rise from just under 5% in 2021.

Researchers looked at national data from 2021 to 2023. They found that marijuana use is now more common among older adults who are college-educated, married, female, and have higher incomes. People living with chronic health conditions like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes also showed increased use.

In the past, very few older adults used cannabis. In 2006, less than 1% said they had used it in the past year. Today, 7% report using it in just the last month.

Experts say the rise may be due to more states legalizing marijuana for medical or recreational use. Older adults may be turning to cannabis to ease symptoms from chronic illnesses. However, doctors warn that cannabis can affect older adults differently. As we age, our bodies change and may react more strongly to certain substances.

Doctors recommend talking with patients about cannabis use, especially since it can interact with other medications. Education is key to using it safely.

Cannabis is now more socially accepted, but that doesn’t mean it’s risk-free—especially for those with health issues. If you're considering it, talk with your healthcare provider first.

The study shows that marijuana use in older adults is no longer rare—and it’s still rising.

Source: nyu.edu

Having a Mix of Tea, Berries, Apples, and Grapes Every Day May Lower Your Risk of Chronic Disease and Early Death. People Who Had a Diet High in Flavonoids Had a 6–20% Lower Risk of Heart Disease, Type 2 Diabetes, Cancer, Respiratory Disease, and Neurodegenerative Disease, and Dying From Any Cause

A new study shows that eating a mix of tea, berries, apples, and grapes each day may help you live longer and avoid serious diseases. These foods are high in flavonoids—natural compounds found in many fruits, vegetables, and drinks like tea and red wine.

Researchers looked at the health records of over 120,000 people ages 40 to 70. They followed them for more than 10 years. People who ate more flavonoid-rich foods had a 6% to 20% lower risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, lung problems, brain diseases, and early death.

The study also found that eating a variety of flavonoid-rich foods gave better results than eating a lot of just one type. For example, two cups of tea a day help, but adding berries, apples, and grapes gives even more health benefits.

Flavonoids help the body in many ways. Some improve blood pressure, others lower cholesterol, and many reduce swelling and damage in the body.

This study supports the idea of eating colorful foods. Each color often means different nutrients. By eating a mix, you get more health protection.

Making small changes—like drinking tea, eating an apple, or snacking on berries—can add up over time. You don’t need to make big changes to improve your health.

Try to eat more fruits and vegetables every day, and switch them up often. It’s a simple and tasty way to protect your body as you get older.

Source: scimex.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.