06/05/25 - #406

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Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • UK Government Dropped Health Push After Lobbying by Ultra-processed Food Firms | Ultra-processed Foods

  • Low-calorie Diets Might Increase Risk of Depression. Overweight People and Men Were Particularly Vulnerable to the Mood Changes That Come With a Low-calorie Diet. Cutting Calories Might Also Rob the Brain of Nutrients Needed to Maintain a Balanced Mood. Any Sort of Diet at All Affected Men's Moods

  • New Research Shows MMR  Vaccination Rates Have Dropped in 78% of US Counties Since the Pandemic – With 2025 Already Seeing Over 1,000 Measles Cases

  • Fiber Produces Up to a 20% Drop in Heart Risk for Most People, by Lowering the Risk of High Blood Pressure, Heart Disease or Stroke, Suggests a New Study. It’s More Evidence Showing That a Healthy Gut Leads to a Healthy Heart

…and lots more. Have a great day!

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FOOD & NUTRITION

UK Government Dropped Health Push After Lobbying by Ultra-processed Food Firms | Ultra-processed Foods

In 2023, the UK government dropped a plan to help people eat healthier. The plan had told stores to give discounts on fresh and less processed foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fresh meat, and fish. These deals were meant to help families eat better and avoid diseases.

But large food companies, like Nestlé, Coca-Cola, and Mars, didn’t like this idea. They sell ultra-processed foods—products that are made in factories and often full of salt, sugar, and fat. These companies, through their trade group, the Food and Drink Federation (FDF), pressured the government to change the rules.

Emails later showed that the FDF asked the government many times to take out the words “minimally processed” from its advice. The government agreed and made the change in January 2023.

Now, the rules still limit junk food ads and deals, but stores are no longer told to promote fresh, whole foods. Instead, they are told to offer “healthier options,” which can still include processed snacks, bars, and frozen meals.

Health experts say this is a big problem. Studies show that eating too many ultra-processed foods can lead to heart disease, diabetes, and even early death. For some people in the UK, especially in low-income areas, 80% of their diet comes from these foods.

The government says it still wants to fight obesity. But many believe removing the healthy food push was a mistake that helps food companies more than public health.

WEIGHT LOSS

Low-calorie Diets Might Increase Risk of Depression. Overweight People and Men Were Particularly Vulnerable to the Mood Changes That Come With a Low-calorie Diet. Cutting Calories Might Also Rob the Brain of Nutrients Needed to Maintain a Balanced Mood. Any Sort of Diet at All Affected Men's Moods

Eating fewer calories may help with weight loss, but it could also affect your mood. A new study found that low-calorie diets may raise the risk of depression. Men and people who are overweight seem to be more likely to feel down while dieting.

When you cut too many calories, your brain may not get the nutrients it needs. Vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats are important for mood and brain health. Without enough of them, your mood can suffer.

In this study, men were more likely than women to feel sad or low while dieting. Even small changes in diet seemed to affect men more than women. The study also found that people with extra weight had a harder time staying in a good mood during low-calorie diets.

While losing weight can be good for your health, it’s important to eat a balanced diet. Cutting calories too much or too fast may hurt your mental health. Mood changes can make it harder to stick to a diet and may lead to other health problems.

If you’re thinking about going on a diet, talk to your doctor or a dietitian. They can help you find a plan that supports both your body and your mind. Eating a variety of healthy foods may be a better choice than just eating less. Your mood matters just as much as your weight.

Always take care of your mental health while trying to get healthier.

HEALTH

New Research Shows MMR  Vaccination Rates Have Dropped in 78% of US Counties Since the Pandemic – With 2025 Already Seeing Over 1,000 Measles Cases

A new study shows that MMR vaccination rates have dropped in 78% of U.S. counties since the COVID-19 pandemic. MMR stands for measles, mumps, and rubella—three serious diseases that can spread quickly and cause long-term health problems.

Vaccines have helped protect millions of children. In 2019 alone, childhood vaccines helped prevent more than 24 million cases of disease. But since the pandemic, fewer children are getting their MMR shots. Experts say this puts many at risk.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that as of May 2025, there have already been 1,001 cases of measles in 31 states. That’s the highest number in over 30 years, except for a spike in 2019. Most of these cases are in children who were not vaccinated.

Measles spreads easily and can cause serious health problems like lung infections, brain swelling, and even death. If vaccination rates keep dropping, measles could become common again in the U.S.

Doctors and health officials are urging families to catch up on missed vaccines. They say the MMR vaccine is safe and very effective. It helps protect not just your child, but also other people in your community.

If you’re unsure about your child’s vaccine status, talk to your doctor or local health clinic. Getting vaccinated is one of the best ways to keep kids—and adults—healthy and safe.

Staying up to date with vaccines now can help prevent bigger problems later.

Fiber Produces Up to a 20% Drop in Heart Risk for Most People, by Lowering the Risk of High Blood Pressure, Heart Disease or Stroke, Suggests a New Study. It’s More Evidence Showing That a Healthy Gut Leads to a Healthy Heart

A new study shows that eating more fiber may cut your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke by as much as 20%. This is because fiber helps keep your gut healthy, which also helps protect your heart.

When you eat fiber, it moves to your large intestine. There, gut bacteria break it down and make something called short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). These SCFAs help lower blood pressure and support heart health.

Researchers from Monash University looked at people with rare genes that stop their bodies from using SCFAs. These people had more heart problems, even if they ate enough fiber. This showed that SCFAs play an important role in protecting the heart.

The researchers used a large database from the UK to study this. They found that people with these rare genes were more likely to have high blood pressure, heart attacks, or strokes.

But don’t worry—these gene problems are rare. Less than 1% of people have them. For most people, eating fiber helps lower heart risk.

Foods high in fiber include fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains. Eating these regularly can help keep your gut and heart healthy.

The research team is now working on a supplement to raise SCFA levels for people who may need extra help.

In short, a healthy gut can lead to a healthy heart—and fiber is a big part of that.

✢ 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.