06/09/25 - #408

Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Breakfast Cereals in the United States Now Contain More Sugar, Fat, and Salt, While Key Nutrients Like Protein and Fiber Are on the Decline, According to New Research. The Study Looked at 1,200 Newly Launched or Reformulated Cereals Sold Between 2010 and 2023

• Weight Loss Drugs Linked to Higher Risk of Eye Damage in Diabetic Patients. Study Finds Medicines Such as Ozempic Associated With Greater Risk of Developing Age-related Macular Degeneration. Patients Who Had Been Taking GLP-1 RAs for More Than 30 Months Had More Than Three Times the Risk

• US Drug Overdose Deaths Saw an Unprecedented Drop in 2024, but Federal Cuts Could Threaten Momentum

• New Research Shows a Clear Link Between ADHD and Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Suggesting Gut Health Could Be a Key Factor in Understanding and Managing ADHD Symptoms

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Breakfast Cereals in the United States Now Contain More Sugar, Fat, and Salt, While Key Nutrients Like Protein and Fiber Are on the Decline, According to New Research. The Study Looked at 1,200 Newly Launched or Reformulated Cereals Sold Between 2010 and 2023

A new study shows that many breakfast cereals in the U.S. are now less healthy than they were 10 years ago. Between 2010 and 2023, cereals added more sugar, fat, and salt. At the same time, they lost important nutrients like fiber and protein.

Researchers looked at 1,200 new or updated cereals. They found that fat went up 34%, sodium rose 32%, and sugar increased by nearly 11%.

This is a problem because many people, especially kids, eat cereal every day. About one in three children eat cereal for breakfast, but most don’t eat fruit or eggs with it. This means their breakfast may not be very balanced.

Even though many cereals are sold as “healthy,” the nutrition labels say otherwise. Experts say food companies often create confusion to sell more products.

“It’s surprising,” said Dr. Peter Lurie of the Center for Science in the Public Interest. “These cereals are marketed as healthy, but they’re getting worse.”

Some nutrition experts suggest eating simple foods like overnight oats, eggs, fruit, or whole-grain bread instead.

Big cereal companies make healthier versions of the same brands for other countries like Canada and in Europe. But in the U.S., many versions are still high in sugar and salt.

Cereals in schools are improving, though. New rules starting this year will lower sugar in school meals. Experts hope these healthier cereals will soon be sold in stores too, so kids can eat better at home as well.

Source: upi.com

WEIGHT LOSS

Weight Loss Drugs Linked to Higher Risk of Eye Damage in Diabetic Patients. Study Finds Medicines Such as Ozempic Associated With Greater Risk of Developing Age-related Macular Degeneration. Patients Who Had Been Taking GLP-1 RAs for More Than 30 Months Had More Than Three Times the Risk

A new study shows that some weight loss drugs, like Ozempic, may raise the risk of serious eye problems in older adults with diabetes. These drugs are called GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs).

The study looked at the health records of over 1 million people with diabetes. It found that people who used GLP-1 RAs for at least six months were twice as likely to get a serious eye condition called age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This disease can cause blurry vision or even blindness. People who used these drugs for more than 30 months had over three times the risk.

Most people in the study were around 66 years old. Nearly all of them were taking semaglutide, the main ingredient in Ozempic. The risk was even higher for people who had a stroke or were older.

AMD affects the center part of the eye and can lead to vision loss. GLP-1 RAs help lower blood sugar and reduce hunger. But doctors now warn they should be used with care in older adults with diabetes, especially those at higher risk.

Experts say more research is needed to see if people using these drugs just for weight loss also face the same risk. The drug companies say other studies haven’t shown a link to AMD, but they are watching closely.

If you take these drugs and notice vision changes, talk to your doctor right away. Early care could help prevent long-term damage.

Source: theguardian.com

HEALTH

US Drug Overdose Deaths Saw an Unprecedented Drop in 2024, but Federal Cuts Could Threaten Momentum

Drug overdose deaths in the U.S. dropped in 2024 for the first time in years. About 80,000 people died from overdoses, which is 30,000 fewer than in 2023. This is the lowest number in five years.

The biggest cause of overdose deaths is still fentanyl, a strong synthetic opioid. But deaths from fentanyl dropped 37% last year. Deaths from meth and cocaine also went down.

Experts say this drop is likely due to many efforts, like better treatment programs, more harm reduction services, and easier access to naloxone, a drug that can reverse overdoses. Cities across the country are using tools like naloxone vending machines and overdose data tracking to help.

But this progress may not last. Some federal programs that support this work could lose funding. The CDC and other public health groups warn that cutting these programs could stop the progress and lead to more deaths again.

Some believe the drop in deaths may be due to changes in the drug supply. But many experts say it’s more likely that support programs are finally working. They say now is the time to do even more—not less.

Overdose is still the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18 to 44. Health leaders say we need to keep helping people with treatment and recovery options. If funding is cut, many people may lose access to the help they need. The fight isn’t over, but we are finally moving in the right direction.

Source: edition.cnn.com

New Research Shows a Clear Link Between ADHD and Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Suggesting Gut Health Could Be a Key Factor in Understanding and Managing ADHD Symptoms

A new study has found that people with ADHD are more likely to have stomach problems, especially a condition called irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS can cause pain, bloating, gas, and changes in bowel habits. People with ADHD were found to be about 60% more likely to have IBS than those without ADHD.

ADHD is a condition that affects attention, self-control, and activity levels. It often starts in childhood but can last into adulthood. IBS is a long-term gut problem that affects how the stomach and intestines work. While ADHD and IBS seem very different, they may be linked through something called the “gut-brain axis.” This is the idea that the brain and the gut are closely connected.

Researchers think the gut microbiome—the mix of bacteria and other tiny organisms in our digestive system—may play a role. When this mix is out of balance, it can cause gut problems and might even affect brain health. People with ADHD often report having more stomach issues like constipation and gas.

This new information may help doctors treat people with ADHD more fully, by also looking at their gut health. Simple changes like eating more fiber, taking probiotics, or reducing stress could help both ADHD symptoms and gut problems.

More research is still needed, but this study shows how closely our brains and stomachs may be connected. If you have ADHD and stomach issues, talk to your doctor about checking your gut health.

Source: nature.com

✢ 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.