06/23/25 - #418

Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Low-fibre Diet is Associated With High-risk Coronary Plaque Features

• Intermittent Fasting Comparable to Traditional Diets for Weight Loss. According to the World Health Organization in 2022, Approximately 2.5 Billion Adults, 43% of the Global Adult Population, Were Overweight, and About 890 Million (16%) Lived With Obesity

• Marijuana Use Dramatically Increases Risk of Dying From Heart Attacks and Stroke, Large Study Finds. Cannabis Users Faced a 29% Higher Risk of Heart Attack and a 20% Higher Risk of Stroke Compared to Nonusers, According to a Pooled Analysis of Medical Data From 200 Million People Aged 19 to 59

• Study Suggests That for Good Sleep, General Warmth Isn't Sufficient, It's Essential to Understand How Blankets and Clothing Affect Specific Body Parts

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Low-fibre Diet is Associated With High-risk Coronary Plaque Features

A new study from Sweden found that eating a low-fiber diet may raise the risk of heart disease. Researchers studied over 24,000 adults between the ages of 50 and 64. These people did not have heart disease when the study began.

The study looked at people’s diets and used heart scans to check for plaque in their arteries. Plaque is a buildup inside the blood vessels that can block blood flow. Some types of plaque are more dangerous than others. Soft plaque that has not hardened is more likely to break and cause a heart attack.

People who ate less fiber and more red or processed meat had more of this high-risk plaque. They also had other health problems, such as larger waistlines, high blood pressure, and higher fat levels in the blood.

In contrast, people who ate more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and healthy oils had fewer signs of dangerous plaque. These diets were called “anti-inflammatory” because they help reduce swelling in the body, which may protect the heart.

The study also found that waist size, blood pressure, and fat levels may help explain why diet affects the heart.

While this study does not prove that a bad diet causes heart disease, it shows a strong link. It supports advice from doctors to eat a high-fiber, plant-based diet and limit red and processed meats. These changes may help lower the risk of heart disease and improve overall health.

Source: academic.oup.com

WEIGHT LOSS

Intermittent Fasting Comparable to Traditional Diets for Weight Loss. According to the World Health Organization in 2022, Approximately 2.5 Billion Adults, 43% of the Global Adult Population, Were Overweight, and About 890 Million (16%) Lived With Obesity

A new study shows that intermittent fasting works about the same as regular diets for weight loss. Researchers looked at 99 studies with more than 6,500 adults. Most of the people were overweight or had health problems like high blood pressure or diabetes.

Intermittent fasting means eating during certain hours or skipping meals on some days. One type is the 16:8 diet, where you fast for 16 hours and eat during an 8-hour window. Another type is alternate day fasting, where you eat one day and fast the next.

The study found that both traditional diets and intermittent fasting helped people lose a small amount of weight. But alternate day fasting showed slightly better results than other methods. It also helped lower bad cholesterol levels. Still, the weight loss was small—less than 2 kilograms (about 4.4 pounds)—so it may not make a big difference for people with obesity.

Experts say that more research is needed, especially long-term studies. Most of the studies were short, lasting only about 12 weeks. They also say that what matters most is picking a plan that is safe and easy to follow.

According to the World Health Organization, about 2.5 billion adults are overweight, and 890 million are living with obesity. Even small weight loss can help lower the risk of serious health problems.

In the end, both regular dieting and intermittent fasting can work. The best choice is the one you can stick with long-term.

Source: scimex.org

HEALTH

Marijuana Use Dramatically Increases Risk of Dying From Heart Attacks and Stroke, Large Study Finds. Cannabis Users Faced a 29% Higher Risk of Heart Attack and a 20% Higher Risk of Stroke Compared to Nonusers, According to a Pooled Analysis of Medical Data From 200 Million People Aged 19 to 59

A large study shows that marijuana use can raise the risk of serious heart problems. Researchers looked at health data from over 200 million people between ages 19 and 59. They found that people who use marijuana have a 29% higher risk of heart attacks and a 20% higher risk of strokes than people who don’t use it.

The risk of dying from heart problems was more than twice as high in marijuana users.

This study reviewed 24 earlier reports. It included people who used marijuana both for fun and for medical reasons. Most were younger adults, but the results can apply to older adults too.

Marijuana may affect the heart by raising blood pressure and heart rate. It can also lower oxygen to the heart. These changes can lead to heart attacks or strokes, especially in people with other health problems.

As marijuana becomes legal in more places, more people are using it. But doctors warn that it may not be safe for everyone—especially if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or other heart issues.

If you use marijuana or are thinking about trying it, talk to your doctor. Just because it’s legal or natural doesn’t mean it’s harmless.

The takeaway: Using marijuana may raise your risk of heart attack, stroke, and even death. Be smart about your health and know the risks.

Source: heart.bmj.com

Study Suggests That for Good Sleep, General Warmth Isn't Sufficient, It's Essential to Understand How Blankets and Clothing Affect Specific Body Parts

A new study shows that staying warm while you sleep is important—but just being warm overall isn’t enough. What really matters is where your body is warm.

Researchers from Japan and Denmark looked at how blankets, pajamas, and sleep positions affect body temperature during sleep. They used a heated dummy and a computer model to test 84 different setups, including people lying on their back or side, wearing pajamas or not, and using blankets or duvets. They also tested different room temperatures.

They found that even if the total warmth stayed the same, some body parts could get much hotter or colder depending on what was covered. For example, your chest might stay warm while your feet or back get cold—or too hot. This can lead to poor sleep. If you get too warm, you might sweat. If you get too cold, your body has to work harder to stay warm.

Right now, there are no standard rules for measuring how warm bedding keeps you. This study shows that we need better ways to test how blankets and clothing affect sleep comfort. It also suggests that instead of just using one big blanket, people may sleep better by adjusting bedding to warm certain areas of the body more than others.

So, if you’re waking up at night or not sleeping well, it may not be your room temperature—it could be how your blanket or sleepwear is covering your body. Making small changes could help you sleep better.

Source: waseda.jp

✢ 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.