06/25/25 - #420

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Adopting a Plant-based Diet (PBD) Was Significantly Associated With 26% Lower Incidences of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Higher Intake of Pbd Showed a Dose-dependent Relationship With Lower Risk of CKD  Incidence and Slower CKD Progression, Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Finds.

  • Research Found Individuals Who Reduced Their Weight From Overweight to a Healthy Range During Midlife, Without Medications or Surgery, Experienced Meaningful Long-term Health Benefits. These Included a Lower Risk of Developing Chronic Diseases and, in Some Cases, a Reduced Risk of Death

  • The Eating Disorder You Might Not Know You Have

  • Excessive Drinking​ Linked to Jump in High Blood Pressure Deaths During COVID Pandemic, CDC Report Says

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Adopting a Plant-based Diet (PBD) Was Significantly Associated With 26% Lower Incidences of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Higher Intake of Pbd Showed a Dose-dependent Relationship With Lower Risk of CKD  Incidence and Slower CKD Progression, Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Finds.

A new study shows that eating a plant-based diet (PBD) may lower your risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD). People who ate mostly plant-based foods had a 26% lower chance of getting CKD. The more plant foods they ate, the more their risk went down.

The study looked at over 120,000 adults for more than 11 years. People who ate more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans had healthier kidneys. They also showed slower damage to the kidneys over time. Eating less red meat and fewer animal products also helped lower the risk.

CKD is a serious health problem that affects millions of people worldwide. It can cause swelling, tiredness, and even kidney failure. The disease often gets worse over time. This is why it’s important to prevent or slow it down early, especially for people over 45.

The study also showed that not all plant-based diets are helpful. Eating a diet high in sugar, fried food, and processed snacks—even if plant-based—did not lower the risk. A healthy PBD means choosing whole, natural foods with little processing.

This research suggests that adding more healthy plant foods to your meals can be good for your kidneys. Talk to your doctor or a dietitian before making big changes to your diet.

Even small steps, like eating more vegetables and cutting back on meat, can make a big difference for your kidney health. It's a simple way to help your body stay strong as you age.

WEIGHT LOSS

Research Found Individuals Who Reduced Their Weight From Overweight to a Healthy Range During Midlife, Without Medications or Surgery, Experienced Meaningful Long-term Health Benefits. These Included a Lower Risk of Developing Chronic Diseases and, in Some Cases, a Reduced Risk of Death

A new study found that people who lost weight in midlife—without surgery or weight-loss drugs—had better health in the long run. The study looked at over 23,000 adults between the ages of 40 and 50 and followed them for up to 35 years.

People who went from being overweight to a healthy weight had a lower risk of developing serious health problems. These included heart disease, stroke, cancer, asthma, and diabetes. They also had a lower chance of dying early. This was true even for those who lost just a small amount of weight.

The study showed that the benefits came from simple lifestyle changes, like eating healthier or being more active—not from pills or surgery. Even losing just 6% of body weight made a big difference.

People who stayed at a healthy weight had the best results. But those who were overweight and then lost weight had almost the same level of protection from chronic disease as people who had never been overweight.

Experts say this shows that it’s never too late to make a change. If you're in your 40s or 50s and are overweight, losing some weight naturally can help you live longer and stay healthier.

This study is one of the longest and largest of its kind. It proves that weight loss in midlife can lead to real, lasting health benefits. Even small steps now can make a big difference later in life.

HEALTH

The Eating Disorder You Might Not Know You Have

Many people try to eat healthy, but for some, it becomes too much. Orthorexia nervosa is an eating disorder where someone becomes overly focused on eating only “clean” or “pure” foods. It’s not about losing weight. It’s about feeling like food must be perfect all the time.

At first, orthorexia may seem like a healthy habit. A person might avoid sugar, gluten, or processed foods. But over time, these rules can take over their life. They might spend hours planning meals, reading food labels, or avoiding restaurants. This can cause stress, loneliness, and even health problems.

Orthorexia is not officially listed in medical books, but many doctors and therapists see it often. It can start after someone has a health scare or stomach problems. They may cut out foods to feel better, but the rules keep growing. What began as a way to feel healthy can become a way to feel in control.

Signs of orthorexia include fear of eating “bad” foods, skipping social events, or always thinking about what to eat next. These people often feel proud of their eating habits, which makes the disorder hard to spot.

Treatment means learning to be flexible with food again. That includes eating a wider range of foods and letting go of strict rules. Recovery helps people feel less anxious and more connected to others.

Eating healthy is important. But if it takes up too much of your time or energy, it might be a sign of something more.

Excessive Drinking​ Linked to Jump in High Blood Pressure Deaths During COVID Pandemic, CDC Report Says

A new CDC report has found that heavy drinking during the COVID-19 pandemic led to a sharp rise in deaths from high blood pressure. From 2020 to 2021, there was a 51.6% increase in these deaths compared to 2016 to 2017. That means over 21,000 people died each year, up from about 14,000 just a few years earlier.

The report shows that women were especially affected. More than 60% of these alcohol-related deaths from high blood pressure were among women. In 2020 and 2021, about 1 in 5 of these deaths in women were linked to too much drinking. For men, the rate was 1 in 8.

Experts say the stress of the pandemic likely played a big role. Many people turned to alcohol to cope, and those drinking habits didn’t go away even as life returned to normal. A 2024 study found that the increase in drinking that began in 2018 continued into 2022.

The CDC says about 178,000 people die each year from alcohol-related causes, and high blood pressure is just one of them. The new report used death records and data from a tool called ARDI to understand the full impact.

This comes as U.S. health officials prepare to update national alcohol guidelines. Experts continue to stress that drinking too much is a serious risk—especially for older adults concerned about heart health.

✢ 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.