06/03/24 - #143

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Fish Oil Supplements May Raise Risk of Stroke, Heart Issues, Study Suggests

  • Weight-loss Drugs Reduce Kidney Complication Risks: Study

  • Urban Gardening May Improve Human Health: a New Study Found That a One-month Indoor Gardening Period Increased the Bacterial Diversity of the Skin and Was Associated With Higher Levels of Anti-inflammatory Molecules in the Blood

  • Exercise is 1.5 Times More Effective at Reducing Mild-to-moderate Symptoms of Depression, Psychological Stress, and Anxiety Than Medication or Cognitive Behavior Therapy

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Fish Oil Supplements May Raise Risk of Stroke, Heart Issues, Study Suggests

Fish oil supplements are popular for heart health, but a new study suggests they might not be as helpful as we thought. In fact, these supplements could raise the risk of stroke and a heart condition called atrial fibrillation for people who don't already have heart problems.

Atrial fibrillation makes the heart beat in an irregular way, which can be dangerous. The study looked at health information from over 415,000 people in the UK between ages 40 and 69. Those who regularly took fish oil had a 13% higher chance of getting atrial fibrillation and a 5% increased risk of having a stroke.

About 20% of U.S. adults over 60 use fish oil to try to keep their hearts healthy.

Here is the rewritten output:

Dr. Andrew Freeman, a heart doctor, notes that store-bought fish oil may not be pure. It might even contain harmful substances like heavy metals.

The study did find some benefits for people with heart issues. For them, fish oil helped reduce the risk of their condition getting worse. But Dr. Richard Isaacson, another expert, recommends getting omega-3 fatty acids from foods. These include sardines, wild salmon, and chia seeds. He says to avoid supplements. These foods are better sources and don't have the risks that supplements do.

Experts say that fish oil might still help some people with heart diseases, but only if a doctor says it's okay. For everyone else, eating foods rich in omega-3s is a safer choice for heart health.

WEIGHT LOSS

Weight-loss Drugs Reduce Kidney Complication Risks: Study

A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that an ingredient in weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, called semaglutide, can significantly decrease the risk of kidney failure in people with Type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease.

Researchers from 28 countries worked together on this study. They tested about 3,500 people who either got a weekly shot of semaglutide or a fake shot (placebo). The study started in 2019 and was funded by Novo Nordisk, the company that makes semaglutide.

The results were promising. People who took semaglutide had a 24% lower chance of serious kidney problems. This is compared to those who took the placebo.

This finding is important. Diabetes is the main cause of kidney disease in the United States. It affects one in three people with diabetes.

Semaglutide helps with diabetes and obesity. It is also approved to prevent serious heart problems. This adds to the growing evidence that semaglutide and similar drugs could be useful for more than just managing diabetes and weight.

Researchers are also looking at other drugs like semaglutide. They want to see if they can help with other health issues. These issues include kidney disease in overweight people. They also include addiction and reducing the risk of dementia. This study highlights the potential of these drugs. They can treat many serious health conditions.

HEALTH

Urban Gardening May Improve Human Health: a New Study Found That a One-month Indoor Gardening Period Increased the Bacterial Diversity of the Skin and Was Associated With Higher Levels of Anti-inflammatory Molecules in the Blood

A recent study suggests that gardening inside your home for just a month can make you healthier. Researchers from the University of Helsinki and two others found that this activity adds more types of bacteria to your skin. It also raises the level of helpful anti-inflammatory substances in your blood.

The study, led by Mika Saarenpää, divided participants into two groups. One group used soil-like material rich in microbes, similar to what you'd find in a forest. The other group used a peat-based material. It has fewer microbes and is common in gardening.

The results were clear. Users of the microbe-rich material saw positive changes in their skin bacteria. They also had more anti-inflammatory substances in their blood than those who used peat.

This is important. Living in cities and being too clean can increase allergies, asthma, and other immune diseases. These diseases are expensive for the healthcare system. Saarenpää believes that adding more natural, microbe-rich spaces to cities could improve our health.

Participants enjoyed the gardening. It involved simple containers and easy-to-find plants, like peas and mustards. Many planned to keep gardening. They said it could lead to long-term health benefits.

This study shows that gardening exposes us to natural microbes. They can help prevent diseases by cutting healthcare costs and improving our lives.

Exercise is 1.5 Times More Effective at Reducing Mild-to-moderate Symptoms of Depression, Psychological Stress, and Anxiety Than Medication or Cognitive Behavior Therapy

Recent research suggests that exercise may be better than drugs or therapy. Exercise can treat symptoms of depression, stress, and anxiety. Dr. Ben Singh led a study published in BJM Sports Medicine. He says that exercise can cut these mental health issues 1.5 times more than other treatments.

The study looked at data from nearly 100 reviews of research, which involved over 128,000 people. It found that all kinds of exercise helped, but short, intense workouts were the most effective. Dr. Singh emphasized, "We should think of exercise as a main way to treat mental health problems."

People with conditions like depression, HIV, and kidney disease benefited most. So did women who are pregnant or have recently given birth. The study also found that you don’t need to exercise for a long time for it to help. Walking for 20–40 minutes a day can greatly improve symptoms, especially in adults over 45.

The World Health Organization says almost a billion people worldwide have anxiety and depression. The study recommends doing 150 minutes of varied exercises each week. These include brisk walking, lifting weights, and yoga. They help more than usual treatments like medications do.

Professor Vasso Apostolopoulos studies exercise and mental health. He explains that exercise can make you feel better by releasing endorphins and reducing inflammation.

Dr. Singh encourages mental health experts to include exercise in treatment plans. They should use it with therapy and drugs for better 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.