06/05/24 - #145

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Is Drinking Water From Plastic Bottles Harmful?

  • People Following an Intermittent Fasting and Protein-Pacing Regimen, Which Involves Evenly Spaced Protein Intake Throughout the Day, Saw Better Gut Health, Weight Loss, and Metabolic Responses. These Benefits Were Notably Greater Than Those Seen With Simple Calorie Restriction

  • New Findings Tell Us That No Matter What Your Actual Age is, Better Heart-healthy Behaviors and Managing Heart Disease Risk Factors Were Associated With a Younger Biological Age and a Lower Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke, Death From Heart Disease and Stroke and Death From Any Cause

  • Recent Study Indicates That High Levels of Ghrelin After Fasting Are Associated With an Improved Mood, Particularly in Those With Depression Who Are Not on Medication. | The Research Focused on the Role of Ghrelin, a Hormone Produced in the Stomach, in Influencing Mood and Appetite

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Is Drinking Water From Plastic Bottles Harmful?

Many people use plastic water bottles every day, but could they be risky for our health? Let's look into the safety of these bottles and the chemicals they might contain.

Plastic bottles can have chemicals like Benzene and Bisphenol A (BPA). Benzene is used in making plastics and can be harmful in large amounts, leading to serious illnesses like leukemia. However, the amount of Benzene in water bottles is very low because it's controlled by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). They set safety levels to make sure our water is safe from too much Benzene.

BPA is another chemical that can act like a hormone in our body, which might disrupt normal functions. It's especially a concern for babies and young kids. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) watches over BPA levels in bottles to keep them much lower than the harmful level.

It's important not to leave plastic bottles in hot places like a car under the sun. Heat can make these chemicals leak into the water faster.

Manufacturers are working to make safer bottles by using less harmful substances. Always check what kind of plastic is used in your bottle (look for recycling codes). If possible, use safer options like glass or metal bottles.

Even though agencies like the FDA and EPA keep an eye on bottle safety, using non-plastic alternatives and handling bottles carefully can help reduce any risks. Choose glass or stainless steel for a safer way to drink water.

WEIGHT LOSS

People Following an Intermittent Fasting and Protein-Pacing Regimen, Which Involves Evenly Spaced Protein Intake Throughout the Day, Saw Better Gut Health, Weight Loss, and Metabolic Responses. These Benefits Were Notably Greater Than Those Seen With Simple Calorie Restriction

Researchers at Arizona State University discovered that a diet of intermittent fasting and evenly spaced protein intake improves gut health. It also helps with weight loss more than just cutting calories.

Intermittent fasting involves eating only at certain times. You do not eat at other times. Protein-pacing means eating protein evenly throughout the day. You do this instead of eating it all at once. The study looked at two groups of people over eight weeks. One group ate a normal low-calorie diet, while the other followed the intermittent fasting and protein-pacing plan.

The results were clear. The group added intermittent fasting to protein-pacing. They lost more weight and had better gut health. They had fewer stomach problems and a healthier mix of gut bacteria, which is important for digestion and overall health. This group also burned fat more effectively.

In numbers, people on intermittent fasting lost about 8.81% of their starting body weight. Those on the regular low-calorie diet lost about 5.4%. The fasting group also cut their belly fat a lot. They also grew their muscle mass, making them healthier.

These findings suggest that intermittent fasting and protein-pacing might be better for weight and gut health than traditional dieting. More studies are needed to fully understand all the benefits. But, this approach has a lot of promise for those trying to lose weight and stay healthy.

HEALTH

New Findings Tell Us That No Matter What Your Actual Age is, Better Heart-healthy Behaviors and Managing Heart Disease Risk Factors Were Associated With a Younger Biological Age and a Lower Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke, Death From Heart Disease and Stroke and Death From Any Cause

Following heart-healthy habits could slow your body's cells' aging and reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, and early death. A recent study in the Journal of the American Heart Association reports this. Researchers looked at over 5,000 adults, with an average age of 56, to see how their lifestyle choices affected their biological age, which is how old your body seems based on your cells.

The study found that higher scores on the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8 are linked to younger biological ages. They also lower the chance of heart problems or dying from them. The Life’s Essential 8 measure looks at diet, exercise, sleep, and smoking. It also looks at body weight, cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure.

For example, raising your Life’s Essential 8 score by 13 points could cut your risk of getting heart disease by 35%. It could also lower your chance of dying from heart disease by 36% and your risk of dying from any cause by 29%.

The research also showed that DNA methylation can turn genes on or off. It plays a big role in these benefits. This is especially true for people whose genes make them age faster. They see even bigger benefits from healthy habits.

Dr. Jiantao Ma, who led the study, reminds us that simple lifestyle changes are very powerful. Eating well, being active, not smoking, and getting enough sleep are important. They keep your heart healthy and ensure you live a longer, healthier life.

Recent Study Indicates That High Levels of Ghrelin After Fasting Are Associated With an Improved Mood, Particularly in Those With Depression Who Are Not on Medication. | The Research Focused on the Role of Ghrelin, a Hormone Produced in the Stomach, in Influencing Mood and Appetite

A recent study in the Journal of Psychiatric Research has found that fasting might make people with depression feel better. The research focused on a hormone called ghrelin, which the stomach makes and helps control hunger and energy.

Depression is a tough mental health issue that makes people feel very sad and uninterested in life. This study looked at whether ghrelin could help lift people's moods when they haven't eaten for a while.

The study was led by Nils B. Kroemer from the University of Bonn. It involved 103 people aged between 20 and 50. Some had depression, and others did not. Everyone was healthy and not too overweight. People with other serious mental or medical conditions were not included.

Participants first answered questions about their health and mood. Then, after not eating overnight, they gave blood samples. These samples were tested to see how much ghrelin was in their blood.

The results showed that those with higher ghrelin levels felt better. This was especially true for those with depression. They were not taking any depression medicine. The study suggests that medicine for depression might stop ghrelin from making people feel better.

Even though fasting made their mood better, it didn't make them feel hungrier. This suggests that ghrelin might help improve mood by itself.

This study shows that short fasting may help people with depression feel better. We must consider physical health when treating depression.

✢ 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.