Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Trendy Poppi Prebiotic Soda Not as "Gut Healthy" as It Claims, Lawsuit Alleges

• What Are Your Best Weight Loss Tips?

• Drug That ‘Melts Away’ Tumors Could Replace Surgery for Bowel Cancer, Say Doctors | All Patients in Pembrolizumab Trial Were Found to Be Cancer-free After Combination of Drug and Surgery

• Researchers Have Established a New Framework for Understanding How Classic Antidepressants Work in Treating Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Reemphasizing Their Importance and Aiming to Reframe Clinical Conversation Around Their Role in Treatment

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Trendy Poppi Prebiotic Soda Not as "Gut Healthy" as It Claims, Lawsuit Alleges

A recent lawsuit has been filed against Poppi prebiotic soda, a drink that became famous after appearing on the TV show "Shark Tank." The lawsuit claims that Poppi does not provide the gut health benefits it promises in its advertisements. Kristin Cobbs from San Francisco started the legal action. She is representing herself and other customers. They feel misled by the company's claims.

Poppi is made by VNGR Beverage LLC in Austin, Texas. It has been very successful in marketing itself as a healthy drink. It is sold in well-known stores like Whole Foods, Target, and Costco. However, the lawsuit alleges that each can of Poppi only has two grams of prebiotic fiber, a quantity too small to have a real impact on gut health. To experience any health benefits from the fiber, a consumer would need to drink more than four cans of Poppi a day. Moreover, the lawsuit points out that the amount of sugar in Poppi could counteract any potential health benefits from the fiber.

The complaint further notes that consuming too much agave inulin, the type of fiber found in Poppi, could actually be harmful to one’s health. Cobbs, who paid extra thinking she was buying a healthier product, claims she did not get the benefits she was promised. She and other consumers now demand a jury trial. They accuse Poppi of falsely advertising the health benefits of their sodas.

Source: foxla.com

WEIGHT LOSS

What Are Your Best Weight Loss Tips?

Have you thought about losing weight? Intermittent fasting could help you lose weight and feel better overall, like improving your brain health and reducing swelling in your body.

Top Tips for Successful Intermittent Fasting:

1. Understand Your Body: Fasting isn’t just about skipping meals. It helps turn on your body’s good genes and turn off the bad ones, like those causing disease. It also makes insulin work better, which is important because poor insulin response is often why people are overweight.

2. Include HIIT Workouts: Mix fasting with short, intense exercises known as High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). This boosts your growth hormones hugely, helping you lose weight. Just make sure to rest enough between workouts.

3. Drink Helpful Teas: Drinking certain teas, like berberine and green tea, can make your insulin work better, aiding weight loss. Adding a little apple cider vinegar with water and lemon might also help.

4. Be Consistent: Don’t worry if you don’t see changes every day. It's better to take photos every few weeks to see progress without getting discouraged.

5. Eat Healthy Foods: Combine fasting with eating fewer carbs and more nutritious foods. Cook at home more often to make sure you're eating healthy items like eggs, salmon, and lots of veggies.

6. Try Eating One Meal a Day: For a big change, try eating just one meal a day (OMAD). This gives your body a long break to burn fat more effectively.

Stick with it, and you'll see changes not just in your weight but in feeling healthier too.

Source: Dr. Eric Berg DC

HEALTH

Drug That ‘Melts Away’ Tumors Could Replace Surgery for Bowel Cancer, Say Doctors | All Patients in Pembrolizumab Trial Were Found to Be Cancer-free After Combination of Drug and Surgery

A groundbreaking study revealed something. It revealed that the drug pembrolizumab could revolutionize treatment for some bowel cancer patients. It could replace surgery. This drug has been called a "gamechanger." It greatly increases the survival chances for patients with a specific genetic makeup.

Pembrolizumab works by targeting and blocking a protein. The protein activates the body's immune cells to attack and destroy cancer cells. In a recent clinical trial, this approach led to a big increase. More patients were declared cancer-free after they got the drug before surgery.

The trial was conducted by UK researchers from several prestigious institutions. It involved 32 patients with a certain type of bowel cancer. Remarkably, 59% of these patients showed no cancer signs. They were treated with only pembrolizumab. The rest had any remaining cancer removed during surgery. This made all trial participants cancer-free.

This method improves outcomes. It also spares patients from chemo's side effects. Dr. Kai-Keen Shiu is the trial's chief investigator. He called the initial results "extremely positive." He said pembrolizumab could triple the chances of survival. This is for patients who respond well to the treatment.

More research is needed to confirm these findings and assess long-term outcomes. But, early signs suggest that pembrolizumab could soon become a standard treatment for high-risk bowel cancers. This could significantly change cancer treatment.

Source: theguardian.com

Researchers Have Established a New Framework for Understanding How Classic Antidepressants Work in Treating Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Reemphasizing Their Importance and Aiming to Reframe Clinical Conversation Around Their Role in Treatment

Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus have found new ways to explain how traditional antidepressants help. They help people with major depressive disorder (MDD). This comes as many people have started to doubt these medications. Past ideas, like the serotonin imbalance theory, have been questioned by recent studies.

Antidepressants, like SSRIs and SNRIs, are still crucial for many. They help in managing depression. A study in Molecular Psychiatry introduces a new way to understand how these drugs work. New meds don't just fix a chemical imbalance. They improve how different brain parts communicate, which helps control mood and solve problems.

Professor Scott Thompson explained that our brains might have a 'communication breakdown' in MDD. These drugs can fix it by making brain connections stronger.

The researchers compare the brain's state in depression to a car stuck in a ditch. Antidepressants act like the tow truck that helps get things moving again. This new view is meant to help doctors talk about these treatments with patients. The patients might be unsure or misunderstand how antidepressants work.

Dr. C. Neill Epperson emphasized the importance of this new understanding. By better explaining how these treatments help the brain, we can support those for whom these drugs are effective. They could be lifesaving.

Source: news.cuanschutz.edu

✢ 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.