Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Want to Avoid Ultra-processed Foods? Cook More Often, Choose Whole Foods

• How the Ketogenic Diet Improves Healthspan and Memory in Aging Mice: Study Identified a New Molecular Signaling Pathway That Improves Synapse Function and Helps Explain the Diet’s Benefit

• A Study Found Severe Periodontitis (Gum Disease) to Be a Risk Factor for Cryptogenic Ischemic Stroke in Patients With Unidentified Other Risk Factors

• Exposure to Smartphone Light Suppresses Melatonin Levels at Night: a Recent Study Found That Reading on a Smartphone Without a Blue-light Filter Significantly Reduced Melatonin Levels, Especially in Adults, Compared to Reading With a Blue-light Filter or From a Printed Book

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Want to Avoid Ultra-processed Foods? Cook More Often, Choose Whole Foods

Ultra-processed foods are things like fast food and boxed mac and cheese. They make up almost half of what many people eat every day. Eating too many of these foods can cause serious health problems. These include heart disease, diabetes, and even depression.

Jean-Claude Moubarac, a nutrition expert, says that ultra-processed foods contain lots of artificial ingredients. These are to make them taste better and last longer on the shelf. This means they are very different from natural foods and can lead to sickness.

Instead, eating whole foods — like vegetables, fruits, and fresh meat — is much healthier. These foods are barely changed from their natural state and are full of good nutrients. Cooking at home is a great way to eat more of these healthy foods. When you cook, you know exactly what you're putting in your food.

Experts say that making your own meals with simple ingredients isn't just healthier but can also save you money. People think processed foods are cheaper. But, using ingredients like rice, beans, and seasonal veggies can lower your food costs.

Whole foods are also better because they don't make you crave more like ultra-processed foods do. By choosing healthier options and cooking yourself, you can improve your health and feel better.

Choosing to eat more whole foods and cook at home means making choices that help you live a longer, healthier life.

Source: cbc.ca

WEIGHT LOSS

How the Ketogenic Diet Improves Healthspan and Memory in Aging Mice: Study Identified a New Molecular Signaling Pathway That Improves Synapse Function and Helps Explain the Diet’s Benefit

Researchers found that the ketogenic diet is high in fat and low in carbs. It can improve memory and aid weight loss in older mice. This study was published in June 2024 by scientists from the University of Chile and the Buck Institute.

The ketogenic diet boosts the way brain cells communicate and speeds up metabolism, which is how your body converts food into energy. This means the diet could help people stay healthy as they age without strictly following it.

Dr. Christian González-Billault, a top scientist in the study, said their findings offer new ways to keep both brain and body healthy as we age. Dr. John Newman is another important researcher. He noted that their past research showed this diet helps mice live longer, keep a sharp memory, and stay a healthy weight.

In their experiments, the researchers fed aging mice a mostly fat diet for short periods. They observed how it affected their brains and bodies. They discovered that a substance called β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) increases on this diet. BHB greatly helps the brain and assists in weight management. BHB activates key pathways that help with memory and burning fat.

This research suggests that, in the future, taking BHB could protect against memory loss. It could also help manage weight in older adults. This would remove the need for a strict ketogenic diet. This could lead to new ways of thinking about diet and health for aging people.

Source: buckinstitute.org

HEALTH

A Study Found Severe Periodontitis (Gum Disease) to Be a Risk Factor for Cryptogenic Ischemic Stroke in Patients With Unidentified Other Risk Factors

Researchers at King’s College London and the University of Helsinki have found a big link. It's between severe gum disease and a type of stroke without other known causes. This type of strokes is called cryptogenic ischemic stroke. This stroke happens when a blood vessel to the brain gets blocked and affects many young adults.

The study was shared in the Journal of Dental Research. It shows that severe gum disease, or periodontitis, is a major risk factor for this type of stroke in patients who do not have other known risk factors. Periodontitis is a deep gum infection caused by bacteria. They thrive under the gum line. It can lead to health issues beyond oral health.

Dr. Susanna Paju and Dr. Svetislav Zaric led the research. They highlighted the growing number of young people having strokes and the link to gum inflammation. They noted that gum infections can spread bacteria through the bloodstream. The bacteria may cause blockages and strokes.

The researchers did detailed dental exams on participants who had this type of stroke. They found a strong link between the severity of gum disease and the severity of the stroke. They also suggested that regular dental visits are crucial for cutting stroke risk. But, certain invasive dental procedures might raise the risk. This would happen through the spread of bacteria during treatment.

More research is needed. But, keeping teeth healthy could be key. This is especially true for younger people. Their stroke rates are rising.

Source: kcl.ac.uk

Exposure to Smartphone Light Suppresses Melatonin Levels at Night: a Recent Study Found That Reading on a Smartphone Without a Blue-light Filter Significantly Reduced Melatonin Levels, Especially in Adults, Compared to Reading With a Blue-light Filter or From a Printed Book

Many of us use our smartphones right before bed, but a recent study shows this might be a problem for adults over 45. The study found that reading on a smartphone without a special blue-light filter can lower melatonin levels. Melatonin is a hormone that helps us sleep.

The research was done by the Laboratory of Sleep, Cognition, and Consciousness at the University of Salzburg. They found that while young people could recover their melatonin levels quickly, adults struggled to do so. This means adults might find it harder to fall asleep if they use their smartphones without a blue-light filter before bed.

The study involved two groups—teenagers and young adults—who spent several nights in a sleep lab. They tried reading on smartphones with and without blue-light filters and from printed books. The results were clear: without the blue-light filter, melatonin levels were much lower at bedtime.

Why does this matter? Melatonin controls our sleep-wake cycle. It increases in the evening to help us feel sleepy and decreases in the morning to help us wake up. The blue light from screens can trick our brains into thinking it's still daytime, keeping us awake.

The researchers suggest using a blue-light filter on your smartphone or reading a printed book instead. Making this small change could help you sleep better.

So, if you like to read at night, consider these tips for a better night's sleep.

Source: psypost.org

✢ 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.