07/10/25 - #431

Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Replacing a Traditional Carbohydrate-based Bedtime Snack With Pistachios May Reshape the Gut Microbiome in Prediabetic Adults. “Good” Bacteria That Produce Beneficial Short-chain Fatty Acids Like Butyrate Were More Abundant After Pistachios. Butyrate Supports Anti-inflammatory Processes in the Gut

• Could China’s New GLP-1 Drugs Beat Out Ozempic?

• A New Study Reveals That Individuals Living With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Often Feel Dismissed, Misunderstood, and Underserved by the Healthcare System

• Certain Type of Hormone Therapy Increases Breast Cancer Risk, Study Finds

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Replacing a Traditional Carbohydrate-based Bedtime Snack With Pistachios May Reshape the Gut Microbiome in Prediabetic Adults. “Good” Bacteria That Produce Beneficial Short-chain Fatty Acids Like Butyrate Were More Abundant After Pistachios. Butyrate Supports Anti-inflammatory Processes in the Gut

A new study shows that eating pistachios instead of a typical bedtime snack may improve gut health in adults with prediabetes.

Researchers at Penn State studied 51 adults with prediabetes. Each person followed two snack plans—one with about two ounces of pistachios and one with a snack that had 15 to 30 grams of carbohydrates, like whole grain bread. Each plan lasted 12 weeks. After each phase, stool samples were tested to see how the gut bacteria changed.

The results showed that eating pistachios led to more “good” bacteria in the gut. These helpful bacteria, like Roseburia and Lachnospiraceae, make something called butyrate. Butyrate helps reduce inflammation and supports the health of the gut lining. People who ate pistachios also had fewer “bad” bacteria, such as Blautia hydrogenotrophica, which is linked to poor heart and kidney health.

Experts often tell people with prediabetes to eat a small snack at night to help control blood sugar. This study shows that pistachios might be a better choice than a regular carb-based snack.

While it’s still not known if these gut changes lead to long-term health improvements, the results are promising. More research is needed to confirm the benefits.

For now, swapping your usual bedtime snack with a small handful of pistachios could be a simple and healthy change. It may support gut health and help lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Source: psu.edu

WEIGHT LOSS

Could China’s New GLP-1 Drugs Beat Out Ozempic?

China is working on new drugs that could soon compete with Ozempic, a popular medicine for weight loss and type 2 diabetes. One of the most promising is called ecnoglutide.

In a study with 664 people, those who got the highest dose of ecnoglutide lost nearly 14 kilograms (about 30 pounds) in 48 weeks. People who got a fake shot (placebo) lost only about 200 grams. Most people on the drug lost at least 5% of their body weight. Even after stopping the drug, they kept most of the weight off. The drug also helped lower fat in the liver and reduced risk factors for heart disease and diabetes.

Ecnoglutide works by copying a natural hormone in the body that controls hunger and blood sugar. It acts like Ozempic but targets different parts of the body’s system for better results.

China has more drugs in testing. Mazdutide helps people lose up to 15% of their body weight and may lower heart disease risk. Another new drug, UBT251, is given every two weeks and may help with weight, diabetes, and kidney disease.

Experts say this research is important because obesity and diabetes are major health problems in Asia. These new treatments could lead to more choices and better results for people around the world.

With more GLP-1 drugs coming, doctors may soon be able to offer more personalized care for weight loss, diabetes, and other related health problems.

Source: scientificamerican.com

HEALTH

A New Study Reveals That Individuals Living With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Often Feel Dismissed, Misunderstood, and Underserved by the Healthcare System

A new study from the University of Colorado shows that many people with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) feel ignored and misunderstood by doctors.

PCOS is a common hormone problem. It affects about 1 in 10 people with ovaries. It can cause irregular periods, acne, weight gain, extra facial hair, and problems getting pregnant. PCOS is also linked to serious health issues like diabetes, heart disease, and depression.

The study talked to 24 people with PCOS. Many said they had symptoms for years before getting a diagnosis. When they first told doctors about their problems, they often felt brushed off or blamed. One woman said her doctor only talked about pregnancy, but she just wanted help with her acne and anxiety.

Patients said doctors mostly focused on weight loss and future fertility. But most people wanted help with daily symptoms and emotional stress. Because they didn’t feel heard, many turned to social media or websites to learn more. Some even had to ask for tests themselves just to get answers.

This do-it-yourself approach caused more stress and sometimes led to bad information.

The study says doctors need to listen more and treat the whole person, not just one part. People with PCOS want care that helps their body and mind—and starts with someone really hearing what they have to say.

Better care begins with listening, understanding, and treating PCOS with respect.

Source: news.cuanschutz.edu

Certain Type of Hormone Therapy Increases Breast Cancer Risk, Study Finds

A new study shows that some women taking hormone therapy for menopause may have a higher risk of breast cancer. The study, published in The Lancet Oncology, found that the type of hormones used matters.

Women under 55 who still have a uterus and take both estrogen and progestin (a lab-made form of the hormone progesterone) had a slightly higher risk of breast cancer. But women who no longer have a uterus and take only estrogen had a lower risk.

Dr. Céline Gounder, a public health expert, explained that giving estrogen alone to women with a uterus can cause another type of cancer—endometrial cancer. That’s why estrogen is usually given with progestin in those cases. However, adding progestin may raise the risk of breast cancer.

This finding is important because past research, like the early 2000s Women’s Health Initiative, led many to fear hormone therapy. But newer studies focus on women who start treatment around the time of menopause, not years later. Experts now say hormone therapy is safe and helpful for many women.

Hormone therapy can reduce hot flashes, prevent bone loss, and even lower some cancer risks. But it can also raise the risk of heart disease, stroke, and blood clots in some people.

The key is to choose the right type of hormone therapy at the right time. Talk to your doctor about your family history, health risks, and symptoms before starting treatment.

Source: cbsnews.com

✢ 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.