07/03/24 - #165

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Study Links Ultra-processed Foods to Higher Cardiovascular Disease Risk and Mortality

  • Ozempic Quiets Food Noise in the Brain—but How?

  • U.S. Healthcare Spending Rises to $4.8 Trillion in 2023, Outpacing GDP

  • A Collaborative New Study Links Maternal Prenatal Depression to Early Birth, Suggesting Intervention Can Reduce Risk of Early Birth and Newborn Morbidity and Mortality

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Study Links Ultra-processed Foods to Higher Cardiovascular Disease Risk and Mortality

Recent research found that ultra-processed foods may raise the risk of heart disease and early death. Researchers from the University of São Paulo and Imperial College London looked at health data. The data was from about 120,000 adults in their mid-fifties.

The study showed that people who eat many natural plant foods, like fruits, vegetables, grains, and nuts, could lower their risk of heart disease by 7%. They could also lower their risk of coronary heart disease by 8%. However, those who eat a lot of ultra-processed foods that don't come from animals had a 5% higher risk of heart diseases and a 12% higher risk of dying earlier.

Ultra-processed foods are things like factory-made breads, pastries, and cookies. These foods usually have a lot of additives and not much nutritional value. Meat substitutes were barely in the ultra-processed foods studied. This is interesting to note.

Dr. Renata Levy is one of the main researchers. She stressed the need to eat fewer ultra-processed foods to stay healthy. But Dr. Hilda Mulrooney pointed out that the study only shows a connection, not that one causes the other. She also mentioned that high living costs mean many people can't afford better foods.

This research shows the need for cheaper, high-quality food options. They will reduce health risks linked to ultra-processed foods.

WEIGHT LOSS

Ozempic Quiets Food Noise in the Brain—but How?

Ozempic is a popular weight-loss drug that helps us understand how our brains control hunger and cravings. Kimberly Chauche from Lincoln, Nebraska, has struggled with weight since she was a child. At 43, she started taking Wegovy, a drug like Ozempic. In a few months, she lost 20 pounds. But the big surprise was her new reaction to food. She used to love snacks like popcorn, but suddenly, she could walk past them without wanting any.

Wegovy and Ozempic are part of a new class of drugs that copy a hormone called GLP-1. This hormone helps our bodies know when we are full after eating. Researchers like Svetlana Mojsov have studied GLP-1 for many years. They found that synthetic versions of this hormone can make people feel full faster, so they eat less.

These drugs are very popular not only for weight loss but also for treating type 2 diabetes. They also seem to quiet "food noise"—the constant thoughts about food. Scientists are now studying how these drugs affect the brain. They have found that GLP-1 impacts areas of the brain that control hunger and pleasure from eating.

These medications are changing how we think about obesity and eating habits. Many people taking these drugs report fewer cravings for food and other things like alcohol. This could help treat addictions and compulsive behaviors.

Researchers are excited to learn more about how GLP-1 works in the brain. This could lead to better treatments for obesity and related problems, helping many people improve their lives.

HEALTH

U.S. Healthcare Spending Rises to $4.8 Trillion in 2023, Outpacing GDP

Healthcare spending in the United States reached $4.8 trillion in 2023, a 7.5% increase from the previous year. This growth is faster than the country's economic growth rate of 6.1%. The data was released by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

The rise in spending is mainly due to increased costs for Medicaid and private health insurance. In 2023, a record 93% of Americans had health insurance, with Medicaid covering 91.2 million people. Medicaid provides health coverage for low-income individuals.

Medicare, the federal health insurance program for people aged 65 and older, saw an 8.4% increase in spending, reaching over $1 trillion. Medicaid spending grew by 5.7%, reaching $852 billion. Private health insurance spending rose by 1.1%, totaling $1.4 trillion.

On average, healthcare spending per person in the U.S. was about $14,423 in 2023 and is expected to rise to $15,074 in 2024. National health spending is projected to grow by 5.2% in 2024. However, Medicaid enrollment is expected to drop by 11.2%, meaning over 10 million people will lose coverage as pandemic response measures end.

Looking ahead, healthcare spending is forecasted to grow by an average of 5.6% annually from 2023 to 2032. This rate is higher than the projected economic growth rate of 4.3% per year for the same period. By 2032, healthcare spending could account for 19.7% of the U.S. economy, up from 17.3% in 2022.

A Collaborative New Study Links Maternal Prenatal Depression to Early Birth, Suggesting Intervention Can Reduce Risk of Early Birth and Newborn Morbidity and Mortality

A new study suggests that curing depression in pregnant women leads to longer pregnancies. It also leads to healthier babies. This research shows a strong link. It's between a mother's mental health and the risk of early birth. It offers hope for reducing problems from premature delivery.

Researchers from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and the University of Denver found that treating depression during pregnancy can make pregnancies last longer. They published their study in The Lancet’s eClinical Medicine. It shows the importance of mental health care for pregnant women.

Dr. Elysia Davis is a main author of the study. She points out that depression during pregnancy is more common than after childbirth. But, it gets less attention. This is important. A mother's depression can cause early births, which harm babies.

The study included 226 pregnant women. They got either standard care or special therapy during their prenatal visits. The results were positive. Women who got therapy felt less sad. They also had longer pregnancies.

Dr. Davis says, “By reducing the mother’s depression during pregnancy, we can help more babies be born full term, reducing health risks for newborns.”

Dr. Catherine Demers, a co-author of the study, explains that the therapy is affordable and easy to use. She says, “This safe treatment focuses on pregnancy as a critical time. It helps mothers with communication skills and education to increase support.””

The findings give hope to expectant mothers and their babies. They show that basic mental health treatments can have big benefits for future generations.

✢ 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.