07/04/24 - #166

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Daily Multivitamins Do Not Help People Live Longer, Major Study Finds | Researchers in the US Analyzed Health Records From Nearly 400,000 Adults Who Consumed Daily Multivitamins Were Marginally More Likely Than Non-users to Die in the Study Period

  • House Committee Passes Bill That Would Allow Medicare to Cover Weight Loss Drugs

  • In Well-functioning Older Adults at Retirement Age, 1 Year of Heavy Resistance Training (HRT) May Induce Long-lasting Beneficial Effects by Preserving Muscle Function, Compared Than Moderate-intensity Training or Non-exercise

  • Late-night Light Raises Your Type 2 Diabetes Risk by Up to 67% | in a Study of 85,000 People, Scientists Have Found That Night-time Exposure to Light Increases the Risk of Developing Type 2 Diabetes, Independent of Daytime Activities

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Daily Multivitamins Do Not Help People Live Longer, Major Study Finds | Researchers in the US Analyzed Health Records From Nearly 400,000 Adults Who Consumed Daily Multivitamins Were Marginally More Likely Than Non-users to Die in the Study Period

A daily multivitamin doesn't seem to extend life. It could even raise the chance of dying sooner. This is according to a major U.S. study. Researchers examined health data from nearly 400,000 adults over two decades. They found that those taking daily multivitamins did not live longer. In fact, these individuals had a slightly higher risk of dying during the study period.

This finding is critical. Many people use multivitamins daily. They hope to prevent illnesses and boost health. The study gathered data from healthy adults without long-term diseases. It challenges the effectiveness of these supplements.

The researchers suggested that the risks of multivitamins might outweigh their benefits. For instance, natural foods rich in beta-carotene protect against cancer. But, beta-carotene supplements might raise the risk of lung cancer and heart disease. Also, extra iron from multivitamins could cause severe health issues. These include cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Experts say: get nutrients from food. Don't rely on supplements. Foods provide a mix of nutrients along with fiber, which are essential for overall health. Multivitamins might help in certain cases. They can prevent vitamin deficiencies. But, they are no replacement for a healthy diet.

In conclusion, the study suggests reconsidering taking daily multivitamins for long life. Instead, we should focus more on eating nutritious foods for better health.

WEIGHT LOSS

House Committee Passes Bill That Would Allow Medicare to Cover Weight Loss Drugs

For over twenty years, Medicare has not covered weight loss drugs. This has made them inaccessible to many who could benefit. However, recent steps by the House Ways and Means Committee may change this. On Thursday, the committee approved The Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2023, a significant move forward for this legislation.

Previously, expensive drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound have been out of reach for many, costing over $1,000 a month. This bill's progress marks a crucial advancement, although the road ahead remains uncertain. It still requires approval from the full House, the Senate, and the president’s signature.

This current proposal is more restrictive than earlier versions. It would only cover people with obesity. They must have been on a weight loss drug for a year before joining Medicare. It excludes those who are merely overweight with related health issues. This change aims to cut costs. Covering these drugs could be expensive for Medicare over the next decade.

Rep. Judy Chu expressed disappointment over the limited scope of the bill, hoping for broader coverage in the future. Meanwhile, Sen. Bernie Sanders is pushing for drugmakers to cut their prices. He is highlighting the financial burdens these drugs impose.

The bill is moving to the next stages. Its future impact is a hot topic among lawmakers. Money is key in the decision-making.

HEALTH

In Well-functioning Older Adults at Retirement Age, 1 Year of Heavy Resistance Training (HRT) May Induce Long-lasting Beneficial Effects by Preserving Muscle Function, Compared Than Moderate-intensity Training or Non-exercise

As people get older, keeping muscles strong is very important for staying healthy and moving around easily. A study from Denmark shows that lifting heavy weights can really help older adults keep their muscle strength for a long time.

In the study, 451 people who were about to retire were put into three groups. One group did heavy weight lifting for a year, another did lighter exercises, and the last group didn’t exercise at all. Over the next four years, the results showed something interesting.

The people who did heavy lifting kept their muscle strength almost the same as when they started. But the people who did lighter exercises or didn’t exercise at all lost some of their muscle strength.

Why does this matter? When older people lose muscle strength, it becomes harder for them to do everyday things by themselves, which can affect their health. The study suggests that doing exercises like heavy lifting can help stop muscles from getting weak as people age.

This study tells us that adding heavy lifting to your exercise routine helps. This is true even if you start when you’re older. It can help you keep your muscles strong for years. It's not just about lifting weights; it's about keeping a good quality of life as you get older.

Doctors and health experts might start telling more older adults to lift heavy things. This can help them stay strong and live on their own longer.

Late-night Light Raises Your Type 2 Diabetes Risk by Up to 67% | in a Study of 85,000 People, Scientists Have Found That Night-time Exposure to Light Increases the Risk of Developing Type 2 Diabetes, Independent of Daytime Activities

A big study from Flinders University had 85,000 participants. It found that light at night might raise the risk of type 2 diabetes by up to 67%. This risk escalates with the amount of light exposure and occurs regardless of daytime activities.

Associate Professor Andrew Phillips is a senior author of the study. He explains that nighttime light can disrupt our body's natural rhythms. This disruption impacts how our body handles insulin and glucose, which are crucial for regulating blood sugar levels. "When our circadian rhythms are thrown off, it can lead to serious health issues like type 2 diabetes," says Phillips.

The study used data from the UK Biobank. Participants wore wrist light sensors for a week. This provided researchers with a huge 13 million hours of data to analyze. The findings show that light at night affects circadian rhythms. It also changes insulin secretion and glucose metabolism. This can increase blood sugar levels after meals, potentially leading to diabetes.

Factors such as shift work or irregular sleep have been known to affect diabetes risk. This research shows that simply cutting exposure to light at night helps. The best time to cut exposure is between 12:30 am and 6:00 am. It could be a simple and effective way to cut the risk of diabetes.

"Our findings highlight the need for dark nights. They support your body's natural rhythm and cut the risk of diabetes," Phillips adds.

✢ 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.