07/09/24 - #169

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • What Supplements Are Actually Useful?

  • Not Everyone Loses Weight on Ozempic

  • FDA Clears First Menthol E-cigarette for Adults

  • Study Suggests That as Parents Become More Stressed, They Pressure Their Children to Eat Healthy Foods and Restrict Access to Unhealthy Foods. That Pressure Can Affect a Child's Relationship With Food

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

What Supplements Are Actually Useful?

Today we're looking at which supplements are worth taking. Many people don't get enough nutrients from their diets, so some supplements can really help.

First, Vitamin D is super important. It does a lot more than help your bones; it can also keep you from getting sick and might even lower the chance of getting cancer. If you don’t get much sun, taking 2,000 to 5,000 units of vitamin D3 each day can help.

Magnesium is another key nutrient, especially for helping you sleep better and easing constipation. Taking 250 to 500 milligrams daily is a good idea.

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential too, especially if you don't eat a lot of high-quality fats. About 2 to 3 grams from fish oil every day can keep your levels right.

If you take prescription medicines, you might need Coenzyme Q10. It helps your heart and energy levels but gets used up by many drugs. Depending on your meds, you might need 100 to 800 milligrams a day.

For men wanting to keep their energy up, Zinc is great. Taking 25 to 50 milligrams daily can help a lot.

Finally, Vitamin K2, especially the MK4 type, is good for your bones. Just 200 micrograms a day could help prevent bone problems when combined with Vitamin D.

Always talk to your doctor before starting any supplement to make sure it’s safe for you. Supplements work best when they add to a healthy diet.

WEIGHT LOSS

Not Everyone Loses Weight on Ozempic

Many people try drugs like Ozempic to lose weight. However, Danielle Rosas' experience shows that it doesn't work the same for everyone. Danielle, 36 years old, tried Ozempic in 2020 after other weight loss methods didn't work for her. She started at 225 pounds and hoped the drug would help. After three months, she only lost about 15 pounds and felt sick often, so she stopped using it.

Ozempic is part of a group of drugs called GLP-1s. These drugs act like a hormone in our body that controls hunger and blood sugar. While some people lose a lot of weight with these drugs—up to 15% of their body weight—not everyone sees these results. In fact, about one-third of people don't lose more than 10% of their weight.

Experts like Hans Schmidt, who works with weight loss patients, say these drugs don't work the same for everyone. Things like genetics, other health issues, and how each person's body responds can make a big difference.

For those who don't see much weight loss with GLP-1 medications, it's crucial to remember that these drugs work best when paired with a healthy diet and exercise. Also, how well these drugs work can vary a lot. Some might need to change the dose to see results, while others might do better with different treatments.

Understanding these drugs' limits can help people have better talks with their doctors about how to manage their weight.

HEALTH

FDA Clears First Menthol E-cigarette for Adults

On June 22, 2024, the FDA gave the green light to the first menthol-flavored e-cigarettes made for adults. This big news comes as part of a new move in the vaping world, and it's the first time menthol e-cigarettes have been okayed.

These e-cigarettes are made by Njoy, a company owned by Altria, the same company that makes Marlboro cigarettes. The approved products are menthol-flavored. They are made to be less harmful than regular cigarettes. They work by heating a liquid nicotine solution to create a vapor that smokers inhale.

However, not everyone is happy about this. Some parents and groups against smoking are worried. They think flavors like menthol might make vaping more appealing to teenagers. They fear this could keep leading more young people to start vaping. Although fewer high school students are vaping now compared to before, the worry remains.

The FDA points out that these menthol e-cigarettes should help smokers. They will reduce their exposure to dangerous chemicals in regular cigarettes. But, they also stress these products are not safe and are not for people who don't already smoke.

This approval is part of a bigger effort by the FDA to regulate the vaping market more tightly. The market includes many illegal fruit- and candy-flavored vapes still being sold. The FDA is working to make sure these products can stay on the market only if they prove to be safer for smokers without attracting kids.

Study Suggests That as Parents Become More Stressed, They Pressure Their Children to Eat Healthy Foods and Restrict Access to Unhealthy Foods. That Pressure Can Affect a Child's Relationship With Food

Being a parent is tough. After a long day of work and taking care of kids' schedules, parents are often tired. This can change how they handle meals. A study from the University of Georgia found that stressed parents might push their kids to eat healthy foods and limit junk food. This pressure might seem small, but over time, it can change how kids feel about eating.

The study shows this happens more with mothers and in families with less money or more kids. Allan Tate, the lead researcher, says, “When parents are overwhelmed, they might not always choose the best ways to encourage healthy eating.” He also notes that setting a good example at meals is important. It helps kids develop good eating habits that can protect them from diseases later.

The study also found that single parents who share childcare feel less stressed. This shows that having support can make a big difference.

Money worries are a big stress for many parents. Tate suggests making programs like SNAP easier to use and more helpful could reduce stress. This would let parents focus more on helping their children eat healthily.

This research points out how important it is to support parents. Even a little help can improve the whole family's health and happiness.

✢ 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.