07/17/24 - #175

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • A Diet Rich in Fruits and Vegetables, Whole Grains, and Unsaturated Fats in Midlife Can Improve the Chances of Good Mental, Physical, and Cognitive Health Decades Later, a New Report Shows

  • Most People Stop Using Wegovy and Ozempic After 2 Years, Analysis Finds

  • About 13% of Individuals Diagnosed With Dementia May Suffer Instead From Reversible Cognitive Decline Caused by Advanced Liver Disease. Factors That Increase the Risk of Cirrhosis Include Older Age, Being Male, Congestive Heart Failure, Viral Hepatitis, Alcohol Use

  • A Recent Study Reveals That People Over 50 Who Develop Anxiety Are More Than Twice as Likely to Be Diagnosed With Parkinson’s Disease Compared to Those Without Anxiety | Study Prompts Further Investigation Into Its Implications for Early Diagnosis and Treatment

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

A Diet Rich in Fruits and Vegetables, Whole Grains, and Unsaturated Fats in Midlife Can Improve the Chances of Good Mental, Physical, and Cognitive Health Decades Later, a New Report Shows

What you eat at age 40 could shape how you feel at 70, according to a new report. Research suggests that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and unsaturated fats during midlife significantly boosts your chances of enjoying good mental, physical, and cognitive health later in life.

This insight comes from a study recently presented at a major nutrition conference. Over a 30-year period, Harvard researchers tracked the diets of more than 106,000 people. The study began in 1986. It included people from the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. These individuals were in their late thirties and free from chronic diseases at the start.

Participants filled out detailed food frequency questionnaires every four years. This let researchers compare their diets to healthy patterns. These included the DASH diet and the alternative healthy eating index (AHEI). The AHEI emphasizes legumes, nuts, and vegetables. It reduces red and processed meats. It showed the strongest link to healthier aging.

Here, we define 'healthy aging' as reaching age 70 or older with good thinking, mental health, physical ability, and no major diseases like diabetes and heart disease. But, the study has limitations. It is observational. Still, the findings show the powerful role of diet in promoting health and long life.

So, what we choose to eat now can have long-lasting effects on our health. A balanced diet is key. It should go along with exercise and other healthy choices. They might be the secret to a vibrant old age.

WEIGHT LOSS

Most People Stop Using Wegovy and Ozempic After 2 Years, Analysis Finds

A study shows that only about one in four people keep using the weight loss drugs Wegovy or Ozempic after two years. The reasons why people stop weren't looked into in this study, but it does show us how these drugs are used over a long time.

Wegovy and Ozempic are types of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists and they are expensive. They can cost more than $1,000 every month and are supposed to be used for a long time to help keep weight off. However, they are costly. This has sparked a big discussion about whether they are affordable for patients, companies, and government health programs. President Joe Biden has even talked about how these drugs could really add up in costs nationally.

The study looked at data from 3,364 people who started these drugs between January and December 2021. It found that only about 15% of them were still taking the drugs after two years. For Wegovy, 24.1% of people stayed on the drug without stopping for more than 60 days. For Ozempic, 22.2% did the same.

The report also said that 26% of people had to switch drugs during their treatment. This may be due to shortages or changes in what their insurance covers.

Experts think people might stop the drugs because of side effects, cost, or if they’ve already lost the weight they wanted. But most people gain the weight back if they stop taking the drugs, showing the challenge of keeping weight off long-term.

HEALTH

About 13% of Individuals Diagnosed With Dementia May Suffer Instead From Reversible Cognitive Decline Caused by Advanced Liver Disease. Factors That Increase the Risk of Cirrhosis Include Older Age, Being Male, Congestive Heart Failure, Viral Hepatitis, Alcohol Use

Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine and Richmond VA Medical Center have found that about 13% of people diagnosed with dementia might have a liver condition. It's called cirrhosis. This condition can sometimes be reversed with the right treatment.

It was published on June 26 in the American Journal of Medicine. The study confirms earlier findings that liver health can affect brain function. Cirrhosis can cause hepatic encephalopathy. In it, the liver fails to remove toxins from the blood. This affects mental clarity and looks like dementia.

The team studied 68,807 patients. The patients were previously diagnosed with dementia but not liver disease. They used the Fibrosis-4 Index, a test for liver health, and found that nearly 13% showed signs of cirrhosis.

Many factors raise the risk of cirrhosis. These include age, being male, heart problems, viral hepatitis, and heavy drinking. Distinguishing cirrhosis from dementia is challenging because their symptoms overlap.

Dr. Jasmohan Bajaj is a gastroenterologist in the study. He emphasized the need to consider liver disease. It could be a cause of cognitive problems. He said, "This link is important. It connects dementia and liver health. It shows the need to screen for treatable conditions. These conditions could be mistaken for dementia.""

This research suggests that some diagnosed dementia could improve with proper liver treatment. It stresses the need for liver health screenings in dementia diagnosis.

A Recent Study Reveals That People Over 50 Who Develop Anxiety Are More Than Twice as Likely to Be Diagnosed With Parkinson’s Disease Compared to Those Without Anxiety | Study Prompts Further Investigation Into Its Implications for Early Diagnosis and Treatment

A recent study found that people over 50 with anxiety are more than twice as likely to get Parkinson’s disease. This is compared to those without anxiety. This discovery was published in the British Journal of General Practice. It suggests that anxiety might be an early sign of Parkinson’s disease. Researchers are now looking into how this information could help diagnose and treat the disease sooner.

Parkinson’s disease affects the brain and is the second most common brain disorder globally. By 2040, it’s expected to impact over 14 million people. Detecting Parkinson’s early is crucial for better management, but spotting early symptoms, like anxiety, can be tough.

The study used a large health database. It compared 38,510 men and 70,925 women with new anxiety to 324,670 men and 553,586 women without it. Over about five years, researchers noticed that Parkinson’s developed in 1.02 out of every 1,000 people with anxiety each year. This rate was more than twice that of those without anxiety.

Even after considering factors like age, lifestyle, and other health issues, the risk of developing Parkinson’s was still over twice as high for those with anxiety. This suggests that anxiety could be a useful warning sign of Parkinson’s.

Understanding this link better could lead to earlier detection and better treatment for those at risk. It would make a big difference in managing the disease.

✢ 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.