07/19/24 - #177

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Scientists Discover That Yogurt Consumption Seems to Favorably Affect Gut Microbiota While Its Enrichment With PAF-R Antagonists From Olive Oil By-products, May Provide Further Benefits in Healthy Overweight Subjects

  • Zepbound Outperforms Ozempic and Wegovy in Head-to-head Weight Loss Study

  • Alzheimer's Breakthrough as Nasal Spray May Boost Memory

  • Loneliness Increases Risk of Age-related Memory Loss | Study Shows Loneliness Has a Greater Negative Impact on Memory Than Even Social Isolation, Though Both Present a Significant Risk to the Aging Population

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Scientists Discover That Yogurt Consumption Seems to Favorably Affect Gut Microbiota While Its Enrichment With PAF-R Antagonists From Olive Oil By-products, May Provide Further Benefits in Healthy Overweight Subjects

Scientists at Harokopio University in Greece discovered that a special type of yogurt might be great for our stomachs. This is especially true for people who are a bit overweight. This yogurt isn't just any yogurt. It's mixed with a special ingredient from olive oil. It helps fight inflammation and might even lower heart disease risk.

In their study, the researchers gave three different groups of overweight but healthy people different types of yogurt to eat every day for eight weeks. One group had yogurt with the olive oil ingredient, another had plain yogurt, and the last group didn’t eat any yogurt.

They checked the health of these people by taking blood samples and looking at their stool both before and after the study. The results were quite interesting. The group that ate the yogurt with the olive oil ingredient saw the best improvements. They had more good bacteria in their guts and lower levels of bad bacteria. This special yogurt also helped reduce inflammation.

The group that ate plain yogurt saw some good changes too, but not as much as the group with the special yogurt. The study showed that adding ingredients from olive oil to yogurt could be a simple and tasty way to help improve gut health and lower the risk of diseases for people who are overweight. This makes it a great choice for a healthy snack.

WEIGHT LOSS

Zepbound Outperforms Ozempic and Wegovy in Head-to-head Weight Loss Study

In a recent groundbreaking study, Zepbound has the active ingredient tirzepatide. It has shown great results in the battle against weight loss. It has surpassed its competitors Ozempic and Wegovy. The study was published in JAMA Internal Medicine. It is the first direct comparison between these major weight loss medications. Both contain the active ingredient semaglutide.

Tricia Rodriguez of Truveta Research led the study. It analyzed health records from over 41,000 adults who were prescribed these drugs. The findings were clear. Participants using Zepbound with tirzepatide lost more weight than those on semaglutide. After 12 months, Zepbound users lost 15.3% of their body weight, compared to 8.3% for those using semaglutide.

Both drugs belong to a class called GLP-1s, which help reduce food intake by mimicking a natural hormone. However, tirzepatide has an added advantage as it also mimics a second hormone, improving the body’s ability to process fats and sugars.

The results were impressive. But, the study showed a need for more trials to fully confirm them. Dr. Susan Spratt from Duke Health said both drugs offer big weight loss benefits. But, for those who prioritize weight loss, Zepbound might be better.

Researchers and doctors keep exploring these options. Tailoring treatments to individual health goals is very important. Both drugs show promise. They help with weight management and may also address other health issues linked to obesity.

HEALTH

Alzheimer's Breakthrough as Nasal Spray May Boost Memory

A new type of nasal spray could change how Alzheimer’s disease is treated, bringing hope to millions. Researchers at the University of Texas have developed a spray. It uses tiny oil particles called micelles to deliver medication to the brain. This innovative approach showed promising results in tests with aging mice.

The Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases conducted the study. It found that the spray improved memory and thinking in these mice. The key ingredient is a special antibody. It targets tau, a protein in Alzheimer's. People with this disease have a buildup of tau proteins in the brain. The proteins disrupt brain function, affecting memory and cognition.

The nasal spray works by delivering these antibodies directly to the brain, helping to clear out the harmful tau proteins. In mice, a single dose not only cleared these proteins but also boosted brain health significantly. While further research is needed to see if the same results can be achieved in humans, the findings offer a glimmer of hope.

Alzheimer's affects nearly 7 million Americans. The numbers are expected to rise globally. This breakthrough could lead to better treatments. This is especially crucial. Current medications only partly reverse the damage the disease causes.

The global community watches closely. Continued progress in nasal therapy may soon give a new lifeline to those battling Alzheimer's and related conditions.

Loneliness Increases Risk of Age-related Memory Loss | Study Shows Loneliness Has a Greater Negative Impact on Memory Than Even Social Isolation, Though Both Present a Significant Risk to the Aging Population

Loneliness can harm our memory as much as getting older does. A study from the University of Waterloo looked at adults and found that feeling lonely affects our memory more than being alone does.

About one-third of Canadians say they feel lonely. This feeling can lead to higher stress and might be linked to sadness, both of which can hurt our memory. The study observed different groups for six years: those who were both lonely and alone, those who were just alone, those who were just lonely, and those who were neither. The worst memory loss was seen in people who were both lonely and alone.

Even people who felt lonely but weren't alone had a big drop in memory. This shows that just feeling lonely is a big problem for brain health. People who are not lonely might stay sharp by doing things like reading or hobbies on their own, even if they don't hang out with others much.

Ji Won Kang, who led the study, stresses the need for community programs to help those who feel lonely and are alone. Kang also mentioned that it's important to find out why someone feels lonely. Some might need help like transportation or counseling to feel better connected.

Understanding how loneliness affects our memory can help us look after our health as we get older.

✢ 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.