07/25/24 - #181

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • The Effect of Daily Usage of Listerine Cool Mint Mouthwash on the Oropharyngeal Microbiome: a Substudy of the PReGo Trial

  • Why Am I Losing Weight Slower?

  • Visual Hallucinations in Parkinson's Disease Linked to Cholinergic Deficiency

  • A New University of Georgia Study Reports That One in Five U.S. Farmers Report Binge Drinking When They Experience High Levels of Stress. Interventions to Address Stress and Alcohol Consumption Should Focus on Promoting Resilience and Reducing the Stigma Associated With Seeking Mental Healthcare

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

The Effect of Daily Usage of Listerine Cool Mint Mouthwash on the Oropharyngeal Microbiome: a Substudy of the PReGo Trial

Many people use Listerine Cool Mint mouthwash to keep their mouths clean and fresh. It's known for its strong mint flavor and ability to kill germs. But what does it do to the bacteria in our mouths?

A recent study looked into this by tracking how daily use of Listerine affects the bacteria in the throat and back of the mouth. This research was part of a larger study called the PReGo trial. It involved 59 men who were using HIV prevention medicine. They used Listerine and a placebo mouthwash for three months each.

The researchers took swabs from the participants' throats at the beginning and after each three-month period. They used advanced DNA tests to see what types of bacteria were there. They found that using Listerine led to more of certain bacteria. These bacteria include Streptococcus anginosus and Fusobacterium nucleatum. These bacteria can be linked to gum diseases and other health problems, including some types of cancer.

The results suggest that Listerine can kill some bad bacteria. But, it might also help other harmful bacteria grow. This means people should think carefully about using Listerine often. This is especially true if they already have oral health issues.

For anyone using mouthwash every day, it’s important to understand how it affects the natural balance of bacteria in the mouth. Talking to a healthcare provider for advice on oral hygiene is always a good idea.

WEIGHT LOSS

Why Am I Losing Weight Slower?

Have you noticed that men often lose weight faster than women? This difference mainly comes from our hormones. Men have a lot more testosterone, which helps build muscle and burn fat. Women have more estrogen, which can make the body hold onto fat, especially around the arms, legs, and belly.

Because of these hormone differences, women might need to work harder to lose the same amount of weight as men. During menopause, many women face something called estrogen dominance. This doesn’t mean there’s more estrogen than before; it means there’s less of other important hormones, making estrogen effects stronger.

Estrogen dominance can also slow down your thyroid, which controls how fast your body burns calories. If your thyroid isn’t working well, it can make losing weight even harder. Handling estrogen dominance might help your thyroid work better and speed up weight loss.

Managing your insulin is also important for controlling weight. Keeping these hormones in balance doesn’t just quickly drop pounds, but it leads to steadier and more lasting weight loss.

Losing weight involves many factors, including your hormones. Understanding these can help you find better ways to lose weight. Don’t get discouraged. Sometimes, making small changes in how you manage your health can help a lot. Keep going, and adjust your plan as needed for better results.

HEALTH

Visual Hallucinations in Parkinson's Disease Linked to Cholinergic Deficiency

Many adults with Parkinson's disease see things that aren't there. They see people or animals. This is known as visual hallucinations and can really affect their life. Recent research has found that these hallucinations are linked to a drop in a type of brain activity. It is related to nerve cells, especially in parts of the brain that handle vision and attention.

In the past, doctors thought these hallucinations were side effects of medicines. The medicines were used to treat the shaking and movement problems in Parkinson's. But the new study shows it's more about a shortage of a brain chemical called acetylcholine.

They did this by studying 38 people with Parkinson's. They used special brain scans to see how much acetylcholine activity was happening. They found that people who had hallucinations had much lower activity in some brain areas. This was compared to those who didn't have them.

This info is key. It suggests that fixing the shortage might reduce hallucinations. Doctors could use medicines called cholinesterase inhibitors that boost this brain chemical.

This study could lead to better treatment plans for Parkinson's patients. It will help them manage not just movement issues but also these troubling hallucinations. This way, treatment can be more tailored to each person's needs.

A New University of Georgia Study Reports That One in Five U.S. Farmers Report Binge Drinking When They Experience High Levels of Stress. Interventions to Address Stress and Alcohol Consumption Should Focus on Promoting Resilience and Reducing the Stigma Associated With Seeking Mental Healthcare

A new study from the University of Georgia has found a worrying trend: one in five American farmers binge drink when they feel very stressed. This shows a larger problem of mental health in the farming community and the difficulties they have in getting help.

Farming is one of the most dangerous jobs in the U.S., involving long, hard hours and big financial risks. Christina Proctor is the lead researcher and a professor at UGA. She explains that drinking is often seen as a better way to handle stress than talking about mental health.

The research surveyed 1,045 farmers and found that nearly all (96%) drink alcohol, with over a third having two to three drinks a week. These numbers are near the national average. But, they are worrying because farmers have special challenges. They often feel ashamed to ask for mental health help.

Proctor points out that not getting help can lead to very bad outcomes, like higher suicide rates among farmers. However, there is hope. Farmers with strong community support and friends tend to drink less. This shows that better community connections and more open talks about mental health could help solve this problem.

The future of farming and our food supply could be affected. So, it's important to start training local leaders and others in rural areas to talk openly about mental health. This could help improve the situation for farmers.

✢ 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.