07/29/24 - #183

In partnership with

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Daily Multivitamins Do Not Help People Live Longer, Major Study Finds | They May Actually Increase the Risk of an Early Death

  • Best Ways to Lose Weight?

  • Reducing PFAS Exposure: 5 Items to Avoid and What to Use Instead

  • Altered Mealtimes Linked to Depression, Anxiety in Shift Workers. Research Found People Working a Day Shift Who Delayed Their Dinner Past 8 p.m. Had Twice the Risk of Depression and a 78% Higher Risk of Anxiety, Compared With When They Ate Before 8 p.m

…and lots more. Have a great day!

Goodbye Meal Kits, Hello Hungryroot

Hungryroot is a grocery and recipe delivery service that supports any health needs you and your family might have. Whether you’re looking to incorporate a gut-friendly diet, just trying to eat healthy, or anything in between, Hungryroot makes achieving your goals on your terms easy.

Browse the thousands of groceries and recipes available each week, or have Hungryroot curate a delivery made just for you and your family based on your preferences. Save hours planning, shopping, and cooking each week. Plus pick one free item for life.

FOOD & NUTRITION

Daily Multivitamins Do Not Help People Live Longer, Major Study Finds | They May Actually Increase the Risk of an Early Death

A big study in the U.S. has found that taking multivitamins every day might not help you live longer. In fact, it could even increase your risk of dying earlier. Researchers looked at the health records of nearly 400,000 adults for over 20 years. They found that people who took multivitamins daily didn't live longer. They didn't live longer than those who didn't take them.

Multivitamins are very popular, but they might not be as beneficial as many people think. Sometimes, they can even be harmful. For example, eating foods with beta-carotene can help prevent cancer. But, beta-carotene pills might increase the risk of lung cancer and heart disease. Also, too much iron from supplements can lead to serious health problems like heart disease.

The study showed that multivitamin users had a 4% higher risk of dying early in the study. This suggests that multivitamins might not only be unhelpful but could also be harmful in some cases.

Experts advise eating a balanced diet with natural foods instead of relying on multivitamins. Real foods provide vital nutrients better than supplements. They also help prevent chronic diseases.

While multivitamins can be useful in preventing vitamin deficiencies, they are no replacement for a healthy diet. Focusing on nutritious food is a better way to stay healthy than looking for a quick fix with pills.

WEIGHT LOSS

Best Ways to Lose Weight?

Here are 12 easy tips to help you burn fat effectively:

  1. Protein Intake: Eat a moderate amount of animal protein. Women should have a portion the size of their palm; men, twice that. This helps you burn fat while keeping muscles strong.

  2. Low Carb Diet: Keep your carbs under 50 grams a day to help your body burn fat instead of carbs.

  3. Eat When Hungry: Don't eat just because it's mealtime. Only eat when you're really hungry, which helps you eat less.

  4. Exercise Breaks: Try to move around every hour, especially if you sit a lot during the day. Quick walks can make a big difference.

  5. Avoid Grains: Grains can cause inflammation, so it's better to eat foods that are good for your gut like meats and cabbage.

  6. No Junk Food at Home: Keep junk food out of your house to avoid eating it on impulse.

  7. Choose Your Environment Wisely: Stay away from places that might tempt you to eat poorly, like certain restaurants or parties.

  8. Avoid Processed Foods: Skip foods that are heavily processed. They're not good for your health.

  9. Cold Therapy: Being cold makes your body burn more calories to stay warm.

  10. Stress-Reducing Supplements: Supplements like ashwagandha and vitamin D can help reduce stress, which can lead to weight gain.

  11. Avoid Glyphosate: Avoid foods with glyphosate, a chemical that can harm your gut health.

  12. Apple Cider Vinegar: It helps manage blood sugar and supports your metabolism.

Follow these tips consistently for the best results in losing weight.

HEALTH

Reducing PFAS Exposure: 5 Items to Avoid and What to Use Instead

PFAS, also known as "forever chemicals," are in many everyday products. These chemicals can stay in our bodies and environment for a long time. They may cause health problems, like cancer. Here are five common items to avoid and safer choices you can make:

  1. Non-Stick Cookware: Many pots and pans are coated with PFAS to keep food from sticking. When these coatings get old or scratched, they can mix PFAS into your food. Safer Choice: Use stainless steel cookware or replace old non-stick pans often.

  2. Disposable food packaging often has PFAS to block grease. This includes things like microwave popcorn bags and fast food wrappers. These chemicals can move into the food. Safer Choice: Eat more home-cooked meals and use containers that say they are PFAS-free.

  3. Beauty Products: Waterproof makeup and long-lasting cosmetics might have PFAS, which can get into your skin. Safer Choice: Look for beauty products labeled PFAS-free or check the ingredients list for these chemicals.

  4. Personal Care Products: Some lotions and period products use PFAS for better performance. Safer Choice: Pick brands that say their products do not have PFAS, especially for items that touch your skin.

  5. Waterproof and Stainproof Fabrics: Clothes and sofas with these features may contain PFAS. Safer Choice: Check if items are PFAS-free before buying or avoid those with special coatings.

Reducing PFAS exposure is important but hard since they are everywhere. Making smart choices can help, but we also need rules to limit these chemicals.

Altered Mealtimes Linked to Depression, Anxiety in Shift Workers. Research Found People Working a Day Shift Who Delayed Their Dinner Past 8 p.m. Had Twice the Risk of Depression and a 78% Higher Risk of Anxiety, Compared With When They Ate Before 8 p.m

A new study shows that when shift workers eat their meals late, it might lead to depression and anxiety. This research looked at airline employees. It found that those who had dinner after 8 p.m. or breakfast after 9 a.m. had more mental health issues.

Over 22,600 airline crew members were studied to see how the timing of their meals affected their mood. The results were clear: those who ate dinner late had double the risk of feeling depressed and their anxiety was 78% higher than those who ate earlier. For breakfast, eating late raised the risk of depression by 73% and anxiety by 79%.

The study also found good news for those who keep their eating within a 12-hour window each day. This habit lowered their anxiety risk by 16% and depression risk by 19%.

Mi Xiang, an associate professor from Shanghai Jio Tong University, led the findings. They were published in the journal JAMA Network Open. They suggest that eating meals at regular times can help keep mental health. This is especially true for people with changing schedules, like airline workers.

This research stresses the importance of shift workers eating at consistent times. This helps keep their mood stable and avoid mental health problems. It shows that setting regular meal times could be a simple way to improve overall well-being.

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.