Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Adolescents in the UK Get Nearly Two-thirds of Their Daily Calories From Ultra-processed Foods, or UPFs, With Consumption Highest Among Those From Deprived Backgrounds, Finds a New Study in the European Journal of Nutrition

• I Lost 100lbs!

• The Human Genome is Filled With Flecks of DNA Left Behind by Viruses That Infected Primate Ancestors Tens of Millions of Years Ago. Scientists Used to Think They Were Harmless, but New Research Shows That, When Reawakened, They Help Cancer Survive and Thrive

• A New Study Suggests That People Respond Negatively to the Switch to Daylight Saving Time. Sleepiness Caused by the One-hour Setback Impairs Self-control and Leads to Less Healthy Consumption Behavior. Unhealthy Snacks Increase Following the Time Change and Visits to Fitness Centers Decrease

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Adolescents in the UK Get Nearly Two-thirds of Their Daily Calories From Ultra-processed Foods, or UPFs, With Consumption Highest Among Those From Deprived Backgrounds, Finds a New Study in the European Journal of Nutrition

A recent study shows that UK teens get nearly two-thirds of their daily calories from ultra-processed foods. These include store-bought bread, cereal, and ready meals. These foods often have extra sugars, fats, and salt, and can lead to health problems such as obesity and diabetes.

The study looked at food diaries from nearly 3,000 young people aged 11 to 18, from the years 2008 to 2019. It was published in the European Journal of Nutrition.

While the study noticed a small drop in how much processed food teens ate—from 68% to 63%—the amount is still high compared to other age groups. Dr. Yanaina Chavez-Ugalde from the University of Cambridge, who led the study, thinks teens are eating too much processed food. She says a better amount would be about 20% of their diet.

The study found that teens in poorer areas and the north of England eat more processed foods than those in wealthier areas or the south.

Experts say we need better food education. We also need easier access to healthy food. This will help young people make better eating choices. They say it's especially important to focus on teens, as the habits they form now can last a lifetime. The findings stress the need for action to help teens eat better and live healthier as they grow up.

Source: theguardian.com

WEIGHT LOSS

I Lost 100lbs!

Losing 100 pounds might sound tough, but it's totally doable with the right steps. Here are some simple tips to help you on your journey to lose weight:

1. Protein Helps: Eat just the right amount of animal protein. For women, it's about the size of your palm. Men, you can have twice that. It keeps you full and happy without overeating.

2. Cut Down on Carbs: Keep your carbs under 50 grams a day. This will make your body burn fat instead of carbs for energy.

3. Don’t Fear Fat: Eating fats with your protein is okay. They help stop you from feeling hungry all the time.

4. Know About Insulin Resistance: Weight problems often come from something called insulin resistance. It's caused by eating too many carbs, eating too often, stress, and inflammation. If you're feeling bloated or have heartburn, it might be a clue to change your eating habits.

5. Eat When Hungry: Don’t eat just because it’s mealtime. Listen to your body and eat only when you really feel hungry.

6. Move More: Try to get in short activities like walking throughout your day. It really adds up!

7. Stay Away from Grains and Junk Food: These can make you feel worse and crave more food. Keep them out of your house to avoid temptation.

8. Try Cold Therapy: Being cold can help you burn more calories by making your body work harder to stay warm.

These steps aren't hard, and they can really help. Talk to a doctor to make sure these tips are right for you. Good luck!

Source: TODAY

HEALTH

The Human Genome is Filled With Flecks of DNA Left Behind by Viruses That Infected Primate Ancestors Tens of Millions of Years Ago. Scientists Used to Think They Were Harmless, but New Research Shows That, When Reawakened, They Help Cancer Survive and Thrive

Scientists have discovered something surprising about our DNA. Hidden in our genes are bits of DNA from ancient viruses. They infected our ancestors millions of years ago. These bits are called endogenous retroviruses. For a long time, researchers thought they were just junk and didn't do anything harmful. But new research from CU Boulder shows that these old virus parts can wake up and help cancer grow.

Edward Chuong and Atma Ivancevic, researchers at the BioFrontiers Institute, found out that these viruses can turn on genes that make cancer worse. Their study in "Science Advances" suggests that turning off these viruses could improve cancer treatments.

These virus parts make up about 8% of our DNA. They've been passed down through generations. They helped humans develop the placenta and a strong immune system against viruses like COVID.

In their research, Chuong and Ivancevic looked at 21 types of human cancer. They noticed a specific old virus was active in some cancers, including lung and colon cancer. When they turned off this virus in cancer cells, the genes that help cancer grow also turned off. This could lead to better cancer treatments.

These findings show that ancient viruses don't cause cancer. But, they are awakened by it and help it survive. Understanding this could help scientists improve cancer treatments. This is an important piece of the puzzle in cancer research.

Source: colorado.edu

A New Study Suggests That People Respond Negatively to the Switch to Daylight Saving Time. Sleepiness Caused by the One-hour Setback Impairs Self-control and Leads to Less Healthy Consumption Behavior. Unhealthy Snacks Increase Following the Time Change and Visits to Fitness Centers Decrease

A new study by researchers at several universities, including North Carolina State, shows that the shift to daylight saving time can lead to unhealthy choices. A study, to be published in the Journal of Marketing, found that people tend to eat more unhealthy snacks and visit gyms less after the time change.

When we move our clocks forward in the spring, many people feel upset about losing an hour of sleep. This study suggests that lack of sleep harms self-control. It leads to poor food choices and less exercise. Researchers used social media and fitness center data to see how habits changed. They saw more negative comments about daylight saving time on social media just 12 hours after the clocks changed.

The researchers advise, based on their findings, to rethink changing the clocks twice a year. They suggest ramping up campaigns to promote healthy eating and exercise around the time change.

For everyday folks, the study suggests planning ahead. It may help them adjust to the time change. This includes avoiding buying unhealthy snacks and finding easier ways to get to the gym. Using smart lighting systems and special apps can help. They can adjust our body clocks more smoothly.

The study shows that daylight saving time may harm health.

Source: ama.org

✢ 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.