08/18/25 - #458

Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Florida Officials Warn About Risks of Drinking Raw Milk After 21 Infections

• High-fat Diets and Obesity Reshape Star-shaped Cells Called Astrocytes in the Brain’s Striatum That Help Regulate Pleasure From Eating. Modifying These Cells in Mice Not Only Impacted Metabolism but Also Restored Cognitive Abilities Impaired by Obesity, Such as Relearning Tasks

• "Prolonged Sitting" Increases the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease, Possibly Due to Preceding Impairments in Cutaneous Vascular Function, Regardless of Ambient Temperature

• Measuring Insulin Levels in Saliva Offers a Non-invasive Way to Measure Metabolic Health and Can Show Risk of Developing Future Health Concerns, Including Type 2 Diabetes, Obesity, and Heart Disease, Without the Need for Needles or Lab-based Blood Work

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Florida Officials Warn About Risks of Drinking Raw Milk After 21 Infections

Health officials in Florida are urging people to be careful about drinking raw milk after 21 people became sick. The illnesses have been linked to raw milk from one farm in the state. Six of those who got sick are children under 10 years old.

The illnesses include infections caused by campylobacter and a dangerous form of E. coli. These can lead to severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and even kidney failure. So far, seven people have been hospitalized, and two have suffered serious complications.

Raw milk is milk that has not been pasteurized. Pasteurization is a heating process that kills harmful bacteria. Without it, raw milk can carry germs like E. coli, salmonella, listeria, and others that can make people very sick.

In Florida, raw milk can only be sold for pet use, not for people. Labels on the containers must say “for animal consumption only.” Still, some people choose to drink it, believing it is more natural or healthy.

Officials say that how the milk is handled is very important to avoid contamination. In this case, they believe poor sanitation at the farm led to the outbreak, though the farm has not been named.

While some people support raw milk, including public figures, the FDA continues to warn against it. Since 1987, raw milk has been linked to at least 143 outbreaks in the U.S.

Adults, especially older adults and children, should be cautious and know the risks before drinking raw milk.

Source: nbcnews.com

WEIGHT LOSS

High-fat Diets and Obesity Reshape Star-shaped Cells Called Astrocytes in the Brain’s Striatum That Help Regulate Pleasure From Eating. Modifying These Cells in Mice Not Only Impacted Metabolism but Also Restored Cognitive Abilities Impaired by Obesity, Such as Relearning Tasks

A new study in mice shows that eating a high-fat, high-sugar diet can change the brain and make weight loss harder.

The brain has special star-shaped cells called astrocytes. These cells help control how we feel pleasure from eating. They also affect habits and learning. In this study, mice that ate fatty, sugary foods had changes in their astrocytes. These brain changes made it harder for the mice to learn new tasks. The mice also gained weight and burned fewer calories.

But there’s hope. Scientists used a special tool to “reset” the astrocytes in the mice. After that, the mice were better at learning and their bodies used more fat for energy. This means that fixing these brain cells may help with both brain health and weight loss.

This study shows that a poor diet doesn’t just affect the body — it also affects the brain. It may lead to unhealthy habits and trouble staying focused. These brain changes can make it harder to lose weight and stay mentally sharp.

While the study was in mice, the results are still important. It shows how food choices can change how the brain and body work together. For adults over 45, this is a good reminder that healthy eating supports both the body and the mind.

Choosing better foods may not just help you lose weight — it may also help your brain stay strong as you age.

Source: nature.com

HEALTH

"Prolonged Sitting" Increases the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease, Possibly Due to Preceding Impairments in Cutaneous Vascular Function, Regardless of Ambient Temperature

If you sit for long periods each day, your heart health could be at risk—no matter how warm or cool the room is.

A new study from researchers in Japan found that sitting still for just two hours can reduce blood flow in the skin of your arms. This blood flow, called cutaneous vasodilation, helps regulate body temperature and supports healthy circulation. When it doesn’t work well, it may raise the risk of heart problems.

In the study, 12 young adults sat for two hours under two different room conditions. One setting kept the room at a steady 25°C (77°F). The other changed the room temperature between cold (18°C or 64°F) and hot (35°C or 95°F). Researchers thought that switching temperatures might help keep blood flow working properly.

But it didn’t.

In both settings, sitting still led to poorer blood flow and stronger blood vessel tightening (vasoconstriction). Changing the room temperature didn’t make a difference.

This is important because people in Japan—and many others around the world—spend long hours sitting each day. While it’s known that a sedentary lifestyle raises heart disease risk, this study helps explain part of the reason why: sitting affects the blood vessels in your skin.

The takeaway? Don’t count on temperature changes alone to protect your health. Take breaks, stretch, and move around during the day to support better blood flow and heart health.

Your body needs movement—no matter the weather.

Source: tsukuba.ac.jp

Measuring Insulin Levels in Saliva Offers a Non-invasive Way to Measure Metabolic Health and Can Show Risk of Developing Future Health Concerns, Including Type 2 Diabetes, Obesity, and Heart Disease, Without the Need for Needles or Lab-based Blood Work

A new study shows that checking insulin levels in saliva may be a simple way to catch early signs of health problems like Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. And the best part? No needles or blood tests are needed.

Researchers from UBC Okanagan found that a basic spit test can measure insulin levels. High insulin, even when blood sugar is normal, can be a warning sign of future trouble. This condition, called hyperinsulinemia, often comes years before diabetes is diagnosed.

In the study, 94 healthy adults of different sizes drank a meal-replacement shake. Then, they gave saliva samples and had a finger-prick blood sugar test. People with obesity had much higher insulin in their saliva, even when their blood sugar was the same as others. Some thinner people also showed high insulin, suggesting they may also be at risk.

The researchers found that waist size had the strongest link to high saliva insulin—not age or weight alone. This means a larger waist might be a better warning sign than the number on the scale.

Catching high insulin early can help people make changes—like improving diet and exercise—before serious health issues begin. This new saliva test could become an easy way for doctors to check metabolic health without lab work.

As Dr. Jonathan Little puts it, this test could help “spot problems long before blood sugar levels go up.” That gives people more time to act and stay healthier, longer.

Source: news.ok.ubc.ca

✢ 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.