Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Plant Proteins Are More Effective and Pronounced Than Animal Proteins in Reducing the Rate of Diabetic Kidney Disease Progression, Review Finds

• Obese Adults Randomly Assigned to Intermittent Fasting Did Not Lose Weight Relative to a Control Group Eating Substantially Similar Diets (Calories, Macronutrients)

• Epigenetic Age Acceleration Moderates the Link Between Loneliness and Chronic Health Conditions | a New Study Reports That Loneliness May Accelerate Biological Aging and Exacerbate Chronic Health Conditions in Older Adults

• High Stress During Pregnancy Linked to Elevated Cortisol in Toddlers’ Hair. Cortisol Changes Might Have Negative Costs for the Child, Including Lower Birth Weight and Issues Later in Life, Such as Increased Behavioral Problems and Elevated Risk of Developing Cortisol-associated Health Conditions

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Plant Proteins Are More Effective and Pronounced Than Animal Proteins in Reducing the Rate of Diabetic Kidney Disease Progression, Review Finds

A recent study found that plant proteins are better than animal ones for people with diabetic kidney disease (DKD). This condition is a serious problem for many with diabetes. It damages the kidneys and can lead to early death.

The study shows that proteins from plants help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. These are big factors in making kidney disease worse. Plant proteins, unlike animal proteins, better protect against kidney disease.

The research also suggests that diets rich in whole, minimally processed plant-based foods are especially good. These diets are better for kidney health. They slow the disease more than those high in animal proteins.

This finding is important for people with DKD. It suggests they should consider changing their protein sources as part of their diet. Eating plant proteins, in foods like beans, nuts, and whole grains, may help. It could improve kidney function, slow disease progression, and manage diabetes better.

Eating more plant proteins can make a big difference for those with diabetic kidney disease. Switching to a diet focused on plants instead of animals is a simple change that can help protect the kidneys and improve overall health. This research shows that plant proteins are vital for a healthy diet. They help fight diabetic kidney disease.

Source: sciencedirect.com

WEIGHT LOSS

Obese Adults Randomly Assigned to Intermittent Fasting Did Not Lose Weight Relative to a Control Group Eating Substantially Similar Diets (Calories, Macronutrients)

A recent study tested if intermittent fasting (IF) helps obese adults lose weight without changing their calorie intake. This study, led by Dr. Nisa M Maruthur and her team, compared two groups of adults with obesity. Both groups ate the same calories and nutrients. But, they had different eating schedules.

One group followed an intermittent fasting routine. They ate all their calories in a 10-hour window, finishing by early afternoon. The other group ate their calories over a longer period, with most of their food consumed after 5 p.m. This experiment lasted for 12 weeks.

The results? Both groups lost a small amount of weight, but there was no significant difference between them. The intermittent fasting group lost an average of 2.3 kilograms (about 5 pounds), while the control group lost about 2.6 kilograms (around 5.7 pounds).

These findings suggest that intermittent fasting does not aid weight loss much if total calorie intake is the same. Dr. Maruthur noted, "Our results suggest that, if calorie intake is constant, the timing of eating may not matter for weight loss as much as thought."

This study shows that just changing eating times may not be enough to fight obesity. It must be done without reducing calories. For weight loss, it may be better to focus on calories. It might be more effective than just eating within a specific time window.

Source: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

HEALTH

Epigenetic Age Acceleration Moderates the Link Between Loneliness and Chronic Health Conditions | A New Study Reports That Loneliness May Accelerate Biological Aging and Exacerbate Chronic Health Conditions in Older Adults

Feeling lonely is not just about feeling sad or isolated; it might also speed up aging and lead to more health issues as we grow older.

A recent study in Psychology and Aging found that loneliness speeds up our biological clocks. This process is known as epigenetic age acceleration. It means that even if two people are the same age, the one who feels lonelier might look and be older inside, based on their DNA.

The research used data from a large study in the U.S. that looks at how adults age. It focused on 445 adults between 26 and 86 years old. The researchers measured how lonely the participants felt and looked at their epigenetic age, which shows how old their body seems based on DNA changes.

The results showed that people who felt lonelier also had higher epigenetic ages. Loneliness was linked to more chronic illnesses like heart disease and diabetes over time. People who felt more lonely not only aged faster but also had more health problems.

This study tells us that feeling connected is important for our health. It suggests that dealing with loneliness could help us stay healthier and maybe even live longer.

Despite its limits, the study provides valuable insights. It relied on people to report their own feelings and health. It shows how our social connections affect our aging and health.

Source: psypost.org

High Stress During Pregnancy Linked to Elevated Cortisol in Toddlers’ Hair. Cortisol Changes Might Have Negative Costs for the Child, Including Lower Birth Weight and Issues Later in Life, Such as Increased Behavioral Problems and Elevated Risk of Developing Cortisol-associated Health Conditions

Researchers from Washington University in St. Louis and Dartmouth College found that stress during pregnancy can raise cortisol levels in toddlers' hair. Cortisol is a stress hormone. It suggests that a mother's stress in pregnancy can harm her child's ability to handle stress later in life.

The American Journal of Human Biology published a study on toddlers. Their mothers had high stress or depression during pregnancy. These toddlers showed increased levels of cortisol in their hair. Cortisol in hair provides a way to measure how much stress someone has experienced over time.

Theresa Gildner, a professor at Washington University, said that testing cortisol in hair is simple and painless. It can reveal stress exposure over several months. This method is more comprehensive than blood or saliva tests. Those tests only measure cortisol at a single point in time.

The research highlights the importance of understanding and managing stress in pregnant women. By helping expectant mothers and easing their stress, we may improve health for both mothers and their children.

Some cortisol changes may help a child adapt to early stress. But, they could also cause low birth weight and health issues, like anxiety and weight gain, later in life.

This study involved 46 mothers and 40 toddlers. It shows a need for more research on the long-term effects of prenatal stress.

Source: wustl.edu

✢ 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.