Good morning. In today’s edition:

• A Short-term Vegan Diet Has Been Linked With Reductions to Our Biological Age Estimates, Say US Researchers Who Fed 21 Pairs of Twins Either an Omnivorous or Vegan Diet Over 8 Weeks. Those Who Ate Vegan Had Lower Ages to Their Hearts, Hormones, Livers, and Inflammatory and Metabolic Systems

• A Clinical Trial of 1 Month Found That a Whole Food, Plant-based Diet Without Olive Oil Led to Greater Weight Loss and Lower Cholesterol Compared to the Same Diet With 4 Tablespoons of Olive Oil Daily. Both Diets Improved Metabolic Health but Olive Oil Added Extra Saturated Fat Affecting Cholesterol

• Alzheimer’s Blood Test Catches 90% of Early Dementia Cases, Study Finds

• Coffee Hinders Your Brain's Recovery From Sleep Deprivation, Study Warns

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

A Short-term Vegan Diet Has Been Linked With Reductions to Our Biological Age Estimates, Say US Researchers Who Fed 21 Pairs of Twins Either an Omnivorous or Vegan Diet Over 8 Weeks. Those Who Ate Vegan Had Lower Ages to Their Hearts, Hormones, Livers, and Inflammatory and Metabolic Systems

A recent study from the United States suggests that switching to a vegan diet for just eight weeks could make you biologically younger. This study involved 21 pairs of twins. They were split into two groups. One group ate their usual omnivorous diet. The other group adopted a vegan diet. By the end of the study, those on the vegan diet showed signs of younger biological ages.

The study, published in BMC Medicine, was peer-reviewed. It looked at biological age indicators, such as heart, hormone, liver functions, and inflammation and metabolism markers. Researchers found these indicators were lower in those who followed a vegan diet compared to their omnivorous twins.

One key method to measure biological age was DNA methylation. It affects how genes work without changing the DNA itself. Higher levels of DNA methylation have been linked to faster aging.

Interestingly, the study noted that the vegan diet participants lost about two kilograms more than those on the omnivorous diet. This could also affect the results.

The study links diet to biological aging. But, it doesn't prove that veganism causes youthfulness. The researchers have called for further studies to explore the long-term impact of vegan diets on health and aging.

This research was partly funded by the Vogt Foundation. It supports animal protection and plant-based initiatives.

Source: scimex.org

WEIGHT LOSS

A Clinical Trial of 1 Month Found That a Whole Food, Plant-based Diet Without Olive Oil Led to Greater Weight Loss and Lower Cholesterol Compared to the Same Diet With 4 Tablespoons of Olive Oil Daily. Both Diets Improved Metabolic Health but Olive Oil Added Extra Saturated Fat Affecting Cholesterol

A recent study looked at how eating only plant-based foods affects our health. Researchers tested two ways of eating: one was just plants, and the other was plants with four tablespoons of olive oil added each day. Both eating plans lasted for one month.

The results were clear. People who didn't use olive oil lost more weight and had lower cholesterol levels. Cholesterol is a fat in our blood that can cause health problems if there's too much of it. The study found that olive oil, even though it’s often seen as healthy, has a type of fat that can raise cholesterol levels.

Both ways of eating—without and with olive oil—helped improve overall health. This means that eating plant-based is good for you. However, if you want to get the most heart health benefits and manage your weight better, you might want to skip the olive oil.

If you're thinking about changing your diet to eat more plant-based foods, it's a good idea to talk to a doctor first. This is especially important if you have health conditions that your food choices could affect.

This study helps show that for people worried about cholesterol and weight, a plant-based diet without olive oil could be the best choice.

Source: pcrm.org

HEALTH

Alzheimer’s Blood Test Catches 90% of Early Dementia Cases, Study Finds

A new blood test is making waves by diagnosing early Alzheimer’s disease with 90% accuracy. This could be a game changer for spotting the disease early.

Right now, specialists like brain doctors can only diagnose Alzheimer’s correctly 73% of the time, and regular family doctors get it right even less—about 61% of the time. This new test uses special markers in the blood to find the disease better than the old methods.

The test checks for two proteins called p-tau217 and amyloid 42/40. High levels of these proteins usually mean Alzheimer’s is present. The test's reliability was confirmed in a study with over a thousand people, using a spinal fluid test as a comparison.

Dr. Maria Carrillo from the Alzheimer’s Association explained how important this test could be. She said it’s like a cholesterol test but for Alzheimer’s. It could change how quickly we can diagnose Alzheimer’s and help speed up getting new treatments approved.

The test is simple and doesn’t involve any surgery, which means doctors could soon diagnose Alzheimer’s much faster. This could lead to earlier treatment and better care.

Although more research is needed before this test is common, it’s a big step forward in fighting Alzheimer’s. It offers hope to millions of people affected by this tough disease.

Source: edition.cnn.com

Coffee Hinders Your Brain's Recovery From Sleep Deprivation, Study Warns

Many people start their day with coffee. However, a new study suggests that this habit might not help those who aren’t sleeping enough. Researchers in Switzerland and Germany discovered that drinking coffee could make it harder for the brain to fix itself after not getting enough sleep.

The study explains that coffee has caffeine, which stops the brain from feeling sleepy even when it needs rest. This can reduce gray matter in the brain, which is important for memory and thinking clearly.

The research included 36 adults who had their sleep limited in a special study setup. They were divided into two groups: one drank three cups of regular coffee each day, and the other drank decaf. Brain scans showed that the decaf drinkers’ brains adjusted to the lack of sleep by increasing gray matter. However, those who drank caffeinated coffee did not see this improvement.

Since one out of every three adults in the U.S. doesn’t get enough sleep, these findings are important. They suggest that people might need to think about cutting back on coffee if they're already short on sleep. For better health, getting enough sleep and maybe drinking less coffee could be wise choices.

Source: newsweek.com

✢ 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.