08/16/24 - #197

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Eating More Processed Red Meat is Linked to an Increased Risk of Dementia, Study Suggests

  • Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro: The Dark Side of Weight-loss Drugs

  • Six Possible Culprits Behind Rising Cancer Rates - and How to Avoid Them in Your Diet

  • Study Suggests That Daily Vinegar Intake Might Help Reduce Depression Symptoms

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Eating More Processed Red Meat is Linked to an Increased Risk of Dementia, Study Suggests

A study at the Alzheimer's Conference in Philadelphia found that eating too much processed red meat, like bacon and hot dogs, can raise the risk of dementia. Researchers followed over 130,000 adults for nearly 43 years. Those who ate processed red meats at least twice a week were 14% more likely to develop dementia than those who ate less.

The study suggests that eating more processed meat can age your brain faster. It affects how you use language and organize your thoughts. But there's good news too. Eating nuts or beans instead of processed meat daily could cut your risk of brain problems by 20%.

Experts explain that eating less processed meat and more vegetables is good for your brain. Processed meats are not only linked to dementia but also to other serious diseases like cancer and heart disease. However, eating unprocessed red meats in moderation doesn't have the same bad effects.

Dr. Uma Naidoo of Massachusetts General Hospital advises eating whole, fresh foods whenever possible. For those who can’t always get fresh foods, canned fish and beans or frozen vegetables are good options. These can be healthy parts of your diet, especially if you choose low-sodium versions.

The study highlights the need to choose your food carefully to keep your brain healthy, especially as you age.

WEIGHT LOSS

Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro: The Dark Side of Weight-loss Drugs

Julie Simonson from Philadelphia used weight-loss drugs like Mounjaro to feel better after gaining weight. She hoped for a fresh start. These drugs, known as GLP-1 agonists, help people lose a lot of weight and are becoming very popular. But after losing weight, Julie noticed something troubling about how people acted around her.

Even though Julie felt healthier, she didn't like the extra attention. People who ignored her before were now praising her just for being thinner. "I'm still the same person," she said, upset that people were focusing on her looks instead of who she really is.

This isn't just Julie's problem. Many people who lose weight with these drugs find that friends and strangers treat them differently, which can be upsetting. Rebecca Puhl, a professor, calls this "residual stigma"—the leftover negative feelings even after someone loses weight. People might still judge you or act weird about how you lost weight.

Lauri Barnes, 59, noticed her own feelings change after she lost weight. She used to feel sorry for others who were heavy, but now she sometimes wonders why they don't seek help.

These stories show how deep the problem of judging people by their weight goes in society. Even when people get healthier, they still face tough situations because of how others see them. We need to work on seeing people for who they are, not just how they look.

HEALTH

Six Possible Culprits Behind Rising Cancer Rates - and How to Avoid Them in Your Diet

Cancer rates among younger adults are climbing, prompting doctors to ask why. More people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s are facing cancer diagnoses than ever before. This rise in cases in younger individuals, who are typically healthier, is puzzling and concerning to medical experts.

Researchers are exploring both how to treat this new wave of patients and why cancer rates are increasing. Six main factors are being scrutinized: gut bacteria, air pollution, microplastics, obesity, alcohol, and ultra-processed foods.

Changes in gut bacteria might be linked to the spike in digestive system cancers. Experts say that disruptions in gut health can increase cancer risk. Charles Swanton, a top doctor at Cancer Research UK, noted that cancers like bowel, pancreas, and stomach are more common in younger people. Bowel cancer rates alone are up 50% since the mid-1990s.

Air pollution and microplastics are also suspects. Inhaling pollutants and microplastics may harm the gut. This could raise cancer risk. Also, ultra-processed foods, high in additives like fructose, may harm DNA and raise cancer risk.

Obesity and alcohol are health risks. They are causing rising cancer rates in young adults. This trend is worrying. It shows we need to better understand the environmental factors at play.

To protect yourself, reduce pollution exposure. Cut down on alcohol and ultra-processed foods. Maintain a healthy weight and focus on gut health. By making these changes, you can help lower your cancer risk.

Study Suggests That Daily Vinegar Intake Might Help Reduce Depression Symptoms

Researchers at Arizona State University found that drinking vinegar every day could help reduce feelings of depression in adults. In their study, some people drank liquid vinegar. Others took a vinegar pill every day for four weeks.

The main goal was to see if vinegar could make people feel less depressed. They used two surveys to measure depression symptoms before and after the study. The results showed that vinegar drinkers felt better than those who took the pill. Those drinking vinegar saw their depression scores drop by 42%. This means they felt less sad.

The study also looked at changes in the body's chemistry. Drinking vinegar seemed to increase levels of nicotinamide, a form of vitamin B3 important for energy and overall health. Higher nicotinamide levels were linked to better moods.

These findings suggest that adding vinegar to your diet might be a simple way to improve your mood, especially if you're feeling down. Vinegar is easy to get and not expensive, making it a practical option for many people.

This research opens the door to more studies on how food affects our feelings. If you're thinking about trying vinegar for better mental health, it's a good idea to talk to a doctor first to make sure it fits into your health plan.

✢ 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.