08/20/24 - #199

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • A New Study Reveals That Ketogenic Low-carbohydrate Diets Can Increase Cholesterol Levels and Reduce Beneficial Gut Bacteria, Specifically Bifidobacterium

  • Weight Loss Journey Complete

  • Research Discovered That Some Tobacco Companies Are Replacing Nicotine in E-cigarettes With Similar Chemicals to Evade Public Health Regulations. These Chemicals, Known as Nicotine Analogs, Have Properties Similar to Nicotine but Their Health Effects Are Unknown

  • An Intriguing Form of Memory Training Reduces Depression Symptoms in Youth | the Findings Suggest That This Type of Cognitive Training Could Help Young People With Depression Recall Specific Memories Better and Reduce Depressive Symptoms Over Time

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

A New Study Reveals That Ketogenic Low-carbohydrate Diets Can Increase Cholesterol Levels and Reduce Beneficial Gut Bacteria, Specifically Bifidobacterium

A study from the University of Bath shows that ketogenic low-carbohydrate diets, often used for losing weight, might increase cholesterol and reduce good gut bacteria, especially Bifidobacterium.

The research, in Cell Reports Medicine, involved 53 healthy adults. They tried three diets over 12 weeks: a normal sugar diet, a low-sugar diet, and a very low-carb ketogenic diet. The ketogenic diet raised LDL cholesterol, the bad kind that can clog arteries. It also increased apolipoprotein B, a protein that can lead to artery blockage.

Moreover, this diet lowered the amount of Bifidobacteria in the gut. These bacteria are important. They help produce vitamins, fight harmful bacteria, and lower cholesterol. The diet's low fiber content, about half of what doctors recommend, likely caused this reduction.

Both the ketogenic and low-sugar diets helped participants lose fat without increasing exercise. However, the ketogenic diet made it harder to process carbs. This could be a problem if it was followed for too long.

Dr. Aaron Hengist, the lead researcher, cited heart risks from higher cholesterol due to the ketogenic diet. Dr. Russell Davies studied gut health. He noted that a drop in Bifidobacteria could harm digestion and weaken the immune system.

The study suggests a low-sugar diet is better than a keto diet for most people. It might be safer, too. More research is needed to fully understand how these diets impact our health.

WEIGHT LOSS

Weight Loss Journey Complete

Meet a father of two who turned his life around after a stern warning from his doctor. For years, he struggled with his weight, peaking at 400 pounds. Simple tasks became monumental efforts; he often had to rest while doing dishes and lacked the energy to play with his children.

Everything changed in January 2021 during a routine check-up. His doctor, after diagnosing him with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and Type II diabetes, gave a grim prognosis. He wouldn't live past his 40s unless he made drastic changes. That was the wake-up call he needed.

The journey wasn’t easy, especially with a deep-rooted sugar addiction. He consumed about 200 grams of sugar daily, fueling his constant tiredness and health issues. But, his determination made him overhaul his diet. He then controlled his cravings by managing portions.

Physical activity became a cornerstone of his transformation. Starting with walks, he progressed to running, swimming, and strength training. He completed a triathlon last summer. He once thought it impossible.

Now, two years later, he has lost 230 pounds, literally half his body weight. This dramatic change isn't just about the numbers on a scale; it's about gaining a new lease on life. His children now emulate his active lifestyle, doing push-ups on their own. He's not just a slimmer man. He's now healthier, more motivated, and sharper. His resilience and commitment to health inspire his family and everyone around him.

HEALTH

Research Discovered That Some Tobacco Companies Are Replacing Nicotine in E-cigarettes With Similar Chemicals to Evade Public Health Regulations. These Chemicals, Known as Nicotine Analogs, Have Properties Similar to Nicotine but Their Health Effects Are Unknown

Researchers at Duke Health have discovered that some e-cigarette makers are using chemicals similar to nicotine, called nicotine analogs, in their products. These chemicals are not well known and their health effects are unclear. This could be a way for companies to avoid strict vaping regulations.

A study by experts from Duke and Yale, published in the journal JAMA, reveals that these chemicals are not clearly listed on the e-cigarette packages. This can deceive consumers who don’t know exactly what they are inhaling.

Sairam V. Jabba, Ph.D., from Duke University, explains, "Federal laws control nicotine products. They forbid selling them to anyone under 21." But these new chemicals aren’t regulated yet, and we don’t know their health impacts.”

The study examined an e-cigarette brand. It claimed to have a high level of 6-methyl nicotine. However, tests showed it has much less than stated. Another brand was found to have low levels of nicotinamide, which is supposed to act like nicotine, but doesn’t.

These findings are concerning because they suggest that e-cigarette companies might be trying to bypass laws meant to protect people, especially youngsters, from smoking risks. We must test these chemicals to ensure they are safe before allowing them on the market.

An Intriguing Form of Memory Training Reduces Depression Symptoms in Youth | the Findings Suggest That This Type of Cognitive Training Could Help Young People With Depression Recall Specific Memories Better and Reduce Depressive Symptoms Over Time

Depression is a big problem for many young people today. A new study in the Journal of Affective Disorders discusses a tool called computerized memory specificity training (c-MeST). It is helpful. This method helps young people remember details of their past. It might reduce their depression over time.

Depression is common among young people. Regular treatments, like therapy or medicine, often don't work as well for them. These young people usually remember things in a general way, not in detail, which can make their depression worse. This makes it hard for them to solve problems, stay connected with friends, and plan for the future.

c-MeST tries to fix this by using a program on mobile devices that asks users to think of detailed memories in response to happy words and pictures. The program tells them how to make their memories clearer.

The study tested c-MeST with 359 young people aged 15 to 25, who were already getting some mental health treatment. Half of them used c-MeST along with their usual treatment. The results showed that these young people could remember more details and felt less depressed after one and six months.

If they stopped the memory exercises, the benefits faded. This suggests they need to use the program regularly. This new method could be a big help, adding to other treatments to make them work better and help young people feel better for a longer time.

✢ 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.