09/02/25 - #469

Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Ultra-processed Foods Harm Men’s Health. They Increase Weight, Disrupt Hormones, Decrease Testosterone, and Introduce Harmful Substances Linked to Declining Sperm Quality. They Contain Industrial and Synthetic Ingredients. This May Be Why Over the Past 50 Years, Sperm Quality Has Plummeted

• Eli Lilly's Obesity Pill Remains a Viable Rival to Novo's Oral Wegovy Despite Data That Underwhelmed Investors

• Abused Women at Increased Risk of Serious Illness. Research Found Women Who Have Experienced Interpersonal Violence and Abuse Are 1.6 Times More Likely to Visit Hospital With Cancer, and Almost Three Times as Likely to Be Hospitalised for Respiratory Diseases

• A New Study Finds That a High-salt Diet Triggers Brain Inflammation That Drives Up Blood Pressure. A Discovery in Rats Challenges Long-held Beliefs About Hypertension and Points to the Brain as a New Treatment Target

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Ultra-processed Foods Harm Men’s Health. They Increase Weight, Disrupt Hormones, Decrease Testosterone, and Introduce Harmful Substances Linked to Declining Sperm Quality. They Contain Industrial and Synthetic Ingredients. This May Be Why Over the Past 50 Years, Sperm Quality Has Plummeted

Over the last 50 years, men’s sperm quality has dropped, while weight and hormone issues have gone up. One major reason? Ultra-processed foods.

A new study found that these foods don’t just add fat—they also disrupt key hormones and lower testosterone. Even when men ate the same number of calories as a healthy diet, they still gained more body fat when eating ultra-processed foods. These foods often include ingredients you wouldn’t recognize from your own kitchen—like artificial flavors, fillers, and chemicals used in packaging.

In the study, 43 men followed both an ultra-processed and a minimally processed diet. Each man ate both diets for three weeks, with a break in between. The calories, fats, carbs, and protein were the same. But on the ultra-processed diet, the men gained about 1 kg of fat. Their hormone levels also dropped—including testosterone and others needed for sperm production.

Worse, these foods introduced higher levels of plastic-related chemicals, like phthalates, into their bodies. These are known to interfere with hormones.

Experts say this shows it’s not just how much we eat—but what we eat—that matters. Even if calories are the same, highly processed foods may still harm your body and reproductive health.

The takeaway? Stick with foods that are close to their natural state—like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fresh meats. Your body—and hormones—will thank you.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Please consult a healthcare provider for personal guidance.

Souce: cbmr.ku.dk

WEIGHT LOSS

Eli Lilly's Obesity Pill Remains a Viable Rival to Novo's Oral Wegovy Despite Data That Underwhelmed Investors

Eli Lilly’s new weight loss pill, called orforglipron, didn’t impress Wall Street when trial results came out. The average weight loss was around 12%, which is lower than what some expected. Novo Nordisk’s oral pill showed better numbers in a different study. Still, experts say Lilly’s pill could be a strong competitor.

Why? Unlike Novo’s pill, Lilly’s doesn’t come with strict food rules. You don’t have to take it on an empty stomach or wait to eat. That’s a big win for busy people. Plus, orforglipron is easier to make and may cost less.

Both drugs work the same way—they copy a gut hormone called GLP-1, which helps curb hunger and control blood sugar. But Lilly’s pill is made differently, using small molecules instead of peptides. That makes it easier to produce on a large scale.

Side effects like nausea and vomiting were common in both pills, but experts say the risks are mild and similar between them. Insurance coverage and final pricing are still unknown, but cost will be a big factor in who wins the race.

Even if Novo’s pill gets approved first, analysts believe Lilly’s drug could dominate in the long run. They expect daily pills to become a $22 billion market by 2030—and Lilly may grab the largest share.

Bottom line: While Eli Lilly’s results didn’t wow investors, its daily pill could still play a major role in the future of weight loss treatments.

Source: cnbc.com

HEALTH

Abused Women at Increased Risk of Serious Illness. Research Found Women Who Have Experienced Interpersonal Violence and Abuse Are 1.6 Times More Likely to Visit Hospital With Cancer, and Almost Three Times as Likely to Be Hospitalised for Respiratory Diseases

Women who have experienced abuse are more likely to face serious health problems later in life, according to a large New Zealand study. The research found that women who went through sexual abuse in childhood or different types of violence from partners were:

• 1.6 times more likely to visit the hospital for cancer

• Nearly 3 times more likely to be hospitalized for lung or breathing problems

• Twice as likely to be hospitalized for pregnancy issues

• 1.6 times more likely to have digestive problems

• 1.5 times more likely to be hospitalized for injuries

About two-thirds of New Zealand women have faced some form of violence or abuse. The study looked at the hospital records of over 1,000 women over 31 years, comparing them with their personal histories of abuse.

Men in the study were also affected by violence. Over two-thirds had experienced it, often from other men. Men who were sexually abused as children were seven times more likely to have nervous system problems.

Professor Janet Fanslow, who led the study, says these findings show that violence is not just a personal issue—it’s a public health problem. She calls for better screening in hospitals and stronger prevention programs. Helping people build healthy relationships and giving support early on can lead to better health—and reduce costs to the healthcare system.

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, there are support services available to help.

Source: auckland.ac.nz

A New Study Finds That a High-salt Diet Triggers Brain Inflammation That Drives Up Blood Pressure. A Discovery in Rats Challenges Long-held Beliefs About Hypertension and Points to the Brain as a New Treatment Target

A new study shows that eating too much salt may raise blood pressure by causing swelling in the brain.

Researchers at McGill University found that rats fed a salty diet had brain inflammation. This triggered a hormone called vasopressin, which made their blood pressure go up. This is important because high blood pressure has long been linked to the kidneys—not the brain.

The rats were given water with 2% salt, like what a person might get from eating lots of fast food, bacon, instant noodles, or processed cheese. The salt affected a part of the brain that helps control blood pressure.

The scientists used new brain imaging tools to watch these changes happen in real time. They believe the same process could happen in people, especially since rats handle salt and water like humans do.

This study is big news because high blood pressure affects about two-thirds of people over 60. It raises the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other serious problems. About one-third of patients don’t respond well to common treatments. These often target the kidneys or blood vessels, not the brain.

“This shows high blood pressure may also start in the brain,” said lead researcher Dr. Masha Prager-Khoutorsky.

While more studies in humans are needed, this research gives hope for new treatments—and it’s one more reason to cut back on salty foods.

Disclaimer: This article is for information only and does not give medical advice.

Source: mcgill.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.