09/11/25 - #476

Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Artificial Sugar Alternatives, Such as Sweeteners, May Make Your Brain Age Faster, Study Finds

• Weight Loss Drugs Protect Heart Patients, According to a Study Out of Harvard-affiliated Mass General Brigham

• The Activity Level of Parents Affects the Activity Level of Their Kids: When Parents Sit Too Much, Their Kids Tend to Follow Suit. But if Parents Keep Active, Children Don’t Mirror the Same Sedentary Habits. It Highlights the Power of Parents as Role Models for Healthier Lifestyles

• Teacher’s Depression, Anxiety and Stress at Three Times the National Norm: New Study

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Artificial Sugar Alternatives, Such as Sweeteners, May Make Your Brain Age Faster, Study Finds

A new study suggests that using artificial sweeteners—like those in diet sodas and sugar-free desserts—may make your brain age faster.

Researchers followed nearly 13,000 adults in Brazil for eight years. Most people were around 52 years old. They tested their memory, language, and thinking skills at the start, middle, and end of the study. People who used the most sweeteners had a 62% faster decline in brain function compared to those who used the least. That’s like aging your brain an extra 1.6 years.

The sweeteners studied included aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame-K, erythritol, xylitol, sorbitol, and tagatose. All but tagatose were linked to faster brain decline. The link was stronger in people with diabetes.

Dr. Claudia Suemoto, a study author, said sweeteners are often seen as a healthier option than sugar. But this study shows they may harm brain health over time.

It’s important to know this study does not prove sweeteners cause memory problems. It only shows a link. Also, people reported their own diets, which may not be exact.

For people over 60, no link was found between sweeteners and brain decline.

Some experts are already worried about sweeteners for other reasons, like raising the risk of diabetes and heart disease. Aspartame is even listed as a “possible” cancer risk by a major health agency.

If you want to keep your brain sharp as you age, you may want to limit artificial sweeteners in your diet.

Source: euronews.com

WEIGHT LOSS

Weight Loss Drugs Protect Heart Patients, According to a Study Out of Harvard-affiliated Mass General Brigham

A new study from Harvard’s Mass General Brigham found that two popular weight loss drugs—semaglutide and tirzepatide—may help people with heart problems live longer.

The researchers studied over 90,000 people who had a type of heart failure called HFpEF. In this condition, the heart pumps normally, but the muscle is too stiff to move enough blood. HFpEF is common in people with obesity and Type 2 diabetes.

People who took semaglutide or tirzepatide had over a 40% lower risk of dying or being hospitalized within a year, compared to people who took an older diabetes drug called sitagliptin, which doesn’t help the heart.

These results were based on real-world data, not just small lab studies. That means the drugs worked well for regular people—not just patients in special trials. Both drugs were also found to be safe.

Even though these drugs are not approved to treat heart failure yet, the findings are important. They suggest that medicines used for weight loss and diabetes may also protect the heart.

Researchers hope to learn more about how these drugs help, which patients benefit the most, and if they lower other heart risks too.

If you or someone you love has heart failure, diabetes, or obesity, ask your doctor if these new options might be worth exploring.

Always talk to your healthcare provider before starting or changing any medicine.

Source: news.harvard.edu

HEALTH

The Activity Level of Parents Affects the Activity Level of Their Kids: When Parents Sit Too Much, Their Kids Tend to Follow Suit. But if Parents Keep Active, Children Don’t Mirror the Same Sedentary Habits. It Highlights the Power of Parents as Role Models for Healthier Lifestyles

A new study shows that children copy their parents' habits—especially when it comes to sitting. If parents sit for many hours a day, their kids are more likely to do the same. But when parents are active, kids don’t always copy the movement—but they also don’t copy the sitting.

The study took place in Brazil. Researchers looked at 182 kids between ages 6 and 17 and their parents. Each person wore a small device on their hip for one week. It tracked how long they sat and how much they moved.

Parents were put into two groups: active (150 minutes or more of movement each week) and inactive (less than 150 minutes). The study found that everyone—parents and kids—spent about 8 to 9 hours a day sitting. Children whose parents sat the most were more likely to also sit for long periods.

The connection was strongest between mothers and their children. But when parents were active, kids didn’t copy the sitting habits. This shows that being an active parent may help stop the cycle of too much sitting.

Too much sitting can raise the risk of heart disease, diabetes, weight gain, and other health issues. The good news is that even small changes—like walking more or standing up often—can help.

So if you’re a parent, keep moving. Your kids may not follow every step, but they are watching. And your habits can make a big difference in their health.

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

Source: newatlas.com

Teacher’s Depression, Anxiety and Stress at Three Times the National Norm: New Study

A new study from UNSW Sydney shows that many Australian teachers are facing a serious mental health crisis. Their levels of stress, anxiety, and depression are three times higher than the national average.

Researchers surveyed nearly 5,000 primary and high school teachers. They found that 9 out of 10 teachers had high levels of stress. More than two-thirds showed signs of anxiety and depression. Many also said they are thinking about quitting.

The biggest problem? Too much work. Most teachers said their workload was “unmanageable.” It’s not the teaching that’s the issue. It’s the extra tasks—like paperwork, reports, and meetings—that are taking time away from students.

Dr. Helena Granziera, the lead researcher, said this isn’t just about mental health. It’s also about keeping good teachers in schools. Teachers who feel burned out are more likely to leave.

The study also found that teachers in rural areas and female teachers were more likely to feel depressed or want to quit.

Australia is already facing a teacher shortage. The study warns that without change, the problem will get worse.

To help, experts suggest cutting back non-teaching tasks, checking in on teacher wellbeing, and offering better mental health support.

If we don’t take action, we risk losing more teachers—and that can hurt student learning, too.

Bottom line: Teachers need help. Supporting their mental health is key to strong schools and student success.

Source: unsw.edu.au

✢ 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.