Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Researchers Find 60% of Infant and Toddler Foods Sold in US Do Not Meet Desired Nutritional Standards

• Study Identified Key Factors That Can Impact the Long-term Weight Loss of Patients With Obesity Who Were Prescribed Injectable Semaglutide or Liraglutide for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes or Obesity

• Men Have a Biological Clock Too. Here’s What’s More Likely When Dads Are Over 50

• Some People Claim Taping Your Mouth Shut Helps You Sleep Better—but What Are the Risks?

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Researchers Find 60% of Infant and Toddler Foods Sold in US Do Not Meet Desired Nutritional Standards

Researchers at the George Institute for Global Health found that 60% of pre-packaged baby and toddler foods in the US don't meet the nutrition guidelines set by the World Health Organization. This study shows that many foods for the littlest eaters aren't as healthy as they should be.

The team looked at 651 food products from eight major US supermarkets. They found that many of these foods were low in protein, too sugary, or had the wrong calories. For example, 70% of the foods were low in protein, 44% had too much sugar, and 25% had too few or too many calories.

Also, food pouches, which are easy for kids to use by themselves, often had too much sugar. In fact, only 7% of these pouches had a sugar amount that's okay by health standards.

The study also found a lot of mistakes on the food labels. Almost all the products had at least one wrong claim about what's inside, and some had as many as 11 false claims.

This research started due to a rise in parents buying these foods. There are no specific US rules on what must be in baby and toddler foods. The findings highlight the need for better rules and clearer labels so parents can make healthier choices for their kids.

Source: medicalxpress.com

WEIGHT LOSS

Study Identified Key Factors That Can Impact the Long-term Weight Loss of Patients With Obesity Who Were Prescribed Injectable Semaglutide or Liraglutide for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes or Obesity

A new study from the Cleveland Clinic shows what affects weight loss for people using obesity medications semaglutide and liraglutide. These drugs lower blood sugar and aid weight loss. The study found why some people see better results.

Researchers studied data from 3,389 adults. They had begun using these medications between 2015 and 2022. They found that several things matter when it comes to how much weight people can lose:

• Type of medication: Semaglutide users often lost more weight than liraglutide users.

• Dosage level: Higher doses helped people lose more weight.

• Reason for using the medication: People taking the medication just for obesity lost more weight than those taking it for diabetes.

• Medication adherence: People who took their meds regularly for a year lost more weight.

About 40% of the patients kept up with their medication for a year. Those who were consistent and used semaglutide for obesity saw the most weight loss, with an average decrease of 12.9% in their body weight.

The study also showed that losing 10% or more of your body weight can really improve your health. Dr. Hamlet Gasoyan, who led the study, says these results help. They help doctors and patients understand how these medications work. They also show the importance of taking them regularly.

Source: newsroom.clevelandclinic.org

HEALTH

Men Have a Biological Clock Too. Here’s What’s More Likely When Dads Are Over 50

We often hear about how age affects women’s fertility, but it’s important to know that men face similar issues. New studies show that men over 50 may see more risks when they become fathers.

Research that looked at over 46 million births in the U.S. from 2011 to 2022 found that babies of fathers in their 50s are more likely to be born too early or with low weight. The mothers are also more likely to develop diabetes during pregnancy.

As men get older, their sperm quality goes down. This means their partners might take longer to get pregnant. Women trying to have a baby with men aged 45 and older are almost five times more likely to take over a year to conceive compared to those with partners 25 or younger. Older dads often need help from technologies like IVF to have a baby.

Older fathers can also affect their children’s health. Kids of older dads have a higher chance of having serious health issues like autism and schizophrenia.

Even though there are risks, many children of older fathers are healthy. Men can improve their chances of having healthy kids by living healthier lives. This includes eating right, not smoking, and not drinking too much alcohol.

It’s good for men to understand their biological clock. This knowledge can help them plan better for fatherhood and take steps to give their children a healthy start.

Source: english.elpais.com

Some People Claim Taping Your Mouth Shut Helps You Sleep Better—but What Are the Risks?

Recently, many people have been talking about a new sleep trick: mouth taping. It’s supposed to stop snoring, prevent dry mouth, and help you sleep better. But is it safe?

Mouth taping means using special tape to keep your lips closed while you sleep. This makes you breathe through your nose instead. Olivia Tennison, who shares tips online, loves it. She says it stopped her dry mouth and helped her sleep all night. Her video about it got millions of views, and now more people want to try it.

A survey found that more than 200 adults tried mouth taping to stop snoring and even change how their face looks. Some believe it can make the jawline look better and reduce a double chin.

However, experts like Indira Gurubhagavatula, a sleep doctor, warn that it could be risky. People with lung problems or sleep apnea should be careful because it might make it hard to breathe. Although a study showed it might help with snoring, the risks might not be worth it.

The tape could also irritate your skin or be painful to take off. On the plus side, breathing through your nose is good for you. It filters and warms the air you breathe.

Doctors say if you want to try mouth taping, you should talk to a sleep specialist first. Also, remember good sleep habits, like sticking to a bedtime routine and avoiding screens before bed, are important too.

Source: nationalgeographic.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.