Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Replacing Cow’s Milk With Soymilk (Including Sweetened Soymilk) Does Not Adversely Affect Established Cardiometabolic Risk Factors and May Result in Advantages for Blood Lipids, Blood Pressure, and Inflammation in Adults With a Mix of Health Statuses, Systematic Review Finds

• Research Shows That One Kind of Belly Fat Can Be Healthier Than Others: People With Obesity Who Get Regular Aerobic Exercise Have Healthier Belly Fat Tissue — Specifically, That Subcutaneous Fat Stored Just Beneath the Skin — Than Nonexercisers With Obesity

• Black Women Have Higher Risk of Death From All Types of Breast Cancer, Study Finds

• Mental Health Concerns Are Second Only to Musculoskeletal Complaints for Patients Visiting Primary Care Physicians, Finds New Study of 350 Million Primary Care Visits. Depression, Sleep Disturbance, Stress and Anxiety, Memory Problems and Substance Abuse Led the List

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Replacing Cow’s Milk With Soymilk (Including Sweetened Soymilk) Does Not Adversely Affect Established Cardiometabolic Risk Factors and May Result in Advantages for Blood Lipids, Blood Pressure, and Inflammation in Adults With a Mix of Health Statuses, Systematic Review Finds

Thinking about switching from cow's milk to soymilk? Good news! A recent study shows that using soymilk instead of cow’s milk doesn’t hurt important health markers like blood lipids, blood pressure, or inflammation. In fact, it might even help.

The study focused on adults with different health conditions and observed them for several weeks. It found that soymilk helped lower bad cholesterol (non-HDL-C) and blood pressure moderately. It also slightly reduced LDL cholesterol (the bad type) and C-reactive protein, which shows inflammation in the body. Plus, soymilk drinkers saw a tiny increase in HDL cholesterol (the good type).

The study also found that it didn’t matter if the soymilk was sweetened or not. This means the added sugar in soymilk, which makes it as sweet as cow's milk, doesn’t take away its health benefits.

Why think about soymilk? It's a plant-based choice that fits with advice to eat more plant-based foods for better health and a better environment. Also, even though soymilk is called an ultra-processed food, this study suggests that label might be misleading when we think about its effects on health.

For those looking to manage their health or make smarter food choices, soymilk is a good option. It’s great for those who are lactose intolerant, follow a vegan diet, or just want to try something new. Give soymilk a try!

Source: bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com

WEIGHT LOSS

Research Shows That One Kind of Belly Fat Can Be Healthier Than Others: People With Obesity Who Get Regular Aerobic Exercise Have Healthier Belly Fat Tissue — Specifically, That Subcutaneous Fat Stored Just Beneath the Skin — Than Nonexercisers With Obesity

Many people think all belly fat is bad, but new research says some belly fat can actually be good if you exercise. Jeffrey Horowitz, a professor at the University of Michigan, found that people with obesity who exercise often have healthier belly fat. This good fat lies just under the skin. It's better than the kind deep inside the belly, which can cause health problems.

The study looked at 32 people, half of whom exercised regularly, about four times a week for many years. The other half didn't exercise much. The researchers took fat samples from their bellies to see the differences. They found that the exercisers had softer, more flexible fat that could expand. This kind of fat is good because it means the body can store fat safely under the skin instead of around organs.

Also, the fat from exercisers had less inflammation and more blood vessels. This shows their bodies used fat better. It lowered their risk of diseases like heart disease and diabetes. Regular exercisers also had better insulin levels, which helps prevent diabetes.

Dr. Jaime Almandoz, who was not part of the study, said, "These results show that exercising can make your fat healthier, which is great for your overall health."

This study teaches us that not all body fat is the same, and staying active can make a big difference in how healthy your fat is.

Source: nbcnews.com

HEALTH

Black Women Have Higher Risk of Death From All Types of Breast Cancer, Study Finds

Recent research shows that Black women are 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than White women. This is true for all types of the disease.

The Journal of Clinical Oncology shared a study. It looked at data from 18 studies with 228,885 breast cancer cases. Of those, 34,262 were Black women. It found that Black women have a higher chance of dying from every kind of breast tumor. The difference in risk varies from 17% to 50% depending on the type of cancer.

Paulette Chandler from Brigham and Women's Hospital points out that this problem isn't just about biology. Systemic racism, which includes things like unequal social conditions, late diagnoses, and poor access to good cancer care, plays a big part.

Erica Warner from Massachusetts General Hospital says we need to make changes at many levels—from communities to healthcare systems and doctors—to improve things.

Spring Williams, a patient, feels sad about these findings but also hopeful for better future changes. "It makes me sad, but it also makes me hopeful that things will change," she says.

Breast surgeon Dr. Monique Gary notes, "Bias is everywhere. We need to do a better job at treating all women equally."

This study highlights the need for major changes to make sure all women get the care they need.

Source: cbsnews.com

Mental Health Concerns Are Second Only to Musculoskeletal Complaints for Patients Visiting Primary Care Physicians, Finds New Study of 350 Million Primary Care Visits. Depression, Sleep Disturbance, Stress and Anxiety, Memory Problems and Substance Abuse Led the List

A recent study looked at over 350 million times people went to their family doctor in Norway from 2006 to 2019. It found that depression and anxiety are common reasons to see a doctor. They are second only to joint and muscle problems.

Avshalom Caspi, a researcher from Duke University, led the study. He says family doctors are often the first people to help with mental health problems. "These doctors see a lot of patients, not just for physical illnesses but for mental health issues too," Caspi explains.

The study shows that mental health problems are as common as heart or breathing issues in these visits. Especially in people in their 40s, one out of five comes in for mental health.

Common problems include feeling sad, worried, having trouble sleeping, or remembering things. Sometimes, patients need more help for serious issues.

Experts like Dr. Damon Tweedy say that family doctors need better support to help with mental health. They suggest having mental health experts right in the doctor's office so patients can get help quickly and easily.

Caspi encourages everyone to talk to their doctor about any mental health worries. "Don’t be shy," he says. "Your doctor is there to help with these things too, and talking about it is the first step to getting better."

Source: today.duke.edu

✢ 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.