09/29/25 - #488

Good morning. In today’s edition:

• A Low-fat Vegan Diet Supplemented With Soybeans Reduced the Frequency of Severe Hot Flashes by 92% in Postmenopausal Women, Randomized Controlled Trial Finds. The Main Independent Predictor Was Increased Consumption of the Isoflavone Daidzein

• A New Study Suggests That Permanent Standard Time May Reduce Obesity and Stroke

• Pasteurization Completely Inactivates the H5N1 Bird Flu Virus in Milk — Even if Viral Proteins Linger

• PCOS Might Not Be Considered a Women’s Condition for Much Longer

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

A Low-fat Vegan Diet Supplemented With Soybeans Reduced the Frequency of Severe Hot Flashes by 92% in Postmenopausal Women, Randomized Controlled Trial Finds. The Main Independent Predictor Was Increased Consumption of the Isoflavone Daidzein

A new study found that postmenopausal women who ate a low-fat vegan diet with soybeans had 92% fewer severe hot flashes in just 12 weeks.

The study looked at 84 women. Half stayed on their usual diets. The other half followed a low-fat vegan diet and ate ½ cup of cooked soybeans each day. After 12 weeks, the women on the vegan diet lost an average of 3.6 kilograms (about 8 pounds), and their severe hot flashes dropped from 1.3 per day to just 0.1 per day.

Soybeans contain natural plant nutrients called isoflavones. The most important one in this study was daidzein. Women who ate more daidzein had the biggest drop in hot flashes.

Even though the vegan group lost weight, weight loss was not the reason hot flashes improved. The key was eating more daidzein from soy. The other two isoflavones—genistein and glycitein—also helped with weight loss but were not linked as strongly to fewer hot flashes.

The women did not take supplements. They simply ate soybeans as part of their meals. They also kept their exercise and medications the same.

This study suggests that changing your diet—eating more soy and cutting out animal products—may be a natural way to ease hot flashes during menopause.

More research is still needed, but the results are hopeful for women looking for relief without medication.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always talk to your doctor before making any changes to your diet.

Source: maturitas.org

WEIGHT LOSS

A New Study Suggests That Permanent Standard Time May Reduce Obesity and Stroke

Changing the clocks twice a year might do more than mess with sleep. A new study says keeping one time all year—called permanent standard time—could help lower rates of obesity and stroke.

Researchers at Stanford looked at how our body clock reacts to light. This “clock,” called the circadian rhythm, controls sleep, hunger, and energy levels. When we shift the clocks forward or back, it can confuse this system. That may raise the risk of health problems like obesity, stroke, and poor sleep.

Using computer models, the study compared three options: switching clocks twice a year (like we do now), keeping daylight saving time all year, or keeping standard time all year. The results showed permanent standard time led to the best health outcomes.

If the U.S. switched to standard time all year, the study estimates:

• 2.6 million fewer people would be obese

• Over 300,000 fewer people would have strokes

Morning light plays a key role. It helps set the body clock and keeps us in sync with the natural day. Evening light, like during daylight saving time, may throw off that balance.

The study used models, not real-life trials. Still, many sleep experts agree: standard time all year may be better for our health.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always talk to your doctor before making health or lifestyle changes.

Source: scientificamerican.com

HEALTH

Pasteurization Completely Inactivates the H5N1 Bird Flu Virus in Milk — Even if Viral Proteins Linger

A new study shows that pasteurization fully kills the H5N1 bird flu virus in milk. Even though tiny pieces of the virus may still be found, the virus itself is no longer alive or harmful after heating.

Scientists added a high level of H5N1 virus to raw milk to see if pasteurization would work. They heated the milk to 72°C (about 162°F) for 15 to 30 seconds, which is the normal method used to make milk safe. This completely killed the virus.

To test safety, mice drank the pasteurized milk every day for five days. None got sick. Later, when exposed to the live virus, the mice were not more or less likely to survive. This means the leftover viral pieces did not help or harm their immune systems.

Even though tests found bits of the virus—like RNA and a protein called hemagglutinin—these pieces cannot cause illness. Experts say it's like seeing a footprint. Something was there, but it’s gone now.

H5N1 has spread to dairy cows in 17 U.S. states since 2024. Some people have gotten sick, including one death. These cases were linked to wild birds, backyard chickens, or raw milk—not pasteurized milk.

Experts warn that raw milk may still be risky. Home or small farm pasteurization may not meet safety standards. Pasteurized milk sold in stores is safe to drink.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Always talk to your doctor.

Source: sciencenews.org

PCOS Might Not Be Considered a Women’s Condition for Much Longer

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is usually thought of as a women’s condition. It affects about 1 in 10 women of reproductive age and often causes missed periods, acne, weight gain, extra body hair, and trouble getting pregnant. Many women with PCOS have higher levels of male hormones, but they don’t always have ovarian cysts.

Now, doctors say PCOS might be more than just a women’s issue. Research shows that it may also be a metabolic disorder that can affect people of all ages and genders—even men and children.

Men who carry PCOS-related genes may not have hormone problems, but they can have other issues like obesity, insulin resistance, early baldness, and a higher risk for heart disease and diabetes.

Children with a close relative who has PCOS may also show early signs. Girls may grow body hair or start puberty before age 8. Boys may also reach puberty too soon. Kids of both sexes with a high PCOS risk score tend to have more body fat.

There is no test to diagnose PCOS in men or children yet. But doctors are working on tools like polygenic risk scores to find out who may be at risk earlier in life. These scores look at many genes to predict the chances of having a disease.

In time, PCOS may be seen as a lifelong family health issue—not just a women’s condition.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and not medical advice. Always talk to your doctor.

Source: slate.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.