Good morning. In today’s edition:

• California Bans Additives Found in Flamin' Hot Cheetos, Twinkies From Schools

• Weight-loss Drugs ‘Slow Down the Ageing Process’, Scientists Suggest | Semaglutide – Contained in Ozempic and Wegovy – Has ‘Far-reaching Benefits’, With People Dying at Lower Rate From All Causes

• UK Researchers Find Alzheimer’s-like Brain Changes in Long COVID Patients

• Catching Up on Sleep at Weekends May Lower Heart Disease Risk by 19%

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

California Bans Additives Found in Flamin' Hot Cheetos, Twinkies From Schools

California lawmakers will ban some chemicals in school foods. They can cause behavior problems. These chemicals are found in popular snacks like Flamin' Hot Cheetos and Twinkies. These snacks can still be bought in stores. But, they won't be served in schools after December 31, 2027, due to the new California School Food Safety Act.

The banned chemicals include food dyes such as Blue 1, Red 40, and Yellow 5. These dyes are used to make snacks like Doritos and Froot Loops look more colorful. Some of these dyes have been linked to health risks. For example, Red 3 has been shown to cause cancer in animals, and other dyes contain benzidine, a substance that can increase the risk of cancer.

California Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, who wrote the bill, stressed its importance. He said, "As a lawmaker, a parent, and someone with ADHD, I believe it's wrong to serve foods in schools that can worsen hyperactivity and other behavior problems."

This law could lead to changes in how food companies make and advertise their products to children all over the country. State Superintendent Tony Thurmond supports the bill. He says it will ensure school meals are safe and healthy. This helps students learn better and ensures all schools are safe and fair places to learn.

Source: cbsnews.com

WEIGHT LOSS

Weight-loss Drugs ‘Slow Down the Ageing Process’, Scientists Suggest | Semaglutide – Contained in Ozempic and Wegovy – Has ‘Far-reaching Benefits’, With People Dying at Lower Rate From All Causes

Recent research shows that some weight-loss drugs might help slow aging. This exciting discovery was shared at a health conference in London.

The drug semaglutide, in Ozempic and Wegovy, helps the overweight and those with heart issues. But new studies suggest it could do more. Researchers found that semaglutide users had a lower risk of death from any cause, not just heart issues.

Professor Harlan Krumholz of Yale said, "It's not just preventing heart attacks." These drugs also improve health. They might help slow aging."

The study involved over 17,000 people, aged 45 and older. They were overweight, had heart disease, but no diabetes. They received semaglutide or a placebo and were monitored for more than three years.

During the study, 833 participants passed away. Of these, 58% died from heart issues, and 42% died from other causes like infections. Interestingly, those who took semaglutide were less likely to die from infections compared to those on the placebo.

Benjamin Scirica, a Harvard professor and study leader, said, "These findings are surprising. They confirm that managing obesity can cut death risks from various conditions."

This research suggests that weight-loss drugs could extend life. They might also improve its quality by reducing health risks.

Source: theguardian.com

HEALTH

UK Researchers Find Alzheimer’s-like Brain Changes in Long COVID Patients

At the University of Kentucky, researchers found something interesting. Some people with long COVID have brain changes like those seen in Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Yang Jiang and her team found that "brain fog" in many COVID-19 survivors is similar to early Alzheimer's symptoms. These include forgetfulness, confusion, and trouble concentrating.

The study suggests that both long COVID and Alzheimer’s might affect the brain in similar ways. This includes causing inflammation and changing how the brain works. Dr. Jiang stresses that COVID-19 can harm the brain long after the illness. "People don't usually link COVID-19 with Alzheimer's. But, our findings suggest a connection," she explained.

The researchers advocate for regular checks on brain health. They recommend using EEG, a simple test that measures brain activity, to spot these changes early.

This discovery deepens our understanding of long COVID. It also opens new paths for Alzheimer's research. It offers hope for better ways to diagnose and treat both conditions. The team believes that, by studying the brain's changes in these conditions, they can help prevent memory problems and confusion linked to them.

By learning more about these brain changes, healthcare providers might catch them early. They could then start treatments sooner. This might slow or stop cognitive decline.

Source: uknow.uky.edu

Catching Up on Sleep at Weekends May Lower Heart Disease Risk by 19%

Have you ever thought that sleeping in on the weekend might be good for your heart? New research shows that those extra sleep hours could lower your risk of heart disease by nearly 20%.

The study, shared at a heart health conference, looked at data from over 90,000 adults. Researchers found that people who slept more on weekends were much less likely to get heart disease compared to those who didn’t.

Many adults don’t get the recommended seven hours of sleep each night. This study focused on those who often sleep less than that. It turned out that people who caught up on sleep the most during the weekends had a 19% lower risk of heart disease.

Professor Yanjun Song, who led the study, says that enough sleep on weekends can reduce heart disease risk. This is especially true for those who don't sleep enough during the week.

Professor James Leiper of the British Heart Foundation adds that while sleeping more on weekends isn’t the same as getting good sleep every night, it might help lower the risk of heart disease.

So, the next time you decide to sleep in on a Saturday, remember it might be helping your heart. Sleeping extra on weekends isn’t a fix for poor sleep during the week, but it could be a step toward a healthier heart.

Source: theguardian.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.