09/10/24 - #214

Good morning. In today’s edition:

• More Than Half of the Global Population Consumes Inadequate Levels of Several Micronutrients Essential to Health, Including Calcium, Iron, and Vitamins C and E, According to a New Study

• An Obesity Drug Prevents Covid Deaths, Study Suggests

• Autistic Adults Exhibit Unique Strengths in Mental Imagery, Study Finds

• Scientists Have Been Able to Diagnose Anxiety and Depression by Monitoring Pulse Rates. It Turns Out That Under Mental Stress, the Heart Rate of Individuals Prone to Mental Disorders Differs From That of Healthy Individuals, Especially When Performing Tasks of Increased Difficulty

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

More Than Half of the Global Population Consumes Inadequate Levels of Several Micronutrients Essential to Health, Including Calcium, Iron, and Vitamins C and E, According to a New Study

A new study shows that over half of the world isn't getting enough essential nutrients. They include calcium, iron, and vitamins C and E. These micronutrients are vital for health. A deficiency can lead to serious health problems.

Researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and others conducted a study. It looked at nutrient intake across 185 countries. It found many people are lacking in 15 key vitamins and minerals. They fall short of the recommended amounts. For example, 68% of people aren’t getting enough iodine, 67% lack vitamin E, and 66% are low on calcium. Iron deficiency affects 65% of the global population.

This study also revealed that women often lack iron and iodine. Men are more likely to be low in calcium and vitamin C. The situation is especially bad for people aged 10-30 in South and East Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and parts of North America and Europe.

These findings highlight the need for better dietary strategies worldwide. As Ty Beal from the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition said, “Most people—even more than previously thought—are not consuming enough of multiple essential micronutrients.” This can greatly affect health and quality of life. But, with the right actions, we can close these gaps and improve global health.

Source: hsph.harvard.edu

WEIGHT LOSS

An Obesity Drug Prevents Covid Deaths, Study Suggests

A new study has found something interesting about the obesity drug Wegovy: it might help save lives from Covid-19. The study included many people. It showed that those taking Wegovy were 33% less likely to die from Covid-19. They caught the virus as often as others.

Dr. Jeremy Faust, an emergency room doctor, was surprised by these results. He pointed out that the study was well-done and gives strong proof of Wegovy’s effects. Dr. Harlan Krumholz, a heart doctor and editor of the journal publishing the study, also praised the quality of the evidence.

The study originally wanted to see if Wegovy could prevent heart disease deaths. But when Covid-19 hit, researchers saw a chance to learn if it could also lower the risk of dying from the virus. They had to change how they ran the study due to the pandemic. They had to ensure safety and deliver medicine without direct contact.

Out of more than 4,000 people in the study who got Covid, fewer died among those who took Wegovy compared to those who didn’t. This suggests that Wegovy might do more than just help with weight; it could also protect against serious health problems.

The results have excited the medical community, leading to calls for more research into how this type of drug can help with other diseases, too.

Source: nytimes.com

HEALTH

Autistic Adults Exhibit Unique Strengths in Mental Imagery, Study Finds

A new study found that adults with autism have special skills in mental imagery. This is the ability to picture things in the mind without seeing them. This skill is important for remembering things and making decisions. Researchers wanted to see if people with autism, who often see the world differently, might be better at this.

The study was led by Clara Bled from Université Toulouse Jean Jaurès in France. It included 44 autistic adults and 42 non-autistic adults. They took part in tests to measure different ways of using mental imagery.

In one test, participants had to remember and redraw a pattern they saw briefly. Autistic adults did much better, showing they can keep clearer mental images than others. Another test checked how quickly people could mentally find a point they had seen before. Autistic participants were quick, no matter how far the point was, while others were slower if the point was farther away.

However, both groups were the same at creating images in their minds and rotating them.

These results suggest that autistic adults might process visuals uniquely. This may lead to clearer, more accurate mental images. The study didn't cover all types of autism. But, it provides key insights into the strengths of autistic individuals.

Source: psypost.org

Scientists Have Been Able to Diagnose Anxiety and Depression by Monitoring Pulse Rates. It Turns Out That Under Mental Stress, the Heart Rate of Individuals Prone to Mental Disorders Differs From That of Healthy Individuals, Especially When Performing Tasks of Increased Difficulty

Scientists have found a new way to understand stress and anxiety. They looked at heart rates to study depression. When we face tough tasks, our heart rate can show if we might have mental health issues.

Researchers from HSE University in Moscow studied how the heart behaves under stress. They used tools called ECG and PPG to check the heart rates of people doing hard tasks. ECG stands for Electrocardiogram. PPG stands for Photoplethysmogram. They learned that people who might get anxiety or depression have different heart rates compared to those who don't.

They worked with 90 people, some healthy and some with different mental conditions. As these people did harder tasks, their heart rates were tracked. The scientists found that changes in heart rate were linked to signs of anxiety and depression.

This could help doctors spot and treat mental health issues sooner. Imagine wearing a device that watches your heart rate and tells you if you're too stressed or starting to have mental health problems.

This study shows that our bodies give clues about our mental health through heart rate. It could lead to new ways to check on our mental health more easily and give us personalized help. This is important for managing our mental well-being, especially as we get older.

Source: frontiersin.org

✢ 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.