10/07/25 - #494

Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Plant-based Diets Are Associated With Favorable Reductions in Systemic Inflammatory Biomarkers in Adults, Supporting Their Potential as a Non-pharmacological Strategy for Reducing Inflammation, Systematic Review Finds

• U.S. Rural Obesity Rates Exceeded Urban Obesity Rates From 2019 to 2024

• The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine is Protecting Women From the Cervical cancer causing Virus — Including Those Who Don’t Get the Jab. Depending on Which Vaccine They Received, HPV Infections Fell by 76% to 98% Over 17 Years Among Vaccinated Women

• People Who Sleep Poorly Are More Likely Than Others to Have Brains That Appear Older Than They Actually Are, According to a Comprehensive Brain Imaging Study. Increased Inflammation in the Body May Partly Explain the Association

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Plant-based Diets Are Associated With Favorable Reductions in Systemic Inflammatory Biomarkers in Adults, Supporting Their Potential as a Non-pharmacological Strategy for Reducing Inflammation, Systematic Review Finds

A new study shows that eating a plant-based diet may help reduce inflammation in the body. Inflammation is linked to many long-term health problems, like heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis.

Researchers reviewed eight studies with more than 1,800 adults. These studies looked at how plant-based diets affect three key signs of inflammation: C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α).

Most of the studies found that people who ate mostly plant-based foods had lower levels of these markers. A plant-based diet includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, and seeds. People who followed this way of eating had better results than those who ate regular or meat-heavy diets.

This means that a plant-based diet could be a simple, natural way to help lower inflammation. It might also lower the risk of getting serious diseases over time. While medicines can help, changing your diet may be another useful option.

However, scientists say more research is needed. Larger and longer studies will help us better understand how plant-based diets affect the body.

If you're looking for ways to improve your health, adding more plant foods to your meals could be a smart step.

Disclaimer: Talk to your doctor before making big changes to your diet.

Source: insightsjlss.com

WEIGHT LOSS

U.S. Rural Obesity Rates Exceeded Urban Obesity Rates From 2019 to 2024

From 2019 to 2024, more adults in rural areas of the U.S. had obesity compared to those in cities, according to a new government report.

Obesity means having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. People with obesity are more likely to have health problems like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers.

Between March 2022 and March 2024, the U.S. obesity rate dropped slightly—from 43.3% to 43.1%. But most Americans (over 80%) live in cities, so the overall number mainly reflects urban areas.

In rural areas, obesity went up from 47.8% to 48.3%. In cities, it dropped a little from 42.4% to 42.1%. This shows a growing gap between rural and urban communities.

Experts think this difference may be due to fewer grocery stores, fewer places to exercise, and other lifestyle factors in rural areas. Obesity can lower quality of life, shorten lifespan, and lead to higher medical costs. It also affects work performance and the economy in local areas.

This information comes from a 2025 report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It shows that where people live can affect their health—and that more support may be needed in rural areas to improve access to healthy food, exercise options, and healthcare.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. Please talk to your doctor before making any changes to your diet, exercise, or health plan.

Source: ers.usda.gov

HEALTH

The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine is Protecting Women From the Cervical cancer causing Virus — Including Those Who Don’t Get the Jab. Depending on Which Vaccine They Received, HPV Infections Fell by 76% to 98% Over 17 Years Among Vaccinated Women

A new 17-year study shows that the HPV vaccine is doing more than just protecting the women who get it — it’s also helping those who don’t.

Researchers followed over 2,300 women, ages 13 to 26, from 2006 to 2023. Many had higher risks for HPV due to their sexual history. The results were striking: Infections from the cancer-causing HPV types dropped by 76% to 98% in vaccinated women, depending on which vaccine they received.

But here’s the big surprise — unvaccinated women also saw fewer infections. This is thanks to herd immunity: when enough people are vaccinated, it helps slow the spread of the virus to everyone.

HPV (human papillomavirus) is the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide. It causes most cases of cervical cancer, as well as some head, neck, and other genital cancers in both men and women. Each year, HPV is linked to over 690,000 new cancer cases globally.

As more people — including boys — get vaccinated, infection rates go down across entire communities. In fact, the more complete the coverage, the bigger the drop in cancer risk.

Today, in countries like the U.S. with widespread HPV vaccine programs, cervical cancer rates are already falling. But globally, only 27% of girls have had even one dose.

Experts say increasing vaccine access could help wipe out cervical cancer worldwide — a true public health success.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not offer medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Source: eurekalert.org

People Who Sleep Poorly Are More Likely Than Others to Have Brains That Appear Older Than They Actually Are, According to a Comprehensive Brain Imaging Study. Increased Inflammation in the Body May Partly Explain the Association

Not sleeping well might make your brain age faster, according to a large study from Sweden’s Karolinska Institutet. Researchers looked at brain scans from over 27,000 middle-aged and older adults. They found that people who slept poorly had brains that looked older than their actual age.

The study measured brain age using MRI scans and computer programs. People answered questions about their sleep, such as how long they sleep, if they snore, and how sleepy they feel during the day. Based on this, they were given a sleep score. A lower score meant worse sleep. For each 1-point drop in the sleep score, the brain looked about six months older. People with the lowest scores had brains that looked about one year older than their real age.

One reason for this may be inflammation. Poor sleep can increase low levels of inflammation in the body. This may harm the brain over time. The study found that inflammation explained about 10% of the link between poor sleep and older-looking brains.

Other possible causes include poor heart health or less brain cleaning during sleep. Our brains remove waste while we sleep, so bad sleep may hurt this process.

The good news: sleep is something we can improve. Better sleep could help keep your brain younger and healthier as you age.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Please talk to your doctor about any health concerns.

Source: news.ki.se

✢ 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.