10/14/25 - #499

Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Daily Vitamin B3 Dose Cuts Skin Cancer Risk by Up to 54%: A Common, Over-the-counter Form of Vitamin B3 Has Emerged as an Inexpensive Ally in Protecting Us From Skin Cancer, Lowering the Risk by an Average of 14% and Increasing to a Massive 54% for Anyone Who Has Previously Had a Positive Diagnosis

• Semaglutide: Half of Users Stop Drug Within Year in 'Concerning' Drop Off

• Younger Generations Turning Away From Alcohol at Unprecedented Rates, With Gen Z Driving Cultural Shift. Australian Study Shows Over Course of Their Life, Gen Z Are Nearly 20 Times More Likely to Choose Not to Drink Alcohol Compared to Baby Boomers, Even After Adjusting for Sociodemographic Factors

• Scientists Have Identified Five Sleep Profiles, Each of Which is Linked to Distinct Mental Health Symptoms and Brain Activity Patterns

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Daily Vitamin B3 Dose Cuts Skin Cancer Risk by Up to 54%: A Common, Over-the-counter Form of Vitamin B3 Has Emerged as an Inexpensive Ally in Protecting Us From Skin Cancer, Lowering the Risk by an Average of 14% and Increasing to a Massive 54% for Anyone Who Has Previously Had a Positive Diagnosis

A common form of vitamin B3, called niacinamide, may help lower your risk of skin cancer. It’s sold over the counter and doesn’t need a prescription.

A new study looked at the health records of over 33,000 U.S. veterans. People who took niacinamide (500 mg twice a day for at least a month) had a 14% lower risk of getting non-melanoma skin cancer. For people who had already had skin cancer once, the risk dropped by 54%.

Niacinamide helps the skin repair damage caused by the sun. It may also help prevent the immune system from being weakened by too much sun exposure.

The study found fewer cases of both basal cell and squamous cell cancers, which are the two most common types of skin cancer. The biggest drop was in squamous cell cancer.

Experts say this doesn’t mean you should stop using sunscreen or wearing protective clothing. But for older adults—especially those who’ve had skin cancer before—niacinamide may be a safe and low-cost way to help lower the risk of it coming back.

Earlier studies, including a large trial in Australia, also found that daily niacinamide helped reduce skin cancer risk. However, more research is needed to know how it works in women, younger people, and other racial groups.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always talk to your doctor before starting any supplement or vitamin.

Source: newatlas.com

WEIGHT LOSS

Semaglutide: Half of Users Stop Drug Within Year in 'Concerning' Drop Off

A new study from Denmark shows that over half of adults who start taking semaglutide for weight loss stop using it within one year. This has raised concerns among doctors.

Semaglutide is a drug used under brand names like Ozempic and Wegovy. It was first made for diabetes but also helps with weight loss by lowering appetite. To keep the weight off, people usually need to keep using the drug long-term.

Researchers looked at more than 77,000 adults in Denmark who started taking semaglutide between December 2022 and October 2023. Most were women around age 50. They found that 18% stopped within three months, 31% stopped within six months, and over 50% had stopped by one year.

Younger people were more likely to quit, especially those aged 18 to 29. People living in low-income areas were also more likely to stop. Those with stomach or mental health issues were more likely to stop too. Men were 12% more likely to stop than women.

Some people may stop because of side effects like nausea or because they’re happy with a small amount of weight loss. Others may find the cost too high.

Doctors worry because stopping the drug often leads to gaining the weight back. They say these medicines are not quick fixes and need to be taken long-term to keep working.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always talk to your doctor before starting or stopping any medication.

Source: newsweek.com

HEALTH

Younger Generations Turning Away From Alcohol at Unprecedented Rates, With Gen Z Driving Cultural Shift. Australian Study Shows Over Course of Their Life, Gen Z Are Nearly 20 Times More Likely to Choose Not to Drink Alcohol Compared to Baby Boomers, Even After Adjusting for Sociodemographic Factors

A growing number of young people are choosing to skip alcohol, and the trend is stronger than ever. A major Australian study found that Generation Z—those born between 1997 and 2012—are nearly 20 times more likely to avoid alcohol than Baby Boomers.

The research, led by Flinders University, followed over 23,000 Australians for more than 20 years. It showed that younger generations are drinking less often and in smaller amounts than older generations.

Even during early adulthood—when drinking usually peaks—Gen Z are more likely to say no to alcohol. Millennials are also drinking less than Baby Boomers. While some still binge drink on occasion, their weekly alcohol intake is lower overall.

Experts say this shift could bring big public health benefits over time.

What’s behind the change? Researchers believe it’s a mix of factors. Younger people are more health-conscious, they socialize online more, and they face higher living costs. All of this makes regular drinking less appealing.

The study also showed that the Silent Generation (born before 1946) actually drinks more each week than Baby Boomers, raising concerns for older adults.

Researchers hope these findings will help guide public health efforts. If we can understand why younger people are drinking less, we might encourage similar habits in other age groups.

As one expert put it: Gen Z is reshaping what it means to have fun—and they’re doing it with less alcohol.

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

Source: news.flinders.edu.au

Scientists Have Identified Five Sleep Profiles, Each of Which is Linked to Distinct Mental Health Symptoms and Brain Activity Patterns

Not everyone sleeps the same. A new study from Concordia University found five different types of sleep. Each one affects how you feel, think, and how your brain works.

The researchers looked at sleep surveys, brain scans, and health tests from over 700 adults. They found five sleep profiles:

Type 1: Poor sleep. These people had trouble falling asleep and didn’t feel rested. They also showed more signs of stress, anxiety, and depression. Their brain scans showed problems switching focus between inner thoughts and the outside world.

Type 2: These people had mental health symptoms like inattention, but their sleep was still okay. This shows that not all mental health problems come from bad sleep.

Type 3: People in this group used sleep aids like pills or teas. They had trouble with memory and recognizing emotions. Their brain scans showed changes in areas that control vision, memory, and feelings.

Type 4: These people slept less than 7 hours. They had slower thinking and were more aggressive. Their brain activity showed signs of sleep loss.

Type 5: This group had broken sleep, waking up many times at night. They had worse memory, language skills, and more anxiety and substance use.

This study shows that sleep is about more than just how long you’re in bed. The way you sleep can affect your brain and mood in big ways.

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

Source: newscientist.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.