Good morning. In today’s edition:

• The Cost of Living Crisis Could Be the Rebirth of Scurvy, Caused by Vitamin C Deficiency, According to Experts Who Recently Diagnosed a Man With Scurvy in Western Australia, After He Told Them His Financial Troubles Meant He'd Been Eating Few Fruits or Vegetables and Often Skipping Meals Entirely

• Research Found Children Born to Mothers With an Eating Disorder History, Underweight, Overweight or Obesity Were All More Likely to Have Had a Neurodevelopmental or Psychiatric Diagnosis, With the Link Typically Stronger for Eating Disorder History Health

• Standing Desks May Be Bad for Your Health, Study Suggests. Being on Your Feet for More Than Two Hours a Day May Increase the Risk of Developing Problems Such as Deep Vein Thrombosis and Varicose Veins, and Standing for Too Long Does Not Offset an Otherwise Sedentary Lifestyle

• Taking Medicinal Cannabis Oil for Insomnia Does Not Impair Cognition on the Following Day, Finds New Placebo-controlled Study

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

The Cost of Living Crisis Could Be the Rebirth of Scurvy, Caused by Vitamin C Deficiency, According to Experts Who Recently Diagnosed a Man With Scurvy in Western Australia, After He Told Them His Financial Troubles Meant He'd Been Eating Few Fruits or Vegetables and Often Skipping Meals Entirely

Scurvy, a disease known since the Renaissance and famously linked to sailors, is making headlines once again. This time, it's not on the high seas but in Western Australia where a middle-aged man was diagnosed with the condition. The cause? A severe lack of Vitamin C, worsened by poverty, left him unable to eat enough fruits and vegetables. He sometimes even skipped meals.

This man's struggle isn't an isolated incident. Doctors warn that the rising cost of living combined with specific lifestyle choices, such as weight loss surgery and discontinuing nutritional supplements for economic reasons, could lead to a resurgence of scurvy. This disease is easily treatable. But, it is often unrecognized due to its rarity in developed countries.

The man had a painful rash, blood in his urine, and anemia. These symptoms did not initially suggest scurvy to the doctors. Only after extensive testing and learning about his dietary hardships did they conclude the diagnosis. High doses of vitamin C and other supplements quickly cured him. This proves our bodies react, as they did centuries ago, to a lack of essential nutrients.

This case, published in BMJ Case Reports by a team from Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, serves as a grim reminder. Despite advances in medicine and nutrition, financial barriers can still harm health. As the cost of living rises, people may cut back on nutrition. This could lead to a rise in old diseases.

Source: scimex.org

WEIGHT LOSS

Research Found Children Born to Mothers With an Eating Disorder History, Underweight, Overweight or Obesity Were All More Likely to Have Had a Neurodevelopmental or Psychiatric Diagnosis, With the Link Typically Stronger for Eating Disorder History Health

Recent research shows a clear link. A mother's health before and during pregnancy affects her child's later mental health. This study looked at over 392,000 mothers and their 650,000 children. It found that kids born to moms with eating disorders or unhealthy weights were more likely to have mental health issues.

Children whose mothers had eating disorders were at higher risk for problems, like sleep issues and social challenges. This was worse than for kids whose mothers were just under or overweight. This suggests that eating disorders harm children more than just being over or underweight.

Eating disorders can lead to poor nutrition, which is crucial for a baby’s development in the womb. Poor nutrition can harm the baby’s brain development, leading to mental health issues as they grow up. This makes it important for doctors to know about a mother's health history to help prevent these problems in children.

This study shows a need for better care for expectant mothers. They must get the right support and treatment. By taking care of health issues in mothers early, we might help prevent mental health conditions in their children. This research shows the need for healthcare providers to focus on a mother's health. It will help create healthier future generations.

Source: jamanetwork.com

HEALTH

Standing Desks May Be Bad for Your Health, Study Suggests. Being on Your Feet for More Than Two Hours a Day May Increase the Risk of Developing Problems Such as Deep Vein Thrombosis and Varicose Veins, and Standing for Too Long Does Not Offset an Otherwise Sedentary Lifestyle

Standing desks have become popular in offices as a way to avoid sitting all day. But a new study from the University of Sydney suggests they might not be as beneficial as we thought. In fact, standing for more than two hours each day could increase the risk of health issues like deep vein thrombosis and varicose veins.

A UK study of over 80,000 adults found that standing a lot doesn't lower the risk of heart diseases, like stroke and heart failure. It could even lead to other circulation problems. Dr. Matthew Ahmadi from the University of Sydney said that standing is a better option than sitting. But, it doesn't improve heart health. It may worsen circulation issues.

The International Journal of Epidemiology published the findings. They show that replacing sitting with standing isn't enough. It’s important to move around throughout the day. “It's better to mix in some walking or stretching, not just stand all the time,” Dr. Ahmadi advised.

Experts suggest that people who sit or stand for long periods should try to move regularly throughout the day. This can include walking around, using the stairs, or stretching. Emily McGrath, a senior cardiac nurse, stressed the need to stay active. It helps avoid health risks from poor circulation.

In conclusion, standing desks can cut sitting time. But, they aren't a fix for heart health. They may cause other health issues if used too much. Moving around throughout the day is a better strategy for staying healthy.

Source: theguardian.com

Taking Medicinal Cannabis Oil for Insomnia Does Not Impair Cognition on the Following Day, Finds New Placebo-controlled Study

Are you having trouble sleeping? Some folks use medicinal cannabis oil for better sleep. But does it affect your thinking the next day? A recent study has some reassuring news.

Researchers looked at whether cannabis oil taken at bedtime made people groggy the next day. They tested 20 adults with sleep issues. Each person was given either cannabis oil or a placebo, which looks the same but has no active ingredients. The next morning, they took 28 different tests to measure their thinking, attention, and driving skills.

The results? People did almost the same on the tests, whether they took the cannabis oil or the placebo. There was only a tiny difference in one test, but it wasn’t significant.

The study used oil with THC (10 mg) and CBD (200 mg). THC can make you feel high, while CBD doesn’t affect your mind. This combination helped with sleep without making people feel confused or slow the next day.

Remember, the study only tested one type of cannabis product at one dose. Different types or doses might not work the same, especially if used often.

If you're thinking about using cannabis oil for sleep, this study suggests it won’t mess with your mind the next day. Still, talk to your doctor to see what’s best for you.

Source: psypost.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.