Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Researchers Have Discovered the Mechanism Linking the Overconsumption of Red Meat With Colorectal Cancer, as Well as Identifying a Means of Interfering With the Mechanism as a New Treatment Strategy for This Kind of Cancer

• FDA Says This Weight Loss Drug Shortage is Over, but Patients Worry About Cost and Availability

• Approximately 71 to 95 Million People in the Lower 48 States – More Than 20% of the Country’s Population – May Rely on Groundwater That Contains Detectable Concentrations of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, Also Known as PFAS, for Their Drinking Water Supplies, U.S Geological Survey Study Finds

• Poor Sleep in Your 40s Could Make Your Brain Age Faster, New Research Suggests | the Findings Add to a Growing Body of Evidence That Sleep Quality is Closely Linked to Cognitive Health, Emphasizing the Need to Address Sleep Issues Early in Life

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Researchers Have Discovered the Mechanism Linking the Overconsumption of Red Meat With Colorectal Cancer, as Well as Identifying a Means of Interfering With the Mechanism as a New Treatment Strategy for This Kind of Cancer

Researchers in Singapore found a link between eating too much red meat and colon cancer. This type of cancer is one of the most common cancers around the world.

Their research shows that iron, which is found in red meat, turns on an enzyme called telomerase in the cells of the colon. Normally, each time a cell divides, its telomeres shorten. This eventually stops excessive cell division. But in cancer cells, telomerase keeps rebuilding these telomeres, so the cells don’t stop dividing and turn into cancer.

The good news from this study is that the researchers also found a new way to possibly treat this cancer. They discovered a special molecule called SP2509 that can stop telomerase from working in these cancer cells. In experiments, this molecule slowed down the growth of cancer.

Professor Vinay Tergaonkar, who led the study, said, "Our findings help us understand why eating too much red meat can cause cancer. They also show us a new way to fight it."

This discovery is exciting. It could lead to new drugs that prevent or control colon cancer by targeting how iron affects telomerase. These findings give hope for better treatments for patients, especially those with high levels of iron in their bodies.

Source: newatlas.com

WEIGHT LOSS

FDA Says This Weight Loss Drug Shortage is Over, but Patients Worry About Cost and Availability

The FDA has announced that there is no longer a shortage of the weight loss drug, tirzepatide. However, patients like Maria Galindo are worried. Maria has lost 60 pounds using the drug and said, "When I heard the news, I had an anxiety attack."

Maria uses a cheaper version of tirzepatide, made by a local pharmacy. It costs her about $350 each month. The original drug, sold as Zepbound and Mounjaro by Eli Lilly, would cost her $1,000 a month without insurance.

Now that the shortage is over, pharmacies making the cheaper version may have to stop. The FDA is thinking about whether the shortage really is over, allowing these pharmacies to continue for now. This decision comes after some pharmacies sued the FDA, calling its decision to end the shortage "reckless."

Eli Lilly owns the patent for tirzepatide. They say approved versions of the drug are safer and more effective than unapproved ones. So, they insist that patients use the approved ones. They are worried about the risks of these unapproved drugs.

With the end of the shortage, patients fear losing access to the more affordable drug versions. Despite the FDA's announcement, some pharmacies report they still can't get the drug.

Maria is especially concerned about the price. She recently bought a three-month supply on her credit card, saying, "I want to be healthy for my son." She worries about what will happen when her supply runs out.

Source: cbsnews.com

HEALTH

Approximately 71 to 95 Million People in the Lower 48 States – More Than 20% of the Country’s Population – May Rely on Groundwater That Contains Detectable Concentrations of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, Also Known as PFAS, for Their Drinking Water Supplies, U.S Geological Survey Study Finds

A USGS study shows that up to 95 million people in the Lower 48 states, over 20% of the population, may be using water with harmful chemicals called PFAS. These chemicals are found in many everyday items like non-stick pans and firefighting foams. They are called "forever chemicals" because they don't break down easily in nature.

The USGS used a new way to guess where PFAS might be in groundwater that people use for drinking. This information is important because it can help find where the water might not be safe to drink.

The study doesn’t say how much PFAS is in the water; it only guesses where these chemicals might be. To be sure, the water needs to be tested. This is especially key for people with private wells who might not have easy ways to test and clean their water.

Being exposed to PFAS can be bad for your health. Because of this, the EPA has set safety limits for six types of PFAS in public water systems, and some states have their own rules too.

The most people at risk are in Florida and California for public water, and Michigan, Florida, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio for private wells.

The USGS has made a map online that shows where PFAS might be in the water. This helps local leaders, water suppliers, and everyone understand and deal with the risk better.

Source: eurekalert.org

Poor Sleep in Your 40s Could Make Your Brain Age Faster, New Research Suggests | the Findings Add to a Growing Body of Evidence That Sleep Quality is Closely Linked to Cognitive Health, Emphasizing the Need to Address Sleep Issues Early in Life

Are you getting enough sleep? If not, it's important to start. Recent research from the University of California, San Francisco, suggests that poor sleep in your 40s may age your brain by nearly three years.

The study looked at 589 people around 40 years old. It found that those who had trouble falling and staying asleep aged quicker in terms of brain health. Those with the worst sleep had brains that looked 2.6 years older than those who slept well.

Sleep is crucial. It helps our brains store memories and our bodies recover each night. Lack of sleep can cause serious issues. These include heart disease, obesity, and depression. It can also lead to brain diseases like dementia.

Clémence Cavaillès, who led the study, said, "Our brain scans show that poor sleep is linked to brain aging as early as middle age." The study shows why it's important to sleep well. It suggests regular sleep times, avoiding caffeine before bed, and using relaxation techniques to improve sleep.

Kristine Yaffe, another expert, stressed the need for more research. We need to find better ways to sleep. We also need to understand how sleep affects brain health in the long run.

The study used people's reports of their sleep. It doesn't prove that poor sleep causes faster brain aging. But, it does show a strong link between sleep quality and brain health with age. Managing sleep issues early might help keep your mind sharp longer.

Source: newsweek.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.