Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Omega-3 Intake Linked to Better Cognitive Health in Older Adults, Study Finds | Analyzing Data From a Nationally Representative Health Survey, Researchers Discovered That Participants Who Consumed More Omega-3 Fats Scored Higher on Cognitive Tests

• Anti-obesity Drug Has Life-changing Benefits for Arthritis. Clinical trial Participants Saw Their Knee Pain Abate and Could Engage Better With Activities That Got Them Up and Going

• Heavy Smokers' Heart Health Can Take More Than 25 Years to Return to Normal

• In a 1st, Scientists Reversed Type 1 Diabetes by Reprogramming a Person's Own Fat Cells

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Omega-3 Intake Linked to Better Cognitive Health in Older Adults, Study Finds | Analyzing Data From a Nationally Representative Health Survey, Researchers Discovered That Participants Who Consumed More Omega-3 Fats Scored Higher on Cognitive Tests

Recent research suggests that omega-3 fatty acids, a type of fat found in fish and some nuts and seeds, might help older adults think more clearly. The study, which looked at a big health survey, showed that people who ate more omega-3 fats did better on brain tests.

As the number of older people increases globally, it's important to find ways to keep our brains healthy. Omega-3s not only help with heart health but could also protect against brain aging.

Researchers analyzed data from 2,430 people aged 60 and older from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. They asked participants about their diets. Then, they tested their thinking skills with memory and problem-solving tests.

The findings showed that higher omega-3 intake was linked to better test scores. This was true even after accounting for age, education, and lifestyle.

This study links omega-3s to better brain function. But, it doesn't prove they improve thinking skills. The results suggest a connection but more studies are needed to confirm if omega-3s can really slow down mental decline.

For now, adding foods like fatty fish, flaxseeds, or walnuts to your diet might be a good idea to help keep your mind sharp as you get older.

Source: psypost.org

WEIGHT LOSS

Anti-obesity Drug Has Life-changing Benefits for Arthritis. Clinical trial Participants Saw Their Knee Pain Abate and Could Engage Better With Activities That Got Them Up and Going

A recent study found a weight-loss drug can reduce arthritis-related knee pain. It can also help people move more easily. The study took place in 11 countries and tested the drug semaglutide, which is also used to help people with diabetes. It showed that semaglutide can relieve pain as well as some common pain medicines for arthritis.

Arthritis, especially osteoarthritis of the knees, is common. It causes stiff, painful joints. It becomes more common as people get older. Being overweight makes arthritis worse because it puts extra pressure on the joints.

The study had about 400 participants who were overweight. They were given weekly shots of either the drug semaglutide or a placebo, which is a shot without any medicine. At the start, these people had a lot of pain that made walking hard. After 68 weeks, those who took semaglutide lost more weight and felt less pain compared to those who took the placebo. They also found it easier to do everyday things like going up stairs.

The drug helps reduce pain partly because it takes some weight off the knees and partly because it fights inflammation. But, the drug is expensive, and if people stop taking it, they might gain back the weight. Doctors say it's important to keep up with healthy habits like a good diet and exercise along with taking the drug for the best results.

Source: nature.com

HEALTH

Heavy Smokers' Heart Health Can Take More Than 25 Years to Return to Normal

Quitting smoking is a big step toward a healthier life, but it takes a lot of patience. A JAMA Network Open study found that, if you were a heavy smoker, your heart might need over 25 years to heal after you stop smoking. This study looked at over 5.3 million people. It included current smokers, ex-smokers, and people who never smoked. They were followed for about four years.

Researchers from Korea University Ansan Hospital, supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea, found that how much you smoked affects how quickly your heart health improves. Light smokers might see their heart health return to normal within ten years of quitting. However, heavy smokers have a longer journey. Their risk of heart disease remains high, similar to those who still smoke, even many years after quitting.

For doctors and ex-smokers, this means being very careful with heart health, just like with people who are still smoking. Knowing these risks helps doctors make better plans to keep your heart healthy.

Quitting smoking is good for everyone. This study shows it's especially important to stop early if you smoke a lot. It shows how long smoking can affect your heart. It reminds us to quit smoking early.

Source: scimex.org

In a 1st, Scientists Reversed Type 1 Diabetes by Reprogramming a Person's Own Fat Cells

For the first time, scientists in China have reversed type 1 diabetes. They changed a woman's fat cells into insulin-producing cells. This big step could lead to new ways to treat this long-term illness.

Type 1 diabetes happens when the body’s defense system wrongly attacks cells that make insulin in the pancreas. Insulin is a key that lets sugar move from the blood into cells to be used as energy. Without insulin, sugar builds up in the blood, which can cause serious health issues.

In a study shared in the Cell journal, researchers described how they turned the patient's fat cells into a flexible type that can become any cell. Then, they changed these cells into ones that produce insulin and put them into the patient's belly. This spot is better than the liver, the usual place for such cells, because it's easier to check and fix any issues.

Before this treatment, the woman had trouble keeping her blood sugar stable. After the treatment, her sugar levels improved greatly, and she didn't need insulin shots within 75 days.

This new method is special because it uses the patient's own cells, which lowers the risk of the body rejecting them. This success suggests that modified stem cells might help treat diabetes. It may do this without strong drugs to prevent rejection. This gives new hope to people with type 1 diabetes.

Source: livescience.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.