11/12/25 - #520

Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Skipping Breakfast or Practicing Intermittent Fasting Do Not Impair Thinking Ability in Healthy Adults in the Short Term

• People Looking to Lose Weight and Lower Their Blood Sugar May Someday Be Able to Get a Single Injection That Turns Their Cells Into Tiny Factories Churning Out a Protein That is Essentially the Active Ingredient in Drugs Like Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, and Mounjaro

• Closer Proximity to Cannabis Retail Stores Linked With More Cannabis Use but Less Drinking: A US Study of More Than 60,000 Adults Shows That Living Near Cannabis Retail Stores is Associated With a Greater Tendency Toward Frequent Cannabis Use but a Lower Likelihood of Heavy Alcohol Consumption

• Study Compares Antidepressant Side Effects, Finding Changes in Weight, Heart Rate and More Vary Widely

…and lots more. Have a great day!

Hemorrhoids Keep Coming Back? You’re Not Alone.

You’ve tried the creams, the wipes, even the awkward suppositories. Maybe you’ve considered surgery. And still—nothing works for long.

The burning, the itching, the swelling… it’s frustrating. Even worse, it’s embarrassing. Most people won’t talk about it, but millions suffer silently, dreading the next flare-up.

If that’s you—meet Hem Hero®, the supplement designed to work from the inside out.

Unlike surface treatments that only cover up symptoms, Hem Hero® supports healthy veins and helps calm swelling where it starts. Each capsule is packed with clinically studied, natural ingredients that:

✔ Help reduce swelling and discomfort
✔ Support healthy circulation and vein strength
✔ Relieve pain and itching
✔ Provide discreet, lasting support—no mess, no hassle

Just one capsule in the morning and two in the evening. No greasy cleanup. No awkward moments. Just relief—on your terms.

Trusted by over 100,000 people and backed by the Hem Healer® brand, Hem Hero® helps you feel like yourself again.

🆓 Free Shipping on orders $79.99+
💥 Subscribe and save 10% (cancel anytime)

Stop covering up symptoms. Start supporting your body from within.

👉 Tap “Learn More” to try Hem Hero® risk-free today.

FOOD & NUTRITION

Skipping Breakfast or Practicing Intermittent Fasting Do Not Impair Thinking Ability in Healthy Adults in the Short Term

A new study shows that skipping breakfast or doing short-term fasting does not hurt your brain in healthy adults. Researchers looked at 71 studies with more than 3,400 people. They found no major drop in mental skills like memory, focus, or decision-making when people skipped meals for about 12 hours.

Many adults try fasting for weight loss or better health. Some worry it might make them feel foggy or tired. But this study says you can still think clearly while fasting.

Dr. David Moreau, who led the research, said people who fasted did just as well on brain tests as those who had eaten. However, people sometimes did worse on tasks involving food—like looking at pictures of food—because they were hungry.

One important note: kids did not do as well when fasting. Their thinking was more affected by skipping meals. This supports past findings that children need breakfast to stay sharp during the day.

Overall, this study suggests that short-term fasting is safe for thinking in most healthy adults. So if you skip breakfast now and then, there’s no need to stress about it hurting your mind.

That said, people with medical conditions or children should be more careful with fasting. Always talk to your doctor before making big changes to your eating habits.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It does not provide medical advice or replace guidance from a healthcare provider.

Source: apa.org

WEIGHT LOSS

People Looking to Lose Weight and Lower Their Blood Sugar May Someday Be Able to Get a Single Injection That Turns Their Cells Into Tiny Factories Churning Out a Protein That is Essentially the Active Ingredient in Drugs Like Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, and Mounjaro

Scientists are working on a new kind of treatment that may one day help people lose weight and control blood sugar with just one injection.

This shot would turn your own cells into little factories that make GLP-1, a hormone that helps the body feel full and lowers blood sugar. GLP-1 is the main ingredient in popular weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro. These drugs work by helping you feel full faster, eat less, and keep your blood sugar steady.

But these medicines can be costly and may cause side effects like nausea and tiredness. Many people also stop taking them within a year.

Now, two biotech companies—RenBio and Fractyl Health—are trying something new. They’re testing ways to give your body the instructions to make GLP-1 on its own. RenBio uses a method where DNA is added to muscle cells using tiny electric pulses. Fractyl uses a virus to deliver the DNA directly to the pancreas.

In early animal studies, mice lost 15–20% of their body weight and kept it off. Their blood sugar also improved. The idea is that one shot might last for a year or longer.

Experts say more research is needed before this can be tried in people. It may take several years to know if it’s safe.

Still, this new approach could offer a simpler and longer-lasting way to manage weight and blood sugar in the future.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not offer medical advice.

Source: edition.cnn.com

HEALTH

Closer Proximity to Cannabis Retail Stores Linked With More Cannabis Use but Less Drinking: A US Study of More Than 60,000 Adults Shows That Living Near Cannabis Retail Stores is Associated With a Greater Tendency Toward Frequent Cannabis Use but a Lower Likelihood of Heavy Alcohol Consumption

A new study found that people who live closer to cannabis shops are more likely to use cannabis often—but less likely to drink a lot of alcohol.

The study looked at health data from over 60,000 adults in Oregon. People who lived near more licensed cannabis stores were more likely to use cannabis at least 10 days a month. But they were less likely to drink heavily.

The CDC says heavy drinking means 8 or more drinks a week for women and 15 or more for men.

The biggest effects were seen in two age groups: people ages 21 to 24 and those 65 and older.

Young adults may be at risk for cannabis problems. Their brains are still growing, and using cannabis often could cause problems with work, school, or relationships. It could also lead to risky behavior, like driving while high.

Older adults may use cannabis for medical reasons. But some products they use may not be proven to help and could carry other health risks.

The researchers matched people’s ZIP codes to nearby cannabis stores. This helped them see how easy access to cannabis may affect habits.

Retail cannabis sales started in Oregon in 2015. Some areas ban stores, but many don’t.

Lead researcher David Kerr says we need smart policies to help protect young people and guide safe use for all.

“Less alcohol may be better for health,” he said, “but we need to understand the full picture.”

Source: news.oregonstate.edu

Study Compares Antidepressant Side Effects, Finding Changes in Weight, Heart Rate and More Vary Widely

A new study shows that different antidepressants can cause different side effects. These medicines help treat depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. But the way they affect your body can vary.

Researchers looked at over 58,000 people who took one of 30 antidepressants for about eight weeks. Some people took a placebo, or fake pill, for comparison. The study found that these drugs can change your weight, heart rate, blood pressure, and cholesterol in different ways.

For example, some drugs caused weight gain. Almost half of the people who took maprotiline gained about 4 pounds. Others, like agomelatine, helped people lose weight—about 5.5 pounds on average.

Heart rate also changed. Nortriptyline raised heart rate by about 14 beats per minute. Fluvoxamine lowered it by about 8 beats.

Most antidepressants did not have a major effect on kidneys, liver, or electrolytes.

Experts say this study shows how important it is to find the right medication for each person. Dr. Sue Varma, a psychiatrist not in the study, says side effects can depend on your age, health, and other medicines you take. She says doctors should watch for side effects and explain them clearly to patients.

Untreated depression can also cause weight changes, tiredness, and other health problems. So, the benefits of antidepressants may still be greater than the risks.

Always talk to your doctor before starting or stopping any medication. What works for one person may not work the same for someone else.

Source: cbsnews.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.