Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Vitamin D During Pregnancy Boosts Children’s Bone Health Even at Age Seven

• Why Do We Gain Weight So Easily

• The Link Between Cannabis Use as a Young Person and Increased Psychosis Symptoms Could Be Partially Due to Young People With Those Symptoms Self-medicating With Cannabis. A New Study Found Clearer Evidence of Psychosis-related Symptoms Increasing in the Lead-up to First Using Cannabis

• Cannabis Can Help Some People – but Not Everyone – Sleep. New Study Explains Cannabis Can Help Young Adults With Depression or Anxiety Have Improved Sleep, but Otherwise Could Worsen Sleep Problems for Those Without Pre-existing Mental Health Conditions

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Vitamin D During Pregnancy Boosts Children’s Bone Health Even at Age Seven

Extra vitamin D during pregnancy can help kids' bones at age seven. Researchers in Southampton found that these benefits last into childhood. This makes a good case for taking vitamin D supplements during pregnancy.

A University of Southampton study found that kids whose moms took more vitamin D had stronger bones than kids whose moms did not. Over 1,000 women from Southampton, Oxford, and Sheffield joined the study. They were split into two groups during pregnancy. One group took an extra 1,000 International Units of vitamin D each day, while the other group took a fake pill.

Kids aged six to seven still benefit from their mothers' extra vitamin D. This helps. Strong bones in childhood lower the chance of weak bones and breaks in old age.

Dr. Rebecca Moon from the University of Southampton said, "Our study shows that vitamin D supplements during pregnancy help kids' bones as they grow." This early step is important to make bones stronger and prevent bone problems later in life.”

The study showed that prenatal vitamin D is vital for kids' bones. It also helped researchers learn how it affects genes related to bone health. These findings are valuable and highlight why it’s important to take vitamin D when pregnant.

Source: southamptonbrc.nihr.ac.uk

WEIGHT LOSS

Why Do We Gain Weight So Easily

Ever wonder why it’s hard to keep weight off? It’s not just about how many calories we eat or burn. Our hormones, especially insulin, play a big role too. When insulin levels are high, our bodies go into fat storage mode. This means even if we eat less, we might not burn fat.

Here’s why just eating fewer calories doesn’t always work: When we cut calories, our bodies can slow down our metabolism. That’s the energy we use when we're resting. So, if we take in fewer calories but our body slows down, we don’t lose weight because everything balances out.

But there’s more to the story. Our friends have a big influence on our weight. Studies have shown that if a friend gains weight, it makes us more likely to gain weight too—by 57%! This impact is stronger than the influence of family or neighbors.

This means the people we hang out with can really affect our eating habits and lifestyle. If your friends eat a lot of snacks and high-calorie foods, you might end up doing the same. On the other hand, if your friends like to eat healthy and stay active, it can help you be healthier too.

So, losing weight isn’t just about counting calories or working out more; it’s also about who we spend our time with. Choosing friends who have healthy habits can help us be healthier. If you want to lose weight, think about joining a group that shares your health goals.

Source: Dr. Jason Fung

HEALTH

The Link Between Cannabis Use as a Young Person and Increased Psychosis Symptoms Could Be Partially Due to Young People With Those Symptoms Self-medicating With Cannabis. A New Study Found Clearer Evidence of Psychosis-related Symptoms Increasing in the Lead-up to First Using Cannabis

Do young people use cannabis because of early mental health issues? Or, does cannabis use cause these problems? Recent research sheds some light on this question. The study, reviewed by experts, watched a group of 10 to 15-year-olds. It looks at the link between cannabis use and signs of psychosis, like hearing voices or feeling suspicious.

The findings show that teens who used cannabis were more likely to show these mental health signs. However, it’s not completely clear if starting to use cannabis causes more of these signs. The study found, more clearly, that mental health issues were rising before the teens began using cannabis.

Some teens might be using cannabis to self-medicate, unaware of the risks. It’s important for us as adults and caregivers to recognize this. Understanding that some teens might be trying to manage their problems by using cannabis can help us support them better. We can guide them towards safer and more effective ways to handle their feelings.

This research doesn't prove one causes the other. But, it shows a strong link between cannabis use and mental health issues in teens. This helps us understand the issue better and find better ways to help teens before problems get bigger.

Source: scimex.org

Cannabis Can Help Some People – but Not Everyone – Sleep. New Study Explains Cannabis Can Help Young Adults With Depression or Anxiety Have Improved Sleep, but Otherwise Could Worsen Sleep Problems for Those Without Pre-existing Mental Health Conditions

Many people try cannabis to help them sleep, but its effectiveness varies. A recent study from the University of Southern California found interesting results. For young adults with depression or anxiety, cannabis seemed to help them sleep better. However, for those without these mental health issues, it actually made sleeping harder.

The study involved over 3,300 high school students from Los Angeles. The researchers looked at students who used cannabis often and those who didn’t use it at all. They found that anxious or depressed students slept better with cannabis. But, those without mental health issues experienced more sleep troubles.

Why does this happen? THC, the main active part of cannabis, might hide the signs of anxiety and depression that can make it hard to sleep. But it's not really fixing the deeper mental health problem.

Experts believe that how cannabis affects sleep has a lot to do with a person’s health and how they use it. For example, people who take small amounts of cannabis to fight insomnia might find it helpful because larger amounts can keep you awake.

While cannabis can be helpful, it also comes with risks like becoming dependent and affecting your dream sleep.

Cannabis can help some people sleep, especially those with mental health issues. But, it's not a guaranteed solution for everyone. More research will help us understand the best way to use it.

Source: theguardian.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.