Good morning. In today’s edition:

• A Common Food Additive May Be Messing With Your Brain. Food Manufacturers Love Using Emulsifiers, but They Can Harm the Gut-brain Axis. Emulsifiers Helped Bacteria Invade the Mucus Layer Lining the Gut, Leading to Systemic Inflammation, Metabolic Disorders, Higher Blood Sugar, and Insulin Resistance

• Weight Loss Drug Ozempic Can Affect Muscle Mass, Study Shows

• Nurse Burnout is Linked to Lower Patient Safety, More Hospital-acquired Infections, More Patient Falls, and Medication Errors. It is Also Linked With Lower Patient Satisfaction, Finds New Study From 32 Countries

• Sleepy During the Day? You May Be at Higher Risk for a Pre-dementia Syndrome, Study Finds

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

A Common Food Additive May Be Messing With Your Brain. Food Manufacturers Love Using Emulsifiers, but They Can Harm the Gut-brain Axis. Emulsifiers Helped Bacteria Invade the Mucus Layer Lining the Gut, Leading to Systemic Inflammation, Metabolic Disorders, Higher Blood Sugar, and Insulin Resistance

Have you ever checked the ingredients in processed foods like peanut butter or bread? You might find emulsifiers on the list. These additives make foods smooth and keep them from splitting apart. However, recent studies show that emulsifiers might be harmful, especially to your gut and brain.

What Are Emulsifiers? You can find emulsifiers in many processed foods. They help improve texture and stop ingredients from separating. They're common in products like ice cream, sausages, and bakery items, making them a favorite for food manufacturers.

The Problem with Emulsifiers Researchers from National Taiwan University discovered that certain emulsifiers cause bad bacteria to invade the gut's protective mucus layer. This can lead to body-wide inflammation, messed up metabolism, higher blood sugar, and insulin problems.

Effects Beyond the Gut The issues don't stop with the gut. They can reach the brain, too. Studies suggest that emulsifiers like polysorbate 80 may break down the brain's protective barrier. This could hurt our memory and thinking as we age.

What Can You Do? Not all emulsifiers are harmful. Natural ones like lecithin are safer. But, to avoid risks, eat less processed food. Eat more whole foods, like veggies, fruits, and fermented foods. These give your gut helpful fibers and good bacteria, supporting your overall health.

In short, while food makers like emulsifiers for their texture and shelf life benefits, these additives may not be so good for our health. If a food separates, just stir it—it’s probably safer!

Source: psychologytoday.com

WEIGHT LOSS

Weight Loss Drug Ozempic Can Affect Muscle Mass, Study Shows

Ozempic, known for treating type 2 diabetes, has gained popularity as a weight loss solution. This drug, which contains semaglutide, has been praised for its benefits. It helps kidney and heart health. It even treats drug addiction and Alzheimer's disease.

However, recent studies point to a concerning side effect: muscle loss. A Lancet study by an international team found that Ozempic can reduce weight. However, it may also cause a slightly higher loss of non-fat tissue, including muscle, than traditional weight loss methods.

Despite these findings, experts advise not to discontinue Ozempic without consultation. "These meds are effective. Use them carefully, with diet and exercise," the researchers recommend.

Dr. Dave Montgomery, a cardiologist and NewsNation's medical expert, says that losing a lot of weight often causes muscle loss. "It’s a natural response of the body when there's a rapid drop in weight. You lose not just fat but also some muscle," he explains.

Post-menopausal women rely on muscle mass. More studies will help refine treatments for them. "If it turns out that the muscle loss is significant, we may need to reconsider its use in certain groups," Dr. Montgomery notes.

Incorporating strength training and protein-rich foods into your routine can counteract muscle loss. As always, manage weight loss under medical supervision. It helps balance the benefits and risks.

Source: thehill.com

HEALTH

Nurse Burnout is Linked to Lower Patient Safety, More Hospital-acquired Infections, More Patient Falls, and Medication Errors. It is Also Linked With Lower Patient Satisfaction, Finds New Study From 32 Countries

A new study from 32 countries, including Australia, has found a big issue. Nurse burnout is hurting patient safety and happiness. This study looked at data from 85 studies and found some worrying trends in hospitals.

Burnout happens when nurses work too much without enough rest, making them feel very tired and stressed. This problem doesn't just affect the nurses—it impacts the whole hospital. The study found that hospitals with burnt-out nurses have more patient infections, accidents like falls, and medicine errors. Also, these hospitals get lower scores from patients on how happy they are with their care.

These findings are very important. Hospitals are not just places to work. They are vital for safe, effective care. It can be a matter of life and death. The study suggests that fixing nurse burnout is not just about making their jobs easier. It's also about ensuring patients are safe and well cared for.

Some ways to help include hiring more nurses to balance the workload, giving more support to nurses, and improving the places they work. By taking care of nurses, hospitals can make sure patients get better care and stay safe.

This study sends a clear message: to protect patients, we need to look after our nurses. Keeping nurses healthy and supported is key to providing top-quality healthcare.

Source: scimex.org

Sleepy During the Day? You May Be at Higher Risk for a Pre-dementia Syndrome, Study Finds

Do you often feel sleepy during the day? This might be more than just an annoyance. A recent study suggests that daytime tiredness may warn of early memory and movement issues. These could lead to dementia later on.

The research looked at something called motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR). This syndrome involves symptoms like slow walking and forgetting things more often in older people who don’t yet have dementia. The study found that people who are often sleepy during the day are much more likely to develop MCR. Having MCR means you might be more likely to get dementia.

This link between sleep problems and memory issues isn't new. But, this study focused on how being tired during the day could be an early sign of memory problems.

The study tracked 445 older adults for about three years, looking at their sleep patterns and how fast they walked. Those who felt tired during the day were more likely to show signs of MCR compared to those who slept well.

The study mainly included white participants and used their sleep reports. It shows that watching your sleep habits is important. Doctors suggest talking about any sleep issues with a healthcare provider and possibly doing a sleep study. Taking care of sleep problems early might help keep your brain healthy and lower your risk of dementia in the future.

Source: edition.cnn.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.