Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Sugar in the First 1,000 Days After Conception Linked to Health Issues Later in Life, Study Say

• Researchers Have Discovered a New Weight Loss Drug Target (Neurokinin 2 Receptor) That, Tested in Mice, Increases Calorie Burning and Reduces Appetite Without Causing Nausea or Muscle Loss

• Brain Changes Seen in Lifetime Cannabis Users May Not Be Causal: Lifetime Cannabis Use is Associated With Several Changes in Brain Structure and Function in Later Life, Study Suggests

• More Than 800 Million People Around the World Have Diabetes, Study Finds | Rates of Diabetes in Adults Doubled From About 7% to About 14% Between 1990 to 2022, With the Largest Increase in Low and Middle-income Countries and Lack of Treatment is ‘Concerning’

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Sugar in the First 1,000 Days After Conception Linked to Health Issues Later in Life, Study Say

A new study says that parents should watch how much sugar their young kids eat. It found that cutting down on sugar for the first 1,000 days after conception could greatly lower a child’s risk of getting chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure when they grow up.

Researchers studied UK health data after World War II. Sugar was hard to get, then it became available again. They noticed that people born during the sugar shortage were healthier. They were less likely to get fat or develop early diabetes and high blood pressure.

The study also found that eating less sugar early in life could make people less likely to crave sweets all their lives. This is important because our bodies were originally made to like sweet things like fruit, which are healthy and full of vitamins. But now, we often eat too much refined sugar, which isn’t good for us.

Dr. Mark Corkins, who wasn’t part of the study, mentioned that too much sugar changes our metabolism, causing us to store more fat. This is a problem because our bodies still act like we might run out of food, even though we don’t.

The study suggests we need better rules on sugary food ads for kids. Parents also need education on good eating habits. This will help our health and start our kids off right.

Source: edition.cnn.com

WEIGHT LOSS

Researchers Have Discovered a New Weight Loss Drug Target (Neurokinin 2 Receptor) That, Tested in Mice, Increases Calorie Burning and Reduces Appetite Without Causing Nausea or Muscle Loss

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have made an exciting discovery. It could change how we treat weight loss. They found a new drug target, the Neurokinin 2 Receptor (NK2R). It helps people lose weight by burning more calories and reducing hunger, without causing nausea or muscle loss.

Many people currently use drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic for weight loss. These drugs work well but often make people feel sick, which can make them stop using the drugs. The new discovery could solve this problem by being easier to handle.

Associate Professor Zach Gerhart-Hines explained the importance of this discovery. "Current treatments for obesity and type 2 diabetes are good. But, we need better ways to burn more calories and control hunger without making people feel sick," he said.

The new approach does two things: it makes you less hungry and helps your body burn more calories. This is important because studies show that nowadays, our bodies don't burn as many calories as they used to.

The research team tested this new approach in mice and it worked well: it made the mice burn more calories and feel less hungry without making them sick. These results are promising and could lead to tests in humans within the next couple of years.

This could lead to better, easier weight loss drugs. They would help 400 million people with obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Source: news.ku.dk

HEALTH

Brain Changes Seen in Lifetime Cannabis Users May Not Be Causal: Lifetime Cannabis Use is Associated With Several Changes in Brain Structure and Function in Later Life, Study Suggests

Researchers have studied older adults who have used cannabis during their lives and found changes in their brains compared to those who haven’t used it. However, a new study says these changes might not be directly caused by cannabis.

The study looked at lots of people who have used cannabis and compared their brain scans. They found some differences in brain structure and function. For example, cannabis users' brains showed less communication in some areas. Their white matter, which helps with thinking, was weaker.

Despite these findings, researchers used a method called Mendelian randomization. It uses genetics to study health effects. They found no proof that cannabis use caused the brain changes. They think other factors might be involved.

This is important. More people are using cannabis since it is now legal for medical and recreational use in many places. But scientists still don’t know all the long-term effects on the brain, especially for older adults.

Researchers adjusted their study for things like age, health, and lifestyle. They noticed that men and women were affected differently by cannabis use.

They concluded that more research is needed. It should study how strong, frequent cannabis use affects older adults. This could help make better rules about cannabis use in the future.

Source: eurekalert.org

More Than 800 Million People Around the World Have Diabetes, Study Finds | Rates of Diabetes in Adults Doubled From About 7% to About 14% Between 1990 to 2022, With the Largest Increase in Low and Middle-income Countries and Lack of Treatment is ‘Concerning’

A recent study shows that, in 32 years, global diabetes cases have doubled to over 800 million. This increase is mostly seen in poorer countries, and the lack of proper treatment is worrying.

The study, published in the Lancet, shows that from 1990 to 2022, the rate of adults with diabetes grew from about 7% to 14%. Researchers from NCD-RisC and the WHO analyzed data from over 140 million adults. They found that many people in Asia and Africa are affected.

Diabetes happens when the body can't make enough insulin or use it right, leading to high blood sugar. Over time, this can harm organs and tissues. Most people have Type 2 diabetes, which is often linked to being overweight, eating poorly, and not exercising enough. Unlike Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 can usually be prevented.

The study points out big differences in diabetes rates across countries. More than half of all cases are in India, China, the US, and Pakistan. In some places, like the Pacific islands and parts of the Middle East and North Africa, more than 25% of people have diabetes.

With many people in poorer countries not getting the treatment they need, global efforts must improve. Better diets, more exercise, and access to medical care are crucial to fight the growing problem of diabetes.

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.