11/21/25 - #527

Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Soybeans Are a Sustainable, High-quality Protein With Bioactive Compounds That Effectively Improve Public Health by Combating Chronic Diseases and Malnutrition

• White House GLP-1 Coverage Determination: The End-run Around CMS Regulations

• Scientists Have Uncovered a Surprising Connection Between Sugar Metabolism and Alcohol Addiction, Identifying a Potential New Therapeutic Target for Treating Alcohol-associated Liver Disease (ALD) and Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

• Poor Heart Health in Middle Age Linked to Dementia in Old Age. Research Found for Every Doubling of Troponin, Dementia Risk Rose by 10%, Even After Considering Age, Sex, Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, Diabetes and Other Cardiac Risk Factors

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Soybeans Are a Sustainable, High-quality Protein With Bioactive Compounds That Effectively Improve Public Health by Combating Chronic Diseases and Malnutrition

Soybeans are a healthy and natural source of protein. They give your body all the essential amino acids it needs—just like meat or eggs. But unlike meat, soy is plant-based, low in saturated fat, and better for the environment.

Soybeans also have special compounds called isoflavones. These may help reduce inflammation, lower bad cholesterol, and support heart and brain health. Some studies show that people who eat soy often may have a lower risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer.

Eating soy can also be helpful during menopause. Isoflavones may ease hot flashes and help keep bones strong. Fermented soy products like miso, tempeh, and natto are also good for gut health, thanks to their probiotic effects.

For older adults, soy may support muscle strength, memory, and healthy weight. It can be a smart part of a balanced diet, especially if you want to eat less meat.

Soy is also good for the planet. It uses less water than animal farming and adds nutrients back into the soil. That means soy supports both your health and environmental sustainability.

You can find soy in foods like tofu, soy milk, edamame, and soy-based meat substitutes. These are easy to add to everyday meals.

✅ Tip: If you have allergies or thyroid problems, check with your doctor before eating more soy.

✅ For most adults, eating soy in normal amounts is safe and healthy.

Try adding soy to your diet for long-term health benefits.

Source: mdpi.com

WEIGHT LOSS

White House GLP-1 Coverage Determination: The End-run Around CMS Regulations

A new deal from the White House may help older Americans save money on popular weight-loss drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound. The Trump Administration worked with drugmakers Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to lower prices and give more people access.

Under the deal, Medicare patients would pay only $50 a month for these drugs. Normally, they cost much more. People without insurance may also pay less through the TrumpRx program, which plans to offer prices starting at $350 and dropping to $245.

Usually, Medicare makes coverage decisions through a long process with expert review and yearly updates. This deal skips that process and sets prices directly from the White House. That means faster access, but it could lead to confusion or changes later.

The cost to the government may be high—about $1.7 billion a year for every 1 million new users. Some states may not join right away, and it’s unclear how private insurance plans will respond.

This is good news for many seniors who struggle with obesity and related health problems. A lower copay could help them afford treatment that was out of reach before.

However, many details are still unclear. It’s not yet known who qualifies, how the plan will work, or how long it will last. Still, for now, this could be a big step toward better access and lower costs.

Disclaimer: This article is for information only. Talk to your doctor before starting any new medication.

Source: americanactionforum.org

HEALTH

Scientists Have Uncovered a Surprising Connection Between Sugar Metabolism and Alcohol Addiction, Identifying a Potential New Therapeutic Target for Treating Alcohol-associated Liver Disease (ALD) and Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

Scientists have found a surprising link between how the body handles sugar and alcohol. This discovery may lead to new ways to treat alcohol addiction and protect the liver.

Researchers at the University of Colorado found that drinking alcohol can cause the body to make a type of sugar called fructose. Fructose is usually found in sweet drinks and snacks. The body makes it using an enzyme called ketohexokinase, or KHK. This process may increase alcohol cravings and cause liver damage.

In the study, mice without the KHK enzyme drank much less alcohol. They also showed fewer signs of addiction. Their brains had less activity in areas linked to addiction, and their livers were healthier.

The mice who didn’t have KHK had less fat in the liver, less swelling, and less scarring. This means blocking KHK could help stop or even prevent liver damage caused by alcohol.

Dr. Miguel Lanaspa, one of the study’s authors, said alcohol doesn’t just harm the liver directly—it also changes how the body uses sugar, which makes things worse. By stopping this sugar process, we may help people drink less and protect their livers.

This new research could also help people with liver damage from poor diets, since both alcohol and unhealthy food affect the same sugar pathway.

More studies are needed, but this discovery could lead to new treatments for people with alcohol-related or diet-related liver disease.

Talk to your doctor before making any health changes.

Source: news.cuanschutz.edu

Poor Heart Health in Middle Age Linked to Dementia in Old Age. Research Found for Every Doubling of Troponin, Dementia Risk Rose by 10%, Even After Considering Age, Sex, Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, Diabetes and Other Cardiac Risk Factors

A new study found that problems with heart health in midlife may raise the risk of dementia in old age. The study followed nearly 6,000 people over 25 years. It looked at a blood protein called troponin, which rises when the heart is under stress—even if you feel fine.

Researchers found that every time troponin levels doubled, the risk of dementia went up by 10%. This was true even after factoring in age, sex, blood pressure, cholesterol, and other health problems.

People with the highest troponin levels in middle age were 38% more likely to develop dementia later on than those with the lowest levels. Brain scans done 15 years into the study showed that people with high troponin levels had more brain shrinkage and smaller memory centers. Their brains looked about three years older.

Why does this happen? The brain needs a steady flow of oxygen-rich blood. If the heart is weak or the arteries are stiff, blood flow slows down. This can slowly harm brain cells and lead to memory loss over time.

Experts say up to 17% of dementia cases may be prevented with better heart health. Keeping your blood pressure and cholesterol in check, staying active, and avoiding smoking and too much alcohol all help.

The bottom line: a healthy heart may help protect your brain. Even small signs of heart trouble in your 40s or 50s could matter for your memory decades later.

Source: theconversation.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.