Good morning. In today’s edition:

• New Research Shows That Regular Consumption of Nuts Not Only Holds Off Death, but It Also Keeps the Mind Sharp and Limits Persistent Disability if You’re Over 70 Years Old | Nuts Are Linked to Warding Off DNA Damage and Omega-3 and 6 Fatty Acids Are Shown to Reduce the Risk of 19 Types of Cancer

• RFK Perpetuating Obesity Stigma and GLP-1 Misinformation

• If Every American Over the Age of 40 Was as Physically Active as the Top 25% of the Population, They Could Expect to Live an Extra 5 Years, on Average. If the Least Physically Active Matched the Level of the Most Physically Active, They Could Live Almost 11 Years Longer, the Estimates Indicate

• Study Links Childhood Adversity to Stress, Sleep Loss, and Later Attention Deficits. Early-life Adversity in Mice Caused Lasting Attention Issues in Males, Not Females, Revealing a Brain Mechanism Underlying It: an Imbalance in Dopamine Receptors

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

New Research Shows That Regular Consumption of Nuts Not Only Holds Off Death, but It Also Keeps the Mind Sharp and Limits Persistent Disability if You’re Over 70 Years Old | Nuts Are Linked to Warding Off DNA Damage and Omega-3 and 6 Fatty Acids Are Shown to Reduce the Risk of 19 Types of Cancer

A new study has found more good news about nuts! Eating nuts regularly can help people over 70 not only live longer but also keep their minds clear and avoid serious health problems.

Nuts are really good for your health. They can make your heart healthier and even help your body manage weight better. Nuts are also packed with nutrients that fight diseases like diabetes and inflammation. Plus, they have magnesium, which protects your cells, and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which may reduce the risk of many types of cancer.

Researchers at Monash University looked at health data from nearly 10,000 older Australians. They found that those who ate nuts every day had a 23% better chance of living without diseases like dementia compared to those who didn't eat nuts much.

What does a healthy amount of nuts look like? Holly Wild, the main researcher, says it depends on the type of nut. "About 25 almonds, 10 walnuts, or 40 peanuts are good," she notes. Mixing different nuts is a great idea because you get different nutrients from each type.

So, if you're over 70, adding a handful of nuts to your daily diet could really boost your health. Just remember to keep your nuts fresh by storing them in a cool, dark place.

Source: newatlas.com

WEIGHT LOSS

RFK Perpetuating Obesity Stigma and GLP-1 Misinformation

President Donald Trump has chosen Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the US Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy has strong opinions about how to treat obesity and diabetes. He argues that America uses too many drugs. He believes that better solutions are to change diets and increase exercise.

However, many doctors disagree with Kennedy. They say his views could worsen feelings about obesity. They could also spread false information about treatments. Healthy eating and exercise are important. But, some need medications like Ozempic. These drugs help with diabetes and weight loss when diet and exercise aren't enough.

Kennedy's stance has many doctors worried. They fear his approach might ignore progress in treating obesity with medicine and lifestyle changes. For example, Kennedy says Denmark doesn't use Ozempic much. It can cause serious side effects, like suicidal thoughts. However, Denmark does use the drug a lot, and health authorities in Europe and the US have not found evidence that Ozempic causes such side effects.

Doctors want to remind everyone that treating obesity and diabetes often requires both medicine and lifestyle changes. They are concerned that ignoring the benefits of medication could harm people who need help managing their health. They believe in using all available methods to treat these conditions effectively.

Source: edition.cnn.com

HEALTH

If Every American Over the Age of 40 Was as Physically Active as the Top 25% of the Population, They Could Expect to Live an Extra 5 Years, on Average. If the Least Physically Active Matched the Level of the Most Physically Active, They Could Live Almost 11 Years Longer, the Estimates Indicate

Imagine if everyone over 40 exercised like the most active 25% of Americans. According to a recent study, they could live about 5 years longer. This would push the average life span up to nearly 84 years from 78.6 years.

What's even more impressive is if the least active people started exercising as much as the top active folks, they could add nearly 11 more years to their lives. That's a lot of extra time for hobbies, spending time with family, and enjoying life—just by increasing daily activity like walking.

Here’s a cool fact from the study: every hour you walk could add about 6 hours to your life. That means walking more doesn't just help you live longer; it makes your life better too.

But becoming more active isn't just about personal choices. We also need community support. Creating parks, safe walking paths, and encouraging an active lifestyle can help everyone get moving. This is important because it makes it easier and safer for people to exercise.

Making these changes isn't easy. It takes effort from individuals and changes in our communities. More parks and better walking paths are just the start. Encouraging an active lifestyle can make a big difference.

In conclusion, getting those sneakers on and walking more could be one of the best things you do for your future. It’s not just about adding years to your life, but adding life to your years. Why not start today? Your future self will thank you.

Source: eurekalert.org

Study Links Childhood Adversity to Stress, Sleep Loss, and Later Attention Deficits. Early-life Adversity in Mice Caused Lasting Attention Issues in Males, Not Females, Revealing a Brain Mechanism Underlying It: an Imbalance in Dopamine Receptors

Dr. Takao Hensch's recent research found that tough times early in life, like a lack of parental attention, can cause long-term attention problems, mainly in boys. This study was published in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

Dr. Hensch and his team discovered that there are specific times during a child's brain development when experiences greatly influence how well they can pay attention later. They studied young mice. The male mice, neglected by their mothers, had trouble paying attention as they grew up. This issue wasn't found in female mice.

The study also showed that poor sleep could harm attention in adult mice. This was true regardless of whether they were neglected as babies. The team found out that this might be due to an imbalance in certain brain chemicals called dopamine receptors. Luckily, they could fix this with medicine. It improved attention even after the critical period for developing it had passed.

Related studies in humans showed similar patterns in young boys. They confirmed that early stress affects boys more than girls. Dr. Hensch plans to explore why girls seem more protected against these early challenges.

This research helps us understand why attention problems occur. It also suggests that we might develop treatments to help those affected, even later in life.

Source: answers.childrenshospital.org

✢ 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.