11/26/25 - #530

Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Dietary Patterns Emphasizing Healthful Plant-based Foods and Limiting Less Healthful Plant Foods and Animal Products Are Associated With Lower Odds of Cognitive Impairment and Risk of Dementia, Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Finds

• People Looking to Lose Weight and Lower Their Blood Sugar May Someday Be Able to Get a Single Injection That Turns Their Cells Into Tiny Factories Churning Out a Protein That is Essentially the Active Ingredient in Drugs Like Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound and Mounjaro

• In the Human Clinical Trial, Participants Who Consumed 5g of Black Cumin Seed Powder Daily (Roughly a Tablespoon) for 8 Weeks Showed Significant Reductions in Blood Triglycerides, LDL (‘bad’ Cholesterol, and Total Cholesterol Levels. In Addition, HDL (‘good’) Cholesterol Levels Increased

• Depression Found to Be Deeply Connected to Abnormalities in the Body's Overall Immune Response, Suggesting 'Immune Neural Axis' Imbalance as the Core Mechanism, Opening New Avenues for the Discovery of Biomarkers and Development of New Drugs for Depression Treatment

…and lots more. Have a great day!

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FOOD & NUTRITION

Dietary Patterns Emphasizing Healthful Plant-based Foods and Limiting Less Healthful Plant Foods and Animal Products Are Associated With Lower Odds of Cognitive Impairment and Risk of Dementia, Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Finds

A new review looked at 22 studies and found that eating more healthy plant-based foods may help lower your risk of memory loss and dementia as you age.

People who followed a healthy plant-based diet — full of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and beans — were less likely to have problems with thinking and memory. But those who ate more unhealthy plant foods — like chips, sweets, and white bread — had a higher risk of dementia.

Not all plant-based diets are equal. Just skipping meat isn’t enough. It matters what kinds of plant foods you eat. Healthy choices can support your brain. Unhealthy ones can raise your risk.

The studies showed mixed results. That may be because the people were different ages, lived in different places, and answered different types of food and memory tests. Still, the overall trend was clear: better plant foods, better brain health.

This review adds to past research showing that other healthy diets — like the Mediterranean and DASH diets — may also help protect your brain as you get older.

Fish, dairy, and small amounts of animal foods may also have some benefits, according to some studies.

More research is still needed. But choosing more healthy plant foods — and fewer sugary or processed ones — seems like a smart move for your brain.

⚠️ Talk to your doctor before making big diet changes, especially if you take medication or have health issues.

Source: sciencedirect.com

WEIGHT LOSS

People Looking to Lose Weight and Lower Their Blood Sugar May Someday Be Able to Get a Single Injection That Turns Their Cells Into Tiny Factories Churning Out a Protein That is Essentially the Active Ingredient in Drugs Like Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound and Mounjaro

Scientists are working on a new way to help people lose weight and lower blood sugar — with just one injection. Instead of taking weekly shots like Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro, this new method may teach your body to make its own version of these drugs.

Two biotech companies, RenBio and Fractyl Health, are leading the charge. Their idea is simple: give your cells instructions to make GLP-1, a natural hormone that helps control hunger, slow digestion, and lower blood sugar. It’s the same hormone that today’s weight-loss drugs copy.

RenBio’s version uses a small ring of DNA, called a plasmid, injected into muscles. A tiny electrical zap helps it enter cells, where it begins making GLP-1. In mice, this method helped them lose 15% of their weight and keep it off for a year.

Fractyl is using a virus shell to deliver the GLP-1 instructions directly to the pancreas — where insulin is made. This may reduce the need for ongoing doses. Their treated mice lost even more weight and stayed slim, even on a high-fat diet.

These therapies aren’t ready yet. Human trials may begin in 2026. And experts warn gene therapy comes with risks, including lasting effects that are hard to reverse.

Still, the idea is exciting. In a world filled with tempting food, helping the body make more of its own hunger-fighting hormone may be the future of weight loss.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Talk to your doctor before making any health decisions.

Source: edition.cnn.com

HEALTH

In the Human Clinical Trial, Participants Who Consumed 5g of Black Cumin Seed Powder Daily (Roughly a Tablespoon) for 8 Weeks Showed Significant Reductions in Blood Triglycerides, LDL (‘bad’ Cholesterol, and Total Cholesterol Levels. In Addition, HDL (‘good’) Cholesterol Levels Increased

New research from Japan suggests a common curry spice might help support heart health and healthy weight.

In a human clinical trial, people who took just one tablespoon (5 grams) of black cumin seed powder every day for 8 weeks saw big changes in their cholesterol levels. Their levels of LDL (often called “bad” cholesterol), total cholesterol, and triglycerides all dropped. Even better, their HDL—or “good” cholesterol—went up.

These changes in blood fats (also known as lipids) are linked to a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, and early death.

Black cumin, also known as Nigella sativa, has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. It’s rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. The seeds are also found in dishes like korma and paneer.

Researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University didn’t just test the seeds in people—they also studied how the seeds work in cells. They found black cumin helps stop the formation of new fat cells and may help block fat from building up in the body.

The lead researcher, Professor Akiko Kojima-Yuasa, said these results are promising. She believes black cumin may be a helpful food for preventing obesity and related health problems.

More studies are planned to see if the seeds can also help with blood sugar and inflammation.

As always, talk to your doctor before adding new supplements or herbs to your routine. What works for one person may not work for another.

Source: omu.ac.jp

Depression Found to Be Deeply Connected to Abnormalities in the Body's Overall Immune Response, Suggesting 'Immune Neural Axis' Imbalance as the Core Mechanism, Opening New Avenues for the Discovery of Biomarkers and Development of New Drugs for Depression Treatment

Depression may not be just a problem in the brain. New research shows it could also be caused by changes in the body’s immune system.

A team of scientists in South Korea studied women with a type of depression that includes symptoms like sleeping too much, eating more, or feeling guilt and hearing voices. These women often do not get better with common antidepressants.

Researchers looked at their blood and also grew small models of their brain cells in the lab. They found that both the immune system and brain cells were acting differently than normal. The immune system seemed to be working too hard, causing more stress in the body. At the same time, brain cells were not growing or working in a healthy way.

This overactive immune response may throw off the balance between the immune system and the brain. Scientists call this the "immune-neural axis." When this balance is off, it may raise the risk of depression.

The study is the first to look at the immune system and brain cells from the same depressed patients. This may help doctors find new ways to test for depression and create new treatments that work better for people who don’t respond to current drugs.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Please talk to your doctor before making changes to your health care.

Source: news.kaist.ac.kr

✢ 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.