11/27/25 - #531

Good morning. In today’s edition:

• According to Early-stage Scientific Findings, Shifting Toward a Plant-based Diet Abundant in Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts and Legumes May Help Protect Against Heart Disease Linked to Hypertension and May Even Help Reverse Certain Aspects of It, Setting the Stage for Future Trials

• Novo Nordisk Further Lowers Prices for Weight Loss, Diabetes Drugs for Those Who Pay Cash

• A Common Type of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Has Been Linked to Toxic Bacteria

• Researchers Followed 3,991 Participants Aged > 65 Years to See if Their Diet Was Linked to Changes in Blood Pressure. After 3 Years, 1,764 Developed High Blood Pressure. Higher Adherence to a Plant-based Diet Was Significantly Associated With a Reduced Risk of Hypertension in This Population

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

According to Early-stage Scientific Findings, Shifting Toward a Plant-based Diet Abundant in Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts and Legumes May Help Protect Against Heart Disease Linked to Hypertension and May Even Help Reverse Certain Aspects of It, Setting the Stage for Future Trials

New research shows that a plant-based diet—full of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and beans—may protect the heart, even in people with high blood pressure. In animal studies, this kind of diet not only helped prevent heart damage but also helped reverse some of it.

The damage is called coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD). It affects small blood vessels in the heart and can lead to chest pain, poor blood flow, or even heart failure. Surprisingly, the diet improved heart health without lowering blood pressure. This suggests the diet works in other ways to help the heart.

The plant-based diet seemed to improve how blood vessels work. It boosted natural antioxidants, reduced swelling in the body (inflammation), and helped the blood vessels relax and carry blood more easily. It also helped certain heart cells work better, allowing the heart to pump more smoothly.

The gut may play a role too. The diet increased good bacteria in the gut, which may support heart and blood vessel health. These gut changes happened quickly—within a day of starting the diet.

While this research was done in animals, experts think the results may apply to people as well. In fact, earlier small studies in humans suggest a plant-based diet may reduce the need for blood pressure medicine.

The takeaway: A plant-based diet may do more than lower blood pressure. It may help protect your heart—even if your blood pressure stays high.

Talk to your doctor before making any big changes to your diet. This article is for informational purposes only.

Source: ahajournals.org

WEIGHT LOSS

Novo Nordisk Further Lowers Prices for Weight Loss, Diabetes Drugs for Those Who Pay Cash

Novo Nordisk, the maker of Ozempic and Wegovy, is lowering prices for people who pay cash. These drugs are used for weight loss and type 2 diabetes.

Now, the first two months of the lowest dose cost just $199 total. After that, the monthly price drops to $349, down from $499. The higher 2mg dose of Ozempic still costs $499.

The discounts are for people who don’t use insurance. You can get them through Novo Nordisk’s website and partners like Costco, GoodRx, Weight Watchers, and over 70,000 pharmacies.

The company is lowering prices because of pressure from the government and competition from Eli Lilly and compounding pharmacies, which sell cheaper versions of the drugs.

Soon, prices may drop even more. The Trump administration is launching a new program called TrumpRx in early 2026. This online service will offer Wegovy and Ozempic starting at $350/month, and may drop to $250/month. A pill version, if approved, could cost as low as $149/month.

List prices for GLP-1 drugs are around $1,000–$1,350/month, but insurance often lowers the cost. Still, many people stop taking these drugs because of the price. A recent poll found about 1 in 8 adults use a GLP-1 drug, and many pay the full price themselves.

Novo Nordisk hopes lower cash prices will help more people get access.

Source: edition.cnn.com

HEALTH

A Common Type of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Has Been Linked to Toxic Bacteria

A new study has found that a harmful type of bacteria, often found in dirty water, may help trigger ulcerative colitis—a common form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This condition causes swelling and pain in the lining of the colon and rectum. People with ulcerative colitis usually go through flare-ups, which include stomach pain, diarrhea, and fatigue.

Researchers discovered that some strains of Aeromonas bacteria make a toxin called aerolysin. This toxin kills certain immune cells in the colon, called macrophages. These cells help protect the gut and keep inflammation under control. When they are gone, the colon becomes more likely to get inflamed and damaged.

In the study, mice exposed to these bacteria were more likely to get colitis. But if the toxin was removed or blocked, the mice stayed healthy. In people, the bacteria were found in 72% of those with ulcerative colitis, compared to just 12% of healthy people.

Not everyone with the bacteria gets the disease, so other factors—like genes or other bacteria—also matter. Still, this discovery is important.

Scientists are now looking at new ways to treat ulcerative colitis. These include blocking the toxin, using vaccines, or using viruses to kill the bad bacteria.

This research may help explain why ulcerative colitis is becoming more common and could lead to better treatment in the future.

Talk to your doctor if you have questions about gut health or IBD.

Source: newscientist.com

Researchers Followed 3,991 Participants Aged > 65 Years to See if Their Diet Was Linked to Changes in Blood Pressure. After 3 Years, 1,764 Developed High Blood Pressure. Higher Adherence to a Plant-based Diet Was Significantly Associated With a Reduced Risk of Hypertension in This Population

Eating more plant-based foods may help older adults avoid high blood pressure, a new study shows.

Researchers followed 3,991 adults in China, all over the age of 65. None of them had high blood pressure when the study started. After three years, 1,764 people (about 44%) developed high blood pressure.

Those who ate more plant-based foods—like fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, and whole grains—had a much lower risk. People who followed this kind of diet most closely had up to a 22% lower chance of getting high blood pressure.

The more they ate plant foods and limited animal products, the better their results. This was true even after researchers looked at other factors like age, gender, health problems, and exercise habits.

The biggest benefit was seen in people who didn’t exercise often. For them, eating more plant-based foods seemed to help even more.

Experts believe this is because plant-based diets are rich in potassium, fiber, and healthy fats. These nutrients may help relax blood vessels, reduce swelling, and lower blood pressure.

You don’t have to give up meat or dairy completely. Just eating more plant foods most of the time may help protect your heart.

If you're 65 or older, this simple change may help you stay healthier and avoid high blood pressure.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. Please talk to your doctor before making any changes to your diet or health routine.

Source: frontiersin.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.