Good morning. In today’s edition:

• U.S Nutrition Panel’s Ties to Top Food Giants Revealed in New Report

• I Discovered Why I've Been Unsuccessful in Losing Weight

• Research Suggests That Poor Sleep Can Lead to Increased Feelings of Anger, Which, in Turn, Negatively Impacts Our Perceptions of Our Romantic Partnerships

• Too Much Red Meat is Linked to a 50% Increase in Type 2 Diabetes Risk

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

U.S Nutrition Panel’s Ties to Top Food Giants Revealed in New Report

Have you ever wondered who decides what's healthy to eat in the US? There's a group of experts who give advice on this. But a recent report has found something surprising: some of these experts are closely connected to big food companies.

This group of experts is called the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC). Their job is really important. They help decide what food is offered in places like our schools. They also have a say in what doctors tell us about food and how food is labeled.

But here's the big news: out of 20 experts on this committee, nine have ties to big companies like Nestlé and Coca-Cola. This makes people worried. Are these experts giving advice that's best for our health? Or are they thinking about the big companies' profits?

Gary Ruskin, from a group called US Right to Know, said, “This advice affects all of us. It should be honest and not just help big companies sell more.”

This isn't the first time big companies have tried to have a say in our food choices. The same group found out that these companies tried to change our minds about some products in the past.

With many in America having health problems like diabetes, it's important that the advice we get about food is true and good for us. We need experts who care about our health, not just money.

Source: theguardian.com

WEIGHT LOSS

I Discovered Why I've Been Unsuccessful in Losing Weight

We've all heard it before - to lose weight, you just need to burn more calories than you consume. Sounds simple, right? This concept seemed straightforward to me too, but after years of trying, I wasn't getting the results I wanted.

Here's the twist: it's not solely about calories. Our bodies are complex. When we cut calories drastically, our bodies react as if there's a shortage of food. They slow down metabolism, conserve energy, and even signal our brains to think more about food. It's a survival mechanism from our ancestors, who needed to adapt to periods of famine. This makes sustained weight loss incredibly hard.

But the story doesn't end there. Beyond calories, our hormones play a pivotal role in weight management, specifically insulin. It's the hormone telling our bodies to store glucose as fat. When we have high insulin levels, we gain weight. Conversely, when there's less insulin, we lose weight.

So, here's the game-changer: it's more effective to focus on regulating our insulin levels than merely cutting calories. I managed to shed 50 pounds in six months back in 2016, not by obsessing over every calorie, but by understanding and managing my insulin levels. This knowledge helped me achieve long-term weight loss, and I believe it can help you too.

Next time you think about weight loss, remember it's not just about calories. Dive deeper, understand your body, and seek a sustainable approach. Your journey might become a lot clearer.

Source: Dr. Dan Maggs

HEALTH

Research Suggests That Poor Sleep Can Lead to Increased Feelings of Anger, Which, in Turn, Negatively Impacts Our Perceptions of Our Romantic Partnerships

Have you ever woken up feeling grumpy after a night of tossing and turning? You're not alone. A recent study suggests that there's a link between how well we sleep and how we feel about our romantic partners.

Researchers took a closer look at how sleep affects our emotions. They found something interesting: when people didn't get good sleep for an entire month, they felt less positive about their partners. They were not as happy or as close as they felt when they had a good night's sleep.

In another part of the study, couples from Chicago were observed. The results were quite revealing. Those who didn’t sleep well felt more anger and irritability. This mood affected how they saw their relationship. Instead of seeing the good parts, they focused more on the not-so-great parts.

The same thing happened with college students. When they didn't sleep well, they felt angrier. This anger made them less satisfied with their partners.

But here's a thing to remember: the study has its limits. It's based on what people said, so there might be some details missing. Plus, not everyone will feel bad about their partner just because they missed some sleep.

Still, the message is clear: Sleep is important not just for our health, but also for our love lives. A good night’s rest might be the key to a happier relationship. So, let’s aim for restful nights and happy days with our loved ones!

Source: psypost.org

Too Much Red Meat is Linked to a 50% Increase in Type 2 Diabetes Risk

Do you enjoy eating red meat like steaks or burgers? A new study says eating too much could increase your chance of getting Type 2 diabetes by half.

Researchers studied the eating habits of 200,000 people for 36 years. They found that those who ate a lot of red meat daily were more likely to get Type 2 diabetes. And it's not just steaks; foods like bacon and hot dogs, which are processed meats, might be even riskier.

Why does this happen? Well, Dr. Walter Willett, who led the research, thinks certain things in red meat might be the problem. Plus, people who ate more red meat also tended to weigh more and exercise less.

Another scientist, Dr. Suzanne de la Monte, mentioned that some chemicals in meat could turn into harmful stuff when cooked. These harmful things can mess with our body's sugar levels.

But don't worry, you don't have to stop eating red meat completely. The study suggests that eating red meat about once a week is okay. So, enjoy your favorite meat, but also try to mix in other foods like veggies, fruits, and fish. It's all about balance!

Source: npr.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.