Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Any Fish Consumption During Pregnancy Was Linked to About a 20% Reduction in Autism Risk Compared to No Fish Consumption. However, Taking Omega-3 Supplements, Often Marketed for Similar Benefits, Did Not Show the Same Associations

• Canada Approves Novo Nordisk's Obesity Drug to Reduce Risk of Non-fatal Heart Attack

• Sitting Too Much Linked to Heart Disease –– Even if You Work Out, According to New Study

• Irregular Sleep Patterns May Raise Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke, Study Suggests

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Any Fish Consumption During Pregnancy Was Linked to About a 20% Reduction in Autism Risk Compared to No Fish Consumption. However, Taking Omega-3 Supplements, Often Marketed for Similar Benefits, Did Not Show the Same Associations

A new study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that eating fish while pregnant may cut the risk of autism in children by about 20% compared to not eating fish. Omega-3 supplements are often suggested for the same benefits. But, this benefit doesn't seem to happen with them.

Autism affects how people communicate and act, and it varies a lot from one person to another. Autism has genetic and environmental causes. These include a mother's diet during pregnancy.

Fish contains DHA, an important omega-3 fat that helps with brain development. Some worry about harmful substances, like mercury, in fish. But, this study shows that eating fish can be beneficial. Kristen Lyall from the AJ Drexel Autism Institute explains that while other studies have looked at how eating fish affects children’s IQ, few have studied its link to autism.

The research used data from a big study called the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes Program. Mothers reported how much fish they ate when they were pregnant. Children's autism conditions and traits were also studied. The findings showed that even a little fish each week could reduce autism risks.

However, children of mothers who took omega-3 supplements had slightly more autism traits. This surprising result suggests the body may use omega-3s from fish differently than from supplements.

This study supports advice for pregnant women to eat fish with low mercury levels but also points out that more research is needed.

Source: psypost.org

WEIGHT LOSS

Canada Approves Novo Nordisk's Obesity Drug to Reduce Risk of Non-fatal Heart Attack

Canada has approved a drug called Wegovy, made by Novo Nordisk. It helps reduce the risk of non-fatal heart attacks in adults. Wegovy is the first drug in Canada to help with obesity and heart health in people with heart disease.

Wegovy works by acting like a hormone that controls hunger, helping people eat less and lose weight. It was first approved in 2021 just for helping people manage their weight.

Doctors are excited. Wegovy helps people lose weight. It also lowers the risk of heart problems, like heart attacks, in adults without diabetes. This approval in Canada follows positive feedback from the EU. It also supported the drug for preventing serious heart issues and strokes in obese adults.

Wegovy is also recognized in the U.K. and the U.S. for its benefits in reducing serious heart conditions and strokes in those who are overweight.

This news is a big step forward for many people struggling with weight and heart health. With obesity being a major health issue around the world, treatments like Wegovy are important for managing both weight and the risk of heart disease. This drug offers a new way for doctors to help people stay healthy and avoid heart problems.

Source: ctvnews.ca

HEALTH

Sitting Too Much Linked to Heart Disease –– Even if You Work Out, According to New Study

Even if you exercise regularly, sitting too much can still harm your heart. A recent study shows the risks of spending too much time sitting, no matter how active you are.

Dr. Ezim Ajufo, a heart doctor from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, emphasizes the need to sit less. "Our findings really emphasize the importance of avoiding excess sitting… whether or not you’re physically active," he says. The study looked at nearly 90,000 people who wore devices that tracked their activity.

The study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, links sitting for long periods to a higher chance of heart problems like strokes and heart attacks. Dr. Ajufo suggests trying not to sit more than 10.6 hours a day to start improving heart health.

Dr. Keith Diaz of Columbia University, who wasn’t part of the study, explains why sitting too much is bad. "Muscles help control blood sugar and fat," he says. Muscles need movement to work right.

The study also mentions that it doesn’t prove sitting causes heart disease directly and that most of the data came from Europeans, which might not represent everyone.

How to sit less? Dr. Diaz says standing desks are only a partial fix. Instead, try to move a little throughout the day, like taking short walks.

Even though exercise can’t erase the effects of sitting all day, it’s still good for you. Every bit of activity helps.

Source: edition.cnn.com

Irregular Sleep Patterns May Raise Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke, Study Suggests

A new study suggests that not sleeping and waking up at the same times each day could raise your risk of heart attacks and strokes. This is true even if you get enough hours of sleep.

Researchers looked at sleep data from over 72,000 adults who hadn't had heart problems before. They watched their sleep habits for a week and checked on their health for eight years. They found that irregular sleepers were 26% more likely to have heart issues than those with regular sleep.

This study doesn’t prove that irregular sleep causes heart problems, but it shows a strong link. Other factors like age, exercise, and smoking were considered in the research.

Jean Pierre Chaput, who led the study, points out the importance of sleeping at regular times. He recommends keeping your bedtime and waking time within 30 to 60 minutes of the same time each day. This helps keep your body's natural clock running well. It improves sleep and may lower your risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Chaput also says not to depend on the weekend to catch up on sleep. While it might help short-term, it doesn’t fix the damage from not sleeping well during the week, and can still lead to serious health issues over time.

Sleeping well and regularly isn’t just about feeling rested—it's crucial for keeping your heart healthy.

Source: ctvnews.ca

✢ 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.