Good morning. In today’s edition:

• High Ultra-processed Food Intake Could Be Linked to Psoriasis, Finds a New Study of Over 18,000 People, Even After Taking Into Account Age, BMI, Alcohol Intake, and Other Diseases Such as Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, and Inflammatory Rheumatism

• We Often Get Told We Should Drink More Water, but the Actual Benefits of Increasing Water Consumption Are Not Well Established. A New Review Found That a Small Number of Studies Did Suggest Increasing Your Water Intake Has Benefits for Weight Loss and Kidney Stones

• Adopting a Healthy Diet Can Reduce the Severity of Chronic Pain, Presenting an Easy and Accessible Way for Sufferers to Better Manage Their Condition. Importantly, These Findings Were Independent of a Person’s Weight. The Effect Was Stronger in Women

• 'Changed My Life': This Canadian Woman Was Struggling With Multiple Chronic Health Problems. A Diabetes Program Changed Everything

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

High Ultra-processed Food Intake Could Be Linked to Psoriasis, Finds a New Study of Over 18,000 People, Even After Taking Into Account Age, BMI, Alcohol Intake, and Other Diseases Such as Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, and Inflammatory Rheumatism

A new study suggests that eating a lot of processed foods might be linked to psoriasis, a skin condition that causes itchy and painful patches. This research involved over 18,000 people. Of them, 1,825 had psoriasis, including 803 with flare-ups.

Processed foods are items like chips, frozen dinners, and sodas. These foods are very different from their natural forms. They often contain many added chemicals and preservatives.

The study found that people who eat more processed foods tend to have active psoriasis more often. This relationship is significant. This holds true even after accounting for age, weight, alcohol use, and chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.

It’s important to note that this was an observational study. This means the researchers simply collected data and observed the participants without intervening. They found a link between processed food and psoriasis. But, they cannot prove that processed foods cause the condition.

The researchers recommend future studies. They should explore if a diet high in processed foods might trigger psoriasis outbreaks. Another possibility is that people with active psoriasis might change their eating habits due to their symptoms.

This research is crucial. It shows we need more studies to understand how diet affects psoriasis. It also suggests that being mindful of food choices could play a key role in managing the symptoms of psoriasis.

Source: scimex.org

WEIGHT LOSS

We Often Get Told We Should Drink More Water, but the Actual Benefits of Increasing Water Consumption Are Not Well Established. A New Review Found That a Small Number of Studies Did Suggest Increasing Your Water Intake Has Benefits for Weight Loss and Kidney Stones

Everyone knows the advice: "Drink more water." But how much truth is there to the claim that it can actually improve our health? Recently, US experts reviewed all the research on drinking more water. They wanted to see if it really has health benefits.

This wasn't just a simple review. It was a peer-reviewed systematic review. It was rigorously checked by experts. It used a detailed method to evaluate all related studies. The focus? Determining if increasing our water intake can actually make us healthier.

The findings from this review were quite revealing. While the overall number of clinical trials focused on water intake is small, several studies do suggest that there are real benefits. For instance, increasing how much water you drink can help with weight loss and may prevent kidney stones. It may also reduce migraine frequency, urinary tract infections, and blood pressure. It might help control diabetes, too.

However, the experts noted that these findings come from a limited set of studies. They emphasize that more well-designed research is necessary to fully understand the impact of increased water consumption. They argue that considering water is both inexpensive and safe, investing in further studies could be very beneficial.

So, the science on drinking more water is still developing. But, its potential health benefits make it worth considering for a healthy lifestyle.

Source: scimex.org

HEALTH

Adopting a Healthy Diet Can Reduce the Severity of Chronic Pain, Presenting an Easy and Accessible Way for Sufferers to Better Manage Their Condition. Importantly, These Findings Were Independent of a Person’s Weight. The Effect Was Stronger in Women

New research from the University of South Australia brings good news. Changing your diet can greatly reduce chronic pain. This study found that following a healthy diet can seriously lower pain levels, and it works for everyone, no matter their weight.

The journal Nutrition Research published research on this. It shows that eating foods recommended by the Australian Dietary Guidelines helps reduce pain, especially in women. These foods include vegetables, fruits, grains, lean meats, and dairy.

Sue Ward, a researcher at UniSA, points out that women often feel chronic pain more than men do, and eating well can really help. The study suggests that healthy foods might reduce pain because they fight inflammation and protect your body with antioxidants.

Globally, about 30% of people live with chronic pain. In Australia, that’s around 1.6 million people who suffer every day. Often, managing this pain can be hard and expensive, and many people don’t get the relief they need.

However, this study offers a hopeful solution that's easy to try: just eat better. It’s a natural and low-cost way to help manage and even reduce chronic pain. This could be a game-changer for many people.

In short, eating a nutritious diet isn’t just good for your overall health—it can also be a key tool in fighting chronic pain. It’s a simple, affordable, and effective method that’s worth trying out.

Source: scimex.org

'Changed My Life': This Canadian Woman Was Struggling With Multiple Chronic Health Problems. A Diabetes Program Changed Everything

Lorraine O'Quinn, a realtor from Trenton, Ontario, was overwhelmed. Her busy life and poor health took a toll. Long hours and junk food caused health issues, like high blood pressure and heart disease. After two decades, her situation took a serious turn when she was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

Determined to regain her health, O'Quinn found a lifeline in the LifestyleRx program. This virtual, physician-led initiative aims to improve holistic health. It offers group sessions and personal consultations. Over 12 weeks, participants, including O'Quinn, learn about nutrition, stress, and sleep.

The program emphasizes gradual lifestyle changes rather than quick fixes. O'Quinn adopted a healthier diet rich in whole foods and reduced her sugar intake. She also incorporated regular physical activities like walking and pickleball into her routine.

The results were transformative. Not only did O'Quinn lose 70 pounds, but her diabetes went into remission. She stopped taking her diabetes medication as her health markers normalized. The program gave her support and knowledge. It empowered her to set healthy boundaries in work and life. This greatly improved her well-being.

LifestyleRx, launched by Dr. Brendan Byrne, has helped thousands. It did so by using sustainable lifestyle changes to improve their health. The program helps Canadians manage and reverse chronic conditions like diabetes. It proves it's never too late to change one's life.

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.