12/11/25 - #541

Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Consuming 30% Fewer Calories Than Usual for More Than 20 Years Can Slow Down Signs of Aging in the Brain, According to a Study Initiated in 1980 on Primates

• Eli Lilly Cuts Cash Prices of Zepbound Weight Loss Drug Vials on Direct-to-consumer Site

• PFAS Disrupt the Functioning of the Placenta, Especially in the Early Phase of Pregnancy, Which is Critical for the Baby’s Development

• Researchers Find Link Between Psychosocial Stress and Early Signs of Heart Inflammation in Women but Not in Men, Suggesting Stress Has Different Biological Impacts on Men and Women

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Consuming 30% Fewer Calories Than Usual for More Than 20 Years Can Slow Down Signs of Aging in the Brain, According to a Study Initiated in 1980 on Primates

A new study shows that eating fewer calories for a long time may help the brain stay healthier as we age. Researchers from Boston University studied monkeys for over 20 years. One group ate a normal diet, while the other group ate about 30% fewer calories. The monkeys that ate less had healthier brain cells when they got older.

As people age, brain cells can become weaker and damaged. This can affect memory, learning, and thinking. One problem is the breakdown of the myelin sheath, a layer that protects nerve fibers. Damage to this layer can slow down how brain signals travel. This is common in aging and in diseases like Alzheimer’s.

The researchers used a special test to study single brain cells. They looked at which genes were active in the brains of monkeys who ate less versus those who ate normally. The calorie-restricted brains showed stronger signs of producing and keeping the myelin layer. These brains also had less harmful inflammation.

Tara Moore, PhD, one of the lead researchers, said these results are important. “Eating fewer calories may help slow brain aging,” she said. The study began in the 1980s with help from the National Institute on Aging. The goal was to see if eating less could help monkeys live longer and stay healthier.

While more research is needed in humans, this study shows that long-term calorie reduction may protect the brain.

Talk to your doctor before making any big changes to your diet.

Source: bumc.bu.edu

WEIGHT LOSS

Eli Lilly Cuts Cash Prices of Zepbound Weight Loss Drug Vials on Direct-to-consumer Site

Eli Lilly has dropped the price of its weight loss drug, Zepbound, when bought through its website, LillyDirect. Starting December 1, people who pay with cash and have a prescription can get Zepbound for $299 to $449 per month, depending on the dose. Before this change, prices were between $349 and $499.

Zepbound’s full price is about $1,086 a month, which is too expensive for many people—especially since most insurance plans do not cover weight loss drugs. This price drop could help more people afford it.

The change comes shortly after President Trump made deals with drug companies like Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk. These deals are meant to make weight loss drugs easier to get and more affordable. They include future Medicare coverage and a new website, TrumpRx, coming in January.

The new prices apply to single-dose vials of Zepbound, which patients must inject themselves using a syringe. A different version, a multi-dose pen, may get its own price cut once it’s approved.

Right now, more than one-third of Zepbound prescriptions are filled through LillyDirect.

At the same time, rival company Novo Nordisk also lowered prices. Its drugs, Wegovy and Ozempic, now cost $349 per month for current users. New users can get the first two months for just $199 per month.

Both companies are racing to make weight loss drugs easier to access.

Disclaimer: This article is for information only. Talk to your doctor before starting any medication.

Source: cnbc.com

HEALTH

PFAS Disrupt the Functioning of the Placenta, Especially in the Early Phase of Pregnancy, Which is Critical for the Baby’s Development

A new study from researchers in Germany found that PFAS chemicals may harm the placenta—especially during the first three months of pregnancy, when a baby’s organs begin to develop.

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are chemicals used in many products, like non-stick pans and waterproof items. They build up in the body and do not break down easily.

Researchers used a 3D model of the placenta to study how PFAS affect pregnancy. They focused on six common PFAS chemicals found in the placentas of 31 women. When these chemicals were added to the model, the placenta cells didn’t grow or work as they should.

The placenta helps deliver oxygen and nutrients from the mother to the baby. It also makes hormones like hCG, which supports the pregnancy and helps the baby grow. The study showed that PFAS lowered hCG levels and blocked the placenta’s ability to fully connect to the mother’s blood supply.

This could raise the risk of problems during pregnancy, including poor growth or miscarriage. The study also found that PFAS disrupted the natural balance of cell growth and cell death in the placenta.

The researchers say that more attention should be paid to PFAS exposure during early pregnancy. Avoiding PFAS in everyday products may help protect the health of both mother and baby.

If you're planning a pregnancy or know someone who is, talk to a doctor about reducing PFAS exposure.

Source: ufz.de

Researchers Find Link Between Psychosocial Stress and Early Signs of Heart Inflammation in Women but Not in Men, Suggesting Stress Has Different Biological Impacts on Men and Women

A new study shows that stress may affect women’s hearts differently than men’s. Researchers in Canada looked at 219 adults between the ages of 43 and 65. About half were women. They used MRI scans to look for early signs of heart inflammation. These signs may show up before heart disease develops.

The researchers also asked people about their stress levels, caregiving duties, and emotional support. They found that women with higher stress had more signs of early heart changes than women with lower stress. This was especially true for women who already had other risk factors, like high blood pressure, diabetes, or smoking.

Men in the study did not show the same link between stress and heart changes.

The heart scans looked at two markers, called T1 and T2. These markers can show if the heart is starting to become inflamed. While the levels were not yet high enough to be considered disease, they were still higher than normal. That may mean a greater risk later in life.

Dr. Judy Luu from McGill University said the results suggest that stress affects women’s hearts in both social and biological ways. She said the team will now study things like hormones and blood markers to learn more.

This research could help doctors find new ways to support women’s heart health—especially for those with high stress. It also shows that emotional health is just as important as physical health when it comes to the heart.

Source: mcgill.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.