12/17/25 - #545

Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Consuming Lots of Energy Drinks May Raise Heart Disease and Stroke Risk. A Fit and Healthy Man in His 50s Had a Stroke and Was Left With Permanent Numbness in His Hands and Feet. He Drank an Average of 8 Energy Drinks a Day, Totaling 1,200mg of Caffeine. The Recommended Maximum Intake is 400mg

• WHO Backs Wider Use of Weight-loss Medicines, Calling Obesity a Chronic Disease

• Health Insurance Premiums in the U.S. Significantly Increased Between 1999 and 2024, Outpacing the Rate of Worker Earnings by Three Times. Over Half of Board Members at Top U.S. Hospitals Have Professional Backgrounds in Finance or Business

• Insufficient Sleep Associated With Decreased Life Expectancy. As a Behavioral Driver for Life Expectancy, Sleep Stood Out More Than Diet, More Than Exercise, More Than Loneliness — Indeed, More Than Any Other Factor Except Smoking. People Really Should Strive to Get 7 to 9 Hours of Sleep

…and lots more. Have a great day!

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FOOD & NUTRITION

Consuming Lots of Energy Drinks May Raise Heart Disease and Stroke Risk. A Fit and Healthy Man in His 50s Had a Stroke and Was Left With Permanent Numbness in His Hands and Feet. He Drank an Average of 8 Energy Drinks a Day, Totaling 1,200mg of Caffeine. The Recommended Maximum Intake is 400mg

A man in his 50s thought he was living a healthy life—until he had a stroke that left him with permanent numbness in his hands and feet. The cause? Doctors say it may have been his extreme energy drink habit.

He drank eight energy drinks a day. That added up to about 1,200mg of caffeine daily—three times the recommended safe limit of 400mg. These drinks also contain lots of sugar and other chemicals that may affect heart health.

Doctors in England reported the case in a medical journal. When the man was admitted to the hospital, his blood pressure was dangerously high: 254/150. Even with medicine, it stayed high—until he stopped drinking energy drinks. Once he quit, his blood pressure returned to normal, and he no longer needed the medication.

Still, the damage was done. Even eight years later, he says parts of his hand and foot are still numb.

Doctors are calling for stronger rules on how energy drinks are sold and advertised. They also urge doctors to ask about energy drink use when patients have high blood pressure or stroke symptoms.

While more research is needed, this case shows that too many energy drinks can be harmful—even for healthy adults. Cutting back could lower your risk of heart disease or stroke.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Talk to your doctor before making changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Source: theguardian.com

WEIGHT LOSS

WHO Backs Wider Use of Weight-loss Medicines, Calling Obesity a Chronic Disease

The World Health Organization (WHO) now supports the wider use of weight-loss medicines. These drugs are called GLP-1 therapies. They include medicines like semaglutide, liraglutide, and tirzepatide. WHO says these drugs should be part of long-term care for people with obesity.

More than 1 billion people in the world live with obesity. In 2024, it was linked to 3.7 million deaths. WHO warns the number of people with obesity could double by 2030. Obesity is not just about diet or lifestyle. It is a complex condition affected by genes, environment, and income.

GLP-1 drugs work by copying a natural hormone. This helps control hunger, blood sugar, and digestion. People who use these drugs may lose weight and improve their health. But medicine alone is not enough. WHO says people also need better food, more movement, and help from doctors.

These medicines are costly and not easy to get. WHO believes fewer than 10% of people who need them will have access by 2030. Fake or poor-quality versions are also being sold, which could be harmful.

To fix this, WHO urges fair pricing, stronger rules, and better access across countries. They say treating obesity requires care over a lifetime, not just willpower.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Talk to your doctor before starting any treatment.

Source: news.un.org

HEALTH

Health Insurance Premiums in the U.S. Significantly Increased Between 1999 and 2024, Outpacing the Rate of Worker Earnings by Three Times. Over Half of Board Members at Top U.S. Hospitals Have Professional Backgrounds in Finance or Business

Health insurance is getting more expensive in the U.S. Between 1999 and 2024, the cost of insurance went up almost three times faster than workers’ pay. This means many people are spending more on health care, even if their income hasn’t gone up much.

One reason is the rising cost of hospital care. Outpatient visits, expensive drugs like GLP-1s, and other services have driven prices higher. But experts say the main reason is that hospitals have been merging. When hospitals join together, they often raise their prices.

Another problem is how hospital leaders are paid. Many nonprofit hospitals pay their CEOs big bonuses if they grow the business and make more money. But those bonuses aren’t tied to offering better care. In fact, over half of hospital board members have backgrounds in finance or business—not health care.

Some experts say we should cap hospital prices and slow down how fast prices can rise. Others want nonprofit hospitals to be more open about how they pay their leaders. This could help focus more on care and less on profits.

Employers are also trying new plans to lower costs. One idea is to charge more if patients choose high-cost hospitals. These “tiered” plans have helped save money without lowering quality.

In 2026, insurance premiums are expected to rise another 9.5%. If nothing changes, people may keep paying more without getting better care.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical or financial advice.

Source: theconversation.com

Insufficient Sleep Associated With Decreased Life Expectancy. As a Behavioral Driver for Life Expectancy, Sleep Stood Out More Than Diet, More Than Exercise, More Than Loneliness — Indeed, More Than Any Other Factor Except Smoking. People Really Should Strive to Get 7 to 9 Hours of Sleep

A new study says that getting enough sleep may help you live longer—possibly even more than eating healthy or exercising.

Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University looked at national data from 2019 to 2025. They compared how long people live with how much sleep they get. The results were clear: sleep matters—a lot.

In fact, sleep was more closely linked to life expectancy than diet, exercise, or even loneliness. Only smoking had a stronger effect on shortening life. People who regularly got less than 7 hours of sleep were more likely to die sooner.

The lead researcher, Dr. Andrew McHill, said he was surprised by how strong the connection was. “We know sleep is good for health,” he said, “but this really shows how powerful it is. People should aim for 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night.”

Why does sleep matter so much? The researchers say sleep affects many parts of the body. It helps your heart, immune system, and brain all work better. Without enough sleep, your risk for disease may go up—and your life may be shorter.

This study looked at sleep patterns and life expectancy in every U.S. state. The results were consistent year after year.

The bottom line? Sleep isn’t just for feeling rested. It’s one of the best things you can do for your long-term health.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Talk to your doctor before making changes to your health routine.

Source: news.ohsu.edu

✢ 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.