Good morning. In today’s edition:

• A New Study of Plant-based Drinks Reveals They Are Lacking in Proteins and Essential Amino Acids Compared to Cow’s Milk. The Explanation Lies in Their Extensive Processing, Causing Chemical Reactions That Degrade Protein Quality in the Product and, in Some Cases, Produce New Substances of Concern

• Obesity in U.S. Adults Slightly Decreased From 46% in 2022 to 45.6% in 2023, Marking the First Decline in Over a Decade, With the Most Notable Reduction in the South, Especially Among Women and Adults Aged 66 to 75

• Women Opting for a Medical Abortion at Home Are Often Advised That the Procedure is Likely to Be No More Painful Than Period Cramps. This Leaves Many Women Unprepared for the Intensity of the Pain They Experience

• People Who Walk More Each Day Are Less Likely to Have Depression - The New Study Found That the Higher a Person's Step Count, the Less Likely They Were to Have Depression, With Reaching 5,000 and 7,500 Steps a Day Both Associated With Lower Risks

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

A New Study of Plant-based Drinks Reveals They Are Lacking in Proteins and Essential Amino Acids Compared to Cow’s Milk. The Explanation Lies in Their Extensive Processing, Causing Chemical Reactions That Degrade Protein Quality in the Product and, in Some Cases, Produce New Substances of Concern

Recent studies from the University of Copenhagen show that plant-based drinks like almond, oat, and soy milk are not as good for you as cow’s milk. These drinks are popular because they are better for the environment, but they don't have as much protein.

Researchers found that the way these drinks are made changes their nutrition. They are heated very high to make them last longer on shelves, but this heating lowers the quality of proteins and essential amino acids. For example, cow's milk in the study had much more protein per liter compared to these plant-based drinks.

The heating process can also create acrylamide, a substance that might be harmful if you have too much over time. Although these levels are not dangerous right away, it's something to think about if you drink them a lot.

Experts suggest that the labels on these drinks should tell more about what’s inside, like how much and what kind of protein they have. This would help people understand what they are drinking better.

The takeaway? While plant-based drinks can be part of a healthy diet, they shouldn’t be your only source of nutrition. Also, keeping these drinks in the fridge can help keep them fresher and healthier. So, choose a variety of foods, make some meals yourself, and enjoy these drinks as part of a balanced diet.

Source: news.ku.dk

WEIGHT LOSS

Obesity in U.S. Adults Slightly Decreased From 46% in 2022 to 45.6% in 2023, Marking the First Decline in Over a Decade, With the Most Notable Reduction in the South, Especially Among Women and Adults Aged 66 to 75

For the first time in over ten years, the number of obese adults in the U.S. has slightly decreased. In 2023, the obesity rate went down from 46% to 45.6%. This small change is the first we've seen in a long time!

The biggest decrease was seen in the South, particularly among women and older adults aged 66 to 75. What caused this drop? Experts think it might be linked to new weight loss drugs like Ozempic, which is mainly for Type 2 diabetes but also helps people lose weight when used with a healthy diet and exercise.

But it's not just about the drugs. Changes in how people live and even the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic might have helped too. The study used health records from over 16 million adults and noticed that while obesity rates fell in some places and groups, they went up in others, like among Asian Americans.

It's exciting to see this shift, but experts are careful. They say it's too early to tell if this is a lasting trend. Ozempic and similar drugs are promising but expensive, and not everyone can get them easily. Plus, older adults, who saw a big drop, usually don't use these drugs much, which is interesting.

Even though there's a chance for hope, we need more research to see if this decrease will continue. Let's hope we're starting to move toward better health!

Source: nbcnews.com

HEALTH

Women Opting for a Medical Abortion at Home Are Often Advised That the Procedure is Likely to Be No More Painful Than Period Cramps. This Leaves Many Women Unprepared for the Intensity of the Pain They Experience

Many women are told that the pain from a medical abortion at home is just like having period cramps. However, a study done by the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) found that this is often not true. They surveyed nearly 1,600 women in the UK who took abortion pills before 10 weeks of pregnancy. About half of these women said the pain was much worse than they thought it would be. In fact, 92% rated their pain as at least 4 out of 10, and over 40% said their pain was very severe, between 8 and 10 on the scale.

This study shows that women are not getting the right information about how painful a medical abortion can be. Because of this, BPAS is working to improve how they talk about the pain. They want to make sure women understand it can be quite painful and help them be better prepared.

Medical abortions are done with pills and can be completed at home, often through a video call with a doctor. It's a common choice for ending early pregnancies in England and Wales. But the study highlights that women need better counseling about the pain. Many felt misled by comparisons to period pain, which didn't match their real experiences.

Now, BPAS is updating their guides and training their staff better, so women have the information they need to make the best choice for their health.

Source: scimex.org

People Who Walk More Each Day Are Less Likely to Have Depression - The New Study Found That the Higher a Person's Step Count, the Less Likely They Were to Have Depression, With Reaching 5,000 and 7,500 Steps a Day Both Associated With Lower Risks

Walking more might be an easy way to lower your chances of feeling sad. A new study shows that people who walk a lot each day, especially those who hit 5,000 or 7,500 steps, tend to be less sad.

Researchers looked at data from 33 past studies, which included nearly 100,000 people. They found that the more steps people took, the less likely they were to have symptoms of sadness.

The study was checked by experts and combined a lot of different research, but it doesn’t prove that walking more makes people less sad. However, it does show a strong connection. Researchers think it’s a good idea to study this more to see if walking more can really help keep sadness away.

Why is this important? Walking is easy to do and doesn’t cost anything. It’s especially good for people over 45. By walking more, like taking the stairs instead of the elevator, parking further away from store entrances, or going for regular walks, you might not only get healthier but also feel happier.

This study suggests that the more you walk, the better you might feel. Researchers want to keep looking into how walking more can help improve mental health. So, maybe it’s time to lace up your shoes and start taking more steps every day!

Source: scimex.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.