12/19/25 - #547

Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Greater Adherence to a Healthful Plant-based Diet is Associated With Significantly Lower All-cause and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality in Adults With Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) Syndrome, an Association Partially Mediated by Leukocyte Telomere Length, Study Finds

• New MRI Study Suggests Belly Fat is More Dangerous for Your Heart Than Being Overweight

• If You Use a Plastic Cutting Board, You Might Be Eating Some of It

• FDA Approves First at-home Device for Depression. What is It?

…and lots more. Have a great day!

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FOOD & NUTRITION

Greater Adherence to a Healthful Plant-based Diet is Associated With Significantly Lower All-cause and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality in Adults With Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) Syndrome, an Association Partially Mediated by Leukocyte Telomere Length, Study Finds

A new study shows that eating a healthy plant-based diet may help people with heart, kidney, and metabolic conditions live longer. These conditions, known together as CKM (cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic) syndrome, raise the risk of early death.

Researchers looked at nearly 5,000 U.S. adults with CKM and followed them for about 18 years. People who ate the most healthy plant foods—like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains—had about a 60% lower risk of dying from any cause, including heart disease. In contrast, people who ate more unhealthy plant foods—such as sugary drinks, sweets, and white bread—had a much higher risk of dying.

Not all plant-based diets are good. Some are filled with processed foods and added sugars. The study found that healthy plant-based diets help protect the body, while unhealthy ones can do harm.

The researchers also looked at something called telomeres. These are tiny parts of your cells that get shorter as you age. People who ate healthier diets tended to have longer telomeres, which may help slow aging. But this explained only part of the benefit.

The takeaway: Eating more healthy plant-based foods could help people with CKM live longer and lower their risk of heart problems. But just cutting out meat isn’t enough—what you replace it with matters.

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

Source: tandfonline.com

WEIGHT LOSS

New MRI Study Suggests Belly Fat is More Dangerous for Your Heart Than Being Overweight

A new study using MRI scans shows that belly fat may harm your heart more than just having extra body weight. The study looked at over 2,200 adults between ages 46 and 78. None of them had heart disease when the study started.

Researchers compared two ways of measuring fat. One was Body Mass Index (BMI), which uses your height and weight. The other was the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), which looks at how much fat is around your belly compared to your hips.

The results were surprising. People with more belly fat—even if they had a normal weight—showed changes in their heart that could lead to heart failure. Their heart walls were thicker, and the inner chambers were smaller. This means the heart had less room to hold and pump blood.

These changes were seen more often in men. They were also found even when researchers took other risks into account, like smoking or high blood pressure.

This study suggests that belly fat may be more dangerous than we thought. Just focusing on BMI may not be enough. Doctors may need to also look at where fat is stored.

What can you do? Measure your waist and hips. A waist-to-hip ratio over 0.90 for men or 0.85 for women may be a sign of risk. Eating healthy and staying active can help reduce belly fat and protect your heart.

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

Source: zmescience.com

HEALTH

If You Use a Plastic Cutting Board, You Might Be Eating Some of It

Plastic cutting boards are common in many kitchens. They’re cheap, easy to clean, and lightweight. But new research suggests they may not be the safest choice.

When you chop food on a plastic board, small plastic pieces—called microplastics—can break off. One knife stroke can release 100 to 300 of these tiny bits. About half go down the drain when you wash the board. The rest may end up in your food.

Some microplastics are too big for your body to absorb. Others are small enough to pass into your organs. Even if your body doesn’t absorb them, scientists worry the chemicals in plastic could still cause harm—especially when food is heated with plastic particles.

In a study, mice that ate food chopped on plastic boards had more gut problems than mice that ate food cut on wood. While this doesn’t prove it harms humans, it’s a reason to think twice.

Older plastic boards may shed more microplastics over time. Chopping with force or using the board often can make it worse.

Wood boards don’t release plastic, but they can trap bacteria if not cleaned well. Experts say to wash wood boards with soap and use a food-safe sanitizer. Replace them when they get worn or cracked.

Right now, plastic boards are considered safe by the FDA. But research is still ongoing. If you're concerned, switching to wood—or replacing old plastic boards—might be a safer choice.

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

Source: time.com

FDA Approves First at-home Device for Depression. What is It?

The FDA has approved the first at-home brain stimulation device to help treat depression. The device, called the FL-100, is made by Flow Neuroscience and offers a new option for people who may want to avoid long-term use of antidepressant medications.

The FL-100 sends a gentle electrical current to the part of the brain that controls mood. It is designed for adults with moderate to severe depression who are not resistant to medications. The device can be used alone or along with other treatments like therapy or medicine.

This is the first time such a device has been approved for home use in the U.S. Patients use it under remote medical supervision. A typical treatment plan lasts 12 weeks. In the first three weeks, users have five 30-minute sessions per week. After that, they continue with two or three sessions each week.

The company says the device will be available in the U.S. by mid-2026 and will cost between $500 and $800. Flow is also working with insurance providers to make it more affordable.

In a study, 58% of users went into remission after 10 weeks. Globally, 77% of people using the device said their symptoms improved within three weeks. Over 55,000 people in Europe and Asia have already tried it.

Most side effects are mild, such as tingling, headaches, or slight skin irritation. However, skin burns can happen if the pads are reused or not kept moist.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Please consult a healthcare professional.

Source: yahoo.com

✢ 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.