12/23/25 - #549

Author

Health Horizon. Herald Staff
December 23, 2025

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • More Parents Refusing Vitamin K Shots for Newborns, Study Finds

  • Slow Metabolism is a Myth

  • U.S. Health Care is Broken. Here Are 3 Ways It's Getting Worse

  • You Might Not Need 8 Hours of Rest. Here’s How to Find Your Perfect Sleep Time

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

More Parents Refusing Vitamin K Shots for Newborns, Study Finds

A new study shows that more parents are refusing vitamin K shots for their newborn babies. Experts are concerned because these shots help stop serious bleeding.

Babies are born with very low levels of vitamin K. This vitamin helps blood clot and prevents bleeding. Since the 1960s, hospitals in the U.S. have given newborns a vitamin K shot right after birth. It’s a safe, one-time shot that lowers the risk of bleeding in the brain, stomach, or other areas.

The study looked at over 5 million babies born from 2017 to 2024. It found that about 4% of babies did not get the shot. In 2017, it was less than 3%. By 2024, it had gone up to over 5%. Most of the babies who missed the shot were white and non-Hispanic.

Doctors say there have been no new rules or changes in advice. The rise in refusals seems to be because of growing mistrust and misinformation. Some parents believe the vitamin K shot is a vaccine, but it’s not. It’s a supplement made from plants.

Without the shot, babies are more than 80 times more likely to bleed. Oral vitamin K is an option in some places, but it’s not as reliable. It must be given many times and may not work as well.

Experts warn that skipping the shot can lead to deadly bleeding, especially in the brain.

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

WEIGHT LOSS

Slow Metabolism is a Myth

Many people think they have a “slow metabolism” when they struggle to lose weight. But the truth is more complex. Most people who’ve dieted many times don’t actually have a slow metabolism — they have a more efficient one.

When you eat less for a long time, your body adjusts. It starts using less energy to do the same work. This is a survival response, similar to how a fuel-efficient car can travel farther on less gas. The more diets you’ve been on, the more your body adapts to “saving energy.” That can make weight loss harder over time.

This doesn’t mean you’re broken. It means your body is smart — it’s trying to protect you. But this can make traditional low-calorie diets frustrating and ineffective in the long run.

Instead of cutting calories every day, some experts suggest intermittent fasting or metabolic confusion — switching between lower and higher calorie days. These methods may help your body avoid slowing down its energy use. And when done correctly, they may also help burn fat without risking nutrient loss.

The key takeaway? Most people don’t need to “speed up” their metabolism — they need to stop confusing efficiency with failure. Your body isn’t fighting you; it’s doing its job. You just need the right strategy to work with it, not against it.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Talk to your doctor before starting any diet or weight-loss plan.

HEALTH

U.S. Health Care is Broken. Here Are 3 Ways It's Getting Worse

Health care in the U.S. is already expensive, and now it’s getting even worse. Here are three big problems:

1. Costs Are Going Up Health insurance is getting more expensive for everyone. If you get insurance through work or the government, you’ll likely pay more next year. Some families may lose discounts that help lower their monthly payments. Many people say they’re skipping doctor visits or putting off surgeries because they can’t afford the bills—even with “good” insurance.

2. Big Companies Are in Trouble Even large companies that run health care plans are struggling. UnitedHealth Group, one of the biggest health care companies, lost a lot of money this year. It’s also under investigation for how it handles Medicare. The company is now trying to drop about a million patients to save money. Other companies in the industry are also having a hard time.

3. Investors Are Worried In the past, health care stocks were seen as safe to invest in. That’s no longer true. Prices for many of these stocks are falling. Experts say it could take years for the industry to bounce back.

When health care becomes too expensive for patients—and not profitable for businesses—something is clearly broken. Both sides are unhappy, and that means change is needed.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical or financial advice. Always talk to a licensed professional about your health care needs.

You Might Not Need 8 Hours of Rest. Here’s How to Find Your Perfect Sleep Time

You may have heard that everyone needs eight hours of sleep. But that’s not always true. Some people feel great with just six hours. Others may need nine or more. The real goal is to find what works best for you.

Experts say the quality of sleep matters just as much as the amount. You can sleep for eight hours and still feel tired if the sleep isn’t deep or restful.

Two things affect sleep: sleep pressure and circadian rhythm. Sleep pressure builds the longer you're awake. It’s what makes you feel sleepy at night. Circadian rhythm is your body’s internal clock. It helps you feel awake during the day and sleepy at night.

For better sleep, these two systems should work together. That means keeping a regular schedule. Experts suggest waking up at the same time every day—even on weekends. This helps your body get into a rhythm.

To find your ideal sleep time, try this: Go to bed when you feel sleepy, not just tired. Avoid clocks and alarms for a few days if possible. Let yourself wake up naturally. After a few days, your body will start waking up at the same time each day. That’s your natural sleep pattern.

Some people may need just six hours. Others may need ten. What matters most is how you feel when you wake up.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Talk to your doctor about sleep issues.

✢ 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.