Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Study Has Found That Reducing the Intake of a Single Amino Acid, Isoleucine, by Two-thirds, Improved the Lifespan (33% Males, 7% Females), Weight, and Health of Middle-aged Mice Without Requiring a Drop in Calorie Intake

• The Greatest Human Transformation I Have Personally Witnessed

• Microdosing Psychedelics Shows Promise for Improving Mindfulness in Adults With ADHD

• Mentally Passive Sedentary Activities Linked to 43% Higher Depression Risk

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Study Has Found That Reducing the Intake of a Single Amino Acid, Isoleucine, by Two-thirds, Improved the Lifespan (33% Males, 7% Females), Weight, and Health of Middle-aged Mice Without Requiring a Drop in Calorie Intake

Have you ever thought that eating certain foods might help you live longer and stay healthy? A new study led by Professor Dudley Lamming from the University of Wisconsin shows that this might be true for a nutrient called isoleucine.

Isoleucine is part of what makes up proteins and is found in foods like eggs, dairy, soy, and meat. It's needed in our diet, but eating too much of it might not be good, especially for people who weigh more than they should.

The study worked with middle-aged mice, equal to humans around 30 years old. These mice were given as much food as they wanted. The group that ate less isoleucine stayed leaner and healthier and lived longer. Male mice lived 33% longer, and females 7% longer.

These mice ate more calories but didn't gain extra weight. They also had fewer health problems. For people, this means eating the right foods, not just less food, could be important. Foods lower in isoleucine might be better for our health.

This research is exciting because it suggests a simple change in our diet could help us live longer and healthier lives. But it's hard to make a diet for humans that's low in isoleucine. More studies are needed to fully understand how this works.

So, while we can't all start eating like these mice, choosing healthier foods might make a big difference as we get older.

Source: news.wisc.edu

WEIGHT LOSS

The Greatest Human Transformation I Have Personally Witnessed

Let me tell you an amazing story about a dad who changed his life in a big way. This man used to weigh 400 pounds and was so tired he couldn't even play with his kids. After a doctor's visit in January 2021, he learned he had serious health problems like high blood pressure and diabetes. The doctor said he might not live past his 40s. That scary moment made him decide to change.

His biggest problem was sugar. He used to eat a lot of it every day. So, he started eating less sugar and smaller portions of food. He began with walking, then added running, swimming, and even lifting weights. He worked so hard that he finished a triathlon last summer!

Now, he's lost half his body weight - that's 230 pounds in two years! He feels great and wants to share his story to inspire others. His kids, who are 5 and 9 years old, are even starting to exercise like him.

This man's journey wasn't just about losing weight. It changed his whole life. He feels happier, has more energy, and thinks better. He tells people to not just look at the scale but to find what motivates them and keep going.

This story shows that with hard work and the right attitude, you can totally change your life. It’s not just about being thinner; it’s about being healthier and happier.

Source: TODAY

HEALTH

Microdosing Psychedelics Shows Promise for Improving Mindfulness in Adults With ADHD

Did you know small doses of certain psychedelic drugs might help adults with ADHD focus better? A study in "Frontiers in Psychiatry" suggests this interesting idea.

ADHD is when adults have a hard time paying attention, are super active, or act without thinking. Some of these adults are trying microdosing. This means they take tiny bits of drugs like magic mushrooms, but not enough to make them see things that aren't there. They do this to help with their ADHD.

The study looked at how these small doses affect mindfulness and personality. Mindfulness means being really aware of what's happening now and accepting your thoughts and feelings. Usually, adults with ADHD find this hard.

The results? After four weeks, those who tried microdosing felt more mindful. They got better at noticing things, explaining their feelings, staying aware, and not being harsh on their thoughts.

Also, they felt less unstable emotionally. But changes in other personality parts weren't so clear.

Eline C. H. M. Haijen, who led the study, says this is exciting but we need more research. Future studies should happen in labs to double-check these results. This study wasn't perfect because many people didn't finish it and there wasn't a comparison group.

In short, tiny doses of psychedelic drugs might help adults with ADHD be more mindful. But, scientists need to do more studies to be really sure about it.

Source: psypost.org

Mentally Passive Sedentary Activities Linked to 43% Higher Depression Risk

There's new research that shows a certain kind of sitting could make you more likely to feel depressed. When you sit and do things like watch TV, which doesn't need much thinking, your chance of feeling depressed can go up by 43%. But sitting while working or driving, which keeps your brain busy, doesn't have the same risk.

Scientists from the University of São Paulo in Brazil did this study. They used information from a big study in the UK that started in 1958. They looked at more than 4,600 people. They checked how much TV they watched, how much they sat at work or while driving, their waist size, and some blood tests.

What they found was clear. People who spent more time watching TV had a higher chance of getting depressed. This was partly because they often had bigger waists and more signs of body inflammation. But their blood sugar levels didn't seem to matter.

This study tells us something important. If we spend less time doing things that don't make us think much, like watching TV, it could help our minds stay healthier. For those who might get depressed, doing more activities and moving more can really help.

Remember, this study isn't perfect. People had to remember and report their own habits. Also, the way we live and work has changed since the study started. But it's a good start to understanding how our daily habits affect our mental health.

Source: psypost.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.