Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Eating at Least 60 Grams (Two Handfuls) of Nuts a Day May Improve Male Fertility

• Weight Loss Drug Wegovy Slashes Risk of Death in Some People With Heart Disease

• People Never Visited by Loved Ones More Likely to Die Earlier, Study Finds

• A Cheap and Widely Available Prescription Drug -amitriptyline- Can Improve Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Patients Seen in General Practitioner Surgeries

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Eating at Least 60 Grams (Two Handfuls) of Nuts a Day May Improve Male Fertility

Eating nuts every day might be a tasty way to help! A study from Monash University found that nuts can boost sperm quality.

The researchers looked into how nuts affect men and women's fertility. They found something interesting: men who ate about two handfuls of nuts daily (60 grams) saw better sperm quality. They checked out different studies where men ate nuts like walnuts, almonds, and hazelnuts every day. These nuts helped improve the quality of their sperm.

Dr. Barbara Cardoso, who led the study, mentioned that this is good news, especially since the men were eating a regular Western diet. This means just adding nuts to what they normally eat helped their sperm.

Nuts are full of good things like omega-3 fats, fibers, vitamins, and minerals. These are great for your health and now seem to help with male fertility too. But remember to choose nuts that are raw or roasted, and skip the ones with extra salt or sugar.

We still need to learn more about nuts and women's fertility. But for now, if you're a man trying to have a baby, eating more nuts might be a good idea. Plus, nuts are linked to better health and keeping a healthy weight. So, eating nuts is a smart choice for your health and your family plans!

Source: monash.edu

WEIGHT LOSS

Weight Loss Drug Wegovy Slashes Risk of Death in Some People With Heart Disease

Have you heard about Wegovy? It's a weight-loss drug that's now showing some amazing benefits for heart health. Wegovy contains a special ingredient called semaglutide. This ingredient is already helping people with diabetes and those who need to lose weight quickly. Recently, it has been found to also lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes by 20%!

How does Wegovy work? It controls the hormones that make you feel hungry, helping you feel full for a longer time. This means you end up eating less and losing weight. In a big study, more than 17,000 people who were overweight and had heart disease tried out Wegovy. The results were exciting! Those who took the drug not only lost weight but also had fewer heart problems.

Doctors think Wegovy is great for heart health, but it's expensive and can cause stomach problems and gallstones. This means it's not the best choice for everyone. Right now, doctors and experts are figuring out who will benefit the most from this drug.

The company that makes Wegovy, Novo Nordisk, is now asking for permission to use it specifically for heart health. The study's results were so good that they are likely to get approval.

In short, Wegovy is more than just a weight-loss drug. It's bringing new hope for people with heart problems, showing that the right medication can do more than just help with weight loss—it can also protect your heart.

Source: scientificamerican.com

HEALTH

People Never Visited by Loved Ones More Likely to Die Earlier, Study Finds

Did you know that seeing friends and family can help you live longer? A study from the University of Glasgow found a big link between how often we see loved ones and our health. People who don't get visits from family or friends are 77% more likely to die early.

The study looked at the health of over 450,000 adults in the UK for about 12 years. They found that feeling lonely, living alone, or not having visits from others can all make you more likely to die sooner. For example, people who never get visited are more likely to die from heart problems.

But, visiting each other even once a month can make a huge difference. These monthly visits can really lower the chance of dying early. This means that spending time with others isn't just fun, it's also good for your health.

Why does this happen? The study didn't give a definite answer, but habits like smoking or not going to the doctor might be part of it. Being lonely might even change how your body fights sickness.

Experts are now saying this is a big deal. They want more ways to help people stay connected. Age UK, a charity, said having someone to talk to or go to the doctor with can help a lot with health.

So, remember, visiting friends and family isn't just nice—it's important for living a longer, healthier life.

Source: theguardian.com

A Cheap and Widely Available Prescription Drug -amitriptyline- Can Improve Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Patients Seen in General Practitioner Surgeries

Good news for people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)! A common, low-cost drug called Amitriptyline could make a big difference. This exciting discovery was announced at a recent health conference and published in a medical journal.

The study, named ATLANTIS, was led by experts from universities in Leeds, Southampton, and Bristol. It was supported by a big health research group in the UK. General practitioners (GPs), who are often the first doctors we see, were part of this study. They gave patients Amitriptyline, and the patients chose how much to take based on their symptoms.

What did the study find? People taking Amitriptyline felt much better compared to those who took a fake pill (placebo). This is great because Amitriptyline is easy to get and not expensive.

Amitriptyline used to be for depression, but now it helps with nerve pain, back pain, and preventing headaches. Now, it seems to work well for IBS too.

IBS is a common problem, affecting about 1 in 20 people. It causes stomach pain and changes in bathroom habits. It can really affect someone's life, making it hard to work or enjoy time with friends and family. Many treatments don't help much, so this new use of Amitriptyline is a big deal.

Thanks to this study, doctors now have a new way to help people with IBS. Amitriptyline is safe, and it really helps with IBS symptoms, making life better for many people.

Source: leeds.ac.uk

✢ 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.