Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Meat-free Burgers Could Be Made Tastier, Juicier and More Digestible by Protein-glutaminase Treatment: Study Finds Protein-glutaminase Improves Water-/oil-holding Capacity and Beany Off-flavor Profiles of Plant-based Meat Analogs

• Drugs Aren't Required to Be Tested in People Who Are Obese. Here's Why That's a Problem

• U.S. Life Expectancy Starts to Recover After Sharp Pandemic Decline

• Walking Pace Could Impact Diabetes Risk, Study Finds

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Meat-free Burgers Could Be Made Tastier, Juicier and More Digestible by Protein-glutaminase Treatment: Study Finds Protein-glutaminase Improves Water-/oil-holding Capacity and Beany Off-flavor Profiles of Plant-based Meat Analogs

Get ready for some tasty news! Scientists have made a big discovery that's going to make veggie burgers even better. They've found a special ingredient called protein-glutaminase, or PG for short. This clever addition is changing the way we think about plant-based burgers.

A study by researchers Kiyota Sakai, Masamichí Okada, and Shotaro Yamaguchi, which came out on December 6, 2023, shows how PG can improve veggie burgers. The main thing it does is help the burgers keep more water and oil. This means they'll be juicier and not as dry as they used to be. Plus, it gets rid of that beany taste that some people don't really like in veggie burgers.

Here's another cool part: these burgers are healthier with PG. They're easier to digest, which means your body can get nutrients from them more easily. And since PG isn't in the burgers after they're cooked, you're eating something with fewer extra ingredients.

This is especially great news for folks over 45 who might be looking for food that's both yummy and good for them. As more people choose to eat foods that are better for their health and the planet, this discovery is a really important step.

In short, thanks to this new research, plant-based burgers are turning into something that's not just friendly for the environment, but also super delicious and healthy. It's a fantastic way to enjoy food that's both good for you and tastes great.

Source: journals.plos.org

WEIGHT LOSS

Drugs Aren't Required to Be Tested in People Who Are Obese. Here's Why That's a Problem

Lots of people in the US are obese - over 40%. But the medicines they use are often not tested on people with more weight. This can be a problem. Even everyday drugs like ibuprofen, which we know as Advil, might not work the same for someone heavier.

Drug expert Christina Chow explains that this is a serious issue. Studies for new medicines don't always make sure they are safe for obese people. This can affect how well different medicines work, like antibiotics, emergency birth control, and painkillers.

The FDA and NIH, who control drug testing, know this is a problem and are trying to fix it. But it's a slow process. In most recent studies, weight wasn't even considered, so heavier people were often not included.

In the past, some groups, like pregnant women, were also left out of drug tests. The reasons for leaving out obese people are complicated. Researchers worry about how obesity-related health issues might affect their studies. But if medicines aren't tested on obese people, it can lead to problems. Some medicines might not work as well or could stay in the body for too long.

Doctors often don't know how to change the amount of medicine for obese people. So, it's important for patients to talk with their doctors about the right dose for their body size.

In conclusion, testing medicines on obese people is crucial. It helps ensure that everyone gets safe and effective treatment.

Source: apnews.com

HEALTH

U.S. Life Expectancy Starts to Recover After Sharp Pandemic Decline

Good news: People in the U.S. are starting to live longer again after the pandemic made life expectancy drop. In 2022, the average person in the U.S. is expected to live to 77.5 years. This is 1.1 years more than in 2021. But, it's still not as high as it was before the pandemic hit.

COVID-19 was a big reason life expectancy went down in 2020 and 2021. It was the third leading cause of death after heart disease and cancer. The U.S. lost about 2.4 years in life expectancy during this time.

Now, in 2022, fewer people are dying from COVID-19. Also, deaths from heart problems, injuries, cancer, and violence have gone down. But, deaths from the flu, pneumonia, problems at birth, kidney disease, and not getting enough food have gone up.

Compared to other rich countries, people in the U.S. don't live as long. These countries do a better job at stopping early deaths from heart disease, gun violence, problems during childbirth, and diseases we can prevent with vaccines.

There's also a big difference in how long people live based on their race and ethnicity in the U.S. American Indians/Alaskan Natives and Black people often live shorter lives than White people. These differences got even bigger during the pandemic.

Experts hope that these new numbers will make leaders think about how to make life better and stop early deaths that could be prevented in the U.S.

Source: npr.org

Walking Pace Could Impact Diabetes Risk, Study Finds

Have you heard that walking can help you stay healthy and lower your chance of getting type 2 diabetes? Well, a new study has found that how fast you walk is important too.

This study, shared in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, says that walking quickly can cut your risk of getting type 2 diabetes by almost 40%. Dr. Ahmad Jayedi, who led the study, tells us that we knew walking was good for us, but now we know that walking faster is even better.

The study looked at information from ten studies done between 1999 and 2022. The results? People who walk at a normal speed have a 15% lower chance of getting diabetes compared to slow walkers. And those who walk briskly? They have a 39% lower chance.

What does “brisk” mean? Walking briskly is walking faster than 4 miles per hour. The study found that the faster you walk, the better it is for your health.

Doctors like Dr. Robert Gabbay and Dr. Carmen Cuthbertson, who weren't part of the study, agree that walking faster is key to prevent diabetes. The study doesn't say for sure that fast walking will stop diabetes, but it strongly suggests that being more active and fit can lower the risk.

So, next time you go for a walk, try to pick up the pace. Walking a bit faster can be a big help for your health!

Source: edition.cnn.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.