Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Is It Okay to Eat Oatmeal Almost Daily?

• What Has Been the Most Helpful Weight Loss Tip You Ever Received?

• Autistic People Have a Lower Life Expectancy, New Study Reveals

• Working Night Shifts Causes Sleep Disorders in More Than Half of Workers | New Study Shows That Working Night Shifts Favors Development of Sleep Disorders, Particularly in Young Adults With a Lower Education

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Is It Okay to Eat Oatmeal Almost Daily?

Ever thought about eating oatmeal every day? It's actually a great idea! Oatmeal is more than just a breakfast choice. It's filled with things that are good for your body, both inside and out.

Oatmeal is fantastic for your skin. It has vitamins and minerals like zinc, which cleans your skin, and iron, which keeps your skin moist. Manganese and magnesium in oatmeal help reduce skin swelling and renew skin cells.

It's not just about looking good; oatmeal also makes you feel strong. It's a good source of protein, important for building muscles. Eating a half-cup of oatmeal gives you 15% of your daily protein needs. It also has carbs and fats, giving you energy for activities.

Oatmeal has lots of antioxidants, too. These help with lowering inflammation, blood pressure, and improving blood flow. Beta-glucan in oatmeal can help reduce cholesterol, which is great for your heart.

Eating oatmeal can also help with weight loss. It has slow carbs that keep you feeling full, so you won't snack as much. This can help control your blood sugar.

Finally, oatmeal is good for your stomach. It's high in fiber, which helps with digestion and can ease problems like constipation.

So, is eating oatmeal almost every day a good idea? Yes! It's tasty and full of health benefits. Just remember to mix it up with different recipes and toppings to keep your oatmeal exciting!

Source: BRIGHT SIDE

WEIGHT LOSS

What Has Been the Most Helpful Weight Loss Tip You Ever Received?

Are you looking to shed some pounds and keep them off? Experts like nutritionists and dieticians agree: the key is a plan you can stick to, one that fits your body and lifestyle. Here are eight practical tips to guide your weight loss journey.

1. Embrace Your Culture: Your diet should reflect the foods you've grown up eating. If rice and wheat are staples for you, completely cutting them out might not work long-term.

2. No to Total Restriction: It's okay to treat yourself occasionally. Allowing your favorite foods in moderation can prevent overindulgence later.

3. Exercise Matters: Keeping active is as crucial as your diet. Aim for at least 150 minutes of physical activity weekly.

4. Pick Whole Grains: Choose fiber-rich, whole grain foods. They help you feel full longer, aiding in weight management.

5. Portion Control: Remember the old saying: eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper. It works!

6. Prioritize Sleep: Lack of sleep can lead to craving bigger meals. Ensure you get enough rest.

7. Healthy Cooking Methods: Opt for grilling, boiling, or steaming over frying. It's a healthier way to prepare your meals.

8. Colorful Diet: Include a variety of food groups - grains, proteins, vegetables, fruits, and dairy. This ensures a well-rounded intake of essential nutrients. The USDA's 'My Plate' method is a great guide for portion sizes.

Remember, the right plan for you is one that acknowledges your unique needs and habits.

Source: Gulf News

HEALTH

Autistic People Have a Lower Life Expectancy, New Study Reveals

A new study from the UK found something important: people with autism usually live shorter lives than those without autism. This study is the first to look at how long autistic people in the UK live.

The main researcher, Josh Stott from University College London, says autism doesn't directly make people live shorter lives. But autistic people often don't get the help they need, which affects their health.

The study looked at information from 1989 to 2019. It included over 17,000 autistic people without a learning disability and about 6,450 with one. The results show that autistic men and women without a learning disability live on average to about 75 and 77 years old. But those with a learning disability live shorter lives, about 72 years for men and 70 for women. This is less than the average UK person, who lives to about 80 for men and 83 for women.

Experts say this isn't surprising. Autistic people often have trouble with things like talking to others and understanding social cues. This can make it hard for them to get the right medical care. They also face other health problems more often, like mental health issues.

This study tells us we need to do better in helping autistic people. They need more support and better healthcare. This can help them live longer, healthier lives.

Source: euronews.com

Working Night Shifts Causes Sleep Disorders in More Than Half of Workers | New Study Shows That Working Night Shifts Favors Development of Sleep Disorders, Particularly in Young Adults With a Lower Education

Working night shifts can make it hard to sleep well, a new study says. This problem is even bigger for young adults with less education.

In the Netherlands, researchers looked at how night shifts affect sleep. They found out that people who work at night or change their shifts often have more trouble sleeping. Surprisingly, 51% of those who work at night have at least one sleep disorder.

The study involved more than 37,000 people who shared their work times and sleep habits. It showed that working at night is the hardest for getting good sleep. Half of the night shift workers slept less than six hours a day, and many had more than one sleep disorder.

The researchers also looked at things like age, gender, and education. Women had more sleep problems, but men slept less. Younger people, especially those under 30, struggled more with sleep. And those with less schooling had the hardest time sleeping if they worked night shifts.

Why does this matter? Bad sleep can affect our health and how we feel during the day. Dr. Marike Lancel, who led the study, says most people working at night can't avoid these sleep issues. Their work hours don't match normal day schedules.

The study's results can help people who work night shifts. They can learn better ways to deal with these challenges and improve their sleep and health.

Source: eurekalert.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.