Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Wasabi, Beloved on Sushi, Linked to "Really Substantial" Boost in Memory, Japanese Study Finds

• Why is Losing Weight This Hard?

• A Study Has Shown That Severe Asthma Can Be Controlled Using Biologic Therapies, Without the Addition of Regular High-dose Inhaled Steroids Which Can Have Significant Side Effects

• Lower Sodium Could Reduce Blood Pressure in Most People

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Wasabi, Beloved on Sushi, Linked to "Really Substantial" Boost in Memory, Japanese Study Finds

Wasabi, the spicy green paste we often see with sushi, may be more than just a flavor enhancer. A study in Japan suggests it could significantly boost memory. Researchers from Tohoku University found that wasabi helps improve short-term and long-term memory.

The study, led by Rui Nouchi, found that a special part of wasabi, called 6-MSITC, is the key. This part is not common in other plants and has health benefits. The study included 72 people aged 60 to 80. Half took wasabi extract before bedtime, and the other half got a fake version.

After three months, those who had the wasabi extract did better in memory tests. They were especially good at remembering names and faces, which gets harder as we get older.

Researchers think wasabi works by reducing swelling in the brain and helping brain cells work better.

Now, here's something surprising: most wasabi in sushi restaurants isn't real. True wasabi is hard to grow and expensive. But even a small amount, like what was used in the study, is helpful.

This finding is exciting because it shows a simple way to help improve memory, especially for older people. More research is needed, including with different age groups and those with memory problems, but it's a promising start. So, a little bit of wasabi might do more than just spice up your sushi – it could also give your memory a boost!

Source: cbsnews.com

WEIGHT LOSS

Why is Losing Weight This Hard?

Imagine you meet someone named Amanda. She's obese, and you might think she eats a lot and doesn't exercise enough. But, losing weight is not as simple as it seems. There are many people like Amanda, and to help them, we need to really understand obesity.

Most people believe that if you eat the same amount of calories as you burn, your weight stays the same. Eat more, you gain weight; eat less, you lose weight. But this is not the whole story.

Our bodies have a "set point" - like a target for how much body fat our brain thinks we should have. This set point is controlled by our brain, not by us. It's like our brain is the boss of how many calories we need and how many we burn.

When Amanda tries to lose weight by dieting, her body changes. Her brain notices these changes and tries to get back to her set point. So, she feels hungrier and burns fewer calories. It's tough to lower this set point once it goes up.

Why do people gain weight then? Our modern lifestyle - like eating unhealthy food, not moving enough, stress, and not sleeping well - can mess with our body's set point.

Obesity is not just about choices; it's a response to our modern world. It's a health issue, not a sign of someone not trying hard enough. We should treat people with obesity kindly and understand it's not their fault.

Source: Michigan Medicine

HEALTH

A Study Has Shown That Severe Asthma Can Be Controlled Using Biologic Therapies, Without the Addition of Regular High-dose Inhaled Steroids Which Can Have Significant Side Effects

Good news for people with severe asthma! A new study led by a King's College professor has found a better way to treat this tough breathing problem. The study, named SHAMAL, shows that a special medicine called benralizumab can control severe asthma. The best part? It does this without the need for strong inhaled steroids that can cause serious side effects like weak bones, diabetes, and eye issues.

Asthma is a common lung problem that affects millions of people. Severe asthma makes it hard to breathe every day and can cause dangerous asthma attacks. But this new treatment is changing things.

Benralizumab is different from older asthma medicines. It targets certain cells in the lungs that cause asthma attacks. Patients get this medicine as a shot every four to eight weeks at special asthma centers.

In the SHAMAL study, 208 patients from the UK, France, Italy, and Germany took part. They were treated for 48 weeks. The results were impressive. Most patients could reduce or even stop their usual steroid medicines without their asthma getting worse.

This study is a big step in treating severe asthma with fewer side effects. However, more research is needed to make sure reducing or stopping steroids with other similar treatments is safe and effective. But for now, it's a hopeful development for many people with severe asthma.

Source: kcl.ac.uk

Lower Sodium Could Reduce Blood Pressure in Most People

Here's a health tip: eating less salt can help lower your blood pressure. This is good news even for people who take medicine for high blood pressure. A new study shows that less salt is beneficial for many.

High blood pressure is a common problem. It happens when the pressure in your blood vessels is too high. Our bodies need salt, but too much can increase blood pressure. The tricky part is that everyone's body reacts to salt differently.

Dr. Deepak Gupta and his team studied 213 people between 50 and 75 years old. They wanted to see how salt affects blood pressure. The people in the study tried two diets. One had a lot of salt, and the other had just a little.

The study found that most people had lower blood pressure when they ate less salt. This was true even for people taking blood pressure medicine.

Eating less salt can be as good for your blood pressure as some medicines. This can help lots of people, including those on medication.

Lowering salt in your diet can also help prevent heart problems and strokes. So, when you're cooking or choosing food, try to pick options with less salt. This small change can make a big difference in your health. Remember, less salt can lead to a healthier heart!

Source: nih.gov

✢ 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.