Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Is Olive Oil Actually Good for Health?

• Why Am I Not Losing Weight?

• Regular Exercise Appears to Enhance and Even Grow Crucial Areas of the Human Brain Important for Memory and Learning, New Research Using MRI Scan on 10,125 Individuals Shows

• Insulin-secreting Skin Implant Found to Reverse Diabetes in Mice

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Is Olive Oil Actually Good for Health?

Have you ever wondered if olive oil is really good for you? The answer is yes, but only if it's the real deal. Real olive oil, especially the kind called "extra virgin," is much better than the fake, bland kinds you sometimes find in stores.

Real olive oil is packed with good stuff like antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. This means it can help with joint pain and keep your arteries healthy. It's great for your heart, can lower your blood pressure, and even helps your brain work better, improving your memory and mood. It's also good for your skin and eyes.

The secret to olive oil's power is something called polyphenols. These are special nutrients from the olive fruit. They help your body in many ways, like protecting your cells and fighting off diseases.

It's important to know that some chemicals, like glyphosate used in farming, can stop olive trees from making these polyphenols. That's why choosing organic olive oil is a smart idea because you get all the health benefits.

When you eat olive oil, the good bacteria in your stomach help break down the polyphenols so your body can use them. Also, when you put olive oil on your salad, it helps you get more nutrients from the veggies.

So, when you buy olive oil, go for the organic, extra virgin kind. You can tell it's good quality if it smells strong and tingles the back of your throat. Avoid the cheap, flavorless ones. Your health deserves the best!

Source: Dr. Eric Berg DC

WEIGHT LOSS

Why Am I Not Losing Weight?

Let's talk about why it's hard to lose weight sometimes. It's not always about the weight itself, but what's causing it.

1. Hidden Carbs: Be careful with hidden carbs in food, especially when eating out. Restaurants often add things like MSG and sugar that can make losing weight tough. Cutting down on carbs helps reduce insulin, which is important for weight loss.

2. No Snacking Between Meals: Eating all the time can make your insulin levels go up. Try to eat meals that keep you full for longer and have healthy fats. This can help you eat less often and is good for losing weight.

3. Keep Energy High: If you're always tired, it's harder to lose weight. Make sure you get enough sleep. Having more energy helps your body burn calories better.

4. Watch Your Diet: If you're on a keto diet, be careful with how much fat you eat. Eating too much fat can stop you from burning your body fat. Find a balance in what you eat.

5. Look at Other Health Issues: Weight problems are often linked to other health issues. Things like menstrual problems, inflammation, or stomach troubles can affect your weight. Sometimes, medications can hide these problems. Focus on getting healthy overall, and weight loss might become easier.

Remember, focusing on overall health, not just the scale, can lead to better weight loss.

Source: Dr. Eric Berg DC

HEALTH

Regular Exercise Appears to Enhance and Even Grow Crucial Areas of the Human Brain Important for Memory and Learning, New Research Using MRI Scan on 10,125 Individuals Shows

Guess what? Moving around and staying active is not just great for your body; it's also super for your brain. A recent study used MRI scans of more than 10,000 people and found something cool: regular exercise helps important brain parts grow, especially those that deal with memory and learning.

Dr. Rajpul Attariwala, a smart doctor at Prenuvo in Canada, says these brain scans really show how exercise makes our brains healthier. This study, shared in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, looked at a lot of brain scans from different places.

So, what did they learn? People who often do stuff like run, walk, or play sports have more gray matter in their brains. Gray matter is really important because it helps us process information. These active folks also have more white matter, which is like the brain's communication network and super important for remembering things.

But here's some awesome news: you don't need to be a big athlete to help your brain. Dr. David Merill, from the Pacific Brain Health Center, found that even walking a bit, like less than 4,000 steps a day, is good for your brain. That's a lot easier than hitting 10,000 steps!

This study also links exercise with less chance of getting Alzheimer’s disease. This matches what a big 2020 study in The Lancet said. So, remember, a little exercise each day can really help your brain stay sharp!

Source: usnews.com

Insulin-secreting Skin Implant Found to Reverse Diabetes in Mice

Scientists have come up with a skin implant that can give insulin and has reversed diabetes in mice. This new method is great because it doesn't need drugs to stop the body from rejecting it. James Shapiro, a key scientist in this study, says this could make the treatment safer and help more people.

How It Works:

The implant, named SHEATH, is a tiny thread filled with cells that release insulin, all wrapped in a special gel. It goes under the skin without causing any immune reaction. This idea, developed by Minglin Ma and combined with Shapiro's research, has shown really good results.

Success in Mice Tests:

In tests, mice with diabetes got better after getting this implant. This is a big step, showing that it might work in humans too.

Not Just for Diabetes:

This implant might also be useful for other diseases related to hormone-producing cells, like anemia and kidney problems.

What's Next?

This is still new research and has only been tested on mice. More studies are needed on bigger animals and humans to make sure it's safe and works well.

Why It's Important:

Diabetes can cause serious health issues and usually needs daily insulin shots, which are a big hassle. This implant could make living with diabetes much easier, bringing hope to many.

Source: interestingengineering.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.