Brain Mechanisms of Conformity
Razi Berry Some of the same brain systems known to play a role in learning from trial and error also are engaged when people conform to social norms, scientists report in a new study. The findings are important, the researchers said, because changing one’s behavior to align with one’s peers can contribute to community-building or […]
Self-Love Lowers Cardiovascular Disease
Razi Berry Despite what skeptics say, being kind to oneself is not a New Age fad — and there is research to back it up. Middle-aged women who practiced self-compassion had lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease, irrespective of other traditional risk factors such as high blood pressure, insulin resistance and cholesterol levels. The findings […]
Lowering Sugar in Packaged Goods Could Prevent Millions from Disease
Razi Berry Cutting 20% of sugar from packaged foods and 40% from beverages could prevent 2.48 million cardiovascular disease events (such as strokes, heart attacks, cardiac arrests), 490,000 cardiovascular deaths, and 750,000 diabetes cases in the U.S. over the lifetime of the adult population, according to micro-simulation study published in Circulation. A team of researchers […]
Prediabetes’ Not a Trivial Thing
Razi Berry People with prediabetes were significantly more likely to suffer a heart attack, stroke or other major cardiovascular event when compared with those who had normal blood sugar levels, according to research being presented at the American College of Cardiology’s 70th Annual Scientific Session. Researchers said the findings should serve as a wake-up call […]
Genotype May Determine if Fish Oil is a Good Idea
Razi Berry Fish oil supplements are a billion-dollar industry built on a foundation of purported, but not proven, health benefits. Now, new research from a team led by a University of Georgia scientist indicates that taking fish oil only provides health benefits if you have the right genetic makeup. The study, led by Kaixiong Ye […]
Study Finds NO LIMIT to the Benefits Exercise has for Cardiovascular Disease
Razi Berry Physical activity is not only associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, but there is no threshold for that association, with the lowest risk of cardiovascular disease seen for those who are most active, according to a new study published this week in PLOS Medicine by Terence Dwyer of University of Oxford, […]
Research on Negative Effects of Artificial Sweeteners on Heart Health
Razi Berry Sugary drinks and artificially sweetened beverages are associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, which suggests artificially sweetened beverages may not be the healthy alternative they are often claimed to be, according to a research letter in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Diets including beverages sweetened with sugar can […]
Plant-Based Doesn’t Have to Mean No Meat or Dairy for Hypertension Benefits
Razi Berry Consuming a plant-based diet can lower blood pressure even if small amounts of meat and dairy are consumed too, according to new research from the University of Warwick. Any effort to increase plant-based foods in your diet and limit animal products is likely to benefit your blood pressure Published online by a team […]
Personalized Cardiac Prevention – Coronary Calcium Score
Razi Berry Your doctor tells you that you need a statin to lower your cholesterol and reduce your heart attack risk. You don’t like taking medicine and your friend tells you that he had achy muscles after he started a statin. You wonder if you should listen to your doctor or go without the medicine. […]
Heavy Drinking Later in Life Leads to Weight Gain
Razi Berry More than half of drinkers aged 59 and over have been heavy drinkers and this is linked to a significantly larger waistline and increased stroke risk, according to a new UCL study. More than half of drinkers aged 59 and over have been heavy drinkers and this is linked to a significantly larger […]