disease risk Archives - Amazing Health Advances

4 Signs Your Belly Fat is Causing Excessive Inflammation

The AHA! Team — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 06:02:37 +0000

Dr. Don Colbert – Belly fat, also known as visceral fat, isn’t just an energy reserve. It’s metabolically active, releasing inflammatory molecules like cytokines that can spread inflammation throughout your body. When it comes to inflammation, many of us think of joint pain or sore muscles. But did you know that one of the most common sources of chronic inflammation may be hiding in plain sight? It’s belly fat. This type of fat—particularly the kind that surrounds your organs—isn’t just extra weight; it’s highly inflammatory and can significantly impact your health. Belly Fat: Here’s Why It’s a Concern Belly fat, also known as visceral fat, isn’t just an energy reserve. It’s metabolically active, releasing inflammatory molecules like cytokines that can spread inflammation throughout your body. Research shows that belly fat contributes to systemic inflammation, increasing the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and even some cancers. Research Highlights: Studies in The Journal of Clinical Investigation and Harvard Health confirm that high levels of visceral fat lead to metabolic disruptions and raise inflammatory markers, like C-reactive protein (CRP). This silent inflammation often goes unnoticed but may be at the root of various health issues. Do You Have Inflammatory Belly Fat? Key Signs to Look For If you’re wondering whether inflammation could be affecting you, here are some common indicators: Waist Size: Men with waists over 40 inches and women over 35 inches are more likely to have high visceral fat levels. Low Energy and Fatigue: Chronic inflammation can drain your energy reserves, leaving you feeling sluggish and tired. Digestive Issues: Bloating, constipation, and discomfort are often tied to abdominal inflammation. Joint Pain: Even if you aren’t overweight, visceral fat’s inflammatory nature can aggravate joint pain or stiffness. Testing for Inflammation: The CRP Test If you’re concerned about inflammation, a simple blood test called the CRP (C-reactive protein) test can help. High CRP levels are a key marker of inflammation and can signal an increased risk of inflammatory diseases linked to belly fat. Consider asking your healthcare provider about this test to better understand your inflammation levels. Natural Ways to Combat Inflammatory Belly Fat The good news is that there are effective, natural methods to help reduce both belly fat and inflammation. Here’s what I recommend: Adopt a Low-Carb or Ketogenic Diet: Research supports low-carb and ketogenic diets such as the Keto Zone diet as effective strategies for reducing visceral fat. When you enter ketosis, your body burns fat for fuel, particularly targeting stubborn belly fat. This approach can improve insulin sensitivity and reduce inflammation at the same time. Incorporate Anti-Inflammatory Foods and Herbs: Nature offers powerful inflammation fighters. For example, turmeric contains curcumin, which is known for its anti-inflammatory effects, and ginger has gingerols that help soothe inflammation. Including these in your diet can help manage inflammation naturally. Eat Antioxidant-Rich Foods: Antioxidants neutralize free radicals, which are a source of inflammation. Foods like berries, leafy greens, and other colorful vegetables provide a range of antioxidants to combat oxidative stress and protect your cells. Maintain a Healthy pH Balance: While our bodies work to regulate pH naturally, a diet rich in alkaline-forming foods—such as vegetables, fruits, and certain supplements—can help support this balance, which may reduce inflammation and promote overall wellness. Exercise Regularly: Staying active is essential for reducing visceral fat. Aerobic activities, such as walking, running, or cycling, are particularly effective at targeting belly fat. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise most days to help manage both weight and inflammation. Prioritize Sleep and Manage Stress: Poor sleep and chronic stress increase cortisol, a hormone linked to belly fat storage. Practices like mindfulness, meditation, and relaxation techniques can reduce stress, improve sleep quality, and lower inflammation. Final Thoughts from Dr. Colbert Belly fat is more than a cosmetic issue—it’s a source of inflammation that can harm your health. If you recognize any of the signs of inflammatory belly fat or have elevated CRP levels, consider adopting a lifestyle that supports reduced inflammation. By focusing on an anti-inflammatory diet, regular physical activity, and stress management, you can help protect your body from the damaging effects of inflammation and support long-term wellness. To read the original article click here.

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An Apple a Day May Keep the Pharmacist Away

AHA Publisher — Mon, 16 May 2022 07:21:27 +0000

Michael Greger M.D. FACLM via Nutrition Facts – Which would save more lives: eating an apple a day or taking statin drugs? Does an apple a day really keep the doctor away? That’s a public health message that’s beenaround since 1866, but is it true? You don’t know, until you put it to the test. As I discuss in my video Flashback Friday: Does an Apple a Day Really Keep the Doctor Away?. The objective of “The Association Between Apple Consumption and Physician Visits,” an article published in the American Medical Association’s internal medicine journal, was simple: “To examine the relationship between eating an apple a day and keeping the doctor away.” The message has been “promoted by the lay media and powerful special interest groups, including the US Apple Association”—a force so powerful that it spent a whopping $7,000 lobbying politicians during the 2017-18 election cycle. (Okay, so maybe Big Apple is more like an itty bitty appletini.) At any rate, the beneficial effects of apple consumption may include facilitation of “weight loss, prevention of neurologic degradation [protection of the brain], cancer suppression, reduction in asthma symptoms, and improved cardiovascular health.” So, apple consumers ought to require less medical care, right? “Although some may jest, considering the relatively low cost of apples…a prescription for apple consumption could potentially reduce national health care spending if the aphorism holds true.” Researchers compared daily apple eaters to non-apple eaters and asked if they had been to the doctor in the last year, been hospitalized, seen a mental health professional, or took any prescription medication within the last month. More than 8,000 individuals were surveyed, and only about one out of ten reported they had eaten an apple in the last 24 hours. The finding? “Evidence does not support that an apple a day keeps the doctor away…” Maybe it takes more than an apple a day? Maybe we need to center our whole diet around plant foods. “However, the small fraction of US adults who eat an apple a day do appear to use fewer prescription medications.” Given that, perhaps we should “update the well-known proverb to clarify that, if anything, apple eating may help keep the pharmacist away.” But, based on the average medical prescription cost, the researchers estimate that “the difference in annual prescription medication cost per capita between apple eaters ($1697) and non-apple eaters ($1925) to be $228”—hundreds of dollars saved. So, if all U.S. adults were apple eaters, we could save nearly $50 billion. Of course, if you factor in the cost of the apples themselves, our net savings would be closer to $19 billion, but that’s still a hefty chunk of change. If this all seems a bit like tongue-in-cheek-apple-polishing, you may be tickled to learn this study was published suspiciously close to April Fool’s Day. Indeed, this was in the tradition of the British Medical Journal’s annual Christmas issue that features scientifically rigorous, yet light-hearted, research. In fact, the BMJ itself took on the apple issue to model the effects on stroke and heart attack mortality of all older adults prescribed either a cholesterol-lowering statin drug or an apple a day. Essentially, researchers took studies like the one I show at 3:06 in my video, where we see a nice dose response indicating the more fruit you eat, the lower your stroke risk appears to fall, as well as similar data found for heart disease compared to the known drug effects, and concluded that prescribing an apple a day “is likely to have a similar effect” on population stroke and heart attack mortality as giving everyone statin drugs instead. Bonus that apples only have good side effects. “Choosing apples rather than statins may avoid more than a thousand excess cases of myopathy [muscle damage] and more than 12 000 excess diabetes diagnoses” (because statins increase the risk of diabetes). And, this article was from the UK. In the United States, one would expect five times those numbers. Ironically, though, the cost of apples is likely to be greater than that of statin drugs. (Generic Lipitor is only around 20 cents a day.) So, yes, “with similar reductions in mortality, the 150 year old health promotion message [of an apple a day] is able to match modern medicine and is likely to have fewer side effects,” but apples are a few pennies a day more expensive, not to mention they “require the more complex and time consuming process of coordinated mastication and swallowing.” Just one gulp with the drug compared to all that time-consuming chewing… Should we see our doctors every year regardless of how we’re feeling? See my videos Is It Worth Getting Annual Health Check-Ups?, Is It Worth Getting an Annual Physical Exam?, and Flashback Friday: Worth Getting Annual Health Check-Ups and Physical Exam?. Do you like the thought of taking a more food-based approach to treatment? If so, you’ll love lifestyle medicine. Check out Lifestyle Medicine: Treating the Causes of Disease. Sadly, Physicians May Be Missing Their Most Important Tool. KEY TAKEAWAYS The public health message an apple a day keeps the doctor away has been circulating since 1866. Benefits of apple consumption may include facilitation of weight loss, protection of the brain, cancer suppression, reduced asthma symptoms, and improved cardiovascular health. When researchers compared daily apple eaters to non-apple eaters, they found that evidence does not support the well-known proverb, although those eating an apple a day do appear to use fewer prescription drugs. Given average medical prescription costs, researchers estimated that each person could save hundreds of dollars annually just by eating apples. In fact, if all U.S. adults ate apples, we could save about $19 billion after factoring in the cost of the fruits themselves. The more fruits we eat, the lower our stroke risk appears to fall. Researchers concluded that a daily apple may have a similar effect on stroke and heart attack mortality as statin drugs, and apples only have good side effects, unlike statins, which increase the risk of diabetes. To read the original article click here.

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UNEXPECTED Health Result From Staying Well-Hydrated, New Study Shows

AHA Publisher — Wed, 13 Apr 2022 07:00:55 +0000

Karen Sanders via NaturalHealth365 – While most people know that drinking an ample amount of fresh, clean water every day is critical for optimum health, many are unfamiliar with the numerous health benefits attributed to proper hydration. Depending on who you talk to, the definition of “adequate hydration” may look a bit different. Some sources recommend eight cups, others six or even ten or more depending on a variety of factors, such as gender, body size, heat, exercise levels, and more. Researchers found that staying hydrated pays dividends in the form of improved digestion, clear skin, and many others. But did you know that paying more attention to your water intake may even help you live longer? True story: a new study found that good hydration may reduce your risk of heart failure. Drink enough H2O now and throughout life; chances are, your life may just be longer. Study Shows Drinking More Water May Improve Heart Health Heart disease is a condition in which the heart doesn’t pump enough blood to the body, failing to meet its needs. It affects millions of Americans and is the leading cause of death in the United States. A study published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute has found – through examining longitudinal studies that spanned decades – that adults who consumed more water are less likely to experience heart disease. Specifically, the study found that by examining serum sodium levels (the amount of salt in blood), they could see who was at greater risk. Keep in mind, because serum sodium increases as water intake drops, hydration is a key indicator of who will and who won’t get heartsick, as well as many other health-related problems. Here Are Some UNEXPECTED Health Benefits of Proper Hydration “Similar to reducing salt intake, drinking enough water and staying hydrated are ways to support our hearts and may help reduce long-term risks for heart disease,” said lead study author Natalia Dmitrieva, Ph.D. in the paper. According to the National Council on Aging, proper hydration also: Improves brain performance Gives you energy Helps you regulate your temperature Increases weight loss Flushes out toxins from organs Stabilizes your heartbeat Cushions joints Improves digestion Naturally rids your bladder of bacteria Conversely, there is a well-attested link between dehydration and disease. The dangers of chronic dehydration include constipation, fatigue, kidney stones (or failure), UTIs, poor digestive functioning, poor concentration, fatigue, and skin abnormalities. Check here for signs you may be dehydrated. Simple Tips to Keep Hydration on Top of Mind To stay hydrated, make sure you: Always have a glass or bottle of water on hand Pack extra water for day trips, car rides, and long days at the office or on worksites Drink before or after every meal Set an alarm if you tend to forget Add lemon, lime, or a few berries to make your water more appealing, if needed Don’t Overdo It – Too Much of a Good Thing Can Be Bad It’s important to note that “more water equals better health” is not an equation that holds true at any intake level. Beyond the (average) recommended 6-8 cups for women and 10-12 for men, you risk reducing serum sodium levels toomuch. That can lead to hyponatremia, in which case your salt and fluid levels are out of whack. Nausea, fatigue, confusion, and other symptoms may result. Stick to the physician-recommended intake, and you’ll be fine. Ready to do more for your heart … and your health? Maintain healthy water levels … starting today! Sources for this article include: ScienceDaily.com CDC.gov NCOA.org To read the original article click here.

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How Bathing in a Tub for 10 Minutes Changes Your Mindset (& Much More!)

AHA Publisher — Fri, 28 May 2021 07:00:31 +0000

Leah Zerbe, MS, NASM-CPT, NASM-CES via Dr. Axe – There is something so therapeutic about slowing down and taking a warm bath, but the benefits of bathing in a tub go far beyond a few minutes of relaxation. Emerging research suggests creating a regular tub bathing routine could play a role in transforming your health. Here are some incredible benefits of taking a bath that may inspire you to schedule some extra soak time! Habitual Bathing = 28% Lower Risk of Cardiovascular Disease You may have heard about cold shower benefits, but if the thought of that makes you shiver, consider a warm bath instead. A landmark 2020 studyinvestigating the effects of habitual bathing in 30,000 people in Japan over a nearly 20-year period found that regular tub time reduced the risk of cardiovascular disease by 28 percent. In the study, the frequency of baths mattered, but the temperature did not. Those who enjoyed warm, lukewarm or hot baths “almost every day” received the most cardiovascular protection compared to those who only took sporadic baths throughout the week. Interestingly, the temperature of the water was not a factor, although most bathers in Japan soak in baths 104 to 107 degrees Fahrenheit. Daily Baths Are Linked to Lower Stroke Risk The same Heart study looking at Japanese bath habits also found a link between daily bathing and stroke risk, with those taking a bath every day having a 25% lower risk of stroke compared to people who bathed zero to two times a week. Still, researchers note that hot baths can cause dizziness and issues in people with low blood pressure and said caution is needed, along with more research on the potential benefits of taking a bath in cooler water. Evening Baths = Better Sleep One of the benefits of taking a bath in the evening includes better sleep. One study looked at the effects of evening bathing on two groups: People 65 to 83 years old People 17 to 22 years old Younger adults reported feeling warmer, while older study participants noted falling asleep more quickly and getting higher quality sleep. Interestingly, researchers noticed less body movement during the first three hours of sleep, suggesting that a bath before sleep enhances the quality of sleep, particularly in the elderly. A pre-bedtime bath can also help dilate the skin’s blood vessels, which can help the body release excess heat for more comfortable sleep. If you need more reasons to take a bath, consider these other health benefits of carving out more tub time: Better breathing Reduced inflammation and glucose control Increases in body heat can trigger the brain to release more depression-fighting serotonin Benefits of Baths vs. Showers Although tub bathing is popular in Japan, showering is still the most common form of bathing around the world. This is significant because when a team of researchers compared showering versus immersion bathing in warm water for 10 minutes, striking perks emerged for tub bathers. Immersing yourself in warm water induces vasodilation and increases blood flow, which carries more oxygen and nutrients to the rest of the body. As you can imagine, this leads to all sorts of improvements in: Fatigue Stress Pain Skin Mental health Interestingly, tub bathers also experienced less: Tension and anxiety Anger and hostility Depression and dejection There are bath benefits you won’t get when taking a shower. Researchers explain that immersion bathing — not shower bathing — exerts hyperthermic action that induces increased blood flow and helps flush out more metabolic waste, helping people feel better both physically and mentally. How to Take Your Bath to the Next Level Add a cup of epsom salt to your bath water for a magnesium-rich detox boost. Avoid using commercial bath bombs, bubble baths and soaps that contain “fragrance” or “fragrance oils” on the label. Synthetic scents are common in bath products, and ingredients have been linked to hormone imbalances, asthma and even certain cancers. Consider making your own homemade bubble bath with calming lavender and chamomile. Practice diaphragmatic breathing. Take this time to relax and reconnect with your breath. On each inhale, picture your diaphragm muscle drawing down as your lungs fill with air. Let your belly relax and rise with each inhale, and lower with each complete exhale. Final Thoughts Tub, or immersion, bathing is an ancient form of hydrotherapy with a host of health benefits. Bath benefits include better sleep, improved stress hormone profile, lower risk of heart attack and stroke, pain relief, and more. To add to your bath’s detoxifying effects, add a cup of epsom salt to your bathwater, but skip commercial scented bubble baths and “bath bombs” that contain concerning chemicals. To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Axe click here.

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The Four Underlying Conditions Most Associated with COVID-19 Hospitalizations, According to New Study

AHA Publisher — Thu, 25 Mar 2021 07:00:38 +0000

Sara Middleton via NaturalHealth365 – Throughout this pandemic, it’s been understood by doctors and researchers that people with underlying chronic conditions appear more likely to not only get infected by SARS-CoV-2 but also have a more severe or even fatal bout of COVID-19. But new research out of Tufts University in Boston points the finger at four specific conditions that appear to dramatically increase a person’s risk of becoming hospitalized with an infectious illness and underlines the critical importance (on an individual and public health scale) of taking steps to reduce disease risk. Two-Thirds of All COVID-19 Hospitalizations Are Due to These Four Conditions, According to New Tufts Research The Tufts researchers published the results of their study in the latest edition of the Journal of the American Heart Association (JAHA). They used statistical modeling and mathematical simulation techniques to estimate the number of hospitalizations that could have been prevented in the United States if people didn’t have the following four major cardiometabolic diseases. These diseases include obesity, diabetes, heart failure, and hypertension. Based on data they compiled from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Coronavirus Disease 2019 – Associated Hospitalization Surveillance Network database, the COVID Tracking Project, and nationally represented data from a recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the researchers found that nearly a third of all COVID-19 hospitalizations as of November 2020 was due to obesity, about a quarter was due to hypertension and diabetes, and around 12 percent was due to heart failure, a form of heart disease. The authors conclude, “A substantial proportion of U.S. COVID‐19 hospitalizations appear attributable to major cardiometabolic conditions. These results can help inform public health prevention strategies to reduce COVID‐19 healthcare burdens.” Here Are 4 “Surprising” Facts About Lifestyle Interventions and Chronic Disease Exercise the body, eat whole (organic) foods, avoid highly processed food, don’t overeat, stay at a healthy weight, avoid smoking, manage your stress levels – at this point, healthy lifestyle tips like these practically sound like boilerplate advice for people looking to improve their health and reduce their disease risk. But the importance of these strategies can’t be overlooked. For a little perspective (and perhaps some extra incentive to commit or re-commit to your health habits), here are 4 things about the link between lifestyle and chronic disease that might surprise you: According to Obesity in Action, losing just 5-10 percent of your body weight is associated with several important changes in the body that can reduce inflammation, lower your triglyceride levels by an average of 40 mg/dl, raise your “healthy” HDL cholesterol levels by about 5 points, and decrease systolic and diastolic blood pressure by an average of 5 mmHg – all factors which can have a tremendous impact on heart disease risk. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advises people, especially older adults, to reduce their exposure to environmental toxins, including smoke, carbon monoxide, fumes, pesticides, and heavy metals associated with an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Yes, the “five a day” advice stands up to scientific scrutiny. According to a recent study cited by the National Institutes of Health, eating five servings of fruits and veggies per day on average is associated with a 13 percent reduced risk of death compared to eating just two servings per day. 2017 research out of Imperial College London also suggests that eating as much as 10 servings per day could offer added health benefits. Consistently getting less than 7 hours of sleep per night is linked with just about every chronic disease under the sun, including “weight gain and obesity, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and stroke, depression,” as well as “impaired immune function, increased pain, impaired performance, increased errors, and greater risk of accidents,” according to a 2015 joint consensus statement of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and Sleep Research Society. So, there you have it: despite what you hear (or not) from the mainstream media … there is so much we can do to feel better. The key is to get started, stay focused and never give up on our health and well-being. Sources for this article include: ScienceDaily.com AHAjournals.org EPA.gov Obesityinaction.org AJMC.com NIH.gov Imperial.ac.uk NIH.gov To read the original article click here. For more articles from NaturalHealth365 click here.

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Could a Diet High in Carbohydrates Increase Your Risk of Heart Disease?

AHA Publisher — Wed, 03 Mar 2021 08:00:16 +0000

Dr. Mahshid Dehghan interview conducted by Emily Henderson, B.Sc. via News-Medical Net – In this interview, News-Medical speaks to Dr. Mahshid Dehghan about her latest research into diet, and how a diet high in carbohydrates could increase your risk of heart disease. What provoked your research into diets? Diet is one of the most important modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease and other non-communicable diseases. In 2017, we published results of the PURE study in the Lancet and reported the association between the number of carbohydrates and health outcomes. We found those who consumed more than 60% of their energy from carbohydrates had a higher risk of mortality and CVD. A month ago, we published the results of another study in BMJ. In that study, we assessed the relationship between the quality of carbohydrates as refined, whole grains, and rice and health outcomes. We reported that highly refined grains, compared with a low intake (<50 g/day v >350 g/day) were significantly associated with a 27% higher risk of total mortality, 31% non-cardiovascular mortality, 33% major cardiovascular disease events, and 47% higher risk of stroke. In the present study, we were interested to indicate the extent to which the glycemic index has any value as a marker of carbohydrate quality related to chronic disease in general and cardiovascular disease in particular. By better understanding the harmful effect of poor quality carbohydrates on health outcomes, we will able to prevent premature death and CVD. Why is having a healthy balanced diet so important for our health? Diet is one of the most important modifiable risk factors of chronic disease and premature death. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality worldwide, with 80% of the burden in low-income and middle-income countries. Therefore, the impact of poor quality diet maybe more profound in those regions and among low-income families around the world. Please could you give some examples of poor-quality carbohydrates? Poor-quality carbohydrate foods include those that contain a low amount of fiber, a higher percentage of refined grains than whole grains. Poor quality carbohydrates are mainly processed grains such as refined grains (e.g. white bread) with a high glycemic index. By contrast, low glycemic index foods are a rich source of fiber such as fruit, vegetable, legume, and whole grains. Low glycemic index foods gradually increase blood glucose and this is one of the reasons that they are healthier than refined grains. Can you describe your latest research into carbohydrates and heart disease? Using data from a large prospective cohort study that included 137,851 people in the Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study, we assessed the association between glycemic index and health outcomes. During a median follow-up of 9.5 years, about 9000 death and more than 8000 cardiovascular diseases were recorded. Dietary information was obtained using a country-specific food frequency questionnaire at the beginning of the study. Our study population is unique because it includes people from 20 low-, middle-, and high-income countries throughout North America, Europe, South America, Africa, and Asia. What did you discover? After performing extensive adjustments, we found that a diet with a high glycemic index was associated with 28%, 25%, 14%, higher risk of stroke, major CV events, and death due to cardiovascular disease respectively in all participants. Associations were even stronger among those with preexisting CVD with a 71% higher risk of stroke and 49% higher risk of CV events. Results concerning glycemic load were similar. Your study geographically is the largest study of this kind. Why is it important to study a large and dietary diverse population for this type of research? The study population is unique because it includes people from 20 low-, middle-, and high-income countries throughout North America, Europe, South America, Africa, and Asia. We know that burden of non-communicable diseases is higher in low and middle-income countries. 80% of CVD happens in low and middle-income countries where poor quality carbohydrate consumption is high. Therefore, people in those regions benefit more by lowering their intake of high glycemic index foods such as refined grains and this would be the same for low-income families in high-income countries. Also, our results are robust in different populations with varying dietary patterns, which suggests that the findings are widely applicable. What advice should be given to people regarding their diet and heart health? Intakes of a combination of cereal grains with a lower intake of refined should be encouraged while promoting a higher intake of whole grains. Reduction in quantity and improvement in the quality of carbohydrate is essential for better health outcomes. We always encourage choosing minimally processed foods, higher consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains over refined grains as often as possible. Do you believe that with continued research, people will have a better understanding of harmful diets? We are providing new evidence and we hope that dietary guidelines in North America, with its multicultural population, consider these findings and encourage individuals to lower their refined grain and sugar intake and promote a higher intake of whole grains. Also, public health policies should encourage a diversity of sources of carbohydrate consumption, meaning consumption of foods from all types of grains, legumes, roots, tubers in moderation. These messages should be distributed to the public by media as well. What are the next steps in your research? Currently, I am investigating associations of foods with varying degrees of processing and health outcomes and am hoping to publish the results of this research soon. Where can readers find more information? Jenkin D, Dehghan M, Yusuf S. et al. Glycemic Index, Glycemic Load and Cardiovascular Disease and Mortality. NEJM 2020 Swaminathan S, Dehghan M, Yusuf S. et al. Associations of cereal grains intake with cardiovascular disease and mortality across 21 countries in the Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiological Study: A prospective cohort study. BMJ 2020 Dehghan M, Mente A, Yusuf S. et al. Association of egg intake with blood lipids, cardiovascular disease, and mortality in 177,000 people in 50 countries. Am J Clin Nutr. 2020 Dehghan M, Mente A, Yusuf S. et al. Association of dairy intake with cardiovascular disease and mortality in 21 countries from 5 continents: The PURE study. The Lancet. 2018 S0140-6736(18)31812-9. Dehghan M, Mente A, Yusuf S. et al. Associations of fats and carbohydrate intake with cardiovascular disease and mortality in 18 countries from 5 continents: The PURE study. The Lancet. 2017. 4;390 (10107):2050-2062. Miller V, Mente A, Dehghan M et al. Fruit, vegetable, and legume intake and cardiovascular disease and deaths: The Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study in 18 countries. The Lancet. 2017. 4;390 (10107):2037-2049. About Dr. Mahshid Dehghan Mahshid Dehghan is an investigator for the Nutrition Epidemiology program at Population Health Research Institute and the nutrition lead of the PURE study and the INTERSTROKE study. Her main interests are the development of methods to measure the long-term dietary intake of individuals around the world and understand the impact of dietary factors in the cause and prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer. She has published 64 papers and 2 book chapters. She holds two Masters of Clinical Nutrition and Health Research Methodology and received her doctoral degree in Clinical Nutrition from Newcastle University, England, and completed post-doctoral training in Nutrition Epidemiology at McMaster University in Canada. To read the original article click here.

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Vitamin D Levels in the Blood Can Predict Future Health Risks & Death

AHA Publisher — Wed, 09 Sep 2020 07:00:13 +0000

European Society of Endocrinology via EurekAlert – Free, circulating vitamin D levels in the blood may be a better predictor of future health risks in aging men, according to a study being presented at e-ECE 2020. These data suggest the free, precursor form of vitamin D found circulating in the bloodstream is a more accurate predictor of future health and disease risk, than the often-measured total vitamin D. Since vitamin D deficiency is associated with multiple serious health conditions as we get older, this study suggests that further investigation into vitamin D levels and their link to poor health may be a promising area for further research. Vitamin D deficiency is common in Europe, especially in elderly people. It has been associated with a higher risk for developing many aging-related diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and osteoporosis. However, there are several forms, or metabolites, of vitamin D in the body but it is the total amount of these metabolites that is most often used to assess the vitamin D status of people. The prohormone, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D is converted to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, which is considered the active form of vitamin D in our body. More than 99% of all vitamin D metabolites in our blood are bound to proteins, so only a very small fraction is free to be biologically active. Therefore, the free, active forms may be a better predictor of current and future health. Dr Leen Antonio from University Hospitals Leuven in Belgium and a team of colleagues investigated whether the free metabolites of vitamin D were better health predictors, using data from the European Male Ageing Study, which was collected from 1,970 community-dwelling men, aged 40-79, between 2003 and 2005. The levels of total and free metabolites of vitamin D were compared with their current health status, adjusting for potentially confounding factors, including age, body mass index, smoking and self-reported health. The total levels of both free and bound vitamin D metabolites were associated with a higher risk of death. However, only free 25-hydroxyvitamin D was predictive of future health problems and not free 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. Dr Antonio explains, “These data further confirm that vitamin D deficiency is associated with a negative impact on general health and can be predictive of a higher risk of death.” As this is an observational study, the causal relationships and underlying mechanisms remain undetermined. It was also not possible to obtain specific information about the causes of death of the men in the study, which may be a confounding factor. “Most studies focus on the association between total 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and age-related disease and mortality.” “As 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D is the active form of vitamin D in our body, it was possible it could have been a stronger predictor for disease and mortality. It has also been debated if the total or free vitamin D levels should be measured. Our data now suggest that both total and free 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels are the better measure of future health risk in men,” says Dr Antonio Dr Antonio and her team are currently finalising the statistical analysis and writing a manuscript on these findings. To read the original article click here.

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