Warning: This Nighttime Risk Could be Raising Your Blood Pressure

The AHA! Team — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 06:52:27 +0000

Patrick Tims via NaturalHealth365 – Often brushed off as a minor annoyance, snoring is now recognized as a potential indicator of significant health risks. Have you ever found yourself jolted awake in the dead of night, only to realize it was your own snoring that woke you? Or perhaps you’re one of the many lying awake beside a partner whose snores fill the silence, keeping you from getting the rest you need. If so, you’re far from alone. Snoring is more common – and more impactful – than many realize. Often brushed off as a minor annoyance, snoring is now recognized as a potential indicator of significant health risks. According to a recent study published in NPJ Digital Medicine, snoring may be more than just a nighttime nuisance. Is there something wrong with your blood pressure? Snoring is more than an annoyance to your bedmate. The study linked above found that snoring could be an early warning sign of high blood pressure, a serious condition that can lead to a range of cardiovascular issues. According to the study, the risk is especially pronounced in middle-aged, overweight men, highlighting that snoring might not just impact sleep but overall health. To uncover these insights, researchers used advanced, at-home monitoring tools, collecting data over six months on 12,287 participants. They found that regular snoring had a meaningful effect on blood pressure levels. Specifically, 15% of participants snored for more than 20% of their sleep hours, and these individuals had nearly double the risk of uncontrolled hypertension compared to those who snored less often. These findings suggest that consistent snoring could significantly impact cardiovascular health, yet it remains an overlooked risk factor for both the medical community and the general public. In-home sleep monitoring: How the study was conducted To accurately assess the relationship between snoring and hypertension, researchers leveraged innovative technology. Participants were monitored nightly with under-mattress sensors, which provided objective data on snoring frequency, sleep apnea, and other sleep quality indicators. This multi-night, real-world approach offered a more reliable snapshot of snoring patterns compared to previous studies that relied on single-night or self-reported data. Additionally, participants’ blood pressure levels were tracked with FDA-approved, at-home blood pressure monitors, providing precise and consistent daytime readings. Over nine months, researchers gathered sleep data and repeated blood pressure measurements from each participant, resulting in a comprehensive analysis of nearly 12,300 people. The findings were clear: those who snored regularly – especially those spending 10-20% of the night snoring – had higher blood pressure levels, even when accounting for sleep apnea. Natural ways to reduce or stop snoring The findings from the recent snoring study will be valuable for shaping future clinical treatments and therapies to reduce snoring and manage hypertension. While we’re still learning more, there are several things you can try right now to cut down on snoring or even eliminate it entirely. If you suspect a nasal airway obstruction, a simple nasal spray could help open up your airways. Consider using a Neti Pot or a similar device to flush out your sinuses with warm water for a more thorough approach. This can make a noticeable difference in clearing your nasal passages. If your own snoring wakes you up at night or if your partner has mentioned it, it’s a good idea to get checked for sleep apnea. There’s often a link between snoring and sleep apnea, and the risk of developing uncontrolled hypertension is nearly doubled for those who snore regularly and have sleep apnea. The vibrations from snoring that travel through your nasal passages can also be reduced by tackling some of the underlying risk factors. If you lead a sedentary lifestyle, start by incorporating more physical activity into your routine. If you’re carrying extra weight, making healthier food choices and starting an exercise program can have a big impact on snoring and overall health. As a final note: dairy products and sugary foods will tend to create more mucus in the upper respiratory tract. Try to limit or avoid these products for improved breathing. Sources for this article include: Nature.com Scitechdaily.com To read the original article click here.

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The Truth About Vitamin D

AHA Publisher — Fri, 28 Jan 2022 08:00:45 +0000

Dr. Don Colbert – Vitamin D is a popular supplement that has received a lot of attention in the last few years. Here’s the truth about this vitamin and hormone, how it works in the human body, and its relation to sickness and health. What Is Vitamin D? Vitamin D is a fat-soluble hormone that is both synthesized naturally by the body, and absorbed in the digestive tract. There are two forms of Vitamin D, animal-synthesized D3 (cholecalciferol) and plant-synthesized D2 (ergocalciferol). While humans can make the active form of Vitamin D, calcitriol, from D2 or D3, the latter is considered more effective at increasing levels when it is consumed (1). The Truth About Vitamin D: 11 Vitamin D Health Facts 1. VITAMIN D IS COMMONLY TOO LOW IN ADULT POPULATIONS. Even with an abundant diet, it’s estimated that 25-50% of adults in the United States are deficient in Vitamin D (2). This inadequacy is more problematic in wintertime months, when much of the population is inside more often than outside. Further, for those who live in latitudes north of Florida, the sun’s rays do not hit Earth directly enough to synthesize adequate vitamin D in winter. Of course, autumn and winter are also when people experience seasonal sickness, such as colds and flus. 2. VITAMIN D RECOMMENDATIONS HAVE CHANGED THROUGHOUT HISTORY. There’s been controversy on what constitutes Vitamin D deficiency through the years. Historically, any level less than 10 ng/mL was considered deficient. However, in 2011 the Endocrine Society issued a report encouraging a higher minimum blood level of 30 ng/mL based on their research (3). They wanted to encourage practitioners to help patients keep their levels higher. The American Heart Association also encouraged higher levels due to data that linked healthy Vitamin D status with reduced degenerative illness including heart conditions, low moods, unhealthy blood pressure, and kidney issues. More studies piled up that connected Vitamin D to bone health, muscle strength, less fat accumulation, athletic performance, blood sugars, mental health, and more. At present, there is still no exact optimal number. However, many experts recommend 40-60 ng/mL, a possible immune- and health-supporting range (4). To get there, you may need to both avoid any risk factors you can for deficiency and proactively increase Vitamin D intake. 3. MODERN LIFE HAS PUT US AT HIGHER RISK OF VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY While recommendations for Vitamin D levels have increased, our modern lifestyles often get in the way. Lifestyle habits and other factors associated with low vitamin D status include: Lack of direct sunlight exposure in winter months. Even though you are in the sunshine in the winter, the axis of the Earth reduces the number of UV rays that directly hit us. Life indoors. Compared to generations before us who mostly worked outside, modern adults now largely live indoors. Limited natural food sources of Vitamin D and pollution. There simply aren’t many great natural sources of Vitamin D in our food supply. Additionally, ocean pollutants threaten the fish that do supply it. Dark-pigmented skin cells. If you have darker skin, the amount of melanin in it reduces its ability to make Vitamin D from sunlight. Age. As you age, your kidneys cannot convert as much Vitamin D to its active form. Digestive health. If you suffer from digestive conditions, you may not absorb as much Vitamin D. Obesity. Obesity in adults is correlated to significantly lower levels of Vitamin D, and our current population is comprised of a higher percentage of obese adults than ever before (5). Sunscreen Use. While sunscreen is very important, its use decreases Vitamin D production by the skin. 4. VITAMIN D IS OFTEN LOWER IN THOSE WHO ARE OVERWEIGHT OR OBESE Low vitamin D status and obesity are linked. Why? Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin, and it is distributed throughout fat cells, muscle, the liver, and serum. These cells are more abundant in obesity, and the relative amount of vitamin D in a human body is therefore diluted among these cells (6). Unfortunately, low vitamin D status is also linked to many chronic health issues. While it’s not completely understood whether it’s a reflection of health or plays a causal role, the associations are concerning within obesity and health (7). It’s important for those who are overweight to know and optimize their vitamin D status. 5. HIGH LEVELS OF VITAMIN D IN THE BLOODSTREAM MAY REDUCE RISK OF SEASONAL SICKNESS AND SEVERITY As stated above, serum levels of Vitamin D tend to be lower in the wintertime months, or cold and flu season. In studies, there have been mixed results on Vitamin D levels and specific sickness outcomes. However, most are positive with very little detriment or risk. For example: A 2007 study showed the rate of winter-time colds and flu symptoms was reduced by more than 300% when participants supplemented with 2000 IU Vitamin D3 per day. However, the quality of the questionnaire used to gather data has come into question (8). In 2010, researchers found an inverse association between total Vitamin D levels and recent upper respiratory tract infections (URTI). Vitamin D levels <30 ng/mL were associated with more recent URTI than those higher (9). Also in 2010, scientists reported an approximate 8% reduction of seasonal influenza A in schoolchildren with Vitamin D supplementation of 1200 IU per day (10). Most recently, a 2017 analysis of 11,321 participants in the British Medical Journal found that those with Vitamin D levels of <10 ng/mL had a higher risk of respiratory infections compared to those at 10 ng/mL or greater (11). Studies on new current viruses have found a link between low vitamin D status and severity of the sickness. In fact, a high percentage of intensive care treatment has been in those with low vitamin D. Of note, boluses of vitamin D are not as effective (one time high dosages), but daily or weekly supplementation ahead of the sickness (12, 13, 14, 15). There have also been studies that don’t show significant correlations. However, since there is a very low risk of toxicity, many think vitamin D is a reasonable cost-effective preventative measure for seasonal sickness. 6. MANY CHRONIC HEALTH ISSUES ARE LINKED WITH LOW VITAMIN D STATUS In addition to seasonal sickness, Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to many chronic health issues, from poor bone density to elevated blood pressure to blood glucose issues to muscle weakness illnesses (16). While there are many factors that play roles in these health issues, the vitamin D deficiency association is undeniable. Additionally, studies have found low vitamin D status can be associated with premature death. Researchers at the University of California-San Diego reviewed 32 studies that analyzed the subjects’ vitamin D levels in the blood and subsequently, mortality rates. The studies included 566,583 subjects from 14 different countries, who had an average age of 55. They found that subjects with lower levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (the main form of vitamin D found in human blood) were twice as likely to suffer from premature death, in comparison to those with higher levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in the blood. Furthermore, researchers concluded that those at risk of dying from an early death had a vitamin D blood level of 30 ng/ml, which was approximately half of the tested subjects, and that an estimated two-thirds of the American population has a blood vitamin D level below 30 ng/ml (17). 7. VITAMIN D DIRECTLY SUPPORTS THE IMMUNE SYSTEM Why does Vitamin D have an impact on long-term health issues and seasonal sickness? It affects the immune system directly (18). It’s been shown to: Increases the production of cytokines* Amplifies the recognition of viruses and bacteria* Improves the body’s antimicrobial activity* Supports the disruption of bacterial membranes and virus replication* The research continues to stack up on Vitamin D’s effect on acute and chronic health in humans. 8. LOW VITAMIN D STATUS IS LINKED TO LOW MOODS Vitamin D plays many roles in the human body. It is a fat-soluble vitamin and hormone with many roles. Another interesting health link with vitamin D is within mental health. Low vitamin D status has an established association with low moods. In fact, it’s one therapy often prescribed during winter months to improve moods. However, experts still do not know if vitamin D plays a causal role, or simply coexists with seasonal sadness (19). 9. YOUR BODY MAKE VITAMIN D FROM SUNLIGHT, BUT IT MAY NOT BE ENOUGH FOR THERAPEUTIC RESULTS The amazing human body actually synthesizes vitamin D from sunlight! In fact, Vitamin D is produced in the skin by ultraviolet radiation from sunlight, transported in the blood, formed into its active hormonal form (calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D) in the liver and kidneys, and terminated as needed into inactive metabolites (20). But, is the radiation synthesis enough? Not always. The body is very good at balance, and will not over-produce even when you need more. If a person is low in vitamin D, it typically requires supplementation to raise vitamin D levels. 10. IT’S EASY TO INCREASE VITAMIN D LEVELS If you have insufficient Vitamin D levels, you can increase them by: Getting outside for direct sunlight exposure to start. Try exposing skin for just 10-15 minutes per day. Eating wild fish such as herring, wild salmon (try this Keto Zone® chowder recipe), and tuna. Cage-free eggs and cheese also supply small amounts. If overweight, using Keto Zone® guidelines that promote healthy weights. Supplementing Vitamin D3 as needed. Talk to your doctor before starting a supplement regimen. 11. THERE ARE RISKS OF TOO MUCH VITAMIN D As with any fat-soluble vitamin, there are risks of taking too much vitamin D. However, toxicity usually occurs only with very high doses (such as 60,000 IU) taken daily. It is generally accepted that 2000-3000 IU per day is safe and effective for adults in maintaining healthy levels through autumn and winter months. Most practitioners warn against chronic doses of greater than 4000 IU per day. The main consequence of vitamin D toxicity is a buildup of calcium in your blood (hypercalcemia), which can cause nausea and vomiting, weakness, and frequent urination. Vitamin D toxicity can also progress to bone pain and kidney problems, such as the formation of calcium stones. Treatment for vitamin D toxicity includes cessation of supplements and restricting dietary calcium (21). Bottom Line Vitamin D is an amazing vitamin and hormone. It has many functions throughout the body. Most notably, it supports immune function, bone health, mental health, and more as discussed above. While many adults are deficient in it, it’s easy to raise levels to an optimal and healthy range. To read the original article click here.

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unhealthy blood pressure Archives - Amazing Health Advances

Warning: This Nighttime Risk Could be Raising Your Blood Pressure

The Truth About Vitamin D