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Posted on Friday, November 18, 2011 10:57 AM
A CLEAR LINK:  AIR POLLUTION AND HEART DISEASE
Environmental toxicants such as dioxins, PCBs, and pesticides can pose a risk for cardiovascular disease.
For the first time a link has been demonstrated between atherosclerosis and levels of long-lived organic environmental toxicants in the blood.
The study, carried out by researchers at Uppsala University, was published this week in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.
Cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes, are the most common cause of death in industrialised countries, and the most important underlying cause of these diseases is atherosclerosis. |
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Posted on Monday, September 19, 2011 9:20 PM
 Omega 3 and Depression in the elderly Recent observations showed that long chain omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids could represent a potential treatment for elderly depression. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial study was conducted over a two month period, in a Nursing Home in Pavia, Italy. The study included 46 depressed females, aged 66-95 years old. The dosages given were 1.67 grams of EPA and 0.83 grams of DHA. The results after the 2 month period showed that the use of supplement essential fatty acids was helpful and significantly alleviated the symptoms of depression (assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale). |
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Posted on Friday, June 03, 2011 2:13 PM
 Are Cholesterol-Lowering Drug Regimens Causing Depression? Low cholesterol is a risk factor for depression, according to integrative psychiatrist James Greenblatt, MD, of Waltham, MA. Speaking at the recent iMosaic conference, Dr. Greenblatt said there are 11 studies showing strong correlations between low total cholesterol and increased depression and suicidality.
The brain is the most cholesterol-rich organ, and cholesterol is a building block for many important hormones. This doesn’t mean that high cholesterol levels are healthy, but neither are levels that are too low. |
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Posted on Wednesday, June 01, 2011 12:45 PM
 BlueberrinMay Inhibit Development of Fat Cells The benefits of blueberry consumption have been demonstrated in several nutrition studies, more specifically the cardio-protective benefits derived from their high polyphenol content. Blueberries have shown potential to have a positive effect on everything from ageing to metabolic syndrome. Recently, a researcher from Texas Woman’s University (TWU) in Denton, TX, examined whether blueberries could play a role in reducing one of the world’s greatest health challenges: obesity. |
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Posted on Tuesday, April 26, 2011 5:37 PM
Calcium supplements  increases risk or heart disease
Fresh evidence has linked calcium supplements to an increased risk of cardiovascular events, reigniting safety concerns over their use. A meta-analysis published today in theBMJ concludes that calcium supplementation – with or without vitamin D – increases the relative risk of MI (myocardial infarction) and stroke.
The authors said the relative risk increases were modest, at about 25-30% for MI and 15-20% for stroke, but could have a significant impact on a population level. |
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Posted on Friday, March 18, 2011 2:52 PM
 Balanced HormonesMean Better Heart Health Our blood vessels are lined with oestrogen receptors, which play a key role in regulating healthy blood pressure, cholesterol and normal clot formation in both men and women. This may be one reason why pre-menopausal women enjoy more optimal heart health statistics than their male and postmenopausal counterparts––and why heart health becomes an important focus for women as they grow older.
Research shows, however, that while synthetic hormone analogs of progesterone (called "progestin") can actually impact cardiovascular health, naturally derived forms of oestrogen and progesterone can help to support healthy blood pressure, heart rate, clotting factors and lipid levels. |
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Posted on Friday, March 11, 2011 10:45 AM
 HEALING HEARTS10/3/2011 A decade ago, scientists thought stem cells could simply replace dead cardiac tissue. Now, it seems things are even more interesting.
It was the kind of headline English newspapers do so well: “My faulty heart valve rebuilt itself with stem cells from my hip.”Underneath, theDaily Mailran a picture of an ordinary-looking British housewife — blonde, bobbed hair, jeans and a pale blue cardigan. Her name was Barbro Lowed and her story was remarkable.
Having developed classic signs of heart failure, the 61-year-old retired flight attendant was told by her doctors that she would require a valve replacement. |
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Posted on Monday, February 28, 2011 9:53 PM
 HOW RELIABLE IS THE "TICK" National Heart Foundation defends tick program The National Heart Foundation has leapt to the defence of its “heart tick” program after a warning was issued to doctors to use caution when recommending products with the tick. Writing in theMedical Journal of Australia, nutritionist Dr Rosemary Stanton (PhD) said the Heart Foundation’s criteria for earning the tick were a cause for concern because it varied for different food types.
In one example, Dr Stanton states, tomato sauce must have no added salt to earn the tick, while a similar restriction does not apply to salad dressing. |
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