Can Fish Oil Cut Danger of High-Risk Heart Issues?
https://ift.tt/2Oa2ixO Sept. 25, 2018 -- A prescription pill that contains large doses of an omega 3 fatty acid found in fish oil staved off heart attacks and strokes in folks with a history of heart disease or type 2 diabetes. In the large clinical trial, the results were particularly potent for people with high triglycerides, a blood fat long linked to an increased risk of heart disease, the New York Times reported Monday. The researchers focused on people whose cholesterol levels were controlled with statins, but whose triglyceride levels were still high. Because many smaller studies had not produced much evidence of any benefit in adding fish oil supplements to statin use, the hopes of heart experts were not high. But the new trial, to be presented in November at the American Heart Association's annual meeting, showed that these patients saw a 25 percent drop in their relative risk of heart attacks, strokes and other cardiac events compared to a control group of patients who received a placebo. "I'm very surprised by the magnitude of the results, which quite frankly are large. My expectations were very low. A lot of people are legitimately surprised by this," Dr. Michael Blaha, director of clinical research at the Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Heart Disease at Johns Hopkins Medical School, told the Times. "Fish oil has long been a popular supplement to protect against heart disease. It contains high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, primarily EPA and DHA, which reduce inflammation and lower triglyceride levels," explained Blaha, who was not involved in the trial. "Omega-3 fatty acids also have blood-thinning effects similar to those of aspirin." The new trial differed from previous studies in two aspects, the newspaper reported. First, it focused on a specific group of high-risk patients: People with a history of heart disease, diabetes or heart risk factors. In addition, all of the patients were on statins, which lower cholesterol. Secondly, Vascepa was not the typical fish oil supplement that can be bought in any drugstore or supermarket. Manufactured by Amarin, Vascepa is a prescription drug that contains highly purified EPA, according to the Times. ContinuedFish oil supplements often contain a mixture of both EPA and DHA and, in some cases, other oils. Both EPA and DHA can lower triglycerides, but DHA also tends to raise "bad" LDL cholesterol, the newspaper said. In the trial, more than 8,000 patients were followed for about five years, during which the drug was well tolerated and safe, the researchers noted. Dr. Ethan Weiss, a cardiologist and associate professor at the University of California, San Francisco, told the Times that the findings carried a few caveats. All of the data remains to be seen, and the group of patients most likely to see a benefit is very specific, added Weiss, who was not involved in the study. Vascepa is now only approved for certain patients who have very high triglyceride levels, the newspaper said. "The worried well shouldn't run out and take fish oil," said Dr. Michael Shapiro, a site investigator for the trial and director of Oregon Health and Science University's Atherosclerosis Imaging Program. But, "the amount of people around the world who have atherosclerotic disease or diabetes who take a statin and still have elevated triglycerides is enormous," he said. "This has huge implications." Health via WebMD Health https://www.webmd.com/ September 25, 2018 at 12:42PM
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Intimidated by the Sled? This Circuit From Jillian Michaels Proves You Should Take It On
https://ift.tt/2OdV3om Jillian Michaels may be a pro in the gym - the former Biggest Loser trainer is no stranger to challenge circuits and expert-level moves - but she also knows how to create workouts that are achievable for all fitness levels. Take this sled circuit she shared on her Instagram, for example. While the sled may be an intimidating piece of equipment in the gym no matter how long you've been working out, Jillian proves you can get creative with it by adjusting your form and attaching handled straps to it. Although Jillian stacked her sled with weight plates, you could also perform these without weights if you're a beginner. She started the circuit by running the sled forward. She then pulled the sled with straps while running sideways, followed by lunging sled pushes. She continued by getting into a squat form and pulled the sled with her arms in a row stance, followed by bear crawls while pulling the sled forward. She suggested doing each move for 30 seconds, and doing them back-to-back for three total rounds. If you need to take a break, take a two or three-minute rest in between each round. Although Jillian made this circuit look easy, it's definitely a challenge! It's a total-body workout that will get your heart rate up and incorporates functional movements. Hopefully, this video gets you motivated to take on the sled and mix up your gym routine! Health via POPSUGAR Fitness https://ift.tt/2mWxwLI September 25, 2018 at 11:38AM
Here's How to Build the Perfect Paleo-Friendly Bowl at Chipotle
https://ift.tt/2Ie4zSX Following the Paleo diet at home is relatively simple. Once you know the rules, learn to keep your kitchen stocked, and master meal prep, you're pretty much set. Dining out is a different story, and while it's true that fast food is often off limits, Chipotle's focus on fresh, quality ingredients makes it a solid choice. That said, know that you'll need to make some compromises if you want a towering bowl of protein- and veggie-packed goodness. According to Chipotle's nutrition information, the restaurant's meats are cooked in either rice bran oil or sunflower oil. The fajita veggies and chipotle honey vinaigrette are also made using rice bran oil. Even the most avid Paleo follower will typically make a few allowances when eating out, knowing they'll cook with Paleo-friendly oils at home. If you feel the same, take these steps to build your perfectly Paleo order.
Health via POPSUGAR Fitness https://ift.tt/2mWxwLI September 25, 2018 at 11:38AM
I'm a Trainer, and This Is the Plank Variation I Have My Clients Do For Sculpted Abs
https://ift.tt/2Q6nD8y If you've found that planks and other ab exercises are becoming too easy, I've got the upgrade you need: crocodile walks. This move is no joke and has become one of my staple ab exercises for a strong, sculpted core. I love this exercise because it targets all the muscles in your abs, and it also works your arms - that's a win-win in my book. With that being said, this is the perfect time to remind you that this exercise, and any other core exercises, alone won't magically flatten your stomach and reveal a six-pack. In order to truly reduce the size of your stomach, you're going to need to focus on what you're consuming (ideally whole, minimally processed foods) and do workouts that suit your physical abilities and goals. Now, without further ado, it's time to start sculpting your abs. Here's how to do it:
Health via POPSUGAR Fitness https://ift.tt/2mWxwLI September 25, 2018 at 10:59AM
Short Bout of Exercise Might Boost Your Memory
https://ift.tt/2Q7j0LE By Alan Mozes HealthDay Reporter MONDAY, Sept. 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Just a little bit of light exercise can immediately improve a person's memory, new Japanese research suggests. How little? The small study involved 36 healthy college-aged men and women and found that just 10 minutes of relaxed cycling on a stationary bike was all it took to improve recall during memory testing conducted right afterwards. Why? Brain scans on 16 of the participants indicated that short bouts of mild exercise appeared to trigger an instant uptick in communication between the hippocampal dentate gyrus and the cortical brain regions. Both brain areas are key to processing memory. Study author Hideaki Soya characterized the findings as "striking evidence" of how a "very light [exercise] protocol indeed has beneficial effects on brains and cognition." He is chair of the Advanced Research Initiative for Human High Performance at the University of Tsukuba in Ibaraki, Japan. Soya also said the results are "good news for people who do not like to exercise," including those in poor physical health or older folks. And even though the study only measured the exercise dividend among young men and women, Soya stressed that his team's earlier research suggests that mild exercise seems to produce broad results, "not only with the young, but also with the elderly." But just how long might the memory affect linger? Soya said it's too soon to say for sure. "But at this time," he added, "we can say that the exercise effect lasts at least 15 minutes after 10 minutes of exercise." Soya and his colleagues report their findings in the Sept. 24 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science. In the study, all participants randomly underwent memory testing twice, once after completing 10 minutes on a stationary bike and once after no exercise of any kind. Memory testing began within five minutes following the exercise/no exercise task. Testing initially involved showing each participant images of everyday objects, at which point all were asked to indicate if the object was typically used indoors or outdoors. ContinuedIn turn, all were then shown a second round of images and asked to recall if they had been shown the image before, or if the image was similar or entirely new. A little less than half of the group had memory testing while also undergoing high-resolution f-MRI brain scans. In the end, the research team found that when participants engaged in a short bout of light exercise, there was a "rapid enhancement" in their ability to recall information accurately. What's more, the scans suggested that the observed enhancement seemed to reflect an increase in "functional connectivity" between brain centers critical to memory performance. The more such brain communication went up post-exercise, the more a person's memory skills improved, the investigators said. Heather Snyder, senior director of medical and scientific operations with the Alzheimer's Association, said it remains to be seen to how the exercise-enhanced "brain plasticity" Soya's team observed among young adults will ultimately play out among seniors. "While there is widespread consensus that physical activity, even in moderation, is beneficial for brain health, less is known about the specific benefits or the biology of how physical activity works in our brains," said Snyder, who wasn't involved with the research. "The current findings are intriguing, because they suggest physical activity may improve memory," she acknowledged. And the AA makes a point of advising seniors to stay active, noting that "physical activity is a valuable part of any overall body wellness plan and is associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline." Still, Snyder stressed that "an important next step is replicating the study in older adults to see if the same results are achieved." Health via WebMD Health https://www.webmd.com/ September 25, 2018 at 08:48AM
The Best Exercises For a High, Tight, Round Booty
https://ift.tt/2xPHiSu We rounded up our favorite butt-lifting exercises because gravity is relentless. Plus, sitting all day can make your glutes go to sleep and stop functioning properly. And a sleepy butt is most likely a droopy butt. All that being said, it's time to strengthen, tone, and lift your butt. Here are 11 effective exercises; add one to three of these moves to your next full-body workout or leg-day routine and build some muscle to start defying gravity. Health via POPSUGAR Fitness https://ift.tt/2mWxwLI September 24, 2018 at 03:19PM
Spinal Implant Could Be Breakthrough in Paralysis
https://ift.tt/2xMKiPT MONDAY, Sept. 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- A paraplegic man has regained the ability to move his legs and walk with assistance, thanks to an implanted electrode stimulating his spinal cord, Mayo Clinic researchers say. Surgeons implanted the electrode below the level of 29-year-old Jered Chinnock's spinal cord injury. A 2013 snowmobile crash left Chinnock with complete loss of motor control and sensation below the middle of his back. But after the new therapy, he "was able to regain voluntary control of the movement in his legs," said co-principal investigator Dr. Kendall Lee, a neurosurgeon and director of Mayo Clinic's Neural Engineering Laboratories in Rochester, Minn. He explained that Chinnock's "own mind or thoughts were able to drive the movement in the legs." Similar results were also reported Monday for patients who got the same type of treatment in a study conducted at the University of Louisville. Describing Chinnock's case, researchers said he can now can walk about the length of a football field, around 111 yards. "We were able to get him to stand independently and be able to take his own steps," Lee said. "The amount of steps he was able to take was pretty significant." New insights into the spinal cord Researchers aren't sure why this electrical stimulation allows the brain to once again take control of the legs, Lee said. He noted that the electrode is placed "way below the level of the injury," stimulating nervous tissue that still is connected to the leg muscles. It's possible that despite the injury, there remain some residual intact nerve fibers capable of transmitting brain signals to the legs, said Kristin Zhao, co-principal investigator and director of Mayo Clinic's Assistive and Restorative Technology Laboratory. If that's the case, the brain likely is sending signals to re-stimulated nerves farther down the spinal cord that are specifically tied to walking, said Dr. Brian Kopell, a neurosurgeon and director of the Center of Neuromodulation at Mount Sinai Health System in New York City. "We are beginning to understand there are specific hard-wired circuits related to walking in the spinal cord itself," said Kopell, who wasn't involved with the study. "The brain works in conjunction with these locomotive sectors in the spinal cord to create the behavior we know as walking." Health via WebMD Health https://www.webmd.com/ September 24, 2018 at 02:32PM
Booster Shots OK for Most Kids With Vax Reaction
https://ift.tt/2QWeWyJ By Mary Elizabeth Dallas HealthDay Reporter MONDAY, Sept. 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Most children who have mild to moderate reactions to a vaccine can safely receive booster shots, new research suggests. Canadian scientists found there is a low rate of recurring reactions following subsequent vaccinations. They said their findings should help inform doctors and parents about the safety of immunizations. "Most patients with a history of mild or moderate adverse events following immunization can be safely re-immunized," said study leader Dr. Gaston De Serres, of Laval University in Quebec. In the United States, health care professionals are legally required to report reactions to immunizations. Quebec has a similar reporting system for "unusual or severe" vaccine reactions. For the study, De Serres and colleagues analyzed data on 5,600 patients in this Canadian database from 1998 to 2016. All required additional doses of a vaccine that caused them to have a reaction. The researchers noted the seasonal flu shot was not included in the study since this vaccine changes from year to year. Follow-up data was available on 1,731 of these patients. Of these, 78 percent, or 1,350 people, received an additional vaccination. In most cases, the patients who received booster shots were younger than 2. The study found that only 16 percent of the patients had another reaction after receiving an additional vaccination. The researchers also found that more than 80 percent of these subsequent reactions were not any more severe than the initial reaction. Patients' gender didn't affect the rate of reactions. The findings were published recently in The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. In a journal news release, the research team identified a few patterns related to vaccine reactions, including:
Health via WebMD Health https://www.webmd.com/ September 24, 2018 at 02:32PM
Shorter People May Duck Risk of Varicose Veins
https://ift.tt/2zqtdx2 MONDAY, Sept. 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- How tall you are might play a part in whether you are unlucky enough to develop varicose veins, a new study suggests. Every additional 4 inches in height increases your risk of varicose veins by about 25 percent, said researcher Dr. Erik Ingelsson, a professor of cardiovascular medicine with Stanford University School of Medicine. "We have pretty robust evidence that height is actually causally related through genetics with increased risk of having varicose veins," Ingelsson said, though the study did not definitively prove causality. Varicose veins are swollen, twisted, gnarled veins that can be seen just below the surface of the skin. They are often dark purple or blue in color, and most frequently appear on the legs. Varicose veins do not increase a person's risk for heart attack or stroke, explained cardiologist Dr. Nieca Goldberg, medical director of NYU Langone's Joan H. Tisch Center for Women's Health in New York City. "They're generally a benign condition," said Goldberg, a spokeswoman for the American Heart Association. But these veins can become achy, itchy or painful, and can contribute to swelling of the legs due to fluid retention, she added. Varicose veins affect up to 25 percent of women and 15 percent of men, according to the Vascular Disease Foundation. How do varicose veins develop? Veins are designed to quickly shoot blood back up to the heart, with one-way valves that encourage blood flow, Goldberg said. When these one-way valves start to fail, blood can start pooling the veins, causing them to swell and stretching the vein walls. It's been known that there are genetic factors involved in development of varicose veins, Ingelsson said. A family history of varicose veins makes it more likely you'll develop them as well. To explore potential risk factors for varicose veins, researchers analyzed the health of more than 413,000 people aged 40 to 69 across the United Kingdom. This included a screen of genetic markers for more than 337,000 of those participants, including nearly 9,600 with varicose veins. Health via WebMD Health https://www.webmd.com/ September 24, 2018 at 02:03PM
Thinking of Others Makes Healthy Choices Easier
https://ift.tt/2MYChN6 The new study found that people who were prompted to either think about others, or to have spiitual thoughts, were more likely to become more physically active. Health via WebMD Health https://www.webmd.com/ September 24, 2018 at 12:52PM |
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