Spanish scientists suggest a traditional Mediterranean diet can help protect individuals against type 2 diabetes and its complications.
According to a study published in the British Medical Journal, following the Mediterranean diet reduces the risk of developing diabetes by 83 percent.
Findings revealed a high intake of fiber and vegetable fat along with a low intake of trans-fatty acids not only reduced the risk of cardiovascular disease but also had a protective role against diabetes.
University of Navarra researchers claimed that using virgin oil for cooking, frying, spreading on bread and as salad dressing had an important role in the diets beneficial effects.
Olive oil has positive impacts on blood glucose control and inflammation reduction. The Mediterranean diet is rich in olive oil, grains, fruits, nuts, vegetables, and fish, but low in meat, dairy products and alcohol.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Low-salt diet can tackle hypertension
A new study shows that including too much salt in the daily regimen may contribute to high blood pressure resistant to treatment.
According to the study presented at the American Heart Association's Fall Conference, adopting a high-salt diet leads to high blood pressure which remains above goal levels despite taking three anti-hypertension medications.
The study showed that adopting a low-salt diet is associated with a considerable drop in both systolic and diastolic blood pressures.
Findings revealed that salt restriction effectively lowers blood pressure by reducing intravascular fluid retention and improving vascular function.
Scientists concluded that patients who despite taking multiple blood pressure-lowering drugs continue to suffer from an uncontrolled high blood pressure can lower their BP by adopting a low-salt diet.
According to the study presented at the American Heart Association's Fall Conference, adopting a high-salt diet leads to high blood pressure which remains above goal levels despite taking three anti-hypertension medications.
The study showed that adopting a low-salt diet is associated with a considerable drop in both systolic and diastolic blood pressures.
Findings revealed that salt restriction effectively lowers blood pressure by reducing intravascular fluid retention and improving vascular function.
Scientists concluded that patients who despite taking multiple blood pressure-lowering drugs continue to suffer from an uncontrolled high blood pressure can lower their BP by adopting a low-salt diet.
Western diet ups heart attack risk
A recent US study has revealed that the typical western diet is responsible for a considerable number of heart attacks in the world.
According to the study published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, following a western diet rich in fat, salt and meat accounts for about 35 percent of heart attacks.
The study reported that a salt-rich diet places individuals at a greater risk of developing cardiovascular events by increasing blood pressure and harmful lipid levels.
Findings revealed that an Oriental diet which is high in tofu and salty soy sauce does not influence the risk of developing heart problems.
Scientists concluded that regardless of which region one resides in, the higher the regular intake of fried and salty foods is, the greater the risk of heart attack.
They urged individuals to adopt a healthy diet high in fruit and vegetables to reduce the global heart attack risk.
According to the study published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, following a western diet rich in fat, salt and meat accounts for about 35 percent of heart attacks.
The study reported that a salt-rich diet places individuals at a greater risk of developing cardiovascular events by increasing blood pressure and harmful lipid levels.
Findings revealed that an Oriental diet which is high in tofu and salty soy sauce does not influence the risk of developing heart problems.
Scientists concluded that regardless of which region one resides in, the higher the regular intake of fried and salty foods is, the greater the risk of heart attack.
They urged individuals to adopt a healthy diet high in fruit and vegetables to reduce the global heart attack risk.
Mediterranean diet improves diabetes management
While the Mediterranean diet had long been linked to greater weight loss, a new study finds this diet more efficient in controlling blood sugar.
According to the study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, a low-carbohydrate, Mediterranean-style diet is more effective in diabetes management compared to typical low-fat, calorie-restricted diets.
Following a Mediterranean diet with at least 30% of daily calories from fat (mostly olive oil) delays the need for taking diabetes medication and improves certain heart disease risk factors.
The Mediterranean diet -- rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and low in red meat and processed foods -- also resulted in trimmer waistlines and increased the "good" HDL-cholesterol levels, all of which are considered to be heart-healthy changes in the body.
Scientists concluded that reducing the need for diabetes treatment should also be added to the Mediterranean diet's long list of health benefits including greater longevity.
According to the study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, a low-carbohydrate, Mediterranean-style diet is more effective in diabetes management compared to typical low-fat, calorie-restricted diets.
Following a Mediterranean diet with at least 30% of daily calories from fat (mostly olive oil) delays the need for taking diabetes medication and improves certain heart disease risk factors.
The Mediterranean diet -- rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and low in red meat and processed foods -- also resulted in trimmer waistlines and increased the "good" HDL-cholesterol levels, all of which are considered to be heart-healthy changes in the body.
Scientists concluded that reducing the need for diabetes treatment should also be added to the Mediterranean diet's long list of health benefits including greater longevity.
Night-time eating ups obesity risk
Excessive late-night eating and midnight raids on the refrigerator are linked to increased weight gain and worse health consequences, a new study finds.
Recent studies have reported that circadian rhythms -- the body's internal clock -- have a critical role in how the body spends energy.
According to the study published in the International Journal of Obesity, late-night snackers are more likely to gain weight, adding that mice eating at unusual hours put on twice as much weight, despite exercising and eating as much as others.
Night-fed mice are reported to weight 7.8 percent more than those fed during the day. "Better timing of meals could be a critical element in slowing the ever-increasing incidence of obesity," scientists concluded, claiming that simply changing the timing of meals and snacks can considerably help reduce weight.
Scientists concluded that night-time eating is one factor among many others contributing to weight gain.
Recent studies have reported that circadian rhythms -- the body's internal clock -- have a critical role in how the body spends energy.
According to the study published in the International Journal of Obesity, late-night snackers are more likely to gain weight, adding that mice eating at unusual hours put on twice as much weight, despite exercising and eating as much as others.
Night-fed mice are reported to weight 7.8 percent more than those fed during the day. "Better timing of meals could be a critical element in slowing the ever-increasing incidence of obesity," scientists concluded, claiming that simply changing the timing of meals and snacks can considerably help reduce weight.
Scientists concluded that night-time eating is one factor among many others contributing to weight gain.
Larger thighs may add to longevity: Study
Individuals with narrow thighs are believed to die sooner than their counterparts who have larger thigh circumference, a new study finds.
Previous studies had reported that obesity is the strongest risk factor affecting one's health, adding that waist size (abdominal obesity) is a good predictor of heart disease, diabetes and early death. According to the study published in the British Medical Journal, thigh size is an accurate marker of longevity and narrower thighs increase the risk of premature death.
Individuals whose thighs are less than 60 centimeters in circumference are at a greater risk of premature death. The risk is reported to be doubled in those with the thighs less than 55 centimeters. "Additionally we found that the risk was more highly related to thigh circumference than to waist circumference," said lead researcher Professor Berit Heitmann, adding that the results are similar for both sexes.
Those with narrower thighs lack the muscle mass necessary to ensure proper glucose and lipid metabolism, a condition leading to type 2 diabetes and, in the long-run, heart disease. Scientists believe thigh size could soon be used as a marker for identifying patients at-risk of early death or other serious health problems.
Previous studies had reported that obesity is the strongest risk factor affecting one's health, adding that waist size (abdominal obesity) is a good predictor of heart disease, diabetes and early death. According to the study published in the British Medical Journal, thigh size is an accurate marker of longevity and narrower thighs increase the risk of premature death.
Individuals whose thighs are less than 60 centimeters in circumference are at a greater risk of premature death. The risk is reported to be doubled in those with the thighs less than 55 centimeters. "Additionally we found that the risk was more highly related to thigh circumference than to waist circumference," said lead researcher Professor Berit Heitmann, adding that the results are similar for both sexes.
Those with narrower thighs lack the muscle mass necessary to ensure proper glucose and lipid metabolism, a condition leading to type 2 diabetes and, in the long-run, heart disease. Scientists believe thigh size could soon be used as a marker for identifying patients at-risk of early death or other serious health problems.
Genes link gum disease to heart attacks
Researchers have discovered a genetic link between a certain type of dental disease and the increased risk of strokes and heart attacks.
Previous studies had revealed the high frequency of heart events, pancreatic cancer and the reactivation of latent HIV-1 among individuals suffering from periodontitis --a gum disease that results in loss of connective tissue and the bone supporting the teeth.
The main reason linking coronary heart disease (CHD) to the gum disease, however, remains unclear. According to a study presented at the annual conference of the European Society of Human Genetics, a genetic locus on chromosome 9 is responsible for the higher risk of CHD among patients with periodontitis. CHD and periodontitis are both characterized by an imbalanced immune reaction and chronic inflammation.
Both diseases, furthermore, have similar risk factors including smoking, diabetes and obesity. The bacteria found in the oral cavity are akin to those in coronary plaques, indicating that the bacteria involved in gum disease is a possible trigger for low grade inflammatory responses and changes in the arteries leading to cardiovascular events.
Scientists urged individuals with periodontitis to reduce their risk factors and take preventive measures at early stage to prevent possible heart events. They also recommended the dentists to take gum disease seriously and diagnose and treat it as early as possible with the aim of preventing further heart-related complications.
Previous studies had revealed the high frequency of heart events, pancreatic cancer and the reactivation of latent HIV-1 among individuals suffering from periodontitis --a gum disease that results in loss of connective tissue and the bone supporting the teeth.
The main reason linking coronary heart disease (CHD) to the gum disease, however, remains unclear. According to a study presented at the annual conference of the European Society of Human Genetics, a genetic locus on chromosome 9 is responsible for the higher risk of CHD among patients with periodontitis. CHD and periodontitis are both characterized by an imbalanced immune reaction and chronic inflammation.
Both diseases, furthermore, have similar risk factors including smoking, diabetes and obesity. The bacteria found in the oral cavity are akin to those in coronary plaques, indicating that the bacteria involved in gum disease is a possible trigger for low grade inflammatory responses and changes in the arteries leading to cardiovascular events.
Scientists urged individuals with periodontitis to reduce their risk factors and take preventive measures at early stage to prevent possible heart events. They also recommended the dentists to take gum disease seriously and diagnose and treat it as early as possible with the aim of preventing further heart-related complications.
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