Heart Health

Loud Workplaces Linked to Heart Disease, CDC Warns

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women around the globe. Over 600 thousand Americans will die from heart disease each year. According to new research published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine, people who are exposed to loud noises at work, roughly a quarter of U.S. workers, are at greater risk for developing heart disease. The study, conducted by researchers at the CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) adds to growing concerns that the health impacts of noise pollution go further than simply hearing loss.

According to NIOSH director, Dr. John Howard, M.D., “reducing workplace noise levels is critical not just for hearing loss prevention, it may also impact blood pressure and cholesterol. Work site health and wellness programs that include screenings for high blood pressure and cholesterol should also target noise-exposed workers.”

A Noisy Workplace Affects Heart Health

One of the most common hazards in the workplace, around 22 million American workers are affected by noise pollution each year. Researchers from NIOSH analyzed 2014 data from the National Health Interview Survey in order to estimate the prevalence of occupational noise, hearing loss and heart conditions on American workers. The researchers discovered that high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels, two key risk factors for heart disease, were found to be more common in workers who are consistently exposed to loud noises in the workplace, such as workers in construction, mining and manufacturing industries.

“A significant percentage of the workers we studied have hearing difficulty, high blood pressure and high cholesterol that could be attributed to noise at work,” according to the co-author of the study, Liz Masterson, Ph.D. “This study provides further evidence of an association of occupational noise exposure with high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and the potential to prevent these conditions if noise is reduced.”

Linking Noise Pollution to Health Problems

The team’s research echoes other findings that have connected noise levels to heart health. For example, high-decibel noise pollution from road traffic and airplanes has previously been linked to coronary disease, high blood pressure and stroke. Another study that was published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology similarly linked noise pollution to cardiovascular health.

While the linking mechanism is not entirely known, studies have proposed that the detrimental effects on the heart are due to how loud noises trigger chronic stress reactions within our bodies. High noise levels activate the autonomic nervous system and increase levels of the stress hormone, cortisol. Increased circulation of cortisol is believed to cause oxidative stress and vascular inflammation that leads to high blood pressure, altered heart rate and changes in blood sugar.

Three Tips for a Healthy Heart

The easiest way to treat and prevent heart disease is by decreasing the most obvious risk factors, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. You may not be able to change your workplace conditions, but by eating the right foods and nutrients, getting enough exercise and keeping your stress under wraps, you can still keep your ticker in top shape. Here are a few other lifestyle changes you can make to ensure a healthy heart.

Make Sleep a Top Priority

Sleep is essential to heart health. Adequate sleep is critical to the body’s ability to repair and regenerate. Research suggests that people who sleep fewer than six hours a night are twice as likely to encounter a stroke or heart attack as those who regularly sleep from six to eight hours.

Consume Enough of the Good Fats

Omega-3 fatty acids, found abundantly in foods like salmon, cod liver oil, and walnuts, are extremely beneficial to heart health. They haveve been proven to lower triglyceride (the bad fat) levels, reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure and improve the health of blood vessels.

Be Sure That You’re Getting the Right Micronutrients

Studies have indicated that the addition of micronutrient supplements to the diet could repair cell damage and prevent the risk of stroke and heart disease.

Vitamin E prevents the oxidative degradation of polyunsaturated fatty acid in cell membranes. Antioxidants like vitamin E repair and prevent cellular damage that is caused by stress.
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that improves blood pressure and endothelial function. Vitamin C may even boost blood vessel constriction just as well as a daily walk.
Folate, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin B12 are known to decrease the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Magnesium and Potassium have both been shown in studies to reduce blood pressure, improve overall heart function and decrease the risk of heart disease.
Coenzyme Q10, sometimes referred to as ubiquinone, is essential to the powering the heart. Coenzyme Q10 reduces oxidative stress on cells, increases the enzyme activity of antioxidants and has been shown to relieve symptoms in those suffering from cardiovascular disease.

Exciting New Insight Into Vitamin D Cardiovascular Benefits

Mar 13 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Most modern people know that a “healthy tan” is somewhat of an oxymoron. Due to widespread awareness of skin cancer, premature aging and other effects of long term sun exposure, most often we take efforts to protect ourselves from harmful ultraviolet rays. While these are generally good health decisions, they also can lead to a deficiency of vitamin D. As a result, many modern people are deficient in this vital nutrient, which is needed for a variety of important cell processes. These deficiencies can lead to depression, lower immune system function and a variety of ill effects. According to new research on vitamin D cardiovascular benefits, a lack of this essential vitamin also may increase the risk of serious cardiovascular events.

The Importance of the Sun Vitamin

Vitamin D is an essential vitamin, which means that it is needed to sustain human life yet is not made by our bodies. Unlike other nutrients, it is very difficult to get enough of this vitamin even from a healthy, well-rounded diet. Throughout human history, most of our vitamin D has come from the sun. When light interacts with our skin cells, vitamin D is produced. Modern people, however, take steps to actively avoid sun exposure. As a result, vitamin D deficiency is becoming increasingly common.

The rise of vitamin D deficiency can have serious health effects. Because this vitamin is needed to absorb calcium and build strong bones, people who do not get enough of it can suffer disorders such as rickets (softening of the bones that leads to them bowing and bending) and osteomalacia (thinning of the bones). It also can lead to increased inflammation and decreased immune activity, both of which contribute to a higher risk of cancer. Vitamin D deficiency also can cause depression and fatigue, contributing to the winter blues. According to new research, the integrity of our blood vessels also may suffer when we do not get enough of this vital nutrient.

New Vitamin D Cardiovascular Benefits Discovered

Although a heart attack and a stroke are two very different diseases with two very different effects, both are signs that there is a problem with the integrity of blood vessels. They are both caused by a blockage or stopping of blood flow to our most critical tissues. These diseases both fall under the category of cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death worldwide. Several studies on vitamin D and heart health have indicated that low levels of this vitamin can increase the chances of having a heart attack. However, researchers acknowledged that more study was needed before officially recommending supplementation of this vitamin as a means of improving cardiovascular health.

However, two new studies on vitamin D cardiovascular benefits suggest that this nutrient indeed can reduce the risk of serious diseases. Researchers in Beijing, China performed a meta-analysis, which is a statistical review of all existing literature on a subject. They found that people who are deficient in vitamin D have more than twice the risk of an ischemic stroke as those who have adequate levels of this vitamin.

Another study from the University of Bergen in Norway further emphasizes the importance of this nutrient. This study, published this month in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, found that that taking vitamin D supplements can decrease the risk of not just stroke, but of cardiovascular disease as a whole. The collectively low vitamin D levels seen in industrialized countries may be contributing to our sharp increase in deaths from cardiovascular disease.

Are You Getting Enough Vitamin D?

There are blood tests that can determine if you are low in this or other essential vitamins. However, most doctors recommend that people take a supplement of this vitamin, particularly in the winter months when bright, direct sunlight is rare. In addition, people can get vitamin D from several dietary sources such as oily fish, tofu, fortified dairy products and liver. Because most adults do not eat these foods in large quantities, supplements are often necessary.

In addition, people can get a boost in vitamin D from just a few minutes of direct sunlight on exposed skin that has not been treated with sunscreen. Although sunscreen is important for reducing the risk of skin cancer, short sun exposure can have significant health benefits without the drawbacks. As with so many health issues, moderation appears to be the key.

More research will be needed to determine exactly how vitamin D is causing this dramatic impact on cardiovascular risk. However, it is clear that this nutrient indeed can have an effect on your risk of heart attack and stroke. Taking a supplement of this nutrient may be more important than we previously realized.

Resveratrol and Depression: Recent Research Offers Hope for New Treatments

Feb 23 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Resveratrol, a compound most commonly know to be found in grapes and wine, has been hailed in research as a potential future treatment benefiting everything from cellular health to cardiovascular health. Many of these health benefits appear to be linked to the compound’s anti-inflammatory actions. According to new research on resveratrol and depression, this safe and natural supplement may also be an effective way of tackling one of the United States’ most challenging mood disorders.

Treating Depression: A Modern Challenge

Modern people report experiencing depression and anxiety more than generations past. In fact, over 18 percent of American adults are suffering from this mood disorder at any given time. Although all people have times when they are sad, clinical depression is more than mere sadness. In fact, it can be incredibly debilitating. People with this illness suffer from a wide variety of symptoms including fatigue, difficulty eating and sleeping, a loss of pleasure in normal daily activities and even physical pain.

Despite the growing prevalence of depression, there are very few evidence-based treatment options. The current recommendations call for antidepressant medications combined with therapy and lifestyle changes. Although there is a wide availability of these treatments, more than half of people with clinical depression do not respond to medical therapies. For these people, depression is often a long term and even lifelong battle simply to enjoy life. However, new research suggests that resveratrol may be a natural solution to the treatment of certain types of depression.

Resveratrol and Depression Treatment: New Hope

Prior research on resveratrol and mood disorders has been promising. A prior study found that mice who are given supplements of this flavonoid had a smaller inflammatory response to stress. They showed epigenetic changes consistent with higher levels of resilience. These mice also had smaller amounts of the brain synapse changes that are associated with both stress and major depressive disorder. Mice who take resveratrol have also been found to show lower levels of behaviors associated with clinical depression.

New research has shown more light on the connection between stress-related inflammation and depression. For this study, researchers distilled the three polyphenols present in grapes — including resveratrol — that they believed were responsible for preventing the inflammation and changes in brain synapses. Mice who received a supplement containing these polyphenols showed less of an inflammatory response. Surprisingly, the polyphenols each appear to reduce inflammation and neurological changes in different ways. They work synergistically to produce a measurable decrease in symptoms of depression. This could shed light on the mechanisms behind many of the health benefits attributed to resveratrol.

Are You Getting Enough Resveratrol?

Although more research will be needed to determine if the same effect is present in humans, this is promising research. Not only does it propose a new and potentially more effective therapy for depression, but it also offers new insight into the physiological cause of depression. Resveratrol appears to have a variety of positive effects on both physical and emotional health, which leads many to wonder: Are we getting enough resveratrol in our diets?

Many of the foods that contain high levels of resveratrol are not common in the Western diet. These foods include:

certain nuts such as peanuts and pistachios
red grapes and foods and drinks that contain these, such as wine
red and blue berries such as cranberries and blueberries
chocolate and cocoa, especially dark chocolate

Many people in the United States and Europe are not eating enough of these foods to get the health benefits of resveratrol. If you are concerned about getting enough of this disease-fighting compound, there are also resveratrol supplements. These can ensure that you get the health benefits of this compound even when your diet isn’t perfect.

Natural Ways to Improve Your Mood

Although there are few medical options for treating depression, there are several natural remedies that have been found to be effective. In addition to resveratrol, consider trying the following strategies:

Keep a set routine even if you don’t feel like it.
Get plenty of physical exercise, especially in the outdoors.
Make sure you are getting enough sleep and sleeping at roughly the same times every day.
Set small and easily attainable goals.
Consider taking supplements that have been found to have an effect on depression, such as fish oil, folic acid, and SAMe.

Although depression is a difficult battle regardless of your treatment approach, it does not have to be a lifelong struggle. There are a variety of different options, many completely natural, that may be able to help you overcome this illness. Resveratrol is not yet approved as a remedy for depression, but ongoing studies show that it is very promising in treating this difficult-to-treat illness.

Scientists Discover Snow Shoveling Boosts Risk of Heart Attack

Jan 03 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

For many people, the long dark months of winter are a reason to hole-up inside. For others, however, winter can also mean an increase in physical activity. There are many outdoor hobbies that require cold weather, such as skiing and sledding. In addition, for people in many areas, the cold weather brings an increase in chores such as shoveling newly fallen snow. However, there may be good reason to avoid some of these cold weather tasks. According to new research, shoveling snow boosts the risk of a heart attack and other potentially deadly cardiovascular events.

Cold Weather and Cardiovascular Health

Cold weather brings a variety of risks to cardiovascular health. When we experience cold, our bodies constrict our blood vessels. This helps to conserve body heat but also increases blood pressure while decreasing blood supply. Combined with a strenuous activity, this factor alone can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Cold weather also can increase the risk of blood clots, which then easily can block these constricted blood vessels.

In addition, winter brings with it several risks that are related to human behavior. The festivities of the season often include fatty or rich foods, alcohol consumption and even smoking. These create an even greater strain on the heart. In addition, many people are more sedentary during the winter months and become somewhat out of shape. Suddenly taking on a very physical activity places stress on their system.

How Snow Shoveling Boosts Risk of Heart Attack

Considering our knowledge of how cold weather affects the cardiovascular system, it should come as no surprise that snow shoveling is a particularly risky activity. In fact, recent studies show that heavy snowfall (20 centimeters or more) is correlated with a 16 percent higher chance of heart attack in the general population and a 34 percent increase in men. In fact, snow shoveling has been shown to increase a heart attack more than being on a treadmill or otherwise performing strenuous activity.

Researchers believe that this is due to the effects of the cold, but also to a few unique characteristics of this chore. First, it is a very strenuous activity that involves mainly upper extremity muscles. These muscles can become fatigued more easily, thereby increasing blood pressure and cardiovascular risk. In addition, most people go out to shovel snow in the morning hours, when we are particularly prone to cardiovascular events due to our circadian rhythms. Cortisol and other biochemicals that increase cardiovascular strain are present in the highest amounts in the hours immediately after we rise.

Is Snow Shoveling the Only Risk?

Snow does not just bring more chores, but also a variety of weather-specific activities. Many people all over the world enjoy ice skating, skiing, snowboarding, sledding and more. Could these recreational activities increase heart attack risk as much as snow shoveling? Clearly, more research will be needed in order to evaluate the risk of cold weather alone. However, it is clear that people should try to stay in good shape throughout the winter months and avoid stress on their heart through activities such as smoking or eating unhealthy foods. Winter activities are not generally a risk for people who have good heart health. In fact, staying healthy in the winter can be a healthy decision for most people.

Maintaining Good Heart Health All Year Long

Whether you will be getting your cold weather exercise from snow shoveling or hitting the slopes, it is important to keep your cardiovascular system in good working order to lower the risk of heart attacks. There are several ways that you can accomplish this. First. eat a healthy diet that is low in saturated fats, cholesterol and salt. While this can be difficult during the holiday season, moderation is key. Second, get plenty of cardiovascular exercise. Most experts recommend either 150 of moderate intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity a week. In general, cardiovascular exercise is exercise that raises your heart rate and makes you sweat.

In addition, there are several natural supplements that can help you to maintain good cardiovascular health by protecting against free radicals and helping to sustain healthy cells. These include:

B vitamins, which have been found in several major studies to reduce stroke and heart attack deaths by reducing lifelong damage to the inner lining of blood vessels and other delicate cardiovascular tissues.
Vitamin C, which acts as an antioxidant and also supports healthy cells and tissues.
Coenzyme Q10, a powerful antioxidant that prevents oxidative damage to heart cells and DNA.
Grapeseed extract, which lowers systolic blood pressure while also reducing the effects of clotting disorders.
Lycopene and lutein, antioxidants that also protect against atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) that is known to contribute to heart attack and stroke.
Bioperine or black pepper extract, which has been shown to increase the absorption and effects of other natural supplements.

This study should not be seen as a warning against shoveling snow or otherwise being active in the cold weather months. Rather, it is an encouragement to stay active and maintain good cardiovascular health all year long. With the right diet, exercise and natural supplements, most of us will be shoveling snow (whether we like it or not) for many decades to come.

Eating Cheese Protects Heart Health, Says New Study

Dec 14 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Cheese is one of the world’s favorite foods, whether toasted, melted or plain. Most people eat it in spite of its potential unhealthiness due to its high calorie, fat and cholesterol content. However, eating cheese may not be the poor choice that we have previously believed. A new study has found that cheese may actually have surprising benefits. In fact, eating cheese protects heart health and may lower your risk of deadly cardiovascular disease.

Cholesterol and Heart Health

There are several solid reasons that cheese is often perceived as a negative health choice. First, it is high in calories and absolutely delicious. It is easy to gain weight eating a pleasing food that also is rich in nutrients. Because being overweight is a contributor to many diseases common in developed countries, many people are forgoing this and other calorically dense foods with good reason.

However, the main reason that many people avoid eating cheese is the high cholesterol content. It is well known that having high cholesterol can contribute to poor cardiovascular health in a variety of ways. It can increase the rate of serious diseases such as heart attack and stroke. While diet is not the only contributor to cholesterol levels, it can have a measurable impact. As a result, many people, especially those at risk of cardiovascular conditions, eat less cholesterol and less cheese.

Eating Cheese Protects Heart Health: Could it be True?

According to new research, cheese may not be bad for your health. In fact, it may produce a net benefit. This is good news for Americans particularly, who consume over 37 pounds of it every year.

A recent study compared the health of people who consume cheese on a regular basis as well as those who do not. This was not a small study, but rather a comparison of 200,000 people over 10 years. Surprisingly, eating cheese, around 40 grams a day, appears to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. In fact, people who eat cheese lower their risk of cardiovascular disease by a whopping 18 percent as well as a 14 percent lower risk of congestive heart disease and a 10 percent lower risk of stroke.

How Can Cheese Lower Heart Disease Risk?

It seems counter-intuitive that eating a high fat, high cholesterol food could lower cardiovascular disease risk. However, cheese is not only made of fat and cholesterol. It also is a rich source of nutrients that are often lacking in the modern diet. Cheese is a rich source of calcium and magnesium, two minerals that contribute to both bone strength and the activity of transmitters that are crucial to cardiovascular function. In addition, it is rich in CoQ10, an enzyme that acts as an antioxidant to help cells repair from daily insults. Cheese also contains B vitamins, lycopene, nattokinase and certain amino acids, all of which have been found to be important to cell health in general as well as good cardiovascular health.

When eaten in moderation, the benefits of cheese can outweigh the negative effects of cholesterol, fat and calories. While this is not permission to raid the cheese tray at your next holiday party, getting around 40 grams every day appears to be a very healthy and beneficial decision. As in many health matters, moderation appears to be crucial to getting the health effects of cheese without the downsides.

Heart Health Without the Cheese

While many Americans love cheese, others simply do not. In addition, many have given up cheese for special diets with other health effects. However, there are ways to get the benefits without the downfalls. Many supplements can give people the nutrients present in cheese without the downsides. In addition, people can seek out foods that are rich in these nutrients without the fat and cholesterol. Although we are not sure why cheese has such astounding health benefits, the nutrients are likely the answer. Here are a few ways to get the heart-healthy nutrients that you need:

Be careful about portions. Portion size is crucial in getting the positives of certain foods without the negatives.
Consider a heart health supplement. In many cases, supplements can deliver therapeutic amounts of nutrients without the downsides of the foods themselves, such as cholesterol and saturated fat.
Eat a wide variety of foods. This will ensure a variety of nutrients that support good health.
Select less-processed foods. Processed foods often have more fats and sugars yet a lower amount of healthy nutrients.
Be careful about calories. While it is important to take in a variety of nutrients, being overweight is a greater health risk that should be avoided.
Choose healthy fats. We all need fats to survive and to feel satiated after meals, but plant fats and fish oils can be healthy where animal fats are not.

Although eating too much saturated fat and cholesterol is never a good choice, eating high-fat animal foods such as cheese may an important part of reducing disease risk. In addition, people can choose to take a supplement or otherwise get the benefits of heart-healthy nutrients without the calories and other drawbacks.

Phytoestrogens for Men Support Healthy Hormones, Prostate, Heart and More

Dec 12 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Phytoestrogens for men? According to numerous scientists and medical professionals, phytoestrogens—plant compounds that mimic the female hormone estrogen in the body—may play an important role in men’s health. This article describes phytoestrogens, the benefits men might reap from incorporating them into their health regiment and attempts to dispel misconceptions about certain side effects men might experience resulting from exposure to phytoestrogens.

What Are Phytoestrogens?

Phytoestrogens are a subgrouping of what is medically referred to as phytohormones. Typically, these substances are produced by and found in plants, most notably in many of the fruits and vegetables people consume as part of their diets. Examples include produce like garlic, parsley, soybeans and soy products, carrots, kale, broccoli, potatoes, dates, cherries, apples, pomegranates, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, grain products and coffee beans. Among the two most studied and well-known types of phytoestrogens are isoflavones and lignans.

Though phytoestrogens are not thought to be as potent as the hormone estrogen, which is among the chief female reproductive hormones, those in the medical community have expressed confidence in their ability to precipitate many positive dietary and overall bodily health impacts. What is of even greater significance is that phytoestrogens are also believed to offer men many important health benefits.

Phytoestrogens for Men May Reduce the Risk of Prostate Cancer

Isoflavones, the phytoestrogens commonly found in soy and soy byproducts, may help reduce a man’s chances of being stricken with prostate and other hormone-related malignancies. No place has this fact been more evident than in Japan where the incidence of the disease is five times less likely than in the United States and other Western nations. Testosterone, the main male reproductive hormone, is known to serve as fuel for prostatic cancer cells and cause this specific type of cancer to grow and spread. Several therapeutic regiments are geared towards limiting or, in more severe cases, eliminating a man’s ability to produce testosterone. Scientific research has also shown soy might be effective in prohibiting the growth of prostate cells in men suffering from prostate cancer. Researchers think the correlation might be related to the diet of the average Japanese man, which is much higher in soy than of men in the United States and other western nations.

Exploring Additional Health Benefits of Phytoestrogens for Men

It is suggested that isoflavones may play a part in helping men maintain healthy levels of LDL, aka “bad” cholesterol in their bloodstreams. This type of cholesterol is responsible for precipitating cardiovascular problems such as coronary artery disease, strokes and peripheral artery afflictions. Studies conducted on Asian men, all of whom consume diets rich in soy products, revealed they experienced less incidence of heart disease. Prominent American health organizations, such as the Food and Drug Administration and the American Heart Association, have stamped soy as a heart-healthy product and recommends men include more edible items containing the nutrient in their diets.

Scientists and nutritionists have discovered many men, especially those of advanced ages, consume diets lacking protein. For the most part, foods rich in soy are thought to be healthy but also contain enough protein to help those deficient in the critical dietary component meet—at a minimum—the nutrient’s recommended daily allowances.

Lignans: The Other Phytoestrogen for Men’s Health

Like isoflavones, the phytoestrogens known as lignans are thought to provide added protection in the fight against various forms of cancer, as well as aid in the reduction of cholesterol levels. However, scientists believe these chemicals possess several health-boosting attributes, including:

Preventing Hair Loss

Lignans are said to block the body’s ability to synthesize testosterone into the hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT collects in the hair follicles and can contribute to male hair loss or possibly even complete baldness.

Strengthening the Immune System

Lignans contain numerous antioxidants. Antioxidants are substances that prevent or lessen inflammation in the body’s cells and tissues. The reduction and/or elimination of inflammation boosts the body’s immune system.

Helping to Maintain Healthy Hormone Balance

The similarity of phytoestrogenic lignans to sex hormones enables them to dock at certain hormone receptor sites, enabling them to contribute to promoting a healthy balance of hormones, especially during andropause.

Contrary to the belief of some, phytoestrogens in men do not cause feminization or bring about certain physiological changes. In the recent past, rumors have circulated that consuming a diet plentiful in phytoestrogens, particularly those containing soy, can lead to men developing excess breast tissue (a medical condition known as gynecomastia). That said, there are many in the scientific community who believe this theory is more of an “old wives tale” with little factual evidence. Studies conducted have shown that, if eaten in moderation and as part of an otherwise balanced diet, soy-based phytoestrogens like isoflavones will not result in a man developing breasts or experience any other form of “feminization.”

While research is still ongoing, the studies that have been completed suggest phytoestrogens may play a role in men improving their overall health and quality of life.