Low-carb Diet Helps Lowering Blood Pressure

A reason to switch to low-carb diet?

Low-carbohydrate diet may be the best choice for helping people lower their blood pressure.

In a recent study, researchers say a low-carbohydrate diet was as effective at helping people lose weight.

Study found that people who were on the low-carb diet were more successful at lowering their blood pressure than those following the other diet.

Source: For Lower Blood Pressure, Low-Carb Diet May Be Best

Omega-3 Fatty Acids Slow DOwn Cell Aging

Eating foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids such as mackerel, salmon, herring, and albacore tuna, may help to slow down cell aging.

Scientists discovered omega-3 fatty acids appear to cut down the rate that cells age, which further explain one of the ways these acids help the heart.

According to researchers, the more omega-3 fatty acids coronary heart disease patients consumed, the slower the structures at the end of their cells’ chromosomes shrank.

Further reading: Shedding Light on Why Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Help the Heart

Saturated Fat Not Linked to Heart Disease: Study

A recent study on healthy adults suggests that dietary saturated fat is not linked to cardiovascular disease or stroke.

Those who consumed the most saturated fat were less likely to develop heart disease than their peers who eat less.

Further studies are needed to determine if heart disease risks are possibly influenced by nutrients used to replace saturated fat.

Source: Meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies evaluating the association of saturated fat with cardiovascular disease

Vitamin D Reduces Risk of Bone Fractures

The main reason that more than 90% of people who've had a hip fracture is because they lack of vitamin D that leads to deficiency, accroding to a research done in Glasgow, Scotland.

“Vitamin D seems to play a key role in many systems in the body, not just bones, but diseases like diabetes and certain cancers,” said Stephen Gallacher, a consultant physician who is head of South Glasgow’s fracture liaison service.

He further added that vitamin D deficiency was linked to poor bone density and osteoporosis, and could occur in younger patients.

Dr Gallacher suggested that “Taking a supplement can make a difference quite quickly, with the bone density can increase by 20 per cent in a few months with enough vitamin D.”

Pomegranate Compounds Reduce Breast Cancer Risk

A new U.S. study found that there are 10 natural compounds in pomegranates that may help to reduce the risk of estrogen-fueled breast cancer.

The chemicals in the pomegranate compunds block an enzyme associated with tumors called aromatase.

In a telephone interview, researcher Shiuan Chen, of the City of Hope cancer research and treatment center in Duarte, California said “We identified some of these chemicals in pomegranates that actually have properties that can suppress aromatase."

In fact, many breast cancer medicines come from a category of medications called aromatase inhibitors, including Aromasin, Femara, and Arimidex.

Eat More Whole Grains to Lose Weight

Those who ate whole grains daily weighed 2.5 pounds less than those who ate only refined-grain foods. This is found by Harvard University researchers when analysing the diets of more than 27,000 people for more than 8 years.

Eating whole grains won't affect blood-glucose levels, which means they don’t cause spike in blood sugar and ratchet up cravings after you eat them. The antioxidants in whole grains help control inflammation and insulin.

As bonus, whole grains also strengthen your heart, helping you live longer.

Multivitamins May Curb Some Kids' Allergies

Swedish researchers found that by giving a daily multivitamin to kids starting at age 4 may help them avoid certain food and seasonal allergies.

After questioning the parents of 2,423 8-year old children about their history of allergies and asthma, those who started taking a vitamin before or around age 4 were less likely to be sensitive to food or inhaled allergens.

More reading at "Do multivitamins curb kids' allergy risk", Reuters Health

The Goodness of Kimchi

Don't know what kimchi is?

Kimchi is spicy pickled cabbage that the Koreans love to eat. It's eaten at almost every meal in Korea.

The main ingredient of this Korean dish is the fermented cabbage, which contains lactic acid that helps with digestion and may weaken infections.

While kimchi is low in calories and rich in dietary fiber, it is also packed with vitamins and immune system-boosting phytochemicals.

Recently, a study at the University of New Mexico suggested that eating cabbage might help ward off breast cancer.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to All !