Walking as Good as Running, If You Have Time
Can you get the same health benefits from walking as from running? As long as you walk for a longer time, to expend a comparable amount of energy, a new study says the answer is yes. And those health benefits are significant, whichever form of physical activity you choose, including reduced risks of high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol levels, diabetes and coronary heart disease.
Are You Getting Enough B12 to Fight Mental Decline?
Even if youre only a little low in vitamin B12, you might be at greater risk for cognitive decline than previously thought. While prior research has linked serious B12 deficiency to higher likelihood of cognitive problems, a recent Tufts study found that moderately low levels of B12 also put older people at significantly increased risk.
Improving Your Diet Prolongs Life After Heart Attack
Its truly never too late to switch to a heart-healthy diet: A new study reports that the same healthy dietary changes that can help you prevent a heart attack in the first place can also increase longevity after a heart attack. Patients who improved their diets the most after surviving a heart attack were 40% less likely to die from cardiovascular causes during the studys followup period, and 29% less likely to die of any cause.
Eat Right for a Strong Immune System
As the mercury drops, cold and flu outbreaks soar. Its tempting to believe the marketing claims that this pill or that herbal remedy can protect you, but the science says theres simply no magic bullet to boost your immune system. Eating a healthy diet, however, is even more important during cold and flu season. Experts may not fully understand how specific nutrients aid the immune system, and tests of individual vitamins and minerals against colds…
Q: Many of us with high cholesterol have considered taking statin drugs, but are...
Answer : A A 2007 study at Stanford University cast doubt on the claims that garlic is effective in lowering bad LDL cholesterol in adults...
Q: My neurologist told me that blood pressure has no relation whatsoever to everyday...
Answer : In fact, one of the most common types of stress that can boost blood-pressure readings comes from sitting in the doctors office...
Q: In your Special Report on cholesterol (May), you mention studies on phytosterols. One...
Answer : Studies often use formulations that are not commercially available...
Q: I suffer from heartburn, and read an article that almonds might help. I...
Answer : We can find no published scientific research on almonds and heartburn (or GERD, gastroesophageal reflux disease)...
Can Bad Dreams Raise Blood Pressure?
Its probably not your dreams, but you may want to check with your doctor about an underlying physical cause of this pattern, such as uncontrolled hypertension, sleep apnea, adrenal-gland issues or kidney problems. The normal daily pattern of blood pressure is that its lower at night and when you first wake up, then rises during the day. Blood pressure typically peaks in mid-afternoon, then begins to drop again.
Q: Im a healthy 71-year-old man with no heart or cholesterol problems. I eat...
Answer : Alice H. Lichtenstein, DSc, director of Tufts HNRCA Cardiovascular Nutrition Laboratory, says the answer isnt as simple as how many eggs are too many eggs.