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Category: healthy living

Published on Leave a comment on Large Study Finds That Breastfed Babies Less Likely To Die In Their First Year
Breastfeeding
Credit: Wikimedia Commons/ Anton Nosik

Breast milk is beneficial a number of ways. For example, it provides some micronutrients to the baby that formula doesn't provide. It also transmits hundreds of microbial species from the mother to the baby - thus important for the baby's microbiome.

Additionally, recent research found that breastfed babies are 33% less likely to die in the first year of life. This is a huge difference! The researchers looked at data for nearly 10 million infants born in 2016 to 2018, and who were then followed for 1 year after birth.

Studies also find that breastfeeding protects against sudden infant death syndrome and necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants.

Bottom line: Breastfeeding should be supported and encouraged. As the study researchers point out: "breastfeeding confers a protective benefit during the first year of life".

From Science Daily: Breastfeeding is associated with a 33% reduction in first-year post-perinatal infant mortality

Among nearly 10 million US infants born between 2016 and 2018, breastfed babies were 33% less likely to die during the post-perinatal period (day 7-364) than infants who were not breastfed, reports a new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, published by Elsevier. The findings build on previous US research with smaller datasets, which documented the association between the initiation of breastfeeding and the reduction of post-perinatal infant mortality by a range of 19% to 26%. ...continue reading "Large Study Finds That Breastfed Babies Less Likely To Die In Their First Year"

Published on Leave a comment on Different Ways Extreme Heat Can Kill A Person

This summer has been hot, really hot, and the heat seems to be never-ending. Phoenix Arizona hit 118 degrees F on Saturday, which was the 23rd straight day of over 110 degrees F temperature! This raises the question: What is too hot for humans to tolerate?

Heat kills more people in an average year than tornados, hurricanes, and floods combined. In Texas alone, extreme heat killed at least 306 people last year.

Heat affects people differently, with some groups more at risk than others (e.g., the elderly, the very young, those with health conditions). Those working  or engaging in physical activity outdoors are also more vulnerable.

Our core body temperature is about 98.6 degrees F, which the body tries to maintain through sweating. But...when the outdoor temperature is hotter than that, especially with lots of moisture in the air, the body has difficulty cooling down. Prolonged exposure to high heat can lead to all sorts of health problems (heat stress, heat exhaustion, heat stroke) and even death.

The following article describes 3 main ways extreme heat can kill a person: organ failure, heart attack, or kidney failure. Depending on the conditions, symptoms of heat exhaustion or heat stroke can occur after only a few hours.

Excerpts from NPR: Here's what happens to the body in extreme temperatures — and how heat becomes deadly

Of all extreme weather conditions, heat is the most deadly. It kills more people in the U.S. in an average year than hurricanes, tornadoes and floods combined. The human body has a built-in cooling mechanism – sweat. But that system can only do so much, especially in soaring temperatures with high humidity. ...continue reading "Different Ways Extreme Heat Can Kill A Person"

Published on Leave a comment on Study Finds Mediterranean Diet Lowers the Risk of Developing Heart Disease In Women

A recent study was good news for those wishing to lower their chances of developing heart disease (cardiovascular disease) without the use of medications. Instead, focus on the foods you eat, specifically those in a Mediterranean-style diet.

The Univ. of Sydney researchers did an analysis of 16 existing studies (with 722,495 women) and found that women following a Mediterranean diet lowered their odds of developing heart disease by 24% and lowered their risk of early death by 23%.

In this study, a Mediterranean diet meant eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, extra virgin olive oil. Moderate amounts of seafood, low to moderate in wine consumption, and low in red/processed meats, dairy products, animal fat, and processed foods.

Why is the Mediterranean diet beneficial? The diet focuses on whole foods that are also rich in fiber, antioxidants, has an increased intake of all sorts of nutrients (vitamins, minerals, flavanols, etc.), less oxidative stress, it's anti-inflammatory, reduced glycemic load, boosts the immune system, and feeds the beneficial microbes in our gut microbiome.

Interestingly, studies find that frequent consumption of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) lowers the risk of death from several diseases (heart disease, cancer, neurogenerative disease, and respiratory disease), lowers the incidence of breast cancer, and promotes healthier brain aging. A Mediterranean diet is associated with numerous health benefits (e.g., lower dementia risk) besides a lower heart disease risk.

These findings are important because heart disease is the leading cause of death globally, according to the World Health Organization. According to the CDC, it is the number 1 killer of women in the United States.

From Medical Xpress: Mediterranean diet cuts women's cardiovascular disease and death risk by nearly 25%, finds study

Sticking closely to a Mediterranean diet cuts a woman's risks of cardiovascular disease and death by nearly 25%, finds a pooled data analysis of the available evidence—the first of its kind—published online in the journal Heart. ...continue reading "Study Finds Mediterranean Diet Lowers the Risk of Developing Heart Disease In Women"

Published on Leave a comment on Carbon Dioxide Levels Are Higher Than Ever In the Atmosphere

Holy moly! Our carbon dioxide levels are rising, really rising! Every year there is a new high, and this year is no exception.

According to NASA, in May at the Mauna Observatory in Hawaii the carbon dioxide measurement was 421 ppm. It's called the "global atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration". This week the reading at Mauna Launa Observatory is 423.96 ppm. It's going up! And yup, this is climate change.

From the NASA Global Climate Change page on Carbon Dioxide (go to the link to see the graphs, and prepare to be shocked).

Carbon Dioxide  LATEST MEASUREMENT:  May 2023     421 ppm

Key Takeaway: Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere warms the planet, causing climate change. Human activities have raised the atmosphere’s carbon dioxide content by 50% in less than 200 years.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is an important heat-trapping gas, or greenhouse gas, that comes from the extraction and burning of fossil fuels (such as coal, oil, and natural gas), from wildfires, and from natural processes like volcanic eruptions.

Since the beginning of industrial times (in the 18th century), human activities have raised atmospheric CO2 by 50% – meaning the amount of CO2 is now 150% of its value in 1750. This is greater than what naturally happened at the end of the last ice age 20,000 years ago.

The animated map shows how global carbon dioxide has changed over time. Note how the map changes colors as the amount of CO2 rises from 365 parts per million (ppm) in 2002 to over 400 ppm currently. (“Parts per million” refers to the number of carbon dioxide molecules per million molecules of dry air.) These measurements are from the mid-troposphere, the layer of Earth's atmosphere that is 8 to 12 kilometers (about 5 to 7 miles) above the ground.

One big concern that needs to be addressed: What will high carbon dioxide levels do to our thinking processes? Over the years carbon dioxide levels have been rising, and are now at levels not experienced in several million years!

Think of a "stuffy room" where it is harder to think - this can already occur starting at about 600 ppm of CO2, and known to occur at 945 ppm and higher (in rooms with many people in them). While current CO2 levels are below that, we are faced with the possibility that if they keep rising we will get there eventually - and there will be no escape from the "stuffy room" feeling!

...continue reading "Carbon Dioxide Levels Are Higher Than Ever In the Atmosphere"

Published on Leave a comment on Certain Foods Are Great For Gut Health

Another recent study confirmed that what you eat determines the microbes living in your gut (small intestines). This is the gut microbiome or microbiota (the community of bacteria, fungi, viruses). The microbes living in a person's gut can be determined by analyzing a sample of a person's poop.

The researchers found that persons eating more fruits, vegetables, and foods high in fiber (e.g., whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds) have gut microbes associated with health. They also have more diversity of species in the gut (this is a sign of health). But eat a diet rich in highly processed foods and low in fiber, and you'll have microbes associated with health problems (e.g., heart disease, cancer, diabetes).

The researchers point out that following the recommendations of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) supports a healthy gut microbiome. Especially important for a healthy gut microbiome were vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and dairy. Yes, dairy foods have oodles of microbes (your cheese is alive!), whole fat dairy is beneficial, but skim milk or 0% is not. Eating a variety of high fiber foods is important because then you'll be eating a variety of fibers.

Bottom line: you are what you eat.

Excerpts from Medical Xpress: How diet quality affects the gut microbiota to promote health

We know that eating a healthy diet affects body weight, cholesterol levels, and heart health. A new study from the University of Illinois focuses on another component: the role of diet in supporting a healthy gastrointestinal microbiota. The researchers conclude that following the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) promotes a gut microbiota composition that may support overall health. ...continue reading "Certain Foods Are Great For Gut Health"

Published on Leave a comment on Plant-Based Copies of Meat and Dairy Are Not the Same Nutritionally As Real Milk and Meat

Not all foods are equal. Especially dairy milk vs alternative "milks", such as almond or oat milks. Or plant-based "meat" vs animal meat. A recent study analyzed popular plant-based "milk" and "meat" products and found that they are not nutritionally equivalent to real milk and meat.

They contain different nutrients, amount of protein, calories, etc. The researchers concluded that eating only or mainly the plant-based substitutes can result in dietary deficiencies  - that is, of nutrients found in meat and dairy.

Meat and dairy products are good sources of vitamin B12, zinc, iodine, long-chain omega fatty acid, and choline. All of these are necessary for good health. Eating cheese (a dairy product) such as Jarlsberg cheese is great for bone health because of the microbes (Proprionebacterium freudenreichii) living in the cheese  and which produce vitamin K and DHNA (both necessary for bone health).

Instead of eating fake substitutes (many of which are highly processed, with lots of additives), why not focus on eating more real plant-based foods? This means eating more whole grains, seeds, nuts, legumes (beans), fruits, vegetables, and then just reduce the amount of meat and dairy eaten.

From Medical Xpress: Switching meat and milk for plant-based copies misses vital nutrients

Mitigating climate change is a key challenge of our time. One way many people try to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions is to eat less animal-source food—like meat and dairy—and instead eat more plant-based food. ...continue reading "Plant-Based Copies of Meat and Dairy Are Not the Same Nutritionally As Real Milk and Meat"

Published on Leave a comment on Personal Care Products and Breast Cancer Risk

For years there has been much concern over chemicals that act as endocrine disruptors (hormone disruptors) in the personal products that we use on a daily basis.  One big concern is whether these chemicals, such as parabens and phthalates, are causing breast cancer (as well as other harmful health effects). Because whatever you use on your skin, will get into you.

A recent study looking at these harmful chemicals found that women switching to paraben and phthalate free cosmetic products had a quick effect (within 28 days) on lowering their levels in the body (blood, urine, breast tissue cells). Which then resulted in lowering breast cancer markers to a "normal" expression. Wowza!

What you can do: Check the ingredients in the lotions you use. Are there parabens and phthalates in it? Spend your money on safe lotions and other personal products. Go to EWG (ewg.org) or mamavation.com for lists of safe products. Also: Ways to lower your exposure to harmful chemicals

For example, the commonly used lotion Lubriderm to this day has several types of parabens (e.g., methylparaben) in it. No, no, no... Why are they still in the lotion? Note that our government is not protecting us from these harmful chemicals. (Instead Big Business and big money is more important.)

From Environmental Health News: Get phthalates, parabens out of the bathroom drawer to reduce breast cancer risk: Study

Switching to phthalate and paraben-free personal care products could reduce the risk of developing breast cancer, according to new research. ...continue reading "Personal Care Products and Breast Cancer Risk"

Published on Leave a comment on Eating Healthy Foods Lowers Risk of Chronic Diseases

Want to improve your odds of not getting a chronic disease, such as heart disease or diabetes? A recent study found that following any healthy dietary pattern, whether Mediterranean or DASH or Diabetes Risk Reduction Diet or other similar healthy dietary styles, are all linked to a lower risk of chronic diseases.

These healthy dietary patterns all stress fruits, vegetables, whole grains, seeds, nuts legumes, but they vary in minor ways, e.g., whether salt, coffee, tea, or wine is allowed. People weren't following specific diets over the 3 decades of the study, but it's how they generally ate - their dietary pattern.

The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health researchers found that persons who were in the top 10% of a healthy dietary pattern, no matter which one, were compared to persons in the bottom 10% of that dietary pattern. Overall they found that being near the top of any of the healthy dietary patterns was associated with a lower disease risk.

Interestingly, larger amounts of coffee, whole grains, wine and desserts had lower risk of associated major chronic diseases.

Eating some foods frequently were associated with developing major chronic diseases, such as processed meats, energy drinks, french fries, red meat, and eggs.

From Medical Xpress: Adhering to recommended diets lowers risk of chronic diseases, 32-year study finds

Researchers at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, Massachusetts, have good news for anyone sticking to a healthy diet: Good food choices are associated with a lower risk of developing a chronic disease. ...continue reading "Eating Healthy Foods Lowers Risk of Chronic Diseases"

Published on Leave a comment on A Mediterranean Style Diet Is Associated With A Lower Dementia Risk

Another large study found that eating a Mediterranean diet is beneficial to health - specifically, that it is associated with a decreased risk for dementia. As much as 23% lower (compared to those who didn't eat a Mediterranean style diet)! It didn't matter if a person had a genetic risk for dementia or not - diet was more important.

By the way, other studies also find that eating a Mediterranean style diet has benefits for the brain and body.

A Mediterranean style diet is one rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes (beans, lentils), nuts, seeds, herbs, spices, and olive oil. Some lean meat, especially chicken, and fish. This way of eating is high in fiber (good for health!). Try to avoid processed meats, highly processed foods, fast food, and hydrogenated oils. Eat less meat in general.

From Science Daily: Mediterranean diet associated with decreased risk of dementia

Experts at Newcastle University found that individuals who ate a Mediterranean-like diet had up to 23% lower risk for dementia than those who did not. ...continue reading "A Mediterranean Style Diet Is Associated With A Lower Dementia Risk"

Published on Leave a comment on Certain Nutrients Associated With a Lower Risk of Prostate Cancer

Eating your fruits and vegetables, especially a rainbow assortment of them, is associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer as well speeding up recovery in men who received radiation treatment for prostate cancer.

Two recent studies by the same group of Australian researchers found that certain micronutrients found in foods are lower in men with prostate cancer (compared to healthy men). These are lycopene, selenium, lutein, lycopene, α-carotene, β-carotene. Lycopene and selenium appear to be especially important.

Tomatoes and tomato products (e.g., tomato sauce) are an especially good source of lycopene. Other lycopene rich foods are: watermelons, grapefruits, guava, melons, papayas.  Selenium rich foods include Brazil nuts, seafood, organ meats, beef, pork, chicken, turkey, and eggs.

From Medical Xpress: Rainbow of fruit and veg the best prevention against prostate cancer

Men who consume colorful fruits and vegetables on a regular basis are less likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer (PC), according to new research by University of South Australia scientists.

A rainbow of foods rich in certain micronutrients helps to prevent prostate cancer (PC) as well as speed up recovery among men who undergo radiation treatment for the disease. ...continue reading "Certain Nutrients Associated With a Lower Risk of Prostate Cancer"