Travel May Have Benefits for Brain Health

African family with luggage walking by window at airport terminal and watching airplanes through glass window. Family walking through airport passageway.Travel can mean a lot of things to a person – adventure, rest, relaxation, exploration, and inspiration – but a new study suggest it may offer even more.

A future study to be published in Tourism Management suggests that travel could offer unique benefits for people with dementia, particularly in the areas of mental health and well-being.

The authors suggest that the potential benefits of tourism, sometimes referred to as “travel therapy” may help with dementia treatment. One of the ways they defined tourism was “visiting places outside of one’s everyday environment for no longer than a full year.”

They also suggested that four main components make up the experience of tourism:

  • How it impacts feelings, emotion, and mood (affective experience)
  • How it affects thoughts and memories (cognitive experience)
  • How it impacts behavior (conative experience)
  • How it impacts the senses (sensorial experience)

Researchers decided that tourism has the potential to potentially offer positive impacts on well-being and quality of life through a variety of components. However, there is currently very little existing and available literature to support the theories.

Based on what does exist, however, along with their professional opinions, they did propose how tourism may address parts of non-pharmacological treatments in people with dementia.

They include:

  • Cognitive and sensory stimulation: Travel can stimulate thoughts and knowledge, which may have benefits for dementia. Experiencing sensations may also promote behavior and feelings of mental well-being.
  • Environment: Travel puts people into a new environment that can boost social interaction, which may stimulate brain function for people with dementia.
  • Exercise: By its nature, travel often involves increased movement and activity.
  • Reminiscence: Talking about and remembering past experiences has been shown to be helpful for people with dementia. Tourism may help stimulate memories or experiences for people to remember and later discuss.

This is a new area of study, and plenty of further research is required to assess the links between tourism and dementia treatment.

Sleep Deemed Essential for Heart Health

Shot of a tired young man sleeping comfortably in his bed without a sign of being disturbedYou may have heard of Life’s Simple 7 to improve heart health. Well, now it’s called Life’s Essential 8, and sleep has been added to the list.

Since 2010, the American Heart Association (AHA) has outlined seven modifiable lifestyle factors – maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, being physically active, eating a healthy diet, and controlling blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar.

These components became a common way for doctors to rate and discuss heart and brain health with patients, while also becoming a valuable research tool.

Now sleep duration has been added to the list, and some of the existing metrics have been revised.

The AHA suggests that adults should get 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night for optimal heart and brain health. They said that both too much and too little sleep are associated with heart disease and that poor sleep is linked to poor psychological health, which is another factor of heart disease. Sleep also affects the other metrics in the Essential 8.

There is a large body of work to suggest a close relationship between sleep and heart and brain health. Getting a good quality sleep each night can help your body recover, reduce stress, and promote better health.

Getting a good 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night, however, can be much easier said than done for many people.

There are a number of things that can keep you awake. Stress, screens, bright lights, noise, and eating late can all make it difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep, and develop a consistent sleep schedule.

Some things that can help you get a better, more consistent sleep include shutting down screens two hours before bed and setting aside some relaxation time to get your body ready for sleep, roughly 30-60 minutes before sleep. A warm bath, light reading, meditation, knitting, or writing about things you are thankful for can help.

Avoiding large meals or snacks in the evening can also help.

Creating a relaxing sleeping space and a consistent evening routine may help improve sleep and ultimately reduce the risk for heart disease, especially when added to a heart-healthy lifestyle.

New Research Links Vision Issues with Dementia

Poor Eyesight. Senior Man Squinting Eyes Reading Message On Phone Wearing Eyeglasses Having Problems With Vision Sitting On Couch At Home. Ophtalmic Issue, Bad Sight In Older Age ConceptA new study suggests that untreated vision loss may boost the risk for dementia. However, researchers don’t know why.

So, maybe it’s time to get your eyes checked.

Any factor that could influence dementia risk needs to be explored. There is no cure for the condition that affects 5.8 million Americans and is estimated to double by 2060.

If detecting and treating vision problems can reduce the risk, it is certainly worth having your vision examined by an eye doctor.

The researchers found that the likelihood of cognitive impairment was 137 percent higher in seniors with trouble seeing than those without vision issues (cognitive impairment is a general term for problems with thinking and memory).

Therefore, diagnosing and treating eye conditions may be beneficial for both quality of life and potentially slowing down or preventing memory loss.

The findings were published in Aging and Mental Health and involved a review of 16 research papers, including more than 76,000 participants. It found that those who had a vision condition had a 41 percent higher risk of impairment and 44 percent increased risk for full-blown dementia.

They found that risk was also increased regardless of whether the participants reported a doctor found the vision issues or them.

Vision issues can arise in a number of ways. However, with monitoring, they can be corrected. The key is to book an eye exam to identify and treat any issues.

Based on this study’s results, it is also unclear if treating a vision condition will impact dementia risk. For example, it is still yet to be determined if eyeglasses, laser surgery, or treating vision-related issues like AMD or glaucoma will preserve mental capacity.

In the meantime, get your eyes checked, stay active, and do your best to build your diet around various colourful fruits and vegetables.

Stress May Accelerate Immune Aging: Study

attractive beautiful short hair asian woman worry looking into mirror for face skin care condition. Frustrated Young female Examining Her Face While Looking At The Mirror in bathroom. annoy facial ageStress caused by traumatic events, job strain, relationships, discrimination, or everyday stressors likely accelerates the aging of the immune system.

At least, that is the finding from a recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). The accelerated immune aging may increase the risk for a host of chronic conditions and viral infections.

Age typically brings on a natural decrease in immune strength, which can be rapid. The downgrade is known as immunosenescence and is marked by too many worn-out white blood cells and not enough fresh ones to help take out potential threats.

Researchers analyzed responses from questionnaires from a national sample of 5,744 adults over 50 designed to assess their experience with social stress. It covered stressful life events, chronic stress, everyday discrimination, and lifetime discrimination.

Blood samples were also extracted and examined.

As expected, people with higher stress scores had older-seeming immune profiles, with a lower percentage of fresh disease-fighting cells and more worn-out white blood cells.

A strong association between stressful life events and weaker immunity remained even after controlling for factors like education, smoking, drinking, BMI, race, and ethnicity.

However, they found that when controlling for diet and exercise, the connection between accelerated immune aging and stress was not as strong. It may indicate that stress drives people to eat worse and exercise less.

The results also suggest that improving diet and boosting activity levels may help offset stress-related immune aging.

Making an effort to eat less processed food and more fruits, vegetables, and other nutrient-dense foods, as well as including activity into your routine, could help boost immunity in more ways than one.

5 Ways to Make Grilling Season Heart Healthy

Close up of man grilling food on barbecueIf you have been waiting for grilling season to begin but are worried about heart health, you are not alone. There’s something about cooking food over an open flame that just tastes amazing. However, if you’re not careful, grilling can be pretty unhealthy.

Many summer grilling foods such as ribs, hot dogs, and hamburgers are processed or high in saturated fat and sodium, contributing to health risks. Studies have also shown that cooking meat at high temperatures can cause harmful chemical reactions that have been associated with a risk of diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.

Luckily, there are a few ways to make grilling season heart healthy. Keep reading for five tips that will help keep your heart healthy this summer!

Healthy Summertime Foods

Summertime is the perfect time to enjoy all of your favorite grilled foods, even the heart-healthy ones! From choosing lean meat cuts to healthier cooking methods, we’ve got you covered. So fire up the grill and enjoy some delicious and healthy grilling this summer!

Pick Healthier Proteins – Ditch the fatty meats that are typically grilled for more extended periods of time to be healthier this summer. Instead, opt for healthier meats such as chicken and fish. If you must have beef, make sure it is a lean cut.

Pre-Cook Meat – Larger, fatty cuts of meat can take a while to cook, which means more harmful chemicals could be getting into your food. Research has shown that harmful chemicals are associated with cancers and cardiovascular disease in fatty muscle meats as they are cooked at a higher temperature. Try pre-cooking meat so it is just finished on the grill, or cut meat into smaller portions so it spends less time on the grill.

Use Spices – According to studies, adding pepper and other spices to meat before grilling may greatly reduce harmful chemical reactions. Mixing the spices into the meat is fine, but be sure to get them mostly on the surface of the meat to help reduce the number of chemicals getting into the meat.

Get Your Veggies – When looking for alternatives to grilling meat, vegetables are a great option. There is a wide range of options of grill-friendly vegetables to choose from, including corn, sweet potato, green pepper, onions, or zucchini.

Watch Your Sides – Even if your grilled options are healthy, sides can destroy your heart-healthy meal. Many BBQ sides include carbs and high amounts of fat. Opt for whole-grain buns and side dishes that are better for heart health. For example, bean salads are a great alternative to potato or pasta salad.

Summertime is the perfect season for grilling out with friends and family. And, if you follow a few easy steps, you can keep your heart healthy while enjoying all of your favorite grilled foods.

Pay attention to the types of meat that you grill and how it is prepared. Be sure to include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables as side dishes. With a little bit of planning, you can have a delicious and nutritious summer BBQ!

Helping to Keep the Heart Healthy

Keeping the heart strong and healthy is vital for enjoying a high quality of life, not just this summer but as you age. Heart Rescue was designed to help support and promote cardiovascular health using a variety of ingredients, including omega-3 fatty acids, CoQ10, magnesium, and hawthorn extract. This formula’s health benefits can help strengthen the heart muscle, support circulation, and help reduce the risk of heart

Staying Cool Is All about Blood Flow

Girl driver being hot during heat wave in car, suffering from hot weather, has problem with a non-working air conditioner, wipes sweat from her forehead with tissue. Summer, heat concept.Oppressive summertime heat gets everybody talking about the importance of staying cool. But a regular summer day can also put your body at risk if you’re not taking care of yourself.

Hot weather, in a way, is like a stress test for your body. Some people will respond poorly. Hot temperatures could lead to heart attacks, stronger symptoms for people with congestive heart failure, or enhanced arrhythmias.

Heat can pose rather serious risks to both the heart and brain.

A report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from 2020 used data showing that hospital admissions for cardiovascular problems jumped in the days after temperature spikes.

Other research published in Stroke, a journal published by the American Heart Association, found that hot temperatures seem to increase the risk of ischemic stroke.

Regulating heat is all about blood flow. A healthy body gets rid of heat by pushing blood to the skin. People also sweat, which evaporates to get rid of more heat.

Excessive heat, however, can overwhelm this system. It’s also why people with blood flow issues, like high blood pressure, a history of heart disease, or type-2 diabetes are at high risk for issues resulting from heat exposure, as it makes it difficult to keep cool.

Here are some ways you can optimize your chances of staying safe when it gets hot out.

Know the symptoms of heat exhaustion: Headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, or cool, moist skin can all signify heat exhaustion. It can be treated by moving out of the heat or using a damp cloth to cool off.

If things don’t improve in about an hour, seek medical attention.

Heat stroke is more severe and is a medical emergency. It will feature a rapid pulse, body temperature over 103 F, and red, hot, dry skin.

Stay hydrated: Hydration helps the heart pump efficiently, and muscles work more effectively. Sip water daily and monitor how much water you’re losing through sweat. Urine should be a light yellow.

Pay attention to what you eat: Watermelon, cucumber, and other water-rich fruits and vegetables are great for the summer heat. However, you’ll want to avoid big meals that tax your body.

Heavy meals demand more blood to go to the digestive system, which can limit what is available to get to the skin to help keep you cool.

Low On Energy? Try This

Young woman doing sport exercises indoor at homeYou ever have those days when you can’t seem to get off the couch? How about when a few of them string together?

Energy is interesting. It can come and go without rhyme or reason, but building it back up may be counterintuitive.

The truth is that sometimes the best way to increase energy is to use some. Especially when you don’t think you have any.

For example, last Sunday, I was having a classic lazy Sunday. It was really hot outside, and I was in and out of naps all day. The hours on the sofa were adding up until, out of nowhere, my partner turned to me and said, “put your shoes on. We’re going out.”

She’d had enough of my laziness.

It was the best suggestion. A few minutes after leaving the house, my heart started to pump, the blood started to move, and the next thing you know, I was energized to go get something to eat, run errands, and crank out a 90-minute walk. When we got home, the energy continued to flow.

That little bit of exercise completely altered the trajectory of my day and how I felt. The thing is, it felt like I didn’t have the energy to do it.

But that’s how energy works – you need a little spark to create it. Being active fuels energy, and being sedentary promotes laziness and the feeling that you don’t have any energy, yet the reality is that it just needs to be tapped.

So, if you’re feeling zapped but have been sitting down for a few hours or days, the best way to turn things around could be to get out and get active.

Try to schedule some activity every day and do it no matter how you feel. You’ll likely notice that your energy levels will become consistently higher, and you’ll feel a lot better.

People Who Mute Their Phones Often Have Increased Feelings of Stress

Young brazilian woman using smartphone standing over isolated white background stressed with hand on head, shocked with shame and surprise face, angry and frustrated. Fear and upset for mistake.You may be surprised to hear that muting your phone may actually cause more stress than if you leave it on.

It’s no secret that our phones have become an extension of ourselves. We use them to stay connected with friends and family, access information, and entertain ourselves. But did you know that there are people who mute their phones to disconnect from the world?

New research shows that people who mute their phones often have increased feelings of stress.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the reasons behind this phenomenon and offer some tips for how to reduce stress levels.

A new study from Penn State University has found that people with FOMO (fear of missing out) may use their phone even more if they don’t hear any ‘buzzing’ or notifications from their phone when it is muted. There are many times when people silence their phones, including when getting ready to sleep, when in the office, or when at the dinner table.

The study included 138 iPhone users. 42% chose vibration-only mode; 8.7% were on silent mode, and the rest kept their ringers on for four straight days. Before the study began, all participants were required to complete a Screen Time tool on their phones to see if they had FOMO.

It was found that those who muted their phones had the highest time on social media and checked their phone more often than participants who did not silence their phones. It was noted that those who silenced their phones also had increased feelings of stress.

Researchers suggest that individuals with FOMO could customize their notifications settings and selectively disable some notifications instead of entirely muting everything. For example, notifications from friends and family could be enabled to relieve some anxiety.

“We hope our study could inspire more personalized design for notifications or better design for notifications that could improve users’ experience of mobile phones, in addition to a simple, do not disturb function for everyone,” said study author Mengqi Liao.

FOMO is an issue found predominantly in young patients, teens and youth, but many people struggle with being tied to their phones. This study helps to outline some simple ways to help reduce the amount of time spent on them.

Breaking the habit of checking the phone and overcoming FOMO won’t happen overnight, but with some simple changes, it is possible. By taking small steps, you can help reduce the stress associated with screen time. Start by muting some notifications, so you only get half of what is happening. Finding a new interest or hobby can also help fill the time usually spent on a phone.

Protecting Mental Health and Brain Function

Stress can take a toll on the brain, affecting concentration, memory, and overall cognitive function. The Smart Pill can help counteract these effects through nine ingredients that help support, nourish, and maximize brain health and cognitive function.

These include ginkgo Biloba, huperzine A, bacopa extract, rosemary extract, and a B vitamin complex. This unique formula helps boost circulation, fight free radicals, and promote clear thinking.

Reducing anxiet§y can be tough, but with the help of Anxiety Rescue, you can help to support healthy mood balance and cognitive function. Through a variety of ingredients, this unique formula can help to target multiple aspects of stress, mood support and anxiety. Anxiety Rescue begins to work quickly and improves benefits and support as the weeks go on.

How to Have a Heart-Healthy Grilling Season

BBQ Grilled Wegetables on Skewers with Fresh Herbs and Spices. Summer Barbecue Food.Backyard barbecues are a staple of summer dining, and I’m sure many of you have already had the grill fired up a few times this season.

However, many foods that people associate with grilling, like ribs, sausages, hot dogs, and hamburgers, are either processed or high in saturated fat and sodium, which can all contribute to cardiovascular risks (if consumed regularly).

Further, research suggests that cooking meat at high temperatures can cause harmful chemical reactions that boost the risk for heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

But that doesn’t mean that grilling is no good.

You can take steps to make your barbecue healthier for your heart and still deliver the flavor you desire.

Choose healthier proteins: Save the ribs, pork shoulder, sausages, and burgers for special occasions while sticking to leaner proteins, like chicken, fish, and lean beef for regular nightly meals.

Pre-cook or cut proteins up: There are harmful chemicals that can accumulate the longer you cook fatty muscle meats, which can start at 300 to 350 degrees. Pre-cooking or cutting meat into smaller pieces that cook faster may help diminish some risks.

You can add smaller pieces with veggies to make kebabs.

Add spice and seasonings: Some preliminary research suggests adding pepper and other herbs and spices to the surface of meat before grilling may significantly reduce harmful chemical reactions. You’d need about a teaspoon of pepper and some other spices for a quarter-pound hamburger.

The preliminary research also suggests that marinades containing mint family herbs like basil, sage, thyme, rosemary, oregano, and marjoram are just as effective as pepper. It’s also possible that antioxidant-rich seasonings like garlic and paprika may also block the formation of harmful chemical compounds.

Smart sides: Filling half of your plate with heart-healthy sides like grilled or raw veggies, oil-based slaw, and bean salads can also help make the grilling season healthier. Whole wheat buns are also a healthier alternative to white.

Exposure to Any Light during Sleep Linked to Diabetes & High Blood Pressure

Black modern contemporary bedroom interior with copy space on wall for mock up, 3D RenderingDid you know that exposure to any kind of light during sleep can be linked to diabetes and high blood pressure?

According to a recent study, even the slightest bit of light exposure can disrupt our natural sleep patterns and increase our risk for these health issues. So, if you’re looking to get better sleep and improve your health, make sure to avoid all forms of light exposure during bedtime.

Can’t stand sleeping in the dark? Try using a sleeping mask or blackout curtains to create an environment that is conducive to better sleep.

For the study published in the journal, Sleep, researchers analyzed 552 study participants and found that less than half consistently had five hours of complete darkness per day. The other participants were exposed to some light even during the darkest hours of the evening while asleep. Light exposure was measured over seven days with a wrist-worn device.

Researchers were able to determine through a small sample of the participants that those who were exposed to any amount of light while sleeping at night were significantly more likely to be obese and have diabetes and high blood pressure than those who had no light exposure during the night.

“Whether it be from one’s smartphone, leaving a TV on overnight, or light pollution in a big city, we live among an abundant number of artificial sources of light that are available 24 hours a day,” said study corresponding author Dr. Minjee Kim. “Older adults already are at higher risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease, so we wanted to see if there was a difference in frequencies of these diseases related to light exposure at night.”

Since this was a cross-sectional study, investigators could not determine if obesity, diabetes, or hypertension caused people to sleep with a light on or if the light contributed to the progression of the conditions. Some conditions, such as diabetes, may cause people to use the bathroom more in the middle of the night, or they may need to leave a light on to reduce the risk of falls if they experience numbness in their limbs.

This study helps to outline the importance of sleeping in the dark. To help keep the light low, a few steps can be taken. Change light switches to dimmer switches that can be used if needed during the night. Change lightbulbs in bedrooms to red or amber light instead of blue or white light, and use blackout shades or eye masks to keep out light from the outside.

Optimal Sleep

Sleep Sure Plus is designed to help promote optimal sleep and restfulness through various ingredients. One of the most important ingredients included in this unique formula is melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone essential for regulating the circadian rhythm (the body’s internal clock). Sleep Sure Plus also contains valerian, one of the best natural ingredients for promoting rest and relaxation. These two essential ingredients are joined by another 6, which all work together to provide a better quality of sleep.

Exercise and Proper Diet Has Many Known Benefits on the Brain: Study

Shot of sporty young woman eating salad and drinking fruit juice in the kitchen at home.There’s been a lot of talk lately about the benefits of exercise and proper diet on the brain. Now, evidence is finally starting to mount up. Researchers suggest that regular physical activity and a balanced diet were linked with better cognitive function later in life. They believe that this is because both of these things help to protect the brain from age-related damage. If you want to keep your mind sharp as you age, stay active and eat well.
As we live longer and longer, brain health becomes an increasingly important concern. Unfortunately, cognitive impairment is a natural part of an aging brain for many people. Memory loss, trouble focusing, and slowed thinking are common complaints as we age. Many cognitive difficulties, such as Alzheimer’s disease, have underlying pathological causes that researchers are still trying to understand.

However, cognitive decline is not an inevitable part of aging. In fact, there are many things we can do to keep our brains sharp as we age. Exercise is one of the best things you can do for your brain. It increases blood flow and helps to keep brain cells healthy. A healthy diet is also important for brain health. Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains provides the brain with the nutrients it needs to function at its best. Social interaction is also crucial for brain health.

Brain Health for Seniors

As people age, it is also essential to keep the mind active and engaged. Studies have shown that seniors who participate in learning activities and social interactions experience a slower rate of cognitive decline. In addition, active and engaged seniors are more likely to report higher satisfaction levels with their overall quality of life.

There are many ways to encourage healthy brain aging, but one of the most important things is to commit to a schedule that includes learning activities, social interactions, exercising, and eating a healthy diet. Summer is a great time to get outside and get physical activity through gardening or walking. Farmers’ markets are also a great place to visit this time of year to stock up on fresh fruits and vegetables. By following these simple tips, you can help to keep your brain healthy and prevent cognitive decline.

While some degree of cognitive impairment is nearly inevitable as you age, this study shows how other factors can take a toll on the ability of the brain to function at peak potential. This can affect memory, concentration, and overall brain function.

The Smart Pill can help to enhance cognitive function and memory through 9 ingredients that help to support, nourish, and maximize brain health. These include ginkgo Biloba, huperzine A, bacopa extract, rosemary extract, and a B vitamin complex. The formulation of these ingredients is an excellent way to help fight free radicals, boost circulation, and provide nutritional support to assist with cognitive function.

Tips to Improve Your Hearing Protection and Prevent Further Loss

Body parts in details - Closeup view of black female earThere’s no doubt that hearing loss is a common issue among seniors. In fact, one in three people over the age of 65 has some form of hearing loss. If you’re one of those people, it’s important to take steps to improve your hearing protection and prevent further loss.

The ear is a delicate organ, and damage to any of the structures contained within it can lead to hearing loss or balance problems. The ear is divided into three parts: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. Each part plays an important role in hearing and maintaining balance.

The outer ear consists of the visible portion of the ear and the ear canal. The middle ear contains the eardrum and three small bones that transmit sound vibrations to the inner ear. The inner ear houses a coiled structure called the cochlea, which converts sound vibrations into nerve impulses that are sent to the brain.

The most common cause of hearing loss is damage to the tiny hair cells in the cochlea, a spiral-shaped structure in the inner ear. These hair cells convert sound waves into electrical signals that are sent to the brain. When these hair cells are damaged, they cannot send signals to the brain, and hearing is reduced.

Balance problems can also be caused by damage to the inner ear. The inner ear contains a fluid-filled canal that helps us keep our balance. When this fluid becomes turbulent, it can cause dizziness and vertigo. Damage to the inner ear can also cause tinnitus, a ringing or buzzing sound in the ears. While hearing loss and balance problems are common in adults, treatments can help improve hearing and reduce vertigo and tinnitus symptoms.

The first step in restoring hearing loss is to make an appointment with your primary health care provider. Depending on your situation, they may refer you to an audiology center and different specialists.

Some other tips to help with hearing protection include:

– Limit your exposure to loud noise, or take breaks if you have to be exposed to prolonged, loud noise.

– Wear hearing protection when around loud noises. All hearing protection devices are labeled with noise reduction ratings, so look for ones with a higher number that provides the most protection.

– At home, install carpeting to absorb sound, and seal windows to block traffic noise.

– Remember that children also need protection from noise. Earmuffs are available for infants and young children. Make sure to limit their volume on personal listening devices.

Hearing loss can occur suddenly or gradually and can be temporary or permanent. If you experience hearing loss or balance problems, it is important to see a doctor to identify and treat the cause appropriately.

Hearing Health

Although you may think you are too young, hearing loss can happen at any age. This hearing loss is commonly caused by exposure to loud sounds or noise, so following healthy hearing steps is essential at any age.

Hearing Rescue is a unique formula that contains 9 ingredients, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal extracts, designed to provide nutritional support for hearing.

Some evidence suggests that free radicals play a role in noise-related hearing impairment, so Hearing Rescue contains antioxidant properties that help combat free radicals. Hearing Rescue also contains folate, which may help to provide support to populations with low levels of folic acid suffering from age-related hearing loss.

Environmental Factors Increases People’s Chances of Dying from Heart Attack and Stroke

Asian woman are going to work.she wears N95 mask.Prevent PM2.5 dust and smogMany factors can increase your chances of dying from a heart attack or stroke. While some of these risks are unavoidable, others can be mitigated by making simple changes to your lifestyle. One risk factor that is often overlooked is our environment.

A new study published in the journal PLOS ONE recently posted findings on the environmental impact on health. Personal and environmental health data was collected from 50,045 poor, rural villagers living in the northeast Golestan region of Iran. All participants had annual visits with researchers dating as far back as 2004. All were over the age of 40 at the beginning of the study.

The study showed that exposure to above-average outdoor air pollution levels increased the risk of death by 20% and the risk of death from cardiovascular disease by 17%. It specifically found that one-third of study participants who lived within 500 meters (1,640 feet) of a major roadway had a 13% increased risk of death.

Using kerosene or wood-burning stoves (not properly ventilated through a chimney) to cook food or heat the home also increased the overall risk of death by 23% and 9%. Researchers also found that it increased cardiovascular death risk by 36% and 19%. Living far from specialty medical clinics and busy roads also increased the risk of death.

It’s one of the first studies of its kind to identify environmental factors that pose a risk to heart and overall health. It also adds much-needed scientific evidence from people in low- and middle-income countries. Previous research has mostly favored urban populations in high-income countries with much greater access to modern health care services.

“Our study highlights the role that key environmental factors of indoor/outdoor air pollution, access to modern health services, and proximity to noisy, polluted roadways play in all causes of death and deaths from cardiovascular disease in particular,” said study senior author and cardiologist Rajesh Vedanthan, MD, MPH.

Previous studies have found that environmental factors such as air pollution can affect risks of high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking. However, this new study adds to the dangers by examining the relationship between the environment and the chance of death from heart attack and stroke.

Heart Health

This study adds to mounting evidence of how the environment can affect cardiovascular health. Still, whether you live near a polluted area or not, it is important to take care of your general health.

Heart Rescue is an excellent way to help support and promote cardiovascular health using a variety of ingredients, including omega-3 fatty acids and CoQ10. The omega-3 fatty acids play an important role in cardiovascular function, while CoQ10 is involved in energy production at the cellular level. These two heart superstars are supported by 5 other ingredients to help promote and support cardiovascular function as you age. This formula’s health benefits can help strengthen the heart muscle, support circulation, and help reduce the risk of heart disease.

American Heart Association Includes Sleep on Cardiovascular Health Checklist

Happy woman waking up after sleep, lying in bed in the morningDo you know how important sleep is for your cardiovascular health? The American Heart Association (AHA) have updated their checklist for ideal heart and brain health to include sleep as one of its eight basic heart-healthy habits.

According to the AHA, getting a good night’s sleep can help reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. The AHA has put together a sleep checklist to help you get the most out of your slumber. Keep reading to learn more about what you can do to improve your cardiovascular health by getting enough sleep!

The AHA checklist, Life’s Essential 8 cardiovascular health score, was recently updated to include a new guide to help assess diet. It now also considers exposure to secondhand smoke and vaping using non-HDL cholesterol instead of total cholesterol to measure blood lipids. It also expands the blood sugar measurements to include hemoglobin A1c (a key measure to assess Type 2 diabetes risk).

The American Heart Association has unveiled some worrying statistics in their 2022 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Update. They believe approximately 121.5 million people in the U.S. have high blood pressure, 100 million have obesity, more than 28 million people have Type 2 diabetes, and only 1 in 4 adults reported achieving the physical activity and most people are not getting the recommended amount of exercise.

Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in the U.S. and globally. However, research shows that more than 80% of cardiovascular events may be prevented by a healthy lifestyle and managing known cardiovascular risk factors.

“The new metric of sleep duration reflects the latest research findings: sleep impacts overall health, and people who have healthier sleep patterns manage health factors such as weight, blood pressure or risk for Type 2 diabetes more effectively,” said American Heart Association President Donald M. Lloyd-Jones, M.D., Sc.M., FAHA. “In addition, advances in ways to measure sleep, such as with wearable devices, now offer people the ability to reliably and routinely monitor their sleep habits at home.”

The AHA found it was time to revisit each health component in their checklist after 12 years, 2,400 scientific papers on the topic, and new ways to measure cardiovascular health. With these guidelines, sleep is quickly becoming one of the most important heart-healthy topics. With more research available on the effects of sleep, it is now well documented how vital it is for heart and brain health. The ideal level of sleep is 7-9 hours daily for adults.

“Life’s Essential 8 is a major step forward in our ability to identify when cardiovascular health can be preserved and when it is sub-optimal. It should energize efforts to improve cardiovascular health for all people and at every life stage,” Lloyd-Jones concluded.

Taking Care of Heart Health with Sleep

Sleep Sure Plus is designed to help promote optimal sleep and restfulness through various ingredients. One of the most important ingredients included in this unique formula is melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone essential for regulating the circadian rhythm (the body’s internal clock). Sleep Sure Plus also contains valerian, one of the best natural ingredients for promoting rest and relaxation. These two essential ingredients are joined by another 6, which all work together to provide a better sleep quality.

Keeping the heart strong and healthy is vital for enjoying a high quality of life as you age. Heart Rescue was designed to help support and promote cardiovascular health using a variety of ingredients, including omega-3 fatty acids, CoQ10, magnesium, and hawthorn extract. This formula’s health benefits can help strengthen the heart muscle, support circulation, and help reduce the risk of heart disease.

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