Cardiovascular Health
Espresso Coffee’s Impact on Serum Total Cholesterol
That morning shot of espresso may be doing more than simply waking you up — it also could be increasing your cholesterol. According to a population-based, cross-sectional study published online in Open Heart, espresso consumption is significantly associated with higher serum total cholesterol levels, especially in men. As part ofRead
B Vitamins May Enhance Heart Benefits of Omega-3s
The newest power duo in the supplement world may be B vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids. A study from the journal Nutrients points to a possible synergistic effect between certain B vitamins and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) for cardiovascular health. Study Details Texas State University researchers conducted a meta-analysisRead
Aged Black Garlic Extract Lowers High Blood Pressure
Hundreds of studies support garlic’s cardiovascular benefits. Now a six-week clinical trial in Nutrients shows that a fermented form of garlic — aged black garlic extract — helps lower blood pressure in people with high cholesterol. Aged black garlic has long been a staple in Asian cuisine, where it’s consideredRead
Can Cocoa Extract Reduce Cardiovascular Disease?
We know that chocolate is the way to many people’s hearts. Now a study from The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that a cocoa flavanol extract may offer protection against cardiovascular events. Flavanols are nutrient-rich compounds found in several plant foods, including cocoa, purple and red grapes, blueberries, andRead
Researchers ID a Gene that Encodes the Transport of NAD+ for Cellular Metabolism
Penn Medicine researchers have solved a decades old mystery around nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a key molecule fueling the power plant of cells that could be exploited to find new ways to treat diseases, from neurodegenerative disorders to cancer. Reporting in a study published today in Nature, researchers from theRead
Specific Transcriptome Changes Associated with Blood Pressure Reduction in Hypertensive Patients After Relaxation Response Training
ABSTRACT // Objective: Mind–body practices that elicit the relaxation response (RR) have been demonstrated to reduce blood pressure (BP) in essential hypertension (HTN) and may be an adjunct to antihypertensive drug therapy. However, the molecular mechanisms by which the RR reduces BP remain undefined. Design: Genomic determinants associated with responsivenessRead
Flavonoids Influence Gut Bacteria and Lower Blood Pressure Levels
Flavonoids in foods, including berries, apples, pears and wine, may reduce blood pressure levels, which is partially explained by characteristics of the gut microbiome, according to new research published in Hypertension. “Our gut microbiome plays a key role in metabolizing flavonoids to enhance their cardioprotective effects, and this study providesRead
Five-Minute Inspiratory Muscle Strength Training Lower Blood Pressure as Well as Exercise & Meds
Working out just five minutes daily via High-Resistance Inspiratory Muscle Strength Training (IMST), a practice described as “strength training for your breathing muscles,” lowers blood pressure and improves some measures of vascular health as well as, or even more than, aerobic exercise or medication. The study, published in JAMA fromRead
Framingham Heart Study Data: Omega-3 Index as Predictive of Early Death and Cigarette Smoking
An inadequate Omega-3 Index may be just as powerful in predicting early death as smoking. It’s a bold statement made in a research paper published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. This study is based on data from the Framingham Heart Study. The Framingham Heart Study provided unique insightsRead
Blood Sugar A1C Biomarker Test for Atherosclerosis?
When running a routine glycosylated hemoglobin (A1C) test to track blood sugar levels, you may want to consider also using the test to identify individuals with advanced atherosclerosis. Though the test is used primarily for the diagnosis and management of prediabetes and diabetes, the glycosylated hemoglobin test can provide aRead
