Cardiovascular Health
High Blood Pressure and Dementia – There Is a Strong Link
Controlling high blood pressure later in life slashes the risk of dementia, according to a study in the European Heart Journal. While other trials have investigated the health benefits of lowering high blood pressure, not many have looked at its role in dementia. This global study involved more than 28,000Read
Specific Ingredients Address the Triad of Cardiovascular Concerns
Cholesterol receives the lion’s share of attention regarding heart health, but in reality, cholesterol is part of a triad of factors that need to be addressed to support the cardiovascular system. Triglycerides and C-reactive protein (CRP) are equally important in heart health. In this article, I’ll discuss the importance ofRead
Lipid Energy Model
A large body of evidence supports the use of very low-carbohydrate ketogenic diets for weight loss, reversing metabolic syndrome, putting type 2 diabetes into remission, and improving a long list of other issues. And while most individuals who adopt this way of eating experience a decrease in total cholesterol andRead
Cocoa Capsules Lower Blood Pressure
For people with existing hypertension, capsules containing cocoa flavanols helped reduce blood pressure and arterial stiffness, according to a small study in Frontiers in Nutrition. Previous trials back up these findings — in fact, some research suggests that cocoa flavanols lower blood pressure and arterial stiffness as much as certain bloodRead
For Heart Patients, Too Little Salt Isn’t Always a Good Thing
When it comes to diet advice for heart health, we’ve all heard the same thing — reduce your sodium intake. Turns out, that may not be the best approach for everyone. According to a study in Heart, a publication from the British Medical Journal, restricting salt intake may actually worsen aRead
Eggs Lower Heart Disease Risk
An egg a day may keep the heart doctor away. That’s the conclusion of researchers who recently published a study in eLife journal. These new findings follow in the footsteps of a 2018 trial in Heart that involved more than half a million Chinese adults. They found that eating approximatelyRead
There is no such thing as “good” and “bad” cholesterol.
In this column, I’d like to take a closer look at three widely shared assumptions that greatly influence how we think about cholesterol and heart disease. Here are the three assumptions. See how many you agree with. There are two kinds of cholesterol, one “good” (HDL) and one “bad” (LDL).Read
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