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Drinking Coffee Linked to Healthier Aging.

Coffee slows down aging. Adobe stock Picture.

Views: 4

Drinking Coffee Linked to Healthier Aging.

A morning cup of coffee might do more than momentarily boost your energy and spirits.

Full-test java also appears to help women age more gracefully, a new study says.

Middle-aged women who regularly drank caffeinated coffee were more likely to stay mentally sharp and physically functional as they aged, researchers reported Monday at a meeting of the American Society for Nutrition.

Each extra cup was tied to a 2% to 5% increased chance of aging gracefully, results show.

“The findings suggest that caffeinated coffee — not tea or decaf — may uniquely support aging trajectories that preserve both mental and physical function,” researcher Sara Mahdavi, a post-doctoral fellow at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, said in a news release.

For the study, researchers tracked more than 47,500 women participating in the Nurses’ Health Study, a long-term research project that has collected data since 1984.

The team compared the women’s caffeine intake to their healthy aging, which was defined as living to 70, being free from 11 major chronic illnesses, maintaining physical function, having good mental health and exhibiting no memory or thinking difficulties.

By 2016, more than 3,700 of the women met all the requirements for being considered a person who has aged gracefully, researchers said.

In middle age, these women typically consumed about 315 milligrams of caffeine daily, roughly three small cups or one and a half large cups of coffee, researchers said. More than 80% of that caffeine came from coffee.

Each 80 milligrams of caffeine consumed daily increased a woman’s odds for healthy aging.

Caffeine intake also increased their odds of avoiding chronic illness, remaining physically strong and keeping their wits and memory, results show.

But not all sources of caffeine were the same.

Coffee alone was associated with healthy aging, with benefits accruing up to five small cups or two and a half large cups per day.

On the other hand, caffeinated colas tended to be linked to worse aging, researchers found.

Each additional small glass of soda was associated with a 20% to 26% lower likelihood of healthy aging, results show.

Decaf coffee and tea were not significantly associated one way or the other with aging, researchers noted.

“These results, while preliminary, suggest that small, consistent habits can shape long-term health,” Mahdavi said. “Moderate coffee intake may offer some protective benefits when combined with other healthy behaviors such as regular exercise, a healthy diet and avoiding smoking.”

However, researchers warned that coffee should not be considered a fountain of youth.

“While this study adds to prior evidence suggesting coffee intake may be linked with healthy aging, the benefits from coffee are relatively modest compared to the impact of overall healthy lifestyle habits and warrant further investigation,” Mahdavi added.

Researchers next plan to study how the compounds contained in coffee might act to influence a person’s aging.

Mahdavi presented the findings Monday at the American Nutrition Society’s annual meeting in Orlando, Fl.

Findings presented at medical meetings should be considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.

© HealthDay

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Why Heartburn Gets Worse With Age.

Worse as you age?

Views: 18

Why Heartburn Gets Worse with Age.

By Lynn C. Allison

Heartburn, a common condition characterized by a burning sensation in the chest or throat due to acid reflux, affects millions of people globally. As the population ages, it becomes increasingly common, with certain age-related factors contributing to its progression.

Heartburn happens when stomach acid travels up into the esophagus, the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach. As we age, several physiological and lifestyle factors contribute to the worsening of heartburn symptoms. Gastroenterologists say there are three main reasons for this, says HuffPost Life.

• Weakening of muscles. The lower esophageal sphincter, a muscular ring at the junction of the esophagus and stomach, plays a critical role in preventing stomach acid from refluxing into the esophagus. With age, this muscle can weaken, leading to increased susceptibility to acid reflux. Factors such as prolonged physical strain, obesity, and dietary habits exacerbate this weakening.

Aging can also impair esophageal motility, the coordinated movement of muscles that helps transport food and liquids from the mouth to the stomach. Reduced motility slows down the clearance of stomach acid from the esophagus, prolonging exposure and exacerbating symptoms of heartburn.

• Medications. Older adults are more likely to take medications that can exacerbate heartburn, including blood pressure meds, such as nitrates and calcium channel blockers. Erectile dysfunction medications and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can also increase the risk for heartburn.

• Weight gain. Age can also bring changes to dietary preferences and lifestyle habits, such as reduced physical activity and the consumption of large meals, which can cause weight gain and increase the risk of heartburn. Research shows that both men and women gain an average of between half a pound to one pound every year, says HuffPost Life. Popular weight loss drugs called GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic and Mounjaro have been associated with reflux because they delay emptying the stomach.

How to Prevent and Manage Heartburn

While heartburn may worsen with age, it is not inevitable. There are effective strategies to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. Pay attention to what foods seem to cause heartburn.  Foods such as citrus fruits, fatty meals, caffeine, and alcohol are common triggers, and older adults may be more sensitive to these due to a slower metabolism,

Eating smaller meals and maintaining a balanced diet can help reduce heartburn episodes. Incorporating high-fiber foods and staying hydrated are essential for digestive health. Older adults should consult healthcare providers to review their medications and identify those that may contribute to heartburn. Alternatives or adjustments may be recommended.

Eat your last meal at least two hours before bedtime, say experts. When you go to bed, elevate your upper body up to 30 degrees by using a wedge or pillow, suggests Dr. Ali Kazemi, a gastroenterologist with Gastro Health in Virginia.  If these lifestyle measures don’t do the trick, speak to your doctor about medication to ease heartburn.

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Snickers Salad Recipe | Apple Banana Pudding Treat.

Some good eating.

Views: 7

Snickers Salad Recipe | Apple Banana Pudding Treat.

Open your pantry and you’re bound to find a pudding mix or two. Put them to work making this recipe.

Get this: Candy, fruit, and pudding make delicious bedfellows. The Snickers Salad blends scrumptious Snickers, delectable fruit, and tasty vanilla pudding. This works perfectly as both a snack and a dessert!

  • 1 C. milk
  • 1 3 oz. pkg. instant vanilla pudding
  • 1 8 oz. container whipped topping
  • 1 to 2 Snickers
  • 1 to 2 Granny Smith apples
  • 1 to 2 bananas
  1. Empty 3 oz. package of instant vanilla pudding into mixing bowl. Add 1 cup milk and stir two minutes.
  2. Take the 1-2 bananas, remove the peel, and slice into small pieces. Do not do this very long before serving, as the fruit might discolor.
  3. Take the 1-2 Granny Smith apples and chop into small pieces.
  4. Take the 1-2 Snickers and cut them into small pieces.
  5. Add 8 oz. of whipped topping to the vanilla pudding, stirring it in thoroughly but gently. When ready to serve, add the bananas, apples, and Snickers pieces, mixing them in.
  6. If desired, add any remaining pieces of Snickers on the top as a garnish.

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Memorial Day 2025

They made and kept us free.

Views: 9

Memorial Day 2025.

Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for honoring and mourning the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. It is observed on the last Monday of May. Memorial Day is also considered the unofficial beginning of summer in the United States.

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Life Music

Let it fly Friday.

Dance or sing to the music.

Views: 25

Let it fly Friday.

So with the weekend here, let’s play what moves you.

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Steak Pot Pie Recipe | Baked Steak Dinner.

Good eating.

Views: 11

Steak Pot Pie Recipe | Baked Steak Dinner.

Learn how to make this Steak and Mushroom Pot Pie for an incredible meal you’ll never forget! A flaky pastry crust, juicy steak, buttery potatoes, and succulent mushrooms make this a wonderful dinner the whole family will love. Follow the written or video instructions below to make this wonderful dish.

Ingredients you will need:

  • 1 cup onions
  • 1 package “baby bella” mushrooms, sliced
  • burger and fry seasoning, to taste
  • 2-3 lb. sirloin steak
  • fresh Parsley, chopped
  • 1 bottle red wine
  • 1 T. beef base
  • 1 tsp.Worcester sauce
  • 4 Yukon Gold potatoes, boiled and cubed
  • Parsley, chopped
  • Thyme
  • 3 garlic cloves, chopped
  • Cracked black pepper
  • Puff pastry
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 T. cornstarch
  • Water
  • Instructions.
  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Add seasoning to 2-3 lb. sirloin steak.
  • In a skillet add  extra virgin olive oil, cook sirloin steak 3 to 4 minutes on each side, forming a nice crust. It’s OK if the steak is a bit rare, as it will continue cooking in the oven. Once the steak is done, do not discard the liquids on the pan.
  • Chop 1 cup onions, 1 package “baby bella” mushrooms, and 3 cloves garlic.
  • In another pan pan coated with extra virgin olive oil, saute` the mushrooms, onion and garlic until tender and translucent, about 5 minutes; stirring as you cook.
  • Cube 4 boiled Yukon Gold potatoes.
  • Pour a small amount of red wine into the pan that was used to cook the steak and cook down for 2 to 3 minutes. Pour this mixture iinto the pan with the mushroom mixture. Add another 1/2 to 1 cup red wine.
  • Add 1 tablespoon beef base and 1 teaspoon Worcester sauce to the vegetables. And continue to cook until slightly reduced.
  • Cube the sirloin and and add to the bowl of cubed potatoes.
  • Add thyme and black pepper to the mushroom mixture which should be somewhat reduced.
  • Whisk together 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 1 tablespoon cold water and add the mushroom mixture.
  • Stir constantly and bring to a simmer until thickened.
  • Add fresh chopped parsley to your liking. Add potatoes and meat to the gravy. Combine.
  • Spread the mixture evenly in a 9″ by 13″ pan.
  • Cover with thawed puff pastry. Brush the pastry with beaten egg.  Poke vent holes in the pastry. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until puffy pastry is puffed up, browned, and filling starts to bubble.
  • Serve and enjoy!

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Sitting Too Long Increases Neck Pain Risk.

What sitting to long can do.

Views: 6

Sitting Too Long Increases Neck Pain Risk.

If you spend hours a day glued to your phone or seated at a desk, you’re setting yourself up for serious neck pain, a recent study warns.

Researchers looked at data from 25 studies involving more than 43,000 people across 13 countries.

The upshot: Longer periods of sedentary behavior — like sitting and using electronic devices — were tied to higher odds of developing neck pain, The Washington Post reported.

Mobile phone use was the riskiest screen-related habit. People who spent a lot of time on their phones had 82% higher risk of neck pain than those who did not, researchers found.

Using a computer raised the risk by 23%, but watching TV did not significantly increase the risk.

The longer people sat, the greater their risk.

Sitting for four hours a day increased the risk of neck pain by 45%, and sitting for more than six hours a day raised it by nearly 88%, compared to people who weren’t sedentary.

Researchers suspect that sedentary behavior dovetails with not only with a rise in electronic device use, but also lifestyle changes brought about by the pandemic,The Post said.

Many people tend to bend their necks and slouch their shoulders while using phones, tablets and computers, putting extra strain on the neck and upper back.

“This condition can precipitate various musculoskeletal issues, especially in the neck region,” a team led by Yunchen Meng of China University of Mining and Technology-Beijing wrote in the journal BMC Public Health.

 

© HealthDay

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Debunking Common Health Myths.

You make the call.

Views: 14

Debunking Common Health Myths.

By Lynn C. Allison    

Old wives’ tales about health have been around for generations. Health myths persist because misinformation spreads easily, especially with the popularity of social media. Here is the truth about some of the most common health myths:

• Drink 8 glasses of water daily. According to WebMD, there is no need to count cups. People who drink when they are thirsty stay well-hydrated. In addition, fruit, vegetables, soup, and beverages such as juice, coffee, and tea all contribute to our daily hydration needs.

• Eggs cause heart disease. By now, it’s been pretty well established that eating eggs is good for you, as long as you don’t overdo it. According to Real Simple, all eggs are rich in protein, phosphorus, selenium, chlorine, iron, vitamin A and B vitamins. The B vitamins and choline found in eggs are beneficial to brain health. While eggs do contain cholesterol, experts say that dietary cholesterol does not significantly raise blood cholesterol levels enough to trigger heart disease in healthy people.

• You can catch a cold by being out in cold weather. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, contrary to popular belief, cold weather or feeling chilled doesn’t cause a cold. However, more colds do occur during the cold weather seasons because schools are in session, increasing the risk for exposure to the virus. People also stay indoors more when it’s cold and are in closer proximity to each other, making it easier to pass along germs. The low humidity of winter causes dry nasal passages, which are more susceptible to cold viruses.

• You need a daily multivitamin. You should get most of your daily nutrients from a well-rounded diet that includes lots of fruit, vegetables, nuts, healthy oils and whole grains. But if your doctor feels you are suffering from a deficiency, a vitamin supplement may be needed.

• You need to eat breakfast to lose weight. Not so, say experts from Cornell University who found that people who skipped breakfast didn’t overeat at lunch and dinner and, in fact, ate 400 fewer calories a day.

• Green mucus means infection. One study looked at green mucus samples from people with a cough and no other lung conditions. It found that only about 1 in 10 of those green mucus samples were caused by a bacterial infection. This means that most people with green mucus don’t have a bacterial infection. In short, mucus color alone isn’t a reliable way to say whether you need antibiotics, says GoodRx.

• Sugar makes kids hyper. While sugar isn’t good for children, research shows that it won’t cause them to act out or be unable to focus on their schoolwork.

• Toilet seats can pass along germs. According to WebMD, toilet seats are usually clean. It’s the doorknobs, handles and floors that can be covered with bacteria like E. coli, norovirus and the flu. Use paper towels to cover your hands when opening doors or touching handles and a hand sanitizer afterwards.

• Cracking joints triggers arthritis. While the sound of someone cracking their joints can be annoying, it does not cause arthritis. Experts at the Cleveland Clinic say one reason that your joints may make a cracking noise could be gas escaping from a synovial membrane, or a ligament or tendon passing over another ligament or tendon. However, if you feel regular or severe pain in your joints, seek medical help.

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FDA Approves First Blood Test to Detect Alzheimer’s.

If true, will you try it?

Views: 16

FDA Approves First Blood Test to Detect Alzheimer’s.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Friday it has cleared Fujirebio Diagnostics’ blood test to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease, making it the first of its kind to detect the condition.

Blood testing is initially likely to be used to rule out Alzheimer’s, with positive results signaling the need for more advanced diagnostics.

Alzheimer’s, which gradually destroys memory and thinking skills, is characterized by changes in the brain including buildup of amyloid beta plaques and tau tangles that result in loss of neurons responsible for transmitting information.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Friday it has cleared Fujirebio Diagnostics’ blood test to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease, making it the first of its kind to detect the condition.

Blood testing is initially likely to be used to rule out Alzheimer’s, with positive results signaling the need for more advanced diagnostics.

Alzheimer’s, which gradually destroys memory and thinking skills, is characterized by changes in the brain including buildup of amyloid beta plaques and tau tangles that result in loss of neurons responsible for transmitting information.

 

 

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Life Music

Weekend jam time.

Views: 33

Weekend jam time.

Sunny days are back! Get in a relaxed summer mood & have a great start for Friday,Saturday & Sunday with this music.

No matter what your occupation, lifestyle, race, color or creed, there is one thing that brings humanity together on the last day of the working week: that Friday feeling.

 

 

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You make the call. You Could Live to 100 If You Can Pass This Test.

Strength exercise.

Views: 23

You make the call. You Could Live to 100 If You Can Pass This Test.

Lynn C. Allison. Author.

A simple test can help gauge longevity. Research published in the journal Clinical Interventions in Aging found that grip strength is “an indispensable biomarker for older adults.” Grip strength refers to the measure of force exerted by the hand and forearm muscles when gripping an object. It is a simple yet powerful indicator of overall muscle health, which can reflect the body’s physical condition.

Studies have shown that reduced grip strength is associated with frailty, decreased mobility, and a higher risk of falls among older adults. Furthermore, it can indicate underlying health conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, or neurological disorders, which often become more prevalent with age.

In a Canadian study, researchers examined the connection between grip strength and mortality in 140,000 adults. They found that poor hand grip strength was linked to a higher risk of heart disease, heart attack, stroke, and death.

Grip is also an indicator of cognitive and mental health. A 2022 study found that increased grip strength was associated with better cognitive function, less depression and anxiety, and higher life satisfaction.

Researchers have found that individuals with weaker grip strength are more likely to experience early mortality, slower recovery from illnesses, and a diminished quality of life. Conversely, those with stronger grip strength tend to enjoy longer, healthier lives.

The simplicity of the grip strength test using a dynameter makes it a convenient and cost-effective tool for assessing aging and longevity across diverse populations.

According to Eat This, Not That! you can test your grip strength at home, without the need for a dynameter, by simply squeezing a tennis ball. Researcher Joshua Davidson, of the University of Derby in England, developed this test.

Grab a tennis ball in one hand and squeeze for as long as you can before being fatigued. Try to squeeze the ball for 15 to 30 seconds. If you can perform this test successfully, it’s one measure that could predict you may live to 100, according to research.

But don’t lose heart if you didn’t pass the test. You can improve your grip strength, says GoodRx. Some of those moves might already be part of your fitness routine. For example, functional exercises –– such as deadlifts, woodchops, and pull-ups on a bar –– engage your hands and other muscle groups.

 

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Autoimmune Disease Raises Women’s Heart Risks.

Cedars-Sinai investigators are using AI to analyze images from a common heart test to identify signs of valve disease. Image by Getty.

Views: 15

Autoimmune Disease Raises Women’s Heart Risks.

woman with autoimmune disease holding hand
(Adobe Stock)

Women with common autoimmune inflammatory diseases are more likely than men to die from heart disease, a new study says.

Women with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or systemic sclerosis have a 50% higher heart disease-related death rate than men, researchers reported May 5 in the journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.

“Our study highlights the significant burden of cardiovascular disease in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, which disproportionately affect women,” said senior researcher Dr. Heba Wassif, director of cardio-rheumatology at the Cleveland Clinic.

“It is critical to screen for and address cardiovascular risk factors early, at the time of diagnosis and periodically thereafter,” she said in a news release.

Women are two to three times more likely than men to develop rheumatoid arthritis, and about nine times more likely to develop lupus, researchers said in background notes.

Systemic sclerosis also is more common among women than men, researchers said. That autoimmune disease involves the tightening and hardening of skin, potentially affecting the digestive tract, blood vessels and internal organs.

For the study, researchers analyzed data for more than 127,000 heart disease-related deaths among more than 281,000 deaths associated with the three common autoimmune diseases between 1999 and 2020.

Overall, heart disease deaths declined for people with these autoimmune disorders, from 3.9 to 2.1 per 100,000 in women and from 1.7 to 1.2 per 100,000 in men between 1999 and 2020, results show.

However, the death rate remains higher among women compared to men, despite the overall reduction in deaths.

Stroke and clogged arteries were the main causes of heart-related death in autoimmune patients, and women died from both at higher rates than men.

Women also were more than twice as likely to die from irregular heart rhythms or cardiac arrest, researchers found.

People with rheumatoid arthritis had the highest heart-related death rate, results show.

“There is a common perception that people with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases primarily die from infections or kidney disease,” lead study author Dr. Issam Motairek, an internal medicine resident at Cleveland Clinic, said in a news release.

“However, our study revealed that one-third of deaths in this population were due to cardiovascular disease, highlighting the significant burden of heart disease in these patients,” he added.

“This study reinforces the need to investigate drivers of these disparities between women and men and how to improve treatment for patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases,” Motairek concluded.

 

© HealthDay

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The Cancers on the Rise in Adults Under 50.

Cancer at 50.

Views: 26

The Cancers on the Rise in Adults Under 50.

Cancer before age 50 is rare, but increasing, in the United States and researchers want to know why.

A new government study provides the most complete picture yet of early-onset cancers, finding that the largest increases are in breast, colorectal, kidney and uterine cancers. Scientists from the National Cancer Institute looked at data that included more than 2 million cancers diagnosed in people 15 to 49 years old between 2010 and 2019.

Of 33 cancer types, 14 cancers had increasing rates in at least one younger age group. About 63% of the early-onset cancers were among women.

“These kinds of patterns generally reflect something profound going on,” said Tim Rebbeck of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, who studies cancer risk and was not involved in the research. “We need to fund research that will help us understand.”

The findings were published Thursday in Cancer Discovery, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

The researchers compared cancer rates in 2019 to what would be expected based on 2010 rates.

Breast cancer made up the largest share of the excess cancers, with about 4,800 additional cases. There were 2,000 more colorectal cancers compared with what would be expected based on the 2010 rates. There were 1,800 more kidney cancers and 1,200 additional uterine cancers.

Reassuringly, death rates were not rising for most cancers in the young adult age groups, although increasing death rates were seen for colorectal, uterine and testicular cancers.

Explanations will take more research. The big databases used for the study don’t include information on risk factors or access to care. Theories abound and a big meeting is planned later this year to bring together experts in the area.

“Several of these cancer types are known to be associated with excess body weight and so one of the leading hypotheses is increasing rates of obesity,” said lead author Meredith Shiels of the National Cancer Institute.

Advances in cancer detection and changes in screening guidelines could be behind some early diagnoses.

For breast cancer, the trend toward women having a first child at older ages is a possible explanation. Pregnancy and breastfeeding are known to reduce risk.

This isn’t happening across the board. Cancer rates in people under 50 are going down for more than a dozen types of cancer, with the largest declines in lung and prostate cancers.

Cigarette smoking has been declining for decades, which likely accounts for the drop in lung cancer among younger adults.

The drop in prostate cancer is likely tied to updated guidelines discouraging routine PSA testing in younger men because of concerns about overtreatment.

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Life Links from other sources. Music

Footloose and Fancy free Monday.

Play the music.

Views: 20

Footloose and Fancy free Monday.

It’s Monday so let it fly. Play what ever moves and groves you. Yeah I’m an old rocker, but I do venture into other types of music. Lets see what ya got.

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Food Recipe Reprints from other.

Rhubarb Upside-Down Cake.

Rhubarb Upside-Down Cake.

Views: 16

Rhubarb Upside-Down Cake.

Make this incredible rhubarb upside-down cake for a delicious dessert that deceptively simple to make! Everyone will love it, especially when you serve it with some frosty ice cream or a heavenly dollop of whipped topping!

Getting a head-start with cake mix makes this Rhubarb Upside-Down Cake recipe a breeze to throw together!

Ingredients you will need:

  • 1 cup sugar
  • Eggs, oil, and water as directed on cake mix
  • 6 tablespoons butter, melted
  • Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, optional
  • Red food coloring
  • 4 cups finely diced rhubarb
  • 1 (18.5 ounce) package white cake mix
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Finely dice 4 cups rhubarb. Place in mixing bowl or dish.
  • Add 1 cup sugar.
  • Add 6 tablespoons melted butter.
  • Add several drops red food coloring.
  • Mix.
  • Place rhubarb mixture into a lightly greased 9″ x 13″ pan. Spread rhubarb mixture equally.
  • Add 1 package prepared white cake mix to top of rhubarb mixture. Place in oven. Bake for 35 minutes.
  • Remove pan from heat. Loosen edges and carefully invert onto a large platter. Serve your Rhubarb Upside Down Cake warm or cold, topped with vanilla ice cream or whipped topping. Enjoy!

 

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Eat These Four Fruits to Sleep More Soundly.

Fruits that help you sleep

Views: 10

Eat These Four Fruits to Sleep More Soundly.

By Lynn C. Allison

According to the National Sleep Foundation, more than half of American adults do not get enough sleep and 82% wish they could get better sleep. Late-night snacking on low-fiber, high-fat foods such a dish of ice cream, a left-over slice of cheesecake, or a chocolate-covered donut may sound appealing, but they’re all associated with lighter, less restorative sleep. And although a glass of wine or beer before bed may make you feel sleepy initially, alcoholic drinks are known to cause disruption in sleep.

However, eating certain fruits before bedtime can significantly improve your sleep quality. Fruits like cherries, bananas, pineapples, and grapes contain natural compounds that help regulate sleep patterns.

• Tart cherries. According to mindbodygreen, tart cherry juice contains magnesium and some melatonin that promotes calm and boosts sleep. It also contains tryptophan, an amino acid that boosts melatonin, a hormone that your brain produces in response to darkness. Melatonin helps regulate your circadian rhythms (24-hour internal clock) and promotes sleep. Sip on 8 to 16 ounces of 10% tart cherry juice at night to reap the sleep-inducing benefits.

• Bananas. This common breakfast food is rich in tryptophan, which makes it an excellent bedtime snack. A study published in the Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that people who ate a banana before bedtime had improved sleep quality. One medium banana also contains 32 milligrams of magnesium, which is known to promote relaxation.

• Pineapples. In a study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, eating pineapple was found to boost melatonin levels by a whopping 266%. Have a few slices at least an hour before you go to bed or make a small smoothie with milk or yogurt. Dairy foods are also rich in tryptophan, which further promotes a good night’s sleep.

•Grapes. According to TODAY, naturally sweet and heart healthy grapes also contain melatonin to help regulate the body’s sleep-wake cycle. Instead of ending the evening with a sugary or rich treat, like ice cream or cake, try munching on a bunch of fresh grapes.

To make your snack more nutritionally balanced, you can pair the fruit with dairy or nuts. For example, have a glass of milk with your banana or make a peanut butter sandwich using grapes instead of jelly.

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AI Identifies Heart Valve Disease from Common Imaging Test.

Cedars-Sinai investigators are using AI to analyze images from a common heart test to identify signs of valve disease. Image by Getty.

Views: 17

AI Identifies Heart Valve Disease from Common Imaging Test.

Stephanie Cajigal
Senior Communications Specialist

An artificial intelligence (AI) program trained to review images from a common medical test can detect early signs of tricuspid heart valve disease and may help doctors diagnose and treat patients sooner, according to research from the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai.

The work builds upon research published last year showing that an AI program can detect disease in the heart’s mitral valve by analyzing ultrasound images of the heart. For this new study, published in JAMA Cardiology, investigators applied AI to identify tricuspid regurgitation, a condition in which the heart’s tricuspid valve doesn’t close fully when the heart contracts, causing blood to flow backward, which can result in heart failure.

David Ouyang, MD

David Ouyang, MD

“This AI program can augment cardiologists’ evaluation of echocardiograms, images from a screening and diagnostic test that many patients with heart disease symptoms would already be getting,” said David Ouyang, MD, a research scientist in the Smidt Heart Institute, an investigator in the Division of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and senior author of the study. “By applying AI to echocardiograms, we can help clinicians more easily detect the signs of heart valve disease so that patients get the care they need as soon as possible.”

Investigators trained a deep-learning program to flag patterns of tricuspid regurgitation in 47,312 echocardiograms done at Cedars-Sinai between 2011 and 2021.

The program detected tricuspid regurgitation in patients and categorized cases as mild, moderate or severe. They then tested the program on echocardiograms that the AI program never saw before from additional patients who underwent echocardiography at Cedars-Sinai in 2022 and patients from Stanford Healthcare. The program predicted severity of tricuspid regurgitation with similar accuracy as cardiologists who evaluated echocardiograms and when compared with results from MRI images.

Sumeet Chugh, MD

Sumeet Chugh, MD

“Future studies will focus on obtaining even more specific information about valve disease, such as the volume of blood flowing backward through a valve, and predicting outcomes if patients undergo treatment for heart valve disease,” said first author Amey Vrudhula, MD, a research fellow at Cedars-Sinai.

Investigators in the Smidt Heart Institute are applying AI to a variety of cardiac imaging tests.

“A major advantage of AI algorithms is that they never get fatigued and have the capacity to identify valve abnormalities from large populations of patients, taking personalized cardiology to a whole different level,” said Sumeet Chugh, MD, director of the Division of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and the Pauline and Harold Price Chair in Cardiac Electrophysiology Research.

Other Cedars-Sinai authors involved in the study include Amey Vrudhula, MD; Milos Vukadinovic, BS; Alan C. Kwan, MD; Daniel Berman, MD; Robert Siegel, MD; Susan Cheng, MD, MMSc, MPH.

Other authors include Christiane Haeffele, MD, and David Liang, MD, PhD.

 

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You make the call. Recalls are Rising: The Top 10 Riskiest Foods.

Not healthy?

Views: 25

You make the call. Recalls are Rising: The Top 10 Riskiest Foods.

If you are concerned by the number of food recalls in the news, you’re not alone. There was a 41% increase in food recalls in 2024 due to contamination with salmonella, E. coli, and listeria, according to the U.S Public Interest Research Group Education Fund.

In addition, confirmed cases of foodborne illness rose by 20% and related hospitalizations and deaths more than doubled, says Consumer Reports. Tens of millions of Americans suffer illness from foodborne bacteria every year reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Here are CR’s top 10 riskiest foods:

  1. Deli meat. The largest instance of foodborne illness caused by listeria in liverwurst in a Boar’s Head plant led to a recall of 7 million pounds of all types of cold cuts by the company. Boar’s Head announced it would no longer make liverwurst as a result. CR says that people at high risk for listeria infection — older people, pregnant women, or children under the age of 5 — should skip deli meat altogether unless it’s served piping hot to kill harmful bacteria. Prepacked cold cuts may be a safer option.
  2. Cucumbers. Whole cucumbers and sliced cucumbers were recalled in separate incidents in 2024. These vegetables can be contaminated by bacteria from animal waste in the soil or irrigation water. When buying any fruit or vegetables, select those with skins intact and not bruised or broken. Washing and peeling can reduce the bacteria but not eliminate it altogether, says CR.
  3. Raw milk and cheese. In 2024, unpasteurized products from Raw Farms were linked to salmonella and E. coli as well as bird flu. Raw milk tends to be at a higher risk for contamination due to the absence of pasteurization, which kills harmful bacteria. Consumers are advised to seek pasteurized alternatives to mitigate the risk of illness.
  4. Soft cheeses. A routine test detected listeria in cotija and queso fresco cheeses at Rizo-Lopez Foods. The company recalled these and other dairy products that were linked to illnesses across 11 states. Stick to hard cheeses unless you’re cooking the soft cheese in a recipe. Always wash your hands after handling soft cheese.
  5. Eggs. Several large recalls last year involved eggs contaminated with salmonella. Eggs were also in short supply because of fears of the spread of bird flu. According to the Food and Drug Administration, you should buy eggs only if sold from a refrigerator or refrigerated case. Open the carton and make sure that the eggs are clean and the shells are not cracked. Store promptly in a clean refrigerator at a temperature of 40°F or below. Cook eggs until both the yolk and the white are firm. For recipes that call for eggs that are raw or undercooked when the dish is served — like Caesar salad dressing and homemade ice cream — use either shell eggs that have been treated to destroy salmonella, by pasteurization or another approved method, or pasteurized egg products.
  6. Onions. Contaminated onions caused one death last year after many people were sickened by eating McDonald’s Quarter Pounders containing fresh, slivered onions. Buy fresh, whole onions and slice them yourself, discarding the first few layers that are most likely to be contaminated.
  7. Leafy greens. Many forms of produce in the U.S. are grown next to cattle farms where irrigation water can cause bacterial outbreaks. Last year, fresh spinach and romaine-iceberg mixes caused two E. coli outbreaks. Lower your risk of illness by buying hydroponic lettuce. When using whole heads discard outer leaves.
  8. Organic carrots. Grimmway Farms recalled organic bagged whole and baby carrots after they were connected to E. coli illnesses in 19 states. Here again, cooking is the safest way to protect yourself as washing and peeling can reduce bacteria but doesn’t remove all of it.
  9. Organic basil. Fresh herbs can also fall victim to soil contamination and packaged organic basil was linked to a salmonella outbreak in 14 states last year. Rinse herbs and use them in cooking rather than adding them raw to dishes.
  10. Cooked poultry and meat. Prepared foods go through a lot of processing before they hit the shelves, and each step increases the risk of contamination. Federal health officials found listeria in cooked poultry from BrucePac that lead to a massive recall of nearly 12 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry. Thoroughly heat all frozen foods and when buying packaged salads and sandwiches that contain meat make sure they’ve been refrigerated properly and keep them cold until you are ready to eat.

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Life Music

It’s been a while. Love songs.

Love themes

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It’s been a while. Love songs.

Everyone loves a love song. Looking for the best love songs? Finding the perfect soundtrack for your love story can be a daunting (and fun) task, especially if you and your partner have different musical tastes.

The universal language of music has united generations of lovers since the beginning of time. Falling in and out of love, grasping at unrequited love, mourning love lost and succumbing to deep love are central to the human experience. Love peels back emotions, incorporating complex feelings that come across powerfully in the common language of music. With endless love songs to describe matters of the heart. So if you have a favorite or two, play it.

 

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Links from other sources. Medicine Reprints from other. Science

You make the call. Alzheimer’s Signs Can Appear Prior To Middle Age.

You make the call

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You make the call. Alzheimer’s Signs Can Appear Prior To Middle Age.

Risk factors for dementia could start taking their toll as early as a person’s 20s and 30s, a new study says.

Younger adults who carry known risks for dementia performed worse on memory and thinking tests between ages 24 and 44, researchers report in the May issue of the journal The Lancet: Regional Health Americas.

The findings lay the groundwork for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, researchers say.

This is the first study to look at risk factors of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in a large group of generally healthy younger adults, researchers say.

“Previously, research on Alzheimer’s disease risk factors has focused on individuals aged 50 and older,” lead researcher Allison Aiello, a professor of epidemiology at the Columbia University Aging Center, said in a news release.

These new results show that well-established risk factors and blood biomarkers for dementia appear to start affecting cognitive function even before middle age, Aiello said.

These risk factors include education level, gender, blood pressure, cholesterol, exercise and body mass index, a measure of body fat based on height and weight, results show. All these are measured using a Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging, and Incidence of Dementia (CAIDE) score.

Researchers also learned that certain Alzheimer’s risk factors are present and related to brain function in people in their 40s or earlier, Aiello added.

These include levels of proteins like amyloid beta and tau that form plaques and tangles in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s, along with heart health and immune biomarkers.

“Additionally, we learned that certain Alzheimer’s risk factors — such as cardiovascular health, ATN (amyloid, tau, neurodegeneration), and immune biomarkers — are present and related to cognition in individuals in their forties and even earlier,” Aiello said.

For the study, researchers analyzed data from two waves of a long-term study tracking the health of teenagers as they grow into adults. The study started in 1994-1995, and researchers looked at participants again as they hit ages 24-34 and again at 34-44.

In their early 20s and 30s, participants completed brain function tests of their memory and thinking. Scores on those tests were compared to the participants’ CAIDE score as they approached middle-age.

Results showed that the higher a person scored on CAIDE, the worse they performed on tests of thinking skills at 34 to 44 years old.

“Exploring the relationship between the CAIDE score and cognitive function in young adulthood and early midlife in the U.S., showed that significant associations with cardiovascular risk factors can be observed well before age 50,” Aiello explained.

Researchers also looked at blood tests from the study participants, and found that a combined amyloid/tau score called ATN was linked to people’s brain function prior to middle age.

“Our overall findings suggest that blood-based biomarkers associated with Alzheimer’s disease are linked to differences in cognitive function decades before clinical symptoms and impairments even appear, highlighting the importance of early prevention strategies across the life course,” Aiello said.

“Identifying the early pathways to Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive impairment before older age is critical to slowing the expected rise of Alzheimer’s disease in the coming decades,” she added.

© HealthDay

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