Ever since I was in the third grade I went to a DO. My appendix burst and the doctor saved my life. Since then, my doctors of choice have been DO’s. Below is my main reason.
Comparable Medical Training + Extra Skills
DOs take the same core medical sciences, complete the same residencies, and practice in all specialties. The difference is that they add OMT and a holistic framework on top of the standard medical curriculum.
Cooking is often considered an art form, a science, and sometimes a vital survival skill. From the humble home kitchen to the bustling world of restaurants, the role of a cook is multifaceted and demanding. But what does it truly take to be a cook? This article delves deep into the essential skills, attributes, and the journey one must undertake to master the culinary world.
The Essence of Cooking
At its core, cooking is about creating sustenance that not only nourishes the body but also delights the palate. The journey to becoming a skilled cook isn’t just about following recipes; it’s about understanding flavors, textures, and techniques that bring dishes to life.
The Importance of Passion
Every aspiring cook should start with a fundamental ingredient: passion. This drive towards culinary arts often fuels the long hours and strenuous demands of the profession. Without a genuine love for food and cooking, it can be challenging to withstand the pressures of a busy kitchen.
Essential Skills for Cooks
To succeed in the diverse world of cooking, one needs to cultivate various skills. Here are a few essential skills that every cook should develop:
Knife Skills: Proficiency in using kitchen knives is crucial. This includes chopping, dicing, and julienning, which greatly affect not only preparation time but also dish presentation.
Time Management: The ability to multitask, prioritize, and manage cooking times efficiently is vital, especially in high-pressure environments like restaurant kitchens.
Education and Training
While passion and skills are important, formal education and training also play a pivotal role in a cook’s journey. Many cooks opt for culinary school, but it’s not the only path.
Culinary Schools vs. Apprenticeships
Culinary schools offer structured programs that cover a variety of cooking techniques, safety and sanitation practices, and menu planning. Here’s a comparison of both educational paths:
Aspect
Culinary Schools
Apprenticeships
Duration
Typically 6 months to 2 years
1 to 4 years
Cost
Can be expensive
Often paid opportunities
Experience
Hands-on in-class experience
Real-world kitchen experience
Continuous Learning
The culinary field is dynamic and ever-evolving. Great cooks are not only skilled but are also lifelong learners. From attending workshops and seminars to experimenting with new ingredients and techniques at home, staying current is essential to maintaining your edge in the industry.
Understanding Ingredients
One of the hallmarks of a skilled cook is a deep understanding of ingredients. It’s not just about knowing how to cook, but also knowing how to choose and handle food items effectively.
Fresh vs. Processed Ingredients
Choosing between fresh and processed ingredients can significantly influence the quality and healthiness of the dishes. Fresh ingredients often have better flavor and nutritional value, but processed foods can save time and effort without sacrificing too much in terms of flavor when used correctly.
Seasonality and Sourcing
Understanding what ingredients are in season allows cooks to create dishes that are not only fresher but also more cost-effective. Moreover, knowing local suppliers can enhance dish quality and support community businesses.
Culinary Techniques and Methods
Becoming a proficient cook requires mastering a variety of cooking techniques and methods.
Fundamental Cooking Techniques
Here are some fundamental techniques every cook should know:
Sautéing: Cooking food quickly in a small amount of fat over relatively high heat.
Baking: Using dry heat to cook food evenly, typically in an oven.
Garnishing and Plating
Presentation is key in the culinary world. The way a dish is garnished and plated often impacts diners’ perceptions and experiences. Here are some aspects to consider:
Color and Texture
Utilizing contrasting colors and textures not only makes dishes visually appealing but also enhances the overall eating experience.
Portion Control
Understanding proper portion sizes is essential to maintain balance on the plate and ensure that guests can enjoy their meals without waste.
The Importance of Soft Skills
Beyond technical skills, soft skills are also crucial in a cook’s career.
Teamwork and Communication
Cooks often work as part of a larger team within a kitchen. Effective communication can make a significant difference in a smooth-running kitchen. Teamwork fosters collaboration and efficiency during service periods.
Stress Management
The culinary world can be stressful, especially during peak hours. Developing strategies to manage stress will not only improve performance but also contribute to a positive workplace atmosphere.
If you need another reason to brush and floss, here it is: Research suggests keeping your mouth healthy might also protect your brain and heart.
Two new studies published Oct. 22 in Neurology Open Access linked gum disease and cavities to a higher risk of stroke and brain damage.
In the first study, adults with gum disease were more likely to have white matter changes in their brains.
“Gum disease is associated with a higher chance of inflammation, and inflammation has been tied to atherosclerosis as well as hardening of the small blood vessels, as we saw in this study,” study author Dr. Souvik Sen, a professor of neurology at the University of South Carolina, told CBS News.
In the second study, Sen’s team found that people with both gum disease and cavities had an 86% higher risk of stroke compared to those with healthy teeth and gums.
“If you have cavities on top of gum disease, it is double trouble. It means your risk of stroke or adverse heart event doubles,” Sen explained.
The good news: Regular oral care can make a big difference.
Brushing and flossing daily, along with routine dental visits, were linked to an 81% lower risk of stroke among participants who maintained those healthy oral habits, Sen said.
While the research does not prove that poor oral health directly causes stroke, it adds to growing evidence that inflammation in the mouth may play a role in heart and brain health.
Globally, 3.5 billion people suffer from gum disease or cavities, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Further, more than 795,000 Americans have a stroke each year, according to the American Heart Association. Experts say maintaining healthy teeth and gums could be one simple way to reduce that risk.
Never Eat These 8 Foods Past Their Expiration Date.
Even if food is stored properly, experts caution against eating certain items after their expiration date. While “sell by” dates posted on supermarket products often indicate peak freshness — and some foods can still be safe shortly after those dates — expiration or “use by” dates are different. Once a product passes that point, it may harbor dangerous bacteria that can cause illness.
According to Real Simple, consuming certain foods after their expiration date can increase the risk of exposure to harmful pathogens. Here are some of the biggest offenders to watch out for:
• Deli meats. Processed meats such as ham, turkey, and roast beef are highly perishable and can quickly develop harmful bacteria like Listeria after their expiration date. These should always be eaten by the “use by” date.
• Raw meat. Dr. Cynthia Odogwu warns that raw meats—including chicken, beef, and pork—are likely to spoil after their expiration date and can grow dangerous bacteria such as salmonella and E. coli, both of which can cause serious foodborne illness.
• Dairy products. Milk, soft cheeses, and yogurt can spoil quickly and harbor harmful bacteria, including Salmonella and E. coli, especially when past their expiration date. Unpasteurized cheeses, such as some versions of Brie and Camembert, should be discarded once they expire because they can become contaminated with Listeria.
• Baby formula. “This is the most important one on the list,” says Don Schaffner, a food microbiologist and distinguished professor at Rutgers University School of Environmental and Biological Sciences. “It’s the sole source of nutrition for babies being fed formula. We know it contains the listed nutrients until the date on the label. But feeding your baby this after that date could be contributing to a nutrient deficiency.” According to Prevention, baby formula should always be thrown out after the “use by” date.
• Eggs. While eggs can sometimes last a little past their sell-by date if properly refrigerated, it’s safest to consume them by the expiration date to avoid the risk of Salmonella.
• Fresh seafood. Fish and shellfish spoil very quickly and can cause serious foodborne illnesses if eaten after their expiration date. It’s best to enjoy seafood the day it’s purchased.
• Prepared salads. Store-bought salads made with mayonnaise or dairy (such as potato or chicken salad) should be consumed by their expiration date to avoid bacterial contamination. “Throw out pre-package, ready-to-eat salads once they expire,” advises Odogwu.
• Mushrooms. Spoiled mushrooms can harbor botulism or other dangerous toxins. If they appear slimy or discolored, they should be discarded immediately. To help mushrooms stay fresh longer, store them in a paper bag lined with a paper towel in the refrigerator to prevent excess moisture buildup.
A new study has revealed that verbal fluency may play a surprising role in longevity. By improving your verbal skills, you may also improve your lifespan.
Verbal fluency refers to the ability to quickly and efficiently produce words in response to a specific prompt or category. It draws on vocabulary knowledge as well as key cognitive processes, including memory, attention, and executive functioning. Doctors often use verbal fluency tests to assess brain health and cognitive performance.
Lead author of the study, Paolo Ghisletto, said that the physical body is closely connected to mental, emotional, and cognitive processes, so when one area begins to decline with age, the others often follow, according to Real Simple.
The study, published in Psychological Science, concluded that because verbal fluency relies on multiple cognitive processes — including long-term memory, vocabulary, processing efficiency, and visual memory — it can serve as a strong indicator of overall well-being.
Here are some simple ways to build and maintain verbal fluency throughout life:
• Name tasks. Set a timer for 90 seconds and choose a category, such as animals found in a zoo or words that start with the letter “S.” Name as many as you can before the timer runs out. This can be a fun family game in the car on a road trip, according to Real Simple.
• Engage socially. “People who stay verbally active through conversation, reading, or teaching tend to live longer and maintain better cognitive function,” says neurologist Dr. Kimberly Idoko. Talking regularly with others is an excellent way to stay socially engaged and keep language skills sharp.
• Storytelling. Experts say that storytelling develops listening skills, enhances verbal expression, increases comprehension, creates mental images, and improves verbal reasoning. You can begin by journaling or taking a creative writing course to build these skills.
• Learning a new language. Learning another language is associated with growth in the hippocampus, the brain region tied to memory, learning, and emotional processing. Since the hippocampus is one of the first areas affected by memory decline, strengthening it through language learning can help preserve cognitive function.
A dump & bake dessert is the ultimate sweet treat for anyone who loves delicious results without the fuss. Imagine this: you grab a handful of pantry staples, dump them into a baking dish—no mixing bowls, no fancy techniques—and then bake until golden, gooey, and glorious. That’s it!
It’s dessert magic in one pan.
Whether it’s a fruity cobbler, a chocolatey cake, or a creamy pudding, dump & bake desserts are all about simplicity meets indulgence. You layer, sprinkle, pour, and let the oven do the heavy lifting. The result? A warm, comforting dessert that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen (but you didn’t).
Dump & Bake Pumpkin Crisp
INGREDIENTS (Serves 12-15)
1 (15 oz.) can pumpkin puree
1 (12 oz.) can evaporated milk
3 eggs
1 C. sugar
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 (18.25 oz.) pkg. yellow cake mix
1 C. chopped pecans
½ C. toffee bits, optional
1 C. butter, melted
Cream cheese frosting or whipped cream
DIRECTIONS
Preheat your oven to 350° and grease 1 9×13″ baking pan.
Dump the pumpkin puree into the prepped pan. Add the evaporated milk, eggs, sugar, and cinnamon. Whisk together until well blended, scraping down the sides of the pan.
Sprinkle the dry cake mix over the pumpkin mixture. Sprinkle the pecans and toffee bits over the cake mix. Drizzle the butter evenly over the top.
Bake for 50 to 55 minutes or until set and golden brown. Cool before cutting.
Serve at room temperature or chilled with frosting or whipped cream.
Cover songs—modern music is practically built off of them. Artists interpreting other artists’ work has been around since the dawn of compositions, and they’ve been particularly popular here in the United States since World War II. A common practice among traditional pop spheres, folks like Bing Crosby, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra and Louis Armstrong built much of their legacies off of taking someone else’s song and turning it into their own unique wonder. Years ago, the Paste staff compiled a “50 covers better than the original” list and updated it in 2022, but the music section has opted to take it all one step further and chart over 70 years of modern music and decide which translations are the best of the best.
Jane Goodall's 10 Healthy Habits to Boost Longevity. (Dreamstime)
Views: 19
Jane Goodall’s 10 Healthy Habits to Boost Longevity.
Jane passed at the age of 91.Here are 10 habits that contributed to Goodall’s long, healthy life:
1. A Strong Sense of Purpose
Goodall’s mission never wavered. Research shows that having a sense of purpose is linked to lower rates of depression, greater resilience, and longer life. According to The Healthy, she actually worked harder in her later years, traveling 300 days a year, to spread her message of hope.
2. Optimism
In her 2021 book, The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times, Goodall shared reasons for optimism — even when facing climate change and other daunting global challenges.
3. Time in Nature
Spending countless hours in forests observing chimpanzees, Goodall benefited from what science now confirms: exposure to green spaces improves sleep, lowers blood pressure, reduces chronic disease risk, and even lengthens life expectancy, according to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
4. Walking Daily
Goodall’s fieldwork meant hours of trekking through rugged terrain, giving her a natural full-body workout. She kept active throughout her life — even during her speaking tours. “I think the most important thing is to keep active, and to hope that your mind stays active,” she said in 2010.
5. Plant-Based Diet
Goodall championed a mostly plant-based diet rich in fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes, while minimizing animal products. She credited her diet with maintaining her vitality. Studies confirm that plant-based eating lowers the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
6. Cultivating Calm
“I’ve cultivated a way that I don’t get stressed very often,” she said in a 2017 interview. Her calm demeanor came from meditation, mindfulness, and years of quietly waiting, notebook in hand, for chimpanzees in the forest.
7. Love of Animals
Though best known for her groundbreaking work with primates, Goodall adored dogs. She said they gave her unconditional love — joy and comfort that nurtured her emotional well-being.
8. Practicing Self-Care
Despite a hectic schedule, Goodall recognized the importance of maintaining balance in life. She made time to care for herself physically and mentally. “It’s not selfish,” she wrote in her Good for All newsletter, stressing the importance of balance.
9. Building Strong Relationships
Although her early work was solitary, she later surrounded herself with trusted colleagues and the young people in her Roots & Shoots program. Decades of research, including the Harvard Longevity Study, show that close relationships are one of the strongest predictors of a long life.
10. Living Simply
Goodall valued simplicity. She carried her own tea kettle so she could make tea anywhere, avoided hotel housekeeping, and minimized possessions. Gratitude for life’s small comforts, along with reduced clutter, is linked to better physical and mental health.
Lynn C. Allison, a Newsmax health reporter, is an award-winning medical journalist and author of more than 30 self-help books.
A person’s risk of pancreatic cancer might be tied to the microbes living in their mouths, a new study says.
People have a more than tripled risk of pancreatic cancer if their mouths contain 27 types of bacteria and fungi, including some directly linked to gum disease, researchers reported Sept. 18 in JAMA Oncology.
“It is clearer than ever that brushing and flossing your teeth may not only help prevent periodontal disease but may also protect against cancer,” co-senior author Dr. Richard Hayes, a professor of population health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, said in a news release.
Pancreatic cancer is considered a “silent killer,” because there are few effective screening methods for catching it early. That makes it a highly lethal cancer, with a five-year survival rate of just 13%, researchers said in background notes.
Previous studies have shown that bacteria can travel through swallowed saliva into the pancreas, increasing cancer risk for those with poor oral health.
However, it’s not been clear which microbes specifically contribute to pancreatic cancer, researchers said.
For the study, researchers analyzed saliva samples taken from more than 122,000 Americans participating in two large-scale studies of cancer screening and prevention.
The team identified 445 patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and compared their saliva samples to those taken from a random 445 people who remained cancer-free.
Researchers identified 20 different types of bacteria and four types of fungi that affect pancreatic cancer risk.
They also linked pancreatic cancer to three bacteria already known to contribute to gum disease — Porphyromonas gingivalis, Eubacterium nodatum and Parvimonas micra.
Altogether, the entire group of microbes increased pancreatic cancer risk by nearly 3.5 times, results show.
“By profiling bacterial and fungal populations in the mouth, oncologists may be able to flag those most in need of pancreatic cancer screening,” co-senior author Jiyoung Ahn, a professor of population health and medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, said in a news release.
However, researchers noted that because the study is observational, it can’t draw a direct cause-and-effect link between oral health and pancreatic cancer.
The team next plans to explore whether oral viruses might contribute to cancer and how the mouth’s microbiome might affect patients’ chances of survival.
New study suggests exercise can reduce dementia risk
Board-certified rheumatologist Dr. Mahsa Tehrani discusses how weight training could reduce the risk of dementia on ‘America Reports.’
Views: 48
Dementia risk nearly doubles among those with common sleep disorder, study finds.
In the latest evidence of the direct relationship between sleep and health, researchers have found that chronic insomnia can significantly increase dementia risk.
That equates to a three-year acceleration of brain aging, according to the study, which was published in Neurology, the journal from the American Academy of Neurology.
The study followed 2,750 cognitively healthy older adults averaging 70 years of age over a period of more than 5-½ years. Roughly 16% of them suffered from chronic insomnia, according to a press release for the study.
“Chronic insomnia” is defined as a struggle to fall and/or stay asleep — which is different than people trying to pursue the “perfect sleep,” according to study author Diego Z. Carvalho, M.D., of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
“Chronic insomnia was associated with a 40% increased risk of developing cognitive impairment and dementia,” Carvalho, who is also a member of the American Academy of Neurology, told Fox News Digital.
Researchers have found that chronic insomnia can significantly increase dementia risk. (iStock)
Over the course of the study, 14% of the people with chronic insomnia developed mild cognitive impairment or dementia, compared to 10% of those who did not have the sleep disorder.
The researchers were surprised to find that participants with chronic insomnia who reported sleeping more than usual had fewer white matter spots in the brain — areas where small vessel disease may have damaged brain tissue, which have been linked to cerebrovascular disease.
Additional tests also found that this group scored lower in thinking skills. This was after adjusting for other factors like age, high blood pressure, sleep medications and sleep apnea diagnoses.
“Participants with chronic insomnia with perceived reduced sleep duration had poorer brain health, according to brain imaging findings linked to Alzheimer’s disease and cerebrovascular disease,” Carvalho said.
“The study emphasizes that even a short period of chronic insomnia can lead to potential detrimental cognitive effects later in life.”
People who had the APOE ε4 gene, which is linked to a higher risk of Alzheimer’s, were more likely to show bigger declines in memory and thinking skills, the study found.
Based on these findings, chronic insomnia could be a potentially modifiable risk factor for cognitive impairment and dementia, according to Carvalho.
“Chronic insomnia” is defined as a struggle to fall and/or stay asleep — which is different than people trying to pursue the “perfect sleep,” the lead researcher said. (iStock)
“This reinforces the importance of treating chronic insomnia — not just to improve sleep quality, but potentially to protect brain health as we age,” he said. “Our results also add to a growing body of evidence that sleep isn’t just about rest — it’s also about brain resilience.”
Dr. Marc Siegel, senior medical analyst for Fox News in New York, was not involved in the study, but said that it shows an “important association” between sleep deprivation and dementia or cognitive impairment.
waste products during sleep, and that sleep is restorative to brain cells — but we still don’t know whether the effect observed here is directly due to inattention from sleeplessness (on testing) and memory effects that could be short term,” he told Fox News Digital.
“The issue of actual neurodegeneration due to insomnia is probable, but not proven by this study.”
Participants with chronic insomnia who reported sleeping more than usual had fewer white matter spots in the brain — areas where small vessel disease may have damaged brain tissue, which have been linked to cerebrovascular disease. (iStock)
The cognitive decline could be directly due to the insomnia itself or to the breakdown of brain function that occurs as a result, Siegel added.
Dr. Earnest Lee Murray, a board-certified neurologist at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital in Jackson, Tennessee, confirmed that chronic insomnia has long been known to lead to health concerns, both neurologically and non-neurologically.
“The study emphasizes that even a short period of chronic insomnia can lead to potential detrimental cognitive effects later in life,” Murray, who was not involved in the research, told Fox News Digital.
“The study also showed chronic insomnia seems to alter the structure of the brain by increasing white matter changes commonly seen in patients with vascular pathology, such as hypertension and diabetes.”
Potential limitations
The study did have some limitations, the researcher noted.
“We did not have instruments to assess the severity of insomnia at baseline or over time,” Carvalho told Fox News Digital. “We lack longitudinal objective sleep data to look at sleep duration estimates over the years.”
“Tracking does not help with your sleep — good sleep practices do.”
The researchers were also unable to adjust for which patients received treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, such as CPAP therapy.
“We also did not have full information on the duration of usage or doses of sleep medication,” Carvalho added.
He also reiterated that the study does not prove that insomnia directly causes brain aging, only that there is an association between the two.
Tips to improve sleep
Anyone suffering from insomnia on a frequent basis should talk with their physician about ruling out potential medical reasons, Lee advised.
“Treatment may include cognitive behavioral therapy, or pharmaceutical therapy may be an option,” he said.
The researchers recommended adopting better sleep practices, including cutting out caffeinated beverages in the afternoon, cutting down on alcohol consumption, avoiding large meals or exercise before going to bed, and reducing exposure to electronics prior to bedtime.
The researcher did warn that pursuit of the “perfect sleep” can sometimes lead to an obsession with excessive tracking of sleep data, leading to “performance anxiety,” which can end up having the opposite effect.
Carvalho also urged caution when it comes to taking a pill for better sleep.
The researchers recommended adopting better sleep practices, including cutting out caffeinated beverages in the afternoon, cutting down on alcohol consumption, avoiding large meals or exercise before going to bed, and reducing exposure to electronics prior to bedtime. (iStock)
“Although sleep medications can help and are available for patients with chronic insomnia, they do not work very well in the long run if good sleep practices are not adopted,” he said. “There is no solution for poor sleep issues that does not start with the patient doing the right things.”
Murray echoed the importance of good sleep hygiene, including not using electronic devices in bed and limiting the amount of light exposure in the room to enhance the quality of sleep.
The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health, GHR Foundation, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, and a grant from Sleep Number Corporation to the Mayo Clinic.
Melissa Rudy is senior health editor and a member of the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to melissa.rudy@fox.com.
About 35% of U.S. adults are deficient in vitamin D, according to the Cleveland Clinic. This fat-soluble vitamin is essential for helping the body absorb calcium, supporting bone strength, and boosting immune function. You can get vitamin D naturally from sunlight, fatty fish, fortified dairy products, and supplements.
But experts warn that you can, in fact, get too much of a good thing. High doses of vitamin D can trigger dangerous side effects—including nausea, vomiting, kidney stones, and even death, reports Eating Well.
How Toxicity Happens
Vitamin D deficiency often leads people to overcompensate with supplements, sometimes taking far more than their bodies need. Unlike water-soluble vitamins that flush out easily, vitamin D builds up in fat tissue. Over time, this can cause dangerously high blood calcium levels, especially when very large doses are taken for several months.
“Vitamin D acts like a hormone in the body,” experts note, which is why excess intake can disrupt normal function and damage organs.
Warning Signs of Vitamin D Overload
Symptoms of vitamin D toxicity may include:
Persistent nausea
Vomiting
Weakness
Frequent urination
Confusion
Dehydration
Elevated calcium levels, which can cause kidney stones or organ damage
If left untreated, vitamin D toxicity can progress to kidney failure, irregular heartbeat, and even death. Anyone experiencing these symptoms while taking supplements should seek medical advice immediately.
How Much Is Too Much?
The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for vitamin D varies by age and health status:
Children, teens, and adults up to age 70: 600 IU daily
Adults over 70: 800 IU daily
In general, experts say you should not exceed 4,000 IU per day from all sources unless directed by a healthcare professional.
Safer Ways to Get Vitamin D
Whenever possible, aim to meet your vitamin D needs through food and safe sun exposure. A simple blood test can reveal your vitamin D levels, allowing your doctor to provide personalized recommendations.
Rising Heart Disease Rates in Younger Adults: Causes, Risks, and Prevention.
Think heart disease only affects older adults? Think again. More adults under 40 are experiencing heart problems than ever before, and the trend is concerning OU Health experts.
“We’re seeing younger patients with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and even heart attacks,” said OU Health cardiologist Dr. Stavros Stavrakis, M.D., PhD, associate professor of cardiology at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine. “The reality is that heart disease doesn’t suddenly appear at 60. It develops gradually over decades, often beginning in your 20s and 30s.”
In Oklahoma, heart disease trends among younger adults paint a concerning picture. According to the Oklahoma State Department of Health, cardiovascular disease is now the third leading cause of death for Oklahomans aged 25-44, with rates consistently higher than the national average. The state has seen a 30% increase in heart disease-related hospitalizations among adults under 45 over the past decade, reflecting a troubling shift toward earlier onset of cardiovascular problems.
Nationally, the American Heart Association reports that heart attacks are becoming more common in adults under 40, with a 2% annual increase in heart disease-related hospitalizations for this age group since 2018. More alarmingly, studies show that 1 in 5 heart attacks now occur in adults aged 40 or younger, a significant jump from just a decade ago when this age group accounted for only 1 in 10 cases.
What’s Behind the Trend?
Risk factors like obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes are appearing earlier in life, with nearly half of adults aged 20-44 having at least one major cardiovascular risk factor.
Several lifestyle factors common among young adults also contribute to early heart disease:
Prolonged sitting and screen time
High-stress jobs and poor work-life balance
Processed food-heavy diets
Vaping and tobacco use
Inconsistent sleep patterns
Delayed medical check-ups
“Many young adults have never had their cholesterol checked or don’t know their blood pressure,” Dr. Stavrakis said. “These simple screenings can reveal early warning signs before problems develop.”
The good news? Most risk factors are within your control. Small changes now can significantly impact your heart health later:
Taking Control of Your Heart Health
Taking control of your heart health begins with scheduling an annual physical with a basic heart health screening. However, lifestyle changes also play a major role in the continued health of the heart. Small changes to make include:
Move more throughout the day–even short walks count
Choose whole foods over processed options
Prioritize 7-8 hours of quality sleep
Find healthy stress management techniques
Know your family history
Red Flags Young Adults Shouldn’t Ignore:
Oklahomans of any age should be aware of the warning signs of heart disease, which can include:
Unexplained fatigue
Shortness of breath during normal activities
Heart palpitations
Chest discomfort or pressure
High blood pressure readings
Family history of early heart disease
“The choices you make in your 20s and 30s lay the foundation for your heart health later in life,” said Dr. Stavrakis. “It’s much easier to prevent heart disease than to treat it once it develops.”
Quick Heart Health Check
When was your last blood pressure check?
Do you know your cholesterol numbers?
Have you discussed your family history with your doctor?
Are you getting regular physical activity?
How’s your stress level?
Ready to Take Charge of Your Heart Health?
OU Health’s comprehensive heart care team specializes in early detection and prevention. Our experts can help you understand your personal risk factors and develop a plan to protect your heart health for decades to come.
OU Health Physicians Cardiology, Pulmonary & Vascular Medicine Clinic brings together Oklahoma’s most comprehensive team of heart and vascular specialists, combining advanced technology with pioneering research to deliver exceptional cardiac care. As the state’s only comprehensive academic health system, OU Health provides access to groundbreaking clinical trials and the latest treatment options while training the next generation of cardiovascular specialists.
OU Health’s multidisciplinary approach means patients benefit from collaborative care that includes preventive cardiology, advanced diagnostic testing, minimally invasive procedures, and complex surgical interventions, all available in one integrated system.
Artificial sweeteners like Equal and Sweet’N Low might help you cut calories, but it might be at the cost of future brain power, according to a new study.
People who consume high amounts of low- and no-calorie sugar substitutes appear to experience faster declines in thinking and memory skills, researchers reported Sept. 3 in the journal Neurology.
Their decline is 62% more rapid than among people consuming the least amounts – equal to about 1.6 years of additional brain aging, results showed.
This link was even stronger in middle-aged folks and people with diabetes, researchers found.
“Low- and no-calorie sweeteners are often seen as a healthy alternative to sugar,” senior researcher Dr. Claudia Kimie Suemoto, an associate professor of geriatrics at the University of São Paulo in Brazil, said in a news release. “However, our findings suggest certain sweeteners may have negative effects on brain health over time.”
For the study, researchers tracked the health of nearly 12,800 adults in Brazil. Their average age was 52, and they were followed for an average of eight years.
Participants completed diet questionnaires at the start of the study, allowing researchers to estimate their intake of aspartame (NutraSweet, Equal), saccharin (Sweet’N Low), acesulfame-K, erythritol, xylitol, sorbitol and tagatose.
The study did not track the use of sucralose, the sweetener marketed as Splenda.
Some of these sweeteners can be found in the usual blue or pink packets provided in restaurants. They also are used to flavor ultra-processed drinks, desserts and foods.
The research team divided participants into three groups based on the total amount of sugar substitutes consumed.
They then compared that consumption to participants’ performance on tests of memory, language and thinking skills.
People who consumed more artificial sweeteners had faster declines in thinking and memory as they aged, even if they fell into the middle-intake group, results showed.
People who consumed moderate amounts of sugar substitutes had a brain decline 35% faster than the lowest group, equivalent to about 1.3 years of additional aging, researchers said.
Individually, aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame-k, erythritol, sorbitol and xylitol all were associated with a faster decline in overall cognition, particularly in memory, researchers said. Only the sweetener tagatose could not be linked with cognitive decline.
People younger than 60 who ate the highest amounts of sweeteners showed faster declines in language skills and overall brain power, results showed. No link was found among people 60 or older.
Researchers also found that the link to faster brain decline was stronger in people with diabetes.
“While we found links to cognitive decline for middle-aged people both with and without diabetes, people with diabetes are more likely to use artificial sweeteners as sugar substitutes,” Suemoto said.
Researchers speculated that these sweeteners might break down in the body into chemicals that are toxic to the brain or produce more inflammation.
However, they noted that the study was observational and, as such, couldn’t draw a direct cause-and-effect link between sweeteners and brain decline.
“More research is needed to confirm our findings and to investigate if other refined sugar alternatives, such as applesauce, honey, maple syrup or coconut sugar, may be effective alternatives,” Suemoto said.
These Greek Roast Potatoes with Lemon and Feta are a truly exceptional side dish – easy to make, bursting with flavor, and guaranteed to impress. The combination of crispy potatoes, bright lemon, salty feta, and fragrant herbs is simply irresistible. I encourage you to give this recipe a try and experience the magic of Mediterranean flavors in your own kitchen. Let me know in the comments how yours turned out – I’d love to hear from you! Don’t forget to rate this recipe and share it with your friends and family. Happy cooking!
Baking Sheet Large enough to hold potatoes in a single layer
Mixing bowl
Ingredients
Potatoes & Aromatics
2lbsbaby potatoeshalved
3tablespoonsolive oil
3clovesgarlicminced
1lemonjuice of 1 large
Seasoning & Cheese
1lemonzest of 1
1teaspoondried oregano
0.5cupfeta cheesecrumbled
2tablespoonsparsleyfresh, chopped
1lemonwedges, for serving
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Halve the baby potatoes and toss them in a large bowl with olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, and lemon zest.
Season generously with salt, pepper, and dried oregano.
Spread the potatoes in a single layer on a baking sheet.
Roast for 35-45 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and golden brown, flipping halfway through.
Remove from oven and sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese and chopped parsley.
Serve immediately with lemon wedges.
Notes
For extra crispy potatoes, parboil them for 5-7 minutes before roasting.
Most Pain Patients Quit Medical Weed Within a Year.
More than half of people prescribed medical weed for chronic muscle or joint pain quit using it within a year, a new small-scale study says.
About 58% of a group of 78 Pennsylvania patients certified for medical cannabis decided to discontinue treatment within a year, researchers report in the journal PLOS One.
In fact, nearly half (45%) stop using weed within the first three months of trying it, results show.
These high drop-off rates indicate that “despite growing enthusiasm and widespread adoption, medical cannabis does not meet expectations for a significant subset of chronic pain patients,” researcher Dr. Asif Ilyas, a professor of orthopedic surgery at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, said in a news release.
For the study, researchers tracked the 78 pain patients for two years to see how they fared using medical marijuana. The patients all were treated at the Rothman Orthopedic Institute in Philadelphia between October 2022 and December 2024.
Results showed that people who quit using weed for their pain were about as healthy as those who remained on the treatment.
Likewise, where a person was feeling their pain — in the low back, neck, joints, muscles or elsewhere — was not associated with the odds they’d stop using weed, researchers said.
Instead, a complex mix of reasons is likely behind why people gave up on medical weed, researchers said.
Some might become dissatisfied with the treatment, while others might not like the side effects, researchers said. Others might decide to pursue more time-tested treatments like injections or surgery.
“These results are consistent with previous studies, which have shown mixed responses to medical cannabis treatment in chronic pain patients,” the researchers wrote. “While some patients report significant relief, others may not find sufficient therapeutic benefit, leading to early discontinuation.”
There was one major difference between those who kept on medical weed and those who dropped it — the patient’s age. Those who stopped using weed were seven years older, with an average age of 72 compared with 65 for those who stayed with it.
“Older adults may be more cautious in using alternative therapies like medical cannabis due to concerns about long-term effects or a preference for more conventional treatments,” researchers wrote.
Researchers point out that they did not gather specific details about the type of cannabis products that patients used, nor did the study collect data on improvements in function and pain.
“These findings suggest that while medical cannabis may offer benefits for some patients, further research is needed to better understand the long-term effects of medical cannabis on pain management and patient satisfaction, as well as the factors influencing treatment adherence,” the researchers wrote.
