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Happy Birthday VP Joe Biden

Joe Biden first got into politics when he ran for the New Castle County Council as a Democrat. He promised in this first election to support a public housing initiative, and he won the seat. Biden served as a New Castle County Councilman from 1970 to 1972, at which time he decided to run for the US Senate. Biden was interested in the seat held by Republican J. Caleb Boggs. Boggs wanted to retire, but his retirement would mean a vicious primary fight for the Republican party. In order to avoid this, President Nixon asked Boggs to run again for the good of the Republican party and Boggs agreed to do so. Because he was a popular incumbent, no Democrats wanted to run against him—except the young and tenacious Joe Biden.

Joe Biden’s first senate campaign had very little money and was managed by his sister, Valerie Biden Owens. Most of Biden’s staffers were members of his own family, and he went out and met voters face to face. The local media thought that the Biden campaign had very little chance of winning. Biden ran on an anti-Vietnam platform and also expressed support for the environment, civil rights, mass transit, a more equitable tax system, and health care. The summer before the election Boggs led Biden by thirty percent in the polls, but Biden continued to work hard to connect with voters. The people of Delaware embraced Biden’s youth and energy and on November 7, 1972 Joe Biden became a US Senator, winning the election by just 3,162 votes.

When Joe Biden took office on January 3, 1973, he was only thirty years old, the minimum age at which one can be a US Senator. In 1974, Time magazine named the fresh-faced Senator as one of the two hundred Faces for the Future. Ultimately, Biden would become the longest-serving senator in Delaware history, casting ten thousand votes in the Senate by 1999. Biden was elected to six additional terms as a Delaware Senator in 1978, 1984, 1990, 1996, 2002, and 2008.

As a long-standing member of the powerful U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Joe Biden dealt with many high profile issues. From 1987 until 1995 Biden chaired the committee and oversaw two of the most controversial hearings, the U.S. Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Robert Bork and Clarence Thomas. As soon as President Reagan nominated Robert Bork, Biden publicly stated his opposition to the nomination. Initially, conservatives argued that Biden could not conduct a fair hearing, but his conduct during the hearing was impeccable. Biden objected to the Bork nomination on the principle that the U.S. Constitution provides the rights to liberty and privacy beyond the literal interpretation. Bork’s nomination was rejected and Joe Biden earned a measure of respect among his Senate colleagues.

The Clarence Thomas Supreme Court confirmation hearings in 1991 were extremely contentious, and Joe Biden was thrust into the spotlight again. When Anita Hill accused the Supreme Court nominee of sexual harassment, the hearings were broadcast on network television and the public watched as Biden questioned the witnesses. Biden was criticized by many of his supporters for his handling of the hearing. According to theNew York Times, “Mr. Biden at the time was chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. And while the Delaware Democrat ultimately voted against confirming Mr. Thomas, he was widely criticized by liberal legal advocates and women’s groups as having mismanaged the allegations of sexual harassment made by Ms. Hill against her former employer, Mr. Thomas, at the Department of Education and at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, at those hearings.”

During his Senate career, Joe Biden also served as a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. Biden could generally be described as a liberal internationalist in matters of foreign policy. Initially, he focused on the issue of arms control, and clashed with the Reagan administration over the Strategic Defense Initiative. He voted against the Gulf War in 1991, and for armed engagement in Afghanistan in 2001. In 2002, Biden voted in favor of the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq under President George W. Bush, but soon changed his position on the war. Biden said publicly that his vote was a “mistake” based on false information.

Joe Biden ran as a Democratic presidential candidate twice, once in 1987 and once in 2007. During his first run for the nomination, Biden started out strong, raising more money than eventual Democratic nominee Michael Dukakis. However, Biden’s problem with plagiarism in college came back to haunt his campaign when he was accused of plagiarism once again. In a speech given in September of 1987, Biden asked, “why is it that Joe Biden is the first in his family ever to go to a university?”, then pointed to his wife in the audience and asked the same question about her education. The press quickly revealed that this tactic had been used before by a British politician named Neil Kinnock. Although Biden had credited the speech to Neil Kinnock on previous occasions, he did not mention the Englishman during that rendition of the speech. Soon, the plagiarism event in college was resurrected by the national media and the doubt cast on the candidate’s honesty derailed Joe Biden’s campaign.

When he again attempted Democratic nomination in 2007, Joe Biden made several verbal mistakes that undermined the fundraising capabilities of his campaign. His biggest gaffe was a comment about one of his rivals in the nomination battle, Barack Obama. However, the young Senator from Illinois did not take offense to Biden’s awkward praise, and when Obama won the nomination, he chose Joe Biden as his Presidential running mate. CNN quoted Obama as saying, “‘That’s the kind of fighter I want by my side in the months and years to come’”. [“Known for his plain-spoken approach and penchant for speaking from the cuff, Biden wasted little time taking to the traditional vice presidential candidate’s role of political attack dog.”]

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/predictive-medicine-for-longevity-and-cancer-cure-health#/

Very stressful events affect the brains of girls and boys in different ways

Very stressful events affect the brains of girls and boys in different ways, a Stanford University study suggests. A part of the brain linked to emotions and empathy, called the insula, was found t…

Source: Very stressful events affect the brains of girls and boys in different ways

Very stressful events affect the brains of girls and boys in different ways

Very stressful events affect the brains of girls and boys in different ways, a Stanford University study suggests.

A part of the brain linked to emotions and empathy, called the insula, was found to be particularly small in girls who had suffered trauma.

But in traumatised boys, the insula was larger than usual.

This could explain why girls are more likely than boys to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the researchers said.

Their findings suggest that boys and girls could display contrasting symptoms after a particularly distressing or frightening event, and should be treated differently as a result.

The research team, from Stanford University School of Medicine, said girls who develop PTSD may actually be suffering from a faster than normal ageing of one part of the insula – an area of the brain which processes feelings and pain.

A cross-section map of the brain — Image captionThe insula, also known as the insular cortex, is linked to the body’s experience of pain or emotional experiences of fear

The insula, or insular cortex, is a diverse and complex area, located deep within the brain which has many connections.

As well as processing emotions, it plays an important role in detecting cues from other parts of the body.

The researchers scanned the brains of 59 children aged nine to 17 for their study, published in Depression and Anxiety.

One group, of 14 girls and 16 boys, had suffered at least one episode of severe stress or trauma while a second group, of 15 girls and 14 boys, had not been exposed to any.

In the group of traumatised boys and girls, there was evidence that one area of the insula – the anterior circular sulcus – had changed in size and volume compared with the group with no trauma.

This shows that the insula is changed by exposure to acute or long-term stress and plays a key role in the development of PTSD, the researchers said.

Different reactions

Lead study author Dr Megan Klabunde said it was important to consider the different physical and emotional reactions to stressful events.

“It is important that people who work with traumatised youth consider the sex differences.

“Our findings suggest it is possible that boys and girls could exhibit different trauma symptoms and that they might benefit from different approaches to treatment.”

And she added: “There are some studies suggesting that high levels of stress could contribute to early puberty in girls.”

Dr Klabunde said they would now look at other regions of the brain connected to the insula to see if they could detect similar changes.

What is PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder is the term used to described the psychological effects of being involved in a traumatic event, such as a major car accident, a natural disaster, bullying, abuse or violent crime.

Many young people who experience very distressing events recover without experiencing PTSD – but some people do develop it.

Symptoms can include:

Flashbacks and nightmares
Avoiding reliving the event
Anxiety, unable to relax
Problems sleeping
Problems eating

The charity Young Minds says it is normal to experience symptoms for a few weeks after a distressing event but if you are still having symptoms after a month, it is a good idea to talk to your GP who should offer you some therapy to deal with your thoughts and behaviour.

Insular Cortex

In each hemisphere of the mammalian brain the insular cortex (often called insula, or insular lobe) is a portion of the cerebral cortex folded deep within the lateral sulcus (the fissure separating the temporal lobe from the parietal and frontal lobes).

The insulae are believed to be involved in consciousness and play a role in diverse functions usually linked to emotion or the regulation of the body’s homeostasis. These functions include perception, motor control, self-awareness, cognitive functioning, and interpersonal experience. In relation to these, it is involved in psychopathology.

The insular cortex is divided into two parts: the larger anterior insula and the smaller posterior insula in which more than a dozen field areas have been identified. The cortical area overlying the insula toward the lateral surface of the brain is the operculum (meaning lid). The opercula are formed from parts of the enclosing frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes.

The insula is involved in interoceptive processing, emotion awareness, and attention to salient stimuli. Research suggests that these functions are specific—albeit overlapping—within insula subdivisions. Additional studies also imply that sexual dimorphism and different rates of development occur within these subdivisions in youth. The purpose of this study was to examine potential insula subdivision structure differences in youth with PTSD symptoms as compared to controls and test sex as a moderator of these differences.

Methods

Insula structure (volume, surface area, and thickness) was measured with structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) and calculated using Freesurfer software. We compared insula structure across age- and sex-matched boys and girls with (30 with and 29 without) PTSD symptoms while also controlling for age and whole brain measurements.

Results

Differences were specific to the insula’s anterior circular sulcus. Within this subregion, boys with PTSD symptoms demonstrated larger volume and surface area than control boys, while girls with PTSD symptoms demonstrated smaller volume and surface area than control girls.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/da.22577/full

Udon or Ramen noodles

Tasty udon , ramen and other noodle -based soups are based on the choice of broth, noodles, toppings and composition.

Choose healthy toppings. Ginger removes the smell of chicken or fish. Fresh cilantro and seaweed are the healthiest. Chicken or beef broth can be spiced with more garlic, celery, bell pepper and onions. Sesame seeds and oil make the soup addicting.

You should start eating these noodle soup as soon as it is served. Don’t wait for it to cool off.

Comments: Do not eat on plastic or styro-foam , which can alter your hormones and cause stomach cancer over time (wax material).

Healthiest foods based on Glycemic index rating

GI Ratings for the World’s Healthiest Foods

Food Group	Very Low GI	Low GI	Medium GI	High GI

World’s Healthiest Foods

Vegetables	asparagus	carrots	beets	potatoes
	avocados	eggplant	corn
	beet greens	garlic	leeks
	bell peppers	green peas	sweet potatoes
	bok choy	onions
	broccoli	sea vegetables
	Brussels sprouts	winter squash
	cabbage
	cauliflower
	celery
	collard greens
	cucumbers
	fennel (bulb)
	green beans
	kale
	mushrooms, crimini
	mustard greens
	olives
	olive oil
	Romaine and other lettuce
	spinach
	summer squash
	Swiss chard
	tomatoes
	turnip greens

Fruits		apples	apricots
		bananas	cantaloupe
		blueberries	figs
		cranberries	papaya
		grapefruit	pineapple
		grapes	watermelon
		kiwifruit
		lemons/limes
		oranges
		pears
		plums & prunes
		raspberries
		strawberries

Nuts & Seeds	flaxseeds	almonds
	sesame seeds	cashews
		peanuts
		pumpkin seeds
		sunflower seeds
		walnuts

Beans & Legumes	soybeans	black beans
	tofu	dried peas
	tempeh	garbanzo beans
		kidney beans
		lentils
		lima beans
		navy beans
		pinto beans

Seafood	cod	scallops
	salmon
	sardines
	shrimp
	tuna

Meats	beef, grass-fed
	chicken-pasture-raised
	lamb, grass-fed
	turkey, pasture-raised

Dairy		cheese, grass-fed
		eggs, pasture-raised
		cow’s milk, grass-fed
		yogurt, grass-fed

Grains		barley	millet
		brown rice
		buckwheat
		oats
		quinoa
		rye
		whole wheat

World’s Healthiest Spices and Herbs	black pepper
	chili pepper
	cilantro & coriander seeds
	cinnamon
	cloves
	cumin seeds
	dill
	ginger
	mustard seeds
	oregano
	parsley
	peppermint
	rosemary
	sage
	thyme
	turmeric

Increase risks of heart disease in women: genes, shift work and diet – sugar, caffeine, transfat

Diet, Lifestyle, Biomarkers, Genetic Factors, and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in the Nurses’ Health Studies

http://www.ajph.org.

Review the contributions of the Nurses’ Health Studies (NHSs) to the understanding of cardiovascular disease etiology in women.

Results

Diets low in trans fat, saturated fat, refined carbohydrates, and sugar-sweetened beverages and rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and sources of unsaturated fats are associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Healthy lifestyle choices include smoking avoidance, regular physical activity, maintaining a normal body mass index, and moderate alcohol consumption. Adherence to a combination of these healthy diet and lifestyle behaviors may prevent most vascular events.

Studies also covered oral contraceptive use, postmenopausal hormone therapy, shift work, sleep duration, psychosocial factors, and various biomarkers and genetic factors. Findings, such as the association of trans fat with cardiovascular disease, have helped shaped medical guidelines and government policies.

Conclusions

The NHS has provided compelling evidence that the majority of vascular events may be prevented by avoiding smoking, participating in regular physical activity, maintaining normal body mass index, and eating a healthy diet.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has remained the leading cause of death in the United States for more than 8 decades.¹ Since their inceptions in 1976 and 1989, the Nurses’ Health Studies (NHS) I and II, respectively, have contributed much new knowledge with the goal of reducing CVD incidence and mortality. A search on PubMed for the “Nurses’ Health Study,” “cardiovascular disease,” “myocardial infarction,” “heart disease,” and “stroke” yields more than 300 primary articles. Many more have been published related to the risk factors of CVD, such as hypertension.

The breadth of exposures examined is great: dietary variables include macronutrients, micronutrients, nonnutrient dietary constituents, foods, beverages, and dietary patterns; lifestyle and other factors such as smoking, physical activity, adiposity, body fat distribution, sleep-related and psychosocial exposures characterize earlier studies from the NHS. The NHS research on exogenous hormone use, including oral contraceptives and postmenopausal hormone therapy, is addressed in Bhupathiratju et al. in this issue. More recently, biomarkers in plasma and red blood cells, as well as genetic factors, have been investigated. These articles have been included in many systematic reviews and have greatly contributed to clinical guidelines, public health campaigns, and government policies.

TABLE 1— Major Findings From the Nurses’ Health Studies Regarding Diet and Cardiovascular Disease: United States, 1976–2016

CVD was once thought to be an inevitable consequence of aging and related risk factors,² but evidence from cross-country comparisons by Keys suggested that diet was an important determinant of CVD risk.³ However, this ecological analysis was limited by intractable confounding and limited dietary data. A theoretical framework for modern nutritional epidemiology research initially arose largely out of work from the NHS, and these techniques have become the basis for a large body of research relating diet to CVD.⁴ See Hu et al. in this issue (p1567) for additional discussion on the development of these techniques.

Macro- and Micronutrients

Initial dietary advice for the prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD), largely on the basis of small controlled feeding studies with serum cholesterol as the outcome, emphasized replacing saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat.⁴ It is likely that the early decline in CHD mortality in the United States was largely owing to the resulting replacement of saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat. However, beginning in the early 1980s, dietary guidelines emphasized that Americans should limit their total fat intake, including both saturated and unsaturated fats. Today, we have a clearer picture of the role of types of fats and carbohydrates and their relationships to disease risk.

Although ideally these questions would be settled by large randomized trials, problems, such as high rates of attrition, nonadherence, incomplete blinding, short follow-up time, and unethicality of studying harmful interventions, have largely prevented such trials from yielding informative results.⁴

Conversely, prospective cohort studies allow the study of a wide range of exposures in free-living populations. Thus, a combination of replicated long-term prospective studies, such as the NHS, combined with controlled feeding studies with intermediate risk factors as outcomes, will usually provide the best evidence for causal effects of dietary factors.

One of the major achievements of nutritional epidemiology research is the near elimination of industrial trans-fatty acids from diets of the United States and many other countries. In 1993, the first study of trans-fatty acids in a large prospective cohort showed that intake was strongly associated with CHD risk,⁵ and this was confirmed in subsequent analyses in the NHS and other cohorts.^6,7

With findings that trans-fatty acids are even worse than are saturated fatty acids because they lower high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and elevate low-density lipoproteins,⁸ the US Department of Agriculture Dietary Guidelines in 2000 recommended a reduction in trans fat intake,⁹ which has been emphasized in subsequent dietary guidelines in the United States and elsewhere.

The role of saturated fatty acid intake in the etiology of CHD has been a point of contention, with recent meta-analyses concluding that saturated fatty acid intake has no role in CHD risk. The most important reason for the null results is that contributing studies typically did not specify the reference macronutrient in an isocaloric model. Because about half of total energy in most Western diets consists of carbohydrates (mostly refined starch and sugar), saturated fat was compared mainly with these unhealthy forms of carbohydrates by default. In a recent analysis, the intake of saturated fat was compared with the same number of calories from unsaturated fats and from different sources of carbohydrates in relation to CHD risk in the NHS and the Health Professionals’ Follow-up Study (HPFS).¹⁰

Replacing saturated fat with equivalent energy from polyunsaturated fats, monounsaturated fats, or carbohydrates from whole grains was associated with a significant reduction in CHD risk, whereas replacing saturated fat with carbohydrates from refined starches or added sugars was not associated with CHD risk. This finding, together with findings on the effects of these fats on blood lipids, indicates that unsaturated fats, especially polyunsaturated fats, or high-quality carbohydrates can be used to replace saturated fats to reduce CHD risk. However, as reported in an earlier pooled analysis of cohort studies, replacing saturated fat with overall carbohydrates is not associated with a lower risk of CHD.

Traditionally, carbohydrates have been classified as simple or complex on the basis of chemical structures. However, many complex carbohydrates or starchy foods, such as baked potatoes, corn, and white bread, produce even higher glycemic responses than do simple sugars. Thus, the concept of glycemic index was introduced to represent the quality of carbohydrate-containing foods on the basis of their ability to raise postprandial blood sugar. Glycemic load, the product of the glycemic index value of a food and its carbohydrate content, first described in an NHS report, has been developed to represent the quality and quantity of carbohydrates consumed.¹¹

In the NHS, a higher dietary glycemic load was associated with an elevated risk of CHD and ischemic stroke, possibly via an HDL cholesterol lowering and fasting triacylglycerol-raising effect of high glycemic load.

The increased risk was more pronounced among overweight and obese women, suggesting that the adverse effects of a high glycemic load diet are exacerbated by underlying insulin resistance. A diet rich in fiber, especially cereal fiber, was associated with a lower CHD risk in the NHS.¹²

In addition to macronutrients, various micronutrients have been the subject of investigation in the NHS.

Both vitamin E¹³ and vitamin C¹⁴ intake, mainly from supplementation sources, were associated with reduced incidence of CHD in mostly healthy participants.

However, these results have not been replicated in randomized trials of high-risk patients, perhaps because of the dissimilarity of participants with regard to baseline risk and because most primary prevention trials had shorter durations of exposure and follow-up times. Higher folate and vitamin B₆ intake was associated with lower risk of CHD, and the inverse association was particularly strong among women who regularly drank alcohol. Calcium was reported to predict lower rates of stroke but not CHD.

Conversely, 2 separate analyses indicated that dietary magnesium intake was associated with lower rates of sudden cardiac death but not stroke or CHD, although plasma magnesium appeared to be inversely associated with stroke. Finally, studies of plant-derived compounds found that both carotenoid¹⁵ and flavonoid¹⁶ intake was associated with lower CVD risk. Specifically, flavonones (derived primarily from citrus fruits) and anthocyanidins (derived primarily from berries) showed the strongest inverse associations with CHD mortality, although no significant relationships were observed with stroke mortality.¹⁶

Foods and Beverages

Before the NHS, analyses of the association of individual foods and beverages with the risk of CVD were limited. The gradual shift from small case–control studies to large prospective cohort studies using validated food frequency questionnaires allowed these scientific questions to be investigated with less concern about reverse causation, selection bias, and recall bias.

One of the early reports from the NHS was published in 1988; it showed that moderate alcohol intake was related to a reduced risk of stroke.¹⁷ Follow-up articles confirmed inverse associations of alcohol intake with CHD and ischemic stroke, and more recent publications corroborate the relationship between light to moderate alcohol intake and risk of myocardial infarction, sudden cardiac death, and hypertension.¹⁸ Using a Mendelian randomization approach, studies of variants of alcohol dehydrogenase and cholesteryl ester transfer protein indicate that genetically associated moderate alcohol intake was related to higher HDL levels and a substantially decreased risk of CVD, providing causal evidence for this relationship. See Mostofsky et al. in this issue for additional discussion on research involving alcohol.

Results from the NHS have provided strong evidence to counter earlier concerns that coffee consumption may increase the risk of CHD. A meta-analysis of case–control and cohort studies in 1994 suggested a moderate increase in risk when drinking 5 cups versus none, whereas a publication from the NHS found a null association.¹⁹ The picture became clearer by the late 2000s, with newer studies indicating no increased risk of CHD with regular consumption of coffee and even a modest reduction in stroke risk. An updated analysis of the NHS found that moderate coffee consumption (3–5 cups per day) is associated with a significantly lower risk of total and CVD mortality.²⁰ Earlier findings linking coffee to increased CVD risk may be owing to recall bias, which is common in case–control studies, and confounding by smoking.

The consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages has been implicated in weight gain and type 2 diabetes in the NHS,²¹ and recent studies have found a deleterious effect of sugar-sweetened beverages on heart health. Two articles found positive relationships of sugar-sweetened beverage intake with CHD and stroke. These reports add to the growing body of evidence that sugar-sweetened beverage consumption is an important driver of the obesity epidemic and its cardiometabolic complications, laying the foundation for current public health recommendations and policies to reduce sugar-sweetened beverages.

The NHS group has examined other individual foods in relation to CVD. For example, regular consumption of nuts was associated with lower CHD incidence and CVD mortality²²; egg consumption was not associated with risk except in those with diabetes, signifying that dietary cholesterol in and of itself may not predict disease incidence; and increased whole grain consumption was associated with a lower risk of CVD. In addition, higher consumption of fruits and vegetables was associated with a lower risk of CVD incidence and mortality.²³ An updated analysis in NHS and HPFS found that the total amount of fruits and vegetables consumed was a more important determinant of CHD than was the variety of fruits and vegetables. Plausible biological mediators include potassium, which reduces blood pressure, and phytochemicals such as carotenoids¹⁵ and flavonoids,¹⁶ which have both been linked to lower CHD risk in the NHS.

Red meat has been a recent target of investigation. Four articles from the NHS point to heightened risks of CHD incidence and CVD mortality as well as unfavorable plasma concentrations of inflammatory biomarkers with a higher consumption of red meat, especially processed meat, than of other major protein sources, such as poultry, fish, nuts, and legumes. The high levels of both saturated fatty acids and heme iron in red meats have been implicated in this relationship. Dairy intake has been inconsistently associated with CVD outcomes, depending on the types of dairy and the types of CVD endpoints,²⁴ and additional investigation is needed.

Dietary patterns, specifically the Mediterranean diet, have garnered significant interest in the scientific community. In the NHS, a significant inverse association was observed between adherence to a Mediterranean diet pattern and the risk of CHD and stroke.²⁵ In addition, a study using principal component analysis reported that a Western diet, which is characterized by a high intake of processed meats, refined grains, and French fries, was independently associated with a higher risk of CHD, whereas adherence to the prudent diet characterized by a high intake of fruits, vegetables, legumes, fish, poultry, and whole grains was related to a lower risk.²⁶

Similarly, adherence to a Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet predicted lower CHD and stroke incidence. Finally, the NHS group developed the Alternative Healthy Eating Index-2010, which is a tool grounded on 11 of the most important components of a healthy diet within the cohort. This new index, designed to overcome the limitations of the US Dietary Guidelines for Americans, was associated with substantially lower CVD incidence and mortality in the NHS, the HPFS, the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study, the Whitehall cohort, and the Women’s Health Initiative.

Table 1 details the major findings of dietary factors and CVD in the NHS.

TABLE 2— Major Findings From the Nurses’ Health Studies Regarding Lifestyle and Cardiovascular Disease: United States, 1976–2016

Aspects of lifestyle in addition to diet have been examined in the NHS in relation to risk of CVD. Although perhaps surprising to some readers, the relationship between smoking and CHD in women was a matter of controversy in the early 1970s. This question was the subject of an early publication from the NHS in 1987,²⁷ which found a clear dose–response relationship between the number of cigarettes smoked daily and the risk of nonfatal myocardial infarction and fatal CHD. A follow-up article showed a similar positive relationship with stroke and provided convincing evidence that smoking was associated with CVD in women. Later analyses concluded that smoking cessation was associated with a lower risk of stroke and CHD and that passive smoking was related to CHD. Although smoking cessation is reported to be associated with weight gain, the net effect is in favor of cessation to lower CVD risk.

The data from the NHS have demonstrated the critical role of physical activity in preventing CVD. In middle-aged and older women, even moderate intensity physical activity such as brisk walking was associated with a lower risk of CHD.²⁸ Likewise, higher physical activity levels were associated with a lower risk of total and ischemic stroke. A brisk or striding walking pace was related to a lower risk of both CHD and stroke compared with an average or casual pace.

The range of optimal body weight has been a long-standing subject of NHS investigations, in part because of the 1990 Dietary Guideline conclusion that optimal body weight increased with age and was above a body mass index (BMI; defined as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters) of 25.0 for those older than 35 years. In a 1990 report, BMI was monotonically related to a higher incidence of nonfatal and fatal CHD.²⁹ At the time, obesity was not an established risk factor for CHD despite strong links with diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. An analysis conducted in response to the 1990 US weight guidelines concluded that the positive association existed even within the recommended “normal” (at the time): a BMI range of 21.0 to 27.0.^2,30 This study helped shift the definition of a normal BMI range to the 18.5–24.9 we know today.

Later studies linked elevated BMI with stroke and high blood pressure³¹ and increased abdominal adiposity with CHD. An article in 2001 warned against being overweight or even in the upper end of the new normal weight range, because this was linked with a significantly increased risk of total CVD and stroke. In 2008, the first analysis on waist circumference implicated high waist circumference in excess CVD mortality.³² Several analyses from the NHS showed that even moderate weight gain since young adulthood (aged 18 years) was associated with a subsequent risk of CHD incidence and CVD mortality.³⁰ In addition, being physically active did not completely mitigate the deleterious effects of being overweight or obese on CVD risk. Furthermore, obesity and physical inactivity independently contributed to CHD risk in the NHS, underscoring the importance of both maintaining a healthy weight and engaging in regular physical activity in preventing CHD.³³

The complex relationship between exogenous hormone use (oral contraceptives and postmenopausal hormone therapy) and CVD outcomes has been extensively studied in the NHS and NHS II. These findings are discussed in detail in Bhupathiraju et al. in this issue (p1631).

The nature of the nursing occupation has allowed our researchers to conduct unique analyses regarding sleep and shift work. In 1995, we conducted the largest investigation of shift work and CVD and found that performing shift work for 6 or more years was associated with a 51% increased risk of CHD.³⁴ This conclusion was confirmed for stroke. With regard to sleep duration, findings point to a U-shaped relationship, with an optimal length of 8 hours of sleep a day. Additionally, snoring was associated with a modest but significantly increased risk of CVD in women, independent of age, smoking, BMI, and other cardiovascular risk factors. Later analyses demonstrated that longer sleep duration was associated with higher concentrations of circulating C-reactive protein and that a short or longer sleep duration was associated with lower levels of HDL, providing plausible biological mechanisms for these relationships.

With respect to psychosocial factors, high levels of phobic anxiety were associated with an increased risk of fatal CHD and sudden cardiac death, perhaps owing to elevated levels of leptin and inflammatory markers. In 1992, participants were asked about caregiving, employment characteristics, and depressive symptoms. High levels of caregiving responsibilities and depression but not job strain were associated with higher CHD incidence.

Dietary and lifestyle factors together have a more powerful effect on CVD risk than does any single factor alone. In the NHS, the incidence of CHD was 80% lower among women who did not smoke, were not overweight, maintained a healthful diet (high in cereal fiber, fish, folate, and polyunsaturated fats and low in saturated fatty acids, trans-fatty acids, and glycemic load), exercised moderately or vigorously for 30 minutes on most days, and consumed alcohol moderately (half a drink per day or more) compared with the rest of the cohort.³⁵

Similar findings were recently reported for younger women in the NHS II.³⁶ A healthy diet and lifestyle pattern was also associated with a 54% lower risk of ischemic stroke, a 40% lower risk of total stroke,³⁷ and an 81% lower risk of sudden cardiac death.³⁸ These data indicate that diet and lifestyle modification could prevent most CVD events. An online risk calculator was developed using these results to help individuals track their own risk and target those areas that need the greatest improvement.

Table 2 details the major findings for nondietary lifestyle factors and the risk of CVD in the NHS.

TABLE 3— Major Findings From the Nurses’ Health Studies for Biomarkers and Cardiovascular Disease: United States, 1976–2016

TABLE 4— Major Findings From the Nurses’ Health Studies for Genetic Studies and Cardiovascular Disease: United States, 1976–2016

In additional to general diet and lifestyle research, biomarker and genetic data from the NHS has helped enrich the fields of clinical, genetic, and basic biological research regarding CVD. The first NHS analyses on biomarker data in relation to CVD risk linked inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor receptors I and II to CHD incidence and found that these markers were predictive of coronary events.^39,40 In addition, low levels of HDL and high levels of homocysteine and lipoprotein(a) were associated with elevated CHD risk. Also, higher levels of plasma long chain n-3 fatty acids were associated with a lower risk of nonfatal myocardial infarction. Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, a precursor to androgen and estrogen, was associated with a heightened risk of myocardial infarction but a lower risk of stroke, warranting further investigation.

Plasma insulin-like growth factor 1 and binding protein 3 were not related to myocardial infarction risk, although the results were limited by low statistical power. Furthermore, fasting levels of plasma vitamin B₆ were inversely related to myocardial infarction incidence. Other analyses concluded that toenail nicotine, placental growth factor, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2, HDL with apoC-III, hemoglobin A1c, oxidized phospholipids on apolipoprotein B, and retinol-binding protein 4 were associated with an elevated risk of CVD; greater plasma high molecular weight adiponectin, magnesium,^41,42 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D were associated with a lower CVD risk; dairy biomarkers, oxidized low-density lipoprotein, ferritin, toenail mercury, telomere length, and fetuin-A had null relationships with CVD risk.

In the NHS, parental history of myocardial infarction was associated with an increased risk of CHD.⁴³

Within the NHS, the first investigation of a single gene and CVD risk was for alcohol dehydrogenase, as mentioned by Hines et al.⁴⁴ Later candidate gene or gene score analyses characterized CVD risks for variants in the genes for adiponectin, aP2, CCR2 and CCR5, PPARG2, lymphotoxin-α, complement factor H, ABCA1, C-reactive protein, cardiac sodium channels, endothelial lipase, lipoprotein lipase, a common variant at chromosome 9p21, a genetic risk score for BMI, several CHD susceptibility loci, NFKB1, ADRB1, blood type, and haptoglobin.

Using a genome-wide association study in the NHS, a variant for glutamate metabolism was found to predict CHD incidence only among patients with diabetes.

A genome-wide association study analysis from the NHS and HPFS demonstrated that an integrative systems biology approach could successfully replicate previous findings of loci associated with low-density lipoproteins, HDL, apoB, and triglycerides.⁴⁵

Gene–environment interactions have also been explored, with the finding that a polymorphism in the CETP gene modifies the effect of alcohol on HDL cholesterol.

Altogether, these publications add to previous reports by allowing further insight into the biochemical and genetic basis of CVD.

Compelling evidence from the NHS suggests that the incidence of CVD is strongly influenced by dietary and lifestyle factors.

Robust data from the cohort have identified unhealthy diet, smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, and unhealthy sleep patterns as important determinants of CVD in women.

These results have been confirmed in men and in other cohorts. Consistent with results from dietary intervention studies, the NHS findings support the notion that the types of fats and carbohydrates are more important than the total amounts in determining the risk of CVD.

Data from the NHS provide strong evidence that dietary patterns rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seafood and low in red and processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages, and refined grains reduce the risk of CVD.

The NHS data indicate that approximately 80% of CHD incidence could be prevented by avoiding smoking, consuming a healthful diet, engaging in moderate to vigorous physical activity for at least 30 minutes most days, and consuming alcohol moderately (half a drink to 1 drink per day).

Connie’s comments: Eat whole foods rich in Vit E and C and are of low glycemic index such as

Sweet potato, corn, yam, lima/butter beans, peas, legumes and lentils
Most fruits (not over ripe), non-starchy vegetables and carrots

Caffeine, post menopausal women and breast cancer gene

Consumption of caffeine and caffeinated beverages and foods was not statistically significantly associated with overall risk of breast cancer. The multivariable relative risks (RRs) of breast cancer were 1.02 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.84–1.22) for caffeine (top vs. bottom quintile), 1.08 (95% CI, 0.89–1.30) for coffee (≥4 cups/day vs. almost never), and 1.03 (95% CI, 0.85–1.25) for tea (≥2 cups/day vs. almost never). However, among women with benign breast disease, a borderline significant positive association with breast cancer risk was observed for the highest quintile of caffeine (RR = 1.32; 95% CI, 0.99–1.76) and for the highest category of coffee (≥4 cups/day) (RR = 1.35; 95% CI, 1.01–1.80); tests for interaction were marginally significant. Caffeine consumption was also significantly positively associated with risk of developing ER−PR−breast cancer (RR = 1.68; 95% CI, 1.01–2.81) and breast tumors of >2 cm in size (RR = 1.79; 95% CI, 1.18–2.72).

37 published articles, involving 59,018 breast cancer cases and 966,263 participants, were included in the meta-analysis. No significant association was found between breast cancer risk and coffee (RR=0.97, P=0.09), decaffeinated coffee (RR=0.98, P=0.55) and caffeine (RR=0.99, P=0.73), respectively. And the association was still not significant when combining coffee and caffeine (coffee/caffeine) (RR=0.97, P=0.09). However, an inverse association of coffee/caffeine with breast cancer risk was found for postmenopausal women (RR=0.94, P=0.02), and a strong and significant association of coffee with breast cancer risk was found for BRCA1 mutation carriers (RR=0.69, P<0.01). A linear dose-response relationship was found for breast cancer risk with coffee and caffeine, and the risk of breast cancer decreased by 2% (P=0.05) for every 2 cups/day increment in coffee intake, and 1% (P=0.52) for every 200mg/day increment in caffeine intake, respectively.

Findings from this meta-analysis suggested that coffee/caffeine might be weakly associated with breast cancer risk for postmenopausal women, and the association for BRCA1 mutation carriers deserves further investigation.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23535278

Several prospective epidemiologic studies over the past 4 y concluded that ingestion of caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee can reduce the risk of diabetes. This finding is at odds with the results of trials in humans showing that glucose tolerance is reduced shortly after ingestion of caffeine or caffeinated coffee and suggesting that coffee consumption could increase the risk of diabetes. This review discusses epidemiologic and laboratory studies of the effects of coffee and its constituents, with a focus on diabetes risk. Weight loss may be an explanatory factor, because one prospective epidemiologic study found that consumption of coffee was followed by lower diabetes risk but only in participants who had lost weight. A second such study found that both caffeine and coffee intakes were modestly and inversely associated with weight gain. It is possible that caffeine and other constituents of coffee, such as chlorogenic acid and quinides, are involved in causing weight loss. Caffeine and caffeinated coffee have been shown to acutely increase blood pressure and thereby to pose a health threat to persons with cardiovascular disease risk. One short-term study found that ground decaffeinated coffee did not increase blood pressure. Decaffeinated coffee, therefore, may be the type of coffee that can safely help persons decrease diabetes risk. However, the ability of decaffeinated coffee to achieve these effects is based on a limited number of studies, and the underlying biological mechanisms have yet to be elucidated.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17023692

Scientific evidence for and against caffeine

Uses based on scientific evidence These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare professional.	Grade*
Apnea In preterm infants, apnea is defined as the stoppage of breathing for 20 seconds or longer. It is one of the most common breathing disorders in the neonatal intensive care unit. Caffeine is a breathing stimulant commonly used to treat apnea. Scientific evidence supports the use of caffeine in the treatment and prevention of apnea in premature infants.	A
Cognitive performance Caffeine has a long history of use for enhancing mood and cognitive (mental) function. Caffeine may be useful when consumed prior to a cognition-related task. It also appears to heighten working memory and improve reaction time, but it has less effect on long-term memory.	A
Exercise performance Caffeine is a known stimulant that may enhance endurance and performance when used before exercise, particularly in low-to-moderate doses. Caffeine in dry form appears to be more beneficial than coffee or tea. However, its use as a performance-enhancing agent remains controversial. Caffeine should be used with caution, as it may increase blood pressure, heart rate, and urine flow.	A
Respiratory disorders Caffeine is a weak type of methylxanthine. Methylxanthines are a class of drugs that open the airways and promote airflow. As such, these types of agents are used to help manage conditions whereby airflow is restricted, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Research suggests that caffeine reduces asthma symptoms, including exercise-induced airway constriction. Caffeine has also been suggested to reduce airway muscle fatigue.	A
Headaches Evidence suggests that caffeine may have pain-relieving effects. In particular, caffeine has shown useful effects for relieving hypnic migraines (headaches that occur during sleep) and headaches that occur after punctures to the lower back. Although promising, more well-designed trials are needed in this area.	B
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) There is conflicting evidence supporting the use of caffeine in the treatment of ADHD in children. Additional research is needed in this area.	C
Diabetes Caffeine and coffee may lower the risk of type 2 diabetes and prevent exercise-induced low blood sugar in type 1 diabetes. However, the research in this area is not consistent, as caffeine has been previously associated with impaired glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Additional research is needed in this area.	C
Intermittent claudication Limited evidence suggests that caffeine may have positive effects on physical capacity in patients with intermittent claudication (muscle pain in the limbs). Additional research is needed to confirm early results.	C
Kwashiorkor (children) Preliminary evidence suggests that caffeine improves alertness and appetite during the nutritional rehabilitation of children and may therefore have positive effects as an added therapy in the treatment of kwashiorkor (a form of childhood malnutrition). More high-quality research is needed in this area before any firm conclusions can be made.	C
Liver disease Preliminary research suggests that caffeine may have beneficial effects against excess tissue buildup in the liver and that it may be associated with a lower risk of liver disease. However, well-designed trials are needed in this area before any firm conclusions can be drawn.	C
Mood Caffeine is well known for its mood-changing effects. However, current evidence on the relationship between caffeine and depression risk is conflicting, with some studies showing beneficial effects and others showing a lack of effect. Further high-quality research is needed in this area before any firm conclusions can be made.	C
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) Limited evidence suggests that the effects of caffeine are similar to those of d-amphetamine. D-amphetamine is a drug known to promote alertness and focus. Although this is promising, additional research is needed to clarify these early findings.	C
Pain Evidence suggests that caffeine may have pain-relieving effects. According to early research, caffeine has shown beneficial effects against headache- and muscle ache-related pain. More well-designed trials are needed in this area before any firm conclusions can be drawn.	C
Parkinson’s disease Limited evidence suggests that increased coffee and caffeine consumption may be related to decreased risk of Parkinson’s disease. Further high-quality research is needed in this area before any firm conclusions can be drawn.	C
Skin conditions (wrinkles, stretch marks, cellulite) The skin application of caffeine for the treatment of wrinkles, stretch marks, and cellulite is growing in popularity. However, the effect of caffeine alone cannot be determined, as most products contain a mixture of agents. Further research assessing the use of caffeine alone is needed in this area.	C
Stroke Both theophylline and caffeine are types of methylxanthines. Methylxanthines are a class of drugs that narrow blood vessels in the brain. Due to this effect, early research suggests that theophylline may be useful in stroke patients. However, the effect of caffeine in this area is unclear. More high-quality trials are needed before a conclusion can be drawn.	C
Weight loss Early research suggests that caffeine may be useful for weight loss, particularly when combined with other agents, such as green tea. Although caffeine has shown some positive effects on urine flow, exercise performance, heat production, and feelings of fullness, conflicting results have been seen with respect to its effects on blood sugar levels. Further studies are needed in this area before any firm conclusions can be drawn.	C

*Key to grades:

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use;
B: Good scientific evidence for this use;
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use;
D: Fair scientific evidence against this use (it may not work);
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likely does not work).

http://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/Caffeine.html

More research is needed

While some research has linked caffeine sources to some big benefits, our experts say the jury is still out.

“There’s some evidence that coffee or tea may be beneficial for weight management and lowering your disease risk, but whether that’s because of caffeine is not clear,” says Wenli Liu, M.D., associate professor in Internal Medicine at MD Anderson.

It’s possible, says Liu, that the antioxidants and other compounds in coffee and tea could explain the drinks’ health benefits.

The takeaway: Most studies linking coffee or tea to major health benefits aren’t conclusive and caffeine’s role is uncertain.

Caffeine can cause problems

“We know for certain that caffeine in high amounts can cause heart palpitations and arrhythmias,” Liu says. It also can worsen stomach ulcers.

Plus, if you drink caffeine in the form of soda or energy drinks, you could take in too many sugar calories, which could lead to weight gain. And being overweight or obese increases your risk for cancer and other diseases.

Scientists discovered that two genes determine whether you metabolize caffeine slowly or quickly. Together, these two genes are responsible for inherited differences in the way people process caffeine. They’re one reason why some people get amped from a single cup of coffee, while others down three cups before noon and another two at dinner, and never once jitter.

It’s in your genes, as the saying goes. Environmental factors, like whether you’re a smoker, still play a role. But genetic markers appear to explain a lot.

The two genes are known as CYP1A2, which has long been associated with caffeine (it produces an enzyme by the same name), and AHR, a gene that regulates the activity of CYP1A2. Researchers sifted through 300,000 genetic markers, before noticing that these two genes were essentially holding hands.

Slow and Fast Metabolizers

Every person has both of these genes, but CYP1A2 comes in two versions (or alleles; in this case differentiated by a single nucleotide). It’s like having a switch that is either turned on or off. This tiny variation makes you either a slow or fast metabolizer of caffeine ¬– it regulates how efficiently your liver breaks down and flushes caffeine from your system.

Slow metabolizers tend to drink less coffee (or other form of caffeine); fast metabolizers fuel up on more caffeine to keep feeling its effects. In one report, fast metabolizers averaged 40 mg more caffeine per day than did slow metabolizers.

In case you’re wondering, these particular caffeine genes don’t just regulate caffeine. They’re actually multi-taskers, and control other compounds, including ones related to certain cancers. (While we’re on the subject, different genes play a role in alcohol and nicotine addiction, too.)

The Caffeine Gene’s Split Personality

If you’re up for more complicated data: CYP1A2 also refers to an enzyme, generated by the gene CYP1A2 (genes are usually differentiated from their enzymes by italics). CYP is an abbreviation for a superfamily of enzymes and their encoding genes, known as cytochrome P450. The numbers and letters that follow CYP indicate the gene family, subfamily, and specific gene. Are your eyes glazing over yet? This may be too much information, but if you see CYP1A2 referenced as a both a gene and an enzyme, you’ll understand why.

Heart Attack Risk: What the Caffeine Gene Shows

One study based on 4,000 coffee drinkers used the CYP1A2 gene to identify slow and fast caffeine metabolizers, and their relationship to heart health. Slow metabolizers showed an increased risk of nonfatal heart attack. Women appeared to be at a slightly higher risk than men, probably because hormonal differences also slow caffeine’s breakdown in women.

For men and women, slow metabolizers showed increasing risk of nonfatal heart attack with increasing coffee consumption. Fast metabolizers, those who drank up to 3 cups a day, actually had a lower risk, as much as 52% lower.

So here’s the takeaway:

If you are a slow metabolizer, then drinking more than a cup of coffee a day may be risky for your heart. But a single cup of coffee seems to have no effect on heart risk, regardless of the genome variants. Moderation and self-regulation appear to be key.

Are You Insane, or Just Over-Caffeinated?

Were witches burned at the stake simply because they were over-caffeinated? It’s possible that strange behavior and diagnosed mental disorders have actually been incidents of caffeine intoxication. Nervousness, muscle twitches, rambling speech or thoughts are some symptoms of caffeine intoxication. Mental health professionals see people with these same symptoms all the time, but until recently, they rarely asked patients about their caffeine habits.

Doctors and mental care physicians are now being urged to consider whether curing a person’s mental instability may be as simple as taking them off caffeine.

I wonder how many inmates were sent to the cuckoo’s nest with misdiagnosed mental illness, when they were really suffering the combined effects of too much caffeine and mild mental disorders.

Caffeine’s Good Mood Effects

Mental health is as complex as caffeine, and caffeine can be a boost to some mental health conditions. Scientists have associated caffeine with lifting depression and preventing suicide.

The Caffeine Gene and You

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Gut Fungus and additives might promote Crohn’s disease

It takes a village to care for seniors at home

Believing to have Parkinson can make you have one?

Genes for dreaming, deep sleep identified in new study

Eye inflammation and gut bacteria

Connie as one of the most viewed health writer at Quora.com

Growth hormone rich foods

Depression among older adults due to social strains

Why New Antidepressant Brintellix May Be a Killer

Does eating eggs impede healing? If so, why?

Environmental Magnetite in the Human Brain

2016 US job market and socioeconomic environment

What is a psychopath?

How do you treat stomach bloating?

Health app = telemedicine, cancer risk formula, personalize med and more

Gov. Brown signs bill that limits seizure of assets of many Medi-Cal recipients

Mental state and gait – walking

Health statistics, risks and causes

Lung disease: COPD among white and black women

Sugar and fat trick the brain to want more food

Serum vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 as predictor of Chronic Heart Failure

Who are leaving the bay area for cost reasons?

Nature is the great inventor

How can I manage a pinched nerve without meds?

Hiring a live-in caregiver

Torn ligaments, injuries in bones and tissues

10 Myths in UTI treatment

IRS-1 protein in blood, indicative of Alzheimer

Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders are for our future

Parkinson and Copper Toxicity by Michael McEvoy

Seeking 100 doctors to invest in our mobile health app – personalize and patient-centric

Patient generated health data

Gene test can help some breast cancer patients avoid chemo

Para-inflammation can drive the formation of tumors, aspirin stops it

40 Hospitals with Innovation Centers

Top ten research priorities for the management of Parkinson’s

Genetic tests now available for all USA doctors

What is your molecular age? P16 protein can ID your molecular age

Low Vitamin D Linked with Higher Asthma Risk

Pharmacogenomic Biomarkers & pharmacogenetic test to prevent adverse drug reaction

Who is Elaine Quijano, moderator of the vice presidential debate?

What progress is being made on treating aging?

Power salmon,onions,avocado and eggs for breakfast

Does a dependence on 30mg of co-codamol cause autoimmune disease?

Reduced amounts of elastic fibers as we age causes plaque build-up

Top ten risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease

DHEA , food sources, a growth hormone, increases libido, anti-aging

Why I have stomach pain every time I am nervous

Sepsis, the most expensive health condition

Victim blaming

Research findings underscore striking heterogeneity of depression

Smokers who quit early does not qualify for lung cancer screening, say Mayo Clinic researchers

Boiled eggs and vinegar for diabetes

Diet for Parkinson and Alzheimer’s

Tapeworms from eating raw beef

Hispanic population and dispersion in the USA

NAD , metabolic aging and Alzheimer and Parkinson

2013 Top Posts

What type of food increases serotonin levels in your brain?

Employee Wellness Programs Prompt AARP Lawsuit

Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale, a test of sociopathy

Libido-boosting diet and lifestyle for men and women

ART and antibody for severe bowel disease for HIV

How do you treat back spasms?

Breaking the habit of being yourself by Dr Joe Dispenza

High rate of glial cell related brain tumor among the educated

Vitamin B and Pineapple for nerve damage by Dr E. Kane

Meet Linda Moore, RN my wellness guest blogger today

Rare Functional Variant in TM2D3 is Associated with Late-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease , Icelandic study

Bacterial colonies in human body linked to presence of cancer in mouth and throat

Health statistics after 5 and before 5yrs of age

Why do we grow old if our cells completely regenerate themselves? Does oxygen have something to do with it?

Blood test panel, women

CMS urges states to use Medicaid to care for disabled at home

1099 is better than W2 for middle class Americans

Apple and Google believe electricity is the biggest cost; Eliminate electric bills

What you wish a mobile health application should be

Libido-enhancing smoothie

Genetics of Alzheimer’s or Dementia

Blood pressure drug for Malaria

Genomic tests as our weapon to get cues on how to effect optimum health

What kind of exercises can you do to improve your logic or rational thinking?

How can you predict Alzheimer’s disease

Can I develop an immunity to most food born pathogens?

Marketing students needed

Complimentary, Alternative Med – CAM Products

SweGen: A whole-genome map of genetic variability in a cross-section of the Swedish population

Man Regrow Human Tissue On Severed Finger from Pig’s Bladder

Polypharmacy for older adults, now have pharmacogenetic tests, insurance covered to prevent adverse drug reactions

Neonatal Gut Bacteria Might Promote Asthma

Foods that delay the rate of brain atrophy in patients with Alzheimer’s disease

Dietary Fiber and Microbes Change the Gel That Lines Our Gut

Trump is doing to the Republican Party what he did to Atlantic City casino, a failure

Maximum Total Deductible Contribution to Both Defined Benefit and Profit Sharing/401(k) Plans

Liver,skin,congenital and cancer issues as shown by your nails

The right anti-hypertensive med for you

Why I take cold showers

Five essential oils against cancer

Training the brain not to be racist or sexist

How to avoid going to the emergency room

How to make magnesium oil to relax sore muscles and more by Katie of wellnessmama

Eat colored whole foods and add lemon in your water for your black eyes

5 Essentials for a Successful Native Advertising Marketing Campaign

More than 10 reasons why we need life insurance

Bay area seniors are not selling their homes for fear of capital gains tax

Foods that delay the rate of brain atrophy in patients with Alzheimer’s disease

$700 bonus for driving with Uber

Being overweight or obese adds 8 more cancer risks

Coherent heart rhythm pattern in emotions of joy and love

I have anxiety, depression and add. What can I do to overcome them?

Is there a link between ecstasy/MDMA and Parkinson’s Disease?

Diminish sense of touch in Autism

Air pollution in Los Angeles and Lung Cancer in Kentucky

Anti depressants and suicides among the teens

The shape of the plant/fruit/seed and the target organs in our body

The Power of Music Therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease

California health data

Smell test could identify Alzheimer’s disease

Popcorn workers lung disease

Does Dopamine Beta-Hydroxylase Deficiency increase risks of Parkinson’s?

Food drop on the floor can be contaminated by bacteria instantly

A neurologist who quit medicine and lives on a boat

Nurses identify 10 needs health startup should focus on

Agar in Jello – guar gum fights diabetes

How I will use $3B to banish disease

How the flu virus infects our bodies, sugar’s role

More opioids medication deaths than heroin – major lawsuit

Dementia test

408-854-1883 starts at $30 per hr home care

Soon

Soon

Different reactions

What is PTSD?

Insular Cortex

Methods

Results

GI Ratings for the World’s Healthiest Foods

Diet, Lifestyle, Biomarkers, Genetic Factors, and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in the Nurses’ Health Studies

Results

Conclusions

Macro- and Micronutrients

In the NHS, a higher dietary glycemic load was associated with an elevated risk of CHD and ischemic stroke, possibly via an HDL cholesterol lowering and fasting triacylglycerol-raising effect of high glycemic load.

Both vitamin E13 and vitamin C14 intake, mainly from supplementation sources, were associated with reduced incidence of CHD in mostly healthy participants.

Foods and Beverages

Using a genome-wide association study in the NHS, a variant for glutamate metabolism was found to predict CHD incidence only among patients with diabetes.

A genome-wide association study analysis from the NHS and HPFS demonstrated that an integrative systems biology approach could successfully replicate previous findings of loci associated with low-density lipoproteins, HDL, apoB, and triglycerides.45

Gene–environment interactions have also been explored, with the finding that a polymorphism in the CETP gene modifies the effect of alcohol on HDL cholesterol.

Robust data from the cohort have identified unhealthy diet, smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, and unhealthy sleep patterns as important determinants of CVD in women.

The NHS data indicate that approximately 80% of CHD incidence could be prevented by avoiding smoking, consuming a healthful diet, engaging in moderate to vigorous physical activity for at least 30 minutes most days, and consuming alcohol moderately (half a drink to 1 drink per day).

Findings from this meta-analysis suggested that coffee/caffeine might be weakly associated with breast cancer risk for postmenopausal women, and the association for BRCA1 mutation carriers deserves further investigation.

Slow and Fast Metabolizers

The Caffeine Gene’s Split Personality

Heart Attack Risk: What the Caffeine Gene Shows

Are You Insane, or Just Over-Caffeinated?

Caffeine’s Good Mood Effects

Both vitamin E¹³ and vitamin C¹⁴ intake, mainly from supplementation sources, were associated with reduced incidence of CHD in mostly healthy participants.

A genome-wide association study analysis from the NHS and HPFS demonstrated that an integrative systems biology approach could successfully replicate previous findings of loci associated with low-density lipoproteins, HDL, apoB, and triglycerides.⁴⁵