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Women with endometriosis may face higher risk of stroke

Women with endometriosis may face higher risk of stroke

  • A new, big possible analyze analyzed information of 112,056 ladies more than 28 many years.
  • Making use of styles to regulate for opportunity confounding factors, the review concluded that ladies with endometriosis experienced a 34{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} larger chance of stroke.
  • Scientists cautioned that though the correlation involving endometriosis and stroke is vital to take note, the absolute chance for any unique in their lifetime for stroke stays reduced.

Women of all ages with endometriosis may perhaps facial area a increased risk of stroke, according to a substantial, future analyze revealed in Stroke, a journal of the American Stroke Affiliation, which is a division of the American Coronary heart Affiliation.

About 10{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of women of all ages of reproductive age are acknowledged to have endometriosis, which is a chronic and often unpleasant ailment where tissue comparable to the tissue that lines the uterus grows outside the house that organ.

Previously investigate, which includes this 2016 research, has uncovered endometriosis to be affiliated with an amplified risk of coronary coronary heart disease.

“Prior investigate from our staff noticed an affiliation involving endometriosis and enhanced possibility of hypertension, substantial cholesterol, and myocardial infarction,” Leslie Farland, Sc.D., initial writer of the study and assistant professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of Arizona in Tucson, stated in an email to Professional medical Information Currently.

“Given that these situations are affiliated with stroke risk, we preferred to recognize if women of all ages with endometriosis also experienced an elevated danger of stroke,” Prof. Farland said.

The scientists made their analyze to defeat limits uncovered in other scientific tests hunting at endometriosis and the threat of stroke, which provided next up with participants about brief durations and limited accounting for likely confounding factors.

For their analyze, the scientists appeared at members of the Nurses’ Health and fitness Examine II (NHSII): 116,429 women of all ages who have been nurses involving the ages of 25 and 42 in 1989. Contributors in the NHSII have been mailed questionnaires each individual two decades via 2017 that questioned thoughts about diseases and danger factors.

Next, researchers excluded NHSII participants who had a record of stroke, myocardial infarction, most cancers (other than nonmelanoma pores and skin cancer) or a coronary artery bypass grafting just before June of 1989 or who had an endometriosis diagnosis that was not confirmed by laparoscope. That left 112,056 members, with 5,244 of these acquiring endometriosis. Between the chosen individuals, there were 893 incidents of strokes about 28 yrs of adhere to-up.

The researchers made use of models altered for achievable chance components such as the participants’ liquor intake, menstrual cycle pattern in adolescence and bodily activity. Moreover, researchers deemed no matter if the possibility of stroke could be affected by other variables this kind of as higher blood force, having a hysterectomy and postmenopausal hormone remedy.

Researchers identified females with a background of endometriosis experienced a 34{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} higher chance of stroke than females without having a background of endometriosis in styles adjusted for likely confounding aspects.

“This is crucial to be aware but not an extremely high greater chance,” cautioned Stacey Missmer, Sc.D., one more creator of the review and a professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive biology at the Michigan Condition University Faculty of Human Drugs, informed MNT. “Also, the absolute chance for any specific in their life span for stroke nevertheless stays very small.”

Researchers located the association between endometriosis and increased chance of stroke to be partially mediated by occurrences of hysterectomies (the removing of the uterus) or oophorectomies (removing of the ovaries).

“We have been capable to compute that about 40{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of it could be … brought on by the large prevalence of hysterectomy, with and with no oophorectomy, but that suggests that there’s an supplemental 60{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} that … just can’t be attributed to that, that will have to have other elements in perform,” Prof. Missmer stated.

The association was also partially mediated by postmenopausal hormone remedy, beginning menopause at 45 years old or earlier as perfectly as getting a record of hypertension or substantial cholesterol. No substantial dissimilarities were seen in the connection involving endometriosis and stroke throughout many aspects which include age, system mass index or historical past of infertility.

For this research, most contributors (93{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}) had been white women of all ages. Nonetheless, Prof. Farland explained to MNT that “we would hope the results of our examine to be generalizable to other racial and ethnic teams.”

Dr. Ken Sinervo, health-related director for the Centre for Endometriosis Treatment in Atlanta instructed MNT that endometriosis is far too usually “poorly managed by hysterectomy, which may possibly be pointless in many scenarios.”

“The outcome is an elevated hazard of cardiovascular conditions, which could in any other case be largely averted with appropriate use of Laparoscopic Excision,” Dr. Sinervo wrote, referring to the process the place a surgeon helps make tiny incisions in the patient’s reduce abdomen. Through those people, surgeons will insert a camera to look for endometriosis lesions which they take out working with a laparoscope.

Prof. Missmer stated she hopes this analyze will increase awareness between wellbeing practitioners and endometriosis people about the threats of hysterectomies.

“As this evidence builds of a partnership between that specific surgery and other lifelong, increased possibility elements, ladies need to be far more knowledgeable that there can be these other impacts of owning people surgical procedures and the clinicians who treatment for them require to also be conscious of that as perfectly,” she discussed.

Moreover, Prof. Missmer stressed that it is critical for wellbeing practitioners and endometriosis people to be cognizant that endometriosis can effect a woman’s cardiovascular and cerebrovascular wellness.

“It implies that main treatment medical professionals, not just gynecologists want to be … monitoring and having to pay awareness to all of the symptoms and chance things of a client with endometriosis,” she added.

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Bacteria that cause gum disease may increase risk

Bacteria that cause gum disease may increase risk

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A study observed a link among gum sickness and Alzheimer’s. miodrag ignjatovic/Getty Visuals
  • About 47.2{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of U.S. grown ups in excess of 30 and 70{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} around 65 have gum condition, according to the Facilities for Illness Command and Prevention (CDC).
  • Scientists from Tufts College have observed a correlation in between gum disorder and Alzheimer’s disease in a mouse analyze.
  • The exploration workforce thinks their results may perhaps enable minimize the range of sufferers with both of those periodontal disease and Alzheimer’s.

Gum disease — also regarded as periodontitis and periodontal illness — happens via a bacterial an infection within the mouth’s comfortable tissues. Prior analysis backlinks periodontitis to diabetes, kidney disorder, and cardiovascular issues.

Now a staff of researchers from Tufts University has found a correlation amongst gum illness by means of the bacteria Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) and Alzheimer’s disease via a mouse review. Scientists believe their findings may perhaps aid decrease the progression of each periodontal illness and this sort of dementia.

The research was not long ago published in the journal Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience.

Meals particles and germs are constantly inside of the mouth. When individuals do not on a regular basis brush and floss their teeth, the particles and germs variety a sticky substance known as plaque that clings to the tooth. Plaque can irritate the gums if not cleaned off, causing an early type of gum ailment identified as gingivitis.

If plaque sits way too extended on the tooth and gums, it hardens into a material identified as tartar. Simply because tartar is very tough, usually, only a dentist can take away it making use of dental devices during a experienced dental cleansing.

When tartar stays on enamel for way too prolonged, the upcoming degree of gum sickness recognised as periodontitis can set in. Periodontal ailment prospects to a larger an infection in the gums and enamel. If still left untreated, periodontitis can consequence in tooth decline.

In accordance to the Centers for Illness Command and Prevention (CDC), about 47{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of grownups above 30 and 70{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} around 65 in the United States have periodontal illness. Gum illness is much more widespread amid adult men and these who smoke.

According to Dr. Jake Jinkun Chen, professor of periodontology and director of the Division of Oral Biology at Tufts College Faculty of Dental Medication and the lead creator of this analyze, the reason of this new analyze is to identify and characterize the affiliation of F. nucleatum-induced periodontal disease with Alzheimer’s condition.

F. nucleatum is a microbes usually associated with periodontal sickness. Previous study also hyperlinks the microorganisms to colon most cancers and oral cancer.

How could microorganisms in the mouth exacerbate signs of Alzheimer’s disorder? It can do two things, Dr. Chen told MNT.

“One, (it) generates irritation both equally regionally and systemically, which will impact the Alzheimer’s illness phenotype, as Alzheimer’s itself is an inflammatory condition,” he stated. “Two, it migrates and penetrates to the mind to colonize there and secrete pathological molecules to exacerbate the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s condition.”

For this analyze, Dr. Chen and his workforce applied cells cultured in a laboratory to display that the existence of F. nucleatum caused abnormal advancement of microglial cells. These immunity cells in the brain and spinal cord aid get rid of any an infection from the mind, keeping the central anxious technique nutritious. In addition to impacting their advancement, the existence of F. nucelatum also led these cells to build an inflammatory reaction. Previous exploration reveals inflammation performs a position in the enhancement of Alzheimer’s sickness.

Next, the staff looked at F. nucleatum-induced periodontitis in a mouse product of Alzheimer’s sickness. They uncovered that, in comparison to command animals, mice with these types of periodontitis experienced greater cognitive impairment and bigger degrees of amyloid plaques and Tau protein. Additional, as in the cultured cells, increases in microglial cell development and inflammation were also found in these animals.

Dr. Chen stated the importance of their study conclusions lies in 4 principal places. Very first, they are targeting an “enormous health problem” simply because a important share of the adult populace has periodontal condition and far more than 55 million men and women globally are living with dementia. Alzheimer’s is the most widespread kind of dementia.

“Two, mechanistic knowledge of an understudied anaerobic microbes (F. nucleatum) in the pathogenesis of periodontal condition and Alzheimer’s disease fills in a hole in scientific know-how and sends an alerting sign to dentists and neurologists,” Dr. Chen continued.

“Three, establishment of an animal model supplies complex functionality in delineating the possible [causative] concerning a neighborhood dental ailment (periodontal condition) and a neural disorder (Alzheimer’s ailment) in a remote anatomic website,” he additional.

“And four, the research may provide evidence-of-principle for further more pre-medical and medical applications of the recognized system to examine no matter if cure of periodontal sickness can decrease or delay the onset of Alzheimer’s in individuals,” Dr. Chen concluded.

MTN also spoke with Dr. Percy Griffin, director of scientific engagement of the Alzheimer’s Association. Dr. Griffin explained this research provides to the increasing proof that microbes and viruses could participate in a function in brain sickness.

“In this study, they located proof for improved activation of the brain’s immune procedure, Alzheimer’s associated mind modifications, and cognitive alterations in mice infected with an oral microbe,” Dr. Griffin explained. “While these results are attention-grabbing, this investigate was carried out in mice, and former experiments examining the marriage concerning periodontal disease and Alzheimer’s in humans have not demonstrated causation. Extra research is wanted.”

“We really don’t know at this time irrespective of whether items like brushing your enamel will eventually decrease your risk for Alzheimer’s,” he included. “What we can say is excellent oral cleanliness is critical for general well being and healthy ageing. There are a selection of other modifiable way of living danger variables — like exercising and eating plan — that have considerable scientific proof to clearly show they can lessen your chance for cognitive decrease.”

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Sleeping with light linked to higher risk of diabetes, obesity

Sleeping with light linked to higher risk of diabetes, obesity

  • Researchers have identified that sleeping with even a very small volume of light can effect one’s well being.
  • The findings counsel light exposure through snooze is joined to a bigger danger of obesity, diabetes, and substantial blood stress in more mature grownups.
  • An previously lab analyze by the same scientists confirmed harmful results are not restricted to more mature persons.

A analyze from Northwestern University Feinberg University of Medicine in Chicago explores the connection involving gentle exposures for the duration of snooze and health and fitness pitfalls. The investigate serves as a warning for the numerous folks living in industrialized nations where gentle tends to be omnipresent.

Sleeping when exposed to any variety of light whatsoever — even dim mild — is joined to an raise in the chance of obesity, diabetic issues, and hypertension (significant blood strain) in older grown ups, the research finds.

Corresponding writer for the examine, Dr. Minjee Kim, of Northwestern Medication Feinberg College of Drugs, explained in a press launch: “Whether it be from one’s smartphone, leaving a Tv set on right away, or mild air pollution in a significant metropolis, we reside among the an ample selection amount of artificial sources of gentle that are accessible 24 hrs of a working day.”

“It appears that even a tiny volume of light has a recognizable influence on our body’s response,” Dr. Kim explained to Healthcare Information Right now.

“Previous animal and some human scientific studies have recommended a potential association concerning mistimed gentle — not plenty of gentle for the duration of the day, also considerably mild at evening — and being overweight,” stated Dr. Kim.

“There was minimal info on mild publicity patterns in older grownups,” stated Dr. Kim. “Since older adults are now at enhanced hazard of cardiovascular health conditions, we needed to know how routinely more mature older people are uncovered to ‘light at night’ [or “LAN”], and regardless of whether light at evening is correlated with CVD possibility components.”

It is not only more mature folks whose wellbeing may perhaps be afflicted by not sleeping in deep darkness.

“In a past study accomplished by our team, even a single night time of dim mild publicity for the duration of sleep elevated heart price and blood glucose in young, healthy older people who were being brought into a sleep lab for an right away experiment,” Dr. Kim discussed.

Dr. Jonathan Cedernaes, a rest expert from Uppsala University in Sweden, who was not concerned in both study, told MNT:

“The fact that this is observed in older people today might signify the more cumulative results of these a mechanistic relationship, that means that the adverse cardiometabolic outcomes of nighttime mild publicity might come to be more evident above time (this means in more innovative age, if one particular maintains these kinds of a lifestyle or exposure pattern around decades to a long time).”

The analyze was revealed in the journal Oxford Academic Sleep.

Unlike the group’s past study, the new review observed the serious-environment consequences of LAN, tracking the rest of 552 older males and women of all ages.

“In the recent study, we calculated light-weight publicity and rest in older adults (ages 63-84) for seven times using a wrist-worn unit. Alternatively of bringing these older grown ups to the slumber lab, we gathered details in their schedule environments,” stated Dr. Kim.

They discovered that fewer than 50 percent of these more mature grownups slept in a pitch-black area for at the very least five hours.

“We were frankly shocked to locate out that much more than fifty percent of the older grown ups have been sleeping with some gentle at night time,“ Dr. Kim explained. “Adults who slept with some light through their sleep interval have been generally exposed to dim mild.”

The scientists found that the probability of building large blood force (hypertension) was increased by 74{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}, weight problems by 82{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}, and diabetes by 100{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}. Members had been also examined for an greater threat of hypercholesterolemia, but no distinction was observed.

The research lists a few attainable mechanisms guiding light’s disruptive effect during slumber:

  • Mild is the key synchronizer of the body’s circadian rhythm or clock. Mild throughout slumber could disrupt this rhythm and consequently any clock-similar physiological procedures.
  • The pineal gland generates and secretes melatonin, the “hormone of darkness,” in the course of darkish intervals. Light-weight may well cut down melatonin’s metabolic and circulatory function with its anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and vasodilatory properties. Decreased melatonin amounts correlate with an amplified chance of diabetic issues in females and an enhanced chance of hypertension in youthful ladies.
  • Mild might set off the autonomic anxious system’s sympathetic arm. Through balanced sleep, the method accountable for fight or flight responses relaxes, slowing the body’s coronary heart rate and respiration in a parasympathetic state.

When requested if additional gentle equals a higher threat of ailment, Dr. Kim replied, “We identified a craze towards a more powerful affiliation — a increased level of obesity and diabetic issues — with extra mild exposure at night time. We hope to affirm this finding with potential reports across a broader age assortment.”

“While we can’t conclude nearly anything over and above affiliation for the reason that of the cross-sectional (‘snapshot’) mother nature of the examine, I inspire all people to try to stay away from or minimize any gentle at night time if doable,” Dr. Kim encouraged.

“It might be as straightforward as not employing electronic devices in the vicinity of the sleeping put and blocking gentle with a sleeping mask,” he additional.

Continue to, Dr. Kim cautioned: “If people require to use a night light-weight for protection, they need to consider to keep it as near to the ground as possible to minimize gentle entry to the eyes. If they want to use the toilet at night, and it is risky to stroll in complete darkness, consider to use dim light-weight for the shortest required interval.”

It also seems that the shade of light-weight in which a man or woman sleeps issues.

“I would suggest utilizing amber or purple light-weight for [a] night time light-weight over blue gentle. Amber/pink gentle (lengthier wavelengths) is considerably less disruptive to our circadian clock in the overall body than lights with shorter wavelengths these types of as blue light,” Dr. Kim discussed.

“Certain teams are forced to operate at evening,” extra Dr. Cedernaes, and have to snooze in the day. “There are also ways to block light (e.g., precise filters in eyeglasses), and additional experiments might be warranted to create procedures to counteract light-weight exposure… [and] lessen cardiometabolic hazards.”

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2 personality traits may influence risk

2 personality traits may influence risk

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New research suggests that certain personality traits are linked to a higher risk of cognitive decline. Ksenia Krondo/Stocksy
  • A new study showed that certain personality traits are associated with risk for cognitive decline in older adults.
  • The study found that high neuroticism and low conscientiousness are associated with a negative impact on cognitive health.
  • Increasing conscientiousness may be a potential strategy to promote healthy cognitive aging.

Personality traits are the consistent internal characteristics that can predict and explain who we are and why we do what we do in certain situations. They consist of the feelings, attitudes, habits, and behaviors that a person displays.

The “Big Five” are factors that represent personality. They include:

  • neuroticism — being anxious and worrisome
  • conscientiousness — being disciplined and organized
  • extraversion — being friendly and outgoing
  • agreeableness — being helpful and forgiving
  • openness — being curious and perceptive

Our personality traits can impact our physical and mental well-being through patterns of helpful or unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. Studies have shown that personality traits can affect our cognitive functioning as we age.

Dr. David A. Merrill, an adult and geriatric psychiatrist, explained to Medical News Today that persistent stress could lead to high cortisol levels. High cortisol levels cause more rapid brain shrinkage, associated with Alzheimer’s risk.

Dr. Merrill is also the director of the Pacific Neuroscience Institute’s Pacific Brain Health Center at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA. He was not involved in the study.

Current literature suggests that people with high neuroticism and low conscientiousness may be at increased risk for mild cognitive impairment (MCI), dementia, or death. The links between extraversion and cognitive impairment in studies were less consistent.

People with MCI have symptoms of memory loss but they can still go about their lives as usual. Having MCI does not interfere with the performance of daily activities, unlike living with dementia. About 12-18{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of people 60 years and older have MCI, with approximately 10{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} to 15{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} developing dementia each year.

Discerning the association of personality traits with cognitive health is crucial to understanding abnormal aging.

This led researchers from the University of Victoria, Northwestern University, University of Edinburgh, and Rush University to examine the relationship between personality traits and transition from no cognitive impairment (NCI) to MCI, dementia, or death in older adults.

They published their findings in the American Psychological Association Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

Researchers used data from 1954 older adults enrolled in the Rush Memory and Aging Project. Participants received annual assessments until death.

Determination of cognitive status occurred in 3 stages. The first step measured the level of impairment based on results from a battery of 19 cognitive tests across 5 domains, including:

  • episodic memory: previous experiences with information on when, where, and what happened
  • semantic memory: meaningful and conceptual facts about the world
  • working memory: retention of a small amount of information to use in planning, reasoning, understanding, and problem-solving
  • perceptual speed: speed in comparing or finding figures or symbols or identifying patterns
  • visuospatial ability: identifying, processing, and interpreting visual information of objects in space

In the second step, a neuropsychologist conducted a blinded evaluation of the impairment rating and clinical data. Lastly, an experienced practitioner examined participants who met cognitive impairment criteria in person to confirm the assessment.

Researchers used a personality assessment called the NEO-Five Factor Inventory to score for conscientiousness, extraversion, and neuroticism. Higher scores indicated higher levels of these traits.

The study also adjusted for factors critical to the development of cognitive impairment.

Researchers used an analytic tool called multistate survival modeling to determine the effect of conscientiousness, extraversion, and neuroticism on transitioning through four stages (NCI, MCI, dementia, and death).

Participants with higher conscientiousness had a 22{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} decreased risk of progressing from NCI to MCI. Conversely, participants with higher neuroticism had a 12{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} increased risk of transitioning from NCI to MCI.

Participants with higher extraversion had a:

  • 12{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} increased probability of improving from MCI to NCI
  • 17{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} decreased likelihood of transitioning from dementia to MCI
  • 12{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} increased risk of progressing from dementia to death.

Dr. Tomiko Yoneda, study co-author, previous doctoral candidate at the University of Victoria and current postdoctoral researcher at Northwestern University, spoke to MNT about the study.

She said, “We found that individuals [high in conscientiousness and low in neuroticism] may live as long as other individuals but […] they will have more years without cognitive impairment.”

She explained that for an 80-year-old high in conscientiousness, this translated into a gain of 2 additional years without cognitive impairment.

Dr. Merrill added, “Positive goal-directed behaviors […] will help with your sense of self-discipline and allow you to essentially […] take better care of yourself. [C]onscientiousness [will] help you with these goal-directed behaviors.”

The study analyses did not account for personality changes, potentially limiting findings.

Dr. Yoneda explained, “Personality is relatively stable, but it is not set in stone, and previous research [documented] increases in neuroticism preceding, during, and following an MCI and dementia diagnosis.”

“Individuals can change their personality traits over time through concerted behavioral and thinking modifications (e.g., meditation, engagement in health behaviors).”

She added, “[Increasing] conscientiousness is one potential strategy for promoting healthy cognitive aging.”

Dr. Merrill agreed. “Taking part in psychotherapy is to take a step back from a stressor and try to look at things from a different perspective [to increase] your cognitive flexibility.”

“Increasing cognitive flexibility has been shown to correlate with better overall general health and may be an effective way to help protect your body from accelerated brain aging.”

– Dr. Merrill

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One avocado a week may cut heart disease risk by 16{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}

One avocado a week may cut heart disease risk by 16{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}

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New research finds that two servings of avocado a week may reduce cardiovascular risk. Darren Muir/Stocksy
  • Researchers examined the relationship between avocado consumption and cardiovascular events.
  • They found that eating 2 or more servings of avocado per week is linked to 16{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} fewer cardiovascular events over a 30-year period. One serving is half an avocado, or 80 grams (g).
  • The researchers conclude that replacing certain fat-containing foods with avocado could lower cardiovascular disease risk.
  • The note however that replacing plant oils with avocado is linked to a 45{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} higher stroke risk.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. However, it can be prevented through lifestyle factors like diet.

The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends limiting 5- 6{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of calories intake from saturated fatty acid (SFA), and replacing SFA and trans-fats with monounsaturated fats (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fats for better heart health.

Avocados are rich in MUFAs and polyunsaturated fats. Studies have found that their regular consumption reduces triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and total cholesterol level.

Most studies on avocado consumption have focused on cardiovascular risk factors. Studies investigating the link between avocado consumption and cardiovascular events could improve understanding of the fruit’s health benefits.

Recently, researchers have investigated the link between avocado consumption and cardiovascular events.

They found that higher consumption of avocados was linked to a lower risk of CVD and coronary heart disease (CHD).

“The […] results are significant and strengthen previous findings of avocados’ association with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease [as well as] reducing heart outcomes such as fatal and nonfatal myocardial infarction,” Bhanu Gupta, MD, cardiologist at The University of Kansas Health System, not involved in the study, told Medical News Today.

“Point to be noted: avocado consumption does not lower the risk of stroke in the study. Another point to be noted: avocado is not a replacement for healthy dietary fats such as olive oils, nuts, and other plant oils.”

– Dr. Gupta

The study was published in the Journal of the American Heart Association (JAHA).

For the study, the researchers used data from the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (HPFS) and the Nurses’ Health Studies (NHS). Both studies are ongoing and began in 1986 and 1976 to examine the effects of health and lifestyle on the incidence of serious illness in male and female healthcare professionals.

For the present study, the researchers included 62,225 females and 41,701 males who did not have a history of heart disease, stroke, or cancer.

The researchers examined their medical records for incidence of myocardial infarction and stroke, dietary surveys taken once every 4 years, and risk factors such as hypertension and type 2 diabetes from self-reports and physician diagnoses. Participants were tracked for 30 years.

By the end of the study period, the researchers noted 14,274 incident cases of CVD including 9,185 CHD events and 5,290 strokes.

The researchers noted that males and females with higher avocado intake tended to have higher total energy intake and a healthier diet with more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and dairy products such as yogurt and cheese.

After adjusting for major dietary and lifestyle factors, the researchers found that having two or more servings of avocado per week was linked to a 16{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} lower CVD risk and 21{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} lower CHD risk compared to those who did not eat avocados.

They further found that replacing half a serving per day of mayonnaise, margarine, butter, egg, yogurt, cheese, or processed meats with the same amount of avocado was linked to a 19–31{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} lower risk of coronary heart disease.

They reported no significant association between stroke risk and avocado consumption. However, they noted that replacing half a serving per day of plant oils with an equivalent amount of avocado was linked to a 45{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} higher stroke risk.

When asked to explain what might account for the positive effects of avocado on CVD risk, study first author Lorena Pacheco, Ph.D., MPH, RDN, postdoctoral research fellow at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, told MNT:

“Avocados are a nutrient-rich food item with favorable food compounds including monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats (healthy fats), vitamins, minerals, soluble fiber, vegetable proteins, phytosterols, and polyphenols. There are potential biological mechanisms by which avocados offer cardioprotective benefits.”

“The primary monounsaturated fatty acid present in avocados is oleic acid – healthy fat – and it is suggested that it helps in reducing hypertension, inflammation, and insulin sensitivity.”

“Additionally, they contain plant sterols that could have favorable effects on lipid profiles. [Also], the soluble fiber intake in avocados can also lead to a better lipid profile, meaning lower ‘bad cholesterol’ levels,” she explained.

“They also are a source of vegetable protein,” added Penny M. Kris-Etherton Ph.D., professor of nutritional science at Penn State College of Health and Human Development, not involved in the study. “Collectively, it is very likely that this ‘package’ of heart-health compounds accounts for the findings,” said Dr. Kris-Etherton.

The researchers concluded that replacing certain fat-containing foods with avocado could lower CVD risk.

The authors noted some limitations to their findings. As their study was observational, they could not establish causation.

Shannon Hoos-Thompson, MD, a cardiologist at The University of Kansas Health System, not involved in the study, explained for MNT:

“To put the findings in perspective, eating less cardiovascular unhealthy food may be the explanation [rather] than the result being specific to avocado consumption.”

The authors also noted that their study population was primarily non-Hispanic white nurses and health professionals, so their results may not be generalized to wider demographics.

“The dietary data were self-reported and have some measurement error,” added Dr. Kris-Etherton. “However, the authors used a repeated measurements dietary assessment method and collected intake data over time, which reduces random measurement error.”

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Common anti-nausea drugs linked to stroke risk in new study

Common anti-nausea drugs linked to stroke risk in new study

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A new study of participants aged 71.9 years, on average, found a link between the use of anti-nausea medication and increased stroke risk. Gary John Norman/Getty Images
  • A recent study found that certain anti-nausea and vomiting medications tripled the risk for ischemic stroke.
  • The risk was highest for metopimazine, followed by metoclopramide, and then domperidone.
  • More studies are needed to confirm the findings.

Providers may use antipsychotic medications to treat conditions such as schizophrenia, psychotic depression, bipolar disorder, and dementia, which cause symptoms of psychosis or losing touch with reality. Excess dopamine may play a role in psychosis.

Dopamine is a chemical messenger or neurotransmitter that influences mood, feelings of reward, and movement. Antipsychotics work by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain, which causes a decrease in dopamine levels.

There is an association between antipsychotic use and dementia in older adults and an increased risk for ischemic stroke or a blood clot blocking blood flow in the brain. Data from these studies led the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue a black box warning to warn older people with dementia of the increased risk of death with antipsychotic use.

Other medications to treat nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy or migraine also block dopamine receptors or antidopaminergic antiemetics (ADA). ADAs block dopamine transmission to the intestines and the chemoreceptor trigger zone in the brain, responsible for relaying signals causing vomiting.

This led French-based researchers from Bordeaux University INSERM, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, and CHU de Bordeaux to evaluate if ADA use increases the risk of ischemic stroke.

They published their findings in The BMJ.

Researchers examined data from 2,612 adults from the French reimbursement healthcare system database between 2012 and 2016. Participants included in the study experienced an initial ischemic stroke and received reimbursement for one or more ADA(s) within 70 days before the stroke.

The researchers used reimbursements — to reflect the payment received for the treatment — as a measure of treatments administered.

The study identified 3 ADAs: domperidone, metoclopramide, and metopimazine. Domperidone and metopimazine are not approved for use to treat nausea and vomiting in the United States by the FDA.

Researchers assessed the frequency of ADA for reimbursement for each participant on days 1–14 before stroke (risk period) and days 29–42, 43–56, and 57 to 70 before stroke (reference periods).

Researchers compared participant data to a control group of 21,859 randomly selected participants who did not experience an ischemic stroke. The study matched control group participants to participants with strokes by age, sex, and ischemic stroke risk factors.

The average age of participants included in the study was 71.9 years old, and approximately one-third were men. About 97{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of those who had an ischemic stroke received one ADA medication.

The study found that participants receiving ADAs overall had a 3.12 times greater risk for ischemic stroke than the control group after adjusting for medications that may affect ischemic stroke risk.

Metopimazine significantly increased ischemic stroke risk 3.62 times, metoclopramide 3.53 times, and domperidone 2.51 times.

Metopimazine and metoclopramide cross the blood-brain barrier, which controls the movement of substances from the blood to the brain. However, domperidone does not.

Sensitivity analyses indicate that ischemic stroke risk is highest 7 days before the ischemic stroke. Sensitivity analysis is a method to determine the strength of effects seen in a study which lends credibility to the findings.

Dr. Anne Bénard-Laribière, PharmD, MSc at the University of Bordeaux Population Health and study co-author, spoke to Medical News Today.

“The publication raises a strong signal associating the use of antiemetics to an increased risk of ischemic stroke,” she said. “Right now, as this is the first study evidencing such risk, replication will be needed to confirm and strengthen the already robust findings, and ideally provide complementary information on mechanisms and risk factors.”

Dr. Walavan Sivakumar, M.D., board certified neurosurgeon and director of neurovascular surgery at Pacific Neuroscience Institute at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, commented to MNT, “[T]his was a well-done study […] using a consistent database that afforded very reliable data [removing] different sources of bias.”

Dr. Bénard-Laribière added, “The design we used allows self-controlling for most of [the] confounding — as the [participant] is [their] own control, so the results cannot be affected by any differences across compared [participants] in terms of genetics, for instance. The price to pay for this control with this design is the lack of possibility to provide absolute risks.”

The study did not examine other ADAs marketed in the U.S., such as prochlorperazine, promethazine, and chlorpromazine.

“Making inferences based on these results related to the specific drugs is going to be very challenging. […] There are other [ADAs] that are used that still may be okay and need to be specifically studied before making any clear recommendations.”

– Dr. Sivakumar

Dr. Sivakumar also stated that these results only apply to risk for ischemic strokes and not hemorrhagic ones, which involve bleeding in the brain.

Dr. Bénard-Laribière commented, “ADAs [use has] known risks of serious adverse effects (ventricular arrhythmia), frequent adverse effects (dyskinesia, other extrapyramidal disorders) to which this study adds a strong signal for the risk of ischemic stroke.”

She added that the benefits of the ADAs might outweigh the risks to prevent serious nausea/vomiting complications. Still, the symptomatic treatment of mild nausea may warrant other therapy.

Dr. Bénard-Laribière stated, “As for all drugs, use only when medically needed is one of the best first mitigation [measures] for known risks and potential ones.”