Diet high in protein lowers stroke risk

A new study suggests that people with diets higher in protein, especially from fish, may be less likely to have a stroke than those with diets lower in protein.

"The amount of protein that led to the reduced risk was moderate-equal to 20 grams per day," study author Xinfeng Liu, MD, PhD, of Nanjing University School of Medicine in Nanjing, China said.

"Additional, larger studies are needed before definitive recommendations can be made, but the evidence is compelling," Liu said.

The meta-analysis looked at all of the available research on the relationship between protein in the diet and the risk of stroke. Seven studies with a total of 254,489 participants who were followed for an average of 14 years were included in the analysis.

Overall, the participants with the highest amount of protein in their diets were 20 percent less likely to develop a stroke than those with the lowest amount of protein in their diets.

The results accounted for other factors that could affect the risk of stroke, such as smoking and high cholesterol.

For every additional 20 grams per day of protein that people ate, their risk of stroke decreased by 26 percent.

"If everyone's protein intake were at this level, that would translate to more than 1.4 million fewer deaths from stroke each year worldwide, plus a decreased level of disability from stroke," Liu said.

The findings are published online in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

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Contrave Waiting On The FDA For Approval; Orexigen's Diet Pill Waiting For Drug Classification

A new pill might soon be available for obese people who are trying to lose weight. The drug in question is Orexigen Therapeutics' Contrave, currently known as NB32. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is expected to make a decision by this Wednesday and according to analysts, that decision will go in favor of the drug.

The FDA had previously rejected Contrave in January 2011. In order to resubmit an application for FDA review and approval, Orexigen conducted a multiyear study to find evidence that Contrave is safe for patients' cardiovascular health. So far, the ongoing study that involves 8,900 patients has found evidence that the drug is safe or safe enough.

The researchers reported that 53 percent of the people taking Contrave were able to lose at least five percent of their body weight. Only 21 percent of the people in the placebo group lost at least five percent of their body weight. Analysts added that unlike two other popular diet pills, Vivus' Qsymia and Arena's Belvig, Contrave contains an ingredient that helps patients stay on the medication longer, which could make the drug a better option for some patients. This ingredient is a mixture of naltrexone and bupropion.

"Bupropion, we believe, is what makes for greater persistence [of patients taking Contrave]," Piper Jaffray's Duncan said according to CNBC. "Being an antidepressant, it can help you feel good."

With all weight loss drugs, side effects can be expected. All three-drug manufacturers have been studying the potential dangers that the drugs might have on cardiovascular health. Aside from heart health, researchers are looking into the drugs' effects on mood, fetal health and other health concerns. Despite potential health concerns associated with Contrave, analysts expect the FDA to approve Contrave. If that happens, Contrive can contribute $1.2 to $1.5 billion in total sales in 2020.

Source:http://www.techtimes.com

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How Can Oatmeal Help You to Lose Weight?

Oatmeal is a versatile hot cereal that can help you lose weight and stay healthy. Rolled oats, steel-cut oats and instant oats all provide health benefits, and eating oatmeal for breakfast is the best way to include it in a weight-loss regimen. Oatmeal fills you up, gives you energy and provides essential nutrients.

Breakfast

When you eat oatmeal it's likely that you are eating it for breakfast. Starting the day with a healthful breakfast fills you up, making it easier to avoid high-fat and sugar laden snacks later in the day. The energy you get from eating breakfast boosts your metabolism and can make you more physically active during the day and better able to burn more calories. As a whole grain, oatmeal is one of the healthiest choices you can make for breakfast. It is full of fiber and nutrients and helps reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Calories

By itself, oatmeal is low in fat and fairly low in calories. A typical serving of one-half cup of uncooked rolled oats contains 150 calories and 3 grams of fat. Only 25 of the calories stem from the fat content. There is 1 gram of polyunsaturated fat and monounsaturated fat per serving. The total fat content represents 5 percent of the recommended daily value for fat. Eating a bowl of oatmeal every day for breakfast makes it easy to stay within your daily calorie needs.

Fiber

A diet high in fiber aids weight loss. Fiber makes you feel full and helps prevent spikes in blood sugar levels, which can make you hungry. Oats have more soluble fiber than any other whole grain, points out the American Heart Association. This high fiber content makes oats an excellent choice for a high-fiber diet. Each serving made from one-half cup of uncooked oats contains 4 grams of dietary fiber. Half of the fiber in a serving is soluble fiber.

Tips

All types of oatmeal are healthful and low-fat, but steel-cut oats are less processed than rolled oats and are believed to retain more nutrients. Packets of instant oatmeal often contain more sugar than oats you cook yourself. Regardless of the type of oatmeal you choose to eat, be careful of what you add to your bowl. Choose skim milk to keep the calories low. Instead of sweetening your oatmeal with sugar, try berries or dried fruit, which also offer additional fiber and nutrients.

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Fitness and 'fatness' both matter to the heart

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Losing fitness or packing on fat with age each can be bad for the heart -- but avoiding either one of those fates may protect the ticker, a study published Monday suggests.
U.S. researchers found that of more than 3,100 healthy adults they followed, those who improved -- or simply maintained -- their fitness levels were less likely to develop high blood pressure, high cholesterol or other well-established heart disease risk factors.

Similarly, people who maintained their weight had fewer of those red flags than people who became heavier over time.

That may sound logical, but part of what's new in the findings, researchers say, is that changes in fitness and "fatness" each appeared important on their own.

In general, people who kept their fitness levels over time seemed to counter some of the ill effects of weight gain. And dips in fitness levels weren't as bad if a person lost some excess body fat.

The results suggest that protecting heart health is not as hard as some people think, according to lead researcher Duck-chul Lee, of the University of South Carolina in Columbia.

That is, just maintaining your weight and fitness levels as you age may be enough to see benefits.
"If you're overweight, losing weight and improving your fitness may be the best combination," Lee told Reuters Health. "But that's very challenging."

For many people, "maintenance" may be more achievable, Lee said.
The study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, included 3,148 men and women in the Dallas area who were in their early 40s, on average, at the outset.

Over six years, they developed high blood pressure at a rate of four percent each year, high cholesterol at a rate of three percent per year and so-called metabolic syndrome at a rate of two percent per year. (Metabolic syndrome refers to a collection of risk factors for heart disease -- including high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol levels, abdominal obesity and high blood sugar.)

But people who kept up or improved their fitness levels -- as measured during treadmill tests -- had lower odds of developing those heart risk factors.

Their risks of high blood pressure or high cholesterol were 26 percent to 30 percent lower, versus people whose fitness levels declined. And their risk of metabolic syndrome was 42 percent to 52 percent lower.
Similarly, when people increased their percentage of body fat over time, they were more likely to develop heart risk factors.

For each one percent increase in body fat, the odds of those risk factors climbed anywhere from three percent to eight percent.

But in general, people who gained weight stayed healthier if they kept up their fitness levels. And if overweight people shed some fat, they countered some of the negative effects of waning fitness.
The bottom line, according to Lee, is that people who are active should stay active. Even if you don't see a benefit on your bathroom scale, you'll stay fit.

"If you're already exercising, keep it up, and maybe increase the intensity if you can," Lee said.
If you're sedentary but healthy, he said, you can safely take up moderate exercise like brisk walking. Lee added, though, that people who are obese or have chronic health conditions should talk to their doctors first.
"It's the sedentary people who will get the most benefit from exercise in a short time," Lee said.
He was, however, referring to the benefit of improved fitness. Overweight people often fail to see the pounds fly off when they first start exercising -- possibly because they are hungrier and start eating more.

Don't get discouraged by that, Lee said. You can improve your cardiovascular fitness even without shedding the extra body fat. One way to tell if your fitness is improving, Lee said, is to simply notice how you feel when you go about your normal exercise routine; if it's getting easier, you're getting fitter.
To actually lose weight, diet changes are needed as well.

"Most people will lose weight with exercise," Lee said, "if they also pay attention to the calories they're taking in."

SOURCE: http://bit.ly/dIuKje

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TOP 5 TIPS TO LOOK YOUNG AND BEAUTIFUL

As age passes on; problems related to health and beauty increase. At a younger age you never focus much on various precautions to look healthy and beautiful; all these will be noticed while the effects of aging reflect on to your looks.

Is it realistic to expect to look young forever? What precautions are required? There are many techniques, beauty tips, tricks and surgeries available. In present lifestyle, surgeons are available to change any part of the body as per requirement. Cosmetic surgery procedures such as Rhinoplasty for reshaping nose, breast enhancement, Otoplasty for reforming of the ear, Liposuction to reduce excess weight, Blepharoplasty for redesigning of eyelids etc. may not be avoidable. However other cosmetic surgeries while common can be avoided in some cases, if you can follow a couple of the following tips to remain youthful.

Top 5 tips to look young and beautiful:

  ·        Consume plenty of liquid fluids

The first step to be undergone is making a habit of drinking lots of water and juices. This will provide hydration to the body and skin. Drinking fresh juices makes your face look elegant and fresh all the time. Especially in the summer season, when it is warmer, try to consume a higher quantity of water than usual as the skin and body get more dehydrated during this time.

·        Wash your face regularly

When exposed to sun your skin requires special attention and care. To make your skin look fresh; wash your face regularly and make a point to refresh yourself while going out or entering back in to the house.

Choose the best face wash creams which suit your skin. Initially apply on a small part of your skin to test your reaction after an hour to ensure you are not allergic. By doing this it helps to overcome from problems such as pimples or any acne.

·        Maintain a healthy diet

The consumption of food should be healthy as it reflects onto your body and skin. Healthy food you consume provides your body with the minerals and vitamins needed. In general the skin and body requires equal nourishment of food. You can even take advice from any experts and follow with their instructions. Eat healthy and stay younger and beautiful.

·        Nourish your skin

Nourishment with skin-care creams is another way to protect skin from environmental damages. In general it is said that harmful rays are emitted only in summer season but they are emitted all year round. Hence it is always preferable to cover and protect your skin from UV rays and use sunscreen lotions to avoid damage to your skin.

·        Avoid stress

To look healthy and beautiful; you should avoid from taking excessive stress. This is the last and vital point to be noted. Excessive stress can result in losing hair, effects nerves and weakens the body. Hence avoid mental tensions and stay fit and healthy.

I personally feel that using natural ways is the best practice for staying healthy and beautiful.

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