TMAO Changes Linked to Higher CHD Risk

A US prospective nested case-control study revealed that long-term increases in a gut-microbial metabolite, trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) were associated with higher risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), and repeated assessment of TMAO over 10 years improved the identification of people with a higher CHD risk. The study included 760 healthy […]

Mediterranean Diet Promotes Healthier Ageing

A study in Europe supports the feasibility of improving the habitual diet to modulate the gut microbiota and potentially to promote healthier ageing. The gut microbiota were profiled in 612 non-frail or pre-frail elderly subjects across five European countries before and after the administration of a 12-month Mediterranean diet intervention. […]

Metoprolol and Aspirin Effective in Grief

A randomized controlled trial in Australia suggested that a low dose metoprolol and aspirin for 6 weeks reduces physiological and psychological surrogate measures of cardiovascular risk in early bereavement. After assessment within 2 weeks of bereavement, spouses (n = 73) or parents (n = 12) of deceased (aged 66.1 ± 9.4 years, 55 females) were randomized […]

Processed Meat and Red Meat Linked with CVD and Mortality

A cohort study suggests that higher intake of processed meat, unprocessed red meat, or poultry, was significantly associated with an increased risk of incident cardiovascular disease (CVD), whereas higher intake of processed meat or unprocessed red meat, was significantly associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality. The study analyzed […]

High-Density Calcified Plaque Linked to Lower ACS Risk

An international multicenter case-control cohort study suggested that high density 1K plaque (the volume of plaque with more than 1000 Hounsfield unit) detected by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is associated with lower risk of future occurrence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The study included 189 patients who experienced vs […]

Food Types and Quality Linked to Mortality

A US prospective cohort study suggested that unhealthy low-carbohydrate-diet and low-fat-diet scores were associated with higher total mortality, whereas healthy low-carbohydrate-diet and low-fat-diet scores were associated with lower total mortality. The study included 37 233 adults 20 years or older (mean age 49.7; 52.6% female) with 24-hour dietary recall data […]

Adiposity Influences Blood Tests

A Canadian cohort study revealed that overweight and obese significantly influences blood levels of common laboratory markers, most notably liver enzymes, lipids/lipoproteins, inflammatory markers and uric acid, in children and adolescents. The study included 1,332 healthy subjects ages 5.1-19.0 years with body mass index (BMI) ranging from 13.4-65.0 kg/m2. Levels […]

Long Naps and Sleep Linked to Higher Stroke Risk

A Chinese prospective cohort study concluded that long sleep duration, long midday napping, and poor sleep quality were independently and jointly associated with higher risks of incident stroke. Persistently long sleep duration or switch from average to long sleep duration increased the risk of stroke. The study included 31,750 retirees […]