Tag: Lifestyle

Healthy Lifestyle Could Prevent IBD Cases

New analysis indicates that inflammatory bowel illness (IBD) possibility could be moderated by a healthy lifestyle.

Sustaining a nutritious life-style may possibly avert up to 60{bf0515afdcaddba073662ceb89fbb62b6b1bf123143c0e06b788e1946e8c353f} of inflammatory bowel disorder (IBD) circumstances, in accordance to new analysis.

Researchers at Massachusetts Common Medical center and other health corporations revealed the huge intercontinental study on IBD, which consists of Crohn’s condition and ulcerative colitis (UC), in the journal Gut.1

Beforehand printed investigate has connected IBD danger with several life-style variables, but it is not very clear if adopting and maintaining a healthful life style could possibly decreased the risk of acquiring the situation in the initially put, the BMJ (British Medical Journal) claimed in a information launch.2

The scientists reviewed data from the Nurses’ Wellness Study (NHS), NHSII, and the Health Gurus Adhere to-up Research (HPFS). The NHS enrolled 121,700 female nurses aged 30–55 decades from 11 US states in 1976, whilst the NHSII analyze, proven in 1989, monitored 116,429 woman nurses aged 25–42 decades from 15 US states. The HPFS incorporated 51,529 male medical professionals aged 40–75 years from across the United States in 1986.

The scientists established modifiable risk scores (MRS) for every single participant primarily based on recognized modifiable chance things for IBD to estimate the proportion of IBD instances that could have been averted. Danger elements included fat (physique mass index, BMI) cigarette smoking use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines actual physical exercise and daily intake of fruit, fiber, veggies, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and purple meat.

The researchers then approximated the proportion of avoidable situations if an overall healthier way of life were adopted and maintained. A healthier way of living comprised: BMI involving 18.5 and 25, never cigarette smoking, at minimum 7.5 weekly Satisfied hours (METS categorical the volume of energy (calories) expended for each moment of physical action) and at the very least 8 daily servings of fruit and vegetables, significantly less than 50 percent a each day serving of crimson meat, at the very least 25 g of fiber per working day, at least 2 weekly servings of fish at the very least 50 percent a everyday serving of nuts/seeds, and a optimum of 1 alcoholic consume/working day for women of all ages or 2 for males.

Based mostly on the MRS scores, the scientists approximated that a small MRS could have prevented 43{bf0515afdcaddba073662ceb89fbb62b6b1bf123143c0e06b788e1946e8c353f} and 44.5{bf0515afdcaddba073662ceb89fbb62b6b1bf123143c0e06b788e1946e8c353f}, respectively, of Crohn’s disease and UC scenarios, the BMJ explained.

Equally, maintaining a nutritious life style could have prevented 61{bf0515afdcaddba073662ceb89fbb62b6b1bf123143c0e06b788e1946e8c353f} of Crohn’s illness circumstances and 42{bf0515afdcaddba073662ceb89fbb62b6b1bf123143c0e06b788e1946e8c353f} of UC scenarios.

“Lifestyle modification might be an desirable focus on for foreseeable future avoidance techniques in IBD,” the authors wrote. “This might be of certain relevance to superior-hazard groups, these kinds of as initially-degree relatives of IBD clients, who have an believed 2{bf0515afdcaddba073662ceb89fbb62b6b1bf123143c0e06b788e1946e8c353f}–17{bf0515afdcaddba073662ceb89fbb62b6b1bf123143c0e06b788e1946e8c353f} chance of producing the disease over their life span.”

A important assumption of the conclusions is that the marriage between life-style elements and IBD enhancement is causal, the scientists additional. “Though this has but to be established, quite a few strains of proof support the significant part of environmental and life style aspects in the development of IBD.”

References

1. Lopes EW, Chan SSM, Music M, et al. Life style things for the prevention of inflammatory bowel disorder. Gut. 2022. doi:10.1136/gutjnl-2022-328174

2. Retaining healthy life style may well protect against up to 60{bf0515afdcaddba073662ceb89fbb62b6b1bf123143c0e06b788e1946e8c353f} of inflammatory bowel sickness situations. News launch. BMJ. December 6, 2022. Accessed December 16, 2022. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/973192

Employee Engagement Programs Inspire Staff To Adopt Healthy Lifestyle

The one particular-cease corporate wellness remedies application results in a much healthier and happier workforce. The application gives a platform and assets to inspire team to adopt and preserve balanced alternatives.

Employee Engagement Programs Inspire Staff To Adopt Healthy Lifestyle

Fitxcapes Sdn Bhd is pleased to announce the release of Employee Engagement Plans to present a wide range of small business final results for their shoppers. The newly released company wellness app delivers corporations with a platform and resources to inspire personnel customers to adopt and maintain balanced wellness and lifestyle choices. Companies that motivate a healthy corporate society and way of life choices have happier and more healthy employees and entrepreneurs as properly. The advertising of an successful wellness application is an easy and practical system utilizing the built-in wellness app. 

On the internet health and fitness courses are a single case in point of the tools obtainable on EngageLife. Other rewards contain building sturdy social aid and engagement, marketing wholesome company society, decreasing wellbeing pitfalls, and maximizing employee morale. The applications and wellness applications are handy for organizations that want to encourage a position of physical wellness, mental wellness, environmental wellness, social wellness, and organisational wellness.  

Bodily wellness focuses on implementing a a lot more physical fitness-minded and nutritious feeding on lifestyle, leading to exceptional operation and wellness. Mental wellness is the capability to support workforce cope with the stresses of everyday living and to adapt to alter or personal troubles in challenging instances. 

Environmental wellness permits employees to grow to be additional mindful of the livability of their environment, advertise a sustainable way of living, and use tiny alterations properly to make a large affect.  

Organisational religious overall health is an essential component to take into account in an employee’s overall wellbeing. It allows market meaningful connections, respect for one particular a different and contributes to emotion fulfilled with one’s function. Organisational spiritual health and fitness speaks to the soul. It will increase empathy in the workplace and can potentially strengthen operate functionality as effectively as work satisfaction. An organisation that nurtures religious wellness leverages human likely by cultivating deep connections concerning individuals, building a sense of trust, belonging and function. In the long run, it has the opportunity to create a much healthier, happier working atmosphere in which everyone is capable to prosper.  

Further information are out there at https://engagelife.com.my/

Interact Existence is happy to perform with 30 company clientele and 40 partners. There are at this time 20 workforce. The enterprise is concentrated on creating and selling a sustainable society of health and wellness for men and women, enterprises, and the community. Interact Life applications improve the quality of lifetime for businesses and individuals through modern wellness and overall health methods. 

Producing a healthful and harmonious corporate society enhances employees’ well being and increases employers’ return on financial investment. The aim of the company is to make the globe a more healthy, improved, and happier location.  

About the Company: 

Engage Lifetime encourages the workforce to undertake a much healthier lifestyle for improved efficiency, greater enthusiasm and considerably more through holistic and integrated wellness programmes which are cost-conserving and successful. Create and host wellness occasions and things to do that contain authentic-time monitoring and immediate rewards for improved engagement. Get pleasure from a a lot more economical selection to on-internet site wellness programmes and conserve on worker overall health treatment bills.

Media Get hold of
Firm Name: FitXcapes Sdn Bhd
Contact Man or woman: Sharifah Sofia
E-mail: Ship E-mail
Cellphone: +60126102369
Address:A-8-02, Menara Prima Avenue (The Tube), Jalan PJU 1/37, Dataran Prima
City: Petaling Jaya 47301
Point out: Selangor
State: Malaysia
Website: https://engagelife.com.my/

Healthy Lifestyle and Mortality in Dialysis Patients

Healthy Lifestyle and Mortality in Dialysis Patients

Around 2.5 million individuals with stage 5 chronic kidney diseases (CKD) worldwide are taken care of with very long-phrase dialysis. The prognosis of people on dialysis is weak, with an yearly mortality level of 10{bf0515afdcaddba073662ceb89fbb62b6b1bf123143c0e06b788e1946e8c353f} to 20{bf0515afdcaddba073662ceb89fbb62b6b1bf123143c0e06b788e1946e8c353f}, owing largely to cardiovascular diseases. Use of statins as pharmacological interventions have yielded couple of final results in reducing mortality in dialysis sufferers.

There are a amount of way of living tips from the American Heart Association for cardiovascular prevention that have been mixed into a overall health way of living rating. The suggestions incorporate steering clear of cigarette smoking, partaking in frequent actual physical workout, maintaining an proper system mass index, adhering to a diet plan abundant in fruits, veggies, and fish and reduced in salt and sugar, and maintaining blood stress, cholesterol, and glucose in proposed targets. There are associations with higher life-style scores and 30{bf0515afdcaddba073662ceb89fbb62b6b1bf123143c0e06b788e1946e8c353f} to 50{bf0515afdcaddba073662ceb89fbb62b6b1bf123143c0e06b788e1946e8c353f} reduce cardiovascular disease threat in the normal population. Those positive aspects may possibly be relevant to reversing or lowering obesity, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, and hypertension, key threat elements for cardiovascular disease.

There are couple of knowledge available on the benefits of a healthier life-style in clients with CKD acquiring routine maintenance hemodialysis. Guobin Su, MD, PhD, and colleagues done a possible cohort review to examine the association of a modified AHA healthier way of living score and its particular person components with all-bring about and cardiovascular mortality in clients addressed with hemodialysis. Success of the review were described in the American Journal of Kidney Health conditions [2022;79(5):688-698].

The examine was done in a massive, multinational personal dialysis network. The examine publicity was a modified healthful lifestyle score based mostly on the AHA suggestions for cardiovascular prevention, the sum of 4 factors addressing the use of using tobacco tobacco, bodily exercise, diet, and handle of systolic blood pressure. The outcomes of fascination have been cardiovascular and all-bring about mortality.

Altered proportional dangers regression analyses with nation as a random effect was utilized to estimate the associations among lifestyle rating and mortality. Way of living rating was stratified as lower (-2 details) as the referent, medium (3-5 factors), and substantial (6-8 details). Associations were being expressed as altered hazard ratio (aHR), with 95{bf0515afdcaddba073662ceb89fbb62b6b1bf123143c0e06b788e1946e8c353f} CI.

The analyze utilized facts from the Diet program-High definition (Dietary Intake, Dying and Hospitalization in Grown ups with Conclusion-Phase Kidney Disorder Treated with Hemodialysis) review. A complete of 9757 individuals participated in the Diet plan-Hd study and concluded the Food stuff Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Of these, 5483 (56{bf0515afdcaddba073662ceb89fbb62b6b1bf123143c0e06b788e1946e8c353f}) had finish life style data (all particular person elements of the way of living rating) and were integrated in the main examination. Compared with patients with no full way of life data, individuals with comprehensive lifestyle info were being older, had additional comorbidities, and a better mortality amount.

Over-all, the signify age of the cohort was 66 years, 42{bf0515afdcaddba073662ceb89fbb62b6b1bf123143c0e06b788e1946e8c353f} had been woman, 87{bf0515afdcaddba073662ceb89fbb62b6b1bf123143c0e06b788e1946e8c353f} experienced hypertension, 31{bf0515afdcaddba073662ceb89fbb62b6b1bf123143c0e06b788e1946e8c353f} had diabetic issues, and 43{bf0515afdcaddba073662ceb89fbb62b6b1bf123143c0e06b788e1946e8c353f} had a heritage of CKD. Sixty-seven {bf0515afdcaddba073662ceb89fbb62b6b1bf123143c0e06b788e1946e8c353f} had in no way smoked, 20{bf0515afdcaddba073662ceb89fbb62b6b1bf123143c0e06b788e1946e8c353f} engaged in actual physical activity much more than once a week, 25{bf0515afdcaddba073662ceb89fbb62b6b1bf123143c0e06b788e1946e8c353f} experienced systolic blood tension right before dialysis <120 mm Hg, and 20{bf0515afdcaddba073662ceb89fbb62b6b1bf123143c0e06b788e1946e8c353f} adhered to a high recommended food score.

A total of 982 participants (18{bf0515afdcaddba073662ceb89fbb62b6b1bf123143c0e06b788e1946e8c353f}) had a high lifestyle score (score 6-8), 3945 (72{bf0515afdcaddba073662ceb89fbb62b6b1bf123143c0e06b788e1946e8c353f}) had a medium lifestyle score (score 3-5), and 556 (10{bf0515afdcaddba073662ceb89fbb62b6b1bf123143c0e06b788e1946e8c353f}), had a low lifestyle score (score 0-2). Across increasing healthy lifestyle score categories, there were more women, a lower proportion of comorbidities, and a shorter dialysis vintage.

Median follow-up was 3.8 years. During the follow-up period, there were 2163 deaths (39{bf0515afdcaddba073662ceb89fbb62b6b1bf123143c0e06b788e1946e8c353f}). Of those, 39{bf0515afdcaddba073662ceb89fbb62b6b1bf123143c0e06b788e1946e8c353f} (n=826) were attributed to cardiovascular causes. The cumulative incidence of cardiovascular death was 63 per 1000 person-years in the group with low lifestyle score, 47 per 1000 person-years in the group with medium lifestyle score, and 40 per 1000 person-years in the group with high lifestyle score (log-rank P<.001). For all-cause death, the corresponding values were 156, 124, and 105 per 1000-person years (log-rank P=.002).

When the lifestyle score was treated as a continuous variable, the aHRs of cardiovascular death and all-cause death were 0.92 (95{bf0515afdcaddba073662ceb89fbb62b6b1bf123143c0e06b788e1946e8c353f} CI, 0.89-0.95) and 0.94 (95{bf0515afdcaddba073662ceb89fbb62b6b1bf123143c0e06b788e1946e8c353f} CI, 0.89-0.98), respectively, for every unit greater healthy lifestyle score.

Compared with patients with a low lifestyle score, the aHRs of cardiovascular death among those with medium and high lifestyles scores were 0.73 (95{bf0515afdcaddba073662ceb89fbb62b6b1bf123143c0e06b788e1946e8c353f} CI, 0.49-0.85) and 0.65 (95{bf0515afdcaddba073662ceb89fbb62b6b1bf123143c0e06b788e1946e8c353f} CI, 0.49-0.85), respectively (P for trend=.003). For all-cause mortality, the aHRs were 0.75 (95{bf0515afdcaddba073662ceb89fbb62b6b1bf123143c0e06b788e1946e8c353f} CI, 0.65-0.85) for those with medium lifestyle scores and 0.64 (95{bf0515afdcaddba073662ceb89fbb62b6b1bf123143c0e06b788e1946e8c353f} CI, 0.54-0.76) for those with high lifestyle scores (P for trend <.001).

Smoking and physical activity were consistently associated with higher risk of both cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. Compared with being a current smoker, the aHRs for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality for the participants who never smoked were 0.75 (95{bf0515afdcaddba073662ceb89fbb62b6b1bf123143c0e06b788e1946e8c353f} CI, 0.65-0.86) and 0.71 (95{bf0515afdcaddba073662ceb89fbb62b6b1bf123143c0e06b788e1946e8c353f} CI, 0.57-0.88). Compared with participants who did not engage in physical activity, the aHRs for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality for participants who engaged in physical activity more than once a week were 0.75 (95{bf0515afdcaddba073662ceb89fbb62b6b1bf123143c0e06b788e1946e8c353f}CI, 0.66-0.85) and 0.79 (95{bf0515afdcaddba073662ceb89fbb62b6b1bf123143c0e06b788e1946e8c353f} CI, 0.65-0.96), respectively. There were no significant associations between either recommended food score or blood pressure targets and mortality.

The researchers cited some limitations to the study findings, including the observational design, the self-reported nature of the FFQ, and the data -driven approach.

In conclusion, the authors said, “A healthier lifestyle is associated with lower all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis.”

Takeaway Points

  1. Results of a prospective cohort study evaluating the association of a modified AHA healthy lifestyle score and its individual components with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality.
  2. The cumulative incidence of cardiovascular death in those with low, medium, and high lifestyle scores was 63, 47, and 40 per 100 person-years, respectively.
  3. For all-cause death, the corresponding values were 156, 124, and105 per 1000 person-years, respectively.

You are what you eat: forging a healthy lifestyle for the new year

By Megan Sayles,
AFRO Business Writer,
Report for America Corps Member.
msayles@afro.com

When it comes to New Year’s resolutions, many people often include eating healthier and getting in shape on their list. While the intent to take better care may be there, it’s not always easy to adopt a new diet or workout routine and stick with it. But what better time to make a change than the new year?

African Americans in particular should be mindful of such considerations as they face unique health challenges. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), African Americans between the ages of 18 and 49 are two times more likely to die from heart disease than White Americans. 

Those aged 35 to 64 are also 50 percent more likely to have high blood pressure than their counterparts. 

These troubling health impairments make it imperative for the Black community to examine their lifestyles and diets. Kimberly Coby is one such person motivated to respond. 

A board-certified functional nutrition counselor and health coach, Coby opened Affirm Wellness LLC in 2020 to provide a personalized approach to nutrition that allows people to optimize health. 

She created the company after witnessing her father make drastic changes to his diet while undergoing chemotherapy and radiation to treat lung cancer. The only symptom he experienced during the taxing treatments was fatigue — not nausea or loss of appetite. 

The therapies, however, took a toll on him, leading to a heart attack while he was in remission. He spent a month in the hospital, and one day he went into cardiac arrest. Coby began to pray, and she promised to dedicate herself to health education if he survived. 

“I said, ‘God, if you just give me one more day with my daddy, I will tell the world how to take care of their bodies naturally, the way that he did.’ And he did,” Coby said. 

The most critical change a person can make to their diet is avoiding processed foods, according to Coby. Rather, they should prioritize eating whole foods that are free from additives, like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds.  

Cutting out sugar, which has been found to be addictive by various studies, is also beneficial to the body. However, Coby said swapping it out for artificial sweeteners, like aspartame and sucralose, that are typically used in sugar-free foods and drinks, can be just as harmful to health. 

Instead, she suggested using honey, agave and maple syrup for sweetening. If you’re a self-professed sweet-tooth, Coby recommended adding bananas to fruit smoothies for a creamy, thick texture much like ice cream, combining fresh fruit with oatmeal to make dessert tarts and making fruit popsicles. 

Cutting processed food from your diet is a change that could impact not only physical health, but mental and emotional well-being as well. (Photo by Unsplash/Thomas Le)

Coby explained how the gastrointestinal (GI) system is connected to the brain, and sugar, gluten and dairy can break down the barrier between the brain and gut, allowing bacteria to escape from the GI tract and travel to the brain. 

This causes inflammation, Coby noted, and can lead to people experiencing autoimmune diseases, depression, anxiety and brain fog. But, taking probiotics daily and eating fermented foods such as sauerkraut and kimchi, can improve your gut health.

“You have to learn how to listen to your body. Your body talks to you, and it will tell you what food works for it and what food works against it,” Coby said. “It tells you through a number of different ways… by getting stiff, by showing brain fog, by getting constipated, by getting acne and even by getting some diseases.” 

Coby suggested that people seek advice from nutrition counselors when deciding what type of diet to adopt. If they can’t connect with one, there’s a wealth of information available on functional nutrition online, and they can alternatively follow prominent doctors in the space. 

Once you’ve decided on a diet, meal prepping can be the best way to maintain it. It’s especially important to put together healthy snacks, like veggies or homemade granola bars, you can take with you on the go, so you don’t end up relying on fast-food options, according to Coby. 

When starting a new diet, Coby said, it’s also crucial to prepare your mind for the lifestyle change. People should have a sense of why they are implementing changes to their diet and what they would like to achieve from it, she said. 

For exercise, Coby recommended newcomers start off slow. They can try walking and yoga, and if they choose to amp up their workouts, they must consider if the exercises are sustainable over the long term. 

However, diet is still the largest determinant of a person’s physical health, according to Coby. 

“Whole food, natural food, organic food is delicious. Spices and herbs have no calories, and they taste great,” Coby said. “You just have to play around with different varieties to see what you like.” 

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Why a Healthy Lifestyle Is Not Enough to Prevent Dementia

Summary: The alternatives for a healthful way of life are unequally dispersed and being socially deprived with a larger danger of producing Alzheimer’s illness.

Supply: University of Leipzig

Dementia is on the rise in Germany. In the absence of therapy possibilities, the focus is shifting to protecting against dementia. In particular, a healthful lifestyle is regarded as beneficial for brain health and fitness.

A examine by the College of Medication now shows that possibilities for a healthy lifestyle are unequally dispersed: being socially disadvantaged is associated with a greater risk of dementia. The present findings have been published in the Journal of Alzheimers Sickness.

As the population ages, dementia is on the rise. Currently, about 1.8 million individuals in Germany suffer from dementia. Inhabitants studies forecast an raise to about 3 million by 2050. Global investigation demonstrates terrific opportunity for dementia avoidance primarily based on modifiable health and way of life elements, these types of as hypertension, being overweight, physical and mental activity, and eating plan. In other text: a wholesome life-style is superior for mind health.

“But the alternatives are unequally distributed,” states Dr. Susanne Röhr, head of the recent research and a researcher at the Institute of Social Drugs, Occupational Medication and Community Well being (ISAP) at Leipzig College. “Socially disadvantaged individuals, these kinds of as individuals on very low incomes, have a tendency to have a better risk of dementia.”

The scientists used facts from much more than 6,200 participants in the Existence Adult review at the Leipzig Study Middle for Civilization Ailments. The proportion of females and adult males was the similar. The topics had been concerning 40 and 79 many years aged and ended up not affected by dementia.

The significant knowledge foundation of the populace-dependent cohort examine permits the Leipzig researchers to map a advanced life-style index with twelve modifiable hazard factors for dementia.

These contain hypertension, actual physical activity, smoking, obesity, and nutritional behavior. Subsequently, the impact of the index on the partnership involving socio-economic factors such as training, occupational position, and family cash flow, and psychological general performance and benefits of neuropsychological checks, is examined.

Why a Healthy Lifestyle Is Not Enough to Prevent Dementia
The effects of the present-day review demonstrate that dissimilarities in psychological efficiency thanks to social inequalities are associated to modifiable wellbeing and life style elements for dementia. Graphic is in the community domain

The final results of the current examine present that variances in psychological performance because of to social inequalities are linked to modifiable wellness and life style aspects for dementia.

“This implies that way of life interventions could mitigate social inequalities in cognitive general performance,” adds Professor Steffi Riedel-Heller, director at ISAP.

According to the researchers, on the other hand, wellness and lifestyle factors only make clear dissimilarities in mental efficiency thanks to socio-economic variables to a smaller extent. The examine findings hence also recommend that the greater emphasis may possibly be on the social circumstances them selves.

“Political steps aimed at reducing social inequalities could thus contribute noticeably to minimizing the chance of dementia,” states Dr. Röhr.

About this way of life and dementia research news

Writer: Press Office environment
Source: University of Leipzig
Speak to: Push Business – University of Leipzig
Image: The impression is in the public domain

See also

This shows a sad looking man

Initial Investigation: Closed accessibility.
“Socioeconomic Inequalities in Cognitive Functioning Only to a Tiny Extent Attributable to Modifiable Overall health and Way of living Variables in Men and women Devoid of Dementia” by Susanne Röhr et al. Journal of Alzheimer’s Condition

Abstract

Socioeconomic Inequalities in Cognitive Functioning Only to a Modest Extent Attributable to Modifiable Well being and Life style Elements in People Devoid of Dementia

Qualifications: There are socioeconomic inequalities in dementia possibility. Underlying pathways are not properly acknowledged. Aim:To investigate whether modifiable wellness and way of life aspects for brain health mediate the association of socioeconomic status (SES) and cognitive performing in a inhabitants without dementia.

Approaches: The “LIfestyle for Mind health” (LIBRA) rating was computed for 6,203 baseline individuals of the Lifetime-Grownup-Research. LIBRA predicts dementia in midlife and early late daily life, primarily based on 12 modifiable components. Associations of SES (schooling, internet equivalence profits, and occupational standing) and LIBRA with cognitive working (composite rating) had been investigated applying modified linear regression designs. Bootstrapped structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to investigate no matter whether LIBRA mediated the association of SES and cognitive working.

Results: Participants have been M = 57.4 (SD = 10.6, selection: 40-79) yrs old 50.3{bf0515afdcaddba073662ceb89fbb62b6b1bf123143c0e06b788e1946e8c353f} have been feminine. Both equally, SES (Wald: F(2)=52.5, p < 0.001) and LIBRA (Wald: F(1)=5.9, p < 0.05) were independently associated with cognitive functioning there was no interaction (Wald: F(2)=2.9, p = 0.060). Lower SES and higher LIBRA scores indicated lower cognitive functioning. LIBRA partially mediated the association of SES and cognitive functioning (IE: =0.02, 95{bf0515afdcaddba073662ceb89fbb62b6b1bf123143c0e06b788e1946e8c353f} CI [0.02, 0.03], p < 0.001). The proportion mediated was 12.7{bf0515afdcaddba073662ceb89fbb62b6b1bf123143c0e06b788e1946e8c353f}.

Conclusion: Differences in cognitive functioning due to SES can be partially attributed to differences in modifiable health and lifestyle factors but to a small extent. This suggests that lifestyle interventions could attenuate socioeconomic inequalities in cognitive functioning. However, directly intervening on the social determinants of health may yield greater benefits for dementia risk reduction.

Northwest doctors say: Keep blood pressure in check with healthy lifestyle, testing at home

Because it draws zero attention to itself, high blood pressure — the technical term is hypertension — seems to be the easiest to shrug off of all ongoing health conditions in American adults.

It’s symptomless. It’s sneaky. A trivial paper cut will cause you more pain and suffering than this important aspect of your health.

Nearly half of all American adults have high blood pressure, according to the American Heart Association, and many don’t even know it.

But hypertension doesn’t stay symptomless forever, according to Dr. Noreen Nazir, a preventive cardiologist at Oregon Health & Science University.

“In the early stages, you can have elevated numbers but no sustained symptoms,” Nazir said. “The body is trying to compensate. It can do this for a time but you may be on your way to developing symptoms and developing negative outcomes later on.”

Avoid ‘Holiday Heart’

The holiday season is when we tend to eat and drink with abandon. Doctors have a name for seasonally troubled cardiovascular systems: “holiday heart.” If you’re trying to keep your blood pressure in check despite holiday treats and peer pressure, try these tips:

  • Before you hit that party, snack healthily and include protein. You’ll be less inclined to gorge.
  • At the party, start with a glass of water. Delay and reduce alcohol.
  • Keep exercising. In addition to keeping your blood pressure better regulated, it’ll reduce stress and keep your spirits bright.
  • Stick with your meds. If you tend to forget, get a weekly pill organizer.
  • Be careful with over-the-counter cold and flu meds, which can raise blood pressure. Read labels. 

According to the American Heart Association, chronic hypertension — that is, blood pressure that stays too high for too long — increases one’s risk of heart attack, stroke and a host of other health problems, from heart and kidney disease to vision loss and sexual dysfunction.

“Most people experience very little symptoms until it’s too late,” said Dr. Richard Segal, an internal medicine specialist at Kaiser Permanente in Salem, Ore.

Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death for adults in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Stroke is No. 5.

“Worldwide, raised blood pressure is estimated to cause 7.5 million deaths, about 12.8 percent of the total of all deaths,” according to the World Health Organization.

That’s why it’s important to get screened, understand what your numbers mean and come up with a plan if you need one.

“If you have risk factors you want to mitigate them,” Nazir said. “And if you have hypertension, you want to get it under control. You don’t want it to get worse.”

Physics vs. fast food

High blood pressure is really a simple physics problem, Nazir said. It happens when too much fluid is forced through constricted blood vessels.

Age and genetics are two reasons why healthy blood vessels may constrict over time, but our own behavior is usually the bigger factor. Smoking, an unhealthy diet, more than a little alcohol and lack of exercise are chief culprits. They all contribute to constricted, stiffened blood vessels as well as the buildup of plaque, which further blocks the way.

“Smoking is the No. 1 thing,” Segal said. “The nicotine in tobacco is a major factor in narrowing the blood vessels and letting plaque build up.”

Sugar, fat and alcohol are also culprits, Nazir said. Sodium is the most infamous blood-pressure raiser of all.

“Salt is everywhere,” she said. “It is easy to overdo and it has a lot of impact, as it causes the body to retain more fluid and the heart to pump more fluid.”

Industrial and commercial foods have everything to do with this, according to the CDC, which notes that sodium in restaurant and processed foods “contributes to high rates of blood pressure, heart attack and stroke.”

Still, Kaiser’s Segal cautioned against freaking out about hidden salt. If you take the trouble to read labels, make smart food choices and stay out of the drive-thru lane, he said, your sodium intake shouldn’t be much of a problem.

“And could you please make that with no salt or as little salt as possible?” is the way to make a polite nuisance of yourself in restaurants. Why not? You are paying for your food. Your hypertensive dining companions likely will admire your gumption, and even follow your lead.

Always exercise

Exercise is the best prescription for, well, just about everything, Segal said.

In terms of blood pressure, aerobic exercise strengthens the heart muscle as well as the elasticity of blood vessels. While it causes a temporary spike in blood pressure, exercise also promotes a healthier, more efficient, more resilient cardiovascular system overall.

Even obese people can benefit in myriad ways from getting moving, Segal said. In addition to a direct effect on blood pressure, moderate exercise promotes weight loss, stronger muscles and better moods.

And that’s important, Nazir said, because chronic stress is another blood pressure booster.

Walking, jogging, hiking, swimming and dancing are all great examples of aerobic exercise. The American Heart Association recommends that we all try for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise, five days per week. If that’s new to you, start slowly and build toward it. If 30 minutes at once is too much, break it into 15- or 10-minute chunks.

(If you already have heart issues or have had a heart attack, check with your doctor first.)

Test yourself

Unhealthy habits aren’t the only reason why nearly half of all Americans have high blood pressure. The definition of “high” has also changed.

“We recognize, medically, that it’s healthier to have lower blood pressure,” Segal said. “We are watching our guidelines continuously drop.”

In 2017, the marker for detecting, managing and treating hypertension was lowered from 140/90 to 130/80. That swept many millions more people into a newly expanded group that ought to be testing and managing their blood pressure.

The new guideline stemmed from numerous clinical studies that showed that achieving lowered blood pressure goals significantly reduced the rate of “heart events” and death, according to the American Heart Association.

But because doctor’s offices tend to give people the willies and cause what’s known as White Coat Syndrome (anxiety that produces high blood-pressure readings), testing yourself in the comfort of your home will give you more meaningful results, Segal said.

Today’s over-the-counter arm cuffs are reliable and affordable, Segal said. He doesn’t recommend finger or watch-style wrist blood pressure readers, which are not accurate enough, he said.

When to test? Other than waiting half an hour or more after coffee — that’s a guaranteed spike — there’s no wrong answer.

“I always say the best time is whenever you can,” Nazir said.

Many people check right after waking in the morning but before eating or drinking anything. Then they become dismayed to discover that, despite still feeling groggy, their blood pressure is surprisingly high.

That’s thanks to your body’s natural release of the stress hormone cortisol, which helps you rev up in the morning and typically drives a blood-pressure spike, Nazir said.

Be aware of that dynamic, Segal and Nazir both said, but don’t let it alarm you. Test at various times during the day and you’ll likely be surprised at how much blood pressure varies. At night, when your day is winding down, you might just be surprised and comforted to see how low it goes.

More information is always better, Nazir said. Whenever you test, do it three times. Your digital reader can probably calculate the average for you.

“The important thing is the average,” Segal said.