H. J. Heinz Company has reformulated its world-famous ketchup to comply with New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s National Salt Reduction Initiative.
It’s the latest salvo in the food wars. Continue reading Heinz Ketchup reduces sodium 25%
Category Archives: Heart Disease
Benefits of walking or biking to work
“Active” commuting (walking or biking) has many benefits, as reported in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. Continue reading Benefits of walking or biking to work
Adverse effects of non-medical cannabis
For over 2 decades, cannabis (marijuana) has been the most widely used illicit drug by young people in high-income countries, and has become popular on a global scale.
Researchers from the University of Queensland, in Herston, Australia reviewed the adverse effects. Continue reading Adverse effects of non-medical cannabis
Marijuana: Politics trumps reality
Attorney General Eric Holder says the US Justice Department will no longer raid medical marijuana clubs. His declaration is a fulfillment of a campaign promise by Barack Obama, and marks a major shift from the previous administration.
In fact, there’s scant support for medical marijuana based on medical science. Here’s what’s been published in just the past 6 months. Continue reading Marijuana: Politics trumps reality
Consumer Alert: FDA warns about OTC chelation products
8 companies of over-the-counter (OTC) chelation products were told that they are selling unapproved drugs and devices and are violating federal law with respect to unproven claims about these products.
These products purport to treat a range of diseases by removing toxic metals from the body. Some also claim to treat autism spectrum disorder, cardiovascular diseases, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, macular degeneration, and other serious conditions. Continue reading Consumer Alert: FDA warns about OTC chelation products
Do religion and spirituality protect against heart disease?
It might not be sufficient on its own to prevent heart disease, but Dr. Desiree Lie, writing on Medscape, discusses the benefits. Continue reading Do religion and spirituality protect against heart disease?
Is there a connection between vitamin D and muscle pain during statin therapy?
During the American College of Cardiology meeting, researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham reported there was no link between blood levels of vitamin D and the incidence of myalgias in patients treated with the statin drug, atorvastatin (Lipitor). Continue reading Is there a connection between vitamin D and muscle pain during statin therapy?
Comparing fructose- and glucose-sweetened beverages
Overweight and obese subjects consumed glucose- or fructose-sweetened beverages, and researchers from the US and Japan compared the effects.
A new TV commercial in the US claims there’s no difference. Not so, according to these results. Here are the findings, and the potential significance of this research. Continue reading Comparing fructose- and glucose-sweetened beverages
Consumer Alert: Slimming Beauty Bitter Orange Slimming Capsules
So good they had to name it “slimming” twice.
Unfortunately, Slimming Beauty contains the active pharmaceutical ingredient sibutramine (Meridia), a stimulant. And the marketer, Beautiful Health Inc., formerly LL Health and Beauty, failed to list it among the ingredients on the label. Continue reading Consumer Alert: Slimming Beauty Bitter Orange Slimming Capsules
Cellular effects of exercise in heart disease
The endothelium is a thin layer of cells that line the interior surface of blood vessels.
Endothelial dysfunction often leads to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) in patients with diabetes, high blood pressure, and other chronic conditions.
Is it possible that exercise might improve the function of the endothelium and benefit patients with heart disease? Continue reading Cellular effects of exercise in heart disease
No effect of pine bark extract on cardiovascular disease risk
Pine bark extract is a dietary antioxidant supplement.
In this study, researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine, in California, attempt to correct past studies that they consider flawed. Continue reading No effect of pine bark extract on cardiovascular disease risk
Reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease in people with diabetes
The haptoglobin (Hp) 2-2 gene is dysfunctional in people with diabetes and increases their risk of cardiovascular disease.
Researchers at Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel, tested the antioxidant vitamin E to protect diabetic patients with HP 2-2 from cardiovascular complications. Continue reading Reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease in people with diabetes
Consumer Alert: Prolatis
The distributor of this product recommends to, “Be ready when the time is right!”
The FDA says not so fast. Prolatis contains “sulfoaildenafil, an analogue of sildenafil [Viagra],… making Prolatis an unapproved drug.” Continue reading Consumer Alert: Prolatis
Krill oil effects in humans
A reader asked for a summary of the benefits of krill oil.
Most of the published literature is based on animal studies. But several researchers have studied humans. Continue reading Krill oil effects in humans
Best source of omega-3 fatty acids for heart health
People with known coronary heart disease should consume at least 1 gram daily of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids.
Researchers from the University of Missouri-Kansas City ask whether taking supplements provide the same benefits as eating fatty fish? Continue reading Best source of omega-3 fatty acids for heart health
Perspective on homocysteine in heart disease
Researchers at the University of Palermo, in Italy summarize past evidence.
And SEARCH researchers bring us up to the moment. Continue reading Perspective on homocysteine in heart disease
Acupuncture to improve exercise in patients with heart failure
Researchers at the University Hospital of Heidelberg, in Germany tested the value of acupuncture. Continue reading Acupuncture to improve exercise in patients with heart failure
Reviewing pomegranate research
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) told POM Wonderful that their UK billboard showing a bottle of pomegranate juice and a hangman’s noose, and proclaims the juice can “cheat death” must be taken down.
ASA says “We considered the evidence… but concluded that it fell short of showing any direct relation between consuming the product and a longer life.”
So, what’s the evidence? Continue reading Reviewing pomegranate research
Consumer Alert: Que She
This “all-natural blend of Chinese herbs” will get this year’s award for the most fraudulently labeled supplement. Continue reading Consumer Alert: Que She
Taking omega-3 after a heart attack
When added to optimal therapy, omega-3 didn’t improve long-term survival, according to the results of the “OMEGA-Trial” presented during the American College of Cardiology’s 58th Annual Scientific Sessions by researchers from the University of Heidelberg, in Germany. Continue reading Taking omega-3 after a heart attack