Spinal Cord's Role in Urination Mapped, Opening Door to Incontinence Treatments
'The spinal cord is a very undiscovered area,' Vasileios Christopoulos, assistant professor of biomedical engineering at the University of Southern California (USC), stated in a press release.
Spinal Cord Activity Linked With Urination
Recently published in Nature Communications, researchers used a type of imaging technology called functional ultrasound imaging—which tracks blood flow changes in the nervous system—to observe how different regions of the spinal cord respond as the bladder fills and empties.
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Cardiologists Are Begging You To Eat More of This High-Fiber Food if You're Over 50
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If you're over 50, cardiologists say there's one high-fiber food in particular that can make it simple to hit your daily goals of the macronutrient. Even better: It's versatile and easy to use. Here's what they want you to keep in mind about increasing your fiber intake for heart health, plus the food that can help. 🩺SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week💊 The High-Fiber Food Cardiologists Want People Over 50 To Eat More Of If you want to increase your fiber intake for heart health, cardiologists recommend incorporating chia seeds into your diet. 'Chia seeds are an easy and effective way to boost your daily fiber intake,' says , director of the Hypertension Center at Northwell's Staten Island University Hospital., interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, CA, agrees. 'Chia seeds are a good source of both soluble and insoluble fiber,' he says. Soluble fiber interacts with water to create a gel-like substance in the gut and can help lower the risk of heart disease, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Insoluble fiber adds bulk to stool and helps food pass more quickly through the gastrointestinal tract. 'Just two tablespoons pack about 10 grams of fiber, which is nearly half of the recommended daily amount for older adults,' Dr. Behuria says. Related: Why Chia Seeds Can Support Heart Health There are a few reasons why chia seeds can support heart health. The fiber in chia seeds can support heart health by lowering levels of LDL 'bad' cholesterol, Dr. Chen says. High levels of LDL cholesterol are linked with the buildup of plaque in the arteries—and that increases the risk of having a heart attack and stroke. Chia seeds may also improve blood sugar control, lowering the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, a condition that's also linked to double the chances of getting heart disease. The risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases over age 45, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 'Chia seeds can aid in feeling full longer, which may help with weight management,' Dr. Behuria says. Being overweight and obesity are risk factors for heart disease, and maintaining a healthy weight can help combat that. Chia seeds are also easy to toss in a range of foods, from smoothies to oatmeal, making it simple to hit your fiber goals. You can even create 'chia seed water' by soaking chia seeds in water and drinking the mixture. Related: Keep This In Mind When Eating Chia Seeds for Heart Health Chia seeds can be added to a slew of different foods, but cardiologists stress the importance of making sure they're used with a lot of water. 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Control your cholesterol by limiting sugary foods and drinks, red and processed meats, salty foods, refined carbohydrates, and highly processed foods. Try to manage your blood sugar. Stay on top of your blood pressure. Up Next:Sources: Heart Health and Aging, National Institute on Aging Heart Disease Prevalence, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention McKeown NM, et al. Fibre intake for optimal health: how can healthcare professionals support people to reach dietary recommendations? BMJ. 2022. DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2020-054370. 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