Latest news with #AmericanJournalofPreventiveCardiology
Economic Times
a day ago
- Health
- Economic Times
Leaving meat is not enough: New study reveals the vegetarian diet your heart really needs
Going vegetarian doesn't automatically mean a healthier heart, warns a Johns Hopkins University study. People who ate processed plant-based foods faced a 65% higher risk of heart damage. The research urges a shift from just 'plant-based' to 'nutrient-rich,' advocating for whole grains, fruits, and legumes over fries and refined carbs to truly safeguard cardiovascular health. A new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Cardiology reveals that simply eliminating meat isn't enough to improve heart health. Researchers found that consuming unhealthy plant-based foods—like fries, chips, and refined grains—can raise cardiac risk markers. (Image: iStock) Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads When 'Plant-Based' Becomes Problematic A well-balanced plant-based diet for heart health should be rich in fibre, antioxidants, and low in saturated fats. (Image: iStoxk) Healthy Plants vs. Unhealthy Plants Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Not Just About What You Eliminate, But What You Choose Limitations and Real-World Impact For decades, giving up red meat has been seen as a fast track to better heart health . From lowering cholesterol to reducing blood pressure, the plant-based shift has been widely celebrated as a wholesome lifestyle choice. But new research suggests that this narrative needs a serious reality to The Mirror, a recent study, published in the American Journal of Preventive Cardiology and reported by News Medical, reveals a startling insight: not all plant-based diets are created equal, and simply cutting out meat may not be enough to protect your heart. In fact, some vegetarian diets could be doing more harm than study, led by researchers at Johns Hopkins University, analyzed the diets and heart health of more than 7,000 U.S. adults. What they found disrupts the usual assumptions about vegetarianism . Participants who consumed less healthy plant-based foods were found to have 65% higher chances of elevated cardiac troponin levels—biomarkers that indicate heart muscle damage and can be early warning signs of serious cardiac conditions like heart what exactly counts as less healthy plant food? The list may surprise you. It includes staples like French fries, mashed potatoes, potato or corn chips, and refined grains such as white rice, white bread, and sugary breakfast cereals. All technically vegetarian, but far from to the American Heart Association, a well-balanced plant-based diet should be rich in fibre, antioxidants, and low in saturated fats. Think whole grains, nuts, legumes, fruits, and leafy greens. These form the basis of the hPDI ( Healthful Plant-Based Diet Index) and the DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension)—two dietary models that were closely examined in the DASH diet, in particular, is designed to support individuals with high blood pressure. It emphasises vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins, while cutting back on sodium, sugar, and processed foods . Participants adhering to the DASH diet over 12 weeks showed a measurable reduction in heart disease of the key revelations of the study is this: eliminating animal-based food isn't inherently heart-healthy if it's replaced by processed, nutrient-poor vegetarian options. 'People often assume vegetarian equals healthy, but it's not that simple,' the researchers noted. It's the quality of plant-based foods that determines cardiovascular benefit—not just the absence of the study leaned on self-reported dietary habits—which can introduce bias—it still raises a critical point. The rush to embrace plant-based living must be accompanied by informed choices. It's not about rejecting meat, but about embracing better research aims to spark more nuanced conversations around diet culture, especially at a time when plant-based eating is trending globally. 'This could change the way we talk about vegetarianism,' experts believe—encouraging people not just to go green, but to go clean.
Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
Leaving meat is not enough: New study reveals the vegetarian diet your heart really needs
For decades, giving up red meat has been seen as a fast track to better heart health . From lowering cholesterol to reducing blood pressure, the plant-based shift has been widely celebrated as a wholesome lifestyle choice. But new research suggests that this narrative needs a serious reality check. According to The Mirror, a recent study, published in the American Journal of Preventive Cardiology and reported by News Medical, reveals a startling insight: not all plant-based diets are created equal, and simply cutting out meat may not be enough to protect your heart. In fact, some vegetarian diets could be doing more harm than good. When 'Plant-Based' Becomes Problematic The study, led by researchers at Johns Hopkins University, analyzed the diets and heart health of more than 7,000 U.S. adults. What they found disrupts the usual assumptions about vegetarianism . Participants who consumed less healthy plant-based foods were found to have 65% higher chances of elevated cardiac troponin levels—biomarkers that indicate heart muscle damage and can be early warning signs of serious cardiac conditions like heart attacks. So what exactly counts as less healthy plant food? The list may surprise you. It includes staples like French fries, mashed potatoes, potato or corn chips, and refined grains such as white rice, white bread, and sugary breakfast cereals. All technically vegetarian, but far from heart-friendly. iStock A well-balanced plant-based diet for heart health should be rich in fibre, antioxidants, and low in saturated fats. (Image: iStoxk) Healthy Plants vs. Unhealthy Plants According to the American Heart Association, a well-balanced plant-based diet should be rich in fibre, antioxidants, and low in saturated fats. Think whole grains, nuts, legumes, fruits, and leafy greens. These form the basis of the hPDI ( Healthful Plant-Based Diet Index) and the DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension)—two dietary models that were closely examined in the study. You Might Also Like: Harvard expert reveals the secret superfood you're probably ignoring that could protect your heart The DASH diet, in particular, is designed to support individuals with high blood pressure. It emphasises vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins, while cutting back on sodium, sugar, and processed foods . Participants adhering to the DASH diet over 12 weeks showed a measurable reduction in heart disease markers. Not Just About What You Eliminate, But What You Choose One of the key revelations of the study is this: eliminating animal-based food isn't inherently heart-healthy if it's replaced by processed, nutrient-poor vegetarian options. 'People often assume vegetarian equals healthy, but it's not that simple,' the researchers noted. It's the quality of plant-based foods that determines cardiovascular benefit—not just the absence of meat. Limitations and Real-World Impact While the study leaned on self-reported dietary habits—which can introduce bias—it still raises a critical point. The rush to embrace plant-based living must be accompanied by informed choices. It's not about rejecting meat, but about embracing better plants. The research aims to spark more nuanced conversations around diet culture, especially at a time when plant-based eating is trending globally. 'This could change the way we talk about vegetarianism,' experts believe—encouraging people not just to go green, but to go clean. You Might Also Like: How being in love can actually boost your heart health, according to cardiologists You Might Also Like: Harvard doctor warns about 4 common mistakes that can destroy heart health
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Letters to the Editor: GOP megabill isn't so beautiful when it comes to our warming planet
To the editor: So, it's hot and it'll get hotter (''It's pretty bleak': A warming planet is poised to get even hotter, forecasters warn,' May 29). Natural disasters from our fossil fuel reliance will cost us health, lives and property. What does our House of Representatives do? They pass the 'One Big Beautiful Bill," which would strip beneficial climate legislation from the Inflation Reduction Act. With incentives (not mandates), the IRA has already stimulated $600 billion in private investments in 750 domestic clean energy projects, creating more than 400,000 new clean energy jobs. A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Cardiology found that the health benefits of the IRA alone would more than offset the cost of IRA incentives by 2050. The IRA climate provisions save us even more by limiting future droughts, storms, wildfires, sea level rise, crop failures and insurance rate increases. If our senators have intelligence and integrity, they will strip the bill of its climate-destroying language. Tom Hazelleaf, Seal Beach This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Letters to the Editor: GOP megabill isn't so beautiful when it comes to our warming planet
To the editor: So, it's hot and it'll get hotter (''It's pretty bleak': A warming planet is poised to get even hotter, forecasters warn,' May 29). Natural disasters from our fossil fuel reliance will cost us health, lives and property. What does our House of Representatives do? They pass the 'One Big Beautiful Bill,' which would strip beneficial climate legislation from the Inflation Reduction Act. With incentives (not mandates), the IRA has already stimulated $600 billion in private investments in 750 domestic clean energy projects, creating more than 400,000 new clean energy jobs. A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Cardiology found that the health benefits of the IRA alone would more than offset the cost of IRA incentives by 2050. The IRA climate provisions save us even more by limiting future droughts, storms, wildfires, sea level rise, crop failures and insurance rate increases. If our senators have intelligence and integrity, they will strip the bill of its climate-destroying language. Tom Hazelleaf, Seal Beach
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Sitting All Day at Work? Experts Say Under Desk Ellipticals Can Help You Stay Active
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." If you spend the majority of your work day sitting in a chair or at a desk, you're not alone. According to an article published in the American Journal of Preventive Cardiology, more than 80% of jobs in the U.S. are mostly sedentary. Sitting too long can lead to many health issues including heart disease, diabetes, stroke and many more. Contrary to popular belief, just because you're tied to a desk all day doesn't mean you can't get in some activity. Enter: an under desk elliptical. "An allows you to get in some movement and increase blood flow to the legs while working," says Wendy Winn, PT, OCS, physical therapist board certified in orthopedics, owner of Custom Performance physical therapy office in New York, NY. Our experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Wellness Lab, researched and evaluated a variety of under desk ellipticals to find the best options for every home and office setup. Our top picks include models that tested well, recommendations from Winn, units from brands that we're familiar with and have performed well in the past, picks recommended by our physical therapists experts and highly rated options with positive it easy or break a sweat with one of eight resistance level options and track multiple metrics like stride, speed and calories burned on the monitor with Bluetooth connectivity. Chiara Butler, the Reviews Analyst in the GH Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab, has the Flexstride Plus underneath her desk at work. She appreciated how quiet and smooth the pedaling motion is while using it on the lowest resistance level at work. "I love that it's quiet enough that I can use it without disturbing my coworkers, which was a big concern for me," she shared. This high-tech elliptical comes with a floor mat for under your desk, caster stoppers, a resistance band and a chair strap to tether the machine to an office chair with wheels. While it requires some assembly and it's one of the heaviest options on our list, Butler set it up all by herself. $199.99 at past inactivity on this under desk elliptical, which can be pedaled forward or in reverse. This compact steel machine is midweight, with non-slip endcaps and pedals so your feet feel secure while you're working. "I like how stable this model is," says Winn. It is easily portable as well. Track your strides, exercise time and calories burned on the machine's electronic built-in monitor. You can also adjust the tension by turning the resistance knob. However, the resistance isn't displayed so you'll have to adjust based off of feel and your effort expenditure. Pair the elliptical via Bluetooth with the müüv app on your smartphone to provide personalized workouts tailored to you. $119.99 at like this elliptical for its fun pink design that can spice up your office (though you can go with gray or white if pink isn't your thing). There's a small digital monitor to keep track of metrics like time, speed, calories and distance while you work out, and you can pick among eight resistance levels by turning the tension knob. The foot pedals are textured to help prevent slippage while in use, and our experts like that this model comes with a handle so you can move it around easily (though take note that it's around the heavier end at 25 pounds). Plus, it has over 7,600 five-star ratings on Amazon, with many reviewers noting that the model is stable and quiet. $144.48 at with this under desk elliptical, which offers eight resistance levels and comes with a display monitor to track your stats. It's on the expensive end of the spectrum and is one of the heaviest choices on this list, but it has larger foot pedals so you can adjust your motion so it feels the most comfortable for you. The sturdy model is well-made and quiet. It's also compatible with your Apple Watch or Fitbit so you can track your stats. "Thoughtful design, well engineered, solid construction, a pleasure to use. Large pedals, smooth, quiet. A little pricey but you get what you pay for," one Amazon reviewer said. RELATED: 7 Best Under Desk Bikes, Tested by Fitness Experts $179.99 at savvy colleagues will appreciate this connected under desk elliptical from Cubii. With eight levels of resistance, this device most importantly connects to the Cubii app for wireless fitness tracking via Bluetooth. It's compact and comes with a slip-resistant mat to protect your floor while in use. "I like that this model is stable and doesn't move around when you're using it," says experts like that this model is quiet, weighs less than 20 pounds and comes with a built-in handle and wheels to easily move it around if needed. It's only available in one color, but we appreciate that the Cubii products are well-made and designed. "I use it under my desk at work all day long and no one can tell," one Amazon reviewer said. $229.99 at an upgraded version of this company's regular model, you won't have to worry about your feet slipping or sliding on the pedals of this elliptical thanks to its built-in foot straps that can be adjusted for a secure fit. The elliptical comes with a remote so you can easily switch back and forth between power-assisted (where the pedals move without much effort from you) and adjustable-resistance mode without having to bend down. Use the buttons to navigate the tension and speed from level one to 10. It is worth noting that some users found the power-assisted mode to be somewhat useless and too easy. Bonus: This machine has built-in wheels and a retractable handle for easy portability! RELATED: The Elliptical vs. the Treadmill: Which Is Better for You? $169.99 at fitness and product experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute test sports equipment year-round ranging from rowing machines to dumbbells and exercise bikes. When researching and evaluating under desk ellipticals, we assessed if the models were simple to assemble, how sturdy and durable they were, ease of use and whether each machine had a handle or other element to help pick them up and move them around or for storage. The sturdier models tend to weigh more, which is worth noting if you'll want to use the machine in more than one area. We also considered whether the models had display monitors and other features like multi-level resistance and app connectivity. Additionally, we consulted ratings and online reviews to see how users fared with the machines after owning them for longer periods of time. Plus, we interviewed experts in the field like physical therapists to give their thoughts and are a handful of features you'll want to consider before making your purchase: ✔️ Size and weight: It's important to measure the area under your desk so you know what dimensions you have to work with. Remember: As you push the pedals, it will raise the height of your knees, so you'll want to make sure there's enough clearance for you to use your full range of motion without knocking into the table or desk. If you plan to move the machine around — whether to put it on top of the desk sometimes for an upper body workout or if you want to store it in a closet when not in use — it's also important to know how much the machine weighs. Some options are lighter and more portable, while others are heavier and more stable in one place. ✔️ Features: Are you looking for a basic elliptical machine or do you want one with all the bells and whistles? Do you need an LCD screen to view your stats as you pedal? Are you planning on using it for upper-body workouts, too? Does the machine have a handle for easy portability? What about a non-slip base? Consider all these features based on your needs. ✔️ Resistance: Ask yourself if you want your machine to have multi-resistance options so that you can adjust the amount of effort and power you're putting into your session. If it does have multiple resistance levels, how do you adjust them? Is there a knob, or is it done digitally? Know your preference and what works best for you. ✔️ Noise level: Some machines can create a lot more noise than others. Are you going to be using your under desk elliptical in an office around co-workers or are you using it at home alone? Do you also plan to use it while you watch TV on the couch? Noise levels can make a big difference and are often under desk bikes have pedals with manual adjustable resistance knobs. Some ellipticals are a bit more advanced with their resistance technology. However, the choice is ultimately up to user preference. "Biomechanically, there will be a slight difference between how your foot sits on the flat elliptical pedals versus the smaller bike pedals with foot straps," points out Winn. "However, I wouldn't say one is better than the other, but rather just preference on foot placement and features."The biggest and most obvious difference between the two is that you're sitting when using an under desk elliptical versus standing on a treadmill. "Both burn calories and increase blood flow while working," says Winn. "Also, both are comparable to a traditional elliptical and treadmill in that the difficulty is user-dependent based on what you set the resistance, speed and incline to." However, an elliptical is lower impact and more joint-friendly than walking, jogging or running on a treadmill. is an NASM Certified Personal Trainer and journalist who has been in the health and fitness industry for over a decade. She's extremely passionate about leading an active lifestyle and inspiring others to do the same. Amy can often be found getting in daily fasted cardio, strength training in the gym and testing and writing about gear and equipment like running shoes, leggings, treadmills, rowers and more. Wendy Winn, PT, OCS, is a physical therapist board certified in orthopedics, and the owner and director of Custom Performance physical therapy in New York, NY. Winn has been a practicing therapist for over 13 years and has served as an expert contributor and educator for many fitness and running institutions. You Might Also Like 67 Best Gifts for Women That'll Make Her Smile The Best Pillows for Every Type of Sleeper
