Latest news with #Marie-PierreSt-Onge
Economic Times
23-05-2025
- Health
- Economic Times
How much junk food does an average American eat? A simple blood test has the answer
ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT More than 57% of calories in the average American diet come from ultra-processed foods . These include chips, candy, soda, and ready-to-eat meals. Now, scientists have developed a blood test that can measure how much of this food a person really years, researchers relied on food diaries and surveys to understand diets. But those methods are not always accurate. People forget, misreport, or don't notice how much processed food they new test changes that. Scientists can now find molecular markers in the blood that show how much ultra-processed food someone consumes. These markers include chemicals linked to additives like preservatives, artificial sweeteners, and colorings, all common in packaged and fast research was published in PLOS Medicine and included hundreds of participants. Their blood samples were tested and compared with their reported diets. The results matched: the more processed food someone ate, the higher the levels of specific markers in their test then gives each person a diet 'score' based on the amount of ultra-processed food in their system. A higher score means a higher high scores were also linked with serious health issues. People who consumed more ultra-processed food were more likely to have obesity, high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and other signs of poor metabolic Marie-Pierre St-Onge, the study's lead author, said this test could be a 'game changer.' It provides an objective way to track diet quality, which could help doctors give better scientists are hopeful the test can help in more than just research. It could be used in clinics, health programs, and even in public health surveys to get a better idea of how diet impacts long-term the test is still new. Researchers say it needs more trials in different age groups and cultures before it becomes widely food is a growing global issue. But in the U.S., the numbers are especially high. Many people don't realize just how much of their daily intake comes from these test might help people better understand their diets and possibly lead them to make healthier choices. It could also help public health experts track diet trends and target the most at-risk the future, your next health check-up might not just measure your cholesterol. It could also show you how much junk food is in your blood.
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
How much junk food does an average American eat? A simple blood test has the answer
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel More than 57% of calories in the average American diet come from ultra-processed foods . These include chips, candy, soda, and ready-to-eat meals. Now, scientists have developed a blood test that can measure how much of this food a person really years, researchers relied on food diaries and surveys to understand diets. But those methods are not always accurate. People forget, misreport, or don't notice how much processed food they new test changes that. Scientists can now find molecular markers in the blood that show how much ultra-processed food someone consumes. These markers include chemicals linked to additives like preservatives, artificial sweeteners, and colorings, all common in packaged and fast research was published in PLOS Medicine and included hundreds of participants. Their blood samples were tested and compared with their reported diets. The results matched: the more processed food someone ate, the higher the levels of specific markers in their test then gives each person a diet 'score' based on the amount of ultra-processed food in their system. A higher score means a higher high scores were also linked with serious health issues. People who consumed more ultra-processed food were more likely to have obesity, high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and other signs of poor metabolic Marie-Pierre St-Onge, the study's lead author, said this test could be a 'game changer.' It provides an objective way to track diet quality, which could help doctors give better scientists are hopeful the test can help in more than just research. It could be used in clinics, health programs, and even in public health surveys to get a better idea of how diet impacts long-term the test is still new. Researchers say it needs more trials in different age groups and cultures before it becomes widely food is a growing global issue. But in the U.S., the numbers are especially high. Many people don't realize just how much of their daily intake comes from these test might help people better understand their diets and possibly lead them to make healthier choices. It could also help public health experts track diet trends and target the most at-risk the future, your next health check-up might not just measure your cholesterol. It could also show you how much junk food is in your blood.
Associated Press
14-04-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Sleep matters: duration, timing, quality and more may affect cardiovascular disease risk
Statement Highlights: Embargoed until 4:00 a.m. CT/5:00 a.m. ET Monday, April 14, 2025 ( NewMediaWire ) - April 14, 2025 - DALLAS — Healthy sleep includes multiple components, such as number of hours of sleep per night, how long it takes to fall asleep, daytime functioning and self-reported sleep satisfaction, and addressing these different dimensions of sleep may help to reduce cardiometabolic health and related risk factors, according to a new American Heart Association scientific statement published today in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes. The new scientific statement, 'Multidimensional Sleep Health: Definitions and Implications for Cardiometabolic Health,' describes multiple components of sleep health, such as sleep duration, continuity, timing, satisfaction, regularity and daytime functioning. The scientific statement also reviews the latest evidence on what is known about the relationship between sleep and various cardiometabolic health factors, including body fat, blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure, and how healthy sleep positively impacts physical health and mental well-being. 'Most adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night, and suboptimal sleep raises the risk for cardiovascular disease, along with risk of cognitive decline, depression, obesity, as well as high blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels,' said Chair of the scientific statement writing group Marie-Pierre St-Onge, Ph.D., C.C.S.H., FAHA, an associate professor of nutritional medicine in the department of medicine and director of the Center of Excellence for Sleep & Circadian Research, both at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City. 'However, there is increasing evidence that sleep health is about more than the number of hours you sleep each night.' Sleep and cardiometabolic health According to the scientific statement, no single facet of sleep health fully captures people's sleep experiences and how their individual body responds. The less-discussed and less-studied components of sleep health are relevant to the sleep experience and contribute to overall physical and mental health and well-being. Sleep components include: Differences in sleep health The statement also addresses differences in sleep health for people affected by adverse social drivers of health. A recent review of more than 300 studies found consistent associations between lower socioeconomic status and suboptimal sleep health. Social and environmental factors, including home and neighborhood characteristics such as light, air and noise pollution and safety, also contribute to differences in one or more components of sleep health. Compared with non-Hispanic white people, individuals in historically underrepresented racial and ethnic groups sleep less and are more likely to experience worse sleep continuity, less satisfaction with sleep, later bedtimes, more irregular sleep, higher daytime sleepiness and a higher occurrence of sleep disorders . These differences are observed across the life span and persist over time, with Black adults having the worst sleep health among all people. 'It's important to know that every individual has different sleep experiences, and these differences may contribute to other health inequities,' said St-Onge. 'Including different components of sleep in discussions with patients provides essential information that can help health care professionals improve care.' Asking questions such as 'How long does it typically take you to fall asleep each night?,' 'How many times do you wake up during the night?' and 'How often do you feel exhausted during the day?' can give patients the opportunity to share concerns about their sleep experience and quality of sleep. Documenting sleep details in the patient's medical records will help the patient's health care team to be informed about the patient's sleep health and may prompt more in-depth evaluation or screening. This information is also helpful when considering how a patient's health conditions and prescribed medication regimen may interfere with sleep health and need to be adjusted or changed. 'Some changes in sleep across the life course are natural, however, individuals should not accept poor or worsening sleep as a 'fact of life' or unavoidable consequence of the aging process. If they note new difficulties falling or staying asleep, or excessive daytime sleepiness, they should discuss this with their doctor for further evaluation and potential treatment,' said St-Onge. More research needed to optimize sleep health Awareness of the importance of sleep is growing, however, more research about the various dimensions of sleep health is needed so that clinicians can support patients with ways to promote healthy sleep and improve health. While there are numerous smartwatches and other personal devices available to track the amount of time spent asleep per night, advances in ways to assess other sleep dimensions are needed. Using data from both self-reported and objective measures can help ensure sleep health guidance is grounded in reliable and comprehensive information. Sleep is one of the health metrics noted in Life's Essential 8, the American Heart Association's measures for optimal cardiovascular health. When incorporating sleep into the Life's Essential 8 score, the only measure for sleep is its duration (number of hours per night) because there isn't enough validated research yet confirming how to assess other sleep components. According to some research studies, poor sleep health (such as short sleep duration and irregular sleep schedules) contributes to adverse cardiovascular outcomes. There is a need for evidence from clinical trials confirming that improving sleep health leads to better cardiometabolic health. This data could be useful in developing effective interventions to help people improve various components of their sleep, which, in turn, supports better cardiometabolic health. Research studies on multidimensional sleep health would ideally include collaborative efforts across medical specialties, including sleep medicine, cardiology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, nephrology, pulmonology and neurology. In addition, individuals from under-represented racial and ethnic groups should be included in studies to capture the various components of sleep health in diverse populations and communities. Broader understanding and validated research about the impact of sleep on physical health and mental well-being are key to advancing cardiovascular health for all. This scientific statement was prepared by the volunteer writing group on behalf of the American Heart Association's Council on Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health; the Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing; the Council on Clinical Cardiology; and the Council on Quality of Care and Outcomes Research. American Heart Association scientific statements promote greater awareness about cardiovascular diseases and stroke issues and help facilitate informed health care decisions. Scientific statements outline what is currently known about a topic and what areas need additional research. While scientific statements inform the development of guidelines, they do not make treatment recommendations. American Heart Association guidelines provide the Association's official clinical practice recommendations. Additional members of the statement writing group and co-authors are Vice-Chair Michael A. Grandner, Ph.D., M.T.R, M.S., FAHA; Brooke Aggarwal, Ed.D., M.S., FAHA; Julio Fernandez-Mendoza, Ph.D.; Dayna Johnson, Ph.D., M.P.H., M.S.W., M.S.; Christopher E. Kline, Ph.D., M.S.; Kristen L. Knutson, Ph.D., FAHA; and Nancy Redeker, Ph.D., R.N., M.S.N., FAHA. Authors' disclosures are listed in the manuscript. The Association receives more than 85% of its revenue from sources other than corporations. These sources include contributions from individuals, foundations and estates, as well as investment earnings and revenue from the sale of our educational materials. Corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations to the Association. The Association has strict policies to prevent any donations from influencing its science content. Overall financial information is available here. Additional Resources: ### About the American Heart Association The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public's health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1. For Media Inquiries: 214-706-1173 Michelle Kirkwood: [email protected] For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721) and
The Independent
01-03-2025
- Health
- The Independent
This Mardi Gras gumbo comes from a new cookbook linking healthy eating to good sleep
This recipe from 'Eat Better, Sleep Better' was developed by Marie-Pierre St-Onge, the director of Columbia University's Center of Excellence for Sleep and Circadian Research, and Kat Craddock, editor-in-chief of the food magazine Saveur. St-Onge's research shows that a high-fiber diet can help lead to better sleep. This recipe for a nutrient-rich, vegetable-forward stew riffs on a style of Creole gumbo traditionally made vegetarian for Lent. It's also a great way to use up a crisper drawer full of greens and fresh herbs. The authors like to add a little bit of andouille-style chicken sausage for a hit of protein and tryptophan, but if you prefer a pescatarian option, leave out the sausage, replace the chicken stock with mushroom or vegetable broth, and top the finished dish with a few shrimp or even steamed crab or lobster claws. For a vegan option, replace the sausage with tempeh or a spicy or smoked plant-based sausage. Served with brown rice, any of these variations makes a well-balanced and sleep-supporting meal. Leftovers keep well in the freezer. Green Spring Gumbo with Chicken Andouille Serves 4–6 Total Time: 1 hr. 30 min. Ingredients: 2 Tbsp. olive oil Three 21⁄2-oz. chicken andouille sausages, sliced 1⁄2 in. thick 2 Tbsp. whole wheat flour 2 medium yellow onions, finely chopped 2 bunches scallions, trimmed and thinly sliced 2 celery stalks, finely chopped 1 green bell pepper, cored, seeded, and finely chopped 2 bay leaves Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 2 tsp. garlic powder 2 tsp. dried thyme 1 tsp. dried oregano 1⁄2–1 tsp. cayenne pepper (optional) 11⁄4 lb. mixed greens and fresh herbs, such as spinach, arugula, collards, kale, Swiss chard, broccoli rabe, parsley, and cilantro, chopped 4 cups chicken stock 3 cups cooked brown rice Lemon wedges, for serving Directions: In a large, heavy pot, heat the oil over medium until it begins to shimmer. Add the sausage and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, 6–8 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the sausage to a heatproof bowl and reserve. Lower the heat to medium-low, then stir the flour into the oil that remains in the pot and cook, stirring frequently, just until the mixture, or roux, smells toasty, about 5 minutes. Add the onions, scallions, celery, bell pepper and bay leaves, season lightly with salt and black pepper, and cook, stirring and scraping the bottom of the pot frequently, until the onions are translucent, 12–14 minutes. Stir in the garlic powder, thyme, oregano and cayenne, if using, then add the greens a little at a time, allowing them to wilt before adding more, until they all fit in the pot. Stir in the chicken stock. Increase the heat to medium-high, bring the liquid to a full boil, and then decrease the heat to low, cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the broth has thickened and the greens are meltingly tender and have turned from bright green to a muted olive color, 30–45 minutes (if you're using hardier greens like collards, they will take a bit longer to cook, while softer varieties like baby spinach will cook quickly). Stir in the reserved sausage, cover and continue cooking for 15 minutes. Adjust the seasoning with more salt and black pepper, then ladle into soup bowls. Top each bowl with a scoop of rice and a lemon wedge and serve hot.
Associated Press
01-03-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
This Mardi Gras gumbo comes from a new cookbook linking healthy eating to good sleep
This recipe from 'Eat Better, Sleep Better' was developed by Marie-Pierre St-Onge, the director of Columbia University's Center of Excellence for Sleep and Circadian Research, and Kat Craddock, editor-in-chief of the food magazine Saveur. St-Onge's research shows that a high-fiber diet can help lead to better sleep. This recipe for a nutrient-rich, vegetable-forward stew riffs on a style of Creole gumbo traditionally made vegetarian for Lent. It's also a great way to use up a crisper drawer full of greens and fresh herbs. The authors like to add a little bit of andouille-style chicken sausage for a hit of protein and tryptophan, but if you prefer a pescatarian option, leave out the sausage, replace the chicken stock with mushroom or vegetable broth, and top the finished dish with a few shrimp or even steamed crab or lobster claws. For a vegan option, replace the sausage with tempeh or a spicy or smoked plant-based sausage. Served with brown rice, any of these variations makes a well-balanced and sleep-supporting meal. Leftovers keep well in the freezer. Green Spring Gumbo with Chicken Andouille Serves 4–6 Total Time: 1 hr. 30 min. Ingredients: 2 Tbsp. olive oil Three 21⁄2-oz. chicken andouille sausages, sliced 1⁄2 in. thick 2 Tbsp. whole wheat flour 2 medium yellow onions, finely chopped 2 bunches scallions, trimmed and thinly sliced 2 celery stalks, finely chopped 1 green bell pepper, cored, seeded, and finely chopped 2 bay leaves Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 2 tsp. garlic powder 2 tsp. dried thyme 1 tsp. dried oregano 1⁄2–1 tsp. cayenne pepper (optional) 11⁄4 lb. mixed greens and fresh herbs, such as spinach, arugula, collards, kale, Swiss chard, broccoli rabe, parsley, and cilantro, chopped 4 cups chicken stock 3 cups cooked brown rice Lemon wedges, for serving Directions: In a large, heavy pot, heat the oil over medium until it begins to shimmer. Add the sausage and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, 6–8 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the sausage to a heatproof bowl and reserve. Lower the heat to medium-low, then stir the flour into the oil that remains in the pot and cook, stirring frequently, just until the mixture, or roux, smells toasty, about 5 minutes. Add the onions, scallions, celery, bell pepper and bay leaves, season lightly with salt and black pepper, and cook, stirring and scraping the bottom of the pot frequently, until the onions are translucent, 12–14 minutes. Stir in the garlic powder, thyme, oregano and cayenne, if using, then add the greens a little at a time, allowing them to wilt before adding more, until they all fit in the pot. Stir in the chicken stock. Increase the heat to medium-high, bring the liquid to a full boil, and then decrease the heat to low, cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the broth has thickened and the greens are meltingly tender and have turned from bright green to a muted olive color, 30–45 minutes (if you're using hardier greens like collards, they will take a bit longer to cook, while softer varieties like baby spinach will cook quickly). Stir in the reserved sausage, cover and continue cooking for 15 minutes. Adjust the seasoning with more salt and black pepper, then ladle into soup bowls. Top each bowl with a scoop of rice and a lemon wedge and serve hot.
