Latest news with #PURE
Time of India
5 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
This simple grip strength test may reveal your heart health
When we talk about heart health, most people immediately think of blood pressure, cholesterol, or maybe even resting heart rate. But here's something you probably haven't thought about: your grip strength. Yep, how strong your grip is might actually reveal a lot about how healthy your heart is. Surprising link between grip strength and heart health It might sound odd, but there's solid science behind it. A huge study called the PURE study looked at nearly 140,000 people in 17 countries. What they found was pretty eye-opening: for every 11-pound drop in grip strength, the risk of death from any cause went up by 16%. And the risks for heart-related issues? Even higher. That included a 17% higher risk of dying from heart problems, a 9% higher chance of stroke, and a 7% higher risk of heart attack. Even more surprising? Grip strength turned out to be a better predictor of heart disease risk than systolic blood pressure, which doctors usually consider a key heart health marker. So yeah, your grip might be giving away more about your heart than you think. Why does grip strength matter? So, what's the deal? How does squeezing something say anything about your heart? It turns out grip strength is kind of like a cheat sheet for your overall muscle strength and how well your body's functioning. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like MBA in Finance for Working Professionals. BITS Pilani WILP Apply Now Undo Stronger muscles usually mean you're more active, have better metabolism, and handle stress better—basically, all things that help keep your heart in good shape. On the flip side, weaker grip strength is linked with higher blood pressure, high blood sugar, and bad cholesterol—all the stuff doctors warn you about. Plus, a drop in muscle strength as you age (called dynapenia) can increase your risk of disability and even early death. How to test your grip strength Testing your grip is actually super simple. The fancy way involves a device called a dynamometer—you just squeeze it as hard as you can, and it gives you a number. Quick, painless, and pretty accurate. Don't have one of those lying around? No problem. You can try the tennis ball test. Just grab a tennis ball and squeeze it hard for 15–30 seconds. It's not lab-grade science, but it'll give you a rough idea of where you stand. What if your grip isn't great? Don't panic—grip strength is something you can work on and improve. The best fix? Start moving more and lifting stuff. Strength training, especially with weights or resistance bands, is great for building muscle and boosting heart health. Even things like kettlebell workouts have been shown to help with inflammation and muscle preservation as we age. To specifically boost grip strength, exercises like farmer's carries, deadlifts, and pull-ups are super effective. But honestly, any activity that gets your body moving and builds strength is going to help your heart in the long run. It's more than just a grip At the end of the day, your grip strength is more than just how easily you can open a jar or carry groceries. It's a sneak peek into how healthy your heart might be. So next time you go to shake someone's hand, think of it as a mini health check. A strong squeeze could mean your heart'sin great shape. Bottom line: If you're looking for a simple, no-fuss way to keep tabs on your heart, your grip might just be the key. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Business Wire
28-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
The PURE Growth Fund Opens Call for Proposals for Clean Energy and Agribusinesses in Tanzania
DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP) ( is pleased to announce that the first Call for Proposals of the PURE Growth Fund is now open. The Pure Growth Fund is a transformative initiative to accelerate the Productive Use of Renewable Energy (PURE) within Tanzania's agri-food systems and unlock low-emission development pathways for the country. In line with Tanzania's priorities to strengthen and promote competitive value chain development in the agriculture sector, expand access to modern energy services in rural areas and increase the share of renewable energy in the generation mix to 75% by 2030, the PURE Growth Fund targets the intersection of agriculture and energy—two sectors that, according to the FAO, employ over 70% of the labor force in sub-Saharan Africa and account for nearly 20–30% of the continent's GDP. In Tanzania, agriculture already contributes 24.3% of GDP and accounts for 55% of total employment. PURE Growth One Funding Window The first funding window under the PURE Growth Fund will provide EUR 2.5 million of incentive capital with ticket sizes of EUR 250,000 – 1,000,000 per company, technical assistance and policy engagement to support the sustainable growth of clean energy SMEs and agribusinesses, enabling them to expand operations, enhance profitability and build strong customer bases. The funding window will be open until 1 August 2025, with the implementation phase expected to begin in January 2026. It is funded by a generous donation from the Government of Austria and developed by REEEP. 'Austria is proud to be the inaugural donor of the PURE Growth Fund, a transformative programme that exemplifies our commitment to accelerating the just energy transition in sub-Saharan Africa, says Elfriede Anna More, Deputy Director General, Head of International Climate and Environmental Affairs, Federal Republic of Austria. 'The programme will de-risk the private sector and move beyond technology deployment toward holistic ecosystem integration, leading to a stronger market and accessibility of PURE technologies and services as well as more sustainable value chains,'' says Merja Laakso, Director of Programmes, REEEP. By integrating PURE technologies across the agri-food value chain—from irrigation and harvesting to processing, storage and transport—the PURE Growth Fund will increase the share of domestically produced food, reduce food waste and strengthen resilience to climate and financial shocks. It will further break the silos between agriculture and renewable energy by incentivising those services that maximise the impact of PURE technology on agri-food value chains. 'The launch of the PURE Growth Fund marks a significant step forward in our mission to empower local communities by integrating renewable energy solutions into agriculture, thereby increasing incomes and improving livelihoods across Tanzania,' says Honorable Mohamed Omary Mchengerwa, Minister of Regional Administration and Local Government (TAMISEMI), Government of the United Republic of Tanzania. We are thrilled to launch the PURE Growth Fund in Tanzania as the first step in a multi-country programme,'' says Eva Kelly, CEO, REEEP. ''There is extraordinary potential for renewable energy to transform agri-food value chains across the Global South.'' Eligible clean energy SMEs and agribusinesses operating in Tanzania are invited to apply for funding and support under the PURE Growth Fund. The application guidelines, including eligibility criteria, funding priorities and submission instructions, are available for download on REEEP's website at Application Deadline: Distributed by APO Group on behalf of REEEP. Download image (1): Download image (2): Download image (3): Download image (4): About REEEP: The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP) is a Quasi-International Organisation based in Vienna, Austria. Since 2002, REEEP has been accelerating the growth of renewable energy markets in low- and middle-income countries to make reliable, clean energy solutions affordable and accessible for all. Through a holistic blend of financial instruments, capacity building, facilitation of stakeholder cooperation and technical assistance, REEEP's programmes fill financing and knowledge gaps to drive private sector investment, decrease risk in clean energy investment and create long-lasting ecosystem change.
The Province
28-05-2025
- Health
- The Province
Why WHO's diet guidelines are unrealistic for many people around the world
The World Health Organization's heart-health guidelines overlook obstacles faced in low- and middle-income countries, says SFU expert SFU professor of health sciences Scott Lear. An unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity are leading global risks to health, according to the World Health Organization. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors But the problem, an SFU researcher says, is that advice is based on rich-world premises: In high-wage countries, fruit and vegetables don't take as much out of household income, and an hour at the gym or paddling after work are generally affordable choices. 'Physical activity patterns are clearly different based on the development of a country, and based on individual or household income,' said Scott Lear, professor of health sciences and chair of the Pfizer/Heart and Stroke Foundation's cardiovascular prevention research. 'We can't always take our lessons from high-income countries, develop (international) guidelines, and then apply them to what is 80 per cent of the rest of the world.' The study Lear was part of — Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology, or PURE — began in India in 2002 and grew to include 28 countries on five continents, with 212,000 people participating, examining society's influences on chronic noncommunicable disease around the world. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Lear's focus was on cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for 80 per cent of deaths. The WHO's diet guidelines suggest at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day (excluding starchy roots), but that's just unrealistic for a lot of people, Lear said. 'It's another thing I found interesting is the finding about fruits and vegetables,' he said, 'and how farmers in low-income countries are priced out. 'Field workers say if they eat what they grow, they lose so much money by not selling it. 'For many of these farmers, getting the recommended minimum of five servings of fruits and vegetables a day would eat up 50 per cent of their household income.' Another thing that is mainly taken for granted by the WHO, Lear said, is that any movement is good movement. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Tell that to someone working in a field or mine all day, or a stone mason. 'I'm looking out my window and they're landscaping. One of the guys with a sledgehammer was breaking up the patio. He spent hours doing that,' Lear said. 'You wouldn't go to the gym and do hours of endless bicep curls or bench presses.' Then there's the commute to work. In lower-income countries, a lot of people take an hour and a half or more going each way, often by foot. 'There's a stark contrast between a daily sidewalk stroll in Vancouver's West End and walking to work in New Delhi, the world's most polluted city, where many people cannot afford to drive and public transit is lacking,' Lear said. 'We can't assume that life is the same everywhere. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'The environments in which people live and the kind of work they do makes a huge difference to their health.' PURE data is collected every three years and includes a core survey, physical measurements such as blood pressure, weight, height, lung capacity and waist-hip circumference, and a questionnaire. On top of focusing on exercise and diet, Lear's study identified several other causes behind the causes of cardiovascular disease worldwide, including nutrition, education, tobacco use, air pollution, climate change, social isolation and access to medication, treatment and health care. About 87 per cent of PURE participants live in low- or middle-income countries, uniquely positioning the study to examine individual risk factors related to urbanization, Lear said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Although these findings are based on global data, they also reflect the microcosms of different regions within a single city, or region, he said. Lear joined the study 20 years ago. 'Early in my career, I thought, okay, everybody should be eating these foods, everybody should be physically active, and everything will be great. 'As I participated in the study, I started to realize that's a very high-income-country privilege. It's been eye-opening for me.' gordmcintyre@ Read More For more health news and content around diseases, conditions, wellness, healthy living, drugs, treatments and more, head to – a member of the Postmedia Network. Vancouver Canucks News Vancouver Canucks Hockey Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Sun
27-05-2025
- Health
- Vancouver Sun
Why WHO's diet guidelines are unrealistic for many people around the world
An unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity are leading global risks to health, according to the World Health Organization . But the problem, an SFU researcher says, is that advice is based on rich-world premises: In high-wage countries, fruit and vegetables don't take as much out of household income, and an hour at the gym or paddling after work are generally affordable choices. 'Physical activity patterns are clearly different based on the development of a country, and based on individual or household income,' said Scott Lear , professor of health sciences and chair of the Pfizer/Heart and Stroke Foundation's cardiovascular prevention research. Discover the best of B.C.'s recipes, restaurants and wine. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of West Coast Table will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'We can't always take our lessons from high-income countries, develop (international) guidelines, and then apply them to what is 80 per cent of the rest of the world.' The study Lear was part of — Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology, or PURE — began in India in 2002 and grew to include 28 countries on five continents, with 212,000 people participating, examining society's influences on chronic noncommunicable disease around the world. Lear's focus was on cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for 80 per cent of deaths. The WHO's diet guidelines suggest at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day (excluding starchy roots), but that's just unrealistic for a lot of people, Lear said. 'It's another thing I found interesting is the finding about fruits and vegetables,' he said, 'and how farmers in low-income countries are priced out. 'Field workers say if they eat what they grow, they lose so much money by not selling it. 'For many of these farmers, getting the recommended minimum of five servings of fruits and vegetables a day would eat up 50 per cent of their household income.' Another thing that is mainly taken for granted by the WHO, Lear said, is that any movement is good movement. Tell that to someone working in a field or mine all day, or a stone mason. 'I'm looking out my window and they're landscaping. One of the guys with a sledgehammer was breaking up the patio. He spent hours doing that,' Lear said. 'You wouldn't go to the gym and do hours of endless bicep curls or bench presses.' Then there's the commute to work. In lower-income countries, a lot of people take an hour and a half or more going each way, often by foot. 'There's a stark contrast between a daily sidewalk stroll in Vancouver's West End and walking to work in New Delhi, the world's most polluted city, where many people cannot afford to drive and public transit is lacking,' Lear said. 'We can't assume that life is the same everywhere. 'The environments in which people live and the kind of work they do makes a huge difference to their health.' PURE data is collected every three years and includes a core survey, physical measurements such as blood pressure, weight, height, lung capacity and waist-hip circumference, and a questionnaire. On top of focusing on exercise and diet, Lear's study identified several other causes behind the causes of cardiovascular disease worldwide, including nutrition, education, tobacco use, air pollution, climate change, social isolation and access to medication, treatment and health care. About 87 per cent of PURE participants live in low- or middle-income countries, uniquely positioning the study to examine individual risk factors related to urbanization, Lear said. Although these findings are based on global data, they also reflect the microcosms of different regions within a single city, or region, he said. Lear joined the study 20 years ago. 'Early in my career, I thought, okay, everybody should be eating these foods, everybody should be physically active, and everything will be great. 'As I participated in the study, I started to realize that's a very high-income-country privilege. It's been eye-opening for me.' gordmcintyre@ For more health news and content around diseases, conditions, wellness, healthy living, drugs, treatments and more, head to – a member of the Postmedia Network.
Ottawa Citizen
27-05-2025
- Health
- Ottawa Citizen
Why WHO's diet guidelines are unrealistic for many people around the world
Article content An unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity are leading global risks to health, according to the World Health Organization. Article content Article content But the problem, an SFU researcher says, is that advice is based on rich-world premises: In high-wage countries, fruit and vegetables don't take as much out of household income, and an hour at the gym or paddling after work are generally affordable choices. Article content Article content 'Physical activity patterns are clearly different based on the development of a country, and based on individual or household income,' said Scott Lear, professor of health sciences and chair of the Pfizer/Heart and Stroke Foundation's cardiovascular prevention research. Article content Article content 'We can't always take our lessons from high-income countries, develop (international) guidelines, and then apply them to what is 80 per cent of the rest of the world.' Article content The study Lear was part of — Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology, or PURE — began in India in 2002 and grew to include 28 countries on five continents, with 212,000 people participating, examining society's influences on chronic noncommunicable disease around the world. Article content Lear's focus was on cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for 80 per cent of deaths. Article content Article content The WHO's diet guidelines suggest at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day (excluding starchy roots), but that's just unrealistic for a lot of people, Lear said. Article content Article content 'It's another thing I found interesting is the finding about fruits and vegetables,' he said, 'and how farmers in low-income countries are priced out. Article content 'Field workers say if they eat what they grow, they lose so much money by not selling it. Article content 'For many of these farmers, getting the recommended minimum of five servings of fruits and vegetables a day would eat up 50 per cent of their household income.' Article content Another thing that is mainly taken for granted by the WHO, Lear said, is that any movement is good movement.
