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Time of India
25-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Is extreme bodybuilding putting your heart at risk? Here's what the study says
For a sport that glorifies control, strength, and discipline, bodybuilding conceals a sobering truth—behind the muscle and dedication lies a disproportionately high risk of sudden cardiac death. Bodybuilders push their limits through intense exercise, strict diets, and in some cases, the abuse of performance-enhancing drugs. While the result is a sculpted body, it comes at a cost, and as per a recent study, the tradeoff is human life being cut short. That stark conclusion is drawn from a large-scale study published on May 20 in the European Heart Journal. Researchers tracked 20,286 male bodybuilders who had competed in at least one bodybuilding event between 2005 and 2020. The findings revealed that professional bodybuilders were twice as likely to die from sudden cardiac death as the general population—and five times more likely than amateur bodybuilders. 'Our findings show that the risk of death among male bodybuilders is considerably high. Professional athletes had a markedly higher incidence of sudden cardiac death, suggesting that the level of competition might contribute to this increased risk,' said study co-author Dr. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Zumbido e perda de audição? Médico revela técnica caseira de 1 real para aliviar! Zumbido no ouvido Undo Marco Vecchiato, sports medicine specialist at the University of Padova, Italy. A global Pattern The study identified 121 deaths among competitive bodybuilders, with the average age at death just 45. Of these, about 40% were sudden and heart-related, often caused by underlying, often undetected, cardiac issues. The breakdown of deaths by geography painted a global picture of the crisis: North America: 40.5% (mostly USA) Europe: 38.8% Asia: 7.4% Africa: 6.6% South America: 5% Oceania: 1.7% The data was compiled through official records, social media posts, news reports, forums, and blogs in five different languages. Death reports were meticulously cross-verified and analyzed by two clinicians to confirm the cause of death. The cardiac cost of building muscle Autopsy findings from some of the deceased athletes showed signs of thickened or enlarged hearts and coronary artery disease. In several cases, toxicology reports and public information confirmed the use of anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancing substances, which are known to strain the cardiovascular system. Medical experts warn that these substances, often used without medical oversight, can lead to arrhythmias, heart failure, and sudden cardiac arrest—especially when combined with dehydration and intense training. Psychological toll The study didn't just stop at physical health. Around 15% of the deaths were categorized as sudden traumatic deaths—including suicides, overdoses, car crashes, and murders—highlighting the mental health challenges many athletes face in high-stakes competitive environments. Additional research—including a 2021 Frontiers in Psychology review—points to body dysmorphia, depression, and obsession with appearance as key mental health issues among competitive bodybuilders. 'The pressure to achieve social ideals of muscularity may contribute to psychological distress, body dissatisfaction, and athletes may develop or worsen body dysmorphic disorders,' the study noted. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
RTÉ News
30-04-2025
- Science
- RTÉ News
Science-backed method for the perfect cacio e pepe recipe
Cacio e pepe, a beloved pasta dish from Italy's Lazio region, is made with just three ingredients: pasta, ground black pepper, and, most importantly, authentic Pecorino Romano cheese. However, the simplicity of its ingredients can be misleading. Many assume it's easy to make, only to end up with a clumpy mess instead of the silky, creamy sauce they hoped for. Intrigued by the challenge, researchers from the University of Barcelona, the Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, the University of Padova, and the Institute of Science and Technology Austria took it upon themselves to investigate the physics behind mixing cheese with water. Now, they believe they've cracked the code to perfecting this classic dish. Explaining the motives behind this study, which was published in Physics of Fluids, author Ivan Di Terlizzi said: "We are Italians living abroad. We often have dinner together and enjoy traditional cooking. "Among the dishes we have cooked was cacio e pepe, and we thought this might be an interesting physical system to study and describe. And of course, there was the practical aim to avoid wasting good Pecorino." After conducting tests that honed in on the quantities of these ingredients, the researchers determined that a 2 per cent to 3 per cent starch-to-cheese ratio created the smoothest and most consistent sauce. To achieve this level of precision, the team recommend using powdered starch – such as potato or corn starch – instead of depending on the unpredictable starch content of pasta water. "Because starch is such an important ingredient, and the amount of starch can sharply determine where you end up, what we suggest is to use an amount of starch which is precisely measured," advised Di Terlizzi. "And this can only be done if you have the right amount of powdered starch in proportion to the amount of cheese that you're using." Once the starch is added to the water, the authors' instructions say to blend it with the cheese for a uniform consistency, before adding the sauce back into the pan and slowly heating it up to serving temperature. If you've ever attempted to make cacio e pepe, you might have noticed that excessive heat can cause pieces of grated cheese to clump together, resulting in that dreaded, lumpy texture. To avoid this, the researchers experimented with different temperatures and recommend letting the water cool slightly before adding the cheese, and then to gradually warm up the sauce to reach the desired consistency. Then mix in the pepper and pasta, and eat. And after perfecting the cacio e pepe recipe, the team are keen to conduct further experiments on other popular Italian dishes. "There's a recipe called pasta alla gricia, which is cacio e pepe plus guanciale, cured pork cheek," said author Daniel Maria Busiello. "This recipe seems to be easier to perform, and we don't know exactly why. This is one idea we might explore in the future."
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
The perfect cacio e pepe? It comes down to science.
It's not your cooking skills that is making your cacio e pepe subpar — it's science. Fortunately, new research is here to help you master this deliciously simple dish. Cacio e pepe is essentially the Italian cousin of macaroni and cheese. The dish is deceptively simple on the surface, involving nothing more than cooked pasta (ideally, spaghetti or bucatini) combined with pecorino romano cheese and black pepper. But as anyone who has tried and failed to make it knows, getting this pasta to be as creamy and delicious as possible has everything to do with execution. Researchers and Italian food lovers from the University of Barcelona, the Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, the University of Padova and the Institute of Science and Technology Austria say they have cracked the code to making perfect cacio e pepe. They've discovered that using powdered starch — rather than just relying on the starch that comes from the pasta water — is the key ingredient to making creamy, not clumpy, cheese sauce. So, what is the ideal ratio? Per the new study, the goal is to use 2-3% of starch for the amount of cheese you use — so, if you use 100 grams of pecorino romano, go for 2 or 3 grams of powdered starch. Measuring this out in advance is key. Get ready to taste cheesy goodness. Here's what to do. Prepare the starchy water: Measure your cheese, then see what is 2 to 3% of that in order to find the appropriate amount of powdered starch — you can use either potato or corn starch for this recipe. Then, add the starch to warm water to create a solution. Cook pasta: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook your pasta, preferably spaghetti or bucatini. Your aim is to get the pasta al dente, which means 'to the tooth' — aka, it's neither too tough or soft. This may mean shaving a minute or two off your pasta box's recipe time. (Test a noodle if you're unsure.) Then, drain the pasta and set aside. Prepare the sauce: In a separate pan large enough to fit your pasta, blend your pecorino romano cheese into the starchy water. Stir so you get a smooth and uniform consistency, sans pasta-ruining clumps. Reheat the sauce: Slowly heat the cheese and starch mixture back up in the pan. Don't go too high — that will cause the cheese to clump up. And this recipe is all about avoiding those dreaded clumps! Instead, slowly heat until it reaches serving temperature. Combine the pasta and sauce: Add the cooked, drained pasta into the pan with the sauce. Toss it to ensure it's properly coated with cheesy goodness. Add black pepper: Use fresh ground pepper to finish the sauce and toss again to coat the pasta. Serve immediately. Buon appetito! It's true that cacio e pepe is a classic — but as with any classic, there are always some ways to put a new spin on it for when you're feeling like something just a touch different. Here are some ideas from around the internet. Use crushed red chile peppers: Chef Jamie Oliver has a recipe for a cacio e pepe offshoot that uses red chile peppers in place of black pepper. His version also includes asparagus, which just so happens to be in season. Add lemon zest: Martha Stewart likes to make a traditional cacio e pepe recipe, but with a zesty twist. She grates the zest of a Meyer lemon into the dish, as well as squeezes some lemon juice in for a touch of acidity. Make it vegan: A cacio e pepe recipe without cheese? It might sound impossible, but Los Angeles-based chef Matthew Kenney does just this by creating a cheese-like sauce with nutritional yeast and cashew cream. Turn it into a grilled cheese: Culinary creator Peter Som has a recipe for a cacio e pepe grilled cheese for when you can't be bothered to boil pasta. Go for a green version: Broccoli gets the cacio e pepe treatment thanks to this recipe from Chowhound.
The Guardian
11-04-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
People using drug Mounjaro sustain weight loss over three years, trial finds
People who use the drug Mounjaro are able to sustain weight loss for three years, data from a trial suggests. Mounjaro, nicknamed the 'King Kong' of weight loss drugs, contains tirzepatide and is self-administered in once-a-week injections. It works by mimicking two hormones called GLP-1 and GIP, resulting in appetite suppression, increased production of insulin, greater insulin sensitivity and a reduction in the rate at which food is emptied from the stomach. The medication is available for weight loss to some people on the NHS and it can also be bought privately with a prescription. Scientists at Eli Lilly, the company that makes Mounjaro, along with academic researchers have released two analyses of data from a three-year trial known as Surmount-1, throwing fresh light on the medication's longer-term use. One analysis looked at trajectories of weight loss, the second at rebound after initial weight reduction. The results, which are to be presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Málaga next month and have yet to be peer reviewed, are based on data from about 700 participants who took tirzepatide in three different dose regimens during the 176-week study. All had obesity or were overweight and had pre-diabetes. The results reveal participants' experiences tended to follow one of three patterns – either steady, medium or rapid weight loss, followed by a plateau, which occurred later the faster the initial drop. The team said the final average body weight reductions for these groups were 9.2%, 20.2% and 30.8% respectively. Each group encompassed around a third of the participants. '[The work] demonstrates that we can in some way predict total final weight loss from the speed of weight loss observed in the first months of treatment,' said Prof Luca Busetto, of the University of Padova in Italy, one of the scientists behind the first analysis. The researchers said most of the participants maintained clinically meaningful weight reduction over the course of the study. This was supported by a second analysis that found that average time to the lowest weight reached was 22 months, at which point participants had lost 23.1% of their starting weight on average. While some subsequently regained weight – despite continuing with the medication – participants had nonetheless lost 19.4% of their starting weight, on average, by the end of the study. The team added that 70% of participants regained less than 5% of their starting weight after hitting their lowest point. Prof Naveed Sattar, of the University of Glasgow, who was not involved in the trial, said the finding of different weight loss trajectories could help give an indication of how much weight an individual might expect to lose in the long term. 'That might be able to guide the need for some individuals to consider newer therapies, which are more potent, in the future,' he said. Dr Simon Cork, of Anglia Ruskin University, said the other analysis demonstrated the long-term effectiveness of tirzepatide in maintaining weight loss, which would be of interest to health bodies 'as the costs of treating obesity-related co-morbidities rise year on year'. Cork also noted long-term effectiveness and safety studies for such drugs were now at odds with guidance, which limits their use to a maximum of two years. The findings come as the Advertising Standards Authority announced that along with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and the General Pharmaceutical Council, it had warned businesses that advertising prescription-only medications to the public was prohibited. This includes weight loss jabs such as Mounjaro, Wegovy and Saxenda. Among other examples, the rules cover paid-for ads on social media 'such as image or video ads on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok', sponsored searches on Google or other search engines, and ads by influencers. A Guardian investigation previously revealed that weight-loss injections were being aggressively marketed to British consumers through often illegal promotions.
New York Times
26-03-2025
- Health
- New York Times
What Happens to Your Brain When You Retire?
For the millions of Americans who retire each year, stopping work might seem like a well-deserved break. But it can also precipitate big changes in brain health, including an increased risk of cognitive decline and depression. Before retiring, you're getting up in the morning, socializing with co-workers and dealing with the mental challenges of your job, said Ross Andel, a professor at Arizona State University who studies cognitive aging and retirement. 'All of a sudden, after 50 years, you lose that routine.' There's this idea that the body and brain adapt when they're 'no longer needed,' he added. 'That's when you see the deterioration and its natural response to inactivity.' But retirement can also be an opportunity for improving cognitive and mental health, with newfound time to socialize and take on hobbies. And even if you have started to experience some decline, there's strong evidence that your brain can bounce back from periods of inactivity, even in older age, said Giacomo Pasini, a professor of econometrics at Ca' Foscari University of Venice, who studies the impact of economic policy on seniors' mental health. A Decline in Cognition and Mood One analysis of more than 8,000 retirees in Europe found that people's verbal memory (the ability to recall a set of words after a certain amount of time) generally declined faster once they retired, compared with when they were working. Another survey conducted in England showed a steep decline in verbal memory after retirement, though other skills, like abstract reasoning, were not affected. 'There's some evidence out there that retirement may be bad for cognition, because when you retire, you don't challenge your brain as much,' said Guglielmo Weber, a professor of econometrics at the University of Padova in Italy who worked on the Europe study. Research has also found a link between retirement and the onset of depression. Suddenly going from a 'busy work life to a lack of engagement can exacerbate feelings of worthlessness, low mood, sadness' and 'severe depressive symptoms and memory loss,' said Xi Chen, an associate professor of public health at Yale University who studies aging. The nature of your work — and how you view that work — seem to affect the risk of decline. For example, researchers think that those who worked in higher-ranking jobs may show a steeper decline than others, possibly because their identities were more strongly tied to their careers, Dr. Chen said. The study in Europe also found that people who stopped working earlier than the standard retirement age where they lived showed less of a decline than those who stopped working later, Dr. Weber said. That could be because the people who retired earlier may not have had as mentally demanding jobs, resulting in a more gradual decline once they retired. People who are forced to retire 'due to health issues or blatant ageism,' or who face financial challenges in retirement, can see more severe effects, said Dr. Emily Fessler, an assistant professor at Weill Cornell Medicine who specializes in geriatric care. And women may be less likely to experience a steep mental or cognitive decline, potentially because they are more likely than men to continue to socialize and spend time with family after they retire, Dr. Weber said. The Value of Having a Plan Retirement can be an occasion for growth instead of decline, the experts said. The key is to lay some groundwork ahead of time. 'The plan cannot be, 'I worked so hard for so long that I'm going to take this long vacation and then I'm going to figure it out,'' Dr. Andel said. Ideally, you should introduce new mentally and physically engaging routines a couple of years before you stop working, said Dr. Alison Moore, chief of the geriatrics, gerontology and palliative care division at the University of California, San Diego. Even if you don't start them right away, you should make the plan ahead of time. Delaying those decisions — like whether to spend half the year traveling — until after you've retired makes it harder to take the plunge, she said. The goal is to 'pivot from one type of daily life to another,' she said. 'Being open to new experiences before you make this big life change can kind of prep you.' 'People may have felt their purpose was contributing through work, and when that's taken away, they have to invent something else to take its place,' said John Beard, a professor of productive aging at Columbia University Medical Center. Studies suggest that people with a sense of purpose tend to experience less age-related cognitive decline. Volunteer work, in particular, can help, Dr. Chen said. Research has found that people who regularly volunteer in retirement show slower rates of biological aging, and that they can head off cognitive decline by staying active and engaged (without the stress of full-time employment). It's common for people to lose social connections during retirement, said David Richter, a professor of survey research in the department of educational science and psychology at Freie Universität Berlin. 'We have rather solid proof that first social contacts are reduced, and then cognition declines,' he said. To stave off the depression, cognitive decline and early mortality that can come with social isolation, Dr. Richter recommended that retirees replace workplace socializing with routine in-person or virtual gatherings. Not all socializing is created equal, he added. The best activities are ones that challenge your mind and foster meaningful discussions with others; think things like book clubs. 'Listening to the radio, watching TV is not the same,' he said. 'We really need to have this back and forth of a conversation.' Doing something creative and novel can give you a sense of purpose and keep your brain agile. Research suggests you can practice creativity just like any other skill, said Jonathan Schooler, a distinguished professor of psychological and brain sciences at the University of California, Santa Barbara. That could mean writing for a few minutes every day or attempting an adventurous new recipe for dinner. Regular exercise is critical for brain health as you age, so you could also consider trying a new type of fitness class. Creativity can also boost a person's sense of 'meaning,' Dr. Schooler added. 'There is great evidence that finding meaning in life gives one a great personal satisfaction.'
