Latest news with #chronicdisease
The Sun
16 hours ago
- Health
- The Sun
The simple food swap scientists urge you to make ‘to reduce heart attack risk'
SWAPPING out beans for less healthy options could slash your risk of deadly heart attack or stroke, new research shows. Eating a cup of beans a day - whether they're dried or canned - can boost heart and metabolic health, according to scientists. 1 Daily portions of chickpeas and black beans could serve as a "simple, cost-effective" way to reduce the risk of chronic diseases, they said. The new study links chickpeas to improved cholesterol levels, which blacks beans seemed to reduce inflammation. Having high cholesterol means you have too much of a fatty substance in your blood and it could make you more likely to suffer a a heart attack or stroke. Meanwhile, chronic inflammation a culprit in many heart and circulatory conditions. Eating beans in place of less healthy options is an easy way to start eating more of them, researchers suggested. But you should be aware of any additional ingredients such as salt or sugar, they noted. The 12-week study followed 72 people with prediabetes - meaning they have higher than normal blood sugar levels. Study co-author Morganne Smith said: "Individuals with prediabetes often exhibit impaired lipid metabolism and chronic low-grade inflammation, both of which can contribute to the development of conditions like heart disease and type 2 diabetes. "Our study found that bean consumption helped significantly lower cholesterol and reduce inflammation in people with prediabetes, although glucose levels were not changed." Researchers presented their findings at the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition in Orlando, Florida. The two diets linked to slower cognitive decline in adults - and what foods you should be eating Ms Smith, a doctoral candidate at Illinois Institute of Technology, said: "Our study showed the benefits of consuming beans in adults with pre-diabetes, but they are a great option for everyone. "These findings could be used to inform dietary guidelines, clinicians or public health programs focused on preventing heart disease and diabetes." To increase the relevance to everyday life, the research team conducted the study with participants in free-living conditions. Participants were randomly assigned to eat either one cup of black beans, chickpeas or rice daily for 12 weeks. Blood samples were taken at the start of the study, then after six weeks and 12 weeks to track participants' cholesterol, inflammation, and blood sugar. Meanwhile, glucose tolerance tests were conducted at the start and end of the study. For the group eating chickpeas, total cholesterol decreased "significantly" from an average of 200.4 milligrams per decilitre at the start of the study to 185.8 milligrams per decilitre after 12 weeks. Ideally, total cholesterol levels should be bellow 200 to be considered healthy. How to reduce your risk of heart attacks and stroke You can reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke with many of the same methods. Heart attacks and strokes, although affecting different organs of the body, are both what we call cardiovascular events. Both arise from similar underlying conditions, such as atherosclerosis —a buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries. According to the American Heart Association, the risk factors for heart attacks and strokes are largely the same: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, physical inactivity and diabetes. Therefore, addressing these risk factors can simultaneously reduce the risk of both conditions. Here are ways you can prevent the two: Healthy diet More fruit and veg: The DASH, which emphasises fruit, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins, has been shown to reduce blood pressure and improve heart health. Less fats: Too much saturated and trans fats can raise cholesterol levels and increase the risk of atherosclerosis. Go for healthier fats like those found in olive oil, nuts, and avocados. Limit salt: High salt intake is linked to high blood pressure, a major risk factor for both heart attack and stroke. The NHS recommends no more than 6g of salt per day for adults. Fibre: Foods high in soluble fibre, such as oats and beans, can help lower cholesterol levels. Exercise Walking, running, cycling, swimming - whatever you like, do it! Aerobic exercise can strengthen the heart and improve circulation. The NHS advises at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity each week. Strength training exercises can help control weight, improve cholesterol levels, and reduce blood pressure. It is recommended twice a week by the NHS. Manage blood pressure Healthy diet and exercise can help keep your blood pressure in check. But it is worth monitoring it yourself after the age of 40, at least, when the NHS invites adults for a check-up every five years. High blood pressure often has no symptoms but significantly increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Quit smoking One of the best ways to quit smoking is to use resources provided by NHS Smokefree. Support groups, medications, and other tools to help quit smoking such as vapes could be what you need to kick the habit for good - and it's free. Limit booze Excessive alcohol consumption can increase blood pressure and contribute to weight gain, which can snowball and become a heart health risk. The NHS recommends not regularly drinking more than 14 units of alcohol per week. For the participants consuming black beans, the average level of pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 - a marker of inflammation - was 2.57 picograms per millilitre at the outset and significantly decreased to 1.88 picograms per millilitre after 12 weeks. No significant changes were observed in markers of glucose metabolism. Ms Smith added: "There are a lot of ways to incorporate beans into your regular diet as a cost-effective way to support overall health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. "You can blend them to add some thickness to a soup base, add them as a salad topping, or pair them with other grains like rice or quinoa." For the next phase of their study, the researchers plan to examine how consuming black beans and chickpeas influences gut health to better understand the connection between the gut microbiome and metabolic health.
Forbes
a day ago
- Business
- Forbes
FarmboxRx Partners With Health Care Plans To Integrate Nutritious Food, Prevent Chronic Disease
Fourteen years ago, Ashley Tyrner Dolce found herself a single mother dependent on food stamps to feed herself and her six-year-old daughter. Dolce parlayed that personal challenge into a plan to help solve a more global problem: She founded FarmboxRx in 2014 to help ameliorate food insecurity, which directly affects about 20 million people in the US, while at the same time improving the health of vulnerable communities she was once a part of. 'Healthy foods should be accessible to all,' Dolce proclaims. Yet nearly 50 million US people experience either food insecurity and/or a lack of access to an affordable, nutritious diet. 'This makes food the center of one of the largest public health crises in our country,' says Dolce. 'I would characterize the food situation in the US as disastrous. Diet-related chronic disease in this country is … a big problem. And it's a problem that the Department of Health and Human Services [HHS] Dolce says that our treatment of chronic conditions related to the long-implicated Standard American Diet – in fact, our treatment of health care in this country in general – 'has been very reactive rather than proactive.' Today, the country's 'really at a crossroads,' she says, 'where we have to begin thinking through the proactive lens. Yeah, because we just cannot sustain.' About 133 million US people, or nearly half the population, suffer from at least one chronic health condition. This number is projected to reach 170 million by 2030. That is simply not acceptable to such like Dolce. Thus, her quest to make 'health and prevention' primary, trumping mere 'treatment of disease.' For example, there's no excuse for the fact that we can accurately predict US health outcomes just by zip code, says Dolce. FarmboxRx set out to address those regional and other social determinants of health [SDOH], especially when it comes to food access and education. Because there's a long-studied, well-documented, critical link between nutrition and health, and because we have proven that we can largely prevent chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, and even some types of cancer, through a better diet and other lifestyle choices largely in our control. So, FarmboxRx delivers wholesome foods that meet the demands of the millions of US people living in food deserts, those who lack easy access to fresh fruits and vegetables, some of us take for granted. Critically, FarmboxRx became in 2021 the first and only national online grocery delivery service approved for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program [SNAP] / EBT nationwide, those aforementioned 'food stamps' on which Dolce's family once relied. The program serves millions of underserved people through the USDA. The company has partnered with nearly 100 health plans across the country, which then tailor life- and cost-saving benefits to their members, customized and personalized for each plan's nutrition and health literacy objectives: Members receive through a refrigerated FedEx box a regular delivery of culturally, linguistically, and medically appropriate offerings without having to travel or spend excessively. The idea is to build lasting healthy eating habits, says Dolce. Such a health care plan 'integration' of good eating habits is a central pillar in the FarmboxRx mission: With nearly 70 percent of all Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries citing food insecurity as their primary social concern, FarmboxRx delivers a sustainable solution that improves health outcomes through refined eating habits. The idea has led to more integration of nutrition into overall patient care plans. Dolce pioneered the movement and lobbied for better food policies to help make nutrition a covered health intervention. She was one of the earliest proponents of the 'food-as-medicine' movement. 'We're a mission-driven 'food-as-medicine company' that provides fresh produce and healthy groceries to people in need, particularly through Medicare and Medicaid programs,' says Ashley Tyrner Dolce, CEO and founder of FarmboxRx. 'In my mind, you know, if you have a chronic diet-related disease, the natural path should be when you're at your provider's office that you are given a prescription for food, you're given a prescription for a dietitian to teach you how to eat for your chronic condition,' says Dolce. 'And that should be your path forward, rather than a doctor just giving you insulin, giving statins. Right? So, we haven't stepped back in this country and taken the deep dive of how do we address these diet-related diseases that can completely be reversed, by the way, through proper accessibility to healthy food, education on how to eat for your condition, and then affordability.' 'Everyone wants to be healthy,' says Dolce. 'They just can't afford it. They don't have accessibility, and they don't have the education to go with it. If you solve those three things, people will take the self-efficacy journey.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Family of late presenter and health guru Michael Mosley set up research fund
The family of healthy eating advocate, radio presenter and former Beaconsfield resident Michael Mosley has set up a research project to honour his memory. The 67-year-old journalist, who died while on holiday with his wife, Dr Clare Bailey Mosley, on the Greek island of Symi in June last year, was known for popularising diets and fronting science programmes. A new clinical research fellowship will be established in partnership with King's College London and the Chronic Disease Research Foundation (CDRF) to help improve the nation's metabolic health. Mosley's wife, Dr Clare Bailey Mosley, said: 'Michael was most proud of the work that he did in helping people to improve their metabolic health. 'It is increasingly clear that improving metabolic health decreases your risk of multiple chronic conditions, including type 2 diabetes, reducing blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, dementia, cancer and more. 'The Mosley family are thrilled that this fellowship will continue in his name to improve so many people's lives.' The Mosleys have been working with King's College London and the CDRF, who will administer the Michael Mosley Memorial Research Fund, to appoint a dedicated research scientist. The researcher will work directly with patients in hospitals and healthcare settings to discover the challenges they face and determine the most practical changes that can improve metabolic health. Professor Tim Spector, medical director of the CDRF and professor of genetic epidemiology at King's College London, said: 'Michael was a dear friend and we shared a passion for sharing knowledge to help people lead healthier, happier lives for longer. 'The funds raised for the fellow will embody his spirit, translating cutting-edge metabolic research from the lab to hospital wards, directly benefiting patients.' Many Beaconsfield residents, who occasionally rubbed shoulders with the local celebrity, joined several prominent figures in paying tribute to the popular celebrity 12 months ago, who had become a 'national treasure' through his work in innovating the science and healthcare space. Several locals shared their memories of spotting the TV doctor around the town, with Phil Barron remembering joint commutes with the 67-year-old between Bucks and London Marylebone, when he struck him as 'a genuinely nice, unassuming chap (with) no hint of arrogance'. Marcus Osborn described Mosley as 'a great British gentleman', while Heather Wicks, who said she would regularly see him out cycling around Beaconsfield, said his loss was 'so very sad'. Val Hardy, who once sat next to the well-known TV personality and his wife while out for a coffee, also said the news was 'very sad', while Claire Louise said her partner had met him while out and about and reaffirmed his description as a 'real gentleman'. During his career, Mosley hosted a number of science programmes and was a known advocate of intermittent fasting and the 5:2 diet. The Michael Mosley Fund JustGiving page can be found here:
Forbes
3 days ago
- Health
- Forbes
MAHA's Fight With The Chronic Disease Epidemic
Decentralized care models for diabetes, hypertension, and more may be the key to sustainable health outcomes. America is in the middle of a chronic disease crisis. Over 60% of adults suffer from at least one chronic condition such as diabetes, hypertension, or obesity. These conditions account for 90% of the nation's $4.3 trillion in healthcare expenditures (CDC), placing healthcare outcomes behind peer nations. Despite certain studies not existing as cited within the Trump administration's "Make America Healthy Again" report , confirmed by ABC News, American life expectancy significantly lags behind other developed countries. Pre‑COVID-19 United States life expectancy averages 78.8 years and comparable countries average 82.6 years. According to the President's Make America Healthy Again Commission, this equates to 1.25 billion fewer life years for the United States population. Traditional health systems weren't built to manage continuous care, behavior change, or real-time patient engagement all factors leading to increased cost in US healthcare. Although the US leads in healthcare technology, there still lags necessary emerging technology government mandates to undergo radical change towards health improvements. These emerging technologies enable a key missing link to ensure change; individual accountability. We're now entering a new era: where intelligence meets infrastructure—and patients become active participants in managing their own health. The Role of AI: From Prediction to Precision Artificial Intelligence excels at pattern recognition, real-time data analysis, and personalization. In chronic disease management, AI can: For example, AI-driven platforms can monitor glucose levels continuously and recommend personalized nutrition changes. For hypertension, AI can detect stress indicators or medication non-adherence and trigger nudges or alerts. But AI needs high-quality, secure, and longitudinal data. That's where blockchain comes in. Blockchain Adoption The problem with current healthcare AI is that it's siloed. Each provider, device, or health plan owns a fragmented sliver of a patient's story. Blockchain offers a decentralized data infrastructure where: This architecture not only enhances AI's performance but also protects patient privacy—addressing one of the biggest barriers to data sharing. Decentralized Disease Management in Action Let's take diabetes as an example. A decentralized care model could look like this: The result? Continuous, community-driven care that adapts in real time and aligns incentives between patients, providers, and payers. In a recent published study on decentralized diabetes care in the NIH National Library of Medicine, it was concluded that diabetic care services can be decentralized to non-specialized facilities such as primary hospitals as quality of diabetic care (explained by FBS, systolic blood pressure, Hemoglobin A1C and creatinine) will not be compromised. The finding of the study is supported with studies conducted in LMIC and high-income countries [5–7,10–13], therefore, by decentralizing diabetes care to primary health care facilities service with the same quality could be provided with limited budget in countries like US. It will also decrease the transportation and accommodation expenses of patients as it helps them get the service in nearby health facilities. On the other hand, this will help the general and referral hospitals to focus on more severe and complicated cases. As health systems worldwide are coming under increased financial pressure, with healthcare expenditures taking an ever-bigger chunk out of countries' GDPs ( distributed care frameworks flip the traditional hospital-centric care paradigm on its head. Instead of having patients come into a central location, distributed care brings care to the patient. Increasingly, we will see healthcare being delivered through a decentralized network of ambulatory clinics, retail settings, and home-based monitoring, coaching, and treatment. The glue that binds this network together is the end-to-end experiences of the patients it serves, throughout their care journey (Phillips): The Path Forward Healthcare doesn't need more dashboards. It needs an intelligent, transparent, and patient-owned infrastructure. As America searches for solutions to its chronic disease epidemic, we must move beyond pilot projects and build the platforms that empower people to take control of their health—with privacy, precision, and purpose.
The Independent
4 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Michael Mosley's family sets up research fund in his memory
The family of healthy eating advocate Michael Mosley has set up a research project to honour his memory. Mosley, who died aged 67 while on holiday with his wife Dr Clare Bailey Mosley on the Greek island of Symi last year, was known for popularising diets and fronting science programmes. A new clinical research fellowship will be established in partnership with King's College London and the Chronic Disease Research Foundation (CDRF) to help improve the nation's metabolic health. Mosley's wife, Dr Clare Bailey Mosley, said: 'Michael was most proud of the work that he did in helping people to improve their metabolic health. 'It is increasingly clear that improving metabolic health decreases your risk of multiple chronic conditions, including type 2 diabetes, reducing blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, dementia, cancer and more. 'The Mosley family are thrilled that this fellowship will continue in his name to improve so many people's lives.' The Mosleys have been working with King's College London and the CDRF, who will administer the Michael Mosley Memorial Research Fund, to appoint a dedicated research scientist. The researcher will work directly with patients in hospitals and healthcare settings to discover the challenges they face, and determine the most practical changes that can improve metabolic health. Professor Tim Spector, medical director of the CDRF and professor of genetic epidemiology at King's College London, said: 'Michael was a dear friend and we shared a passion for sharing knowledge to help people lead healthier, happier lives for longer. 'The funds raised for the fellow will embody his spirit, translating cutting-edge metabolic research from the lab to hospital wards, directly benefiting patients.' The Michael Mosley Fund JustGiving page can be found here:
