Depression Increases Risk of Stroke

People with depression are more likely to have a stroke than their mentally healthy peers, and their strokes are more likely to be fatal, according to a new analysis published this week in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Depression is a relatively minor risk factor for stroke compared to high blood pressure (hypertension) and other health conditions and…

Too Little Deep Sleep May Fuel Hypertension

Missing out on deep sleep can leave you feeling slow-witted and irritable in the morning, but the consequences don’t necessarily end there. Over time, too little deep sleep may also take a toll on your heart by contributing to high blood pressure, a new study suggests.

Healthy young and middle-aged adults spend about 20% to 25% of their sleeping hours…

To Salt Or Not To Salt?

Scientists have been debating sodium intake’s relation to health for decades. One study says salt reduction is the key to hypertension reduction; another says salt only harms African-Americans, the elderly and the obese. One recent study said that focusing on sodium levels per se is naive; instead, it suggested, we should target our potassium-to-sodium ratio.

It’s…

The Eat Right for Your Type Diet

The idea behind the Eat Right for Your Type diet is that following a diet and lifestyle that suit your blood type will make you healthier, let you reach your ideal weight, and even slow down the aging process. That’s according to the author of the book, Eat Right 4 Your Type, Peter J. D’Adamo, MD, a naturopathic…

The DASH Diet

The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension or DASH diet was developed specifically to help people lower high blood pressure, also called hypertension. The food options available on the DASH diet closely mirror the eating plan recommended in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Pyramid, with the focus on fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, whole grains, poultry, fish, and…

Lowering Cholesterol, Blood Pressure May Reduce Alzheimer’s Risk

Treating traditional risk factors for heart disease such as hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes may also prevent the progression of mild memory and cognitive problems into full-blown Alzheimer’s disease, a new study suggests.

Although dietary changes, cholesterol-lowering statins, and hypertension drugs such as beta-blockers are far from a surefire way to prevent Alzheimer’s, these and other treatments that promote healthy…

Weight Loss Diets

With over 50 percent of the population of the United States and other industrialized countries being either overweight  or obese, a great number of people want to lose weight. However, weight loss is not easy—and not often successful.

Weight gain is a result of consumed energy in the form of high-calorie foods eaten in excess of the body’s…

South Americans, Diet of

South America is the fourth largest continent on the planet, making up 12 percent of the earth’s surface. It contains twelve independent nations: Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela. In addition, it contains three territories: The Falkland Islands (Great Britain), French Guiana (France), and the Galapagos Islands (Ecuador). The continent…

Regional Diet, American

It is quite clear that nutritional intake is associated with common health conditions such as obesity, hypertension  (high blood pressure), cancer, diabetes (high blood sugar), and cardiovascular disease. People in the United States make daily decisions related to grocery purchases, meal choices, food preparation, and other factors influencing their consumption of food and nutrients, and, thus, likely…

Pregnancy

Nutrition during the preconception period, as well as throughout a pregnancy, has a major impact on pregnancy outcome. Among prepregnancy considerations, the prepregnancy Body Mass Index (BMI), folic acid status, and socioeconomic status are the most important.

Prepregnancy BMI is an important factor in predicting pregnancy outcome, since both low prepregnancy and high prepregnancy BMI are associated with an increased…

Men’s Nutritional Issues

While many diseases and health care issues affect both men and women, certain diseases and conditions exhibited in men may require distinct approaches regarding diagnosis and management. Some of the major issues associated with men’s health are related to cancer, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, impotence, and prostate health. This entry highlights definitions, etiology, treatment, and lifestyle factors…