Practical Information

During holidays and special occasions, when tables are overflowing with heavy meals and alcohol consumption is higher than usual, there is a hidden heart health risk that is often overlooked.

Doctors call this phenomenon "holiday heart syndrome"; the term is often associated with heart rhythm disorders, but according to experts, holiday heart attacks can manifest in different ways and are more common than previously thought, wrote ABC7.

Mario Castro, 57, has a healthy heart and lungs today. However, he was at serious risk during the 2022 New Year's holiday period.

"I was under a lot of stress and felt extremely tired," he said.

However, Castro explained that he went to work but couldn't ignore an unusual feeling.

"I started to feel a slight pressure on my arm, like someone was measuring my blood pressure," he recalled.
Castro works as an ultrasound technician and happened to be near his cardiologist's office.

Dr. Kevin Ariani of Dignity Health Northridge found that two of the patient's arteries were blocked.

It was a full-blown heart attack, and according to doctors, these types of cases are very common during holiday periods.

Ariani said, "We see about a 30 to 40 percent increase in heart attack cases on Christmas Eve," adding that this number also increases by 15 to 20 percent around New Year's.

He explained that this could be due to people consuming heavier and saltier foods while celebrating.

In addition, many people are postponing doctor visits, exercising less, sleeping less, drinking more alcohol, and experiencing more anxiety.

Ariani said, "People should be happy, but for a variety of reasons they are often more stressed."
Holiday periods can also bring feelings of sadness, loneliness, and isolation, which can lead to depression, and depression is a significant risk factor for heart disease.

"According to our observations, people over 70 or 75 years old experience heart attacks more frequently during this period," the doctor emphasized.

To reduce the risk, the doctor's advice is simple: Do the exact opposite of what people usually do during holidays.

"Be mindful of alcohol consumption, limit heavy and salty foods, and get enough sleep. Sleep is crucial. Discuss your concerns with your doctor and don't postpone your visits until after the holidays," he said.

According to Mario Castro, managing stress is key to good health.

"I exercise at least three times a week, I meditate, and that has helped me cope with daily stress. We all experience stress," she said.

The fact that he experienced symptoms near the doctor's office proved crucial. Doctors managed to open the blocked arteries within 30 minutes.

Castro is looking forward to spending the holidays with his family and friends this Christmas.

"I even got permission from my doctor to eat a delicious steak during the holidays," he said, laughing.

Tea is a plant-based beverage whose consumption offers many health benefits.
Both hot and cold tea contain polyphenols, antioxidants that make tea a good medicine.

The Mayo Clinic has found that polyphenols play a role in preventing or delaying cell damage and protecting cells from carcinogens.

Regardless of the type of tea—green, black, or any other kind—people who drink tea every day have better mental health.

Nutritionist Vicki Shanta Retelny said, "These people have very good cognitive abilities."
EveryDayHealth has compiled a list of the best teas recommended to be drunk daily.

Green tea reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes and supports heart health.
White, green, and black teas all belong to the green tea family. They differ according to their fermentation levels.

Black tea helps the nervous system, aids cognitive abilities, and reduces inflammation. In addition, black tea has other health benefits, such as regulating blood sugar and helping with dementia. Retelny stated, "Potentially, black tea reduces the risk of cancer."

Chamomile tea helps promote good sleep and supports immunity. Known for its calming properties, chamomile tea is best consumed before bedtime. It has many healing properties. Chamomile is anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic, and lowers blood pressure. This tea also helps with pain during the menstrual cycle.

Ginger tea helps with nausea and vomiting. Ginger root, also known as ginger, helps with throat ailments and reduces the pain of vomiting. Pregnant women and those undergoing chemotherapy can also drink this tea.

Peppermint tea helps the digestive system. This tea helps with gastrointestinal problems and aids digestion. Since peppermint tea does not contain caffeine, it is beneficial to drink it before bedtime.

Hibiscus tea lowers blood pressure. It also regulates sugar levels, lowers cholesterol, reduces excess weight, and increases iron levels.

Fennel tea alleviates menopausal symptoms. It also aids the digestive system and is rich in antioxidants.

Lastly, nutritionist Retelny recommended using tea when preparing meals.

"You can use the tea in cooking, you can pour it over rice. The rice will absorb the beneficial properties of the tea," said Retelny.

Prolonged sitting has become a part of modern life. It's estimated that young people spend about six hours a day sitting, and this lifestyle is reported to negatively impact the functioning of blood vessels.

Previous studies have shown that even a mere 1% decrease in vascular function (measured by flow-dependent dilation, FMD) is associated with a 13% increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and heart attack.

In a new study, researchers wanted to find out whether dietary choices, particularly those involving natural foods rich in flavanols, could protect blood vessels from the negative effects of aging.

What are flavanols and why are they important?

Flavanols are plant compounds found in fruits, tea, nuts, and cocoa beans. Previous research suggests they improve heart health and may protect blood vessels during periods of stress.

The new research was published in the Journal of Physiology.

"Whether in the office, in the car, on the train, or at home, we expose our bodies to stress even when just sitting. Finding ways to reduce the impact of prolonged sitting on the vascular system could help us lower our risk of cardiovascular disease," says Dr. Catarina Rendeiro, Professor of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Birmingham and lead author of the study.

How was the study conducted?

To understand the effects of flavanols, researchers tested their effects in a controlled two-hour sitz bath beforehand.

The study involved 40 young, healthy men, half of whom exercised a lot and the other half exercised less.

Each of them drank one of these beverages:

- high flavanol cocoa drink (695 mg) or

-A cocoa beverage containing very little flavanol (5.6 mg).

Then they sat motionless for two hours.

Women were not included in the study because hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle can affect the body's response to flavanols.

The following measurements were taken before and after landing:

- Fibromyalgia (FMD) in the arteries of the arms and legs

- blood circulation

-blood pressure

- oxygenation of leg muscles

Cocoa, which is rich in flavonols, prevents the weakening of blood vessels.

The results showed that participants who consumed the low-flavanol beverage had the following characteristics:

-decreased blood vessel function (FMD),

-increase in diastolic pressure,

-weaker blood circulation,

- Decreased muscle oxygenation.

This occurred in both the group that exercised a lot and the group that exercised less.

However, the group that consumed the high-flavanol beverage showed no decrease in blood vessel function in the arms or legs. This is the first study to show that flavanols may prevent vascular damage caused by prolonged sitting.

"Our experiment shows that high levels of exercise do not protect the body from temporary vascular damage caused by sitting. However, after drinking the high-flavanol beverage, participants' vascular function remained unchanged, regardless of whether they were physically fit or not," said study co-author Sam Lucas.

The results also showed that the positive effects of flavanols were independent of exercise level, meaning they could help almost anyone.

How can we incorporate flavanols into our daily diet?

"Adding flavanol-rich foods to your diet is very easy. There are processed cocoa products that preserve flavanol levels. If you don't like cocoa, fruits like apples, plums, strawberries, nuts, and black or green tea are very common and readily available," says doctoral student Alessio Daniele.

Finally, Rendeiro emphasized that consuming foods and drinks rich in flavanols during sedentary periods is a good way to reduce the effects of inactivity on blood vessels.

"By taking short breaks, going for a short walk, or simply standing, we can significantly improve our long-term health," he said.

According to new research, the "gain" of staying up late could cost you years, as insufficient sleep is linked to a lower life expectancy.

The author notes that insufficient sleep has long been linked to health problems and a shorter lifespan, but recent research shows that getting enough sleep is more strongly linked to longevity than diet or exercise, which are often considered key to extending lifespan. ( Science Alert)

Researchers from Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) analyzed survey data from the United States from 2019 to 2025.

They compared average life expectancy with the amount of sleep participants reported and considered less than seven hours of sleep per night as "insufficient".

Even after accounting for other factors affecting lifespan (such as lack of physical activity, employment status, and education level), the link between sleep deprivation and shorter life expectancy remained strong. The only factor with a greater impact was smoking.

"I didn't expect sleep deprivation to be so strongly linked to longevity. We always knew sleep was important, but this study emphasizes it even more: people should try to get seven to nine hours of sleep if possible," said researcher Andrew McHill.

Because it is an observational study, it cannot prove that insufficient sleep shortens your lifespan by months or years, nor can it unravel the complex interactions between sleep, nutrition, and physical activity. However, the results suggest that the amount of sleep you get each night is an important indicator of long-term health.

Sufficient sleep is essential for almost every aspect of health: even a single night of sleeplessness can affect brain function and the immune system.

Researchers have identified obesity and diabetes as two conditions closely linked to insufficient sleep, which can shorten lifespan.

"It's intuitive and logical, but it was still surprising that it was so clearly seen in all the models. Good sleep not only improves how you feel, but it also increases how long you live," McHill added.

The good news is that we can improve our sleep patterns within the limitations imposed by work and family responsibilities.

Avoiding constant phone calls late into the night or doing some yoga occasionally can be beneficial.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Association recommend at least seven hours of sleep per night; however, some evidence suggests that some of the lost hours can be made up on weekends.

"This study shows that we should prioritize sleep as much as nutrition and exercise. Good sleep not only makes you feel better, but it also helps you live longer," said McHill.

The study was published in the journal Sleep Advances.

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

-A recent study found that adults over 50 who used phones, computers, and tablets had a 42 percent lower risk of cognitive impairment and a 74 percent lower rate of cognitive decline.

-This could be because phones provide a cognitive challenge and social connection.

-This doesn’t mean that all screen use is helpful, and more research is needed to determine the type and duration that's best—and whether this benefit would carry over to younger adults or children, too.

You’ve probably seen the reports that suggest smartphones are not so great for your health. But new research suggests that using your phone can be good for you—after a certain age.

The study, which was published in Nature Human Behavior, found that older adults who regularly use smartphones have a lower rate of cognitive decline than those who use them less often. That challenges the idea that smartphone use drives so-called “digital dementia,” which suggests that long-term tech exposure may worsen cognitive abilities, and also raises questions about whether phone use might boost the cognitive health of younger adults, too. Here’s what you need to know.

Meet the experts: Amit Sachdev, MD, MS, is the medical director in the Department of Neurology at Michigan State University. Michael Scullin, PhD, is the study co-author and professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Baylor University. Clifford Segil, DO, is a neurologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA.

What did the study find?
For the study, researchers analyzed data from 57 previously published studies on technology use and cognitive health in more than 400,000 adults over 50 around the world. The average age of study participants was 69 and all of them had undergone a cognitive test or had a dementia diagnosis.

The researchers discovered that there was no evidence to suggest that using phones raises the risk of cognitive decline. But they did find a link between using a computer, phone, or tablet and a lower risk of cognitive impairment.

Specifically, people who used phones, computers, and tablets had a 42 percent lower risk of cognitive impairment and a 74 percent lower rate of cognitive decline compared to those who used them less or not at all.

Why might using phones over 50 be good for you?
The study didn’t dive into that—it simply found a link between phone use in older adults and a lower risk of cognitive issues. But there are a few theories.

“The most likely explanation is that technically challenging tasks require learning,” says Amit Sachdev, MD, MS, medical director in the Department of Neurology at Michigan State University. “One of the most significant strategies to reducing the risk of late life cognitive decline is the robustness of use of the brain in early and midlife.”

Technology also requires using your brain in different ways, points out Clifford Segil, DO, a neurologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA. “Using technology requires [the use of multiple senses] from looking at the screen, understanding what is being shown or reading what is on the screen, processing this in your brain and then using eye-hand coordination to respond to what you are watching or doing,” he says. “Using technology is a daily cognitive exercise and losing the ability to use your phone or email is similar to losing the ability to drive or care for your finances.”

There are a lot of distractions that pop up on devices, including notifications and advertisements, says Michael Scullin, PhD, study co-author and professor of psychology and neuroscience at Baylor University. “Trying to get rid of those distractions and focus is a cognitive challenge that doesn’t necessarily occur if you’re sitting in a quiet room with a newspaper,” he explains.

There may be a social element here, too, through things like video calls and texting, according to Scullin. “Loneliness and social isolation are predictors of faster cognitive decline in older adults,” he says. “Phones can provide greater social connection and decrease isolation.”

One more thing to consider: Scullin notes that phones can act as “cognitive aids” to help older adults remember things, like doctor’s appointments and birthdays. That can reinforce things like social connections (like when you don’t miss someone’s birthday or event) and support good overall health, all of which can be good for your brain, he says.

But this doesn’t mean that all screen use is helpful. “There is also potential for these devices to be very passive,” Scullin says. “If all you’re doing is binge-watching videos, that might not be a very cognitively stimulating activity.”

Do younger people benefit, too?
Possibly, but that’s still being explored. “It probably depends on how they use their phone,” Scullin says. “Are they watching things or engaging?”

Ultimately, Scullin says that more work is needed to see how adults—especially older adults—may benefit from phone use. "The findings suggest that devices are not always good or bad,” he says.

AOL.

The sponges remain wet and damp throughout the day

A possible link has been identified between vitamin D levels and Alzheimer's disease.

Why do heart attack cases increase towards the end of the year?

Nutrition affects the early onset of depression.

Seven types of tea that contribute to physical and mental health.

Researchers have discovered a way to reduce the risks associated with prolonged sitting.

Synthetic chemicals in food are increasing cancer rates.

A critical factor that predicts lifespan better than diet or physical activity.

A useful phone for regular use after a certain age.

The component in dark chocolate that can slow down aging.

My Instagram