Evolution Made Us Prone to Heart Attacks

"Loss of Single Gene in Our Ancestors Resulted in Increased Risk of Cardiovascular Disease"


A recent study suggests that the loss of single gene, two to three million years ago in our ancestors may have resulted in a heightened risk of cardiovascular disease in all Humans as a Species. The same evolutionary gene loss may also have set up a further risk for red meat eating humans.

Atherosclerosis - the clogging of the arteries with fatty deposits, is the cause of one-third of deaths worldwide due to Cardiovascular disease. There are many known risk factors, including blood cholesterol, physical inactivity, age, hypertension, obesity and smoking. However, in roughly 15% of first-time cardiovascular disease events (CVD) due to atherosclerosis, none of these factors apply.

Researchers noted that naturally occurring Coronary heart attacks due to atherosclerosis are virtually non-existent in other mammals, including closely related chimpanzees in captivity which share human-like risk factors, such as high blood lipids, hypertension and physical inactivity.

The new study shows that mice modified to be deficient (like humans) in a Sialic Acid Sugar Molecules called Neu5Gc showed a significant increase in atherosclerosis compared to control mice, who retain the CMAH gene that produces Neu5Gc. They said that human-like elimination of CMAH and Neu5Gc in mice caused an almost two-fold increase in severity of Atherosclerosis compared to unmodified mice.

This may help explain why even vegetarians without any other obvious cardiovascular risk factors are still very prone to heart attacks and strokes, while other evolutionary relatives are not.

However, in consuming red meat, humans are also repeatedly exposed to Neu5Gc which prompts an immune response and chronic inflammation they call "xenosialitis".

                                                                                                                        Source: Airbus

Music Therapy - Beating Stress Before Surgery

🎶🎶"Music is as good as a Sedative in calming patients nerves before Surgical Operations."🎶🎶


A recent study suggests that - 🎵Playing Soothing Music🎵 to patients before anesthetizing them for surgery could calm their nerves as much as the conventional anxiety drugs.

The Researchers found that patients who listened to a relaxing song on noise-cancelling headphones had similar levels of anxiety to those who were treated with the sedatives - Midazolam. This suggests that Music could provide a drug less alternative to treat pre-surgery anxiety, a common issue that can cause Stress and Negatively Impact Recovery.

It could also minimize the risk of side effects associated with Midazolam and other common Benzodiazepine drugs, which can affect breathing, blood flow and potentially even leading to agitation. Patients needs to be closely monitored by anaesthetists after taking the drugs.

The Researchers selected 157 adults and divided them into two groups. The first half were asked to listen to an soothing instrumental track, just three minutes before they were given a nerve block anaesthetic. The other half received a 1-2mg dose of Midazolam, before the nerve block was applied as normal.The study concluded that a greater anxiety reduction in the Midazolam group, but the difference was not statistically significant from the other group who had Music Therapy.

The Researchers said that allowing patients to listen to the music for longer or choose their own Music, could improve the results. 🎵Music Therapy🎵 offers an alternative to intravenous Midazolam prior to single-injection peripheral nerve block procedures. The Researches are still on to validate the findings may be in coming days Music plays important role in everyone's life.

                                                                                        Source: THE INDEPENDENT

Optimistic People Sleep Better at Night

       Study shows that a Positive Attitude results in less Insomnia and Day Time Sleepiness.


             A recent study published in the Journal of "Behavioral Medicine", discovered that people who are the most Optimistic  tend to be better Sleepers.

             The study revealed significant associations between optimism and various characteristics of self-reported sleep after adjusting for a wide array of variables, including -

                Socio-demographic Characteristics, Health Conditions, and Depressive Symptoms.

             The Participants levels of Optimism were measured using a 10-item survey,which asked them to rate on a five-point scale how much they agreed with Positive statements such as "I'm always Optimistic about my Future", and with negatively-worded sentences such as "I hardly expect things to go my way."

            Scores in the survey ranged from Six (least optimistic) to 30 (most optimistic). Participants reported on their sleep twice, five years apart, rating their overall sleep quality and duration during the prior month. Individuals with greater levels  of optimism were more likely to report that they got adequate sleep, slumbering six to nine hours nightly. And they were 74% more likely to have no symptoms of Insomnia and reported less daytime sleepiness.

           The lack of healthy sleep is a public health concern, as poor sleep quality is often associated with health problems like higher risks of Obesity, Hypertension, Weak Immunity and All-cause Mortality.

                                                                                                                                     Source: ANI

10 Super foods to Beat Arthritis!

Millions of people across the world suffer from Arthritis, causing chronic pain and mobility problems. Luckily, there are few Super Foods that can have positive effects on your Joints in the long run.

Below are the Top 10 Super Foods -


Olive Oil:

       Eating two to three tablespoons of olive oil daily could have anti-inflammatory effect, which could reduce Arthritis pain. The best thing is to have the Extra Virgin Olive Oil. It can be used in cooking or as a Salad Dressing.

Citrus: 

       Grapefruit, Oranges, Lemons, Limes and other Citrus fruits are rich in Vitamin C which can help prevent inflammatory Arthritis thereby maintaining healthy joints for those with Osteoarthritis.

Yogurt: 

       Fermented foods such as Sauerkraut and Live Yogurt can increase the amount of good bacteria in the gut and work anti-inflammatory magic easing symptoms of Arthritis.

Porridge: 

      Oats are an excellent way to reduce Cholesterol, and in turn, could have positive impact on Arthritis Aches. Eating Porridge every morning for breakfast is also an excellent form of slow-release energy.

Trout: 

      Oily Fish is an excellent source of Omega-3, which can also reduce inflammation associated with Arthritis. Salmon, Anchovies, Herring and Trout are all good oily food options.

Green Tea: 

       A Cup of Green Tea contain Polyphenols, nutrients which are believed to reduce inflammation. It also contains antioxidants, some of which are believed to slow Joint Damage in people with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Turmeric: 

      Research shows that taking Turmeric Supplement improved pain and long-term mobility in patients suffering from Osteoarthritis. Ginger, Cinnamon and Cayenne Pepper are also good for anti-inflammatory affects.

Meat: 

     In cases of Rheumatoid Arthritis, flareups could result in sufferer becoming Anemic. Grilling Steaks is an excellent source  of Iron. Anemia can leave you tired, weak and out of breath. So, Arthritis sufferers should get enough Iron in their diet.

Garlic: 

     Research shows that eating more Garlic could lower your risk of developing Arthritis all together. Alliums, which include Leeks and Onions, appeared to limit the amount of cartilage-damaging enzymes in the body. Adding Garlic could be an easy way to get Allium in your Diet.

Wholegrain Bread: 

    Whole grains can reduce level of CRP - C-reactive Proteins - in the Blood,which is a marker of inflammation in your body. It is associated with diabetes and heart disease as well, so eating Whole Grain Bread can help overall health.

                                                                                                                   Source: Daily Mirror

Postponing Meals may delay your Body Clock

The recent study by the Researchers shed lights on the potential way to alleviate symptoms of Jet Lag or the shift works of the individual.

Do you have the habit of postponing your meals because of work pressure or different shift timings?

BEWARE, this habit may delay one of the body's natural clock.

The human body runs roughly on a 24-hour cycle, which is centrally controlled by Master Clock in the Brain and subsidiary clocks in other parts of the body that are synchronised according to the external factors like light, climate etc.

The study shows that the 5-hour delay in meal times causes same amount of delay in blood sugar balances,suggesting that meal times synchronise internal clocks that control rhythms of blood sugar concentration. This regular jet lags or shift times disturbs the metabolism cycle.

The best way to come out of this issue is altering meal time which will help to rest the body clocks regulating the blood sugar metabolisms in a drug-free way. This way will help us also to reduce the risk of developing the Obesity and cardiovascular diseases.

Foods and their antioxidants

· Orange, yellow fruits and vegetables and green leafy vegetables contain Vitamin C, carotenoids such as beta carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin.
· Citrus fruits contain flavonones, d-limonene and flavonoids.
· Cruciferous vegetables contain indoles, isothiocyanates and beta carotene.
· Garlic and Onion family contain allylic sulfides and quercetin.
· Legumes contain isoflavanoids, phytic acid and phytosterols.
· Spices like turmeric and mustard seeds contain curcumin and isothiocynates.
· Red grapes contain quercetin, resveratol and anthocyanidine.
· Tomatoes contain lycopene.

Pomegranate for Heart

The plump red seeds of pomegranate are rich in poly-phenols, which are antioxidants. They also contain lots of Vitamin C and potassium. The recent research has shown that pomegranate can lower the blood pressure by 5% in people with hypertension and lessen damage by LDL cholesterol on artery walls. Recent study also shows that one cup of pomegranate juice a day for three months improved blood flow to the heart in people with coronary heart disease