The Heart-Brain Connection

The Heart-Brain Connection

  • Heart-Brain Connection

A healthy heart positively affects brain function according to recent studies. The cardiac index shows the amount of blood being pumped from the heart through the body, and can be used as a measure of heart health. Researchers collected data from 1,039 participants over the course of an 11-year study. During that period, 32 cases of dementia and 26 cases of Alzheimer’s disease developed among individuals who were shown to have a lower cardiac index. The study’s findings suggest that having a healthier heart may help lower a person’s risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

5 Headache Triggers You May Not Suspect

  • Headache Triggers

Many people experience frequent or painful headaches without knowing some of the less obvious triggers.

Smoked Meats: Nitrates and nitrites that are typically used in packaged meat products such as deli meat and jerky have been known to trigger headaches for some people who get migraines.

Red Wine and Cheese: The tyramine contained in certain cheeses like cheddar and blue cheese as well as in red wines can bring on headaches because it restricts the blood vessels. Researchers add that the polyphenols in red wine may also restrict serotonin metabolism in the brain.

Dehydration: As water and electrolytes leave the body, blood vessels become narrower in order to conserve water and dehydration triggers pain-sensitive nerves in the head.

Brain Freeze: Almost everyone knows that eating cold or frozen foods too quickly causes brain freeze, but research suggests that it may also trigger headaches for those with sensitive teeth. 

Caffeine Withdrawal: Caffeine can have physiological effects on the vascular system, making vessels constrict or relax at different times. The best way to manage these types of headaches is to slowly reduce caffeine intake.

Metformin May Promote Anti-Aging

  • Metformin May Promote Anti-Aging

Researchers have been studying the anti-aging effects of Metformin, a drug commonly used to manage diabetes. Recent studies are looking into how the drug may affect metabolic and cellular function associated with aging-related conditions. Experts are looking particularly at whether Metformin can improve gene expression among older adults with impaired glucose tolerance, compared to that of younger individuals. A clinical trial known as the Targeting Aging with Metformin study has been approved in the U.S. and will perform tests on 3,000 elderly people. Scientists will be observing the impact of the drug to see if it can help prevent aging and related development of onset diseases.

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