HRT news not all bad
A 2002 report on hormone-replacement therapy (HRT) from the Women’s Health Initiative alarmed women when it reported an increased risk of heart attack in women taking the therapy to get relief from menopause-related hot flashes and sleep disturbances.
Now experts believe the heart attack risk was overstated for women of certain ages, according to a report in the December issue of the Johns Hopkins Medical Letter Health After 50. Newer analysis of the data shows that women who began HRT less than 10 years after menopause were 24 percent less likely to have a heart attack than women who took a placebo.
But women who began taking HRT 20 years past menopause were 28 percent more likely to have a heart attack. This may be because when older women are given estrogen, it could encourage plaque buildup that leads to blockages and a heart attack.
There are other risks associated with HRT, researchers say. Stroke risk was 18 percent higher among women who started taking HRT less than 10 years from menopause. Breast cancer also is a concern.
For more information on the risks and benefits of HRT, go to the Web site of the Women’s Health Initiative, www.nhlbi.nih.gov/whi, which provides a comprehensive explanation of the known risks; the North American Menopause Society, menopause.org, which publishes official HRT guidelines for physicians based on current research; and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, acog.org, which offers information on HRT and other women’s health issues.
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Fish oil for weight loss
Fish-oil capsules are well known for their contribution of omega-3 fatty acids to improve heart health. But here’s even better news: They can help you to lose weight, says a report in the December issue of Good Housekeeping.
In a study of overweight people who took a daily dose of fish oil and walked for 45 minutes three times a week for three months, the participants lost an average of 4.4 pounds without changing their diet. In contrast, those who worked out regularly but did not take the supplement weighed the same at study’s end.
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Health by the handful
Go ahead and grab a handful of nuts. They’re brimming with vitamins, minerals and healthy, unsaturated fats, notes a story in the November/December issue of Eating Well.
An ounce of almonds (about 24) provides flavonoids that fight free radicals and reduce inflammation, according to a study reported in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. An ounce of pecans (20 halves) contributes a major form of vitamin E as well as zinc, showed researchers from Loma Linda University.
An ounce of pistachios (49) offers lutein, an antioxidant that helps keep LDL (bad cholesterol) from oxidization by free radicals, according to a report presented at an Experimental Biology conference. And an ounce of walnuts (14) imparts alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fat that helps reduce the risk of heart disease, improves glucose control and strengthens bone.
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Diabetes-cardiac link
Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease are closely linked, yet many people do not realize it. A national campaign called “The Heart of Diabetes,” at the Web site iknowdiabetes .org, aims to raise awareness and educate individuals about this connection.
“The Heart of Diabetes” provides motivational stories and educational resources to help people prevent or manage Type 2 diabetes and its associated risks.
The campaign was developed by the American Heart Association in partnership with Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America Inc. and is led by record producer and “American Idol” judge Randy Jackson, who has Type 2 diabetes.
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A tour through fat city
Take a stroll through fat city with Sat and Trans, characters developed in a Web site launched by the American Heart Association, and they’ll show you how to identify and avoid bad fats in your diet.
The amusing and informative site, at badfatsbrothers.com, offers a crash course on how saturated and trans fats in the foods you eat can clog your arteries and damage your heart. More important, it tells consumers how to be smart about fats whether you’re cooking at home or eating out.
