Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a condition characterized by an irregular heartbeat, which has been linked to both stroke and heart failure. A new study that monitored over 700 middle-aged men and women for an average of 19 years revealed a higher incidence of atrial fibrillation among those who consumed the most salt. Lead author Dr.…

According to a new study that followed 2,700 children until age four, those whose mothers most closely followed the Mediterranean diet during pregnancy were 32% less likely to experience an abnormal growth pattern through age four. Study author Dr. Dora Romaguera adds, “These results support the hypothesis that a healthy diet during pregnancy can have…

The results of a twelve-year study suggest that women who most closely follow a Mediterranean-style diet (which focuses on a higher intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and olive oil, while limiting red meat and dairy consumption) have a 23-28% reduced risk for cardiovascular disease. JAMA Network Open, December 2018

Nocturnal enuresis is a common urinary bladder problem in younger children. In this study, researchers found that giving a daily vitamin D supplement to children with a history of wetting the bed appeared to significantly reduce the number of wet nights experienced by 44.4% of the participants within two months. Journal of Pediatric Urology, June…

A review of data from eleven clinical trials involving diabetics has identified an association between adopting a plant-based diet and improved physical and emotional quality of life. BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care, October 2018

According to a new study involving mice, a simple dietary change could potentially help increase the survival rate of obese children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Researchers discovered that when obese mice with leukemia were switched to a low-fat diet, they were five times more likely to survive than subjects that continued to consume a high-fat…

University of Georgia researchers have found that a high-fat diet enriched with cottonseed oil significantly improved cholesterol profiles in 15 healthy, normal weight men who ate high-fat meals for five days in two separate trials. Specifically, the participants experienced an average decrease of 8% in total cholesterol while on the cottonseed oil diet, along with…

Caffeine-loaded energy drinks are very popular, but a new study suggests that they may make your blood vessels less efficient in the short term. Researchers examined the blood vessels of 44 healthy, non-smoking medical students both before and after they consumed a 24-ounce energy and found that after finishing the energy drink, the internal diameter…

Childhood and adolescence obesity represent a major health problem worldwide, as it can lead to the development of expensive, serious, and debilitating health complications later in life. A study that involved 232 obese children and adolescents revealed that those given vitamin D supplements had significantly lower body mass index and body fat and improved cholesterol…

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 37% of adults have eaten fast food at least once in the last 24 hours. National Center for Health Statistics, October 2018