English researchers have turned up a new tool for fighting heart disease: the humble toothbrush. Medical professionals have long known that inflammation in the body is a major contributor to heart disease, and that included inflammation in the mouth and gums. The new study looked at information on 11,000 people who participated in the Scottish Health Survey. After balancing other contributors to heart disease, such as obesity and smoking, the researchers looked at markers of inflammation and how often the study participants brushed their teeth. The findings were unambiguous: people who brushed less than twice a day had a 70 percent greater risk of heart disease, along with higher blood levels of inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein and fibrinogen. (Via ScienceDaily.)
Cholesterol: It’s not just about fat anymore
Want to lower your cholesterol? It’s not just about the fat. Turns out sugar — added to processed foods and sweetened drinks — is a big culprit. New research in the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association studied 6,100 people to see how sugar intake affected cholesterol levels. They found people consuming the most sugar generally had higher triglyceride (blood-fat) levels, along with lower levels of protective HDL cholesterol. They also found sugar intake has risen nearly 50 percent over common consumption in 1977-78. Sugars already are linked to obesity, hypertension and other conditions known to increase heart and stroke risks. These new finding add one more reason to cut down. (Via USA Today.)
