As a scientist myself, it is bothersome to see misconceptions going around without a solid scientific base. “Saturated fat” has long been blamed for the increase of the cardiovascular disease—and it turned out that trans-fat, a compound produced in mass through the commercial production in order to stabilize vegetable oil for the sake of modern […]
Tag Archives: Healthy Brain & Heart
11
Sep
Sep
There is mounting evidence that a diet containing omega-3 fatty acids not only helps prevent cardiovascular disease but may also help prevent depression. New research has shown that increasing omega-3 consumption reduces incidence of neurological and immune disorders. The relation of omega-3 fatty acids — mainly DHA (docosahexaenoic acid and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) — and […]
We love sodas. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost one-third of Americans drink at least one sugar-laden soda or other sweetened drinks every day. We love the cool and sizzling sweet taste of the soda, which comes mostly from “high fructose corn syrup,” a main sweetening ingredient in soda drinks. […]
23
Aug
Aug
We have now discovered many benefits of exercise for cardiovascular health, weight loss, stress management, and mood lifting. Mounting evidences are suggesting that exercise can boost brain function and protect against dementia. This makes great physiologic sense: increased blood flow to the brain means more oxygen and nutrients in and toxins out. But are those […]
21
Aug
Aug
A stroke occurs when blood flow to brain tissues is disrupted, killing brain cells by robbing them of oxygen and nutrients. The most likely cause is blockage of an artery in the neck or head. When a portion of the brain is damaged, patients are often left with some disability, such as paralysis, loss of […]
11
Aug
Aug
In the previous post, we learned about the brain-gut-skin theory proposed by two dermatologists, John Stokes and Donald Pillsbury, in 1930s. Here is the gist of the theory: stress produces stress hormones, which leads to low acid production in your stomach, which leads to the changes in your gut microbiota population, which leads to local […]
04
Aug
Aug
You must have noticed that your acne tends to flares up around stressful times—before a big test, a big meeting or during travel. Often, the skin problems are accompanied with bowel movement problems. I have experienced the phenomenon all my life and have heard many similar experiences from others. For a longest time, I have […]
31
Jul
Jul
Our brain is well protected by a barrier termed the “blood-brain barrier (BBB).” The blood–brain barrier is a highly selective permeability barrier that separates the circulating blood from the brain extracellular fluid (BECF) in the central nervous system (CNS). The stuff that can pass through the blood-brain barrier are highly selective including water, some gases, lipid […]
19
Jun
Jun
Human cognitive function tends to decline as we get older. Many researches have shown that risk of dementia is reduced by higher fruit and vegetable intake, and that cognitive function is better preserved in healthy older adults with a diet rich in plant-based foods. The consensus from the scientific community is that flavonoids, which are […]
A large worldwide study has found that, contrary to the popular thought, low-salt diets may not be beneficial and may actually increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and death compared to average salt consumption. In summary, the study suggests that the only people who need to worry about reducing sodium in their diet are […]