GREAT SCHOLAR BLOG

A new study that appears in the journal Circulation looks at the effects of low levels of pollution on the anatomy of the heart. Living next to a busy road may cause you serious heart problems, a new study suggests. The perils of air pollution are real and plentiful. Two years ago, a study published in The Lancet Neurology claimed that air pollution was one of the leading risk factors for stroke worldwide. Also, even low levels of pollution seem to be very harmful. Medical News Today recently reported on a study that linked levels of air pollution deemed "safe" by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with a high risk of diabetes . Now, Steffen Petersen — a professor of cardiovascular medicine at Queen Mary University of London in the United Kingdom — has led a new study that suggests that low levels of air pollution may cause changes in the heart that are similar to those seen in heart failure . Dr. Nay Aung, who is

When most of us think of calories, we think of how fattening a food is. In dietary terms, calories are the amount of energy that a food provides. If we consistently take in more energy than we need, we will gain weight. If we take in too little energy, we will lose weight, fat, and eventually muscle mass. The definition of a calorie is the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 gram (g) of water through 1° Celsius. The type and amount of food we eat determine how many calories we consume. For many people on a weight-loss diet, the number of calories in a food is a deciding factor in choosing whether or not to eat it. How and when we eat can also make a difference, as the body uses energy differently throughout the day. Our body's energy use will depend on how active we are, how efficiently our body uses the energy, and our age. According to the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, women are likely to need between 1,600 and 2,400 calories

Fast facts on fish oils Here are some key points about fish oils. More supporting information is in the main article. Fish oils contain omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins A and D. Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oils may protect the heart and offer other health benefits, but research results have been mixed. Eating fish is a better way of getting fish oil or omega 3 than taking supplements. What are omega-3 fatty acids?   Oily fish is a good source of omega-3 oil, but what are the benefits? Omega-3 fatty acids are fats commonly found in plants and marine life. Two types are plentiful in oily fish: Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) : The best-known omega-3 fatty acid, EPA helps the body synthesize chemicals involved in blood clotting and inflammation (prostaglandin-3, thromboxane-2, and leukotriene-5). Fish obtain EPA from the algae that they eat. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) : In humans, this omega-3 fatty acid is a key part of sperm, the retina, a part of the eye, and the cerebr

Migraines can be challenging to treat using traditional painkillers, so many people look for alternative ways to help prevent them. One potential remedy is magnesium. Magnesium is a natural mineral that helps keep blood pressure stable, promotes heart health, regulates nerve and muscle function, and builds bone, DNA, and protein. A lack of magnesium may also contribute to headaches and migraines . Some people use magnesium to treat and prevent migraine symptoms, including a severe headache, visual disturbances, sensitivity to light and sound, and nausea and vomiting. Does magnesium help get rid of migraines? Studies suggest that magnesium may help prevent headaches. Some research has indicated that taking a magnesium supplement could be an effective way to prevent headaches. Other studies have also suggested that the magnesium levels in a person's brain may be low during a migraine. The American Migraine Foundation suggest taking a 400–500 m

Breast cancer is the most common invasive cancer in women, and the second main cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer. Advances in screening and treatment have improved survival rates dramatically since 1989. There are around 3.1 million breast cancer survivors in the United States (U.S.). The chance of any woman dying from breast cancer is around 1 in 37, or 2.7 percent. In 2017, around 252, 710 new diagnoses of breast cancer are expected in women, and around 40,610 women are likely to die from the disease. Awareness of the symptoms and the need for screening are important ways of reducing the risk. Breast cancer can affect men too , but this article will focus on breast cancer in women. Fast facts on breast cancer: Here are some key points about breast cancer. More detail is in the main article. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. Symptoms include a lump or thickening of the breast, and changes to the skin or the nipple. Risk factors can be