12 Health Facts to Know About Blood Clots

Blood clots – they could be hiding in your body and lead to serious complications and even death, but how would you know if you have one? Turns out there are some symptoms depending on where the blood clot is, so you’ll know when to take action.
Blood clots often fall apart on their own, but when they don’t, they can block oxygen flow and lead to conditions like heart attacks and strokes. It’s important to know the signs before it gets to that point, so let’s take a deeper look at 12 signs of a clot…

1. Defining a Blood Clot

Before you can combat against blood clots, it helps to understand exactly what they are. While blood clots are healthy when they’re stopping the blood flow from a cut or injury, they can also form when they’re not actually needed, which can be a real problem, notes WebMD.
Platelets in your blood are activated by damage to a blood vessel, “changing shape to form a plug that fills in the broken part to stop blood from leaking out,” notes the source. Chemicals from the platelets further the clotting process by attracting other platelets, and then proteins in your blood (called clotting factors) end up as long strands of fibrin that get “tangled up with the platelets in the plug to create a net that traps even more platelets and cells,” it adds. While there are usually other proteins to break down the clot, but cholesterol buildup (plaques) can trigger a clot as well when they break open, it explains.

2. More Than One Type of Clot

There are different types of blood clots depending on where they occur in your system, adds WebMD. While different areas of your body can be affected by clots, there are generally 2-types – arterial and venous, adds the source.
It explains that arterial clots block blood (and oxygen) from reaching vital organs, which can lead to tissue damage. They may also form in the heart or brain, setting off a heart attack or stroke. Meanwhile, venous clots in veins “tend to develop slowly,” therefore the symptoms may not be as obvious. There are different types of clots in the venous category – superficial venous thrombosis (near the surface), deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and pulmonary embolism (PE), it adds. We’ll look more at those next.

3. Going Deeper About Thrombosis

The Mayo Clinic explains that DVT occurs in a “deep vein” in your body, most often in the legs. This can set off some telltale signs in the legs, or you might not suspect anything at all, it adds.
DVT can also occur if you have certain medical conditions affecting the clotting of your blood, adds the clinic. “It can also happen if you don’t move for a long time, such as after surgery or an accident, or when you’re confined to bed,” it adds.

4. Symptoms By Region: Arms and Legs

The American Heart Association says a blood clot deep in the leg in particular can cause symptoms of pain, redness, warmth, and swelling in the lower part of the leg, which could indicate DVT. If the blood clot is in your arm, you’ll have the same signs in the affected arm, it adds.  Other sources note an arterial clot in the arm or leg can cause paleness, and even coolness to the touch.
Another condition that can cause similar symptoms in the leg is peripheral artery disease (PAD), which can come and go depending on whether you’re exercising, adds the source. It’s important for a doctor to sort this out.

5. Symptoms By Region: Heart

WebMD looks at the signs and symptoms of blood clots depending on which major organ they affect. It notes that clots that “form in or around your ticker” can cause a heart attack, which is obviously a medical emergency.
The source warns to look out for signs such as severe pain in your chest or arms, (unexplained) sweating, or trouble breathing. These signs can also be present on their own and indicate another problem, but it’s best not to leave it to chance if you’re experiencing these on their own or in combination.

6. Symptoms By Region: Lungs

The American Heart Association says that blood clot symptoms for the lungs can be similar to those relating to the heart. Clots near the lungs (usually ones that have traveled from another area of the body) can cause the telltale chest pain and shortness of breath related to a heart attack, as well as discomfort that spreads into the arms, back, neck or jaw.
However, these symptoms could also indicate a pulmonary embolism, which are potentially deadly clots in the lungs, says the same source. It adds that there could be another symptom related to lung blood clots that other types might not share – sudden fainting.

7. Symptoms By Region: Abdomen

Blood clots can form in your abdominal region, and they could at first lead you to believe you have severe gas or even food poisoning. RadiologyInfo.org explains clots in the middle section of your body around your belly can cause severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.
You may also experience diarrhea and blood in the stool from this type of blood clot, it adds. However, keep in mind bloody stools can also be a warning sign of colorectal cancer, so a trip to the doctor is warranted in either scenario.

8. Symptoms By Region: Brain

Blood clots in the brain may be most infamous of the clot family, as they can lead to a stroke. Strokes can be minor (transient ischemic attack) if the blood clot breaks up, but they can also lead to permanent damage and major complications.
There are several telltale signs of a stroke depending where the clot is in the brain, but Heathline.com notes “a sudden and severe headache,” as well as sudden difficulty with vision or speaking can be symptoms. Weakness in 1-side of the body is also a common sign of stroke.

9. Symptoms By Region: Kidneys

This particular clot affecting the kidneys is referred to as renal vein thrombosis (RVT), explains Healthline.com. The renal veins are responsible for leading oxygen-depleted blood away from the kidneys, and this condition can cause serious, life-threatening damage, it adds.
Detecting RVT may be more difficult than some other clot-related signs, but the source says symptoms can include decreased urine volume, lower back pain, and blood in the urine. This type of clot can break up and end up in the lungs, which will cause chest pain “that worsens with every breath,” it adds.

10. Risk Factors of Blood Clots

How does a person end up with a blood clot? While there’s no foolproof way to avoid them altogether, there are certain factors that put you in a higher risk bracket, explains Healthline.com.
One of the factors includes a recent extended hospital stay that could be related to major surgery, says the source. Other risk factors, some which can’t be controlled, include age (65-and older), lengthy travel of 4-or more hours at a time, obesity, pregnancy, family history, smoking, cancer, and even some birth control pills, adds the source.

11. What You Can Do

While quitting smoking and getting your weight under control are 2-ways of helping reduce the chance of developing a blood clot, there are other things you can do every day to stave off a clot, explains the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
These practices include wearing loose-fitting clothing (including socks and stockings), raising your legs above your heart line periodically, changing positions often during a long trip, cutting down on sodium, and performing doctor-prescribed exercises, it offers.

12. When It’s Time to Call a Doctor

You might not be able to tell if you have a blood clot from the symptom mentioned alone – in fact, Heathline.com notes up to 50-percent of people with DVT in particular don’t know it. And you may not have time to think about it when complications arise.
If you have sudden symptoms of shortness of breath, chest pressure, or difficulty with sight or speaking, then it’s time to call for emergency medical help, says the source. At the least, a physician can rule out a blood clot or determine what’s causing the symptoms by sending you for tests, or provide more immediate help in the case of stroke or heart attack.

Certain common medications tied to 30% higher dementia risk, study finds

Many older adults know that long-term use of certain medications can negatively affect cognition and increase one's risk of dementia.

But a new study suggests that some classes of anticholinergic drugs -- particularly those used to treat depression, Parkinson's and urinary incontinence -- carry a higher risk than others.

Anticholinergic drugs function by blocking the effects of acetylcholine, a chemical released by nerve cells to send signals to other nerves and muscles. They are prescribed to 20% to 50% of older adults in the United States to treat a variety of neurological, psychiatric, gastrointestinal, respiratory and muscular conditions, according to a 2009 study. In the UK, 34% to 48% of older adults take them, another study found.

The new study, published Wednesday in the British Medical Journal, looked at the risk of new-onset dementia among nearly 350,000 older adults in the United Kingdom. The researchers found that people who used certain types of anticholinergics, such as those used to treat depression, Parkinson's and urinary incontinence, for a year or more had about a 30% increased risk of developing dementia down the road.

But those individuals taking other classes of anticholinergics -- including those used for asthma and gastrointestinal issues -- were not at an increased risk of developing dementia compared with matched controls, the study found.

"Previous studies had really only said that anticholinergics were associated with dementia incidence," said George Savva, researcher of health sciences at the University of East Anglia and a lead author on the study, in a news briefing. "But we broke it down by class, which is where our study really has its novelty and power." 

The study relied on data from from the UK's Clinical Practice Research Database to identify 40,770 patients aged 65 to 99 who were diagnosed with dementia between April 2006 and July 2015. Researchers compared how many daily doses of anticholinergic drugs these patients had been prescribed between four and 20 years earlier with a control group of almost 300,000 matched individuals.

"In total, there were 27 million prescription events that we were looking at over that period," Savva said. "And we found that about 9% of our (dementia) cases had taken anticholinergics in the past, compared to about 6% of our controls."

This means those patients with a new dementia diagnosis had significantly more exposure to anticholinergic medications during the study period than those without dementia, according to Savva.

Specifically, those anticholinergics used for depression (e.g. amitriptyline), urinary incontinence (e.g. oxybutynin) and Parkinson's disease (e.g. procyclidine) were associated with around a 30% increased risk of developing dementia.

Thus, if someone had a baseline 10% risk of developing dementia in any given year, that risk would increase to 13% with the long-term use of these anticholinergic medications, according to Savva.

"For the urological and antidepressants, there's quite a clear association between their long-term use and dementia incidence ... (and) for anti-Parkinson's medications, the risk is there, but there's far fewer of those prescriptions in the database, so there's a lot less certainty," Savva said.

"But it's difficult to generalize across patients, and it's difficult to talk about an individual because this is a population average risk and it depends very much on the patient," he added. 

Though the 30% increased risk of developing dementia from long-term anticholinergic use is significant, it is still less than the risk associated with other modifiable risk factors for dementia such as smoking, social isolation and physical inactivity. These lifestyle factors are associated with a 40% to 60% increased risk of developing dementia, according to a 2017 study.

The exact reasons for the increased risk of dementia among those taking certain anticholinergic medications remain unclear. Levels of acetylcholine are known to be significantly lower in people with Alzheimer's disease, the most common cause of dementia in older adults, according to the Mayo Clinic. Therefore, some anticholinergic drugs may block the normal activity of acetylcholine in regions of the brain associated with memory and cognition, resulting in Alzheimer's-like symptoms, according to Savva.

"There is also some animal evidence that anticholinergics may affect neuroinflammation," he said. "So one presumed route is that it may set up an inflammatory cascade, which then leads to tau and amyloid deposition."

Tau and amyloid are proteins found in increased levels in the brains of many dementia patients, particularly those with Alzheimer's, according to the National Institute on Aging. 

The new study is among the largest of its kind and adds to the existing literature linking long-term anticholinergic use with dementia, according to Dr. Clive Ballard, executive dean of University of Exeter Medical School, who was not involved in the research. A 2015 study, for example, showed a 54% increased risk of dementia among individuals prescribed high levels of anticholinergics over a 10-year period, compared with a control group.

But the new study is the first to look at different classes of anticholinergic medications, according to Savva. This allowed the researchers to show that some types of anticholinergic medications were not associated with the onset of dementia.

"Of particular interest to us is the classes where there is no association. Previously, antihistamines have been implicated (in dementia risk), but we've not found any association between those specifically and dementia, as well as the gastrointestinal drugs," Savva said.

The study was observational in nature, making it difficult to draw definitive conclusions about causality, according to Dr. Martin Rossor, professor or clinical neurology at University College London, who was not involved in the research.

"It is important to be cautious about associations, as they do not prove causation," Rossor said. "For example, depression is common before the onset of dementia, and so those individuals receiving an antidepressant drug with anticholinergic effects may already have a disease such as Alzheimer's disease that will lead to dementia 10 years later." 

But particularly as treatment options for many conditions increase, the study adds more weight to the notion that physicians should be proactive about identifying alternatives to anticholinergic medications whenever possible, according to Dr. Chris Fox, a clinical senior lecturer at Norwich Medical School and a lead author on the study.

"When I see patients on these drugs, I now say, 'let's think about other alternatives,' " Fox said. "The medicines are good. They have expanded lifespan, et cetera. But sometimes, it takes years for the harms to come out."

The researchers also caution that patients should always consult with their physicians before changing any medication regimen.

"Many medicines have this activity, and I think the key things from our finding is that it probably shifts the balance looking at risks versus benefits," said Ian Maidment, senior lecturer in clinical pharmacy at Aston University and another author on the study.

"But patients, don't suddenly stop medications. Carry on as usual, and if you're concerned, talk to your doctor or pharmacist."

Everyday Foods Everyone With High Cholesterol Should Be Eating

Unless you want to be choking down Lipitor pills like they’re candy in your older years, reigning in your cholesterol levels needs to be one of your health priorities. It is still a somewhat nebulous health factor for a lot of people, as we spend a good deal of time talking about things like obesity and calories — with cholesterol as an afterthought. But it’s interrelated, and too much of it can cause some serious health concerns. The key is to watch your diet and make sure you’re not ingesting too much bad cholesterol. Bad cholesterol is typically found in animal-based products: meats and dairy.

If you aim to lower your levels, you can adjust your diet accordingly. Here are seven foods that can help.

1. Oatmeal 

Load up on the steel-cut oats if you plan to put your cholesterol levels in the crosshairs. The key ingredient in oatmeal is the soluble fiber, which is known to reduce bad cholesterol levels. Oatmeal is delicious, but can require some preparation. Also, if you load it up with too many trimmings — sugars, mostly — you can lose some of the overall nutritional benefit.

2. Fish 

Fish is loaded with all kinds of healthy stuff, and it’s also heavy on fats. So how can that help you? Fish is heavy with the good types of fat — omega-3 — which actually helps your body break down and do away with cholesterol buildup. Your body doesn’t produce omega-3 on its own, and fish is a great source of it. You can even replace other dietary staples like beef with fish as a much healthier alternative.

3. Nuts 

Put down the potato chips or chicken wings and snack on some peanuts or almonds instead. Nuts are high in unsaturated fat, the same types of fats found in fish. Again, these fats help your body break down and lower the levels of unhealthy cholesterol in your cells. Some nuts are better than others, but if you’re craving a salty snack, you’re much better off reaching for some nuts over almost anything else.

4. Beans 

They’re not merely the musical fruit, beans are also cholesterol killers. And it all comes down to what makes beans so “musical” — namely, the amount of soluble fiber. That fiber keeps your digestion moving, and helps move cholesterol out of your system. They’re also pretty cheap. So, if you’re on a diet and on a budget, beans should become your new best friend.

5. Leafy greens 

You should be eating plenty of greens as it is, but if you’re serious about lowering your cholesterol, you need to focus on eating as much as you can — specifically, foods like spinach, kale, and lettuce. Greens deliver big amounts of vitamins and minerals, and also hit you with a good dose of fiber, which we know helps take down cholesterol levels.

6. Avocados 

Avocados are an odd food, and one that some people simply can’t stand. But they’re quite nutritious, and can offer up a good serving of healthy vitamins, minerals, and fats. The main ingredients present in the avocado that help battle cholesterol are the healthy, unsaturated fats — though there are other things at work as well.

7. Tea 

You need something to wash all of these foods down with, right? Well, stow the milk and cream-heavy coffees, and stick to tea instead. Teas contain certain phytochemical antioxidants that help your body lower bad cholesterol levels. Tea is also an incredibly versatile beverage. Drink it hot, drink it iced, and add almost anything you want.

These 2 Everyday Foods Can Prevent Heart Attack and Stroke

In the U.S., 1 in every 4 people die from a heart attack each year, and over 140,000 die from stroke. How can this be prevented?

The University of Alabama at Birmingham discovered a significant link indicating that the foods in your pantry may be able to help. Up ahead, we reveal the everyday foods that could improve your heart health, and save your life.

But first, here’s a little bit of information on the study used 

Researchers examined mice to understand the effects certain minerals have on their cardiovascular health. They gave all of the mice a high-fat diet; the variable was the amount of potassium each mouse received.

The study’s results showed how powerful potassium really is 

The team analyzed the results and found that the mice that consumed the least amount of potassium had harder arteries, while those who had been given more potassium had more flexible arteries.

Your arteries stiffen overtime, which is why you’re more likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke as you get older.

Potassium can help with more than just heart health 

The study found that, “Reduced dietary potassium intake has been linked to the pathogenesis of a variety of human diseases, including atherosclerosis, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease.” WebMD also has a list of how low potassium levels can harm your body.

Want to know the best sources of potassium? We have them up ahead and how they can improve the health of your arteries.

Food No. 1: Bananas 

Bananas are notorious for their high levels of potassium; just one packs around 422 milligrams. The researchers recommend eating bananas daily to reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke.

The fruit battles more than just heart disease, however. Bananas can lower blood pressure and reduce cancer risk. Bananas are also high in fiber and can lower your risk of colorectal cancer according to Medical News Today.

Food No. 2: Avocado 

According to Medical News Today, the stone fruit can improve digestion, protect against cancer, and even decrease your risk of depression. There are about 975 milligrams of potassium in one avocado.

Avocados are full of healthy, good fats that are essential for your body’s cells. They also benefit your skin and hair health and may even boost your immune system.

These other common foods could also benefit you 

Other foods you have laying around could contribute to your daily potassium intake. The UAB study also recommended filling your quota with baked potatoes, spinach, and raisins.

People who smoke or have digestive absorption-related health conditions are more likely to be potassium-deficient. Counteract these conditions by eating a potassium-heavy diet and supplementing with potassium tablets like Nature Made.

Heart attack and stroke wreak havoc in the U.S. 

Heart attack is the leading cause of death in both American men and women. Stroke is the third.

People who suffer from heart failure should pay special attention to their potassium levels. Low potassium levels can cause muscle weakness and heart rhythm disturbances. The University of Alabama Birmingham determined a safe limit of potassium for heart-failure patients.

High Blood Pressure? 27 Foods You Should Avoid as Much as Possible

High blood pressure is a common health issue, and one that requires active management. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in three U.S. adults has high blood pressure. Surprisingly, only about half of these people have it under control. And some folks might not even know their blood pressure is problematic if it’s been a while since they’ve visited the doctor.

Known as “the silent killer,” uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to serious health risks and even death, the American Heart Association says. There are even complications you’ve probably never considered, including loss of vision and kidney failure. What this means is it’s time to start taking high blood pressure seriously, and that begins with knowing your numbers.

While your doctor may be the first one to spot it, it’s up to you to stay on top of keeping your blood pressure where it needs to be by exercising and eating right. You’re your own best wellness advocate, so knowing what’s helping, and harming, your overall health is key.

If your doctor has determined you have high blood pressure, here are 27 foods you should limit, or avoid. We’ll also take a look at seven foods you should eat.

Sodium and salt 

If you have high blood pressure, you need to be particularly mindful of how much sodium you consume on a daily basis. Why? The AHA explains water is pulled into the blood vessels when you have excess sodium in your system, increasing the amount of blood and, ultimately, causing your blood pressure to increase. The same story adds about 77% of sodium consumed comes from packaged, prepared, and restaurant food.

What’s even more frightening is another 12% comes from foods that naturally contain sodium, which still doesn’t account for your salt shaker. To help people limit their salt intake, the AHA created a list of foods that add the most sodium to our diets, so you definitely want to limit them.

1. Breads and rolls: One piece can contain 230 milligrams.
2. Cold cuts and cured meats: Pre-packaged turkey can contain 1,050 milligrams of sodium per serving.
3. Pizza: One slice can contain 760 milligrams.
4. Poultry: 3 ounces of frozen and breaded nuggets can contain 600 milligrams.
5. Soup: One cup of canned chicken noodle soup can contain 940 milligrams.
6. Sandwiches: All in, your sandwich can easily surpass 1,500 milligrams. 

Saturated fats 

Saturated fats raise the cholesterol in your blood, which can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. So, it’s important for those with high blood pressure to be aware of how much they’re eating. The AHA recommends getting no more than 6% of your daily calories from saturated fat. This means you’ll want to cut back on these six foods.

1. Fatty beef
2. Lamb
3. Pork
4. Lard and cream
5. Butter
6. Cheese 

Sweets and added sugars 

Sugar has long been known to contribute to obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Interestingly, some research shows sugar can impact a person’s blood pressure directly, independent of weight gain. Consider this one more reason to pass on those office doughnuts. Here are five sweet treats you should limit.

1. Sugar-sweetened beverages
2. Candy
3. Grain-based desserts like cakes, cookies, and pies
4. Fruit drinks
5. Dairy desserts and milk products like ice cream and sweetened yogurt 

Trans fat and partially hydrogenated oils 

More often than not, trans fat is found in processed foods, which is bad news for people who’ve been following a typical American diet their whole lives. According to the AHA, “Trans fats raise your bad (LDL) cholesterol levels and lowers your good (HDL) cholesterol levels. Eating trans fats increases your risk of developing heart disease and stroke. It’s also associated with a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.” Clearly, everyone should limit this unhealthy fat.

Because some processed foods can be sneaky about how they label their trans fat, it’s important to have a discerning eye. Reader’s Digest says you should be wary of these five foods.

1. Nondairy coffee creamer
2. Peanut butter
3. Popcorn
4. Frozen pizza
5. Margarine

High blood pressure is certainly nothing to mess around with, which is why a heart-healthy diet is a key factor in maintaining your overall health and well-being. Skip this stuff and go for more nutritious foods instead. 

Caffeine 

You might not think too much about your morning cup of coffee, but it can actually cause a sharp spike in blood pressure. According to the Mayo Clinic, some researchers believe caffeine can actually block a hormone that keeps your arteries widened, or consuming it causes an adrenaline release. Both of these things can lead to higher blood pressure — even if it’s just temporary.

To find out whether or not your daily caffeine fix is affecting your blood pressure, you should ask your doctor. You can also do a test yourself — check your blood pressure within 30 to 120 minutes of consuming caffeine. If it increases by five to 10 points, you might want to cut down your intake. Here are a few foods with high levels of caffeine.

1. Protein bars 
2. Chocolate
3. Coffee (regular and decaf)
4. Coffee or chocolate ice cream
5. Black tea 

1. Bananas 

Bananas are one of your best options. As it turns out, foods high in potassium help manage high blood pressure because it can minimize the impact sodium has. The American Heart Association says one medium banana has about 420 milligrams of potassium, which is a significant amount for a relatively small amount of food. The daily recommended potassium intake for adults is 4,700 milligrams, so just one fruit will have you well on your way. 

2. Whole grains 

Registered dietitian Keri Gans tells Health going for whole grains ensures you get all the good stuff — bran, germ, and endosperm. Refined grains, on the other hand, have been stripped of the bran and germ. Luckily, there’s a long list of whole grains to choose from, including quinoa, barley, and brown rice. 

3. Low-fat yogurt 

Unless you also happen to be lactose intolerant, you’re good to go when it comes to dairy products. Some evidence indicates dairy is beneficial for lowering blood pressure, but you want to make sure you’re choosing the low-fat variety, as we know people with high blood pressure should avoid trans and saturated fats. Need more convincing? The DASH Diet, which has been praised for lowering blood pressure, encourages people to incorporate low-fat dairy products into their diets. This includes low-fat yogurt and fat-free milk. 

4. Fish 

Everyone needs their protein, but red meat definitely isn’t the way to go if you’re trying to control high blood pressure. Because fish contains less saturated fat, it’s a good option. Plus, according to the AHA, the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. The best options for a heart-healthy diet include halibut, tuna, and salmon. 

5. Nuts 

Nuts contain heart-healthy omega-3 fats, so there’s little argument about their importance in a diet focused on lowering high blood pressure. Additionally, SFGate says certain nuts could lower cholesterol, which is often a huge offender among those with high blood pressure. So, whether you prefer pistachios to walnuts, snacking on these staples will help keep your heart healthy. 

6. Legumes 

Legumes aren’t half bad, either. One study examined the role these fiber-rich foods play in controlling blood pressure among patients with diabetes. In a press release, lead study author Dr. David Jenkins said legumes have a “blood pressure-lowering effect in diabetic patients.” Not to mention, legumes are a great source of protein. Check out these delicious recipes, all starring the mighty bean. 

7. Olive oil 

In addition to being good for those with arthritis, due to its anti-inflammatory properties, olive oil is loaded with heart-healthy fats. According to Mayo Clinic, the healthy fats found in olive oil are monounsaturated fatty acids. These healthy fats can help lower total cholesterol, along with LDL (bad) cholesterol. The Arthritis Foundationrecommends 2 to 3 tablespoons daily, and points out that extra-virgin olive oil is a better option, as it isn’t as heavily processed.

The humble mushroom is the newest superfood

Mushrooms are often considered only for their culinary use because they are packed with flavor-enhancers and have gourmet appeal. That is probably why they are the second most popular pizza topping, next to pepperoni.

In the past, food scientists like me often praised mushrooms as healthy because of what they don't contribute to the diet; they contain no cholesterol and gluten and are low in fat, sugars, sodium and calories. But that was selling mushrooms short. They are very healthy foods and could have medicinal properties, because they are good sources of protein, B-vitamins, fiber, immune-enhancing sugars found in the cell walls called beta-glucans, and other bioactive compounds. 

Mushrooms have been used as food and sometimes as medicine for centuries. In the past, most of the medicinal use of mushrooms was in Asian cultures, while most Americans have been skeptical of this concept. However, due to changing consumer attitudes rejecting the pharmaceutical approach as the only answer to healing, that seems to be changing.

 I study the nutritional value of fungi and mushrooms, and my laboratory has conducted a great deal of research on the lowly mushroom. We have discovered that mushrooms may be even better for health than previously known. They can be excellent sources of four key dietary micronutrients that are all known to be important to healthy aging. We are even looking into whether some of these could be important in preventing Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.

Four key nutrients

Important nutrients in mushrooms include selenium, vitamin D, glutathione and ergothioneine. All are known to function as antioxidants that can mitigate oxidative stress and all are known to decline during aging. Oxidative stress is considered the main culprit in causing the diseases of aging such as cancer, heart disease and dementia. 

Ergothioneine, or ergo, is actually an antioxidant amino acid that was initially discovered in 1909 in ergot fungi. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins.

Ergo is produced in nature primarily by fungi, including mushrooms. Humans cannot make it, so it must be obtained from dietary sources. There was little scientific interest in ergo until 2005, when pharmacology professor Dirk Grundemann discovered that all mammals make a genetically coded transporter that rapidly pulls ergo into the red blood cells. They then distribute ergo around the body, where it accumulates in tissues that are under the most oxidative stress. That discovery led to a significant increase in scientific inquiry about possible role of ergo in human health. One study led to a leading American scientist, Dr. Solomon Snyder, recommending that ergo be considered as a new vitamin. 

In 2006, a graduate student of mine, Joy Dubost, and I discovered that edible cultivated mushrooms were extremely rich sources of ergo and contained at least 10 times the level in any other food source. Through collaboration with John Ritchie and post-doctoral scientist Michael Kalaras at the Hershey Medical Center at Penn State, we showed that mushrooms are also a leading dietary source of the master antioxidant in all living organisms, glutathione. No other food even comes close to mushrooms as a source of both of these antioxidants.

I eat mushrooms, ergo I am healthy? 

Our current research is centered on evaluating the potential of ergo in mushrooms to prevent or treat neurodegenerative diseases of aging, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. We based this focus on several intriguing studies conducted with aging Asian populations. One study conducted in Singapore showed that as people aged the ergo content in their blood declined significantly, which correlated with increasing cognitive impairment.

 The authors suggested that a dietary deficiency of ergo might predispose individuals to neurological diseases. A recent epidemiological study conducted with over 13,000 elderly people in Japan showed that those who ate more mushrooms had less incidence of dementia. The role of ergo consumed with the mushrooms was not evaluated but the Japanese are known to be avid consumers of mushrooms that contain high amounts of ergo.

More ergo, better health?

One important question that has always begged an answer is how much ergo is consumed in the diet by humans. A 2016 study was conducted that attempted to estimate the average ergo consumption in five different countries. I used their data to calculate the estimated amount of ergo consumed per day by an average 150-pound person and found that it ranged from 1.1 in the U.S. to 4.6 milligrams per day in Italy.

We were then able to compare estimated ergo consumption against mortality rate data from each country caused by the common neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's, dementia, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis. We found, in each case, a decline in the death rates with increasing estimated ergo consumption. Of course, one cannot assume a cause and effect relationship from such an exercise, but it does support our hypothesis that it may be possible to decrease the incidence of neurological diseases by increasing mushroom consumption.

If you don't eat mushrooms, how do you get your ergo? Apparently, ergo gets into the food chain other than by mushroom consumption via fungi in the soil. The fungi pass ergo on to plants grown in the soil and then on to animals that consume the plants. So that depends on healthy fungal populations in agricultural soils. 

This led us to consider whether ergo levels in the American diet may be harmed by modern agricultural practices that might reduce fungal populations in soils. We began a collaboration with scientists at the Rodale Institute, who are leaders in the study of regenerative organic agricultural methods, to examine this. Preliminary experiments with oats have shown that farming practices that do not require tilling resulted in significantly higher ergo levels in the oats than with conventional practices, where tillage of the soil disrupts fungal populations.

In 1928 Alexander Fleming accidentally discovered penicillin produced from a fungal contaminant in a petri dish. This discovery was pivotal to the start of a revolution in medicine that saved countless lives from bacterial infections. Perhaps fungi will be key to a more subtle, but no less important, revolution through ergo produced by mushrooms. Perhaps then we can fulfill the admonition of Hippocrates to "let food be thy medicine."

Mango Seeds : You Don't Want To Miss These 6 Amazing Health Benefits

Okay let's admit it; we long for the summer season so we can drool over mangoes! Mango is known as the king of fruits and for good reason. Every part of this fruit, the pulp, the bark of the tree, the flower and seeds, they are all healthy. In this article, we shall discuss the benefits of the mango seeds . Chances are that most of you just throw away the seed thinking that it is of no use. Well, it's time to save that precious seed. The seeds are edible but they have a hard texture so they cannot be eaten as is. This is why they are transformed into oil, powder and butter and then used to get maximum health benefits.
 

So let's take a look at the health benefits of mango seeds. We bet you didn't know about these!

1. Helps you to get rid of dandruff

Mango seeds have benefits for your hair. These seeds strengthen your hair follicles and benefit your hair from the root to the ends. Besides this, it also helps you to get rid of dandruff. The powder or oil of these seeds can be used to prepare a hair pack and can be used regularly for getting maximum benefits. Mix mango seed powder with some water and prepare a paste. Now scrub your scalp gently with this powder and then wash it off.
 

2. Reduces diarrhea

For any person dealing with diarrhea, mango seed powder may work wonders. However, you need to be mindful of the portions. Do not consume more than one gram of mango seed powder with honey at a time. Take this remedy twice a day for relief.

3. Keeps heart diseases at bay

Heart diseases and hypertension are a common occurrence in today's world. But with natural remedies like mango seeds, these diseases can be controlled without the need for medication. Regular but moderate consumption of these seeds is known to lower heart disease risk.

4. Healthy skin

The butter obtained from mango seeds is far better at moisturizing your skin as compared to other chemical and greasy lotions available in the market. 

5. Beats obesity

For those who are tired of making an effort to cut down fat from their round belly, mango seed extract can be of great help. The extract of this seed is low in terms of sugar and can help you in reducing some inches off your body. It can also help in lowering bad cholesterol levels.

6. Diabetes

Are mangoes safe for diabetics? Millions of people have been on this query for a very long time now. Due to the sugar content of the pulp, it might not be the best food item for diabetics. But the low-on-sugar seed, according to some studies, can be helpful in lowering the blood sugar levels.