Early menopause may raise the risk of cardiovascular issues

Researchers suggest that attaining menopause before the age of 40 is linked to several heart  conditions in women.

In the largest, single study to-date of diverse heart disease risks relative to age at menopause, researchers used the UK Biobank to examine data on more than 144,000 postmenopausal women ( average age of 60), including about 4,900 women who experienced menopause before age 40 after their ovaries were removed surgically.

During an average of 7 years of follow-up, researchers found that women who had experienced premature menopause were  significantly more likely to develop conventional heart disease risk facttors, such as high blood pressure, high levels of " bad" cholesterol and tyep 2 diabetes.

Even after accounting for conventional risk factors, women with premature menopause still had a significantly increased risk of coronary artery disease, heart failure, thickening and narrowing of the arotic valve, atrial fibrillation ( an abnormal heart rhythm) and blood clots forming in the legs or lungs.

The heart disease risks were higher for women who experienced menopause due to surgery compared to natural menopause. Some of this risk difference may be explained by differences in cardiovascular disease risk factors.

Whether or not a woman took hormones for menopausal symptoms did not change the cardiovascular risks.

Menopausal age prior to age 50 had a dose-dependent effect on cardiovascular disease risk, meaning risk continued to increase with younger menopausal ages and increased cardiovascular risks lasted for decades after menopause.

Our study reinforces the importance of menopause history in informing a woman's risk of future heart disease, said the lead author of the study.

Women should make sure their physician knows their menopause history, particularly of they experiences menopause before age 40. History of premature menopause should prompt physicians to refine the patient's estimated future risks for heart disease and to work toward lowering their heart disease risks, added the author.

He said early evaluations could lead to intervention and medication recommendations. 

Whether or not medications are warranted, eating a heart-healthy diet and exercising regularly may be especially important for women with a history of premature menopause, he said.

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Lifestyle, not genetics, explains most premature heart disease

Physical inactivity, smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol play a greater role than genetics in many young patients with heart diseases, suggests a new study.

The research showed that healthy behaviours should be a top priority for reducing heart diseases even in those with a family history of early onset.

Genetics is an important contributor to premature heart disease but should not be used as an excuse to say it is inevitable, said the study author.

In our clinical practice, we often hear young patients with premature heart disease ' seek shelter ' and explanations in their genetics / family history ' he said.

However, when we look at the data in our study, these young patients were frequent smokers, physically inactive, with high cholesterol levels and high BP- all of which can be changed, he added.
The study enrolled 1,075 patients under 50, of whom 555 had coronary artery disease (CAD). Specific conditions included stable angina, heart attack and unstable angina.

The average age was 45 and 87 % were men. Risk factor levels and genetics in patients were compared to a control group of 520 healthy volunteers ( average age 44 and 86% men). Patients and controls were recruited from the Genes in Madeira and Coronary Disease (GENEMACOP) database.

Five modifiable risk factors were assessed: physical inactivity, smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Nearly three-quarters (73%) of patients had at least three of these risk factors compared to 31% of controls. In both groups, the likelihood of developing CAD increased exponentially with each additional risk factor. The probability of CAD was 3, 7, and 24 times higher with 1, 2, and 3 or more risk factors, respectively.

All participants underwent genome sequencing. These data were used to develop a genetic risk score containing 33 variants thought to contribute to CAD or risk factors such as high blood pressure. The average score was higher in patients than controls. The score was also an independent predictor for premature CAD. However, the contribution of genetics to risk of CAD declined as the number of modifiable factors rose.

The Dr. said: "The findings demonstrate that genetics contribute to CAD. However, in patients with two or more modifiable cardiovascular risk factors, genetics play a less decisive role in the development of CAD."

He concluded: "Our study provides strong evidence that people with a family history of premature heart disease should adopt healthy lifestyles, since their poor behaviours may be a greater contributor to heart disease than their genetics. That means quit smoking, exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, and get blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked."

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Role of Vitamin D in neonatal health

Babies who do not get enough amount of Vitamin D tend to have its deficiency. Here, we help you to understand the role of Vitamin D in neonatal health, the symptoms to watch out for in babies and how to overcome the deficiency.

Babies require Vitamin D for healthy growth and development and it also helps them build strong, healthy bones and teeth. Babies who do not get enough amount of it are said to be deficient in Vitamin D. It is common in our population and therefore in pregnant women. To prevent Vitamin D deficiency in infants, pregnant women who are at risk should be screened and treated for it in the 1st trimester. Screening of the newborn's vitamin D status is not essential as it is the mother's status which should be evaluated.

What is Vitamin D deficiency in newborns?
 
According to WHO, Vitamin D plays a pivotal role in bone metabolism through the regulation of calcium and phosphate homeostasis and in regulating the immune system. Vitamin D is produced by the body during exposure to sunlight but is also found in oily fish, eggs and fortified food products. Infants are born with low Vitamin D in the 1st few months of life. As the Vitamin D content of breast milk is dependent on maternal vitamin D status and is often low and sun exposure may be restricted for infants living at higher latitudes for various reasons. Vitamin D deficiency in infants can lead to bone malformation ( rickets), seizures and difficulty breathing. Since, vitamin D is required for building strong, healthy bones and teeth. Parents can make sure your baby has enough vitamin D by giving a daily supplement ( a dose of drops every day) after consulting the expert. This should be done as soon as the baby is born. Tons of research suggests that a routine, vitamin D  supplementation programme should be seriously considered starting from the neonatal period extending  right through the childhood into adolescence. Oral Vitamin D3 supplementation as an oil emulsion has been shown to be associated with significant and sustained increases in 25 (OH)D from baseline in fully breastfeeding infants through 7 months. Whereas, few studies also revealed that newborns with vitamin D deficiency had 44% increased risk of being diagnosed with schizophrenia as young adults, compared with newborns with normal levels of Vitamin D.

Incidences of Vitamin D deficiency in newborns in India

Vitamin D deficiency has emerged as a significant public health problem throughout the world. Even in the Indian context, it has been reported to be present in many children in spite of the wide availability of sunlight. The manifestations of deficiency may vary from hypocalcemic seizures, tetany in infancy and adolescence to florid rickets in toddlers. Also, various studies suggest that women who lack Vitamin D will give birth to such children. Ideally, both the mother and children should go out in the sun by wearing half-sleeve cotton clothes, which tend to allow absorption of the required vitamin. In the case of neonatal babies are also hardly out in the sin. Hence, it is essential to address it at the right time.

Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency in infants
Craniotabes ( softening of skull bones)
Other osseous signs ( such as rickets) are not seen in the newborn but classical signs in the older infant include a broadening of the metaphyses, bowing of the long bones once weight bearing
Hypocalcaemic seizures

How to know if your baby is at risk of Vitamin D deficiency?
If they're breastfed
If mothers don't have enough Vitamin D
Babies born prematurely

Know how low Vitamin D can be harmful to babies
Some children with low vitamin D get bone and muscle pain. As mentioned earlier, very low vitamin D can lead to soft bones and raise the risk of rickets in children. Rickets only occurs when children are growing - if a child has softer bones from low Vitamin D, the bones can bend and cause bow legs or knock knees, and other changes too. Low Vitamin D can cause low calcium, which can invite muscle cramps in children. Not only this, but low calcium levels may also cause seizures ( convulsions or fits), mainly in young babies.

Diagnosis of Vitamin D deficiency
Serum 25-OHD concentration os the most excellent indicator of vitamin D status.
The normal adult concentration is > 50 nmol/L, although several sources use > 75 nmol/L for pregnant women.

How should the vitamin D deficiency be tackled in newborns
According to the WHO, vitamin D supplements may be effective in preventing rickets, particularly for infants and children, who may be at higher risk due to limited sun exposure or those with darker skin pigmentation.  Also, it recommends that newborn babies must be supplied with Vitamin D through sunlight or supplements in the 1st few months of life. An infant between the ages of 1-2 years requires 400 IU per day, while older children need 600 IU. Regular sunlight exposure can help keep vitamin D deficiency at bay. But, you should speak to your expert before exposing children to the sun.

Breast milk is the best food that you can offer to  your frowing baby. Ecen if you make your baby eat other foods, you can continue to breastfeed until 2 years. As discussed earlier, breast milk has only small amounts of vitamin D ( 4-40 IU per litre), which may not be sufficient for your newborn. That's why babies who are breastfed should receive a daily supplement of vitamin D from birth until they get enough from their diet. This should also be strictly done under the guidance of the expert.

Treatment of vitamin D deficiency involve giving ergocalcified or cholecalciferol for 3 months.
High dose bolus therapy ( 300,000- 500, 000 IU) should be given to children over 12 months of age. If compliance or absorption issues are suspected.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                    PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO  VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/    

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Smartphones, tablets could change children's brain structures

Children who spend more than seven hours a day on screens like smartphones and video games experience "premature thinning of the cortex," according to a new and ongoing study.
 
The study plans to follow more than 11,000 adolescents for a decade to see how childhood experiences impact the brain.

The first findings from the study is already available. By scanning brains of 4,500 participants, researchers found that children who use smartphones, tablets and video games more than seven hours a day showed premature thinning of cortex.

"That's typically thought to be a maturational process. So what we could expect to see later is happening a little bit earlier," said a Dr.  working on the project when interviewed .

Dr. said it is still early to tell whether the change was caused by the screen time, and whether or not it is a bad thing. "It won't be until we follow them over time that we will see if there are outcomes that are associated with the differences that we're seeing in this single snapshot," she said.

Early results from the study also showed that as little as two hours of screen time daily could negatively affect children: Those who have more than two hours of screen time a day got lower scores on tests focused on thinking and language skills.

As Dr. noted, a full picture of the screen-time effects won't be possible until years down the line, when the study is complete. 

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO  VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/                                                                                                                                                                             FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                                                             https:// kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com/                                                                                       FOR CROCHET DESIGNS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com 

Health Benefits Of Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a wonder vitamin! It can treat a range of problems of the heart and blood including blocked arteries, high blood pressure, hardened arteries in the leg, varicose veins, diabetes and related complications, and nerve including Alzheimer’s diseases and dementia. Vitamin E is also beneficial for the eyes, safety of the fetus in the womb, women’s health, and impotence in men. It is also commonly used to heal parched and dehydrated skin and is increasingly found in all pharmaceutically produced skin care products.

Vitamin E supplements are prescribed when your body is, for some reason, unable to absorb the nutrient from your regular diet. Topical application of Vitamin E can be in the form of an oil extract used on your skin and in your hair for growth and nourishment.

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin which in total has 8 compounds, of which only one compound is useful to humans. This is also known as alpha-tocopherol and plays a vital role in anti-oxidation process and is believed to improve the overall ageing process.Vitamin E or alpha-tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant that is predominantly found in green leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds, seafood, and fruits.This active vitamin E controls the oxidation process in cells and prevents the release of free radicals, which is the culprit in all inflammatory processes. These can cause heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and stroke. This process is also accelerated by the environmental factors like pollution, UV rays, smoking, etc.

1. Acts As A Moisturizer

Vitamin E restores and rejuvenates dehydrated skin.
What You Need

• Vitamin E oil
• Moisturizer or carrier oil like olive oil or seaweed serum

What You Need To Do

Mix a few drops of vitamin E oil with your night moisturizing lotion and apply it on your body before going to bed.
Why Does It Work
Vitamin E is an oil-soluble nutrient and is hence heavier than water-soluble products . It works best for dry and damaged skin since it restores the lost moisture .
Caution

If you have normal or oily skin or are prone to breakout, you should seek a dermatologist’s advice. Since it is a heavy humectant, vitamin E can increase the chances of breakouts.

2. Reverses Premature Skin Aging

Vitamin E thwarts all chances of your skin becoming dull, wrinkled, and saggy.
Why Does It Work
Vitamin E boosts the production of collagen, a fiber-like protein that is responsible for maintaining skin elasticity. It thereby reduces the occurrence of fine lines and wrinkles that are signs of aging .

3. Treats Sunburns

Vitamin E is also known to lead to quick recovery from sunburn.
What You Need
Vitamin E oil
What You Need To Do
Take a few drops of vitamin E oil or break a vitamin E capsule, and rub it gently over the burnt area.
Why Does It Work
Vitamin E contains antioxidants that neutralize the effects of free radicals caused by ultraviolet radiation, thus soothing sunburns .

4. Lightens Dark Spots

Dark spots can be attributed to a variety of factors such as free radical damage, aging, liver problems, etc. Vitamin E can alleviate such problems.
What You Need

• Vitamin E capsule
• Moisturizer or carrier oil like olive oil

What You Need To Do

1. Break the capsule and mix it with your body lotion or a carrier oil like olive oil.
2. Then, apply it over the dark spots.
3. Continue once daily until the spots have become visibly lighter.

Why Does It Work
Vitamin E is an enriched source of free radical fighting antioxidants. These antioxidants reduce free radical damage that may have resulted in the hyperpigmentation leading to spots .

5. Acts As A Cleansing Agent

Vitamin E also helps cleanse dirt, grime, and other impurities while simultaneously maintaining your skin’s oil balance.
What You Need To Do
Use a few drops of vitamin E oil on a cotton ball to wipe your face.Use twice daily.
Why Does It Work
Vitamin E is a heavy emollient, which makes it easy to remove impurities from the surface of your skin as well as maintain its oil balance.

6. Heals Dry Fingernails

Vitamin E oil is an effective treatment for dry, cracked cuticles and nails.
What You Need To Do
Rub a few drop of vitamin E oil on dried cuticles and nails and massage.
Why Does It Work
Vitamin E oil, being a great moisturizer, is suitable for application on dry nails and cuticles . Thus, it protects your skin.

7. Treatment Of Stretch Marks

Vitamin E oil is beneficial post delivery since it helps fade stretch marks.
What You Need To Do
Regular application of this oil on the stretch marks coupled with a gentle rubbing motion has shown to reduce the appearance of these marks.
Why Does It Work
Stretch marks appear owing to skin losing its elasticity because of the stretching of the upper and lower layers of the skin. They manifest as white stripe-like marks. Vitamin E oil is known to restore skin elasticity and lighten stretch marks.

8. Soothes Pain From Cold Sores

Vitamin E oil is known to take the bite off painful cold sores.
What You Need To Do
Crack open a vitamin E oil capsule and directly apply it on the blister.
Why Does It Work
This oil acts as a lip moisturizer and is extremely effective in getting rid of dryness resulting from a cold sore and its eruption, thereby providing relief from the stinging sensation that accompanies it .

9. Stimulates Hair Growth

Vitamin E repairs damaged hair follicles and encourage healthy hair growth.
What You Need

• Vitamin E capsules
• Warm coconut oil or olive oil

What You Need To Do

1. Break the vitamin E capsules and mix the extract with the warm coconut or olive oil.
2. Then, massage your hair and scalp with this mixture.
3. Leave it on for about 30 minutes before rinsing it off with lukewarm water.

Why Does It Work
Vitamin E oil contains antioxidants that improve the circulation of blood to all parts of the body, including the scalp. It conditions your hair from the root to the shaft and ensures healthier growth.

10. Prevents Premature Graying

Vitamin E oil is very effective in slowing down the aging process, be it your skin or hair.
Why Does It Work
The potent antioxidants present in this vitamin E can effectively prevent the corrosion of tissues, thereby reducing the probability of premature graying .

11. Gives Lustrous Hair

Oiling your hair with vitamin E oil on a regular basis deeply conditions the hair and makes it healthier and shinier than before.
Why Does It Work
Vitamin E is a natural moisturizer that keeps your scalp in good condition. Also, since vitamin E can be directly applied to your hair to condition it and make it smoother and softer.

12. Repairs Split Ends

Split ends and other damages caused due to constant blow drying, curling, and coloring are some of the common problems associated with hair. They can be treated at home with the help of vitamin E oil.
What You Need

• 3 ounces olive oil
• 3 ounces coconut oil
• 3 ounces hemp oil
• 3 ounces jojoba oil
• 2 ounces vitamin E oil

What You Need To Do

1. All you need to do is mix the olive, coconut, hemp, and jojoba oils to make an oil mixture.
2. Add vitamin E oil to it.
3. This can be used either as a hot oil or as a sealant to cure split ends.

Why Does It Work
The vitamin E helps strengthen and smoothen the cuticles of your hair, thereby reducing instances of splitting and breakage .

13. Treats Minor Burns

Vitamin E oil can be used to treat minor burns and injuries.
What You Need To Do

1. Pour a few drops of vitamin E oil on a cotton ball and gently apply on the burn area.
2. Make sure that the burn has cooled down before you apply the oil. Repeat this over the next few days until it has healed completely.

Why Does It Work
Vitamin E oil has remarkable curative powers. It has the ability to heal wounds caused by small burns.

14. Lightens Scars

It is considered to be a superior treatment option for the removal of scars caused due to burns or acne.
What You Need To Do

1. You can apply a few drops of vitamin E oil to the scar tissue irrespective of whether it is old and faded or still fresh.
2. Gently massage the oil into the scar in a circular motion.

Why Does It Work
The oil will penetrate deep into the skin to repair the scar tissue at the source, thereby helping to diminish the appearance of blemishes.

15. Prevents Skin Cancer

Vitamin E oil is known to effectively prevent skin cancer.
What You Need To Do

1. Add around 4 to 5 drops of vitamin E oil to your sunscreen.
2. Apply it before heading out.

Why Does It Work
The powerful antioxidants present in vitamin E act as a protective shield against the harmful effects of the sun that cause the multiplication of cancerous cells.

16. Treats Other Skin Disorders

Vitamin E proves to be an effective treatment for skin disorders like eczema and psoriasis.
What You Need To Do
Apply vitamin E oil twice a day on the affected area on a regular basis for quick recovery.
Why Does It Work
It keeps your skin supple and combats the dryness of eczema and restores skin elasticity. Vitamin E can also restore the mechanism of skin regeneration, thereby effectively treating psoriasis.

17. Reduces The Effects Of Bad Cholesterol

Including vitamin E oil in your diet supports the heart, which in turn ensures a long and healthy life.
Why Does It Work
The accumulation of bad cholesterol in the arteries causes the heart to pump harder to circulate the blood, thereby increasing the risk of a heart attack. Vitamin E oil negates the effects of bad cholesterol by disallowing it to oxidize and prevents it from lining up the arteries .

18. Treats Cystic Fibrosis In Babies

Vitamin E supplements are known to help fight off the effects of disorders like cystic fibrosis that results in pancreatic blockage.
What You Need To Do
Include dietary vitamin E supplements in your child’s food to alleviate this problem.
Why Does It Work
Vitamin E supplements help children with cystic fibrosis maintain adequate weight and alleviate pancreatic blockage that results from the deficiency.

19.It is useful in treating allergies, asthma, respiratory infections, and skin allergies.

20.Eye diseases like cataracts and macular degeneration which are generally age-related can be controlled with adequate intake of vitamin E.

21.Given their role in energy formation, they help improve endurance, energy levels, and improve muscle strength and reduce muscle damage.

22.The nervous system diseases including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and epilepsy can benefit from Vitamin E. It reduces overall cognitive declines and helps in these disease conditions

Foods Sources

Some of the food sources that can help you naturally supplement your vitamin E deficit include:
Sunflower Seeds: An ounce of dry roasted sunflower seeds delivers 7.4 mg of vitamin E that basically amounts to close to 90% of your daily requirement. In case sunflower seeds are difficult to find, you can replace them with sunflower oil since it provides 5.6 mg of vitamin E.
Avocado: Just half an avocado contains 2 mg of vitamin E and 161 calories. It makes up a major chunk of both your vitamin E as well as calorie intake.
Pine Nuts: One ounce of pine nuts contain 2.6 mg vitamin E and 191 calories. You can either choose to add pine nuts in your salads for more texture or drizzle some pine nut oil.
Spinach: Spinach is a very nutritious green that contains adequate amounts of calcium, folates, as well as vitamin E. One cup of boiled spinach can make up for 20% of your required vitamin E content. It is also a good source of fibre that helps in weight management.
Kale: Kale is an increasing popular salad green that also contains a decent amount of vitamin E. Abundant in many nutrients, one cup of boiled kale can cover 6% of your daily vitamin E requirement.
Turnip Greens: These are not the most delectable greens, but they are high nutritious. Half a cup of turnip greens contains 2.9 mg of vitamin E and only 24 calories.
Swiss Chard: Swiss chard is the healthiest among all greens containing abundant vitamins A, C, and K, along with enough vitamin E. One cup of boiled Swiss chard is accountable for 17% of your daily vitamin E requirement.
Mustard Greens: A lot like swiss chard, mustard greens contain a variety of essential nutrients. One cup of boiled greens contains about 14% of your dietary requirement of vitamin E.
Almonds: Nuts usually contain a high concentration of vitamin E as is found in almonds with 7.5 mg in every ounce.
Parsley: Parsley is not only a great idea for additional flavor and texture to your salad, but it is also adequately rich in Vitamin E.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                                                                                                                                                                                        PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO  VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/  

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