Popular keto diet may be linked to higher risk of heart disease, cardiac events

The study, presented over the weekend at the American College of Cardiology’s annual scientific session together with the World Congress of Cardiology, found that a keto-like diet may be associated with higher levels of “bad” cholesterol and twice the risk of cardiovascular events such as chest pain, blocked arteries requiring stenting, heart attacks and strokes.

The research team analyzed data from the UK Biobank, a large-scale database with health information from over half a million people living in the United Kingdom who were followed for at least 10 years. Upon enrollment in the biobank, participants completed a self-reported diet questionnaire and had blood drawn to check their cholesterol levels.

“Among the participants on an LCHF diet, we found that those with the highest levels of LDL cholesterol were at the highest risk for a cardiovascular event,” Dr. Iatan said. “Our findings suggest that people who are considering going on an LCHF diet should be aware that doing so could lead to an increase in their levels of LDL cholesterol. Before starting this dietary pattern, they should consult a health care provider. While on the diet, it is recommended they have their cholesterol levels monitored and should try to address other risk factors for heart disease or stroke, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, physical inactivity and smoking.”

Popular keto diet may be linked to higher risk of heart disease, cardiac events — https://www.med.ubc.ca/news/popular-keto-diet-may-be-linked-to-higher-risk-of-heart-disease-cardiac-events/

Outbreak Linked to Eyedrops

An alarming outbreak of extensively drug-resistant bacteria linked to eye drops has now sickened 68 people across 16 states, according to the latest update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At least 16 people have been hospitalized, eight have lost vision, and four have had their eyeballs surgically removed (enucleation). One person has died, which was reported earlier.

The VIM-GES-CRPA outbreak strain is rare and has never been seen in the US before. Health officials think it was brought into the country in contaminated eye drops manufactured by Global Pharma, a Chennai, India-based manufacturer. The products were sold under the brand names EzriCare Artificial Tears and Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Eye Ointment, which were available nationwide via Amazon, Walmart, and other retailers.

68 now sickened, 4 lose eyeballs in outbreak linked to eyedrops — https://arstechnica.com/science/2023/03/more-people-lose-eyeballs-in-outbreak-linked-to-eye-drops/

Yikes!

Another Troubling Trend

The SEARCH data demonstrate an increase in the youth population aged 0-19 diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes in five representative US centers. Between 2002 and 2018, the annual incidence rose by about 2% per year for type 1 diabetes and 5% per year for type 2 diabetes. The rates of increase for both types were greater among non-White than White youth.

Troubling Trend as Both Diabetes Types Rise Among US Youth – Medscape – Mar 08, 2023. – https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/989327

Diet and lifestyle until proven otherwise.

2/3 Diet and Lifestyle, 1/3 Genetics

What can Okinawans tell us? Why does Ogimi and elsewhere on the island have a history of long life? That comes down to three main factors—diet, social practices, and genetics—explains Craig Willcox, a professor of public health and gerontology at Okinawa International University and a co-principal investigator of the Okinawa Centenarian Study, which has been investigating Okinawan longevity since 1975.“

About two-thirds of longevity is related to diet and way of life, the rest is genetics. Generally speaking, you need the genetic rocket booster if you want to get into the hundreds, not just a good diet,” Willcox says. “We haven’t looked into whether or not Okinawa has a genetic advantage over other parts of Japan, but longevity does run in families here.”

This island unlocked the secret to long life—and knows how to get through tough times — https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/uncover-the-secrets-of-longevity-in-this-japanese-village

Older Okinawans clinging to the islands’ traditionally healthful diet still boast the longest life expectancy in Japan, the country with the world’s longest-living people. But younger islanders, who grew up coveting the America they peeked at inside the bases here, began gobbling up hamburgers, fried chicken and pizzas as soon as their incomes permitted them to do so.

Urasoe Journal; On U.S. Fast Food, More Okinawans Grow Super-Sized — https://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/30/world/urasoe-journal-on-us-fast-food-more-okinawans-grow-super-sized.html

I need to go to the grocery store today.

  • Sweet potatoes
  • Bitter melon
  • Seaweed
  • Fish

Vitamin D and Dementia


Researchers at the University of Calgary’s Hotchkiss Brain Institute in Canada and the University of Exeter in the UK explored the relationship between vitamin D supplementation and dementia in more than 12,388 participants of the US National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center, who had a mean age of 71 and were dementia-free when they signed up. Of the group, 37 per cent (4,637) took vitamin D supplements.

In the study, published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring, the team found that taking vitamin D was associated with living dementia-free for longer, and they also found 40 per cent fewer dementia diagnoses in the group who took supplements.

University of Exeter. “Taking vitamin D could help prevent dementia: Taking vitamin D supplements may help ward off dementia, according to a new, large-scale study..” ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/03/230301101511.htm (accessed March 1, 2023) — https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/03/230301101511.htm

Journal Reference:

Maryam Ghahremani, Eric E. Smith, Hung‐Yu Chen, Byron Creese, Zahra Goodarzi, Zahinoor Ismail. Vitamin D supplementation and incident dementia: Effects of sex, APOE , and baseline cognitive status. Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring, 2023; 15 (1) DOI: 10.1002/dad2.12404

Alcohol Consumption and All-Cause Mortality: A Systematic Review [Internet]

Twenty-five studies compared those who consumed alcohol with never drinkers. Approximately half of the studies reported significant findings that low average alcohol consumption (particularly without binge drinking) was associated with reduced risk of all-cause mortality compared with never drinking alcohol, approximately half of the studies indicated no significant relationship, and two studies reported that low alcohol consumption was significantly associated with greater all-cause mortality compared to never drinking alcohol.

Mayer-Davis E, Leidy H, Mattes R, Naimi T, Novotny R, Schneeman B, Kingshipp BJ, Spill M, Cole NC, Butera G, Terry N, Obbagy J. Alcohol Consumption and All-Cause Mortality: A Systematic Review [Internet]. Alexandria (VA): USDA Nutrition Evidence Systematic Review; 2020 Jul. PMID: 35353467. — https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35353467/

I think I’ll have a beer.