Study reveals what can give more benefits to the brain!

Researchers from the University of California, San Diego, found that a modified version of the popular diet that includes foods from the low-carb, high-fat keto diet reduces neurotransmitter levels in the brain linked to cognitive decline.

The Mediterranean diet usually includes fish, beans and nuts as the main source of protein, but this research shows that it can be expanded to include other high-fat meats as well.

And whether meat is healthy for someone is a matter of much debate. While many have highlighted the value of vegetarianism in past research, more data is beginning to emerge demonstrating the benefits of beef and chicken in the diet.

The Mediterranean diet features a heavy dose of fish, nuts, berries, whole grains and other commodities. It is part of the local cuisine in countries such as Greece, Spain and other countries in the southern tip of Europe.

And in recent decades, researchers have begun to discover that people who live in these areas have lower rates of Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, and other chronic diseases.

Over time, they learned that this was due to their diet. Specifically, the fatty oils found in fish and olive oil have been cited as miracles for preventing Alzheimer's disease.

Now, in new research published in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia, researchers have found that mixing the popular diet with the keto diet could have the same value.

Participants on the keto diet often avoid bread and other foods, and instead focus on vegetables and non-starchy meats.

The UCSD team, which partnered with researchers from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, combined the diets.

They collected data from 20 participants, 11 of whom were cognitively normal, and 9 who showed signs of mild cognitive impairment.

They were each assigned to eat either a modified Mediterranean keto diet or another diet that was low in fat and high in carbohydrates.

They would follow the diet for six weeks, then take a six-week break, before following the other diet for another six weeks.

Fecal samples were collected from each participant at the start of the research and after each six-week period.

The researchers were looking for signs of a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and the microbes responsible for its production.

High levels of GABA, also linked to anxiety, are thought to put more stress on the brain and increase aging.

This leads to more plaques and other damage to the vital organ, leading to cognitive decline over time.

The researchers found that levels of GABA and its associated microbes were lowest after a person ate a modified keto-Mediterranean diet in people who already had some cognitive impairments.

This means that the diet, which included all the usual staples of Greek and Spanish cuisine but also allowed large doses of chicken and beef, was good for the brain.

"We hope that a better understanding of this complex relationship between diet, cognitive status and gut health will lead to new interventions for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease," said Dr. Susan Craft, a geriatrician at Wake Forest.

However, the effects were limited to people whose brains were already healthy. Source: Daily Mail

Six foods that can fuel heart disease should be avoided or minimized

Doctors said the Western lifestyle, which often includes eating processed foods, fuels heart disease.

And because it's not always possible to eliminate problem foods, moderation and portion control are key, according to cardiologists.

Speaking to TODAY, Dr. Sharon Hayes, a cardiologist at the Women's Heart Clinic in Minnesota, US, said: "No food saves your life. And no other kills you, it's about balance. So cheesecake won't kill you, but really what What you eat and how much you eat is crucial."

Dr. Sharon and fellow cardiologist Dr. Andrew Freeman, who works at National Jewish Health in Colorado, US, shared some key foods that should be avoided or limited for optimal health.

1. Sausages

Experts explained that processed meats such as sausage and bacon are high in calories, saturated fat, salt and contain added ingredients such as nitrates - all of which are bad for the heart.

Even worse, processed meat is associated with a higher risk of cancer, according to Dr. Andrew.

2. Potato chips

"Our culture values ​​convenience, which is great, but convenience doesn't mean you have to eat processed foods packed with added sugar and salt," said Dr. Andrew.

He explains that high salt consumption is the main cause of high blood pressure, which can lay the foundation for serious health problems such as heart disease.

Therefore, the doctor recommended staying away from the small bags of salty and crunchy carbs.

3. Pudding

While it's fine to enjoy a sugary dessert once in a while, you should keep your consumption of sweets to a minimum.

Eating a lot of sugar can contribute to an increase in the number of calories in people, and therefore, weight gain, which may lead to an increased risk of health problems such as heart disease, some types of cancer, and type 2 diabetes.

4. Lots of protein

Protein is an essential nutrient that many do not get enough of, but eating too much can be harmful.

Recently, many have become obsessed with protein, especially those who enjoy working out.

Andrew pointed out that it has become commonplace to see people getting twice as much protein as they need in one day and this is taxing on the kidneys and may cause more problems in the future.

Moreover, a recent study found that men who ate a high-protein diet had a 33% higher risk of developing heart failure.

Many people also consume protein primarily from meat, which is often rich in saturated fat, which can raise your cholesterol levels and increase your risk of heart disease.

Doctors advise not to overdo it and choose vegetable protein instead. Two servings of meat, fish, nuts or tofu per day should suffice.

5. Energy drinks

Dr. Andrew said energy drinks should be avoided at all costs because research shows that the combination of sugar and caffeine in the drinks can lead to health problems such as high blood pressure or an irregular heartbeat.

The good news is that caffeine in tea or coffee in moderation can be quite healthy.

6. Coconut oil

Many people mistakenly believe that coconut oil is a healthy alternative to fat, when in fact it contains more saturated fat than lard.

And these saturated fats can raise levels of "bad" cholesterol. Dr. Andrew concluded that people can continue to use it as a moisturizer but not in the kitchen. Source: Express

If you want HDL Cholesterol to be made in the body, then you have to eat these foods, very beneficial for the heart

Foods To Raise HDL Cholesterol: To make good cholesterol in the body, it is necessary to include some healthy things in the diet. Foods with healthy fats help improve overall cholesterol by increasing HDL. Here are the foods to increase good cholesterol.

HDL Cholesterol Level: HDL (good) cholesterol carries extra LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides from your arteries and sends them to the liver for removal, but while most people want to lower bad LDL, you still need to increase your good cholesterol. HDL cholesterol level has to be monitored. Anyone looking to boost HDL cholesterol needs to make changes to their diet. Foods with healthy fats help improve overall cholesterol by increasing HDL. Although it is possible to increase HDL levels by including certain things in the diet alone, the best results will come from the inclusion of exercise.

What is HDL cholesterol? , What Is HDL Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy, fatty food substance that is naturally present in the body and moves through the bloodstream. Your liver makes most of the cholesterol and some cholesterol comes from the foods you eat.

On hearing the word cholesterol, people automatically associate it with heart disease. However, not all cholesterol is created equal. There are high-density lipoproteins (HDL), which are often referred to as the "good" type of cholesterol, and low-density lipoproteins, or bad cholesterol.

Foods to Raise HDL Cholesterol | Foods To Raise HDL Cholesterol

1) Olive oil

Olive oil reduces the risk of heart disease more than any other monounsaturated fat. It also increases HDL cholesterol due to its high concentration of polyphenols.

2) Nuts

You may believe that adding too much fat to the diet is bad. However, nuts are a healthy fat option that can help increase HDL in the body. Nuts like walnuts, macadamia nuts, almonds, hazelnuts are good sources of protein, fiber and healthy fats.

3) Purple Foods

Purple foods like eggplant, black raspberries, red cabbage, blueberries and blackberries contain antioxidants called anthocyanins. Anthocyanin extracts help fight inflammation, protect against potentially cancer-causing free radicals, and raise HDL cholesterol.

) seed

Chia, flaxseed, pumpkin or sunflower seeds are rich in protein, omega-3, fiber and minerals, which are good for the heart. You can eat ground flaxseed to reduce total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol level.

5) Fatty fish

Fatty fish and fish oil supplements contain omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to help reduce inflammation and raise levels of low HDL cholesterol.