Good news for men who happen to also love tomatoes: a recent study suggests a high consumption level of tomatoes is connected with a decreased risk of having stroke.
Read More:Can They Make Ketchup Beer? Tomatoes Shrink Men’s Stroke Risk
Can They Make Ketchup Beer? Tomatoes Shrink Men’s Stroke RiskOctober 15th, 2012 - Jill EttingerCleaner Air Lengthens LivesJanuary 28th, 2009 - Gerald "Gerry" Pugliese
Between 1978 and 2001, the average lifespan in the U.S. increased to 77 years old, up 3 years from previous figures, experts attribute the jump to lower levels of harmful particulates. Particulate matter in air pollution, like grit, dust, soot and chemicals from factories and cars, can lodge deep in people’s lungs and heighten risk of lung disease, heart attack and stroke. Scientists examined government census data and death records from 51 U.S. cities and after adjusting for variables, such as smoking habits, income, education and migration, they determined from 1978 to 2001 particulate matter in the air fell from 21 micrograms per cubic meter of air to 14 micrograms per cubic meter in the studied cities and during this time Americans lived an average of 2.72 years longer; the Associated Press reports. The Clean Air Act, passed in the 1970s, is credited for the improvements. The legislation gave the Environmental Protection Agency the power to establish and enforce national standards to protect people from particulates and other pollutants. Now, states like California are doing their part to improve air quality. Starting this year, all new cars sold in the state will display labels ranking the vehicle’s smog emissions and impact on global warming. Read More:Cleaner Air Lengthens LivesLifestyle and Stroke RiskJuly 12th, 2006 - Barbara Feiner
According to a report in the July 10 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, women who are nonsmokers, exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet (including moderate alcohol consumption) and otherwise live a healthy lifestyle may have a reduced risk of stroke. About 700,000 Americans suffer strokes each year. Approximately 25% are fatal, and another 25% leave patients disabled. Risk factors include smoking, lack of exercise and high body mass index (BMI). Over a 10-year period, Dr. Tobias Kurth and colleagues at Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Harvard School of Public Health studied the association between healthy lifestyles and stroke risk in more than 37,000 women age 45 or older. At the beginning of the study, the women answered questions about their smoking habits, alcohol consumption, diet, exercise routine and body mass index. Researchers then assigned them a health index score from 0 to 20, with higher scores indicating a healthier lifestyle. Healthy behavior was defined as never smoking, consuming four to 10½ alcoholic drinks per week, exercising four or more times per week, having a BMI less than 22 and maintaining a healthy diet (rich in cereal fiber, folate, omega-3 fatty acids, polyunsaturated vs. saturated and trans fats). Over the study period, 450 women suffered strokes. The 4.7% who had a health index score of 17 to 20 had a significantly lower risk than those who started with a score of 0 to 4. “Our findings show the importance of healthy behaviors in the prevention of stroke,” the authors conclude. Suggested ReadingNew Nutrition Labels Highlight Trans Fat |
The latest research proves, once again, the value of health-aware organic living.
