A mouse study has found that introduction of oral bacteria into the bloodstream increased risk factors for atherosclerotic heart disease, including cholesterol and inflammation, suggesting that the same bacteria that cause gum disease also promotes heart disease. The findings are consistent with recent evidence that patients with gum disease are at higher risk for heart disease.
The findings were presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology.
A mouse study has found that long-term physical activity increased levels of two proteins in the mitochondria of their heart. It’s thought this might help explain why regular exercise improves cardiovascular health.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2014-02/cfgr-etc021114.php
A very small trial involving 10 healthy males aged 18 to 35 found that drinks made from 200g and 400g of frozen raspberries produced improved blood vessel function when tested after 2 hours and after 24 hours.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-07/wh-nhs070918.php
Istas, G. Feliciano, R. Weber, T. Garcia-Villalba, R. Tomas-Barberan, F. Heiss, C. Rodriguez-Mateos, A. Plasma urolithin metabolites correlate with improvements in endothelial function after red raspberry consumption: a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics. May, 2018.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003986118302169
A review and meta-analysis of all international studies that compared the effects of higher versus lower added sugar consumption on blood pressure and lipids (blood fats or cholesterol) has uncovered evidence that sugar has a direct effect on risk factors for heart disease, and is likely to impact on blood pressure, independent of weight gain.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2014-05/uoo-sii051414.php
A Finnish study has found that people who increased their intake of fatty fish to a minimum of 3–4 weekly meals had more large HDL cholesterol in their blood than people who were less frequent eaters of fish. Large HDL particles are believed to protect against cardiovascular diseases.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2014-03/uoef-iio030314.php
Type 2 diabetes greatly increases a person's risk of developing cardiovascular disease, but a new study shows that cardiovascular risk factors such as elevated blood pressure and cholesterol levels differ significantly between men and women with diabetes.
The study, involving 680 diabetics, found that blood pressure and LDL cholesterol levels were significantly higher in women, and women were significantly less likely to have these factors under control. Some 17% of men had control of these factors, compared to 6% of women.
A Swedish study of some 4,000 60-year-olds has found that regular “non-exercise” physical activity such as gardening or DIY significantly reduced risk of heart attack or stroke, with those who were most active on a daily basis having a 27% lower risk of a heart attack or stroke and a 30% reduced risk of death from all causes. This was so regardless of how much regular formal exercise was taken.
Data from more than 25,000 female health professionals who participated in the Women's Health Study has revealed a 25% reduction in cardiovascular risk among those who consumed a diet rich in plants and olive oil and low in meats and sweets.
Changes in signals of inflammation accounted for 29% of the cardiovascular risk reduction), glucose metabolism and insulin resistance 27.9%, and body max index 27.3%. There were also connections to blood pressure, various forms of cholesterol, and other biomarkers, but these were less important.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-12/bawh-rew120718.php
Ahmad, S., Moorthy, V., Demler, O. V., Hu, F. B., Ridker, P. M., Chasman, D. I., & Mora, S. (2018). Assessment of Risk Factors and Biomarkers Associated With Risk of Cardiovascular Disease Among Women Consuming a Mediterranean Diet. JAMA Network Open, 1(8), e185708 - e185708. Retrieved from https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2717565
Contradicting some earlier studies, new research using data from the very large and long-running Nurses' Health Study has found that calcium supplement intake was not associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease in women.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2014-05/bawh-csn050914.php
A study involving 44 middle-aged overweight men who consumed 70 grams of dark chocolate per day over two periods of four weeks, has found that dark chocolate helps restore flexibility to arteries while also preventing white blood cells from sticking to the walls of blood vessels. Both arterial stiffness and white blood cell adhesion are known factors that play a significant role in atherosclerosis.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2014-02/foas-wdc022714.php