Heart Disease Epidemic Will Rise in China: Study

China is facing an epidemic of heart disease brought on by a shift toward the Western lifestyle, and researchers said Monday the trend shows no sign of slowing down. The findings in the August 15 edition of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology are based on the first large study of its kind to analyze a range of risk factors in China over multiple decades. Heart disease has been on the rise in China over the past 20 years, with more and more people experiencing high blood pressure,…

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Chronic Kidney Disease May Lead to Diabetes

Establishing a novel link between chronic kidney disease and diabetes, a team of researchers have identified molecular mechanisms that may be responsible for the increased blood glucose levels in such patients. Previous studies have found that type 2 diabetes is one of the causes of chronic kidney disease – that is characterised by the progressive and irreversible loss of kidney function in filtering and eliminating toxins from the blood. “However, our observations in mice and in human samples show that chronic kidney disease can cause secondary diabetes,” said lead researcher…

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Can Season and Place of Birth Influence Celiac Disease Risk?

Winter babies and people born in places with shorter days and less sunlight might have a lower risk of developing celiac disease than peers born in warmer regions or seasons, a Swedish study suggests. About one in 100 people have celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that damages the small intestine and interferes with the absorption of nutrients from food. People with celiac disease can’t tolerate gluten, a protein in wheat, rye and barley. Left untreated, the condition can lead to complications such as malnutrition, low bone density, lactose intolerance and…

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Sleep apnea may worsen liver disease for obese teens

Sleep apnea may worsen liver disease for obese teens (Courtney Keating/Getty Images) For teens with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), breathing disruptions during sleep may worsen scarring in the liver, according to a new study. Researchers found that among obese adolescents with NAFLD, those with the most severe liver disease also had the most severe sleep disordered breathing that caused them to experience periods of low oxygen at night. “This really focuses on the role of oxidative stress both systemically and specifically in the liver as a driving factor of…

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Leg Movement While Sitting May Prevent Arterial Disease

If you spend a lot of time in front of the computer or television, don’t forget to move your legs every now and then. A new study has found that fidgeting while sitting can protect the blood vessels in legs and potentially help prevent arterial disease.”We wanted to know whether a small amount of leg fidgeting could prevent a decline in leg vascular function caused by prolonged sitting,” said lead author of the study Jaume Padilla, Assistant Professor at the University of Missouri in Columbia. “While we expected fidgeting to…

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A Diet That Lowers BP and Cuts Risk of Kidney Disease Too

A diet high in nuts and legumes, low-fat dairy, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables and low in red and processed meat, sugar-sweetened beverages and sodium may not only lower blood pressure but also reduce the risk of developing chronic kidney disease, says a study. This diet, known as DASH for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, was designed primarily to reduce blood pressure. “In addition to offering other health benefits, consuming a DASH-style diet could help reduce the risk of developing kidney disease,” said study leader Casey Rebholz, Assistant Professor at…

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