More Evidence Links High Sodium Intake to Risk of Death

Keeping sodium intake low may prolong life according to a new study that set out to clarify the long-term risk of eating too much sodium and the benefits of cutting down. Based on following more than 3,000 people with elevated blood pressure for over 24 years, researchers found that risk of death from any cause rose in a straight line along with sodium intake. “Our results are not that surprising because we know that sodium increases blood pressure, and we have found that it increases risk of cardiovascular disease also,”…

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Want to Perform Better at Sports? Eat More Spinach

A new study has found that spinach which is rich in nitrates can boost sports performance particularly at high altitudes with low oxygen conditions. Nitrate, commonly found in green leafy vegetables like spinach, is important for the functioning of the human body, especially during exercise. The study showed that nitrate supplementation in conjunction with sprint interval training (SIT) – short, high intensity exercise – in low oxygen conditions could enhance sport performance. For the study, a research team from the University of Leuven in Belgium examined 27 moderately trained participants. They were…

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Antibiotic-resistance making kidney infections more deadly

Medication-resistant bacteria are making it more difficult to treat a common but severe kidney infection, says a study. Pyelonephritis — infection of the kidney usually caused by E. coli bacteria and which can start as a urinary tract infection — causes fever, back pain and vomiting. About half of people infected require hospitalisation. If not treated with effective antibiotics, it can cause sepsis and death. “This is a very real example of the threat posed by the emergence of new antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria, which greatly complicates treatment of infection,”…

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Want to Perform Better at Sports? Eat More Spinach

A new study has found that spinach which is rich in nitrates can boost sports performance particularly at high altitudes with low oxygen conditions. Nitrate, commonly found in green leafy vegetables like spinach, is important for the functioning of the human body, especially during exercise. The study showed that nitrate supplementation in conjunction with sprint interval training (SIT) – short, high intensity exercise – in low oxygen conditions could enhance sport performance. For the study, a research team from the University of Leuven in Belgium examined 27 moderately trained participants. They were…

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Dengue Deaths Touch 100 in Lucknow, More People Test Positive

The death toll from dengue has crossed the 100 mark here and still the vector borne disease shows no signs of relenting in Uttar Pradesh. In the past two days, more than 150 patients have tested positive for dengue and the humid weather continues to add to the spread of the disease. Health Department officials while refusing to admit the high toll, said the situation was “serious and worrisome”. The number of dengue patients here touched 1,356, including a large number of children and aged people. After a literal epidemic…

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Ignoring a Minor Stroke Ups Risk for More Strokes Soon After

People who have a minor stroke – or even a mini-stroke – are at serious risk for further strokes in the next few days, but many people delay going to the hospital because they do not recognize the symptoms, UK researchers warn. Often for these kinds of stroke, experts recommend surgery within 48 hours to unclog a major artery that supplies blood to the brain. People may not realize that vision problems can be an indicator of stroke, which can add to the delay in treatment, the researchers write in…

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