A way to promote healthier choices

When the Philadelphia 76ers cruised to a 130-103 victory over the Miami Heat in Game 1 of their best-of-seven playoff series this year, and the Cleveland Cavs were struggling to reach their potential, Dr. Mike looked around for a possible reason for the discrepancy in their performances. One theory he came up with: Philly has a soda tax that’s raised prices by around 20 per cent and slashed soda sales. His plea: Cleveland, tax sodas — our teams (especially the Browns) need all the help they can get!

A study out of Drexel University published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine shows that when sugary sodas started being taxed, Philadelphia residents (players, too, we bet) were not only 40 per cent less likely to report drinking them daily, they were 64 per cent less likely to down energy drinks, and 58 per cent more likely to drink bottled water.

Taxes on other health bombs also work. In New York City, where a pack of cigarettes can cost $15, smoking rates are among the lowest in the nation at 14.4 per cent. And several studies indicate that in highrisk populations, taxes of 20 per cent or more on junk food help curb obesity.

There’s ample evidence that you pay a high price for indulging in sugar-added beverages, tobacco and junk food: crippling chronic diseases and premature death. Tell your state and local government that you’re for higher taxes on food, drinks and products that damage lives and cost the public billions of dollars in unnecessary health-care bills.

FINALLY, A SOLUTION TO TREATMENT-RESISTANT HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

Sam Cohn, the legendary talent agent and co-founder of ICM, was one of the infamous “10 per centers” who transformed Hollywood into a star-making machine. His 10 per cent cut of the huge paydays for Paul Newman, Meryl Streep, Robin Williams, Macaulay Culkin and many more transformed him into a wealthy man with a rich future.

But the 10 per centers who make up the group of folks with treatmentresistant high blood pressure, well, they haven’t had such a rich future, up to now.

In a major breakthrough, researchers from Queen Mary University of London have discovered that in folks with treatment-resistant hypertension, a naturally present steroid hormone called aldosterone causes salt to accumulate in the bloodstream. And it does it even if those folks don’t take in excess salt or are treated with diuretics and other antihypertensive medications. Salt accumulation torques up blood pressure by increasing fluid retention.

One of the researchers explains the benefit of the discovery: “The discovery of salt overload as the underlying cause has enabled us to identify the hormone which drives this, and to treat or cure most of the patients.” Writing in the journal The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, researchers further explain that breakthrough treatment uses an available aldosteroneblocker called spironolactone; it overcomes salt excess, while conventional antihypertensives do not. And if someone cannot tolerate spironolactone, a drug called amiloride is a reliable substitute. If treatmentresistant high blood pressure plagues you despite the fact that you’re doing all you can, talk to your doc about the wisdom of adding spironolactone to your regimen.

GET OVER YOUR AFTERNOON SLUMP WITH A HEALTHY BOOST

Elon Musk needed a boost (three boosters, actually) from one of the biggest rockets ever assembled — the SpaceX Falcon Heavy Rocket — to get his cherry-red Tesla Roadster convertible launched into space and headed toward Mars’ orbit. (Psst! It overshot that target.)

If you’re looking for a lesscostly boost to get you into a better midafternoon orbit — that’s when your circadian rhythm naturally takes a dip — we don’t want you to rely on a couple-of-minutes energy drink or a sugar bomb for a pick-me-up. Instead, try this healthful double booster that will send you into a more energetic afternoon: protein and fibre.

Protein provides the fuel, and fiber keeps you feeling full — a combo that steadies blood sugar and provides timereleased energy. And you can get the duo from a serving of lean chicken and snackable carrot and celery sticks, or nut butter and apple slices. And if that doesn’t work, try this: cat videos. Really!

Indiana University Media School researcher Jessica Myrick surveyed almost 7,000 people and found that viewing cat videos boosted viewers’ energy while increasing positive emotions and decreasing negative feelings. Her findings were published in “Computers in Human Behavior.” That may be why there are more than two million cat videos on YouTube and why they have more views than any other category of YouTube content.

So the next time you feel like a 3 p.m. nap, grab a handful of walnuts, slice up an apple, cue up the cat video and get recharged. You’ll feel out of this world!

THE VIRTUES OF BEING AN AIRHEAD

In the movie “Pitch Perfect,” the captain of the a capella group the Barden Bellas decides they all need to get in shape, so she has them run around the gym. She comes over to one of the Bellas, Amy, to ask why she’s lying on her side. “I’m doing horizontal running,” Amy responds, lazily cycling her legs in the air.

If you’re a horizontal runner like Amy, it’s time to get vertical and start walking, cycling and, yes, doing more effective horizontal exercise, like swimming. Why? It can boost your chances of a sharper mind as you age.

Scientists used to think people lost cognitive ability because their brain’s nerve cells died off with age, but it turns out that’s not the case. Researchers looked at the brains of 28 people ranging from 14 to 79 and found that older folks made as many new neurons in the brain regions associated with memory as younger people, but had less oxygen-delivering blood flow to these areas. The researchers suggest lack of oxygen could cause age-associated cognition problems.

How do you increase blood flow to your brain? Stand on your head? Not if you have joint, spine or cardio problems, please! Instead, aim for 10,000 steps daily or the equivalent, and get at least 150 minutes of added aerobic exercise weekly. Also try yogic deep breathing: Expand your lungs outward as you inhale for the count of four and exhale slowly from the bottom of your lungs first (your belly will sink in) for a count of eight.

YOU CAN’T FAKE OUT YOUR HEALTH WITH FAKE SWEETENERS

In the 2007 film “Bee Movie,” Barry B. Benson, a bee, discovers that humans actually steal bees’ honey. He befriends a florist, Vanessa, to whom he reveals he can talk, but he and Vanessa’s boyfriend, Ken, don’t get along. In one scene, Ken yells at Vanessa and then turns to Barry: “For your information, I prefer sugar-free, artificial sweeteners ... MADE BY MAN!” and storms away.

Not only does Ken need anger management lessons, he also needs a lesson in sweeteners. His choice of artificial sweeteners is an unhealthy one. One megastudy in CMAJ last year found that “consumption of nonnutritive sweeteners was associated with increases in weight and waist circumference, and higher incidence of obesity, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular events.” Whew!

Now, a study of sucralose, a common sweetener in diet sodas, shows how. Researchers from George Washington University analyzed fat samples from 18 obese and healthyweight participants and found that those who reported eating more sucralose had greater expressions of genes related to fat creation. In other words, their metabolism was altered, increasing their risk of metabolic syndrome, heart attack and stroke. Sucralose consumption also was linked to higher lousy LDL cholesterol levels.

So if you’re a diet soda fan, it’s time to rethink the way you drink. If you need sweet, try adding a squeeze of orange to water and work on phasing out all added sugars — real and fake (although stevia leaf looks like it may be different, but we need more data) — from your diet.

Mehmet Oz, M.D. is host of “The Dr. Oz Show,” and Mike Roizen, M.D. is Chief Wellness Officer and Chair of Wellness Institute at Cleveland Clinic. To live your healthiest, tune into “The Dr. Oz Show” or visit www.sharecare.com.