Allergies, asthma and walking briskly
Recent news about heart health identifies surprising links between cardiovascular problems and an everyday remedy that will keep you healthy.
Allergies and allergic asthma seem to up the risk for heart woes. A paper presented at the Asia 2022 American College of Cardiology conference says a history of allergic disorders is associated with increased risk of developing high blood pressure and coronary heart disease. If you develop allergies and asthma between the ages of 18 and 57, you’ll have a higher risk of high blood pressure. Develop either between ages 39 and 57, and your risk for coronary heart disease increases if you are male and Black. That means folks with allergies (there’s 50 million of you) and/or asthma (24 million) should talk with a pulmonologist about getting the condition under control and talk to a cardiologist about having regular screenings and active intervention with lifestyle upgrades and meds, if needed, to protect your heart and brain.
The good news: If you’re what U.K. researchers call a “brisk” walker (that’s a 15-minute mile) it turns out that not only does it improve your motor control, musculoskeletal health, cardio fitness, respiration, cognition and mental health — it actually protects your telomeres from age-related erosion. Telomeres are part of your DNA that protect the ends of your chromosomes from becoming shorter — and less protective of your longevity and health.
Eye disease prevention
Age-related eye disease, including macular degeneration, cataracts and late-onset dry eye, may be prevented or slowed by making sure you get the nutrients and minerals you need for eye health. The Age-related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) No. 1 identified the antioxidants vitamin C, E and beta carotene, plus zinc (80 milligrams) and copper (2 milligrams), as the dietary protectors that might cut your risk of age-related eye health problems by 25 percent to 30 percent. AREDS No. 2 looked at the benefits of adding omega-3 fatty acids (350 milligrams DHA and 650 milligrams EPA) or lutein plus zeaxanthin.
Adding omega-3 fatty acids or lutein plus zeaxanthin to antioxidants plus zinc (AREDS formula), had no overall effect on the need for cataract surgery. However, AREDS2 participants who took antioxidants with lutein plus zeaxanthin (AREDS2 formula), but minus beta carotene, had an incremental increase in benefit.