Good dental health is an important part of overall health—and may have direct effect on the heart and cardiovascular system. A study published recently in the Journal of the American Heart Association suggests that gum disease, which affects almost two-thirds of adults over the age of 60, is associated with an increased risk of earlier death in older women.

The study, which was conducted over seven years, involved more than 57,000 women 55 and older. Over the course of the study, more than 3,800 women died—3,589 of them from heart disease. According to researchers, gum disease was associated with a twelve percent higher risk of death from any cause and women with the poorest dental health—those who lost a significant number of teeth during the study—had more heart disease risk factors and a seventeen percent higher risk of death than women without gum disease.

More research is needed, as the study did not prove a definitive association between gum disease and heart disease. If future studies show treating gum disease—also called periodontal disease—can reduce the early death rate in postmenopausal women, researchers will be able to establish a direct cause-and-effect link.

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Sourced from: U.S. News & World Report

The health benefits of tea—largely due high levels of antioxidants—are well documented. Research shows that drinking tea regularly can help reduce the risk for many common health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Now, a new study suggests that tea also may prevent cognitive decline in older adults—especially those at increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease.

For this recent study, researchers collected and analyzed data about tea consumption and cognitive function in 957 Chinese adults over the age of 55. According to researchers, regular tea drinkers had a 50 percent lower risk of cognitive decline compared to those who rarely drank tea. In older adults with a genetic risk for Alzheimer’s—those who possess the APOE e4 gene—tea drinkers had an 86 percent lower risk.

The cognitive benefits were observed with black tea, green tea, and oolong tea—teas that are brewed from tea leaves. More research is needed, but the brain benefits of tea may be related to compounds that reduce vascular damage and neurodegeneration.

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Sourced from: MNT

We’ve all heard that April showers bring May flowers. But could changes in the weather—including those brought on by climate change—also bring physical and mental health problems? A new report says yes.

Extreme weather events and natural disasters like tornadoes, floods, and hurricanes can cause negative emotions such as stress, fear, and grief, as well as substance abuse, anxiety, and depression. In severe cases, tragic events related to the weather—repeated exposure to dangerous conditions, loss of a loved one or valued possessions, for example—can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

People living in areas where the economy is directly impacted by environmental factors—farming, fishing, tourism, and others—are more susceptible to mental health issues related to changes in weather caused by climate change. After Hurricane Katrina, suicide and suicidal thoughts more than doubled in affected areas, one in six people met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD, and almost half developed an anxiety or mood disorder.

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Sourced from: The Washington Post