Many Older Americans Still Take Daily Aspirin Despite Warnings, Survey Finds
The results were published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology earlier this month, surveying more than 2,500 adults aged 50 to 80.
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New York Post
12 hours ago
- New York Post
Can a ‘cortisol mocktail' lower your stress? How to make it — and the benefits and limits of this viral drink
The internet is buzzing about the benefits of the so-called 'cortisol mocktail,' with fans claiming the viral tonic can reduce the stress hormone and bring the body into balance. And folks, we can use it — 73% of Americans say that stress has an impact on their quality of life, and nearly half of us admit to suffering from burnout. But can the fruity ingredients really help your hormones and relieve stress? The Post asked a dietitian to spill the (calming) tea. Advertisement The classic cortisol mocktail recipe from @tennesseegirlx includes coconut water, magnesium, juice and sea salt. Tiktok/@tennesseegirlx TikTokker @tennesseegirlx shared the viral recipe, racking up one million views and loads of comments on that app. She said she drinks it several times a week to reduce cortisol, which 'causes a lot of the issues with menopause.' It includes: Advertisement 1 cup coconut water Juice of 1/2 a lemon 1/4 cup orange juice 200 mg magnesium 1/4 teaspoon sea salt sparkling water Cortisol is released when stress hits, triggering that familiar 'fight, flight, or freeze' response. It helps regulate key functions throughout the body, including the reproductive, immune and endocrine systems. Helpful in short bursts, too much too often can cause a host of physical problems, including but not limited to bloating, vision changes, hair loss, muscle tension, exhaustion and dreaded 'moon face.' Advertisement Cortisol can also elevate blood pressure and promote inflammation within blood vessels. The lauded cortisol mocktail is designed to boost energy and ease stress — and while there are benefits, one expert says there are also limits to how much power the punch can pack. F8 \ Suport Ukraine – 'While a drink cannot 'lower cortisol' by itself, it could support the body's ability to do so naturally,' Maura Donovan, registered dietitian and Medical Education Specialist, Sports Nutrition at Thorne, told the Post. Advertisement 'The combination of ingredients can help replenish electrolytes, which can be depleted due to high cortisol levels, and promote relaxation to keep it in check.' She notes that excessive stress, irregular sleep patterns, and inflammation can all contribute to an unhealthy spike in cortisol levels. 'Consequently, one might experience anxiousness, fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating and sleeping, muscle tension, discomfort or weakness, and digestive issues.' When the body's cortisol levels are high, Donovan notes, the hormone can act as a diuretic — and the cortisol mocktail can help restore what's been lost. 'When mixed, this concoction can support hydration and relaxation by replenishing key minerals,' she said. And each of these ingredients offers unique value. Advertisement 'Coconut water provides a hydrating base that offers electrolytes like potassium, as well as small amounts of magnesium and sodium,' she explained. Vitamin C in the lemon and orange juices aids adrenal function, while sea salt supports cellular hydration and fluid balance. 'Added magnesium is an essential mineral involved in hundreds of biochemical reactions in the body, particularly those related to sleep and stress regulation,' she went on. :It also helps convert tryptophan, a vital amino acid, into serotonin — a precursor to melatonin (the sleep hormone).' Advertisement Donovan added that magnesium helps relax both smooth and skeletal muscles, crucial for unwinding at the end of the day. To that end, she recommends cueing up the mocktail before turning in. 'While any time of day offers the same benefits, people may opt for this drink before bedtime, given that magnesium can support restful sleep,' she said. For those looking for additional ways to reduce stress, Donovan has a few key recommendations, including taking supplements formulated for stress, 'Ginseng is known to help the body adapt to stress while also supporting cognitive functions like focus and memory. Additionally, supplements that promote healthy adrenal gland function can be key to managing stress,' she said. Advertisement Beyond supplements, exercise, spending time in nature and meditation stand out as the most effective ways to mitigate stress and lower cortisol levels. Adopting a balanced, nutritious diet and steering clear of smoking, alcohol consumption, or recreational drug use are also fundamental steps to reduce stress. Experts agree that if you feel that stress is having a substantial impact on your health and overall quality of life, it's wise to seek guidance from a healthcare professional.
Politico
14 hours ago
- Politico
Brain-repair research 2.0
THE LAB The Department of Health and Human Services unveiled a program Thursday to advance brain-repair research and develop treatments for brain injuries and devastating neurological diseases like stroke and Alzheimer's. Why it matters: The program, called the Functional Repair of Neocortical Tissue, or FRONT, aims to find cures for these neurodegenerative and other traumatic diseases long regarded as irreversible by leveraging stem-cell technology to regenerate brain tissue and restore brain function. It's part of a line of research scientists have explored for years: Can they develop early-stage cells into brain or other normal tissue to replace disrupted tissue? The agency is expected to turn in a solution summary on Aug. 18. The research comes as the number of Americans afflicted by neurodegenerative diseases increases. A study published in Nature in January found that dementia prevalence among Americans over 55 could double by 2060, but scientists haven't yet discovered technology that fully repairs damaged brain tissue or restores lost brain function. The intensifying caseload has left millions of Americans bearing 'the overwhelming costs of brain damage, a crisis that drains the U.S. health care system by over a trillion dollars annually,' Jason Roos, acting director of HHS' Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, which will oversee the program, said in a news release. And … The initiative comes as the federal government cleaves its research and public health infrastructure by shrinking funds and its workforce. The directives were part of the Trump administration's moveto eliminate research it identified as wasteful and related to gender ideology and diversity, equity and inclusion. Those efforts have also impacted projects on HIV prevention and cancer rates among firefighters. The agency's announcement illuminates the type of research the administration aims to emphasize. In a statement, HHS cast FRONT as particularly beneficial to military personnel, a key Trump constituency that contends with pronounced rates of traumatic brain injuries. 'This initiative will provide direct support to our nation's servicemen and women, ensuring they receive the care they deserve for their sacrifice,' the agency wrote. 'This program will provide new hope to millions who have suffered severe brain damage and now rely on caregivers for daily living.' WELCOME TO FUTURE PULSE This is where we explore the ideas and innovators shaping health care. Earlier this year, the Trump administration slashed federal research funding for Johns Hopkins University, one of the largest recipients of government grants. Now, the university is lobbying power brokers on the Hill and adopting 'an urgent plea: Keep funding us because we're actually a good bang for the buck,' The Baltimore Banner's Ellie Wolfe and Meredith Cohn report. Share any thoughts, news, tips and feedback with Danny Nguyen at dnguyen@ Carmen Paun at cpaun@ Ruth Reader at rreader@ or Erin Schumaker at eschumaker@ Want to share a tip securely? Message us on Signal: Dannyn516.70, CarmenP.82, RuthReader.02 or ErinSchumaker.01. TECH MAZE It turns out that AI chatbots are not good therapists. Researchers have found that chatbots expressed stigma toward people with mental health conditions and responded inappropriately to some common and critical conditions in therapeutic settings by encouraging delusional thinking. The study examined the ability of chatbots to replicate the relationship between therapists and clients. The researchers prompted artificial intelligence chatbots to respond to questions about how they would evaluate and respond to someone's mental state. Then, they compared the responses with a benchmark of 'good therapy' to determine whether AI stigmatized patients, enabled suicidal ideation and reinforced hallucinations, among other things. The researchers ran the experiments on two large-language models, OpenAI's GPT-4o and Meta's Llama, and on commercially available therapy bots. The study found that even the newer versions of these chatbots also offered inappropriate responses, 'indicating that current safety practices may not address these gaps,' the researchers wrote. They also found AI couldn't replicate human characteristics critical to building a healthy therapeutic relationship, such as stakes that make a therapist responsible for suggestions or solutions and can serve as a check for shoddy, unempathetic answers. Unlike human therapists, chatbots lack the essential ability to challenge their clients' perspectives and provide reality checks when needed. Chatbots are designed to be 'compliant and sycophantic,' the researchers found. The study was conducted by researchers at Stanford University, Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, and the University of Texas at Austin. Why this matters: The findings come as Americans increasingly turn to chatbots for therapy and advice because of dwindling mental health care access. Some programs aren't marketed or designed to offer therapy, but people still report positive feedback after using them for therapeutic purposes, the researchers acknowledge.
Epoch Times
15 hours ago
- Epoch Times
Many Older Americans Still Take Daily Aspirin Despite Warnings, Survey Finds
Around one in six older Americans are still taking aspirin on a daily basis for preventing heart attack or stroke, despite updated guidelines saying that the practice is no longer warranted for older adults, according to a recent The results were published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology earlier this month, surveying more than 2,500 adults aged 50 to 80.
