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Medscape
27 minutes ago
- Medscape
Fast Five Quiz: Probiotics Facts vs Fiction
Probiotics are undoubtedly a popular choice among many Americans. Consumers cite goals ranging from bowel health and regularity to vaginal health, bone density support, and immune boosts as reasons for using probiotic capsules, gummies, and beverages. However, confusion and concern from patients and healthcare providers persist over probiotic indications, quality, and reliability. How much do you know about probiotics and their applications? Test your knowledge with this quick quiz. Guidance from the AAP states that current evidence does not support the universal, routine administration of probiotics to preterm infants, especially those with birth weight < 1000 g. Despite some studies showing that probiotics reduce the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants or infants with very low birth weight, the AAP does not recommend their use due to conflicting data regarding safety and efficacy as well as the lack of pharmaceutical-grade, FDA-regulated probiotic products in the United States. Additionally, the AAP maintains no evidence of significant reduction of nosocomial sepsis in preterm infants is associated with probiotic supplementation. However, the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) suggests using probiotics with specific combinations of bacterial species in infants < 37 weeks of gestational age and low birth weight to prevent necrotizing enterocolitis. Learn more about necrotizing enterocolitis. AGA clinical practice guidelines recommend probiotics in patients with C difficile infection only in the context of a clinical trial. Otherwise, the AGA makes no recommendations on the use of probiotics in C difficile colitis. A knowledge gap surrounds this topic as study data has been heterogenous. Learn more about C difficile colitis. Multiple organizations, such as the AGA and the World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO), do not recommend probiotics for the management of Crohn's disease. According to the WGO, studies have not produced evidence that probiotics are beneficial for the remission or maintenance of remission of Crohn's disease. The AGA only recommends probiotics for Crohn's disease in the context of a clinical trial. Learn more about Crohn's disease. A meta-analysis of trials including a total of more than 1400 participants found that probiotic supplementation was associated with significant reductions in ALT, AST, and GGT in MASLD. Significant reductions in triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein cholesterols, insulin, insulin resistance, tumor necrosis factor alpha, BMI, and C-reactive protein were also observed with probiotic supplementation. A separate meta-analysis including more than 5100 participants on the effects of probiotics on ALT, AST, and GGT in patients with MASLD also found reductions in all three liver enzymes associated with probiotic use. Learn more about MASLD. Per the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics, probiotics are defined as 'live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit.' Probiotics are found in foods such as kimchi, yogurt (with live and active cultures), and certain cheeses. Prebiotics are typically fiber or other complex carbohydrates that function as metabolic food for beneficial microorganisms. Some examples of prebiotic-containing foods include flaxseeds, whole oats, and barley. Prebiotics and probiotics might both be used to treat conditions as well as for disease prevention. Some fermented foods, like miso and sauerkraut, contain live strains of probiotics. Prebiotics are bioactive compounds found in fiber-rich foods, such as whole grains, and undergo fermentation by bacteria in the gut. Probiotics might be found in solid foods, supplement beverages, as well as supplement capsules and gummies. Prebiotics are present in fiber-rich foods and are also available as purchasable supplements. Learn more about about fiber supplementation.
Yahoo
28 minutes ago
- Yahoo
The #1 Dairy Product to Help Lower Blood Pressure, According to a Dietitian
Reviewed by Dietitian Kelly Plowe, M.S., RDSwiss cheese is blood pressure–friendly thanks to its lower sodium content and excellent calcium offerings. Swiss cheese also has unique bioactive peptides that have been shown to lower blood pressure. Enjoy Swiss cheese in a hearty salad or pair it with whole-grain crackers or a piece of we think of the best foods to help lower blood pressure, dairy usually doesn't come to mind. But if there's one blood pressure–friendly cheese that experts recommend, it's Swiss. Swiss cheese, known for its 'eyes' (or holes) and mildly sweet and nutty flavor, has healthy properties that might help support better blood pressure levels, says Sheri Gaw, RDN, CDCES. Here, we dive into the research behind Swiss cheese's heart-healthy properties, plus how to incorporate the cheese into a balanced diet plan. Cutting back on sodium is one of the best ways to help lower your blood pressure. And if cheese is a beloved part of your daily diet, swapping some higher-sodium options for Swiss is a smart way to sustain a balanced and enjoyable eating plan. And it's not hard to do. Swiss is one of the lowest-sodium cheese options out there, says Gaw. A 1-ounce serving of Swiss cheese contains about 52 milligrams of sodium, or 2% of the Daily Value. Compare that to 1 ounce of Cheddar, which has about 185 mg, or 8% of the DV. While dairy is often associated with causing heart issues, research shows that calcium in dairy foods such as Swiss cheese does not increase blood pressure or risk for hypertension, says Gaw: 'In fact, it may reduce the risk of stroke.' Swiss cheese is a stellar source of calcium—1 ounce provides about 20% of the DV. We know protein helps keep you satiated and supports muscle mass, but research suggests that the protein in cheese is also a good source of bioactive peptides, which may benefit blood pressure. Swiss cheese, specifically, contains two peptides—Ile-Pro-Pro and Val-Pro-Pro—that have been shown to have anti-hypertensive effects. However, more research needs to be done to nail down the amount of cheese it takes to reap these health benefits. Swiss is delicious as a standalone snack, and it's just as great paired with other foods or in recipes. Here are a few tasty ways to enjoy Swiss: Pair it with fruit: Gaw recommends pairing a slice of Swiss cheese with fruit for a low-sodium snack. Any fruit works, but we especially like apples for the flavor combo. 'This snack is also good for blood pressure and blood sugar, thanks to its dose of calcium, protein, potassium and fiber,' Gaw says. Try it in a sandwich: Gaw recommends stacking a grilled chicken sandwich with a slice of Swiss cheese, lettuce and slices of tomatoes and avocado. 'This snack can be part of the Mediterranean and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) dietary patterns, which help lower blood pressure,' adds Gaw. Add it to a salad: Swiss adds protein and calcium, plus umami flavor, to a bowl of greens. Try this Green Goddess Salad with Chickpeas recipe. Pair it with crackers: Gaw recommends pairing Swiss cheese with whole-grain crackers for an energy boost that promotes blood sugar and blood pressure management. Swapping out high-sodium cheeses for Swiss can help reduce your sodium intake. Here are some other ways to help support healthier blood pressure levels: Use herbs and spices: Lean on garlic, ginger, basil and oregano instead of salt to lower sodium intake and reduce blood pressure, says Gaw. A review found that garlic is associated with reduced blood pressure and cholesterol in those with and without chronic high blood pressure. Eat more plants: Plant-forward eating patterns, such as the Mediterranean diet and DASH diet, can help to lower blood pressure, adds Gaw. Research shows these diets are more promising for lowering blood pressure than just salt restriction alone. Cut back on alcohol: Drinking too much (which means more than two drinks a day for men and more than one drink a day for women) can spike your blood pressure. Cutting back on wine, beer, liquor and other alcohol can help lower your numbers and support your overall heart health. Get regular exercise: Finding an exercise you love can help you move more and, therefore, lower your blood pressure. The American Heart Association recommends strength training at least two days a week and 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity cardio each week. Swiss cheese is significantly lower in sodium than many other cheeses, and eating less sodium can help lower blood pressure. Swiss is an excellent source of calcium and has unique bioactive peptides (found in the proteins), which research suggests may also help lower your blood pressure. Adding Swiss to a hearty salad or pairing it with high-fiber fruit and crackers is a smart way to enjoy this nutritious dairy snack. Read the original article on EATINGWELL
Yahoo
28 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Dying woman's fight leads to nation's toughest PFAS law
Minnesotans call it "Amara's Law" — named for Amara Strande. Starting this year, it's America's strictest state law policing PFAS, compounds known as "forever chemicals." They are found in everyday products such as non-stick cookware and cosmetics and linked to childhood cancers and other health issues. "It's in products. In humans. It's in animals. It's in the air. It's in the water. It's in fish," said Katrina Kessler, commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. "And we all need to think about exposure to PFAS and ways to mitigate PFAS." Strande was 20 and dying of liver cancer when she testified before state lawmakers about the issue in 2023. "PFAS have created a public health crisis that has plagued my community for nearly 60 years," Strande said during her testimony. Minnesota's new law will reduce, then eliminate, the manufacture and sale of nonessential PFAS products by 2032. 3M, a multinational corporation headquartered near Minneapolis, developed PFAS and manufactured them for decades. According to the state, PFAS waste, discarded into landfills, leached into local groundwater. "Don't drink the 3M cancer water became the running joke at my high school," Strande testified. There's no definitive proof PFAS caused Strande's cancer, but her convictions inspired lawmakers to act. Michael and Nora Strande, Amara's father and sister, see the law as her legacy. "She had a drive like no one else I know," Nora said. "She wasn't interested in being an adversary. She was interested in being a partner in solving the issue," Michael said. 3M told CBS News it supports "...regulations based on the best available science and established regulatory practices." The company said it will stop producing PFAS by the end of this year and agreed to pay the state $850 million for a PFAS clean-up. "One person can make a difference. You just have to have the willingness to fight the good fight," Michael said. Strande died five weeks before the bill became law. Next steps in Sean "Diddy" Combs trial after partial verdict Reporter's Notebook: When politicians cry wolf on fiscal restraint Jimmy Swaggart, televangelist once mired in sex scandal, dies at 90
