All Sauce from Weekly Gravy:

Nobody wants a root canal, but if you must get one there’s possible benefit for your heart. Researchers in Britain found that a successful root canal appears to lower inflammation linked to heart disease. It might even improve cholesterol and blood sugar readings. “Root canal treatment doesn’t just improve oral health — it may also help reduce the risk of serious health conditions like diabetes and heart disease,” said study lead author Dr. Sadia Niazi, senior clinical lecturer in endodontology at King’s College London. “It’s a powerful reminder that oral health is deeply connected to overall health,” she said. The findings were published Nov. 18 in the Journal of Translational Medicine. Root canals are done when teeth become severely damaged or infected. Dentists remove the infected or damaged pulp — the soft tissue inside the tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels. Once that’s done they clean, shape and seal the tooth interior.  In recent years, numerous studies have shown that oral health is intimately related to cardiovascular health. Infections in the mouth can trigger inflammation thought the body, especially the heart, researchers said in background notes. In the new study, Niazi’s team tracked the overall health of 65 dental patients from Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust for two years after each had received a root canal.  They used specific blood tests to gauge…  read on >  read on >

Nobody wants a root canal, but if you must get one there’s possible benefit for your heart. Researchers in Britain found that a successful root canal appears to lower inflammation linked to heart disease. It might even improve cholesterol and blood sugar readings. “Root canal treatment doesn’t just improve oral health — it may also help reduce the risk of serious health conditions like diabetes and heart disease,” said study lead author Dr. Sadia Niazi, senior clinical lecturer in endodontology at King’s College London. “It’s a powerful reminder that oral health is deeply connected to overall health,” she said. The findings were published Nov. 18 in the Journal of Translational Medicine. Root canals are done when teeth become severely damaged or infected. Dentists remove the infected or damaged pulp — the soft tissue inside the tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels. Once that’s done they clean, shape and seal the tooth interior.  In recent years, numerous studies have shown that oral health is intimately related to cardiovascular health. Infections in the mouth can trigger inflammation thought the body, especially the heart, researchers said in background notes. In the new study, Niazi’s team tracked the overall health of 65 dental patients from Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust for two years after each had received a root canal.  They used specific blood tests to gauge…  read on >  read on >

When it comes to warding off excess fat, boosting exercise levels while improving your diet may be most effective, rather than focusing on either exercise or diet alone. That’s the finding from a seven-year study of almost 7,300 British adults.  “We found that combining a better diet with more physical activity is an effective way to improve not just weight, but how much and where fat is stored in the body,” noted study lead author Dr. Shayan Aryannezhad. He helped conduct the research while at the University at the University of Cambridge’s Medical Research Council (MRC). There’s an added bonus to the exercise-diet combo, Aryannezhad said, because “it’s particularly effective at reducing the build-up of harmful fat around organs.” He left the MRC’s epidemiology unit earlier this year and is now a clinical research fellow at the University of Oxford.  For the study, Aryannezhad and colleagues wanted to tease out the types of body fat lost under various weight-loss strategies. “When people talk about changes in body weight, they often refer to a single number on the scale,” he explained in a Cambridge news release. “But not all weight loss or gain is the same. First of all, we need to focus on fat mass when considering the risk of metabolic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. Second, body fat is stored in different places, and…  read on >  read on >

When it comes to warding off excess fat, boosting exercise levels while improving your diet may be most effective, rather than focusing on either exercise or diet alone. That’s the finding from a seven-year study of almost 7,300 British adults.  “We found that combining a better diet with more physical activity is an effective way to improve not just weight, but how much and where fat is stored in the body,” noted study lead author Dr. Shayan Aryannezhad. He helped conduct the research while at the University at the University of Cambridge’s Medical Research Council (MRC). There’s an added bonus to the exercise-diet combo, Aryannezhad said, because “it’s particularly effective at reducing the build-up of harmful fat around organs.” He left the MRC’s epidemiology unit earlier this year and is now a clinical research fellow at the University of Oxford.  For the study, Aryannezhad and colleagues wanted to tease out the types of body fat lost under various weight-loss strategies. “When people talk about changes in body weight, they often refer to a single number on the scale,” he explained in a Cambridge news release. “But not all weight loss or gain is the same. First of all, we need to focus on fat mass when considering the risk of metabolic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. Second, body fat is stored in different places, and…  read on >  read on >

The holidays: Twinkling lights, family dinners and packed travel plans. Plus, a surge of allergy and asthma triggers that can turn the season stressful for some folks. But with a little planning, you can enjoy the celebrations without spending them sniffing, itchy or reaching for tissues. “The holidays are a wonderful time to reconnect with loved ones, but they can also bring unexpected exposures that worsen allergies or asthma,” Dr. Cherie Zachary, president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), said in a news release. “A few practical steps can make all the difference for a healthy and comfortable celebration,” she added. Below, Zachary shares five tips from ACAAI to help you stay ahead of holiday allergy and asthma triggers: Plan ahead for holiday travel Travel can expose you to dust, germs and allergens in planes, hotels and relatives’ homes. If you have allergies, wipe down airplane tray tables, armrests and seatbelts before sitting. Bring allergy-proof pillow or mattress covers if you’re sleeping away from home. “And always keep medications — including inhalers, epinephrine, and antihistamines — in your carry-on bag so they’re accessible if needed,” Zachary said. Stay alert at holiday meals Many festive foods contain hidden allergens. If you’re going to a potluck, restaurant or family gathering, ask whether there could be any cross-contamination. If you’re unsure, bring a safe…  read on >  read on >

The holidays: Twinkling lights, family dinners and packed travel plans. Plus, a surge of allergy and asthma triggers that can turn the season stressful for some folks. But with a little planning, you can enjoy the celebrations without spending them sniffing, itchy or reaching for tissues. “The holidays are a wonderful time to reconnect with loved ones, but they can also bring unexpected exposures that worsen allergies or asthma,” Dr. Cherie Zachary, president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), said in a news release. “A few practical steps can make all the difference for a healthy and comfortable celebration,” she added. Below, Zachary shares five tips from ACAAI to help you stay ahead of holiday allergy and asthma triggers: Plan ahead for holiday travel Travel can expose you to dust, germs and allergens in planes, hotels and relatives’ homes. If you have allergies, wipe down airplane tray tables, armrests and seatbelts before sitting. Bring allergy-proof pillow or mattress covers if you’re sleeping away from home. “And always keep medications — including inhalers, epinephrine, and antihistamines — in your carry-on bag so they’re accessible if needed,” Zachary said. Stay alert at holiday meals Many festive foods contain hidden allergens. If you’re going to a potluck, restaurant or family gathering, ask whether there could be any cross-contamination. If you’re unsure, bring a safe…  read on >  read on >

Most folks with genetics that put them at risk for high cholesterol and early heart disease aren’t aware of their danger, a new study says. Nearly 90% of people carrying genetics that cause dangerously high cholesterol — an inherited condition called familial hypercholesterolemia — were not aware of their risk, researchers recently reported in journal Circulation: Genomic and Precision Medicine. These folks learned of their condition thanks to DNA testing conducted as part of a Mayo Clinic research study, results show. Unfortunately, about 1 in 5 people already had developed heart disease related to clogged and hardened arteries, researchers said. “Our findings expose a blind spot in current national guidelines, which rely on cholesterol levels and family history to determine who should receive genetic testing,” lead researcher Dr. Niloy Jewel Samadder, a cancer geneticist at the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center in Phoenix, said in a news release. “If we can find those at risk of cardiovascular disease early, we can treat it early and change its course and likely save lives,” Samadder said. Familial hypercholesterolemia is one of the most common genetic conditions, affecting about 1 in every 200 to 250 people worldwide, researchers said in background notes. It causes a person to have very high levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol from birth. For the new study, researchers analyzed the genetics of more than…  read on >  read on >

Most folks with genetics that put them at risk for high cholesterol and early heart disease aren’t aware of their danger, a new study says. Nearly 90% of people carrying genetics that cause dangerously high cholesterol — an inherited condition called familial hypercholesterolemia — were not aware of their risk, researchers recently reported in journal Circulation: Genomic and Precision Medicine. These folks learned of their condition thanks to DNA testing conducted as part of a Mayo Clinic research study, results show. Unfortunately, about 1 in 5 people already had developed heart disease related to clogged and hardened arteries, researchers said. “Our findings expose a blind spot in current national guidelines, which rely on cholesterol levels and family history to determine who should receive genetic testing,” lead researcher Dr. Niloy Jewel Samadder, a cancer geneticist at the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center in Phoenix, said in a news release. “If we can find those at risk of cardiovascular disease early, we can treat it early and change its course and likely save lives,” Samadder said. Familial hypercholesterolemia is one of the most common genetic conditions, affecting about 1 in every 200 to 250 people worldwide, researchers said in background notes. It causes a person to have very high levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol from birth. For the new study, researchers analyzed the genetics of more than…  read on >  read on >