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Bad diets are shortening lives worldwide — killing more people globally than either smoking or high blood pressure, a large, new research suggests. The study, of nearly 200 countries, linked poor diet quality to nearly 11 million deaths globally in 2017. That translated to 22 percent of deaths among all adults that year. Previous research has linked tobacco use to 8 million deaths per year worldwide, and high blood pressure to just over 10 million deaths. But it’s not surprising that diet is so critical, said lead researcher Dr. Ashkan Afshin, of the University of Washington in Seattle. Poor nutrition helps drive many health conditions, from high blood pressure to type 2 diabetes, he noted. And it’s not just a matter of people eating too much junk food, which is common in wealthy nations like the United States. “We often talk about the foods that are ‘bad,’ and what you shouldn’t eat,” Afshin said. “But this is also about what you should eat.” The analysis pointed to some eating habits with particularly strong links to higher death rates: diets high in sodium, and those low in whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and nuts and seeds. Basically, Afshin said, it all supports a common refrain when it comes to diet advice: Eat fewer processed foods and more “whole” plant-based foods. That is the bottom line, agreed… read on >

When it comes to healthy oils, extra virgin olive oil — EVOO for short — is the top choice for your healthy pantry. Because it’s the first press of the olives, extra virgin olive oil not only tastes better, but also has higher levels of antioxidants and other micronutrients that may help protect against diseases, from Alzheimer’s to breast cancer. When you shop for EVOO, avoid imitators. Look for the words “100 percent Extra Virgin Olive Oil” on the label. The oil must be pressed from olives alone, not mixed with nut or seed oil. Over the years, investigative research found that some foreign olive oil labels aren’t always clear about what country the olives were grown in versus where the oil was bottled, which can make it hard to know the true origin of the oil. One answer is to choose oil made in the United States, notably Californian EVOO. Look for the California Olive Oil Council seal. Choose olive oil bottled in dark glass to help protect its delicate antioxidants from light. Once opened, you’ll want to use up a bottle of EVOO within a few months. Some brands now list “use by” dates. EVOO has one of the lower smoke points compared to other oils — that means it burns faster and shouldn’t be used for long, high temperature cooking, like deep… read on >

Richard McIntosh hadn’t had any pets since his childhood farm dogs, but then he started a relationship with a competitive dog trainer and found his life filled with Golden Retrievers. Now McIntosh, 59, of Cornelius, Ore., can’t imagine growing old without a dog or two by his side. “There was a little something missing from my life,” McIntosh said. “These dogs give me activity, they give me joy, companionship. When I’m not feeling good, they’re there for me. When I am feeling great, we’re playing and running. I get a lot out of it.” According to a new poll, McIntosh is one of many aging pet owners who swear that their animal buddies help them better cope with the physical and mental issues that come with age. About 55% of U.S. adults aged 50 to 80 have a pet, and an overwhelming majority of them say that their pets bring a host of positive benefits to their lives, the new National Poll on Healthy Aging found. “Most people who have pets perceive that they are beneficial to their physical and emotional health,” said Mary Janevic. She is an assistant research scientist with the University of Michigan School of Public Health, who helped design the poll. The benefits of pet ownership for older folks included: Helping them enjoy life (88%) Making them feel loved (86%) Reducing… read on >

Wall sits, leg curls and leg lifts are three effective thigh exercises that don’t require any strength-training equipment — just your own body weight, so you can do them virtually anywhere, even at the office. Here’s how to exercise with proper form. Wall sits are also called the invisible chair. Stand with your back firmly against a wall and move your feet out in front of you by about one big step. Now slide your back down the wall, bending your knees until your thighs are parallel to the floor and make a 90-degree angle with your upper body. Hold this position for up to 60 seconds. You may only be able to do a few seconds at first — gradually lengthen the hold over time. You may keep your arms along the wall for balance. To add to the challenge as you progress, hold them out in front of you. Aim for a set of three reps, and increase sets as you strengthen muscles. Now grab a real chair for leg curls. Stand behind the chair, flex your right foot and bring your right heel toward your butt. Hold briefly, then slowly lower the foot to the starting position. Repeat 10 times, then switch legs and repeat. Aim for three sets, or 30 curls, on each leg. To add to the challenge, you can… read on >

(HealthDay News) — Aspirin can prevent heart attacks and strokes by lowering the clotting action of the blood’s platelets. However, preventing blood from clotting can also cause stomach or brain bleeding, kidney failure and other kinds of strokes, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says. The decision to start daily aspirin therapy is safest when made in consultation with a physician, says the FDA. People who are already using a blood-thinning medication should talk to a doctor before using aspirin.

(HealthDay News) — Sugary drinks have been linked to a number of chronic diseases and conditions, says the American Heart Association. For those struggling with cutting back on drinks such as soda or lemonade, the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services suggests: Limit sugary drinks to special occasions. Choose water or low-fat milk instead. Carry water with you. Make water tasty and fun by adding lemon or mint. The heart association says diet soda can help sugary drink lovers cut back, but water is still the healthiest choice.

As electronic cigarettes took off, some worried they would lead teens back to traditional cigarettes. But new research suggests that’s not the case. Vaping has done little to slow or reverse a two-decade decline in the popularity of regular cigarettes among youth, a British study suggests. “Given the important contribution to public health which has been achieved by the ‘denormalization’ of smoking among young people, we need to keep a close eye on anything which might reverse that,” stressed study author Graham Moore. So, could vaping somehow make smoking “cool” again among youth? To find out, Moore’s team analyzed surveys conducted between 1998 and 2015 of roughly 248,000 English, Scottish and Welsh students, aged 13 to 15. The polls revealed that the percentage of teens who had ever tried a cigarette plummeted from 60% in 1998 to just 19% by 2015. The percentage of regular smokers also dropped, from 19% to 5%. That trend continued despite the advent of vaping earlier this decade, the investigators found. “From our conversations with young people, the fact that the rise in experimentation with e-cigarettes was not accompanied by a rise in smoking does make some sense,” added Moore, a reader in the school of social sciences at Cardiff University in Wales. Moore noted that today’s youth “tend to distinguish quite strongly” between smoking cigarettes and using e-cigarettes. For… read on >

Rates of prostate cancer cases and deaths have declined or stabilized in many countries. And the United States had the largest recent decrease in disease incidence, a new study says. “Previous studies have indicated significant variation in prostate cancer rates, due to factors including detection practices, availability of treatment, and genetic factors,” said study author MaryBeth Freeman. She’s a senior associate scientist for surveillance research at the American Cancer Society. “By comparing rates from different countries, we can assess differences in detection practices and improvements in treatment,” Freeman said in a news release from the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). Researchers examined long-term and short-term data from 44 countries with incidence data and 71 countries with prostate cancer death data. Of the 44 countries assessed for incidence, prostate cancer rates rose in four countries and fell in seven, with the United States with the biggest decrease. Rates remained stable in the other 33 countries. Of the 71 countries assessed for prostate cancer death rates, there were decreases in 14, increases in three, and no change in 54. As of 2012, prostate cancer was the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in 96 countries and the leading cause of death in 51 countries, according to the study. Freeman said the findings confirm the benefits of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening. She noted that in the United… read on >

(HealthDay News) — If you or someone you know has a mental illness, help is out there. To find treatment services in your area, call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). You can also call your doctor to see what services are near. For immediate help, call 1-800-273-8255 or go to the National Suicide Prevention Life’s website. Trained crisis workers are available at all hours. For life-threatening situations, call 911 or go to a hospital.

Need another reason to stay slim? People who are overweight have a greater risk of dying from pancreatic cancer, especially those who are carrying extra pounds before age 50, a new study suggests. “No matter what the age, there was some increase in pancreatic cancer deaths associated with excess weight. But the association was stronger for excess weight measured in people’s 30s and 40s,” said the study’s lead author, Eric Jacobs, senior scientific director of epidemiology research at the American Cancer Society (ACS). “We’re not completely sure why this is. Weight gain later in life may simply have less time to cause cancer,” he said. Between 2000 and 2015, the rate of pancreatic cancer rose about 15 percent, he said. It’s now the third-leading cause of cancer death in the United States. One reason pancreatic cancer is so deadly is that it often isn’t discovered until it has reached an advanced stage. The disease rarely causes noticeable symptoms, and there are no effective screening tests, according to the cancer society. But a few risk factors for pancreatic cancer can be changed. Smoking, weight and exposure to workplace chemicals are the three known risk factors that can be modified. In the new study, researchers looked at data for almost 1 million U.S. adults with no history of cancer. The participants were enrolled in a nationwide study… read on >

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All Sauce from Weekly Gravy:

Unhealthy Diets May Be World’s Biggest Killer

Easy Ways to Reap the Benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Americans’ Pets Help Ease the Aging Process, Poll Finds

Three Exercises for Stronger, Sleeker Thighs

Health Tip: Daily Aspirin Therapy

Health Tip: Cut Back on Sugary Drinks

Teens’ E-Cig Surge Hasn’t Hurt Move Away From Smoking: Study

U.S. Leads World in Reducing Prostate Cancer Cases

Health Tip: Finding Mental Health Care Providers

Pancreatic Cancer Survival Odds Linked to Weight Before Age 50