Cardiovascular

New research from the University of Colorado Boulder has offered some of the clearest evidence to date showing how the gut microbiome produces a metabolite that, over time, contributes to age-related declines in cardiovascular health.

A new study, led by researchers at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, is shedding light on a century-old mystery. The study describes how bacteria in the gut can metabolize cholesterol at levels high enough to improve a person’s cardiac health.

People living in the hottest places on Earth may be up to three times as likely to die from a heart-related cause, according to a newly published study. Heat-related stress could be made worse in the coming decades by the effects of global warming.

Trans fats are known to be damaging to health, contributing to conditions like cardiovascular disease. Now we may know more about how they cause this damage, as scientists at Tohoku University have found that certain fatty acids speed up cell death.

Triglycerides are a form of fat that circulates through the bloodstream, and high levels can lead to obesity and related illnesses. Now, researchers have found a way to efficiently produce a protein that clears these fats from the bloodstream.

A newly published study from researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston is suggesting irregular sleep patterns, such as inconsistent bedtimes from day to day, can potentially double a person’s risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Two new systematic reviews have concluded omega-3 supplements confer little protective benefit against either cardiovascular disease or cancer. The research builds on prior study suggesting fish oil is mostly useless if taken by healthy individuals.

A new study has found a plaque-identifying toothpaste can potentially lower levels of systemic inflammation – which has been linked to cardiovascular disease, stroke and hypertension – by improving a person’s brushing efficacy.

Two new studies are offering insights into diet, gut bacteria, and health. One finds a Mediterranean diet can reconfigure gut bacteria to promote healthy aging, while another finds gut bacteria producing a metabolite that increases heart disease risk.

A study is suggesting alterations to a dairy cow’s diet can result in milk lower in saturated fat and a clinical trial in humans demonstrates these natural “healthier” dairy products may lead to positive heart health effects.

A Phase 3 clinical trial into the efficacy of a fish-oil-derived drug called Epanova has been discontinued. The trial was designed to establish the use of the drug, a formulation of two omega-3 fatty acids, as an adjunct to statins for heart disease.

A large study out of China has found drinking green tea at least three times a week can be linked to longer lifespan and lower rates of heart disease and stroke. The same association was not seen in black tea drinkers.