The Gary Null Show - 03.17.22

Trial testing cocoa flavanol supplement shows promise for reducing cardiovascular risk   Brigham and Women's Hospital, March 16, 2022   Large-scale randomized trial found signs of preventive cardiovascular effects for cocoa flavanols, including a 27 percent reduction in the secondary endpoint of cardiovascular death The first large-scale trial to test the long-term effects of a cocoa flavanol supplement to prevent cardiovascular disease offers promising signals that cocoa flavanols could have protective cardiovascular effects. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial tested a cocoa flavanol supplement and a multivitamin in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer. People randomized to receive the cocoa flavanol supplement had a 27 percent lower rate of cardiovascular death, a pre-specified secondary endpoint.   (NEXT)   Regular exercise, healthy diet could improve odds of surviving cancer and reduce risk of recurrence   University of Alberta, March 16, 2022   Engaging in regular physical activity and following a healthy diet could help cancer survivors increase their likelihood of long-term survival and reduce the odds of their cancer coming back, according to the American Cancer Society's newly released guidelines for cancer survivors. The latest edition compiles a decade's worth of data and evidence that identifies regular physical activity and a healthy diet as two of the most important modifiable factors in long-term health for cancer survivors. The guidelines suggest nutritional and physical activity assessment and counseling should ideally begin as soon as possible after diagnosis and continue throughout treatment and into survivorship.   (NEXT)   On the brink of giving up? Scientists confirm mindfulness meditation can help in internal conflicts   University of Quebec, March 16, 2022   Faced by one too many obstacles on the way to achieving their personal goals - be it an important, valuable or fun one - people may experience an action crisis where they start questioning their pursuit and even feel like giving up. A research team at the University of Quebec in Montreal (Canada) recommends mindfulness meditation, such as body scan, as a viable method to reduce the likelihood of going through such crises or - in case one still arises - better cope with the situation. In their experiment, the research team recruited 121 volunteers who were told that the study was to examine the link between focused attention and goals.   (NEXT)   Yoga improves quality of life in patients with atrial fibrillation   Sophiahemmet University and Karolinska Institute (Sweden) 14 March 2022   Yoga improves quality of life in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, according to research published today in the European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing. Heart rate and blood pressure also decreased in patients who did yoga. "Many patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) can't live their lives as they want to - they refuse dinners with friends, concerts, and travelling - because they are afraid of an AF episode occurring," said Maria Wahlström at Sophiahemmet University and the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden. AF is the most common cardiac rhythm disorder, affecting 1.5-2% of the general population in the developed world. There is no cure for AF, and management focuses on relief of symptoms and the prevention of complications such as stroke using cardioversion, ablation and medication. Yoga was performed for one hour, once a week, for 12 weeks in the hospital with an experienced instructor. The yoga programme included light movements, deep breathing, and meditation.   (NEXT)   Exposure to phthalates, the 'everywhere chemical,' may increase children's cancer risk   University of Vermont and Aarhus University (Denmark), March 16, 2022   In a first-of-its-kind study, research from the University of Vermont Cancer Center has linked phthalates, commonly called the "everywhere chemical," to higher incidence of specific childhood cancers. Phthalates are chemical additives used to enhance the durability or consistency of plastics and a wide range of consumer products. Humans are routinely exposed to these compounds when they leach out of the products and into the environment. They are also used as inactive ingredients in some medications, especially those that require extended or delayed drug release to work properly, for example, some anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics. The study, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, suggests that exposure to medication-associated phthalates may contribute to the development of some childhood cancers, and that minimizing exposure to phthalates may help prevent some childhood cancers in the future. Using data from the Danish Medical Birth Registry and the Danish Cancer Registry investigators studied all live births between 1997 and 2017, totaling nearly 1.3 million children. Childhood, but not gestational (in utero) phthalate exposure was associated with 20% higher rate of childhood cancer overall, with a nearly three-fold higher rate of osteosarcoma diagnosis, a bone cancer, and a two-fold higher rate of lymphoma diagnosis, cancer of the blood.