Constipation and stress may worsen menopause symptoms, study finds

Certain gastrointestinal issues and stress may affect the severity of menopause symptoms, a study finds.

• Experiencing menopause can come with a wide range of symptoms and challenges.
• One area of interest is how factors like gut health influence menopause symptoms.
• Data from a recent study found that increased perceived stress and certain gastrointestinal symptoms were associated with worse menopause symptoms.
• Future research in this area may help discover ways to improve menopause symptoms.

Menopause is common, but that doesn’t make it easy to experience specific symptoms associated with it and the time of transition into menopause. Some may experience worse symptoms than others. Research is ongoing about factors that may influence the severity of menopause symptoms.

A study published in Menopause: The Journal of the Menopause Society found that reporting higher stress levels, having anxiety or depression, and experiencing constipation were associated with more severe menopausal symptoms. Future research can further examine the relationship between these factors.

Common challenges of menopause

The National Institute on AgingTrusted Source describes menopause as “a point in time 12 months after a woman’s last period.” The time before menopause is sometimes called menopause transition or perimenopause.

Menopause and perimenopause are associated with several symptoms that can be unpleasant and affect quality of life. A few symptoms include mood swings, joint pain, hot flashes, and trouble sleeping.

Sometimes, people will refer to the symptoms in the menopause and the perimenopause time frame as menopause symptoms.

Non-study author Dr. Sherry Ross, an OB/GYN and Women’s Health Expert at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, offered further insight into menopause symptoms to Medical News Today:

“The most common symptoms of menopause include irregular periods, hot flashes, sweating, insomnia, depression, anxiety, feeling apprehensive, weight gain or loss, fatigue, poor concentration, memory loss, low sex drive, vaginal dryness, and heart palpitations. All of these disruptive symptoms affect a person’s quality of life and have become a major challenge for the majority of people going through this normal hormonal cycle.

Lack of professional guidance and treatment from healthcare professionals is one of the major roadblocks for millions of people suffering from these common debilitating symptoms.”

The severity and number of symptoms can vary greatly. So, researchers are interested in discovering more about what may impact menopause symptoms.

How stress, bowel movements affect menopausal symptoms

Researchers of the current study sought to “evaluate whether there is a relationship between menopausal symptoms, subjectively perceived stress, and reported gastrointestinal symptoms in midlife women.”

The study was a cross-sectional study that included 693 participants. All participants were around fifty years old. Researchers included premenopausal and postmenopausal women in their survey. However, they excluded some individuals, including women who had hysterectomies and those currently taking hormonal contraceptives.

To look at menopause symptoms, researchers had participants fill out the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL)Trusted Source. This questionnaire examines several areas of menopause-related symptoms and the degree to which the symptoms bothered participants. A higher score indicates a worse quality of life because of menopausal symptoms.

Participants filled out a questionnaire to measure perceived stress. They also answered several questions about their health, obstetric and gynecological history, and certain gastrointestinal symptoms. When looking at gastrointestinal symptoms, participants had to answer questions about their frequency of bowel movements and stool consistency. Participants also had to answer specific demographic questions like their age and level of education.

Results of the study found that diagnoses of anxiety and depression and higher levels of perceived stress were associated with a more severe impact of menopausal symptoms. Regarding gastrointestinal health, researchers found that women with constipation experienced more severe menopause symptoms. Researchers noted that stool consistency and frequency of bowel movements may relate to a person’s gut microbiota.

Non-study author Dr. Kecia Gaither, MPH, MS, MBA,FACOG, a double board certified in OB/GYN and Maternal Fetal Medicine, and Director of Perinatal Services/Maternal Fetal Medicine at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln in the Bronx commented with her thoughts on the study to Medical News Today:

“Scientists are coming to recognize that microbiomes play important roles in health; vaginal microbiomes are important to neonatal health, and likewise gut microbiomes impact adult health. The gut is impacted by a multitude of factors– food consumed, medications taken, and the hormonal milieu– among other intrinsic and extrinsic influences. Gut microbiomes and its effect on health is a novel and burgeoning arena for research– which needs further information. The study proposed a great foundation on which to explore the relationship between hormonal fluctuations impacting the gut microbiome–and the physiologic and metabolic bodily changes that result from such.”

Study limitations and continued research

This study does have some limitations to its findings. First, it does rely on participant self-reporting, which doesn’t always result in accurate measurement. It also cannot establish a causal relationship between the factors that the researchers examined. Participants also completed the survey online, which means all participants had online access.

Researchers acknowledge the possibility of sample bias due to factors like conducting their survey in an urban area and most participants having higher education. This makes it hard to generalize the study’s results. Researchers also note that culture and attitude toward menopause can impact menopausal symptoms. So, future studies can include more participants from more diverse backgrounds.

This current study only included ethnically Lithuanian women, limiting the generalization of the results. Researchers note that further research can examine the relationship between the studied factors and include long-term follow-up.

Overall, the study points to the complexity of factors related to menopause symptoms. Dr. Gaither was optimistic that future research into the gut microbiome could uncover a way to improve menopause symptoms.

Dr. Gaither explained that it might be helpful “to narrow the field to see if there was a similarity of a specific protein or gene sequence that despite exogenous factors like environment, diet, ethnicity, co-morbidities was impacted by menopausal hormonal decline — and as such produced a host of clinical symptomatology.”

“To find such within analyzing the gut microbiome, perhaps treatment of menopausal symptoms might reflect the need for supplementation of that particular deficient protein– ultimately working to reverse symptoms associated with menopause,” Dr. Gaither added. “Further research along this line is needed– a breakthrough of sorts would change the lives and well-being of women –globally– who are impacted by symptoms of menopause.”

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/constipation-stress-gastrointestinal-worse-menopause-symptoms-study

Adults with ADHD three times more likely to develop dementia, finds research

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by inability to pay attention for longer periods, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior.

 Adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are nearly three times more likely to develop dementia than those without the mental disorder, researchers have found.

Adult ADHD reflects a neurological process that reduces their ability to compensate for the effects of cognitive decline later in life, the researchers from Israel, Sweden and the US said, having followed more than 1,00,000 participants for over 17 years.

Further, less cognitive and brain reserve may result in neurological processes of ADHD that, in turn, reduce compensatory abilities, they said in their study published in THE Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Network Open.

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by inability to pay attention for longer periods, hyperactivity and impulsive behaviour.

Previous studies have reported evidence of adult-onset ADHD, saying that 5 per cent of children with ADHD meet ADHD criteria in adulthood and constitute 3 per cent of adult ADHD cases.

Studies also show that child and adult ADHD present different social, psychological, and genetic profiles.

Despite being distinct from childhood ADHD, little is known about adult ADHD, the researchers said.

“By determining if adults with ADHD are at higher risk for dementia and if medications and/or lifestyle changes can affect risks, the outcomes of this research can be used to better inform caregivers and clinicians,” said study author Michal Schnaider Beeri from the Brain Health Institute (BHI) of Rutgers University, US.

In this study, they used data from a national cohort study consisting of 1,09,218 members of an Israeli nonprofit health maintenance organisation born between 1933 and 1952 (aged 51-70 years). They entered the cohort on January 1, 2003, without an ADHD or dementia diagnosis and were followed up to February 28, 2020. Of the group, 51.7 per cent were female and 48.3 per cent were male.

During the follow-up, the researchers found that 730 participants, or 0.7 per cent, received a diagnosis of adult ADHD, and 7,726, or 7.1 per cent, received a diagnosis of dementia.

Of the 7,726 dementia cases, 96 were among the 730 adults with ADHD and the remaining 7,630 in the 1,08,488 adults not diagnosed to have ADHD.

The researchers found these results to show that an adult ADHD diagnosis was associated with a 2.77-fold increased risk of incident dementia.

Further, 163 of the 730 adult ADHD cases received psychostimulant treatment and were seen to exhibit no clear increase in the risk of dementia associated with adult ADHD.

The results suggested that adult ADHD treatment incorporating psychostimulants may help reduce the risk of dementia as psychostimulants are known to modify the trajectory of cognitive impairment, the researchers said, adding that more research is needed to assess the impact of medications in patients with ADHD and how they could affect risk.

Physicians, clinicians and caregivers who work with older adults should monitor ADHD symptoms and associated medications, the researchers said.

They also added that symptoms of attention deficit and hyperactivity in old age shouldn’t be ignored and should be discussed with physicians.

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/health/adults-with-adhd-three-times-more-likely-to-develop-dementia-finds-research-554422

New AI tool to listen to your voice & detect diabetes with 89% accuracy

Determining whether a person is diabetic could be as easy as having them speak a few sentences into their smartphone, according to a groundbreaking study that combines voice technology with artificial intelligence in a major step forward in diabetes detection.

Scientists from Klick Labs in the US used six to 10 seconds of people's voice, along with basic health data, including age, sex, height, and weight, to create an AI model that can distinguish whether that individual has Type 2 diabetes.

The model, detailed in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings: Digital Health, has 89 per cent accuracy for women and 86 per cent for men.

For the study, researchers asked 267 people (diagnosed as either non- or Type 2 diabetic) to record a phrase into their smartphone six times daily for two weeks. From more than 18,000 recordings, scientists analysed 14 acoustic features for differences between non-diabetic and Type 2 diabetic individuals.

“Our research highlights significant vocal variations between individuals with and without Type 2 diabetes and could transform how the medical community screens for diabetes,” said Jaycee Kaufman, first author of the paper and research scientist at Klick Labs.

“Current methods of detection can require a lot of time, travel, and cost. Voice technology has the potential to remove these barriers entirely.”

The team looked at a number of vocal features, like changes in pitch and intensity that can't be perceived by the human ear.

Using signalprocessing, scientists were able to detect changes in the voice caused by Type 2 diabetes. Surprisingly, those vocal changes manifested in different ways for males and females, Kaufman said.

Almost one in two, or 240 million adults living with diabetes worldwide are unaware they have the condition and nearly 90 per cent of diabetic cases are Type 2 diabetes, according to the International Diabetes Federation.

The most frequently used diagnostic tests for prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes include the glycated haemoglobin (A1C), along with the fasting blood glucose (FBG) test and the OGTT.

Yan Fossat, vice president of Klick Labs and principal investigator of this study, said the new non-intrusive and accessible approach offers the potential to screen vast numbers of people and help identify the large percentage of undiagnosed people with Type 2 diabetes.

“Our research underscores the tremendous potential of voice technology in identifying Type 2 diabetes and other health conditions,” Fossat said.

“Voice technology could revolutionise healthcare practices as an accessible and affordable digital screening tool.”

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/health/new-ai-tool-to-listen-to-your-voice-detect-diabetes-with-89-accuracy-554702

New heart rhythm categorisation for stroke patients: Study

The study shows that atrial fibrillation after a stroke differs from irregular heartbeats before the stroke.

A new study described the understanding of atrial fibrillation seen in stroke patients. According to the study, atrial fibrillation discovered after a stroke is not the same as irregular heartbeats known prior to the stroke.

Millions of stroke survivors worldwide are subjected to extended cardiac monitoring, which leads to the identification of atrial fibrillation, or abnormal heartbeats, in up to 1.5 million of these patients each year.

The study was published in The Lancet Neurology.

The study, led by Western University professor Dr. Luciano Sposato, proposes that atrial fibrillation detected post-stroke exhibits distinct characteristics. It has a lower prevalence of risk factors, cardiovascular comorbidities, and changes associated with upper chambers of the heart than atrial fibrillation known prior to the stroke. This could potentially explain its association with a decreased risk of another ischaemic stroke, which results from a blocked artery.

"The differences in the nature and effects of atrial fibrillation detected after a stroke compared to those known before are significant. The article proposes a new classification of heart rhythm and research standards to guide future research in the field, ensuring a more targeted and effective approach to secondary stroke prevention," said Sposato, who is Kathleen and Dr Henry Barnett Chair in Stroke Research and head of the Stroke Program at London Health Sciences Centre.

Atrial fibrillation is usually asymptomatic in stroke patients and generally happens in short bursts which can only be detected by continuously monitoring the heart.

The balance between the total duration of each of those bursts of atrial fibrillation and other risk factors is pivotal in understanding patient risk levels and designing better treatment options.

In this article, the authors used information from their own studies, gathered over a decade of intense research in the field, and complemented it with updated data from other groups.

One of the main conclusions is that patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation post-stroke generally have fewer associated health conditions and a 26 per cent lower likelihood of experiencing another stroke than those with known atrial fibrillation.

This insight is crucial to designing more personalized and effective treatment strategies for patients.

"To date, all patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation after a stroke are treated with anticoagulants, except for when there is a clear contraindication. This is what current national and international guidelines recommend. In the future, we may be able to identify patients with relatively lower risk who may not need to be treated with anticoagulants immediately but would need to be constantly monitored to detect changes in their risk profile," said Sposato.

“However, further research is needed to prove this concept. AI-driven diagnostic tools are potential game-changers. Such tools may identify low-risk patients and may even flag moments in which their risk is transiently or permanently increased, requiring a change in their medications or prevention strategies.”

https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health/new-heart-rhythm-categorisation-for-stroke-patients-study-101697344662737.html

Obesity during pregnancy strong predictor of future cardiovascular disease; linked to pregnancy complications: Study

This study provides insight into potential timing for interventions for people with overweight or obesity who are thinking about pregnancy.

According to a study, obesity during early pregnancy appears to be a strong predictor of future cardiovascular disease and has been linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes such as high blood pressure, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes.

Obesity has long been recognised as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and pregnancy difficulties caused by high blood pressure.

The findings of the study, which was supported by the National Institutes of Health, were published in Circulation Research. Obesity has long been recognised as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and pregnancy difficulties caused by high blood pressure. They didn't know which factors influenced a person's cardiovascular disease risk years after pregnancy - obesity or pregnancy problems.

While having adverse pregnancy outcomes was linked with increased cardiovascular disease risks during pregnancy, the complications accounted for a small percentage of increased cardiovascular disease risks in the years following pregnancy for people with obesity.

"We're finding that certain pregnancy complications are unmasking and then increasing cardiovascular disease risks, such as obesity, that were already present. This study provides insight into potential timing for interventions for people with overweight or obesity who are thinking about pregnancy," said Victoria L Pemberton, RNC, a study author and researcher in the Division of Cardiovascular Sciences at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of NIH.

The researchers analyzed data collected from the nuMoM2b Heart Health Study of more than 4,200 first-time mothers - about half of whom were overweight or obese. They compared the participants' pregnancy experience to their health two to seven years later.

They found mothers who were overweight or had obesity during the first trimester of pregnancy had about twice the risk of developing gestational diabetes or having a pregnancy complicated by high blood pressure, compared to participants with normal body weight. These mothers also had increased risks of developing cardiovascular disease risks after pregnancy.

In comparison, pregnancies complicated by high blood pressure explained just 13 per cent of future risks for developing high blood pressure if a person is obese. Likewise, gestational diabetes explained only 10 per cent of future risks for diabetes.

"We want to do everything we can to support a person's heart health, but especially around the time of pregnancy - before, during, and in early pregnancy," said Sadiya S Khan, MD, the study's lead investigator, a preventive cardiologist, and an associate professor of medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago.

"That includes achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight, knowing your heart health numbers, and finding ways to stay physically active."

For some complications the researchers found body weight did not factor into risks. For example, people with overweight or obesity did not have increased risks of having a preterm birth or a baby with a low birthweight.

Additionally, researchers found among all participants, those experiencing preterm births had increased risks of having high blood pressure, high blood sugar, or high cholesterol a few years after pregnancy. Having a baby born with a low birth weight wasn't found to increase risks.

"Looking for ways to support and optimize a person's cardiovascular health is still of the utmost importance if someone has had an adverse pregnancy outcome," said Khan.

"However, if we really want to make a difference in improving cardiovascular health and preventing these pregnancy outcomes, we have to shift to the pre-pregnancy and early pregnancy space."

https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health/obesity-during-pregnancy-strong-predictor-of-future-cardiovascular-disease-linked-to-pregnancy-complications-study-101697447026891.html

World Spine Day 2023: 7 important myths and facts about spinal health you must know

On this World Spine Day, let's debunk some of the most common myths regarding spinal health and embrace the facts about this vital part of our anatomy.

 World Spine Day is celebrated every year on October 16 to raise awareness of spinal health and promote a more active and pain-free life. The day is dedicated to raising awareness of common spinal conditions, their impact on daily life, signs and symptoms, diagnosis and preventative measures to promote a healthy and happy life. This year's theme, 'Move your spine', aims to inspire people of all ages and from all walks of life to get moving and support their spinal health. The spine is the body's backbone and the main structural support for movements including sitting, standing, walking, twisting, and bending. The effectiveness of a person's daily activities and lifestyle are determined by their spine's health since deformities or disorders in the spine can cause excruciating back pain and other problems that can negatively impact a person's quality of life.

World Spine Day 2023: 7 myths and facts about spinal health you must know

 7 Important Myths and Facts About Spinal Health

Understanding the truth about spinal health is vital to your wellbeing as there are many myths and misconceptions about healthcare that can mislead people. Dr Himanshu Tyagi, Sr. Consultant, Orthopaedics, Spine Surgery, Artemis Hospitals, Gurugram, shared with HT Lifestyle seven common myths and the corresponding facts about spinal health that everyone should be aware of.

 1. Myth: Good posture is all about sitting up straight

Fact: Good posture is not just about sitting up straight. It is all about maintaining the spine's natural curves while sitting or standing. It's not about being rigidly straight.

 2. Myth: Back pain is a natural part of aging

Fact: Back pain indeed gets common as people age, but chronic back pain is not an inevitable phenomenon. It can often be prevented or managed with proper care. Maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active and maintaining good posture helps in preventing back pain.

 3. Myth: Lifting heavy objects is the only way you can get your back injured

Fact: Lifting heavy objects is not the only way to get your back injured. Everyday activities like poor posture, prolonged sitting, or even sudden twisting physical motions can strain the back and result in injuries.

4. Myth: Rest is the best way to heal a back injury

- Fact: Resting can surely help with back pain but it's not the best and only way. In fact, in some cases, resting too much can slow down recovery. Gentle movements and exercises may help in speeding up the healing process.

5. Myth: Exercise is harmful for people with back pain

Fact: While rigorous exercises may be harmful as they cause strain on back, light exercises might actually be helpful in alleviating the back pain. If done correctly, exercising can strengthen the back and eliminate the pain. It's also better to consult with a healthcare professional for the right guidance regarding exercises.

6. Myth: Surgery is the only solution for excruciating back pain

Fact: This is not entirely true. Surgery is often a last resort. There are a plethora of ways through which excruciating back pain can be eradicated. Many spinal issues can be managed through non- invasive treatments like physical therapy and lifestyle changes. Surgery is performed when the other methods of treatment are not making any difference on the back pain.

7. Myth: Once you have back pain, it won't go. It will be there lifelong

Fact: Back pains don't always last for a lifetime. Most of the time, back pain is temporary and can get better with proper care. Lifestyle changes and treatment also significantly help in alleviating the back pain.

Understanding the truths behind spinal health myths is important for maintaining a healthy back. Focus on proactive measures and seek professional guidance when needed.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health/world-spine-day-2023-7-important-myths-and-facts-about-spinal-health-you-must-know-101697442629680.html

Mental health needs your attention

Forbearance and endurance are paramount keys to achieving success

Anand was a mere mentee at a celebrated flautist’s music school. The youngster was bewitched by a damsel who too was learning to play the flute under the expertise of the legendary musician.

Anand and Bhairavi were ensnared by craving; they were in a tearing hurry to achieve stardom through soulful renditions of the fabled Ananda Bhairavi raga. Their respected Master was however certainly not impressed at the proffer of his novitiates and admonished them.

“One needs enormous tapas to arrive at the world stage,” he added.

A Zen Story: Years ago, a greenhorn was learning various nuances of breathing techniques and meditation at a temple of knowledge. After acquiring some basic skills, he approached his monk as to how soon he could graduate from the monastery and begin to spread the knowledge of Zen Buddhism. The impassioned monk was to say impassively, “It will take you ten more years.”

“Master, I will practice twice the number of hours, then how long will it take me to become a suzerain of Buddhism?”

“Thirty years,” was the bland reply.

Learning to Learn: Forbearance and endurance are paramount keys to achieving success. Tearing hurry and sheer desperation to climb the ladder to achieve fame in any field leads only to severe psychological problems.

Psychotherapy: The intent of a therapeutic approach is to upend the pyramid. It is to ensure the betterment of the victim’s life. The therapy reinforces the client’s resolve for mitigating distress leading to an improved lifestyle. By adopting a holistic line of treatment, the mind is blessed with positivity, becomes robust and develops the ability to eschew unwelcome habits.

There is astonishing progress in the victim who undergoes a mental transformation; the thinking pattern changes dramatically and becomes empowered to make mindful decisions on the voyage of rehabilitation. Gifted and trained psychotherapists combine their clinical insights and their mental GPS to zero in on suitable psychodynamic therapies.

Dynamics of Rehabilitation and Recuperation: Fundamentally, psychodynamic therapy cogitates that it is an intra-psychic conflict that is primarily responsible for the psychological malady. The fountainhead of the problem lies within the psyche of the individual. Research in the field opines that querulous desires of childhood and unmitigated childhood fears are essentially responsible for intra-psychic disorders. Keeping in mind the above two factors, psychotherapists deploy the technique of free association and eliciting information through visualisation, dreams, thoughts, and feelings to create a database. The cutting edge of the therapy is provided as the therapist glides and floats from the intellectual frame to an emotional plane. Psychodynamic therapy enfranchised the therapist to understand the mind of the patient and provide emotional succour.

Last but not least, the duration of treatment is of tremendous significance. The magnitude of the problem is obviously a key determinant of the span of treatment. However, around 15 to 20 vigorous sessions put the patient well on the road to renascence.

Alternative therapies

Unbridled ambition could also trigger alcoholism, bulimia, heavy smoking, and substance abuse among others. In such cases, alternative therapies such as practising the unique rhythmic breathing technique of Sudarshan Kriya, Vipassana, sessions of yoga and pranayama, and meditation techniques of Yoga Nidra, help in the relaxation of the mind and body immensely. 

(The writer is the CEO of Chhattisgarh East Railway Ltd. and Chhattisgarh East West Railway Ltd and is a faculty at the Art of Living. Views are personal)

http://www.indiapress.org/gen/news.php/The_Pioneer/400x60/0

Pregnancy complications enhance short, long-term risk of heart disease for people with obesity: Study

‘Study provides insight into potential timing for interventions for people with overweight or obesity who are thinking about pregnancy’

According to a study, obesity during early pregnancy appears to be a strong predictor of future cardiovascular disease and has been linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes such as high blood pressure, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes.

The findings of the study, which was supported by the National Institutes of Health, were published in Circulation Research. Obesity has long been recognised as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and pregnancy difficulties caused by high blood pressure. They didn’t know which factors influenced a person’s cardiovascular disease risk years after pregnancy - obesity or pregnancy problems.

While having adverse pregnancy outcomes was linked with increased cardiovascular disease risks during pregnancy, the complications accounted for a small percentage of increased cardiovascular disease risks in the years following pregnancy for people with obesity.

“We’re finding that certain pregnancy complications are unmasking and then increasing cardiovascular disease risks, such as obesity, that were already present. This study provides insight into potential timing for interventions for people with overweight or obesity who are thinking about pregnancy,” said Victoria L Pemberton, RNC, a study author and researcher in the Division of Cardiovascular Sciences at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of NIH.

The researchers analysed data collected from the nuMoM2b Heart Health Study of more than 4,200 first-time mothers - about half of whom were overweight or obese. They compared the participants’ pregnancy experience to their health two to seven years later.

They found mothers who were overweight or had obesity during the first trimester of pregnancy had about twice the risk of developing gestational diabetes or having a pregnancy complicated by high blood pressure, compared to participants with normal body weight. These mothers also had increased risks of developing cardiovascular disease risks after pregnancy.

In comparison, pregnancies complicated by high blood pressure explained just 13 per cent of future risks for developing high blood pressure if a person is obese. Likewise, gestational diabetes explained only 10 per cent of future risks for diabetes.

“We want to do everything we can to support a person’s heart health, but especially around the time of pregnancy - before, during, and in early pregnancy,” said Sadiya S Khan, MD, the study’s lead investigator, a preventive cardiologist, and an associate professor of medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago.

“That includes achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight, knowing your heart health numbers, and finding ways to stay physically active.” For some complications the researchers found body weight did not factor into risks. For example, people with overweight or obesity did not have increased risks of having a preterm birth or a baby with a low birthweight.

Additionally, researchers found among all participants, those experiencing preterm births had increased risks of having high blood pressure, high blood sugar, or high cholesterol a few years after pregnancy. Having a baby born with a low birth weight wasn’t found to increase risks.

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/health/pregnancy-complications-enhance-short-long-term-risk-of-heart-disease-for-people-with-obesity-study-553535

Ancient Wisdom Part 15: How to add cloves to your diet for easing constipation, improving digestion

A strong and pungent small-sized spice, clove has many benefits from improving digestion to preventing sugar spikes. All about the ancient spice.

Ancient Wisdom is a series of guides that shines a light on age-old wisdom that has helped people for generations with time-honoured wellness solutions to everyday fitness problems, persistent health issues and stress management, among others. Through this series, we try to provide contemporary solutions to your health worries with traditional insights.

The use of cloves dates back to thousands of years. In late middle ages, cloves were used in Europe to flavour, garnish and preserve food.

Clove or laung also known as Lavanga in Sanskrit is a small-sized spice with powerful benefits for many health conditions. Made with dried flowers of clove tree, the spice has various medicinal benefits from controlling cholesterol, blood sugar levels, improving bone health to reducing risk of heart disease and cancer. They also help in easing pain and are use traditionally for toothache relief. The use of cloves dates back to thousands of years. In late middle ages, cloves were used in Europe to flavour, garnish and preserve food. In 200 BCR, cloves were used by people in China to perfume their breath before turning up in front of emperor.

Clove buds have a pungent and strong taste due to aromatic oil eugenol which is extracted with the help of distillation. The oil also provides relief in toothaches. Eugenol is also used in perfumes, and mouthwashes. The presence of eugenol and several antioxidants lend many benefits to the spice. Cloves are a good source of fibre and also help manage blood sugar. They have anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and can even prevent certain kinds of cancer. Helpful for liver health, they also reduce chances of stomach ulcers.

"Clove is a small-sized spice but has numerous health benefits. This spice provides many nutrients that help in controlling sugar, reduce cholesterol and triglycerides, improve bone, liver, and gastric health, reduce pain, reduce risks of heart disease and cancer, and is also good for oral health. Clove's scientific name is Syzygium aromaticum L.. Clove essential oil is derived from the Myrtaceae plant, which is extensively cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions. It serves as a valuable source of volatile compounds and antioxidants such as eugenol, β-caryophyllene, and α-humulene. Its versatility has garnered significant attention due to its wide application in the fragrance, cosmetics, healthcare, pharmaceutical, culinary, and food industries. Additionally, clove essential oil exhibits various beneficial bioactivities for human well-being, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, and insect-repelling properties," says Rahitha O R, Dietitian, Dept of Clinical Nutrition, Amrita Hospital, Kochi.

Benefits of clove

Spices and herbs have been used for centuries, both for culinary and medicinal purposes. They not only enhance the flavour, aroma, and colour of food and beverages but can also protect against acute and chronic diseases.

"Cloves, rich in antioxidants like eugenol, play a crucial role in combating free radicals that harm cells and contribute to illnesses. The presence of antioxidants in cloves can help reduce the risk of developing heart disease," says Rahitha O R.

Rahitha O R lists more benefits of cloves

Regulates blood sugar

Cloves are a good source of fibre and can help regulate blood sugar levels. Studies show that the compounds in cloves may help promote insulin production and lower blood sugar.

Alleviates tooth pain

Cloves possess antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Due to eugenol compound in them, they can alleviate tooth pain and other kinds of pain.

Relieves constipation

Chewing cloves in the morning can enhances production of saliva which helps in digestion. Cloves also help in reducing nausea and acidity. Cloves may protect against aging. They can be used as a cough suppressant.

Prevents cancer

"Clove has a compound called Eugenol that has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that helps curb inflammation caused by diseases like arthritis and help your body to fight free radicals and cut risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer etc," says Nutritionist Ishti Saluja.

Liver health

“Dried clove buds are said to have a hepato-protective effect on the liver. It boosts liver health by promoting new cell growth, liver detox and also has a protective effect due to a range of active compounds like thymol and eugenol," says Arooshi Garg, Nutritionist at GOQii.

How were cloves used in ancient times

"Cloves have had various historical uses in India and other regions. As early as 200 BCE, envoys from Java visiting the Han Dynasty's Chinese court carried cloves, which were traditionally held in the mouth to freshen their breath when meeting with the emperor. In the late Middle Ages, cloves were utilized in Europe for preserving, flavouring, and garnishing food," says Rahitha O R.

Elevate the aroma of your mulled wine by generously adding cloves.

Ways to incorporate clove into your diet

Add ground cloves to your pumpkin pie recipe.

Enhance the flavour of chai lattes by adding cloves.

Include whole cloves in your pickling mix for zesty pickles.

Incorporate cloves as a key spice in your curry dishes.

Elevate the aroma of your mulled wine by generously adding cloves.

Utilize cloves in seasoning rubs for meats to enhance their flavour.

Ground cloves can easily be integrated into a wide range of dishes.

Who should avoid eating cloves

Taking clove oil might cause bleeding in people with bleeding disorders

Some people may develop allergic reaction to clove

Cloves may interact with certain medications that may affect blood sugar levels.

Cloves and clove oil are not recommended for use in infants or young children

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should use cloves in moderation

Cloves contain various compounds associated with anti-inflammatory properties, which can reduce inflammation and combat free radicals. They are also rich in antioxidants, including eugenol.

Interesting facts about cloves

Cloves are a rich source of manganese, an essential mineral for brain and bone health.

There is evidence to suggest that cloves may help reduce the occurrence of ulcers and improve liver function.

Cloves contain various compounds associated with anti-inflammatory properties, which can reduce inflammation and combat free radicals. They are also rich in antioxidants, including eugenol.

Chewing 2-3 cloves in moderation is an excellent natural way to maintain fresh breath

Despite their small size, cloves are effective at warding off diseases, expelling toxins from the body, alleviating headaches, regulating blood pressure, and stabilizing sugar levels.

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