In this article from November 3, 2020, Dr. Martin Juneau of the Montreal Heart Institute looks at the effect of caring for houseplants on one's health. OVERVIEWHaving and caring for houseplants can:• Reduce psychological and physiological stress.• Improve recovery after surgery.• Increase attention and concentration.• Increase creativity and productivity. In our modern societies, where everything…
Control of Inflammation Through Diet
In this article from November 23, 2020, Dr. Martin Juneau of the Montreal Heart Institute looks at the effect of an anti-inflammatory diet on cardiovascular health. OVERVIEWChronic inflammation is actively involved in the formation and progression of plaques that form on the lining of the arteries, which can lead to the development of cardiovascular events…
The Cardiovascular Benefits of Soy
In this article from May 28, 2020, Dr. Martin Juneau of the Montreal Heart Institute looks at the cardiovascular benefits of soy, an important alternative to meat as a source of protein. OVERVIEWAsians have a much lower incidence of cardiovascular disease than North Americans, a difference that has been attributed, at least in part, to…
The Social Environment, Essential for Mental and Physical Health
In this article from June 15, 2020, Dr. Martin Juneau of the Montreal Heart Institute looks at the effect one's social environment has on health, a factor complicated by the pandemic. OVERVIEWA large number of studies have established a strong association between an inadequate social network and an increased risk of developing a variety of…
Gut Microbiota: An Important Factor in the Effectiveness of Exercise to Prevent and Mitigate Diabetes
In this article from February 1, 2020, Dr. Martin Juneau of the Montreal Heart Institute looks at an important factor — gut microbiota — in the effectiveness of exercise to fight diabetes. OVERVIEWIn overweight, prediabetic and sedentary men, exercise-induced changes in the gut microbiota are correlated with improvements in blood sugar control and insulin sensitivity.The…
Eggs: To Consume with Moderation
In this article from September 2, 2019, Dr. Martin Juneau of the Montreal Heart Institute looks at the relationship between the consumption of eggs and cardiovascular health. The old debate over whether egg consumption is detrimental to cardiovascular health has been revived since the recent publication of a study that finds a significant, albeit modest, association between…
Optimism Reduces the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease and Mortality
In this article from February 10, 2020, Dr. Martin Juneau of the Montreal Heart Institute looks at studies into the relationship between optimism and the lowered risk of cardiovascular disease as well as longevity. OVERVIEWAccording to a meta-analysis of 15 studies, optimism was associated with a 35% lower risk of cardiovascular events and a 14%…
Can Regular Exercise Compensate for Long Periods Spent Sitting?
In this article from April 9, 2019, Dr. Martin Juneau of the Montreal Heart Institute looks at the interplay between regular exercise and sedentary periods as it relates to health risk factors. It is well established that regular physical exercise improves lipid levels, glucose tolerance, and insulin sensitivity, all of which are cardiovascular risk factors.…
Plant or Animal Proteins: An Impact on Health
OVERVIEWPlant-based proteins meet all the amino acid requirements if care is taken to vary the diet and include plants high in protein such as whole grains, legumes, and oleaginous seeds.Excessive consumption of sulfur amino acids, which are found in greater amounts in animal proteins, has been associated with a higher risk of cardiometabolic diseases.In animal…
Spicing Up the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease with Chili Peppers
OVERVIEWThe frequency of weekly consumption of chili peppers by 22,811 Italians from the Molise region was measured over an 8-year period.At the same time, researchers identified deaths from cardiovascular disease, cancer, or other causes that occurred during this period.Results show that people who eat chilies 4 or more times per week have a 44% and 61%…
