In this article from March 30, 2020, Dr. Martin Juneau of the Montreal Heart Institute looks at the health benefits of consuming olive oil. OVERVIEWOver a 24-year period, people who regularly consumed olive oil had an 18% lower risk of coronary heart disease compared to those who never or very rarely consumed it.Replacing only a daily half-serving…
Bedtime May Be the Best Time for Taking Antihypertensive Medication
In this article from November 18, 2019, Dr. Martin Juneau of the Montreal Heart Institute looks at a study into the effect of timing on antihypertensive medication. OVERVIEW19,084 hypertensive patients were randomly assigned to take their antihypertensive medication in a single dose daily, either at bedtime or upon waking up.For six years, researchers measured the…
Plant-Based Meat Substitutes Reduce Certain Cardiovascular Risk Factors
In this article from September 1, 2020, Dr. Martin Juneau of the Montreal Heart Institute looks at a study of the effect of plant-based meat substitutes on cardiovascular health. OVERVIEW• Participants in a study were divided into two groups, for eight weeks, one consumed two daily servings of plant-based meat substitutes (Beyond Meat products: burger,…
Do Houseplants Have Beneficial Effects on Health?
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%…
