WEIRD STUFF

Yoghurt could be secret heart weapon

Consuming fermented foods and drinks could improve heart health. New research suggests that products packed with live microbes - including kefir and kombucha - may help boost "good" cholesterol, lower blood sugar, and protect the heart.

Experts at The University of Newcastle in Australia found that people who regularly ate foods containing live cultures had higher levels of HDL - the so-called "good" cholesterol - and lower blood glucose levels, reducing their risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

HDL works by carrying excess fat in the bloodstream back to the liver to be removed. When HDL drops too low, "bad" cholesterol can build up, narrowing arteries and raising the risk of heart attack, stroke, and even dementia.

For the study, published in Nutrition Research, scientists created a database of 200 common Australian foods and ranked them by live microbe content. Just two foods - yoghurt and sour cream - made the highest category.

They then tracked 58 healthy adults for up to six months, analysing their diets and health markers. Those who ate more fermented foods tended to have lower body weight and BMI, smaller waistlines, better blood sugar control, and higher HDL levels.

The team said: "These markers are well established as cardiometabolic risk factors because of their relationship with obesity."

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Road signs get more attention than health warnings

Brits do not start properly worrying about their health until they hit 38, a new study has revealed.

The poll of 2,000 middle-aged adults aged 40 to 65 found that Two thirds (65 per cent) even admitted they are more likely to pay attention to road signs than to unusual signals from their own bodies.

The research also found that creeping weight gain (27 per cent), feeling generally unfit (24 per cent), and hitting a milestone birthday (22 per cent) are the biggest wake-up calls that spark a health overhaul.

Other triggers include a family history of illness (20 per cent), receiving an actual diagnosis (20 per cent), and the death of a loved one (17 per cent).

But despite that turning point, confusion still reigns. More than three quarters (76 per cent) admitted they are not sure which symptoms are worth checking out, while 54 per cent confessed they initially ignored warning signs.

The research, commissioned by private diagnostics provider Vista Health as part of its Signs of Clarity campaign, also found that 65 per cent turn to Google to check symptoms instead of seeking professional advice.

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Teeth care could stop killer diseases

Brushing your teeth three times a day could help protect against more than 50 serious health conditions.

Experts say poor oral hygiene has now been linked to illnesses including arthritis, Parkinson's, and dementia, as mounting evidence shows bacteria in the mouth can trigger inflammation throughout the body.

Speaking at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) annual conference in Phoenix, Professor Alpdogan Kantarci, from the University of Minnesota, said advanced gum disease can worsen existing health problems.

He said: "We now think that maintaining your teeth in health may be associated with a reduced risk of more than 50 systemic conditions.

Research is now showing that in people with mild or moderate diseases, those who are brushing and taking care of their teeth or seeing a dentist and having advanced cleanings, are showing much better cognitive responses."

While gum disease does not directly cause dementia, Professor Kantarci explained it can accelerate decline in those already at risk. Animal studies have shown that periodontitis can increase brain inflammation and that harmful oral bacteria can cross the blood-brain barrier.