Dr. Shelandra Bell, DO says this: "If you live in Wayne County, you need to know that you can improve your cholesterol by changing the way you eat. It can be that simple!"

In the news: Detroit, research continues to show that people of all races can improve their heart health by eating the DASH Diet.

Doctor's Insight about the DASH Diet and Heart Health

The key point to know is that people on the DASH Diet had better heart outcomes. Also of note, the DASH diet provided additional health benefits for women and Black adults when the data was compared to the Western diet. This is a good thing!

Looking to improve your heart health?

The big picture: Two types of heart-friendly diets that have a lot of scientific evidence behind them are the Mediterranean diet & the DASH diet.

Next Steps: "If you're having a hard time deciding how you should be eating to protect your heart, ask your doctor to see a certified nutritionist. The good news here is that most insurances cover this type of service. So, you won't have to pay much for it!" Dr. Shelandra Bell, Family Medicine.

Did you know that 29% of people in Wayne County get almost no physical activity in a day?

What they're saying:

"In conclusion, compared with a typical American diet, the DASH and F/V diets reduced 10-year ASCVD risk scores by about 10% over 8 weeks. These findings are informative for counseling patients on both choices of diet and expectations for 10-year ASCVD risk reduction." (Primary Source)

Source:

The American Journal of Cardiology published an article: Effects of Diet on 10-Year Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk (from the DASH Trial) (Read it Here)

The Health Standard Newswire

Dr. Puja Uppal, DO, MA says this: "If you live in Wayne County, you need to know that environmental pollution can harm your mental & physical health."

In the news: Detroit, research continues to show some children's asthma comes from gas stove ranges.

Doctor's Insight about Lung Health and Children's Asthma

The key point to know is that gas ranges release pollutants into the air. They release nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde.

Long-term exposure to these pollutants can lead to respiratory conditions for children, the elderly, and those with asthma.

The big picture: Exposure to pollutants like nitrogen dioxide can worsen asthma. You need to know that nitrogen dioxide irritates the inner lining of the lungs and causes bronchial spasms.

Also, you need to know that exposure to Nitric Oxide can increase your bodys production of goblets, eosinophils, and IL-6. All of these lead to inflammation in your lungs. Not a good thing!

Next Steps: "You don't have to go out and buy a new stove! But you've got to take steps to minimize your exposure to pollutants. Get proper ventilation and don't smoke indoors." Dr. Puja Uppal, Family Medicine.

Keep you rescue inhaler nearby.

Did you know that 22% of people in Wayne County report that they're in poor or fair health?

What they're saying:

"Our results quantify the US public health burden attributed to gas stove use and childhood asthma. Further research is needed to quantify the burden experienced at the county levels, as well as the impacts of implementing mitigation strategies through intervention studies." (Primary Source)

Source:

The American Journal of Cardiology published an article: Population Attributable Fraction of Gas Stoves and Childhood Asthma in the United States) (Read it Here)

The Health Standard Newswire

In the news: Detroit, new research is showing that meditation and mindfulness may be offering health benefits that are equal to medicines. (For certain conditions!)

The study can be found in JAMA Psychiatry.

3 things to know about medication and mindfulness if you live in Michigan.

1. The study found that meditation & mindfulness could be used to manage anxiety.
2. The study looked at a medicine called, Escitalopram, aka, Lexapro.
3. Meditation requires training and practice--but, it's easy to learn!

Doctor's Insight

The Big Picture: "No doubt about it, many people can have a hard time learning how to meditate.

One great way to learn how to meditate is to see a Behavioral Health Specialist! Oftentimes, this is a covered benefit by your insurance. So, you're probably not going to have to pay anything!

Meditation and mindfulness are great techniques to practice for good mental health." Dr. Puja Uppal, Family Medicine" Dr. Puja Uppal, Family Medicine.

Next Steps: If you live in Michigan, here's a great resource to help you talk to your doctor about your mental health. (Visit the NIH)

What they're saying:

" The results from this randomized clinical trial comparing a standardized evidence-based mindfulness-based intervention with pharmacotherapy for the treatment of anxiety disorders found that MBSR was noninferior to escitalopram." (Primary Source)

The Health Standard News Wire

In the news: Detroit, new research continues to show that more and more Americans are mixing cannabis and alcohol.

Springer Link published the article: Cannabis Recreational Legalization and Prevalence of Simultaneous Cannabis and Alcohol Use in the United States (Read it Here)

Doctor's Insight on mixing cannabis and alcohol

The big picture from Dr. Puja Uppal, DO Board Certified Family Medicine:

"Your take-home message is thismixing mentally altering substances is a big no no!

You need to know that mixing cannabis and alcohol, reduces your decision-making skills and, in turn, increases your reaction time.

So, for example, if you're mixing cannabis and alcohol you're likely going to get into automobile accidents. This is a big problem in Michigan.

Next Steps: If you live in Wayne county, your insurance will cover a screening colonoscopy. Talk to your healthcare team about your family risks.

What they're saying:

"As a cancer research scientist with over 20 years of experience studying colorectal cancer screening and prevention, I am confident that colonoscopy remains one of the most critical and effective tools to screen for, detect and prevent this prevalent and lethal form of cancer." (Primary Source)

The Health Standard News Wire

In the news: Detroit, research continues to show that cancer rates are falling across the nation. But, the data is showing that Black Americans and Women are dying at higher rates.

CA recently published an article reviewing Cancer deaths. (Read it Here)

Doctor's Insight about living longer

The big picture: "This still makes no sense to me. It's 2023. We need to spend more time looking at health from an angle of greater inclusivity.

We've got to understand that some of our neighbors are getting worse care simply because of the dynamics of race and economics. We can do better." Dr. Puja Uppal, DO Board Certified Family Medicine.

What they're saying:

"In summary, although cancer mortality rates continue to decline, future progress may be attenuated by rising incidence for breast, prostate, and uterine corpus cancers, which also happen to have the largest racial disparities in mortality." (Primary Source)

The Health Standard News Wire