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Here's the latest research on sleep apnea, tinnitus, blood pressure, heart disease risk, and more.
- Tirzepatide for sleep apnea
- The right way to take your blood pressure
- Can all beans and peas lower your LDL?
- Don’t ignore symptoms of ovarian cancer
- Can seafood reduce tinnitus symptoms?
- Will probiotics help irregularity?
- Broccoli vs. carrots to lower blood pressure
- Predicting heart disease risk over 30 years
Tirzepatide can curb sleep apnea
Tirzepatide—which is sold as Zepbound for weight loss and Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes—also helps treat sleep apnea.
Researchers randomly assigned 234 people with obesity and sleep apnea who didn’t use a PAP (positive airway pressure device) to take either tirzepatide (10 or 15 mg) or a placebo every day and did the same with another 235 people who did use a PAP. (The study was funded by Eli Lilly, which sells tirzepatide.)
After one year, the tirzepatide-plus-PAP group averaged 24 fewer apnea events per hour—and the tirzepatide-only group averaged 20 fewer apnea events per hour—than the placebo groups. The tirzepatide takers also lost more of their weight (19 percent) than the placebo takers (2 percent), and their systolic blood pressure fell by 4 to 8 points more.
What to do
Got obesity and apnea? Ask your doctor about tirzepatide.
The right way to take your blood pressure
When researchers took blood pressure readings on 133 people, systolic pressure (the upper number) averaged 6.5 points higher if the cuffed arm was hanging by the person’s side—and 4 points higher if the arm was supported on a lap—than if the arm was supported on a desk (as it should be).
What to do
Take your blood pressure with your arm resting on a desk or table.
Can beans and peas lower your LDL?
Green or yellow split peas may not lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol like black, navy, pinto, or great northern beans do.
Scientists randomly assigned 180 adults to eat ¾ cup of cooked beans, split peas, or white rice (in foods like vegetable soup or chicken casserole) five days a week. The participants had moderately elevated LDL levels—roughly 115 to 195 mg/dL—and were not taking statins or other drugs to lower their LDL. (The study was partly funded by the Alberta Pulse Growers. Beans and peas are pulses.)
After six weeks, LDL levels in the bean group averaged 8 points lower than in the rice group. And LDL levels in the split pea and rice groups did not differ.
What to do
Eat more beans. And don’t give up on split peas. They have less fiber than beans, but they’re still a healthy, planet-friendly plant protein.
Don’t ignore symptoms of ovarian cancer
UK guidelines advise women with ovarian cancer symptoms to get a blood test for CA-125 and, if it’s abnormal, an ultrasound within two weeks.
Researchers tracked 1,741 women who were tested via this fast-track pathway. Roughly 7 percent were diagnosed with high-grade serous ovarian cancer. In 76 percent of those women, surgery and/or chemotherapy removed all or nearly all of the detectable cancer cells.
What to do
It’s too soon to know if diagnosing and treating ovarian cancer earlier improves survival. But don’t ignore symptoms like abdominal or back pain, bloating, or feeling full quickly.
Can seafood or fish oil reduce the risk of tinnitus?
Seafood eaters may have a lower risk of tinnitus, a phantom ring, buzz, whistle, hum, or similar sound that people persistently hear.
Researchers tracked 73,482 women for 30 years. Those who ate one serving of seafood per week had a 13 percent—and those who ate at least five servings a week had a 21 percent—lower risk of tinnitus than those who rarely or never ate seafood. Women who took fish oil had a 12 percent higher risk.
What to do
Something else about seafood eaters may explain their lower risk of tinnitus. But for protein and healthy fats, seafood can’t be beat.
Do probiotics help irregularity?
Heard that probiotics can help if you’re irregular?
Researchers randomly assigned 229 people with constipation to take either a daily probiotic (Bifidobacterium animalis lactis HN019) or a placebo. (The study was industry funded.) After eight weeks, the probiotic takers had no more bowel movements than the placebo takers.
What to do
Irregular? Eat more fiber-rich fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains or try over-the-counter laxatives. Don't rely on probiotics, fiber gummies, or drinking extra water.
Broccoli vs. carrots to lower blood pressure
Are all vegetables equally good at lowering blood pressure?
Researchers had 18 people with high blood pressure eat a soup made with either cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and kale) or root and squash vegetables (potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, and pumpkin) as part of their lunch and dinner every day for two weeks. After a two-week break, the participants switched to soups made with the other vegetables. (Each soup contained 10 oz. of veggies.)
Average 24-hour systolic blood pressure was 2.5 points lower while eating the cruciferous vegetables than while eating the root and squash vegetables. And average daytime systolic pressure was 3.6 points lower during the cruciferous period.
What to do
Fill half your plate with vegetables (and fruit), especially non-starchy vegetables, which fill you up with fewer calories. It’s not clear why cruciferous vegetables may lower blood pressure more than their root and squash cousins. (Potassium intakes didn’t differ.)
What blood tests best predict heart disease risk?
Three blood tests can help predict the risk of a future heart attack, stroke, or other major cardiovascular event.
Researchers tracked 27,939 women for 30 years. Those who started the study with the highest levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (a measure of inflammation) had a 70 percent greater risk of a cardiovascular event, those with the highest LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels had a 36 percent greater risk, and those with the highest lipoprotein(a) levels had a 33 percent greater risk than those with the lowest levels over the next 30 years.
What to do
Lipoprotein(a) levels are largely genetic, but a healthy diet and, if necessary, statins or other drugs can lower LDL and inflammation.
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