In Conversation: Can we really ‘outrun the Grim Reaper’?

 Does putting the human body under a lot of stress, such as in professional sprinting or long-distance running, impact life span? Is there such a thing as too much exercise or too intense? This podcast episode aims to find the answer to the question, “Can extreme exercise prolong our longevity?” and more.

Everything in moderation, or “pan metron ariston,” as the ancient Greek saying goes. And when it comes to matters of health, a similar philosophy is often touted as the best strategy — whether this be nutrition or exercise.

More and more research shows that staying active is the key to a longer, healthier lifeTrusted Source. But what about intense physical activity? Could professional athletic performance do more harm than good? Or can this intense training actually contribute to an increased life span?

In this episode of In Conversation, we turn the focus to all things extreme exercise and longevity. Based on the findings of a recent study, which found that a select group of elite runners could live around five years longer on average than the general population, Medical News Today editors Maria Cohut and Yasemin Nicola Sakay discuss the probable biological mechanisms behind how more extreme forms of exercise, such as 4-minute mile running, affect longevity with an expert in cardiology.

Joining the conversation is Michael Papadakis, MD, MRCP (UK), president of the European Association of Preventive Cardiology (EAPC), professor of cardiology at St George’s, University of London, honorary consultant cardiologist at St George’s University Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, and consultant cardiologist at Cleveland Clinic London in the United Kingdom.

Papadakis shares easy-to-follow advice on how to incorporate more physical activity into our daily lives while discussing the potential health risks and benefits of running and similar forms of professional athletic performance.

In Conversation: What makes a diet truly heart-healthy?

Two nutrition studies recently made the headlines when they sounded alarm bells regarding the impact of dietary choices on heart health. What are the “ingredients” of a truly heart-healthy diet, and which foods should we avoid and why if we want to lower our risk of cardiovascular disease? This podcast episode finds answers to these and other questions related to heart-healthy dietary choices.

In April 2024, two nutrition studies made the headlines, emphasizing the critical impact of diet on cardiovascular health.

The second study — whose results were presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session at the beginning of April 2024 — was led by experts from Piedmont Athens Regional Hospital in Athens, GA.

It analyzed data from 3,170 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)Trusted Source in the United States, all of whom were adults with cardiovascular disease.

The first study, which appeared in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition on April 8, was conducted by researchers from the Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research in Singapore.

It involved 89 adults who were at risk for type 2 diabetes, and it made a finding that might, at first, sound surprising, namely: That eating plant-based meat substitutes offered no significant benefits to heart health over actual animal meat.

This study found that 89% of these consumed more than double the “ideal” allowance recommended by the American Heart Association, which is 1,500 milligrams (mg)Trusted Source of sodium (salt) per day.

But why are certain foods, regardless of whether or not they are plant-based, so bad for the heart? How does salt impact the cardiovascular system? And what makes a diet truly heart-healthy?

In this episode of In Conversation, we discuss these questions and heart-healthy diet tips in conversation with our special guest, Prof. Oyinlola Oyebode, PhD, professor of public health at Queen Mary, University of London, in the United Kingdom.

Oyebode specializes in behavioral risk factors for noncommunicable diseases, particularly diet and issues affecting the health of marginalized populations.

In Conversation: Is intermittent fasting actually bad for your heart?

The proponents of intermittent fasting often cite benefits such as weight loss, improved blood sugar, and reduced cholesterol. And there is some scientific evidence to support these claims — at least in the short term. But what about intermittent fasting’s effects in the long run? And could it actually do more harm than good for the human heart?

Intermittent fasting is a rather contentious topic when it comes to health and well-being. While existing studies point to its short-term benefits, such as reduced cholesterol when people eat within a 10-12 hour window or an improved gut microbiome in people with obesity, there is some conflicting evidenceTrusted Source on its benefits for weight loss.

Some studies have also shown that intermittent fasting can help lower certain heart disease risk factorsTrusted Source, such as reduced cholesterol and blood pressure. However, a recent poster presented at EPI Lifestyle Scientific Sessions 2024 in Chicago suggested that eating within an 8-hour time window may increase the risk of cardiovascular death by as much as 91%.

Considering that time-restricted eating is a relatively new area of research, experts agree that there is a lack of long-term studies on the effects eating practices such as intermittent fasting have on the body, in particular the cardiovascular system.

In light of these recent controversial findings, Feature Editor Maria Cohut and I sat down to discuss all things intermittent fasting in the latest installment of our In Conversation podcast.

Our expert guest for this episode was Ali Javaheri, MD, PhD, assistant professor of medicine from the Center For Cardiovascular Research at Washington University, who helped us answer questions, such as: “How does intermittent fasting affect the body?”, “Is it safe for everyone?”, and “What should we keep in mind if we decide to practice it?”

Source - Medical News Today