An overall healthy lifestyle may prevent more than 80% of coronary artery disease (1) and 50% of ischemic strokes. (2) Yet most lifestyle behaviors aren’t included in existing prediction tools. The Healthy Heart Score was created by a team from the Department of Nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health to fill this gap. It […] Continue reading
Category: Features
Calculator adds up cardiovascular risks
Coverage from Harvard Gazette, featuring the Department of Nutrition Continue reading
Dietary linoleic acid and risk of coronary heart disease
Swapping saturated fat and carbohydrates for linoleic acid – the main polyunsaturated fat found in vegetable oil, nuts, and seeds – lowers risk of coronary heart disease, according to a new study by Harvard School of Public Health researchers. We talked to lead author Maryam Farvid, a visiting scientist and Takemi fellow in the Department […] Continue reading
Saturated or not: Does type of fat matter?
Saturated fat has long been considered detrimental to health, so when a recently published research paper suggested there is no evidence supporting the recommendation to limit saturated fat consumption, media outlets reported extensively on the subject. Continue reading
Dr. Walter Willet on the importance of EAT
Sugar, salt and supplements: Sorting out the science
Coverage from the Forum at HSPH, featuring Frank Hu and Dariush Mozaffarian Continue reading
Dietary fat and heart disease study is seriously misleading
The journal Annals of Internal Medicine recently published a paper suggesting there is no evidence supporting the longstanding recommendation to limit saturated fat consumption. Media reporting on the paper included headlines such as “No link found between saturated fat and heart disease” and articles saying “Saturated fat shouldn’t be demonized” springing up on social media. Continue reading
Protein, carbs, and weight loss
How might a high-protein, low-carb diet lead to weight loss more quickly than a low-fat, high-carb diet, at least in the short run? First, chicken, beef, fish, beans, and other high-protein foods move more slowly from the stomach to the intestine. Slower stomach emptying means you feel full for longer and get hungrier later. Continue reading
Physical activity guidelines 2008: How much exercise do you need?
For general good health, the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommends that adults get a minimum of 2-1/2 hours per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity. (37) Yet many people may need more than 2-1/2 hours of moderate intensity activity a week to stay at a stable weight. (37) Continue reading
Walking and bicycling your way to health
Walking is an ideal exercise for many people—it doesn’t require any special equipment, can be done any time, any place, and it is generally safe. Also, many studies – including the Nurses’ Health Study, (1, 2) Health Professionals Follow-up Study, (3) Women’s Health Study, (4)Harvard Alumni Health Study, (5) National Health Interview Survey, (6) Women’s […] Continue reading