As we get older, our risk of cardiovascular problems increases, particularly in the form of endothelial function and microvascular
Photo by Anne Brown Rodgers [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commonsstrength and integrity. Part of the story is age, while another part might be related to diet, exercise, and other lifestyle choices.
One recent study out of the UK examined whether or not this decline in endothelial function and microvascular integrity could be reversed when combining exercise and the Mediterranean diet for a total of 8 weeks. This study followed up with participants after one year, to determine if this improvement in cardiac function remained, or if when transitioning back to their pre-study diets their risk for declining endothelial and microvascular health once again increased to their pre-study levels.
This study measured various outcomes related to endothelial function and microvascular integrity on 20 individuals aged 55 and older. In the original study, half the participants participated in a specific exercise regime, while the other half was put on a specific Mediterranean diet plan and did the same exercise regime as the first group, all for 8 weeks.
One year later, the same outcomes related to endothelial function and microvascular integrity were measured on these 20 individuals.
Photo by Bill Branson (Photographer) [Public domain or Public domain], via Wikimedia CommonsImportant Findings:
A new study examined the concept of extreme drinking in college students, and whether certain behaviors such as “pre-partying” or drinking games influence how extreme the drinking actually gets.
Many of us know that a lot of alcohol is consumed during college, and is often the first time adult children have been away from the protective eyes of their parents.
A new study out of Penn State University, the #9 Party School in the US in 2014 and moving up to #7 in 2015 according to the Princeton Review, looked at whether extreme drinking was more likely on days
Photo by Smedpull (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commonswhen the students reported pre-partying or playing drinking games.
A couple of definitions in case it’s been too long since your college experience:
Pre-partying: a.k.a. “pre-gaming” – Constitutes drinking prior to leaving the dorms and going out to the bars or other parties.
Extreme drinking – According to this study extreme drinking involves drinking so much that BAC levels were 0.16% or greater, enough alcohol was consumed to result in stumbling, or the individual drank enough to pass out (or in the case of the image above, blacking out in a dog crate with a 40 strapped to your hands).
400 college seniors that were at the legal drinking age (21) were observed in this study. 4 different extreme drinking outcomes were measured: 1) drinking at least 8 drinks for women and 10 drinks for men; 2) BAC of at least 0.16; 3) stumbling; and 4) passing out.
![Photo by Anne Brown Rodgers [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons](http://french-paradox.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Older_adult_exercise_with_tin_can-french-paradox.jpg)
![Photo by Bill Branson (Photographer) [Public domain or Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons](http://french-paradox.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/older-women-stretching-french-paradox.jpg)
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