Dr. Ann

Maintaining optimal levels of vitamin D is essential for avoiding heart disease. That was the conclusion from a first-of-its-kind study involving 267,980 study subjects.  For this study scientists used a sophisticated technique called non-linear Mendelian randomization analyses across all study subjects to assess how increasing vitamin D levels impacted heart disease. They were able to show […]

I consider extra virgin olive oil to be the healthiest of all oils. Here’s why: 1) Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) protects the heart and arteries through many ways including lowering bad (LDL) cholesterol and raising good (HDL) cholesterol. 2) As oils go, EVOO is uniquely high in potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds called polyphenols. Polyphenols […]

Walnuts are crunchy, delicious, and oh-so-good for heart health. It is clearly established that walnuts lower cholesterol levels, but scientists recently set out to take a more in-depth look into other ways walnuts may shine for cardiovascular health. For this evaluation, scientist fed study subjects a single feeding of walnuts, walnut oil, walnut skin, and de-fatted walnut meal […]

The “Mediterranean Diet” has already garnered a sparking and well-deserved reputation as the champion of all heart-healthy diets, and it just won a scientific grand slam. In this landmark evaluation, researchers placed almost 7,500 older adults with risk factors for heart disease on one of three diet plans – a Mediterranean diet where most of […]