Dietary changes and vaccines linked to reduced heart and dementia risks

Recent medical studies have identified significant ways to mitigate risks of cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline. Research from King’s College London, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, suggests that dietary adjustments can reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes by up to one-third in individuals aged 40 to 70.

The study, which monitored 162 healthy non-smokers over 12 months, found that adopting UK dietary guidelines—such as eating fish weekly, increasing fruit and vegetable intake, and reducing salt, sugar, and fatty products—led to improved health markers. Participants saw reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, lower heart rates, and an 8% decrease in cholesterol.

Separately, a study led by researchers at Brown University’s School of Public Health, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, suggests that the herpes-zoster vaccine may offer protection against dementia in older adults. By analyzing data from over 500,000 individuals aged 66 and older, researchers investigated how the vaccine might prevent the chronic inflammation caused by the virus, which can damage the central nervous system and contribute to cognitive impairment.