Babies are known for their soft, smooth skin, but eczema, an uncomfortably itchy skin condition, can take that away. Luckily, pregnant women may be able to take steps to protect their babies from eczema: research has found that the risk of developing eczema was lower in babies born to women with higher levels of nicotinamide, a compound made from vitamin B3. The study was published in Clinical & Experimental Allergy and included 497 mother–infant pairs. During late pregnancy, researchers measured the mothers’ levels of nicotinamide and several other metabolites of B3. They then checked on the babies at ages 6 and 12 months to see if they had developed eczema, finding that:

• At age 6 months, there was no association between maternal levels of nicotinamide and the babies’ eczema risk.
• However, at age 12 months, babies born to mothers with higher nicotinamide levels had a 31% lower eczema risk compared with babies born to mothers with lower nicotinamide levels.

While this study doesn’t establish a direct link between nicotinamide and lower eczema risk, the findings indicate that getting enough B3 during pregnancy may reduce your child’s chance of developing eczema. It’s easy to get enough B3 and its metabolites from diet alone, as long as you include unprocessed foods: B3 is found in many whole foods, particularly seafood, poultry, peanuts, peas, and beans, as well as in whole grains, seeds, and an array of fruits and vegetables. But, like most B vitamins, B3 doesn’t accumulate in the body and needs to be replenished every day.

Source: Clinical & Experimental Allergy

A study published in the Journal of Nutrition found an association between specific amino acids and a decreased risk for atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries ) in healthy women. Amino acids are produced by the body or consumed in the form of dietary protein, and are essential to the growth, repair, and maintenance of body tissues. While previous research had linked specific amino acids to lower blood pressure, this study sought to uncover other potential cardiovascular health benefits. The study looked at data from 1,898 healthy female twins, aged 18 to 75. The women completed dietary surveys, which researchers analyzed for foods containing seven specific amino acids (arginine, cysteine, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, leucine, and tyrosine). Participants were then tested for atherosclerosis and arterial stiffness using a number of measures that included testing central systolic blood pressure. After adjusting for factors such as the participants’ age, body mass index, smoking habit, family history of heart disease, and medication use, among other things, the researchers found that:

• A higher intake of total protein and all seven amino acids was associated with lower markers for atherosclerosis, when compared with participants with lower intakes of total protein and all seven amino acids.
• A higher intake of amino acids, such as arginine and glycine, from vegetable sources was associated with lower markers for atherosclerosis, when compared with participants with lower intakes of those particular amino acids.
• A higher intake of three amino acids—glutamic acid, leucine, and tyrosine—from animal sources was associated with lower markers for atherosclerosis, when compared with participants with lower intakes of those particular amino acids.

This study was observational and, therefore, more clinical research is needed to substantiate the findings. However, it’s important to note that amino acids are an important part of any healthy diet. While six of the seven amino acids examined in this study are naturally produced in the body, leucine is an essential amino acid that must come from the diet. Dietary amino acids are found in a variety of foods that contain protein, including red meat, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy, beans, peas, and grains.

Source: Journal of Nutrition

Does jumping on a plane for a business trip or going on an end of summer road trip mean zonking out on motion sickness meds for you? If so, there are other solutions that may ease your queasy stomach, minus the side effects. Roshini Rajapaksa, MD, medical editor for Health.com and assistant professor of medicine at the NYU School of Medicine, offered up these remedies:

• Acupressure. While the scientific evidence is mixed, acupressure proponents believe that massaging the underside of your wrist could help alleviate nausea. To give it a try, measure three fingers’ width from your wrist crease and apply pressure between the two tendons, for five seconds or so. There are also bracelets you can buy that apply pressure to this spot.
• Ginger. Some studies have found that ginger may be as effective as Dramamine at preventing motion sickness. You can eat the root raw, but if that’s too spicy for you, try ginger lozenges, teas, or supplements.
• Deep breaths. When all else fails, try taking very slow, deep breaths. Sit closer to the front of the vehicle and keep your eyes on the horizon. Still sick? Close your eyes and ride it out.

Source: Health.com

According to one study, even small amounts of fish oil may benefit people with high blood pressure. Published in the Journal of Nutrition, the study included 312 healthy participants in a randomized controlled trial. The research set out to determine the health benefits from the relatively low amounts of EPA and DHA (two omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil) that might reasonably be consumed through diet. Specifically, the researchers measured the effects of EPA and DHA on systolic and diastolic blood pressure and other measures of vascular function. The study divided the participants into two groups. The first group received fish oil for 16 weeks—each participant was randomly assigned to take fish oil providing either 0.7 or 1.8 grams of EPA plus DHA daily for eight weeks, and then switched to the other dosage for another eight weeks. The second group received a placebo without fish oil for 16 weeks. Here is what researchers found by the end of the study:

• Participants with high systolic blood pressure and normal diastolic blood pressure had a 5 mm HG reduction in systolic blood pressure, which might be enough to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.
• Taking the amount of fish oil that provided 0.7 grams of EPA plus DHA daily was as effective as taking the amount that provided 1.8 grams.
• There were no other changes in blood pressure or measures of vascular function among the participants.

These findings are important since most previous studies looking at the effects of fish oil on blood pressure have used dosages providing three grams or more of EPA plus DHA. Although more research is needed to confirm these results, this research suggests that the amount needed to see health benefits may be lower than previously thought, and can be obtained by taking a supplement or possibly by including a 3-ounce serving of salmon, herring, bluefin tuna, or Pacific oysters in your diet 3 to 5 times per week.

Source: Journal of Nutrition

It’s a fact: Over 80% of Americans don't get the recommended 150 minutes of physical activity per week. That's a bummer because regular exercise can prevent risk factors for diseases like high blood pressure and obesity and reduce the risk of chronic diseases, including heart disease, some cancers, type 2 diabetes, and depression. However, the US surgeon general suggests one simple way to fit exercise into your day is to get walking. Walking doesn’t require special skills or equipment and can be done almost anywhere. The Washington Post checked in with several health and fitness experts who offered some useful tips if you’re ready to get stepping:

• Get the right amount. While the government recommends 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week, many experts recommend 30 minutes per day to see benefits like increased muscle-to-fat ratio and decreased risk for metabolic syndrome (high blood sugar, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and excess body fat around the waist, which all increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke).
• Count all of it. You don’t have to do your 30 minutes all at once—you can walk throughout the day. A pedometer can help keep you on track. Ten thousand steps per day is a good goal to start with; it’s roughly over 5 miles and is more than 30 minutes of exercise.
• Give yourself a boost. When you’re ready to step up your workout, add intensity to increase the calories you burn or improve speed and strength. Some people do this with hand weights or interval training. For interval training, alternate your usual pace with periods of speed walking or change the terrain by climbing stairs or hills.

Source: Washington Post