October 6th, 2015
Podcast 186: Stop supplementing calcium!
Two analyses in the BMJ show little or no benefit from loading up older patients with calcium — indeed, the bad side effects of doing so (kidney stones and cardiovascular problems, to name two) outweigh the benefits. Our conversation with Dr. Mark Bolland should offer reassurance to clinicians and their patients that a normal diet will […]
August 16th, 2015
Podcast 182: Dietary fat studies meta-analyzed — trans fat still a bad bet
The BMJ’s meta-analysis of several large cohorts finds no association of saturated fat with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality or total coronary disease. Trans fat, on the other hand, increased risk in all those categories. The first author on the paper, Dr. Russell de Sousza, isn’t ready to give a free pass to saturated fat, though. Listen […]
August 29th, 2014
Podcast 173: Sensible Sodium Levels in View at Last
Running time: 9 minutes In the light of the New England Journal of Medicine‘s recent publication three papers on sodium intake and its implications for cardiovascular disease, blood pressure, and excess mortality, we thought we’d speak again with Dr. Jan Staessen, who surprised a lot of people 3 years ago with a paper in JAMA warning […]
November 12th, 2013
Podcast 169: New guidelines on cardiovascular disease prevention
Running time: 11 minutes The American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology have released four sets of guidelines — all aimed at the lowering of risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. For perspective, we’ve asked Harlan Krumholz, editor-in-chief of NEJM Journal Watch Cardiology and CardioExchange to chat. Links: Risk calculator (free) CardioExchange (free) Circulation homepage New York Times piece by Krumholz on […]
March 15th, 2012
Podcast 149: High levels of white rice consumption seem linked to higher risks for type 2 diabetes
A BMJ meta-analysis suggests that people with the highest levels of white rice consumption are at increased risk for type 2 diabetes. The authors examined four studies, together comprising some 350,000 subjects. Two were done in Asian populations and two among Westerners. They found a much higher intake of white rice among Asians, and a strong […]
June 3rd, 2011
Podcast 123: Calcium’s benefits seem to peak out at about 800 mg daily
On the basis of evidence from a Swedish cohort, calcium intakes much above that country’s recommended 800 mg daily don’t have added protective value against fracture and osteoporosis. The authors of this BMJ paper suggest we’d be better off making sure those at the low end of the calcium-intake spectrum get their 800 mg, rather than […]
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