We all know of the benefits of fish on our health, but a recent study has highlighted a huge protective effect it issues on our health and blood vessels. It turns out that eating oily fish twice per week can really cut the risk of suffering a heart attack or a stroke. These findings were the result of a study developed by the American Heart Association (AHA).

Oily fish has dozens of benefits for heart health

Sixteen years ago, AHA released its first guidelines regarding the consumption of oily fish and heart health. Since then, science has evolved, and we have acquired more means to detect the beneficial effect of seafood. Given the fatty acids it contains, researchers have found some more healthy connections. Therefore, oily fish is great not only against heart attacks, but also against other cardiac events.

As a result, AHA decided to perform some new studies and update its guidelines according to the new findings. This way, the new recommendations indicate eating fish twice per week, in portions of 3.5 ounces each. However, for its effect to be complete, it’s better if you consume it non-fried. Also, make sure you choose oily fish, like mackerel, tuna, salmon, herring, sardines, or trout. These varieties have plenty of fatty acids and omega 3.

Avoid fried fish, as it loses the beneficial properties of omega 3

The link between oily fish and heart benefits comes from the great anti-inflammatory properties of omega 3. These acids prevent arteries from getting thicker and keep cholesterol and other fats from forming deposits on their walls. On top of that, researchers discovered some new benefits of omega 3. These fats improve the communication between cells, which is essential for the well-being of the heart.

Of course, an overly healthy diet is a lot more likely to improve your heart health. However, even eating oily fish from time to time can do the trick. What you need to keep in mind is that you need to avoid fried fish. By avoiding a diet rich in such products, you may cut your heart attack risk by 50 percent. The AHA study on the benefits of oily fish was published in the journal Circulation.

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An English man claims to have experienced some odd side effects after taking the well-known painkiller Pregabalin. From a declared heterosexual, he noticed how he was slowly starting to crave male attention. He ended up breaking up with his girlfriend and becoming attracted to men instead.

The man was prescribed Pregabalin after an accident

Scott Purdy, aged 23, suffered an accident during a go-karting event. He broke his foot, so he needed to take some medicine to treat his pain. At first, his doctor prescribed him codeine, and he kept taking this drug until January. Then, he started experiencing some unpleasant side effects, so the doctor decided to change the medicine. Therefore, he prescribed him Pregabalin instead.

Pregabalin is a common painkiller, and it usually treats pain that is related to the nervous system. It is also a common medication for epilepsy or for anxiety. However, it doesn’t come without side effects. People who take Pregabalin might notice a sudden loss of libido, as well as mood swings.

He started being attracted to men after taking the drug

Since Purdy started taking this drug, he noticed a change. He gradually became less attracted to his girlfriend, and found himself wanting to be noticed by men. This came as odd, since he considered himself a dedicated heterosexual, despite some curiosity episodes when he was younger.

In the end, he decided he couldn’t go on with the relationship, and broke up with his girlfriend. He told her he started being attracted to men, and the woman understood the situation. This change occurred soon after he started taking Pregabalin, so he immediately blamed it on the meds.

Now, Purdy is really comfortable with his sexuality, and is even going to see a man he met online. He decided to share his story so that other people would know of the effects of Pregabalin. This way, they can decide if they still want to take the drug or find another alternative with fewer side effects.

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Psychopaths have a personality disorder that makes them immune to feelings. As a consequence, they cannot adopt a proper social behavior. Instead, they develop egotistical features that allow them to survive in a community with their lack of remorse and empathy. A new study indicates that such people are not born liars. Instead, they are best learners when it comes to the art of telling a lie.

Scientists Recorded the Lies of Their 52 Participants with fMRI

Previous research showed that psychopaths develop weaker functions in the part of the brain that deals with personality, decision-making, and social skills. Therefore, they linked such traits of the brain to psychopathic disorder.

However, the new study that appeared in the journal Translational Psychiatry started from the assumption that psychopaths are not natural liars. Instead, their neural networks that are in charge of executive cognitive processing might be superior.

Therefore, Tatia Lee from the University of Hong Kong carried out a small experiment with 52 students. Out of this total of participants, 29 scored high on psychopathic tests, while the others had low results.

The practical part of the experiment consisted of participants being invited to tell a lie. First off, they received a series of photos. Students had to say in which images they see someone they know. However, scientists present at the experiment were the ones that told participants to either lie or tell the truth. Their answers were recorded with fMRI.

Psychopaths Proved to Be Best Learners at Telling Lies

The results indicated that those with strong psychopathic traits were faster at lying than those with normal grades. These students used to speed up their false responses while the others kept an average answer time the whole time.

“The stark contrast between individuals with high and low levels of psychopathic traits in lying performance following two training sessions is remarkable.”

So far, it was unclear why psychopaths are known for their tendency to manipulate. However, this study indicates that in the lack of emotional intelligence, they are best learners when it comes to lies. The act of telling a lie requires control, memory, and attention.

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While the United States sees less and less deadly cases of cancer with each year, not all parts enjoy the same rates of improvement. On the contrary, a new report indicates that rural regions go through a bigger impact of this condition than urban areas.

Rural Regions Are Harmed by a Limited Access to Health Care

On Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a new study that shows villages are more susceptible to developing new cases of cancer than in other parts. Not only that, but their number of fatal cases is higher as well. The most widely spread types of cancer are those influenced by tobacco, such as laryngeal and lung cancer, and those types that can be prevented through routine checks like cervical or colorectal cancers.

The report suggests that such high differences between rural and urban regions are caused by certain agents. For instance, rural areas are more susceptible to certain risk factors such as obesity, poor physical condition, and smoking. However, the most influential feature stands in limited access to health care. Therefore, there are a fewer diagnoses made in time that can prevent a fatal end than in other parts.

Around 15% of American Population Lives in Rural Areas

Rural Americans have a lower percentage of insured citizens. Federal health data show that their insurance doesn’t cover preventive services so well. Therefore, the report doesn’t link cancer rates to geographical positioning but to access to health care. Treatment opportunities, preventive measures, and early diagnosis are key factors in battling aggressive conditions as cancer is.

The CDC paper is the first of its kind that describes cancer rates in urban and rural settings. At least 46 million Americans live in rural areas which means 15% of the population. The findings of the survey highlight the poor health care services that this percentage of citizens have at their disposal.

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The World Health Organization announced an aggressive outbreak of cholera. The location of the outburst is Yemen. There are already 1,500 lives lost to this disease. Other 246,000 people might be in danger of getting sick. The Yemen population was already weakened by a civil war that lasted for two years. This condition might have accelerated the spread of the cholera outbreak.

The New Cholera Outbreak Started in April and Claimed 1,500 Lives Already

World Health Organization’s representative in Yemen, Nevio Zagaria, made some breaking news declaring that since an outbreak of cholera started in April, there are around 246,000 suspected cases. The death toll reached 1,500 for the moment. Unfortunately, the organization claimed that a quarter of these fatal cases are children.

This week, WHO announced the halfway mark at 218,798 cases. There is already an emergency mobilization that managed to fade out the impact of such a phenomenon two months since its beginnings. The health care state in this country is in a deplorable condition. Medical staff hasn’t received payment in over six months. On the other hand, WHO managed to keep an active group of paramedics, doctors, nurses, and cleaners through incentives only. This cholera network is working relentlessly to put an end to this event.

WHO Intends to Add 5,000 Treatment Beds for This National Health Crisis

The World Bank sent financial support to this mobilization. WHO managed to organize health centers with up to 60 beds for each one of them. Each of these points has its own staff of 14 medical workers overseeing the place in shifts. The organization wants to put at the disposal of the country 5,000 beds to mitigate the cholera outbreak only.

The most worrying aspect of this phenomenon is the speed with which this illness develops. There are almost 5,000 new suspect cases with each passing day. Children have the riskiest chances in front of this health threat. Representatives aim to open the country again to health solutions, commercial flights, and economic opportunities.

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