High levels of magnesium help to reduce risk of strokes, diabetes and heart disease

Scientists at Zhejiang University in China have found magnesium in leafy greens, nuts, whole grains, meats and fish help reduce the risk of preventable diseases.

Read the rest at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-4011708/The-chemical-secrets-Mediterranean-diet-High-levels-magnesium-help-reduce-risk-strokes-diabetes-heart-disease.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

Direct link between REM sleep loss, desire for sugary and fatty foods discovered

A new method has been used by researchers to produce REM sleep loss in mice along with a chemical-genetic technique to block prefrontal cortex neurons and the behaviors they mediate. As a result, the researchers discovered that inhibiting these neurons reversed the effect of REM sleep loss on sucrose consumption while having no effect on fat consumption.

Originally published at https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/12/161206110327.htm

Missing 1-2 hours of sleep doubles crash risk

Drivers who miss one to two hours of sleep nearly double their risk for a crash, new research concludes. Drivers who sleep slightly less -- between four and five hours -- have the same risk of crashing that is associated with driving over the legal limit for alcohol.

Originally published at https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/12/161206110235.htm

'Can the fasting diet reduce my weight and ease my diabetes?' Our expert explains why dieting is essential for overweight patients to protect their future health

Tom Jones from Middlesex, who has type 2 diabetes and weighs 20st, asks whether going on a 'semi fast' diet every second day — i.e. one day at 2,000 calories, the next day at 700 — is too risky.

Read the rest at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-4002826/Can-fasting-diet-reduce-weight-ease-diabetes-expert-dieting-essential-patient-protect-future-health.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

Short-term sleep deprivation affects heart function

Too little sleep takes a toll on your heart, according to a new study.

Originally published at https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/12/161202100943.htm

Portions of the brain fall asleep and wake back up all the time

When we are in a deep slumber our brain's activity ebbs and flows in big, obvious waves, like watching a tide of human bodies rise up and sit down around a sports stadium. It's hard to miss. Now, researchers have found, those same cycles exist in wake as in sleep, but with only small sections sitting and standing in unison rather than the entire stadium. It's as if tiny portions of the brain are independently falling asleep and waking back up all the time.

Originally published at https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/12/161202101326.htm

Online insomnia program can improve sleep for many, study finds

An online program designed to help people overcome insomnia significantly improves both the amount and quality of sleep, a new study has found. The study is the first to look closely at the effects of the Sleep Healthy Using the Internet (SHUTi) program on people with health conditions that could be affecting their sleep.

Originally published at https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/11/161130141306.htm