News From The World Of Medicine

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- Samantha Rideout

Hidden Tooth Infections May Contribute to Heart Disease

According to research from the University of Helsinki in Finland, acute coronary syndrome is 2.7 times more common in people with an infection in the tip of one or more teeth’s roots, possibly because it causes low-grade inflammation throughout the body. As many as a quarter of adults in Finland have this problem, although they may not all realize it, because it doesn’t necessarily cause discomfort. It can be detected with an X-ray and, in most cases, cured with root canal treatment.

Fruits and Veggies Boost Happiness

A study of more than 12,000 Australians revealed that the benefits of a produce-rich diet extend beyond physical health. With every added daily portion of fruits or vegetables (up to eight), the subjects’ happiness levels rose slightly. The researchers calculated that if someone were to switch from a diet free of fruits and vegetables to eight servings per day, he or she would theoretically gain as much life satisfaction as someone who transitioned from unemployment to a job. The exact reason is unclear, but it may be related to the effect of carotenoid levels in the blood.