Mitch Gann’s

“Heart Disease Patients Carrying Extra Pounds Do Better, Live Longer”

That’s right, thin people, read it and weep.  Researchers at the American College of Cardiology say, “Obese patients with heart disease respond well to treatment and have paradoxically better outcomes and survival than thinner patients.”  No one knows why this is.  Researchers also caution people not to pack on pounds because that only contributes to the development of heart-disease in the first place.

Sure, but all of a sudden, it’s looking better for some of us to make  the Singularity.

Scientists in Israel have been researching the health benefits of red wine — a great gig if you can get it — and have discovered a new explanation for the benefits, says an article in Science Daily.  Researchers have known for a while that anti-oxidants called “polyphenol” are responsible for wine’s protection against cancer and heart disease but weren’t sure how.  The human body does not easily absorb polyphenols.  So how could polyphenols be protecting us?

According to the new study, the answer is that polyphenols “thwart formation of harmful substances released during digestion of fat.”  Thus, drinking wine with a fat-laden meal offers the most benefits.

At least it works that way in rats.

“Oily Fish Can Protect Against Rheumatoid Arthritis . . .” (Science Daily):

For the first time, the intake of oily fish has been demonstrated to have a protective effect against the development of RA, reducing an individual’s risk by 20-30%.

This is according to a large-scale study conducted in Sweden, where they know their oily fish. Apparently consuming one oily fish a week is enough to lower a person’s risk of developing Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). The same study found that smoking and experiencing psychological stress at work increase the risk of developing RA.

I don’t think anyone would be surprised that smoking and stress are bad for you; this is just one more way they are bad. It’s the oily fish that I find interesting. I’m putting together the ideal anti-aging diet. So far, it consists of red wine and oily fish. The article does not mention a particular oily fish, but I’m thinking herring.

Here are some great herring recipes. Enjoy!