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How fish oil can affect your blood pressure if you eat it regularly

16. July, 2026

Fish oil is a major source of omega 3 fatty acids, but research has not reached a clear conclusion about how much fish oil supplements affect blood pressure. Several factors may influence any potential benefit, reports Health.

Omega 3 is known for its heart health benefits

Fish oil contains omega 3 fatty acids that have long been associated with heart health. They are particularly well known for helping lower triglyceride levels.

Research findings are mixed

Studies examining fish oil and blood pressure have produced inconsistent results. Some have reported modest reductions in blood pressure, while others have found no meaningful effect.

People with high blood pressure may benefit the most

A 2022 analysis found that consuming 2 to 3 grams of omega 3 fatty acids per day was associated with a modest reduction in blood pressure. The greatest benefit was observed among people with elevated blood pressure.

Normal blood pressure is usually unchanged

According to experts, people with normal blood pressure generally experience little or no change in their blood pressure when taking fish oil supplements.

Fish oil may also have side effects

Fish oil is generally well tolerated, but some people experience a fishy aftertaste or heartburn. More serious concerns that have been reported include a possible increased risk of atrial fibrillation, stroke, elevated LDL cholesterol, and bleeding complications.

Supplements are not regulated like prescription medicines

Unlike prescription medications, dietary supplements are not reviewed for safety and effectiveness before reaching the market. Experts recommend choosing products that have been tested by an independent third party for quality and accurate labeling.

Food is the preferred source of omega 3

Experts generally recommend getting omega 3 from food instead of supplements. Good sources include salmon, mackerel, albacore tuna, trout, and sardines, while the American Heart Association recommends eating two 3.5 ounce servings of fatty fish each week.

Fish oil products are not all the same

Fish oil supplements contain different amounts of the omega 3 fatty acids DHA and EPA. This variation may help explain why studies have produced different results.

The dose may make a difference

Researchers have tested a wide range of fish oil doses. Some appear to influence blood pressure, while others do not, so the role of dosage remains uncertain.

Fish oil may improve blood vessel function

Studies that have reported positive effects suggest that fish oil may help blood vessels relax and widen. This could improve how blood vessels function.

Omega 3 may reduce oxidative stress

Researchers also believe omega 3 fatty acids may reduce oxidative stress. Free radicals can damage cells and are thought to contribute to elevated blood pressure.

Lifestyle has a greater impact

Experts say healthy eating and lifestyle habits have a greater effect on blood pressure than fish oil supplements. Prioritizing sleep, exercising regularly, limiting sodium and alcohol, and managing stress are all recommended.

Speak with a healthcare professional first

Before starting a fish oil supplement, it is recommended to consult your doctor or a pharmacist. They can help assess the potential benefits and risks based on your health and any medications you are taking.

Dry patches and redness could be early warning signs

Mie Hermansen

16. July, 2026

Dry patches and redness could be early warning signs

Doctors are warning that small and seemingly harmless skin changes could, in some cases, be early signs of skin cancer.

Many people dismiss dry patches, redness, or irritation as minor issues caused by weather, stress, or sensitive skin. Others simply get used to the symptoms and expect them to disappear on their own.

Small warning signs

According to Unilad, Dr. Donald Grant from The Independent Pharmacy said skin cancer can initially resemble common skin conditions.

This includes dry areas, persistent redness on the face, and flaky skin that people often mistake for eczema or psoriasis.

Experts say the problem is that these symptoms can develop gradually over time without being professionally checked.

What doctors notice

Changes around moles are among the signs doctors pay closest attention to. Itching, tenderness, bleeding, or changes in colour and shape can all indicate that something may be wrong.

Skin specialists also stress that skin cancer does not always begin as obvious sores or clearly visible marks. In many cases, it starts subtly and can be difficult to notice.

Because of this, experts recommend paying attention to skin changes that persist, evolve, or repeatedly return over time.

Up before dawn: How morning TV hosts stay energized without coffee

Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk

16. July, 2026

Up before dawn: How morning TV hosts stay energized without coffee

TV personalities Hoda Kotb, Gayle King, and Al Roker often wake up between 3:00 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. They have shared details about their routines in interviews with outlets including The Cut, Parade, and Bon Appétit, according to Health Digest.

Hoda Kotb has explained that she prefers to begin her day calmly with music, water, and time to write down her thoughts. According to Parade, she continued maintaining early mornings even after leaving “Today.”

Gayle King told Bon Appétit that she neither drinks coffee nor eats early in the morning. Instead, she relies on water and consistent morning routines.

Exercise before work

Exercise is also an important part of daily life for several of the hosts. USA Today reported in 2024 that Gayle King often works out early in the morning, combining cardio and strength training.

According to Today.com, Al Roker has also made exercise a regular part of his mornings. He believes it helps create a greater sense of calm throughout the rest of the day.

At the same time, Hoda Kotb spends time meditating and journaling to create mental balance before the workday begins.

No coffee

Although many people associate early mornings with coffee, that is not what keeps these hosts going. Al Roker told Today.com that he drinks kombucha in the morning instead.

What the three hosts have in common is their use of structured routines, exercise, and mental breaks to manage extremely early workdays.

Sources: Health Digest, The Cut, Parade, Bon Appétit, USA Today, and Today.com.

Dietitian ate sweet potatoes every day for a week – here are the results

Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk

15. July, 2026

Dietitian ate sweet potatoes every day for a week – here are the results

A dietitian set out to eat sweet potatoes every day for a week to see how the body would respond.

The experiment produced several surprising results, particularly when it came to satiety, energy levels, and digestion, according to Prevention.

The same variety

To keep the experiment consistent, only orange sweet potatoes were eaten throughout the week.

Preparation

The sweet potatoes were baked, mashed, oven-roasted, and cooked in an air fryer to provide some variety.

Suitable for multiple meals

They were usually eaten with dinner but were also included in breakfast and even blended into smoothies.

Increased energy

During the week, the dietitian noticed more stable energy levels throughout the afternoon.

Reduced hunger

Sweet potatoes provided a strong feeling of fullness after meals and helped reduce cravings for snacks and desserts later in the day.

Digestion remained healthy

The high fiber content helped keep digestion regular and stable throughout the experiment.

The flavor became repetitive

By the sixth day, eating the same vegetable every day started to feel somewhat repetitive, although the benefits outweighed the monotony.

Rich in nutrients

A medium baked sweet potato with the skin contains carbohydrates, dietary fiber, protein, and high amounts of vitamin A, along with vitamin C and potassium.

Contains antioxidants

Orange sweet potatoes are a source of beta-carotene, while purple varieties contain anthocyanins. Both act as antioxidants.

May support the immune system

Beta-carotene is converted into vitamin A in the body, which plays an important role in the normal function of the immune system.

Sweet potatoes also provide vitamin C.

May provide more stable energy

Sweet potatoes are a complex carbohydrate that releases energy gradually and may help promote more stable blood sugar levels, particularly when eaten with the skin and paired with protein or healthy fats.

May support eye health

Their high beta-carotene content makes sweet potatoes an excellent source of the precursor to vitamin A, which is essential for healthy vision.

Not everyone should eat large amounts

People with a history of calcium oxalate kidney stones or chronic kidney disease may need to limit their intake because of the oxalate and potassium content.

Anyone with a sweet potato allergy should, of course, avoid eating them.

The dietitian’s conclusion

After one week, the dietitian concluded that sweet potatoes are a nutritious and versatile source of carbohydrates that can provide vitamins, dietary fiber, and steady energy.

Do sunglasses block vitamin D? Here’s what an eye doctor says

Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk

15. July, 2026

Do sunglasses block vitamin D? Here’s what an eye doctor says

Many people believe that sunglasses are only necessary when the sun is shining from a clear blue sky. However, UV radiation can also reach the eyes on cloudy days.

For that reason, ophthalmologist Willem Birkhoff from Het Oogziekenhuis Rotterdam recommends in an interview with RTL that people wear sunglasses whenever they also need sunscreen.

This is especially important for children, as their eyes are more sensitive to UV radiation.

Choose the right pair

Expensive sunglasses do not necessarily provide better protection than inexpensive ones.

According to Willem Birkhoff, the most important thing is that the sunglasses carry the CE mark and preferably have a UV400 filter, which protects against both UVA and UVB rays.

He also warns against buying sunglasses from webshops outside Europe.

If the lenses are dark but lack adequate UV protection, they may actually increase the risk of eye damage.

Can you still get enough vitamin D?

There are several myths about sunglasses. One of them is that they can reduce the body’s production of vitamin D.

According to Willem Birkhoff, this is not true because vitamin D is produced in the skin, not through the eyes.

He also believes that sunglasses have only a very limited effect on the body’s circadian rhythm.

The primary reason for wearing sunglasses is to protect the eyes from UV radiation.

According to Willem Birkhoff, many years of UV exposure can increase the risk of conditions such as cataracts and age-related damage to the retina.

These conditions develop gradually and are often not detected until many years later.

Should you choose greek yogurt or regular yogurt? Dietitians have the answer

Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk

15. July, 2026

Should you choose greek yogurt or regular yogurt? Dietitians have the answer

Yogurt is a popular breakfast staple, but the wide variety of options can make it difficult to choose.

Many people therefore wonder whether Greek yogurt is healthier than regular yogurt.

According to dietitians speaking to ELLE, the answer is not that simple. Both types can be part of a healthy diet, but they offer different benefits.

What sets them apart?

Greek yogurt is strained an extra time, removing some of the liquid. This gives it a thicker consistency and a higher protein content.

Regular yogurt, on the other hand, often contains slightly more calcium, which is important for maintaining healthy bones, according to ELLE.

Both types contain live bacterial cultures that may benefit gut health.

ELLE also cites research showing that Greek yogurt may support muscle growth when combined with strength training.

However, it is also worth noting that Greek yogurt is often more expensive, and flavored varieties can contain large amounts of added sugar.

The most important choice

If you want more protein and would like to stay full for longer, Greek yogurt may be a good choice.

If, on the other hand, you are looking for more calcium or a more affordable yogurt, regular yogurt may be the better option.

Ultimately, neither type of yogurt is healthier than the other.

The most important thing is to choose plain yogurt without added sugar and find a variety that suits your needs and that you enjoy eating regularly.

Parasitic outbreak grows in the US – possible sources under investigation

Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk

15. July, 2026

Parasitic outbreak grows in the US – possible sources under investigation

According to US health authorities, an unusually high number of people have been infected with the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis this summer.

According to The Sun, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed 1,645 cases through laboratory testing, while several thousand additional reports are still being processed.

Authorities also believe the actual number of infections may be higher, as not everyone undergoes testing.

Search for the source

Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal infection spread through contaminated food or water.

The illness commonly causes severe diarrhea and abdominal pain.

Most people recover with antibiotic treatment, but without treatment, symptoms can persist for an extended period, according to the CDC.

Michigan is one of the states reporting the highest number of cases.

After interviewing more than 1,000 patients, the state’s health authorities believe that lettuce or other leafy greens may be the most likely source of the outbreak.

However, they stress that other food products are still under investigation.

Multiple leads under investigation

The Washington Post reports that the investigation also includes lettuce served at certain Taco Bell restaurants in Michigan.

Several infected individuals said they had eaten at the chain, but other patients had never visited a Taco Bell location.

As a result, authorities do not believe the outbreak necessarily originated from a single restaurant chain.

Taco Bell has stated that it has temporarily removed certain ingredients from selected restaurants as a precautionary measure.

No conclusions yet

The exact cause of the outbreak has not yet been identified.

According to the CDC, some cases may be linked across multiple states, while The Guardian reports that new infections could continue to emerge through August.

This is because several days or even weeks often pass between the time a person becomes infected and when symptoms first appear.

As a result, it remains unclear which food item is the true source of the outbreak.

New discovery: Former COVID-19 patients may develop hidden eye problems

Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk

15. July, 2026

New discovery: Former COVID-19 patients may develop hidden eye problems

Researchers at Linköping University in Sweden studied 132 people who had previously experienced mild COVID-19.

Using specialized eye examinations and tear fluid analysis, they identified changes that cannot be detected through a standard eye examination.

The findings were published in the journal Nature Communications and reported by HealthDay.

Leave from work

The study found signs of inflammation and damage to the nerves that help the eye function.

Researchers also identified abnormalities in the pupils’ response to light and in the control of the eye muscles.

For some participants, the symptoms were severe enough that around one in three people with symptoms were fully or partially on sick leave from work, according to the study.

Explaining the problems

The study suggests that these hidden changes may be responsible for eye pain, light sensitivity, reading difficulties, and difficulty focusing.

At the same time, the findings help explain why many patients continue to experience symptoms even though a routine eye examination appears normal.

The researchers hope that these findings will make it easier to provide the correct diagnosis and, in the long term, lead to better treatment for people with persistent eye problems following a mild COVID-19 infection.

Dietitian ate yogurt every day for a week: Here are the biggest changes

Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk

15. July, 2026

Dietitian ate yogurt every day for a week: Here are the biggest changes

An American dietitian decided to eat yogurt every day for a week to see how it would affect her body.

The experiment resulted in both personal observations and findings that support several of yogurt’s well-known health benefits, according to Prevention.

Less bloating

After one week, the dietitian noticed that her stomach felt less bloated.

She believes this may have been due to eating fewer salty snacks, as well as the probiotics in yogurt, which can help support a healthy gut microbiome.

Better satiety

Yogurt made it easier to stay full between meals.

Greek yogurt in particular, with its high protein content and moderate fat content, provided a longer-lasting feeling of fullness.

More mindful food choices

Making yogurt part of her daily routine encouraged her to plan her meals more consciously.

Instead of reaching for random snacks, she thought more carefully about how yogurt would fit into her daily diet.

Good support for gut health

Yogurt contains probiotics that can contribute to a healthy and balanced gut microbiome.

This may benefit digestion while also supporting the immune system and overall well-being.

Protein helps control hunger

The high protein content makes yogurt an excellent snack.

Combined with the fat found in varieties that are not fat-free, it can help reduce hunger between meals.

Calcium supports bone health

Yogurt is a good source of calcium, an essential nutrient for maintaining strong bones.

Its protein content also helps support muscle maintenance and growth.

May help with weight management

The longer-lasting feeling of fullness may make it easier to avoid overeating.

During the experiment, the dietitian also found that she craved extra snacks less often.

Too much yogurt can be a downside

Although yogurt is a healthy food, consuming too much can lead to excessive calorie intake.

Sweetened and flavored varieties may also contain significant amounts of added sugar.

Be aware of lactose

Some people with lactose intolerance can tolerate yogurt because it contains less lactose than milk.

However, if it causes discomfort, it may be a good idea to eat yogurt less frequently or choose lactose-free varieties.

Certain medical conditions require extra consideration

People who need to monitor their protein or calcium intake because of specific medical conditions should speak with a doctor or a registered dietitian before making yogurt a regular part of their diet.

Greek yogurt was the favorite

The dietitian preferred Greek yogurt because of its thicker texture and higher protein content, which helped her feel fuller for longer.

Choose yogurt with little or no added sugar

Plain, unsweetened yogurt is highlighted as the best option.

Its flavor can easily be enhanced with ingredients such as honey, fresh fruit, or nuts.

Fat content depends on individual needs

Choosing between low-fat and full-fat yogurt depends on personal preferences and health goals.

For those looking to increase satiety, a variety with a slightly higher fat content may be a better choice.

Plant-based alternatives

People who follow a vegan diet or have a milk allergy can choose plant-based alternatives made from almonds, soy, or coconut.

It is recommended to select products that are fortified with probiotics, protein, and calcium.

How to protect yourself from the cyclospora outbreak

Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk

15. July, 2026

How to protect yourself from the cyclospora outbreak

Since May, several cases of the intestinal disease cyclosporiasis have been reported in the United States.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cases have been identified in 31 states, NPR reports.

A total of 843 cases have been recorded, but the CDC believes the actual number may be higher.

Many people recover without seeking medical care, and it can take several weeks for all cases to be officially reported.

The disease has been identified in people ranging in age from 5 to 88.

Authorities search for the source

The CDC is still investigating the source of the outbreak. As part of the investigation, officials are interviewing people who became ill about what they ate.

However, identifying a common source can be difficult because symptoms may not appear until several days or even weeks after infection.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), previous outbreaks have been linked to foods including raspberries, cilantro, basil, snow peas, and lettuce.

Advice for consumers

The CDC recommends thoroughly washing fruits, vegetables, and fresh herbs, as well as washing hands before and after preparing food.

Heating food to at least 70°C (158°F) can also kill the parasite.

According to the CDC, efforts are continuing to identify the food or beverage that may be responsible for the outbreak.

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Omega 3 is known for its heart health benefits

Research findings are mixed

People with high blood pressure may benefit the most

Normal blood pressure is usually unchanged

Fish oil may also have side effects

Supplements are not regulated like prescription medicines

Food is the preferred source of omega 3

Fish oil products are not all the same

The dose may make a difference

Fish oil may improve blood vessel function

Omega 3 may reduce oxidative stress

Lifestyle has a greater impact

Speak with a healthcare professional first

Small warning signs

What doctors notice

Exercise before work

No coffee

The same variety

Preparation

Suitable for multiple meals

Increased energy

Reduced hunger

Digestion remained healthy

The flavor became repetitive

Rich in nutrients

Contains antioxidants

May support the immune system

May provide more stable energy

May support eye health

Not everyone should eat large amounts

The dietitian’s conclusion

Choose the right pair

Can you still get enough vitamin D?

What sets them apart?

The most important choice

Search for the source

Multiple leads under investigation

No conclusions yet

Leave from work

Explaining the problems

Less bloating

Better satiety

More mindful food choices

Good support for gut health

Protein helps control hunger

Calcium supports bone health

May help with weight management

Too much yogurt can be a downside

Be aware of lactose

Certain medical conditions require extra consideration

Greek yogurt was the favorite

Choose yogurt with little or no added sugar

Fat content depends on individual needs

Plant-based alternatives

Authorities search for the source

Advice for consumers

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