10 Jan 5 new health developments you should know about

Are you keeping up with the news? At Okomeds we know how important is to be aware of what is happening around us. For that reason, we have chosen 5 newhealth developments that you should know about.

How worrying are the UK, South Africa, and Brazil coronavirus variants?

It isthought that the UK, South Africa and Brazil variants could be much more contagious or easy to catch than earlier versions. All three have undergone changes to their spike protein – this is the part of the virus which attaches to human cells.

Will vitamin D really help me fight off Covid-19?

There has been some controversy over whether vitamin D can help in the treatment or prevention of coronavirus. A recent review of research by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence suggests there is no evidence to support taking vitamin D supplements to specifically prevent or treat the condition.

But some patients have been receiving doses of Vitamin D in the north-east of England with encouraging results.

Low Carb Diet May Help People with Type 2 Diabetes Go Into Remission

New research has found that a low carbohydrate diet may help some people with type 2 diabetes achieve remission.

The study, published on Wednesday in The BMJ, found that strictly adhering to a low carb diet for six months was associated with higher rates of remission among people with type 2 diabetes.

Low carb eating can be difficult to stick with long term, and the benefits flattened off after a year.

While the findings highlight the significant benefits of following a low carb diet in the short term, more research is needed to better understand the long-term effects on weight loss, blood sugar levels and quality of life.

Blood Pressure Medications Should Still Be Taken During COVID-19, Experts Say

COVID-19 symptoms won’t become more severe if you take blood pressure medications, researchers say.

In fact, not taking these medications will likely make symptoms worse.

Scientists from the University of Pennsylvania looked at how two types of medications used in treating high blood pressure (ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers) could either make symptoms worse among those hospitalized for COVID-19 or lessen their severity.

There’s No Limit to the Cardiovascular Benefits of Exercise

Researchers say any amount of exercise is beneficial for cardiovascular health. A study published Jan. 12 led by the University of Oxford said that there’s no upper threshold to the benefits of exercise in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Researchers added that both moderate and vigorous physical activity resulted in a health benefit. In a study of more than 90,000 people, researchers found that not only is physical activity associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, but also those who are active at the highest levels achieve the greatest benefit to heart health.