A recent study looked at the effect of volunteering on indicators of heart health. The researchers noted, "The idea that individuals who help others incur health benefits themselves suggests a novel approach to improving health while simultaneously promoting greater civic orientation in our society. The present study is the first experimental trial, to our knowledge, of whether regular volunteering can reduce cardiovascular risk factors in adolescents."

The study actually looked at teenagers in and out of a volunteering program organized through their school. The volunteer work took place at elementary schools for 10 weeks during the fall semester. The after-school programs for volunteers included helping with homework and clubs that focused on sports, science, cooking, cards and games, and arts and crafts.

Those that volunteered had a significant improvement in inflammation markers, cholesterol levels, and body mass index compared to those who did not volunteer.

The researchers noted that the volunteers had increases in empathy and improvements in mood that likely helped reduce the risk factors associated with heart health. The best way to help yourself may be to help others. It can't hurt. Start volunteering to help your heart health!

Recent studies on breastfeeding & c-sections have reinforced the importance of raising children naturally whenever possible, while noting how poorly a job we are doing at encouraging women to do so. Here's a quick summary of four recent studies.

Breastfeeding Rates Improving, but Still Way Too Low

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months, followed by continued breastfeeding for at least 12 months due to multiple known health benefits for mother and child. A CDC analysis of American infants born between 2000-2008 revealed improvement in breastfeeding levels, but less than half of American babies meet breastfeeding recommendations for 6 months of feeding, and very few exclusively breastfeed for 6 months.

44.4% breastfed (often not exclusively) for 6 months & only 23.4% breastfed for the recommended 12 months

These rates of breastfeeding from infants born in 2008 represent an improvement over those born in 2000. Among infants born in 2000, 34.5% breastfed for 6 months, and 16.0% breastfed for 12 months. The American Pediatric Association recognizes very few reasons to avoid breastfeeding such as an active tuberculosis infection or undergoing chemotherapy. Read about the numerous benefits of breastfeeding here.

Breastfeeding, C-sections & Baby's Gut Bacteria

Researchers involved in a recent study noted, "The gut microbiota is essential to human health throughout life, yet the acquisition and development of this microbial community during infancy remains poorly understood. Meanwhile, there is increasing concern over rising rates of cesarean delivery and insufficient exclusive breastfeeding of infants in developed countries."

Pepsi recently announced that Gatorade drinkers will no longer be drinking flame retardant chemical BVO in the future. But don't worry, you'll still sweat green, blue, red, or whatever color you drink.

Why is flame retardant BVO in Gatorade?

It's actually used in a variety of manufactured beverages as a way to make them look more appetizing. BVO attaches to flavor chemicals in drinks and helps them mix throughout. This prevents the ingredients from unpleasantly separating.

A recent Scientific American article noted increasing concern about the accumulation of this chemical in the body. BVO has already been banned in some countries, and needs further testing to determine safe limits.

Watch this Dr. Oz clip that explains the issue with flame retardant BVO in Gatorade and other drinks.

Rather than follow European rules of proving safety of products before sale to the public, America requires products to be proven unsafe before they can be banned from sale. Fortunately, Pepsi doesn't plan on waiting months or years for the FDA to ban BVO. Gatorade will soon be replacing BVO with...another chemical.

It's been established that yoga benefits heart health, but how much could yoga help atrial fibrillation, a common condition that often requires medication to control abnormal heart rhythm? Researchers recently studied the ability of yoga to help atrial fibrillation, as well as looking at quality of life, depression, and anxiety.

Study participants performed a 60-minute yoga session two times per week over a 3-month period. Medical questionnaires were used to measure atrial fibrillation episodes, depression & anxiety, and quality of life before and after the 3-month period.

Researchers noted significant changes with yoga and atrial fibrillation as well as the other measures

All measures improved after 3 months of yoga only twice per week, demonstrating that yoga helps atrial fibrillation, quality of life, depression, and anxiety. Improvements in blood pressure were also noted.

The researchers plan to perform a larger study to confirm the positive results, but why wait? Yoga is a great form of physical activity that can benefit a variety of people, young and old. Include yoga in your weekly routine to see how it can help atrial fibrillation among other health issues.