Smokers who make the decision to quit will experience immediate health benefits, including a rapid reduction in their risk of atrial fibrillation (A-Fib), according to new research published in JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology. The study, conducted by Dr. Gregory Marcus, a cardiologist at the University of California, San Francisco, offers compelling evidence for smokers to quit, showing that it’s never too late to avoid the damaging effects of smoking on heart health.

Dr. Marcus, the senior author of the study, emphasized that A-Fib can be prevented even in individuals who have smoked for years. "The findings provide a compelling new reason to show current smokers that it’s not too late to quit, and that having smoked in the past doesn’t mean you’re ‘destined’ to develop A-Fib," Marcus explained. "Even for the current and longtime smoker, A-Fib can still be avoided."

What is Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib)?

"There’s strong evidence that smoking increases the risk of A-Fib," Marcus said. "But the benefits of quitting smoking have been less certain." With this in mind, his team sought to determine whether quitting could significantly lower a person’s risk of developing A-Fib, or if the risk would remain the same.

The research team analyzed data from over 146,700 current and former smokers, tracking their smoking habits and health over a 12-year period using data from the UK Biobank database. The results were promising: former smokers had a 13% lower risk of developing A-Fib compared to current smokers, while those who quit during the study saw an 18% reduction in their risk.

"This is likely a testament to the potency of reducing atrial fibrillation risk pretty shortly after quitting," Marcus said in a statement from the American College of Cardiology.

The findings highlight the importance of quitting smoking, not only for general health but specifically for reducing the risk of serious heart conditions like A-Fib.

Tips for Quitting Smoking

Quitting smoking is one of the most effective ways to lower the risk of A-Fib and improve overall heart health. While it can be challenging, the benefits of quitting are clear and immediate. Here are some tips to help you quit smoking successfully:

1. Choose a specific date to quit smoking and stick to it. Prepare yourself mentally and physically for this change.

2. Reach out to family, friends, or a support group to help keep you accountable. Sharing your goals with others can provide encouragement.

3. Options like nicotine patches, gum, or lozenges can help ease withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings.

4. Identify situations that make you want to smoke, such as stress or social gatherings, and find healthy ways to cope with them.

5. Regular exercise can help distract you from cravings and improve your mood during the quitting process.

6. Drinking water can help flush nicotine out of your system faster, reducing cravings.

7. Activities like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises can help manage stress, a common trigger for smoking.

Quitting smoking offers immediate and significant benefits, particularly in reducing the risk of atrial fibrillation. The latest research provides smokers with more motivation to quit, showing that it's never too late to take control of their heart health.

A whopping $600 million global vaccine aid meant for poorer nations has been put on hold by US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., according to a media report.

The delay in vaccines is putting pressure on the international humanitarian group Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance that distributes them, Politico reported.

Gavi noted that it has not received the funds due for the current and previous fiscal years, which account for about 15 percent of its budget.

The funds are set to expire on September 30 if the Trump administration does not release them.

The organization provides vaccines for 20 diseases, including measles, malaria and polio, to more than 50 low-income countries worldwide.

Sania Nishtar, Gavi CEO, told the newswire AFP, the funding gap, combined with reductions from other donors, has particularly impacted malaria vaccination efforts.

Gavi has delivered 39 million doses of a malaria vaccine to 25 African countries, where the disease predominantly affects children under five. Nishtar warned that tens of thousands of children could die as a result of the funding cuts.

Why Is Kennedy Holding Up Vaccines

Kennedy argues that the shots are obsolete with dangerous ingredients that the US has long since phased out.

“Gavi has refused to provide the United States with the specific data, studies, or detailed accounting of how US funds are used,” Emily Hilliard, senior press secretary at the Health and Human Services Department, said in a statement.

Advocates for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance warn that withholding funds could cost children’s lives. They argue that the vaccines used are safe and better suited for developing regions, where refrigeration is limited and administering booster doses is more difficult.

Hilliard said Gavi has declined to create a plan to phase out thimerosal, a mercury-based vaccine preservative that Kennedy believes may be linked to autism. The administration has asked Gavi to stop using vaccines containing this preservative.

Thimerosal is used in several vaccines distributed by Gavi, including combination shots protecting against multiple diseases, according to former chief executive Seth Berkley. He explained that many developing countries rely on multi-dose vials, which require less refrigeration but may contain thimerosal to prevent contamination.

Without such vaccines, “kids would go without vaccines… and that would lead directly to deaths,” Berkley said.

During testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee, Kennedy also raised concerns about a vaccine used to protect against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, claiming it had been discontinued in the US due to safety issues.

Gavi responded that the vaccine remains in use because it offers longer-lasting protection and requires fewer doses. The organization said the vaccine “is safe and effective and estimated to have saved 40 million lives in the past 50 years,” the report said.

A plant-based diet is highly recommended for a healthy heart — weight watchers can also benefit from it, as can diabetics. When one goes vegan, the biggest change comes when one moves from dairy milk to oat, almond, or soy milk. Parents, too, are now shifting their children to trendy vegan milk options — little do they realise that this could bring their worst fears to life. According to the British Society for Allergy & Clinical Immunology, drinks that are aimed at children and often marketed as healthy are usually loaded with sugar and offer little or no nutrition.

Why has plant milk become a preferred choice?

Experts found that children under five years of age are more prone to malnutrition, tooth decay, or even obesity. The study is the first of its kind, and its warning will be published in the coming week. It is backed by the British Dental Association and the British Dietetic Association. Doctors say that plant-based drinks are often compared to cow’s milk in terms of nutrition. However, these claims are not supported by current evidence.

Why is plant milk discouraged for children?

Plant milk has gained popularity in recent years because of the health benefits that many believe it offers. While adults may benefit from it in several ways, toddlers must not be given these packaged, sugary drinks. The added sugars can become nothing more than a frequent treat for children, who may lose their milk teeth sooner and suffer from decay. Researchers found that families are often convinced that plant milk is good for children, but these oat, almond, and soy versions of milk are processed and full of sucrose and fructose syrups.

According to a report, most of these drinks contain large amounts of sugar in the form of maltodextrin, glucose syrup, sucrose, and fructose. A 350 ml glass of such milk contains more than double a toddler’s daily sugar allowance. Ideally, toddlers should not be given more than 14 grams of sugar every day. Their young bodies can struggle to absorb vitamin B12 and calcium from plant drinks. The BSACI recommends that parents opt for unsweetened, fortified plant milk instead, as these can play a crucial role in supporting children’s health.

How do ultra-processed foods affect children’s health?

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are defined as food groups that undergo a great deal of processing — the most natural foods fall under Group 1, while heavily processed foods are placed under Group 4. While these do not definitively determine how healthy a food option is, they indicate the level of processing involved. Highly processed foods are associated with a range of health problems, which is why it is important to make informed dietary choices.

What are minimally processed foods?

In your kitchen, foods with a minimal level of processing include:

1. Fruits
2. Vegetables
3. Grains
4. Legumes
5. Meat and poultry
6. Eggs
7. Fish and seafood
8. Fresh milk
9. Spices and herbs
10. Coffee and tea
11. Nuts and seeds
12. Plain yoghurt

What are ultra-processed foods in your kitchen?

Some of the most processed foods in your kitchen include:

1. Sweetened yoghurt
2. Soft drinks
3. Biscuits
4. Breakfast cereals
5. Candies
6. Cake mixes
7. Breads and buns
8. Energy drinks
9. Energy bars
10. Frozen foods — pies, pizzas, snacks, sausages, pepperoni, ham, and salami
11. Instant foods — noodles, soups, and sauces

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer reported among women living in metropolitan India. And while the causes have largely been genetic or linked to family history, a new study says that a woman's breast tissue undergoes dramatic changes with age, creating an environment where cancer cells are more likely to flourish. Researchers at the University of Cambridge in the UK and the University of British Columbia in Canada mapped how breast tissue changes over time. Comprising over three million cells, the map tracks how breast tissue undergoes changes in women as they age. It was found that the most striking shift occurs around menopause.

How does age influence breast changes in women?

Researchers found that as women age, their breast tissue undergoes changes. During the 20s, these changes can be attributed to pregnancy and childbirth. However, the major and most dramatic changes occur around menopause. With age, the number of cells in breast tissue declines. As a result, the structure of the tissue also changes. This creates favourable conditions in which cancer cells can thrive and survive more easily, thereby explaining why breast cancer risk increases with age.

Researchers also identified a cluster of cell types in the breast tissue. As per the American Cancer Society, 320,000 women in the US might be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, making it the most common type of tumour in women. Breast cancer rates are also rising in younger women for unclear reasons, but most cases are still diagnosed in women aged 50 years and above. Age is an important risk factor for nearly all types of cancer. Researchers say that this is partly because people accumulate genetic mutations in their cells with age. As a result, abnormal cells spread uncontrollably and develop into tumours.

Why is age a risk factor for breast cancer?

Experts say that despite the rising incidence of breast cancer, it is not well understood how breast tissue changes with age and contributes to cancer risk. To investigate this, experts analysed normal breast tissue samples from 527 women aged 15–86 years who were undergoing breast reduction surgery. Using advanced imaging, experts mapped individual cells in a two-dimensional representation of how breast tissue changes over time.

The map also found that breast tissue divides less often with age, and the number of immune cells declines. The number of epithelial cells that line the milk-producing structures and mammary ducts also declines with age. However, the scale of changes across the breast is surprising.

Why does breast structure change with age?

Researchers found that the structure of breast tissue also changes with age. The milk-producing lobules shrink, blood vessels decrease, and fat cells increase. Stromal and immune cells also move away from epithelial cells, thereby making it easier for cancer cells to spread and escape. Younger breasts also have relatively more immune cells, known as active T-cells and B-cells, that can identify and destroy tumour cells before they multiply.

Older breasts have fewer cancer-fighting cells and immune cells that other studies implicate in cancer development. These changes create an inflammatory environment in which the immune system is less able to hold back cancer cells and is more permissive of carcinogenesis. However, it is unclear why certain types of cells change.

The age when breast cancer risk peaks

Researchers found that ageing peaks in the late 40s, corresponding to menopause. After this, depending on how quickly the breast tissue ages, one could be more prone to breast cancer risk. The study, however, did not analyse genetics and other breast cancer-influencing risk factors. Previous studies suggest that normal breast tissue in women with genetic risk factors in place ages faster than in others.

The research was published in the Nature Aging journal.