Fish, olive oil boost women's health

This one's for the ladies... but it's not a bad idea for men, either: fish, salad and olive oil.

That's not just the makings of a tasty dinner--it's also a life-saving combination that new research finds can protect women from stroke and heart disease.

No big surprise there since the fats in fish and olive oil have been linked to cardiovascular health time and again... and everyone knows the importance of decorating the dinner plate with a few greens.

But the new studies put some new numbers to those benefits--and let's start with the main ingredient: fish. It's brain food in more ways than one, because a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition finds that women who eat the most fish have the lowest risk of stroke.

Researchers tracked 34,670 women between the ages of 49 and 83 for 10 years, and found that those who ate fish three times a week or more had a 16 percent lower risk of stroke.

That matches the supposed benefits researchers expect from a statin drug... but without the muscle-robbing side effects.

Other studies have found that men and women alike who eat fish lower their risk of diabetes, heart disease and stroke. The omega-3 fatty acids in fish can also help your vision and boost your brain--and even reduce your overall inflammation levels.

Fish eaters even live longer.

But every main dish needs something tasty on the side, so let's move on to the rest of the menu: a salad of leafy greens, coated in tasty olive oil (extra virgin, please).

A new study finds that these salads can dramatically reduce the risk of heart disease in women--especially when eaten every day.

Italian researchers studied dietary data and health histories of nearly 30,000 women who took part in a national health study for an average of 8 years.

They found that those who enjoyed at least one serving of leafy greens daily slashed their risk of developing heart disease during the study period by 46 percent... while those who ate at least 3 tablespoons of olive oil daily lowered that risk by 44 percent.

Interestingly, other types of fruits and vegetables didn't seem to change the risk of a major heart event--just leafy greens such as lettuce, endives, spinach and chard, according to the study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

OK, mealtime is over--and now it's time to clean up. And if you really want to protect your heart, don't do it yourself... make sure the man of the house pitches in.

A new study finds that the stress of household work is actually worse for the heart than an office job. And the biggest risks came from the tasks that traditionally fall into the hands of women: cooking, cleaning and shopping.

Researchers wrote in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine that the spouse who takes on the most household responsibilities usually has higher blood pressure-- often significantly so.

So ladies, make sure the man in your life carries his weight around the house.

Then, pour yourself a glass of wine as you watch him struggle with the laundry: One recent study found that women who have a drink a day have a lower risk of stroke, while another study found that ladies who have a light-to-moderate drinking habit starting in middle age had a lower risk of chronic disease and physical disabilities when they reached old age.

And that's what I call the ultimate stress-buster.

On a mission for your health,
Ed Martin
Editor, House Calls