Good hydration may reduce long-term risks for heart failure (Blood sodium level >= 143 mEq/L (higher normal range) = 39%

Staying well-hydrated may be associated with a reduced risk for developing heart failure, according to researchers. Their findings suggest that consuming sufficient amounts of fluids throughout life not only supports essential body functioning but may also reduce the risk of severe heart problems in the future.

Heart failure, a chronic condition that develops when the heart does not pump enough blood for the body's needs, affects more than 6.2 million Americans, a little more than 2% of the population.

Adults with serum sodium levels starting at 143 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L)—a normal range is 135-146 mEq/L—in midlife had a 39% associated increased risk for developing heart failure compared to adults with lower levels. And for every 1 mEq/L increase in serum sodium within the normal range of 135-146 mEq/L, the likelihood of a participant developing heart failure increased by 5%.

In a cohort of adults ages 70-90, those with serum sodium levels of 142.5-143 mEq/L at middle age were 62% more likely to develop left ventricular hypertrophy. Serum sodium levels starting at 143 mEq/L correlated with a 102% increased risk for left ventricular hypertrophy and a 54% increased risk for heart failure.

Based on these data, the authors conclude serum sodium levels above 142 mEq/L in middle age are associated with increased risks for developing left ventricular hypertrophy and heart failure later in life.

These early associations suggest good hydration may help prevent or slow the progression of changes within the heart that can lead to heart failure.

"Serum sodium and fluid intake can easily be assessed in clinical exams and help doctors identify patients who may benefit from learning about ways to stay hydrated," said Manfred Boehm, M.D.

Fluids are essential for a range of bodily functions. Yet many people take in far less than they need, researchers said.

Thank you!

Sweet potatoes and bananas for potassium!

Dandelions (Unsprayed) are high in potassium and can be used in salads or French bistro food. They supposedly cause you to pee, but they replace the potassium you lose!

https://everydayfrenchchef.com/salade-de-pissenlits-aux-lardons/

Great with bacon, croutons, tomato slice, goat cheese, a soft or hard boiled egg, and a mustard vinaigrette!

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5553762/

The Physiological Effects of Dandelion (Taraxacum Officinale) in Type 2 Diabetes

"The tremendous rise in the economic burden of type 2 diabetes (T2D) has prompted a search for alternative and less expensive medicines. Dandelion offers a compelling profile of bioactive components with potential anti-diabetic properties. The Taraxacum genus from the Asteraceae family is found in the temperate zone of the Northern hemisphere. It is available in several areas around the world. In many countries, it is used as food and in some countries as therapeutics for the control and treatment of T2D. The anti-diabetic properties of dandelion are attributed to bioactive chemical components; these include chicoric acid, taraxasterol (TS), chlorogenic acid, and sesquiterpene lactones. Studies have outlined the useful pharmacological profile of dandelion for the treatment of an array of diseases, although little attention has been paid to the effects of its bioactive components on T2D to date. This review recapitulates previous work on dandelion and its potential for the treatment and prevention of T2D, highlighting its anti-diabetic properties, the structures of its chemical components, and their potential mechanisms of action in T2D. Although initial research appears promising, data on the cellular impact of dandelion are limited, necessitating further work on clonal β-cell lines (INS-1E), α-cell lines, and human skeletal cell lines for better identification of the active components that could be of use in the control and treatment of T2D. In fact, extensive in-vitro, in-vivo, and clinical research is required to investigate further the pharmacological, physiological, and biochemical mechanisms underlying the effects of dandelion-derived compounds on T2D."