Health News: Friends Are As Good As Diet and Exercise

“To avoid a dulling smile, visit your dentist at least twice a year and avoid foods and beverages that promote plaque buildup and staining, such as coffee, tea, red wine and anything with food coloring. But if you must, drink through a straw or rinse your mouth out right away. Opalescence whitening treatments are also a great option for at-home brightening.”—Michael Varallo, DMD, HoHoKus Dental, Ho-Ho-Kus

The percentage of American women who believe cardiovascular disease is their greatest health threat—despite stats that show no other disease claims as many women’s lives as heart disease. —American Heart Association

The number of minutes of shivering outdoors in the cold air it takes—compared with an hour of moderate exercise—to raise levels of the hormone irisin. Irisin is responsible for turning white fat cells into brown fat cells—the kind that burn fat. Researchers posit that shivering, like exercising, causes muscles to contract, triggering the release of the calorie-burning hormone. —Cell Metabolism

It turns out that having connections is good for your health. A study of more than 14,000 subjects found that the depth and breadth of your friendships could have a similar effect on blood pressure as diet and exercise. —University of North Carolina

Researchers report that folks who check out menus at least an hour before they eat out and choose a dish are more likely to go with a lower-calorie meal than their last-minute dining companions. —Journal of Marketing Research

Your feelings, that is. Women who held in their emotions during marital conflicts were four times more likely to die over a 10-year period than women who let it rip.—Psychosomatic Medicine

Folks 65 and older who didn’t help out family, friends and neighbors had a 30 percent higher chance of dying after a stressful life event than those who were generous with their time. —American Journal of Public Health

The incidence of gout, a painful inflammatory joint condition, is on the rise among men. The number of adult males in the U.S. being hospitalized for the condition has more than doubled since the 1990s. However, experts say nearly 90 percent of cases can be prevented by lowering uric acid levels and making lifestyle changes. —JAMA

“Exercise not only makes you feel better physically by reducing your waistline, blood pressure and stress levels, it can also improve mental clarity and self-esteem.” —Mike Ardizzone, Personal Trainer, Retro Fitness, Paramus