The Dark Ages, once thought to be a time of superstition and limited understanding, have revealed a more nuanced truth. A recent research project has uncovered that people during this period were actively engaging with medicine on a broader scale than previously believed. In fact, some medieval remedies are trending today on social media platforms like TikTok.

The Corpus of Early Medieval Latin Medicine (CEMLM), a comprehensive catalog of medical manuscripts from the Dark Ages, has been compiled by an international team of researchers. This extensive collection includes hundreds of manuscripts containing medical material predating the 11th century. By incorporating previously overlooked texts, the CEMLM nearly doubles the number of known medical manuscripts from this period.

One of the most striking aspects of these medieval remedies is their similarity to modern wellness trends. For instance, a recipe for treating headaches involves crushing the stone of a peach and mixing it with rose oil, which has been shown in studies to alleviate migraine pain. Similarly, lizard shampoo was used to promote luscious hair growth or remove unwanted locks, a technique eerily similar to waxing.

Associate Professor Meg Leja, an expert in medieval history, notes that many of these writings were found within the margins of unrelated manuscripts, such as those on grammar, theology, and poetry. This speaks to a preoccupation with the body’s health and the desire to control it through natural substances and observations.

While the Dark Ages may have lacked sources compared to other periods, the research team emphasizes that this was not due to an anti-science attitude. People during this time were indeed concerned with science, observation, and understanding the utility of different natural substances.

The CEMLM is now available online, produced by a collaborative effort from various universities. The researchers will continue to update the catalog with new manuscripts and work on new editions and translations of medical texts that can be used in teaching.

This comprehensive catalog reveals the surprising sophistication of medieval medicine, showcasing remedies that are remarkably similar to modern wellness trends. As historian Meg Leja notes, “A lot of things that you see in these manuscripts are actually being promoted online currently as alternative medicine, but they have been around for thousands of years.”

The British Journal of Sports Medicine has published a study that finds being consistently physically active in adulthood is linked to a 30-40% lower risk of death from any cause in later life. This means that even if you haven’t been active throughout your life, it’s never too late to start moving more and reap the benefits. In fact, switching to a more active lifestyle at any point in adult life may extend your lifespan.

The study analyzed data from 85 studies that measured physical activity at two or more points in time. The results showed that consistently active people had around a 30-40% lower risk of dying from any cause, while those who increased their levels of physical activity from below the recommended levels had a 20-25% lower risk of death from any cause.

The researchers also found that generally, the associations observed between a high level of physical activity and a lower risk of death were more evident for cardiovascular disease than for cancer. However, the evidence for the associations between physical activity patterns and death from a specific cause remained inconclusive, especially for death from cancer.

Despite these limitations, the study’s findings have important public health implications. The researchers emphasize the importance of sustained physical activity over time and suggest that future interventions may not only target inactive people but also support active people to maintain their activity.

In conclusion, this study highlights the power of movement in adding years to your life. Whether you’re 20 or 60, it’s never too late to start exercising regularly and reap the benefits for your overall health and well-being. So, get moving and make physical activity a priority in your life!

The Crucial Connection Between Sleep and Heart Health: What Women Over 45 Need to Know

For women over 45, the menopause transition can be a critical period for cardiovascular health. According to recent research published in Menopause, only about 1 in 5 women achieve optimal scores using the American Heart Association’s health-assessment tool, known as Life’s Essential 8 (LE8). This study highlights the significance of four key components driving future cardiovascular risks: blood glucose, blood pressure, sleep quality, and nicotine use.

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and Baylor University analyzed data from approximately 3,000 women who participated in the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN). The team compared the women’s LE8 scores at baseline to their evolving health trajectories over time. The results showed that four LE8 components – blood glucose, blood pressure, sleep quality, and nicotine use – were the most important factors influencing future cardiovascular risks.

Notably, sleep emerged as a crucial predictor for long-term effects of cardiovascular disease events and all-cause mortality. Meeting the bar for healthy sleep, defined in Life’s Essential 8 as seven to nine hours on average for most adults, may contribute to women’s heart health and longevity. However, only 21% of midlife women studied had an ideal LE8 score.

“With heart disease being the leading cause of death in women, these findings point to the need for lifestyle and medical interventions to improve heart health during and after menopause among midlife women,” said senior author Samar R. El Khoudary, Ph.D., M.P.H., professor of epidemiology at Pitt’s School of Public Health.

This study underscores the importance of prioritizing sleep as a critical component in maintaining long-term cardiovascular health for women over 45. By making informed lifestyle choices and seeking medical attention when needed, women can take control of their heart health during this critical period.