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5 Steps for women to reduce their risk of COPD

Women tend to develop COPD earlier in life than men and are more likely to have severe symptoms and be hospitalized with the disease. The good news? According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk for COPD.

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If you’re a woman who tries to stay healthy, you may exercise several times per week, watch what you eat and get 7-9 hours of sleep each night. But are you listening to your lungs?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a leading cause of disability and death in the United States, takes an especially heavy toll on women. You may think problems like shortness of breath, frequent coughs or wheezing are just signs of getting older, but it’s important to pay attention to these symptoms and discuss them with your doctor.

COPD is a serious lung disease that causes breathing problems and worsens over time. It has often been considered a man’s disease. Yet more women than men have been diagnosed with COPD in the past decade, and over the past 20 years more women have died from it, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Women tend to develop COPD earlier in life than men and are more likely to have severe symptoms and be hospitalized with the disease. The good news? According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk for COPD.

Don’t Smoke

You probably already know cigarette smoking is harmful  but did you know that women may be more vulnerable to the effects of smoking? Women who smoke tend to get COPD at younger ages and with less cigarettes smoked than men. COPD is the leading cause of death among U.S. women smokers.

If you do smoke, it’s never too late to quit.

If you thought vaping was a healthy alternative to smoking, think again. Researchers are still learning about the long-term health effects of e-cigarettes, but they may contain as many, if not more, harmful chemicals than tobacco cigarettes.

Avoid Pollutants

Among people with COPD who have never smoked, most are women. Women may be more vulnerable to indoor and outdoor air pollution. Women’s smaller lungs and airways mean the same amount of inhaled pollutants may cause more damage.

Working in places like nail salons, hair salons or dry cleaners can expose you to harmful chemicals. If you’re exposed to chemical fumes at your job, talk to your employer about ways to limit exposure. Better ventilation and wearing a mask can help.

Stay Current on Vaccines

People at risk for COPD are more likely to have serious problems resulting from some vaccine-preventable diseases. Ask a health care provider about getting vaccinated against the flu, pneumococcal disease and COVID-19.

Talk to Your Doctor About COPD

Women with COPD tend to be diagnosed later than men when the disease is more severe and treatments are less effective. If you think you could be at risk, or you are having symptoms, bring it up with your health care provider. Treatment can ease symptoms and improve your ability to exercise.

Learn More to Breathe Better

Find more information on COPD from NHLBI’s Learn More Breathe Better program at copd.nhlbi.nih.gov.

Zest Magazine accepts contributions promoting everything about living the good life (and how to make this so). C'mon, give us a yell.

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Research suggests drinking coffee may reduce the risk of frailty

Habitual coffee consumption of 4-6 cups and over* (with one cup measuring at 125ml) per day is associated with a reduced risk of frailty.

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A new study published in the European Journal of Nutrition has suggested that habitual coffee consumption of 4-6 cups and over* (with one cup measuring at 125ml) per day is associated with a reduced risk of frailty.

The study, funded by the Institute for Scientific Information on Coffee (ISIC) is the first to analyze the relationship between coffee consumption and the underlying components of frailty.

Coffee consumption has previously been linked to reducing the risk of some of the natural symptoms of ageing, such as improving cognitive function2 and mitigating against inflammatory related diseases. This latest research adds to the growing knowledge base within this area, exploring the benefits of regular coffee consumption over an extended period of time. 

For this study, researchers conducted a detailed analysis over a long seven-year follow-up period, surveying 1,161 adults aged 55+ years through the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA). 

The relationship between coffee consumption and the presence and incidence of frailty was investigated. Frailty status was evaluated using Fried’s five-component frailty phenotype4,which is defined by the presence of three or more of the following symptoms: weight loss, weakness, exhaustion, slow gait (walking) speed, and low physical activity.

The results of this study indicate that higher habitual coffee consumption is associated with lower overall odds of frailty. These findings can be considered alongside the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) scientific opinion that up to 400mg of caffeine (3-5 cups of coffee) per day is a moderate and safe amount5.

The researchers explain that coffee’s effect on reducing frailty can partly be attributed to the role of antioxidants in coffee, which may help to reduce inflammation, sarcopenia (muscle loss), and prevention of muscle damage. Coffee may also help to improve regulating insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake in older people.

The study’s lead author, Margreet R. Olthof, Associate Professor at the Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, commented: “Drinking coffee is a key part of many people’s daily routine, and as people age they are constantly looking for ways to maintain their health. Our findings highlight the possible beneficial association between daily coffee consumption and reduced risk of frailty in later life in the older population. Coffee consumption may thus enhance healthy aging, but it is important we also explore further dietary interventions, to ensure older adults can continue to live fulfilling lives.” 

* Moderate coffee consumption can be defined as 3–5 cups per day, based on the European Food Safety Authority’s review of caffeine safety.

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Landers opens first Cavite store in Vermosa

Landers Superstore, the fastest growing membership store in the country, proudly marks another milestone with the grand opening of Landers Vermosa – its first-ever store in the province and its 15th store nationwide.

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Premium membership shopping has finally arrived in Cavite.

Landers Superstore, the fastest growing membership store in the country, proudly marks another milestone with the grand opening of Landers Vermosa – its first-ever store in the province and its 15th store nationwide.

Conveniently located inside Ayala Vermosa’s sprawling estate and lifestyle hub in Imus, Cavite, the newest Landers store offers a fresh and elevated way of shopping for Caviteños, complete with massive savings, world-class finds, and exclusive membership perks, all under one roof. It is also the largest Landers store to date at 12,900 sqm, promising a bigger and better experience for every member who walks through its doors.

Welcoming Landers in Cavite

Landers Vermosa opened with an exciting grand launch that brought together members of the media, content creators, and special guests for a first look at the newest and biggest Landers Superstore. The attendees were in high spirits as they explored the spacious store and enjoyed exclusive product samplings and guided tours.

During the event, Landers Deputy Chief Executive Officer Bill Cummings delivered heartfelt opening remarks, expressing his excitement for the new store and his appreciation for the warm welcome from the Cavite community, noting that over 60,000 members had already signed up prior to opening day – a clear sign of the anticipation surrounding the launch.

The celebration also highlighted the strong collaboration between Landers Superstore and Ayala Land, along with the support of the city government of Imus, led by Mayor Alex Advincula. The event underscored Landers’ commitment to bringing world-class shopping experiences to more Filipino families, starting with the vibrant and growing community in Cavite.

What to expect at Landers Vermosa

At Landers Vermosa, members can look forward to filling their carts with high-quality local and imported products—from daily essentials to unique international finds. Beyond shopping, the store offers a host of exclusive perks that make every visit more rewarding. Members can enjoy free haircuts or blow-dry services at Federal Barbers, low-priced medicine and wellness products at Capital Care Pharmacy, up to P10 off per liter at Landers-Caltex gas stations, and up to 50% off on Solane LPG refills.

Members of Landers Vermosa will gain access to all of Landers Superstore’s massive sale events like Super Crazy Sale and 50% Off Produce Sale, which offer unbeatable savings on a wide range of products. To complete the experience, members can enjoy regular in-store activities every month and free product samplings that are perfect for the whole family.

Sign up for Landers membership

Be among the first to explore this exciting new shopping destination and enjoy all the perks that come with being a Landers member.

If you’re not yet a member, now’s the perfect time to sign up! Memberships are currently on sale at 50% off—just P350 for a full year of exclusive savings and benefits. Promo runs until May 31.

Looking for even more value? Apply for the Landers Cashback Everywhere Credit Card and get up to 5% cashback on all Landers purchases, plus earn rewards wherever you shop.

Landers Vermosa is here with more perks, more savings, and more reasons to love shopping in the South. See you in-store.

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Cannabidiol therapy could reduce symptoms in autistic children and teenagers

The use of cannabidiol (CBD) cannabis extract can lead to meaningful benefits and improve the behaviour of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder.

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New research presented at the 2025 European Congress of Psychiatry reveals that the use of cannabidiol (CBD) cannabis extract can lead to meaningful benefits and improve the behaviour of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD affects approximately 1 in 100 children around the world and symptoms can include difficulty interpreting language, difficulty expressing emotions, and repetitive behaviour and routines.1,2 

The meta-analysis included randomised, placebo-controlled trials on the efficacy or safety of CBD cannabis extracts in children and adolescents with ASD. Three studies were used in total with 276 participants with a mean age of 10.5, ranging in age from 5 to 21. The dosage of CBD cannabis extract started at 1 mg/kg per day and was titrated up to 10 mg/kg.  

Key findings from the study include: 

  • CBD cannabis extract use shows moderate improvements in social responsiveness and small yet notable reductions in disruptive behaviours.
  • CBD cannabis extract significantly enhanced social responsiveness and reduced disruptive behaviour.
  • The use of CBD cannabis extract has a favourable safety profile as it did not increase adverse events compared to placebo  
  • There were no significant differences between adverse events in CBD cannabis extract versus placebo  

Lara Cappelletti Beneti Branco, Lead Investigator, São Camilo University Center, University of São Paulo, said: “The global population prevalence of ASD diagnosis amongst children and adolescents is growing, but many treatment pathways are not effective. It is promising to see the effect of CBD cannabis extract on the study participants. However, there still needs to be considerable focus on further research with larger trials to clarify its efficacy and safety in managing ASD.” 

Professor Geert Dom, EPA President, said: “ASD can be extremely frustrating for all involved; parents of children and adolescents with the disorder, the treating clinicians and of course the children and adolescents themselves. A large part of this frustration is down to finding a viable treatment option that works to reduce symptoms. It is with delight that we see the results of this meta-analysis and we hope to see further research into this so we can move towards a solution to the unmet need within this community”.  

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