Nurse’s Health Study 2023

“My times are in Your hand.” Psalm 31:15

The Nurse’s Health Study began in 1976 with a biannual questionnaire about nurses’ health habits who were born between 1921-1946. The researchers chose nurses because they are reliable, educated in health, and used to filling out forms. Of the original 121,701 nurses, 30,000 completed their survey in 2021.

The Nurse’s Health Study II began in 1989 for nurses born between 1946-1964 with 116,680 participants. I am proud to be part of this group and have faithfully completed my survey every two years despite seven moves. They now email us the survey and ask for address updates annually. In my group, 73,000 of us completed our surveys in 2021. I have written in my will to notify the Study of my decease if the Lord takes me to heaven before the rapture.

This year’s findings provided strong evidence that limiting sodium and increasing potassium leads to better cardiovascular health. They collected two 24-hour urine samples from 2000 nurses and combined the data with four other studies of 10,000 healthy adults in the U.S. and Europe. Participants with the highest levels of sodium in the urine were 60% more likely to have a heart attack, stroke, or coronary artery procedure than those with the lowest sodium levels.

Those with the highest levels of potassium had a 31% lower risk of cardiovascular events than those with the lowest levels.

The easiest way to reduce sodium is to limit the use of the salt shaker, intake of processed foods, and eating out at restaurants. Increasing one’s intake of whole fruits, leafy greens, beans, dairy, and seafood helps boost your potassium.

They also found that physical activity even as little as 20-74 minutes per week lowered the risk of premature death. Benefits were even greater for those who engaged in 150-299 minutes per week of moderate activity such as brisk walking, elliptical, or weightlifting. Vigorous activities of 75-149 minutes per week had a 20-30% decreased risk of premature death. These activities include jogging, bicycling, swimming, tennis, and hiking.

They also found that those who ate the most flavonoids had better cognitive function later in life probably because of their anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. Berries and citrus foods are the best sources of flavonoids. They recommend at least five servings daily of colorful fruits and vegetables.

I try to eat healthy and exercise, But ultimately, our times are in God’s hands. As the old hymn says, “‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus.”