How meditation can tame anxiety

Plus: Statins vs. supplements for heart health [View this email online]( [NPR Health]( November 13, 2022 by Andrea Muraskin We learn how to [mindfulness can help with anxiety.]( And, a new study backs experts’ claims that [statins are more effective at lowering cholesterol than alternatives]( like fish oil. Plus, puppeteers meet the moment when it comes to [helping school kids manage their emotions](. --------------------------------------------------------------- Researchers find n[ew evidence for meditation's anxiety-busting benefits]( [If election uncertainty makes you anxious, you're not alone. Kate Sweeny, who studies the psychology of waiting, says there are ways to try to make it less stressful.]( FatCamera/Getty Images If you suffer from anxiety symptoms like restlessness, feelings of dread and sleep problems, you may have tried a few treatments and therapies -- finding what works is an individual journey. Many people get relief using psychiatric medications, but they don't work equally well for everyone, or you may be looking for other approaches to complement them. Now there's new evidence showing meditation can be surprisingly effective at managing anxiety. For the first time, scientists compared patients who took an intensive eight-week mindfulness meditation program to patients who took escitalopram, the generic name of the widely-prescribed and well-studied anxiety drug Lexapro. They found that both interventions worked equally well in reducing anxiety symptoms. [Here's how mindfulness works to calm anxiety.]( Plus: Still biting your nails over lingering election results? [Here are 4 tips to help you cope with ballot-tallying stress]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- [For lowering cholesterol, study finds pharmaceuticals are much more effective than supplements]( [Millions of Americans are prescribed statins to reduce the risk of heart disease, but many prefer to take supplements like fish oil, garlic and flaxseed.]( Peter Dazeley/Getty Images High cholesterol levels, if left untreated, can lead to heart attack or stroke. Statins like Lipitor and Crestor work by slowing down the production of LDL cholesterol in the liver, where it’s made. Because the liver isn't making so much cholesterol, it then takes cholesterol out of your blood, so your blood cholesterol levels fall. Millions of Americans are prescribed these medications every year. But many instead turn to supplements marketed to lower cholesterol, like fish oil, flaxseed oil, and turmeric-- citing concerns about side effects from the drugs. Researchers at the Cleveland Clinic compared rosuvastatin (brand name Crestor) with supplements including fish oil, cinnamon, and garlic, and a placebo, in a clinical trial. While none of the supplements resulted in a significant drop in LDL cholesterol compared with placebo, they found that rosuvastatin lowered the artery-clogging cholesterol by almost 38%. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, part of the NIH, has also concluded that omega-3 supplements do not reduce the risk of heart disease. But eating fish – which contains omega-3 fatty acids – is linked to a reduced risk. Cardiologist Michael Honigberg, says he advises patients to take the cash they would have shelled out for supplements and “spend that money on eating heart healthy, high quality food.” And if you are prescribed a statin, he says, the [risk of side effects is really quite small](. [​​​​​​​Plus: How many eggs should you eat in a day?]( [Back at school post-lockdown, young kids get lessons in managing their emotions – from puppets]( [First-grader Rylee plays with a puppet during class.]( Ryan T. Conaty for NPR I don’t know what it is about puppets. As a kid, I found them so trustworthy and accessible. And even though I knew at some level that Elmo and Zoe were controlled by human hands, I must admit I paid them more heed than I did Gordon and Maria. Puppeteers at the University of Connecticut’s Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry wanted to help children struggling with social and emotional skills after spending months at home during the pandemic. So they partnered with a school psychologist to create a cast of puppet characters, and a series of videos called “[Feel Your Best Self]( In the videos, the puppet friends teach emotional regulation skills like belly breathing and “shaking out the yuck.” In the pilot program at one elementary school, kids also get kits to make their own puppets. [And there’s been a measurable change in student behavior](. Before you go: [Patients had a reduced risk of developing long COVID after taking Paxlovid, and the benefits were seen among those who were vaccinated and unvaccinated.]( Stephanie Nano/AP - Memoir 'Fatty Fatty Boom Boom' details podcaster Rabia Chaudry’s [battle with weight– and the cultural baggage]( that comes with it - Meet the new omicron subvariants raising [fears of a winter surge]( - A study finds antiviral treatment Paxlovid may [cut the risk of long COVID]( - New opioid prescribing guidelines give doctors [more leeway to treat pain]( We hope you enjoyed these stories. Find more of [NPR's health journalism]( on Shots and follow us on Twitter at [@NPRHealth](. All the best, Andrea Muraskin and NPR's health editors --------------------------------------------------------------- Listen to your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream. [Listen Live]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Twitter]( What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: [shots@npr.org](mailto:shots@npr.org?subject=Newsletter%20Feedback) Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! [They can sign up here.]( Looking for more great content? [Check out all of our newsletter offerings]( — including Goats & Soda, Daily News, Best of NPR and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Health emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy]( [NPR logo]