Heart Health Articles
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month and according to The National Cancer Institute, cigarette smoking causes 87% of lung cancer deaths. In addition, smoking increases a woman’s risk of stroke, heart attack, high blood pressure, blood clots, coronary and peripheral artery diseases and many other life threatening diseases. ChicagoHealers.com Practitioner, Karen Erickson, BS explains that many women smoke to avoid emotion. It is a way to distract themselves from feelings such as boredom, loneliness, sadness or stress.
“Many women call their cigarettes their friends, their little buddies,” says Erickson. “They have created an emotional illusion about smoking because of some void in their life which they are trying to fill with smoking.”
Erickson says that the first step in quitting is to become educated on the subject. There are over 4,000 toxic chemical compounds in one cigarette that slowly kills a smoker. In addition, Mayo Clinic reports that smoking causes ten times more wrinkles in woman than in non-smokers. Another avenue to choose when quitting is determining what it is that cigarettes are trying to compensate for and come up with a healthy way to deal with the feelings or desires.
Once a commitment has been made to quit smoking for good, follow Erickson’s tips to remain smoke free:
Breathe In, Breathe Out- Find a healthy activity to keep busy with such as meditation, gardening, exercise or reading.
Write it Out- Create a list filled with the benefits of quitting. Go over the list everyday to reinforce the commitment.
Switch It Up!- Change a routine to make it easier to quit. If bars are a trigger, avoid them initially. If coffee is a trigger, switch to tea for a period of time.
Help is On the Way- If assistance is needed, find a smoking cessation center where services are offered such as hypnosis, acupuncture, biofeedback and herbal remedies.
Much research and attention has been focused on the connection between high levels of cholesterol in the blood and heart disease. Many people now rely on medication aimed at lowering lipid (blood fat) levels. Is that advisable? Let’s review the facts on cholesterol: what it is, what its role is in the body, how it can it be controlled through the foods we eat and other natural methods of treatment.
Cholesterol is a fatty substance in your blood that can accumulate inside your vessels and lead to heart problems. According to the American Heart Association, your liver and cells make up 75 percent of your cholesterol in your body, while the remaining 25 percent is found in your food. We have “good” and “bad” cholesterol within our bodies. LDL cholesterol is called “bad” cholesterol, because elevated levels of LDL cholesterol are associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease. HDL cholesterol is called the “good cholesterol” because HDL cholesterol particles prevent atherosclerosis by extracting cholesterol from the artery walls and disposing of them through the liver.
When cholesterol is too high and the ratio between LDL and HDL is not ideal there are different options to consider. Some turn to a class of medications known as statins, however there are risks and side effects associated with them, including headaches, nausea, constipation, muscle weakness and pain, liver and kidney stress and/or failure, and increased risk of diabetes.
Natural or holistic options can combat high cholesterol. Making heart healthy food choices is the first step. Following are some of the best options:
- Fruits and vegetables. Fresh or frozen produce contain phytonutrients that help to prevent and repair cellular damage. They are scavengers for free radicals, which helps to protect our blood vessels. It is important to remember that fruits and vegetables are most beneficial when they are in their raw state. When cooking vegetables the best method to keep nutrients and enzymes from being destroyed is to lightly steam.
- Whole grains, beans, legumes, nuts and seeds. Fiber is important in maintaining or reaching ideal cholesterol levels. Soluble fibers job is to bind to LDL (bad) Cholesterol which is eventually excreted out of our systems. Soluble fiber sources are foods like nuts, beans, legumes, and oats to name a few.
- Fish. The American Heart association recommends eating fatty fish like salmon at least twice a week. The omega-3 fatty acids in fish help to lower the risk of heart disease.
The spices below work towards overall heart health:
- Caper, coriander, cinnamon, fenugreek, garlic, ginger Lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol
- Fenugreek Raises HDL (good) cholesterol)
- Bay leaf, garlic, ginger, oregano, rosemary, thyme, turmeric Anti-inflammatory
- Clove, ginger, onion, oregano, rosemary, thyme Inhibit platelet aggregation (prevents blood clots)
There are also supplements and herbal treatments to treat high cholesterol. A few examples are red yeast rice with CoQ10 as well as plant sterols which help to naturally lower cholesterol levels. You should always consult with a health professional before starting any supplement routine.
Being active and developing a regular cardiovascular as well as strength training routine has been shown to raise the “good cholesterol” and lower the “bad”. If you are someone who does not currently incorporate physical activity into your daily routine, start by taking small steps such as taking a 15 minute walk everyday and working up from there.
It’s important to keep in mind that cholesterol has positive and essential roles within our bodies. We need cholesterol to produce hormones, vitamin D and bile. Cholesterol is also important for protecting nerves and for the structure of cells. Turning to a cholesterol free diet and avoiding even healthy fats is not a safe method of health care. Make sure you’re monitoring your cholesterol levels, and if they are elevated, taking steps towards a heart healthy diet and exercise routine should be the first line of defense.
Healthy gums, healthy heart- oral care tips
While many people are familiar with traditional cardiac- health promoting practices such as eating right and exercising, what is lesser known is the link between superior oral care and cardiovascular health. The following advice will not only promote healthy teeth and gums, but benefit your heart health.
Is there an advantage to electric brushing?
In almost all instances an electric toothbrush (Oral-B/Braun, Sonicare, etc) is a very worthwhile addition as they are proven to be more effective than a manual brush. Also, Waterpiks can be a huge asset when used correctly in reducing plaque bacteria under the gumline. The oxygen- hating bacteria tend to be those that cause the most damage to the cardiovascular system, and these congregate mostly under the gumline. This makes care of those areas doubly important. The above mentioned, along with flossing will generate the sought after results.
Do toothpastes and mouthwashes make a difference?
I’m mainly a proponent of non-alcohol/chemical free mouthwashes. There are numerous products available through Young Living and Dental Herb Company, to name just a few. Others I haven’t named may be very effective as well, with some available only through dental offices. We won’t play favorites, just keep the above in mind: non-alchohol/chemical free.
With toothpastes we also have numerous choices. Keep chemical free/fluoride free as the goal. Xylitol containing pastes, mints, and chewing gums and MI paste, which contains beneficial calcium and phosphorous, help reduce the risk of decay more safely than fluoride.
What about fluoride?
Regarding the fluoride effect, keep this in mind: the fluoride contained in most drinking water is not sodium fluoride but fluorosilicic acid (a toxic by-product of the fertilizer industry). Fluoride may in some remote way help teeth and is toxic to bacteria just as it is to us, but the overall risk to the rest of the body just doesn’t justify its usage. There’s quite a bit of research that involves fluoride toxicity, and if there’s that sort of risk potential, I think it’s wise to abstain. Every tube of commercially used sodium-fluoride containing toothpaste carries a warning label on the back instructing you to contact a poison control center if ingested. Think about it…
What to Eat/Not Eat?
Let’s keep this simple. Eat plenty of fresh-as-you-can- get vegetables and fruits. These are loaded with vitamins, minerals, bioflavonoids, and antioxidants. Too much fruit can be damaging to your liver, so limit to 1-2 per day. Choosing vegetables and protein from raw nuts/lean meats/fish/poultry is the ticket. When choosing fish, remember that smaller fish like salmon contain less mercury than large fish like swordfish. Avoid processed foods of all kinds due to the chemicals they contain along with high fructose corn syrup and other additives.
• If heart disease runs in your family, a diagnosis of gum disease increases the likelihood of developing heart disease, but an improved oral care regimen and healthy diet can lower the risk.
• It is never too late to change dental habits, and such changes do a great deal to limit the risk of disease and repair past damage.
This week, I have had so many people ask me about a recent study on calcium supplements. The claim of the study is that taking calcium supplements causes a 30% increase in heart attacks. There are some serious problems with the study, a meta-analysis by Professor Ian Reid from the Department of Medicine at the University of Auckland, and published in the British Medical Journal.
A prominent researcher on calcium metabolism (who drafted the WHO recommendations on dietary calcium) Professor Chris Nordin, of Royal Adelaide Hospital, has already questioned the findings. He says that the review is misleading because it does not separate men from women in the findings. According to him “Men are much more liable to heart attacks than women, but women need calcium far more than men, so it is absurd to publish a study of the effect of calcium on the heart without separating men from women.”
My own objections to the study are as follows:
• There are a lot of hazards in the kind of statistical number crunching involved in a meta-analysis. Worst case scenario is, you do a meta-analysis of 11 studies, all of which are flawed in their methods or have doubtful data or conclusions, and what do you get? A larger conclusion based on 11 questionable sets of data. So how accurate were the original 11 studies? We have no idea.
• We do know that in the studies, the calcium was treated as an “independent variable” so magnesium and Vitamin D were not given. Magnesium is needed to balance calcium intake. Vitamin D is needed for proper calcium metabolism. So doing studies that do not provide the other vitamins and minerals needed, could have some very poor results. Maybe calcium supplements, specifically when given without magnesium and Vitamin D do cause additional calcium deposits in the arteries, and therefore more heart attacks. But right now we don’t know, and the meta-analysis is not sufficient evidence to tell us.
So, what to do? Bottom line—there are many long term studies showing that calcium supplementation is safe. Here are my recommendations.
• Calcium-magnesium-Vitamin D supplementation is especially important for perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.The current recommendation for perimenopausal and postmenopausal women is from 1000 to 1500 mg of calcium per day. Given that most people do get some calcium in their diet, 500 mg of calcium with 250 mg magnesium and 400 IU of Vitamin D (taken all together) is probably enough supplementation, unless the person is allergic to dairy.
• Vitamin D is very important to bone health. There are many people walking around with Vitamin D deficiency in the United States—not enough sun exposure, and not enough Vitamin D in their diets. In addition to osteoporosis, Vitamin D deficiency also is a factor in Alzheimer’s disease. So get your Vitamin D level taken, and if it is low, you may need to take more like 2000 IU or more per day until your level gets up to normal. Take the Vitamin D orally, do not accept high dose injections—they have been associated with atypical bone fractures.
What do you really know about your statin medication? With over 13 million prescriptions written per month statins are the most prescribed drug in the U.S. Physicians write the prescriptions under the blanket statement that whatever downside a statin has it is not as bad as a heart attack. Is that really true? Do statins actually prevent the disease they are prescribed for? To answer this question we have to understand the history and research into statin medications. In 1970 Lovastatin was isolated from the poison of red rice yeast. The poison is used as deterrent to predators of the red rice yeast. In humans statins block the production of an enzyme that produces cholesterol in the liver. This same enzyme is crucial in the production of Coenzyme Q10 a potent heart antioxidant. CoQ10 is necessary for the production of energy in our muscle tissue especially the heart. Over time CoQ10 depletion leads to weakened heart strength and congestive heart failure. The medicine you are taking to save your heart is actually causing weakness and failure of your heart.
In order for the pharmaceutical companies to sell 13 million prescriptions per month they needed to point the finger at cholesterol as the cause of heart disease since they could suppress cholesterol with statin medications. Is cholesterol the problem? The majority of your cholesterol number is the result of the cholesterol your liver has produced. That is why low cholesterol diets do almost nothing to lower your cholesterol number. The chief function of cholesterol is not to clog up your arteries. It is the primary component of your cell membranes, and it is crucial to repair damage to your cells. So how do cells get damaged? The easiest way to understand this process is to look at a cut to your skin. When the skin is cut inflammation takes over. This process will immediately mobilize cells and chemicals which will cause the blood to thicken and clot, other cells will multiply to speed healing. When the process is complete scar tissue is left behind. More and more research is pointing to the fact that cardiovascular disease is an inflammatory disease. So the inflammation within the arteries is causing the blood to flow slower so it can thicken and clot, and cells are multiplying to ensure that scar tissue lies down. The only problem is that scar tissue in the arteries is called plaque. It is a lesion that has a high concentration of calcium in it causing the artery to lose its flexibility and develop an aneurysm and eventually rupture as a stroke or torn aorta. Cholesterol fits into this process because the chemicals that are produced in response to inflammation are sending signals to the liver to produce more cholesterol so the body can repair the tissues that are being injured due to the inflammatory process. Talk about shooting the messenger!
Whether you are taking a statin or not, controlling the inflammatory process is the key to controlling your risk of cardiovascular disease. We don’t have to stop there. Joint pain, cancer, intestinal disorders, skin irritations, dry eyes, even depression and mood swings are the result of inflammation. Controlling the inflammatory process is the single most important step in regaining or maintaining health. If you or anyone you know is taking a statin medication or if inflammation is causing stress in your life then you need to know about Total Omega-3+.
Total Omega-3+ is an antioxidant infused fish oil that covers all aspects of inflammation in just 2 capsules a day. We start with our pharmaceutical grade ultra-pure fish oil. The only fish oil that is molecularly distilled 3 times to ensure purity, potency, and freshness. We combine bioidentical CoQ10 to ensure that all muscle tissue can produce healthy energy levels. Additionally we have added a high dose of vitamin K2-7. K2-7 or menaquinone has consistently demonstrated the ability to remove calcium from the arterial system (where it does not belong) and transport it to the ground matrix of the bones (where it belongs) in multiple large scale studies. It is crucial for optimal circulatory health. We add a healthy dose of Vitamin D3 for more cardiovascular and bone protection, and we finish with Tocomin SupraBio a patented vitamin E complex that research shows is imperative for keeping blood thin and maintaining normal arterial flexibility.
For those of you on statin medications you should take Total Omega-3+ every day to replenish the CoQ10 that is being robbed from your heart. This will keep your heart healthy while you work to control the inflammatory process that has your liver producing too much cholesterol at this time.
The rest of us should look to add Total Omega-3+ to our routine as a way of combating inflammation at its source to keep us healthy and strong.
Gum disease is caused by a number of things. There are always bacteria present in the mouth with the potential to create the gum disease state, but how the body reacts to their presence may be the most important thing.
In a healthy mouth, the gum disease causing anaerobic bacteria are generally present but in far fewer numbers than in an unhealthy mouth. The normal aerobic bacteria are present in abundance which helps our immune system with a check and balance system synergistically limiting the harmful pathogens from rapid population growth. Normal brushing and flossing daily and maintaining a healthy diet of as many organic, non-processed foods all aid the immune system in maintaining this healthy state.
Gum disease worsens through many factors. If improper or insufficient daily care is negligent, the normal highly aerobic bacterial balance shifts to higher anaerobic gum disease producing numbers of bacteria. Our immune system becomes challenged to fight the problematic anaerobes. Our white blood cells release chemical mediators and cell to cell messages to bring reinforcements in to gain the upper hand in this fight. Some of these anaerobes, once killed by the white blood cell response, release what are known as endotoxins, a normal bacterial cell component which when released damages our own healthy cells causing cell death. In essence, it is a friendly fire-like circumstance. In our killing of the harmful pathogens, the bacteria release their chemical time bombs that kill our healthy gum and or bone cells, thereby increasing the amount of collateral damage caused. Certain men and women lack certain chemical safeguards that would protect themselves from their own enzymes’ killing of their own healthy tissues. For example, if endotoxins kill off osteoclast cells (our normal bone remodeling cells), they can release large quantities of the collagenase enzyme. Collagenase is a normal body enzyme that in a controlled setting by our healthy cells is enormously useful, but in this instance, lethal to a lot of surrounding tissue if that enzyme can’t be neutralized quickly enough.
Looking at this from a vascular standpoint here’s what happens to blood vessels in the immediately affected areas of gum disease. Our immune system has used chemical messengers, cytokines and prostaglandins to not only call more white blood cells to fight the ever growing infection, but also these chemicals tell our capillaries (small blood vessels) to open up gaps within their walls to allow the newly arriving white blood cells access in fighting the infection. More bacteria are killed, more endotoxins are released, and now we have blood vessels wide open allowing the invading bacteria and their toxic by-products access to anywhere they would like to go within our body through our blood delivery system. You now have a bigger problem.
The same endotoxin, among other things, has the same lethal effects on muscle, lymphatic, heart, brain and every other differentiated human cell type. Turning this potent killer loose on your heart or brain tissue can certainly cause havoc to be frank. If tunica intima cells (cells that line the inside of your arteries) are damaged, this can certainly lead to scar tissue formation, arteriosclerosis, and hypertension over time. This puts added burden on the kidneys and the heart muscle itself. Over a couple decades if the vascular damage cannot be corrected, renal failure, stroke, heart attack, and quite possibly death can be the result. Heart disease is among the top three causes of morbidity and mortality today, as it has been for a number of years. As we in the holistic field know full well, this is looking at the bigger picture. Proper oral care performed daily limits these risk factors. Failing to do so can have catastrophic effects if left unchecked and untreated. Brushing and flossing is not just about teeth and gums anymore. It’s about raising awareness of the potential for bacterial penetration of our vascular system and allowing a localized infection to spread systematically with the above mentioned outcomes as a partial list of possibilities to the unsuspecting host.
The age adjusted death rates for coronary heart disease and stroke have each reduced about 30% since 1999, according to the latest data in the American Heart Association’s heart disease and stroke statistics (2009 update published online in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association). These reflect the latest data for 2006. “The American Heart Association is proud of the progress this country has made against America’s number one single cause of death and the number three killer,” said Association President Timothy Gardner, M.D. (News release, American Heart Association, Dallas December 15, 2008)
If heart disease is 30% better and still the number 3 killer of Americans, it certainly seems like we have a long way to go.
Okay, heart disease runs in your family and you have been diagnosed with gum disease. What do you do? Unfortunately, we can’t get into everything that it would be wise to do in prevention, supplementation, or nutrition, but here are a few of each that are easy to do and remember.
On the hygiene front, brush 2-3 minutes at least twice daily, and preferably with an electric toothbrush (Oral-B, Sonicare, Rotodent, Crest, etc.) These are proven superior to hand brushing. Floss daily going lightly in an up/down direction making sure to get under the gum line to break up the anaerobes where they love to hide. For those with bridgework, use floss threaders, proxybrushes and/or super floss wherever you are able without causing damage. I prefer non-alcohol containing mouth rinses as another adjunct, and there are a lot from which to choose. For gum disease sufferers, a waterpik on low pressure can be a great thing to flush out problem areas and place medicaments where they can be of best benefit. And by all means, see your dentist at least twice annually.
With respect to nutrition and supplementation, let’s keep it simple. Eating a diet of as much organic whole, raw vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds with small amounts of meat, fish, and poultry, and limiting processed foods is as simple as it gets. You often will derive most of the vitamins, minerals, protein, fats, carbohydrates, and anti-oxidants you need just by doing this. If supplements are needed, and often times are, try these for starters: vitamin C, vitamin E, and CoQ10 are all powerful anti-oxidants that are very useful in our cardiovascular system and in gingival tissue, either diseased or healthy. They are able to neutralize toxins on a cellular level, which is what makes them so useful. There are large numbers of more obscure, or less well known, anti-oxidants, but almost everyone knows about these three.
Just because heart disease runs in your family and gum disease is found, doesn’t mean the executioner’s song is playing. You can alter things over time and effect positive change. But this often takes discipline in diet, hygiene and supplementation, which most individuals choose not to do as they should. Hiding from the problem won’t help. Look hard in the mirror and choose wisely. Accept that hard choices must be made, and do what’s necessary. Gum disease tends to be cyclical in nature and with the proper attention to all phases of health and hygiene, you can certainly do your best to limit your own risks and repair past damage in many instances.
Heart/Cardiovascular Diseases—The Silent Killer is the No.1 killer of nearly half of the American population and sends more than 6 million people to the hospital each year. For many, a fatal heart attack is the first symptom of this horrible disease. Worse, many of the “TRADITIONAL” risk factors don’t accurately predict whether you are susceptible. Educate yourself by understanding the role of nutrition, exercise and positive lifestyles choices. You can dramatically strengthen your health and lower your disease causing factors just by making simple changes.
ARE YOU AT RISK FOR HEART/CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE?
Find out with this cardiac survey: Which of these characteristics, conditions or lifestyle issues best describes you?
1. Earlobe creases
2. Thyroid dysfunction
3. Gum disease
4. Smoking
5. Sedentary lifestyle
6. High stress
7. High red meat (pork, beef and lamb) consumption, more than 3x per week.
8. Diet rich in processed carbohydrates (white flour, white sugar, white rice).
9. Baldness
10. Family history of heart disease
11. Overweight, especially in the abdominal region
12. High Cholesterol levels especially the TG/HDL ratio
13. Hypertension/High Blood Pressure
14. Age of life 40 and above.
Listed above are 14 of the most common risk factors for heart disease, but there are more than 250 documented risk factors and you are at risk with even one characteristic on this list. If you have 3 or more of these risk factors, you are at serious risk of a possible heart attack and you must take action to protect your cardiovascular health.
You don’t have to die from heart/cardiovascular disease. Discover the real factors, know the hidden causes and find the real answers. Protect yourself from heart disease with knowing some of the untold truths that are hidden from you. These are just 5 of the many untold truths:
1. IT’S NOT THE TOTAL CHOLESTEROL THAT MATTERS, IT’S YOUR TRIGLYCERIDES/HDL RATIO!!!
In the past we’ve always focused on the total cholesterol numbers and it is important to keep them within “normal” range. However, it is even more important to maintain a proper ratio between the triglycerides (TG) and the HDL, the “good” cholesterol. The higher the TG level is, the lower the HDL level will be and although the statin drugs can help reduce the overall cholesterol and cause many side effects, they do nothing to boost the all-important HDL. The higher the TG/HDL ratio is, the higher the risk of a heart attack, regardless of the total cholesterol!
2. INFLAMMATION IS THE HEART OF THE MATTER!!!
Inflammation is the body’s basic emergency response system. When the body perceives an attack of any kind, the immune system rallies to defend itself. It sends an army of white blood cells to destroy the invaders. Eventually these white blood cells pile up in layers on the blood vessels creating unstable lesions that rupture weak blood vessels triggering a heart attack. The system is made more vulnerable if there are more risk factors like overweight/obesity, smoking, a family medical history of heart disease, high stress and/or the S.A.D. (standard American diet) of highly processed sugar laden, carbohydrate-rich foods. All of these risk factors are known to shock the immune system into action and cause the inflammation reaction that can lead to heart disease.
3. WOMEN ARE 10-15 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO DIE FROM HEART DISEASE THAN FROM BREAST CANCER!!!
Heart/Cardiovascular disease is still the No.1 KILLER of both Men and Women; the symptoms are different in women. Thus women may not be aware of what to look for, this put them at greater risk of death or serious complications from a heart attack. Women often have subtler symptoms that may be misdiagnosed as chest pains related to anxiety or panic attacks and/or severs stress, but only about 41% of women have any pain at all. Other symptoms include dizziness, nausea, weakness, fatigue and/or anxiety. Because of the misdiagnosis these women are advised to take the WRONG medications, when what they need is immediate cardiovascular care. Only about 3% of women believe they will die of heart disease, but 45-50% do. And 45-50% of women believe they will die of breast cancer, but only about 3% do. When a young woman dies 3 days before her 20th birthday, we must educate women of all ages of the danger of cardiovascular disease.
4. CARDIOLOGISTS ARE OFTEN SLOW TO REACT TO NEW MEDICAL DEVELOPMENTS!!!
Most physicians are highly motivated to help, treat and cure patients. Some of them are slow to react to the new developments in treatment options. It’s because the physicians don’t know about the fibrinogen, C-Reactive Proteins, Homocysteine and other cytokines. These are relatively NEW developments—WITHIN THE PAST 10+ YEARS. The drug companies, who highly promote the toxic prescription drugs that, are more expensive, damaging and harder to acquire than their natural options, perpetuate this ignorance. Don’t trust your health and/or your life to a doctor who is NOT abreast of current medical and natural research and testing!
5. DRUGS ARE NOT THE SOLUTION THEY MAY BE THE PROBLEM!!!
The real problem with prescription heart drugs is that they are only temporary fixes-BANDAIDS, not permanent solutions. Most of the popular cardiovascular medications have some serious if not deadly side effects and/or cross reactions you may not be aware of, from mild nausea, confusion, fatigue, serious muscle weakness and atrophy, liver and gallbladder problems, malabsorption leading to malnutrition, depression, arthritis, stroke and believe it or not even heart attack. The best solution is prevention; by getting to the underlining causes of heart disease you can prevent a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.
A predominate plant-based diet, exercise, stress management, positive lifestyle and supplementation with natural high quality supplements can help you maintain healthy cholesterol readings, strong heart function and excellent circulation for a very long, healthy life.
High blood pressure is a major problem in today’s fast paced, high stress world. It is a silent condition that steals health and is a precursor to serious cardiovascular disease that can steal life. Most cases of high blood pressure are caused by arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis – factors that can be brought under control by diet and lifestyle improvements.
Blood pressure can affect the whole family by them being irritable with headaches, dizziness, sleeplessness, fatigue and edema. You and your family members can avoid getting high blood pressure by diet and lifestyle improvements.
You can lower your blood pressure by keeping your body weight down. One of the biggest risk factors is increased fat storage. Avoid refined foods, caffeine, salty, sugary, fried and fatty foods, heavy pastries and soft drinks. All cause potassium depletion and allow arterial plaque build-up.
Include lots of vitamin C, magnesium and potassium rich foods, like broccoli, bananas, dried fruits, potatoes, seafood, bell peppers, avocados, cauliflower, brown rice and leafy greens.
As for lifestyle exercise is important take a brisk 30 minute walk every day with plenty of deep lung breathing. Relaxation techniques are very important, massage and meditation are best for hypertension.
Avoid phenylalanine (especially as found in Nutra-Sweet) and over the counter antihistamines.
February is Healthy Heart Month! Here are two facts about heart attacks that every woman needs to know. They could save your life:
1.HEART ATTACKS ARE NOW THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF DEATH IN BOTH MEN AND WOMEN.
2.CHEST PAIN IS NOT THE MAIN WARNING SIGN OF HEART ATTACKS IN WOMEN.
A November 2003 National Institutes of Health (NIH) study, titled “Women’s Early Warning Symptoms of Acute Myocardial Infarction” – (PDF available at www.circ.ahajournals.org/go) studied 515 women. A whopping 95% of them said they knew their symptoms were new or different a month or more before having their heart attack. Here are the facts and figures on the “warning signs”:
- 42.1% had shortness of breath
Unfortunately, most doctors continue to consider chest pain as the most important heart attack symptom in both women and men—so it is important for women to bring any of the above symptoms to the attention of their doctors, to say that they have heard of the NIH study on women’s heart attacks and are concerned that they might be at risk. Recognition of these symptoms by both women and their doctors is critical to prevention and treatment, because it is clear that women’s symptoms are not as predictable as men’s. There is a wide range of symptoms that can indicate that a heart attack is about to happen, or is in progress.
Here is the list of symptoms that women reported for a heart attack in progress:
In addition to preventing acute heart attacks by being aware of symptoms, long-term prevention is equally important.
Controllable heart-attack risk factors, and prevention tips for each one:
Non-controllable cardiac risk factors for women:
If you fall in any of these categories it is important to follow prevention strategies, to be aware of any new symptoms, and to report them to a doctor.
Emotional risk factors
Emotional risk factors for heart attack are generally not discussed in allopathic medicine in the United States. However, a series of studies definitely proves that Type A behavior (defined as time urgency—the “hurry sickness”—and free-floating hostility) doubles the risk of coronary artery disease. Furthermore, a prevention study shows that counseling to modify Type A behavior brought about a 45% reduction in heart attack recurrence in the counseled group. (See Meyer Friedman, MD’s excellent summary article “Type A Behavior: The Poorly Recognized and Rarely Treated Major Coronary Risk Factor” archived online at www.sfms.org/go.
With more women working in high speed, high stress jobs, Type A behavior is an increasing heart attack risk for women. If you have found yourself pounding the steering wheel or getting angry in the airport line too many times, consider counseling as prevention. Happy Healthy Heart Month!
Here are some facts about heart disease and cholesterol that many people are shocked to find out:
The hard part about cholesterol is that we assume because our blood cholesterol is too high that we need to stop consuming foods that contain cholesterol. Cholesterol that naturally occurs in animal foods is not harmful to your health. But it can become harmful to your health if it is damaged by exposure to high levels of heat and/or harsh processing techniques. If you regularly consume damaged cholesterol than you likely have significant quantities of damaged cholesterol floating through your circulatory system. So while it’s true that a high HDL/total cholesterol ratio can reflect a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease, what’s most important when it comes to cholesterol and your health is to avoid eating animal foods that have been cooked at high temperatures, since these foods are typically rich in damaged cholesterol.
Here are some proactive heart health tips:
Supplements can be a great adjunct to a healthy lifestyle. CoQ10 is found in every cell in the body and it is responsible for healthy cellular energy levels. It has a particular affinity for heart muscle and it is a great cardio-protective nutrient to take. Research suggests that statin drugs, or HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, a class of drugs used to lower cholesterol, may interfere with the body’s production of CoQ10. All statin users should supplement with CoQ10. Antioxidants help the body neutralize the effects of free-radicals. Free-radicals are the source of much of the oxidation reactions that are the cause of heart stress and disease. Antioxidants like Vitamin E have potent free-radical neutralizing properties giving it huge cardiovascular benefits. Vitamin K2 has been the subject of many European research studies recently. Their findings showed that vitamin K2 removed calcium from arteries which softened arteries and decreased plaque in arterial walls of the subjects studied. This would normally be enough benefits for one nutrient, but to the researchers amazement the K2 seemed to take the calcium to the bones offering the added benefit in women of strengthening bones.
Uffe Ravnskov, MD, PhD, author of The Cholesterol Myths : Exposing the Fallacy that Saturated Fat and Cholesterol Cause Heart Disease
Is an aspirin a day good for you, and how much should you take? Ten years after the FDA issued recommendations about the use of aspirin for people who have had heart attacks or are at risk for them, it may be a good time to talk to your doctor about the aspirin you’re taking.
University of Kentucky heart disease researchers say that nearly a quarter of a million Americans each year may be hospitalized with bleeding complications caused by needlessly taking a daily dose of an adult-sized aspirin rather than a baby aspirin to prevent a heart attack or stroke.
Last year, a study by a group of UK HealthCare Gill Heart Institute cardiologists at the University of Kentucky found that the commonly prescribed 325 mg adult tablet may be more than many people need each day. The study, which was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found that doses higher than a baby aspirin, 75 to 81 mg, are no better at preventing cardiovascular events long-term and are associated with increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.
Lumbrokinase is a new product which shows promise in dissolving clots without the risk of hemorrhage. Clinical studies have shown that stroke patients on Lumbrokinase within one month following a stroke showed almost complete recovery.
Lumbrokinase also referred to as: earthworm powder. The earthworm whose scientific name is Lumbricus rubellus has been used for centuries in the Far East as a traditional medicine. The earthworm’s ability to break down fibrin was reported by Fredericq and Krukenberg in the 1920′s. Since then, some Japanese scholar like Mihara Hisashi succeeded in extracting fibrin dissolving enzyme from Lumbricus rubellus, and also found that this enzyme consists of six proteolytic enzymes, which are collectively named Lumbrokinase. Lumbrokinase also overcame the adverse effects of bleeding by having a uniquely high affinity for fibrin.
As Lumbrokinase is easily taken, has few side effects and no hemorrhage risk. Boluoke has no gastrointestinal reaction; it can be used as a substitute for patients who are unable to tolerate aspirin.
Boluoke is also used in the prevention and treatment of some chronic diseases, for example: diabetes mellitus, pulmonary heart disease, atrial fibrillation, malignant tumor, systemic lupus erythematosus, anemia, liver disease and preeclampsia. It is a good adjunctive treatment for patients who are on or have had EDTA chelation therapy or hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Ever wonder why there are so many TV commercials for erectile dysfunction drugs? Because it is estimated that 30 million men in America suffer from erectile dysfunction. The 1999 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey counted 1,520,000 doctor-office visits for erectile dysfunction.1 And that was 10 years ago. Erectile dysfunction, abbreviated as ED, is the politically (and medically) correct term for impotence. Erectile dysfunction has been a growth market for the pharmaceutical industry. However, the current medical buzz is all about the latest German study, just published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association that found erectile dysfunction to be a strong predictor of death by cardiovascular disease.2 Drugs that treat ED do not address the underlying cause of the problem—cardiovascular disease.
Erectile dysfunction drugs work so well symptomatically that men think they are functioning healthily when in fact they are at great risk of heart disease, stroke, and death. In other words, ED is symptomatic of a more dangerous condition. I am recommending to all my patients who experience erectile dysfunction to be checked for other risk factors of cardiovascular disease. These risk factors include more than just high blood pressure and cholesterol, but also atherosclerosis and other vascular problems such as the build-up of plaque that precede heart attacks and strokes.
But what about men who do not experience erectile dysfunction? What can a man do who wants to stay healthy and live to a ripe old age with a healthy, joyful sex life? He can take HEART.
Heart healthy diet
Exercise
Avoid cigarette and cigar smoke
Relax and de-stress
Take supplements
Heart healthy diet
Exercise
Avoid cigarette and cigar smoke
Relax and de-stress
Take whole-food supplements
And one last bit of advice: Do yourself and your family a favor—have your blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked regularly. Keep yourself healthy, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually and you dramatically reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease or erectile dysfunction.
Ian Wahl, DAc, LAc, CH is a Doctor of Acupuncture and herbalist who specializes in men’s and women’s health and reproductive wellness. He is the Executive Director of the Natural Fertility Health Centers (www.FertileSpirit.com), as well as the founder of the Wahls of Wellness (www.WahlsOfWellness.com) and the Midwest Allergy Relief Centers (www.MidwestAllergyRelief.com). Dr. Wahl can be reached at 847 392-7901.
2 ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Michael Böhm, Magnus Baumhäkel, Koon Teo, Peter Sleight, Jeffrey Probstfield, Peggy Gao, Johannes F. Mann, Rafael Diaz, Gilles R. Dagenais, Garry L.R. Jennings, Lisheng Liu, Petr Jansky, Salim Yusuf for the ONTARGET/TRANSCEND Erectile Dysfunction Substudy Investigators. Erectile Dysfunction Predicts Cardiovascular Events in High-Risk Patients Receiving Telmisartan, Ramipril, or Both. The ONgoing Telmisartan Alone and in combination with Ramipril Global Endpoint Trial/Telmisartan Randomized AssessmeNt Study in ACE iNtoler. Circulation, Mar 2010
Salt sneaks into our daily diets in seemingly small amounts, and yet, it truly does add up.
In October, I completed the Cardiovascular Health Improvement Project (CHIP), and while the focus was on avoiding processed foods and changing one’s relationship with food, I learned a great deal about how much salt I actually consumed. And, keep in mind that my kids grew up without a salt shaker, and we have none for the table. We only use salt in cooking…and that is not even the real deal.
So, where does the salt come from? The bulk of our salt intake comes from eating processed foods! Have you ever carefully read the ingredients on a frozen food package and noticed the amount of sodium? A whopping 77% of our sodium intake comes from processed or prepared foods. What does that mean? Even if you limit the use of the salt shaker, you still stand a good chance of having too much salt in your daily diet. Only 12% comes from natural sources, 6% is added while eating (do you reach for the salt shaker before you even taste your food), and 5% is added while cooking. The recommended intake is about 1500 – 2400 mg a day for healthy adults. Remember, one teaspoon of salt has 2,325 mg of sodium – so you are done with your daily requirement.
For more information, see www.MayoClinic.com/sodium/nu00284
We may have a new weapon against heart disease. Is it a miracle supplement? Probably not, however, it certainly can be added to the growing list of lifestyle changes that treat and prevent heart disease. What is it? The sun! Recent research suggests that Vitamin D may lower the risk of heart disease. And the best place to get vitamin D is from the sun!
Warnings against skin cancer also prevail in the media. But, independent research suggests that moderate, unprotected sun exposure is healthy. In fact, the amount of Vitamin D from UVB will protect you from a multitude of chronic diseases including colon, breast, prostate, and ovarian cancer, high blood pressure, Type-I and Type-2 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, depression and YES, heart disease.
Recent publications in Circulation and the UK publication, Maturitas, have confirmed that vitamin D reduces heart disease.
Getting enough vitamin D can be a challenge. Anyone who lives north of New York City (40 degrees latitude) does not get enough sun to produce vitamin D in the winter. So it is imperative to get enough sun during the spring, summer and fall to store in fat tissues through the winter. That being said, testing has revealed very few patients actually get enough sun. We work too much and spend too much time inside. So, supplementation is necessary. Experts recommend 2000IU of Vitamin D3 daily, for adults and 1000IU for children.
Foods are fortified with vitamin D but typically people are eating these foods and still testing very low for vitamin D status. Fish is also high in Vitamin D, but worries about mercury create lower intake of fish. A supplement is still a good idea.
If you are supplementing with Vitamin D3, calcium and magnesium supplementation is necessary. Consult your physician for a blood test of 25-hydroxy Vitamin D to determine your status.
The 2010 estimated cost of cardiovascular disease is $503 billion dollars and the 2006 overall mortality was over 425,000 people, according to the most recent American Heart Association statistical update. Efforts to lower fat intake and overall cholesterol levels have led us into a nation where 60% of Americans are overweight or obese. Those are some pretty grim statistics considering the answer doesn’t lie in a new drug but in overall lifestyle changes. According the NHANES studies, the first line of treatment should be diet and exercise. And now we have a new weapon. Vitamin D.
Dr Kristina Sargent is a chiropractic physician with 18 years experience. Her mission is to engage, educate and empower people to take control of their health to prevent chronic diseases and lead successful lives through serving people with alternatives to medication. Her toolbox includes personalized diet recommendations, weight loss, exercise, chiropractic care, positive thoughts, prayer and meditation, and massage therapy. Her office, Restor Healing Centre, is located in Wheaton, Il. The website is www.RestorNow.com
Cholesterol:natural methods to maintain healthy lipid levels – by Tiffany Triner, Dietary Technician
Healthy gums, healthy heart – oral care tips – by Kevin M. Boehm, DDS
Are Calcium Supplements Really a Cause Of Heart Attacks? – by Martha H. Howard, MD
The Truth about Statin Medications – by Dr Tom Bayne, DC
Sunshine Warms The Heart – by Dr Kristina Sargent
To Salt Or Not To Salt – That Is The Question! – by Sharon M. Weinstein, MS, RN
Take HEART against ED and Cardiovascular Disease – by Ian Wahl, DAc, LAc
An Aspirin a day or ? – by Dr. Melody Hart
Heart Healthy Foods – by Dr. Tom Bayne
Heart Disease: The Number One Killer of Women – by Dr. Martha Howard
High Blood Pressure: How it affects your family and how you can lower it – by Dr Melody Hart
Healthy Heart Month (Jan 2008) – You don’t have to die from Cardiovascular Disease – by Dr Hugh A. Jenkins N.D., D.C.BTA Clinician
What’s the Real Deal about High Blood Pressure? – by Teresa Zeigler, L.Ac.
Your Heart Health and Gum Disease – by Dr Kevin Boehm
High blood pressure or hypertension also known as the silent killer is a major problem in America’s fast-paced, high stress world. Blood pressure is the force of the flowing blood against the walls of the arteries. It is measured in two numbers. The first number is systolic pressure which represents the pressure generated when the heart contracts and pumps the blood through the artery. The lower number is diastolic pressure, which represents the pressure in the vessels when the heart is at rest. If your systolic pressure is equal or greater than 140 mmhg, and/or your diastolic pressure is equal or greater than 90 mmhg on three separate occasions while seated, a definite diagnosis can be made.
Causes of High Blood Pressure – Although behavior patterns and stress play an important part, hypertension is most closely related to dietary factors. Other key elements are:
If you experience any of the following sign/symptoms you should see your physician to have your blood pressure monitored: headache, fatigue, confusion, nausea/vomiting, excessive perspiration, muscle tremors, chest pain, ear ringing/buzzing
How Can You Prevent High Blood Pressure?
Everyone–regardless of race, age, sex, or heredity–can help lower their chance of developing high blood pressure. Here’s how:
1) Maintain a healthy weight, lose weight if you are overweight
2) Be more physically active
3) Consume lower salt and sodium foods, reduce consumption of red meat, eat more fruits and vegetables
4) If you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation. Quit smoking — it increases your risk of heart attack and stroke.
These rules are also recommended for treating high blood pressure, although medicine is often added as part of the treatment. It is far better to keep your blood pressure from getting high in the first place.
Teresa Zeigler, L.Ac. is a Chicago Healers.com (www.chicagohealers.com) Practitioner and Certified Acupuncturist and Chinese Herbalist.