Posts Tagged ‘food’
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CRP And Your Heart
Monitoring your CRP level is vitally important because it is one of the best indicators of heart disease. C-Reactive Protein has proven to be one of the best indicators of looming Heart disease.
Find out why high cholesterol alone is NOT responsible for heart disease. And you will find out how to keep your CRP Level in the normal range.
Because your body produces C-Reactive Protein as part of your bodys defense like when you are injured, it signals your immune system for help. Your immune system sends out white blood cells and inflammatory molecules (including C-Reactive Protein) to the injured area.
This defensive system causes inflammation which is damaging to blood vessels and leads to heart disease. Because this is an continuous process, not like an ankle injury which heals and then inflammation goes away.
Elevated C-Reactive Protein levels are an early indication of inflammation in the body. When there is inflammation in the body, there is usually a problem. Realize this is why C-Reactive Protein is a great indicator.
Naturally you can easily understand that C-Reactive Protein is a better indicator of heart disease than cholesterol. A huge study on CRP backs this up.
The New England Journal of Medicine published A report where nearly 28,000 people participated in a study of CRP. Researchers in the study used LDL cholesterol and CRP to predict heart attacks and stroke.
That the researchers found was that CRP was a better predictor of cardiac events than LDL cholesterol -1
So what can you do to keep your C-Reactive Protein level low? In a word, exercise. Activity is the best way to keep CRP levels low. Just taking a walk is a good way to get your activity level up.
There are also important nutrients to help limit the damage from the inflammation.
Here are several nutrients you have heard of:
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
And Folic Acid protects the blood vessels.
Two others you may not have heard as much about:
Taurine – is an amino acid-like compound and a component of bile acids, which are used to help absorb fats and fat- soluble vitamins. It is found in meat and fish.
L-arginine – A naturally occurring amino acid found in food proteins that the body uses to make Nitric Oxide.
You can easily get plenty of these nutrients through food and supplements combined.
Talk to your doctor about a simple test for CRP levels, it is like a blood test. It is best to keep your levels under 5 mg per liter, preferably 3 mg per liter.
1 – Ridker P., et al. Comparison of C-reactive protein and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the prediction of first cardiovascular events. NEJM 2002 Nov 14; 347(20): 1557-1565
Please feel free to use this article in your newsletter or on your website(with resource box included and use an active link).
This article may not be used in any e-mail promotions that do not conform with federal law.
If you use this article, please send a brief message to let me know where it appeared: leeman@lc-nutrition.com
Lee Cummings has been helping people solve problems and feel better with proven nutrition for over 4 years. Lee publishes the montly LC Nutrition newsletter. For a Free Report – report@lc-nutrition.com Discover proven nutrition information visit: http://www.LC-Nutrition.com
leeman@jadetech.com
Written By: Lee Cummings
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Heart Attacks And Strokes Can Be Prevented.
If you are keeping up on the news now a days you have probably noticed a frightening increase in both heart attack and strokes, especially in the western world. It seems to be a trend which is spinning out of control. Why is this and what can be done to prevent this from happening to you?
All that has to be done is to take a good look at the lifestyle people are living and it should be quite obvious to everyone why this is happening. First of all most people does not get enough exercise which is a crucial factor in allowing our blood to circulate properly. Bad circulation can lead to heart attack and strokes and if that is not enough all the fast food and fatty foods most people eat, only add to the problem.
You know already that you are not getting enough exercise and that you most likely are suffering from bad circulation. If you in addition to this eat improper food you are asking for trouble. Take this one step further, if you have a weight issue and smoke, you are basically a walking time bomb. The thing is something as minor as bad circulation can end up killing you if you don’t get it under control.
Knowing if you are suffering from bad circulation might not be so easy since the symptoms are not always easily detected. The most common signs of bad circulation are; cramping and/or swelling of the feet and legs, legs falling asleep, legs always being colder than the rest of your body, also always having tired and aching feet. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms it is important that you seek medical advice.
Having bad circulation in it self might not necessarily be serious but in the long run it may eventually lead to more serious issues and should therefore be taken care of at an early stage. By starting to treat bad circulation early on you might be able to save yourself quite a bit of money rather than the thousands it may end up costing you if you let this progress into something far more serious than simply bad circulation.
One thing you should be aware of is that treating bad circulation does not necessarily have to be done with expensive drugs prescribed to you by your doctor some simple changes in your lifestyle might be all it takes. Another great alternative to prescribed medications are natural remedies which, believe it or not, can help treat most illnesses out there. Regardless of this you need to see a doctor if you feel something is wrong with you but at the same time keep in mind that if you are not in any danger you do have an option to try alternative ways of treating your problem.
Anyway, if you do believe you have a problem with bad circulation you really should take action. This condition is nothing to play with and before you know it, it could cause you to have a heart attack or stroke. It would not be worth it would it? Not to die from something that can be so easily prevented. We all need to remember that this is an increasing problem here in the western world which should not be ignored. Take a stand and start to beat bad circulation now!
About the author:
Hege Crowton is an established expert copywriter. She is known for doing in-depth research before writing her articles. www.Ispjv.com www.Submitcontent.com Copyright 2005 HealthAndFitnessContent.com
Written By: Hege Crowton
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Heart Attack: Are You At Risk?
If you’re male and you lead an inactive lifestyle you probably have at least 3 risk factors associated with heart disease. I know, I know, you feel fine but so do most people before they have a heart attack. Unfortunately, most people find out they have heart disease the day they are admitted in to hospital, and they are the lucky ones!
Ladies, don’t think this is just something for men to worry about (as it has been in the past). Women, as well as men, are more likely to die of heart disease than of any type of cancer.
This is because of our modern lifestyle. We are working longer hours, so we eat fast food, and there’s no time for exercise. To make matters worse, machines are taking the ‘work’ out of work. We are less active and it’s killing us!
So what are the risk factors for heart disease?
Firstly, there are two types of risk factors: those that can be changed, and those that can’t be changed. It’s important to know that you only need to have 3 of these to be at risk. Each extra risk factor that you have increases your chance of having a heart attack substantially.
Risk factors that can’t be changed:
Heredity: You are at greater risk if your parents, grandparents, brothers, or sisters, have heart disease.
Gender: Men are at greater risk than women, though the risk for women increases after menopause.
Age: As you increase in age, so do your chances of having a heart attack. Once you reach 40 you should have regular check-ups.
Risk factors that can be changed:
Smoking: A smoker is twice as likely than a non-smoker to have a heart attack. It not only places extra strain on the heart and lungs but also makes blood cholesterol stickier, making it easier to block arteries.
High Blood Cholesterol: Cholesterol is produced naturally by the body and is essential to our health. The problem comes when we consume too much in our diet.
High Blood Pressure: Just like with high cholesterol there are no early symptoms. The first most people learn they have this is when it’s at a dangerous level.
Physical Inactivity: If you are inactive, you are more likely to have a heart attack. Even a 10 minute walk each day can make all the difference.
Obesity: If you are obese, you are placing your heart under a great deal of strain even at rest.
I might be at risk, what should I do?
If you think you could be at risk, the first thing you should do is visit your doctor. Secondly, you need to modify your lifestyle. Exercise for at least 10 minutes per day (30 minutes is better but anything is better than nothing!). You also need to eat foods that are low in fat. If you smoke you need to give up.
Even if you don’t have many risk factors it’s a good idea to visit your doctor each year. Some risk factors can change within a short period of time and getting on to them early can make all the difference.
About the Author
Ray Kelly is an Exercise Scientist with 15 years experience in the health and fitness industry. Sign up for his free 7 Day Weight Loss Course at Symptoms of Heart Attacks and Diabetes
Written By: Ray Kelly
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Childhood Obesity: Your Kids And Heart Disease!
Shockingly, it is estimated that 22 million of the world’s children under 5 are overweight or obese and approximately one in four American children are overweight. The problem this presents is that these children are more susceptible to pediatric hypertension, type II diabetes, greater risk of heart disease, the extra burden of weight on joints, not to mention, the social effects with peers. The medical community has already indicated a surge in childhood diabetes and of the children diagnosed with Type II diabetes, 85% are obese.
Childhood obesity can be caused by a combination of many factors, but certainly two of the biggest contributors are lack of exercise and poor dietary habits.
Today’s youth spend several hours a day in front of televisions and computers. These activities, along with the lack of physical exercise programs at school, are not providing the energy the body requires to burn off calorie intake. Plus, energy levels continue to decline as additional weight is gained, inhibiting the desire to spend the recommended 30 minutes of daily exercise (in addition to what the child may receive during school). The benefits to physical exercise are extremely important though as it will reduce the risk of developing heart disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, along with reducing or maintaining body weight. Additional benefits include, building healthy muscles, bones and joints and improving depression and over all psychological well-being.
Dietary habits contribute to obesity as well and have changed greatly over time. Due to the busy lifestyles of two income households, the demand for quick and easy microwaveable food, fast food and snack foods have increased drastically. Also, many children are substituting soda and vending machine snacks for school lunches. Unfortunately, most of these types of foods are high in salt, sugar, fat or calories and have low nutrient content.
Bottom line, children look for role models. If they see the adults around them exercising regularly and eating a balanced diet, they will be more apt to do those things as well. Fun family activities could include a walk, a bike ride, playing at the playground and shooting hoops on the basketball court.
A final note, if your child is overweight, consult your doctor. Rare hormonal disorders and/or other medical conditions can be diagnosed with blood tests and medical exams.
About the author:
Ray Kelly is an Exercise Scientist with 15 years experience in the health and fitness industry. Find out more about symptoms of heart disease at Risk Factors for Heart Disease or http://www.free-online-health.com
Written By: Ray Kelly
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Foods And Exercises For A Healthy Heart
A healthy heart is necessary for a healthy life. If you get any heart disease then you will lose a lot in your life even though you have a lot of money. Eating healthy to maintain a healthy heart is an essential thing in life. You have to be careful in choosing your food so that you can avoid any heart disease. Your food should contain less of fat, sodium, calories and have more fiber content.
Meat, butter, cheese, and milk contain more fat and hence they should be taken in fewer quantities. If you take less sodium your blood pressure is reduced to some extent and this helps in avoiding the risks of a heart disease. Problems of the heart come to the persons who are obese. It is essential to reduce the weight to avoid a heart disease. To reduce weight you have to take fewer calories. Foods that contain more fiber content can be taken. Fruits, vegetables, and grains contain more fiber content.
One of the other factors that lead to a heart disease is a sedentary life style. People who have this style of life should do some exercise that aims at strengthening your heart. With the advent of technology based jobs more and more people are working in computers. These people who work in the computer often sit before the computer without doing any physical activity. The only thing that is active is their brain and their fingers! Such people should take frequent breaks to have a little walk which can refresh them to a greater extent. Some people try to relax by sitting before the television. Either you sit before your computer or in front of the TV. This is also a bad habit. If you want to relax try to take a walk outside. Walking is a good exercise for your heart. A brisk walk for about 40 minutes daily will change your life beyond your expectations. Try it.
Cardiovascular or aerobic exercise can also be done to strengthen your heart. Some of the aerobic exercises are bicycling, jogging, jumping rope and skating. These exercises can be done for at least 20 to 30 minutes, 3 or 4 times a week. It is better to have an exercise schedule every alternate day. This habit makes you do your exercises regularly and without getting tired. If you are overweight then it is time to a look at your work schedule and allot some time for exercises. This will help you in the long way to have a healthy heart.
About the Author:
John Totum writes many articles pertaining to his passion of maintaining a healthy heart. Please visit Healthy Heart Living for more information.
Written By: John Totum
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Vitamins Keep Your Heart Fighting Fit
Vitamins are essential to keep your heart healthy. Of course, you need to eat the right foods with less fat and cholesterol, but you need to supplement your food with vitamins to keep your body in the best shape and your heart pumping for a long time.
Vitamin E is the first vitamin that pops into the mind of those that are looking to improve their overall heart health. Vitamin E seems to stop cholesterol in the body from oxidizing and harming the arteries surrounding the heart. When cholesterol oxidizes, it’s more able to stick to the sides of the arteries and cause buildup and possible blockage that can lead to heart attacks and other infarctions.
Doctors often recommend additional supplements of vitamin E. Or, they suggest you include more foods rich in vitamin E in your diet. Nuts, like almonds, for example, are a terrific way to get your daily dose of vitamin E.
Vitamin E also seems to be showing a lot of promise for those patients that have already suffered a heart attack. The vitamin seems to prevent additional heart attacks by encouraging the arteries to be more ‘open’ and less conducive to blockage.
Doctors are of the opinion that supplements of Vitamin C can help boost the effect of Vitamin E and make it work even better. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps to prevent the damaging effects of cholesterol, and at the same time it assists Vitamin E in its beneficial effects.
If you take vitamins E and C together, you are on your way to creating a healthier heart and better artery function. This is the easiest way to ensure the health of your heart, especially if you have a history of heart disease or you are concerned about the risk to your heart.
So how much should you take? Well, ideal doses may vary from patient to patient, but 400IU (international units) of vitamin E seems to work well for most people. Vitamin C is tolerable in higher doses without harmful effects. You can safely take 500miligram of vitamin C twice a day, mornings and evenings, to help keep your heart fighting fit.
And studies are backing up this additional step in your day. Talk with your doctor in case you are on any medications for there are some that will interact or need to be taken at different times to be more effective.
A good, nutritious eating plan is the ideal way to get your daily doses of vitamins. But taking additional supplements is sensible, and recommended and if you’re trying to boost your heart health.
About The Author
Perry Stamide runs the web site Fed Vitamins, which is a premier resource for vitamins on the Net. For more details please visit: http://www.fedvitamins.com.
Written By: Perry Stamide
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Do You Want To Free Yourself Of Heart Diseases?
If the answer is yes, then follow the following steps to minimize the risk of heart attack:
1. Take out time to relax and do proper exercises. Cardiovascular exercise is must for people who have already experienced heart attack. Exercise not only reduces the risk of heart attack, it also relives us of tiresome schedule by making us stress free.
2. Be optimist. Never give yourself to despair. Ensure that living unhealthy and unhealthy thinking is one of the main causes of the heart disease. After nurturing positive hopes we will start feeling good about ourselves as well as relieved. You will find yourself on top of the world. Feel yourself enjoying everything.
3. Take balanced diet, full of green leafy vegetables and pulses and drink 8 to 10 glasses of water everyday.
4. Try to associate yourself more with the good habits that determine quality of life and improve lifestyle. Do not take the initiative fast. Slowly try to abstain yourself from bad habits. Healthy habits bring ecstasy, health and make life a pleasant experience.
5. Quitting the worst habit smoking is an essential step to save yourself from the risk of heart attack. Smoking contains nicotine which fills laziness in us and makes us addicted to cigarette. By continuing smoking we are shortening our lifespan. Quitting smoking will help us to take physical fitness regimen. You can start with slow walking, deep breathing as well as cycling. Gradually you will get into habit of a proper exercising schedule.
6. Every one has room for temptations. One must learn to control temptations and longings for bad habits. If once we learn the art of controlling cravings then we will surely ensure our healthy stay.
7. Discover your own ways to enjoy yourself. Laugh whole heartedly. Laughter is an abundantly available medicine that increases the life span and moreover it is natural, free and does not have any side effect so why not to get it?
8. Avoid eating fried and junk snacks and also the food that contains saturated fats. This food stuff increases the cholesterol level in blood. Higher cholesterol is again a symptom of heart attack. 9. In drinks try to avoid red wine, alcohol. These are detrimental to our health.
10. Avoid spicy food. Eating healthy diet helps us to control our carbohydrates, fats and blood pressure.
About the author:
Tony Robinson is an ex-smoker, Webmaster and International Author. Visit http://www.quit-smoking-assist.com/ for his quit smoking tips.
Written By: Tony Robinson
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Heart Rate Monitors
Heart Rate Monitors are meant to measure the palpitations of the Heart. They are the perfect way of keeping a regular and thorough check on the Heart Rate. An increase in the rate of heart can create a lot of problems in the long run.
The Heart Rate Monitors have specialized features such as Coded Transmission Process that prevents interference with other heart rate monitors. The Heart Rate Monitors also possess the ability to capture large amounts of data and download that data onto a computer. Finally, the data can be analyzed with the help of a special software.
There are a variety of factors which can alter your heart rate. Stress, illness, overtraining, medication, food and drink (Caffeine), temperature, hydration levels, cardiac drift are some of them. Heart Rate Monitors help the person to measure the exact rate of heart and treat these factors with suitable medical aid.
The Heart Rate Monitors are quite useful for athletes to keep a watch over their Heart Rate. Moreover, this is the most convenient medium of checking and recording Heart Rate.
Medical practitioners prefer to have specialized form of Heart Rate Monitors which can check the Heart Rate with great speed. Then on the basis of the measured heart rate, the physicians recommend appropriate treatment for the patients.
Many people keep their personal Heart Rate Monitors. They regularly measure their Heart Rate so that slight increase in the rate can be treated with a proper medical aid and adverse affects can be avoided.
There are a wide range of Heart Rate Monitors available in the market. Some are so compact that you can keep them in you handbags. The Heart Rate Monitor comes with an easy to carry bag which also has specialized chords. While buying Heart Rate Monitors, you should keep in mind that the monitor should be a good quality product and records accurate heart rates.About the Author
Online entrepreneur Sara Jenkins, is dedicated to helping others and their needs to succeed in life by offering free tips everyday. To learn more about her free tips program, and to sign up for her FREE how-to articles and FREE bonus how-to books and resources, visit www.TipsEveryDay.com
Written By: Sara Jenkins
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