Posts Tagged ‘United States’

• Women’s Heart Health

  Date: 2007.07.17 | Category: Heart Tips | Response: 0

  Most women know that heart disease is the number-one killer in the United States–of men. Most women also realize the value of eating healthy food, exercising, and decreasing stress–for their families and loved ones. Information is abundant and readily available in books, newspapers and magazines, and on television and radio about the risk of cardiovascular disease in men.

  But the widespread belief that heart disease is exclusively a man’s problem is a myth. Women–and most physicians–are not aware that cardiovascular disease is the number one-killer of women as well as men. The facts speak for themselves: Of the 520,000 people who die of heart attacks in the United States each year, almost half–about 250,000–are women In addition, almost 100,000 women die of strokes. Substantially fewer women die annually from breast cancer (40,500) or lung cancer (41,500). Overall, heart and vascular diseases claim more American women’s lives than do all forms of cancer combined.

  Moreover, many of the factors that determine the risk of heart disease for women differ from those for men. Dr. William Castelli, a leading authority on heart disease and director of the Framingham Heart Study, which has done research on heart disease risk factors for forty years, has referred to these unique risks for women as a “whole new syndrome” associated with a “galloping progression of atherosclerosis.

  Women are largely unaware of the effects of estrogen, birth control pills, and cigarettes and few know that if they smoke and take birth control pills, they have about forty times more chance of heart disease than women who do not. Women above age thirty-five are particularly at risk. It is vital to understand the factors favoring heart disease, because they may be avoidable or modifiable. In fact, according to Dr. Dean Ornish, women may have to do less than men to affect their outlook positively. In a study he conducted evaluating the effect of life-style changes in reversing heart disease, women responded better than men, even when women did less to restrict their diets, exercise, or reduce stress. By understanding their risks and ways to minimize them, women can lessen the chances of being victims of what the American Heart Association has called “the silent epidemic.”

  The purpose of developing and maintaining a healthy way of life for yourself as a woman is not only to decrease the risk of heart disease but also to fell well and feel good. Physical activity does not have to be strenuous to be beneficial. More women than ever are discovering that exercise in moderation is exhilirating. Healthy changes in eating do not have to be unduly restrictive. The food you eat can continue to be delicious and satisfying. By using simply new tools to maintain a healthy weight, you will decrease the chances of developing three big heart disease risks–diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol–and discover a renewed sense of self at the same time.

  By taking control of your health, you will be more able to take control of other aspects of your life. In so doing, you will achieve a greater sense of well-being, which is the true meaning of health. This is a marvelous opportunity for you personally. In addition, your new healthy living habits can be a model for family and friends. You thus may make a significant difference in their lives and health as well as your own. In the words of Hillel: “If I am not for myself, then who will be for me? If not now, when?”

  About the author:

  Richard Helfant, MD, is a Harvard-trained cardiologist and developer of cardiac technologies. His book Courageous Confrontations, is about how the mind-body relationship can combat heart disease.

  Written By: Richard Helfant

• How Vitamin D Protects Your Heart

  Date: 2007.06.22 | Category: Heart Tips | Response: 0

  A new study has linked a lack of sunshine, the body’s most natural source of vitamin D, to the prevalence of cardiovascular disease.

  Factors that affect sunlight, and therefore vitamin D production, are tied to a patient’s cardiovascular risks. In other words, the more sunlight you get, the better your cardiovascular health will be. These factors can include time of year, altitude, and geographical location.

  There are a number of physiological mechanisms triggered by vitamin D production through sunlight exposure that act to fight heart disease, according to the study:An increase in the body’s natural anti-inflammatory cytokines.

  The suppression of vascular calcification.

  The inhibition of vascular smooth muscle growth.

  British Journal of Nutrition October 2005; 94(4): 483-492

  Dr. Mercola’s Comment:As you know, getting the right amount of vitamin D treats and prevents a variety of ailments and diseases, including:Protection against multiple sclerosis (MS)

  Prevention of diabetes

  Signals colon, breast and prostate cells to stop growing and eventually succumb to programmed cell death

  Sunshine is your best source of Vitamin D. Unfortunately,most ofyou simplydon’t receive the daily amounts of vitamin Dyou need to stay healthy.Hopefully as areader of this site it is not due to ignorance and youstill don’tbelieve the broken rhetoric that so-called experts continue to burn into their brains: avoid all sun exposure.

  Fortunately we are in the midst of a radical revision of vitamin D understanding. The leading vitamin D scientists in the world have changed their position within the last few years and have started the warning sirens that most of traditional medicine was dead wrong when it comes to sun avoidance.

  If you want to learn more about the healthy, healing benefits of the sun throughout history and what it can do for you today, consider Dr. Richard Hobday’s book, The Healing Sun. Hobday’s book is an important tool that will help you bring the benefits of sunlight into your lives safely.

  As a matter of fact, statistics show that avoiding the sun has likely caused an extra 50,000cancers per year, and that is just cancer deaths. It does not include heart disease or autoimmune diseases like MS or rheumatoid arthritis.

  At this time of the year the primary reason for most readers of this newsletter is related to the fact that they don’t have adequate sun exposure. As I write this in Chicago it is sunny but five degreesbelow zero (Farenheit). Very difficult to go outside and get sun exposure on your bare skin as it would quickly be frost bitten.

  However even if it were a balmy50 degreesthere still would not be enough photons this time of year to generate significant vitamin D production in your skin. Just not enough sunlight penetrates the atmosphere in the northern US this time of year.

  That’s why I recommend maintaining your optimal vitamin D levels by taking a high quality cod liver oil regularly from now until early spring.

  About the author:

  This article is reprinted from Mercola.com, the world’s #1 most visited and trusted natural/alternative health website. For a limited time only, you can take the FREE “Metabolic Type Test” to help you learn the right foods for your particular body type so you can achieve optimal fitness & health. Just go to http://www.mercola.com/forms/mt_test.htm right now to take this quick test!

  Written By: Dr. Joseph Mercola

• Healthy, Heart-Warming Cereal

  Date: 2007.04.23 | Category: Heart Tips | Response: 0

  Looking for something quick, healthy and warm for breakfast on chilly mornings? Cereal manufacturers now provide you with quick, easy to prepare cereals that also pack a nutrition punch! Cereals are sweetened – or not, fortified or not, flavored with added fruit or not and packed for single servings or not. The best news of all: most hot cereals are good for you. They are typically whole-grain, low in fat and a great source of fiber.

  Separate the Good from the Bad
  Look for cereals with no added sugars. Instead, toss in some fruit in its natural state for sweetness and nutrition. Suggested fruits: Blueberries, bananas, raisins, strawberries, raspberries or even apples if you like it that way! Be wary of brands that state “fruit added” as most will add fruit powder rather than the real thing. To appropriately check the sugar content of a cereal, do not use the label because that amount includes naturally occurring sugars. Instead, check the ingredient list. Sugar, dextrose, maple sugar and/or can sugar all fall into the sugar category – avoid cereals that list these in their ingredients.

  Okay, are you one who really dislikes a cereal with no sugar and are groaning right now? If so, take heart – you can indulge somewhat. Just watch for cereals with limited sugars, or a lightly sweetened cereal. Due to variations in serving sizes we will use a percentage – try to watch for less than 30 percent of the calories from sugar. Health Valley is a good example of a lightly sweetened cereal. They have a line of cereal cups containing roughly half as much sugar as Quaker instant cereals. “Banana Gone Nuts” has real chunks of both and the entire line has added soy protein, which gives your cup of cereal as much protein as a glass of milk. They also add the U.S. recommended Daily Allowance for vitamin E and a half-day supply of selenium. For variety, try the “Amazing Apple” or the “Terrific 10 Grain”. One flavor did have too much sugar; that was the “Maple Madness”.

  Check the fiber content in your cereal. Any whole grain is a good grain but extra fiber aids in the prevention of constipation and may help lower the risk of heart disease either by lowering cholesterol (if the fiber comes from oats) or by some other means (if it comes from whole-wheat). Whole grains have more fiber than refined grains; some more than others. Oat bran is at the high end of fiber with six or seven grams per serving. Whole wheat and multigrain mixtures are in the middle with five grams. Oatmeal has four grams and brown rice, two or three. Note, these numbers only apply to unsweetened cereals. A packet of Quaker Instant Oatmeal typically has only three grams of fiber, because sugar (and perhaps some fruit) replaces some of the oatmeal.

  Written by Just Jeni of Fitness and Freebies

  http://www.fitnessandfreebies.com

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  Written By: Jennifer Reisinger

• 6 Power Foods For Your Heart

  Date: 2007.03.24 | Category: Heart Tips | Response: 0

  Heart disease remains the number one cause of death in the United States for both men and women. Traditionally, a low fat diet has been the prescription for heart health which causes many people to shrink away at the thought of giving up their favorite foods. Although decreasing saturated fats is still an important step, there are many things you can add to your diet that can greatly improve your risk factors of heart disease. Here are 6 power foods you can start adding to your diet to keep you heart healthy.

  Nuts- Although nuts aren’t exactly low in calories or fat, they contain high levels of unsaturated fats that are known to lower “bad” LDL cholesterol levels in the blood and reduce the risk of heart disease. Studies have shown eating about one ounce of nuts every day can reduce the risk of heart disease by 30%.

  Soy- Using soy on a weekly basis is a great step towards protecting your heart due to its cholesterol lowering properties. If you are not a tofu fan, try soy milk or yogurt, garden burgers, edamme (soy beans), or soy sausage patties. There are all kinds of ways to include soy in your diet.

  Hot Cocoa- Yes you read right. Cocoa contains high levels of flavonoids which are a class of phytochemicals known to help prevent heart disease. Researchers have found that hot cocoa has more disease-fighting antioxidants than tea or red wine and the heat may help propel them into the bloodstream. Hot cocoa is also much lower in saturated fats than other chocolate sources such as candy bars.

  Beans and Lentils- including kidney beans, peas, black beans, etc. —are high in both soluble fiber and folic acid to help lower cholesterol and decrease homocysteine levels (high homocysteine levels are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease). Add beans to your salads, soups, and rice dishes.

  Broccoli- A powerful antioxidant found in broccoli and broccoli sprouts may help protect the heart from high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. A new study shows the compound, called glucoraphanin, helped improve heart health, fight inflammation, and boost natural defense systems against oxidative stress.

  Grape juice- The flavonoids in grape juice, like that in wine, have been shown to prevent the oxidation of so-called bad cholesterol (LDLs, or low-density lipoproteins) that leads to formation of plaque in artery walls. Grape juice can also lower the risk of developing the blood clots that lead to heart attacks.

  Start adding these foods today and begin your journey to better heart health.

  About the Author

  Owner of Real Living Nutrition Services, Meri Raffetto is a recognized professional in the area of nutrition and wellness. She specializes in weight management and cardiovascular nutrition and offers online programs to help people reach their health goals. For more information visit http://www.reallivingnutrition.com.

  Source:

  Written By: Meri Raffetto

• Can Flaxseed Cure Heart Diseases?

  Date: 2006.12.04 | Category: Heart Tips | Response: 0

  One of the EFAs in flaxseed oil–alpha-linolenic acid–is known as an omega-3 fatty acid. Like the omega-3s found in fish, it appears to reduce the risk of heart disease and numerous other ailments.

  Flaxseed oil is an excellent source of omega-3s: Just 1 teaspoon contains about 2.5 grams, equivalent to more than twice the amount most Americans get through their diets. Flaxseeds also contain omega-6 fatty acids in the form of linoleic acid; omega-6s are the same healthy fats found in vegetable oils.

  According to the American Heart Association, about 62 million Americans have some form of cardiovascular disease, which can include high blood pressure, coronary heart disease (heart attack and chest pain), stroke, birth defects of the heart and blood vessels, and congestive heart failure, and close to a million die from such conditions every year.

  Heart disease is by far the #1 killer in the U. S., although 1/3 of those deaths could be prevented if people exercised more and followed better diets, the American Heart Association said in an annual report.

  Cardiovascular disease kills more Americans than the next 7 causes of death combined – including cancer – the AHA report states. Overall, slightly more females than males have cardiovascular disease. Heart disease accounted for 40% of all deaths in the U. S. in 1999.

  Perhaps the greatest evil connected with the problem of heart disease is that certain powerful drug interests deliberately suppress the truth – these are the groups which stand to benefit the most from your illness from heart disease. There is nothing as profitable to a drug company as a patient who is forced to take some drug for the rest of his life – heart medications fit in that category.

  The truth is that although the odds of surviving bypass surgery have improved since the operation was introduced, bypass surgery kills anywhere from 2% to 4% of the patients on the operating table, and more within a few months. The truth is that even respectable medical journals are now carrying articles that say that life expectancy does not increase after bypass surgery.

  About the Author:

  Rich in essential fatty acids, flaxseed oil has earned a solid reputation for treating a range of ailments. Visit Our Dedicated Flaxseed site at http://www.smartreviewguide.com/flaxseed

  Written By: Jerry H.Hall