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Posts Tagged ‘heart disease’

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The Devil in Disguise–Sugar just might be the world’s sweetest killer…

Tuesday, April 3rd, 2012

In popular myth and religion, evil is often disguised as good—the wolf in sheep’s clothing, for example. Or as something tempting—a Jezebel or Delilah, or dare I say it, a piece of candy. For years, sweets have been innocently associated with children, celebration and reward. A cute little child sucking on a lollipop; a poor boy finding a gold entry ticket to the Wonka factory in a bar of chocolate; a slice of birthday cake or a donut after church on Sunday. How bad can that be? At worst, I was told as a kid, if I ate too much my teeth would rot. Big deal, right? And yet, study after study is now popping up with the reality that sugar is a little more evil than simple tooth decay. The truth is, it’s responsible for heart disease and a slew of other preventable, long-term illnesses. As sweet as it is, sugar is killing us.

An Inconsistent Message
Back in the ‘80s we blamed a high-fat diet for all our heart attacks and cardiovascular problems. It clogged our arteries. It raised our cholesterol. And while trans fats were and still are working their black magic, sugar was just something you needed to keep in moderation. Remember?

In fact, one of the reasons the American Heart Association has not been as successful as the Susan G. Komen for the Cure (and all those pretty pink bows for breast cancer) is because the message associated with heart disease for woman has, quite frankly, been inconsistent. First, we were told that heart disease was a “man’s disease,” then we were told heart disease was caused by too much fat in the diet. Now we’re told it’s sugar. But what’s now convincing scientists that sugar has been the culprit all along? When we look back at study after study of poor health markers and indicators, sugar is the one constant; at least the high-fructose corn syrup variety, that is (and a whole slew of other named sugars as well).

Women Are at Higher Risk
Whatever the ultimate cause of heart disease (and it’s most likely a combination of poor diet, no exercise and stress), new research about sugar and heart disease is alarming; there is indeed a connection. Worse yet, women seem to be the more obvious victims. According to an article in Salon, Riddhi Shah writes, Women… are genetically predisposed to prefer sweeter tastes, with greater sensitivity to bitterness. As a result, cocktails and alcoholic drinks aimed at women tend to be sweet—as an attempt to mask the burn—and colorful (because, you know, pink will make anything more palatable).

The author also cited that women are prone to eating sweets because of hormones, physiology and culture.

Hidden Sugar
You could claim that you never eat donuts or cookies, so you’re off the hook. But so much of today’s processed, grocery-shelf foods have hidden sugars. You no longer need to eat a piece of candy to get your daily dose. I examined several brand-name products for sugar content: pasta (2 grams), whole-wheat crackers (4 grams) and cinnamon applesauce (27 grams). Isn’t applesauce sweet enough without adding more sugar?

Drinks are the biggest perpetrator. Once again, after examining several brand-name products, I was surprised to see that the water with the vitamins added had the same amount of sugar as a can of soda: 33 grams! Milkshakes are even worse. A St. Patty’s Day, green-colored milkshake had 74 grams! A 20-ounce bottle of an orange-flavored drink had 85 grams! I might be better off eating cookies; three of them had less sugar at 14 grams.

It is important to read the labels before consuming a product. You may be surprised at how many grams of sugar you are eating each day.

Fat vs. Sugar
What’s most interesting in regard to sugar and heart disease is that we’ve ignored it as a contributing factor all along. Not all fats (at least not healthy fats like omega-3s and 9s) “cause” heart disease. Another culprit was, and still is… sugar. This was explained to me in the viral “Sugar: The Bitter Truth” video, an 89-minute lecture by Robert H. Lustig, MD, and UCSF Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Endocrinology. He reminds us that the USDA made huge recommendations to cut fat out of our diet, and because of such a successful campaign, millions of us did so and went on a classic low-fat diet. Heck, everything my mother had in the house back in the late ‘80s was fat-free or low-fat. And yet the obesity epidemic got worse, diabetes became more prevalent and so did heart disease. And what was the one constant throughout those years? Sugar.

Lustig went on to further cite that the USDA based “30 years of nutrition education and information” on one man’s poorly developed study that solely blamed fat as causing heart disease. The study, known as “The Seven Countries,” was conducted without a computer and, despite recognizing that there was a correlation between fat and sucrose, it only held fat accountable,—not sugar. In other words, if you consider that a donut is a bad thing to eat, and a donut has both fat and sugar, this study only blamed the fat portion of the donut as having an effect on cardiovascular disease, not sugar.

Now, however, study after study is surfacing that sugar is bad to the bone and must be taken in moderation. The American Heart Association now recommends eating only 25-30 grams of sugar daily. But that’s virtually impossible with today’s food choices. One eight-ounce glass of juice has 30-80 grams of sugar. Weight-loss drinks have 35 grams of sugar. Even what seems like a healthy yogurt drink can have 25-60 grams of sugar added.

Nearly all of our food choices have added sugar. Without knowing it, you could be on a supposed “health kick” but taking in 200+ grams of sugar daily!

The Worst News
By far the worst to come out of all these studies is the fact that scientists are learning that sugar is toxic. The body does not recognize it, it over-taxes the liver, has zero nutritional value and, according to Lustig, it even changes your body’s ability to process other foods while it weakens your immune system. Essentially sugar is poison.

The Solution

With seemingly poor food choices available to us, what’s the solution? Most experts agree it’s all about natural, raw foods and staying away from junk. Here are a few tips.

  • Simplify and get back to basics. Eat more fruits, veggies, beans, nuts, seeds and other foods that can be found in their natural state. Instead of applesauce from a jar with added sugar, cut up a real apple. Heck, make your own applesauce.
  • Stay away from prepackaged foods. To extend shelf-life or make things taste more appealing, manufacturers add sugar to food items that don’t need it: pastas, sauces, cereals, milk etc. may all have added sugar.
  • Read labels. If you are going to buy packaged foods, be sure to look for grams of sugar. The lower the better!
  • Cook at home. The more you cook at home (from scratch), the more control you have over how much sugar and fat gets into your recipes. A store-bought or boxed-cake mix will typically have far more sugar than one you bake at home from scratch.
  • Eat your sugar with fiber. Candy has no fiber. A donut has no fiber. A strawberry, peach, plum, apple and other fruits have fiber. The more your body can recognize a food, the less you tax your liver.

Tracy Shields is co-owner and Marketing Director of N3 Oceanic, Inc., maker of Res-Q products and Nature’s Shield, a subsidiary of N3. She is a writer, triathlete, nutrition junkie and devoted mother of two boys. She is also a proud member and President-Elect of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), South Jersey Chapter.

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Posted in Blood Sugar, Cardiovascular Health, Diet/Nutrition | No Comments »

My Grandfather’s Story: A Fight Lost to Heart Disease

Tuesday, February 7th, 2012

In 1951, a traveling salesman named Bill took one last sip of coffee, adjusted his tie and hat, and kissed his wife and kids goodbye. Along his route he started to have trouble walking, then speaking. He began to slur his words. He then felt numbness on the left side, down his face and arms. He got in his car immediately, and headed to the first hospital he could find. As he stumbled into the ER, slurring his words, asking for help, most likely not knowing what was happening to him, the nurse on duty coldly asked him to leave. He wouldn’t. He desperately tried to tell her that something was wrong, but he couldn’t. His words were mumbled and his eyes drooped. By anyone’s account, he looked intoxicated. And so the nurse called security and had him thrown out.

“We don’t take care of drunks!” she shouted after him.

But he wasn’t drunk. He was having a stroke. And as he somehow managed to get back into his car and drive several miles into the next town to another hospital, the pain in his head multiplied. When he finally got to the door of the ER, he collapsed. An emergency crew dragged him in, but it was too late. He was dead… only 33 years old.

Although this is my grandfather’s story, it’s much more my father’s story and the reason why he created a company devoted to eradicating heart disease. My grandfather died when my father was only eight years old. Experiencing the loss of a parent at such a young age can be devastating. It can also create within a person the drive and inspiration to find ways to change the world.

Unfortunately, cardiovascular disease is now the leading cause of death in the United States. It has not decreased since 1951, but increased at an exorbitant rate. According to the American Heart Association, 40.5% of the population of the United States, by 2030, is projected to have some form of cardiovascular disease. That’s a whopping 110 million Americans.

But heart disease is largely preventable. A healthy diet, regular exercise, smoking cessation, drinking alcohol in moderation (if at all) and a healthy weight can help you dodge the heart-disease bullet. Omega-3s (EPA and DHA) can also provide an essential tool to help fight—or even reverse—heart disease.

At Res-Q, we are still carrying on my dad’s mission to save lives and work harder at getting the message out about the importance of our products. Through customer testimonials, we now know what scientists and researchers have predicted all along: Only pure, potent omega-3s are essential at tackling this life-threatening disease, along with diet and exercise.

In recognition of National Heart Month, we remember all the loved ones we lost to heart attacks, strokes and other forms of heart-related diseases. We also celebrate those who have chosen to change their lives and take steps to fight these diseases.

Heart-Healthy Res-Q Supplements:

Res-Q 1250 is intended to supplement a healthy diet. Res-Q 1250 provides a pure and potent source of the heart-protective omega-3 fatty acids that have been shown in studies to promote longevity, reduce triglycerides and inflammation, improve the overall cholesterol profile, stabilize plaque, increase circulation, support healthy and elastic arteries and help maintain a normal heart rhythm. High cholesterol is a risk factor for coronary heart disease that can be maintained within a normal range using diet and supplements. Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels can encourage clean arteries. Blocked arteries are often a cause of heart attack or stroke.

Res-Q Mg provides magnesium as a daily supplement. Magnesium helps support a healthy heart function.

Res-Q Orosine is an exciting, new Res-Q supplement designed specifically for the heart. Res-Q Orosine increases heart energy, encourages heart cell repair and supports the function of the heart muscle. The heart is under stress when blood pressure is elevated and the heart is at risk when arteries are blocked. High blood pressure can damage the heart’s structure.  Res-Q Orosine helps maintain a healthy heart structure.  Managing high blood pressure and supplementing with Res-Q Orosine can improve cardiovascular health.

Res-Q CellPower is an antioxidant supplement that encourage healthy, elastic arteries. The CoQ10 in Res-Q CellPower has been shown in studies to improve heart function and inhibit the oxidation of cholesterol. Additionally, when inhibiting the body’s production of cholesterol, it is imperative to supplement with CoQ10.

Res-Q Multi is a multiple vitamin complex that is heart-healthy. Many people supplement the diet with vitamins, minerals and other heart-healthy nutrition to prevent nutritional deficiencies and improve their health. The B vitamin complex in Res-Q Multi ensures the proper balance of B vitamins and helps metabolize the amino acid homocysteine, which when elevated may damage the arteries. Preventing deficiencies in the key vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid is important.

Res-Q Land n Sea Fiber contains heart-healthy fiber known for its ability to cleanse excess blood cholesterol, maintain blood sugar and eliminate excess waste. Res-Q Land n Sea Fiber promotes a healthy colon and healthy arteries. Fiber is a very important part of the daily diet. A lack of fiber in the diet can cause many problems. To allow for a full cleansing effect, take fiber supplements two hours apart from other supplements or medications.

Res-Q Resveratrol is a powerful resveratrol supplement. Resveratrol is a phytochemical found in plants, red wine and red grape skins. Resveratrol has been shown in studies to improve circulation, reduce oxidation and inflammation, and promote optimal cardiovascular health. Take Res-Q Resveratrol with Res-Q 1250 for general good-health maintenance.

If you are new to Res-Q supplements, it is recommended that you speak with a consultant prior to placing your first order. Please call 1-800-26-ALIVE to speak with one of our knowledgable and friendly Res-Q consultants. Cell phone users dial 215-541-9890.

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The Resveratrol Scandal

Monday, January 30th, 2012

Dipak K. Das Accused of Research Fraud

Let’s be honest—when a doctor is accused of fraud it’s pretty big news. Trouble is, the news has a tendency to blow things out of proportion for the sake of ratings. I’m talking about the resveratrol scandal. The University of Connecticut recently accused researcher Dr. Dipak K. Das of fraud regarding Das’ research on the benefits of resveratrol. But rather than focus solely on this doc’s fraud, the media took a much bigger leap and planted doubt about validity of resveratrol, and ultimately red wine itself. In fact, one news outlet chose to hype the story to the point of comparing red wine (from which resveratrol comes) to nothing more than a “Cinnabon.” That is to say, it has no benefits at all.

Wait a sec. One researcher gets caught altering a few reports and thousands of years of knowing that red wine has amazing health benefits goes down the tubes?

Ridiculous.

In case you don’t know about resveratrol, it is a phytochemical found in red-grape skins and red wine. The American Cancer Society defines phytochemicals as a “wide variety of compounds produced by plants” that are found in fruits, vegetables, beans, grains, and other plants. Resveratrol is also a powerful antioxidant. And it has been scientifically proven to increase the lifespan of yeast, worms, fruit flies, fish and mice fed a high-calorie diet.

It does not take an experienced supplement researcher to know the difference between the benefits of phytochemicals and a donut. And yet, scientific fraud and Cinnabons are so much more newsworthy, aren’t they?

So, let’s talk about the facts. Here is what the American Cancer Society has to say about phytochemicals:

Phytochemicals are promoted for the prevention and treatment of many health conditions, including cancer, heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. There is some evidence that certain phytochemicals may help prevent the formation of potential carcinogens (substances that cause cancer), block the action of carcinogens on their target organs or tissue, or act on cells to suppress cancer development. Many experts suggest that people can reduce their risk of cancer significantly by eating more fruits, vegetables and other foods from plants that contain phytochemicals.

FACT: Although Dr. Das is a resveratrol researcher who was accused of altering the pictures of the blot images for publication in journals, he was not, by any means, the sole researcher of all resvertarol studies. Presently, there are thousands of simultaneous studies (4,479 scientific studies or reports, to be exact) by major universities and research centers around the world that are studying the benefits of resveratrol.

FACT: Of these studies, Das reported on less than 1.7 percent of them. Most resveratrol research is published by researchers other than Das.

As published in Forbes, “It is unclear whether it has any impact at all on the larger body of scientific research involving resveratrol and related areas. (It’s also possible that Das is only the first of dozens of rotten eggs yet to be discovered in this embryonic field.)”

However, in defense of Das’s work, the article pointed out: “The alleged faulty tests in no way altered the outcome of his research studies. The western blot test was only one of many tests used to draw scientific conclusions in published studies. Furthermore, other independent labs, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH) itself, validated Das’ work, as well as researchers in Europe and Japan.”

My point?

Don’t stop taking resveratrol supplements for several reasons.

First of all, fruits and vegetables (like grapes!) contain not only vitamins and minerals but lots of healthy nature-made beneficial phytochemicals: lycopene, lutein, resveratrol and ellagic acid, just to name a few. Even if we don’t fully understand all of the health benefits of phytochemicals, we do have common sense. Fruits and veggies are good for us!

Second, people feel better when they eat healthy foods and take supplements derived from them. If you need proof that vitamins work, don’t go to the library and read the 70 years’ worth of research backing this up, just take vitamins daily and see for yourself.

Third, and I hate to say it, don’t believe everything you read. If you’re anything like me (who tends to believe everything I read!), make sure you get your news from a reputable source that gives balanced—as opposed to sensationalized—news. Ironically, the media that transformed the news story about Dr. Das into “resveratrol is a scam” are the same media that took an anti-aging study and hyped it into “Resveratrol, the new miracle pill!” What we need from our information sources is a balanced overview of the scientific data on a subject and not a bunch of hype that is pre-molded to fit the news event of the day.

Last but not least, just ask the people who take resveratrol. Sometimes testimonials are your most powerful source of knowledge.

Res-Q Product of the Week:

Res-Q Resveratrol is a red wine extract supplement that provides multiple cardiovascular benefits for heart health, and also overall health and wellness by contributing to cell health and function. Res-Q Resveratrol promotes heart health by supporting blood vessel function and by inhibiting the oxidation of cholesterol. To order Res-Q products or speak with a Res-Q consultant about the many benefits of Res-Q products, call toll free: 1-800-262-5483. Cell phone users may prefer to dial 215-541-9890.

References:
Gulp! Faking Red Wine Research, Jan. 18, 2012
Phytochemicals, American Cancer Society
Resveratrol and Fraud, Jan. 2012, Forbes
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I’m Having a Heart Attack!

Monday, December 19th, 2011


 Be proactive: Watch for signs and take action to protect your heart.

I attended the South Jersey Go Red for Women breakfast last week, where I sat uneasy in my chair, along with a group of other professional businesswomen sporting red dresses and red suits, once again listening to these harrowing statistics:

  • Heart disease is STILL the number-one killer of women, taking the life of one in three women every year;
     
  • Women STILL account for more than 60 percent of all stroke deaths in the country; and

At all ages, more women than men die from stroke.

It all sounded so depressing. And many of us talked of feeling defeated. When you hear statistics like that you just want to bury your head in the sand. And yet, that’s probably the worst thing you can do. Statistically speaking, people who make conscious, positive choices about their health, live longer.

But is that any surprise?

Cardiologist Dr. Annie Peter from The Heart House doesn’t think so. She’s a firm believer in women (and men) being proactive with their heart health.

She said that education was paramount. The more you know, the better. For example, she talked about some of the signs to watch out for and warned that many women experience non-traditional indicators (like pain in the right arm, instead of the left or mild rather than crushing pain in the chest). Her best advice: If you feel like you’re having a heart attack, you need to get to your doctor without trying to guess what you might have. If you lead your doctor to believe that it may just be acid reflux or heartburn, she will start looking in that direction. Unless you come right out and say, “I might be having a heart attack,” she will not make assumptions.

Peter also mentioned that many women downplay their symptoms—they think they’re too young for a heart attack or simply don’t have all the indicators of a heart attack. Many doctors minimize women’s symptoms—or worse, write them off as stress or hypochondria.

Bottom line: More than knowing traditional and nontraditional signs of a heart attack or stroke, be overly cautious. Pay attention to what your body is trying to tell you and seek help. Don’t try to be a Wonder Woman.

Aside from paying attention to symptoms and keeping in touch with your doctor, Peter also gave us actual steps to take toward prevention. Here are the ones I wrote down:

  • Exercise at least 30 minutes daily. That means getting your heart rate up to at least 80% of its full workout potential: break a sweat. You don’t have to kill yourself, but you do have to sweat, which means that the heart muscle is being worked and strengthened. 
  • Read labels and KNOW what you’re eating. Don’t just be a passive eater, eating whatever is placed in front of you. If you go out to restaurants, ask for dressings and sauces on the side. Avoid food labeled with excessive amounts of salt, saturated fat and preservatives. Be proactive with your diet.
  • Know the limits of what you’re supposed to be eating and how to stick to those limits. For example, high blood pressure is rarely seen in those who consume less than 1.2 grams (1200 milligrams) of sodium per day. One teaspoon of salt weighs roughly 5 grams. Are you eating too much salt?
  • Know yourself. Does coffee give you heart palpitations? While there is no definitive research to date on whether or not coffee causes heart attacks, it’s best to listen to your own body; if it rejects or acts strangely to certain foods, those too are signs; listen for them. I know I can only handle about one cup of coffee a day. Any more than that and I get dizzy, sweaty and shaky!
  • Get educated. Do you know your BMI (body mass index)? Do you know what’s healthy? Do you know your cholesterol levels? As Dr. Vagnini said last week, these are “Silent Killers.” But if you know them, you can regulate them.

    • 

Suggested products of the week:

The American Heart Association says: “Increasing omega-3 fatty acid consumption through foods is preferable. However, those with coronary artery disease may not get enough omega-3 by diet alone. These people may want to talk to their doctor about supplements. And for those with high triglycerides, even larger doses could help.”

Res-Q 1250

Res-Q Calamarine

Res-Q 1250+

Res-Q Multi

Res-Q CellPower (CoQ10)

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Silent Killers

Tuesday, December 13th, 2011

Guest blog by Dr. Frederick Vagnini, MD, FACS, Heart, Diabetes & Weight-Loss Centers of New York

If you’ve recently listened to me on the Res-Q HealthLine radio shows, I recently indicated that there were four silent killers. But now, due to expanded research and more and more problems coming through my centers in New York, I have expanded them to eight.

First of all, what is meant by a silent killer? Well, it’s simple. It’s something you don’t feel until a heart attack occurs, or until you fracture a bone, or you have a stroke. These silent killers include:

  1. High blood pressure: Many times you could have a blood pressure of 200 and you don’t feel it.
  2. High cholesterol and triglycerides: There’s typically no pain in the arteries. Unless you get your lipids checked, you’re not going to realize that your arteries are clogging up.
  3. Inflammation: Inflammation is the backbone of pathophysiology for cardiovascular disease and aging, which is very prevalent in Western culture. It can be anything from a swollen toe to inflamed arteries, the latter of which you cannot feel.
  4. Oxidative stress: Damage from free radicals and oxidative stress is when the body’s antioxidant system becomes overwhelmed. Oxidative stress accelerates the aging process.
  5. Blood glucose: Another silent killer is blood glucose. Many people are coming into my office with 200-300 blood-sugar levels. They don’t feel a thing.  But they are pre-diabetic or diabetic and they have been doing damage to their bodies for many years before they even realize it. High blood-glucose levels can not only lead to diabetes, but also eye disease, blindness, kidney disease, nerve disease or death.
  6. Glycation: (sometimes called non-enzymatic glycosylation) is something that accelerates heart disease, cellular damage and aging, and it is simply a problem with glucose that adheres to proteins lipids and DNA to create something called “Advanced Glycation End Product” (AGE)
  7. Telomere shortening: Telomeres are the tips of chromosomes and when they shorten you have progressive aging. What happens to accelerate this aging process is inflammation and oxidative stress.
  8. Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis is a bone disease that leads to an increased risk of fracture. It is another silent killer simply because you don’t feel your bones weakening until you’ve lost four inches of height.

What can we do to prevent these silent killers from leading us into cardiovascular disease, heart attack, stroke, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and accelerated aging? Well, I developed a protocol in my Centers based on the following:

  • Diet: a modified, low-carbohydrate Mediterranean diet
  • Exercise: Any exercise is good; cross training is the best, which is when you do a combination of resistance training with aerobics.
  • Stress reduction: Stress reduction is critical. It’s one of the leading factors that influence degenerative diseases and especially cardiovascular disease.
  • Supplements: The right supplements can combat high triglycerides, high cholesterol, high blood pressure oxidative damage, high blood sugar, arthritis, weight reduction, diabetes, fatigue, and basically all of the degenerative and cardiovascular problems.
  • Pharmaceuticals: Medical drugs are prescribed when necessary.

Prevention Through Supplements & Nutrition
Years ago, I developed a program called Cardio Nutrition, and that is simply a program, along with diet and exercise, in which we use supplements. Here’s a list of some of the “silent killers” and what Res-Q products will work best to combat them.

High Cholesterol/Triglycerides:

When it comes to cholesterol we also worry about the oxidative damage and we have a number of antioxidants including Res-Q Multi, Res-Q CellPower (CoQ10), Res-Q Resveratrol, Nature’s Shield Superfoods and Nature’s Shield Leg & Vein Support, which all protect the LDL against oxidative damage.

Hypertension/ High Blood Pressure:

Oxidative Stress

Glucose Levels:

Telomere shortening:

Research now shows that an omega-3 supplement can prevent telomere shortening

Osteoporosis:

Inflammation:

Glycation:

Weight and Digestion:

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Posted in Anti-Aging, Cardiovascular Health, Cholesterol, Healthy Living, Prevention, Res-Q Products, Supplements, Vitamins | No Comments »

Go Green for your heart…

Monday, October 3rd, 2011

Yes, yes, we know It’s “Go red” for heart health. But as our guest blogger Fran Davis points out, green smoothies do amazing things for your ticker, not to mention darn near every other part of your body. You can’t go wrong with one of these tasty smoothies. Try them and let us know what you think! And here’s a helpful health tip: Fran uses flax in her smoothies. Plant-derived flax yields  alpha-linolenic acid or ALA, unlike a marine-derived fish oil, which yields both EPA and DHA, a more potent omega-3. Make sure you take your marine-based EPA and DHA for maximum heart-healthy benefits.

Are you looking for fast, simple and delicious ways to improve your diet? Look no further than the green smoothie! Green smoothies pack a nutritional punch and offer an impressive array of benefits.

1. Great source of antioxidants
Free radicals are atoms or molecules that form in our bodies and can damage cells. Free radicals may play a role in heart disease and cancer. While free radicals can be created due to normal chemical changes occurring in a cell, they can also be increased by external forces like smoking, radiation, and pollution. Antioxidants, found in berries and vegetables contained in green smoothies, can aid in the reduction of free radicals. (more…)

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“Prevention” isn’t just the name of a magazine!

Monday, August 22nd, 2011

When I was in my 20s, oh so long ago, the word “prevention” was one of those fuzzy, ambiguous words that was more a concept than an actual concrete idea I could wrap my mind around. In fact, as far as I knew, it was something my mother picked up at the grocery store checkout counter to read on a Saturday afternoon. But as I got older, I began to realize the significance of this little word and how acts of prevention could change my life. For those of you who are anything like me, I’m laying it out here for you like we’re all in grade school. (more…)

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How to Have Healthy Arteries

Tuesday, July 5th, 2011

Trouble with anything going on internally in the body is out of sight, out of mind. I can’t see my arteries, so I guess they’re OK, right?

Wrong.

This kind of thinking, especially if you’re not too careful with what you eat and how you take care of yourself, may lead to unchecked health complications like blocked arteries, which in turn lead to heart attack and stroke.

There are several risk factors for atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in arteries), but at least four of them are within your power to control… (more…)

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Benefits of Fish

Monday, April 11th, 2011

Fish and Heart Disease
Women who eat fish more often have less coronary heart disease than women who rarely eat fish. The health benefit is directly related to the omega-3—a specific type of fat—found in fish. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, “Among women, higher consumption of fish and omega-3 fatty acids is associated with a lower risk of CHD, particularly CHD deaths.” 

Nutritional Benefits of Fish
Aside from omega-3 content, eating fish has other benefits. Some of the nutritional benefits of fish include water, energy, protein, and a wide variety of vitamins, fats and minerals. One filet of cooked flounder (130 grams) contains approximately 1 gram of saturated fat, less then 100 milligrams of cholesterol, 2 grams of monounsaturated fat, 1 gram of polyunsaturated fat, 28 grams of protein and 5 grams of total fat. It also contains approximately 50 micrograms of selenium, 12 micrograms of folate and 48 milligrams of magnesium.   (more…)

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The Top Seven Acts of Love for Your Heart

Monday, March 14th, 2011

What are the best vitamin and mineral supplements with a proven track record for strengthening the heart? How important is exercise? How about sleep? Is it possible to manage arterial plaque? We’ve picked the top seven best things you can do right now to strengthen and love your heart.

1. Exercise
Exercise is one of the best ways to maintain a healthy heart and to prevent future heart problems. Not only can it reduce your risk of heart disease, it may even reduce inflammation throughout the years.1 It’s also easier to prevent heart problems than to correct them. (more…)

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Posted in Cardiovascular Health, Prevention | 1 Comment »

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