Showing posts with label heart disease. Show all posts
Showing posts with label heart disease. Show all posts

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Why Omega 3 Is essential?

By Dave Kool

Omega 3 fatty acids are a family of unsaturated fatty acids that our body can't make. Omega 3 is necessary for brain functioning and also for development and progress of the body. As our body can't produce it so we require food to develop these fatty acids. Fish like salmon and halibut are famous to be the best sources for omega 3 fatty acids. Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA), Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Alpha-linolenic Acid (ALA) are known to be three main omega 3 fatty acids. Clinical studies suggest that omega 3 fatty acids are very helpful to treat many medical illnesses. It is useful for the prevention of heart disease and numerous other problems which add to heart diseases. It is also beneficial for people who are suffering from prostrate, breast and colon cancer. Some of the benefits and uses of omega 3 include;

High Cholesterol Control

ALA is available in walnuts and fatty fish which are good to reduce cholesterol level in the body. It is also helpful to decrease the trigycerides level in the body.

Heart Disease & Stroke Prevention

High blood pressure and high cholesterol are two very lethal ailments which can be restricted by using substances of DHA and EPA; fish oil is the greatest source of these substances. DHA and EPA are also supportive to treat atherosclerosis. These substances suppress the development of plague and blood clots thus avoid heart disease and stroke. Doctors suggest taking fish in your food two times in a week; it is necessary for every person and reduces risk factor of stroke by half.

High Blood Pressure Control

Research makes it obvious that omega 3 fatty acids are excellent to lower blood pressure to great level. It is also helpful for individuals with hypertension. There is one exemption not to use mercury rich food as it can raise blood pressure.

Avoiding Rheumatoid arthritis

Softness in the joints and morning stiffness are medical conditions which can be shunned by using omega 3 fatty acids. Research illustrates that omega 3 is also supportive for reducing soreness.

Help in Osteoporosis

EPA is omega 3 fatty acid that is rich in calcium. It adds calcium in the bones and improves calcium level in the body and gives our bones a great strength. Those people who take EPA in their routine diet do not come across bone density harms.

Avoiding Depression

Nerve cell membranes help for nerve communication. These are vital for any human being for his/her cerebral physical condition and to stay attentive. Luckily, omega 3 fatty acids contain imperative mechanism for these membranes. Still we require taking these fatty acids in good quantity. If we are failed there is a strong likelihood to encounter depression.

All these fatty acids play an essential role for suitable functioning of our body. It establishes and maintains our health by escalating energy, routine and stamina. The fatty acids are favorable for strengthening our resistant system. We are more likely to be saved from cardiovascular disease. Consistent use of these fatty acids can aid in weight reduction. Our brain can perform better and it improves functions like brainpower, behavior and vision. These fatty acids are good for wounded people as it speeds up recovery and healing process. It improves our digestive system. In short, these fatty acids are must for each person to stay fit and healthy.

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Monday, February 2, 2009

Heavy Metals and Heart Attacks, what do we have in common?

By Karim Chung-Jones

Research demonstrates that heart disease is reversible. If you have heart disease, high blood pressure, or heavy metal toxicity, you may want to try Oral Chelation.

It's a shame over 60 million Americans suffer from heart disease when alternative options in treating and reversing this disease are available. One of these options is the nutritional supplementation offered in a well-balanced oral chelation formula, which helps your body fight back naturally.

With all the chemical and heavy metal toxicity existing around us and burdening the body's detoxification pathways, it is exceedingly difficult to obtain the levels of nutrients and energy necessary for a healthy lifestyle. Pesticides, soil depletion, radiation, mercury from dental amalgam fillings, cadmium from cigarettes, second hand smoke, chemicals in the air, lead from old mines, gasoline, tap water, and lead-based paints are just some of the toxins we are exposed to on a daily basis.

Many health problems including; cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, insomnia, and many more are caused by low level exposure to heavy metal toxins, and can take years to appear. Some of these toxins have been linked to causing: fatigue, memory loss, free radical damage, leading to: Cancers, Heart Attacks, and Strokes

There is a link to Heart Disease and Heavy Metal Toxins. It is worth exploring Oral Chelation as something to help cleanse your arterial walls and thereby reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks while at the same time helping remove heavy metal toxins from other areas of the body.

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Monday, December 29, 2008

Fish Oil that's Good for Heart Health and Research

By Michael Byrd

Fish oil for heart health is an interesting topic. And there is a good reason for this.

Almost all newspapers or magazines have their own research news on the amazing health benefits of fish oil for heart health. Doctors, nutritionist, trainers and exercise buffs highly recommend it. And just recently, my vet recommended fish oil capsules for the heart health of Phytho, my choco lab.

Certainly most people may have heard of the wonderful cardiovascular health benefits of omega 3 fish oil, however not many know the exciting scientific studies which proves the results behind the fish oil for heart health craze.

A report that was published in Circulation, an official journal of the American Heart Association, provided an extensive detail of how omega 3 fatty acids from fish enhances circulation and why fish oil is effective for the health of your heart and cardiovascular system in several ways.

The study showed that fish oil fatty acids can help in decreasing cholesterol, avoid irregular heartbeat and reduce blood clots. It also lowers blood pressure and triglycerides and balances HDL and LDL, loosens the arterial walls and inhibits the development of new plaque and inflammation, vasoconstriction, platelet aggregation and a lot more. [Vol. 106:2747]

Remarkable! How some scientists have even suggested that a depressed person can get help from omega 3 fish oil. It is good for the broken hearted.

A group of doctors published a study in the Journal of American Medical Association on all the positive effects that increase fish oil consumption can do on lowering a man's risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Nevertheless, because more women die of heart disease than any other cause, the scientist also wanted to discover if fish oil can provide the same health benefits for women as it can for men.

84,688 women were followed for 16 years and the doctors came to the conclusion that those who consumed 5 or more servings of fish a week had lesser chances of CHD or dying from a heart attack, compared to those who consumed less fish. [Vol. 287, No. 14]

In my own point of view, this makes it clear that fish oil for heart health is essential. But it may be interesting to know how much is needed? Recommendations usually suggest 5 or more servings of oily, cold water fish a week. It can greatly help enhance your heart health, but sometimes it may fall short. Studies however recommend that 1 to 3 grams of fish oil daily is enough for a healthy cardiovascular system.

A definite way to get this amount is from supplementing your diet with pure omega 3 fish oil capsules which can provide you a balance of all eight naturally occurring omega 3 fatty acids.

So that is the reason why everyone recommends fish oil for heart health. Would you want to do something about your health now? It actually won't get you into too much trouble to improve your health and believe me it is worthwhile. You will definitely find it nice to have a pain free, happy, healthy life when you grow old.

Of course it is! And it may start this moment, if you take action and follow this advice.

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Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Angina - What Is It and Are There Natural Remedies for Angina?

The term angina generally refers to the tightening sensation, which for some is painful, experienced in the body. There are several sub classes of angina and it depends on the location of the tightening or discomfort. Bowelgina is experienced in the abdominal area and this is otherwise known as Abdominal Angina.

Another life-threatening kind of angina is the Ludwig's angina. This is due to an infection on the floor of the mouth commonly caused by dental infections. The most common use of the term angina refers to Angina pectoris. This is the heavy distress experienced in the chest area.

Symptoms of angina are hard to distinguish from normal chest pain like heartburn but there are certain signs that tell you that are having an angina attack. Different people would describe angina differently. Most would say that it is not very painful but just a big discomfort.

Words used to describe angina are choking sensation, heaviness of the chest, tightening, squeezing or even burning on the torso area. This feeling lasts between one to five minutes. If it is shorter or longer, most probable it is not Angina pectoris. Best way to know is to get an ECG.

There are 2 types of angina. The first one is Stable Angina. It refers to the demonstration of the symptoms after activities which exert once self like jogging or lifting a heavy weight.

The other is Unstable Angina which occurs without provocation. You can be at rest; it can be sudden and also escalating. This is due to blood clots being released from the blood vessels.

Basically angina is just a symptom of a heart condition known as myocardial ischemia. It comes from the tightening, narrowing or blocking of the blood vessels specifically the arteries providing oxygenated blood to the heart.

When there are too much deposits of fat on the arteries the smaller the passage of blood becomes and the less blood flow is permitted. Also the higher the concentration of bad cholesterol there is the thicker the consistency of blood becomes.

Understanding this, the most common cure used is aspirin. Aspirin is a blood thinner which makes blood flow easier to different parts of the body. This also helps dissolve small blood clots causing angina pains.

Other treatments include administration of magnesium. For mild angina oral magnesium with B vitamins provide relief of this symptom. For more severe cases magnesium injections are recommended.

Food therapy also helps. For extreme cases, a low fat vegetarian diet may just save your life. Eating salads with dark green leaves such as spinach, kale, mustard greens and turnip greens are advised. Also stay away from too much dressing.

Juice therapy with cantaloupe juice is said to cure most angina pains. The adenosine compound found in the juice of fresh cantaloupe helps thin the blood.

With all these natural treatments for angina, most doctors, if not all, will still tell you that the best and safest cure is prevention. Exercise helps a lot in preventing heart disease and symptoms that can cause discomfort.

Doing regular cardio workouts help strengthen the heart. Proper is the only way to eat. Stay away from food with too much cholesterol. You can eat anything, but in moderation and nutritionally balanced.

Dee Braun, a single mom of 6, is a Cert. Aromatherapist and natural health practitioner. Click now to visit Health or High Water at http://www.HealthOrHighWater.com/ where you'll find info to improve your health using nutritional supplements to battle the ravages of time, poor nutrition, & toxins.



Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Preventing Coronary Artery Disease

By Scott Williams

Coronary Artery Disease is the number one killer of both men and women in the United States. It is a disease that involves a narrowing of the blood vessels that supply blood, oxygen and other nutrients to the muscle of the heart. It may seem strange if you haven't studied anatomy and physiology, but even though the heart has blood flowing through it constantly, this blood does not supply oxygen and nutrients to the muscle of the heart.

There are three main arteries that supply blood to the heart - the Left Anterior Descending artery, the Circumflex artery and the Right Coronary Artery. Each of these arteries split into smaller arteries and then blood vessels. Coronary Artery Disease can impact any of these arteries and vessels.

There are many risk factors that can affect your likelihood of contracting this disease. Common risk factors for coronary artery disease include being overweight, not exercising and suffering from hypertension or high cholesterol. Diabetes, family history and age can also affect your chances of contracting this disease, which usually presents itself as atherosclerosis, which are deposits that build up in your vessels restricting the volume of blood that can flow through.

Blood vessels usually have the ability to stretch to let more blood through, but those who suffer from coronary artery disease lose this ability. Then when plaque build up inside the vessels is added in when the heart really needs the blood, such as when you exercise it will not get it.

When your heart is not receiving enough blood you can experience angina, or recurring chest pains. By taking it easy and removing the triggers such a stress or overexertion you can help relieve the pain, or by taking medication. If there is plaque build up on the blood vessel walls then chances are that eventually a chunk will come off and completely block the blood supply to areas of your heart, which will result in a major heart attack.

With proper treatment, lifestyle adjustments and perhaps surgical intervention those who suffer from coronary artery disease can lead normal, happy, healthy lives. If you think that you may be at risk then you should consult your doctor immediately

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Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Heart Disease - Public Enemy #1?

By Richard H Ealom

INTRODUCTION: Heart disease is a number of abnormal conditions that affect the heart and its blood vessels. Also called cardiovascular disease, it primarily affects older persons and indicates that there are problems with the heart and arteries.

It has become the leading cause of death in the United States, is a major cause of disability, doesn't go away, but by working with your doctor, you can live longer and feel better. Types of cardiovascular disease include: Coronary artery disease (CAD), the most common type and is the leading cause of heart attacks.

In 2003, almost twice as many women died of cardiovascular disease (both heart disease and stroke) than from all cancers combined. The older a woman gets, the more likely she is to develop cardiovascular disease; however women of all ages should be concerned.

African American and Hispanic American/Latina women are more likely to develop heart disease because they tend to have more risk factors such as obesity, not enough exercise, high blood pressure, and diabetes than Caucasian women. Women of color are also more apt to die of the disease.

Having diabetes increase your odds of getting heart disease and high levels of triglycerides have been linked to the disease in some people. Also Being overweight increases your risk. Chest or arm pain or discomfort can be a sign of cardiovascular disease and an omen of an actual or impending heart attack.

If your dad or brother had a heart attack before age 55, or if your mom had one before age 65, you're more likely to develop heart disease. Birth control pills can pose risks for some women, especially women older than 35, women with high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol and women who smoke.

Almost 700,000 people die of heart disease in the U.S. each year. You can find out more about heart disease by contacting the National Women's Health Information Center at 1-800-994-9662.

The risk of coronary disease can be reduced by taking steps to prevent and control those factors that put people at greater risk for cardiovascular disease and heart attack. The very best ways to prevent heart disease are to control high blood pressure, diabetes or a high cholesterol level and, if you smoke, STOP SMOKING.

CHOLESTEROL: What does a high level of cholesterol have to do with heart disease? It can clog your arteries and keep your heart from getting necessary blood. People with high blood cholesterol or elevated blood triglycerides often have no symptoms, so have your blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels checked often. If your levels are high, talk to your physician about what you can do to lower them. You may be able to decrease your levels by eating better and exercising more, if not, your physician may prescribe medication to lower and bring it under control.

If there is too much cholesterol in your blood, it can build up on the walls of your arteries, forming plaque and producing blood clots. There are basically two kinds of cholesterol: Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is usually called the "bad" type because it can clog the arteries that transport blood to your heart. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is known as the "good" kind because it takes the bad cholesterol out of your blood and keeps it from building up in your arteries.

All females age 20 and older should have their blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels checked at least once every 5 ys. If you are overweight, reducing your weight can help decrease your total cholesterol as well as LDL ("bad cholesterol") levels.

Try to consume more foods low in saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol. Skim (fat-free) or low-fat (1%) milk and cheeses, and low-fat or nonfat yogurt, Fruits and vegetables (try for five a day), Cereals, breads, rice, and pasta created from whole grains (such as "whole-wheat" or "whole-grain" bread and pasta, rye bread, brown rice, and oatmeal), Limit consumption of organ meats (liver, kidney, brains), Egg yolks, Fats (butter, lard) and oils, Packaged and processed foods.

There are two diets that may help decrease your cholesterol: Heart Healthy Diet and Therapeutic Lifestyles Changes (TLC) Diet. Exercise can help decrease LDL ("bad cholesterol") and raise HDL ("good cholesterol"). If your physician has prescribed medicine to decrease your cholesterol, take it exactly as you have been told to.

CONCLUSION: Heart disease is not contagious - you can't catch it like you can influenza or a cold. It is a general term that refers to a variety of acute and chronic medical problems that affect one or several components of the heart. The symptoms you describe to your MD will help to decide if you need to be tested for heart disease. Your MD will also check if you have any conditions that can increase your risk of getting the disease.

These conditions include: high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, elevated cholesterol level, menopause in women, family members who have had heart disease at a young age. If you have cardiovascular disease, your angina can be treated by treating the heart disease. Maintaining a healthy diet and weight in addition to a regular exercise program can help you avoid developing heart disease.

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Sunday, August 10, 2008

High Blood Pressure - What Your Doctor Didn't Tell You

By Christian Goodman

Today, I beg you to let go of prejudgments and propaganda produced by the traditional health business and apply your common sense. That's the one thing that never lies.

What do I mean by that?

The answer is simple. If you read any official health site, what's the first and main point they try to pressure?

They try to convince you, the only effective method to deal with hypertension is using prescription drugs. Other things, like exercising and changing diet, may be dealt with in a paragraph or two. But the main focus is on the important of medications.

And like it wasn't enough to be put on medication. They also claim, you'll have to be on these medication ( and suffer all the side effects) for the rest of your life.

And what do they claim to be the cause for hypertension?

No1 ... They don't know

No2 ... Genetic reasons

No3 ... Relationships with other diseases

And if you forgot. Their treatment again...

Drugs, Medications, and again DRUGS!

Even if the doctors "treating" hypertension admit, they most often don't have any idea what really causes this condition, they refuse to look at any other method than drugs.

But you don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out what really causes hypertension.

Here it comes... You've probably often experienced your blood pressure ski-rock. And I bet you, whatever you were dealing with at that time was very stressful. Wasn't it?

When your body raises your blood pressure, it's actually doing exactly what it should be doing. You see, in a stressful situations, your body jumps into an "Emergency" flight or fight mood.

This is an essential mechanism to deal with dangerous situation. This is the mechanism our forefathers depended on to run away from or fight predators. When you go into the flight or fight mood, your blood pressure rises and your muscles get tense.

Think about how different the modern world is from the world of our forefathers. We're surrounded by predators every day, without really knowing if we're in danger or not. There are literally thousands of people walking around us, we don't know. Maybe murderous or something worse.

We have the internal pressure of reaching "a life standard". And the dread of not being able to fulfill it. Money dread is probably the biggest stress factor in the modern world and most likely kills more people than any other thing.

I only take "life standard dread" as an example. Any pressure you're stressed about, raises your blood pressure. These nagging worries just won't let us alone.

So what is the solution? You can't change the world but you can give your body and mind a focused brake!

And it's actually quite easy. Giving your mind a few minutes focused brake is all it needs to recover. Your blood pressure drops drastically during these few minutes and stays down for a long time afterwards. You'll feel relax and happy.

The best part is how quickly this works. Even people suffering from hyper high blood pressure are usually off medications and back to normal pressure within a week of working my exercises.

You can do the same.

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Thursday, August 7, 2008

High LDL Cholesterol Levels and Health Risks

By Chris Campell

A lot of people are not in fact anxious of the risks associated with high cholesterol level. As it typically takes place, they only appreciate the harmful effect of this when they already suffer from a heart attack or stroke.

If you do not want to have the same as one of these people, you should concentrate on what you eat and your diet, and certainly find time to do exercise regularly in order to preserve a healthy cholesterol level and evade the increase of LDL cholesterol.

The name of the offender is LDL cholesterol, or the Low-Density Lipoproteins cholesterol, is one of the two types of cholesterol found in the body. It is believed to be the major cholesterol carrier in the blood, therefore, but the overload of this cholesterol circulating in the blood can increasingly build up in the walls of the blood vessels that feed your heart and brain.

LDL cholesterol has the ability to join with other substances, and this can form plaque that can block those blood vessels. Therefore, when this happens, you are under the danger of the progress of coronary artery disease, heart disease, and stroke.

Due to the risk that a high LDL level brings, it is necessary that you keep up a desirable level of it. Human's body should maintain healthy level of low-density lipoproteins, which is 130mg/dL or less, in the bloodstream. A number more than this, particularly over 160mg/dL, makes you in a high-risk category. That is why it is highly important that you include in your diet low-cholesterol products and engage in regular exercise.

Moreover, in order to reduce the level of low-density lipoproteins cholesterol in the body, you are to increase high-density lipoproteins cholesterol level, or HDL cholesterol, which is measured to be good cholesterol. The HDL fights against the harmful build-up of LDL that can clog blood vessels. In order to increase the levels of so-called good cholesterol, a healthy and low-fat diet on top of regular training should become to be a part of your existence.

Keeping your LDL cholesterol at a suitable level can aid lessen your risks for both heart attack and stroke. Should your LDL cholesterol level be above the normal level, you have to ask for your doctor's advice right away.

How to lessen LDL cholesterol level?

It's clear that the level of activity of the low-density receptors should be better in order to lower LDL cholesterol. Some tablets such as Zetia and low-fat and cholesterol diets can aid to increase the LDL receptor activities. The principle of the treatment for high cholesterol is to diminish the triglyceride levels, lowering the LDL or the bad cholesterol and simultaneously improving the "good" (HDL) cholesterol levels. Decrease of total cholesterol by 10 percent can cause a 30 percent reduction in coronary heart disease.

Recurring physical exercises, losing excess weight, keeping diet that is low in cholesterol and saturated fats is the essence of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol treatment involves. From time to time it takes place when healthy food and gym do not seem to aid lower the LDL cholesterol to suitable levels, and then medications are prescribed. Statins are the most widespread tablets that aid us to lessen LDL cholesterol levels.

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Sunday, August 3, 2008

Heard about Resveratrol?

By Denise Richards

Resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant which is found predominantly in the skin of grapes. This is produced as a defense mechanism against environmental stress by the plants. Resveratrol is also found in smaller quantities in lily, spruce and eucalyptus apart from being produced as diet supplements.

Wine which is produced from grapes is thus a good source of resveratrol. It is found more in red wine than in the white wine. This is due to the fact that the skins of grapes which are the main source of resveratrol is left longer during fermentation while processing and preparing red wine than the white wine.

Although it is all at the experimental stage, resveratrol shows a huge potential in the treatment of coronary diseases and cancer. Research is being conducted extensively to find out how best this antioxidant can be used to fight these more common but deadly diseases.

Sources of resveratrol are mainly grapes. In the grapes, it is found more in the skin than the seeds and stalk. It is found in lesser quantities in plants like lily, spruce and eucalyptus. Resveratrol is also found in sufficient quantities in mulberries and peanuts. Grapes being predominantly used in preparation of wine, resveratrol can be found in considerable quantities in wine.

Due to more fermentation period, red wine is a better source of this antioxidant than the white wine. Apart from grapes, blueberries are another excellent natural source of resveratrol. The Japanese Knotweed contains resveratrol in good quantities.

Blueberries are another natural source of resveratrol. A lot of antioxidants are present in blueberries along with resveratrol. Peanuts and peanut sprouts are also found to be excellent natural sources of resveratrol.

Resveratrol show promise in inducing differentiation in promyelocytic leukemia cells in humans. It also shows potential in inhibition of ribonucleotide reductase which is an enzyme particularly found in proliferating cells during DNA synthesis. The most positive factor in all this is that resveratrol shows a lot of positive potential in cancer treatment due to the fact that it produces negligible toxins which affect the blood forming cells.

It is advisable to consult one's physician before deciding to take resveratrol supplements as a preventive measure for any ailment. As with any other drug which is in the research stages, it is better to wait for conclusive evidence and reports before proceeding to make it a part of our intake.

Resveratrol is sometimes offered in the form of a transdermal patch. This is similar to the nicotine patch. Apart from this, it is also manufactured in liquid form for easier consumption. It is always better to consult with the doctor before taking these supplements as a prevention or cure for any condition.

Valuable information about this wonder antioxidant can be had from the internet. A lot of information is available on recent studies and research on this product along with new resveratrol based supplements introduced in the market.

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Ginger Root's Medicinal Value

By Susannah Singer

Ginger is one of the most widely used herbs in the world. We use the root of a plant native to Asia but today cultivated in the West Indies, Jamaica, and Africa. Francisco de Mendosa introduced ginger to Spain in the early 1500's (and from there to the new world) but its value was known in the far east long before that.

Ginger powder comes from a perennial tuber type root (like a potato) that creeps and grows underground. The stalk has narrow leaves and grows to be about two feet tall. In the fall the tuber is harvested, dried, and ground into the herb powder. Black or coated ginger means the root was immediately scalded (not peeled) after harvesting. White or uncoated ginger was washed and scraped to prevent sprouting. To whiten it even more, white ginger is at times bleached or limed but this process robs it of some of its value.

Ginger's value is found in chemicals like potassium acetate, lignin, acrid soft resin, gum, vegeto matter, asmazone, volatile oil (up to 3%), acetic acid, starch, and sulphur.

Ginger will stimulate appetite, fight body odor, and promote perspiration. It is best known as a traditional Asian medicine to treat nausea. It has relieved morning sickness as well as the nausea related to chemotherapy. Some say ginger is more effective in relieving motion sickness than Dramamine.

Ginger also helps treat joint pain by stimulating blood circulation causing redness of the skin. This makes it effective in treating illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis and Raynaud's syndrome.

Often ginger is used in the treatment of indigestion, flatulence, menstrual cramps and diarrhea and relieves gastrointestinal distress. It is effective because it copies some digestive enzymes used to process protein in the body.

Ginger is beneficial to the heart as well. As little as 5 grams of dried ginger a day slows the production of triglycerides and LDL (bad) cholesterol in the liver. Ginger also prevents platelets from sticking together, a condition that would increase the risk of heart attack or stroke.

Many like its flavor and aroma and like to use it in cooking as a seasoning or a tea. One online recipe for gingersnap cookies calls for one teaspoon of ginger powder. It is also a popular treatment for cold symptoms for it is said to loosen phlegm and spread a warm feeling throughout the body thus fighting chills.

Ginger is available in capsules, pickles, extracts, and prepared teas that can be made into compresses. The ginger root may also be consumed raw, but avoid small, wrinkled, or soft tubers. Steep ginger in hot water to make a tea, or just add it to a variety of dishes. The usual dosage is 1/3 of an ounce of fresh ginger root per day. Preserved Ginger is made by steeping the root in hot syrup. Store ginger root dry in your refrigerator for short periods. You can also freeze ginger root for up to three months.

If you are pregnant, it would be wise to restrict your use of ginger because it may stimulate uterine contractions. People taking beta-blockers, insulin, blood thinners, barbiturates, or diabetes medications should consult their doctor before using ginger because it may conflict with some of these medications. Ginger may also reduce the absorption of dietary iron and fat-soluble vitamins, and actually upset the stomach in higher doses. Also, ginger helps thin the blood. Therefore avoid taking it two weeks prior to surgery.

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Friday, August 1, 2008

Use Cholestorol Medications to Improve Personal Health

By Rich Benvin

There are over 100 million American adults that should seek medical advice to lower their high blood cholesterol levels. Statins, a cholesterol lowering medication which have few side effects have helped to fight heart disease and lower cholesterol levels, even though Americans are actually getting fatter.

There are things that can help you fight this problem. This article is designed to teach you how to do something about your cholesterol problems. First we will take a brief look at what cholesterol is and then we will show you how statin medications, prescribed by your doctor, can make you healthier. To treat high cholesterol there are many different types of statins, and we will review them for you.

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat like substance that presents itself naturally in cell walls and membranes everywhere in your body. Your body uses cholesterol to produce many hormones. Where problems arise is when there is an over abundance of cholesterol in your bloodstream.

Your doctor may decide that you need help in controlling your cholesterol if you are not able to reduce it using natural treatments. Even if your doctor prescribes any of these medications, you must still follow through with healthy lifestyle treatments as well. There are several different types of medications used to lower cholesterol, but we will focus only on statins.

What are statins and how do they work? Statins repress the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase. This enzyme controls the rate that cholesterol produces itself in the body. These drugs can lower cholesterol from 20 to 60%. They slow the production while they increase the liver's ability to withdraw LDL (Low Density Lipoproteins). Statins lower the LDL levels better than any other type of drug.

Statins not only decrease total cholesterol and triglycerides, but they can also produce a moderate increase of HDL (High Density Lipoproteins). Encouraging results can usually be seen as quickly as 4 to 6 weeks after beginning use of the medication. Statins are also known to reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other possible coronary illnesses.

You should not take statins if: you are allergic to statins themselves or their ingredients; you are pregnant or breastfeeding; you have liver disease; you regularly consume excessive amounts of alcohol; you have a history of myopathy; or if you have experienced renal failure.

Lipitor, Crestor, Zocor, Lescol, Altocor and Mevacor are all prescription brand name statins that you might recognize. Please know of certain food and/or drug interactions that may have adverse effects. If you drink more than a quart of grapefruit juice per day it can very well decrease the liver's ability to process some statin drugs. It is critical to know that there are other medications that you might be taking that can possibly interact with the statins to cause some weighty side effects.

It's important to let your doctor know about any other medication you are taking, whether prescription or non-prescription including vitamins, herbal supplements, medication for the immune system, other cholesterols drugs, medication for infections, birth control pills, medication for heart failure, HIV or AIDs, or Coumadin.

Side effects from statins are rare. If you experience muscle soreness, pain, weakness, vomiting, stomach pain, discolored urine, stop taking the medication and contact your doctor immediately.

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Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Treating Heart Disease With Acupuncture

By Keira Adams

Numerous drugs are being marketed today to combat heart disease. But along with these drugs comes the risk of unpleasant side effects for the user. This is one reason many patients are using alternative medical treatments to take care of heart disease instead of traditional medicines which can have detrimental side effects.

A popular alternative treatment that shows promise in helping patients to manage their heart condition, or avoid developing one, is acupuncture. Acupuncture has been used by the Chinese for centuries to enhance health and wellbeing, through the use of small needles which are inserted into appropriate locations in the body.

According to tradition, acupuncture aids in the movement of blocked energy in your body. It removes the obstruction and facilitates the flow of energy once again. And research indicates that there's something to this practice.

Scientific investigation shows evidence that acupuncture can relieve hypertension, which in turn reduces the chances of heart disease. There is also data that shows it can decrease the risk of angina, which is chest pains caused when the heart's blood vessels go into spasm. In the studies, those who chose acupuncture to treat their angina recuperated sooner than those who relied on traditional medication.

Acupuncture is generally painless because the needles used are so tiny. It can also be a relaxing experience. Once the needles are inserted into your body, you lie quietly for several minutes and rest.

When you're deciding on where to go for your acupuncture treatment, check that the practitioner has certification from the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. This lets you know that they have a good education and that they continually update their knowledge.

Acupuncture is covered by some medical insurance, but most people will probably have to pay out of pocket. Visits range widely in cost across the country. It's a good idea to call several practitioners in your area to find out about the going rate.

Several visits may be required before getting the results that you are seeking. But the end result may be worth it because there are no side effects such as those typically associated with drug alternatives, not to mention the expense and risk of addiction to traditional medicines.

Some people are unsure about alternative medicine therapies, but a quick look online can show you that science is beginning to come around to this ancient form of medicine. The Chinese have been practicing it for centuries, and Westerners really are the ones behind the times.

Many studies are confirming what people have known traditionally for a long time - acupuncture does work in many cases.

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Monday, July 28, 2008

Understanding Statins and Cholesterol Medications

By Rich Benvin

There are over 100 million American adults that should seek medical advice to lower their high blood cholesterol levels. Statins, a cholesterol lowering medication which have few side effects have helped to fight heart disease and lower cholesterol levels, even though Americans are actually getting fatter.

Don't worry; you are not out of luck. This article focuses on the actions you can take to lower your cholesterol levels and live a healthier life. After we quickly explain to you what cholesterol is we can then provide you with ways your physician can prescribe statin medications to help. Statins are not the only cholesterol reducing drug, but it is the one we will be discussing throughout this article.

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat like substance that presents itself naturally in cell walls and membranes everywhere in your body. Your body uses cholesterol to produce many hormones. Where problems arise is when there is an over abundance of cholesterol in your bloodstream.

Your doctor may decide that you need help in controlling your cholesterol if you are not able to reduce it using natural treatments. Even if your doctor prescribes any of these medications, you must still follow through with healthy lifestyle treatments as well. There are several different types of medications used to lower cholesterol, but we will focus only on statins.

What are statins and how do they work? Statins repress the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase. This enzyme controls the rate that cholesterol produces itself in the body. These drugs can lower cholesterol from 20 to 60%. They slow the production while they increase the liver's ability to withdraw LDL (Low Density Lipoproteins). Statins lower the LDL levels better than any other type of drug.

Statins not only decrease total cholesterol and triglycerides, but they can also produce a moderate increase of HDL (High Density Lipoproteins). Encouraging results can usually be seen as quickly as 4 to 6 weeks after beginning use of the medication. Statins are also known to reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other possible coronary illnesses.

You should not take statins if: you are allergic to statins themselves or their ingredients; you are pregnant or breastfeeding; you have liver disease; you regularly consume excessive amounts of alcohol; you have a history of myopathy; or if you have experienced renal failure.

Lipitor, Crestor, Zocor, Lescol, Altocor and Mevacor are all prescription brand name statins that you might recognize. Please know of certain food and/or drug interactions that may have adverse effects. If you drink more than a quart of grapefruit juice per day it can very well decrease the liver's ability to process some statin drugs. It is critical to know that there are other medications that you might be taking that can possibly interact with the statins to cause some weighty side effects.

If you are taking prescription or even over-the-counter drugs such as: birth control pills, immune system medications, medication for infections, medication for heart failure, HIV or AIDS, herbal supplements, Coumadin, or other cholesterol drugs make sure to let your doctor know before taking statins.

Although very rare, it is possible for side effects to surface from the use of statins. If you happen to experience vomiting, discolored urine, pain, muscle soreness, stomach pain, or weakness immediately discontinue the use of the medication and contact your physician.

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Monday, May 12, 2008

Boost Cardiovascular Health And Circulation With Butcher’s Broom

Butcher’s broom (Ruscus aculeatus) is a member of the lily family, and looks a bit like a holly bush with barbed evergreen leaves and bright red berries in the fall. At one time they were collected, tied together and sold to butchers as brooms to sweep out their shops.

The stiff leaves were particularly suitable for cleaning out offal and other waste products from butchered animals and also for scrubbing butcher’s blocks. It was also used as a deterrent to rodents with their eyes on the meat! Alternative names are sweet broom, kneeholy and Jew’s myrtle, so named because it was used during the Feast of the Tabernacles as one of the ‘four species’ used in the lulav.

The herb was commonly used in Ancient Greece and Rome, the Greeks using it to reduce swellings of various kinds and the Romans using it to treat varicose veins. It has the same uses today, only the mechanisms are understood better. It has been used for centuries in the Mediterranean area for the treatment of inflammations and problems with the circulation, and the Romans used to mash up the leaves and berries to add to wine, and they also used the roots and rhizome as a medicine by soaking them in wine. Today, it is illegal to use holly as a decoration in Italy, so butcher’s broom is used instead.

All parts of the plant are used, including the rhizome, and although it is used as a diuretic, and to control a loss of blood pressure experience by some people on standing up, it is its effect on blood vessels where its main medical benefits lie. Butcher’s Broom can strengthen certain portions of blood vessels, and change the flexibility properties of the cell walls.

The result of this is that the vessels are tightened up, which helps to maintain the flow of blood throughout the body, but also renders the cell walls less likely to leak or crack under stress. The result is a reduction in blood leakage from stretched and weakened blood vessels such as those that result in hemorrhoids, and also of conditions caused by weakened valves in the veins such as varicose veins and spider veins.

The blood pressure in the veins is very weak since they are so far away from the heart, the blood having passed through the arteries, through the capillaries and into the veins on its way back to the heart before being pumped to the lungs. When the valves become weakened, particularly in the large veins in the leg, there is little to prevent the blood from coming under the influence of gravity and pooling back down the vein, causing distention and occasional ruptures.

A ruptured varicose vein can be very serious and cause significant blood loss. Weakened valves can also lead to the formation of blood clots, which is itself a very serious condition that eventually blocks the heart or causes a stroke. Not only can butcher’s broom strengthen the vein walls and prevent leakage, and also enable them to more easily resist the pressure that can cause them to rupture, but it can also be used to break down blood clots. In fact the herb is used in many European hospitals to prevent the formation of blood clots after surgery.

The active ingredients in the rhizome are saponins that contain the aglycones ruscogenin and neuroscogenin and the associated spirostanol and furostanol glycosides. The receptors that cause vasocontraction are known as adrenoreceptors, these receptors can be selectively stimulated by butcher’s broom extract to tighten the veins and improve the return of blood. When introduced intravenously, butcher’s broom was noted to constrict venules (small veins that feed the main veins but not arterioles (the small arteries than feed the capillaries). Hence blood vessels can be selectively treated, and the effect on isolated blood vessels was enhanced by heating. Many supplements include calcium that helps to strengthen the blood vessel walls.

It is possible, therefore, to target the blood vessels that require constrictive treatment in order that they are strong enough to return blood to the heart rather than leak or distend. However, that is not the only health benefit that butcher’s broom provides. It can also be used as a diuretic. It is not a strong diuretic, but is used to relief the swelling of bruises and PMS, the reason given being that since leakage from the blood vessels is lessened, then more fluid is available to pass through the kidneys. There might be other reasons.

It is also use for the treatment of ortho static hypotension, the reduction in blood pressure that some people experience. It is believed that butcher’s broom can control this condition without increasing blood pressure, as most other remedies do, and which is almost as undesirable as the condition they are treating.

There are few problems associated with the herb, although few studies have been carried out its use by pregnant women. Although the one test that was carried indicated no effect, it would be wise for pregnant or nursing women not to use it until further studies have been carried out. Due to its effect in tightening blood vessels, its use is not recommended by anybody suffering from high blood pressure (hypertension). Many hypertension treatments are designed to render the blood vessels more elastic rather than constrict them.

In one very small study of pregnant women who used a topical cream containing butcher's broom, no side effects were seen for either the mother or the baby. However, very little information is available on how oral butcher's broom might affect a developing fetus, an infant, or a small child. Therefore, its use is not recommended during pregnancy, while breast-feeding, or during early childhood.

Because it tightens blood vessels, butcher's broom may worsen high blood pressure or benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). Individuals with either of these conditions should not use any form of butcher's broom without first consulting a doctor. The known side effects have already been stated, and they are fairly mild, but few studies have been made on the herb other than in Europe, and the side effects have not been fully explored. It is unlikely; however, that there are any as yet unknown serious side effects since butcher’s broom has been used now for a long time, particularly in Europe.

The term ‘ruscogenin’ is used for the collective mixture of active saponins in butcher’s broom, and many of the supplements are formulated to include from 5 to 15 mg of these. However, check the label, since standardization is not yet required in the USA, and in theory a preparation can include much more or much less ruscogenin. It is frequently supplied with other active ingredients, such as vitamin C or calcium, and perhaps even horse chestnut that affect blood vessels in a similar way. Always follow the instructions on the package, since these are designed for the specific strength of supplement you are using.

Author Resource: More information on butcher’s broom extract is available at VitaNet ®, LLC Health Food Store. http://vitanetonline.com/

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Tuesday, May 6, 2008

You Need To Raise Your Cholesterol

You can imagine my surprise after my last blood test when my doctor told me I needed to raise my cholesterol levels. What? I had a stroke the year before and had revamped my diet to lower my cholesterol. I was slowly able to walk and move more and was adding as much exercise as my body could handle. I had successfully dropped an extremely high cholesterol level to well within normal ranges. Now she wanted me to raise my cholesterol levels again?

That’s because there are two types of cholesterol; good cholesterol, or HDL (high-density lipoproteins) and bad cholesterol, or LDL (low-density lipoproteins). HDL scour the walls of the blood vessels, sweeping away excess fat and cholesterol in the blood and carries it back to the liver for processing, preventing plaque build-up. We’ve all heard that it is important to decrease bad cholesterol, but it is just as important to keep our HDL levels high. I had lowered my bad cholesterol levels but my good cholesterol had dropped as well.

An HDL reading less than 40 mg/dL is considered to be a major risk factor for heart disease, with a reading between 40 and 50 mg/dL recommended, while readings over 60mg/dL indicate a significantly lowered risk of heart disease. My HDL had dropped to a risky 32 mg/dL. The question now was how to raise good cholesterol. Listed below are some suggestions that will help.
Lose Excess Fat by Increasing Activity: It is important to lose excess body fat. But, often dieting alone can cause the desirable HDL to drop along with LDL. By increasing regular physical activity with aerobic exercise, this trend is stopped and good HDL levels will increase. Aerobic exercise is any constant activity that increases your heart rate. Please note that exercise has a powerful, yet short-lived effect, so it is important to exercise on a consistent basis. Studies show that people who exercise regularly tend to have higher HDL.

Research shows that HDL may be elevated as much as 20 percent from regular aerobic exercise that expends at least 800 to 1,200 calories per week. For example, walking at 3 miles per hour burns roughly 300 calories per hour, so walking 3 to 4 hours a week would meet this goal. Further studies show that the duration of exercise, rather than the intensity is a more important factor in raising HDL. Any aerobic exercise will have a greater effect the longer you can participate in that activity. Instead of increasing how hard you exercise, try adding a little more time to your activity for the greater HDL benefits. Studies show that for every 10 minutes of additional exercise HDL may increase by 1.4 mg/dL

Weight control is critical to raising HDL levels. Researchers note that every kilogram (2.2 pounds) of weight a patient loses raises HDL levels by an average 0.35 mg/dL. So, get walking, hiking, swimming, biking or whatever. Just increase your activity and control what you eat.

Stop Smoking: Giving up tobacco will result in an increase of HDL. Studies show this can raise your HDL by about 4 mg/dL. If you do smoke, please stop! Smoking puts you at high risk for heart disease and stroke. Believe me, these are not experiences you want, especially since they are the #1 and #3 killers in this country and strokes are the #1 cause of disability.

Eliminate Trans Fats: High intakes of trans fats lower HDL. It is hard enough to improve cholesterol levels with food. Cutting out fast foods, processed foods and foods made with hydrogenated oils will at least stop drops in good cholesterol and will stem the rise of bad cholesterol. This is not an easy task since many of our favorite prepared foods contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oil.

Alcohol: One or two drinks a day, no more, can show a beneficial increase to HDL levels, regardless of the type of alcohol, by up to 4 mg/dL. But, use caution if you have liver or other conditions affected by alcohol or you have an addictive nature. Consult your doctor.

Improved Diet: What we eat can help lower overall cholesterol and increase HDL levels. It gets so hard with our lifestyles these days. I had a problem eating right while working an 8-5 job, juggling home life and personal activities. It is just so much easier to eat processed foods. But it can be done. The more I find foods I like that are good for me and include them in my diet, the less room I have for not-so-good foods.

Canola oil, avocado oil, olive oil and the oils found in peanut butter can increase HDL, as can soy, flaxseed, eating more nuts such as almonds, cashews, walnuts, peanuts and pecans. A 2004 study in Diabetes Care found that men and women with type 2 diabetes who included 30 grams of walnuts a day in their diet showed improved HDL levels.

Soluble fiber found in fruits, vegetables, beans and oats help reduce LDL and raise HDL. Orange juice and cranberry juice have also been shown to be beneficial, as are cold-water fish containing omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, tuna and mackerel. High glycemic products like cereals and breads on the other hand are associated with lower HDL levels. Consumption of the products should be reduced.

Magnesium rich foods have been shown to both help raise good cholesterol, lower blood pressure, lower blood sugar levels and lower blood fats These include spinach, black beans, kidney beans, lima beans, soybeans, halibut, peanuts, pumpkin seeds and some whole grains.

Other herbs and nutrients that have been beneficial are niacin (vitamin B3), guggul (a gum resin from the mukul myrrh tree), curcumin, chromium and calcium citrate.

As you can see, with a few dietary changes and increasing aerobic physical activity you can win the battle over cholesterol for life. For the balance of this article discussing the above mentioned supplements, please visit my website for the full article.

Author Resource: Jeff Keto suffered a stroke in March, 2007 requiring a much healthier diet and lifestyle. Product links available at: http://njkmarketing.com

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Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Eight Heart Healthy Foods You Should Be Eating

What you eat is one of the biggest determinants of your coronary heart disease risk. A diet high in the eight foods below will go a long way to maintaining a healthy heart.

1) Garlic

Garlic contains powerful chemicals that have been shown to reduce cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, and reduce the risk of blood clots that can lead to heart attacks and strokes. It has been estimated that a clove of garlic a day is needed to obtain these health benefits. If the thought of eating a clove of garlic a day is too much for you, odorless garlic capsules can be purchased from most pharmacies and supermarkets.

2) Oats (Oat-meal and Oat-bran)

Oats are high in soluble fiber which have been shown in many studies to reduce your levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Research has shown that the higher your ratio of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) to LDL, the lower your risk of heart disease is. One cup of oatmeal a day provides enough dietary fiber to reduce your LDL cholesterol levels significantly.

3) Alcohol

Moderate consumption of Alcohol (up to two glasses a day) has been shown in most studies to reduce heart disease risk by between 20 percent and 40 percent compared to non-drinkers. Moderate Alcohol consumption has been associated with an increased ratio of HDL to LDL, thinner blood (leading to reduced blood clotting), reduced blood insulin levels and a reduction in arterial plaque build up. Heavy alcohol consumption however raises blood pressure and is associated with a greater risk of heart disease.

4) Oily Fish

Fish such as tuna, salmon, and sardines contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids which reduce heart disease risk by reducing blood pressure and increasing blood vessel elasticity. Medical experts recommend a minimum of 2 servings of fish a week to obtain the full benefit of omega-3, alternatively fish oil capsules can be taken.

5) Nuts such as Almonds, Walnuts, and Cashew Nuts

Nuts are rich in polyunsaturated fats and contain omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. A handful of nuts a day has been shown to reduce LDL cholesterol by up to 20 percent.

6) Tomatoes and Tomato Products

Tomatoes, especially cooked tomatoes have high levels of Lycopene, a powerful antioxidant. In a study of 40,000 women at the Harvard school of Public Health, women who consumed seven or more servings of tomato-based foods were 30 percent less likely to develop cardiovascular disease compared to those who consumed less than 1.5 servings. Women who ate more than ten servings a week were up to a massive 65 percent less likely to develop cardiovascular disease.

7) Green Tea

A Japanese study of over 400,000 individuals aged between 40 and 79 found that those people who consumed five or more cups of green tea a day were 26 percent less likely to die from heart disease. Researchers also found that the effect was stronger for women than men. Green tea is high in polyphenols which are powerful antioxidants that are also found in most berry fruit, apples, celery, broccoli and parsley.

8) Spinach

Spinach is an excellent source of Vitamins A, C, and K and is also an excellent source of Folate. Folate helps the heart by reducing homo-cysteine levels in the blood. High homo-cysteine levels are associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease.

Author Resource: Anthony Wilson is the owner of http://healthhubs.net/, a daily updated news and information website about many health topics such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

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Monday, November 26, 2007

The Relationship Between Heart Disease And Kidney Disease

When you suffer from some type of heart disease, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be very difficult. We all need to eat healthy, maintain a good regular exercise routine and have regular checkups from our health care provider. When heart disease is not managed well the effects on our kidneys can be catastrophic.

The kidneys job is to filter the blood to remove carcinogens that we take in daily through the ingesting of out highly refined and processed foods. In addition it also removes excess fluid from the blood stream. The kidneys filter the waist products from the blood stream by using the natural pressure of the blood supply.

When this excess fluid is not being remove then the heart will have to work harder to pump the blood throughout our bodies by increasing our blood pressure. Higher blood pressure will cause more damage to our kidneys causing less fluid and toxins being removed from the blood stream.
As you can see the cycle of the heart damaging the kidneys which in turn cause more damage to the heart is a leading cause of death for patients suffering from heart disease. This viscous cycle must be control as soon as possible before permanent damage is done to the effected organs.

The leading causes of kidney disease are as follows:

Decreased blood flow to the kidney is usually caused by clogged arteries. Arteriosclerosis, congestive heart disease, plaques or fatty deposits containing large quantities of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood stream can all cause a decreased blood flow to the kidneys.

Acute Tubular Necrosis (ATN) is the death of tissue do to a loss of oxygen to the kidney. Long term decreased of oxygen to the kidney can be caused by congestive heart disease, clogged arteries, anemia, iron deficiency, cycles cell anemia and infections such as acute septicemia. Short term loss of oxygen to the kidney can be caused a heart attack or by direct kidney injury.

Damage to the kidneys can be the result of over exposure to metals, solvents, drugs and other pollutants.

Excessive amounts of alcohol will cause death of muscle and organ tissue. When tissue dies myoglobin is released into the blood supply. Myoglobin is very toxic to the renal tubular epithelium and may cause kidney failure. One of the blood test done after a heart attack is the testing for the amount of myoglobin in the blood stream. The larger amount of myoglobin found has a direct correlation to the amount of damage caused to the heart muscle by a heart attack.

High blood pressure will also cause damage to the filtering process of the kidneys.
Prevention is always better than a cure and knowing you are at risk for heart or kidney disease should go a long way in your ability to prevent long term damage to these vital organs. Take steps today to maintain a health life style and to improve the quality of life.

Common vitamins and and minerals can help with preventing disease such as vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin E, Cranberry Juice, Natural diuretics and Garlic.

Vitamin A is a known antioxidant and can assist the human body in the healing process. Vitamin A is stored in the liver and fat cells of the human body and can reach toxic levels. DO NOT take more than the recommended dosage of Vitamin A.

Vitamin B taken together as a team perform vital biological processes including aiding in the healing process for congestive heart failure and reduces fluid retention. It is required for the development of red blood cells.

Vitamin C has been shown to combat the development of cholesterol deposits in the arteries. Within a few hours after receiving vitamin C patients showed a sharp decline in the cholesterol levels of the blood. Take 1,000 to 5,000 mg daily.

Vitamin E is known to help the red blood cells to live longer and keep them from breaking down too soon.

Cranberry Juice may also help prevent kidney and bladder infections. If you are taking COUMADIN then check with your doctor before using cranberry.

Natural diuretics are contained in cranberries, anything that has caffeine and apple cider vinegar. Fruits and vegetables such as watermelon and cucumbers contain a lot of water and will help increase urination.

Garlic counteracts the usual result of high fats in the diet and to help reduce high blood pressure.

This report is nutritional in nature and not to be construed as medical advice.

Always consult your doctor before using this information.

Author Resource: David Cowley has created numerous articles on heart disease. He has also created a Web Site dedicated to heart disease and how to treat them. Visit Heart Disease

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Monday, October 29, 2007

About Congestive Heart Failure

The human body is a magnificent machine that works in harmony with nature. The machinery needs proper care and sometimes parts replaced. Like the machine so the heart also needs help to prevent failure. The pump may not pump enough blood to meet your body's needs, which can lead into congestive heart failure. Many underlying conditions can cause congestive heart failure.
Over time and with the wear and tear of one's body the heart itself can develop such things as coronary artery disease or high blood pressure, which can lead to congestive heart failure. These things sap your strength leaving the heart with the inability to pump efficiently causing a break down. It is very important that you take care of yourself because these things while not reversible are preventable.

We have medicines that can treat the conditions you have improving your survival rate. These medications if taken properly can help control your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and other things that might be affecting your heart. The field of medicine has come a very long way in providing medicines to prevent congestive heart failure.

The cardiologist who is a heart specialist can inform you about by-pass surgery or stents to help open up the flow of your blood through your veins. Many things are possible to prolong your life just ask your doctor for advise as to what you need. It is very possible for you to do things for yourself that will help in good heart health.

Congestive heart failure maybe prevented by changing your lifestyle. This does not always take a big change but some things in your life are controllable. First, look at your diet eat a heart healthy diet. Watch out for salt intake, fatty foods, and over indulgences as these can cause congestive heart failure. Many of us in today's world need to know how to manage stress overcome depression or simply improve the quality of our life. The problem of being over weight can lead to other problems such as coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. We need to keep these conditions under control in order to prevent congestive heart failure.

Managing stress becomes a stressful problem in itself for many people. While others enjoy the benefit of belonging to a gym or owning equipment that they use in their homes some of us do not have the time, money, or space to afford such luxury's. A person who sets daily in his office may feel the tensions building up to the point of no relief and farther some even go into a depressive condition. This is very bad for the heart we say that our heart is what feels our emotions like love, sadness, hate, excitement etc. still yet our heart suffers with stress and depression. Congestive heart failure one of the number one killers of men and women can be prevented. Prevention begins as they say at home with you taking care of your needs.

Author Resource: If you would like to find out more about Congestive Heart Problems, and keeping your Heart Healthy then please visit us at Congestive Heart Information. It could give you information that saves your life.

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Monday, October 22, 2007

Holistic Medicine Secrets: Does Cholesterol Really Matter?

Every American should be paying attention to the health of their heart, and particularly to the health of the arteries in their heart, because cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of Americans, including women. Overall, about 480,000 American women die of heart disease each year, which is 60,000 more women then men.

Women are very concerned about breast cancer and whether or not they should take hormones. What most women don't realize is that they have a much higher risk of dying from heart disease than dying from breast cancer. Heart disease is different for women and men. Women need to focus more on the health of their small arteries, whereas men with heart disease often have blockage of their larger arteries. The prevention and treatment of problems in the small versus large arteries are different. More importantly, we will be reviewing several basic steps that everyone should be taking to keep their hearts healthy.

More than half the people who have heart attacks have normal cholesterol. You do need to concern yourself with abnormally high or low cholesterol, but normal cholesterol levels do not protect you from heart attacks.

A cholesterol check is not the best test for determining whether or not you are at risk for coronary artery disease (I'll refer to it as heart disease). In fact, the American Heart Association now agrees that people with heart disease all have one factor in common, and it isn't high cholesterol. It's inflammation in their arteries (Heart guidelines urge test for inflammation; USA TODAY, Jan. 28, 2003).

The inflammation stimulates the body to use the cholesterol as a band-aid and cover up that irritated area in the blood vessels. So, chasing the cholesterol away from someone's arteries is like chasing the firefighters away from the fire. What we really should be doing is putting out the fire and not chasing the firefighters away.

Are there any functions that cholesterol has in the body or is it just something to get rid of?

Cholesterol has many very important functions in body; it is definitely not just a byproduct to get rid of. Cholesterol is an important part of each and every cell membrane. It acts as the rebar which stabilizes your cell membranes.

Additionally, all steroid hormones are made from cholesterol. Our steroid hormones include estrogen, progesterone, DHEA, testosterone, and cortisol. We all need those hormones, so we all need cholesterol to make those hormones. Vitamin D is also made from cholesterol, and we are learning more and more about the benefits of optimal amounts of vitamin D.

We definitely need cholesterol. Most people are worried about high cholesterol, but low cholesterol can also be a warning sign. An adequate cholesterol level is actually a sign of a healthy liver because the liver makes cholesterol.

The standard medical recommendation is for the LDL cholesterol - the "bad" cholesterol - to be less than 130 mg/dl and even below 100 mg/dl for people who have had a heart attack or are considered high risk for a heart attack.

I encourage people to look at the big picture and not just focus on a number. If your LDL is slightly elevated and you start taking a statin drug to lower your LDL cholesterol the benefits of your overall health are uncertain at best.

Can you decrease your cholesterol levels by changing your diet?

You can influence cholesterol levels by changing your diet, but the answer is not to remove all the cholesterol from your diet. The idea that eating cholesterol is what causes you to have high cholesterol is false. If you don't eat cholesterol, your body will make it. The body knows how much cholesterol it wants and, for some reason or other, it might allow too much cholesterol. Only 15% of cholesterol in the body comes from the diet anyway. The liver makes the other 85%.

However, you certainly can affect cholesterol by your diet. A significant way to lower cholesterol is to include adequate amounts of healthy fiber in your diet. Your body doesn't waste. Instead, your body is continually recycling; it even recycles cholesterol. If we have enough fiber, then the fiber acts as a sponge. So all the cholesterol that makes its way into the intestinal tract will not be reabsorbed but will attach to the fiber and be eliminated. The America Heart Association recommends including up to 30g of fiber/day.

Author Resource: And now I would like to offer you free access to my weekly Holistic Medicine Newsletter where you can receive additional information on important health topics.

You can sign up by going to Holistic Medicine

Dr. Lisa Hosbein, MD, FACOG - The Wellness Doctor at Holistic Medicine

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Sunday, October 21, 2007

Heart Disease Number 1 Killer In America

Cardiovascular disease kills one million per year and cripples several million more.

Are you aware that your arteries may be over 80% clogged before you have any symptoms of cardiovascular disease? A harmful buildup of plaque, found in the circulatory system, leads to a lack of blood flow to many of the body’s tissues including the sex organs, heart, and skin. This decreased blood flow affects the tissue and organ functions which cause premature aging and can eventually lead to Coronary Heart Disease (CHD). By clearing the arteries and promoting good circulation, you will experience greater health and longevity. Along with that, this solution will help to remove many of the metal toxins that cause a variety of untold problems.

Since heart disease is today’s number one killer in the United States, and Coronary Heart Disease is the most common form of the disease, approximately one million Americans die from heart diseases each year. With the use of conventional medical procedures such as open heart surgery or balloon angioplasty, are often used to help these diseases along with the use of drugs to relieve symptoms, which have been shown to be only temporary fixes. In order to stop the progression of the disease and actually reverse it, the underlying problem of heart disease and circulatory problems must be addressed.

Like all other muscles in the body, the heart requires a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients, which it receives from the blood flowing in coronary arteries. When these arteries become narrowed and clogged, the blood and oxygen does not flow as easily to the tissues and organs, resulting in CHD. By increasing the diameter of the arteries, more oxygen-rich blood will be able to flow through. To do so, the answer is a non-surgical oral chelation therapy that will dissolve and remove plaque from arterial walls. Even though intravenous chelation provides quick results, researchers have found that oral chelation provides the same results in a relatively short period of time. The formula works because its key components, EDTA and amino acid, binds with calcium and heavy metals to remove them from the body. The suggested use for this therapy is three capsules with two meals daily.

The formula includes vitamin C, vitamin E, Niacin, Vitamin B-6, Folate, Vitamin B-12, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Cysteine, EDTA, L-Carnitine, CoQ10, and Ginkgo Biloba. Studies proven that this formula restored previously blocked arteries. Since cardiovascular problems are the most common cause of death, everyone over 40 should consider this product as an essential to their diet. This product is considered by some doctors to be the most important supplement of all. Without its benefits to the circulatory system, the other supplements one takes will be far less effective and beneficial. If your circulatory system is plugged up the necessary oxygen and nutrients will be unable to get to your cells and disease will begin in your weakest tissues. Once the age of forty has been reached, there is a 100% chance that you have some degree of plaque on your arteries. Because of this, do not wait until the doctor wants to do surgery, do something about it! With natural supplements and dietary changes one can overcome and prevent cardiovascular disease.

Author Resource: More information can be found at http://vitanetonline.com/ where a large selection of articles on heart disease can be found.

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