Maybe because of their high oil content or their inclusion in so many sinful foods, nuts are often considered to be bad for you. However, researchers know that when chosen properly and eaten in moderation, snacking on nuts is good for the heart.

Containing varying amounts of healthful substances, nuts support the cardiovascular system with sterols, fiber, beneficial fats, amino acids and antioxidants. Most nuts contain some quantities of the following:

1. L-Arginine - An amino acid that relaxes the blood vessels and prevents blood from clotting, L-Arginine occurs naturally in peanuts, walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, cashews and pistachios.

2. Fiber - In addition to lowering cholesterol levels, the fiber found in all nuts also helps people feel full - thus reducing appetite.

3. Unsaturated Fats - Nuts contain monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which help lower overall cholesterol levels.

4. Omega-3 Fatty Acids - One of the best plant sources of Omega-3s, nuts containing this fatty acid benefit the heart by lowering blood pressure, preventing dangerous heart rhythms, lowering triglycerides, increasing HDL cholesterol (the good cholesterol) and preventing the blood from clotting. Of all the nuts, walnuts contain the highest proportion of Omega-3s.

5. Plant Sterols - When consumed on a regular basis, plant sterols prevent the absorption of cholesterol into the body. Added to some foods like margarine and orange juice for their health benefits, walnuts, almonds and peanuts are known to be naturally high in plant sterols.

6. Vitamin E - Oxidized LDL (bad cholesterol) is implicated in inflammation and plaque buildup inside blood vessels that causes hardening of the arteries. Vitamin E is believed to help prevent or delay coronary heart disease because it limits the oxidation of LDL-cholesterol. Almonds, hazelnuts and peanuts are especially high in Vitamin E.

Capable of convincing more Americans to consume nuts, the following studies condone nut snacking as part of a cardiovascular-healthful diet:

• Researchers at Loma Linda University in California found that when part of a normal healthy diet, eating a packet of peanuts or mixed nuts helps keep cholesterol levels down. In their study of 583 people, those who routinely ate 67 grams (about one packet) of peanuts a day had seven percent lower cholesterol than those who ate no nuts.

• Researchers from Purdue University also demonstrated that chronic peanut consumption benefits cardiac health. After studying 15 healthy men and women for 30 weeks, they found that peanut consumption reduced serum triglyceride levels by up to 24 percent.

• Researchers from Pennsylvania State University established that pistachios reduce the risk for heart disease by lowering lipids and reducing oxidation of LDL-cholesterol.

• Researchers from Madrid, Spain found that eating walnuts with meat reduced cardiovascular disease risk by lowering total cholesterol by an average of 4.5 percent more than eating meat without walnuts.

While eating nuts offers those hoping to improve their cardiovascular health a clear advantage, there are several ways to cancel out nuts' beneficial properties. Consider these three pointers to keep your nut snacking healthy:

1. Substitute - With a handful of nuts containing about 150 calories, they should be substituted for other foods instead of simply added to a high caloric diet.

2. Plain - Eat nuts that are plain, because nuts with a sugary coating add more calories while nuts with salt raise blood pressure.

3. Skip Brazil - There is a reason that Brazil nuts taste heavenly and rich. Minimize consumption of Brazil nuts because they have a relatively large amount of saturated fat compared to other nuts.

There are plenty of heart healthy reasons to choose nuts over other snacks. Besides being filling and reducing overall appetite, the substances inside nuts support blood vessel elasticity, minimize blood clots and help improve blood lipid profile. As long as you don't overindulge, a handful of nuts each day are just what a progressive, knowledgeable heart doctor might order.

Editor's Note: To learn more about four nuts that support liver health, click here.

References:

http://heartdisease.about.com/cs/riskfactors/a/nuts.htm, Say Nuts to Heart Disease, Richard N. Fogoros, MD, about.com, 2010.

http://heartdisease.about.com/cs/riskfactors/a/peanuts.htm, Peanuts are Also Good for the Heart, Richard N. Fogoros, MD, about.com, 2010.

http://www.dietaryfiberfood.com/larginine-high.php, L-arginine: food sources high in arginine amino acid content, Retrieved May 21, 2010, dietaryfiberfood.com, 2010.

http://www.healingdaily.com/detoxification-diet/vitamin-e.htm, Vitamin E, Retrieved May 23, 2010, Healing Daily, 2010.

http://www.healthyeatingclub.org/info/books-phds/books/foodfacts/html/data/data3d.html, Fat Soluble Vitamins: Vitamin E, Retrieved May 23, 2010, Healthy Eating Club, 2010.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/nuts/HB00085, Nuts and your heart: Eating nuts for heart health, Retrieved May 20, 2010, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2010.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/4040.php, Eating Peanuts Helps Keep Heart Healthy Without Weight Gain, Amy Patterson-Neubert, Retrieved May 20, 2010, MediLexicon International, Ltd., 2010.

http://www.popfi.com/2010/05/11/peanuts-help-heart-health/, Peanuts Help Heart Health, Ron Hogan, Retrieved May 20, 2010, PopularFidelity.com, 2010.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18689569 , Consumption of restructured meat products with added walnuts has a cholesterol-lowering effect in subjects at high cardiovascular risk: a randomised, crossover, placebo-controlled study, Olmedilla-Alonso B, et al, Retrieved May 23, 2010, Journal of the American College of Nutrition, April 2008.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez, Pistachios Increase Serum Antioxidants and Lower Serum Oxidized-LDL in Hypercholesterolemic Adults, Kay CD, et al, Retrieved May 21, 2010, Journal of Nutrition, March 2010.

http://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/news/20100520/pistachio-nut-good-for-your-heart?src=RSS_PUBLIC, Pistachio Nuts May Lower Cholesterol, Bill Hendrick, Retrieved May 21, 2010, WebMD, LLC, 2010.

Coronary heart disease is a leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Thus, most of us are seeking the simplest way to avoid such a fate. To fill this need, there is an entire collection of lifestyle changes, therapies, supplements and medications to keep the heart healthy. Whether by conscious omission or a lack of knowledge, many people don't eat nearly enough fiber - despite the fact that a high fiber intake ranks at the top of the heart health protection list.

Coronary heart disease is characterized by a buildup of cholesterol-filled plaques in the coronary arteries - the arteries that feed the heart. Known as atherosclerosis, this buildup causes the arteries to become hard and narrow. If a coronary becomes totally blocked, a heart attack will likely occur. Based on a number of large, well-designed studies, a diet high in fiber is known to reduce the incidence of atherosclerosis.

Simply knowing that fiber helps the heart is the first step, but there is more to know about what fiber is, how much helps the heart and why it does so.

What Is Fiber?
In general, fiber refers to carbohydrates in food that cannot be digested. The two primary ways to classify fiber are soluble and insoluble.

• Soluble Fiber - Partially dissolvable in water, this type of fiber forms a gel-like material with water. Of great help in reducing heart disease risk, soluble fiber is known to help lower blood cholesterol and glucose levels. Soluble fiber is found in oats, peas, beans, apples, citrus fruits, carrots, barley and psyllium.

• Insoluble Fiber - This type of fiber does not dissolve in water and it promotes the movement of material through your digestive system. Helping eliminate toxins in the body, whole-wheat flour, wheat bran, nuts and many vegetables are good sources of insoluble fiber.

How Much Fiber
While those watching their waistline might count calories, most of us don't add up how much fiber we eat in a day. If we did pay attention to our fiber intake, most of us would find that we consume far too little.

The Institute of Medicine (the organization responsible for issuing Recommended Dietary Allowances) recommends that children and adults consume 14 grams of fiber for every 1,000 calories of food they eat each day. Combining soluble and insoluble fiber quantities, that equates to:

• a person who eats 2,500 calories each day should get at least 35 grams of fiber daily
• a person who eats 1,700 calories each day should get at least 24 grams of fiber daily
• a toddler who eats only 1,300 calories each day needs about 18 grams of fiber

Unfortunately, most sources report that the average American consumes about 10 to 15 grams of fiber each day.

Since soluble fiber is most often linked to heart health, the following list contains some of the top foods for increasing soluble dietary fiber intake (all quantities are estimates):

• Cooked artichoke - 4.7 grams soluble fiber in a medium artichoke
• Cooked lima beans - 3.5 grams soluble fiber in ½ cup of lima beans
• Cooked kidney beans - 2.9 grams soluble fiber in ½ cup of kidney beans
• Orange - 2.6 grams soluble fiber in 1 medium orange
• Flax seeds - 1.2 grams soluble fiber in 10 grams of flax seeds
• Cooked oatmeal - 1 gram soluble fiber in ¾ cup of oatmeal
• Baked potato with skin - 1 gram soluble fiber in 1 medium potato
• Cooked brown rice - 1.3 grams of soluble fiber in ½ cup of brown rice

Fiber's Helpfulness
Experts believe that foods high in fiber bind to excess cholesterol in the digestive tract, helping to usher it out of the body via elimination.

• A 2004 study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that people who ate 10 to 25 grams of soluble fiber daily had low blood levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), an indicator of how much inflammation is in the body. Inflammation is a top risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease because it triggers the production of immune cells, which can create plaque that blocks arteries and reduces blood flow to the heart. *

• Another study published in a 2006 edition of American Journal of Clinical Nutrition confirmed what we know about fiber by following 524 healthy adults for one year. Besides finding that most participants averaged about 16 grams of total fiber per day, researchers from Massachusetts found that compared with those who ate the least fiber, those who ate the most were 63 percent less likely to have high levels of CRP. *

*Consistently high CRP levels have been shown to predict an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.

Unless you already make a concerted effort to eat fiber-rich foods, chances are that your fiber intake is insufficient. However, there is ample reason to boost consumption of soluble fiber-containing foods. Based on the evidence, filling your plate with fibrous edibles is a sound strategy for anyone who wants to reduce his or her risk of coronary artery disease.

References:

http://commonsensehealth.com/Diet-and-Nutrition/High_Fiber_Food_Chart.shtml, High Fiber Food Chart Ranking Fiber Sources, Retrieved April 4, 2010, CommonsenseHealth.com, 2010.

http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/83/4/760, Association between dietary fiber and serum C-reactive protein, Yunsheng Ma, et al, Retrieved April 4, 2010, The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, April 2006.

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4574, Whole Grains and Fiber, Retrieved April 4, 2010, American Heart Association, 2010.

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/19-simple-ways-to-lower-heart-disease-risk.html?&page=2, 19 Simple Ways to Lower Heart Disease Risk, Kate Hanley, Retrieved April 4, 2010, Natural Solutions Magazine, March 2010.

http://www.dietaryfiberfood.com/fiber-content.php, Total Dietary, Soluble, and Insoluble Fiber Content of Foods: Vegetables, Fruits and Legumes, Retrieved April 4, 2010, DietaryFiber Food.com, 2010.

http://www.fitnessandfreebies.com/seniors/fiberchart.html, Food Sources of Fiber, Retrieved April 4, 2010, Fitness and Freebies, 2010.

http://www.healthhype.com/list-of-high-fiber-foods-soluble-and-insoluble-fiber-chart.html, List of High Fiber Foods, Soluble and Insoluble Fiber Chart, Retrieved April 4, 2010, healthhype.com, 2010.

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/fiber-full-story/index.html, Fiber: Start Roughing It!, Retrieved April 4, 2010, Harvard School of Public Health, 2010.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fiber/NU00033, Dietary fiber: Essential for a healthy diet, Retrieved April 4, 2010, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2010.

http://www.nwhealth.edu/healthyU/eatWell/fiber7.html, Dietary Fiber and Heart Health, Retrieved April 4, 2010, Northwestern Health Sciences University, 2010.

http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/news/20060413/fiber-good-not-just-for-your-gut, Fiber Good, and Not Just for Your Gut, Daniel J. DeNoon, Retrieved April 4, 2010, WebMD, LLC, 2010.

From the National Cattlemen's Beef Association

Dec. 21, 2011

• The study followed 36 men and women with moderately elevated cholesterol levels who consumed four diets for five weeks each to measure the impact of each diet on heart health risk factors, such as LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.
• The BOLD study provides strong evidence that including daily lean beef in the gold-standard DASH diet has heart health benefits.

In a first of its kind study, researchers at The Pennsylvania State University demonstrated that eating beef everyday as part of a heart-healthy diet can improve cholesterol levels.

Texas medical doctor and cattleman Richard Thorpe said the Beef in an Optimal Lean Diet (BOLD) study proves what he has known for years -- lean beef not only tastes great but it also plays an important role in a heart-healthy diet.

Continue reading this entire article:
http://southwestfarmpress.com/livestock/study-confirms-beef-s-role-heart-healthy-diet

Fresenius Medical Care and Food Network's Chef Aaron McCargo Jr. whip up two recipes to help satisfy the sweet tooth without sacrificing health.

By Charles Schelle

The holidays can get to your sweet tooth a little easier, but kidney failure patients have a special challenge to make sure they watch what they eat.

Dietician Josie Lodrigue knows what kidney failure patients face during these times.

"I notice it when I look at lab values in November, December and January," she said.

She works in Fresenius Medical Care dialysis clinics in Sarasota and Bradenton helping patients monitor and improve their diet.

The key is planning.

Continue reading this entire article - and get Apple-Stuffed Cinnamon Bundles recipe:
http://sarasota.patch.com/articles/healthful-recipes-for-chronic-kidney-disease-sufferers

One of the leading causes of excessive daytime sleepiness, sleep apnea is a potentially serious problem. Most people consider snoring to be nothing more of an annoyance to those within earshot. However, snoring that is due to sleep apnea poses many health threats. Since this sleep disorder frequently goes undiagnosed, those demonstrating its symptoms are strongly encouraged to consult with their physician. This is because revealing a case of sleep apnea can lead to treatment that will not only improve fatigue, but also reduces the risk of many sleep apnea-induced health problems.

Types of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is categorized as a sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. There are two main kinds of sleep apnea:

1. Obstructive Sleep Apnea - The more common type of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea usually means that the airway has collapsed or is blocked during sleep. The blockage may cause shallow breathing or breathing pauses. When breathing is attempted, the air that squeezes past the blockage can cause loud snoring. Although it can affect anyone, obstructive sleep apnea happens more often in people who are overweight.

2. Central Sleep Apnea - This less common type of sleep apnea occurs when the brain does not send the proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. Thus, the affected person makes no effort to breathe for brief periods. While central sleep apnea often occurs together with obstructive sleep apnea, it can occur alone. Snoring doesn't typically happen with central sleep apnea.

Sleep Apnea Dangers
Sleep apnea is considered a serious medical condition. Untreated sleep apnea can:

• Increase the risk for hypertension (high blood pressure). This is because the sudden drops in blood oxygen levels increases blood pressure and strains the cardiovascular system.

• Increase the risk for or worsens heart failure. Especially if there's underlying heart disease, multiple episodes of low blood oxygen levels can lead to sudden death from a cardiac event (heart attack or stroke).

• Result in significant daytime fatigue. The repeated awakenings associated with sleep apnea make normal, restorative sleep impossible. Therefore, those with sleep apnea often experience severe daytime drowsiness that could be catastrophic for many professionals (like truck drivers or heavy machine operators).

• Be a major complication following surgery. Obstructive sleep apnea is a major concern during surgery because breathing problems can change the effectiveness of general anesthesia. Undiagnosed sleep apnea is especially risky for those undergoing surgery.

Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Statistics suggest that an estimated six to seven percent of Americans have sleep apnea, yet about half of those cases are undiagnosed. Since sleep apnea is associated with some severe health risks, recognizing that sleep apnea may be the cause of your fatigue could literally be a lifesaver. To aid this recognition, the most common signs and symptoms of obstructive and central sleep apneas include:

• Excessive daytime sleepiness

• Loud and chronic snoring

• Pauses in the snoring - often followed by choking or gasping

• Observed episodes of breathing cessation during sleep

• Awakening with a dry mouth or sore throat

• Morning headache

• Difficulty staying asleep (insomnia)

All snorers don't necessarily have sleep apnea. For those who do snore, gasp, choke and briefly stop breathing during sleep, their family member or bed partner is more likely to notice. This is because the person affected is usually unaware of these patterns.

Sleep Apnea Detection and Correction
If you suspect sleep apnea to be behind your fatigue, make sure to have your physician rule it out. After evaluating your medical and family histories and performing a physical exam, sleep apnea is ultimately diagnosed from a sleep study performed by a sleep specialist.

Upon a sleep apnea diagnosis, there are a variety of treatment solutions. They include:

• Lifestyle Changes - These include avoiding alcohol, stopping smoking, losing weight if overweight or obese, sleeping on your side (instead of the back) to keep the throat open and keeping nasal passages open at night with nose sprays, allergy medications or a specially designed spring-loaded bandage.

• Mouthpiece - A mouthpiece (or oral appliance) is a custom-fitted device made by a dentist or orthodontist that adjusts the lower jaw and tongue to help keep the airway open during sleep.

• Breathing Devices - Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the most common treatment for moderate to severe sleep apnea in adults. A CPAP machine uses a mask that fits over the mouth and nose, or just over the nose. The machine gently blows air into the throat to stop the airways from becoming narrowed or blocked during sleep.

• Surgery - Some people who have sleep apnea require surgery to widen breathing passages. The procedure typically involves removing, shrinking or stiffening excess tissue in the mouth and throat or resetting the lower jaw.

If your fatigue is severe, make sure that sleep apnea is not the culprit. Sleep apnea has not yet been diagnosed in millions of Americans with this disorder and, unfortunately, undiagnosed sleep apnea can have serious consequences. If a sleep study does reveal this condition, the solutions reduce the associated health risks. In addition, treating sleep apnea can also do away with excessive daytime sleepiness.

References:

http://view.mail.health.harvard.edu/?j=fe5a16737d6c00797d14&m=febb15747d630d7a&ls=fe051c747766077d75147775&l=fe57157677630c7b7217&s=fe591c797661017a7414&jb=ffcf14&ju=fe1f16777663027a761376&r=0, Is sleep apnea keeping you awake?, Retrieved June 13, 2010, Harvard Medical School, 2010.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sleep-apnea/ds00148, Sleep Apnea, Retrieved June 13, 2010, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2010.

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/SleepApnea/SleepApnea_WhatIs.html, Sleep Apnea, Retrieved June 13, 2010, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, 2010.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/12/AR2009061203267.html, A Breath of Fresh Sleep, Valerie Strauss, Retrieved June 13, 2010, The Washington Post Company, 2010.

As the leading cause of death in the U.S., cardiovascular disease is a major public health problem. The battle against cardiovascular disease is fought on many fronts - including prevention, detection and treatment. When it comes to detection, we typically rely on medically devised measurements for evaluating our heart's health. However, most health professionals fail to recognize some of the body's more obscure signals that could be indicative off a cardiovascular problem.

Ranging from regular screening to specific diagnostic testing, there are several measurements physicians analyze to determine the risk or presence of cardiovascular disease. Considerations such as a person's heart disease risk factors, history of heart problems and current symptoms help physicians determine which measurements and tests should be performed. Some of the ways the medical community assesses cardiovascular health include:

• Blood Pressure
• Blood Cholesterol Levels
• Resting Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
• Chest X-ray
• Echocardiogram
• Exercise Stress Test (Treadmill Test)
• Computed Tomography (CT) Scan
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA)

The tests and measurements listed above are essential for medical professionals to detect and monitor heart problems - our best way to minimize heart disease's potentially catastrophic outcome. However, many alternative healthcare providers may be able to identify individuals at risk prior to commencing with the traditional measurements and tests listed above.

Several types of alternative healthcare practitioners observe seemingly innocuous physical attributes as clues that there may be a potential weakness or blockage in the cardiovascular system. Based on folklore, traditional medical theories or case studies, these signs remain unproven scientifically and, thus, are generally not accepted by western-trained doctors.

If any of the subtle indicators referenced exist, it does not conclusively mean that there is a heart problem. Rather, they generally indicate that a person either currently has or is susceptible to developing a heart problem. Although most of the following five clues appearing on the body are considered by western doctors to be normal, they may foretell of a heart problem:

1. Eyelid Bumps - Tiny yellow bumps in the inner-corner of the eye could be fatty deposits - a sign of high cholesterol. Those with high cholesterol are more vulnerable to atherosclerosis, the cardiovascular condition describing hardening of the arteries.

2. Earlobe Crease - According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) beliefs, a diagonal crease in the earlobe could be an indication of future heart troubles. A large National Institutes of Health study suggested that a diagonal crease in the earlobes could be linked to heart attack risk, possibly having to do with blocked circulation throughout the body.

3. Nose Changes - The tip of the nose often becomes puffy before a heart attack. In addition, a nose tip that is grey or white in color may be a manifestation of poor oxygenation from circulatory difficulties.

4. Tongue Tip - In TCM, heart health is reflected on the tip of the tongue. A deep, narrow, central crack extending to the tongue's tip, or a tip that is pointed, indented, has protrusions, is curled up or curled under indicate a cardiovascular imbalance. Such an imbalance could lead to heart disease.

5. Cherry Angiomas - Considered to be harmless, non-cancerous skin growths that are bright red, small and smooth, cherry angiomas most commonly appear after age 30. Some healthcare providers insist that cherry angiomas are a result of high blood pressure. Research shows that stress can be a contributing factor to developing cherry angiomas, and high stress levels are known to increase the risk for heart disease.

While the majority of people are not accustomed to paying attention to subtle variations in their physical body, checking for such changes could pay off. Variations like eyelid bumps, earlobe creases, nose and tongue tip changes and cherry angiomas could be signs of an underlying medical condition. Although none of these indicators are dangerous, they still could be your body's attempt to signal potential problems - and therefore should be taken as a directive to nurture your cardiovascular health.

References:

http://www.americanacupuncture.com/marketing_materials/volume5_newsletter.htm,Your face tells it all, Retrieved June 18, 2010, Acupuncture Institute of Michigan, 2010.

http://www.altmd.com/Articles/TCM-for-Coronary-Artery-Disease, Traditional Chinese Medicine for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), Retrieved June 16, 2010, altMD, LLC, 2010.

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4739, Tests to Diagnose Heart Disease, Retrieved June 17, 2010, American Heart Association, 2010.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/06/12/earlyshow/saturday/main6575052.shtml, Body's Subtle Signs Something May Be Very Wrong, Retrieved June 14, 2010, MMX, CBS Interactive, Inc., 2010.

http://www.linksnoop.com/more/207591/Cherry-Angiomas-and-Stress-Can-Stress-Really-Cause-Cherry-Angiomas/, Cherry Angiomas and Stress: Can Stress Really Cause Cherry Angiomas?, Michael Lee, Retrieved June 16, 2010, LinkSnoop.com, 2010.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001441.htm, Cherry angioma, Retrieved June 16, 2010, National Institutes of Health, 2010.

Boston, MA (PRWEB) December 04, 2011

As reported by Doctors Health Press e-Bulletin, a new study has found that a component of garlic oil may help release protective compounds to the heart after a heart attack, during cardiac surgery, or as a treatment for heart failure. This study was recently reported by Doctors Health Press, a publisher of various natural health newsletters books and reports, including the popular online Doctors Health Press e-Bulletin.

At low concentrations, hydrogen sulfide gas has been found to protect the heart from damage. However, this unstable and volatile compound has been difficult to deliver as a therapy.

According to Doctors Health Press e-Bulletin, now researchers have turned to diallyl trisulfide, found within garlic oil, as a way to deliver the benefits of hydrogen sulfide to the heart. Their findings suggest that indeed it could be used in many of the same situations as hydrogen sulfide.

Continue reading this entire article:
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/12/prweb9009221.htm

If you are one of the estimated 26 million Americans with chronic kidney disease (CKD), maintaining the fluid balance in your body is crucial. This is because kidneys that are damaged by CKD are less capable of performing their very important role of fluid elimination. Unfortunately, the substance most frequently used to season or process food disrupts fluid balance and can wreak havoc on the body of someone with chronic kidney disease.

Salt
If you have ever witnessed a chef prepare food - or if cooking is your forte, then you know that great amounts of salt are relied on to season most foods. In addition to freshly cooked meals, many canned, processed or restaurant foods are also loaded with sodium (salt) to boost their flavor. Despite salt's ability to make our taste buds sing, high sodium levels inevitably change the body's fluid balance, which leads to swelling. This is because of osmosis, where water moves across a semi-permeable membrane from areas of lower concentration into a higher concentration to balance the fluid's saltiness.

Kidneys and Salt
Since the kidneys regulate sodium levels, those with CKD must be extra vigilant about not exceeding their daily sodium limit. The following describes the kidneys' relationship with sodium:

• When sodium levels in the body are low, kidneys conserve sodium.

• When sodium levels are high, the kidneys excrete the excess amount in urine.

• If one's kidneys can't eliminate enough sodium, the sodium starts to accumulate in the blood.

• Because sodium attracts and holds water (due to osmosis), blood volume increases.

• Increased blood volume makes the heart work harder to move more blood through the blood vessels, thus increasing blood pressure.

• High blood pressure can damage the kidneys.

Besides being prescribed for those with high blood pressure, low sodium diets are always advised for those with CKD to prevent worsening of their condition.

Revealing Salt's Presence
Most clinicians agree that those with high blood pressure or CKD should consume less than 2,000 mg of sodium per day - even though most of us ingest more than twice that amount. The first step to restricting sodium intake is to identify where this common seasoning lurks. In general, foods that are canned, pickled, for snacking, condiments, sauces, dressings, soups, cured, salted or prepared frozen meals are all high in sodium. Maintaining a sodium intake below 2,000 mg per day requires considerable effort.

Below are several estimates to get you thinking about how much salt you might unknowingly ingest:

• One teaspoon of table salt contains about 2,300 mg of sodium.

• Three ounces of ham contains about 1, 114 mg of sodium.

• One tablespoon of soy sauce contains about 1,029 mg of sodium.

• One cup of vegetable juice cocktail contains about 653 mg of sodium.

• One cup of a prepared cheese sauce contains about 1,198 mg of sodium.

• One cup of low-fat cottage cheese contains about 918 mg of sodium.

• Ten hard, plain, salted pretzels contain about 1,029 mg of sodium.

• One cup of canned tomato sauce contains about 1,482 mg of sodium.

Going Low Sodium
One of the best ways to help your kidneys maintain proper fluid balance is by adhering to a low-sodium diet. Reading the label of your chosen food is the best way to keep track of how much salt you consume. For those new to going low sodium, keep the following five pointers in mind:

1. Fresh herbs, spice blends without sodium, garlic, onions, lemon and flavored vinegar make tasty alternatives to seasoning food with salt.

2. Although food may initially taste bland without added salt, the taste buds can be retrained in two to three weeks.

3. When dining out, request your food be prepared without salt, have dressings or sauces on the side and avoid bacon bits, cheese and croutons at the salad bar.

4. Do not use salt substitutes (especially those high in potassium*) unless a healthcare provider approves. *For those with CKD, potassium can be even more harmful than sodium.

5. Avoid drinking softened water, because water softeners remove calcium and add sodium to drinking water.

In order to prevent high blood pressure, swelling and further kidney damage, a low sodium diet is critical. Consuming fewer than 2,000 mg of sodium per day benefits many parts of the body; however, the kidneys are especially grateful. So if you have CKD, high blood pressure, or are just dedicated to living healthfully, commit yourself to restricting sodium from your diet by reading labels and consciously choosing how your food is seasoned.

References:

http://www.davita.com/diet-and-nutrition/c/481#, Sodium and Chronic Kidney Disease, Retrieved May 14, 2010, DaVita Inc., 2010.

http://www.kidney.org/kidneydisease/ckd/index.cfm, Chronic Kidney Disease, (CKD), Retrieved May 14, 2010, National Kidney Foundation, 2010.

http://www.kidney.org/patients/kidneykitchen/content/salt_free_seasonings.cfm, Low Salt Flavor Enhancers, Retrieved May 14, 2010, National Kidney Foundation, 2010.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sodium/nu00284, Sodium: Are you getting too much?, Retrieved May 14, 2010, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2010.

http://www.rein.ca/Document.Doc?id=805, Sodium (salt) and chronic kidney disease, Retrieved May 14, 2010, The Kidney Foundation of Canada, 2010.

http://www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/PDFpubs/4059.pdf, Sodium Content of Your Food, Retrieved May 15, 2010, The University of Maine - Cooperative Extension, 2010.

http://www.uptodate.com/patients/content/topic.do?topicKey=~ksaRDf4t2/t4Bq, Patient information: Low sodium diet, Norman N Kaplan, MD, Barbara Olendzki, RD, MPH, LDN, Retrieved May 14, 2010, UptoDate, Inc., 2010.

Produced by the adrenal glands, cortisol is known as the stress hormone. Designed to regulate blood pressure and immunity during a physical or emotional crisis, cortisol helps people tap into their energy reserves and increases their ability to fight off infection or danger. Unfortunately, unrelenting stress keeps this "fight or flight" survival mechanism afloat and undermines cortisol's good intentions. Chronically high cortisol levels ultimately cause a variety of physiological problems, including fatigue. Fortunately, there is hope for sufferers of stress-induced fatigue. By activating the body's relaxation response, people can access nature's antidote to cortisol production.

The Adrenals - Makers of Cortisol
An important control center for many of the body's hormones, the adrenal glands are walnut-sized glands located on top of each kidney. Responsible for producing cortisol, DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone), estrogen and testosterone, the adrenal cortex is this gland's outer layer. The centers of the adrenal glands produce adrenaline, the hormone named after them.

By increasing the production of adrenaline and other hormones, the adrenal glands' primary task is to concentrate all of the body's resources into "fight or flight" mode. Healthy adrenal glands can instantly increase heart rate and blood pressure, release energy stores for immediate use, slow digestion and other secondary functions and sharpen the senses.

Because a person's survival could rely on adrenal activation, the body prioritizes the "fight or flight" response over all of its other metabolic functions. To help the body quickly respond to imminent danger, the adrenal's release of hormones evolved as a short-term solution. While this is useful for escaping a rabid animal, the adrenals are not designed to provide a continual hormonal supply.

Overworked Adrenals
Unlike our ancestors, many modern humans live under constant stress. Instead of occasional, acute demands followed by rest, many people's high-stress lifestyles overwhelm their adrenal glands. Inevitably, this unremitting cycle leads to adrenal exhaustion.

When chronically overworked adrenals strain to maintain high cortisol levels, they lose the capacity to produce sufficient amounts of DHEA. Necessary to moderate the balance of hormones in the body, DHEA is a precursor hormone to estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. While there may be many other accompanying symptoms, DHEA insufficiency undoubtedly causes fatigue.

Stopping Adrenal Exhaustion
Many healthcare practitioners help their tired patients by identifying adrenal exhaustion and working with strategies that target adrenal gland recovery. However, those who experience profound fatigue can help themselves by blocking the process responsible for their low energy - the "fight or flight" mechanism.

When you recognize being under constant stress, consciously focusing on relaxation can stop your body's requests for cortisol. According to Herbert Benson, MD, the founding president of the Harvard Medical School Mind/Body Medical Institute, relaxation techniques can help undo the damage done by stress hormones.

Scientists around the world, including at the Harvard Mind/Body Medical Institute, have studied what techniques bring about a healthy relaxation response. The following approaches have been found useful for interrupting "fight or flight":

1. Meditation - In a six-week Thai study at Maharishi University, subjects who practiced Buddhist meditation daily for four months decreased cortisol by an average of 20 percent.

2. Prayer - According to University of Mississippi researchers, religious rituals can lower cortisol secretion by up to 25 percent.

3. Massage - According to studies at the University of Miami School of Medicine, massage therapy reduces cortisol levels by an average of 31 percent.

4. Humor - According to researchers at Loma Linda University, laughter really is the best medicine. They found that laughing - or even anticipating laughter - is enough to reduce cortisol levels by up to 39 percent.

There are so many possible causes for fatigue. However, struggling with high, prolonged levels of cortisol is becoming a more likely culprit of exhaustion than ever before. Luckily, you can reverse the demand for this stress hormone by simply meditating, praying, receiving a massage or laughing. Supported by research spanning across a variety of disciplines, initiating the relaxation response gives your adrenal glands a break, which is a phenomenon capable of successfully restoring your energy levels.

References:

http://www.apa.org/monitor/may05/physician.html, Physician connects 'relaxation response' to mind-body health, K. Kersting, Retrieved February 15, 2009, American Psychological Association, 2009.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/56606.php, Fatigue In Women Is Reduced In Stress-Related Cortisol Study, Retrieved February 13, 2009, MediLexicon International Ltd, November 2006.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16162447, Cortisol decreases and serotonin and dopamine increase following massage therapy, Field T, et al, Retrieved February 15, 2009, The International Journal of Neuroscience, October 2005.

http://www.virginiahopkinstestkits.com/cortisolstresspf.html, Cortisol and the Stress Connection, John R. Lee, MD, Virginia Hopkins, Retrieved February 13, 2009, One to One Inc, 2009.

http://www.womentowomen.com/adrenalfatigue/effectsofhighcortisol.aspx, Adrenal Fatigue, Marcy Holmes, NP, Retrieved February 13, 2009, Women to Women, 2009.

Svoboda, Elizabeth, Beat Your Stress Hormone, Prevention, February 2009; 95-8.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

It's well known that red wine can benefit your heart but a new study announced last week touts the health benefits of beer.

Published in the European Journal of Epidemiology, the study is an analysis of 16 studies involving more than 200,000 participants. Researchers found that people who drank about a pint of beer a day had a 31 percent reduced risk of heart disease.

Continue reading this entire article:
http://articles.nydailynews.com/2011-11-22/news/30431168_1_beer-binge-daily-brew

During the holiday season, most people worry about putting on extra weight or spending more than their budget allows for. While these are valid concerns, few recognize the stress they put their heart under when including booze in their holiday celebrations.

The physiological consequences of drinking too much alcohol are frequently centered on hangovers and liver damage. However, the heart is just as susceptible to alcohol overindulgence. Named by physicians as "holiday heart syndrome," the frightening experience of the heart fluttering is a frequent consequence of raucous holiday parties.

What Is Holiday Heart Syndrome?
Rarely known to most partygoers, drinking too much alcohol can cause heart palpitations. Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol leads to what doctors have dubbed "holiday heart syndrome" - an irregular heartbeat experienced by those who overindulge at holiday parties and then end up in the emergency room. According to Ajit Raisinghani, M.D., Director of the UCSD Non-Invasive Cardiac Lab, "Alcohol consumption can cause significant cardiac toxicity."

While this phenomenon can happen anytime, holiday heart syndrome is seen more often during the holidays and consists of the following:

• A rapid pulse
• An irregular heartbeat
• Palpitations

Sometimes, there are additional symptoms such as:

• Anxiety
• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Excessive sweating

About Holiday Heart Arrhythmia
Any disturbance in the normal beating pattern of the heart is called an arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat. Practically everyone experiences some type of arrhythmia on occasion - usually in the form of a mild palpitation or a sensation of the heart skipping a beat. In actuality, a skipped beat is actually an early beat that is weak followed by a pause and then a forceful beat.

The most common abnormal cardiac rhythm that occurs with holiday heart syndrome is atrial fibrillation. Although several factors appear to contribute to holiday heart, the most likely reason is related to the metabolization of alcohol. When alcohol is metabolized by the body, it breaks down into acetaldehyde - a compound that can cause a delay in the heart's conduction system. In fact, studies done in the U.S. have shown that 35 percent of new onset atrial fibrillation cases are related to alcohol abuse.

What You Should Know
Holiday heart syndrome is not usually life threatening and its symptoms are typically transient. The heart will often revert back to a normal rhythm within 24 hours of abstaining from alcohol. Nonetheless, it is important to recognize that heavy drinking over a period of time can lead to irreversible heart damage. In addition, some individuals require anti-arrhythmic drugs or cardioversion to get their heart back into a healthy rhythm.

According to Vera Bittner, M.D., associate professor of medicine at the University of Alabama School of Medicine in Birmingham, you should see a doctor if your heart seems to skip a beat more often than just momentarily - or once in a while. In addition, medical attention is advised if you feel heart palpitations and:

• Feel as though you will pass out
• Have swollen ankles or shortness of breath
• Have any form of heart disease
• Have chest pain or pressure
• Are light-headed and nauseated

A Better Plan
Because no one wants to ruin their holiday celebrations with holiday heart syndrome, experts advise limiting alcohol intake to just one or two drinks per day. Some additional strategies to prevent palpitations include:

• Breathe Deeply - Some palpitations are caused by anxiety. Taking a deep breath and exhaling slowly helps to relieve tension and discourage future chest flutters.

• Physical Activity - Since your heart is a muscle, inactivity can cause it to be out of shape. Regular, cardiovascular activity (like running, walking briskly, swimming, gardening or dancing) can help get your heart in peak condition.

• Skip Caffeine - An ingredient in coffee, tea and chocolate, caffeine has a stimulating effect that can cause a rapid heartbeat and bring on palpitations. For an extra boost of energy, consider taking a natural approach with NT Factor - a substance that nourishes the energy centers of your cells.

• Don't Smoke - Although this may be easier said than done for an addict, nicotine and other chemicals in cigarette smoke can constrict arteries and encourage heart palpitations.

In addition, the following suggestions may help break an episode of tachycardia (a rapid heartbeat). For safety reasons, always consult with your physician before trying any of these techniques:

• Carotid Pressure - Gentle pressure to the prominent carotid artery on the right side of the neck may help break an attack of tachycardia.

• Vagal Maneuver - Applicable only to atrial arrhythmias, sit down, bend forward at the waist, hold your breath and strain as if blowing up a balloon. This switches control from the sympathetic nervous system to the parasympathetic nervous system, which slows down bodily functions.

• Cold Face Splash - Plunging your face into a basin of cold water will temporarily cause your heart rate to drop - a change that can break an episode of tachycardia.

The best way to enjoy your holidays is to be smart when partying. It's just not worth it to load up on alcohol during your celebrations. As anyone who has ever gone through it can attest, holiday heart syndrome is a perfect way to ruin holiday cheer. Gambling with your heart's health is a serious matter and a foolish move upon realizing that holiday heart syndrome is a completely avoidable phenomenon.

References:

http://ucsdnews.ucsd.edu/newsrel/health/11_16_HolidayHeart.asp, Taking Care of the Holiday Heart, Jeffree Itrich, Retrieved October 30, 2011, University of California, San Diego, 2011.

http://www.freemd.com/holiday-heart-syndrome/overview.htm, Holiday Heart Syndrome, Retrieved October 30, 2011, DSHI Systems, Inc., 2011.

http://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/palpitations-arrhythmias-faqs.htm, Palpitations And Arrhythmias, Retrieved October 30, 2011, Medindia Health Network Pvt Ltd., 2011.

The Editors of PREVENTION Magazine Health Books, The Doctors Book of Home Remedies for Women, Rodale Press, Inc., Emmaus, PA, 1997; 268-270.

The Editors of TIME-LIFE Books, The Medical Advisor, Time Life Inc., 1996; 448-451.

Well known for following a Thanksgiving or other holiday meal, food coma can sap the energy out of just about anyone. Known technically as postprandial somnolence, some people appear to be more susceptible to this phenomena than others. Based on human physiology, clinical experience and scientific studies, experts offer several explanations for why some people experience extreme fatigue after a large meal. Regardless of the actual cause, a small collection of tips can help prevent you from slipping into a food coma.

Believed to be responsible for the characteristic energetic crash that can follow an eating binge, these four physiological explanations are the most viable:

1. Nervous System Shift - In response to the arrival of food in the stomach and small intestine, the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system increases while the activity of the sympathetic nervous system decreases. This shift in the nervous system balance towards the parasympathetic system results in a state of low energy and a desire to be at rest. Physiologically, this is the opposite of the fight-or-flight state induced by the sympathetic nervous system in times of extreme stress or fear. As a general rule, the larger the meal, the greater the body will shift toward the parasympathetic system.

2. Glycemic Index - When foods with a high glycemic index are consumed, glucose is absorbed rapidly from the gastrointestinal tract into the bloodstream. High glycemic foods prompt rapid blood sugar spikes, which are subsequently followed by equally dramatic plummets. These plummets always cause some degree of fatigue. Some popular foods with a high glycemic index include white bread, pasta, rice and baked goods.

3. Tryptophan - The uptake of the amino acid tryptophan by the brain can readily lead to fatigue. In the brain, tryptophan is converted to serotonin and melatonin. These two chemicals typically result in sleepiness. With the intake of high glycemic foods, insulin levels rise in an attempt to maintain blood glucose levels. Insulin stimulates the uptake of many amino acids (valine, leucine, tyrosine) but it spares tryptophan. By changing the ratio of amino acids in the blood, this insulin rush fosters a greater concentration of tryptophan - thus fostering fatigue. While turkey's abundance of tryptophan is often accused of Thanksgiving's food coma, experts agree that the high glycemic carbohydrates consumed in this festive meal are more likely the cause of postprandial somnolence.

4. Cholecystokinin - One of the hormones released during digestion is cholecystokinin. Commonly referred to as CCK, this hormone helps make you feel full, but also activates the areas in the brain associated with sleep. Eating past the point of being satisfactorily full releases excessive amounts of CCK. Thus, this feedback mechanism communicating satiety could also contribute to feelings of sleepiness.

The four described physiological events believed to initiate a food coma can be prevented. The following tips can make a dramatic impact on how you feel after eating:

• Instead of a large feast, eat small frequent meals. This helps prevent a shift towards the parasympathetic nervous system by maintaining nervous system balance.

• To prevent blood sugar surges, stay away from foods with a high glycemic index - typically white carbohydrates. Instead, favor produce, whole grains and lean sources of protein.

• Avoid overeating by consuming food slowly. When eating slowly, it is easier to detect when hunger is satisfied. This enables people to stop eating before they are overfull and producing lots of CCK.

• Because research shows that cinnamon keeps blood sugar levels lower after eating, consider adding cinnamon to savory dishes. As reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, cinnamon has been shown to cause a person's stomach to empty more slowly, thus delaying the increase in blood sugar following a meal.

Whether postprandial somnolence is a result of a shift in the nervous system, a blood sugar spike, a high concentration of tryptophan, too much CCK or all of the above combined, you don't need to seek a mattress after every meal. By being more conscious of the pace, ingredients and size of the portions you eat, you can prevent succumbing to a food coma.

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postprandial_somnolence, Postprandial somnolence, Retrieved September 8, 2009, Wikimedia Foundation, Inc, 2009.

http://weeksmd.com/?p=1734, The Carbohydrate Conundrum, Dr. Julian Whittaker, Retrieved September 9, 2009, Weeks MD, July 2009.

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/8-mindful-eating-practices.html, 8 Mindful Eating Practices, Pavel Somov, PhD, Retrieved September 8, 2009, intent.com, 2009.

http://www.drinkfuze.com/blog/post/Quick-Tips-to-Battle-the-Afternoon-Food-Coma.aspx, Quick Tips to Battle the Afternoon Food Coma, Deborah Herlax Enos, CN, Retrieved September 9, 2009, drinkfuze.com, 2009.

http://www.ehow.com/how_4470181_avoid-food-coma.html, How to Avoid Food Coma, Phristine, Retrieved September 8, 2008, eHow Inc, 2009.

http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/4876.html, Food Coma, Alice, Retrieved September 9, 2009, Colombia University, 2009.

http://www.wellsphere.com/healthy-eating-article/cinnamon-may-reduce-blood-sugar-levels-after-meals/532300, Cinnamon May Reduce Blood Sugar Levels After Meals, Connie Bennett, Retrieved September 9, 2009, Wellsphere, 2009.

Here are four types of exercises that can reduce pain, say experts

Experts claim that people with arthritis who exercise have less pain, more energy, improved sleep, and better day-to-day function. Still, they tend to avoid exercising. "People with arthritis avoid exercise for a number of reasons," explained Donna Everix of the Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals.

"Some avoid it due to fear of pain or injury, and others avoid if for the same reason many people without arthritis do - not wanting to make a lifestyle change."

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http://zeenews.india.com/ayurveda/story949.html

11/3/2011

Individuals who regularly feel fatigued may benefit from seeking iron blood testing. Experts say that a frequent lack of energy is often a sign of anemia, a potentially serious health problem that can lead to other conditions.

The Mayo Clinic reports that exhaustion is the most common symptom of anemia, a condition caused by insufficient levels of red blood cells. This lack of blood cells impairs the ability of the circulatory system to carry oxygen to distant regions of the body.

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http://www.privatemdlabs.com/blood-testing-news/Anemia_and_RBC_disorders/Constant-fatigue-may-be-a-symptom-of-iron-deficiency--$800634163.php