Posts Tagged ‘Heart Disease’
Why are some people seemingly able to eat a diet loaded with heart clogging fried foods and fats, while others seem destined to poor health regardless of their diet? This question has plagued medical researchers for decades. The answer is now beginning to unravel, in part due to advancements in decoding the human genome, and an understanding of the intricate genetic interactions which respond to diet and lifestyle decisions we make every day.
Genes Provide the Missing Link to Heart Disease
Scientists are able to watch gene alterations or switching in virtual real time, as they observe the positive or negative influences of specific food items in each meal. According to a study published in the journal Nature, researchers have identified nearly 100 genes which specifically control up to a third of the inherited factors controlling our cholesterol, specifically LDL cholesterol and triglycerides that are known factors in the development of coronary artery disease and heart attack risk.
Our Genes Aren’t Set in Stone
This study demonstrates for the first time that certain individuals are predisposed to developing abnormal types of oxidized LDL cholesterol through a hereditary link. Based on the results, up to 20% of people are at increased risk for developing heart disease, as their genes have been ‘switched’ in favor of developing a poor blood lipid profile.
This does not mean that you’re condemned to poor health due to heredity. Our genes respond to the cues they receive from the foods we eat and the lifestyle we lead. A predisposition to heart disease is not destined. Fortunately, there are several simple steps you can follow to reduce and virtually eliminate the risk for coronary artery disease, regardless of the genetic cards you’ve been dealt.
Step 1: Eat Fat with Your Heart in Mind
Diet is the single most important factor which controls the actions of your genes. The nutritional content of each bite of food directly impacts and influences how each gene activates, and scientists are able to track subtle changes which take place after each meal. Diets which are high in hydrogenated trans fats such as fried foods are particularly damaging from a genetic perspective.
It’s important to understand that not all fats are the same when it comes to heart health. For a half century, saturated fats have been maligned, and most have been advised to avoid them at all cost. Nothing could be further from the truth, as these fats play an essential role in cellular health.
Omega-3 fats from fish and fish oil are essential to the prevention and treatment of heart disease. Ensure that the ratio of Omega-6 fats (from vegetable oil sources) to Omega-3 fats is no higher than 4:1 to reduce systemic inflammation and proliferation of coronary disease.
Step 2: Limit Refined Carbs and Wheat Based Foods
Extensive scientific data is mounting which correlates excessive consumption of wheat-based foods with progression of coronary artery disease. Wheat has been a part of the human diet for a relatively short period of our evolutionary history, and genetically we’re not well equipped to digest these grains.
To make matters worse, most foods made with wheat have been highly refined, stripping out any beneficial fiber which cause wild swings in blood sugar levels. Limit or fully eliminate wheat and refined carbs to avoid dangerous triglyceride and oxidized LDL cholesterol levels.
Step 3: Supplement with Heart Friendly Nutrients
People who are genetically predisposed to heart disease, as well as those with the desire to prevent this silent killer will want to supplement with a targeted nutritional cocktail which has been shown to stop coronary artery disease in its tracks. The B complex vitamins along with C and E provide critical support for the heart, as long as they are taken in their natural forms.
Magnesium, Selenium, Chromium and Potassium are essential minerals. It’s important to note that a daily multi vitamin doesn’t provide the proper amount or type of these critical nutrients. Choose a non-synthetic source made from whole foods. The amino acids Lysine and Proline in combination with Vitamin C (The Pauling Therapy) can be used for advanced protection against heart disease.
Research has uncovered the genetic link to heart disease which many have suspected since the beginning of modern medicine. We’re now able to use gene mapping to understand how this disease develops, and more important, how we can affect our diet and lifestyle to reduce our risk factors, and prevent and even treat coronary artery disease.
Are you looking for quality health supplements and skin care products that are safe, natural and effective? Let me introduce to you Xtend-Life and tell you just a little about this fine company.
What Is Xtend-Life?
Based in New Zealand, Xtend-Life is a family-owned, privately-held Corporation that develops and produces a wide variety of nutritional supplements and skin care products. Because it’s still run by its founder and his son, you can enjoy a sense of personal accountability when you deal with Xtend Life. The personal passion of founder Warren Matthews infuses quality and efficacy into all the products his company creates.
What’s Different about Xtend-Life?
Their mission statement says it all: “To provide the best products possible at a fair price… whilst giving exceptional personal service”. All aspects of product manufacture are privately controlled by Xtend-Life, not by contract manufacturers. In this way, the company – and you – can be absolutely certain that every ingredient used in every product is the best, purest, and most efficacious of its kind. Personally, I find that very reassuring, and unlike many other companies whose products I have bought online.
What Kind of Products Can You Get?
Xtend-Life has a wide range of quality health supplements that ranges from nutritional supplements and vitamins to products specifically formulated for a particular health concern such diabetes, arthritis, anxiety, heart disease, high cholesterol, and others.
They also have their own line of natural skin care products for men and women. The skin care products use quality active ingredients that nourish your skin and are effective in reversing visible signs of aging.
You can expect to find detailed product descriptions. This means that for every product, you’ll see a fully descriptive introduction, with information about why the product is useful and for what conditions. A page specifying the product’s ingredients is available, with comments about each ingredient. Finally, a Frequently Asked Questions page for the product can be viewed.
Is It Easy to Contact Xtend-Life?
This family-owned business prides itself on outstanding and personal customer service. Information is provided on contacting Xtend Life representatives in many ways, such as e-mail, live chat, and telephone. Additionally, you can subscribe to an e-mail newsletter, or read an ongoing blog by co-founder and Chairman, Warren Matthews. You’ll learn even more about what goes into making their products so special, from a man who has made quality and integrity his life’s work.
The company has built a solid client base of delighted repeat customers, who report results from its supplements and skin care products that exceed any expectations they may have had. These Xtend Life reviews are open and honest, and based on the personal experiences of people who have used these products on a daily basis.
Worldwide it has been noted that obesity is on the increase. Many people on a daily basis die from heart disease and 90% of these people are overweight which put strain on the heart muscles. Maintaining healthy diet plans is important in that you will not only lose weight but your health and your well being will improve dramatically.
The first thing you need to do is find out what your ideal weight is for your height, age and gender. Then you need to see your doctor so that he can conduct a full medical examination to make sure you don’t have any underlying ailments or diseases. It is also important that you have your blood pressure checked regularly. If you have no serious illnesses then ask your doctor to refer you to a dietician in order to establish healthy diet plans as well as an exercise plan.
Once you have done the above you are already quarter of the way on the road to a healthier life. The next most important thing you need to do is change your mind set as I am sure you have been on every diet possible and taken every dietary pill and powder on the market hundreds of dollars later only to find they don’t work. So buy now you probably have established that the only way to lose weight is by eating correctly.
You can also go online as there are many support groups to help you along and keep you motivated. Motivation and determination are the key factors to losing excess weight and even if you only lose two pounds a week that is great even though it does not sound like much it is two pounds less than you weighted the week before and so you will continue to lose weight.
A person considered at risk for heart disease can take steps towards heart disease prevention. It is considerably easier to prevent heart disease than it is to fix it once it happens, and for the most part lifestyle changes are needed for heart disease prevention regardless of age or health risk.
The number one method of heart disease prevention is to quit smoking. For persons who still smoke they need to cut down and should also avoid polyunsaturated fats in their diet. Vitamins A and D along with saturated fats help protect the lungs. A daily walk and about 10 minutes of exercise a day is another way to provide protection against heart disease. Exercising can also help with the third heart disease prevention tips of avoid becoming overweight. Eating food rich in nutrients and avoiding sweets will go a long way to providing the heart a healthy diet.
Another leading cause of heart disease is stress and more people tend to work too hard and a person can fight against work-related stress by performing a task they enjoy doing every day. When unavoidable times of hardship and depression are apparent, supplement the diet with nutrient-rich foods and avoid fast-food meals.
Keeping Environment Free Of Chemicals.
When possible avoid chemical use and fumes that can damage the immune system. Chemicals, pollutants and pesticides can cause irrepairable harm to the body’s systems and avoiding this environmental stress can be one heart disease prevention that is easy to accomplish.
Many foods that are called low fat often contain polyunsaturated vegetable oils. Refined foods are also usually void of any nutritional value and should be avoided for heart disease prevention. Foods containing white flour or refined sugar as well as chemical additives can be trouble for the heart. Eating a diet of seafood, dairy products along with meat and fats from organically grown animals can reduce many of the heart disease risk factors.
Eating fresh fruits and vegetables is another common heart disease prevention tip handed out by doctors. Foods that contain phytic acids should also be avoided as they detract from the body’s ability to absorb minerals in the food. Whole dairy products and whole grain should be consumed regularly as well as foods rich in protective ingredients.
Eating right and getting regular exercise is an important part of heart disease prevention but many of the steps used to prevent heart disease can also have other health benefits.
Common Vitamins and over the counter products can help with Arteriosclerosis such as Vitamin C,
Niacin and Pectin.
Vitamin C has show to reduce cholesterol levels and lowers high blood pressure. Take 1,000 to 5,000 mg daily.
Niacin is the closest thing available to a perfect treatment that corrects most causes of coronary heart disease. Niacin blocks the release of fatty acids from fat cells. Niacin plays a critical role in energy production, gene expression, and hormone synthesis. You cannot live without it. Niacin also tends to shift LDL particle distribution to larger particle size and improve HDL functioning. The intake of 3 grams Niacin for as little as two weeks can reduce serum cholesterol by 26 percent.
Pectin limits the amount of cholesterol the body can absorb. High pectin count in apples may be why “One a day keeps the doctor away”.
What do you think is the most dangerous thing you’ll ever encounter? What do you consider to be the biggest threat to your life?
Let me help you answer. Here are some suggestions.
Is it a car crash? A bus crash? A plane crash? Being wrapped around a lamppost, having been hit by a transport vehicle? An accident at the workplace? A misadventure while taking part in a sport? Encountering some wild psycho lurking around the corner of a dark alley? Etc, etc. -All these things are indeed serious considerations, but a least statistically they pale into insignificance when I tell you the answer.
The biggest threat to your life is the food you eat.
Many, many people become ill or dead through the effects of constantly taking bad nutrition, far more than any accident or injury. For example, if you’re in a crowded place sometime, quietly count ten people at random. Then say to yourself, eight out of those ten people will die of a cardiovascular related problem or cancer. And all eight could prevent their conditions from happening if they only chose to eat the right food.
A politician, whose name has long escaped me (not relevant), once addressed a select committee on nutrition and human needs. What he said really hit the nail on the head.
As a nation, we have come believe that medicine and medical technology can solve our major health problems. The role of such important factors as diet in cancer and heart disease has long been obscured by the emphasis on the conquest of these diseases through the miracle of modern medicine. Treatment, not prevention has been the order of the day.
The problems can never be solved merely by more and more healthcare. The health of individuals and the health of the population is determined by the variety of biological, behavioural and environmental factors. None of these is more important than the food we eat.’ 1.
Too many people continue to doff their hat to the doctors. But many doctors know very little about the healing powers of nutrition because they’re too busy promoting invasive and expensive drugs with potentially damaging side effects that only treat symptoms.
Here are the essential potentially life-saving nutrition facts.
Good nutrition is:
v Natural – Grown from the garden, farmed and raised in natural conditions…etc.
v Has had little or no heat treatment.
v Is free of chemicals & toxins.
v Is immune system building.
v Ultimately allows the free flow of energy in the body.
Bon appetite!
Many people are making the move to a healthy vegetarian diet because they want to improve their health. But, is this style of eating really better for your health? Critics everywhere are claiming that not eating meat can be detrimental to your health… but the truth is coming out in the research studies that have been conducted.
Countless research studies are finding that eating high amounts of meat can cause serious diseases such as cancer, heart disease, kidney problems, and osteoporosis. Meats are high in saturated fats and they are higher in calories.
But, if meat isn’t as good as we originally thought, why do we eat so much of it? The food pyramid shows that eating meat is a good way to get protein, and we should have several servings per day. We learn in schools that meat is good for you, and advertising pushes us to eat more and more meat.
The reason there are so many misconceptions about the health factors relating to meat is because the meat industry is so heavily involved in government lobbying. The food industry is a huge business, which means that there is a lot of money to be made by selling those products. So, you need to remember that the meat companies are trying to earn more money-they are not necessarily interested in your health.
If you choose to follow a healthy vegetarian diet, be sure that you are eating a variety of whole foods. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, beans and legumes, nuts and seeds, and healthy fats and you will get plenty of nutrients that are necessary for living.
Following a healthy vegetarian diet can be a great way to improve your health. Of course, this is a very personal decision that each individual needs to make. But, once you do the research you will see the facts and understand that a plant based eating plan is a great way to improve your health.