Health Darkdaughta: April 2009

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Medical studies on fish oil and omega 3's effects on the heart

Want to learn more about omega 3 fatty acids? Marcus Ryan helps you to discover the health benefits of omega 3 fatty acids and fish oil, including a clear understand of the results of medical studies and research.

Fish oil have made it into the medical news headlines many times over the past couple of decades.

Why has this been the case?

This is because omega 3 fish oils have been shown to have some very impressive effects on prevention of heart disease, as well as being linked to lower incidences of depression and dementia in both population studies, and in the case of depression, randomised controlled trials as well.

And the product is natural as well.
So let's have a look at what these benefits of omega 3's are. In this article, we'll have a look at the health effects of omega 3s on the heart.

Benefits of omega 3 fatty acids in survivors of heart attacks (myocardial infarction)

Firstly, lets have a look at the DART study (Diet And Reinfarction Trial).

This trial showed that patients who survived a myocardial infarction, who followed advice and took oily fish, equivalent to approximately 500 to 800 mg of omega 3 fatty acids each day, had a 29% fall in total risk of death. The subgroup who took fish oil capsules containing 450 mg of omega 3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA) each day, had a 62% fall in cardiac related death rates, and a 56% reduction in risk of death.

Then there was a large Italian study of 11,324 myocardial infarction survivors, called the GISSI prevention trial.

The GISSI trial found that myocardial infarction survivors who had one capsule of fish oil each day, equivalent to 1g of fish oil, which is equal to 850mg of omega 3 fatty acids, had a 30% fall in cardiac mortality, and 45% fall in risk of sudden death. These benefits were seen within just four months of the study.

Then there was the Lyon study which looked at 600 myocardial infarction patients.

This study found that those who took the dietary advice of consuming a Mediterranean type diet, with an adequate fruit and vegetables, and in particular an adequate intake of non-marine sources of omega 3 fatty acids, alpha-linolenic acid, had a 70% fall in their risk of heart related death at 5 years, in contrast to those patients who had no such dietary advice.

Now let's have a look at fish oil effects in prevention of heart disease in the first place...

Benefits of omega 3 in preventing heart disease and sudden death in healthy individuals

Firstly, there was a study looking at the benefits of omega 3 fatty acids in healthy male doctors. This study was known as the Physician's Health Study.

This study found that those with the highest levels of omega 3 fatty acids in their blood streams, had a risk of sudden death that was only 1/5 of the risk of sudden death found in the group with the lowest omega 3 fatty acid levels. That is, their relative risk was 19%. Those with the second highest levels of omega 3 fatty acids had a relative risk of less than 1/3, with a relative risk of 28%.

Secondly, there was the Chicago Physician's Health Study Western Electric Study which studied a group of 1822 men over a period of 30 years.
This study found that those who ate more than 35 g of fish per day had 38% less risk of dying from heart disease, and a 44% reduction in risk of heart attacks, when compared to those who had no fish intake.

These are just sample of the various studies on the health effects of omega 3 fatty acids on cardiac health.

It is very sobering to realise that about 50% of heart attacks have no warning.

The benefits as shown in the studies above, relate to preventing heart attacks in those who have already had one, as well as reducing the risk of myocardial infarction and sudden death in healthy individuals.

The these essential fatty acids have been linked to reductions in risk of dementia and depression, in the treatment of depressed patients, and improvement in IQ of children.

There are even studies on the effect of fish oils on reducing levels of aggression in young adults.

The health benefits of omega 3 fish oils are certainly very interesting, and very promising.

They vary from heart health, to mental health.

If you have a medical condition, you should always seek the advice of your doctor before taking any new supplements or medications in case you are on medications or have medical conditions that contraindicate the use of natural supplements.

So watch out for more developments in the area of omega 3 fish oils, including more medical studies on its various benefits.

posted by Healthy Life @ 10:23 AM

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Want to lower your High Blood Pressure? Get yourself a dog!

Pssst, want to positively do something about your High Blood Pressure? Get yourself a pooch and walk it!

Seriously, this is not a wind up nor is it a reverse promotion for the Canine Defence League (or whatever). It is genuine recommendation for those who suffer with High Blood Pressure and want to do something positive about it in a natural manner.

I suffer from High Blood Pressure. I keep banging on about it in a number of articles because in a great many ways (mine probably included if I am brutally honest), something can be done about and it may (note MAY, not DEFINITELY) have been avoidable.

But I digress; this article is about what can be done about High Blood Pressure (HBP or Hypertension) not about how I managed to get it.

There are two options to consider when you are diagnosed with High Blood Pressure.

Firstly you can sit there and go “Woe is me, how many tablets do I have to take and at what part in the proceedings will impotence hit me?” – Us guys like to get our priorities right ?

Secondly you can sit up, re evaluate how you got into that position in the first place and then try and see if you can do something about it. The latter path is the one yours truly decided upon and hence we find ourselves discussing the merits and relative advantages of getting a mutt!

In my case the BP readings were fairly high (try 216 over 160! 120 over 80, god how I used to fantasise about that) and as such Drug therapy was the immediate no brainer in the first instance but once that came under control and the levels dropped it was possible to look at other complimentary measures to run alongside the tablets.

One year down the line from my initial diagnosis and the BP levels were manageable, I had managed to lose some weight. I could have lost the weight sooner but my self discipline for diets has always been awful but again, I digress.

Increased exercise was the next part of the rehabilitation plan and though I had always been keen on walking and getting outside for exercise, again my lousy self discipline always managed to get in the way of any constructive resolution.

This whole narrative might sound like the immediate problem was my own lack of self will and discipline and in many ways that is true. I admire those fanatical enthusiasts who can be seen pounding the streets at 6.30 am every day before they go off to work. My own view on this has always been to try and incorporate some form of longer lasting therapy that in my case was more self sustainable allowing for my own weaknesses.

Now the question may be asked at this point is how serious was I about getting my HBP down and under manageable levels? I have never been more serious about anything else in my life as to be totally honest I am not too wild about departing this mortal coil well before my anointed time.

My own view on this whole exercise was that my “anti HBP regime” had to be able to be sustainable AND scaleable therefore meaning that the lifestyle / approach would still be on track if I found myself laid up with any form of illness and /or accident.

So, increased exercise as well as change of diet, eating, work habits etc was the order of the day.

Hence we find our self with the situation with a dog. Having lived with dogs all throughout my childhood, I was aware of the companionship that my son would feel if we had one for our family but also I was keenly aware of the responsibility that comes along with having a dog!

They need feeding, looking after and……plenty of exercise.

Now we are the proud owners of a Black Labrador / Border collie first cross 50 lbs of fun, fur and mayhem called Elmo. He specialises in all of the things that dogs do best. He eats as much as he can get his paws on, he then makes sure that as much as possible is then manufactured out the other end as often as possible and in the most inconsiderate of places! He chews anything and everything he can get his jaws round, nothing is safe, nothing is sacred and one of these days my eight year old son will get the message not to leave toys lying around the place unattended.

Lastly he is demanding about being taken out and this is where we find the missing link in my Anti HBP Therapy! As the day goes by his whole demeanour and attitude becomes more intense until finally if you haven’t got the hint by evening time he enters into what can only be described by US Sports Commentators as his “Hurry up Offence”. He comes and sits in front of you, rests his head on your legs and doesn’t move. He just looks at you with that expression that makes it perfectly clear that either it is exercise time or he is going to leave large amounts of canine saliva all over your trousers, shorts, anything in fact that you happen to be wearing at the time!

With a persuasive argument like that it is difficult to refuse and hence I find my High Blood Pressure reducing to manageable proportions, my weight dropping and I am also now in the position of being able to review and reduce (in certain cases) the level of medication that I need to help control my blood pressure.

All by and large down to getting a pooch!

Now if I could do something about the chewing….next time he destroys the Satellite remote (again), he gets it……..

posted by Healthy Life @ 10:23 AM

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Slow The Process of Aging: Contact An Antiaging Clinic

When most people hear the word diet, they automatically think of losing weight, and looking skinny but dieting is also good for many other things. A suitable diet can be of assistance in slowing the aging procedure and help continue a youthful look, this is not a hidden trick that stars have, and anyone knows that a good diet should maintain your youthful emergence and behaviour.

It was an old belief that there existed a fountain of youth, and if you drank from it you would have eternal life. We all do not want to grow old and incompetent; one of the best alternatives to the fantasy fountain is an antiaging clinic. The antiaging clinic, while it does slow the process of aging, foremost goal is to teach you how to encapsulate life and enjoy it to the maximum.

Relaxation, put your feet up, watch your weight and work out are to name a few of the ways to avoid aging. Bradford S. Weeks, M.D. runs an antiaging clinic and focuses on these angles listed above and how to integrate them into your daily life. Helping individuals to age in a healthier technique is what an antiaging clinic does; it also will lend a hand in slowing the aging progression and this may sound like an inconsistency.

One of the most vital pieces of information we can gain from Dr. Weeks is his understanding of body needs in requisites of nutrition and what best affects a person's ability to amplify their likelihood of living longer. He states that it is best for a person to consume half of your body weight in ounces daily. Drinking plenty of water is his first decree as the person in charge of his antiaging clinic. His advice is a person weighing 100 pounds should consume 50 ounces of water every day. This way your body stays hydrated and is able to function better.

Good Diets Is a Common Requirement

When most people hear the word diet, they automatically think of losing weight, and looking skinny but dieting is also good for many other things. A suitable diet can be of assistance in slowing the aging procedure and help continue a youthful look, this is not a hidden trick that stars have, and anyone knows that a good diet should maintain your youthful emergence and behaviour.

You would be surprised to be finding that the 2 things that you every single day of your life affect how you age. Eating and sleeping, there are certain foods that can actually slow down the process of aging and cause a more enchanted look, and also throughout the deep sleep phase that rejuvenation of the body happens. Another amazing discovery is the fact food can increase your will to live and eagerness in living. We all a good nights sleep means a good day of feeling well rested the next day, if you get a bad nights sleep then we know you will feel tired, groggy and grouchy the next day. It is simple common sense.

I am sure that you are dying to know what type of foods can help slow down the aging process. Well we have a lot of pros and cons with the diary products, there are some you can consume and some you should away from totally. Visiting an antiaging clinic will inform you of these things, for example, use foods grown on the vine or that appear like the food you saw growing out of the ground as a basic guideline. Carrots are pulled out of the ground then washed and served; therefore it is a safe food to eat. Nuts, seeds, salad and fish are also great examples of items that are superior in slowing down the aging development.

Another important concept that Dr Weeks and an antiaging clinic will teach you about is enjoying living your lives in spite of its duration. You will quickly learn that the goal is not to achieve infinite life, but to live life to its full potential.

posted by Healthy Life @ 10:23 AM

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Suffering from Irregular Menstrual Cycle

Are you suffering from irregular Menstrual Cycle problem? Most of us have missed a period one or another point. It has become common problem among most of us because of anxiety or tension.

Are you suffering from irregular Menstrual Cycle problem? Most of us have missed a period one or another point. It has become common problem among most of us because of anxiety or tension. The irregular menstrual cycle is also depending on the pattern hormonal balance of woman has experiences in the past. Menses are nothing but the natural way of cleaning of the uterus and vagina of sperm and bacteria that are carried.

Cause of irregular menstrual cycle are more likely related to stresses, tension, ingested medications and caffeine medicine act as anticoagulant blood thinner. Caffeine consumption disrupts corps luteum function and it decreases the gap between monthly cycle lengths. Fluctuation in periods indicates the beginning of disruption of the natural chain of hormonal events that controls menstruation.
Some the common responsible factors for irregular periods, among them are:

* Significant weight gain or loss
* Over-exercise
* Breastfeeding
* Polycystic ovarian syndrome/estrogen dominance
* Poor nutrition (or a diet too high in carbohydrates)
* Medications
* Chemotherapy
* Smoking
* Drug use
* Caffeine
* Eating disorders
* Increased stress
* Hormonal imbalance related to perimenopause
* Recent childbirth, miscarriage, or D&C
* Excessive alcohol use (interfering with how the liver metabolizes estrogen and progesterone)
* Uterine abnormalities (fibroids/cysts/polyps/endometriosis)

If you are suffering from irregular menstrual cycle then you need to see your physician for further treatment. The occasional missed menses cycle is not the only sign of medical problem. Continues irregular in your period is an indication of irregular ovulation. If your cycle is irregular then you need to evaluate by your doctor.

Do not get tense about slight change or variation in your period. More than 50 percent of healthy women have the problem of irregular menses. But if you are consistently irregular, may result in misleading information about your fertility. Consult your physician for healthy menses cycle.

posted by Healthy Life @ 10:23 AM

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