Take Care of Your Heart

Heart disease is one of the most prevalent causes of death in the Western world and it is also one of the most preventable. Many risk factors are controllable and it is not that difficult to make some simple changes in our daily routines that will go a long way for the health of our heart.

1. Aerobic exercise. We have heard it time and again that exercise is good for our health. But it is actually more important for us to realize that we need to match our exercise with our desired goal so that we are doing the right kind of exercise and not over-exercising. The right kind of exercise that your heart likes is aerobic exercise. If you push yourself too hard and your heart rate pumps too fast than you may turn your exercise into an anaerobic exercise and that would not be ideal. Monitor your heart rate if you can while you are exercising and make sure your heart rate does not exceed somewhere around the "˜180 minus your age' figure. Kick in at least 15 minutes of proper aerobic exercise every other day and your heart will love you for it.

2. Raise your HDL levels. Cholesterol is part of our body. The main ones are LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) and HDL (High Density Lipoprotein) cholesterol. LDLs transport cholesterol to tissues and HDLS take it back to the liver for breakdown and elimination. A high level of HDL cholesterol is considered heart-protective while a low HDL level is considered to be a risk factor for heart disease. HDLS help clear the blood of cholesterol and prevent the build-up of fat in the arterial wall. Increase your HDL levels through exercise, reduction of excess body fat, and moderate consumption of wine. Factors associated with low HDL levels include smoking, obesity and inactivity.

3. Lower homocysteine levels. Homocysteine is a kind of amino acid that is produced as a byproduct of protein metabolism. Homocysteine, as with cholesterol, is part of our body. Studies have shown that even mildly elevated homocysteine levels can be a risk factor for heart disease. Homocysteine also appears to promote the development of atherosclerosis. Consider increasing the intake of Vitamin B6, Folic acid and Vitamin B12 to lower homocysteine levels.

4. Monitor magnesium levels. Studies suggest that adequate magnesium help prevent and assist with treatment of heart disease, including angina and irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). Magnesium coordinates the activity of the heart muscle as well as the functioning of the nerves that initiate the heartbeat. It also helps keep coronary arteries from spasms, as it has a muscle-relaxing action. Foods rich in magnesium include tofu, bananas, nuts, broccoli and wholegrains.

5. Potassium helps reducing blood pressure. Foods rich in potassium include soy flour, apricots, tomato puree, sultanas, raisins, figs, baked potato with skin, spinach and bananas.

6. Fish oil. Atlantic salmon, tuna and mackerel are the best types of deep sea fish that you should be taking. Three servings a week of oily deep sea fish will half your risk of heart disease. Lightly pan frying in olive oil or baking are the better ways to preserve the valuable omega-3 fatty acids.

7. Antioxidants. Vitamins A, C and E, consumed in higher than normal doses, behave as antioxidants and help to protect cells and tissues from damage and in so reducing our risk of heart disease. These nutrients are often used together to slow down the progression of atherosclerosis.

8. Hawthorn can help. Hawthorn is traditionally used to dilate blood vessels, strengthen the heart, and lower blood pressure. These effects can be traced to the bioflavonoids found in hawthorn flowers, leaves and berries which have strong antioxidant properties and assist the body in riddling itself of free radicals. Hawthorn also helps the body to better distribute and use Vitamin C and strengthen our capillaries for better circulation and thus better delivering oxygen and nutrients to every part of our body.

9. Ginkgo can help too. Ginkgo biloba is the most widely sold herbal product in Europe. Ginkgo enjoys a strong reputation as an antioxidant and circulatory stimulant. Ginkgo stimulates widening of blood vessels, protects arterial walls from free radicals and reduces the tendency of blood to clot.

10. Tea over coffee. Research shows that habitual tea drinking, around 120ml per day or more, reduces the risk of developing high blood pressure. This is particularly so with green or oolong tea drunk without milk. Coffee consumption on the other hand contributes more caffeine to the body and it often results in an increased level of homocysteine. Limit coffee to one or two cups a day and monitor caffeine intake from other sources as well.

11. More fruits, vegetables and olive oil. A diet high in fruit and vegetables in inversely associated with the risk of heart disease. It also lowers homocysteine levels in the blood. Add olive oil to salads, cook with it and use it wherever you can. Olive oil is known to reduce blood pressure.

12. Do not smoke. It is so obvious but yet so important to not smoke if you really love your heart. Smokers have a 70 percent greater risk of heart disease than non-smokers. 
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Statin Dangers: This Cholesterol-Lowering Fad Has 7 Side Effects That Can Imperil Your Life

High cholesterol and heart disease kill 1,000,000 Americans every year. That's why your doctor might be telling you to take some form of cholesterol-lowering drugs, the class of drug typically known as statins. While statins do lower cholesterol, they seem to come with a minefield of severe side effects, some of them permanent. You must know what the side effects are so that you can make a proper decision on how to achieve health; after all, it's your life.

1. Cancer. Research is showing statins to be carcinogenic in experimental animals in similar dosages as those given to patients. Some studies are showing a disturbing increase in breast cancer, though there seems to be a lag time of a decade or more between exposure to the drug and clinical detection of the disease.

2. Kidney Failure. Statins have been shown to cause rhabdomyolysis. This is a condition in which there is a breakdown of skeletal muscle, which can result in acute renal failure due to the accumulation of muscle breakdown products in the bloodstream.

3. Heart Failure. Though it may seem to be a paradox, since taking statins is supposedly for heart-health, but studies are showing an increase in congestive heart failure in people taking statins. One report states that a cardiologist studied 20 patients with normal heart function. After six months on a low dose of statins, two-thirds of the patients had abnormalities in the heart's filling phase, when the muscle fills with blood.

4. Liver Dysfunction. Even the drug companies own advertisements acknowledge this!

5. Memory Loss and Cognitive Impairment. Search the web and you'll find countless reports of people taking statins and then suffering from mild to severe memory loss and cognitive impairment. One doctor has found that 15 percent of statin patients develop some side effects pertaining to cognitive function. Duane Graveline, a former astronaut, has written a book, Lipitor: Thief of Memory, in which he describes incidents of complete loss of memory known as "global transient amnesia," in which the sufferer can suddenly forget their own name, where they are, or anything else for that matter. The episode can occur suddenly and disappear just as suddenly. Graveline points out that we are all at risk when the general public is taking statins--do you want to be in an airplane when your pilot develops statin-induced amnesia?

6. Nerve Damage and Numbness. Polyneuropathy, also known as peripheral neuropathy, is characterized by weakness, tingling and pain in the hands and feet as well as difficulty walking. Researchers who studied 500,000 residents of Denmark, about 9 percent of that country's population, found that people who took statins were more likely to develop polyneuropathy. Taking statins for one year raised the risk of nerve damage by about 15 percent--about one case for every 2,200 patients. For those who took statins for two or more years, the additional risk rose to 26 percent. The damage is often irreversible in statin patients, even after they stop taking the drug.

7. Miscellaneous Maladies. There are many reports of other side effects such as depression, pancreatic rot, muscle stiffness and pain, coenzyme Q10 depletion, and the list goes on.

If you have high cholesterol you must get it lowered. But are statins worth the risk? Only you and your doctor can make that decision. 
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Jeff Popick is a leading expert in achieving optimum wellness. He is a renowned author, passionate speaker, successful businessman and former radio host. Jeff is now a dedicated advocate for consumers worldwide. For more information about cholesterol, statin drugs and heart health, go to www.EradicateHighCholesterol.com.

Using supplements to help prevent heart attack and stroke

Getting and staying healthy is a very important aspect of many people's lives. Yet, relatively few people take full advantage of the possibilities that exist for doing more to improve their health. Nutritional supplements are some of the simplest things that you can use to greatly improve your overall well-being. Supplementing your diet takes relatively little time, but can prove priceless to those who can avoid traumatic health concerns later in life by taking care of their body's now.

Prevention is the best approach to any disease. Fortunately for all of us, it is very difficult to do too much to prevent poor health, especially when it comes to heart health. Heart disease takes more lives in America than any other disease. Fortunately, there is a wide variety of nutritional supplements out there that you can use to help in the prevention of the symptoms of heart disease.

People neglect to do the simple things to prevent heart attack and stroke for many reasons, but perhaps the most common reason is because of inconvenience. We do not want to be troubled to take any more time from our day than we have to. Our fast paced society takes advantage of fast food and driving to get from here to there, instead of focusing on our health and what can be done on a daily basis to make improvements. Many people are aware of what such things as the food pyramid are and what nutritious foods are suggested, but no one seems to have the time or the effort to do anything about it. Proper nutrition in combination with supplements is the key to forming optimal health. Being in optimal health is the key to avoiding health problems.

So the answer is simple, exert some effort to eat right and take the nutritional supplements that your body needs to keep working at its best. But what types of supplements are there that are specifically formulated to help prevent cardiovascular problems? The answer lies within a unique blend of products that combines natural ingredients (such as the Acai berry) with ingredients that are found naturally in the body (such as L-Arginine and L-Citrulline) that when combined restore the body's natural nutrients and provide a boost that helps all of your systems work at their optimal level. This type of blend that takes all of the body's inner workings into consideration but puts specific emphasis on what can be done to improve the function of the heart is precisely the kind of product that those who are concerned about heart attack and stroke should be looking into.

There have been studies that show that there is even relief for those who are already experiencing the symptoms of an unhealthy heart. Supplements such as L-Arginine can reduce the discomfort of some of those symptoms by allowing for improved blood flow. Although cures for heart disease have yet to be found in herbal supplements and alternative medicines, it has been found that these products can improve the symptoms of these conditions, making it easier to fight through them and safeguard your health. Lifestyle changes are needed and therefore there is no miracle cure for any disease. The effort required is in the hands of each individual concerned about their own health. 
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Eric Glenn is the successful owner of several global health businesses and regularly advises clients and customers on health, nutrition and creating a global business. Eric strongly recommends the use of supplements to improve your health. To learn more about supplements that can help to improve your health visit http://www.ericglenn.com or his health supplements website http://www.synergyteamglobal.com.

Periodontal Disease and Heart Attacks

"Brush your teeth or you'll have a heart attack!"

This is not an admonishment that I either heard as a child or ever made to my own children or patients. However it is becoming increasingly evident that maintaining good dental hygiene and treating periodontal disease is one of the easiest and most important things that we can do to prevent heart disease, stroke and several other illnesses.

Periodontitis is defined as inflammation of the supporting tissues of the tooth. These tissues include bone, the periodontal membrane and the gums. Gingivitis (infection of the gums) is a common cause of periodontitis as is the dental plaque that forms on the other periodontal tissues. Periodontitis has been known for centuries to be responsible for a large proportion of dental problems but recent research has shown that its deleterious effects extend far beyond the mouth.

In a recent article I wrote about a condition called chronic systemic inflammation which is a low grade, pervasive form of inflammation that damages the endothelial linings of arteries and has also been implicated in causing harm to a variety of other tissues and organs.

Periodontitis is a very important cause of this sinister inflammatory process and is associated with infection and inflammation of the periodontal tissues and the release of bacteria, toxins, protein acids, pro-inflammatory chemical messengers and other harmful compounds into the mouth and blood stream. Once in the blood stream these agents stimulate a systemic inflammatory response that in turn causes problems a long way from the mouth. Some of the most important targets of periodontitis-induced systemic inflammation are the blood vessels – especially the endothelial linings of the arteries.

These inflammatory agents cause narrowing and rigidity of the arteries that results in reduced blood supply to the heart, brain, kidneys and other organs. In addition, systemic inflammation is thought to contribute to an inflammatory process in the arterial endothelium itself. Inflammation in this important part of the blood vessel aggravates the formation of cholesterol plaques in the arteries and ultimately causes the rupture of these plaques – events that result in heart attack or stroke.

The theory of the effects of periodontitis on heart disease and other illnesses is backed up by several very recent clinical trials.

One study found that those who had recently suffered a heart attack had far higher levels of pathogenic bacteria in their mouths than those in a non-heart attack control group. In another study arterial blood flow was measured in those with periodontal disease before and after intensive treatment for their periodontal disease. Interestingly, the arterial blood flow in these patients diminished slightly over the first few days following the treatment but a few weeks later it increased substantially and was significantly better than that of the untreated control group.

Studies have even shown that pregnant woman who have periodontitis have a higher incidence of preterm, low birth weight babies than those who have had this condition treated early on in pregnancy. This particular cause of preterm low birth weight babies is thought to be due to an inflammatory process caused by bacteria in the blood stream that come from infected oral tissue. Simply treating the periodontitis in these pregnant woman by descaling, root planing and regular antiseptic mouth rinses was sufficient to avoid this serious obstetrical problem.

Along with a good diet, weight control, exercise and blood lipid control, a visit to your dentist to treat any existing periodontal disease is another simple but important thing you can do to help prevent heart disease, stroke and maybe several other diseases.

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Dr Keith Scott is a medical doctor with a special interest in nutrition. He has written several books including the ground breaking, "Medicinal Seasonings, The Healing Power of Spices" and "Natural Home Pharmacy".
Download a free pdf copy of "Medicinal Seasonings" and find out more about the latest research into periodontitis, chronic systemic inflammation and interesting aspects of other diseases.
http://www.medspice.com

5 Big Reasons To Buy Fish Oil and Make your Heart Smile

Let's face it... The American Heart Association, the single most influential organization when it comes to matters of the heart, has already repeatedly proven that Omega 3 Fatty Acids preferably from fish oils play a crucial role in maintaining good cardiovascular health in healthy individuals, high risk population, and even sufferers of heart illnesses. Buy fish oil today, and lessen the chances of getting inflicted with heart diseases (or dying from it.)

Numerous reviews, researches and clinical studies have come to one conclusion with regard to fish oil benefits to heart health; but how do fish oils actually make your heart smile? Here are the scientific facts behind the claims that Omega 3 Fatty Acids in fish oils are indeed heart-friendly:

1. First fact: Omega 3 fatty acids have been proven to lower Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL). This kind of fat (LDL) is the nasty death bringer when it comes to its potential to bring heart attack and other heart illnesses. When not regulated, a very high level of LDL can accumulate in blood vessels forming fat plaques that may clog heart vessels and can eventually decrease blood supply to the heart itself, eventually making the heart ischemic and ending up with myocardial infarctions (heart attacks.)

2. Second fact: Population-wide studies have revealed that Mediterranean people and Inuit Eskimos have remarkably higher levels of High Density Lipoproteins (HDL) as compared to other population groups. HDL's are the good fats that are easily excreted, are light weight, and are not prone to clog your vessels.

Their conclusion was that Mediterranean people and Eskimos have higher intake of fatty fish in their staple of diet which eventually increases their Omega 3 Fatty Acids levels. Follow up studies with the same population groups revealed that Mediterranean people and Inuit Eskimos have lower chances of getting heart disease and heart attacks as compared to other study groups. This is a testament that Omega 3 Fatty Acids indeed have a positive effect in increasing HDL levels.

3. Third fact: Fish oil supplements lower triglyceride levels. It is a well known fact that triglycerides are the ones we should avoid in our diet because this kind of fat is similar in composition with cholesterol, the deadly fat. The recommendation for people who needs to lower the triglyceride levels is to buy fish oil in capsule or supplement form which should contain 2-4g of DHA and EPA (main components of fish oils) and take it everyday.

4. Fourth fact: Omega 3 Fatty Acids from fish oils make your blood less dense and less viscous. A lowered blood viscosity (or a thinner blood) can reduce the entire cardiac workload, meaning, the heart will not be too overstressed to pump "heavy" blood.

And also, when blood is too sticky, it may either clump up together, or agglutinate in your blood vessels making your arteries and veins clogged. What happens is that blood (that carries oxygen) can no longer reach its destination when they come to a halt due to a clogged artery or vein. When the heart tissues don't receive enough oxygenation, then heart attack is triggered.

5. Moreover, a currently ongoing research has been saying that Omega 3 Fatty Acids in fish oils can help people with cardiac dysrhythmias. The claim is that fish oils help the electrical conduction system of the heart resulting to a more regulated and normal heart rhythm.

The ultimate point is: there are numerous drugs for cardiac disorders and heart problems available in the market today. They are expensive and sometimes can even produce unwanted side effects. Of course it is not recommended to base your treatment solely on alternative therapies; however, you can always buy fish oil and help yourself and your heart live healthier (and longer.)

Make no mistake about it... If you do not care for your heart in a timely manner, the heart disease will catch up with you sooner rather than later. I would urge you to visit my Omega 3 DHA fish oil supplements website so that you can further learn to take timely action to ensure that the heart protection required for you and your family starts right this moment. 

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Rajagopalan has learned early in life the critical importance of omega 3 supplements to minimize health risks and maximize healthy living. There are too many fish oil supplements in the market that he has found to be very expensive, they do not deliver on results and are pure hype. To learn about the product that he has finally found to be most effective but at the same time least expensive, head over to ==> http://www.omega3fishoilsguide.com

Pacemakers and Heart Attacks

If you need a pacemaker, it is most likely because you have an arrhythmia not because you have some heart condition that is going to predispose you to a heart attack.

The purpose of a pacemaker is to regulate the electrical system of the heart to stabilize the heart rhythm. Pacemakers are typically prescribed to people who have arrhythmias or irregular cardiac rhythms.

By contrast, heart attacks happen when the vessels surrounding the outside of the heart are clogged or blocked. This deprives the heart muscle of oxygen from the bloodstream. Without oxygen, the muscle starts to die. Depending on how much muscle tissue is involved and how little oxygen gets through, the heart attack may range from mild to severe or even fatal.

A lot of people hear the word pacemaker and assume that they are at high risk for a heart attack. That is not necessarily the case at all. The two conditions, that is, arrhythmia and heart attack, are distinct and different.

A healthy heart should beat about once a second in a very carefully choreographed and complicated sequence of events involving upper and lower chambers and even split-second periods of rest within a single heartbeat. If those beats are out of sequence or too slow or too fast, the doctor diagnoses an arrhythmia.

One problem with arrhythmias is that they are often intermittent, which is a medical term that means the rhythm disorder comes and goes, usually without warning or any obvious reason. Many people who need pacemakers have intermittent arrhythmias, meaning that their heart rhythm is out of whack some of the time, but not consistently.

For that reason, most pacemakers have a standby function. In the medical device world, the function is called inhibition, but it is the same thing as standby. The pacemaker watches the heart and paces only if the heart needs pacing. As long as the heart is beating normally, the pacemaker simply observes and does nothing.

Most people who are told they need a pacemaker need the device for quality of life more than anything else. While some arrhythmias can be serious and even life threatening, many are somewhat harmless but they can cause symptoms. How do you know if you might have an arrhythmia? The most commonly reported symptoms include feeling dizzy, lightheaded, fainting or thinking you might faint, being tired, out of breath, or feeling exhausted for no apparent reason.

For many people, a pacemaker improves their feelings of well-being, gives them more energy, and gets rid of unpleasant symptoms.

If you need a pacemaker, it does not mean that you are necessarily at risk for other heart disease, a heart attack, or heart failure. However, it does not mean you are out of the woods, either.

If you need a pacemaker, that is a problem involving an arrhythmia. You should still continue to get checked for other signs of heart disease. It is perfectly possible to have more than one heart condition.

Getting a pacemaker is not a complicated procedure. It is sometimes done on an outpatient basis, but most of the time, a short stay in the hospital is in order. The operation itself typically takes about an hour (for a regular pacemaker with no particular complications) and recovery is about four to six weeks. However, you should talk to your doctor, since every person is unique which means that every medical case is unique, too.

Millions of people all over the world have pacemakers. They are generally credited with improving the lifestyle and quality of life of the people who have them. Pacemakers have been at work smoothing out bumpy heart rhythms for over 50 years.

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Want to find out more about pacemakers without having to read a big fat medical book? Visit http://www.paceaker411.com . Straight information, easy to understand.

What is Oral Chelation and how can it help prevent heart disease

Copyright © 2009 Octocat Ltd

Oral Chelation

Oral chelation is the solubilization of a metal salt by forming a chemical complex or sequestering. One way of doing this is with ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid (EDTA) salts, which have a multidentate spiral ligand form that can surround metallic and other ions.

The term "oral" simply refers to "mouth." When you take something "orally," you take it into the mouth. Hence, the word oral chelation. This word can be contrasted with "intravenous" which is a word that means that something enters your body through a vein rather than through your mouth.

"Intravenous" actions (including IV Chelation) are generally done by a doctor or a nurse who sticks a needle in a vein, often in your wrist.

The word "chelation" starts with the Greek Root of this word - chele. Chele, in Greek, means the claw part of a crab or lobster. So, "chele" refers to a grabbing action. When combined, getting "chelation" you simply have a word that means the "grabbing action" of some substance. Oral chelation is dispelling substances by taking the preparation orally.

The ingredients which make oral chelation "work" are Cysteine, N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine and EDTA. 

EDTA is an important ingredient in oral chelation. It has a chemical and physical characteristic that it is attracted to heavy particles. It is not quite like a magnetic attraction, but in any event when there is EDTA in your blood stream, and some heavy particle (such as a particle of lead, mercury, iron, etc.), the EDTA and the heavy particle come together such that the heavy particle is coated with the EDTA, and passed out by your system

EDTA is an artificial amino acid, and since the body regards it as a foreign substance, the body eliminates the entire particle - the heavy particle coated with EDTA.

The body can't tell that underneath the coating is some material (iron mixed with carbon, perhaps) which the body might be willing to keep even though it is harmful to the body. So, this coated EDTA particle gets sent to the kidney and you urinate it out into the toilet. You just got rid of some heavy particles.

EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) is a common sequestrant and antioxidant which is a part of oral chelation. This oral chelation is added to foods, body care, and household products.

The oral chelation also occurs as disodium calcium EDTA, tetrasodium EDTA, and disodium dihydrogen EDTA. As a sequestrant, this oral chelation binds trace minerals such as copper, iron and nickel that may be in the product. If not inactivated, these minerals will lead to discoloration, rancidity and textural breakdown. When added as an antioxidant, EDTA prevents oxygen from causing color changes and rancidity. 

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Mike Spencer has been helping people protect their health for many years. To find out how you can help protect your heart and prevent heart disease with oral chelation visit mikes site at: http://www.oral-chelation-reviews.com

Fenugreek Fights Diabetes, Heart Disease And Obesity

Although fenugreek seeds are used extensively in the recipes of countries in the Middle and Far East, in the West it is not as well known as many other spices. Not only does fenugreek impart a characteristic flavour and tang to food but it also has several very important disease preventing characteristics.

In traditional medicine, fenugreek has been used to treat a number of conditions including diabetes, sore throats, and in poultices used to treat sores and abscesses. Recent investigations into the medicinal properties of this spice suggest it is important not only as a preventive for chronic diseases such as diabetes, but also for enhancing normal physiological processes, especially with respect to athletic performance.

As with most spices it contains many antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds such as apigenin, genistein, kaempferol, quercetin, rutin, selenium and superoxide-dismutase. It also contains compounds such as trigonelline that has shown to prevent the degeneration of nerve cells in neuro-degenerative diseases.

Medicinal properties of fenugreek

Cardiovascular disease and blood lipids: Fenugreek has a strong modulating effect on blood lipid levels and can substantially reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. In diabetics, who usually suffer lipid imbalances, it has demonstrated a remarkable ability to lower cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL levels while raising HDL levels.

Another property of fenugreek is the reduction of platelet aggregation which, in turn, dramatically reduces the risk of abnormal blood clotting associated with heart attacks and strokes. Like most spices, fenugreek also contains many important antioxidants and has the added benefit of protecting other dietary and internally produced antioxidants from free-radical damage. This has important cardioprotective benefits, as well as helping to fortify the body against a range of other chronic conditions.

Diabetes: Fenugreek, which has comparable antidiabetic potency to cinnamon, is one of the most valuable spices for the control of glucose metabolism and thus the prevention and treatment of Type II diabetes. Owing to its many properties it helps in the prevention and treatment of diabetes in several ways.

Working in a similar way to the common antidiabetic drug glibenclamide, fenugreek lowers cellular insulin resistance and controls blood glucose homeostasis. It has been shown to lower blood glucose levels of Type II diabetics by as much as 46 percent.

It also increases the levels of several important antioxidants and reduces the damaging oxidation of lipids associated with diabetes.

As an added bonus, fenugreek seeds are a very rich in a type of dietary fibre that modulates post-prandial blood glucose levels by delaying the absorption of sugar in the intestines. This mucilaginous fiber also reduces the absorption of fat and cholesterol from the intestines thus providing additional protection against heart disease and obesity.

Cataracts: Fenugreek is also effective against diabetes-related cataracts which occur commonly in diabetics. The enzymes that control glucose uptake into the lens of the eye do not function normally in diabetics and, as a result, glucose and its metabolites, fructose and sorbitol, accumulate in the lens tissues. The lenses of diabetic patients are also prone damage by enzymes that would normally protect against destructive free radicals, and a combination of these factors leads to the gradual opacification of the lens known as a cataract. As fenugreek has been shown to partially reverse both the metabolic changes in the lens and to reduce the density of the cataract, it is likely to be even more effective as a prophylactic agent against cataract formation in diabetics.

Alzheimer's and other neuro-degenerative diseases: Fenugreek contains the compound trigonellene that has shown to stimulate the regeneration of brain cells. This property has stimulated further research to see whether it can help in the prevention of diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.

Sport: One of the greatest difficulties facing athletes who compete in endurance events is maintaining a readily available supply of energy in the body. In order to achieve this, muscle carbohydrate stores, in the form of glycogen, must be continuously replenished. In an event lasting more than one-and-a-half hours, glycogen stores become depleted, and for the remainder of the event the athlete has to rely on external sources of energy, such as high carbohydrate drinks, which are inferior to glycogen as an energy source. Post event re-synthesis of glycogen is also very important, and the two hours immediately following prolonged exercise is the crucial time for this process to occur.

Fenugreek has been shown to have a strong effect on glycogen replenishment; increasing post-event re-synthesis by over 60 percent in some endurance athletes. While its effects on glycogen re-synthesis during an event have yet to be tested, fenugreek is likely to exhibit a similarly beneficial effect during, as well as after, exercise.

Hormones: Fenugreek is one of the richest sources of phytoestrogens and is thus a very useful spice for women who have low oestrogen levels. Phytoestrogens are also thought to help protect against certain types of cancer, and fenugreek may well be proven to have anti-tumourigenic effects should this property be investigated in the future.

Selenium: Fenugreek is one of the richest sources of selenium, which is among the most important antioxidant micronutrients. When consumed regularly, selenium appears to have a protective effect against a range of cancers, including those of the colon, lung and prostate. Recent evidence also shows that selenium helps to prevent the progression of HIV and other chronic viral illnesses.

While other spices like chilies and cinnamon hold the culinary and medicinal headlines, the research into fenugreek is showing us that this spice has health benefits on a par with, or even superior to, those of the better known spices.

However it is important to appreciate that synergism between different spices enhances the bioavailability and efficacy of their respective bioactive compounds. Therefore, to obtain optimum benefit from fenugreek, it is important to use it with other common spices in both the prevention and treatment of disease. 

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Keith Scott is a medical doctor with a special interest in the healing properties of spices and phytonutrients. He has written several books including "Medicinal Seasonings, The Healing Power of Spices". To download a free pdf copy of his book, "Medicinal Seasonings" and read more about the health benefits of spices go to: => http://www.medspice.com

The Spectrum by Dean Ornish: How to Reverse Heart Disease

Can chronic disease be reversed?

Absolutely.

Today, I'm going to introduce you to my friend and colleague, Dr. Dean Ornish. Thirty years ago, he bravely made the radical suggestion that heart disease, cancer, and other chronic illnesses can be reversed with diet and lifestyle changes.

That's reversed -- not just prevented or treated.

In his breakthrough book, Reversing Heart Disease, Dr. Ornish explained just how this is possible: Eat a high-quality diet, get regular exercise, manage stress, and connect to a community -- and you can actually unclog your arteries.

In fact, he proved that his program works better than conventional approaches like drugs or surgery -- and without dangerous side effects.

Now Dr. Ornish has published a new, even more compelling book, The Spectrum -- and it's filled with scientific details about why the program works and how to make it your own.

What's the secret?

Nutrigenomics.

That's the name for the way that food talks to your genes and controls your health. When your genes are expressed well, you're healthy. Disease occurs when your genes are expressed poorly.

And the quality of the food you eat has huge effects on your health.

It matters whether you eat whole, real food, or processed, high-sugar, and high-fat food, for example.

In The Spectrum, Dr. Ornish tells you how and why choices like these can make a difference in whether we're healthy or sick.

But it isn't a one-size-fits-all approach.

Dr. Ornish believes -- as I do -- that the future of medicine is personalized medicine. And in The Spectrum, he explains how to match your genes and your health needs by customizing your diet and lifestyle.

If you were a 25-year-old athlete with no family history of heart disease, your approach would be different from a 65-year-old man who has type-2 diabetes and has had two heart attacks.

He also shows us that there's a spectrum of choices for being healthy and feeling great. There are no "good" or "bad" foods -- it's the overall way that we eat and live that matters.

Dr. Ornish gets past all of the nutrition confusion out there and tells you the truth: that our genes were meant to be fed a diet of whole, unprocessed foods.

A Groundbreaking Pioneer

He didn't know it, but Dr. Ornish was the first researcher and practitioner of functional medicine, more than 30 years ago.

He was the first person to suggest that addressing the roots of illness not only helps prevent disease, but reverses it -- and more effectively than conventional treatment.

That's just what functional medicine is. It's a system that addresses the underlying causes of illness by understanding the interaction between your genes and your environment.

And it's what Dr. Ornish talks about in The Spectrum.

His roadmap for good health shows us how to increase energy, lose weight, improve mood, feel more connected to your own life's purpose and meaning, and even have better sex.

It's a recipe for feeling your best.

I have a lot of respect for Dr. Ornish. He wanted to make his program accessible for everyone, but for that to happen, it has to be reimbursed by insurance.

So he asked Medicare to fund a demonstration project based on the research in major medical he'd already published in major medical journals.

But it wasn't so easy.

They told him that, before they'd find the project, he needed approval that it was safe.

Of course, Dr. Ornish's lifestyle plan is much safer than heart surgery or angioplasty or medications with severe, damaging side effects -- and much less expensive.

Still, he needed a letter from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute saying it was safe to eat fruits and vegetables, walk, meditate, and quit smoking!

But he persevered and his program is now approved. Dr. Ornish is also creating an international research collaboration to grain even more understanding about why food is the best medicine.

And his book isn't just helpful, it's enjoyable.

He shares his story with wit and humor, keen intelligence, and lots of tools for successfully implementing his ideas.

These tools include clear nutrition guidance, guided meditations by his wife Anne (with an additional DVD included), an exercise prescription, and more than 100 wonderful, delicious life-giving recipes by a master chef.

So I urge you to get your hands on The Spectrum now and see what you think. It truly is life-changing. 

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Mark Hyman, MD is a pioneer in functional medicine, practicing physician and best-selling author. A sneak preview of his book "The UltraSimple Diet" is available. See The UltraWellness Blog for more on Heart Disease.

Heart Surgery And Your Longevity

Nowadays, heart surgery is commonly performed on patients suffering from heart disease, which is often a threat to longevity. But does heart surgery make you live longer? Is Oriental medicine a better approach to heart disease?

According to the most recent report from Journal of the American Medical Association, at least 12,000 Americans die each year from unnecessary surgery, and tens of thousands more suffer complications as a result.

Every year in the United States, surgeons perform 1.2 million angioplasties, during which a cardiologist uses tiny balloons and implanted wire cages known as stents to unclog arteries. This Roto-Rooter-type approach is less invasive and has a shorter recovery period than bypass, which is open-heart surgery.

Nevertheless, a surgery is still a trauma, and the body responds to it with major blood loss and swelling, and all manner of nerve and pain signals that can plague the patient for months, if not years.

Research has indicated that angioplasty did not appear to prevent heart attacks or save lives among non-emergency heart subjects. If that is the case, then why the surgery?

Dr. William Boden of the University of Buffalo School of Medicine, Buffalo, New York, and author of the study also added: "If you have chest pain and are stable, you can take medicines that do the job of angioplasty." Medicines used in the study included aspirin, and blood pressure and cholesterol drugs, and they were taken along with exercise and diet changes in patients participating in the study.

Dr. Boden did have a point about not opting for surgery. But do medicines, such as aspirin, as well as blood pressure and cholesterol drugs, save lives and prevent heart attacks, or are there better alternatives? Heart health is longevity health. Conventional medicine offers no miracle cures. Healing the heart has to be wholesome because it is the "residence" of the body, the mind, and the spirit. Therefore, medicines play only a minor role, if any, in the cure of heart disease. Modern Western medicine addresses only the symptoms, not the causes, of heart disease. According to the Oriental way, your heart is the "emperor" of your whole being, and the health of your entire system depends upon the normal functioning of your heart. According to Chinese philosophy, heaven and earth merge to make a human being, and the place where they merge is in the heart, which is the "center" of the human body, hence the importance of the heart.

Disturbances in the heart affect your whole body. The movement of blood throughout your body (circulation) is managed by multiple organs, which in turn interact with one another. A failure in any one part of this system can result in pathology.

If there is a circulation issue, all the organ systems in your body will be deprived of the nourishment supplied by your blood, which include nutrients and oxygen. Your heart has a dramatic effect on everything else in your body.

The force that keeps life going is "qi" (internal vital energy), which is determined by the balance of "yin" and "yang." Poor diet, stress, and lack of exercise can cause your "yin" and "yang" to become out of balance, thereby disrupting the flow of "qi." One symptom is "thick" blood, which is the root cause of heart disease.

Severe stagnation in "qi" and in the blood may produce internal heat, which goes into your blood and steams your body, drying out your blood vessels as well as raising your blood pressure.

In Chinese medicine, the basic cause of chest pain is obstruction of the circulation of "qi" and blood. Chest pain may be due to either deficiency or excess patterns of "yin" and "yang," resulting in imbalance and discord. Accordingly, the Oriental medicine focuses on using different foods not only to nourish the body but also to clear any blockage in the flow of "qi."

Truly, foods are directly involved in many of the risk factors for heart disease. Paying attention to what you eat is one of the most important preventive measures you can take.

The foods that best protect you against heart disease include the following: oily fish, fruits and vegetables, fiber from whole-grain breads and cereals and unrefined carbohydrates, nuts and seeds, and green tea, among others.

In addition to the different types of food to protect your heart, you need to understand the importance of energy balance. You need enough calories to maintain your energy level, but no more than what you can burn off. This is energy balance.

Even when you are dieting, you should not drastically cut back your calories such that your energy needs are not met. The number of calories you need depends primarily on age, gender, and activity level.

Essentially, the Oriental medicine employs foods and acupuncture to maintain smooth flow of "qi" and blood.

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Stephen Lau is a writer and researcher, writing synopses of research of doctors and scientists. His publications include "NO MIRACLE CURES - Only Wholesome Self-Healing," "How To Teach Children To Read" and "Blueprint For Success In Affiliate Business."
He has created websites, including “Longevity for You” on health, and “Golfing Success Info” on the art of playing golf.
http://www.longevityforyou.com
http://www.golfingsuccessinfo.com