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Month: February, 2010

Vitamin D May Help Pre-Diabetes

A review of studies which were published between Jan 1969 and July 2009 suggests taking vitamin D supplementation may help people with pre-diabetes.
About 54 million Americans aged 21 and older live with pre-diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 
The review, led by Barengolts E. and published in the Feb 2010 issue of Endocrine Practice, found the majority of cross-sectional and prospective studies demonstrated an inverse association between circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D or 25OHD and plasma glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, HbA1C, metabolic syndrome and incidence of pre-diabetes. 
A few trials also found taking vitamin D supplements improved insulin secretion, basal fasting insulin sensitivity and postprandial peripheral insulin resistance in people with pre-diabetes. 
Vitamin D insufficiency is common.  The review found 77 percent of people in the U.S. suffer vitamin D insufficiency defined as having less than 30 ng/mL of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in the blood. 
Dr. John Cannell, a vitamin D expert and director of vitamindcouncil.org, recommends on his website that adults may take 4000 to 6000 IUs per day to maintain a functional level. 
Vitamin D has previously been associated with type 1 diabetes.   
In a study published in the Nov 9, 2009 issue of Pediatric Diabetes, Borker VV and colleagues from Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in India found of children with type 1 diabetes, 58 percent were vitamin D deficient compared to 32 percent in children without the condition. 
Vitamin D has also been associated with elevated risk of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, stroke, hypertension, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, depression, chronic pain, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, muscle wasting, birth defects, and periodontal disease among others, according to the Vitamin D Council.

www.FoodConsumer.org Laurie Puckett, Marketing Coordinator

Remmel Wellness Center, a full service wellness and chiropractic clinic in St. Petersburg, Florida

No Comments by Laurie Puckett on February 25, 2010
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Vitamin D Deficiencies can Contribute to Crohn’s Disease

The benefits of Vitamin D are growing:  We have already reported on the benefits of Vitamin D and heart disease, Type II diabetes and pre-diabetes.  Today we look at the links between Vitamin D deficiencies and Crohn’s disease.

Vitamin D Could Fight Crohn’s Disease  www.FoodConsumer.com

Taking vitamin D supplements may help fight Crohn’s disease, according to a new Canadian study published in the latest issue of journal of Biological Chemistry.


“Our data suggests, for the first time, that Vitamin D deficiency can contribute to Crohn’s disease,” said Dr. John H. White of McGill University.


Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Crohn’s disease symptoms include abdominal pain, and diarrhea, weight loss, arthritis, skin problems, and fever among others.


There is no known cause for the disease, but one theory speculates that people with the condition have a malfunctioning innate immune system which inadequately responds to foreign invaders like viruses and bacteria.


What White and colleagues found is that vitamin D acts directly on the beta defensin 2 gene, which encodes an antibacterial peptide, and also the so called NOD2 gene, which alerts cells to the presence of invading bacteria and viruses.


Vitamin D has been known to be involved in the production of antimicrobial peptides because of which the vitamin is believed to be able to help fight infection such as flu.  Numerous studies have indeed associated vitamin D deficiency with high risk of infection.


Vitamin D may not only help prevent or treat Crohn’s disease, but also many types of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune disease, depression, according to the Vitamin D Council.


Other diseases related to vitamin D deficiency include Alzheimer’s disease, allergy, asthma, autism, celiac disease, cerebral palsy, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic pain, cognitive function, cystic fibrosis, epilepsy, Gaucher’s disease, Graves’ disease, hypertension, mental illness, multiple sclerosis, muscular weakness and falls, obesity, otosclerosis, and partkinson’s disease.


Dr. John Cannell, a vitamin D expert, director of vitamind D Council suggests on its website that to prevent diseases, high doses may be needed. For adults, 4000 to 6000 IUs per day may be adequate to maintain a serum level that prevents diseases.


For more information on vitamin D, visit vitamindcouncil.org and for more information on Crohn’s disease, visit http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/crohns/


Laurie Puckett
Remmel Wellness Center
Your full service chiropractic and wellness center in St. Petersburg, FL

11 Comments by Laurie Puckett on February 25, 2010
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Vitamin D Could Fight Crohn’s Disease

Taking vitamin D supplements may help fight Crohn’s disease, according to a new Canadian study published in the latest issue of journal of Biological Chemistry. 
“Our data suggests, for the first time, that Vitamin D deficiency can contribute to Crohn’s disease,” said Dr. John H. White of McGill University. 
Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Crohn’s disease symptoms include abdominal pain, and diarrhea, weight loss, arthritis, skin problems, and fever among others. 
There is no known cause for the disease, but one theory speculates that people with the condition have a malfunctioning innate immune system which inadequately responds to foreign invaders like viruses and bacteria. 
What White and colleagues found is that vitamin D acts directly on the beta defensin 2 gene, which encodes an antibacterial peptide, and also the so called NOD2 gene, which alerts cells to the presence of invading bacteria and viruses. 
Vitamin D has been known to be involved in the production of antimicrobial peptides because of which the vitamin is believed to be able to help fight infection such as flu.  Numerous studies have indeed associated vitamin D deficiency with high risk of infection. 
Vitamin D may not only help prevent or treat Crohn’s disease, but also many types of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune disease, depression, according to the Vitamin D Council. 
Other diseases related to vitamin D deficiency include Alzheimer’s disease, allergy, asthma, autism, celiac disease, cerebral palsy, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic pain, cognitive function, cystic fibrosis, epilepsy, Gaucher’s disease, Graves’ disease, hypertension, mental illness, multiple sclerosis, muscular weakness and falls, obesity, otosclerosis, and parkinson’s disease. 
Dr. John Cannell, a vitamin D expert, director of vitamin D Council suggests on its website that to prevent diseases, high doses may be needed. For adults, 4000 to 6000 IUs per day may be adequate to maintain a serum level that prevents diseases. 
For more information on vitamin D, visit vitamindcouncil.org and for more information on Crohn’s disease, visit http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/crohns/

Source:  www.FoodConsumer.org

Laurie Puckett
Remmel Wellness Center
Your full service chiropractic and wellness center in St. Petersburg, Florida

No Comments by on February 25, 2010
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Vitamin D – Effective in Reducing Heart Disease and Diabetes

Yesterday we discussed Vitamin D – what it does and where we get it from.  Over the next week or two, we will be exploring the myriad of benefits we can get from Vitamin D.  I was going to pull an article from a back log of articles I have received on Vitamin D, when I discovered a new article from www.FoodConsumer.com in my inbox.  Since February is national Heart Health month, I thought I would highlight the heart benefits of high levels of Vitamin D in individuals as we age.  

This article is based off of a study done by Warwick Medical School in England:

High Levels of Vitamin D in Older People Can Reduce Heart Disease and Diabetes 

Middle aged and elderly people with high levels of vitamin D could reduce their chances of developing heart disease or diabetes by 43%, according to researchers at the University of Warwick. 
A team of researchers at Warwick Medical School carried out a systematic literature review of studies examining vitamin D and cardiometabolic disorders. Cardiometabolic disorders include cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome. 
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in some foods and is also produced when ultraviolet rays from sunlight strike the skin and trigger vitamin D synthesis. Fish such as salmon, tuna and mackerel are good sources of vitamin D, and it is also available as a dietary supplement. 
Researchers looked at 28 studies including 99,745 participants across a variety of ethnic groups including men and women. The studies revealed a significant association between high levels of vitamin D and a decreased risk of developing cardiovascular disease (33% compared to low levels of vitamin D), type 2 diabetes (55% reduction) and metabolic syndrome (51% reduction). 
The literature review, published in the journal Maturitas, was led by Johanna Parker and Dr Oscar Franco, Assistant Professor in Public Health at Warwick Medical School. 
Dr Franco said: “We found that high levels of vitamin D among middle age and elderly populations are associated with a substantial decrease in cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. “Targeting vitamin D deficiency in adult populations could potentially slow the current epidemics of cardiometabolic disorders.” 
All studies included were published between 1990 and 2009 with the majority published between 2004 and 2009. Half of the studies were conducted in the United States, eight were European, two studies were from Iran, three from Australasia and one from India.

No Comments by on February 17, 2010
filed in Diabetes, Heart Health, Uncategorized, Vitamins and Supplements, Wellness
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Vitamin D – A Miracle Nutrient?

My inbox is flooded with articles touting the health benefits of Vitamin D.  So, that got me thinking – what is Vitamin D?

According to Wikipedia, www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_D, Vitamin D is a group of fat-soluable prohormones, the two major forms of which are vitamin D2 and vitamin D3.  Vitamin D obtained from sun exposure, food, and supplements, is biologically inert and must undergo two hydroxylation reactions to be activated in the body.
.
Calcitriol,received from vitamin D, plays an important role in the maintenance of several organ systems.  However, its major role is to increase the flow of calcium into the bloodstream, by promoting absorption of calcium and phosphorus from food in the intestines, and reabsorption of calcium in the kidneys; enabling normal mineralization of bone and preventing hypocalcemic tetany.  It is also necessary for bone growth and bone remodeling by osteoblasts and osteoclasts.

Without sufficient vitamin D, bones can become thin, brittle, or misshapen. Deficiency can arise from inadequate intake coupled with inadequate sunlight exposure; disorders that limit its absorption; conditions that impair conversion of vitamin D into active metabolites, such as liver or kidney disorders; or, rarely, by a number of hereditary disorders. Vitamin D deficiency results in impaired bone mineralization and leads to bone softening diseases, rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults, and possibly contributes to osteoporosis.

Nutrition


Vitamin D is naturally produced by the human body when exposed to direct sunlight. Season, geographic latitude, time of day, cloud cover, smog, and sunscreen affect UV ray exposure and vitamin D synthesis in the skin, and it is important for individuals with limited sun exposure to include good sources of vitamin D in their diet. Extra vitamin D is also recommended for older adults and people with dark skin. Individuals having a high risk of deficiency should consume 25 μg (1000 IU) of vitamin D daily to maintain adequate blood concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D.
As civilization and the Industrial Revolution enabled humans to work indoors and wear more clothes when outdoors, these cultural changes reduced natural production of vitamin D and caused deficiency diseases. In many countries, such foods as milk, yogurt, margarine, oil spreads, breakfast cereal, pastries, and bread are fortified with vitamin D2 and/or vitamin D3, to minimize the risk of vitamin D deficiency.  In the United States and Canada, for example, fortified milk typically provides 100 IU per glass, or a quarter of the estimated adequate intake for adults over age 50. A 1992 study, however, found that the actual vitamin D content of milk varies widely. Supplementation of 100 IU (2.5 microgram) vitamin D3 raises blood calcidiol levels by 2.5 nmol/litre (1 ng/ml).

Natural sources

Natural sources of vitamin D include:
  • Fish liver oils, such as cod liver oil, 1 TBS (15 ml) provides 1,360 IU (one IU equals 25 ng)
  • Fatty fish species, such as:
    • Herring, 85 g (3 ounces (oz)) provides 1383 IU
    • Catfish, 85 g (3 oz) provides 425 IU
    • Salmon, cooked, 100 g (3.5 oz]) provides 360 IU
    • Mackerel, cooked, 100 g (3.5 oz]), 345 IU
    • Sardines, canned in oil, drained, 50 g (1.75 oz), 250 IU
    • Tuna, canned in oil, 85 g (3 oz), 200 IU
    • Eel, cooked, 100 g (3.5 oz), 200 IU
  • A whole egg, provides 20 IU
  • Beef liver, cooked, 100 g (3.5 oz), provides 15 IU
  • UV-irradiated mushrooms (Vitamin D2)

In the United States, the 100% Daily Value used for product labels is 400 IU/day and typical diets provide about 100 IU/day. Although milk is usually fortified, the average daily consumption by most Americans is insufficient in obtaining levels of vitamin D recommended by various medical authorities.  While adequate intake has been defined as 200 IU/day for ages infant to 50, 400/day for 51-70, and 600/day over 70, the American Academy of Pediatrics argues that these recommendations are insufficient and recommends a minimum of 400 IU, even for infants. The NIH has set the safe upper limit at 2000 IU, but acknowledges newer data supporting a UL as high as 10,000 IU/day.  Some experts have recommended greatly increasing vitamin D intake.  The Institute Of Medicine is revisiting vitamin D and calcium recommendations with a report expected to be released before the end of summer 2010.

Now you know all about Vitamin D, and you know where to get it (sunshine and foods).  Stay tuned for subsequent articles on specific health benefits of Vitamin D, and be prepared to be amazed!

 

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No Comments by on February 16, 2010
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Your Heart Health – Part 7: Stop Smoking

Forgive me if this series is a bit “Ground Hog-esque”, but I feel it is important to really stress the key factors that impact your overall heart health:

Do you know your BMI (body mass index)?  Generally speaking, it should be below 25.

Do you know your BP (blood pressure)?  A healthy BP is no higher than 120/80. 

What is your cholesterol (LDL) level?  Hopefully below 200.

If your numbers aren’t where you’d like them to be, check out the American Heart Association’s ‘My Life Check”, which was designed with the goal of improved health by educating the public on how best to live. These measures have one unique thing in common: any person can make these changes, the steps are not expensive to take and even modest improvements to your health will make a big difference. Start with one or two. This simple, seven step list has been developed to deliver on the hope we all have–to live a long, productive healthy life. 

Step 7: Stop Smoking

 

Impact of Smoking on Health

Why It’s Important to Quit

Smoking by itself increases the risk of coronary heart disease.  When it acts with the other factors, it greatly increases your risk from those factors, too.  Smoking decreases your tolerance for physical activity and increases the tendency for blood to clot.  It decreases HDL (good) cholesterol.  Your risks increase greatly if you smoke and have a family history of heart disease.  Smoking also creates a higher risk for peripheral artery disease and aortic aneurysm.  It increases the risk of recurrent coronary heart disease after bypass surgery, too.

Motivation and Support

During the quitting process, people often slip and have a cigarette.  It’s important not to feel like you failed at quitting; just give it another chance. If you need more support, look for quit-smoking programs through hospital.  Many states also have hotlines with trained staff to help you with quitting.  In Florida, call the Florida Tobacco Quit-Fo- Life Line – a Division of the Department of Health at 1-877-U-CAN-NOW.  The Florida Tobacco Quit-For-Life Line provides free, confidential, comprehensive telephone counseling to help you quit smoking or chewing tobacco.

Parents should talk to kids about cigarette smoking.  Once cigarette smoking is initiated, it can be difficult to stop, even during adolscence.

Sources:  American Heart Association http://mylifecheck.heart.org/Multitab.aspx?NavID=14&CultureCode=en-US 


  

 

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Smoking is the most important preventable cause of premature death in the United States.  Smokers have a higher risk of developing many chronic disorders, including atherosclerosis – the buildup of fatty substances in the arteries – which can lead to coronary heart disease, heart attack (myocardial infarction) and stroke.  Controlling or reversing atherosclerosis is an important part of preventing future heart attack or stroke.

No Comments by on February 10, 2010
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Your Heart Health – Part 6: Reduce Blood Sugar

Forgive me if this series is a bit “Ground Hog-esque”, but I feel it is important to really stress the key factors that impact your overall heart health:

Do you know your BMI (body mass index)?  Generally speaking, it should be below 25.

Do you know your BP (blood pressure)?  A healthy BP is no higher than 120/80. 

What is your cholesterol (LDL) level?  Hopefully below 200.

If your numbers aren’t where you’d like them to be, check out the American Heart Association’s ‘My Life Check”, which was designed with the goal of improved health by educating the public on how best to live. These measures have one unique thing in common: any person can make these changes, the steps are not expensive to take and even modest improvements to your health will make a big difference. Start with one or two. This simple, seven step list has been developed to deliver on the hope we all have–to live a long, productive healthy life. 

Step 6: Reduce Blood Sugar

The American Heart Association considered diabetes one of the six major controllable risk factors for cardiovascular disease.  In fact, adults with diabetes are two to four times more likely to have heart disease or a stroke than adults without diabetes.

Diabetes is treatable, but even when glucose levels are under control it greatly increases the risk of heard disease and stroke.  In fact, most people with diabetes die of some form of heart or blood vessel disease.  

What Does This Mean?

Diabetes can cause your blood sugar to rise to dangerous levels.  Most of the food we eat is turned into glucose, or sugar, for our bodies to use for energy.  The pancreas, an organ near the stomach, makes a hormone called insulin to help get into our bodies’ cells.

Why is Reducing Blood Sugar So Important?

Pre-diabetes and subsequent Type II diabetes usually results from insulin resistance.  When insulin resistance or diabetes occurs with other CVD (cardiovascular disease) risk factors, such as obesity, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol and high triglycerides, the risk of heart disease and stroke rises even more.

Controlling glucose can slow the progression of long-term complications.  Often, many small changes add up to surprising improvements in diabetes control, including less need for medication.

American Heart Association Guidelines

When diabetes is detected, a doctor may prescribe changes in eating habits, weight control, exercise programs and medication to keep it in check.  It’s critical for people with diabetes to have regular check-ups.  Work closely with your healthcare provider to manage your diabetes and control any other risk factors.  For example, blood pressure for people with diabetes should be lower than 130/80.

Source:  American Heart Association – www.mylifecheck.heart.org

 

 

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No Comments by on February 9, 2010
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New Orleans Saints 31 – Indianapolis Colts 17

Super Bowl XLIV has come and gone with the victory going to the Saints 31 – 17 over the Colts.  If you were watching the game just for the commercials, I have good news for you.  Other than the sitting, eating and drinking that you probably did, the game wasn’t harmful to your health.

However, if you are a die hard fan of either the Saints or the Colts, I have bad news.  Scientists have proven that in big games, such as the Super Bowl, when the game has several lead changes and is exciting and/or tense, the incidences of heart attacks on the day of the game and for two weeks afterward, goes up.  Yikes!!!  Stress can kill you, and that includes stress related to a big, exciting game.  Sadly, this is just more bad news for Colts fans.  Work on de-stressing yourself so that you can be around next year for redemption.

To read more about the research leading to the conclusion that watching the Super Bowl may be bad for your health, please click the link to the New York Times article:  http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/02/health/02real.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

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No Comments by on February 8, 2010
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Your Heart Health – Part 5: Lose Weight

Forgive me if this series is a bit “Ground Hog-esque”, but I feel it is important to really stress the key factors that impact your overall heart health:

Do you know your BMI (body mass index)?  Generally speaking, it should be below 25.

Do you know your BP (blood pressure)?  A healthy BP is no higher than 120/80. 

What is your cholesterol (LDL) level?  Hopefully below 200.

If your numbers aren’t where you’d like them to be, check out the American Heart Association’s ‘My Life Check”, which was designed with the goal of improved health by educating the public on how best to live. These measures have one unique thing in common: any person can make these changes, the steps are not expensive to take and even modest improvements to your health will make a big difference. Start with one or two. This simple, seven step list has been developed to deliver on the hope we all have–to live a long, productive healthy life. 

Step 5:  Lose Weight 

Among Americans age 20 and older, 145 million are overweight or obese (BMI of 25 or higher).  That’s 76.9 million men and 68.1 million women.  This is of great concern especially since obesity is now recognized as a major, independent risk factor for heart disease.  If you have too much fat – especially a lot of fat around your midsection – you’re at higher risk for health problems like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.

What is BMI?
Body Mass Index assesses your weight relative to your height.  It’s a useful, indirect measure of body composition because it correlates highly with body fat in most people.  To calculate your exact BMI, multiply your weight in pounds by 703, divide by your height in inches and then divide again by your height in inches.

If you are overweight or obese, you can reduce your risk for heart disease by successfully losing weight and keeping it off.  When coming up with a fitness and nutrition plan to lose weight, it’s crucial to understand your recommended calorie intake.  And then the amount of food calories you’re consuming verses the energy calories you are burning off with different levels of physical activity.  It’s a matter of balancing healthy eating (caloric energy) with the (molecular) energy that leaves your body through a healthy level of exercise.

At Remmel Wellness Center, we did extensive research on various medical weight loss products and systems and selected Ideal Protein because of the way it retrains the body to properly use the food (fuel) that is put into your body to be most effectively burned, rather than stored.  We also selected Ideal Protein because it is easy a plan that is easy to stick with because the food tastes great and is super convenient for people on the go who are likely to skip meals or stop at fast food or convenience stores to a snack or meal.  See our video on Ideal Protein at:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FU4Xy3C-7ys 

Our partnership with Dr. Kasia ensures that you receive the proper monitoring for any medications you may be taking for cardiovascular problems, diabetes, acid reflux and other disorders that can be addressed through dietary means using Ideal Protein.

Our partnership with Anytime Fitness offers our patients the opportunity to work out in a safe, supportive environment with some of the most amazing personal trainers you will find any where.  As us for details on the corporate membership plan we have with Anytime Fitness!

If Ideal Protein isn’t right for you, find a plan that is and stick with it.  This is your life and you only get one chance to live it.  Make it the very best that you can!

Sources:  American Heart Association  www.mylifecheck.heart.org/
                 Ideal Protein:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FU4Xy3C-7ys 

    

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No Comments by on February 6, 2010
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Your Heart Health – Part 4: Manage Blood Pressure

Forgive me if this series is a bit “Ground Hog-esque”, but I feel it is important to really stress the key factors that impact your overall heart health:

Do you know your BMI (body mass index)?  Generally speaking, it should be below 25.

Do you know your BP (blood pressure)?  A healthy BP is no higher than 120/80. 

What is your cholesterol (LDL) level?  Hopefully below 200.

If your numbers aren’t where you’d like them to be, check out the American Heart Association’s ‘My Life Check”, which was designed with the goal of improved health by educating the public on how best to live. These measures have one unique thing in common: any person can make these changes, the steps are not expensive to take and even modest improvements to your health will make a big difference. Start with one or two. This simple, seven step list has been developed to deliver on the hope we all have–to live a long, productive healthy life. 

Step 4: Control Blood Pressure

Hypertension is hte single most significant risk factor for hearth disease.  Uncontrolled high blood pressure can injure or kill you.  It’s sometimes called “the silent killer” because it has no symptoms.  One in three adults has high blood pressure, yet about 21% don’t even know they have it.  Of those with high blood pressure, about 69% are receiving treatment.  Even so, only about 45% have their blood pressure under control.

What is High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure, also known as hypertention, is a widely misunderstood medical condition. 

The blood running through your arteries flows with too much force and puts pressure on your arteries, stretching htem past their healthy limit and causing microscopic tears.  Our body then kicks into injury-healing mode to repair these tears with scar tissue.  Unfortunately, the scar tissue traps plaque and white bllod cells which can form into blockages, blood clots and hardened, weakened arteries.

Why High Blood Pressure Matters

High blood pressure is the single most significant risk factor for heart disease.  Uncontrolled high blood pressure can injure or kill you.  Blockages and blood clots mean less blood can get to our vital organs, and without blood, the tissue dies.  That is why high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart attack, kidney failure and even heart failure.  This “silent” killer has no symptoms, which is why it is so important to monitor your blood pressure regularly and keep it within a healthy range.<:od><:od><:od>



  • Reducing your risk of your vascular walls becoming overstretched and injured,


  • Reducing your risk of your heart having to pump harder to compensate for blockages,


  • Protecting your entire body so that your tissue receives regular supplies of blood that is rich in the oxygen it needs.


 What Influences High Blood Pressure and the Risk for Stroke?

By keeping your blood pressure in the healthy range, you are: Reducing your risk of having your vascular walls become overstreatched and injured, reducing the risk that your heart will have to pump harder to compensate for blockages, and protects your entire body so that your tissue receives regular and sufficient supplies of the oxygen rich blood that it needs.

American Heart Association Guidelines

While there is no cure, high blood pressure is manageable.  Even if your blood pressure is normal (less than 120/80) and your goal is prevention only, lifestyle modifications provide a prescription for healthy living.  These changes may reduce your blood pressure without the use of prescription medications.  (1) Eat a heart-healthy diet, which may include reducing salt; (2) Enjoy regular physical activity; (3) maintain a healthy weight; (4) manage your stress; (5) limit alcohol consumption; and (6) avoid tobacco smoke.


Resource:  American Heart Association  http://mylifecheck.heart.org/ 

No Comments by on February 5, 2010
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