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Do You Know The Warning Signs Of A Heart Attack?

February 28, 2012 by 30 Comments

February is Heart Health Awareness month.  Did you know that heart disease is the number 1 killer of women in America?  I’ve address this issue in another post some time ago.

I found an interesting video, that provides great information regarding the warning signs of a heart attack.  This is important because you must take action quickly to get help.  What you do in the first 5 minutes, may save your life.

The video by Elizabeth Banks, and is provided courtesy of Mother Nature Network.

The best definition I’ve found describing  a heart attack, is from the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute:

“A heart attack occurs if the flow of oxygen-rich blood to a section of the heart muscle suddenly becomes blocked.  If blood flow isn’t restored quickly, the section of the heart muscle begins to die.”

Remember these warning signs:

  • Chest discomfort;
  • Discomfort in other areas of your upper body such as the arms,neck or jaw;
  • Shortness of breath;
  • Nausea;
  • Lightheadedness; and
  • Breaking out in a cold sweat.

For more information, go to the American Heart Association and GoRedForWomen.org websites.

The Bottom Line:  Why risk a heart attack, when prevention is within your own hands!  You know you need physical activity, and a better diet.  Do what you need to do NOW!  The life you save, could be your own.

It’s your life, live well.

 

twitt Do You Know The Warning Signs Of A Heart Attack?

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  1. What Can Arginine Do For Your Heart?
  2. 4 Top Supplements For Your Heart!
  3. Can 20 Minutes Of Exercise Save Your Heart?
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Filed Under: Exercise/Fitness, Womens Health Tagged With: , ,

Does Metabolic Syndrome Have You In Its Grasp? (Part 2)

December 13, 2011 by 44 Comments

In the previous post, we looked at the risk factors for developing Metabolic Syndrome, the precursor to Type 2 diabetes.  What can you do to prevent or reverse this silent danger to your health?

Dr. Todd Ferguson, a naturopathic doctor, has some great suggestions on action steps you can take right now.  He believes that 90% of Type 2 diabetes can be improved, or even cured by diet and lifestyle changes.  These changes can help improve Metabolic Syndrome as well.

Some of Dr. Ferguson’s suggestions include:

  • Make food choices having a low Glycemic Index, to lessen your blood sugar spikes;
  • Eating small, frequent meals throughout the day, will help keep your blood sugar from fluctuating too much;
  • Eating whole grains, rather than foods containing refined grains;
  • Doing aerobic and weight training exercises; and
  • Taking fish oil, magnesium and alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) supplements.

Check out this short video of Dr. Ferguson discussing all of his ideas:

Health Videos – Treating Metabolic Syndrome

Could there be any simpler steps to improving your wellness?

The Glycemic Index that Dr. Ferguson refers, indicates how different foods affect your blood sugar, as well as your insulin level.  The lower the index number, the less affect that food has for spiking your blood sugar level.  Any food with a Gylcemic Index of between 60 – 100, is considered high glycemic and should be avoided.

Two great sources of information on the Glycemic Index can be found at the following links: Harvard Medical  School and The World’s Healthiest Foods.

The Bottom Line:  Why take a chance on developing Metabolic Syndrome?  The answers are right in front of you.  Remember, Just about every friend or relative of mine with Type 2 diabetes died prematurely.  It’s my hope that you can avoid their fates.

It’s your life, live well!

twitt Does Metabolic Syndrome Have You In Its Grasp? (Part 2)

Related posts:

  1. Does Metabolic Syndrome Have You In Its Grasp? (Part 1)
  2. Can You Build Muscles To Prevent Diabetes?
  3. 5 Ways Magnesium Helps You!
  4. Eat Right For More Energy!
Filed Under: Dietary Supplements, Exercise/Fitness, Mens Health, Womens Health Tagged With: , ,

Does Metabolic Syndrome Have You In Its Grasp? (Part 1)

November 17, 2011 by 295 Comments

There’s a silent tsunami in our midst.  Most people are unaware they have it.  Yet, you dare not ignore it because the end results can be extremely devastating.

I’m talking about Metabolic Syndrome.  Also, known as pre-diabetes or insulin resistance.  There’s an estimate that 79 million Americans have it, another estimate claims 60% of us are affected.  Either way you slice it, a staggering number of people are at its mercy.

The following criteria for Metabolic Syndrome was obtained from MayoClinic.com.  If you meet just 3 out of the 5 listed, you have Metabolic Syndrome:

  1. Excess body fat around your waist.  This means, men with a waist size of 40 inches or more, and women with a waist size of 35 inches or more.
  2. A triglycerides level greater than 150.
  3. HDL cholesterol levels of less than 40 for men, and less than 50 for women.
  4. Elevated blood sugar, as indicated by a fasting blood glucose level greater than 100.
  5. Elevated blood pressure over 130/85.

Metabolic Syndrome, or insulin resistance, occurs when your diet and lifestyle collide to overwork your pancreas.  Instead of the insulin released from the pancreas converting your food into glucose for energy, your body’s cells fail to respond normally to insulin.  The glucose (sugars) don’t enter the cells.  So, your blood sugars increase, causing you to gain more weight.

Eventually, your insulin production becomes so ineffective, that your blood sugars increase to the point where you have the risk of becoming a Type 2 diabetic.

Check out the following interview with Dr. Kevin Weiland, an internal medicine specialist and author of the book, The Dakota Diet.

Health Videos – 5 Risk Factors for Metabolic Syndrome

The Bottom Line:  You control your exposure to Metabolic Syndrome.  If being overweight and physically inactive are acceptable to you, I wish you well.  However, just a few lifestyle changes can help you prevent or even overcome this precursor to diabetes.

In my next post, I’ll cover some action steps you can take right now to control this beast.  See ya next time!

It’s your life, live well.

twitt Does Metabolic Syndrome Have You In Its Grasp? (Part 1)

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Filed Under: Exercise/Fitness, Mens Health, Weight Loss, Womens Health Tagged With: ,

How To Age Gracefully!

September 13, 2011 by 3 Comments

Like it or not, you’re getting older each day.  You no longer have to be “just lucky” to reach 70 , 80 or older during you life.  Thus, how can you age, with as much quality of life as possible?

Ann Boroch, is a Certified Nutritional Consultant (CNC) and Naturopath, with a private practice outside Los Angeles.  She has appeared on numerous television and radio programs, discussing wellness issues.  Ms. Boroch has some definite ideas on “Quality Aging”, and what it takes to enjoy peak health during this journey called life.

Ms. Boroch believes it’s imperative for you to take charge of your health, by doing the following:

  • Eating a healthy diet;
  • Reducing the toxicity in your living environment;
  • Getting plenty of physical activity;
  • Taking the right supplements; and
  • Lowering your acidity, to reduce inflammation in your body.

Take a look at this short video of an interview with Ms. Boroch, courtesy of ihealthtube.com:

Health Videos – A Quality Anti-Aging Checklist

These suggestions are the foundation of her “Anti-Aging” checklist.  Do you see any need for improvement in your life?

The Bottom Line:  You have two choices.  The first, is to continue health practices that leave your life to the mercy of chance, hoping for a good result.  Or you will take more responsibility for your health, by adopting a lifestyle more likely to end with “golden years” later.  It’s up to you. The one thing certain is, aging will happen.  The question becomes, how will you engage the process?

Do you want to age gracefully?

It’s your life, live well.

twitt How To Age Gracefully!

Related posts:

  1. Women, Protect Your Bones! (Part 2)
  2. What’s In Your Multivitamin?
  3. Are You Taking These Supplements?
  4. The New Secret Of Vitamin C!
Filed Under: Anti-aging, Dietary Supplements, Exercise/Fitness, Mens Health, Vitamins, Womens Health Tagged With: , , , , ,

10 Ways To Relieve Stress!

September 2, 2011 by 31 Comments

In the two prior posts, we looked at all the dangers of chronic stress and using kind words to diffuse the effects of stress.  What other tools can you try to reduce the stress in your life?

The Mayo Clinic has an entire section concerning stress management on their website.  These 10 ways to reduce stress are not the only methods available, but suggest a starting point for you.  You’ll need to “mix and match” the different suggestions, to find out what works for you when stress appears.

10 ways to relieve your stress are:

  1. Don’t be a push-over, assert yourself;
  2. Learn how to meditate;
  3. Listening or playing music;
  4. Do some physical activity;
  5. Socially connect with others;
  6. Laughter helps;
  7. Try yoga;
  8. Write in a journal;
  9. Improve the quality and quantity of your sleep; and
  10. Don’t be afraid to seek professional counseling.

You know what’s great about these methods?  Most of them will cost you nothing.  Yes, you’ll be able to keep your wallet in your pocket.  Your budget is no excuse for not trying these suggestions.

Here’s a link to more information on these tips and others, at the Mayoclinic.com site.  Check it out now.

The Bottom Line:  Since you’ll never be able to lead a “stress-free” life, it’s your responsibility to build your toolkit for dealing with stress.  Your overall health and sense of well-being depend on stress management.  Life is too precious to lose even one minute, to the havoc of stress.  If you don’t want to do it for yourself, do for the people you love.

How are you going to handle stress today?

It’s your life, live well.

twitt 10 Ways To Relieve Stress!

Related posts:

  1. How To Deal With Stress!
  2. Are Kind Words An Answer For Stress?
  3. Don’t Let Stress Damage Your Health!
  4. How To Get More Energy!
Filed Under: Energy/Fatigue, Exercise/Fitness, Mens Health, Sleep,Stress,& Mood, Womens Health Tagged With: , ,
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