Are Middle Aged Men More Prone to Heart Disease?
For years, heart disease has been associated most prominently with middle aged men. However, recent studies have put this myth to rest. Dr. Robert Beaglehole , WHO Director of Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion, states that "the old stereotype of cardiovascular diseases affecting only stressed, overweight, middle-aged men in developed countries no longer applies." In fact the burden has shifted from gender to economics-- men, women, even children are at risk because 80% of those at risk come from low and middle-income families where healthy dietary and lifestyle habits are difficult to maintain. The emphasis in heart disease risk factors has shifted away from genetic disposition to lifestyle and diets.
What this means is that no one is immune from heart disease because of gender and age. What it also means is that everyone has the ability to prevent heart disease by initiating active lifestyle changes.
At the bottom of this shift in attitude is a new understanding of the mechanism behind heart disease. Recent research suggests that atherosclerosis resulting from elevated cholesterol levels in the blood is not the major contributor to heart problems as once thought because half of the people who have heart attacks have normal cholesterol levels. Moreover, improved imaging techniques show that plague formation is not as critical in coronary fatalities as once assumed.
The culprit behind coronary events is now understood to be inflammation. Blood tests that measure C-reactive proteins (CPR) as prediction of heart attack are receiving a great deal of attention these days because elevated levels of this protein indicate active inflammation of the arteries.
In fact, studies have shown that healthy middle-aged men with the highest CPR levels were 3 times as likely to suffer a heart attack in the next 6 years than those with the lowest CPR levels.
Think of inflammation as a double-edged sword: it enables the body's immune system to defend itself against invading pathogens; if not turned off, it becomes the culprit that turns the body's immune system against itself. The aftereffects of this unnatural chronic inflammation is more and more viewed by researchers to be the underlying cause not only of coronary problems, but of diseases like Alzheimer's, cancer and diabetes.
What does this new shift in thinking mean in terms of prevention?
a) Dr. Andrew Weil In "Healthy Aging"
suggests that diet influences inflammation and strongly proposes that we adopt an anti-inflammatory diet that is rich in omega-3, fish,
phytonutrients and low in sugar, high-glycemic carbohydrates and red meat. Such a diet would also reduce excess body fat and obesity-both contributing factors towards diabetes and heart disease.
b) Moderate aerobic and strength-training exercises that tone the heart muscle and improve the elasticity of arteries are also recommended as exercise increases mood enhancing endorphins and reduces stress which can cause cardiac arrhythmias.
c) Stop Smoking. The risk of heart attack in smokers is more than double that of non-smokers.
d) Lower blood pressure with breathwork.
Dr. David Anderson at the US National Institute of Health suggests that how we breathe may hold the key to how the body regulates blood pressure. Slow breathing not only elicits relaxation response but may also be able to break down the salt we eat. Excess salt is related to hypertension. Meditation and guided imagery visualization are all tools that expand on the use of breathwork.
e) New FDA regulation that requires nutrition labeling to clearly state how much trans fat a product contains will also do much to raise public consciousness of the perils of trans fat.
At the same time, public campaigns to identify foods that lower LDL cholesterol are also underway. An example is the new cholesterol-lowering margarines that are fortified with plant sterols that block cholesterol absorption.
Heart disease is no longer the disease of overweight, highly stressed middle-aged men. All of us are empowered to view coronary problems as something we can change through lifestyle and dietary intervention. We can no longer hide behind the myth of "genetic" disposition or family history which unfortunately incapacitates us by indulging our excuse that we are victims of our physiology and that nothing can be done.
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To Diet or Not to Diet and the Right Answer
It's that time of the year again ? the sun is shining, our mood is rising and we want to throw away the layers of winter clothes and with them the extra kilos that have somehow managed to sneak in again?Suddenly we are all ears for the latest diet out there. This one WILL work for us. This time we are more determined, more worked up. So we start big, armed with books, tips, gym gear, calorie counting and panting our way to slimness. And we get tired and mentally exhausted -not so much from exercising or calorie counting but from having to think about food all the time.
Diets can become very obsessive, mentally and physically exhausting. But what is more ? they create havoc with our metabolism. The more we diet the less efficient our metabolism is so unless we plan to keep this diet for the rest of our life, then we are definitely going to regain our pre-diet weight and even some more?The other thing about diets is that they expect us all to be the same and react the same way to...
To Diet or Not to Diet and the Right Answer
Diets > To Diet or Not to Diet and the Right Answer
The Pros and Cons of Fad Dieting
It is very tempting to try that fad diet that you have found in the latest magazine that promises the world with fantastic fat losses without doing a thing. Just takea couple of fat burning pills follow the diet and then bang! A brand new you in a couple of weeks. The sad fact is they do not work, they just provide more suffering in your efforts to lose weight, the only thing you lose is your hard earned money.Firstly we will look at the latest fad diets on the scene at the moment, their pros and cons and then you will be shown how to save your time, money and unnecessary suffering bypointing you in the right direction for permanent weightloss. The latest studies show that 90 per cent of fad dietersregained everything they had lost and even gained more within eighteen months. The Atkins Diet.The body burns carbohydrates and then fat for energy.This diet recommends limiting the intake of starchy,high carb foods so that the fat is burned first.
So byeating meat, cheese and eggs...
The Pros and Cons of Fad Dieting
Diets > The Pros and Cons of Fad Dieting
Is Your Weight Loss Diet Weighing You Down?
Is Your Weight Loss Diet Weighing You Down?
Americans spend billions upon billions of dollars every year trying to get in shape. We try weight loss diet after weight loss diet, only to fail miserably, or lose a little and then gain it back once we stop the diet. We've all heard the advice that "diets don't work," but what DOES work? Is there really a healthy weight loss diet we can start today and stay on-- reasonably--forever?
There is no simple answer to this question. There is so much confusing research and so many conflicting studies that people don't know where to turn. Every book that comes out claims to contain the latest and greatest weight loss diet.
Every guru you see on TV says they have the secret. But it seems that every time you try something new, you end up disappointed.
So, when you need a weight loss diet, what should you look for? There are a few basic principles that everyone should keep in mind when searching...
Diets > Is Your Weight Loss Diet Weighing You Down?
Junk Foods Kill.
All of the following are health hazards.Fatty foodsHigh salt levelsSugar and most artificial sweeteners. Americans now consume roughly 25 times as much sugar and equivalents as was typical around 1900, which is not healthful. Refined sugar, high fructose syrup, and the three major artificial "no calorie" sweeteners (aspartame,saccharin, and sucralose) release chemicals into the body, and high usage has been implicated in headaches, cancers, lupus, and multiple sclerosis.Anyone wanting to lose weight should not ingest any sweetsthat are not natural to foods, such as fresh or dried fruits.Instead of candy, try a handful of raisins and almonds, nutswhich provide beneficial Omega-3 fatty acids like those found in fish.It is interesting that children taking drugs for "Attention Deficit Hyper Activity Disorder" (ADHD), such as Ritalin, often get better when all processed sugars are removed from their diets, and the drugs stopped.******************************************* Diet with FACTS,...
Junk Foods Kill.
Diets > Junk Foods Kill.
?The Great Health Debate? - MARCH 9, 2004
"The Great Health Debate" MARCH 9th:Dr. Barry Sears - author of The Zone DietDr. Stuart Trager - chief representative of the Atkins Nutritional ApproachDr. James Kenney - Director of Nutritional Research at the Pritikin Longevity CenterDr. Joel Fuhrman ? author of Eat to LiveTony Guida (WCBS, CNN, WNBCTV, WCBSTV, WNBCTV) - ModeratorObesity and weight loss are among America's top priorities today as is reflected, almost daily, in our media.
Weight loss plans and diets have expended millions of dollars in promoting their products and have raked in extravagant profits in sales. But do they work? Are some diets healthier than others? Are some plans known to be detrimental to our health?In an attempt to respond to these questions, THE SOCIETY OF SUCCESS AND LEADERSHIP will host The Great Health Debate on Tuesday, March 9, 2004 at 7:00-8:40 p.m. at the Berrie Center for Performing Arts in Ramapo College, Mahwah, NJ.
The event will be broadcast live, via satellite, to 75 college...
Diets > ?The Great Health Debate? - MARCH 9, 2004
Redecue the Risk of Diabetes by Losing Weight
Copyright 2006 Adam Waxler
Is it possible to reduce the risks of diabetes through by losing weight? How about actually reversing the effects of diabetes?
The answers to these questions may surprise you.
In March, 2005, the American Diabetes Association published the results of the comprehensive Diabetes Prevention Program. The Diabetes Prevention Program was conducted at over 25 medical centers nationwide and involved thousands of participants.
The participants volunteered to have their habits monitored while they followed dietary and exercise recommendations. All participants had been diagnosed with 'pre-diabetes', a condition where the blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not yet in diabetic ranges. Untreated, more than half of those people diagnosed with pre-diabetes will develop full-blown type 2 diabetes within a decade.
For the purposes of the study, the participants were divided into two groups.
Both groups...
Redecue the Risk of Diabetes by Losing Weight
Diets > Redecue the Risk of Diabetes by Losing Weight
Red meat consumption doubles risk of colon cancer, says study; is it time to go vegetarian yet?
Copyright 2006 Truth Publishing
A current study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows a doubling of the risk of colon cancer for people who are heavy consumers of red meat. More specifically, it shows that the risk doubles compared to those who consume smaller quantities of red meat. But how does this compare to people who consume no red meat at all?
This is conjecture, but I'm willing to bet that heavy consumers of red meat probably have quadruple the risk (or more) of colon cancer compared to vegetarians or people who consume no red meat. By the way, you don't have to be a vegetarian to boycott red meat. You can still be a consumer of other sources of animal protein (fish, seafood, etc.) while avoiding red meat.
There are plenty of health reasons to avoid eating red meat, and a higher risk of colon cancer is just one of them.
The saturated animal fat found in red meat products contributes to heart disease and...
Red meat consumption doubles risk of colon cancer, says study; is it time to go vegetarian yet?
Diets > Red meat consumption doubles risk of colon cancer, says study; is it time to go vegetarian yet?
Bachmann Software Brings Windows Networking to Palm Powered Handhelds
(ContentDesk via MobilityNewswire) March 25, 2004 -- Bachmann Software today introduced version 3.0 of its popular FilePoint software. With version 3.0, Bachmann's file management application for handhelds now gives Palm Powered? handheld owners the ability to access, browse and copy files to and from shared network drives, just as they do today from their laptops and desktop computers. FilePoint 3.0's powerful explorer-like user interface...
Are Middle Aged Men More Prone to Heart Disease? dvd copy
Diets > Bachmann Software Brings Windows Networking to Palm Powered Handhelds
New iPod Battery Service Provider Differentiates Itself from the Competition with Robust Batteries, Detailed Instructions, Effective Tools, and Superior Service
San Antonio, TX (ContentDesk) September 11, 2005 ? ipodjuice.com, a new iPod battery service provider located in San Antonio, TX, provides battery replacement kits that uniquely differentiate them from the competition. "There are many companies that sell iPod batteries, but they don't provide customers with the proper tools or guidance, which results in frustration and, even worse, increases the likelihood of damaging the...
Are Middle Aged Men More Prone to Heart Disease?
Diets > New iPod Battery Service Provider Differentiates Itself from the Competition with Robust Batteries, Detailed Instructions, Effective Tools, and Superior Service
Man White Gold Rings
It is commonly believed that white gold man rings do not look good and masculine. This is perhaps the main reason why man rings in white gold are quite hard to find. Jewelry designers and sellers have played by the market trend and avoided white gold for men's rings. There is only one possible reason that has led to this belief. White is a color that is associated with something fine and delicate and therefore thought to be unsuitable for men's rings and jewelry.
Design research has proved...
Are Middle Aged Men More Prone to Heart Disease? Man White Gold Rings jewelry
Diets > Man White Gold Rings
SOBERJAM RESCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 30TH, 2004 (due to Hurricane Ivan) Second Annual SoberJam Celebrates Louisiana Recovery Day
New Orleans, LA (ContentDesk) October 3, 2004 -- SoberJam 2004 to be held October 30, 2004. Hurricane Ivan's evacuations and threat to the City of New Orleans caused organizers to reschedule SoberJam 2004 from its original date of September 18, 2004.September is National Alcohol and other Drug Recovery Month. For the second year, SoberJam is uniting to recognize and celebrate recovery from alcohol and drug addictions in Louisiana, as function of National Recovery Month. SoberJam is a state-wide...
Are Middle Aged Men More Prone to Heart Disease? SOBERJAM RESCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 30TH, 2004 (due to Hurricane Ivan) Second Annual SoberJam Celebrates Louisiana Recovery Day
Diets > SOBERJAM RESCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 30TH, 2004 (due to Hurricane Ivan) Second Annual SoberJam Celebrates Louisiana Recovery Day
Viagra: an effective treatment for ED
Viagra, known as the little blue pill, was launched in the US in 1998 and was an instant hit to treat impotence and to treat Erectile Dysfunction. It was the first approved non-surgical treatment of ED that does not have to be either injected or inserted directly into the penis to achieve and maintain an erection. Viagra was the first PDE 5 inhibitors to be launched in the market and has proved that it is an effective and a safe treatment for ...
Are Middle Aged Men More Prone to Heart Disease?
Diets > Viagra: an effective treatment for ED