A large part of cardiovascular disease could be avoided simply by following a healthy lifestyle, diet, and stress reduction; something that most of us, unfortunately, don’t follow in today’s world.
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Tag Archives: Cardiovascular Disease
What You REALLY Need to Know about Getting Started with Integrative Medicine
So you’ve researched it, mulled it over and are now ready to make some major changes in your life. You’ve decided that integrative medicine is going to be a critical part of making such changes. Now what? If you’re stumped, this article covers everything you need to know to prepare for your first appointment.
What Makes a Food “Super”?
You’ve probably seen quite a few stories in the media in recent years about the health benefits of a group a foods that some people have labeled as “superfoods.” But just what makes a food “super,” and which foods really deserve this label? And how do the positive attributes of these “superfoods” help contribute to good health and longer life?
In fact, while many researchers recognize the benefits of many of the so-called superfoods, the term has no specific medical, scientific, or legal definition. In general, however, superfoods tend to be low in calories while being high in many essential vitamins and nutrients. Many are excellent sources of antioxidants, which are believed to contribute to the prevention of chronic illnesses including cancer and heart disease. Other superfoods have anti-inflammatory properties, which can be helpful in preventing conditions such as cancer, arthritis, and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).
Superfoods have been credited with helping to prevent three of the most debilitating diseases affecting the U.S. population – cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Lets look at each of these diseases and see how superfoods work to prevent them, as well as which foods are considered the most “super” in terms of their beneficial effects.
Cancer
Claims for the cancer-fighting properties of superfoods center around two key compounds – antioxidants and phytochemicals. Antioxidants have been credited with inhibiting the production of free radicals, highly reactive chemical agents that can cause damage to cells that may result in cancer. Common antioxidants found in many superfoods include beta-carotene, vitamin C, and lycopene. Phytochemicals are naturally-occurring compounds found in plants. According to researcher Jed Fahey of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, studies have shown that phytochemicals have the potential to protect cells from damage and mutation that lead to cancer. There are literally hundreds of phytochemicals found in a wide variety of plant foods.
Superfoods identified as particularly powerful cancer prevention agents include broccoli, spinach, berries, tomatoes, and carrots. A review of nutrition studies conducted by the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research found that broccoli and all kinds of berries can protect against cancer of the mouth, esophagus, and stomach. A study by the National Institutes of Health showed that spinach also acts a preventive agent against those cancers. Lycopene, a substance found in abundance in tomatoes, has been show in laboratory tests to inhibit the growth of cancer cells in breast and lung tissue.
Heart Disease
The antioxidant properties of superfoods are also considered to help reduce the risk of heart disease, and some of the foods on the list of cancer-preventing agents are also among those thought to be best at preventing heart disease. For example, the antioxidant anthocyanin that is found in blueberries, is thought to reduce the accumulation of LDL cholesterol (or “bad” cholesterol) that can clog arteries and contribute to heart attacks and stroke. Spinach is another cancer-fighting superfood that does double-duty against heart disease. In addition to antioxidants, spinach contains omega-3 fatty acids that prevent blood platelets from clumping together to form clots or buildup on the walls of arteries. It also contains folate that helps reduce the level homocysteine, an amino acid linked to the development of cardiovascular disease. Two other superfoods high in omega-3 fatty acids are salmon and soy protein, both of which are high on the American Heart Association’s list of heart-healthy foods.
Diabetes
The American Diabetes Association has compiled a list of superfoods that help prevent this debilitating disease. One thing all of them have in common is a low glycemic index, or GI, which measures the rise of blood sugar (glucose) after consuming a particular food. Foods with a low GI help maintain healthier levels of glucose, which can help in preventing Type 2 diabetes.
Some old friends among the superfoods that help prevent cancer and heart disease are also on the ADA’s list of diabetes fighters. These include spinach, tomatoes, berries and salmon. Whole grains, which are loaded with nutrients including folate and omega-3 fatty acids, are also recommended by the ADA. Other superfoods highly recommended by the ADA include nuts, sweet potatoes, and citrus fruit such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruit.
References
American Diabetes Association: http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/what-can-i-eat/diabetes-superfoods.html
Maeda N, Matsuraba K, Yoshida H, Mizushina Y. Anti-cancer effect of spinach glycoglycerolipids as angiogenesis inhibitors based on the selective inhibition of DNA polymerase activity. Mini Rev Med Chem. 2011 Jan;11(1):32-8.
World Cancer Research Fund / American Institute for Cancer Research (2007) Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Prevention of Cancer: a Global Perspective. Project Report. The American Institute for Cancer Research, Washington, DC.
What’s So Super About Superfoods?
You’ve probably heard about “superfoods,” but what are they and what makes them “super”? Check out this article, which discusses 3 “superfoods” and how they contribute to a healthy lifestyle.
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Superfoods You Just Can’t “Beet”
Want to know what foods are best for a healthy mind and body? Read here about 3 “superfoods” that can help you maintain optimum health.
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The “Bs” Have It: Three Superfoods for Overall Health
In recent years, nutritional researchers have made significant progress in identifying the substances in our diets that promote health and those that undermine it. The knowledge they have gathered has given us a greater understanding of which foods do the most to promote overall health and wellness, and how those foods exert their beneficial effects.
Three foods that share the label “superfoods” for their positive influence on many aspects of health, also share the same first letter: B – bananas, blueberries, and beets. Research has identified multiple health benefits from all three of these foods from lowering blood pressure to preventing heart disease to helping detoxify carcinogens in the body.
Bananas for Stress
Feeling stressed after a hard day at work? Don’t have a cocktail, eat a banana! Bananas are very high in potassium, which works to lower blood pressure, while being very low in sodium, which raises blood pressure. In fact, banana producers in the United States now may legally claim that their product reduces blood pressure and lowers the risk of stroke. High blood pressure is also one of the leading contributors to heart disease, so the benefits of bananas extend to the heart as well.
Bananas also have proven to be especially beneficial for kidney health. While a large body of research has indicated that eating fresh fruits promotes kidney function, the fruit that seem to offer the greatest protection against kidney cancer is the banana. A study reported in the January 2005 issue of the International Journal of Cancer found that women who ate four to six bananas per week had half the risk of kidney cancer as women who did not eat bananas.
Blueberries for Aging
Many of us worry about the natural effects of aging and look for ways to try to look and feel as young as possible. Few of us probably realize that having a handful of blueberries every day can help you do just that. Blueberries contain compounds called anthocyanins that research has shown may offer protection from oxidative stress, which underlies virtually all disorders commonly linked to aging – cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s disease to name just a few.
In 2006 the journal Neurobiological Aging published studies conducted at Tufts University in Massachusetts that indicated a diet supplemented with blueberries actually reversed age-related decline in the region of the brain associated with memory formation and storage. More recently, researchers at the University of Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center found that blueberries added to the diet of mice reduced the effects of atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries.
Beets to Fight Inflammation
The third of the “superfoods” contains a wide range of compounds that promote optimal health and help fight the chronic effects of aging. Research reveals that beets have particularly powerful antioxidant properties, which aid in repairing cellular damage. They have also been shown to fight chronic inflammation, which is linked to a wide range of diseases associated with aging including heart disease, atherosclerosis, and Type 2 diabetes. The fact that beets show both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects means that a diet rich in beets is highly likely to have a positive effect on reducing the risk of cancer.
Adding fiber to the diet is recognized as an excellent way to promote colon and digestive health, and beet fiber seems to be particularly helpful in this regard. Both beets and another root vegetable, carrots, contain pectin polysaccharides, substances that significantly increase these foods’ total fiber content. As a result, they may provide benefits above and beyond other vegetables in terms of promoting digestion and reducing the risk of colon cancer.
All Over-the-Counter
Perhaps the best part is that all of these super disease fighters are completely natural and readily available in any market. You don’t need a prescription to obtain them and there are no special instructions for taking them – just eat them regularly and in moderation for optimal health benefits. Of course, any time you consider a change in diet it is best to see a professional who can offer you advice on how to get the greatest benefit out of such a move. A specialist in integrative medicine in as excellent choice because he or she can help you incorporate diet as one part of a fully integrated and healthy lifestyle.
References:
Bobek P, Galbavy S, Mariassyova M. The effect of red beet (Beta vulgaris var. rubra) fiber on alimentary hypercholesterolemia and chemically induced colon carcinogenesis in rats. Nahrung 2000 Jun;44(3):184-7. 2000.
Clarke, JD, Riedl K, Bella D, Schwartz SJ, Stevens JF, Ho E. Comparison of Isothiocyanate Metabolite Levels and Histone Deacetylase Activity in Human Subjects Consuming Broccoli Sprouts or Broccoli Supplement. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2011; 110930085450000 DOI: 10.1021/jf202887c
Elbandy MA and Abdelfadeil MG. Stability of betalain pigments from a red beetroot (Beta vulgaris). Poster Session Presentation. The First International Conference of Food Industries and Biotechnology & Associated Fair. Al-Baath University, North Sinai, Egypt. Available online at: www.albaath univ.edu.sy/foodex2010/connections/ Posters/6.pdf. 2010.
Galli RL, Bielinski DF, Szprengiel A, Shukitt-Hale B, Joseph JA. Neurobiol Aging. 2006 Feb;27(2):344-50. “Blueberry supplemented diet reverses age-related decline in hippocampal HSP70 neuroprotection.” Neuroscience Laboratory, USDA-ARS Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, 711 Washington St., Boston, MA 02111, USA.
Lee CH, Wettasinghe M, Bolling BW et al. Betalains, phase II enzyme-inducing components from red beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) extracts. Nutr Cancer. 2005;53(1):91-103. 2005.
Rashidkhani B, Lindblad P, and Wolk, A. Fruits, vegetables and risk of renal cell carcinoma: A prospective study of Swedish women. International Journal of Cancer. 2005 Jan; 113 (3): 451-55.
Wu X, Kang J, Xie C, Burris R, Ferguson ME, Badger TM, Nagarajan S. USDA Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72202, USA. J Nutr. 2010 Sep;140(9):1628-32. Epub 2010 Jul 21. “Dietary blueberries attenuate atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice by upregulating antioxidant enzyme expression.”
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Holiday Wishes from Miami Integrative Medicine
The staff at Miami Integrative Medicine would like to wish everyone Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Dr. Bordenave’s practice is located at:
4908 SW 8 street, Coral Gables, Fl. 33134.
They are open Monday thru Friday 9am to 5pm.
Phone: 305.446.2444
Website: www.miamiintegrativemedicine.com
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AXIOM CORPORATE INFORMATION 69 Appaloosa Lane, Bldg C, Ste. 201 Ormond Beach, Florida 32174 Phone/Fax: 800-888-6348 Website: www.axiomadminserv.com Integrated Healthcare Marketing ServicesIntegrative Medicine: Everything You Need to Know About Your First Visit
When you decide to visit an Integrative Medicine practitioner for your initial appointment, there are some steps that you must take before the visit to make it go smoother and get better results. Your initial visit to the Integrative Medicine practitioner will cover everything necessary to establish a baseline for your Integrative Medicine treatment. Once your first visit is completed, your Integrative Medicine practitioner(s) will then analyze your medical records and information gathered from speaking with you during the visit to determine a health care plan for future visits. Your initial visit to the Integrative Medicine practitioner’s office is highly important and has many implications for the rest of your treatment for current and future medical needs.
Before you see your Integrative medical practitioner in person, there are some important and necessary steps to complete. Speak with all doctors, hospitals and related medical professionals to obtain medical records (lab reports, doctor’s notes, prescriptions records, etc.). You will need to document your personal and genetic history of diseases, chronic health conditions, etc. Along with your prescription medical records that your current practitioners have prescribed for you, you should document all supplements and herbs that you take and for what reason. Documenting what your currently ingest is good to let your Integrative Medicine practitioner understand what you are taking and to double check your medical records. Ideally, supplying as much of this as possible before your initial visit is ideal because your Integrative Medicine practitioner can review your records and personal information and ask any necessary investigatory questions.
The next step is to attend your appointment at your Integrative Medicine practitioner’s office. During your first visit, your doctor will follow up and complete their comprehensive review of your baseline health. He or she will speak with you to confirm all of the important details of your medical history – this includes surgeries, past and present major medical conditions, you and your family’s genetic past and any present issues that you are facing. Without establishing your baseline health and any existing chronic or acute health conditions, your doctor will not be able to effectively and efficiently treat you and make appropriate recommendations for your prescriptions, supplements and diet.
After performing a physical evaluation, your Integrative Medicine practitioner will evaluate your diet, supplement and exercise regimen. Based on your current health, diet, supplement regimen and exercise regimen, your Integrative Medicine practitioner will make recommendations based on each factor. Your Integrative Health medicine practitioner may also write prescriptions for the appropriate medication to treat your disease(s) along with modifying your lifestyle choices as well as your nutrition and supplement regimen. Determining your baseline health, along with what your current nutrition and supplement regimen is essential to help your Integrative Medicine practitioner customize your individual treatment program.
After your first visit your Integrative Medicine practitioner will take some time on his or her own to develop a comprehensive or “integrative” approach to your health maintenance plan. Normally, it requires no additional time or interaction with your Integrative Medicine practitioner, unless you want to supply additional medical records. This approach will analyze and synthesize all of the information your doctor has to date on you, your medical records, what you say during the visit and what other physician’s offices might add beyond your medical records. This process will then culminate into a detailed and personalized healthcare plan based on an “Integrative Medicine” approach. You will then have one or many follow-up visits depending on your current health, what you want to accomplish and what you Integrative Medicine practitioner feels is necessary to optimizing your health.
Dr. Bordenave’s practice is located at:
4908 SW 8 street, Coral Gables, Fl. 33134.
They are open Monday thru Friday 9am to 5pm.
Phone: 305.446.2444
Website: www.miamiintegrativemedicine.com
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AXIOM CORPORATE INFORMATION 69 Appaloosa Lane, Bldg C, Ste. 201 Ormond Beach, Florida 32174 Phone/Fax: 800-888-6348 Website: www.axiomadminserv.com Integrated Healthcare Marketing ServicesHappy Thanksgiving Day
Everyone at Miami Integrative Medicine would like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving Day!
Dr. Bordenave’s practice is located at:
4908 SW 8 street, Coral Gables, Fl. 33134.
They are open Monday thru Friday 9am to 5pm.
Phone: 305.446.2444
Website: www.miamiintegrativemedicine.com
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AXIOM CORPORATE INFORMATION 69 Appaloosa Lane, Bldg C, Ste. 201 Ormond Beach, Florida 32174 Phone/Fax: 800-888-6348 Website: www.axiomadminserv.com Integrated Healthcare Marketing ServicesA stress reduction program using Transcendental Meditation significantly reduced mortality, myocardial infarction, and stroke in African-American patients with coronary heart disease, researchers reported.
A stress reduction program using Transcendental Meditation significantly reduced mortality, myocardial infarction, and stroke in African-American patients with coronary heart disease, researchers reported.
Those practicing TM had a 48% reduction in these outcomes according to Robert H. Schneider, MD, of Maharishi University of Management in Maharishi Vedic City, Iowa, and colleagues.
The TM group also had a change of −4.9 mm Hg in systolic blood pressure as reported online in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.
“Reduction in systolic BP may be a physiological mechanism for reduced clinical events in this trial since this magnitude of reduction has been associated with 15% reduction in cardiovascular clinical events,” Schneider and colleagues wrote.
African Americans are disproportionately afflicted with cardiovascular disease, at least in part possibly because of environmental and psychosocial stresses.
The TM program involves daily periods during which individuals sit quietly allowing the mind to drift into a “wakeful hypometabolic state,” which is characterized by physiologic changes typical of decreased stress.
Previous studies of stress reduction using TM have shown benefits for risk factors and various clinical endpoints in the general population.
Schneider and colleagues enrolled 201 black patients who had at least one coronary artery with 50% blockage.
In the study, they assigned participants to learn the meditation technique and practice it twice a day for 20 minutes, or to health education on cardiovascular health with instructions to engage in heart-healthy behaviors each day at home.
The study took place between 1998 and 2007, in two phases separated by a period of loss of funding in 2003 and 2004.
The primary endpoint was a composite of nonfatal stroke or myocardial infarction and all-cause mortality, while secondary endpoints included cardiovascular mortality, revascularization, and hospitalization for coronary heart disease or heart failure
More than half of the patients were men, and mean age was 59. About 60% were taking lipid-lowering medications, 44% were taking ACE inhibitors, and 35% were on calcium channel blockers
“In conclusion, this randomized controlled trial found that a selected mind-body intervention, the Transcendental Meditation program, significantly reduced risk for mortality, myocardial infarction, and stroke in African-American men and women with coronary heart disease. These changes were associated with reductions in BP and psychosocial distress,” Schneider and colleagues wrote
Limitations of the study included sample sizes that were not large enough to explore single endpoints, and varying duration for time spent in the study for some participants
The study also did not attempt to assess the potential benefits of other types of mind-body programs, so additional research will be needed.
Dr. Jorge Bordenave practices Integrative, Preventive & Clinical Cardiology.
He is NOAA / UHMS Certified Dive Medical Examiner, Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, FIU Medical College and Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, Nova Southeastern University.
Dr. Bordenave’s practice is located at:
4908 SW 8 street, Coral Gables, Fl. 33134.
They are open Monday thru Friday 9am to 5pm.
Phone: 305.446.2444
Website: www.miamiintegrativemedicine.com
Posted by Axiom Administrative Services
AXIOM CORPORATE INFORMATION 69 Appaloosa Lane, Bldg C, Ste. 201 Ormond Beach, Florida 32174 Phone/Fax: 800-888-6348 Website: www.axiomadminserv.com Integrated Healthcare Marketing Services
Primary source: Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes
Source reference:
Schneider R, et al “Stress reduction in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease: a randomized controlled trial of Transcendental Meditation and health education in African Americans” Circ Cardiovasc Quality Outcomes 2012; DOI: 10.1161/CIRCOUTCOMES.112.967406.