What’s So Super About Superfoods?

exercise

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.

Posted by http://www.axiomhealthseo.com/

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.

banana_bunch_1

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_on_plant

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

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.”

Posted By: AXIOM Health Care Marketing

Holiday Wishes from Miami Integrative Medicine

Christmas 2012

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

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

Integrative Medicine: Everything You Need to Know About Your First Visit

IM 12 13 12

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

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

Happy 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

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

A 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.

How Nutrition Is the Cornerstone of Health in Integrative Medicine

Since Integrative Medicine takes a holistic approach to improving and maintaining health for the mind, body and soul, it would be appropriate to explore the role of nutrition in the whole body approach. Learning how to eat and for what types of health conditions nutrition can treat, it is essential to make the most of an Integrative Medicine approach to becoming and staying well. No matter what you are using Integrative Medicine to treat your body for your overall health, to manage inflammation, to support your body’s ability to manage its diabetes, to maintain heart health, and to promote a stable mood, through an Integrative Medicine approach, can have real results.

Eating for your overall health, perhaps the most important principle of Integrative Medicine, can be accomplished quite easily with some easy to follow principles. No matter what type of fruits and vegetables you eat, make sure they are in season, fresh and are grown without pesticides, antibiotics, hormones and other industrial agents. Eating as many colors and types of fruits and vegetables will ensure you are well protected against acute and chronic diseases. Whether fruits and vegetable are fresh or frozen, as long as you eat 8 to 10 servings per day, you will be served well.[i]

According to research, inflammation is becoming more widespread and is the culprit that causes many chronic and debilitating diseases. However, Integrative Medicine can help people reduce and manage their levels of inflammation, thereby reducing their chances of developing such serious diseases. Eating a balanced diet of protein, carbohydrates and fats is recommended. Variety really is the spice in your diet and is great to manage inflammation. Along with eating a wide variety of naturally colored fruits and vegetables and minimizing exposure to processed foods and toxins on and in foods, eating oily fish or taking fish oil supplements helps combat inflammation.[ii]

Integrative medicine, through its holistic approach, has a nutritional approach, along with medication, to help your body naturally manage its diabetes. With a 40-30-30 ratio of non-starch vegetables, lean protein and high fiber fruits and low-glycemic fruits respectively, the Integrative Medicine approach to supporting and not-stressing out your body while have a condition such as diabetes is very effective.[iii]

Eating to maintain your heart’s health is very essential because it provides blood which provides oxygen and nutrients to the rest of your body. Along with the theme of eating naturally through fruits, vegetables, fish, meat, nuts and oil (organic, when always possible), it is essential to make healthier choices when it comes to drinks, snacks and basic staples. Some examples of replacing poor heart healthy choices for better food choices includes: using flavorful herbs and spices instead of salt; replacing beer and spirits with red wine (in moderation of course); and replacing white bread and bagels with pita or sprouted bread.[iv]

Along with eating properly to maintain and support one’s organs and cardiovascular system, Integrative Medicine has not left out nutrition when it comes to supporting ideal mental health. Building on eating well through natural, organic and minimally processed foods, there are some specific recommendations to promote an even and healthy mood through nutrition. Specific suggestions include not skipping meals, eating foods to stabilize and minimize swings of blood sugar levels, increase consumption of omega-3 fatty acids, stay away from caffeine, minimize or avoid alcohol and ensure you have normal levels of necessary vitamins and minerals.[v]

As you can see, nutrition in the Integrative Medicine approach, is very integral to supporting both the physical body and the mind. Taking a serious approach to your nutrition will enable you to support your overall health. With advice from your Integrative Medicine practitioner, you will be able to maximize your health by becoming and staying well.

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

 

 


[i] The University of Arizona. Resources: Top Ten Tips For a Healthy Diet.  http://integrativemedicine.arizona.edu/resources.html  Accessed November 15, 2012.

[ii] The University of Arizona. Resources: Anti-inflammatory Diet.   http://integrativemedicine.arizona.edu/resources.html  Accessed November 15, 2012.

[iii] The University of Arizona. Resources: Healthy Meals for Diabetics.   http://integrativemedicine.arizona.edu/resources.html  Accessed November 15, 2012.

[iv] The University of Arizona. Resources: Choosing Foods for Heart Health.   http://integrativemedicine.arizona.edu/resources.html  Accessed November 15, 2012.

[v] The University of Arizona. Resources:  Dietary Tips for Better  Mental Health.   http://integrativemedicine.arizona.edu/resources.html  Accessed November 15, 2012.