Heart Bypass Surgery Treats Blocked Arteries

Coronary_heart_diseaseHeart disease is a major killer of people in the US, and according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, it is what kills one in four people in the US every year. It also costs the US more than 100 billion dollars in health care, medicine and lost time from work.

Heart disease can occur due to many reasons. Some of these are due to blood vessel problems such as atherosclerosis, when a substance called plaque forms in the blood vessels it can clog them up. Since these vessels are what carry nutrients and oxygen throughout the body, when they are clogged, your body will be starved of those vital components. This problem is often due to a poor diet, being obese, smoking or not exercising. All of these can lead to someone having heart disease and possibly needing heart surgery to repair their heart.

Coronary Artery Problems

In cases where a person’s heart disease is caused by blocked coronary arteries, they have coronary artery disease. A cardiologist may need to create a new pathway for the victim’s heart through heart bypass surgery. This means that a special type of surgeon who studied in cardiology will redirect the blood flow of the heart areas that are restricted and may have to put a graft into the heart to restore good blood flow.

If the proper blood flow isn’t restored to the heart, the person could end up having congestive heart failure, which means they could have a heart attack and possibly die. So, DSC06088the heart bypass operation, which is actually very common in the US, is done to prevent this possibility. The graft for the heart sometimes is taken from a blood vessel in the victim’s legs or arms or even their chest. It all depends on how bad the heart is clogged and how much of the existing blood vessels are blocked or ruined.

What is Done Prior to Heart Bypass Surgery?

Before someone undergoes heart bypass surgery it is likely the doctor will check out the heart using tests like an echocardiogram to check the heart, plus any needed blood tests or other tests. They must also make sure that the body is strong enough to withstand the rigors of heart surgery.

You may also be asked to change your diet so that your health will improve either before or after the surgery. This alternative therapy will help to get your arteries unclogged through eating a nutritious and healthy diet and limiting things like too much fat, which can cause a rise in ‘bad’ cholesterol. This contributes to the build up of plague in your arteries and causes heart disease and cardiomyopathy, which is another word for heart attack. If you find out you have an enlarged heart, this shows that your heart has been working too hard and the tissues have stretched out in an attempt to be able to pump all of the required blood throughout your body.

Heart disease is not something you want to have and in some cases it can be very hard to treat. However, if you end up having to get heart bypass surgery, this operation can help to save your life.

Contact Dr. Jorge Bordenave at Miami Integrative Medicine and set up a health care consultation. He can discuss with you ways to improve your heart health and general wellbeing using natural methods whenever possible.

 

A Heart Doctor

cardiologyA cardiologist is a heart doctor, and they know all there is to know about the anatomy of the human heart. Living in Miami or Coral Gables or anywhere else doesn’t matter when it comes to coronary heart disease. Call Dr. Bordenave for a consultation and see how integrative medicine can help you be healthier.

Chia Seeds: Top Ten Reasons they are the Superfood of 2013

chiaseedszone.com

Every year there seems to be a new superfood that gains so much popularity that only those handcuffed to a fast food restaurant without a smart phone wouldn’t know about it.  It’s on the news, the internet, your friends are talking about it, and every health magazine has a spread dedicated to this “it” food.  It’s the food that your friends brag about by posting countless Facebook pictures of their hip, new, healthy concoctions – making you want to put down your cheeseburger and GMO infested soft drink.   In 2013, it appears as if Chia seeds are generating quite the stir for health enthusiasts everywhere.  How does such a food make headlines and impress upon leaders in holistic health?  Well, the Chia seed doesn’t miss a beat when it comes to natural benefits across the board.

 1. Omega-3

Chia is extremely rich in Omega-3.  In fact, they are one of the “richest plant-based sources,” even above flax seeds and salmon!  Within the Chia seeds’ lipid profile, it has an overall omega-3 composition of 60%, which is high in alpha-linolenic acid, ACA. Benefits of omega-3 include reducing high cholesterol and inflammation, while refining cognitive performance.  Its anti-inflammatory properties, associated with Chia’s high essential fatty acid content, help improve heart health, lowers the risk for arthritis along with joint pain, and also aids in the prevention of some forms of cancer.  Enhancing hair, skin, and nail health is also associated with incorporating omega-3 fatty acids into your diet.

Chia-Seed-Nutritional-information

  2. Nutrition

“Two tablespoons of Chia seeds contain 18 percent of the DRI for calcium, 35 percent for phosphorus, 24 percent for magnesium and about 50 percent for manganese,” according to healthyeating.sfgate.com.  The nutritional makeup of Chia does wonders to your health – maintaining a healthy body weight and issues with hypertension are just a few of the benefits.  Calcium and manganese help improve bone health, and phosphorous is essential for tissue growth and repair, as well, as protein syntheses.

  3. It’s Gluten and GMO Free – Vegan and Kosher Friendly!

Gluten allergy or on a gluten free diet?  No problem, because you will not find gluten in Chia.  It is also valuable for vegans, vegetarians, and safe for those who eat Kosher.  If you have any of these dietary restrictions, you are in luck.  This superfood allows you to gain many of the health and nutrition benefits that could have been lacking in your diet – with no hidden GMOs anywhere to be found.

  4. Protein

Chia seeds are loaded with protein, which helps curb cravings and build lean muscle mass. This is definitely an advantage to any vegans or vegetarians out there scrambling to get more protein in their diet!

  5. Mental Energy

The high essential fatty acid content found in Chia seeds is excellent for improved cognitive performance, concentration, mood, and overall mental health.  It is a great study tool for all of you students out there!

  6. Endurance

mensfitness.com

Put down the Red Bull, because Chia was derived from the Mayan word for “strength,” and referred to as the “running food” by ancient Aztecs, for a reason.  The Chia seed’s hydrophilic properties and complex carbohydrates (soluble fiber) create a physical barrier between digestive enzymes and carbohydrates in your digestive system.  This barrier is a result of a gel that is formed when the soluble fiber in the seed attracts water and expands.  This efficient process allows a delay in carbohydrate to sugar conversion, thus resulting in increased metabolic rates and endurance.  This process also stabilizes blood sugar, which is essential for diabetic individuals.

  7. Weight Loss

The gel forming phenomena that takes place during digestion, along with the Chia seeds’ high protein content, makes you feel fuller faster and for an extended period of time.   Satiety is one of the major keys to weight loss, due to its power to decrease calorie intake.  The insoluble fiber in Chia seeds helps clear and detoxify the colon by clearing out the “extras”, thus by promoting digestive regularity.

  8. Hydration and Electrolyte Balance

In addition, the gel created by Chia ensures maximum hydration and electrolyte retention.  Toss the Gatorade because “the seeds absorb and retain 10-12 times their weight in water.”

  9. Inexpensive and Organic

dailymoneysaving.com

This is not a combination you hear very often, but for those on the right path of eating organically, Chia seeds can cost as low as $9 for an entire pound – this amount typically lasts for about 3 weeks.  If you want to buy in bulk, Chia lasts 4-5 years, unless it is in its gel form, which gives it a safe 2-3 weeks in the refrigerator.   Chia seeds are also naturally organic.  There is no need to treat them with pesticides because insects don’t have much interest in the product.

  10. It’s Delicious!

It took a few years after the Chia Pet hit the shelves, and thousands of years after it was a staple food for the Mayans and Aztecs, for the Chia seed to hit the shelves as a well-known health food.  The typical American diet lacks, well, standards, to say the least – especially when it comes to incorporating nutrients the natural way.  After understanding how Chia seeds can greatly improve your health and wellness, you may never want to change your diet again.  The reputation of the Chia seed may withstand the bounds of a yearly fad.

 

 

References:

Brown, Genevieve Shaw. “Chia Seeds the ‘It’ Food of 2013.” ABC News. ABC News Network, 6 Feb. 2013. Web. 10 Sept. 2013. <http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/eating-chia-seeds/story?id=18296119>.

“Chia Seeds – The Pinnacle Superfood.” Healthy-Eating-Guidelines.net. Healthy-Eating-Guidelines.net, n.d. Web. 10 Sept. 2013. <http://www.healthy-eating-guidelines.net/chia-seeds.html>.

Coles, Terri. “Chia Seed Benefits: 10 Reasons To Add Chia To Your Diet.” The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, Inc., 03 June 2013. Web. 13 Sept. 2013. <http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/06/03/chia-seed-benefits-_n_3379831.html>.

Duncan, Lindsey, ND, CN. “Chia: Ancient Super-Seed Secret.” The Dr. Oz Show. HARPO, Inc., 14 Oct. 2011. Web. 10 Sept. 2013. <http://www.doctoroz.com/blog/lindsey-duncan-nd-cn/chia-ancient-super-secret>.

“Five Health Benefits of Chia.” FitDay. Internet Brands, Inc., n.d. Web. 10 Sept. 2013. <http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/fitness/exercises/five-health-benefits-of-chia.html>.

Hathwell, Jen. “Top 10 Health Benefits of Chia Seeds.” SFGate: Healthy Eating. Demand Media, n.d. Web. 10 Sept. 2013. <http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/top-10-health-benefits-chia-seeds-6962.html>.

Katie. “10 Uses for Chia Seeds.” Wellness Mama. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Sept. 2013. <http://wellnessmama.com/4981/10-uses-for-chia-seeds/>.

Mike. “Chia Seed Benefits.” Nutrition Talk. Thrive Foods, 27 July 2009. Web. 10 Sept. 2013. <http://blog.thrivefoods.net/2009/07/chia-seeds-top-10-benefits.html>.

Photo 1: chiaseedszone.com

Photo 2: wesellchia.com

Photo 3: mensfitness.com

Photo 4: dailymoneysaving.com

Posted By: Axiom Health Care Marketing

 

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

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[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.