Posts Tagged ‘Heart’

The Anti-Heart Attack Diet

June 7, 2010 Written by JP

Many conventional nutritionists and physicians pass along a standard piece of advice with regard to managing heart disease via diet: follow the guidelines set forth by the American Heart Association (AHA). After all, who better to offer guidance than an organization that specializes in matters relating to cardiovascular disease? My Health Monday tip of the day is to discuss different, and I think, more promising, dietary options with your health care team.
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Posted in Food and Drink, Heart Health, Nutrition | 13 Comments & Updates

Natural Heart Attack Protection

November 11, 2009 Written by JP

Perhaps you’ve seen the series of commercials promoting Lipitor (atorvastatin) while watching your favorite TV shows. Lipitor is a cholesterol lowering medication that, according to the October 2009 edition of the AARP Bulletin, had sales of over $5.88 billion in 2008 alone. Needless to say, that buys a lot of advertising time. One of the major points made in these “heart to heart” adverts is that this prescription drug can lower “bad” (LDL) cholesterol levels by 39%-60%. The implication is that lowering LDL cholesterol can help reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. But there’s an emerging body of evidence that suggests that another measure of cardiovascular health should come to the forefront when assessing heart attack risk. Read more »


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Posted in Alternative Therapies, Heart Health, Nutritional Supplements | 29 Comments & Updates

Green Revolution

September 11, 2009 Written by JP

Being “green”, as in environmentally sensitive, is a big part of the social consciousness these days. It’s nearly impossible to read a newspaper or watch the evening news without noting some mention about the ecology and what can be done to improve the current state of things. But there’s another way to be “green” that I wish would also get some attention. My mission for today is to start a different kind of green revolution. It’s a lifestyle movement that requires only one change – eating and drinking more green foods. Read more »


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Posted in Nutrition | 7 Comments & Updates

Dietary Fiber and Heart Disease

September 2, 2009 Written by JP

Some people like to play board games, watch sporting events or knit in their spare time. Me? I like to browse around the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention web site. I sometimes search around there for statistics that help shape the content that ends here. The other day I found a few interesting facts and figures. I already knew that heart disease is the “leading cause of death for both women and men in the United States”. But I was still stunned by a few other statistics. In 2005, 7.6 million people’s lives ended prematurely due to coronary heart disease. In 2003, almost 40% of adults exhibited two or more of six risk factors for heart disease and stroke (diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, physical inactivity and smoking). These figures have probably only gotten worse in the time since they were compiled. This is evidenced by the most recent figure available: “In 2009, heart disease is projected to cost more than $304 billion dollars, including health care services, medications and lost productivity.” Read more »


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Posted in Food and Drink, Heart Health, Nutrition | 16 Comments & Updates

Raw Food Diet Revolution

August 7, 2009 Written by JP

One of the hottest trends in the alternative health community is raw foodism. This term encompasses many different practices and philosophical beliefs but, for the purpose of today’s column, I’ll focus on a segment of this lifestyle commonly known as “raw veganism”. Vegans make it a point not to include any animal products in their diets – no chicken, dairy, eggs, meat or seafood. Those practicing a raw lifestyle take it one step further and attempt to primarily eat uncooked and unprocessed foods. It’s a challenging diet that some outsiders view with admiration, while others see it as a fanatical way of living. Read more »


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Posted in Nutrition | 3 Comments & Updates

Quit Smoking for Good

July 31, 2009 Written by JP

According to recent figures released by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approximately $200 million dollars are wasted each year in health care costs and loss of productivity due to smoking. The World Health Organization estimates that by 2030, smoking related deaths will reach the 8 million mark annually. These figures may be shocking to some. But by now, almost everyone is aware of the health hazards associated with cigarettes. Still, the fact remains that many people continue to engage in this self destructive habit. The harsh truth is that once you get hooked on nicotine, it’s not so easy to break free. But, there are some holistic practices that may assist those who are ready to quit to find some much needed support. Read more »


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Posted in Alternative Therapies, General Health, Mental Health | 13 Comments & Updates

Holistic Brain Care

June 30, 2009 Written by JP

I’ve noticed that some people tend to compartmentalize their health conditions. Doctors and lay people alike often think about organs and systems in isolation. It’s not uncommon for someone to identify the status of their health by mentioning a particular condition, such as diabetes or heart disease. But the truth is that any serious health concern or collection of symptoms is almost always influenced by seemingly unrelated conditions. This concept is widely embraced in the holistic community but has gained slower acceptance in the allopathic medical establishment. Regardless of what kind of doctor treats you, I think it’s important to emphasize the subtle links between body systems. Today, I’ll illustrate an example by connecting the dots among several separate news items. Read more »


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Posted in Exercise, Mental Health, Nutrition | 8 Comments & Updates

Pumpkin Seeds

June 29, 2009 Written by JP

One of the greatest challenges to maintaining a healthy lifestyle is finding practical ways to properly nourish ourselves while “on the go”. An occasional indulgence in an unhealthy meal or snack isn’t the end of the world. But too often, that lapse is enough to throw off overall momentum for longer periods of time. This is a real concern for those who are trying to manage chronic health conditions or who have embarked on weight loss programs. Today I’ll review one of my favorite snacks, which not only helps support good health, but allows me to stay on plan even during the busiest of times. Read more »


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Posted in Nutrition, Product Reviews | 15 Comments & Updates

Light Therapy, Low Carb Diets and Coffee Updates

June 9, 2009 Written by JP

This site is all about providing information about safe(r) and viable alternatives to conventional treatments. Although I understand that some of the data presented here could be considered controversial, that’s not my intention. In fact, I try not to factor that in at all when writing these columns. My sincere intent is to allow for the scientific research to dictate which items I cover. I do, however, make a conscious effort to find material that is unlikely to get much attention from the “traditional medical establishment”. By presenting such data, I hope to assist readers in making a more informed decision as to how to best formulate a wellness program.
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Posted in Men's Health | 12 Comments & Updates

Dr. Oz and Sauna Therapy

April 30, 2009 Written by JP

Recently I was flipping through the channels on my TV and spotted a segment on The Oprah Winfrey Show that featured Dr. Mehmet Oz. He was discussing all sorts of unconventional medical treatments and natural therapies that he felt were legitimate. One of the items on his radar was an infrared sauna. He cited benefits ranging from lowering blood pressure to increasing metabolism (calorie burning), and even eliminating toxins through the skin. Oprah conducted part of the interview with Oz in the sauna itself. They got out just prior to breaking a sweat.
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Posted in Alternative Therapies, Detoxification, Heart Health, Mental Health | 8 Comments & Updates

A Natural Approach to Heart Disease

January 13, 2009 Written by JP

Many patients and doctors believe that heart disease is a progressive illness. And, to be quite frank, they have good reason to adopt that view. The vast majority of the time, heart disease does, in fact, become more severe with time. And we all know the end result. But that’s what makes the news in today’s blog very exciting. I’m going to share some evidence that shows that heart disease can possibly be halted and even reversed to some extent. Read more »


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Posted in Heart Health | 2 Comments & Updates

Nutrition Myths Exposed!

December 17, 2008 Written by JP

Eggciting News!

Eggs are loaded with cholesterol and saturated fat. Doctors, neighbors, pharmacists and even zoologists tell us that eggs are bad for our heart. But are they really as harmful as “they” say? And are all eggs created equal? Read more »


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Posted in Nutrition | 4 Comments & Updates

Hot Cocoa Power

December 11, 2008 Written by JP

Let’s go back in time ten years. It’s 1998 and you and I are playing a guessing game. The topic is: What will be the hottest health food in the year 2008? I’m not sure what I would have guessed. But I’m fairly confident that neither of us would have guessed that food would be chocolate. Read more »


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Posted in Food and Drink | 10 Comments & Updates