Heart Medicine - Grand Daughter Visits!

Great medicine for the heart!  And it's free!  Well, not really!

5 Heart Healthy Foods

It is always good to reinforce diet!  Here is an article of some foods I've been eating:

5 Heart Healthy Foods

OK - some of my favorites!!!!

Blueberries
Salmon
Soy Protein
Oatmeal
Spinach

The only one I do not eat a lot of is the Soy Protein - here are some ways to get it!

1. Pack a soy protein bar or a bag of soy nuts for a quick snack during the day.
2. Edamame (the Japanese name for green soybeans) are snacks even kids will love! Find these nutritious nuggets in the freezer section at your supermarket. Boil them, then serve warm in the pod. Pop them out of the pod to eat plain or with a low-fat dip.
3. Tofu, made of soy beans, takes on the flavor of spices and foods you cook with it. Saute cubed tofu with green and red peppers, sliced garlic, and a dash or two of curry powder. Or add tofu to soups for a healthy dose of fat-free protein.


Web MD is one of my favorite web sites.  What do you think? I need to look for some Edamame & Soy Protein Bars!!!

Chocolate and Blood Pressure

OK chocolate fans, take a look at this article:

Chocolate nudges down BP in new meta-analysis

This is great new for chocolate lovers!  Some of the research involve Kuna Indians in Latin America!

Kuna Indians in Central America consistently have a healthy blood pressure and drink about four cups of cocoa a day, leading researchers to hypothesize that the flavanols in cocoa are probably what cause its blood-pressure-lowering effect. Flavanols increase the formation of nitric oxide, which promotes vasodilation and thus blood-pressure reduction.

This talks about Flavanols!  They are -

fla·vo·noid  (flv-noid)

n.

Any of a large group of water-soluble plant pigments, including the anthocyanins, that are beneficial to health. Also called bioflavonoid.

So, in moderation, eat chocolate!

Statins linked with development of cataracts

One thing about taking medications for any healthy issues is what are the issues both short & long term!    If you read the short term issues, it can be scary!

Here are some for Lipitor!

What side effects can this medication cause?

Atorvastatin may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• diarrhea
• constipation
• gas
• headache
• joint pain
• forgetfulness or memory loss
• confusion

Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor or get emergency medical help immediately:

• muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness
• lack of energy
• fever
• chest pain
• nausea
• extreme tiredness
• weakness
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• loss of appetite
• pain in the upper right part of the stomach
• flu-like symptoms
• dark colored urine
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• rash
• hives
• itching
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• hoarseness

Wow!  And I have been taking it for about 10 years!!!

And now Statins may cause cataracts.  Take a look at the article:

Statins linked with development of cataracts

Fighting What Life Gives You

There are many issues that we deal with when it comes to our health.  There are some issues that we can control such as your diet & exercise.  Then there are issues that we are born with, such as asthma or  heart defects.  During the 2012 Olympics there is one story that jumps out that needs to be celebrated.

Oscar Pistorius!

Check out his website at:  Oscar Pistorius!

My heart issues were difficult at age 57, but Oscar had to deal with this from birth, a double amputee, from birth!  And here he is!  Running in the Olympics!  What a story!

And he runs the 400 meters!  One of the most difficult events in track & field!

If you have not followed the story, take a look at what we can over come!

Oscar Pistorius revels in 'dream' Olympics athletics final

24 Foods to Save Your Heart

Web MD has been a great site for me to visit for heart news & ideas!  Here is a slide show showing food ideas!

Web MD - 24 Foods That Can Save Your Heart

Some good ideas!  Fresh Herbs like Sage & Thyme, Black Beans, Red Wine, Tuna, Olive Oil, Walnuts & Almonds, Sweet Potatoes, Oranges, Carrots, Oatmeal, Cherries, Blueberries, and more!  Have a look!

More News on the Mediterranean Diet

More on the Mediterranean Diet.  Checkout the following article:

The Mediterranean Diet for Heart Health

This article point out more research on this diet & the possible benefits.  The tips are:

• Avoid red meat. Use fish (preferable) or chicken instead, along with legumes, as a protein source.
• Eat lots and lots of fruits and vegetables, fresh whenever possible.
• Cook only with olive oil or canola oil.
• Eat whole grain breads and pasta
• Eat a handful of nuts daily -- walnuts, almonds, pecans and Brazil nuts have actual clinical data to back up their health benefits.
• Avoid baked goods.
• Avoid butter and products containing trans fats.
• Limit (or better, eliminate) fat-containing dairy products.
• A glass of red wine (but no more than one glass per day) can also be beneficial to heart health. You should probably check with your doctor about this one.