Blog - Page 29 of 122 - Lower Cholesterol and Blood Pressure with Lisa Nelson RD

Aggressively lower blood pressure to reduce heart disease risk 33%

Published February 10, 2016 | By Lisa Nelson, RD

One out of three U.S. adults, 33 percent, have high blood pressure. This equals around 70 million Americans.

About 65 percent over the age of 60 have high blood pressure.

High blood pressure increases your risk for heart disease and stroke. These are two leading causes of death in the U.S.

What is high blood pressure?

High blood pressure is defined as having a blood pressure at or above 140/90 mm Hg.

140 (top number) is your systolic reading.

90 (bottom number) is your diastolic reading.

Current guidelines for treating high blood pressure are to lower systolic blood pressure to below 140 mg Hg and below 130 mm Hg for adults with kidney disease or diabetes. The most commonly prescribed treatment is blood pressure medication, which can be effective, but includes potential side effects.

Would the benefits of lower blood pressure guidelines outweigh the cons associated with more aggressive treatment and higher medication dosage?

The Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) began in the fall of 2009, including 9300 participants 50 years of age or older. It is worth noting 28% of participants were over the age of 75. SPRINT is the first study to investigate the impact of maintaining a systolic blood pressure at a lower level than current guidelines and the impact on cardiovascular and kidney disease.

SPRINT investigators divided participants into two groups.

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Did you know hearing loss can be connected to heart disease?

Published January 27, 2016 | By Lisa Nelson, RD

Heart disease impacts blood flow to the inner ear, which can lead to hearing loss.

EarQ, a nationwide network of values-driven, patient-focused, and forward-thinking independent hearing healthcare providers, provides patients greater access to life-changing hearing devices and services. EarQ shared information explaining the connection between hearing loss and heart disease below.

While you’re already monitoring your blood pressure and cholesterol level to protect yourself against heart disease, there’s one more risk factor you need to consider: your hearing.

Researchers have called the ears a “window to the heart” because audiogram patterns correlate with signs of heart issues by showing decreased blood flow to the cochlea, the structure within the inner ear that supports the auditory process.

As sounds travel through the cochlea, they’re converted into neural signals for your brain to process and understand. Over time, disruptions to that process can contribute to a variety of physical, emotional, and mental health concerns. Because hearing loss can occur gradually, the best way to monitor your hearing health is to receive an annual hearing screening.

Women have a special connection to both heart disease and hearing loss and can especially benefit from taking steps to improve their health. In addition to annual screenings, there is a more tasty way to lower your risk of heart disease and hearing loss. Studies have shown that women who eat two or more servings of fish a week have a decreased risk of developing hearing loss, as the omega-3 fatty acids support healthy blood flow throughout the body, including the cochlea.

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Posted in Heart Health | Tagged blood flow, cochlea, hearing loss, Heart Disease, heart health, inner ear

Are Over The Counter Drugs Safe? Surprising Side Effects and Safer Alternatives

Published January 13, 2016 | By Lisa Nelson, RD

Medications and health products that can be purchased over-the-counter (OTC) at a pharmacy are assumed to be safe, but these products do carry the risk of side effects and health risks, especially when not used as recommended. The Drug Abuse Warning Network estimates that of the 2.1 million drug abuse emergency room visits, 27.1 percent involved nonmedical use of pharmaceuticals including prescription or OTC medications, and dietary supplements. Many people believe since these products are “over-the-counter,” that makes them safe.

That is not necessarily the case. Many OTC products have potential health risks, including side effects that impact heart health.

Sherry Torkos award winning pharmacist and author of Saving Women’s Hearts, has identified some of the most commonly used OTC product categories, some surprising side effects associated with these drugs, and smart alternatives to stay safe

1. Analgesics : Pain and discomfort from lifting, exercising, leg cramps and everyday life are often treated with over-the-counter analgesics such as aspirin, acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Up to 70 percent of the population in Western countries use analgesics regularly, primarily for muscle and joint pain. These drugs, while safe for some, can cause serious side effects, such as liver and kidney damage, ringing in the ears, stomach bleeding, rebound headaches, and increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Safer alternatives include curcumin and products that contain BioCell collagen. Curcumin helps reduce inflammation. BioCell collagen is a clinically studied form of collagen that helps to improve joint health and mobility. It is unique from other collagen products in that it is easily absorbed and gets to the target area. BioCell collagen is also great for the skin and has been shown to improve hydration and reduce wrinkles and fine lines.

2. Decongestants: These drugs are used to relieve congestion due to colds, allergies and sinus/ear pressure when flying. OTC decongestants carry the risk of serious side effects such as racing heart, increased blood pressure, insomnia, thinning of the delicate nasal lining, and worsening of health problems such as glaucoma and prostate disease. A safer way to relieve congestion is to use a nasal wash (neti pot) with essential oils such as eucalyptus to dissolve mucus and moisturize nasal passages. To relieve sinus congestion when flying swallow frequently, chew gum or suck on hard candy and try yawning big. Swallowing or yawning opens the eustachian tube and allows air to flow into or out of the middle ear, keeping the air pressure on both sides of the eardrum equal.
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Posted in Heart Health | Tagged analgesics, decongestants, drugs, laxatives, medicine, otc, over the counter, sedatives, sherry torkos, sleep aids, stimulants, throat sprays

Foods Banned in Other Countries, But Allowed in the U.S.

Published December 30, 2015 | By Lisa Nelson, RD

Did you know many foods you eat are banned in other countries? Here are five foods banned in various countries, but still allowed in the U.S.

#1 Farm Raised Salmon

Farm raised salmon are raised on a diet of grains, antibiotics, and synthetic chemicals not shown to be safe for human consumption. Farm raised salmon has been banned in Australia and New Zealand. Stick to wild salmon whose pinkish-red color comes naturally from carotenoids in their diet for heart healthy omega 3’s.

#2 Trans Fats

There are both naturally occurring and artificial trans fats. The majority of trans fats we consume are artificially produced during the industrial process to make liquid oils more solid (ie partially hydrogenated oil). Trans fats extend shelf life and enhance food flavor and texture. Trans fats are linked to increased heart disease risk. Banned in Denmark, Austria, and Switzerland. US companies have until 2018 to remove trans fats from their products.

#3 Artificial Colors Dyes

Thousands of preservatives, colors, and flavorings are added to US food. Artificial colors, such as yellow 5, yellow 6, and red 40, have been linked to behavior problems, as well as cancer and birth defects in lab animals. Banned in Norway and Austria. Most foods in the European Union containing food dyes must include a warning notice.

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Posted in Heart Health | Tagged artificial colors, artificial dyes, banned foods, olestra, salmon

Enjoy the Holidays WITHOUT Trans Fats

Published December 24, 2015 | By Lisa Nelson, RD

Guest post provided by Jonny Bowden, PhD, CNS aka “The Nutrition Myth Buster”.

So you’ve decided to eat healthy over the holidays. This year, you’re going to buck the trend and avoid that typical six-pound weight gain. What’s more: This year is the year to really get into shape, and take your overall health and vitality up a notch.

But now? With so much contradictory advice out there – paleo, raw foods, vegan, high protein, low fat, and my own recently published high-fat program (“Smart Fat: Eat more Fat, Lose More Weight, Get Health Now!”) – no wonder consumers are confused!

But there’s one thing every single health professional agrees on, no matter where they stand on the nutritional advice spectrum: Cut out the trans fat.

What are trans fats?
Trans fats are an artificially produced kind of “frankenfat” blamed for an estimated 20,000 heart attacks annually, and another 7,000 heart disease deaths. And they are a serious public health concern. They’re made by artificially forcing hydrogen atoms into unsaturated fat, forming a kind of mutant fat which is great for the shelf life of processed foods, but not for the life of the humans who consume it.

The ironic part is that the reason we put trans fat in our diet in the first place was an ill-conceived attempt to get saturated fat out. The irony is that the saturated fats we banished from our diet are turning out to be either neutral or beneficial, while hydrogenated vegetable oils (trans fats) are just plain bad news.

How can trans fats get hidden inside “zero trans fat” foods?
The FDA is now calling for the elimination of trans fats from the food supply over the next three years. But big commercial food manufacturers are a crafty bunch. Seeing the writing on the wall, Big Food began lobbying for loopholes in the regulations years ago. Sure enough, they got one. And it’s a doozy.

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Posted in Heart Health | Tagged jonny bowden, trans fat

Triglycerides: What Fat and Sugar Have in Common

Published December 22, 2015 | By Lisa Nelson, RD

Holiday splurges can result in more than extra weight to shed in the New Year. Sweet cookies, pies, and candies all rich in fat, along with excess alcohol and calories can lead to a spike in triglyceride levels. This increase in triglycerides may put you at increased risk for heart disease.

In the Q&A section below, Lorraine Matthews-Antosiewicz, registered dietitian and author of 10 Days to Sugar Free: Sugar Detox Survival Guide, has answered questions regarding the relationship between triglycerides, sugar, and fat.

What are triglycerides?

Triglycerides are a type of fat that come from food, and your body also makes them. They are the most common type of fat found in the body. Triglycerides are continually circulating in the blood ready to be metabolized to provide a source of energy when needed, but their main function is to store energy for later use. When you consume more calories than your body can use, it converts the excess into triglyceride and stores it in fat cells. Fat cells hold the triglyceride molecules until your body needs energy between meals. Hormones signal the fat cells to release the triglycerides for your body to use.

Why do triglycerides matter?

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Posted in Lower Cholesterol | Tagged alcohol, dietitian, fat, lorraine matthews-antosiewicz, sugar, Triglycerides

Aggressively lower blood pressure to reduce heart disease risk 33%

Did you know hearing loss can be connected to heart disease?

Are Over The Counter Drugs Safe? Surprising Side Effects and Safer Alternatives

Foods Banned in Other Countries, But Allowed in the U.S.

Enjoy the Holidays WITHOUT Trans Fats

Triglycerides: What Fat and Sugar Have in Common

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