Exercise Watch
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US $121.11
Most people are very familiar with the dangers of elevated cholesterol. You may have hyperlipidemia yourself or perhaps a member of your family has it. Either way, you are probably aware that certain foods and behaviors should be modified in order to protect you from this cardiovascular scourge. You may limit your consumption of saturated fats such as beef and bacon. Perhaps you've incorporated exercise to your health care regimen. These are all good and beneficial behaviors. Unfortunately, modifying your cholesterol is only one aspect of cardiac health - one that is focused on to be sure, but not the only one that matters.
Homocysteine: Homocysteine is an amino acid made by the body. As we age, this amino acid often becomes elevated potentially leading to atherosclerosis (blockages in the arteries) by oxidizing cholesterol. In addition, homocysteine can also make blood clot more readily possibly leading to stroke. In order to keep the production of this amino acid under control, it is recommended that you take folic acid, B12 and B6 supplementation, often available in a formula to control this specific risk factor. Ideally, Homocysteine levels should be less than 12.
Fibrinogen: Fibrinogen is a clotting factor that can contribute to heart disease. High levels of fibrinogen in blood have been associated with increased incidence of heart attacks and strokes. As people age, this becomes a greater concern and studies show that this level is often influenced by life long environmental factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption and diet. In addition, post-menopausal women are at greater risk of having high levels of fibrinogen because of the loss of cardio-protective estrogen. Ideally, fibrinogen levels should be between 200 and 400 mg/dl (levels may vary according to lab). In order to keep your blood flowing and inhibit clot formation associated with high levels of fibrinogen, take 1000mg of a high quality Omega - 3 essential fatty acid. Another option is Nattokinase, an enzyme produced through the fermentation of soy beans that also has the ability to lower fibrinogen levels. Check with your doctor before beginning any blood thinning protocol if you are on Coumadin or other blood thinning medications.
Lipoprotein A: Lipoprotein A is a lipoprotein particle found in the blood similar in structure to the "bad" LDL cholesterol. Lipo A is a marker that is used to assess the potential for developing atherosclerosis (thickening or hardening of the arteries). People with this risk factor may have a greater incidence of heart attack or stroke. Those at risk for elevated Lipoprotein A include post-menopausal women. It is ideal to keep Lipo A below 30mg/dl and one way in which to do this is through the intake of Niacin. This B vitamin can also help lower total cholesterol. Niacin, however, can cause a flushing sensation that is very uncomfortable, producing itching a swelling on the skin that lasts several minutes. To lessen this uncomfortable side effect, I recommend you try a time-release Niacin that id formulated to prevent flushing. For those with very high levels of Lipoprotein A, studies have shown that supplementing with the amino acids Proline and Lysine may be helpful.
Cardiac C-Reactive Protein: Recent studies have confirmed what we've known for a long time: inflammation is a precursor to heart disease. Recently, the American Association and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a joint statement about using inflammatory markers when assessing potential cardiac risk. They were specifically referring to high sensitive or cardiac C Reactive Protein, an inflammatory protein marker that increases when there is inflammation in the body, or in this case, specifically the cardiovascular system. When going for your physical and blood work up be sure that your doctor tests for this important risk factor. Ideally, levels should be no greater than 2.5 mg/dl (levels of 3 show moderate risk of heart disease). In order to keep inflammation under control, eat an alkalinizing diet which includes plenty of greens and other vegetables; supplement with Omega 3 fish oils which have shown to reduce total body inflammation; and more specifically, supplement your diet with plenty of ginger and turmeric. Both have demonstrated tremendous anti-inflammatory properties and can be a tasty way to manage heart health.
Healthy Cholesterol Levels and Blood Pressure: Much has been written in regards to maintaining healthy cholesterol levels and controlling blood pressure. These are important risk factors and should not be over looked. Cholesterol levels should not exceed 200 mg/dl. To minimize the risk of a cardiac event, it is now recommended that of that total cholesterol, the "bad", LDL cholesterol should not exceed 100 mg/dl. Diet is an important part of this plan because the consumption of saturated fats such as cheese, cream, bacon and beef have shown to elevate LDL cholesterol. As important as watching the bad cholesterol, it is vital to increase the "good", HDL cholesterol. The way to do this is to limit the consumption of refined carbohydrates such as sugar, cakes, cookies, breads and pasta that may increase your triglyceride levels (another component of cholesterol). Triglycerides and HDL have an inverse relationship, so as triglycerides go up, HDL goes down, exposing the person to greater risk. Another way to elevate HDL is to exercise. Just 30 minutes of brisk walking four times a week should be sufficient. HDL levels should exceed 40mg/dl, but ideally it should be higher. Blood pressure is often the first sign of potential cardiac problems and is also manageable through diet and exercise. Watch your salt consumption but also watch your intake of refined carbohydrates, which have also been implicated in elevated blood pressure. Exercise is one of the best practices for the stabilization of blood pressure as is the management of stress. Stress lands in the chest and often the first sign is a spike in blood pressure. Supplements that help in maintaining blood pressure include Co Enzyme Q10 and the amino acid Taurine.
Copyright 2006, Barbara Mendez
Barbara Mendez R.Ph M.S is a yoga teacher, nutritionist and registered pharmacist based in Manhattan, New York City. Her nutritional consulting business Lifestyle Nutrients specializes in holistic and integrative therapies for preventative health care. http://www.lifestylenutrients.net
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Men Ride Show Horses Through Surf for Exercise, Women Watch $39.99 Robert Sisson Men Ride Show Horses Through Surf for Exercise, Women Watch - Photographic Print |
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Exercise $17.99 Exercise - Art Print |
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Watch Your Language Exercise Book $7.65 No Synopsis Available |
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Exercise Book for Watch Your Language, Book 2 $5.9 No Synopsis Available |
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Zoo Med Floating Betta Exercise Mirror $6.99 Zoo Med Floating Betta Exercise Mirror includes a small mirror suspended with a floating ball, motivating your Betta to “exercise” his fins when he sees his reflection. Reduces boredom from captivity. Watch your Betta perform natural behaviors. Patent pending. Instructions: Carefully remove from package and rinse in warm water. Place the exercise mirror in with your Betta for maximum 5 minutes at a time, once or twice per day. Designed for minimum one gallon enclosures. It may take your Betta a few tries to get used to the mirror. |
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This Is an Exercise $13.99 Track Listing: 1. Fairy Quest, 2. Fake Pajamas, 3. Dream. Dream. Dreams., 4. March of Human, 5. Hypertension, 6. R.R.N., 7. Mechanical Fish, 8. Walk, 9. Psychic Rainbow, 10. Willow Song, 11. This Is..., 12. Hold You |
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The Exercise $7.8 No Synopsis Available |
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Exercise Machines $10 Exercise Machines - Surrogate |
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Good Exercise $21.99 Good Exercise - T-Shirt |
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Exercise Weights $29.99 Exercise Weights - Photographic Print |
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Exercise on the Beach $24.99 Exercise on the Beach - Photographic Print |
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Rock Exercise $24.99 Rock Exercise - Photographic Print |
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Exercise Class $24.99 Exercise Class - Photographic Print |
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Handy Exercise $24.99 Handy Exercise - Photographic Print |
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Exercise Wheel $24.99 Exercise Wheel - Photographic Print |
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Military Exercise $24.99 Military Exercise - Photographic Print |
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Exercise Chocolate $21.99 Exercise Chocolate - T-Shirt |
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Light Exercise $24.99 Light Exercise - Photographic Print |
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Evacuee Exercise $24.99 Evacuee Exercise - Photographic Print |
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Exercise Patience $21.99 Exercise Patience - T-Shirt |
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Navy Exercise $24.99 Navy Exercise - Photographic Print |