Today we are going to discuss "Hypertension" or "High Blood Pressure".
Blood pressure can be defined as the pressure or force that is applied against the artery walls as blood is carried through the circulatory system. It is recorded as a measurement of this force in relation to the heart's pumping activity, and is measured in millimeters of mercury. The top number, systolic pressure is the measurement of the pressure that occurs when the heart contracts of beats. The bottom number, or diastolic pressure, is the measurement recorded between beats, while the heart is at rest.
Hypertension itself is not a disease but, rather one warning of the manifestation of a disease. It is an indicator that the force required for blood flow is greater than normal. Because the heart is working harder than normal, high blood pressure increases the risk of coronary heart disease, heart attack, stroke, aneurysm, kidney failure and atherosclerosis. When the heart works harder, over a period of time, it tends to enlarge. High blood pressure also causes the arteries to become scarred, hardened and less elastic. This in turn can limit the amount of blood flowing to the organ; can cause blood clots in the arteries; and can ultimately damage the heart, brain and kidneys. Because persons with hypertension may not exhibit any symptoms, they often go undiagnosed until complications occur. This is why it is known as the "silent killer"!
Risk factors associated with hypertension that can be controlled are lifestyle related: obesity, lack of exercise, diet, stress, use of certain medications, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption. Hypertension is a powerful indicator of disease in other body systems. Thus, it is not just a blood pressure reduction numbers game therefore it is worthwhile to consider associated underlying cardiovascular disease and treatment protocols when treating hypertension as well as the individual's unique response to various conventional and integrated therapies. Conventional doctors treat hypertension in one or both ways, 1) change lifestyle and eating habits 2) prescribing medications. Alternative practitioners seek to address the underlying cause and correct it.
Maintaining adequate dietary minerals may protect against high blood pressure as well as adding nutrients which may reduce or eliminate the need for anti-hypertension medications. Individuals wanting to replace drugs with a supplement protocol must do so with the cooperation of a physician and have their blood pressure taken regularly.
Please feel free to email me with your questions and/or comments.
Have a FABULOUS week!
Blessings! PAM
Friday, September 26, 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Creating Your Healthy Life
Today, I want to give you some facts and information on a "dangerous substance" that you may be eating or drinking without being aware of the potential damage it is having on your health. This is not a whistle blowing article, these are proven, documented facts and I am empowering you with. You always have a choice to use these "tools" of information as it relates to your health.
"Aspartame", is the technical name for NutriSweet, Equal, Spoonful and Equal-Measure. Aspartame has been marketed to the public as a "diet aid" but the chemical nature of this substance defeats this alleged purpose by instilling a craving for calorie-laden carbohydrates. How many times have you seen someone washing down their "high carb" meal with a diet drink? When carbohydrates are consumed, there is an increase in levels of the chemical called serotonin in the brain. This increase is what gives the feeling of being relaxed after a meal. When that meal is being washed down with an "aspartame" (diet) drink, the brain ceases to produce the serotonin, and that feeling of "having enough or being full" never materializes. The result is more food (which also may contain aspartame), more aspartame (diet) drinks and the cycle continues. Aspartame directly alters brain chemicals.
Aspartame can be found in thousands of products:
Instant breakfasts Breath mints
Cereals Laxatives
Sugar free gum Cocoa mixes
Frozen desserts Gelatin desserts
Juice beverages Multivitamins
Shake mixes Soft drinks
Tabletop sweeteners Tea beverages
Instant teas & coffee Wine coolers
Yogurt Pharmaceuticals
OTC medications Supplements
If brain chemicals are being altered by this substance it only goes without saying that behavior is affected as well. The reduction in serotonin levels in the brain can manifest into depression and other emotional disorders. Research has suggested that people ingesting high doses and who are sensitive to aspartame may suffer from problems ranging from dizziness, to subtle brain changes, to mental retardation. This data also shows that a fetus may be at risk for these effects as well. There is also evidence of aspartame contributing to brain cancer.
There is concern for persons with diabetes and hypoglycemia. Research conducted by a specialist reports that aspartame leads to the precipitation of clinical diabetes, causes poorer diabetic control, on insulin or oral dependent drugs, leads to aggravation of complications such as retinopathy, cataracts, neuropathy and gastro pareses and can cause convulsions.
The following are some of the symptoms of "Aspartame Sensitivity/Intoxication":
blurred vision, severe headaches, nausea, gastrointestinal disorders, mood changes, ringing in the ear & hearing loss, loss of energy, loss of control of limbs, blindness, memory loss, slurred speech, hyperactivity, muscle & joint pain, loss or change of taste,
vertigo, insomnia, mild to severe depression, seizures, rashes, anxiety attacks, skin lesions, and symptoms mimicking a heart attack. These symptoms can be moderate to severe in each individual depending on their sensitivity level.
Aspartame changes brain chemistry. It also acts as an information transmitter, known as a neurotransmitter. Too much aspartame in the brain kills certain neurons triggering excessive amounts of free radicals which kill your cells or put in another way, they "excite" or simulate your neural cells to death. When a substantial number of these neurons are destroyed, clinical symptoms of a chronic illness may begin to manifest. The following chronic illnesses have been shown to be contributed to by the long term exposure to "stimulated" neuron damage.
Multiple Sclerosis
Parkinson's
Alzheimer's
Memory or Hearing Loss
Hormonal Problems
Epilepsy
AIDS
Brain Lesions
Neuroendocrine Disorders
ALS
Hypoglycemia
Now, as someone who is committed to taking control of your health, you can now make an educated choice to avoid consumable products containing Aspartame. Be aware! Read product labels!
By avoiding this substance, you may be avoiding serious health issues in the future as well as overcoming some of the health issues you are experiencing at present.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me!
Have an "Aspartame Free" week!
Blessings!
PAM
"Aspartame", is the technical name for NutriSweet, Equal, Spoonful and Equal-Measure. Aspartame has been marketed to the public as a "diet aid" but the chemical nature of this substance defeats this alleged purpose by instilling a craving for calorie-laden carbohydrates. How many times have you seen someone washing down their "high carb" meal with a diet drink? When carbohydrates are consumed, there is an increase in levels of the chemical called serotonin in the brain. This increase is what gives the feeling of being relaxed after a meal. When that meal is being washed down with an "aspartame" (diet) drink, the brain ceases to produce the serotonin, and that feeling of "having enough or being full" never materializes. The result is more food (which also may contain aspartame), more aspartame (diet) drinks and the cycle continues. Aspartame directly alters brain chemicals.
Aspartame can be found in thousands of products:
Instant breakfasts Breath mints
Cereals Laxatives
Sugar free gum Cocoa mixes
Frozen desserts Gelatin desserts
Juice beverages Multivitamins
Shake mixes Soft drinks
Tabletop sweeteners Tea beverages
Instant teas & coffee Wine coolers
Yogurt Pharmaceuticals
OTC medications Supplements
If brain chemicals are being altered by this substance it only goes without saying that behavior is affected as well. The reduction in serotonin levels in the brain can manifest into depression and other emotional disorders. Research has suggested that people ingesting high doses and who are sensitive to aspartame may suffer from problems ranging from dizziness, to subtle brain changes, to mental retardation. This data also shows that a fetus may be at risk for these effects as well. There is also evidence of aspartame contributing to brain cancer.
There is concern for persons with diabetes and hypoglycemia. Research conducted by a specialist reports that aspartame leads to the precipitation of clinical diabetes, causes poorer diabetic control, on insulin or oral dependent drugs, leads to aggravation of complications such as retinopathy, cataracts, neuropathy and gastro pareses and can cause convulsions.
The following are some of the symptoms of "Aspartame Sensitivity/Intoxication":
blurred vision, severe headaches, nausea, gastrointestinal disorders, mood changes, ringing in the ear & hearing loss, loss of energy, loss of control of limbs, blindness, memory loss, slurred speech, hyperactivity, muscle & joint pain, loss or change of taste,
vertigo, insomnia, mild to severe depression, seizures, rashes, anxiety attacks, skin lesions, and symptoms mimicking a heart attack. These symptoms can be moderate to severe in each individual depending on their sensitivity level.
Aspartame changes brain chemistry. It also acts as an information transmitter, known as a neurotransmitter. Too much aspartame in the brain kills certain neurons triggering excessive amounts of free radicals which kill your cells or put in another way, they "excite" or simulate your neural cells to death. When a substantial number of these neurons are destroyed, clinical symptoms of a chronic illness may begin to manifest. The following chronic illnesses have been shown to be contributed to by the long term exposure to "stimulated" neuron damage.
Multiple Sclerosis
Parkinson's
Alzheimer's
Memory or Hearing Loss
Hormonal Problems
Epilepsy
AIDS
Brain Lesions
Neuroendocrine Disorders
ALS
Hypoglycemia
Now, as someone who is committed to taking control of your health, you can now make an educated choice to avoid consumable products containing Aspartame. Be aware! Read product labels!
By avoiding this substance, you may be avoiding serious health issues in the future as well as overcoming some of the health issues you are experiencing at present.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me!
Have an "Aspartame Free" week!
Blessings!
PAM
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Creating Your Healthy Life
Today I am going to empower you with information on "stress"! We all have some amount of stress in our daily lives, some more than others. Our jobs, our bills, our kids, our spouses and so on, can and do create stress in our lives.
Some of us are conscious of our stressors and respond with fits of anger and rage. Some of us ignore stress and bury it deep within ourselves, happy on the outside and a mess on the inside. Some of us are even unconscious of being stressed, the perfect human, nothing rattles their cage.
No matter which category you relate to, chronic stress is a ticking time bomb for health! Chronic stress can and will manifest into physical illnesses and disease!
Under stress, our brains send chemical messages which release hormones. These hormones tense our muscles, make our heart beat more rapidly which increases our blood pressure, speeds up our breathing, slows down digestion and other bodily functions. It causes our blood sugar levels to rise and increases our blood clotting factors.
These responses to "chronic stress" can lead to digestive problems, constipation, headaches, backaches, ulcers, high blood pressure, blood clotting, diabetes, obesity, asthma, autoimmune disorders (lupus, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, etc.), infection risks and even cancer.
This week, be conscious of your stressors; be conscious of your reaction to your stressors. Are you feeling stressed more than one hour a day? One day a week? Are you stressed more than you are unstressed?
Here are 7 things you can do everyday to reduce your stress and the affects it has on your health:
1. Breathe deeply - make a point once every hour to take 5 deep breaths, exhaling slowly …set a timer! You will feel the tension melt away!
2. Practice Relaxation - 20 minutes a day, close your eyes, consciously relax your muscles starting at your toes and go all the way to the top of your head. Say to yourself, I am now relaxing my toes….deep breathe, exhale...I am now relaxing my feet….deep breathe, exhale... I am now relaxing my ankles and so on.
3. Drink WATER! Keep yourself hydrated with pure water!
At least 8 glasses of pure water a day!
4. Take a walk. Walk for 30 minutes a day or break it down into 10 minutes walks 3x a day. Just get moving!
5. Avoid caffeine and refined sugars. Take it slow, if you are a heavy caffeine user, reduce your intake slowly. If you have a sweet tooth, limit yourself on the number of sweets.
6. Eat more food containing good fats. Real butter, nuts, olive oil, flax seed oil and omega 3 fatty acids to help with nerve function.
7. Sleep - get yourself on a schedule of at least 8 hrs of restful sleep per night.
Take the time to listen to your body, be aware of how you are feeling, how you are responding! If I can be of any help or you have any questions, please email me!
Have a FABULOUS, Stress FREE week!
Blessings! PAM
Some of us are conscious of our stressors and respond with fits of anger and rage. Some of us ignore stress and bury it deep within ourselves, happy on the outside and a mess on the inside. Some of us are even unconscious of being stressed, the perfect human, nothing rattles their cage.
No matter which category you relate to, chronic stress is a ticking time bomb for health! Chronic stress can and will manifest into physical illnesses and disease!
Under stress, our brains send chemical messages which release hormones. These hormones tense our muscles, make our heart beat more rapidly which increases our blood pressure, speeds up our breathing, slows down digestion and other bodily functions. It causes our blood sugar levels to rise and increases our blood clotting factors.
These responses to "chronic stress" can lead to digestive problems, constipation, headaches, backaches, ulcers, high blood pressure, blood clotting, diabetes, obesity, asthma, autoimmune disorders (lupus, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, etc.), infection risks and even cancer.
This week, be conscious of your stressors; be conscious of your reaction to your stressors. Are you feeling stressed more than one hour a day? One day a week? Are you stressed more than you are unstressed?
Here are 7 things you can do everyday to reduce your stress and the affects it has on your health:
1. Breathe deeply - make a point once every hour to take 5 deep breaths, exhaling slowly …set a timer! You will feel the tension melt away!
2. Practice Relaxation - 20 minutes a day, close your eyes, consciously relax your muscles starting at your toes and go all the way to the top of your head. Say to yourself, I am now relaxing my toes….deep breathe, exhale...I am now relaxing my feet….deep breathe, exhale... I am now relaxing my ankles and so on.
3. Drink WATER! Keep yourself hydrated with pure water!
At least 8 glasses of pure water a day!
4. Take a walk. Walk for 30 minutes a day or break it down into 10 minutes walks 3x a day. Just get moving!
5. Avoid caffeine and refined sugars. Take it slow, if you are a heavy caffeine user, reduce your intake slowly. If you have a sweet tooth, limit yourself on the number of sweets.
6. Eat more food containing good fats. Real butter, nuts, olive oil, flax seed oil and omega 3 fatty acids to help with nerve function.
7. Sleep - get yourself on a schedule of at least 8 hrs of restful sleep per night.
Take the time to listen to your body, be aware of how you are feeling, how you are responding! If I can be of any help or you have any questions, please email me!
Have a FABULOUS, Stress FREE week!
Blessings! PAM
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