Heart Disease | Health & Wellness

Enjoy Cinnamon to Combat Heart Disease, Diabetes

cinnamon Enjoy Cinnamon to Combat Heart Disease, Diabetes Isn’t is awesome when something that tastes great is also good for you? Researchers have long recognized cinnamon’s health benefits such as controlling rises in blood sugar, preventing unwanted clumping of blood platelets and stopping the growth of problematic bacteria … the scent of cinnamon is even thought to boost brain function. More recent research is studying the effects of cinnamon on heart disease and diabetes.

The study, published in the Journal of the American College on Nutrition, followed 22 obese participants who were met conditions for pre-diabetes. Half of the participants took a placebo while the other half drank a cinnamon and water solution. The cinnamon drinkers showed a marked increase — up to 23 percent — of the protective antioxidants that can help prevent heart disease and diabetes.

Sipping on a glass of cinnamon water sounds anything but pleasant. But there are many healthful ways you can incorporate more cinnamon into your diet. Some ideas:

- Flavor your morning oatmeal with cinnamon.

- Top low-fat vanilla yogurt with cinnamon, almonds and sliced bananas.

- Sprinkle cinnamon on your whole-grain cold cereal.

- Add a dash of cinnamon to your morning coffee.

- Coat sliced apples with a thin layer of cinnamon by placing both in a baggie and shaking it.

- Add a cinnamon stick to your cup of tea while it steeps.

Calcium Supplements Linked to Heart Attack Risk

milk Calcium Supplements Linked to Heart Attack Risk Many people take calcium supplements to boost their calcium intake, protect bone health and ward off osteoporosis. But a recent study, published in the British Medical Journal, shows people who take calcium supplements have a 30 percent increased risk of heart attack. Researchers theorize that excess calcium in the bloodstream may lead to hardening of the arteries.

Even though the link between calcium supplements and heart attack is unclear, unless prescribed by a doctor, you’re probably better off getting your calcium through nutrition. Even the National Osteoporosis Foundation maintains that food is your best source of calcium:

Enjoy a glass of low-fat milk or calcium-fortified soy milk with dinner.
Make a smoothie with low-fat yogurt, strawberries, spinach and a tablespoon of almond butter. Thin it out as necessary with low-fat milk.
Saute Swiss chard or kale with a little garlic, onion and olive oil for a calcium-rich and tasty side dish.
Add oranges and almonds to a spinach salad.
Steam broccoli for a side dish or dip raw pieces in hummus for a snack.

Remember, your body also needs vitamin D in order to properly absorb calcium so spend some time in the sun (but protect your skin) and incorporate vitamin D fortified foods in your diet. Also, avoid caffeine as that can block calcium absorption.

Carbs Increase Heart Risk in Women

whitebread 236x300 Carbs Increase Heart Risk in Women A new study finds that white rice, white bread and a host of other carbs — including pizza (no!!!) — can double the risk of heart disease in women. Carb-rich foods with a high glycemic index cause blood sugar to spike, and then cause extra strain on our hearts. Men don’t appear to have the same response — which might indicate that they process carbohydrates differently.

Low glycemic foods — like pasta and fruit — don’t have the same effect…so not all carbs are equal. “Rapidly absorbed carbohydrates” seem to be the culprit, according to Sabina Sieri, of the national institute for cancer research in Milan, Italy.

Dr. Christiane Northup — a long-time fan of low GI diets — also points to high glycemic index diets as a factor in a host of other problems in women, especially as they reach middle age. High GI foods change the way hormones are metabolized and can lead to obesity, diabetes and other ‘side effects’ including male pattern baldness, facial hair growth and more.

February: Go Red for Heart Disease Awareness Month

womanheartdisease 300x199 February: Go Red for Heart Disease Awareness Month February is Heart Disease Awareness Month — the American Heart Association calls it “Go Red” month to highlight heart disease in women and how to prevent the #1 killer of women each year. Heart disease kills more women each year than breast cancer: almost one in three women will die from cardiovascular disease.

However, most — over 80% of cardiac emergencies in women — can be prevented with proper diet, exercise, and not smoking. Focusing on low sodium foods and cutting out processed carbohydrates can make huge differences in our susceptibility to heart disease.

It’s also important to know the signs of a heart attack — which differ in women and men. Signs a woman is possibly having a heart attack include:

- Chest discomfort — tightness, pressure, pain — in the center of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.

- Discomfort in other areas of the upper body including pain in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach. These are especially important if they occur during exercise.

- Shortness of breath accompanied with chest discomfort.

- Cold sweats, nausea, or light-headedness.

If you feel any of the above or any type of chest discomfort — err on the side of caution. Call 911.

BPA Linked to Heart Disease

bpahealth 300x300 BPA Linked to Heart Disease The news just keeps getting worse about Bisphenol-A (BPA) and it’s effects on our health. In addition to disrupting hormones and contributing to obesity, new research finds that the chemical found in plastic may also be linked to heart disease.

In 2008, researcher David Melzer, Ph.D., analyzed CDC data and found that high BPA levels in were linked to a higher risk of heart disease and other conditions including diabetes.

In his most recent study of current CDC data, while Melzer and his team found that BPA levels had decreased — perhaps due to broadened awareness — those with the highest BPA levels still had a significantly higher risk of heart disease.

“It is very clear that the connection is still there,” Melzer tells WebMD. “It underlines the question mark we found between BPA and human health.”

To reduce exposure to BPA, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) offers some tips:

* Don’t microwave polycarbonate plastic food containers. Polycarbonate is strong and durable, but over time it may break down from overuse at high temperatures.
* Polycarbonate containers that contain BPA usually have a No. 7 on the bottom, although not all containers with a No. 7 contain BPA.
* Reduce your use of canned foods.
* When possible, opt for glass, porcelain, or stainless steel containers, particularly for hot food or liquids.
* Use baby bottles that are BPA-free.