Posts Tagged ‘high blood pressure’

Pomegranate protection means that your diet matters. The power of pomegranate is in what it does, preventing or reversing atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries.  Human and animal studies show that pomegranate juice reduces oxidative stress, low-density lipoproterin (LDL) aggregation and oxidation, and reduces the platelet clumping that is associated with arteriosclerosis. By slowing the clumping it stops clots from forming, it  works like aspirin, without the side effects. It also lowers the systolic blood pressure reading.

Pomegranate Power

Part of the power of pomegranate juice is its antioxidant properties. The antioxidant level is 3X more than found in green tea, red wine, blueberries, cranberries and oranges. Antioxidants help guard the body against premature aging, heart disease, alzheimer’s, and cancer. Pomegranate is good for inflammatory conditions. It is used in other parts of the world to keep the look of youth with clear and glowing skin. Pomegranate also supplies you with vitamin C, fiber, and Potassium.

Pomegranate juice seems to destroy cancer cells, while protecting healthy cells. It seems to work on breast cancer cells, and prostrate cancer. There is research that shows consumption of pomegranate juice may protect the neonatal brain from damage due to injury. It improves the amount of oxygen to the heart muscle of people suffering from coronary heart disease. Research has found that eight ounces daily of pomegranate juice improved the amount of oxygen getting to the heart muscle of patients with coronary heart disease (American Journal of the college of Cardiology, (Sept. 2005).  There is some research that long-term consumption of pomegranate juice may help combat erectile dysfunction (Journal of Urology, July 2005). This should not be a surprise because erectile dysfunction is often due to atherosclerosis, and/or blood pressure medication

Research

Research shows that there is a possibility that pomegranate compounds might prevent prostrate cancer or slow its growth. The same holds true for breast cancer, it causes breast cancer cells to self-destruct. Scientists have found inflammation is reduced, and this may help in arthritis. Now we really do not need more studies, what we need is more people using these super foods.

The unique properties are; antioxidant polyphenols, ascorbic, citric, fumaic, and malic acids, essential amino acids, vitamins B and C. One pomegranate has about 40 percent of the recommended daily vitamin C. It also has some vitamin A and E. The power of pomegranate comes from the power of nature. All the laboratories in the world are not going to come up with more beneficial forms of the substances found in fruits and vegetables.

Grapes are the sweet way to health; for many Americans with high blood pressure and insulin resistance.

Grapes Health Benefits

The focus of a study at the University of Michigan Health system was to test the effect of grapes in reducing risk factors related to cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome.

Researchers studied the effect of regular table grapes (a blend of green, red and black grapes) that were mixed into a powdered form and integrated into the diets of laboratory rats as part of a high-fat, American style diet. All of the rats used were from a research breed that is prone to being overweight.

The researchers performed comparisons between the rats consuming a grape-enriched diet and control rats receiving no grape powder. Researchers added calories, and sugars to the control group to balance the extra calories and sugars gained from getting the grape powder.

Findings from a new animal study was presented at the Experimental Biology convention in Anaheim, Calif., showed encouraging results of a grape-enriched diet preventing risk factors for metabolic syndrome. This is a condition affecting an estimated 50 million Americans and is often a precursor to type 2 diabetes.

After three months, the rats that received the grape-enriched diet had lower blood pressure, better heart function, and reduced indicators of inflammation in the heart and blood than the rats who received no grape powder. Rats also had lower triglycerides and improved glucose tolerance.

Phytochemicals In Grapes

The key focus should be the phytochemicals in grapes. The emerging evidence is that phytochemicals offer protection from all diseases. People who want to lower their blood pressure, reduce their risk of diabetes, and help their weakened hearts retain as much pumping power as possible should eat a whole foods diet. This means a diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Grapes are instrumental in providing high levels of antioxidants, which are good for the heart. Emerging studies are proving that fruits and vegetables deliver what they promise, sweet goodness.

Treating atria fibrillation with an alternative approach, means looking at it as a systemic problem, not just a heart condition.

Atria Fibrillation and Diabetes

People with diabetes are at a higher risk of having atrial fibrillation. There is research that found an association between atrial fibrillation and diabetes. In the Journal of General Internal Medicine Dr. Sascha Dublin of Group Health Research Institute has linked diabetes to a 40 percent greater risk of developing atrial fibrillation, and she has found that the risks rises even higher the longer people have diabetes and less controlled their blood sugar is.

Atrial fibrillation is found to be more common in both diabetics and heavier people. Patients with diabetes were 40 percent more likely to be diagnosed with this disorder. The risk of atrial fibrillation rose by 3 percent for each additional year that a patient had diabetes.

Other Causes

Another cause is an overactive thyroid gland. Steroid use can contribute to this condition. Treatment with high doses of corticosteroids, increase the risk of atrial fibrillation. A high dose of 7.5 mg/day or more of prednisone equivalents is more likely to cause atrial fibrillation than a lower dose. High blood pressure, and valvular heart disease is considered a risk for this condition.

Alternative Approach

Many times there is no known cause, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a cause. Since arrhythmia and atrial fibrillation is becoming a growing problem, it is important to look at this phenomenon.

It is known that adequate stores of iodine are necessary for a smooth heartbeat. It is also a fact that our diets fall short on providing this nutrient. Amiodarone an anti-fibrillation drug is actually iodine in a toxic, sustained released form.

Due to mineral exhausted farmland, stress, processed foods, we aren’t getting enough nutrients. The aging populaton is expected to experience more atrial fibrillation. Our quality of life in our senior years is directly related to the state of our health.

Our hearts depend on magnesium, iodine, calcium, and B complex derived from whole foods. It takes years for nutrient deprivation to show up. The heart is a muscle like all muscles it depends on a good oxygen supply, vitamins, and minerals. Nothing in the body occurs in a vacuum, so when you treat atrial fibrillation you have to treat the whole person.