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Red yeast rice is a natural product native to China that’s been used in Asian traditional medical since approximately 800 AD. Red yeast rice extract is carefully produced to avoid the presence of citrinin, a sometimes toxic by-product of the fermentation process. This product is further enhanced with the addition of CoQ10 to support healthy cardiovascular and immune system function, Milk Thistle Extract to support healthy liver function, and Alpha Lipoic Acid to provide antioxidant support.

Red yeast rice also contains several compounds collectively known as Monacolins, substances known to inhibit cholesterol formation.

Red yeast rice extract has a number of heart-healthy benefits: It seems to help reduce total cholesterol levels, lower levels of LDL termed as “bad” cholesterol, increase levels of HDL termed as “good” cholesterol, and lower levels of unhealthy fats called triglycerides. It seems to accomplish this by restricting the liver’s production of cholesterol.

Red yeast rice extract helps to prevent heart disease and some of its complications.
Red yeast rice helps in lowering cholesterol and triglycerides and has been used as a traditional medicine to promote circulation and heart health, but also used as a food flavoring agent.
Red yeast rice helps to prevent atherosclerosis - a condition that can lead to the “silent killer”-coronary heart disease
Red Yeast Rice helps to improve circulation by its cholesterol regulating action.

Ask your doctor before adding red yeast rice to your diet.

Tagged with: HDL • Red yeast rice • Red yeast rice extract • Triglycerides

Until recently, doctors have focused on the ratio of our good cholesterol (HDL) to our total cholesterol but today it is felt that a closer look at bad cholesterol (LDL) is our best management tool.

Total Cholesterol contains good cholesterol that protects our heart, known as High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) and bad cholesterol that is harmful to the heart, known as Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL).

Cholesterol, although a fat, is an essential nutrient for the body. It is made in the liver. The liver produces cholesterol in the necessary quantities for health. When the liver cannot efficiently dispose of the cholesterol excesses of a high fat diet, the excess cholesterol becomes bad cholesterol (LDL) and travels to the arteries of the heart and forms plaque. As the plaque accumulates, the walls of the arteries narrow and blood flow to the heart is restricted and is eventually blocked.

The theory that “a higher ratio of something good to something bad is always better” is especially true for a healthy heart. This new standard compares our bad cholesterol (LDL) to our good cholesterol (HDL), rather than our good cholesterol to our total cholesterol.

If you do not know your cholesterol numbers: total cholesterol, HDL and LDL, make an appointment with your physician and request his recommendations for cholesterol management.

Tagged with: bad cholesterol • good cholesterol • HDL • LDL

There are successful PAD, public access defibrillator, campaigns that are currently running in the US. Good examples of offering public access to defibrillators can be found in Indianapolis International Airport, Orlando International Airport, Colorado Springs Airport, Nashville International Airport, St. Louis International Airport/Lambert Field, Tampa International Airport and Tucson International Airport.

Only 10 months after the se programs were initiated, the survival rate of patients has risen to 75%. Even though the automated external defibrillators are very easy to use, it is necessary that people benefit of some basic AED training in order to avoid negligent use of this device and make the AEDs fully effective. The basic training must consist of at least 3 or 4 hours of training.

After having completed the AED course, one must be able to determine the state of a patient and whether the use of an AED is needed. The AED trainee should to be able to assess the state of the patient after the shock delivery. The trainees also have to know what precautions are needed in order to perform a safe defibrillation.

Presently, there are several automated external defibrillator training courses provided by the American Heart Association (AHA) or the Red Cross on request.

Tagged with: AED course • external defibrillators • heart attack • PAD • public access defibrillator

The Atkins Diet Plan is based on low carb Atkins diet principles that help people re-energize their life by re-balancing their nutrition, losing weight and keeping it off.

The Atkins Diet Plan activates body metabolism, so that you burn fat for energy and reduce the risk factors associated with certain major health problems, including chronic fatigue, diabetes and high blood pressure.

The following is a two day example of the Atkins diet menu:

Atkins Diet Menu - Day 1
Breakfast
3 Eggs, Scrambled with cream
4-6 Strips Bacon
Coffee or tea with Splenda and cream

Lunch
Chicken Salad
(6 oz. Grilled Chicken
1T Romano Cheese
2c dark salad greens
2T Ranch Dressing
1 chopped hard boiled egg)

Dinner
Fish Fry (fish fillets dipped in egg and coated in whey protein and fried in vegetable oil)
1 cup salad greens
¼ medium tomato
1 thin slice red onion
1 cup Broccoli rabe with butter

Atkins Diet Menu - Day 2
Breakfast
Double serving of Atkins Hot Cereal
1T cream
4 Sausage Patties
Decaf Cinnamon coffee (add ¼ t cinnamon and 1tsp vanilla extract to coffee pot) with Splenda and cream

Lunch
Luncheon pinwheels
(Wrap slices of turkey, ham, chicken, salami, pastrami, or beef etc. around sticks of hard or cream cheese and cut into bite-size pieces)
2 Cups salad greens
2T Ranch dressing

Dinner
Steak (grilled with garlic butter, 2 thin slices of onion, and ½ cup mushrooms)
1 cup salad greens with:
Bacon bits
1T Romano cheese
1T Dressing of Choice
1 cup Asparagus

Ask your doctor before beginning any diet.

Tagged with: atkins diet • atkins diet free • atkins diet menu • atkins diet plan

The Scarsdale diet menu does not indicate any portion. You can eat as much as you like until you are satisfied, not stuffed.

Breakfast in Scarsdale diet menu is the same everyday:

The Scarsdale diet menu indicates that 1/2 grapefruit is the best fruit for breakfast, however it can be substituted for other fruits in season.

One slice of protein bread, toasted, no spread added.

Coffee or tea (no sugar, cream or milk, no honey).

Monday

Lunch:
Assorted cold cuts
Tomatoes - sliced, broiled, or stewed
Coffee/Tea/Diet Soda/Water

Dinner:
Fish or shellfish, any kind Combination salad, any greens and vegetables as you wish
One slice protein bread toasted
Grapefruit - if not available, use fruits in season
Coffee/Tea/Diet Soda/Water

Tuesday

Lunch:
Plenty of broiled, lean hamburger
Tomatoes, lettuce, celery, olives (limit 4), cucumbers and/or Brussels Sprouts
Coffee/Tea/Diet Soda/Water

Dinner:
Fruit salad, any combination of fruits
Coffee/Tea/Diet Soda/Water

Wednesday

Lunch:
Tuna fish or salmon salad (oil drained off) with lemon and vinegar dressing
Grapefruit, or melon, or fruit in season
Coffee/Tea/Diet Soda/Water

Dinner:
Sliced roast lamb*, all visible fat removed
Salad of lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, celery
Coffee/Tea/Diet Soda/Water

* Can be substituted with fish, seafood, chicken or turkey

Thursday

Lunch:
Two eggs, any style (no fat used in cooking)
Low-fat cottage cheese
Zucchini, or string beans, or sliced/stewed tomatoes
One slice of protein bread, toasted
Coffee/Tea/Diet Soda/Water

Dinner:
Roast, broiled or barbequed chicken (skin and visible fat removed before eating)
Plenty of spinach, green peppers, string beans
Coffee/Tea/Diet Soda/Water

Friday

Lunch:
Assorted cheese slices (preferably low fat)
Spinach, all you want
One slice of protein bread, toasted
Coffee/Tea/Diet Soda/Water

Dinner:
Fish or shellfish
Combination salad (any fresh vegetables desired, raw or cooked)
One slice of protein bread, toasted
Coffee/Tea/Diet Soda/Water

Saturday

Lunch:
Fruit salad, any combination of fruits
Coffee/Tea/Diet Soda/Water

Dinner:
Roast turkey or chicken
Salad of tomatoes and lettuce
Grapefruit or fruit in season
Coffee/Tea/Diet Soda/Water

Sunday

Lunch:
Cold or hot turkey or chicken
Tomatoes, carrots, cooked cabbage, broccoli or cauliflower
Grapefruit or fruit in season
Coffee/Tea/Diet Soda/Water

Tagged with: scarsdale diet • scarsdale diet menu • ways to lose weight • Weight Loss

Health benefits of the Mediterranean diet menu include a healthy heart, with reduced risk of heart attack and stroke, reduced bad cholesterol, increased good cholesterol, and lowered risk of high blood pressure. And if you add some exercise, you’ve got a great weight loss plan!

The Mediterranean diet menu consists of:

* Lots of plant foods, like fresh fruits and vegetables (in season), whole grains, legumes and nuts.

* Cheese and yogurt, in small or moderate amounts. These are often used as a topping or seasoning for other foods.

* Fish and poultry in small or moderate amounts. One serving of fish or poultry should be about the size of a deck of cards.

* Olive oil is the primary source fat.

* Red meat is mainly used as a seasoning rather than as the primary ingredient in a meal.

* Sweets are eaten rarely, no more than once or twice a week. Fresh fruit is usually served instead as a dessert.

* Wine is often served with meals, in small amounts.

* The Mediterranean diet menu is low in saturated fats and animal products are limited.

The Mediterranean diet menu for one day consists of:

* Breakfast - 1 slice whole-wheat toast with peanut butter, yogurt, and fresh fruit.

* Lunch - large fresh salad with olive oil and vinaigrette dressing, small serving of grilled or baked chicken breast, whole grain roll, and fresh fruit.

* Dinner- fresh baked fish, sweet potato, fresh vegetables sautéed in garlic and olive oil, and fresh fruit.

* Snacks - a handful of nuts, slice of cheese, yogurt, fresh fruit, slice of whole-grain bread spread with a small amount of peanut butter.

Ask your doctor before beginning any diet.

Tagged with: Mediterranean Diet • mediterranean diet menu • natural weight loss • popular diets

Chronic inflammation can make you look old before your time and cause many other aliments. However, changing your diet can help prevent or even reverse the process. As well, the body is able to make its own anti-inflammatory compounds as long as we eat the right foods.

An anti-inflammatory diet contains foods such as: blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, and raspberries, sour cherries, red grapes, red and yellow onions, garlic, broccoli, and apples. As well as: carrots and orange winter squash, bell peppers, tomatoes, spinach and kale.

The anti-inflammatory properties of omega-3s provide significant benefit to patients with chronic inflammatory diseases also. The most potent omega-3s are found in seafood, especially coldwater fish like salmon (preferably wild), tuna, and mackerel. Vegetarian sources of omega-3s include flaxseed oil, dark greens, and walnuts.

An anti-inflammatory diet suggests olive oil, which contains oleic acid, for everyday cooking. If you prefer safflower or sunflower oil may be used and is always a better health choice than refined oils. Canola oil, however, is a refined oil that contains a good amount of omega-3s and oleic acid.

Spices for an anti-inflammatory diet include: turmeric, which is one of the most powerful anti-inflammatory compounds in nature, and ginger and rosemary.

Ask your doctor before beginning any diet.

Tagged with: anti-inflammatory diet • best life diet • diet • diet food • diet foods

Does everyone need to use an extra way to detox? The body is quite remarkable and protects itself from harmful things. However, our kidneys, liver, skin, and even the lungs often need to work a little harder to separate, neutralize, and dispose of toxins. When toxins are present in our body it causes a release of chemicals. This can gradually mutate into cancers or other diseases of the body.

A 3-day detox diet may be a way to start as it is a milder way of detoxifying your body but be sure to check with your doctor.

The 3-day detox diet is a good quick start program toward detoxification. Each morning for the three days drink a cup of warm water and ½ lemon squeezed in it when you get up. This will stimulate your gastric juices. Drink the lemon water instead of your usual cup of coffee or tea. When planning your meals for the day you should include one cup of whole grains like brown rice, buckwheat, amaranth, and at least three servings each of fruits and vegetables. One of the servings of vegetables should be raw vegetables such as carrots, celery, or cauliflower. If you use dressing, use vinegar or any of the natural virgin oils. Natural oils can include olive, coconut virgin oils, or fish oil.

On a daily basis you will need to drink 8 glasses or more of water and before you go to bed drink a cup of herbal tea.

Be sure to check with your doctor first.

Tagged with: 3 day detox diet • 3 day diet • detox diet • detox diets

High cholesterol tends to cause the narrowing and hardening of the arteries, which in turn can lead to heart disease or stroke. What does blood cholesterol level depend on? Many people would say it depends on the kind of food we eat but this is not the whole truth when it comes to high cholesterol. High cholesterol can also be caused in part to how cholesterol is made in your liver.

There are two kinds of cholesterol - the good HDL cholesterol, and the bad LDL cholesterol. HDLs are transporters that carry excess cholesterol to the liver where it can be broken down. LDLs cause the build-up of cholesterol in the arteries leading to high blood pressure and risk of heart attack.

Vitamin C has been found to be a very effective treatment for high cholesterol. Pectin from fruit and vegetables seems to help in fighting high cholesterol by flushing out the excess from the system. Two or three carrots a day is said to be beneficial in lowering high cholesterol. Strawberries, apples, spinach, potatoes and tomatoes are also useful in the treatment of high cholesterol. Vitamin E prevents the oxidation of cholesterol and can therefore prevent hardening of the arteries.

Garlic, turmeric and cinnamon are also very beneficial natural treatments of high cholesterol. Ask your doctor which foods will work best for you.

Tagged with: heart attack • Heart Disease • high blood pressure • lowering high cholesterol • stroke

Cardiac rehab begins with learning to take your pulse, oxygen usage and rhythm monitoring guidelines. You will also be given a personal exercise worksheet to track your gentle progress forward in a customized program. In addition, numerous classes (stretching, therabands, free weights) and support groups (smoking cessation, stress management, osteoporosis and diet education) may be available.

Some may be asked to wear a wireless heart monitor during exercise with someone at a computer screen monitoring your rhythm. Although physically challenging at times, the cardiac rehab environment can make for a positive, confidence-returning experience after an episode with your heart.

There is a book, Heart Attack: Advice for Patients by Patients (Yale University Press, 2002), where most of the eleven contributors go out of their way to rave about their cardiac rehab program experience. As well there are programs and support groups available for cardiac rehab. The social and emotional support received from these groups and programs can be priceless.

Rather than returning to one’s previous gym or yoga class, many heart patients take advantage of ongoing membership in their cardio-directed program with great results. Of course, the ultimate decision on what cardiac rehab is best suited for any one patient will come from their health care professional.

Tagged with: Cardiac rehab • groups and programs • heart monitor • Yale University Press