Oklahoma City Health information
for ...Considerations when taking statins (cholesterol lowering) drugs
If you're one of the millions of people taking a statin
drug, there's some important information you should know: Statins are
known to reduce levels of CoEnzyme Q-10 (CoQ-10), a nutrient that helps fuel your entire body.
What is CoQ-1O?
CoQ-10 is a vitamin-like substance found throughout the body, including the heart, brain, liver and kidneys. Many experts believe that CoQ-10 is the key nutrient for generating most of the total energy required by your body. It can also act as an antioxidant.
Although produced in the body, blood levels of CoQ-10 may begin dropping as early as age 21. Without enough CoQ-10, your body systems won't have the optimal amount of fuel to do their jobs. Once you're over 50, CoQ-10 levels can begin to drop.
CoQ-10 is found naturally in organ meats, beef, poultry and fish. It's also found in soybean and canola oils and certain nuts. However, CoQ-10 supplements may be the best source of CoQ-10, as food does not provide therapeutic amounts of the nutrient.
In one study, patients with essential arterial hypertension were given CoQ-10 supplements; in addition to lowering their blood pressure, they also experienced a 4.3% decrease in total cholesterol and a 4.8% increase in HDL "good" cholesterol.
Statins and CoQ-1O
Several studies have confirmed that
many of the statin drugs interfere with
CoQ-10 production, causing blood levels
of CoQ-10 to drop. Those with high cholesterol already have reduced levels of CoQ-10, so statin use can further reduce blood levels of the nutrient.
Who else needs CoQ-1O?
If any of the following apply to you, you may want to consider supplementing with CoQ-10:
- You are over 50 years old
- You want greater stamina
- You have gum problems or sensitive teeth
Remember, if you take statins, talk to your healthcare provider to find out if you're a good candidate for CoQ-10 supplementation. Your continued good health may depend on it!
Vitamin B-12 shown to be effective relief for canker sores
Beer-Sheva, Israel - Nightly doses of Vitamin B-12 may offer relief for canker sores, researchers from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev reported in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine.
In the study, 58 patients with Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis (RAS, also known as canker sores), were given either 1,000 micrograms of B-12 or a placebo every night for six months. About 74% of those on B-12 were free of canker sores at the end of the study, versus 32% in the placebo group. Treated patients expressed greater comfort, reported less pain, fewer ulcers and shorter outbreaks during the study. The placebo group reported decreased pain in the first half of the study but increased pain during the second half.
Eating more fruits and vegetables could lower heart disease risk
Oxford, United Kingdom - Eating more fruits and vegetables could reduce the risk of death from the most common form of heart disease, researchers at the University of Oxford recently concluded.
Following over 300,000 people from eight European countries, scientists discovered that those who ate eight or more portions of fruits and vegetables (a portion was defined as 80g, or a little under 3 ounces) had a 22% lower risk of dying from ischemic heart disease (IHD) than those who ate fewer than three portions a day. IHD is characterized by a reduced blood supply to the heart. Those suffering from it can experience chest pain and heart attack.
Researchers point out that those who ate eight or more portions of fruits and vegetables were also more likely to engage in other healthy lifestyle habits, which could have also lowered their risk of IHD.
8 brain-healthy foods for your diet
Research shows that certain foods can actually help keep your mind sharp. So, enjoy these brain-healthy foods. They are as beneficial for your brain as they are tasty for your tummy!
Salmon
This nutrient-packed fish boasts brain-boosting Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly DHA, which enhances learning and memory. Omega-3 fatty acids can also help fight against mental depression, mood disorders and dementia. Halibut and mackerel also contain high levels of Omega-3s.
Many people believe "wild-caught" salmon generally have lower toxicity levels because of
their natural diet
. In addition, fish farming has been associated with many environmental concerns.
Green tea
Have a cup of tea (or two)! Green tea may help stave off the mental decline associated with aging, according to a Japanese study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Those who drank the most green tea had lower rates of mental decline.
Spinach
Include plenty of spinach in your salad to increase your folate intake (folate is known as folic acid in supplement form). Folate deficiency can lead to neurological disorders such as depression and cognitive (mental) impairment. In supplement form, folic acid has been shown to protect against cognitive decline and dementia.
Apples
An apple a day... Researchers from Cornell University found that these crunchy snacks are chock full of quercetin, an antioxidant-like chemical that may protect the brain from the type of damage that triggers neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Eggs
Egg yolks are one of the best sources of choline, a chemical that is a building block of every cell. Studies have shown that increasing choline intake in adulthood can help improve memory. Beef liver is also high in choline, but eggs probably taste better!
Wheat germ oil
Just one tablespoon of wheat germ oil provides 100% of the daily value of Vitamin E; that is, the daily amount recommended by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). According to a recent study out of the Netherlands, Vitamin E might help protect against dementia and Alzheimer's disease. In the study, researchers found that those who consumed the most Vitamin E were 25% less likely to develop dementia, compared with those who consumed the least. Vegetable oils, almonds, pecans and walnuts are other dietary sources of Vitamin E.
Curry
Researchers from UCLA found that a compound in curry powder may help the immune system get rid of the brain- clogging proteins that are the hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. The compound was found in turmeric, the spice that gives curry its yellow color.
Breakfast
Don't skip this important meal; it's fuel for the brain! Research shows that eating breakfast may aid attention and short-term memory. Best bets include a combination of whole grains, dairy and fruit.
Antioxidants = Brain Food
Research continues to show antioxidants' protective effects against free radical damage -- and that goes for the brain as well. Take your body's free radical-fighting power up a notch with these antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables:Fruits: Prunes,
Raisins,
Blueberries,
Blackberries,
Strawberries,
Raspberries
Vegetables: Kale,
Spinach,
Brussels sprouts,
Alfalfa sprouts,
Broccoli florets,
Beets
U.S. News - Health
| 05/18/2012 10:17 AM |
| CDC Urges Baby Boomers to Get tested for Hepatitis C |
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ATLANTA (AP) — For the first time, health officials are proposing that all baby boomers get tested for hepatitis C.
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| 05/18/2012 09:00 AM |
| From One Generation to the Next, Dental Care Changes |
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Mom of 3 notes less trepidation from kids, more choices from dentists
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| 05/18/2012 06:34 AM |
| Health Buzz: 'Good' Cholesterol May Not Be That Good For You |
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9 best foods for your skin; is a gluten-free diet smart for weight loss?
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| 05/18/2012 06:00 AM |
| 'Bad' Fat May Hurt Brain Function Over Time |
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But researchers report that 'good' fat may help preserve thinking and memory
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| 05/18/2012 03:00 AM |
| Diabetes Can Take a Toll on Your Emotions |
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And this psychological component may make it harder to control the blood-sugar disorder, experts say
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| 05/17/2012 09:00 AM |
| Fewer Young Americans Smoking |
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Rates have dropped since 2004, but 1 in 12 teens, one-third of young adults still light up
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| 05/17/2012 06:00 AM |
| Being Obese May Make Job Search Tougher |
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'Employers' in study unknowingly rated same women higher after weight-loss surgery
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| 05/17/2012 05:46 AM |
| Health Buzz: Coffee Linked to Longer Life |
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Easy ways to reduce caffeine intake; signs of caffeine addiction
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| 05/17/2012 04:00 AM |
| Health Tip: Get the Most From Your Nap |
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Don't sleep for more than 30 minutes
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| 05/17/2012 03:00 AM |
| Primary Care Doctors Don't Know Long-Term Effects of Chemo |
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Experts stress that information needs to be passed on after cancer treatment ends.
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Well
Tara Parker-Pope on Health| 05/18/2012 02:48 PM |
| Turning Yoga Into Art |
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Robert Sturman, an artist from Santa Monica, Calif., has traveled around the world painting and photographing landscapes, musicians and athletes. But it is the study of yoga that has triggered one of the most creative periods of his career.
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| 05/18/2012 01:04 PM |
| When Garlic Goes Green |
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Shoppers at farmers' markets may come across green garlic, which has been harvested early, before the cloves have matured. The Recipes for Health columnist Martha Rose Shulman offers five new ways to cook with green garlic.
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| 05/17/2012 01:15 PM |
| Does Facebook Turn People Into Narcissists? |
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Some research suggests that people who frequently update their Facebook status are more likely to exhibit narcissistic traits, but the social medium of choice for the self-absorbed may actually be Twitter.
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| 05/17/2012 09:35 AM |
| Using a D.M.V. Wait to Enroll Organ Donors |
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Showing people who were waiting to get a driver's license a short video about the impact of organ donation increased the number of organ donors by more than 10 percent, and the increase was especially dramatic among African-Americans.
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| 05/17/2012 07:26 AM |
| Life, Interrupted: Hope Is My New Address |
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I've left the isolation of the hospital after my bone marrow transplant and no longer need to be connected to IVs around the clock. I'm enjoying my freedom, but cancer continues to dictate my choices, writes Suleika Jaouad.
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| 05/16/2012 02:00 PM |
| Coffee Drinkers May Live Longer |
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The largest-ever study of the relationship between coffee consumption and health showed that regular coffee drinkers had a lower risk of dying from a variety of diseases.
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| 05/16/2012 12:28 PM |
| Skechers Toning Shoe Customers to Get Refund |
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Federal regulators announced on Wednesday that Skechers has agreed to pay $40 million to settle charges that the company deceived consumers with claims about its toning shoes.
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| 05/15/2012 09:01 PM |
| Cancer Survivors Who Stay Active Live Longer |
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Even moderate activity like taking a walk may improve cancer survivors' long-term prognosis, according to new research showing that regular exercise can lower survivors' risk of premature death, not only from cancer but from any cause.
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| 05/14/2012 03:03 PM |
| Probiotics Can Ease Digestive Upset of Antibiotics |
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A review of 82 trials concluded that probiotics - of varying sources and doses - significantly reduced the rate of antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
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L.A. Times - Health
Headlines from latimes.com| 05/20/2012 12:00 AM |
| Graduating collegians cope with student debt in a weak economy |
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Students and graduates from several Southland campuses talk of their loans and how paying them off figures into their plans. For some, the path seems secure; for others, uncertainty is the only certainty. College graduation is typically a time to tally accomplishments and to look ahead. But for many graduates, it is also a time to tally student loans and figure out how to repay them.
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| 05/20/2012 12:00 AM |
| McManus: A campaign bombshell |
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If the court upholds the healthcare reform law, the president wins; if it declares the law unconstitutional, he loses. Right? Well, not so fast. The Supreme Court is about to toss a judicial bomb into the middle of the presidential campaign, and nobody knows what impact it will have.
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| 05/19/2012 12:00 AM |
| Gear: Big wheels rule |
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The revolution is over — and big wheels have won. The "29er" mountain bike, which first appeared on the scene a decade ago with monster-truck tires 3 inches taller than the age-old 26-inchers, now dominates the market. It's easy to see why: The bike makes you faster and safer, gaining more momentum and floating better over sand and rocks. This year, the demand's so hot for huge hoops that some companies don't even sell 26ers anymore. Others have started experimenting with different-size big wheels, like the 650B, a "27.5er" (reviewed below) that touts faster speed with sharper steering. At the recent Handmade Bicycle Show in Sacramento, one company even rolled out a 36er — a cruiser with 3-foot-diameter tires. A mountain-bike version can't be far behind.
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| 05/19/2012 12:00 AM |
| Fitness: Exercise apps for your smartphone |
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IPhone, iPad and Android apps can help you boost your fitness level. Reviewed: Yoga With Janet Stone, Endomondo Pro, Nike Training Club, Zombies, Run!, Fleetly. Forget Angry Birds. Your smartphone can be a powerful tool for improving your overall fitness if you give it half a chance.
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