Heart Disease: Is constant wifi exposure impacting your heart?
Heart disease is a lifestyle disease. Yes, there are genetic or hereditary factors that play a role, but how you choose to live has a major impact. By lifestyle this makes me automatically think diet choices and activity level, but there are other factors that fall under “lifestyle”.
Some of these factors would include:
Do you smoke?
Do you live under high levels of stress?
Have you ever thought about wifi or cell phone radiation as contributing?
You are probably familiar with the concerns about living too close to high voltage power lines. Power lines emit electromagnetic radiation. Did you know many other things you probably bring into your home emit this same radiation? Microwave ovens, cell phones, wireless routers, game stations, cordless phones, etc.
Granted at lower levels, but still you are living in an environment receiving constant exposure to low dose radiation.
Before I go further, let me clarify that there are researchers on both “sides of the fence” on this issue. Some studies show no connection between the constant low dose radiation exposure and health (many of which are funded by wireless companies) and other studies that show a direct correlation.
In this article I’m not able to share with you everything you need to know to explain why you need to be concerned and the steps you can take, but my goal is to make you aware of this so you can look further and learn more about what you need to do to protect yourself and your family.
Which is better for your health? Wild, Brown, or White Rice?
There are several different varieties of rice. Most people were raised eating white rice and continue to do so. However, the different types of rice provide different nutritional benefits. Let’s look specifically at white rice, brown rice, and wild rice.
White Rice
White rice has been milled so that the husk, bran, and germ are removed leaving you with a refined product. During this process, the rice is polished giving it the bright, white, shiny appearance we expect.
By removing these layers the flavor, texture, and appearance of the rice is changed and the shelf life is extended as it is now less likely to spoil.
Nutrients are removed during the processing, such as the B vitamin thiamine. Due to this depletion of nutrients, white rice is usually enriched. This means some the nutrients removed during processing are added back in, such as thiamine, niacin, and iron.
Brown Rice
Continue reading
Reduce Heart Disease Risk with Resveratrol
Resveratrol is a plant substance – polyphenol – that fights certain diseases. In the plant world, plants must withstand fungus, extreme temperatures and insects. Plants produce antibiotics called phytoalexins. Resveratrol is a phytoalexin plants use to fight off disease and repair damage.
What are the functions of Resveratrol?
Many of the functions of resveratrol have a direct impact on heart disease and/or your risk of developing heart disease. Resveratrol functions include:
- Decreased platelet stickiness (means decreased platelet aggregation & clotting)
- Reduced LDL cholesterol oxidation
- Promotes phase II detoxification enzymes (increase removal of toxins from the body)
- Inhibition of COX-2 enzyme induction (can result in decreased inflammation)
- Anti-inflammatory
- Phytoestrogen (can reduce risk of some cancers)
- Antioxidant
- Role in Alzheimer’s disease prevention
Antioxidants are especially important as we strive to prevent heart disease. Antioxidants slow and prevent the oxidation of cells. For example, it is the oxidation of LDL cholesterol that begins the formation of plaque within artery walls. Oxidation causes stress and cell damage that reduces a cells ability to function properly, eventually leading to cell death. By consuming a diet high in antioxidants, such as resveratrol, you promote decreased oxidation and cell health.
What are sources of Resveratrol?
Clogged Arteries: Young Doesn't Equal Healthy
Shouldn’t you be the “picture of health” as a young adult? Guess it shouldn’t come as a surprise that looks are deceiving.
Canadian researchers presented study results recently at the 2011 Canadian Cardiovascular Congress regarding their study of 168 adults between the ages of 18 and 35 years-old.
Study participants had no family history of heart disease, nor any other known risk factors, such as diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or smoking.
Guess what? Researchers found a “staggering” number of participants to have atherosclerosis, which is a build-up of plaque along artery walls. Almost half of participants had signs of atherosclerosis – 48%.
Height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference were recorded for all participants. MRI scans measured both subcutaneous (fat under the skin) and visceral fat (fat around vital organs).
These measurements found many participants to have greater waist circumferences and higher levels of visceral fat within the chest and abdomen. These high levels of visceral fat increase risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke at some point in their lives. It’s this high level of visceral fat that is likely contributing to the early signs of atherosclerosis.
These Canadian findings corroborate previous research that has found up to 80% of young American’s killed in war or car accidents to have premature and hidden atherosclerosis.
What Can You Do?
Shift Work and the Impact on Heart Health
A subscriber to The Heart of Health submitted a good question and I wanted to share the answer.
Question:
Does working nights affect my health, especially heart?
Answer:
There is strong evidence that shift work is linked to some serious health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes and obesity. Additional health concerns linked to shift work include stomach ulcers and depression.
Increase Exercise Intensity to Strengthen Heart
There are some studies that suggest a higher intensity interval workout routine, such as those used by athletes, may be beneficial for patients with heart conditions.
High intensity interval training involves short bursts of intense exercise at 85-95% maximum heart rate. These short bursts are alternated with periods of moderate exercise. This workout method is frequently used by athletes to improve speed and endurance.
If this type of training were to be recommended for heart patients it’d be a change from the standard protocol of steady aerobic exercise at 70% maximum heart rate. This lower level of intensity is intended to work the heart without risking chest pain, heart attack, or other complication.
