What Is Parkinson’s Disease? What Causes Parkinson’s Disease?

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Parkinson’s disease is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects how the person moves, including how they speak and write. Symptoms develop gradually, and may start off with ever-so-slight tremors in one hand. People with Parkinson’s disease also experience stiffness and find they cannot carry out movements as rapidly as before – this is called bradykinesia. The muscles of a person with Parkinson’s become weaker and the individual may assume an unusual posture.

Parkinson’s disease belongs to a group of conditions called movement disorders. Movement disorders describe a variety of abnormal body movements that have a neurological basis, and include such conditions as cerebral palsy, ataxia, and Tourette syndrome.

A male has a 50% higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease than a female.

In the majority of cases, symptoms start to appear after the age of 50. However, in about 4% to 5% of cases the sufferer is younger than 40 years. When signs and symptoms develop in an individual aged between 21 and 40 years, it is known as Young-onset Parkinson’s disease.

Apart from tremor and slow movements, the patient may also have a fixed, inexpressive face – this is because of poorer control over facial muscle coordination and movement.

As a significant number of elderly patients with early Parkinson’s disease symptoms assume that their traits may form part of normal aging and do not seek medical help, obtaining accurate statistics is probably impossible. There are also several different conditions which sometimes have comparable signs and symptoms to Parkinson’s, such as drug-induced Parkinsonism, head trauma, encephalitis, stroke, Lewy body dementia, corticobasal degeneration, multiple system atrophy, and progressive supranuclear pasly.

Some factors may raise or lower the risk of developing Parkinson’s

  • Circumin – an ingredient found in the spice turmeric, is apparently effective in preventing the clumping of a protein involved in Parkinson’s disease, according to scientists from Michigan State University. (Link to article)
  • Flavonoids – adult males who regularly eat foods rich in flavonoids appear to have a considerably lower risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, compared to others who do not, researchers in the USA and UK reported in the journal Neurology. Examples of foods include berries, apples, some vegetables, tea and red wine. In this study, the protective effects come from anthocyanins, a subclass of flavonoids.
  • REM sleep disorder – people with REM (rapid eye movement) sleep behavior disorder may have twice the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease or mild cognitive impairment, compared to others without the disorder, researchers at the Mayo Clinic reported in Annals of Neurology. 
  • Neurologist and co-author, Brad Boeve, M.D., said:”Understanding that certain patients are at greater risk for MCI or Parkinson’s disease will allow for early intervention, which is vital in the case of such disorders that destroy brain cells. Although we are still searching for effective treatments, our best chance of success is to identify and treat these disorders early, before cell death.”Some reheated cooking oils – aldehydes, which have been linked to Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases, as well as some cancers, can be found in some oils, such as sunflower oil, when heated to a certain temperature, and then used again. Scientists from the University of the Basque Country found that aldehydes remain in cooking oils after they are heated. 
  • Parkinson’s disease is primarily caused by low and falling dopamine levelsA person with Parkinson’s has abnormally low dopamine levels. Dopamine-generating cells, known as dopaminergic neurons (types of nerve cells) in the substantia nigra part of the brain have died. Experts do not know why these cells die.When dopamine levels are too low, people find it harder to get things done, to control their movements.Dopamine levels progressively drop in patients with the disease, so their symptoms gradually become more severe. Dopamine is involved in the sending of messages to the part of the brain that controls coordination and movement.
  • Although Parkinson’s disease is not a direct cause of death, it is a progressive disease, and symptoms get worse over time. Parkinson’s is:
    • A chronic disease – a long-term disease. It is incurable.
    • A progressive disease – a disease that gradually gets worse.

source: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/parkinsons-disease

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Kidney Pain vs. Back Pain: How to Tell the Difference

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Because your kidneys are located toward your back and underneath your ribcage, it may be hard to tell if pain you may be experiencing in that area is coming from your back or your kidney.

The symptoms you’re having can help you figure out which is the source of the pain. The location, type, and severity of the pain are some of the things that will be different depending on whether the pain is from a problem in your kidneys or your back.

How to identify kidney pain

Kidney pain is most often caused by a kidney infection or a stone in the tubes coming out of your kidney. If the pain is coming from your kidney, it will have these features:

Where the pain is located

Kidney pain is felt in your flank, which is the area on either side of your spine between the bottom of your ribcage and your hips. It usually occurs in one side of your body, but it can occur in both sides.

Type of pain

Kidney pain is usually sharp if you have a kidney stone and a dull ache if you have an infection. Most often it will be constant. It won’t get worse with movement or go away by itself without treatment.If you’re passing a kidney stone, the pain may fluctuate as the stone moves.

Radiation of the pain

Sometimes the pain spreads (radiates) to your inner thigh or lower abdomen.

Severity of the pain

Kidney pain is classified according to how bad it is — severe or mild. A kidney stone usually causes severe pain, and the pain from an infection is usually mild.Things that make it better or worse

Typically, nothing makes the pain better until the problem is corrected, such as by passing the stone. Unlike back pain, it usually won’t change with movement.

Accompanying symptoms

If you have a kidney infection or a kidney stone, you may also experience:

How to identify back pain

Back pain is more common than kidney pain and is usually caused by a problem in the muscles, bones, or nerves in your back. Back pain has the following features:

Where the pain is located

Back pain can occur anywhere on your back, but it’s most commonly located in your lower back or one of your buttocks.

Type of pain

Muscle pain feels like a dull ache. If a nerve has been injured or irritated, the pain is a sharp burning sensation that may travel down your buttock to your lower leg or even your foot.

Muscle pain may affect one or both sides, but nerve pain usually only affects one side.

Radiation of the pain

Nerve pain may spread to your lower leg. Pain from a muscle usually stays in the back.Severity of the pain 

Back pain is described as acute or chronic based on how long you’ve had it. Acute pain lasts days to weeks, subacute pain lasts six weeks to three months, and chronic pain lasts longer than three months.

Things that make it better or worse

Back pain may get worse with movement or if you sit or stand for a long time. It may get better if you switch positions or walk around.

Accompanying symptoms

Other symptoms you may experience with back pain include:

  • the painful spot looking swollen and feeling tender to the touch
  • a muscle spasm in the painful area
  • numbness or weakness in one or both of your legs (if the pain is due to a nerve issue)

If you find you have back pain and can’t hold your urine or bowel movements, something is pressing on your spinal nerves, and you should be evaluated immediately. This condition, called cauda equina syndrome, can cause severe long-term damage to your spinal nerves if not treated right away.

When to see a doctor

Once you’ve determined whether your pain is coming from your back or your kidneys, consider seeing your doctor for evaluation and treatment. You should always be seen if you think you have a kidney infection or kidney stone.

You might be able to treat acute back pain that is mild without seeing your doctor, but if it doesn’t get better, is more than mild pain, or spreads, you should see your doctor.

source:https://www.healthline.com/health/kidney-pain-vs-back-pain#1

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How Not to Wreck Your Liver

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It’s not something you probably think much about, but your liver is a key player in your body’s digestive system. Everything you eat or drink, including medicine, passes through it. You need to treat it right so it can stay healthy and do its job.

“It’s an organ you could easily trash if you don’t take good care of it,” says Rohit Satoskar, MD, of the MedStar Georgetown Transplant Institute. “And once you trash it, it’s gone.”

Our Liver is about the size of a football and sits under our lower ribcage on the right side. It has several important things to do. It helps clean your blood by getting rid of harmful chemicals that our body makes. It makes a liquid called bile, which helps you break down fat from food. And it also stores sugar called glucose, which gives you a quick energy boost when you need it.

There’s nothing tricky about keeping your in good shape. It’s all about a healthy lifestyle, says Ray Chung, MD, medical director of the Liver Transplant program at Massachusetts General Hospital. “Taking care of your liver is far more about avoiding what’s bad than it is about eating or drinking things that are particularly nourishing to the liver,” he says.

Care for Your Liver

Here are some ways to keep your liver healthy:

Don’t drink a lot of alcohol. It can damage liver cells and lead to the swelling or scarring that becomes cirrhosis which can be deadly.

How much alcohol is too much? U.S. government guidelines say men should drink no more than two drinks a day and women only one.

Eat a healthy diet and get regular exercise.  Your liver will thank you. You’ll keep your weight  under control, which helps prevent nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition that leads to cirrhosis.

Watch out for certain medicines. Some cholesterol drugs can occasionally have a side effect that causes liver problems. The painkiller acetaminophen (Tylenol) can hurt your liver if you take too much. 

You may be taking more acetaminophen than you realize. It’s found in hundreds of drugs like cold medicines and prescription pain medicines. Some medicines can hurt your liver if you drink alcohol when you take them. And some are harmful when combined with other drugs. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the safest way to take your medicines.

Learn how to prevent viral hepatitis: It’s a serious disease that harms your liver. There are several types. You catch hepatitis A from eating or drinking water that’s got the virus that causes the disease. You can get a vaccine if you’re traveling to a part of the world where there are outbreaks.

Hepatitis B and C are spread through blood and body fluids. To cut your risk, don’t share items like toothbrush razors, or needles. Limit the number of sex partners you have, and always use latex condoms.

There’s no vaccine yet for hepatitis C but there is one for hepatitis B.

Don’t touch or breathe in toxins: Some cleaning products, aerosol products, and insecticides have chemicals that can damage your liver. Avoid direct contact with them.  Additives in cigarettes can also damage your liver, so don’t smoke.

Be careful with herbs and Dietary supplements: Some can harm your liver. A few that have caused problems are cascara, chaparral, comfrey, kava and ephedra.

In recent years, some herbs and supplements have hit the market that say they restore the liver, including milkthisle seed, borotutu bark, and chanca piedra. Be wary of those claims. “There’s never been any high-quality evidence that any of these promotes liver health,” Chung says. Some may even cause harm.

Drink coffee: Research shows that it can lower your risk of getting liver disease. No one knows why this is so, but it’s worth keeping an eye on as more research is done.

Source: https://www.webmd.com/hepatitis/features/healthy-liver#2

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Everything you need to know about hypertension

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Hypertension is another name for high blood pressure. It can lead to severe complications and increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and death. Blood Pressure is the force exerted by the blood against the walls of the blood vessels. The pressure depends on the work being done by the heart and the resistance of the blood vessels.

Medical guidelines define hypertension as a blood pressure higher than 130 over 80 millimeters of mercury (mmHg), according to guidelines issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) in November 2017.

Around 85 million people in the United States have High Blood Pressure.

Hypertension and Heart Deseases are global health concerns. The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that the growth of the processed food industry has impacted the amount of salt in diets worldwide, and that this plays a role in hypertension.

Fast facts on hypertension:

Here are some key points about hypertension. More detail is in the main article.

  • Normal blood pressure is 120 over 80 mm of mercury (mmHg), but hypertension is higher than 130 over 80 mmHg.
  • Acute causes of high blood pressure include stress, but it can happen on its own, or it can result from an underlying condition, such as kidney disease.
  • Unmanaged hypertension can lead to a heart attack, stroke and other problems.
  • Lifestyle factors are the best way to address high blood pressure.

Stress reduction

Avoiding stress, or developing strategies for managing unavoidable stress, can help with blood pressure control. Using alcohol, drugs, smoking, and unhealthy eating to cope with stress will add to hypertensive problems. These should be avoided. Smoking can raise blood pressure. Giving up smoking reduces the risk of hypertension, heart conditions, and other health issues.

Medications

People with blood pressure higher than 130 over 80 may use medication to treat hypertension. Drugs are usually started one at a time at a low dose. Side effects associated with antihypertensive drugs are usually minor. Eventually, a combination of at least two antihypertensive drugs is usually required.

A range of drug types are available to help lower blood pressure, including:

  • diuretics, including thiazides, chlorthalidone, and indapamide
  • brta-blockers and alpha-blockers
  • calcium-channel blockers
  • central agonists
  • peripheral adrenergic inhibitor
  • vasodilators
  • angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
  • angiotensin receptor blockers

The choice of drug depends on the individual and any other conditions they may have. Anyone taking antihypertensive medications should be sure to carefully read labels, especially before taking any over-the-counter (OTC) medications, such as decongestants. These may interact with medications used to lower blood pressure.

Causes

The cause of hypertension is often not known. Around 1 in every 20 cases of hypertension is the effect of an underlying condition or medication. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a common cause of high blood pressure because the kidneys do not filter out fluid. This fluid excess leads to hypertension.

Risk factors

A number of risk factors increase the chances of having hypertension.

  • Age: Hypertension is more common in people aged over 60 years. With age, blood pressure can increase steadily as the arteries become stiffer and narrower due to plaque build-up.
  • Ethnicity: Some ethnic groups are more prone to hypertension.
  • Size and weight: Being overweight or obese is a key risk factor.
  • Alcohol and tobacco use: Consuming large amounts of alcohol regularly can increase a person’s blood pressure, as can smoking tobacco.
  • Sex: The lifetime risk is the same for males and females, but men are more prone to hypertension at a younger age. The prevalence tends to be higher in older women.
  • Existing health conditions: Cardiovascular disease, Diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and high cholesterol levels can lead to hypertension, especially as people get older.

Other contributing factors include:

  • physical inactivity
  • a salt-rich diet associated with processed and fatty foods
  • low potassium in the diet
  • Alcohol and tobacco usecertain diseases and medications
  • A family history of high blood pressure and poorly managed stress can also contribute.

Signs

Blood pressure can be measured by a sphygmomanometer, or blood pressure monitor. Having high blood pressure for a short time can be a normal response to many situations. Acute stress and intense exercise, for example, can briefly elevate blood pressure in a healthy person. 
For this reason, a diagnosis of hypertension normally requires several readings that show high blood pressure over time.

The systolic reading of 130 mmHg refers to the pressure as the heart pumps blood around the body. The diastolic reading of 80 mmHg refers to the pressure as the heart relaxes and refills with blood.

Symptoms

A person with hypertension may not notice any symptoms, and it is often called the “silent killer.” While undetected, it can casue damage to the cardiovascular system and internal organs, such as the kidneys.

Regularly checking your blood pressure is vital, as there will usually be no symptoms to make you aware of the condition.

It is maintained that high blood pressure causes sweating, anxiety, sleeping problems, and blushing. However, in most cases, there will be no symptoms at all.

If blood pressure reaches the level of a hypertensive crisis, a person may experience headache and nosebleeds.

Complications

Long-term hypertension can cause complications through atherosclerosis, where the formation of plaque results in the narrowing of blood vessels. This makes hypertension worse, as the heart must pump harder to deliver blood to the body.

Hypertension-related atherosclerosis can lead to:

  • Heart failure and heart attacks
  • an aneurysm or an abnormal bulge in the wall of an artery that can burst, causing severe bleeding and, in some cases, death
  • kidney failure
  • stroke
  • amputation
  • hypertensive retinopathies in the eye, which can lead to blindness

Regular blood pressure testing can help people avoid the more severe complications.

Diet

Some types of hypertension can be managed through lifestyle and dietary choices, such as engaging in physical activity, reducing alcohol and tobacco use, and avoiding a high-sodium diet.

Reducing the amount of salt

Average salt intake is between 9 grams (g) and 12 g per day in most countries around the world.

Reducing the amount of salt : Average salt intake is between 9 grams (g) and 12 g per day in most countries around the world. The WHO recommends reducing intake to less than 5gm a day, to help decrease the risk of hypertension and related health problems.

Moderating alcohol consumption

Moderate to excessive alcohol consumption is linked to raised blood pressure and an increased risk of stroke.The American Heart Association (AHA) recommend a maximum of two drinks a day for men, and one for women.

The following would count as one drink:

  • 12 ounce (oz.) bottle of beer
  • 4 oz. of wine
  • 5 oz. of 80-proof spirits
  • 1 oz. of 100-proof spirits

A healthcare provider can help people who find it difficult to cut back.

Eating more fruit and vegetables and less fat

People who have or who are at risk of high blood pressure are advised to eat as little saturated and total fat as possible.

Recommended instead are:

  • whole-grain, high-fiber foods
  • a variety of fruit and vegetables
  • beans, pulses, and nuts
  • omega-3-rich fish twice a week
  • non-tropical vegetable oils, for example, olive oil
  • skinless poultry and fish
  • low-fat dairy products

It is important to avoid trans-fats, hydrogenated vegetable oils, and animal fats, and to eat portions of moderate size.

Managing body weight

Hypertension is closely related to excess body weight, and weight reduction is normally followed by a fall in blood pressure. A healthy, balanced diet with a calorie intake that matches the individual’s size, sex, and activity level will help.

The DASH diet

The U.S. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) recommends the DASH diet for people with high blood pressure. DASH, or “Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension,” has been specially designed to help people lower their blood pressure.

It is a flexible and balanced eating plan based on research studies sponsored by the Institute, which says that the diet:

  • lowers high blood pressure
  • improves levels of fats in the bloodstream
  • reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular disease

Source: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/150109.php

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The Not-So-Sweet Truth About Artificial Sweeteners

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Here’s what we know about artificial sweetners. They are not good for you. The average American consumes 24 pounds of artificial sugar each year. Researchers have linked sweeteners — which have long been popular low-calorie substitutes for sugar — to diabetes and heart disease. Some studies have even associated them with weight gain. Sweetners can harm your bladder and cause diarrhea. Still, misconceptions about artificial sweeteners still exist. People still believe they’ve found the “healthy” sweetener. The truth is, these sweeteners are unhealthy across the board. A closer look at what each consists of will help to highlight how your preferred sweetener might affect you.

Fortunately, there is a solution. To satisfy your taste for sweet drinks and foods, you don’t have to choose between sugar and artificial sugar. Try healthier natural alternatives for sugar, such as honey and coconut sugar, among others. And consider these steps to equip yourself with the information you’ll need to maintain healthier habits:

  1. If you’re looking to lose weight, see how can you reduce intake of sugar and eat Yogurt to replace sweet.
  2. Become familiar with names of artificial sugar, so you can spot them in the ingradient box of your favorite products.

Step 1: Slowly Scale Down

Gradually reduce the amount of artificial sweeteners you consume:

  • Some artificial sweeteners can cause withdrawal symptoms if you cut back too quickly. Follow this schedule to graReduce by one packet for one day.
  • Reduce by two packets for two days.
  • Reduce by three packets for three days.
  • Continue this pattern until you are down to using no artificial sweeteners.

Step 2: Go for the Real Thing

Over time, learn to eat and drink natural sugars. Each of these tricks all have 50 calories or less, so you don’t need to worry about weight gain going off artificial sweeteners. About five minutes of jumping jacks is enough to burn off these calories. 

  • Instead of diet soda, pour any flavored fruit juice into a shot glass, and then dump in a glass of seltzer. Each shot only has between 20 and 25 calories. 
  • Instead of artificially flavored water, try fruit-infused water instead. Use watermelon, as it’s naturally sweet and will feel like you are indulging. 
  • Instead of sugar-free pudding, get the kind with real sugar. Put half the pudding in a piece of Tupperware to save for later and fill the other half of the cup with fresh fruit.

Step 3: Add Sweet Spices and Stevia

Spices like ginger, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom and nutmeg enhance natural sweetness. Sprinkle sweet spices into your coffee or tea and even on a baked apple as a dessert. Stevia as a natural sweetener is also a great replacement; it comes in granulated form that looks like sugar or in drops that you can add to coffee, water or dessert in all different flavors.

Yogurt that will satisfy your taste buds and dietary needs.

Full of protein, calcium and healthy bacteria that’s good for your digestion and immune system, Greek yogurt has recently enjoyed a burst of popularity. It’s a great snack, especially if you’re looking to slim down. Not only does this yogurt make you feel full, some studies have shown that diets that include several servings of Greek yogurt a day may aid weight loss and trim waistlines.

SUGAR

You’ve probably heard that soft drinks are bad for your health. Those who indulge in these fizzy beverages are more likely to end up obese with diabetes, heart disease, or both. And while many people have turned to other drinks to satisfy their thirst, some of these alternatives may not be so healthy. A study published took a look at the juices people are drinking in the UK to get a sense of how much sugar might be in the drink that many consumers consider healthy. Their findings show that drinking juices and other similar drinks may be just as bad for you as the soda they’re replacing.

Preaparing juice without adding sugar at home will be healthier than you get in bottled juices in  market or at the juice parlour where they mix more water and sugar.

Source: http://blog.doctoroz.com/dr-oz-blog/the-not-so-sweet-truth-about-artificial-sweeteners

Dr. Oz, is a Turkish-American television personality, cardiothoracic surgeon, Columbia University professor, pseudoscience promoter, and author. This is article is selected from one of  his blogs

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Cholesterol: Understanding HDL vs. LDL

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There are two main types of cholesterol: high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). (Lipoproteins are made of fat and protein, and serve as vehicles for your cholesterol to travel through the blood.) Cardiologists are often asked about low-density lipoprotein (LDL) versus high-density lipoprotein (HDL). The difference is important to understand.

What does HDL cholesterol do?

HDL clears from the body via the liver. HDL may therefore prevent the buildup of plaque, protect your arteries, and protect you from atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. It is considered the “good” cholesterol, and higher levels are better. A good goal to aim for is higher than 55 mg/dL for women and 45 mg/dL for men. The higher your HDL cholesterol numbers, the lower your risk is for heart disease, vascular disease, and stroke.

How to increase HDL cholesterol

Although HDL levels are driven by family genetics, you can improve HDL levels in three key ways:

  • If you are a smoker, research clearly shows that quitting smoking can increase HDL.
  • Adopting a heart-healthy diet low in fat and high in fiber can also modestly raise your HDL.
  • Aerobic exercise can also have positive effects on HDL. Have trouble exercising? Find a buddy; research shows it helps motivate you. That exercise can be as simple as increasing the amount of walking you do (for the sake of exercise, not a stroll) each week.

Lastly, although primarily used to decrease high LDL, some statin medications may potentially increase HDL levels moderately. Any medical treatment option should be discussed with your doctor. Importantly, high HDL does not protect you from the untoward effects of high LDL.

What does LDL cholesterol do?

LDL is considered the “bad” cholesterol. It carries cholesterol to your arteries, where it may collect in the vessel walls and contribute to plaque formation, known as atherosclerosis. This can lead to decreased blood flow to the heart muscle (coronary artery disease), leg muscles peripheral artery disease or abrupt closure of an artery in the heart or brain, leading to a heart attack or stroke. Over a third of the US population has high LDL cholesterol. Diagnosis is made via blood testing, so if you don’t check, you won’t know.

For LDL, the lower the number the better. A good goal to keep in mind is less than 130 mg/dL if you don’t have atherosclerotic disease or diabetes. It should be no more than 100 mg/dL, or even 70mg/dL, if you have any of those conditions or high total cholesterol. It’s very important to set your own target cholesterol levels with your doctor. Obesity, a large waist circumference, a sedentary lifestyle, or a diet rich in red meat, full-fat dairy, saturated fat, trans fats, and processed foods can lead to high LDL cholesterol.

How to lower LDL cholesterol

Lifestyle and diet changes are the main ways to prevent or lower high LDL. A trial of eating a low-fat diet, regular aerobic activity, maintaining a healthy weight, and smaller waist circumference is an appropriate first step. It is best to set a timeline to achieve your goals with your doctor. In some cases, if those lifestyle changes are not enough, your physician may suggest a cholesterol lowering medication, such as a statin. If you are considering over-the-counter herbal or ayurvedic medications for cholesterol, please discuss those with your physician first as well.

Rarely, very high LDL is genetic and passed down in families. This is called familial hypercholesterolemia  and is caused by a genetic mutation that decreases the liver’s ability to clear excess cholesterol. This condition can lead to very high LDL levels, and heart attack or stroke at a young age in multiple generations. Those individuals may require special medical treatment for prevention and treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Remember, knowledge is the first step. If you don’t know your cholesterol levels, get tested. That will give you and your physician a starting point for lifestyle changes and medications if needed. In the meantime, adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle and do it with friends and family no matter their ages. There’s no time like the present to prevent heart disease.

Despite major advances in drugs and medical treatments, maintaining a healthy diet, being physically active, and not smoking are still the best approaches to preventing heart disease. Improving your diet lowers your risk for heart disease in many ways, including helping to lower high cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar and insulin levels, as well as preventing obesity and improving the function of your heart and blood vessels.

Consider the types of foods that you eat and your overall dietary pattern, rather than focusing on individual nutrients such as fat, dietary cholesterol, or specific vitamins. There are no single nutrients or vitamins that can make you healthy. Rather, there is a short list of key foods that together can dramatically reduce your risk for heart disease.

FAQ about Cholesterol

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a fat-like, waxy substance that can be found in all parts of your body. It helps your body make cell membranes, many hormones, and vitamin D. The cholesterol in your blood comes from two sources: the foods you eat and your liver. Your liver makes all the cholesterol your body needs.

What causes cholesterol?

Poor diet. Eating saturated fat, found in animal products, and trans fats, found in some commercially baked cookies and crackers, can raise your cholesterol level. Foods that are high in cholesterol, such as red meat and full-fat dairy products, will also increase your total cholesterol

What foods are high in cholesterol?

This is why it is best to limit the amount of foods we eat that are high in saturated fats such as:

  • Hard margarines.
  • Lard, dripping and goose fat.
  • Fatty meat and meat products such as sausages.
  • Full fat cheese, milk, cream and yogurt.

Some food that block body from absorbing cholesterol:

  • Barleyand other whole grains. 
  • Eggplantand okra.
  • Vegetable oils. …
  • Apples, grapes, strawberries, citrus fruits.  

Are eggs good or bad for cholesterol?

Chicken eggs are high in cholesterol, but the effect of egg consumption on blood cholesterol is minimal when compared with the effect of transfat and saturated fats. Most healthy people can eat up to two eggs a day with no increase in their risk of heart disease.

Source: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/understanding-cholesterol-hdl-vs-ldl-2018041213608

Contributor: Ami B. Bhatt, MD, FACC is the Director of the Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program at the Massachusetts General Hospital and an active clinical cardiologist, investigator, and educator

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Alzheimer’s and Dementia basics

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Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other cognitive abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60 percent to 80 percent of dementia cases.


Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging. The greatest known risk factor is increasing age, and the majority of people with Alzheimer’s are 65 and older. But Alzheimer’s is not just a disease of old age. Approximately 200,000 Americans under the age of 65 have younger-onset Alzheimer’s disease (also known as early-onset Alzheimer’s). 

  • Alzheimer’s worsens over time. Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease, where dementia symptoms gradually worsen over a number of years. In its early stages, memory loss is mild, but with late-stage Alzheimer’s, individuals lose the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to their environment. Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Those with Alzheimer’s live an average of eight years after their symptoms become noticeable to others, but survival can range from four to 20 years, depending on age and other health conditions.       
  • Alzheimer’s has no current cure, but treatments for symptoms are available and research continues. Although current Alzheimer’s treatments cannot stop Alzheimer’s from progressing, they can temporarily slow the worsening of dementia symptoms and improve quality of life for those with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. Today, there is a worldwide effort under way to find better ways to treat the disease, delay its onset, and prevent it from developing.
    The most common sysmptom of Alzymer’s is difficulty remembering newly learned information.

    Just like the rest of our bodies, our brains change as we age. Most of us eventually notice some slowed thinking and occasional problems with remembering certain things However, serious memory loss, confusion and other major changes in the way our minds work may be a sign that brain cells are failing. The most common early symptom of Alzheimer’s is difficulty remembering newly learned information because Alzheimer’s changes typically begin in the part of the brain that affects learning. As Alzheimer’s advances through the brain it leads to increasingly severe symptoms, including disorientation, mood and behavior changes; deepening confusion about events, time and place; unfounded suspicions about family, friends and professional caregivers; more serious memory loss and behavior changes; and difficulty speaking, swallowing and walking.
  • People with memory loss or other possible signs of Alzheimer’s may find it hard to recognize they have a problem. Signs of dementia may be more obvious to family members or friends. Anyone experiencing dementia-like symptoms should see a doctor as soon as possible. If you need assistance finding a doctor with experience evaluating memory problems.
  • Alzheimer’s and the brainMicroscopic changes in the brain begin long before the first signs of memory loss.The brain has 100 billion nerve cells (neurons). Each nerve cell connects with many others to form communication networks. Groups of nerve cells have special jobs. Some are involved in thinking, learning and remembering. Others help us see, hear and smell.To do their work, brain cells operate like tiny factories. They receive supplies, generate energy, construct equipment and get rid of waste. Cells also process and store information and communicate with other cells. Keeping everything running requires coordination as well as large amounts of fuel and oxygen.Scientists believe Alzheimer’s disease prevents parts of a cell’s factory from running well. They are not sure where the trouble starts. But just like a real factory, backups and breakdowns in one system cause problems in other areas. As damage spreads, cells lose their ability to do their jobs and, eventually die, causing irreversible changes in the brain.
  • The role of plaques and tanglesTwo abnormal structures called plaques and tangles are prime suspects in damaging and killing nerve cells.
    1. Plaques are deposits of a protein fragment called beta-amyloid (BAY-tuh AM-uh-loyd) that build up in the spaces between nerve cells.
    2. Tanglesare twisted fibers of another protein called tau (rhymes with “wow”) that build up inside cells.Scientists do not know exactly what role plaques and tangles play in Alzheimer’s disease. Most experts believe they somehow play a critical role in blocking communication among nerve cells and disrupting processes that cells need to survive.It’s the destruction and death of nerve cells that causes memory failure, personality changes, problems carrying out daily activities and other symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.

Source: https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-alzheimers

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Do You Have Prediabetes?

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Chances are you know someone with type 2 diabetes. In fact, 29 million Americans suffer from it, and if current trends continue, one in three adults will have type 2 diabetes by 2050. It’s one of the most dreaded chronic diseases we face. It results in elevated blood sugar because the body does not use insulin properly. Over time this elevated blood sugar can damage the eyes, kidneys, heart, nerves, and brain and even lead to amputations. Unfortunately, once you have type 2 diabetes you have it for life. It can be treated and well-controlled, but many people find that difficult.

Luckily, there’s a way to tell if you’re at risk for type 2 diabetes and change course before you get the disease. It’s called prediabetes and unlike diabetes, it can be reversed. One in three Americans reading this may already have it and not even know it.

Prediabetes is when your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not quite high enough yet to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. If you have it and don’t make changes, prediabetes can turn into type 2 diabetes, but the good news is, it can also be used as a tool for prevention.

Figuring out if you have prediabetes is quite simple. Recently the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Diabetes Association, the American Medical Association, and the Ad Council joined me on our show to show everyone a new a test they developed that you can do at home, right now, to see if you are at risk for prediabetes. That’s right. You don’t even have to sit in a waiting room. The online test asks seven simple questions and takes less than a minute. You can find it at DoIHavePrediabetes.org. It focuses on risk factors like being overweight or physically inactive, having a history of high blood pressure or a family history of diabetes, gender, age, and ethnicity. If the online tool shows your risk as high, you should follow up with your doctor to get a simple test to confirm your results.

If you know you have prediabetes you also know you’re at an increased risk for type 2 diabetes, so, it’s time to take action and reverse it.

Here’s some simple steps you can take to do just that:

1. Lose weight: – Studies show that losing just 5-7% of your body weight can reverse prediabetes.

2. Walk: – Get at least 2.5 hours (150 minutes) of light aerobic activity every week. This could be as simple as going for a brisk 30-minute walk 5 days per week. Even 10 minutes at a time adds up.

3. Eat smart: – Fill up on vegetables and remember to read food labels — the more you know about what goes into your food, the better decisions you’ll be able to make.

4. Don’t smoke: – Smoking increases the risk of serious health problems associated with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.

Making these changes doesn’t have to be difficult and you don’t have to do it alone, because there is another great tool that can help. It’s the CDC-led National Diabetes Prevention Program, and studies show that it can actually help you cut your risk of diabetes in half. This customizable program helps show you how to make living a healthy lifestyle easy. The best part is you get a coach that works with you the entire time to serve as both guide and motivator. In addition to your coach, you are connected with other people in the program just like you, so you can discuss challenges and their solutions with other people going through the same things. There is probably a program right near where you live and you can find a list at DoIHavePrediabetes.org. If there isn’t one in your area, you can also do the entire program online.

So if you have diabetes be sure to check it out. Having type 2 diabetes is hard, but fortunately its turns out that preventing it doesn’t have to be.

Type 2 diabetes remission possible with a special diet. According to a study published today in the Lancet medical journal, certain people with Type 2 diabetes were able to put the disease in remission without medication by following a rigorous diet plan. One hundred and forty-nine participants with type 2 diabetes participated in the study for six years, and were monitored closely as they underwent a liquid diet (which provided only 825 to 853 calories per day for three to five months). The participants were then reintroduced to solid food and maintained a structured diet until the end of the yearlong study. The researchers found that half of the participants were able to put their diabetes into remission, without medication, after one year. In addition, those who participated in the study also lost an average of more than 20 pounds. The findings are important, as diet and lifestyle are touched upon in research on diabetes remission, but the impact of cutting calories and increasing physical activity is rarely discussed.

The study also offered a more universal approach to reversing diabetes compared to undergoing bariatric surgery, which can achieve remission for some people, but is considerably more expensive and comes with a greater health risk. 

If you are Prediabetic avoid following food:

  1. Saugar and sweets, sweetened beverages
  2. Transfat, white bread, white rice, pasta
  3. Flavoured yogurt, flavoured coffee, flavoured or sweet breakfast cereals.
  4. Packages snacks, French fries, fruit juice
  5. Donuts and soda

If you are Prediabetic eat following food:

  1. whole wheat bread.
  2. non-starchy vegetables, such as carrots and field greens.
  3. Beans.
  4. Sweet potatoes.
  5. pasta (preferably whole wheat)
  6. Corn
  7. Steel cut oats [not instant oatmeal]
  8. Drnik plenty of water

Source: http://blog.doctoroz.com/dr-oz-blog/do-you-have-prediabetes

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All you need to know about Tuberculosis

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Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that usually affects the lungs. Compared with other diseases caused by a single infectious agent, tuberculosis is the second biggest killer, globally.

Fast facts on tuberculosis

Here are some key points about tuberculosis. More detail and supporting information is in the main article.

  • The World Health Organization estimates that 9 million people a year get sick with TB, with 3 million of these “missed” by health systems
  • TB is among the top 3 causes of death for women aged 15 to 44
  • TB symptoms (cough, fever, night sweats, weight loss, etc.) may be mild for many months, and people ill with TB can infect up to 10-15 other people through close contact over the course of a year
  • TB is an airborne pathogen, meaning that the bacteria that cause TB can spread through the air from person to person

Types of TB:

Latent TB – the bacteria remain in the body in an inactive state. They cause no symptoms and are not contagious, but they can become active.

Active TB – the bacteria do cause symptoms and can be transmitted to others.

About one-third of the world’s population is believed to have latent TB. There is a 10 percent chance of latent TB becoming active, but this risk is much higher in people who have compromised immune systems, i.e., people living with HIV or Malnutrition or people who smoke.

Diagnosis of tuberculosis

To check for TB, a doctor will use a stethoscope to listen to the lungs and check for swelling in the lymph nodes. They will also ask about symptoms and medical history as well as assessing the individual’s risk of exposure to TB. The most common diagostic test for TB is a skin test where a small injection of PPD tuberculin, an extract of the TB bacterium, is made just below the inside forearm.

The injection site should be checked after 2-3 days, and, if a hard, red bump has swollen up to a specific size, then it is likely that TB is present. Unfortunately, the skin test is not 100 percent accurate and has been known to give incorrect positive and negative readings. However, there are other tests that are available to diagnose TB. Blood tests, chest X-rays, and sputum tests can all be used to test for the presence of TB bacteria and may be used alongside a skin test.

MDR-TB is more difficult to diagnose than regular TB. It is also difficult to diagnose regular TB in children.

What causes Tuberculosis?

The Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacterium causes TB. It is spread through the air when a person with TB (whose lungs are affected) coughs, sneezes, spits, laughs, or talks.

TB is contagious, but it is not easy to catch. The chances of catching TB from someone you live or work with are much higher than from a stranger. Most people with active TB who have received appropriate treatment for at least 2 weeks are no longer contagious. 

Since antibiotics began to be used to fight TB, some strains have become resistant to drugs. Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) arises when an antibiotic fails to kill all of the bacteria, with the surviving bacteria developing resistance to that antibiotic and often others at the same time.

MDR-TB is treatable and curable only with the use of very specific anti-TB drugs, which are often limited or not readily available. In 2012, around 450,000 people developed MDR-TB.

Symptoms of tuberculosis

While latent TB is symptomless, the symptoms of active TB include the following:

  • Coughing, sometimes with mucus or blood
  • Chills
  • Fatigue
  • Fever
  • Loss of weight
  • Loss of appetite
  • Night sweats

Source: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/8856.php

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Tips for Better Digestive Health

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Your digestive health is directly impacted by the foods you eat and the lifestyle you live. By taking steps to improve your digestive health, you’ll help your digestive system to function more efficiently, improving your overall health and sense of well-being.

Try these 10 tips for better digestive health:

  1. Eat a high-fiber diet.According to Maria Adams, RD, MPH, a nutrition consultant in Marblehead, Massachusetts, consuming a diet that’s high in fiber and rich in whole grains, vegetables, legumes, and fruits can improve your digestive health. “A high-fiber diet helps to keep food moving through your digestive tract, making you less likely to get constipated,” Adams says, adding that a high-fiber diet can also help you prevent or treat various digestive conditions, such as diverticulosis, hemorrhoids, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In addition, it can help you achieve or maintain a healthy weight.
  2. . Get both insoluble andsoluble fiber. It’s important to consume both types of fiber, since they help your digestive system in different ways. “Insoluble fiber, also known as roughage, can’t be digested by the body and therefore helps add bulk to the stools,” says Adams. “Soluble fiber draws in water and can help prevent stools that are too watery.” Good sources of insoluble fiber include wheat bran, vegetables, and whole grains; get soluble fiber from oat bran, nuts, seeds, and legumes.
  3. Limit foods that are high in fat.“In general, fatty foods tend to slow down the digestive process, making you more prone to constipation,” says Adams. But since it’s important to get some fat in your diet, Adams says that pairing fatty foods with high-fiber foods can make them easier on your digestive system.
  4. Choose lean meats.Protein is an essential part of a healthful diet, but fatty cuts of meat can lead to uncomfortable digestion. When you eat meat, select lean cuts, such as pork loin and skinless poultry.
  5. Incorporate probiotics into your diet.Probiotics are the same kind of healthy bacteria naturally present in your digestive tract. “They help keep the body healthy by combating the effects of a poor diet, antibiotics, and stress,” says Adams. In addition, probiotics can enhance nutrient absorption, may help break down lactose, strengthen your immune system, and possibly even help treat IBS. Adams recommends that people eat good sources of probiotics, such as low-fat yogurt or kefir, on a daily basis.
  6. Eat on schedule.Adams says that consuming your meals and snacks on a regular schedule can help keep your digestive system in top shape. Aim to sit down for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks around the same time each day
  7. Stay hydrated.Drinking plenty of water is good for your digestive health, according to Adams. Fiber pulls water into the colon to create softer, bulkier stools, allowing them to pass through more easily.
  8. Skip the bad habits: smoking, excessive caffeine, and alcohol.Liquor, coffee, and cigarettes can interfere with the functioning of your digestive system, and lead to problems like stomach ulcers and heartburn.
  9. Exercise regularly.“Regular exercise helps keep foods moving through your digestive system, reducing constipation,” says Adams. Exercise can also help you maintain a healthy weight, which is good for your digestive health. Make it a point to work regular exercise into your weekly schedule.
  10. Manage stress.Too much stress or anxiety can cause your digestive system to go into overdrive, according to Adams. Find stress-reducing activities that you enjoy and practice them on a regular basis.

To maintain Healthy weight:

  1. Build more lean muscle. Maintain, or even increase, your metabolism by continuing to build lean muscle. “Muscle has a higher metabolism than fat does,” explains Emily Banes, RD, clinical dietitian at Houston Northwest Medical Center. If you don’t yet train with weights, add this type of exercise to your overall program now. If you do, increase the amount of weight you’re working with to keep yourself challenged.
  2. Fight off hunger with more filling foods. A three-year University of Pittsburgh study of 284 women between the ages of 25 and 45 found that those who avoided weight gain the best were the ones whose meals kept them feeling full. “Keeping that feeling of fullness can be done with foodshigh in fiber — think fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein,” says Jenna Anding, PhD, RD, of the department of nutrition and food science at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.
  3. Avoid temptation for sweets, meat and pizza. 
  1. Count calories
  2. Excericise regularly
  3. Limit food high in fat.

Source https://www.everydayhealth.com/digestive-health/tips-for-better-digestive-health/

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