Diet and cardiovascular disease

Diet and cardiovascular disease
The role of diet is crucial in the development and prevention of cardiovascular disease. Diet is one of the key things you can change that will impact all other cardiovascular risk factors.

Comparisons between a diet low in saturated fats, with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, and the typical diet of someone living in the developed world show that in the former there is a 73% reduction in the risk of new major cardiac events.

Fat
Research makes it clear that abnormal blood lipid (fat) levels have a strong correlation with the risk of coronary artery disease, heart attack and coronary death. In turn, abnormal blood lipids are related to what you eat.  A diet high in saturated fats (e.g. cheese) and trans fats (often used in cakes, cookies and fast food) leads to high levels of cholesterol.

Saturated fats are found in animal products.  Trans fats are oils that have been hydrogenated to turn them into semi-hard fats.  Hydrogenated fat is found in processed food like shop-bought cakes, biscuits, stock cubes and a range of other products you buy every day. Saturated and trans fats raise cholesterol levels in the blood, which in turn can lead to atherosclerosis.

Unsaturated fats, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated are beneficial for heart health.  They are present in fish, nuts, seeds and vegetables.

The essential fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6 are found in oily fish and in nuts and seeds.  Our bodies cannot make these acids so we have to eat them to gain their benefits, which include improving cholesterol levels in the body.

But it is important to note that if your total fat intake is greater than 37% of your total calories, then even if that fat is unsaturated you increase your risk of cardiovascular disease. Saturated fat intake should not exceed 10% of total energy and for high-risk groups, like people with diabetes, total fat intake should be 7% or less of total energy.

Sodium
High blood pressure (hypertension) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.  If you have a diet high in sodium you risk hypertension.

It has been estimated that a universal reduction in dietary intake of sodium by about 1g of sodium a day, about 3g of salt, would lead to a 50% reduction in the number of people needing treatment for hypertension.  The same decrease would lead to a 22% drop in the number of deaths resulting from strokes and a 16% fall in the number of deaths from coronary heart disease.

Fruits and vegetables
Eating a diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables protects your heart. Low fruit and vegetable intake accounts for about 20% of cardiovascular disease worldwide. Fruit and vegetables contain components that protect against heart disease and stroke.

Wholegrain cereals
Whole grains are unrefined and do not have the bran or germ removed. They contain folic acid, B vitamins and fiber, all of which are important protectors against heart disease.  Processed grains like that used to make white bread and pasta do not have the same benefits as wholegrain cereals.
Fish
In countries where fish consumption is high there is a reduced risk of death from all causes as well as cardiovascular mortality.

Nuts
Eating nuts regularly is associated with decreased risk of coronary heart disease.

Soy
There is evidence that soy has a beneficial effect on blood lipid levels. Eating 47g of soy protein a day led to a 9% drop in total cholesterol and a 13% reduction in LDL cholesterol in one study of people without any heart disease.

Alcohol
If you have the occasional drink you may protect your heart, but only if you drink in moderation.

Source:world heart federation

Stroke Warning Signs and Symptoms

Beyond F.A.S.T. – Other Symptoms You Should Know

• Sudden NUMBNESS or weakness of face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
   
• Sudden CONFUSION, trouble speaking or understanding speech
   
• Sudden TROUBLE SEEING in one or both eyes
   
• Sudden TROUBLE WALKING, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
   
• Sudden SEVERE HEADACHE with no known cause

If someone shows any of these symptoms, immediately call emergency medical services.
F.A.S.T. is an easy way to remember the sudden signs and symptoms of stroke. Learn more about F.A.S.T.

Scientists Develop Super Condoms That Kill HIV Virus and Boosts Sexual Pleasure

 

A team of scientists in America have invented a new type of condom that is capable of killing the HIV virus while enhancing pleasure. 

A new hydrogel-based condom that contains antioxidants has been invented by a team of Indian-American scientists at the Texas A&M University Health Science Center.

 

It was gathered that not only does it contain plant-based antioxidants, which kills the HIV-virus in case of condom breakage but it also uses antioxidants to enhance pleasure.

 

Experts say it is the new big player to join the fight against AIDS

 

"We are not only making a novel material for condoms to prevent the HIV infection, but we are also aiming to eradicate this infection if possible. Supercondom could help fight against HIV infection and may as well prevent unwanted pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases. If we succeed, it will revolutionize the HIV prevention initiative"

 

Choudhury, the lead researcher and assistant professor at the Texas A&M Health Science Center's Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, said the researchers hope to test the condom within the next six months and then get it released for general usage.

Unripe Pawpaw Heals Ulcer and Increases Libido

 

A new medical report has revealed how unripe pawpaws can heal both external and internal ulcers alongside increase your libido when cooked and eaten.

Mrs. Aisha Abdullahi a Nutritionist with a private hospital, Asokoro Abuja, said on Wednesday that consuming unripe pawpaw aids in the healing of external and internal ulcers.

Abudulahi said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

According to her, unripe pawpaw contains high percentage of papain, which makes it a wonderful food that helps the digestive system function better. She said explained that unripe pawpaw has numerous benefits due to its high contents in vitamins A, B and C, fibre and protein, among others.

The expert said that consuming unripe pawpaw on an empty stomach helps in the digestion of protein, reduces inflammation, improves immune system as well as helps expel bacteria and viruses.
 

She further noted that unripe pawpaw was an anti-inflammatory supplement which helps in reducing inflammation, including osteoarthritis and asthma, among others.

Other benefits of unripe pawpaw include its richness in antioxidants which helps in the prevention of cholesterol oxidation.

“It also reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes and also binds toxins that cause cancer in the colon.

“Consuming the fruit also helps with digestive problems such as bleeding piles, chronic diarrheoa as well as constipation.

“ Pawpaw consumed in juice form helps reduce inflammation in the lungs especially to those who smoke and those that are exposed to secondhand smoke.

“It is also a remedy for cough, worms, bladder problems, jaundice, gastric fermentation and gastritis.

“The unripe pawpaw in juice form also helps regulate the menstrual cycle especially for those with irregular menstrual cycle,’’ she stated.

Abdullahi further said that boiled unripe pawpaw fruits help in the improvement of potency especially in men.

She also stated that pawpaw leaves was a remedy for people suffering from epilepsy, stomach ache and severe constipation.

She, however, stated that pawpaw has been scientifically proven as a cure for many chronic diseases such as pile, among others.

The nutritionist also stated that pawpaw leaves helps in the treatment of convulsion, malaria, diabetes, stomach ulcer and piles.

Abdullahi enjoined patients suffering from conditions such as diabetes, stomach ulcer as well as gastric ulcer to include pawpaw in their daily foods.

The expert also warned that consuming unripe pawpaw juice may cause allergic reactions to pregnant women, adding that it may induce abortion.

Health Benefits of Bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina)

 

Bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) is a vegetable used for preparing the popular Bitter leaf soup. It is also known as Onugbu, Shiwaka & Ewuro by the Igbos, Hausas&Yorubas in Nigeria.

Although this plant has been around for hundreds of years, only a few people know of its medicinal and healing properties.

  Bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) as the name implies, is actually a bitter plant whose leaves, extracts, stems and barks are used for culinary,medicinal and curative purposes.  
  Vitamins in Bitter leaf includes;Vitamin A, Vitamin C ,Vitamin E, Vit.B1 and Vit.B2.

  How to extract the Bitter leaf Juice

This can be done, the old school way of rubbing the clean leaves in between your palms with the help of a little water and squeezing out the juice from the leaves.

You can also use a juicer or blend the leaves with a little water, in a blender and strain out the extract with a cheese cloth, coffee strainer or a sieve with a tight mesh.

Bitter leaf juice on its own, is quite bitter and this taste might be a turn off for a lot of people.
 So to reduce the bitterness of the  bitter leaf juice, simply blend it with spinach or Ugwu (fluted pumpkin). If you still find it extremely bitter, then add some sweet fruit juices to it, such as pineapple , apples or oranges.

Dry bitter leaf is also potent, but has to be properly cleaned before use.
Some of the health benefits of  Bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina);

  * It speeds up metabolism and therefore is great for weight loss. 

* Bitter leaf juice relieves fever and feverish conditions. Take the squeezed juice, 3 times daily until the symptoms disappears.

* It also helps to reduce high sugar level in the blood, and great for diabetic patients.

* Squeeze the fresh leaves on your palm and apply the juice on skin rashes,eczema, ring worms and any superficial skin ailments, you'll notice a change in few days. Don't apply to open wounds.

* Bitter leaf is said to soothe and also cure pile .

* Taking a cup of bitter leaf juice a day, is a great way to detoxify the body of harmful toxins.

* Bitter leaf juice nourishes the skin.

* Bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) also cures mild stomach ailments 

* Bitter leaf juice is said to increase breast milk production in nursing mothers.


* The washed roots and stalks of bitterleaf  are boiled and the infusion is taking as a worm expeller. A cup of bitter leaf infusion taking first thing in the morning before meals


* Bitter leaf juice is used by local women in Guinea-Bissau to contract the uterus after childbirth and therefore should not be taking during pregnancy  or if you're trying to conceive,because high intake might cause miscarriage.

* A cup of bitter leaf juice a day, energizes you

For Research references:

* Ijeh II, Ejike CECC (2011). "Current perspectives on the medicinal potential of Vernonia amygdalina Del". J Med Plant Res 5 (7): 1051–1061...
*Kokwaro, John (2009). Medicinal Plants of East Africa 3rd ed. Nairobi, Kenya: University of Nairobi Press. ISBN 9966-846-84-0.

* This article is for educational purposes only, Always seek medical advise before you try anything new 

Health benefits of Cocoyam

 

Cocoyam

Cocoyam (Taro) is a common name for the corms and tubers of several plants in the family Araceae. It is a perennial, tropical plant primarily grown as a root vegetable for its edible starchy corm, and as a leaf vegetable and is considered a staple in African, Oceanic and Asian cultures. It is believed to have been one of the earliest cultivated plants

 Health benefits

Cocoyam’s richness in vitamin B6 and magnesium makes good for controlling high blood pressure and protect the heart.

• It is one of the finest source dietary fibers; 100g flesh provides 4.1g or 11 percent of daily requirement of dietary fiber. Together with slow digesting complex carbohydrates, moderate amounts of fiber in the food help gradual rise in blood sugar levels.

• Cocoyam leaves as well as yellow-fleshed roots have significant levels of phenolic flavoniod pigment antioxidants such as B-carotenes, and crypotxanthin along with vitamin A. 100g fresh cocoyam leaves provide 4825 IU or 161 percent of RDA of vitamin A. altogether; these compounds are required for maintaining healthy mucus membranes, slain and vision consumption of natural foods rich in flavonoid helps to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.

• It also contains good levels of valuable B-complex groups of vitamins such as pyridoxine. (vitamin B-6), folates, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, and thiamin.

• The corms provide healthy amounts of some important minerals like zinc, magnesium, copper, iron and manganese. In addition the root has very good amounts of potassium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that help regulate heart rate and blood pressure.

• Regular consumption of cocoyam is good for those who are trying to lose weight because of its low caloric and high fiber content.

•  It is ideal food for cancer prevention, cocoyam has low fat and sodium content, this make it an ideal food for preventing hardening of the arteries, which is usually caused by eating foods that are heavy in cholesterol. Because cocoyam has minimal amount of fat, you can eat several servings of cocoyam and not worry about going unwanted pounds or other risks, which are associated with fatty foods such as heart or kidney diseases

 

Third edition of masa life saver magazine

3D scans spot earliest signs of heart disease

Researchers have shown that people with high blood pressure develop changes in their hearts even before symptoms appear.

These changes are known to put people at risk of dying early, and the new work suggests it is possible for doctors to recognize such signs of heart disease earlier than they can today -- by examining detailed images of the heart.

The scientists, from the MRC's Clinical Sciences Centre based at Imperial College London, used specialized MRI scans to create a 3D map of the hearts of 1500 people. They then used the latest computer technology to explore each person's heart to establish the precise changes in its shape and function -- the effects of increasing blood pressure.

This revealed that even in healthy adults a small increase in blood pressure led to thickening of the heart muscle that is known to be a risk-factor for premature death.
High blood pressure affects 16 million people in the UK and causes 62,000 preventable deaths from stroke and heart attack. It rarely has any symptoms and the only way for people to know if they have the condition is to have their blood pressure measured.

Lead author for the study, Dr Declan O'Regan says, "New 3D imaging technology lets researchers look at the living heart in amazing detail. The risk of high blood pressure is well known, but these scans show the earliest signs of damage to the heart may begin in completely healthy people. This suggests that any increase in our blood pressure may put greater strain on the heart."

Dr Antonio de Marvao, first author, says, "This new research will enable doctors to recognize signs of heart disease at a much earlier stage than has previously been possible. High blood pressure is often called the 'silent killer', and we can now see that its effects start much earlier and affect more people than previously thought."

The next step, the researchers say, is to look for any genetic differences between those people who develop the changes in their hearts that suggest a raised risk of developing heart disease, and people who do not develop such changes.
This study has been published in Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Cardiovascular Imaging.