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Posts Tagged ‘cardiovascular’

According to a study at the University of North Carolina in the U.S., children as young as 3 years presented specific markers that would predict cardiovascular disease in adulthood. These findings are very important to try to raise awareness about the relationship between childhood obesity and the onset of heart disease when they become adults.

Children from 3 years earlier presented with obesity high levels of C-reactive protein, a marker that determines inflammation. This marker in adults is an indicator of possible heart disease. Hence the importance of the results obtained in research conducted at the University of North Carolina in the U.S…

Study sample

* Data was performed on 16,335 children in an age group between 1 and 17. They are classified into four groups according to body mass index (BMI): Healthy weight, overweight, obese and very obese.

Results

* Of the total nearly 70% were at a healthy weight, 15% were overweight, 11% were obese and 3.5% were very obese.
* Among very obese children between 3 to 5 years, over 40% had elevated levels of C-reactive protein compared with 17 percent of healthy weight children.
* Among adolescents 15 to 17 years, 83% of very obese had elevated serum C-reactive protein, compared with 18% of those with a healthy weight.

Conclusion

* Weight and inflammatory markers are closely related, even in children as young as 3 years.
* Based on these data is essential to emphasize the importance of controlling obesity during childhood, even at an early age due to complications that may have these children when they become adults.

It is important to set guidelines and healthy diet to help control and reduce the incidence of childhood obesity, without neglecting the essential nutrients for a good development physically, intellectually and emotionally.

In the prevention and the development of cardiovascular disease, fat intake in the diet plays a role. In this article, Cynthia Rodriguez Caballero, MenuDiet.es dietitian will summarize the major findings of studies carried out to demonstrate the benefits of polyunsaturated fats more popular with consumers and the scientific community, fatty acids Omega-3. Find out what Omega 3 is best for your heart and incorporate it into the daily diet to enjoy its benefits for your cardiovascular health.

The increasing incidence of cardiovascular disease not only in our country but in large parts of Europe is pushing many professionals to carry out studies and research on the causes and possible solutions to the growing problem.

It is well known that some fats are able to negatively affect the health of our heart; these are saturated fats of animal and vegetable (coconut, palm and hydrogenated fats).

Others, unsaturated and polyunsaturated fats have very beneficial effects on our cardiovascular health, so it is imperative to introduce enough of these fats in our diet. Like its predecessors, the source of these fatty acids may also be of animal or vegetable origin.

Differences between animal omega-3 and Omega-3 plant

Omega-3 found in fish are long-chain fatty acids called EPA, DHA and DPA have a function in the body.

On the other hand, the Omega-3 plant, called ALA, chain are shorter, but through them are synthesized small amounts of EPA and DHA called their contribution is not sufficient to meet human needs.

In conclusion, we can say that it is necessary to include omega-3 fatty acids of animal origin. Avoid strict vegetarian diets, including fish them, thus ensuring a number of functional omega-3 able to carry out essential functions in maintaining health.

Although the article focuses on the impact of these fats on cardiovascular health, it is noteworthy that the Omega-3 are essential fatty acids that perform essential at many levels such as in the brain or retina.

Benefits of Omega-3 to the cardiovascular

1. Anti-inflammatory effect and protection of blood vessels
Omega-3 DHA is able to decrease gene expression of adhesion molecules, preventing the formation of atherosclerotic plaques of cholesterol and improving the elasticity of arteries.
2. Benefits on the levels of blood fats (triglycerides and cholesterol)
Omega-3 are able to reduce circulating levels of triglycerides and cholesterol in some cases, these effects are produced in the liver. They get also reduce the accumulation of esterified cholesterol in the artery walls.
3. Reduce the risk of thrombosis
The Omega-3 EPA and DHA moderately reduced the ability of platelets to aggregate, thus modulating the formation of thrombi. This phenomenon, coupled with the greater elasticity of blood vessels, reduces significantly the risk of thrombosis.
4. Prevention of cardiac arrhythmias
its cause’s mild antiarrhythmic effect is indicated for secondary prevention of cardiovascular events, is helping to reduce complications in high risk cardiac patients and / or after cardiac surgery. Some studies indicate that they are able to decrease heart rate, improve recovery after exercise and decrease diastolic pressure.

Sources of Omega-3

* Animals: Most notable are EPA and DHA. You need to ingest through diet because they are the most functional and are responsible for really important functions in the body. The richer in EPA and DHA are oily fish (fatty) as mackerel or mackerel, herring, salmon, anchovy, mackerel, emperor, sardines and tuna among others, but is also present in white fish like cod, hake and flounder and some seafood.

* Vegetables: The ALA, an omega-3 short chain that fails to perform some essential functions for life. Through the ALA forming a small amount of EPA and DHA is not enough to cover the recommended allowance. Nuts such as almonds, chestnuts and walnuts are particularly rich in Omega-3, as well as some vegetable oils such as linseed oil, canola and olive oils.

Supplements and fortified foods: in this case are very different products, depending on the type of omega-3 and the amount they contribute. The most suitable are those supplements as fish oil provide an excellent combination of Omega-3 EPA and DHA, are very natural and free from heavy metals like mercury.

Another supplement that is widely used today are the seeds of flax. This supplement is very natural, but we must not lose sight that the contribution of plant omega-3 (ALA) is not enough, so it’s not a very good option.

Fortified products generally provide very small amounts of Omega-3 do not cover the figures regarding the recommended daily intake of Omega-3. In addition, they often do not specify the source of these fatty acids (animal or plant) so we do not know the degree of protection offered by these products.

Recommended Contribution

how general recommendations are marked as follows:

* Healthy People: At least 2 servings of oily fish a week, supplemented with foods rich in omega-3 plant, such as oils.

* People with cardiovascular disease or high risk: It is recommended to ensure 1 gram of omega-3 EPA and DHA from fish consumption. Consideration should be given to manage natural supplements of animal origin.

Future research will get more accurate determination of recommendations for each of the populations.

Flaxseed
Linseed dosage
every day and fasting take a tablespoon on an empty stomach and left to soak the day before. I want to know if that amount is adequate for the purpose of maintaining the daily intake of omega 3.
Submitted by horacio Dobal pla

Hello Horacio: If you suffer from high cholesterol or triglycerides, is very important to eat every day foods like flax seeds, which contain omega 3 acids. To obtain the beneficial effects of these seeds, it is important to know which the daily consumption of flaxseed is, to help you incorporate the daily dose of omega 3 needed in your diet.

According to various international agencies that investigate the relationship between dyslipidemia and cardiovascular risks were established recommendations on the consumption of omega 3. If it is suggested that consumption of omega 3 per day ranging from 5 mg to 4 grams, with the daily intake of 1 tablespoon of flaxseed could get about 5 mg of omega 3, which would be bringing to your body a good amount of the fatty acid.

Keep in mind that not only flax contains omega 3, but also other compounds like fiber, which also helps reduce LDL or bad cholesterol and triglycerides. Therefore, lipolytic properties are enhanced.

On the other hand, you can keep using 1 tablespoon of flaxseed daily, and add other foods rich in omega 3 to your diet such as fish twice a week, a handful of dried fruit daily, and olive oil canola oil for seasoning foods.

Flax seeds are grains containing a high percentage of omega 3, polyunsaturated fats help lower LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and increase HDL cholesterol. It is therefore very important to incorporate them into your daily diet with other foods with similar properties that allow you to prevent cardiovascular complications.

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition recently published a study on the use of low-fat milk, according to this study the products of such a positive impact in preventing hypertension. On this subject, Tomás Pascual Institute held a roundtable in La Coruña, in the Congress of the Spanish Society of Preventive Medicine, Public Health and Hygiene.

Among the speakers, Dr. Martínez González stated that “the milk peptides have properties similar to drugs used to treat high blood pressure and act as enzyme inhibitors of angiotensin converting, reducing blood pressure.” Dr. Martinez What we mean is that skimmed milk are beneficial to prevent cardiovascular disease.

Additionally, Dr. Martinez concluded his presentation by saying that “foods such as olive oil and nuts, get better cardiovascular risk pattern”

Further analysis on the same line, such as Dr. Enrique Gomez outlined the advantages of the Mediterranean diet on other cuisines. This time, PREDIMED has conducted a clinical trial in 17 research groups of 8 Spanish regions. The tests reveal and demonstrate scientifically that nuts and olive oil in the Mediterranean diet significantly prevent cardiovascular disease risks.

Moreover, many experts say that soy plays a preventive role on cardiovascular disease in women. For Dr. Haya “there is unjustified myth that cardiovascular disease is a thing of men, not women, when in fact women have more risk of suffering.” Soy is also beneficial to reduce the “climacteric syndrome” in menopause and the prevention of osteoporotic fractures and bone loss.

For many women for whom menopause is almost a nightmare, with a concomitant decrease in their quality of life. This latter group of women may be used for hormone replacement therapy, which involves the administration of the hormones the ovaries produce once they have stopped working. In any case, women need to accept treatment and not suffer other ailments not doing so.

This therapy is particularly indicated in the following cases:

- Early menopause, either spontaneous or surgical, as these patients are at increased risk for the effects of declining estrogen levels.

- Women with high symptoms of menopause such as hot flushes important, insomnia and malaise. Read the rest of this entry »

The risk of nonfatal myocardial infarction was reduced by 17%, and coronary heart disease by 15%.

The reduction “gradual and safe” blood glucose is beneficial to reduce the serious complications of diabetes, including macro vascular events, according to a meta-analysis of five major studies (UKPDS, ADVANCE, ACCORD, VADT, and Proactive) with 33,040 patients conducted by an independent team of researchers from the UK and whose results are published in the journal The Lancet (2009; 373:1765-1772).

The assessment criteria assessed included cardiovascular nonfatal myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease (myocardial infarction, fatal and non fatal), stroke and mortality associated with type 2 diabetes. After five years of treatment, the level of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) media in patients who followed the intensive regimen of blood glucose was 0.9 percent lower than those receiving standard treatment. Read the rest of this entry »

The latest recommendations from the American Heart Association are categorical: “for patients with type 2 diabetes, exercise is feasible, appropriate and beneficial.” In his advice to prevent cardiovascular complications, patients should complete at least two hours of moderate exercise or 90 minutes of vigorous activity a week. At a minimum, the meetings should take place in three alternate days.

“Physical activity has a favorable effect on the risk factors by reducing hypertension, hyperlipidemia and obesity,” and helps control glucose levels, highlights the company in a statement that includes this week’s journal ‘Circulation’.

Therefore “[...], the exercise should be a component of the prevention tips received by each patient with type 2 diabetes. Read the rest of this entry »

Vitamin D deficiency and low estrogen levels increase the risk of cardiovascular

Deficiencies in vitamin D and low estrogen levels are independent risk factors for hardening and narrowing of the arteries and weakened bones, according to a study by Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions has been made public during the annual meeting of the American Heart Association to be held these days in Orlando (USA).

The study is the first evidence that men long-term adverse effects of vitamin D deficiency are amplified by lower levels of estrogen but not testosterone.

Vitamin D is essential for maintaining a healthy body and can be obtained through fortified foods like milk and cereal and through exposure to sunlight. The blood levels below 20 nanograms per milliliter or less of vitamin D are considered harmful to health.

Explains Erin Michos, Study, “Our results confirm a link long suspected and suggested that vitamin D supplements, which are prescribed to treat osteoporosis, might also help to prevent heart disease.” Read the rest of this entry »

The disease may go unnoticed and is most common after age 40 but can appear at any age. Learn.

Hypertension: what is it?
In the elevation of blood pressure levels on a continuous and sustained. To better understand the importance of defining the pressure. The heart puts pressure on the arteries so that they lead the blood to different organs of the body. This action is what is known as blood pressure. The maximum pressure obtained in each heart contraction and the lowest, with each relaxation.

Hypertension: why is a risk factor?
* Hypertension is a greater resistance to the heart, which responds by increasing muscle mass (left ventricular hypertrophy) to deal with that overexertion. This increase in muscle mass turns out to be harmful because it is not accompanied by an equivalent increase in blood flow and can lead to heart failure and angina. In addition, the heart muscle becomes irritable and occur more arrhythmias.
* In patients who have already had a heart problem, hypertension can increase the damage.
* It promotes atherosclerosis (accumulation of cholesterol in the arteries) and thrombosis phenomena (can cause heart attack or stroke). In the worst cases, hypertension may soften the walls of the aorta and cause its dilatation (aneurysm) or break (which would inevitably cause death).