Oral Chelation Blog

“Quitting smoking is easy. I’ve done it a thousand times.” –Mark Twain

It’s March 10, 2010. Welcome to No Smoking Day in the UK. IF you’ve tried quitting before only to start again, you’re not alone. No Smoking signs are everywhere depending on where you live: bars, restaurants, parks, campuses, casinos, apartment buildings, bus stops, airports, train stations. Though it’s still okay to smoke inside in certain areas, many places are banning smoking. There may come a day when you’re only allowed to smoke in your own home. Might as well quit now… in this case, quitting is a good thing.

Smokers try quitting all the time. Those who successfully quit will attest to trying and failing to quit several times. Some quit  Here are some of the most important health benefits of quitting according to the US Surgeon General’s report:

• 20 minutes after quitting: Your heart rate and blood pressure drops.
• 12 hours after quitting: The carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.
• 2 weeks to 3 months after quitting: Your circulation improves and your lung function increases.
• 1 to 9 months after quitting: Coughing and shortness of breath decrease; cilia (tiny hair-like structures that move mucus out of the lungs) regain normal function in the lungs, increasing the ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce the risk of infection.
• 1 year after quitting: The excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker’s.
• 5 years after quitting: Your stroke risk is reduced to that of a non-smoker 5 to 15 years after quitting.
• 10 years after quitting: The lung cancer death rate is about half that of a person who continues smoking. The risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, cervix, and pancreas decrease, too.
• 15 years after quitting: The risk of coronary heart disease is the same as a non-smoker’s.

Alongside these health benefits, you have the obvious day-to-day benefits such as:

• No more nicotine stained fingers and fingernails
• Better smelling clothes, skin, and hair
• Better smelling breath and whiter teeth
• Increased energy
• Food tastes better and sense of smell returns
• YOU SAVE A LOT OF MONEY

Whether you’re quitting cold turkey, using gum or the patch, or working with your healthcare professional, quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Not only is smoking pretty much socially unacceptable, it’s a major health risk. Smoking leads to many serious diseases that can lead to physical impairment and death. According to research published to coincide with No Smoking Day, smokers should seek medical help to quit as only 3% of people who quit cold turkey manage to stay smoke free for at least a year.

For more on quitting smoking, visit the American Cancer Society’s Guide to Quitting Smoking. There you’ll find a full list of benefits, helpful tips, and methods of quitting.

This weekend I heard about a family friend who recently suffered a stroke. I admit, I was surprised as he was always so healthy. It was initially noticed when he was began walking with a slight shuffle; rather than picking his left foot up to walk, he pulled it along. However, he didn’t notice that anything was happening to him. Throughout the day, he showed very few signs or symptoms of experiencing a stroke until one side of his body went completely numb. A stroke may not always be immediately apparent. Sometimes, the symptoms sneak up on you so gradually that you don’t notice them during the most critical moments. It’s important to know the symptoms, causes, and your risk level of a stroke.

The things that help your heart also help your brain. When protecting yourself from heart disease, you are also protecting your brain from a stroke which is the top cause of adult disability and the third leading cause of death. A stroke is caused when a blood vessel is blocked or ruptures. When this happens, blood that is rich is nutrients and oxygen is unable to get to the brain.

A stroke is caused by many different factors including smoking cigarettes, age, race, high cholesterol, excessive alcohol use, drug addiction, sedentary lifestyle, diabetes, and obesity. When a person experiences a stroke, it can lead to permanent neurological damage. Symptoms for a stroke include sudden or gradual paralysis on one side of the body, vision problems, memory loss, and speech/language problems.

Though strokes are triggered by a number of factors, it’s important to do what you can to prevent and reduce your risk level. Stay healthy by exercising and eating healthy. Avoid sugar sweetened beverages. Also, don’t smoke at all, don’t drink more than 1-2 alcoholic beverages a day, and don’t abuse drugs. Keep track of your numbers for blood pressure and cholesterol levels, both good and bad.

If you’ve experienced a stroke, your risk of having another one greatly increases. By taking care of yourself, you decrease your chances. Control the risk factors and reduce your risk: (compiled from the ASA)

• Nutrition
• Physical Activity
• Follow Doctor’s Orders
• Control Risky Conditions
• Quality Care (rehab, stroke centers)

For more information on stroke risks and symptoms and life after a stroke, visit the American Stroke Association. Take control of your life by completing the American Heart & Stroke Association’s Life Check. Follow the simple 7 steps towards a healthier lifestyle.

EDTA is another great way to help protect your heart from heart disease. By removing toxins and heavy metals from your veins and arteries, chelation therapy helps cleanse your body, allowing your blood to flow freely. This brings nutrients and oxygen to all parts of your body, including your brain. For more information, contact Cardio Renew.

Mark your calendars! March 23, 2010 is Diabetes Alert Day. This is a day when the American Diabetes Association (ADA) encourages everyone to consider their risk for this disease. This disease affects an individual when the body either does not respond to or does not produce insulin. According to the ADA, one in five Americans are at risk for type 2 diabetes and nearly 6 million Americans have diabetes and don’t know it.

You can calculate your risk by taking a simple survey. I tested it out. It was very easy and, based on the answers received, it shows the tester their potential risk level for type 2 diabetes. Questions are based on your gender, age, race, height and weight. Your chances of developing type 2 diabetes may calculate as high, medium or low risk level but regardless of your results, it’s still important to do what you can to help prevent this disease.

One thing you can do is watch how much you are eating. Portion control is really important when it comes to prevention techniques. According to the American Diabetes Association:

“As portion sizes have grown in recent years, so has our perception of what is the appropriate amount to eat in one sitting. Even dishes and glasses have increased in size, so a normal-size portion looks inadequate, fueling the urge to fill a plate or glass with extra calories and raising your risk for type 2 diabetes.”

Eating well balanced meals is important. In fact, some may argue it is the most important part of living a healthy lifestyle. Incorporate dark green leafy vegetables, citrus fruit, whole grains, and fat free milk into your diet everyday. Let the rest of your homemade meals build from there. The ADA provides a simple form of measurement you can use when eating out as well.

• A fist = one cup
• Woman’s Palm = 3 ounces
• Man’s Palm = 5 ounces
• Thumb Tip = 1 teaspoon

Don’t wait for March 23^rd, begin your diabetes prevention today! For more information, visit the American Diabetes Association.

By removing toxins and heavy metals from your veins and arteries, oral chelation therapy helps cleanse your body, allowing your blood to flow freely. This brings nutrients and oxygen to all parts of your body. For more information regarding chelation therapy, contact Cardio Renew.

One of the best things you can do for your body is to move. I read an article recently about a marathon runner who, at just 15, weighed 225 pounds. She wasn’t even able to walk up the stairs without being completely out of breath and sweating. What did she do that started her healthier lifestyle? She started walking… everyday. She walked to and from school and lost 40 pounds within six months. (click here to read the full story)

Walk as much as possible, take the stairs, and dance the night away. Last night on my run, I heard an owl in the trees and it made me wish for spring. But while winter is here, there are numerous ways to beat the blues while taking care of your heart. You need to make the conscience decision to get in shape. Whether you’re overweight or within your ideal BMI, if you’re not moving, you’re not helping out your heart. People who are sedentary are at a higher risk for heart disease than those who move for at least 30 minutes a day.

Power walking, jumping rope, jogging, cycling, cross-country skiing and dancing are aerobic activities that increase endurance. Personally, I would rather be exercising outdoors than in a gym or in my basement. However, it’s winter and being outdoors too long is a bit difficult. But, there is one cardio exercise you can do indoors that is a lot of fun. Go dancing! It’s a great way to stretch out your entire body. You can build your endurance, increase your physical activity, liberate your mind, and strengthen your body.

You can learn the salsa, waltz, East coast swing, foxtrot, cha-cha, rumba, disco, zumba, or tango. Dancing leaves you with that “feel good” sensation. It’s a great way to sweat and naturally raise your heartbeat without feeling like you’re exercising. When you raise your heartbeat, you know your heart is getting a workout which is necessary for improving its overall health. Dancing also increases social connections which improves serotonin levels in your brain. It’s a great physical and mental activity.

The best thing you can do for your heart health is to get out and move. Heart disease is the number one killer in both men and women. It’s important to do everything you can to keep yourself healthy, not only for yourself but for those who love you. Every bit helps. Exercise can help control blood lipid abnormalities, diabetes and obesity. Aerobic physical activity can also help reduce blood pressure. These things can all contribute to heart problems. So get moving and groove your body!

Follow the FIT formula: Frequency (days a week) x Intensity (how hard) x Time (length of session). Consult your physician about your ideal FIT formula before beginning an exercise program.

“It takes heart to be a hero” –Jump Rope for Kids

February=Heart Health Month

As this month comes to a close, it’s time to reflect on all you did to increase your heart health. To decrease your odds of heart disease, heart attack, or stroke, it’s important to live a healthy lifestyle all the time. Don’t let a setback deter you from improving your overall health. If you want a piece of that birthday cake, eat a small piece. If you want to enjoy a glass of wine with dinner, go for it! Just don’t overdo it. Remember, almost everything is okay in moderation.

Know your most important numbers:

• Total Cholesterol: < 200 mg/dL
• Good Cholesterol: ≥ 50 mg/dL
• Bad Cholesterol: < 100 mg/dL
• Blood Pressure: <120/80 mmHg
• Triglycerides: < 150 mg/dL

From the American Stroke Association

“Did you know that people who smoke, may be overweight, have high blood pressure, diabetes or a family history of heart disease or stroke are at increased risk of being disabled or dying from a stroke? These are key risk factors for stroke. The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association has launched a new initiative called Take 2 To Save 2 and it’s simple to get involved! Here’s how:

• Take two minutes to visit www.powertoendstroke.org/take2 to learn how you can prevent stroke by reducing your risk factors
• Then, pass it on by sending others you care about special health messages that just might save their lives

There are pre-written health message for you to choose from, you can just cut and paste them into your medium of choice. So, whether you email, Facebook, tweet, text, or call your friends and family, there is a message for you.”

From the American Heart Association

“Life’s Simple 7: My Life Check was designed by the American Heart Association with the goal of improved health by educating the public on how best to live. These measures have one unique thing in common: any person can make these changes, the steps are not expensive to take and even modest improvements to your health will make a big difference. Start with one or two. This simple, seven step list has been developed to deliver on the hope we all have–to live a long, productive healthy life: Get Active, Control Cholesterol, Eat Better, Manage Blood Pressure, Lose Weight, Reduce Blood Sugar, and Stop Smoking”

From the Mayo Clinic

“If you have major depression and have had a heart attack, you’re at a much higher risk to die of a heart attack. Although this is very sobering, you need to know the facts. We know that chemicals in our brain are not in proper balance when depressed. When people suffer from depression, they are not as likely to take care of themselves properly. People don’t eat right and commonly don’t exercise. Sleep is usually disturbed in some way, too. So if you have depression and heart disease, pay extra attention to your physical and mental health. Don’t put off asking for help. You and your body deserve it!”

From the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

“Most of the sodium we consume is in the form of salt, and the vast majority of sodium we consume is in processed and restaurant foods. Too much sodium is bad for your health. It can increase your blood pressure and your risk for a heart attack and stroke. Heart disease and stroke are the first and third killers of men and women in the United States each year.”

From WebMD
“In a new study of women, it’s found that being sedentary may be a more important predictor of heart disease than being overweight. The lean women out there that don’t do any physical activity are at just as high a risk as a heavy woman who doesn’t do any physical activity.” To watch the video, click here.

With heart health month coming to an end, I hope you spent some time getting to know more about what you can do to improve your heart. Remember that oral chelation therapy is another way to improve your heart health. By removing the heavy metals and toxins from your arteries, chelation opens the passageways, allowing blood to flow freely. The increased free-flow allows for rich nutrients and oxygen to be dispersed throughout your entire body. This is turn helps with other physical ailments you may be experiencing. For more information regarding the physical benefits of oral chelation, click here.

Cardio Renew offers a 100% liquid EDTA oral chelation product.