Month: July 2009

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Dallas nutritionist discusses fainting causes and fighting it.

Dallas nutritionist discusses fainting causes and fighting it.   Fainting is a temporary loss of consciousness followed by a usually rapid recovery to normal functioning.   Never the less, fainting can be concerning.

Normally, fainting is caused by a lack of blood flow to the brain.  Because the brain does not store energy, it requires a constant supply of sugar and oxygen.  A short period of no blood flow causes the brain to go into an energy-conserving shutdown mode.  This causes a cessation of impulses to nerves and muscles and the victim slumps to the ground.

Non-cardiac causes are generally triggered when the signals between the brain and the vagus nerve are crossed.  The vagus nerve regulates blood pressure and heart rate.  Because of some trigger, the vessels in your legs relax and blood pools in the legs, making it difficult for the heart to pump enough blood to the brain. There are many triggers for non-cardiac fainting including but not limited to emotional stress, fear or pain.  Some people faint when rising from a chair or getting out of bed.  Dehydration which causes less fluid can trigger a faint as can eating, which draws extra blood to the stomach and intestines in order to aid digestion.

Cardiac realated fainting can be caused by a rhythmic problem.  The heart may beat to slowly or too quickly.  Any obstruction that effects the blood flow through the heart can lead to fainting.  These obstructions could be a clot or tumor.  A severely enlarged heart or a tear in the aorta or damage to the heart muscle can also cause fainting.

If one is fortunate enough to get a warning that he might faint, there is a method that may help to ward off the faint.  Squating and tensing the legs can help to get the blood pressure back to normal levels and avoid an episode.  Sitting or lying down may help.  Crossing the legs and tensing the muscles in the lower body while clasping your hands behind your back and pulling is another option if the victim is alert enough.

There is also a preventative method called tilt training wherein one stands 6 inches from the wall and leans against the wall for 3 to 5 minutes twice a day. Add a minute or two every few days until this position can be held for 20 to 30 minutes without feeling faint.  After that, this should be done 3 or 4 times a week.

While fainting is generally harmless, but disconcerting, one should always discuss it with a physician, as it could be a warning of a potentially dangerous heart problem.

Dallas Health Helpers offers solutions to individuals who want to take preventative action to avoid health concerns in the future and have a more energetic, productive life now.  We are a springboard for building a foundation of good health that will propel one into a future of vitality.

Dallas Health Helpers has been involved in natural approaches to health for 26 years.  We are located in Uptown Dallas, but our influence is nation wide.

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Uptown Dallas Nutritionist writes about diabetes, its effects and actions to take.

Uptown Dallas Nutritionist writes about diabetes, its effects and actions to take.  

Diabetes affects more than 10% of the American adult population.  Some statistics say 13%, with 40% of them not even knowing they have diabetes.  An estimated 57 million more have prediabetes, putting them at a high risk of developing full blown diabetes.  Just as with many medical conditions, early testing  is the key to controlling this difficult condition.

Many aspects of the body and its functions are effected by diabetes.

  • The brain is effected often by depression, causing normal living functions to be difficult.
  • The eyes are often a toll taken by diabetes because of high glucose levels and high blood pressure that can damage tiny blood vessels causing vision loss and even blindness.
  • The heart is a target with diabetics who are twice as likely to develop heart disease or stroke than non-diabetics.  These conditions seem to occur at younger ages than in other people.
  • The stomach is often damaged in that nerves designed to help control digestion are impacted.  Food remaining in the stomach longer than it should-gastroparesis-causes heartburn, bloating, nausea and vomiting.
  • Digestion, bowel and bladder functions as well as urinary tract infections are also a result of nerve damage caused by diabetes.
  • Kidney failure, 44% of it, is brought on by diabetes, sometimes taking years of slow decline to be noticeable.  This can lead to the need for dialysis or a kidney transplant to treat it.
  • Sexual response is lessened by diabetes and 35 to 50 per cent of diabetic men experience erectile dysfunction.
  • Legs become weak and painful due to, once again, nerve damage.
  • Hands and feet in diabetic individuals, 60 to 70%, become weak, painful and loose sensation, causing open sores, ulcers, and infections that the patient may not even be aware of having.

Some important, generalized steps to take right now include:

  1. Regular blood glucose checkups can establish a pattern of your levels, which should normally be between 70 and 100.  
  2. A healthy diet and regular exercise are key to avoiding diabetes. 
  3. Be aware of your family history and take extra precautions if there is evidence of this in your family.
  4. Maintenance of a healthy body weight is also very key.  Be certain your Body Mass Index is within the desired level.

Eating a low-glucose diet is very important.  Healthy eating is not only low calorie eating. Look at the foods you are using to fuel your body.  Check the glycemic index of your foods.   One weight reduction program that concentrates on maintaining muscle mass and low glycemic foods is available online.  Click here to learn more.

Dallas Health Helpers offers solutions to individuals who want to take preventative action to avoid health concerns in the future and have a more energetic, productive life now.  We are a springboard for building a foundation of good health that will propel one into a future of vitality.

Dallas Health Helpers has been involved in natural approaches to health for 26 years.  We are located in Uptown Dallas, but our influence is nation wide.

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Dallas Nutritionist recommends others along with calcium.

Dallas Nutritionist recommends others along with calcium.  Most people know that calcium is important. But is the total picture clear to everyone? There are things that help calcium be better absorbed and more effective.


 Osteoporosis is a major health issue.  Americans consume more dairy products and calcium than any other population in the world, but we still have one of the highest rates of this debilitating disease. Half of women and a quarter of men over age 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in his or her lifetime.

And while osteoporosis can strike at any age, it is often thought of as a disease that affects the elderly.    Think of calcium as the bricks in the bone-building process because it doesn’t work alone to build and maintain strong bones.  Bricklayers know that a house is only as strong as the mortar that holds it together.  And the nutritional “cement” for building and maintaining strong bones includes vitamins D and K, magnesium, boron, zinc, copper and manganese.

Nearly half a million older adults were followed by National Institutes of Health (NIH) researchers who found that increasing calcium consumption in women was associated with a lower risk of developing cancer. The beneficial effect seemed to peak at about 1,300 mg of calcium daily.  Perhaps because women were more likely to take a multivitamin/mineral supplement that contained calcium, and much more likely to take a calcium supplement regularly, a similar effect on total cancer wasn’t seen  in men .

But men and women were found to be in agreement on at least one thing. A lower risk of developing cancers of the digestive system, including colon cancer was associated with a diet rich in calcium from foods and supplements.  In fact, men and women with the highest calcium intakes had a 16 and 23% lower risk respectively for digestive system cancers compared to those with the lowest calcium intakes.

 Who can benefit from supplementing with calcium and the other nutrients for bone health?

  • Individuals concerned about building strong bones and maintaining long-term bone health
  • Persons whose diet may be low in key bone-building nutrients, particularly women age 30 and older, teenagers, and the elderly.
  • Smokers, those who have high intakes of alcohol, or frequently drink soft drinks —lifestyle habits that can limit or interfere with the utilization of calcium
  • Women who experience PMS symptoms
  • Those concerned with issues of retaining normal blood pressure
  • Anyone who finds calcium supplements too chalky, too big, or hard to swallow

What does a calcium supplement need to contain to be truly effective?

  1. 1,000 mg (100% DV) of elemental calcium from nature’s most concentrated and easily absorbed sources
  2. 400 mg (100% DV) of magnesium to help incorporate calcium into bone and help strengthen bones
  3. 400 IU (100% DV) of vitamin D to stimulate calcium absorption
  4. Boron in a clinically supported amount to aid bone metabolism
  5. Vitamin K to help bind minerals to form bone matrix
  6. Manganese, copper, and zinc – co-factors that activate enzymes that help build bone mass

 You can purchase these supplements individually, but I recommend Osteomatrix,a single supplement that fills the bill easily.  It is recommended that calcium supplementation’s daily dosage be spread over at least intakes to allow for better absorption.
 
Dallas Health Helpers has been in the nutrition business for 26 years.  Our offices are in Dallas, but our reach is nation wide.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

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Dallas Health Expert offers tips for a safe and happy summer.

Dallas Health Expert offers tips for a safe and happy summer. There are precautions that one can take to avoid discomfort and damage during the hot, sunny days ahead. Some of the ways to ensure healthy skin from the inside out include simple practices anyone can do.

Be aware that the sun’s ultra violet rays are the strongest during the mid day hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Try to schedule your outdoor activities before or after this timeframe.  Even on an overcast day, 80% the sun’s UV rays can still penetrate the clouds.  You can still get burned.

Cover as much of your body as possible with protective clothing.  Wear a wide brimmed hat to cover your hair and head.  The more protection you have the better off your skin will be.

Sunglasses help deflect the sun’s UV rays from sand, water, and other surfaces. Always wear sungalsses.  They help to lower your risk of cataracts and other eye conditions. And you won’t have to squint, which can bring on more wrinkling of the skin.

Many people seem to think of sunscreen only when going to the pool or beach. Not a good plan.  Any activity in the great outdoors can be a source of sunburn and skin damage.  Some of the sunbelt states like Oklahoma have a lower incidence of skin cancers because of advertising campaigns encouraging the use of sunscreens.  Slather on a liberal amount of sunscreen evenly on all exposed areas of the skin—and remember your lips, nose, ears, neck, hands, feet, and head (if necessary). Apply your sunscreen at least 20 minutes before going out into the sun and think to re-apply every two hours, especially after swimming or exercising.Â

Make sure you get plenty of antioxidants.  What’s the big deal? Environmental assaults such as sunlight, pollution, stress, and even normal metabolism produce free radicals in our bodies, that can damage cells, alter DNA, and cause skin to age prematurely. Phytonutrients such as carotenoids and flavonoids—antioxidants found in fruits, vegetables, and plants—combat these free radicals and protect your body against cellular damage. So be sure to include lots of antioxidants in your diet. Your skin—and your overall health—will thank you.   Â

Dallas Health Helpers has been in the health and wellness industry for 26 years.  We are located in Uptown Dallas, but our efforts reach nationwide audiences.