Eating two servings of oily fish per week may halt the progression of a major cause of blindness in the elderly, according to a study conducted by researchers from Tufts University and published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.
Previous research has suggested that a diet high in the essential omega-3 fatty acids that are abundant in oily fish may decrease a person's risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by one-third. In the current study, researchers sought to determine whether a diet rich in omega-3s could also benefit those who already have the disease.
The researchers found that study participants with early AMD who ate a diet rich in omega-3s were 25 percent less likely to have their disease progress to the advanced form.
Among those with advanced AMD who ate a diet high in omega-3s, had a diet with a low glycemic index and took supplemental antioxidant vitamins and minerals, the risk of progression to a more advanced form was decreased by 50 percent. These risk reductions were the same in both "wet" and "dry" forms of the disease.
Low glycemic foods are those that release sugar slowly, in contrast to high glycemic foods such as sugar and simple starches.
Based on their findings, the researchers recommended a consumption of two to three servings of fatty fish per week in both those without AMD and those in the early stages of the disease. They hypothesized that a meal high in omega-3s might alter blood fat levels in such a way as to make them less damaging to the eye.
The researchers did not recommend taking antioxidants vitamins and minerals, however. The study also found that participants with early AMD who took antioxidant vitamins and zinc and also had a high intake of beta-carotene were actually 50 percent more likely to have their disease progress to an advanced stage than those who did not take the vitamins.
This suggests that antioxidants play a more complex role in AMD than previously believed.
Sources for this story include: news.bbc.co.uk.
Asyik memikirkan kemewahan hidup sahaja sehingga kita hampir terlupa kita hanya sementara di dunia, akhiratlah yang kekal abadi.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
Worse Than High Cholesterol!
Three Killer Indicators Identified That Are Even Worse Than High Cholesterol
ScienceDaily (Nov. 4, 2009) — Researchers at the University of Warwick have identified a particular combination of health problems that can double the risk of heart attack and cause a three-fold increase in the risk of mortality.
The team, led by Assistant Clinical Professor of Public Health at Warwick Medical School Dr Oscar Franco, has discovered that simultaneously having obesity, high blood pressure and high blood sugar are the most dangerous combination of health factors when developing metabolic syndrome.
Metabolic syndrome is a combination of medical disorders that increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
The main five health problems normally associated with metabolic syndrome are abnormal levels of blood pressure, high cholesterol, high triglyceride levels (the chemical form in which fat exists in the body), too much sugar in the blood and central obesity (excess of fat around the waistline).
In his study, published in the American Heart Association journal Circulation, Dr Franco has identified the most dangerous combination of these conditions to be central obesity, high blood pressure and high blood sugar. People who have all three of these conditions are twice as likely to have a heart attack and three times more likely to die earlier than the general population.
His team looked at 3,078 people to track the prevalence and progress of metabolic syndrome as part of the Framingham Offspring Study.
He said: "Metabolic syndrome is a highly prevalent condition that is increasing dramatically and affects a large portion of the middle-age population. Not all individuals enter the syndrome with identical combination of factors. Certain combinations confer higher risks of incident cardiovascular disease and mortality."
Dr Franco said the combination of high blood pressure, central obesity and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar ) showed a significantly higher risk compared to the others.
He added: "Intense efforts are needed to identify populations with these particular combinations and to provide them with adequate treatment at the early stages of disease."
Adapted from materials provided by University of Warwick.
Friday, November 6, 2009
potassium can help regulate and normalize your blood pressure.
(NaturalNews) High blood pressure isn't a disease, it's just a noticeable symptom of a physiological imbalance with a biological cause. One of the most common biological causes of this symptom is a mineral deficiency.
Specifically: Potassium.
Potassium is a crucial mineral for restoring healthy blood pressure balance in your body, and when you don't have enough potassium, symptoms can start to emerge that may eventually be diagnosed and labeled as "high blood pressure."
Here, we bring you a collection of useful information about how potassium can help regulate and normalize your blood pressure.
- The New Encyclopedia of Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements and Herbs by Nicola Reavley
The effects of either low potassium or high potassium can be life-threatening. Since potassium is necessary to the healthy functioning of nerves, cells, and membranes, it is an important electrolyte to monitor. Low potassium is a major cause of cardiac arrhythmia; diuretics for the treatment of high blood pressure or congestive heart failure may interfere with potassium absorption and excretion. Although potassium supplementation is usually not necessary, individuals on diuretics or laxatives or who have excessive diarrhea may require extra potassium.
- Optimum Health - A Cardiologist's Prescription for Optimum Health by Stephen T., M.D. Sinatra
When it comes to lowering blood pressure, potassium packs a powerful punch. Scientists began studying the effects of potassium on high blood pressure as early as 1928. Now a major study of 300 nurses shows that potassium can lower your blood pressure even if it's in the normal range. Good sources of potassium are dried apricots, avocados, dried figs, acorn squash, baked potatoes, kidney beans, cantaloupe, citrus fruits, and bananas. You can also buy potassium supplements. If you're taking a diuretic, your body is getting rid of potassium along with fluid.
- Natural Cures and Gentle Medicines: That Work Better Than Dangerous Drugs or Risky Surgery by Frank K. Wood
For example, a diet low in potassium and high in sodium is associated with high blood pressure. By contrast, a diet high in potassium and low in sodium can protect against elevation of blood pressure. It has become common knowledge that too much salt in our diet may contribute to high blood pressure. Not so commonly known is that high blood pressure is also related to too little potassium in our diet. In fact, restricting salt alone may not be enough to lower the blood pressure. Potassium must be increased. Most Americans ingest twice as much sodium as potassium.
- Women's Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine: Alternative Therapies and Integrative Medicine for Total Health and Wellness by Tori Hudson, N.D.
How to use potassium: It is available over-the-counter in 99-mg tablets. Because you need a prescription to get potassium supplements in dosages higher than 99 mg, most people can best benefit from potassium by increasing their consumption of fruits and vegetables rather than by taking potassium supplements. (One bite of banana provides about the same potassium as you get in a 99-mg tablet.) Like sodium and potassium, calcium and magnesium are bodily partners in the battle against high blood pressure.
- Off-the-Shelf Natural Health by Mark Mayell
Sodium and potassium play related role in controlling fluid balance in the body. Without sufficient potassium to help the body secrete sodium, sodium builds up and exerts its harmful effects. Thus, to reduce high blood pressure most people need not only to lower sodium intake but also to increase potassium consumption. Indeed, some studies indicate that potassium intake is a stronger factor in determining blood pressure than is sodium intake. Various population studies confirm a beneficial effect on blood pressure from increases in potassium consumption.
- Off-the-Shelf Natural Health by Mark Mayell
Low levels of potassium can be caused primarily by medications such as cortisone, high blood pressure medications (these are diuretics), and the birth control pill. Nearly all medications and drugs will upset potassium metabolism. Alcohol and exercise can also cause potassium deficiencies. High levels are found when a patient is on Lite salt, kelp or sea salt. Lite salt is potassium choloride (KCl). It is especially bad about upsetting the fluid balance because it upsets the ratio between sodium and potassium. Kelp and sea salt have also been noted to upset this ratio.
- It's All in Your Head, Diseases Caused by Silver-Mercury Fillings by Hal A. Huggins DDS
High potassium foods help lower blood pressure, but potassium exhibits additional powers to prevent stroke directly regardless of blood pressure, says University of Minnesota hypertension expert Dr. Louis Tobian, Jr. In tests, he fed rats that had high blood pressure either a high-potassium diet or a "normal" potassium diet. Forty percent on the "normal" potassium suffered small strokes, evidenced by bleeding in the brain. No brain hemorrhages occurred in rats on high potassium.
- Food Your Miracle Medicine by Jean Carper
Just as important as the total potassium content of food, sodium and potassium should be consumed in the proper balance. Too much sodium in the diet can lead to disruption of this balance. Numerous studies have demonstrated that a low-potassium, high-sodium diet plays a major role in the development of cancer and cardiovascular disease (heart disease, high blood pressure, strokes, etc.). Conversely, a diet high in potassium and low in sodium is protective against these diseases and, in the case of high blood pressure, it can be therapeutic.
- Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, Revised Second Edition by Michael T. Murray, N.D., Joseph E. Pizzorno, N.D.
We also recommend consuming a high-potassium diet or having your doctor prescribe a potassium supplement. The estimated safe and adequate daily dietary intake of potassium, as set by the Committee on Recommended Daily Allowances, is 1.9 to 5.6 grams. If body potassium requirements are not being met through diet, supplementation is essential to good health. This statement is particularly true for the elderly, athletes, and people with high blood pressure. Potassium supplements are available either by prescription or over the counter (OTC).
- Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, Revised Second Edition by Michael T. Murray, N.D., Joseph E. Pizzorno, N.D.
The best way to supplement potassium is with fruit, which contains more of the mineral than amounts found in potassium supplements. However, fruit contains so much potassium that people taking "potassium sparing" drugs (as some hypertensives do) can end up with too much potassium by eating several pieces of fruit per day. Therefore, people taking potassium-sparing diuretics should consult the prescribing doctor before increasing fruit intake. The fiber provided by vegetarian diets may also help reduce high blood pressure.
- The Natural Pharmacy: Complete Home Reference to Natural Medicine by Schuyler W. Lininger, Jr. DC
Population studies suggest that a low intake of potassium may be linked to an increase in blood pressure, and increasing potassium-rich foods in the diet can lead to a reduction in high blood pressure. The typical Western diet is low in potassium relative to sodium, and the ratio of sodium to potassium in the diet may be more important than sodium alone. Studies suggest that the most beneficial effects on blood pressure are seen when sodium intake is reduced and potassium intake is increased.
- The New Encyclopedia of Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements and Herbs by Nicola Reavley
Low potassium can contribute to high blood pressure, but the effect is especially magnified when calcium and magnesium levels are deficient. If you have high blood pressure and take diuretic medications (fluid or water pills) such as hydrochlorothiazide, Lasix, or Bumex, you are at higher risk to develop potassium deficiency because these medicines make you lose potassium in your urine. Recommendation: If your physician has prescribed diuretics that require extra potassium, he or she will usually have given you a prescription for the drug.
- The Doctor's Complete Guide to Vitamins and Minerals by Dr. Mary Dan Eades
The role of potassium in the body crosses over into many physiological events that include nerve transmission, muscle contraction, enzymatic reactions, carbohydrate synthesis, basic cell functions, and acid-base balance. Inadequate potassium intake in the diet might play a role in the development of high blood pressure, stroke, and cardiovascular disease. In addition to increasing the potassium foods in our diet, several studies now show that potassium supplementation can reduce blood pressure.
- Women's Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine: Alternative Therapies and Integrative Medicine for Total Health and Wellness by Tori Hudson, N.D.
How does potassium regulate blood pressure? Scientists believe it may have something to do with potassium's ability to pump sodium out of the body's cells and reduce body fluid. Potassium may also affect blood vessel tone, or resistance. Or it may be that potassium modifies the way blood vessels react to circulating hormones that affect blood pressure, such as vasopressin and norepinephrine. In any case, potassium's ability to lower blood pressure is such that some scientists suspect low dietary levels of the mineral may actually trigger high blood pressure in certain people.
- Prevention's Healing With Vitamins : The Most Effective Vitamin and Mineral Treatments for Everyday Health Problems and Serious Disease by The Editors of Prevention Magazine Health Books
A ton of studies show that people who eat potassium-rich foods have lower rates of heart disease and stroke. Potassium is also a key component of healthy blood pressure. According to the latest studies, people who regularly consume high-potassium foods have lower blood pressure than those who don't. A recent review of thirty-three studies examined the effect of potassium on blood pressure, and researchers discovered that participants who added 2,340 mg of potassium daily (from foods, supplements, or both) were able to lower their risk of developing high blood pressure by 25 percent.
- The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth: The Surprising, Unbiased Truth About What You Should Eat and Why by Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S.
Potassium is plentiful in food, especially in whole and unrefined food, whereas Sodium is plentiful but not as plentiful as Potassium in food. The kidneys are trained to get rid of extra potassium and hoard Sodium. But man has pulled a switch on the kidneys, he is now eating less and less potassium because of refined food eating, and more and more foods containing Sodium such as potato chips, pretzels, snack type foods, etc. The kidneys are still performing their original functions of excreting extra potassium and hoarding sodium. Too much Sodium causes high blood pressure and other problems.
- The How to Herb Book: Let's Remedy the Situation by Velma J. Keith and Monteen Gordon
Reduce the pressure with potassium. Potassium is a natural diuretic, helping your body excrete water and sodium, thus possibly lowering blood pressure. In fact, there's evidence that salt sensitivity may be caused by too little potassium in the diet, says high blood pressure researcher G. Gopal Krishna, M.D., associate professor of medicine at Temple University. Studies have shown that the lower the potassium intake, the higher the blood pressure, and the higher the ratio of potassium to salt, the lower the blood pressure.
- Disease Free: How to Prevent, Treat and Cure More Than 150 Illnesses and Conditions by Matthew Hoffman and William Legro
What is the potential importance of taking potassium? While potassium is lower in modern diets compared with so-called primitive diets, true deficiencies are uncommon. Some, though not all, research suggests that raising potassium intake may help prevent high blood pressure. Other research suggests that higher potassium intake may help prevent stroke. However, the maximum amount of supplemental potassium allowed in one pill (99 mg) is far below the recommended amounts (at least 2,400 mg per day).
- The Natural Pharmacy: Complete A-Z Reference to Natural Treatments for Common Health Conditions by Alan R. Gaby, M.D., Jonathan V. Wright, M.D., Forrest Batz, Pharm.D. Rick Chester, RPh., N.D., DipLAc. George Constantine, R.Ph., Ph.D. Linnea D. Thompson, Pharm.D., N.D.
Power up on potassium. Studies have shown that eating 3,500 milligrams of potassium can help counteract sodium and keep blood volume - and blood pressure - down. And it's easy to get enough. A baked potato packs 838 milligrams of potassium all by itself, and one cup of spinach has 800 milligrams. Other potassium-packed foods include bananas, orange juice, corn, cabbage and broccoli. Check with your doctor before taking potassium supplements. Too much may aggravate kidney problems. Meet your magnesium needs. Researchers seem to have found a link between low magnesium intake and high blood pressure.
- Age Erasers for Men: Hundreds of Fast and Easy Ways to Beat the Years by Doug Dollemore, Mark Giuliucci and the Editors of Men's Health Magazine
In 1997, the Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health released a report on research they'd been doing on the effectiveness of potassium tablets in lowering blood pressure. The results were amazing: Researchers recommended that potassium supplementation should be considered as a tool for the prevention and treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure). Inexpensive, over-the-counter tablets could control high blood pressure. Not only that. The research showed that even a small amount of potassium could prevent the onset of high blood pressure.
- Attaining Medical Self Sufficiency by Duncan Long
People don't develop severe potassium deficiencies unless they have some sort of endocrine or kidney problem, and then they are pretty sick for a number of reasons," Dr. Young says. While some diuretic drugs can seriously deplete the body of potassium, doctors monitor blood levels of potassium in people taking diuretics and supply extra potassium if necessary. It's likely that a fair number of people in the United States are on the same kind of low-potassium, high-sodium diet that can cause high blood pressure and heart disease in animals, Dr. Tobian says.
- Nature's Medicines : From Asthma to Weight Gain, from Colds to High Cholesterol -- The Most Powerful All-Natural Cures by Gale Maleskey
A great amount of potassium is also lost in heavy sweating. The loss of potassium from the cell will result in intracellular water loss - dehydration that will become chronic unless more water and some high potassium-containing foods are added to the daily diet. Continued pattern of potassium loss from the body will result in excess sodium retention by the kidneys and the first stages of high blood pressure, raised cholesterol, heart disease and irregular pulse will ensue. The foods that have high potassium content are dried fruits like raisins, dried plums, dried apricot and dates.
- Obesity Cancer & Depression: Their Common Cause & Natural Cure by Fereydoon Batmanghelidj
Specifically: Potassium.
Potassium is a crucial mineral for restoring healthy blood pressure balance in your body, and when you don't have enough potassium, symptoms can start to emerge that may eventually be diagnosed and labeled as "high blood pressure."
Here, we bring you a collection of useful information about how potassium can help regulate and normalize your blood pressure.
Potassium and high blood pressure
The sudden death that can occur in fasting, anorexia nervosa or starvation is often a result of heart failure caused by potassium deficiency. Many population studies have found links between low potassium intakes and an increased risk of high blood pressure and death from stroke. Increasing the amount of potassium-rich foods in the diet can lead to a reduction in high blood pressure. The ratio of sodium to potassium in the diet appears to play an important role in the development of high blood pressure. The typical Western diet is low in potassium relative to sodium.- The New Encyclopedia of Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements and Herbs by Nicola Reavley
The effects of either low potassium or high potassium can be life-threatening. Since potassium is necessary to the healthy functioning of nerves, cells, and membranes, it is an important electrolyte to monitor. Low potassium is a major cause of cardiac arrhythmia; diuretics for the treatment of high blood pressure or congestive heart failure may interfere with potassium absorption and excretion. Although potassium supplementation is usually not necessary, individuals on diuretics or laxatives or who have excessive diarrhea may require extra potassium.
- Optimum Health - A Cardiologist's Prescription for Optimum Health by Stephen T., M.D. Sinatra
When it comes to lowering blood pressure, potassium packs a powerful punch. Scientists began studying the effects of potassium on high blood pressure as early as 1928. Now a major study of 300 nurses shows that potassium can lower your blood pressure even if it's in the normal range. Good sources of potassium are dried apricots, avocados, dried figs, acorn squash, baked potatoes, kidney beans, cantaloupe, citrus fruits, and bananas. You can also buy potassium supplements. If you're taking a diuretic, your body is getting rid of potassium along with fluid.
- Natural Cures and Gentle Medicines: That Work Better Than Dangerous Drugs or Risky Surgery by Frank K. Wood
For example, a diet low in potassium and high in sodium is associated with high blood pressure. By contrast, a diet high in potassium and low in sodium can protect against elevation of blood pressure. It has become common knowledge that too much salt in our diet may contribute to high blood pressure. Not so commonly known is that high blood pressure is also related to too little potassium in our diet. In fact, restricting salt alone may not be enough to lower the blood pressure. Potassium must be increased. Most Americans ingest twice as much sodium as potassium.
- Women's Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine: Alternative Therapies and Integrative Medicine for Total Health and Wellness by Tori Hudson, N.D.
How to use potassium: It is available over-the-counter in 99-mg tablets. Because you need a prescription to get potassium supplements in dosages higher than 99 mg, most people can best benefit from potassium by increasing their consumption of fruits and vegetables rather than by taking potassium supplements. (One bite of banana provides about the same potassium as you get in a 99-mg tablet.) Like sodium and potassium, calcium and magnesium are bodily partners in the battle against high blood pressure.
- Off-the-Shelf Natural Health by Mark Mayell
Sodium and potassium play related role in controlling fluid balance in the body. Without sufficient potassium to help the body secrete sodium, sodium builds up and exerts its harmful effects. Thus, to reduce high blood pressure most people need not only to lower sodium intake but also to increase potassium consumption. Indeed, some studies indicate that potassium intake is a stronger factor in determining blood pressure than is sodium intake. Various population studies confirm a beneficial effect on blood pressure from increases in potassium consumption.
- Off-the-Shelf Natural Health by Mark Mayell
Low levels of potassium can be caused primarily by medications such as cortisone, high blood pressure medications (these are diuretics), and the birth control pill. Nearly all medications and drugs will upset potassium metabolism. Alcohol and exercise can also cause potassium deficiencies. High levels are found when a patient is on Lite salt, kelp or sea salt. Lite salt is potassium choloride (KCl). It is especially bad about upsetting the fluid balance because it upsets the ratio between sodium and potassium. Kelp and sea salt have also been noted to upset this ratio.
- It's All in Your Head, Diseases Caused by Silver-Mercury Fillings by Hal A. Huggins DDS
High potassium foods help lower blood pressure, but potassium exhibits additional powers to prevent stroke directly regardless of blood pressure, says University of Minnesota hypertension expert Dr. Louis Tobian, Jr. In tests, he fed rats that had high blood pressure either a high-potassium diet or a "normal" potassium diet. Forty percent on the "normal" potassium suffered small strokes, evidenced by bleeding in the brain. No brain hemorrhages occurred in rats on high potassium.
- Food Your Miracle Medicine by Jean Carper
Just as important as the total potassium content of food, sodium and potassium should be consumed in the proper balance. Too much sodium in the diet can lead to disruption of this balance. Numerous studies have demonstrated that a low-potassium, high-sodium diet plays a major role in the development of cancer and cardiovascular disease (heart disease, high blood pressure, strokes, etc.). Conversely, a diet high in potassium and low in sodium is protective against these diseases and, in the case of high blood pressure, it can be therapeutic.
- Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, Revised Second Edition by Michael T. Murray, N.D., Joseph E. Pizzorno, N.D.
We also recommend consuming a high-potassium diet or having your doctor prescribe a potassium supplement. The estimated safe and adequate daily dietary intake of potassium, as set by the Committee on Recommended Daily Allowances, is 1.9 to 5.6 grams. If body potassium requirements are not being met through diet, supplementation is essential to good health. This statement is particularly true for the elderly, athletes, and people with high blood pressure. Potassium supplements are available either by prescription or over the counter (OTC).
- Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, Revised Second Edition by Michael T. Murray, N.D., Joseph E. Pizzorno, N.D.
The best way to supplement potassium is with fruit, which contains more of the mineral than amounts found in potassium supplements. However, fruit contains so much potassium that people taking "potassium sparing" drugs (as some hypertensives do) can end up with too much potassium by eating several pieces of fruit per day. Therefore, people taking potassium-sparing diuretics should consult the prescribing doctor before increasing fruit intake. The fiber provided by vegetarian diets may also help reduce high blood pressure.
- The Natural Pharmacy: Complete Home Reference to Natural Medicine by Schuyler W. Lininger, Jr. DC
Population studies suggest that a low intake of potassium may be linked to an increase in blood pressure, and increasing potassium-rich foods in the diet can lead to a reduction in high blood pressure. The typical Western diet is low in potassium relative to sodium, and the ratio of sodium to potassium in the diet may be more important than sodium alone. Studies suggest that the most beneficial effects on blood pressure are seen when sodium intake is reduced and potassium intake is increased.
- The New Encyclopedia of Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements and Herbs by Nicola Reavley
Low potassium can contribute to high blood pressure, but the effect is especially magnified when calcium and magnesium levels are deficient. If you have high blood pressure and take diuretic medications (fluid or water pills) such as hydrochlorothiazide, Lasix, or Bumex, you are at higher risk to develop potassium deficiency because these medicines make you lose potassium in your urine. Recommendation: If your physician has prescribed diuretics that require extra potassium, he or she will usually have given you a prescription for the drug.
- The Doctor's Complete Guide to Vitamins and Minerals by Dr. Mary Dan Eades
The role of potassium in the body crosses over into many physiological events that include nerve transmission, muscle contraction, enzymatic reactions, carbohydrate synthesis, basic cell functions, and acid-base balance. Inadequate potassium intake in the diet might play a role in the development of high blood pressure, stroke, and cardiovascular disease. In addition to increasing the potassium foods in our diet, several studies now show that potassium supplementation can reduce blood pressure.
- Women's Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine: Alternative Therapies and Integrative Medicine for Total Health and Wellness by Tori Hudson, N.D.
How does potassium regulate blood pressure? Scientists believe it may have something to do with potassium's ability to pump sodium out of the body's cells and reduce body fluid. Potassium may also affect blood vessel tone, or resistance. Or it may be that potassium modifies the way blood vessels react to circulating hormones that affect blood pressure, such as vasopressin and norepinephrine. In any case, potassium's ability to lower blood pressure is such that some scientists suspect low dietary levels of the mineral may actually trigger high blood pressure in certain people.
- Prevention's Healing With Vitamins : The Most Effective Vitamin and Mineral Treatments for Everyday Health Problems and Serious Disease by The Editors of Prevention Magazine Health Books
A ton of studies show that people who eat potassium-rich foods have lower rates of heart disease and stroke. Potassium is also a key component of healthy blood pressure. According to the latest studies, people who regularly consume high-potassium foods have lower blood pressure than those who don't. A recent review of thirty-three studies examined the effect of potassium on blood pressure, and researchers discovered that participants who added 2,340 mg of potassium daily (from foods, supplements, or both) were able to lower their risk of developing high blood pressure by 25 percent.
- The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth: The Surprising, Unbiased Truth About What You Should Eat and Why by Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S.
Potassium is plentiful in food, especially in whole and unrefined food, whereas Sodium is plentiful but not as plentiful as Potassium in food. The kidneys are trained to get rid of extra potassium and hoard Sodium. But man has pulled a switch on the kidneys, he is now eating less and less potassium because of refined food eating, and more and more foods containing Sodium such as potato chips, pretzels, snack type foods, etc. The kidneys are still performing their original functions of excreting extra potassium and hoarding sodium. Too much Sodium causes high blood pressure and other problems.
- The How to Herb Book: Let's Remedy the Situation by Velma J. Keith and Monteen Gordon
Reduce the pressure with potassium. Potassium is a natural diuretic, helping your body excrete water and sodium, thus possibly lowering blood pressure. In fact, there's evidence that salt sensitivity may be caused by too little potassium in the diet, says high blood pressure researcher G. Gopal Krishna, M.D., associate professor of medicine at Temple University. Studies have shown that the lower the potassium intake, the higher the blood pressure, and the higher the ratio of potassium to salt, the lower the blood pressure.
- Disease Free: How to Prevent, Treat and Cure More Than 150 Illnesses and Conditions by Matthew Hoffman and William Legro
What is the potential importance of taking potassium? While potassium is lower in modern diets compared with so-called primitive diets, true deficiencies are uncommon. Some, though not all, research suggests that raising potassium intake may help prevent high blood pressure. Other research suggests that higher potassium intake may help prevent stroke. However, the maximum amount of supplemental potassium allowed in one pill (99 mg) is far below the recommended amounts (at least 2,400 mg per day).
- The Natural Pharmacy: Complete A-Z Reference to Natural Treatments for Common Health Conditions by Alan R. Gaby, M.D., Jonathan V. Wright, M.D., Forrest Batz, Pharm.D. Rick Chester, RPh., N.D., DipLAc. George Constantine, R.Ph., Ph.D. Linnea D. Thompson, Pharm.D., N.D.
Power up on potassium. Studies have shown that eating 3,500 milligrams of potassium can help counteract sodium and keep blood volume - and blood pressure - down. And it's easy to get enough. A baked potato packs 838 milligrams of potassium all by itself, and one cup of spinach has 800 milligrams. Other potassium-packed foods include bananas, orange juice, corn, cabbage and broccoli. Check with your doctor before taking potassium supplements. Too much may aggravate kidney problems. Meet your magnesium needs. Researchers seem to have found a link between low magnesium intake and high blood pressure.
- Age Erasers for Men: Hundreds of Fast and Easy Ways to Beat the Years by Doug Dollemore, Mark Giuliucci and the Editors of Men's Health Magazine
In 1997, the Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health released a report on research they'd been doing on the effectiveness of potassium tablets in lowering blood pressure. The results were amazing: Researchers recommended that potassium supplementation should be considered as a tool for the prevention and treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure). Inexpensive, over-the-counter tablets could control high blood pressure. Not only that. The research showed that even a small amount of potassium could prevent the onset of high blood pressure.
- Attaining Medical Self Sufficiency by Duncan Long
People don't develop severe potassium deficiencies unless they have some sort of endocrine or kidney problem, and then they are pretty sick for a number of reasons," Dr. Young says. While some diuretic drugs can seriously deplete the body of potassium, doctors monitor blood levels of potassium in people taking diuretics and supply extra potassium if necessary. It's likely that a fair number of people in the United States are on the same kind of low-potassium, high-sodium diet that can cause high blood pressure and heart disease in animals, Dr. Tobian says.
- Nature's Medicines : From Asthma to Weight Gain, from Colds to High Cholesterol -- The Most Powerful All-Natural Cures by Gale Maleskey
A great amount of potassium is also lost in heavy sweating. The loss of potassium from the cell will result in intracellular water loss - dehydration that will become chronic unless more water and some high potassium-containing foods are added to the daily diet. Continued pattern of potassium loss from the body will result in excess sodium retention by the kidneys and the first stages of high blood pressure, raised cholesterol, heart disease and irregular pulse will ensue. The foods that have high potassium content are dried fruits like raisins, dried plums, dried apricot and dates.
- Obesity Cancer & Depression: Their Common Cause & Natural Cure by Fereydoon Batmanghelidj
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
MENGENAL GINJAL DAN PENYAKIT-PENYAKIT GINJAL
Apa dia Ginjal ?
Ianya adalah sepasang organ kembar terletak sebelah menyebelah menyebelah tulagn belakang bawah sedikit kepada rangka tulnag rusuk. Ianya menjalankan fungsi terpenting seperti berikut :-
1) membersihkan bahan dan cecair berlebihan dari dalan darah
2) menapis darah, menyimpan setengah-setengah kompaun dan membuangkan yang lain
3) menolong memperbetulkan tekanan darah, menentukan bilangan sel darah dan kesihatan tulang-tulang
Apakah yang akan terjadi apabila Ginjal musnah ?
Badan tidak berupaya menolak keluar air secukupnya, garam dan lain-lain bahan. Jumlah air di dalam badan bertambah dan tisu-tisu membengkak (OEDEMA). Persebatian cecair dalam badan berubah dengan pesat sehingga menjadikan ia begitu abnormal dan kematian akan berlaku kecuali jika pengubatan secara ‘dialisis dijalankan’
Apakah penyakit-penyakit ginjal ?
Penyakit ginjal tidak hanya satu jenis. Bahkan terdapat berbagai-bagai penyakit yang berbeza mengikut kompenan ginjal yang terlibat. Penyakit ginjal termasuk :-
1. infeksi saluran kencing
2. saluran kencing tersenkat, misalnya batu dalan ginjal, cysts dan lain-lain
3. tekanan darah tinggi (hypertension)
4. Glomerulonephritis
5. Nephrosis
6. Lain-lain, misalnya kencing manis, kerosakan akibat kimia toksik tertentu seperti dadah dan lain-lain.
Tanda- tanda amaran penyakit ginjal
1. kepedihan atau kesulitan semasa buang air kencing
2. kerap membuang air kencing terutama pada waktu malam
3. mengeluarkan kencing berdarah
4. bengkak sekeliling mata, bengkak tangan dan kaki terutama di kalangan kanak-kanak
5. kesakitan sebahagian belakang, sedikit ke bawah dari tulang rusuk (tidak disebabkan oleh gerakan)
6. tekanan darah tinggi.
Jika terdapat tanda-tanda ini minta nasihat doktor anda. Setengah penyakit ginjal menyerang tanpa apa-apa tanda, oleh itu pastikan kencing anda diperiksa tiap-tiap tahun.
MENGENAI BATU KARANG (BUAH PINGGANG) DALAM GINJAL
Apa dia Batu karang dalam Ginjal?
Batu yang terdapat dalam ginjal atau lebih dikenali dengan "Buah Pinggang" terjadi dari tumbuhan kristal halus dari beberapa jenis kimia. Kimia yang paling lumrah adalah kalsium oxalat, kalsium pospat dan yang kurang dikenali ialah asid uric, cystine dan magnesiam pospat ammonia.
Saiz batu karang ini ada yang halus seperti pasir dan boleh jadi sebesar bola golf. Kebanyakkan batu tumbuh membesar dalam ginjal, kemudian bergerak ke bawah ke dalam saluran kencing dimana ianya menjadi bertambah besar.
Kesulitan akan timbul apabila batu-batu menjadi terlalu besar yang mengakibatkan ganguan kepada perjalanan aliran air kencing. Ini boleh membawa kepada penyakit dimana kuman-kuman akan merebak. Gangguan dan/ atau perebakan kuman itu akan mengakibatkan kerosakan ginjal, jika tidak diubati segera.
Adakah batu dalam ginjal penyakit biasa ?
Kejadian batu dalam ginjal ini adalah masalah biasa dalam saluran kencing. Adalah dianggarkan bahawa satu hingga lima peratus dari jumlah penduduk akan mengalami kejadian batu dalam ginjal ini pada sesuatu ketika dalam hidupnya.
Sesetengah orang mengalami kejadian batu karang hanya sekali, kemudian pulih dan tidak berulang lagi. Dalam kebanyakkan kes batu dalam ginjal adalah penyakit berpanjangan seumur hidup. Biasanya orang lelaki pertengahan umur lebih ramai yang mengidap penyakit ini dari kaum wanita.
Ada diantara penyakit batu karang ini disebabkan oleh zuriat keturunan. Jika terdapat sejarah kejadian penyakit ini di kalangan anda, mintalah nasihat daripada doktor anda.
Apakah tanda-tandanya ?
Batu dalam ginjal jarang-jarang menimbulkan masalah ketika ianya mula terjadi. Tetapi apabila batu-batu itu beralih atau bergerak di dalam ginjal atau di dalam saluran kencing, kesakitan yang amat sangat \akan dirasai dan pendarahan biasanya berlaku sehinggalah sesudah batu itu keluar.
Dalam sesetengah kes, batu itu tersekat menyebabkan kesakitan dan membahayakan apabila kuman itu merebak. Bila ini berlaku, tanda-tanda seperti berikut akan dirasai iaitu pedih ketika buang air kecil, rasa loya dan air kencing berbau busuk. Ini memerlukan rawatan perubatan yang segera.
Bagaimana batu dalam ginjal itu diubati ?
Pengubatan penyakit ini berbeza mengikut keadaan seseuatu kes itu. Jika batu-batu ini dapat keluar dengan spontan maka pengubatannya ialah dengan mengelakkannya dari berlaku lagi. Dalam hal ini pesakit akan disuruh minum air dengan banyak, sebanyak 3 liter sehari. Cara ini akan dapat membersihkan ginjal. Makanan pesakit juga akan diubahsuai bagi mengurangkan bahan kimia yang terdapat dalam badan pesakit. Apabila batu itu keluar, pesakit hendaklah menyimpannya untuk dibuat kajian. Kajian ini perlu untuk para doktor bagi menentukan sebab musabab terjadinya batu tersebut dan boleh pula membantu dalam rancangan pengubatan bagi mengelakkan berulang lagi penyakit ini.
Pengubatan telah berjaya didapati untuk menghancurkan batu asid uric dan systine. Dalam kes-kes yang lebih serius, apabila batu itu terlalu besar untuk keluar sendiri dan memudaratkan pesakit, suatu pembedahan adalah perlu.
Adalah penting diigati bahawa penyakit ginjal ini memerlukan pengubatan sepanjang hayat. Jika ianya tersekat dan perebakan kuman berlaku, maka ginjal atau buah pinggang tidak akan berfungsi lagi.
KENCING BERCAMPUR DENGAN DARAH
Kencing Berdarah
Samaada sakit atau tidak
Samaada kencing berdarah itu pekat atau tidak
Samaada kencing berdarah itu berlaku sekejap-sekejap atau berterusan semasa kencing
Samaada kencing berdarah itu mempunyai darah beku atau tidak
Samaada kencing berdarah itu berlaku pertama kalinya ataupun sudah beberapa kali. Adalah penting perkara ini disiasat.
Jangan biarkan ianya berulang, barulah hendak berjumpa doktor
Apakah perkara ini serius ?
Ya, ada kemungkinan telah berlaku kerosakan serius didalam buah pinggang atau pundi-pundi kencing dan amatlah mustahak ujian-ujian dan pemeriksaan dilakukan secepat mungkin. Disebaliknya pula, ia mungkin satu jenis jangkitan yang hanya perlu dirawat dengan antibiotik sahaja.
Apakah yang doktor anda akan lakukan ?
Mula-mula ia akan bertanya anda samaada terdapat gejala-gejala seperti sakit atau susah semasa kencing. Selepas itu ia akan melakukan satu pemeriksaan fizikal yang sempurna. Satu contoh air kencing akan diperiksa dan ujian lanjut perlu diadakan berdasarkan perubahan-perubahan yang terdapat pada contoh air kencing itu.
Apa yang berlaku selepas ini ?
Sekiranya doktor anda berpendapat bahawa ujian-ujian tambahan perlu diadakan maka salah satu daripadanya adalah mengambil Xray buah pinggang dan pundi-pundi kencing anda. Ujian ini dikenali sebagai Intravenous Pyelogram atau Urogram (IVP atau IVU). Sekiranya ia mengesyaki yang pendarahan berlaku dalam pundi-pundi kencing anda satu pemeriksaan Cystoscopy perlu diadakan. Ini dilakukan dengan menggunakan satu alat khas untuk melihat ke dalam pundi-pundi kencing, biasanya pesakit akan dibius menggunakan gas. Sekiranya doktor anda mengesyaki ada pendarahan berlaku dalam unit-unit penapisan microscopic buah pinggang, sedikit ‘tisu’ buah pinggang adalah perlu diambil dengan menggunakan jarum khas (kidney Biopsy) untuk menentukan diagnosa keadaan ini.
Sila ambil Perhatian:
Sekiranya anda mengalami kencing berdarah, dapatkanlah nasihat doktor secepat mungkin dan ikutilah segala nasihat-nasihatnya.
INFEKSI SALURAN KENCING
Infeksi saluran kencing
Ini adalah satu masalah yang paling kerap dirawat oleh para doktor. Infeksi saluran kencing boleh digelar ‘infeksi’ pundi-pundi (cystitis”)jika bacteria terdapat di pundi-pundi atau infeksi ginjal (pyelonephritis) jika bacteria terdapat di ginjal (buah pinggang)
Tanda-tanda amaran penyakit infeksi saluran kencing
Kanak-kanak yang kencing di masa dalam tidur
Buang air kencing dengan kerap
Sakit dan rasa pedih ketika buang air kencing
Demam dan rasa seram sejuk
Sakit atau lenguh di belakang dibawah tulang rusuk
Apabila ragu-ragu minta nasihat doktor
Fakta-fakta berkaitan dengan infeksi saluran kencing
Kanak-kanak perempuan lebih kerap mendapat infeksi saluran kencing- lebih kurang 80 kali ganda- dari kanak-kanak lelaki
Kemungkinan seorang kanak-kanak lelaki yang mengidap infeksi saluran kencing mempunyai saluran kencing yang luar biasa (abnormal) adalah besar. Setengah dari kanak-kanak perempuan yang mengidap infeksi saluran air kencing juga mempunyai saluran kencing yang luar biasa (abnormal)
Kanak-kanak yang menunjukkan tanda-tanda infeksi saluran kencing mesti dibawa ke doktor untuk pemeriksaan selanjutnya. Kebanyakkan kerosakan ginjal akibat infeksi di masa kanak-kanak. Infeksi saluran kencing adalah salah satu sebab penting mengakibatkan kerosakan tetap ginjal bagi kanak-kanak. Walaubagaimanapun, infeksi saluran kencing bagi pesakit yang mempunyai saluran kencing yang biasa jarang sekali membawa kerosakan ginjal.
Pengubatan infeksi saluran kencing
Ubat antibiotik selalunya diberi dengan berkesan. Ubat-ubat juga diberi untuk mengurangkan sakit dan kerap kencing. Kepada kebiasaannya doktor akan memeriksa anda sekali lagi untuk menentukan yang infeksi telah dirawat dengan sempurna. Pemeriksaan selanjutnya mungkin dikehendaki terutama bagi kanak-kanak dan apabila saluran kencing disyaki tidak normal.
TEKANAN DARAH TINGGI DAN (BUAH PINGGANG) GINJAL ANDA
Tekanan darah tinggi dan ginjal anda
Tekanan darah tinggi atau ‘Hypertension’ menyerang 10-20% penduduk. Sesiapa pun boleh mendapat tekanan darah tinggi akan tetapi fakta risiko yang tinggi ialah berat badan berlebihan, keturunan, merokok, ketegangan hidup (stress) dan juga umur melebihi 50 tahun. Tekanan darah tinggi dan ginjal juga mempunyai hubungan yang arkab kerana tekanan darah tinggi boleh menyebabkan masalah ginjal dan masalah ginjal boleh menyebabkan tekanan darah tinggi
Banyak penyakit-penyakit lain misalnya kencing manis juga menyebabkan tekanan darah tinggi. Bagaimanapun, dalam 90% kes, tidak ada sebab dikenal pasti dan orang-orang ini dikira mempunyai tekanan darah tinggi tanpa sebab ( "primary" atau "Essential" Hypertension ).
Apakah tanda-tanda tekanan darah tinggi ?
Tekanan darah tinggi ialah penyakit tersembunyi. Biasanya tidak terdapat tanda-tanda. Jarang-jarang, setengah dari mereka yang mengidapnya merungut mengenai sakit kepala, hidung berdarah atau sesak nafas. Hanya satu cara untuk ada mengetahui samada tekanan darah anda melebihi ialah dengan mendapatkan doktor memeriksa tekanan darah anda
Kenapakan takanan darah tinggi begitu bahaya ?
Jika tekanan darah tinggi dibiarkan tanpa dikawal, ianya boleh merosakkan organ-organ penting seperti jantung, otak dan ginjal. Ia menyerang jantung dengan menyebabkan sakit jantung dan lemah jantung. Tekanan darah tinggi adalah sebab utama membawa kepada penyakit lumpuh sebelah badan atau ‘stroke’.
Syarikat-syarikat insuran telah membuat penyelidikan mengenai hubungan tekanan darah tinggi dan jangka usia. Penyelidikan mereka menunjukkan bahawa tekanan darah tinggi juga boleh memendekkan umur anda beberapa tahun.
Apakah kesan yang diberikan oleh ‘Hypertension’ terhadap ginjal ?
Tekanan darah tinggi di dalam saluran darah dalam ginjal menyebabkan ianya mengental dan keras. Ini mengurangkan bekalan darah kepada ginjal, mengakibatkan kekurangan kecekapannya. Ini akan membawa kepada keadaan dimana garam dan cecair berlebihan di dalam badan. Cecair berlebihan ini menjadikan satu beban kepada jantung.
Jika tekanan darah tinggi tidak dikawal dengan pengubatan, kerosakan dan akhirnya kemusnahan ginjal akan berlaku
Apakah yang dapat saya buat mengenai tekanan darah tinggi ?
Mula-mula, minta doktor memeriksa tekanan darah anda. Sekiranya anda mempunyai tekanan darah tinggi, doktor anda akan memberikan jenis ubat yang sewajarnya. Kadang-kadang beberapa jenis ubat diperlukan bagi mengawal tekanan darah anda. Adalah sangat penting bagi anda memakan ubat sepertimana yang disuruh. Dalam banyak kes anda dikehendaki memakan ubat sepanjang hayat.
Apakah doktor akan menyuruh saya membuat yang lain-lain lagi ?
Mungkin anda terpaksa menerima perubahan di dalam cara hidup anda. Doktor mungkin mencadangkan supaya anda mengurangkan berat badan, kurangkan memakan garam, kurangkan ketegangan, berhenti merokok dan bersenam selalu.
Anda dan doktor anda perlu bekerjasama untuk mengawal tekanan darah anda ?
Ingat : kebanyakan jenis tekanan darah tinggi boleh diubati dengan jayanya. Pengesahan awal dan patuh kepada pengubatan jangka panjang adalah kunci kepada hidup sihat dan panjang umur dengan mengelakkan kemusnahan ginjal, lemah jantung dan ‘stroke’.
ENAM TANDA-TANDA AWAL SAKIT BUAH PINGGANG
1. sakit atau susah bila kencing
2. kencing lebih kerap terutama di sebelah malam
3. kencing yang bercampur dengan darah
4. bengkak disekeliling kedua-dua mata, tangan dan kaki terutama bila berlaku pada kanak-kanak
5. sakit disebelah buah pinggang (tiada kaitan dengan buah pinggang)
6. tekanan darah tinggi
Yayasan Kebangsaan Buah Pinggang Malaysia
पेंयाकित जन्तुंग: जंगन मैं-मैं
Sakit Jantung
Jantung manusia terdiri daripada serabut-serabut otot khusus yang bekerja untuk mengepam darah. Apabila otot jantung tidak mendapat bekalan darah yang cukup, seseorang itu dikatakan mengidap sakit jantung. Antara penyebab bekalan darah ke otot jantung tidak cukup, disebabkan saluran darah menjadi sempit kerana dinding sebelah dalam saluran darah dipenuhi lemak, terutamanya "kolesterol".
Serangan Penyakit Jantung
Penyakit jantung digambarkan sebagai rasa kesakitan yang amat sangat di bahagian dada yang berterusan sehingga setengah jam, menjalar kearah tangan kiri dan rahang. Pesakit akan mengalami keseukaran untuk bernafas dan perasaan takut yang keterlaluan.
Sebab sebenar rasa kesakitan ini adalah disebabkan kematian sebahagian otot jantung yang disebabkan oleh salur darah di bahagian tersebut tersumbat. Lebih besar salur darah yang tersumbat, lebih merbahaya serangan jantung tersebut. Sekiranya saluran darah tertutup sepenuhnya, sebahagian dari otot jantung akan rosak. Kemudian, sakit dada yang teramat sangat akan terjadi. Keadaan inilah yang dinamakan "serangan sakit jantung".
sakit-jantung
Faktor Penyebab
* Asap Rokok
Mempercepatkan pembekuan darah
*
Menggalakkan pemendapan lemak pada dinding saluran darah.
*
Mengurangkan bekalan oksigen ke jantung.
*
Tekanan Perasaan
*
Seseorang yang mengalami tekanan perasaan, degup jantungnya, meningkat.
*
Tekanan darahnya juga meningkat.
Kandungan Lemak Yang Tinggi
*
Lebih tinggi kandungan lemak, lebih berbahaya. Makanan yang tinggi lemak, adalah seperti mentega, minyak sapi, daging berlemak.
Kurang bersenam
*
Senaman penting untuk menguatkan jantung.
*
Ia juga penting untuk memperbaiki pengaliran darah ke
jantung. Bersenamlah.
Darah Tinggi
*
Darah tinggi menggalakkan berlakunya penyempitan saluran darah.
*
Jantung "terpaksa" mengepam lebih kuat untuk mengalirkan darah melalui saluran yang sempit itu.
*
Lebih tinggi tekanan darah, lebih besar pula peluang serangan sakit jantung.
Kencing Manis
*
Pesakit kencing manis lebih tinggi peluangnya mendapat serangan sakit jantung
Faktor-Faktor Yang Meningkatkan Kemungkinan Menghadapi Penyakit Jantung Koronari
*
Jika anda mempunyai keturunan yang mengidap penyakit jantung.
*
Jika anda berusia 35 tahun ke atas dan mempunyai masalah berat badan.
*
Jika anda merokok.
*
Jika anda gagal mengawal tekanan darah anda.
*
Jika anda mengidap penyakit kencing manis.
*
Jika anda menghadapi masalah mengawal tekanan.
*
Jika pemilihan makanan anda tidak betul makanan anda mengandungi kadar kolesterol dan lemak yang tinggi.
*
Jika anda kurang bersenam.
*
Jika anda kurang memakan sayur dan buah segar.
Mengurangkan Risiko Sakit Jantung
*
Anda boleh memastikan sama ada keluarga sebelah ibu atau sebelah bapa anda ada yang menghidap penyakit jantung. Sekiranya ada, anda perlu lebih berwaspada dengan tanda-tanda penyakit jantung dan digalakkan menjalani pemeriksaan tahunan.
*
Berhenti merokok terutama sekiranya anda berusia melebihi 35 tahun.
*
Mengambil ubat dan mengawal permakanan anda sekiranya anda mempunyai tekanan darah tinggi atau kencing manis.
*
Mengawal tekanan perasaan anda dan jangan cepat meradang atau runsing.
*
Digalakkan memakan daging putih "white meat" seperti daging ayam, ikan, dan mengelakkan dari terlalu kerap memakan daging merah "red meat" seperti daging lembu, kambing, kerbau dan lain-lain sepertinya.
*
Mulalah bersenam secara beransur-ansur.
*
Gentian serat yang terdapat dalam makanan dipercayai boleh menyerap sebahagian dari lemak / kalesterol, oleh itu pakar permakanan mempercayai makanan yang banyak serat seperti bijiran oat dapat mengurangkan jumlah kalesterol yang diserap oleh badan.
Sumber Maklumat: Kementerian Kesihatan dan Utusan Malaysia
Sedih, Marah Punca Sakit Jantung
GOLONGAN yang didorong semangat bekerja, kompetitif dan obses dengan �deadline�, kurang potensi mengalami penyakit jantung.
UMUM mengetahui, emosi terbentuk di dalam otak manakala perasaan terbit dari dalam hati, atau sebenarnya organ dalaman iaitu jantung.
Namun begitu, bagaimana pula dengan emosi negatif? Apabila anda terlalu sedih atau marah sehingga 'sakit hati', adakah keadaan emosi tersebut benar-benar menyebabkan kesakitan pada jantung anda?
Bagi mengetahui kesan tersebut, dua kajian dijalankan baru-baru ini bagi menyokong teori bahawa apa yang difikirkan otak benar-benar mampu mencederakan jantung anda.
Kajian pertama terbitan Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) mendapati, wanita yang menghidap simptom kemurungan menghadapi risiko lebih tinggi diserang penyakit jantung. Wanita yang disahkan murung secara klinikal pula dua kali ganda berkemungkinan meninggal dunia akibat jantung terhenti.
Para penyelidik menyimpulkan bahawa kemurungan mempunyai impak psikologi secara terus menerus terhadap jantung kerana ia terpaksa berfungsi lebih kuat apabila berdepan tekanan.
Kajian turut mendapati, wanita murung lebih cenderung merokok, mengalami tekanan darah yang tinggi dan menghidap diabetes.
Ubat anti murung yang digunakan oleh ramai pesakit wanita juga dikaitkan dengan masalah jantung dan kematian secara tiba-tiba terutama di kalangan remaja.
Satu lagi kajian pula mendapati, mood seseorang itu mempengaruhi tekanan ke atas jantung dan bukan sebaliknya.
Kertas kajian yang disediakan oleh penyelidik University College London pula menemui, lelaki yang mudah meradang dan panas baran besar kemungkinan diserang penyakit koronari berbanding mereka yang tidak bersikap demikian.
Kajian pertama menemui golongan yang didorong semangat bekerja, kompetitif dan obses dengan 'deadline', kurang potensi mengalami penyakit jantung.
Dalam kata lain, pekerja yang terlalu bercita-cita tinggi dan 'terlebih' rajin kurang risiko diserang sakit jantung berbanding golongan yang menyimpan dendam, marah dan menentang secara berselindung.
Kajian kedua menemui beberapa teori mengenai emosi marah yang diterjemahkan dalam bentuk serangan jantung fizikal. Ini kerana, golongan panas baran mengalami kesukaran tidur, kurang mengambil ubat, tabiat pemakanan teruk, tidak bersenam, kuat merokok dan lebih gemuk.
Golongan panas baran ini pada mulanya langsung tidak menghadapi risiko, tetapi akhirnya mengalami 19 peratus kemungkinan lebih tinggi diserang penyakit jantung koronari.
Kedua-dua kajian tersebut turut menemui stereotaip jantina iaitu, wanita 'sakit' jantung akibat menanggung kesedihan manakala lelaki 'sakit' jantung dengan kemarahan.
Walaupun begitu, dua kajian bersetuju bahawa lelaki dan wanita mengetahui punca penyakit jantung seperti diet salah, kurang bersenam dan sukar tidur.
Sehubungan itu, adalah penting lelaki atau wanita tidak membiarkan diri tenggelam dalam emosi kerana boleh merosakkan mental dan organ dalaman yang paling penting iaitu jantung.
Sumber: Utusan Malaysia
Jus Buah Lebih Efektif Cegah Sakit Jantung
MENGONSUMSI buah-buahan memang sangat bermanfaat bagi kesehatan termasuk mencegah penyakit pembuluh darah dan jantung. Namun riset terbaru mengindikasikan, mengonsumsinya dalam bentuk jus atau sari buah, ternyata memberi khasiat lebih besar ketimbang memakannya dalam bentuk utuh.
Dr. Kelly Decorde dari Universitas Montpellier Prancis dan timnya melaporkan penelitian yang untuk peratmakalinya membuktikan bahwa mengolah buah menjadi jus atau sari buah berdampak penting bagi kesehatan. Selama ini, kata Decorde, masyarakat mengonsumsi buah dalam bentuk olahan seperti jus, namun informasi mengenai komposisi nutrisinya hanya terbatas pada bentuk utuhnya.
Untuk menganalisis sejauh mana proses "juicing" ini mempengaruhi kandungan antioksidan kuat pada buah yang disebut fenol, Decorde dan timnya melakukan uji coba menggunakan hamster.
Binatang-binatang ini dibagi dalam kelompok dan di antaranya ada yang dibiarkan diet dengan kadar lemak dan kolesterol tinggi untuk memicu timbulnya aterosklerosis atau pembentukan plak-plak lemak dalam pembuluh arteri yang dapat menyebabkan serangan jantung dan stroke . Kelompok hamster ada yang diberi buah apel, anggur ungu, jus apel, jus anggur dan air.
Di antara hamster juga ada kelompok yang dikontrol untuk menjalani diet normal. Jumlah buah yang dikonsumsi para hamster diseimbangkan dangan konsumsi normal manusia yang rata-rata sekitar tiga buah apel dan tiga rangkai anggur per hari . Hamster juga diberi jus yang setara dengan empat gelas per hari untuk manusia dengan berat 70 kilogram (154 pon).
Apel dan anggur menurut kajian para peneliti memiliki kadar fenol yang setara, sementara jus anggur ungu memiliki phenol 2,5 kali lebih banyak ketimban jus apel .
Pada akhir riset terungkap, dibandingkan yang dminum air, hamster yang diberi buah dan jus mencatat kadar kolesterol rendah, stres oksidatif rendah, serta akumulasi lemak yang sedikit pada pembuluh aorta, saluran utama yang menyuplah darah mengandung okigen ke seluruh tubuh. Jus anggur ungu tercatat memberi pengaruh paling besar diikuti buah anggur ungu, jus dan buah apel.
"Temuan ini mengindikasikan bahwa jumlah fenol yang terkandung dalam makanan memiliki pengaruh langsung terhadap kekayaan antioksidannya, " tulis peneliti yang memuat riset mereka dalam Molecular Nutrition and Food Research edisi April 2008.
Zat-zat antioksidan lainnya dalam buah-buahan seperti vitamin C dan karotenoid, juga dapat memberi kontribusi bagi khasiatnya. Hasil penelitian ini kata, Decorde, memberikan saran dan dorongan bahwa manfaat buah dan jus buah memilii relevansi yang signifikan dan dapat diapliasikan bagi kesehatan masyarakat.
Jantung manusia terdiri daripada serabut-serabut otot khusus yang bekerja untuk mengepam darah. Apabila otot jantung tidak mendapat bekalan darah yang cukup, seseorang itu dikatakan mengidap sakit jantung. Antara penyebab bekalan darah ke otot jantung tidak cukup, disebabkan saluran darah menjadi sempit kerana dinding sebelah dalam saluran darah dipenuhi lemak, terutamanya "kolesterol".
Serangan Penyakit Jantung
Penyakit jantung digambarkan sebagai rasa kesakitan yang amat sangat di bahagian dada yang berterusan sehingga setengah jam, menjalar kearah tangan kiri dan rahang. Pesakit akan mengalami keseukaran untuk bernafas dan perasaan takut yang keterlaluan.
Sebab sebenar rasa kesakitan ini adalah disebabkan kematian sebahagian otot jantung yang disebabkan oleh salur darah di bahagian tersebut tersumbat. Lebih besar salur darah yang tersumbat, lebih merbahaya serangan jantung tersebut. Sekiranya saluran darah tertutup sepenuhnya, sebahagian dari otot jantung akan rosak. Kemudian, sakit dada yang teramat sangat akan terjadi. Keadaan inilah yang dinamakan "serangan sakit jantung".
sakit-jantung
Faktor Penyebab
* Asap Rokok
Mempercepatkan pembekuan darah
*
Menggalakkan pemendapan lemak pada dinding saluran darah.
*
Mengurangkan bekalan oksigen ke jantung.
*
Tekanan Perasaan
*
Seseorang yang mengalami tekanan perasaan, degup jantungnya, meningkat.
*
Tekanan darahnya juga meningkat.
Kandungan Lemak Yang Tinggi
*
Lebih tinggi kandungan lemak, lebih berbahaya. Makanan yang tinggi lemak, adalah seperti mentega, minyak sapi, daging berlemak.
Kurang bersenam
*
Senaman penting untuk menguatkan jantung.
*
Ia juga penting untuk memperbaiki pengaliran darah ke
jantung. Bersenamlah.
Darah Tinggi
*
Darah tinggi menggalakkan berlakunya penyempitan saluran darah.
*
Jantung "terpaksa" mengepam lebih kuat untuk mengalirkan darah melalui saluran yang sempit itu.
*
Lebih tinggi tekanan darah, lebih besar pula peluang serangan sakit jantung.
Kencing Manis
*
Pesakit kencing manis lebih tinggi peluangnya mendapat serangan sakit jantung
Faktor-Faktor Yang Meningkatkan Kemungkinan Menghadapi Penyakit Jantung Koronari
*
Jika anda mempunyai keturunan yang mengidap penyakit jantung.
*
Jika anda berusia 35 tahun ke atas dan mempunyai masalah berat badan.
*
Jika anda merokok.
*
Jika anda gagal mengawal tekanan darah anda.
*
Jika anda mengidap penyakit kencing manis.
*
Jika anda menghadapi masalah mengawal tekanan.
*
Jika pemilihan makanan anda tidak betul makanan anda mengandungi kadar kolesterol dan lemak yang tinggi.
*
Jika anda kurang bersenam.
*
Jika anda kurang memakan sayur dan buah segar.
Mengurangkan Risiko Sakit Jantung
*
Anda boleh memastikan sama ada keluarga sebelah ibu atau sebelah bapa anda ada yang menghidap penyakit jantung. Sekiranya ada, anda perlu lebih berwaspada dengan tanda-tanda penyakit jantung dan digalakkan menjalani pemeriksaan tahunan.
*
Berhenti merokok terutama sekiranya anda berusia melebihi 35 tahun.
*
Mengambil ubat dan mengawal permakanan anda sekiranya anda mempunyai tekanan darah tinggi atau kencing manis.
*
Mengawal tekanan perasaan anda dan jangan cepat meradang atau runsing.
*
Digalakkan memakan daging putih "white meat" seperti daging ayam, ikan, dan mengelakkan dari terlalu kerap memakan daging merah "red meat" seperti daging lembu, kambing, kerbau dan lain-lain sepertinya.
*
Mulalah bersenam secara beransur-ansur.
*
Gentian serat yang terdapat dalam makanan dipercayai boleh menyerap sebahagian dari lemak / kalesterol, oleh itu pakar permakanan mempercayai makanan yang banyak serat seperti bijiran oat dapat mengurangkan jumlah kalesterol yang diserap oleh badan.
Sumber Maklumat: Kementerian Kesihatan dan Utusan Malaysia
Sedih, Marah Punca Sakit Jantung
GOLONGAN yang didorong semangat bekerja, kompetitif dan obses dengan �deadline�, kurang potensi mengalami penyakit jantung.
UMUM mengetahui, emosi terbentuk di dalam otak manakala perasaan terbit dari dalam hati, atau sebenarnya organ dalaman iaitu jantung.
Namun begitu, bagaimana pula dengan emosi negatif? Apabila anda terlalu sedih atau marah sehingga 'sakit hati', adakah keadaan emosi tersebut benar-benar menyebabkan kesakitan pada jantung anda?
Bagi mengetahui kesan tersebut, dua kajian dijalankan baru-baru ini bagi menyokong teori bahawa apa yang difikirkan otak benar-benar mampu mencederakan jantung anda.
Kajian pertama terbitan Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) mendapati, wanita yang menghidap simptom kemurungan menghadapi risiko lebih tinggi diserang penyakit jantung. Wanita yang disahkan murung secara klinikal pula dua kali ganda berkemungkinan meninggal dunia akibat jantung terhenti.
Para penyelidik menyimpulkan bahawa kemurungan mempunyai impak psikologi secara terus menerus terhadap jantung kerana ia terpaksa berfungsi lebih kuat apabila berdepan tekanan.
Kajian turut mendapati, wanita murung lebih cenderung merokok, mengalami tekanan darah yang tinggi dan menghidap diabetes.
Ubat anti murung yang digunakan oleh ramai pesakit wanita juga dikaitkan dengan masalah jantung dan kematian secara tiba-tiba terutama di kalangan remaja.
Satu lagi kajian pula mendapati, mood seseorang itu mempengaruhi tekanan ke atas jantung dan bukan sebaliknya.
Kertas kajian yang disediakan oleh penyelidik University College London pula menemui, lelaki yang mudah meradang dan panas baran besar kemungkinan diserang penyakit koronari berbanding mereka yang tidak bersikap demikian.
Kajian pertama menemui golongan yang didorong semangat bekerja, kompetitif dan obses dengan 'deadline', kurang potensi mengalami penyakit jantung.
Dalam kata lain, pekerja yang terlalu bercita-cita tinggi dan 'terlebih' rajin kurang risiko diserang sakit jantung berbanding golongan yang menyimpan dendam, marah dan menentang secara berselindung.
Kajian kedua menemui beberapa teori mengenai emosi marah yang diterjemahkan dalam bentuk serangan jantung fizikal. Ini kerana, golongan panas baran mengalami kesukaran tidur, kurang mengambil ubat, tabiat pemakanan teruk, tidak bersenam, kuat merokok dan lebih gemuk.
Golongan panas baran ini pada mulanya langsung tidak menghadapi risiko, tetapi akhirnya mengalami 19 peratus kemungkinan lebih tinggi diserang penyakit jantung koronari.
Kedua-dua kajian tersebut turut menemui stereotaip jantina iaitu, wanita 'sakit' jantung akibat menanggung kesedihan manakala lelaki 'sakit' jantung dengan kemarahan.
Walaupun begitu, dua kajian bersetuju bahawa lelaki dan wanita mengetahui punca penyakit jantung seperti diet salah, kurang bersenam dan sukar tidur.
Sehubungan itu, adalah penting lelaki atau wanita tidak membiarkan diri tenggelam dalam emosi kerana boleh merosakkan mental dan organ dalaman yang paling penting iaitu jantung.
Sumber: Utusan Malaysia
Jus Buah Lebih Efektif Cegah Sakit Jantung
MENGONSUMSI buah-buahan memang sangat bermanfaat bagi kesehatan termasuk mencegah penyakit pembuluh darah dan jantung. Namun riset terbaru mengindikasikan, mengonsumsinya dalam bentuk jus atau sari buah, ternyata memberi khasiat lebih besar ketimbang memakannya dalam bentuk utuh.
Dr. Kelly Decorde dari Universitas Montpellier Prancis dan timnya melaporkan penelitian yang untuk peratmakalinya membuktikan bahwa mengolah buah menjadi jus atau sari buah berdampak penting bagi kesehatan. Selama ini, kata Decorde, masyarakat mengonsumsi buah dalam bentuk olahan seperti jus, namun informasi mengenai komposisi nutrisinya hanya terbatas pada bentuk utuhnya.
Untuk menganalisis sejauh mana proses "juicing" ini mempengaruhi kandungan antioksidan kuat pada buah yang disebut fenol, Decorde dan timnya melakukan uji coba menggunakan hamster.
Binatang-binatang ini dibagi dalam kelompok dan di antaranya ada yang dibiarkan diet dengan kadar lemak dan kolesterol tinggi untuk memicu timbulnya aterosklerosis atau pembentukan plak-plak lemak dalam pembuluh arteri yang dapat menyebabkan serangan jantung dan stroke . Kelompok hamster ada yang diberi buah apel, anggur ungu, jus apel, jus anggur dan air.
Di antara hamster juga ada kelompok yang dikontrol untuk menjalani diet normal. Jumlah buah yang dikonsumsi para hamster diseimbangkan dangan konsumsi normal manusia yang rata-rata sekitar tiga buah apel dan tiga rangkai anggur per hari . Hamster juga diberi jus yang setara dengan empat gelas per hari untuk manusia dengan berat 70 kilogram (154 pon).
Apel dan anggur menurut kajian para peneliti memiliki kadar fenol yang setara, sementara jus anggur ungu memiliki phenol 2,5 kali lebih banyak ketimban jus apel .
Pada akhir riset terungkap, dibandingkan yang dminum air, hamster yang diberi buah dan jus mencatat kadar kolesterol rendah, stres oksidatif rendah, serta akumulasi lemak yang sedikit pada pembuluh aorta, saluran utama yang menyuplah darah mengandung okigen ke seluruh tubuh. Jus anggur ungu tercatat memberi pengaruh paling besar diikuti buah anggur ungu, jus dan buah apel.
"Temuan ini mengindikasikan bahwa jumlah fenol yang terkandung dalam makanan memiliki pengaruh langsung terhadap kekayaan antioksidannya, " tulis peneliti yang memuat riset mereka dalam Molecular Nutrition and Food Research edisi April 2008.
Zat-zat antioksidan lainnya dalam buah-buahan seperti vitamin C dan karotenoid, juga dapat memberi kontribusi bagi khasiatnya. Hasil penelitian ini kata, Decorde, memberikan saran dan dorongan bahwa manfaat buah dan jus buah memilii relevansi yang signifikan dan dapat diapliasikan bagi kesehatan masyarakat.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Surat Omak kepado Pengetua SMK Jambatan Bosi
Ini surat omak kepado cikgu sekolah pasal kes selsemo babi
From: Mak Mertua Kau!Date: 4 November 2009
RE: Request for NON-vaccination of my child ,Anak Omak bin Abah Kau!
Dear Principal Joyah (and the nursing staff, Misi Peah),
This letter is to inform you that as a parent of a child in your school, I do not consent to any H1N1 (Swine Flu) vaccination of my child, (Anak Omak bin Abah Kau!), and that if my child is subjected to such a vaccine without my permission, I will consider that a gross violation of not only my parental rights, but the civil rights of my child.
The H1N1 swine flu vaccines currently being given to schoolchildren in America were approved by the FDA using an unlawful waiver that allowed the vaccines to be approved with absolutely no credible scientific testing. No adequate safety or efficacy testing has been conducted on any of the swine flu vaccines, and those children who are being injected with the vaccines are being treated as human guinea pigs.
H1N1 swine flu has also turned out to be so mild that it can be easily overcome with a healthy immune system aided by healthy levels of circulating vitamin D. My child takes vitamin D supplementation and therefore has an extremely healthy, active immune system that can easily mount its own antibody response against swine flu or other forms of influenza. Because of his immune system health and nutritional regimen, my child poses no health threat as a "carrier" of the swine flu, even without being vaccinated.
As a parent, part of my responsibility to my child is to protect them from potentially dangerous chemicals or unproven medications that may cause neurological side effects. A previous batch of swine flu vaccines in 1976 are now known to have caused Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), a serious neurological disorder that can cause paralysis or death. The risk of such side effects may be small, but they are permanent and not worth the claimed protection against a disease that, according to CDC statistics, is many times less virulent than regular seasonal flu.
Please make note that my child is not to receive any vaccinations without my prior written consent, and that if my child is subjected to vaccines of any kind without such permission, I will immediately seek legal counsel in an attempt to hold your school responsible for all long-term medical costs potentially associated with the vaccine side effects. I will also sue for violation of my child's civil rights.
Should such a scenario unfold, I also plan to go public with this story at both the local and national levels in order to bring increased awareness to this gross violation of parental rights. A copy of this signed and dated letter will be made available to the press to prove that I clearly and specifically requested my child NOT be vaccinated. I will also be happy to provide this documentation to whatever state regulators or law enforcement investigators may become involved at that point.
You may avoid all of this by honoring my request to safeguard my child from any and all H1N1 (Swine Flu) vaccines being given at your school.
Regards,
(Mak Mertua Kau! binti Atok Kau!)
Kg.Batu Kikir, Kuolo Pilah
Stess- Edisi BM
Stress: Tekanan Mental
Tekanan mental adalah sebahagian daripada kehidupan harian. Ia merujuk kepada kaedah yang menybabkan ketenangan individu terasa diancam oleh peristiwa persekitaran dan menyebabkan individu tersebut bertindak balas.
Anda boleh mengalami tekanan ketika memenuhi tuntutan kerja, menyesuaikan diri dengan persekitaran baru, atau melalui interaksi sosial.
Tekanan mental yang sederhana boleh menjadi pendorong kepada satu-satu tindakan dan pencapaian tetapi kalau tekanan mental anda itu terlalu tinggi, ia boleh menimbulkan masalah sosial dan menggangu kesihatan anda.
APAKAH DIA TEKANAN MENTAL?
Tekanan mental adalah hasil interaksi antara peristiwa-peristiwa persekitaran dengan individu. Paras tekanan yang dihasilkan akan bergantung kepada sumber tekanan dan cara individu tersebut bertindak balas.GEJALA TEKANAN
Ada beberapa gejala yang menandakan mental anda tertekan. Antara gejala tekanan mental adalah:
- Merasa bimbang
- Merasa cepat marah
- Merasa lemah semangat
- Merasa tidak tenteram dan
- gelisah
- Bimbang terhadap masa depan
- Kurang daya tumpuan
- Menjadi mudah lupa
- Fikiran tertumpu pada masalah tempat kerja
- Takut gagal
- Rendah harga diri
TINGKAH LAKU
- Tabiat merokok yang meningkat
- Penggunaan alkohol dan dadah sebagai cara mendapat mengurangkan masalah
- Hilang selera makan atau makan berlebihan
- Mudah cuai dan sering terbabit dalam kemalangan
- Mudah terkejut
- Bertindak secara impulsif dan agresif
PERUBAHAN FIZIKAL
- Berpeluh pada tangan dan badan
- Sering rasa dada berdebar
- Menggeletar,kering mulut dan kerongkong
- Mudah merasa letih
- Kerap kecing
- Sukar untuk tidur
- Masalah menghadzaman seperti, loya, muntah, cirit-birit, sembelit
- Sakit kepala dan leher Sakit-sakit sendi dan badan Mudah diserang penyakit
PUNCA TEKANAN
Perubahan-perubahan besar dalam kehidupan seseorang adalah punca tekanan mental yang paling biasa Peristiwa-peristiwa yang boleh mendatangkan tekanan mental bukan sahaja peristiwa yang negatif seperti kematian, dibuang kerja tetapi peristiwa positif seperti berkahwin, mendapat cahayamata ataupun kenaikan pangkat.
CARA MENGURANGI TEKANAN MENTAL YANG DIALAMI
Kebanyakan punca tekanan mental boleh diubah, dihapuskan atau dikurangkan. Bagaimanapun anda harus terlebih dahulu menyedari dan memahami reaksi anda terhadap tekanan. Cara-cara yang boleh digunakanuntuk mengurangi tekanan mental anda:
- Makan makanan seimbang tiap-tiap hari
- Bersenam atau riadzah secara kerap
- Mempunyai hobi yang boleh mendatangkan ketenangan
- Mempunyai keutamaan dan matlamat yang realistik
- Mengendalikan masa secara berkesan dan bijaksana
- Selalu berpandangan positif and fokus kepada sifat-sifat baik anda
- Dapat menerima kelebihan dan kelemahan diri sendiri.
- Bersedia berkongsi masalah dengan orang lain yang boleh dipercayai
- Mengamalkan teknik relaksasi seperti relaksasi otot secara progresif atau meditasi. Misalnya apabila merasa tertekan, perlahankan tarikan dan keluaran nafas anda untuk beberapa minit.
- Dapatkan bantuan profesional sekiranya tekanan mental yang anda hadapi berpanjangan atau sukar diatasi.
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