News From Nutrition & Peripheral Artery Disease

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD):
What is it? PAD is the build up of fatty deposits (plaque) and cholesterol in the arteries outside the heart.

Who is at Risk?

• Increasing age
• Cigarette smokers (5-10 times more likely and experience more leg symptoms are more likely to suffer heart attack, stroke, amputation and death, doubles risk if you have diabetes).
• Diabetes
• High Blood Pressure
• Abnormal Cholesterol
• Past history of heart attack or stroke

How do I know if I have it?

• Most don't have obvious symptoms
• Leg muscle discomfort or pain caused by walking and disappearing with rest (claudication)
• Foot or toe pain at rest that often disturbs sleep
• Slow healing skin wounds or ulcers (8-12 weeks)

Diagnoses:

• History and physical examination of feet and leg pulses.
• Ankle Brachial index (ABI)
• Other diagnostic studies (Doppler ultrasound)

What you can do!

• If you smoke, quit. There are no known medical benefits to smoking.
• Lower blood pressure and cholesterol
• Manage blood glucose if diabetic and practice proper foot care
• Use prescribed antiplatelet medications to reduce risk for stroke and heart attack

With Claudication:

• Exercise (may need to be supervised). Walk slowly until discomfort, rest, repeat. Do 35 minutes a day 3 times a week increase time, distance and endurance.
• Meds may be needed to reduce symptom.
• Non responsive cases may need angioplasty, stenting or surgery.

Source: www.PADcoalition.org

NUTRITION NEWS BITES:

• A study by the American Cancer Society suggest an aspirin (adult strength) a day may keep cancer away.
• A study in the World Journal of Surgery suggests DHEA may offer a new strategy for certain breast cancers.
• Studies in Phytotherapy Resources and Journal of Psychopharmacology suggest Rhodiola (herb) may help offset stress effects.
• A study suggests vitamin D deficiency may decrease physical performance in older adults.
• Depression symptoms in older adults may indicate a risk for type 2 diabetes.
• Green tea may help fight the joint destruction of Rheumatoid arthritis.
• Salk Institute scientists found a gene linking calorie restriction to longevity-live longer by eating less calories.
• Age spots can be improved by topical N-acetylglucosamine and niacinamide (non-itch B3).
• A single fast food meal increases blood pressure in a study by Journal of Nutrition (McDonald's breakfast or a low-fat meal).
• Isothiocyanates in cruciferous veggies (broccoli, e.g) help fight prostate cancer by inhibiting blood vessel growth.
• Zelnorm (anti-constipation drug) suspended due to cardiovascular risk
• Fish oil and exercise reduce body fat and improve cardiovascular health. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
• Pomegranate, CoQ10, tea tree oil, lactoferrin, folica acid, squalene and hydrogen peroxide help fight bacteria in the mouth and maintain good dental health.
• Theonine and lemon balm may help with anxiety and stress.
• Life Extension pharmacy. Significant cost savings can be realized by purchasing statin drugs through the Life Extension Pharmacy-especially generic Zocor (simvastatin) and Pravachol (pravastatin). Statins provide about 30% protection against heart attacks.
• CoQ10 may be helpful in offsetting the muscle damage which is a rare complication of statin drugs.
• Nutrients to take care of aging skin: hyaluronic acid, matrixyl, argireline, jojoba oil, concentrated antioxidant tea blend in a mask blend may help offset age damage. Zinc, chamomile, aloe vera, cucumber, grapefruit oils, arnica, squalene (from natural olive oil), seaweed extract, copper peptide complex, zinc oxide, and sulfur are also used in healing. See Life Extension article August 2007.
• Diabetics taking metformin can experience a B12 (cobalamine) deficiency as a side effect. It may also interfere with calcium metabolism and supplementation may be necessary.

Dehydration

It's here! Summer in full swing along with the heat. This year there seems to be a lot more humidity as well. Not only does that increase the heat index (make it feel hotter than it is) but it also puts you at risk for dehydration.

Who is at risk?

• People in countries with insufficient clean water to drink
• Children who are old enough to talk but not old enough to understand about thirst
• People who are relying on coffee, tea, soft drinks, juice, and alcohol (all dehydrators) for their liquid
• New mothers -- especially nursing mothers
• Athletes (athletes can easily burn through more water in their bodies than they replace)
• People for whom physical labor is a large part of their daily routine
• People whose work keeps them on the move and/or on their feet
• People whose daily routine (or company policy) prevents them from keeping liquid nearby
• People who are ill, feverish, vomiting, or who have diarrhea (especially people with weakened immune systems from illnesses such as cancer or AIDS)
• Babies and children who aren't given enough liquid
• People who are overheated and sweating profusely
• Diabetics
• Mentally or physically disabled children and adults
• Seniors -- especially seniors in nursing homes and seniors who don't move around well
• People with an eating disorder -- especially those using diuretics or laxatives
• People who are abusing drugs or prescription medications
• People eating an excessive amount of salt
• People traveling, working or living in an arid, humid, hot, cold or high-altitude environment
• Airplane travelers (airplane air dehydrates more quickly than outside air)

How do I know if I'm becoming dehyrated? The simplist indicator is to check the color of your urine. Urine from a well-hydrated person should be very pale yellow. Dark yellow urine is an indication you need to increase your fluid intake. Don't try to replace it all at one but take regular drinks of water. You may also need to supplement with an electrolyte drink but watch out for the high sugar content ones.

Symptoms for Dehydration

1. Mild Dehydration: is likey with the following: Thirst, dry lips, dry mouth, flushed skin, fatigue, irritability, headache, urine begins to darken in color, urine output decreases
2. Moderate Dehydration: (call a medical professional): All of the signs of mild dehydration, plus: skin doesn't bounce back quickly when pressed, very dry mouth, sunken eyes, (in infant - sunken soft spot on the head), output of urine will be limited and color of urine will be dark yellow, cramps, stiff and/or painful joints, severe irritability, fatigue, severe headache. Seek medical attention.
3. Severe Dehydration: All of the signs of mild and moderate dehydration, plus: blue lips, blotchy skin, confusion, lethargy, cold hands and feet, rapid breathing, rapid and weak pulse, low blood pressure, dizziness, fainting, high fever, inability to pee or cry tears, disinterest in drinking fluid. Call the EMTs. This can be life threatening.

Some other concerns:

Heat Cramps: brief but painful involuntary muscle spasms. They usually occur in the muscles being used during the exercise, and are a result of insufficient liquid intake

Heat Exhaustion: difficulty breathing, headache, feeling hot on head and neck, dizziness, heat cramps, chills, nausea, irritability, vomiting, extreme weakness or fatigue

Heatstroke: rapid and shallow breathing, rapid heartbeat, unusually high or low blood pressure, lack of sweating, mental confusion and disorientation, unconsciousness, physical collapse

Don't mess with the heat! If you are concerned, get help. Especially, with moderate to severe signs of dehyration.

Source: http://www.saferchild.org/dehydrat.htm