Osteoporosis: The Silent Killer

August 1, 2006

637275227.jpg Osteoporosis is a silent killer.  Due to thinning of the bones, one’s bones become porous enough that even mild bending to do vacuuming chores or coughing can cause a fracture.  Studies have shown that once you get an osteoporotic fracture especially of the hip, your life span is decreased since you end suffering from complications arising from being bed-ridden.

Everyone can be at risk for osteoporosis.  A family history of fracture is significant.  Other risk factors which are preventable include smoking, sedentary lifestyle, intake of medications like thyroid hormones, steroids or diuretics… all can increase one’s likelihood to suffer from this disease.

Low intake of calcium during childhood also predicts one’s chances of developing this disease.  Very prevalent among women ( due to loss of estrogen with menopause), it is advised that intake of 1000 to 1500 mg of elemental calcium is recommended during the premenopausal state.

It is advised that enough calcium in the diet can help. Some Rich sources of calcium includes: milk, yogourt, cheese, brocolli, sardines, oats and soy products as tofu.

Important health tips to prevent osteoporosis:

1.weight bearing exercise like jogging or walking but not swimming

2.proper intake of calcium in the diet

3.avoidance of smoking since it affects absorption of calcium and reduce estrogen effect on the bone

4.limit caffeine : 2-3 cups of coffee is okay as long as you have enough calcium in the diet

5.limit or avoid alcohol. Consuming 2 alcoholic drinks a day can decrease bone formation

If you’re past 45 or menopausal, have yourself screened… if your past 70, age related bone loss is prevalent…

Be Warned…Take Care of Your Bones!

Posted in General Health Tips, Health Facts on Osteoporosis, Lifestyle Measures | 4 Comments »

The Healthy Food Choices

August 1, 2006

2342431513_1Heart Disease is now the leading cause of morbidity and mortality all over the world. It’s a disease of lifestyle and bad habits. We know certain foods are bad but… we seem not to care what the consequences are out of habit.

I thought it would be helpful to review some healthy food choices we can serve in our tables daily.

1. Limit meat and poultry to 6 ounces p er day. Choose the leanest cuts of beef like the round or loin cuts. The word ” Prime” among the grades of beef means the highest proportion of fat! Trimming fat from a meat before cooking prevents the fat from “migrating” into the meat. White meat like chicken breast or fish is healthier than red meat.

2.When planning meals, put fruits and vegetables at the center stage and use meat and poultry as mere complements rather than the other way around.

3. Diary foods are good sources of calcium and protein BUT also of SATURATED fat! So substitute regular milk with skim or non fat products.

4. Reduce dependence on fat and salt to enhance flavor of food- use instead lemons, vinegar, skimmed milk and plenty of herbs and spices for flavoring.

5. Do not stock your refrigerator with ready to drink juice or chocolate bars that you and your kids can easily get when you feel hungry…. Supply of apples, pears and low fat milk would be better choices. If you or the kids are hungry…it’s how you become used to having apples instead of chips that will make a difference.

Make A Difference… Start Eating Healthy!

Posted in Nutrition Health Tips | 3 Comments »

Increase Your Good Cholesterol For A Healthy Heart

August 1, 2006

36074848671.jpg HDL cholesterol can be found in your Lipid Profile.  It is part of your executive Panel workup but the result of which is often overlooked..

A Low HDL is defined as a level below 40 mg/dl.  It is now shown to be an independent predictor of Cardiovascular Disease.  In fact a low HDL is also part of the cluster of diseases in the so called Metabolic Syndrome ( high sugar, high blood pressure, obesity )which is a condition that increases one’s risk to develop Type 2 Diabetes and Cardiovasular Diseases like Heart Attack and Stroke.

Lifestyle Intervention can increase your good cholesterol. Here are some tips:

1. Regular brisk aerobic exercise for 150 min per week.  In order for exercise to be effective in increasing your HDL, it has to be coupled with weight loss.

2. Quit smoking.  An increase in HDL will be evident 30-60 days after quitting.

3. Mild consumption of alcohol has been shown to increase HDL by 4 mg/dl.

4. A Diet that’s low in saturated fat but high in Poly and Monounsaturated Fat. This can be achieved if foods are cooked using Olive or Canola oil.  For snacks, you may like to eat Nuts like almonds, peanuts, walnuts and for your meat serving, you may try coldwater fish like salmon or mackerel and shellfish.

Checking you Cholesterol level does not mean only the Bad Cholesterol or LDL. A high Total Cholestrol likewise does not mean it is all Bad Cholestrol.  Therefore insist on checking your lipid profile because a high Total Cholesterol may be due to a high Good Cholesterol and therefore is protective rather than harmful and does not require medication. 

Remember the tips are basic lifestyle changes that will not only improve your good cholesterol level but more importantly ones general well being.

Healthy Lifestyle Means Long Life.

Posted in General Health Tips, Healthy Practice Tips, Nutrition Health Tips, Tips To Protect Your Heart | 7 Comments »

Why Health Rules

August 1, 2006

462277176.jpgAs an endocrinologist, practicing medicine requires a lot of time for teaching and educating our patients with regard to simple measures like taking time to take care of oneself. I deal with illnesses that are considered chronic specifically an epidemic called Diabetes. It will inflict approximately 300M people by year 2025.

Diabetes being a metabolic disease is genetically determined with the environment pulling the trigger. We usually inherit the trait to develop diabetes but it is up to us if the disease will manifest as a disease.

Taking time to take care of oneself through proper diet and exercise will tremendously have an impact in ones well being and in preventing this disease from manifesting toward dreaded complications like blindness, kidney failure strokes and heart attacks.

My blog will however not focus mainly on diabetes but on health issues in general.  This is my way of helping reach out to my patients and the public in general in what I love most… Teaching Through Proper Education!

Definitely our Health Rules… because Health is Wealth… because if we spend more time earning big bucks to the point of neglecting our health… we will definitely end up spending practically all that we’ve earned just to get back our health!

Health Is Your Wealth…

Posted in Personal Thoughts | Leave a Comment »

Hello world!

August 1, 2006

Welcome to WordPress.com. This is your first post. Edit or delete it and start blogging!

Posted in Lifestyle Measures | 1 Comment »

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