Author Archives: Karen Hanrahan

A Chewable Lipitor. Really?

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This month’s heart health focus had me working on a childhood obesity project.  I had watched a series of Public Service Announcements while surfing the net. One video had a child talking about how her Dr had told her she had hypertension. The PSA’s were touted as controversial. They should be. Childhood obesity is really alarming.  Since, I have been wondering what do they do for these kid?  Medicate them?

I did more net surfing and found this article, which led to more articles and I found myself rather mortified

A CHEWABLE Lipitor??   Really?

Lipitor is the BIGGEST selling drug in the world.

A comment was made on one of the above blog posts that said,

parents who medicate a child on predatory marketing and virtually no science should be investigated for child abuse.

 

I thought, I have to agree.

high cholesterol is not a disease.

side effects of lipitor include:

muscle problems, some of which can be extreme

anemia

acidosis

sexual dysfunction

immune depression

liver dysfunction

not to mention:  cognitive problems and memory loss

and we give that drug to 10 year olds?

Statin drugs commonly prescribed to lower cholesterol reduces levels of the nutrient CoQ10 by 50%.  Think of CoQ10 as the much needed energizer bunny for each and every one of your cells. Reduced cell energy can actually compromise the function of your heart.

Remind me again how Statin Drugs are good for heart health?

If someone is choosing to be on the medication Lipitor it’s my role to at least offer a quality CoQ10.

Our CoQ10 has tripled its dosage after preliminary research shows that 100 mg of CoQ10 reduces muscle aches, often associated with statin drug users by 40%.

Our product also offers anti-oxidant protection and an olive oil based delivery system.

Order retail here.

Just a thought,  a membership saves you 15%

and keep in mind that one can put this product on auto-ship and save an additional 10%.

We also offer a three pronged heart health solution that includes CoQ10, Fish OIl and a product that can reduce cholesterol naturally.   One can do this lower their cholesterol thing with medication.

Who do you know that is taking statin drugs?  Will you share the above information with them?

 

 

 

 

 

See The Burger!!

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Oh My Gosh — “the burger” is going to have it’s first public viewing EVER, THIS Sunday!

The once in a blue moon event is going to rock “the burger’s sweet 16th”, offer photobooth fun, and more, all in an effort to bring awareness of childhood obesity to the blono area – join us, bring the kids, share this flyer, the details of this event and help support the BloNo isfit campaign!!

Best of Mother Earth and the burger are friends to the Bateman Team:

the Illinois State University’s PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America) Bateman team is participating in the annual Bateman Case Study Competition. The Bateman Case Study Competition is PRSSA’s premier national case study competition for public relations students, and gives members an opportunity to apply their classroom education and internship experiences to create and implement a full public relations campaign.

The 2012 Bateman Case Study Competition is about raising community awareness about childhood obesity in the local schools. Childhood obesity has tripled in the past 30 years. Today, one in three children are obese. This issue has become a significant public health problem in the United States; many health officials and experts consider childhood obesity an epidemic.

The ISU PRSSA Bateman team is promoting childhood obesity awareness in the Bloomington-Normal community by creating the “isfit” campaign. The campaign aims to change the way children and adolescents think about their healthy eating, lifestyle and fitness choices. The goal of our “isfit” campaign is to increase awareness among children, teenagers and their parents of the serious short and long-term consequences of obesity, inform them of the steps they can take to adopt a healthier lifestyle and provide incentives to take action now.

 

 

 

New Magazine — Taproot

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I admit I am a devoted amanda soule groupie.

I love her vibe, her soft chatter, her warm heart, the beauty she surrounds herself, either handmade or naturally, and I admire her authenticity.  Simply by being herself she’s created a wonderful brand.  She is deeply committed and when she sets out to do something you experience the meaning tried and true.  I’ve been with her, her blog and family through two of her pregnancies, watched her move to their dream farm, publish two additional books, welcome fearfully, beekeeping to her daily tasks ( which i found sooooo fascinating) and always always find myself in a chuckle when she writes that she made popcorn for dinner…yet again.  I treasure the personality of her kids, the sweet posts written by her husband, and I am deeply envious of her talents in textiles.

A recent blog post shared an exciting project she is involved in that I felt I wanted to share.  It’s a stunning new magazine called Taproot.  In her post she writes, as only she can, about wanting to be part of something that is shifting to less. less stuff, less noise, a slower, and more mindful place.   As the editor of what looks like a deeply rooted concept, she lovingly shares images of the proofs of the first issue coming to print in March.   In my mind it looks like a magazine that I’d love to have.  It strikes me as thoughtful, arty and very resourceful.  AND a beautiful reminder of less.   Which I think is needed today.

 

http://www.soulemama.com/soulemama/2012/02/introducing-taproot.html

Healthy Breakfast :: Oatmeal

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The soluble and insoluble fibers found in oatmeal are part of a terrific heart healthy diet and a great breakfast option!  I love oatmeal!  Kids love oatmeal too.   

This morning I soaked my oats in almond milk, simmered for 5 minutes and topped with pecans, dried cranberries, flax seeds, and diced apple – I topped all of that with very small bit of maple syrup. soaking the oats reduces the cooking time. a bit of honey is good too.

sometimes I add yogurt, or a scoop of soy protein. one can shift the nuts or fruit options,  grate a bit of fresh nutmeg,  use soy milk, top with a bit of cream

tons of options!

I love oat flour also, take thick rolled oats and toss it in the blender, mix it with your other whole flours for your baking!! Or use as a thickening agent.

In the paper was this little article about all the different cuts of oat.

Who knew!!

The term oatmeal typically refers to the whole oat groat or hulled grain steel cut oats which is the inside part of the hulled grain cut into pieces.

thick rolled – groats are steamed and rolled into flakes, this is the longest to cook because the flakes are so thick

old-fashioned - are also steamed, but rolled into thinner flakes, cooking time is less and the texture is mushier

quick oats - are made from steal cut oats into even smaller pieces – cooking time is even more less with a instant oat – this is

instant oats are quick oats gone through one more layer of processing,  it’s steamed to a pre-cooked point, so that all one has to do is add water

Seems to me that if you want the least processed and most whole grain source of  oatmeal you’d want to go for the thick rolled oats.

10 reasons oatmeal is good for you:

  1. Over 40 studies show that eating oatmeal may help lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. According to the leading oatmeal companies, all it takes is 3/4 cup of oatmeal each day to help lower cholesterol. The soluble fiber in oats helps remove LDL or “bad” cholesterol, while maintaining the good cholesterol that your body needs. In January 1997, the Food and Drug Administration announced that oatmeal could carry a label claiming it may reduce the risk of heart disease when combined with a low-fat diet.
  2. The soluble fiber in oatmeal absorbs a considerable amount of water which significantly slows down your digestive process. This result is that you’ll feel full longer, i.e. oatmeal can help you control your weight.
  3. You probably already have oats in your kitchen. It’s estimated that eighty percent of U.S. households currently have oats in their cupboards.
  4. New research suggests that eating oatmeal may reduce the risk for type 2 diabetes. In fact, the American Diabetes Association already recommends that people with diabetes eat grains like oats. The soluble fiber in these foods help to control blood glucose levels.
  5. With the exception of certain flavored varieties, the oats found in your grocery store are 100% natural. If you look at the ingredients on a canister of rolled oats, you will usually see only one ingredient… rolled oats.
  6. According to recent studies, a diet that includes oatmeal may help reduce high blood pressure. The reduction is linked to the increase in soluble fiber provided by oatmeal. Oats contain more soluble fiber than whole wheat, rice or corn.
  7. Oatmeal contains a wide array of vitamins, minerals and antioxidantsand is a good source of protein, complex carbohydrates and iron.
  8. The fiber and other nutrients found in oatmeal may actually reduce the risk for certain cancers.
  9. Oatmeal is quick and convenient. Every type of oatmeal can be prepared in a microwave oven. Even when cooked on the stovetop, both old-fashioned and quick oats can usually be made in less than 10 minutes. And what about instant oatmeal… a hot breakfast in under a minute… incredible!
  10. Oatmeal can be absolutely delicious! Whether instant, cooked on the stove or baked in the oven, the combination of flavors you can fit into a serving of oatmeal is limited only by the imagination.

above 10 reasons sourced from Mr. Breakfast .   I do not endorse his sugar laden toppings for oatmeal though – ice cream?  I don’t think so.

image by karen hanrahan

 

 

Woman’s Risks And Heart Health

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The American Heart Association States:

  • coronary heart disease is the #1 killer of woman over 25
  • 64% of woman who died suddenly of coronary heart disease had no previous symptoms
  • one of 2.5 female deaths are from cardiovasular disease, compared to one in 30 from breast cancer
  • heart disease rates in postmenopausal woman are 2-3 times higher than in premenopausal woman
  • stroke is the no. 3 cause of death for american woman and is a leading cause of serious long-term disability
  • stroke kills more woman than men. In 2003, females represented 61% of stroke deaths

Best approach? Prevention!! Do it naturally and use heart healthy nutrients

This informative heart healthy bulletin was shared with our field a ways back,  I think it applies very well to this hearty discussion :

Modifications You Can Make To Support the Hardest Working Muscle In Your Body – Your Heart

written by Dr Jamie McManus

Your heart - it beats on average 100,000 times a day and pumps the equivalent of 2,000 gallons of blood each day. Imagine what a workhorse our hearts must be! So vital to our life and yet not well taken care of by most of us. Heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death in the United States, claiming close to a million lives each year. Over 30 million Americans live with the burden of heart disease; 60 million Americans have been diagnosed with hypertension, a major risk factor for heart disease. While traditionally considered a “man’s disease,” heart disease has become a serious health challenge for women as well. Cardiovascular disease kills over 500,000 women each year, more than the next seven causes of death combined.

To give you a perspective, 1 in every 2.5 women will die of heart disease and stroke, compared to 1 in every 30 women who will die from breast cancer. What may be the most important information is that heart disease in women presents with different symptoms and physicians tend to under-diagnose the disease in women. In fact, more than half of women who die of coronary heart disease have either had no classic symptoms, or have been misdiagnosed as anxiety, stress or musculoskeletal disorders. Part of the challenge comes from the fact that coronary artery disease in women tends to present with symptoms like shortness of breath or fatigue rather than the classic “crushing” substernal pain that is more typical in men. Research conducted by NIH with 515 women surprisingly revealed that fewer than 30% of women reported having chest pain or discomfort prior to their heart attacks, and 43% reported have no chest pain at all during any phase of the attack.

The most common symptoms they reported were unusual fatigue, sleep disturbances and shortness of breath. So, whether you are male or female, today is the day to put your heart health on the radar screen.

So, let’s talk about what you can do. First of all, let’s assess your risk and then determine what you can do to lower your risks. Yes, there is much you can do to hopefully prevent a catastrophic event from happening to you down the road! The seven major risk factors for coronary artery disease are:

1) family history
2) obesity
3) hypertension
4) elevated cholesterol and triglycerides
5) Type 2 Diabetes
6) smoking
7) sedentary lifestyle.

Well, only one of these risk factors is not in your control. You cannot change your family history, but knowledge is good –so, if your family tree includes heart attacks, strokes and diabetes, it behooves you to look at the other 6 risk factors — because these areall modifiable risks that you actually have control over! Knowing your risk factors is the first step in preventing heart disease. Once you know your risk factors, you can begin to take the steps needed to reducing your chances of developing heart disease.
Modifiable Risk Factor 1: Being overweight or obese

If you’re like 65% of Americans who are overweight or obese the number one thing you can do to reduce your risk of heart disease is to achieve a healthy weight. Too much body fat, especially around your waist, puts you at higher risk. Being overweight or obese also increase your risk of other conditions like high cholesterol and triglycerides, stroke and Type 2 Diabetes. So by losing weight you can begin to reduce your risk of heart disease.  And the good news is you don’t have to lose a lot of weight to start to improve your health. Modest weight loss of even as little as 5-10% can significantly improve your cholesterol, blood pressure and risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes.
Modifiable Risk Factor 2: Having High Blood Cholesterol levels

You can have high cholesterol and not know it because in the early phases of accumulation of cholesterol plaque in your arteries, there are no symptoms! This buildup of plaque can narrow your arteries and reduce blood flow ultimately leading to arterial blockage or blood clots in arteries that feed the heart and brain. This in turn can cause a heart attack or stroke. Lifestyle changes like improving your diet and increasing your physical activity can help lower your cholesterol. Consistently eating a diet rich in whole grains, fresh fruit, vegetables, legumes and low fat sources of protein (like soy protein) can help lower cholesterol and protect your heart. The FDA has recognized that the consumption of 25 grams or more of soy protein per day may reduce your risk of heart disease. Choosing healthy sources of fats is also incredibly important. You need to limit your intake of saturated fat (the type found in beef, butter, cheese and regular fat dairy products) and completely avoid trans fats (found in fast foods, bakery products, packaged snack foods and some margarines) as these have been clearly linked to increasing the risk of heart disease. Simultaneously, it is prudent to switch to monounsaturated fats (found in olive oil, avocado, nuts and seeds), as regular consumption of these fats has been shown to decrease your risk of heart disease. Another important heart healthy fat is omega-3 fatty acids, a type of polyunsaturated fat found in foods like fish and flaxseed that may also help protect your heart by decreasing your risk of heart attack, protect against irregular heartbeats and helping to lower triglycerides and blood pressure. Fiber is another important part of a healthy diet. Look for dark breads that contain at least 3 grams of fiber per serving, whole grain cereal that provides at least 6 grams of fiber per serving. Fiber supplements that provide at least 5 grams of fiber, preferably a blend of soluble and insoluble fiber are a prudent addition for anyone dealing with elevated lipids.

Modifiable Risk Factor 3: Having High Blood Pressure

Many woman have high blood pressure or hypertension and don’t know it. With elevated blood pressure, your heart is working harder than normal, pushing your blood with too much pressure against your artery walls. This in turn may enlarge your heart and damage your arteries and significantly increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. What can you do? Well, if you are overweight, losing weight can make a significant difference in your blood pressure. Eating a heart healthy diet rich in plant foods and heart healthy fats can also help. And make sure to get adequate amounts of potassium, calcium and magnesium but watch your sodium intake. Studies indicate that populations who consume diets rich in potassium, calcium and magnesium, but limit sodium intake have lower blood pressure. Regular physical exercise also tends to strengthen the cardiovascular system and lower blood pressure. And, again, omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to support healthy blood pressure and help to maintain healthy heart rhythm.


Modifiable Risk Factor 4: Having Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes is a serious and increasingly common disease in which the body doesn’t properly use insulin, the hormone produced by the pancreas that is responsible for transporting sugar in the blood into cells of the body where it can be metabolized. Left untreated, blood sugar levels increase and will damage blood vessels, thus increasing the risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Being overweight and sedentary are two big risk factors for developing Type 2 Diabetes, and once again, modest weight loss can help prevent diabetes from developing in the first place. If you already have diabetes, weight loss, improvements in your diet and the addition of fiber can help to naturally improve your blood sugar control. Regular visits to your health care provider are critical if you already have diabetes. If you have a family member with diabetes or you are overweight, have your doctor screen you for diabetes, which can often be without symptoms until it is advanced.
Modifiable Risk Factor 5: Being Physically Inactive

Being a couch potato increases your likelihood of developing heart disease. And increasing your physical activity can make a big difference. If you’re overweight it will help you burn calories, it will also help lower your blood pressure and improve your cholesterol. The American Heart Association recommends 30 minutes a day, most days of the week. If you don’t have time to do all 30 minutes at once, no worries, breaking it up into shorter periods of exercise is fine just be sure it all adds up to 30 minutes a day. In addition to vigorous activities like walking, running, or swimming, simple day to day activities count too. Activities like gardening, housework, mowing the lawn are all activities that can help improve your heart health.
Modifiable Risk Factor 6: Smoking

Smoking is the most preventable cause of death in the United States. Even second hand smoke, constantly breathing in smoke from someone else’s cigarette or cigar also increases your risk of developing heart disease and other serious conditions like cancer. If you smoke the best thing you can do for your health and the health of others around you is to quit. Discuss quitting with your doctor. He or she can help direct you to a smoking cessation program that’s right for you.

So in honor of February – Heart Health Month - we want to be sure you are taking special care of your most prized possession, your heart. Learn if you have any risk factors and take the necessary action outlined in this bulletin to modify your risk – starting today. Start by following a heart healthy weight and inch loss planand increasing your physical activity level. In addition, consider the use of heart-smart dietary supplements as added nutritional support. Incorporate soy protein and soluble fiber into your diet. Eat a diet rich in plant foods like whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, other lean protein and heart healthy fats. Be sure you are consuming adequate amounts of homocysteine lowering folic acid, Vitamins B6 and B12. Make sure to get plenty of omega-3 fatty acids. If you are concerned about contaminants in fresh fish, consider a pharmaceutical grade fish oil supplement that will bring you a full spectrum of omega-3 fatty acids including EPA for hearth health and DHA to support brain function. And don’t forget about Coenzyme Q10 ( ours is now triple it’s dosage, for almost the same price!) , to prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, the form of cholesterol that makes up the plaque that builds up inside artery walls.  Those on statin type drugs may be depleted in coenzyme Q10.

So, perhaps you enjoyed a few bites of mouth-watering dark chocolate on Valentine’s Day (for its heart healthy polyphenols, of course) but also be sure then to go for a walk with your “honey.” Talk about your excitement about incorporating exercise, healthy eating and wise supplementation into your daily routine so that you can enjoy the coming year with energy and vitality–and the confidence that you are taking care of your heart.
Be well.
Dr. Jamie McManus MD, FAAFPChairman, Medical Affairs, Health Sciences and Education