Heart failure is one of the fastest-growing causes of hospitalization and deaths in the Western world. The United States takes the lead in this disease — an estimated 5.3 million Americans live with heart failure and 660,000 new cases are diagnosed each year.

Heart failure is defined as the inability of the heart to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. Of all the cardiovascular diseases, it is the only one that is increasing in incidence. It’s obvious that we have a real problem on our hands.

The condition is hitting senior citizens especially hard. A new 27-year study has found that heart failure in people over age 65 increased 131 percent, with women showing the greatest increase. Among younger people, men are more likely to suffer heart failure.

About 50 percent of both genders will die within five years of diagnosis — when conventional treatments are used.

Seven strategies can put the odds in your favor. We will discuss the first four this week.

1. Take vitamin D3.
Vitamin D3 is being shown to be one of our most
important supplements. In truth, vitamin D3 is not a vitamin; rather, it is a neurohormone.

As we have seen, the primary cause of heart failure, or at least its progression, is chronic inflammation. Therefore, anything that reduces inflammation also should lessen the chances for heart failure.

A number of studies are confirming this observation. Vitamin D3 has been shown to suppress the release of the inflammatory cytokine TNF-a and to increase the anti-inflammatory cytokine called IL-10 — the higher the dose of vitamin D3, the greater the beneficial effect.

For information on the powers of vitamin D3, read my special report “Vitamin D’s Hidden Role in Your Health.”

2. Avoid Statin Drugs.
Statin drugs have been shown to lower CoQ10 levels dramatically in the heart. It is interesting to note that the dramatic rise in congestive heart failure started about the same time as the widespread use of these drugs. Only recently have some cardiologists started recommending CoQ10 supplementation to their patients who use statins. Many still do not use it.

3. Increase Omega-3’s.

Omega-3 fats play a major role in reducing heart disease and especially death from heart disease. One of the major ways omega-3 oils reduce cardiovascular deaths is by reducing fatal arrhythmias.

Not only are omega-3 oils important for heart health during our adult years but also new research indicates they may play a role in regulating our heart rate from early life.

4. Reduce Excitotoxins in Your Diet.
Excitotoxins have been shown to raise blood glutamate levels anywhere from 20-fold to 50-fold higher than fasting levels.

At high levels, glutamate overstimulates the heart and can lead to destruction of heart muscle cells and the electrical conduction system. This can lead to heart failure and arrhythmias. For information on how to avoid excitotoxins and other poisonous foods in your diet, go here for the report “How to Avoid Poisonous Foods.”

Although the typical thought that most people gain 5 lbs. during the holidays is fiction (the average is closer to ½ – 1 lb.), there is certainly enough temptation out there that a few tips for maintaining your weight during the holidays certainly wouldn’t hurt! Although I rely on my daily supplement regimen to help me stay on track here are a few good tips that might help you this year.

Be well,

Dr. S

1. Never go to a party or dinner very hungry. Always eat a high-fiber or protein-based snack to take the edge off. Some ideas include cottage cheese and fresh fruit, low-fat yogurt with a tablespoon of chopped nuts or two tablespoons of high-fiber granola or cereal, or a bowl of minestrone. Soup is one of the best options since it is high in water, so more likely to fill you up with fewer calories. In addition, research shows that people who begin a meal with soup tend to eat fewer calories during the meal. If you are planning on drinking alcohol, include a little fat in your snack such as nuts or string cheese as this will slow the absorption of alcohol, helping you maintain better control over food choices during the course of the evening.

2. Squeeze in time for exercise or physical activity. Take the stairs at the mall or department store. Do pushups, sit-ups, and jumping jacks while watching TV. Go for a walk before or after Christmas dinner. Plan outings at the park for the family. If you don’t have time to get to the gym, get a jump rope and commit to five minutes daily (everyone has five extra minutes).

3. Build a better eating environment. Use smaller plates and taller, narrower glasses to keep portion sizes under control. Fill at least half your plate with lean protein and vegetables and use the remaining half for the special, delicious, not-so-good-for-you items. Also, try to limit variety when it comes to higher-fat options, as research shows that this can lead to overeating. Choose one type of cookie instead of three. Finally, try not to waste calories on fillers such as rolls, chips, cheese and crackers that you can eat any time of the year.

4. Make trade-offs. Resolve to skip wine at one party and skip dessert at another. Have pasta or bread if that is what you are craving but limit yourself to one cocktail instead of two. Don’t have an all-or-nothing mentality when it comes to holiday eating. You can be social and in control. If you feel your resolve slipping, focus on how great you are going to feel in January when you have not gained weight for the first time in how many years?

5. Get rid of leftovers. If you are having a party, stock up on Tupperware and send guests home with the remaining Christmas cookies and treats. Not only will they appreciate the holiday spirit, you won’t be faced with the cookie tray for days.

Believe it or not, your body naturally wants to take you to your optimal weight. So if you’ve had it with all the typical weight loss schemes, there is a solution for you. Make your body work for you, not against you, with tips based on four simple strategies:

• Find a diet buddy — someone to listen and keep you on track.
• Track your waist — measure your middle, every day.
• Restock your fridge — out with the bad, in with the good.
• Walk every day — 30 minutes, no matter what.

Strategy
Just like a good football team, to have success you should have a strategy. Here are some simple strategies that can help you lose inches (and pounds) without losing your mind.

• Remember that waist is more important than weight. Belly fat is one of the strongest predictors of health risks associated with obesity. Ditch the scale in favor of the tape measure.
• Stay satisfied. To lose weight, you need to eat.
• Add support. Enlist a friend, family member, or new cyber buddy as your partner.
• Know that it’s OK to make mistakes. As long as you quickly get back on the right road, you won’t travel too far down the wrong one.

Be well,

Dr. S

Reference: Portions of this blog came from information found in YOU: On a Diet. Roizen, M. F., Oz, M. C., New York: Simon & Schuster, 2006.

If you’re like me, the minute you hear the word RULES your brain shuts down! Label them what you will – hints, tips, suggestions – but the following 10 items can really help you shape your diet for 2010…… without a lot of pain!

Be well,

Dr. S

A healthy diet is essential to good health, but diet rules and the information they tout are sometimes complicated. Paring rules to a few simple, easy-to-remember guidelines can help transform your diet — and your health.

Follow these easy-to-remember rules:

1. Skip white bread. You’ve heard this bit of advice before, but do you understand why white bread is bad for you? In addition to being low in nutrients, once in the body, it acts much the same as sugar. Eat bread made from whole grains instead, because whole grains have vitamins, minerals, and fiber, and they lower your risk of many diseases.

2. Avoid white sugar and high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). A recent study conducted by the University of California found that HFCS causes our bodies to grow fat cells. Avoid HFCS by eating less fast food, drinking less soda, and reading food labels.

3. Eat a healthy breakfast. When choosing cereal, avoid those that change the color of milk. According to the United Kingdom’s Mail Online, any cereal that changes the color of milk is highly processed and full of chemicals. Opt for whole-grain, high-fiber cereals and fruit.

4. Choose foods with dark colors. Fruits and vegetables with deep, vivid colors, such as blueberries and spinach, are rich in nutrients. Since different fruits and vegetables contain different phytochemicals that fight disease, choose a wide variety. ( Or just take Phytovite every day! )

5. Avoid long lists of ingredients in packaged foods. The shorter the list, the better, and avoid processed foods containing ingredients you can’t pronounce.

6. Avoid the center aisles of supermarkets. Shop the walls of supermarkets where fresh produce and dairy products are shelved.

7. Don’t eat alone. Eating with others encourages good eating habits. Studies have shown that people eat more when they eat alone.

8. Be wary of low-fat foods. Many low-fat foods aren’t lower in calories than regular foods because sugar is added to make up for the loss of flavor.

9. Include fish in your diet. Oily fish, such as mackerel and sardines are good choices. (the smaller the fish, the less likely they are to contain toxins – or better yet, just use a QUALITY Omega-3 Fish Oil like WINOmeg3Complex! )

10. Don’t eat foods that won’t rot. Foods that have a long shelf life are usually less nutritious and are loaded with preservatives and other additives. Think fresh.

You’ve all probably got one. Or you’re always telling your kids to turn theirs off. But who would have thought that you could actually put your IPOD to work…… toward helping you reach your New Years’ resolution goal to lose weight?! Read on and be well,

Dr. S

You could lose those holiday pounds — and then some — in just 12 weeks with help from your ears.

In a study, listening to podcasts that emphasized why achieving a healthful weight is important, how proper nutrition and exercise help shed pounds, and what obstacles to expect on the weight loss journey helped people drop half a pound each week of the 12-week study.

Let Your Ears Lead the Way
Weight loss books, online aides, and face-to-face weight loss education and support can help you on your way to weight loss. And add podcasts to that list, because when a group of overweight or obese people listened to enhanced weight loss podcasts twice a week for 12 weeks, each participant lost an average of 6.4 pounds. The podcasts inspired them to eat more fruit and veggies and exercise more. So listen up and your body will follow your ears!

Losing weight is sort of like quitting smoking — the more you try the greater your chances of success. Here are more tips on making your diet stick:

• Look for great information. Nothing beats practical “how-to” diet and exercise tips that you can easily apply. Also, find out what weight loss pitfalls to expect and how to overcome them.
• Be in charge. You’re likely to absorb and retain more weight loss info when you absorb it at your own pace. Let the messages sink in, and revisit the important points often.

Genetically modified foods have come to your local supermarket, even though most Americans don’t want them and many believe they’re dangerous. A CBS poll found that 53 percent of Americans wouldn’t buy food they knew had been genetically modified. But here’s the rub—there’s no easy way to know which foods contain genetically modified ingredients.

Genetically modified foods are made by inserting genes from another species into a food’s DNA. About 60 to 70 percent of products on grocery store shelves contain at least one genetically engineered element. These foods include corn, strawberries, tomatoes, lettuce, potatoes, soybean, and canola.

The public is generally unaware when they purchase genetically modified foods (called GM or GMO, short for genetically modified organism) since manufacturers and producers aren’t required to disclose the information on labels. The European Union, Japan, China, Korea, Australia, and New Zealand require GMO foods to be labeled. And despite a CBS News poll that showed a majority of Americans want labeling, no such laws exist.

Many experts as well as concerned customers want to know if GMO foods are safe. A few troubling reports have been released. A study published in the International Journal of Biological Sciences revealed the parameters of 60 different biochemicals in rats. Rats fed genetically modified corn were compared to their parents who had been fed non-GM corn. The results clearly showed a difference between the two groups. Rats fed GM food had signs of liver and kidney problems. Effects were also found on the heart, adrenal glands, and spleen.

According to PhysOrg.com, a Russian study found that 55.6 percent of the newborns of female rats fed genetically engineered soy flour before, during, and after pregnancy, died within three weeks. Only 9 percent of the offspring of rats fed non-GM soy died. In addition, 36 percent of the rats in the GM-fed group were underweight, compared with only 6.7 percent of the control group. In another study, groups of rats were fed GM tomatoes for 28 days. Seven of 20 developed bleeding stomachs, and seven out of a group of 40 rats died within two weeks.

Opponents fear GM foods could:

• Trigger the emergence of new diseases due to the use of viruses and bacteria to modify some GM foods. These new diseases could be resistant to antibiotics.

• Raise the risk of developing cancer

• Trigger food allergies as a result of a food that causes allergies in some people being placed in another organism

• Harm the ecosystem by removing a pest that could be an important source of food for another animal

• Be toxic to an organism and lead to its extinction

Proponents of GM foods say benefits include:

• Higher crop yields to feed a hungry world

• Higher profits because GM foods need fewer herbicides and insecticides

• Longer shelf life

• The ability to withstand wider fluctuations in climate

• Overall higher levels of nutrients as well as the ability to be created with higher contents of specific nutrients

Another Option

If you’d rather not eat genetically modified foods, you can take the following steps to avoid them:

• Look for foods labeled “100 percent organic.”

• Read fruit and vegetable numbers on the produce sticker. Five-digit numbers beginning with an eight mean it is a GM food. Five-digit numbers beginning with a nine indicate organic foods. Conventionally produced foods have numbers containing four digits.

• Hunt for products that are labeled GM-free.

• Buy from small, local farmers. Most GM foods come from large commercial farms.

• Avoid processed foods.

I am a firm believer that improving our quality of sleep improves our quality of life. There is so much research being conducted on sleep disorders and some of the most current literature is targeting products that don’t just “knock you out”, but rather allow you to spend more time in the phase of sleep that is most restorative. Sleep deprivation affects us all on so many different levels. It’s not just about “feeling tired”…have you ever thought about all of the decisions we make on a daily basis, and how much better they might be if we all got a “quality” sleep. My family & I use the natural Sleeptite to get a full night’s rest.

Dr. S

Sleep-deprived people may put themselves and others at risk when they need to make split-second decisions, U.S. researchers have found.

The study, which included 49 U.S. military cadets, looked at how sleep deprivation affected information-integration, a process that relies heavily on instantaneous, gut-feeling decisions.

“It’s important to understand this domain of procedural learning because information-integration — the fast and accurate strategy — is critical in situations when soldiers need to make split-second decisions based about whether a potential target is an enemy soldier, a civilian or one of their own,” Todd Maddox, a psychology professor at the University of Texas at Austin, said in a university news release.

The ability to make split-second decisions is crucial in a number of other high-pressure professions, including firefighters and police officers, the study authors noted.

The cadets performed information-integration tasks twice — once when they were well-rested and once while they were sleep-deprived. The results showed that moderate sleep deprivation can cause an overall immediate loss of information-integration thought processes.

Accuracy on the information-integration tasks declined by 2.4 percent (73.1 percent to 70.7 percent) when cadets were sleep-deprived, and improved by 4.3 percent (74 percent to 78.3 percent) when they were well-rested, the researchers found.

The study was published in the November issue of Sleep.

More information

The U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke has more about sleep.

– Robert Preidt  SATURDAY, Nov. 21 (HealthDay News)

We all knew it in our hearts, now it is confirmed: EXERCISE IS GOOD FOR US! You want proof? Here’s the info that proves it:

The results of two new German studies emphasize that exercise is one of the most effective methods of preventing disease. The first study found that exercise has an extraordinary potential to prevent stroke. Rapid walking or cycling lowered the risk of cerebral hemorrhage (bleeding in the brain) by 40 percent in men and cerebral infarction (blood supply blocked by a clot) by 27 percent.

The second study found that regular walking lowers the risk of colorectal cancer by 40 percent. It also found that patients with colorectal carcinoma can improve their chances of survival by exercising.

Professor Dieter Leyk of the German Sport University in Cologne raises the question of why the tremendous benefits of exercise, both preventive and therapeutic, are not fully utilized by medical professionals.

Now we just have to come up with a plan to implement exercise into our lives without quitting. Why not start with something achievable: brisk walking for 30 minutes 3 times a week. Once you have sustained that…..set your next goal. Maybe adding resistance exercises 2 times a week. Sustain that….. set your next goal.

Be well!

Dr. S.

I saw this story on CNN today and also read about it online, so I thought I should pass it along! Sexual desire is obviously a topic of great interest to both men and women, but please remember that this is just preliminary information and this drug is not yet available in the U.S., so don’t call your doctor demanding it just yet. By the way, there are alternative, natural  herbal products available for those of you interested in a safe approach to libido enhancement called Lovpil!

Be well!

Dr. S

A once-daily pill that a German company created increased female sex drive in late-stage trials, moving the firm closer to the launch of the first non-hormonal treatment for women with low libido.

The compound flibanserin promoted sexual desire and increased the number of “satisfying sexual events” in women who had abnormally low libido, developer Boehringer Ingelheim said on Monday.

The results of four Phase III studies involving more than 2,000 pre-menopausal woman suffering from so-called hypoactive sexual desire disorder were presented at the congress of the European Society for Sexual Medicine in Lyon, France.

Unlike Procter & Gamble’s hormone patch Intrinsa, targeted at woman after menopause, flibanserin directly manipulates the chain of chemical reactions in the brain believed to trigger sexual desire.

“By modulating the neurotransmitter system, flibanserin may help to restore a balance between inhibitory and excitatory factors leading to a healthy sexual response,” said Elaine Jolly, a Canadian gynecologist and medical researcher who helped oversee the trials.

Boehringer Chief Executive Andreas Barner told the German magazine WirtschaftsWoche in July that flibanserin could come to market in two to three years.

Boehringer, Germany’s second-largest drugmaker after Bayer, is preparing regulatory filings in the United States and subsequently for Europe and other markets, a spokeswoman said.

She declined to provide a timeframe for filings and market launch and said Boehringer would not publish an assessment for the drug’s annual peak sales potential.

Hypoactive sexual desire disorder is defined as a lack of sex drive irrespective of partner or situation in otherwise healthy women.

Male impotence pills such as Pfizer’s Viagra, Eli Lilly’s Cialis, and Bayer’s Levitra, which widen blood vessels to increase the blood flow needed for an erection, have failed to show notable aphrodisiac effects in women.

During the half-year course of once-daily flibanserin in the trials, the number of satisfying sexual events, which did not necessarily involve orgasm, rose to an average 4.5 a month from 2.8 in the North American arm of the trial, the study shows. In the control group on a placebo the rate rose to 3.7.

Women on the drug also reported a higher level of sexual desire and less distress from sexual dysfunction than those on the placebo.

The drug’s side effects, described as mild to moderate, included dizziness, nausea, sleepiness, and insomnia.

This prompted about 1 in 7 participants on flibanserin to drop out of the therapy, while the drop-out rate was roughly 1 in 14 in the placebo group, the data show.

Procter & Gamble’s Intrinsa testosterone patches are licensed for use in Europe but not in the United States, where regulators voted in 2004 against approving the patches that deliver the male hormone, citing lack of evidence for their long-term safety.

U.S. specialty drug company BioSante, which is developing a testosterone skin gel to treat a decline in libido in menopausal women, has said the market for treatment of female sexual dysfunction in the U.S. was worth more than $2 billion in annual sales.

Boehringer cited studies saying one in 10 U.S. women complained of low sexual desire, which may be because of hypoactive sexual desire disorder.

© 2009 Reuters. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by caching, framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters.

Everyone needs carbohydrates, the body’s preferred energy source. If you get regular cardiovascular exercise or train for an endurance sport, you need more daily carbs to fuel your workouts and replenish your energy stores.

Remember: all carbs are not created equal. Grains, fruit, vegetables (nutrient-rich choices) as well as candy and sweets (empty calories) are all sources of carbohydrate. Some foods, like dairy and legumes, combine carbohydrate and protein, which helps restore muscles.

The best carbs to choose are ones that contribute plenty of other nutrients such as protein, vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants.

Whole-grain warm-up

Whole grain oats are delicious and easy to digest before or after a workout. As an added bonus, the soluble fiber in oatmeal may help lower cholesterol.

Opt for plain oats instead of the sugary flavored varieties and create your own delicious concoction by adding nutritious (and tasty) ingredients. Sprinkle in your favorite nuts and dried fruit to add natural sweetness as well as fiber and iron. Save time by cooking the oats ahead and warming them up in the microwave.

Energy shake

Yogurt and fruit make a winning carbohydrate combination. Yogurt adds protein and some calcium to this drink while fruit contributes natural sweetness and vitamin C for tired, sore muscles.

Drink this shake before a cardio session to fuel your workout, or within the ideal recovery window — between 30 and 60 minutes after exercise — when your body is best able to repair itself and replenish the energy you’ve spent.

Pasta and protein

Carbohydrate plus protein is a winning combination that helps repair muscles and refuel your tank. Remember that pasta doesn’t have to come from wheat. Rice noodles are a gluten-free alternative with a tender texture and mild flavor that works well with all types of sauces.

Pork is higher in B vitamins than other meats, providing a metabolism boost and extra energy-producing power. Toss in your favorite fresh vegetables for texture, color, extra vitamins, and fiber.

Filling fiber

Muffins can be a nutritional boon or a bust, depending on what’s in them. Those gigantic bakeshop muffins can contain over 500 calories and 20 grams fat.

Smarter choice: Home-baked muffins bursting with antioxidant-rich dried fruits and fiber from whole wheat flour and wheat germ. Wheat germ is also high in the mineral zinc, which contributes to healthy skin and a strong immune system. Add a boost of antioxidants by adding the freshest berries of the season.

Heart-healthy grains

Mixed-grain salads deliver a satisfying combination of flavors and textures as well as folate and vitamin E for a strong and healthy heart — very important for those cardio workouts!

Adding beans to grains creates the key combination of protein and carbs that helps muscles repair and refuel themselves. Enjoy this salad for lunch, or pair it with lean protein like chicken or fish for a powerhouse dinner.

Beta-carotene burst

Sweet potatoes are a true super-food. In addition to being a great source of energy producing carbohydrate, they’re packed with vitamins and minerals.

One cup of sweet potato contains 20 percent of your daily potassium needs, plus energy-boosting vitamin B6 and more than 700 percent of your daily vitamin A needs (mostly in the form of the antioxidant beta-carotene). This salad also combines iron-rich spinach with vitamin C from oranges, which helps increase iron a