by Dan | Jul 12, 2012 | Exercise, Heart Health, Wellness/Health
Time to get back to previous discussion about heart disease, or coronary heart disease. We will discuss over a 3 part series, the first being about what is coronary heart disease, and what are the symptoms.
In short, coronary heart disease refers to the process where the arteries that supply blood to the heart “get clogged” with fatty deposits. Overall, this puts you at risk for having a heart attack. I had previously discussed some of the statistics related to the prevalence of heart disease in general, now to discuss the symptoms associated with this.
The symptoms of a heart attack can include: Pain, pressure, or discomfort in the center of your chest; Pain, tingling, or discomfort in other parts of the upper body, including the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach; Shortness of breath; Nausea, vomiting, burping, or heartburn; Sweating, or having cold, clammy skin; A racing or uneven heartbeat; Feeling dizzy, or lightheaded.
One very important thing to keep in mind is that people with coronary heart disease may have no symptoms, and in fact, the first symptom may be a heart attack. In the next 2 series, I will talk about tests that can be done to help with testing for coronary heart disease, and then how do you treat it, as well as how do you prevent it. The prevention is what we have talked about since we started this blog, continuing to exercise, and watching our diet.
Keep moving everybody.
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 1750
by kelsey | Jul 12, 2012 | Diet, Weight Management
In today’s society we are often consumed by the next best diet. There are many kinds of shakes, supplements, the next best diet gimmick to help you lose that 20lbs in 2 weeks. The predicted weight loss is usually what intrigues us to learn more and want to try it…especially when it says “no exercise recommended.” Like I stated in a previous post, not all of these representatives promoting the products and plans have credible and substantial education in health and nutrition. In addition, the supplement and diet industry is huge and everyone in it is trying to make the big bucks, thus they are going to tell you exactly what you want to hear! These plans are very tempting to try, but it’s very important to be aware of the consequences some of these diet plans and supplements can have on our bodies and take the proper precautions.
There was a recent article published in the British Journal of Medicine that showed a high protein, low carbohydrate diet (typical of diets like the Atkins Diet, True Weigh/Ideal Protein Diet, and the Paleo Diet) increased risk for heart disease in women. In addition, this high protein, low carb diet can result in damage to our liver and kidneys. In regards to the supplements, it’s important to be mindful of the ingredients and the nutrient content as many contain ingredients that can act as stimulants and cause elevated blood pressure, heart palpitations, and overall stress to the heart. Most of these fad diets will result in weight loss as you are often cutting your calories very low and as a result you lose that superficial weight also known as water weight. The odds of you keeping this weight off are slim, which is why we come back to the good old fashioned diet and exercise as our best plan for weight loss and weight management.
Sometimes we need that reassurance that dieting the old fashioned way is best because there are so many other temptations out there…but what you need to know is YES, this is best for you and your body! Following a lower calorie, balanced diet plan that includes lean proteins, low fat dairy, whole grains, and plenty of fruits and vegetables will not only help you lose weight and keep it off in the long run, but it will also keep your body healthy inside and out. A healthy and balanced diet paired up with an activity routine is your ticket to success and has been heavily researched to prove this. Sometimes this process takes longer than we’d like, but be patient!! We really like to see a slower, steadier weight loss than a quick one so stay strong and true and eventually you will reach your goal! If you need help with this or have questions don’t hesitate to contact us! We’re excited to start our fall session of STRIVE 2 Survive September 4th!
-Kelsey
by kelsey | Jul 11, 2012 | Diet, Food
Hello again! I apologize for the lack of posts this last week! I took a little vacation with the 4th of July holiday last week. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and holiday week! Despite the warm temps, I hope you were able to get out and enjoy it. Before we know it we’ll be complaining about snow, wind, and ice, so take advantage of these sunny, warm days!
I spent last weekend at the lake fishing and boating. It was fun to spend time with family while enjoying the outdoors. We had a fun time fishing and eating our fresh catch. Many times during my visits with patients who are working to improve their cholesterol levels, we discuss types of fats and the benefits of the good fats such as omega-3 fatty acids. The fresh fish found in our local lakes are a great source of lean proteins, however they do not have much omega-3 fatty acids. The fish that have omega-3’s are fatty fish such as salmon, herring, tuna, trout, seabass, and mackerel. These are harder to get since these fish aren’t as readily available as our walleye, perch, and northern are. This is why many take a fish oil supplement as they aren’t able to get adequate amounts through their diets to provide the benefits needed to improve lipid levels.
Fish oil or omega-3 fatty acids can reduce your total cholesterol and triglycerides. They can also increase your HDL in small amounts, but they can also increase your LDL as well. If you have high LDL cholesterol taking a fish oil supplement may not be the best for you, so you should always discuss it first with your doctor. The recommended dosage varies from 1-4g/day and you want to have at least 1g of DHA and EPA combination.
Now it’s still good to get out and enjoy our local lakes and rivers and your fresh catch, but keep in mind these local fish do not have much omega-3’s, so if you’re looking for that benefit then you’ll want to incorporate more fatty fish into your diet or consider a supplement. In addition, you will also want to consider a healthy cooking method for your fish, such as grilling, broiling, or baking rather than frying. If you do decide to fry, be sure to use a healthy oil such as olive or canola oil.
-Kelsey
by Dan | Jul 4, 2012 | Exercise, Goals, Motivation, Wellness/Health
Happy 4th of July. To go along with our most recent ad campaign…”I’d Rather Be…” for the clinic, our parade float was made out with this same theme. As our commercial states, “…At Brown Clinic, we know there are things you would rather do than come in to get your physical”. We would rather be biking, gardening, coaching, fishing, golfing, anything we enjoy. That is exactly why Brown Clinic is here for you. We want to make sure you can do those things. Make sure to get your yearly physicals, stay healthy, watch our diet, and exercise. “I’d Rather Be…” preventing someone from getting sick, than take care of them after they are sick.
Here is the main parade gang, holding our award for the parade. Our float won for “The Most Original”. Way to go everybody. You saw us out there today walking, even with this heat and humidity. You get out and stay active. Take care of yourself. We are there to help if needed, just meet us half way! Keep moving everybody. Have a good 4th of July, and be safe!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 1742
by kelsey | Jul 3, 2012 | Etc.
From all of us at the Brown Clinic and STRIVE 2 Survive, we wish you all a very Happy 4th of July! Be sure to take some time to enjoy the day and our country’s freedom and independence. Thank you to all of our veterans and military folks for serving our country! We are blessed to able to live in the land of free!
With the hot temps, be sure to take extra precaution and drink adequate fluids (ie- WATER!) and wear your sunscreen if you’re outside! Also, be sure to practice proper food safety (see my post from last week) as these hot temps can cause bacteria to grow faster.
Enjoy and be safe!
-Kelsey
