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TEA IT'S GOOD FOR YOUR HEART
A recent study published in the American Heart Association's Journal reported that tea consumption was linked to lower death rates for Heart Attack survivors. The study found that heavy tea drinkers (heavy is defined as two or more cups per day) had a 44% lower mortality rate after their heart attack, than those whom drank little or no tea at all. So, what is the secret ingredient? Flavonoids.
Flavonoids are antioxidants found naturally in foods derived from plants. There is evidence that suggests that flavonoids protect the heart by relaxing the blood vessels so that blood flows more freely. Other benefits include a positive effect on cholesterol levels and tea is a good source of fluoride.
These benefits from drinking tea were found to be present in black and green teas only. There was no evidence to suggest that herbal teas would provide the same benefit, as their chemical make up differs.
Dr. Kenneth Mukumal, who led the study, said "Ultimately I hope this work will spur on more research so we can find out the exact effect of tea on the heart, so one day we could give a tea prescription, along with aspirin and other medications following a heart attack. It seems there are no downsides to drinking tea."
NEW PARKINSON'S MEDICATION NOW AVAILABLE IN CANADA
Comtan, a medication for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, is now available in Canada. Ask your doctor if it may be beneficial for you.
A recent study tested 212 patients suffering from osteoarthritis, over a three-year period, to determine the effects of ingesting a glucosamine supplement. Glucosamine occurs naturally in the body and is vital to cartilage formation.
The study showed that those patients who had received the glucosamine supplement in 1,500 milligram doses, on a daily basis, halted the loss of joint space and realized a 20 25 per cent improvement in symptoms.
It was noted that glucosamine may have adverse effects on blood-sugar levels and may increase insulin resistance, so people with diabetes may be inappropriate as candidates.
Glucosamine is an affordable, over-the-counter product sold in drug stores across Canada. Always consult your doctor prior to using any over-the-counter therapies.
The Mayo Clinic Health Letter recently reported that approximately 60 million Americans use over-the-counter herbal supplements. But, despite their popularity, information about the effectiveness and proper use of the herbs is often vague, misleading or conflicting.
The risks of the Ephedra herb, which is marketed as a safe way to lose weight, caught our attention. These risks include minor side-effects such as headache, high blood pressure and insomnia, and can even cause consequences as severe as heart attack, seizure, psychosis and strokes.
Ephedra risks increase when taken with caffeine, exceeding the recommended dosage, or when used for longer than a week. The risk of experiencing these severe side-effects increases even more when Ephedra is taken by those of us with health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension or seizure disorders.