Blueberries for Blood Pressure

A study of 40 postmenopausal women with hypertension showed that after two months, those who ate the equivalent of a cup of blueberries a day had lower blood pressure (5%  systolic and 6% diastolic).  In the treated patients, nitric oxide was increased, which might be the mechanism, since the latter is known to relax arterial blood pressure.

See Johnson, SA at Florida State Univ, the lead author for an article in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

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Patients with Arthritis Have Increased Risk for Heart Attacks

There is further evidence that chronic inflammation is an important risk factor for heart attacks.  Such auto-immune diseases as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis carry an increased risk, even if they are treated with powerful disease-modifying drugs.  Inflammation is a complex issue, and we need to do everything we can to control it, especially when present in chronic diseases.  Nutrients and anti-oxidants should be included in the treatment.  The drugs are not the complete answer.

See Coblyn JS.  Ann Rheum Dis, Feb 2015.

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The Women’s Health Crisis That’s a Secret

During the last 30 years there has been a dramatic increase in autoimmune diseases.  24 million Americans are afflicted, which is twice the number that have cancer.  80% of those are women.  This includes almost 100 difference diagnoses, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Crohn’s disease, and multiple sclerosis.  Fibromyalgia is technically not auto-immune but in many ways it acts like it.  Lyme disease also acts like these problems. We do not know why they occur, but my feeling is that it has something to do with toxicity and a malfunctioning immune system.  One of the triggers is probably allergy.  Low-dose allergy treatments can have dramatic effects in treating these problems.

For more info, Google low-dose allergens.  Many of the rules that previously had to be followed no longer applied, making the treatment much easier to take this year than last.

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C-pap Treatments are getting ready for Prime Time

Sleep apnea is more common in adults than asthma.  A Cleveland Clinic report showed that sleep apnea might lead to accidents, stroke, hypertension, coronary artery disease, atrial fib, and postoperative complications.  If there is any question, a sleep study is now recommended prior to elective surgery.  C-pap can then be given post-op.  Emergency technicians are now being taught to treat patients with C-pap instead of trying to intubate patients who have a compromised airway.

  See the Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, Nov. 2009, p. 98-103.

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