Graves' Disease Diet Tips You Probably Don't Know About

Before I discuss some Graves' Disease diet tips that can help restore your health back to normal, let me first tell you that not only am I a licensed healthcare professional, but I was personally diagnosed with Graves' Disease. And cusine without fail played a huge role in restoring my health back to normal. I will warn you that being a holistic doctor I am biased towards natural treatment methods, so while most endocrinologists label Graves'' Disease as "incurable", based on my own personal feel I believe that Graves'' Disease can be cured, and one's diet is prominent in restoring their health.

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So if you are finding for Graves' Disease diet tips that will help restore your health back to normal, then you are going to enjoy reading the following information. As I just mentioned, diet can play a big role in treating Graves'' Disease naturally. However, I will tell you that while eating salutary and incorporating nutritional supplements can be beneficial, there are other factors that will also play a role in your recovery, which I will briefly mention in this article.

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I also will warn you that separate doctors will have varying opinions as to what is thought about to be "healthy" with regards to one's diet. And let's be honest for a moment...nobody eats the "perfect" diet, as in my belief it's okay to be "bad" every now and then. For example, I consulted with a inpatient once who loved milkshakes, which as you might guess isn't too healthy. And while it would be ideal for this person to completely eliminate milkshakes from her diet, having one every so often normally isn't a big deal. And the same goes with other foods.

Of policy there are exceptions. For example, person with celiac disease probably won't be able to eat a gluten-based food "every now and then" without having a bad reaction. Another example involves person who can't "settle" for a milkshake every now and then, or an occasional slice of pizza, etc. In other words, some are best off staying away completely from the "bad" foods, or else they begin keen too much of it.

Testing For Food Allergies Is A Good Idea

Anyway, one of the first things I will recommend before anyone changes their eating habits is to get tested for food allergies. Going to a regular allergy doctor might not be the best option, as normally they will test for only IgE antibodies. You might want to visit a holistic doctor and receive an Elisa/Eia panel, which also measures the IgG antibodies, and is normally more literal, (although this does depend on the lab that performs the test).

Another alternative is to reconsider a Gi health Panel. The business Diagnos-Techs offers this type of test, which measures the health of the gastrointestinal tract and includes over one dozen tests that apply saliva and stool specimens. They also offer a Fip-Food Intolerance Panel, that will rule whether you are allergic to four of the most common foods (gluten, soy, milk, and egg proteins).

A less high-priced formula is to show the way an elimination diet, where you eliminate all of the common food allergens (wheat, soy, dairy, etc.), and then slowly introduce a inherent allergen, one at a time. There are separate ways of doing this, but here is an example. You can go on a purification program (described shortly), and then once the purification program is completed, introduce wheat for 3 days, and see how your body reacts. Just make sure you don't add more than one inherent allergen, as if you were to add both wheat and dairy for example, and had a bad reaction, you wouldn't know which allergen was responsible.

A Purification program Can Be Beneficial

As I just mentioned, many people can advantage from a purification program. There are separate types of these programs, and when doing one it is wise to be under the guidance of a competent healthcare professional. When I put one of my patients on a purification program, I prefer having them avoid gluten, dairy, soy, and other common allergens for at least twenty one days. Once again, the think for this is because they are common allergens.

On the other hand, I encourage them to eat plentifulness of vegetables, some fruits, as well as chicken, turkey, and obvious types of fish. I do recommend that they purchase organic food, at least with regards to the meats. While it would be great if they can buy everything organic, I comprehend some people can't afford this, and so if you must pick and choose, I'd recommend to eat organic meat, and try to stay away from non-organic vegetables and fruits that are high in pesticides. These aren't necessarily the only foods I recommend, as most people can consume a small quantity of raw nuts (sunflower seeds, almonds, etc.), as well as some other foods.

An Actual Example Of A Graves'' Disease Diet:

Here is an example of a daily protocol when I first went on my Graves' Disease diet. Keep in mind that this is just an example, and is not a diet that I stayed on constantly (although it did train me to eat better, and I still eat salutary to this day):

Breakfast:

• Protein drink which contained 2 cups of purified water, I cup of mixed berries (raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries), a salutary form of protein powder, and 1 teaspoon of flax seed oil (after one month I added one raw organic egg to this).

Mid-morning snack:

• Organic apples and raw sunflower seeds

Lunch:

• Grilled chicken salad: organic mixed greens and spinach, organic grilled chicken

Mid-afternoon snack:

• Another protein drink (very filling, and legitimately tastes pretty good)

Dinner:

• Organic roasted turkey

• Some type of vegetable (i.e. Squash)

After-Dinner Snack:

• 1 cup of raw nuts (almonds, Brazil nuts, walnuts, cashews)

Although this diet is relatively healthy, you'll observation that it isn't perfect. I probably should have incorporated more vegetables, but ample it was a salutary diet. Today I still eat healthy, but I do couple some whole grains occasionally (for example, I will have a turkey wrap or sandwich with whole wheat bread), and every now and then I'll even go out and get some pizza, eat some chocolate, etc.

If you currently eat a lot of junk food and/or have strong sweet and carbohydrate cravings, I wouldn't expect you to convert overnight. Under such circumstances it is best to take it slow, and when I first consult with a inpatient that has strong sweet and carb cravings, I put them on a protocol to help them get rid of these cravings, and thus make the transition to a healthier diet much easier. I personally was brought up eating foods like Fruit Loops, Burger King Whoppers and fries, and drank plentifulness of Hawaiian Punch. And while I was already eating much healthier when I was diagnosed with Graves'' Disease, when I first began trying to eat salutary it did take some time.

Drink plentifulness Of Purified Water

You also want to drink plentifulness of purified water while this time, and avoid any soft drinks, and even most juices, which can be high in sugar. As for what type of water you should drink, separate doctors have separate opinions, but I recommend whether water that has gone through a reverse osmosis process or distillation, and then is enhanced with minerals. Some will disagree with me, preferring water without minerals added. whether way, stay away from the tap water, and I'd also be cautious about drinking spring water unless if you know the source is a good quality.

What Are Goitrogens?

There are also obvious goitrogens you should try your best to avoid. Goitrogens interfere with the function of the thyroid gland, which legitimately isn't as big of a factor in person with a hyperthyroid health like Graves'' Disease as it would be with person with a hypothyroid condition. But still, you want to at least minimize the following foods, and some of them you will want to avoid completely. I personally ate some of the following goitrogens in moderation (i.e. Spinach and broccoli), while completely avoiding others (i.e. Soy). Anyway, here are some of the goitrogens to be aware of:

• Soy
• Broccoli
• Brussel sprouts
• Cauliflower
• Kale
• Spinach
• Turnips
• Peaches
• Strawberries

Where Should You Shop?

As for where should you shop, although you can shop at your local health food store, I personally like Trader Joes, which is a national chain that has plentifulness of natural and organic food at affordable prices. Some "regular" grocery stores, and even places like Wal-Mart sell some natural and organic food as well. While my wife and I love shopping at Trader Joes for most of our items, we do buy some of our foods at a local health food store, and a few items in a "regular" supermarket.

Other Factors also Diet Can Impact Your Health

Besides eating healthy, there are some other factors that can influence your health. Since it's difficult to get all of the vitamins and minerals you need through your diet, taking some quality nutritional supplements can be beneficial (i.e. B vitamins, Vitamin D, iodine, primary fatty acids, a multi-mineral supplement, etc.). As I'm sure you know, it's also beneficial to be on a regular exercise program. Another big factor for people with Graves'' Disease is to administrate the stress in their lives, as while just about every person has to deal with stress, we all have separate coping mechanisms. And those people that don't do a good job of managing the stress in their lives are more likely to have stressed out adrenal glands, which can both lead to and exacerbate an autoimmune condition.

Should You Consult With A Natural Endocrine Doctor?

While many endocrinologists label Graves'' Disease as being incurable, the truth is that many people like myself are turning to natural treatment methods to help restore the function of the thyroid gland, and thus avoid anti-thyroid drugs and radioactive iodine. A competent natural doctor that focuses on endocrine disorders can help you with your diet, recommend quality supplements, and put you on a unblemished program that can potentially restore your health back to normal. While not every person is a candidate for natural treatment methods, most people can advantage from following a natural treatment protocol.

So for those finding for an ideal Graves' Disease diet, hopefully you have a best idea as to what foods you should eat when diagnosed with this condition. Truth to be told, most people should eat a salutary diet consisting of whole foods, regardless of whether or not they have an autoimmune thyroid disorder or not. Doing so can legitimately help preclude the amelioration of such conditions, along with incorporating other lifestyle factors, such as exercising regularly, obtaining quality sleep, and doing a good job of managing stress. But for person with Graves'' Disease, eating salutary can without fail help to improve their health, and is thus highly important.

Graves' Disease Diet Tips You Probably Don't Know About

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Health Diets - Gluten Free Diet Information for the Control of Coeliacs or Celiacs Disease

Though this gluten free diet can help you lose weight due to the avoidance of grain and other carbs, it generally is highly recommended for the person out there who suffers from Coeliacs [also known as Celiacs] disease and/or has a wheat allergy.

What is Coeliacs disease you ask?

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This is a fairly common digestive tract condition and is caused by the intolerance of the body to the protein gluten. When a person with this problem has eaten something containing gluten they may have a adverse reaction which could cause a wide range of symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain and bloating[causing flatulence] to name but a few. These symptoms can range from very mild to severe and affect mainly the small intestine.

This is generally caused by the persons immune system mistaking the gluten as a hostile organism. The body's natural defense system [immune system] then attacks this gluten thinking it is a virus, causing damage to the intestine.

So by restricting certain types of gluten's from our diet by avoiding grains and heavily processed foods [easier said than done] we can ease the symptoms of this disease and live a more comfortable and flatulence free life.

What is Gluten?

This is a protein and it is found in some grains like wheat, rye and barley. It is therefore found in different types of foods which include pasta, cakes, most breads, malt vinegar and some breakfast cereals.

There are different terms on the labels of some food that can indicate the presence of gluten, these are starch, flavoring, emulsifier, stabilizer and hydrolyzed plant protein. So a person prone to digestive tract problems like coeliacs needs to be very aware of what the food they are purchasing contains.

Foods most likely containing gluten:
flour, cereal, vegetable protein, malt or malt flavorings, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, vegetable gum and soy sauce. These foods and sauces should be avoided wherever possible.

There are some foods that do not contain gluten, remember to check the label though as some might have gone through some type of processing which could have added gluten. These are: corn, rice, soybeans, potato, tapioca, buckwheat, millet and arrowroot, to name but a few.

A vast majority of distilled beverages are also gluten free, and there are specific food companies that produce various foods that are free of gluten, these are clearly labeled and available at most health stores.

There is no miracle cure for coeliac disease, but changing to a gluten-free diet will help control this condition's symptoms and as always check with your doctor before trying any diet program.

Health Diets - Gluten Free Diet Information for the Control of Coeliacs or Celiacs Disease

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The Healing Power of a Loving Touch Can Prevent And Cure Heart Disease

Every time someone touches us with loving care or we do the same for someone else, an emotional exchange takes place that profoundly nourishes the heart. The expressions "He touched my heart", "I felt so touched by his words", or "It was so touching to see my old friend again", show that the sense of touch is closely related to our physical and emotional heart, which is also the center of our being. To touch and to be touched is as essential to health as a balanced diet, if not more.

When American researchers discovered that prematurely born babies who are stroked three times a day increased their weight by 49 percent, they had unintentionally discovered the loving touch. As it turned out, loving touch - the scientific expression is 'kinesthetic tactile stimulation' - became recognized as an effective method to reduce the time and cost of a baby's stay in hospital. Loving touch (I prefer to use the less sterile and more human term for this precious gift of God) stimulated the babies' production of growth hormones and thereby improved utilization of nutrients from the daily food ratio. The researchers did not realize that they had stumbled upon a major technique of healing that could be applied successfully to the young and the old, the healthy and the sick, and not only for prevention, but also for cure.

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In the human body, the sense of touch is so highly developed that it can detect or sense everything it comes into contact with, like radar. By unconsciously picking up other people's pheromones (chemicals produced by the body that signals its presence to others) and/or 'touching' their aura, your body can identify who is friendly, honest and loving or cold-hearted, deceitful, and aggressive.

The body may instantly translate all that information into powerful chemical responses that can make you either feel well or ill. These internal responses, however, also depend on your interpretation of the experience. Muscle testing can verify whether your interpretation is correct. You may think of a person and check with your muscles whether this person has a positive influence on you or not. A weak muscle indicates that your relationship with this person may disturb your balance and energy field. Merely thinking of a person gives you enough physical responses to decide whether you want to be with that person or not.

There are multiple forms of touch that can have profound healing effects. The Ayurvedic oil massage, for example, has been proven to open clogged arteries because of its deeply penetrating and detoxifying action. However, the purely physical part of this kind of touch is only partly responsible for this healing phenomenon. By touching your body with the intention to improve its health, it automatically senses that you love and appreciate yourself and your life; otherwise, you would not do it. Love carries the highest frequency of energy, and, when present in the depth of your heart, it triggers a strong healing response by releasing endorphins (hormones produced by the body that stop pain and make you feel good) and other healing drugs throughout the body, similar to the ones a breast-fed baby receives from its mother.

If you want to help a sick person, but do not know how, hold his/her hand in yours, or gently hold or massage his/her feet. This does more to help the person's condition than any amount of sympathetic words could do. The body remembers a loving touch more vividly than spoken words and it reproduces the same drugs whenever it links into the 'touching' feeling through remembering.

Heart patients especially need to feel that they are loved and cared for because their hearts have lost the sweetness of life that is mostly present in a committed and loving relationship where emotional exchange is most common. Many heart disease victims have isolated themselves from such intimacy before they became ill, by overloading themselves with work, commitments, deadlines, and too many social engagements. By rediscovering the secrets of loving touch, they can once again connect to the circuit of love that supplies the only frequency the heart needs in order to function properly and efficiently, that is, the love frequency.

Loving touch opens the heart. It is the kind of touch that gives without expecting anything in return. It is the kind of touch that can create miracles. Each one of us has this healing gift; it is only a matter of acknowledging that you have it, which is a prerequisite for being able to use it. Give your touch freely and without reservations, for it is one of the few gifts that can make you truly happy, too. It may feel nice to be loved by someone, but it is most important to express love to others, in whatever form is possible. You always have the choice to touch someone with your kindness, generosity, and honesty, and feel so much better for it. This opens your heart. Only a closed heart can be broken or attacked.

Living your whole life without the danger of suffering a heart attack is more your choice than something that just happens to you. Take care of your heart and it will take care of you.

The Healing Power of a Loving Touch Can Prevent And Cure Heart Disease

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Not So Silent Killer - The Spiraling Effects of Heart Disease Among African Americans

For decades, heart disease has cut a wide swath through the health and well-being of American society. Over 70 million Americans are living with a form of heart disease, and it is the most likely cause of death. Statistics for African Americans are particularly dire. Of 5 million individuals diagnosed with heart disease, 725,000 are African American, with an estimated increase of 900,000 expected by the end of the decade. Although risk factors are identical across racial groups, blacks present multiple factors and symptoms are likely to be more advanced and aggressive. In 2003, American Heart Association statistics showed an alarming 41% of black males and 44.7% black females had cardiovascular disease compared to 34.3% and 32% of white respectively. The harsh social and economic realities of African American life have exacerbated the onslaught of the disease, towards which we are seemingly predisposed. Despite this, blacks remain the most underrepresented and under served population in research studies, clinical trials and treatment. Black women, who have the highest risk factors, remain the lowest on the healthcare ladder for diagnosis and life-saving tests and treatment and are 69% more likely to die from a heart attack or stroke than white women. Grim health outcomes notwithstanding, it is possible to reverse medical predictions to achieve and maintain optimum health through education and positive lifestyle changes.

Risk Factors
The risk factors for heart disease are as follows: hypertension; family history; cigarette smoking; diabetes; obesity; high blood cholesterol and physical inactivity. Previously, increasing age and gender were determining factors; though this is no longer true as the disease has been diagnosed at increasing younger ages. Each year, 40,000 more women than men suffer strokes and women account for 51% of the total heart disease. Secondary risk factors are high levels of triglyceride, the most common type of fat in the body which accelerates to high cholesterol and diabetes; excessive alcohol in-take and previous heart attack or stroke.

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Risk factors and symptoms tend to be higher and more destructive in blacks. For example, a black, female diabetic, with attendant factors of obesity and a sedentary lifestyle, may be so far advanced that a limb may need to be amputated. Dr. Malcolm Taylor, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor for University Medical Center, in Mississippi, Director of the Congestive Heart Failure Clinic at St. Dominic-Jackson Memorial Hospital and former President of the Association of the Black Cardiologists explains, "Diabetes is not only a disease involving glucose, it also causes premature aging of the blood vessels. That's why the number one cause of death for diabetics is cardiovascular diseases." The virulence of the risk factors have led researchers and genetic scientists to explore the existence of intrinsic biological determinants or a human genome that make blacks more naturally predisposed susceptible to certain chronic illness such, genes for salt retention that causes hypertension and another for that exacerbates diabetes.

The prevalence of hypertension in African Americans is the highest in the world and plays a significant role in cardiovascular complications. Clinical Director of the Hypertension and Vascular Biology and Head of the Hypertension Division of Cardiology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland and a founding member of the Association of Black Cardiologist, Dr. Elijah Saunders asserts that one African-American dies as a result of high blood pressure every hour in the US, which is nearly twice as often as whites. "Blacks also develop high blood pressure at younger ages than whites and suffer more damage to their organs as a result of the disease." The pressure of stressful life experiences negatively impacts cardio vascular health. In today's fast-paced, competitive environment, a number of external components contribute to elevated blood pressure including social-economic factors such as career pressure, lack of or underemployment, substandard living conditions and racism. In addition, lack of adequate healthcare and shoddy management of chronic illnesses paves the way for long-term heart failure. Stress stimulators often trigger the development of calcification which causes injury to the cells. The accumulated calcium becomes a marker for aththerosclerosis, a thickening and hardening of artery walls which eventually blocks the arteries.

The culture of eating, not to nourish but to fuel the body, is a particular egregious contributor to cardiovascular disease, which relates to the arteries and vessels within the cardiac system. While many Americans are aware that poor nutrition and lifestyle are not conducive to optimal health, cultural practices are difficult to break. Fried and starchy foods, heavy salt intake, dairy, unsaturated fats and high cholesterol meals - staples of traditional African American cuisine - are major causes of aththerosclerosis. Over time, the accumulation of hard-to-process foods particles creates a blockage in the vessels which eventually compromises the arterial walls. Americans' increasing corpulence and ever-expanding waist line also weighs heavily. Lisa Jubilee, nutritionist and co-founder of Living Proof, Nutrition and Fitness Center in New York City says, "We're observing the phenomenon of the skinny, fat person who looks great dressed up and doesn't weigh much, but have substantial fat deposits stored in their midsection causing an apple shape." The abdominal fat causes heart disease by pressing into the internal organs and decreasing the oxygen supply to various parts of the body.

Yo-yo dieting is also vicious enemy to the heart and the body's metabolic system. The shock of food deprivation and supply places substantial stress on the body and hinders its ability to lose weight naturally. Jubilee explains, "Your body doesn't care if you're trying to lose weight or build muscle, its main focus is survival. Therefore it will try to find nutrients however it can, even it means metabolizing muscle which will then cause atrophy." Gradually, vacillating dieting habits weakens the heart muscles and leaves other organs susceptible to cardiovascular disease.

What to Look For: Symptoms and Signs
The body sends a number of signals to the individual to bring about life-saving change. One of the most flagrant signals is a transit ischemic attack (TIA) or "mini stroke." Dr. Donna Mendes, Chief of Vascular Surgery at St. Luke's Roosevelt, Uptown in New York City, Clinical Professor of Surgery at the College of Physicians & Surgeons, and the first African American female to become board certified in the specialty of peripheral vascular surgery explains, "A TIA occurs when the blood vessel in the brain develops an ulcer caused by high cholesterol. Plaque forms around the crater which eventually breaks off and makes its way through the blood stream towards the brain. The portion of the brain impacted will suddenly experience decreased blood flow, resulting in a TIA." The part of the body controlled by that portion of the brain becomes impaired, lasting from a few minutes to twenty-four hours. For example, while combing the hair the comb may fall from a person's hand. Other indicators include loss of sensation on one side of the body, loss of vision, motor function or intermittent pain in the calf after walking, which results from decreased oxygen and blood flow. Peripheral artery disease is also a major element in the development of heart disease. It affects arteries which emanate from the heart, which, when damaged, causes stroke, gangrene or amputation of the lower extremities.

Despite exhaustive studies of heart disease in Caucasians, scientists have only recently begun to study the presentation of the disease in African Americans. Dr. Taylor asserts, "Blacks still receive less cardiovascular care, even for acute symptoms, are less likely to receive EKGs, cardiac testing, bypass surgery or even an aspirin." Historically considered a man's disease, women present much milder, vague symptoms than male counterparts, which are often missed by both primary physicians and cardiologists. Because they do not the display the heart clutching, Hollywood version of an attack most associated with heart failure, they are often misdiagnosed or under-treated despite the existence of one or more risk factors. After weeks of persistent breathlessness and vague sense of physical unease, Joan Connell, then 42, an accounting professional at Ziff Davis Publishing, went to the emergency room convinced she was having a heart attack. Despite being an overweight smoker who had been physically inactive for years, she was sent home. A week later she returned with a second heart attack and was rushed into emergency bypass surgery which revealed four blocked arteries.

This year, the National Institutes of Health released the Women's Ischemic Syndrome Evaluation study (WISE) to address the discrepancy in symptoms between men and women and to assist physicians in identifying and treating the illness in women. Symptoms in men include angina (chest pain), pressure or discomfort in the chest or a tingling sensation in the arm of on one side of the body. Women, however, experience a broader constellation of symptoms over a prolonged period of time. Dr. Patrice Desvigne-Nickens, MD, Head of the Cardiovascular Medicine Scientific Research Group at the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute in Bethesda, Maryland explains, "In the presence of one or more pertinent risk factors, women present a wider set of symptoms for cardiac ischemia which results in heart attack. These symptoms include fatigue; shortness of breath; feelings of indigestion and ill health; palpitations; neck, shoulder and upper back pain; nausea; vomiting; sweating and lightheadedness."

Connell says that Black women's superwoman syndrome is detrimental to women's health and receiving proper care. "We are often over-stressed from working two jobs, taking care of family and juggling multiple responsibilities, the last thing we have time for is taking care of ourselves." According to Dr. Desvigne-Nickens treatment is time-sensitive therefore the level of damage and the expeditious delivery of treatment plays a significant part in determining the severity of the damage and if the patient survives the attack. Self-care is not selfish. Dr. Desvigne-Nickens says, "Doctors must pay close attention in order to discern symptoms and then order the appropriate test. Women must feel empowered to act quickly to get the necessary treatment."

Treatment: Cutting Edge Technology, Medication, Protection and Testing
Take heart. Over the years scientists and pharmaceutical companies have developed sophisticated treatment methods, dose-appropriate medications and minimally invasive techniques which have proved effective in the treatment of heart disease. Often EKGs fail to accurately show measure heart defects. Imaging studies have revolutionized how doctors view - and treat - vessel and organ damage.

· Angiography or arteriogram - a procedure that uses X-ray and a special dye to see inside the arteries, veins and heart chambers to detect narrowing or blockage of the vessels. Other forms of angiographies which correspond with various parts of the body include renal, aortic and coronary.
· Carotid Ultrasound - illustrates blood flow and the narrowing of the blood vessels.
· Cardiac Scanning (CT) - examines how well the arteries diffuse blood
· Ankle Brachial Index - predicts the presence and the severity of peripheral artery disease. The patient's blood pressure is first taken at rest in the arm and in the foot and again several minutes later. A reading under one indicates narrowing of the blood vessel. DR. Mendes also suggests checking the pulse in the groin, behind the knees and in the leg.
· Stress tests - used to determine the amount of stress the heart can manage before developing either an abnormal rhythm or evidence of ischemia. One of the more popular, the treadmill test provides information on how the heart responds to exertion and involves walking on a treadmill or pedaling a stationary bike at varying levels of difficulty, while electrocardiogram, heart rate and blood pressure are monitored.

Because of the under-representation of blacks in the heart disease studies, the FDA has mandated greater minority inclusion in clinical trial. Now there are several medications that mitigate the multiple risk factors. Rimonabant, available in 2007 blocks receptors in the brain that help reduce the risk of heart disease and Type 2 diabetes. Others currently available are designed to raise HDLs (good cholesterol) and lower plaque. Dr. Taylor explains, "Patients' response is dose-dependent. African Americans tend to need higher doses to get better results and greater cardiac benefit.

· BiDil has been specifically shown to reduce mortality, hospitalization and improve quality of life.
· Beta Blockers lowers blood pressure, treats chest pain and assist in the recovery of heart attack survivors.
· Ace Inhibitors and angiotensin dilates the blood vessels to improve the amount of blood the heart pumps and lower blood pressure. ACE inhibitors also increase blood flow, which helps to decrease the amount of work the heart does.

In addition to angioplasty (inserting a balloon) and stents, minimally invasive surgeries have transformed heart disease treatment, resulting in shorter hospitalization and recovery time, improves medical outcomes, causes less complications and trauma and is more economical.

· Off-Pump Bypass (beating heart surgery) is performed on a beating heart and reduces the risk of medical complications including stroke, bleeding and renal failure.
· Anjiojet - Saline jets create a powerful vacuum within the artery, breaking up the clots, and removes pieces through a catheter and into a pump.
· Trans-Myocardial Laser Revascularization (TMLR) employs a laser to create blood perfusion channels in the heart that supplements the function of the coronary arteries.

Prevention
A diagnosis of heart disease is not a life sentence nor should it be a source of shame or weakness. It presents everyone with the opportunity to recreate and rejuvenate their life through awareness, proper diet and exercise and healthy lifestyle changes. Reducing controllable risk factors is key.

· The core prevention messages are unchanged. This includes becoming physically active, smoking cessation and maintaining weight level in keeping with one's height and specific body type.
· Diet. Reduce intake of saturated fats found in dairy, red meats, and organ meats such as liver, kidney, sausage and giblets. Incorporate vegetables and foods in their natural forms such as whole grain and high fiber foods which help unclog arteries. Avoid white foods which have been drained of their nutritional content. This includes bread, sugar and pasta. Avoid products containing high fructose corn syrup contained in sodas and fruit juices.
· Know your numbers - blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar - so that you can control your risks.
· Learn how to read food labels. Some processed foods and nutritional bars that contain mysterious fillers.

Analyze the content before consuming the product.
Ultimately, education is key and African Americans must assume greater responsibility for their own health. Dr. Taylor cautions, "A doctor will spend more time with a patient who knows something about their disease."

Not So Silent Killer - The Spiraling Effects of Heart Disease Among African Americans

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