Healthy living, Strokes, Take Control of Your Health

Right After surgery now you can not see the scars but it was pain full when I had both side done in 2 days apart..

It is important to know the signs and symptoms of a stroke; in some instances a clotbusting drug can be administered to diminish the effects of a stroke. However, there is only a three-hour window when this drug can be administered. If you suspect someone is having a stroke, call 911 immediately! Time is brain function.

Brain Attack

Stroke is sometimes referred to as a brain attack because it impacts the brain in much the same way a heart attack impacts the heart. Every stroke is different and is largely dependent upon the area of the brain effected and the length of time that area was without oxygen.

There are two types of strokes. Transient Ischemic Attack, or TIA as it is often called, is when a blood clot clogs an artery for a short period of time. This is sometimes called a warning stroke. The symptoms are much like a major stroke, however, they last for a shorter period of time. A hemoragic stroke is when a blood vessel ruptures and bleeds deep in the brain or on the surface of the brain.

Symptoms of Stroke
If you believe you or someone you know is experiencing any of these signs do not hesitate to call 911 for immediate treatment!
Suddenly feeling weak in an arm, hand or leg
Cannot feel one side of your face or body
Suddenly cannot see out of one eye
Suddenly have a hard time walking
Cannot understand what someone is saying
Feeling dizzy or losing your balance
Having the worst headache you have ever had

How to Recognize a Stroke
If you think someone is having a stroke, remember the 60 second test:

1. Ask the individual to smile.

2. Ask him or her to raise both arms.

3. Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like "It is sunny out today."

IF THE INDIVIDUAL HAS TROUBLE WITH ANY OF THESE TASKS, CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY!

Effects of Stroke
Motor impairment and loss of sensation often on one side of the body
Difficulty with speech
Limited visual fields and trouble with visual perception
Loss of emotional control and changes in mood
Cognitive deficits
Problems with memory
Problems with judgment
Problems with problem solving
Or a combination of all of these

Reduce your Risk of Stroke
Annual physicals
Healthy diet
Be aware of your family history
Maintain a healthy weight for your body type
Quit smoking
Get regular blood pressure and cholesterol checks
Exercise
If diabetic, manage your blood sugar levels
Take your medications accordingly

Your Heart!
Always exhausted? Check your stroke risk!

If you're dozing off after lunch or as soon as you turn on the tv, talk to your Doctor about your cardiovascular health.

A new study finds that people who nod off and on several times during the day---A sign of nighttime sleep problems---Have a 4.5 percent greater risk of Stroke. "sleep deprivation is strongly associated with the development of risk factors for Stroke and other vascular problems, including heart attacks," WOW!!

Now scientists are impressed with how the ancient therapy can help stroke patients get back to a more normal life. NeuroAid was historically developed in China as a traditional chinese medicine to help stroke patients achieve better rehabilitation. Moleac, a bio pharmacy company, is bringing NeuroAid to western medicine internationally and ensures it meets western medicine standards to attend to the needs of stroke sufferers: NeuroAid supports them to achieve better neurological and functional recovery. Researchers from the University's School of Health Professions and Rehabilitation Sciences and the School of Electronics and Computer Science (ECS) have developed a technology to help stroke patients to re-learn movement, and local people are being invited to participate in trials.

Stroke is the number one cause of serious adult disability in the United States. Stroke is currently the third leading cause of death in the United States. Stroke ranks as the third leading cause of death in the world and is a main reason for disability and dependency in the elderly. Stroke has a greater disability impact than any other medical condition. Stroke-related deficits are severe in approximately one third of the survivors and moderate or mild in the other two thirds. Stroke patients have been shown to achieve significantly lower maximal workloads and heart rate and blood pressure responses than control subjects during progressive exercise testing to volitional fatigue. Stroke patients usually experience the most dramatic recovery in the first 30 days but may continue to improve more gradually for months.

Patients suffer physical and other problems, such as loss of memory, vision, spatial awareness and mobility through paralysis. Patients may find that they can no longer understand written words, that they cannot pronounce words anymore, or that they can speak volumes of words but fail to convey the meanings they intend. Patients in the study were offered 10 weeks the therapy, in which restraint of the unaffected arm forced them to use their affected arm for everyday tasks. Patients then engaged in daily repetitive task and behavioral shaping sessions, which included training in tasks such as opening a lock, turning a doorknob, or pouring a drink. Patients using simulator training were more likely both to pass the driver's test and to retain the skill level achieved in training. NeuroAid has shown efficacy for patients who suffered a stroke in the past 6months and have resulting loss of motor function or independence.

New methods for speeding recovery will have an enormous impact for the individuals involved and for the costs of providing long-term therapy, support and care. Now MIT pioneers in the field of robotic therapy are hoping a robotic gym full of machines targeted at different parts of the body will significantly improve stroke patients' movement in arms, wrists, hands, legs and ankles. In the first clinical trial, the researchers found that stroke patients who used the machine four to five hours a week improved further and faster, as measured by increased function of the impaired limb, than a second group of patients that did not receive robot-assisted therapy. "We're looking for efficiency because in the long run -- it might be possible to do some of the therapy with a robot instead of having to ask somebody to drive in to the therapy center.

To regain speech and movement after a stroke, 150,000 Chinese have used a medicine containing extracts from leeches and scorpions, says the product's manufacturer, Moleac, which is based in Singapore. David Picard, CEO of Moleac, the Singapore/Biopolis-based global bio pharmaceutical company that develops and markets NeuroAid(TM) outside of China, said: ''We are delighted at the interest NeuroAid(TM) has generated in the medical community worldwide.

About trivita

TriVita, Inc. began with a vision - a vision of a world with less disease - a world where everyone has the opportunity for greater health and well-being.
This vision, the dream of TriVita founder, Michael Ellison, was partnered with the understanding that true health can only be achieved when people seek and discover physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

TriVita, Inc., was founded on an integrated health philosophy that combines the latest information and resources from the medical community on disease prevention with the latest scientific breakthroughs in nutrition and alternative medicine. TriVita ensures that you get the safest, freshest, and most effective products available on the market today. Each product is made under the strictest quality controls in the nutritional supplement industry. All manufacturing and laboratory processes meet or exceed the most current Good Manufacturing Practices as published by the Food and Drug Administration in March 2003.

Every day, TriVita is dedicated to helping people pursue healthy living. A trusted health solutions provider since 1999, we develop nutritional products and offer health and wellness services that support the whole person - physically, emotionally and spiritually.




Take Control of Your Health

* Get your homocysteine levels tested
* Keep your LDL-C, CRP and insulin levels low
* Know your risk factors
* Don't smoke
* Dedicate yourself to lifelong learning
* Eat a plant-based, organic diet
* Eat cold-water fish every week
* Exercise 30 minutes most days of the week
* Build a nutrient reserve with the Healthy Aging Pack



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A New Test for Alzheimer's

A breakthrough blood test for Alzheimer's disease may soon be on the market. It is for a protein called CD-69 that lives in lymphocytes (white blood cells involved in your immune system). This new blood test joins the established blood tests for Alzheimer's risk: Apolipoprotein e-4 and Homocysteine.

Risks for Alzheimer's
Alzheimer's dementia is a progressive disease where inflammation tangles up nerve fibers and toxic proteins trigger plaque formation. Inflammation often occurs in the immune system of the brain.

This damage increases as you age. It can be amplified by certain lifestyle choices, such as smoking and poor nutrition, and multiplied by brain injuries, heart disease and depression. Injury, nutrient deficiency, electromagnetic fields and stress all cause brain inflammation and produce tangled nerves. Toxic blood levels of minerals such as aluminum, iron, zinc and copper can also create inflammation and may produce toxic protein complexes that trigger plaques.

Tests you can take
If you suspect you or a loved one has Alzheimer's disease, there are a number of tests you can take that may help determine a diagnosis:

CD-69 lymphocyte test
As I mentioned, the CD-69 lymphocyte test will be available soon. Lymphocytes are immune system cells made in your lymphatic system; primarily in the lymph nodes of your abdomen. The same stem cells that create these lymphocytes also serve as the foundation for the immune system in your brain.

The CD-69 lymphocyte test helps to confirm the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and to separate it from other causes of dementia such as Parkinson's. It is very accurate once a person has serious signs of dementia. However, we do not know how early these CD-69 proteins appear. So, we do not yet know if CD-69 can be used to predict Alzheimer's disease in time to alter the course of dementia.

Apolipoprotein e-4
Apolipoprotein e-4 is a genetic test for Alzheimer's and other diseases. We get Apo-e genes from our parents (e-2 is the longevity gene, e-3 is the common gene and e-4 is the gene associated with heart disease, osteoporosis and Alzheimer's).

Homocysteine
Homocysteine is a test that shows how active the disease process is: the higher the homocysteine number, the more active the disease. Homocysteine is a strong trigger for inflammation. C-Reactive Protein (CRP) is a measurement of inflammation.

Other beneficial tests that can help determine your level of risk for Alzheimer's and other diseases of inflammation include LDL-C ("bad," inflamed cholesterol) and fasting insulin levels (insulin is very inflammatory!).

Steps to take
It is always better to know than to not know. Take as many of the tests listed above as you or your loved one can access. And remember, a positive test is not a death sentence. There are simple lifestyle techniques that can yield a profound result in terms of wellness.

* A single brain injury can increase your risk of Alzheimer's disease by 1,000%! Yet, lifelong learning can erase much of the effect of injury by creating new connections in your brain. (See the WWR article on Memory).

* Low homocysteine, low CRP and low LDL-C are all associated with reduced risk for dementia. Eating an organic, plant-based diet high in fiber and B vitamins can help reduce CRP and homocysteine. Eating cold-water fish like wild salmon may reduce LDL-C. Supplements such as HCY Guard and OmegaPrime can make the critical difference between success and failure in a prevention program.

Good health - your best defense
Aggressive application of the Ten Essentials as well as the principles of healthy aging can help create the best possible biological terrain - your best defense against Alzheimer's dementia and, indeed, all diseases.

Lemon-Garlic Shrimp & Vegetables
Here's a healthy twist on shrimp scampi. We left out the butter and loaded the dish up with red peppers and asparagus for a refreshing meal. Serve with quinoa, whole-wheat couscous or linguine.

Serves: 4
Preparation time: 35 minutes

Ingredients
4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 large red bell peppers, diced
2 pounds asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch lengths
2 teaspoons freshly grated lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound raw shrimp (26-30 per pound), peeled and deveined
1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 teaspoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Preparation
1. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add bell peppers, asparagus, lemon zest and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until just beginning to soften, about 6 minutes. Transfer the vegetables to a bowl; cover to keep warm.

2. Add the remaining 2 teaspoons oil and garlic to the pan and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add shrimp and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.

3. Whisk broth and cornstarch in a small bowl until smooth and add to the pan along with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring, until the sauce has thickened slightly and the shrimp are pink and just cooked through, about 2 minutes more.

4. Remove from the heat. Stir in lemon juice and parsley. Serve the shrimp and sauce over the vegetables.

Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Per serving:
226 calories
7 g fat (1 g sat, 4 g mono)
174 mg cholesterol
14 g carbohydrate
28 g protein
4 g fiber
514 mg sodium
670 mg potassium

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Creamy Cucumber Soup
There's no reason to use cucumbers raw only - they're wonderful sautéed, then puréed with avocado for a silk-textured soup that's good warm or cold.

Serves: 4
Preparation time: 35 minutes

Ingredients
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, diced
1 tablespoon lemon juice
4 cups peeled, seeded and thinly sliced cucumbers, divided
1 1/2 cups vegetable broth or reduced-sodium chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
Pinch of cayenne pepper
1 avocado, diced
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
1/2 cup low-fat plain yogurt
Preparation
1. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add garlic and onion; cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 1 to 4 minutes. Add lemon juice and cook for 1 minute. Add 3 3/4 cups cucumber slices, broth, salt, pepper and cayenne; bring to a simmer. Reduce heat and cook at a gentle simmer until the cucumbers are soft, 6 to 8 minutes.

2. Transfer the soup to a blender. Add avocado and parsley; blend on low speed until smooth. (Use caution when puréeing hot liquids.)

3. Pour into a serving bowl and stir in yogurt. Chop the remaining 1/4 cup cucumber slices. Serve the soup warm or refrigerate and serve it chilled. Just before serving, garnish with the chopped cucumber and more chopped parsley, if desired.

Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts
Per serving:
173 calories
12 g fat (2 g sat, 8 g mono)
4 mg cholesterol
14 g carbohydrate
5 g protein
5 g fiber
374 mg sodium
544 mg potassium

Stress is an engineering term. It describes the forces that try to tear a structure apart such as weight, wind, temperature and pressure. In humans it is much the same: Certain pressures try to tear us apart. Sometimes these stresses come from inside of us; sometimes the pressures tearing us apart come from the outside.

Homeostasis is a gift that humans and other living creatures possess but bridges and buildings do not have. Homeostasis is the force that moves resources from our reserves to wherever they are needed to combat stress.

Where stress begins
Stress is caused by change - any change. Change requires us to rearrange our priorities to meet new circumstances. Stress can also be the same circumstance over time because time itself is change.

An easy way to conceptualize stress is to say it comes from inside of us and outside of us. Some examples:

Stress from inside

* Hunger
* Aging
* Time pressure

Stress from outside

* Air pollution
* Water pollution
* Noise pollution

Stress is the accumulation of all the things that pull us apart.

Homeostasis
The antidote to change is homeostasis. The Greek word "stasis" means to stand still or to stand equally. It describes a point where the tug-of-war balances out and motion ceases. Homeostasis is the ability of living organisms to adjust their internal environments to create balance. Of course, people can adjust their external environments as well (at least to some extent).

Just imagine all of the stresses pulling you apart every day: gravity, temperature, emotional upsets and expectations, etc. What balances that tug-of-war? The 10 Essentials for Health and Wellness!

Nutrients and nurturing
A body and mind deprived of proper nutrients and nurturing will be more prone to disease. "Disease" is the joining of two words. "Ease" is the freedom from difficulty, hardship or effort. "Dis-ease" is the opposite of ease: the things that make life more difficult and hard. It is also the abnormal functioning of the body or mind when the balancing forces of homeostasis fail to meet the demands of change.

The 10 Essentials create a reservoir of energy to combat the destructive forces of stress. For example, the simple act of breathing deeply can reduce the level of toxicity in our body and therefore reduce the state of imbalance.

Vitamins and minerals
Nutrients create a bulwark against stress as well. A reservoir of vitamins and minerals can help protect you from deficiency. Nutrient deficiency means specifically that you lack the nutrients you need to meet the stress imposed on your system. Without nutrients you will be weakened and you will lose the tug-of-war with stress. You will develop disease.

Adaptogens
Specific plants called adaptogens help pull us back into balance. Adaptogens help us adapt no matter what the situation is - no matter where stress tugs at our body and mind. A recent conference of psychiatrists and psychologists demonstrated that a single adaptogen (Rhodiola rosea) was as effective at reducing emotional stress as several popular medications.

Another paper published by the University of Toyama in Japan demonstrated that in animal models, the adaptogen Eleutherococcus senticosis hindered the brain plaque associated with Alzheimer's disease. It even helped slow some of the brain damage. Given the safety of adaptogens and the extreme nature of this stress-related disease, supplementing with these nutrients should be a daily routine for anyone concerned about the possibility of Alzheimer's.

Conclusion
Stress pulls us apart. Homeostasis struggles to put us back together. Disease is the result of an imbalance between stress and homeostasis. Nutrients and nurturing support homeostasis and help build a bulwark against stress - the silent killer

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What's the Connection?
Mental Health, Dental Health & Your Heart

Previously, we discussed the effect of loneliness on heart health. Powerful chemicals from the brain alter the way the heart functions. The heart and blood vessels respond with inflammation. Arteries harden, the efficiency of the heart muscle is reduced as the heart enlarges, and heart failure results.

Other triggers of heart disease are related to dental health. Curiously, dental health and mental health are also strongly related. How does this happen? Which comes first in this triad of triggers for heart disease?

Heart health, dental health
Coronary artery disease (CAD) usually progresses slowly over many years. The first sign of CAD is often a fatal heart attack. Because CAD is silent, it becomes imperative to practice preventive medicine such as testing for C-reactive protein (CRP), as well as blood pressure and cholesterol. However, another form of heart disease progresses quite rapidly. It is called "single-artery disease."

Single artery disease clogs a single artery while all or most other blood vessels remain clean. It can happen when injury or infection creates inflammation in the absence of disease:

* Dental infection: One of the most common bacteria comes from a dental infection. Bacteria from inflamed gums can escape into the bloodstream and attack a single blood vessel in or near the heart.

* Inflammation: Inflammation in the gums attracts white blood cells by means of protein messengers called cytokines. Some of these messengers leak into the bloodstream and attract white blood cells. White blood cells infiltrate the infected area because of the messenger cytokines. Cytokines that leak into the bloodstream and enter the heart may send the wrong message. It may also result in white blood cells attacking an artery in the heart. This is the beginning of single artery disease: white blood cells attracted by cytokines penetrate a single artery in the heart and cause blockage.

Smoking increases the number of bacteria in the mouth and causes LDL cholesterol to become stickier. This bad habit also increases inflammation in the entire body. Bacteria, LDL and inflammation make for a lethal combination for CAD and single artery disease.

Dental health, mental health
Mental illness comes in a variety of different forms: from anxiety and bipolar disorder to depression, schizophrenia and beyond. Among the common manifestations of these disorders is lack of attention to dental care. Irregular brushing and flossing will lead to a buildup of potentially lethal bacteria. As a result, cardiovascular disease is a common companion of mental illness.

Other aspects of personal care suffer from this same inattentiveness, including diet, exercise and rest. As you know, these habits are foundations for physical and mental health. Without these essentials in place, the health spirals downward and heart failure is one of many possibilities.

Conclusion
It seems that illnesses such as CAD and heart failure are much more complex than we ever imagined. Emotional distress, dental neglect, smoking and inflammation may all combine to create vascular disease. Constant attention to the 10 Essentials of Health and Wellness and normal biological needs like dental care can help us avoid many triggers for CAD and heart failure.

Essential #4 concerns nutrients that every body needs. Essential fatty acids like those found in OmegaPrime can help protect against inflammation. Vitamin C can also help reduce inflammation by cooling oxidative stress and Sublingual B-12/HCY Guard helps reduce inflammatory homocysteine. I especially like Adaptogen 10 Plus because it helps reduce the impact of stress while providing antioxidant protection. Nutrients and nurturing - including proper dental care - give us the best foundation for a life of meaning and purpose.