Saturday, February 26, 2011

Dramatic Cholesterol Results withOUT Presciption Medications

For the past decade I have recommended CardioTabs supplements because they are pure, high quality AND they work. Many patients and providers ask how much change I expect to see in someone’s cholesterol on these products. Here is just one of many examples.

Erik is a good friend of mine who has a worrisome family history of heart disease. Despite his efforts to follow a healthy diet and a regular exercise program, his cholesterol levels run in dangerous ranges, which puts him at high risk for developing heart disease at a young age, like his father did.

Erik is only 36 years old and he has reservations about getting started on potent prescription cholesterol lowering drugs like Lipitor or simvastatin that are typically taken for the remainder of one’s life. He has no heart plaque at this time. So he decided to give CardioTabs supplements a try instead.

Upon my advice he took:
CardioTabs Red Yeast Rice, 4 capsules daily,
CardioTabs CardioSterol, 4 capsules daily,
CardioTabs Omega 3, Extra-strength, 2 capsules per day.

He measured his fasting lipid profile at baseline, prior to starting the supplements and then rechecked the lipid profile after one month on the CardioTabs regimen outlined above. And here’s what happened to his cholesterol levels:

Total cholesterol: 230 to 150
HDL (good cholesterol): 42 to 49
LDL (bad cholesterol): 138 to 76
Triglycerides: 250 to 125

His bad cholesterol fell by about 45% and his good cholesterol rose by 17%. The CardioTabs regimen of safe and effective over-the-counter supplements cut the ratio of total cholesterol/HDL almost in half from a worrisome 5.5 to a very healthy 3.1. These types of dramatic improvements in his cholesterol profile can be expected to help keep Erik’s heart and blood vessels clean and healthy, and the results rival those that would be expected by the most potent of our prescription drug regimens. And Erik is delighted because he feels good about accomplishing these strikingly beneficial changes without having to resort to expensive and sometimes troublesome prescription drugs.

Please note: You should not take Red Yeast Rice AND a prescription statin (Lipitor, simvastatin, etc) together.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Rev Up Your Metabolism: 4 Simple Steps

Start Your Engines
Begin your day with a healthy breakfast. It prevents mindless nibbling and gets your metabolism going for the day. Cooked Oatmeal with nuts and fruit, egg white omelets, or a handful or healthy nuts and fruits and vegetables are all examples of a healthy breakfast.

Increase Your Workout Intensity
For those of you who have been walking the same 2 miles the last 6 months in the same timeframe…change it up! Increase your intensity for 30 seconds to 1 minute intervals and then return to your regular pace. Do this throughout your workout and you will see results. Once or twice a week I recommend increasing your workout intensity. You will be amazed at the changes you will start to see.

Build Muscle
If you do the same activity everyday; how do you expect your body to change? Choose a weight you can lift with good form for 12-15 reps (1 set). Make sure you are pushing yourself some. Lifting weights is just as much mental as it is physical. Slowly work yourself up to 2 to 3 sets at this weight (adding a set every 1 to 2 weeks). When you’ve added sets and can comfortably lift your current weights increase your weight to the point where you can only do 8-10 reps and then repeat the process. Muscles use more energy than fat cells.

Green Tea
New studies suggest, catechins, the active ingredient in green tea may actually boost metabolism and reduce belly fat. These studies were completed in individuals who drink 5- 8 ounce cups of green tea daily.

The only thing standing between the old you and the new you is your Mind. Focus, commit and the changes you will begin to see will have a ripple effect on your entire life. We all have but one life. Let’s make it our best.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Preparing for Weight Loss?

If so, you better bring the right tools!

For those of you in the Weight Loss Competition (WLC) or those of you wanting to lose weight....your strongest tool to assist you in your weight loss is your MIND. Thoughts become behavior. The way you think of yourself turns into your reality. Your self talk can make all the difference. So let's change it up! "I am going to eat healthy today." " I am going to lose weight." "I can do this."

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Sodas and Orange Juice Lead to Gout?

Twenty-two year prospective study which included 78,906 (gout free) women in the Nurses Health Study found intake of sugar sweetened soda increased risk of gout. Women who consumed 1 serving per day of sweetened soda had a 74% higher risk of developing gout than women who consumed less than one serving a month. Women who had 2 or more servings of sugary soda daily had a 2.4 times higher risk of developing gout.

Think your off the hook if you consume Orange Juice? Think again. The study also revealed that women who had 1 serving of OJ daily had a 41% increase risk of developing gout than women who had less than 6 ounces a month. Women who consumed 2 or more servings of OJ daily had a 2.4 times higher risk of developing gout.

There is no way around it, consuming sugary drinks leads to health issues. Remember yesterday's decisions affect your health today; but, today's decisions affect your health tomorrow.

Clinical Advisor 2011

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Tip For Your Health


You should never ignore persistent fatigue or nausea, shortness of breath, jaw, shoulder or arm pain. You should also never ignore any type of pressure especially if it radiates across the chest; these could be symptoms of a heart attack. (Time is muscle...the longer you wait the chances for loss of heart muscle increases.)

Friday, February 4, 2011

New Dietary Guidelines: Get off your SoFAS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released new Dietary Guidelines on January 31, 2011. One of the main themes is to "Get off our SoFAS" (get moving and stay away from Solid Fats and Added Sugars). For Americans, that may change many of our meals. No more morning Lattes (fancy milkshakes) and pastries. No more fast food after a long day at work. It's back to the basics. Lean proteins and fruits and vegetables.
Recommendations Include:

  • Consume more seafood (at least 8 ounces per week)

  • Consume more fruits and vegetables

  • Consume more fiber

  • Lower sodium intake

  • Maintain plenty of potassium and Vitamin D

  • Avoid fast foods

  • Avoid sugary drinks

  • Eat/Drink more nonfat or low fat dairy products

  • Replace high fat meals with lean meats

Lets get moving and get off our SoFAS.