healthnut

We all know that the US healthcare su_ks. A typical physical exam, for example, is not comprehensive as the ones offered for $2000 or the ones given by clinical doctors. But to read what Dr. Nancy Synderman has to say about how obese women not always getting adequate dosages for their treatments is a shock. “For example, obese women often receive inadequate doses of chemotherapy because doctors discount them for being overweight, Synderman reports. The same holds true for poor women.”

http://www.lifescript.com/channels/healthy_living/Life_Tips/medical_myths_that_can_kill_you.asp?page=

Some useful links:

Does Weight Lifting Lowers Blood Pressure?
http://hearthealthyonline.com/fitness/fitnessQA/weight-lifting-blood-pressure_1.html

How to Take Your Blood Pressure
http://hearthealthyonline.com/video/index.html?bcpid=1127739119&bctid=1175876135

Tips to Lowering Blood Pressure
http://hearthealthyonline.com/heartdisease/bloodpressurecholesterol/lower-blood-pressure-tips_ss1.html

Cardiac Yoga
http://hearthealthyonline.com/video/index.html?bcpid=1127739119&bctid=1175876135

Basic Strength Training
http://hearthealthyonline.com/video/index.html?bcpid=1127739119&bclid=1171886797&bctid=117182778

Fresh Air Workout
http://hearthealthyonline.com/video/index.html?bcpid=1127739119&bclid=1171886797&bctid=117182778

Over 40 Tune-Up
http://hearthealthyonline.com/video/index.html?bcpid=1127739119&bclid=1171886797&bctid=117182778

About two weeks ago, I sprang my angle during a routine hike. I had lost control when a loose rock dragged me down the canyon. When I finally landed, I felt a sharp pain in my left ankle. OUCH! OUCH! OUCH!

When I got home 45 minutes later, I removed my shoes and socks and found my left foot to be very swollen. For whatever reason, I just stood there in shock wondering whether it was time to go to ER or not. Back and forth thinking what I should do, I finally chose not to because I did not want to wait 10 hours to get a bottle of ibuprofen. I knew my foot was not going to get x-rayed because I did not suffer any broken bones.

I am better now. Surprisely, I suffered no broken bones nor bruises, not even a small bruise. The edema has subsided, and I am on my way to a full recovery. A few things I learned:

1) Never go hiking without properly fitted boots. The boots should have cuffs around the ankles and look more like basketball shoes than running shoes. They should fit snuggly, not too loose or too tight. Add insoles if the shoes are not well cushioned.

2) Never go hiking close to dust. Snakes and lizards come out after dust.

3) Never use sports tape on a sprang angle unless you use them for sleeping purposes. They are not strong enough to support the frequent movements of the ankle.

4) Have an ankle brace on hand in case of an emergency. An ankle brace is difficult to slip on and off, but once it is on, I can walk without the limping. The only drawback is that an ankle brace is not comfortable to sleep in, and so I use sports tape at night.

As a former vegetarian for at least 10 years and a former vegan for 3 months, I have nothing against diet if you eat ALOT. You do need to EAT ALOT in order to get adequate nutrition. And you do need your B12. Below is a link to Dr. Klaper’s video on the myths of vegan / vegetarian diet. Dr. Klaper is a well respected vegan / vegetarian doctor, who has done numerous tests on the vegans. Here are the highlights:

http://vsh.voip-info.org/Klaper.html

1) It is possible to be obese as a vegetarian/vegan. Too much sugar, fat and, a lack of exercise play a role.

2) If your B12 supplement does not absorb instrincally, it will exit right back out of your system, and you will be B12 deficient. A lack of B12 can damage your arteries. As people get older, they are not making as much intrinsic factor. Years of poor diet may play a role.

3) The vast majorities of vegans are low in zinc, manganese, and other minerals. High fiber can block the absorption of minerals, ie. zinc, manganese, copper, from entering into the blood stream.

4) Most cholesterol comes from the liver, not from food. If the thyroid isn’t working, the cholesterol will go up. Vegans can have high cholesterol. (This is so true. I had two cholesterol tests done recently. One test was done during the week when I did not consume any meat, and one test was done during the week when I consumed meat everyday. Surprisely, my triglycerides only shot up 8 points during the week with meat, but my cholesterol remained the same. I will post the results later.)

5) Iodine is needed to make thyroid hormones. (And not all processed food contains iodized salt.)

6) Vegans can have high blood pressure and heart attacks, too.

7) High salt, sugar, and caffeine will rob calcium. Though kale is high in calcium, it is not easily absorbed. High protein diets like the Zone and the Atkins can lead to osteoporosis, and vegans can get osteoporosis.

A lack of exercise will “rob” the bone calcium. (I’m not sure about this one. When you exercise your muscles, you will utilize calcium. If you lack calcium from your diet, those osteoclast will start “chipping” the bones away. )

9) Eating too much fruits, especially dried fruits, may signal a protein and trace mineral deficiencies.

10) Vegans do not necessary live longer or have a lower cancer rate than meat eaters.

11) Dried skin maybe an indication that the body is low in DHA.

12) Eat foods high in antioxidants before exercising because exercise can be an oxidative stress. Your body should be high in antioxidants at all times due to environmental pollutants.