Must - Eat – Vegetables for Wellness: Part 5

Wellness is defined as the condition or state of having good physical and mental health, especially as the result of deliberate effort that emphasizes preventing illness and prolonging life by proper diet, exercise and maintaining good health habits, as opposed to treating diseases.

When I was growing up, my grand mom and mother used to say “Eat your veggies, it will keep you strong and safe” or they’d say “Eat your salad, you won’t turn into a rabbit instead you will be as strong and as fast as a horse”. To be honest, I grew up liking vegetables due to repetition, being a writer-researcher has opened my eyes to the miracles of plants, vegetables and fruits. 

Total wellness has now become a popular topic for people around the world. Social media has made it possible for people to read health tips from their mobile devices or chancing about their friends’ latest fruit “Like” and more. People have the power to “share” the things they like or articles they think would help other people stay healthy and glow with beauty. Below is my personal list of veggies our fridge often has an abundance of; I recommend you do the same and you will feel light and healthier even more.

6. Eggplant

Also called Mad Apple, defined as an egg-shaped glossy black-purple fruit which has white meaty textured flesh, the Eggplant or Solanum melongena is a delicate tropical perennial with a spiny stem that has tall, large, coarsely lobed leaves and white to purple flowers that later produce the fruit-veggie we all love to eat. Name was said to come from French aubergine, from Catalan albergínia, from Arabic الباذِنْجان(al-baðinjān), the eggplant, from Persian بادنگان (bâdengân), from باتنگان(bâtengân), from Sanskrit वातिगगम (vātiga-gama, “eggplant”),this purple-black veggie-fruit is famous all over the world.The plant is native to the Indian Subcontinent and has been cultivated in Southeast Asia since prehistory. The eggplant was first recorded in the Qímínyàoshù, an ancient Chinese agricultural treatise completed in 544. Called as “aubergine” in British English, the aubergine was first recorded in England in the 16th century as a plant that growth in Egypt almost everywhere.

For thousands of years different cultures have cultivated the eggplant and our ancestors must have had a very good reason why.A research study done by the US Agricultural Services in Beltsville, Maryland have published that eggplants are rich sources of phenolic compounds that function as antioxidants.Also other scientific studies show that this purple necessity contains important phytonutrients which have promoteantioxidant activity. Phenolic compound such as caffeic, chlorogenic acid, and flavonoids, such as nasunin are examples of Phytonutrients contained in this purple-black aubegine veggie. Nasunin is said to act as a brain-food and is shown to protect cell membranes from damage.

Good for the bone-building for it contains vitamin K and magnesium. Egg plants are high in heart-healthy nutrients such as vitamin B6, folate, copper and niacin. Eggplant is an excellent source of dietary fiber and heart-healthy potassium plus bone-building manganese. Researchers believe this may reduce risk of dementia and stroke. So say yes to aubergine and do not forget to place a load of this wellness veggie in your cart the next time you do your groceries. Make some Eggplant Parmesan, Pork Sinigang, Ratatouille or Greek Moussaka. The more the merrier!

Must – Eat - Vegetables for Wellness: Part 4

Wellness is defined as the condition or state of having good physical and mental health, especially as the result of deliberate effort that emphasizes preventing illness and prolonging life by proper diet, exercise and maintaining good health habits, as opposed to treating diseases.

When I was growing up, my grand mom and mother used to say “Eat your veggies, it will keep you strong and safe” or they’d say “Eat your salad, you won’t turn into a rabbit instead you will be as strong and as fast as a horse”. To be honest, I grew up liking vegetables due to repetition, being a writer-researcher has opened my eyes to the miracles of plants, vegetables and fruits. 

Wellness has now become a popular topic for people around the world. Social media has made it possible for people to read health tips from their mobile devices or chancing about their friends’ latest fruit “Like” and more. People have the power to “share” the things they like or articles they think would help other people stay healthy and glow with beauty. Below is my personal list of veggies our fridge often has an abundance of; I recommend you do the same and you will feel light and healthier even more.

5. Sweet potato

My research on this veggie necessity brought me to various cultures, countries and ways it can be cooked and consumed. Wow! I did not know there were so many ways you could cook this large, sweet-tasting, starchy tuberous root vegetable. Even the more reason, you should have a staple supply of this wellness must eat vegetable in your pantry for personal consumption. Also the sweet potato is a source of vitamin B6, vitamin B1, phosphorus and potassium; known to be an energy food used in cooking all over the world.

From Africa’s “amukeke” (sun-dried slices of root) eaten with peanut sauce to Egypt’s "batata" where this sweet potato tubers are known to be baked as a snack or dessert, served with honey to Korea’s “Goguma”, to Japan’s “yaki-imo” (roasted sweet potato) and “imo-jōchū” a Japanese Potato wine, to India’s Sweet potato – “shakarkand, शक्करकंद” roasted slowly over kitchen coal and eaten with yogurt dressing. Sweet potato contains calcium, sugars and carbohydrates which makes it filling to the tummy.

Different cultures from different continents have acknowledged the importance of this root vegetable.  Radio carbon dating revealed the presence of this tuber in the Cook Islands dating back to 1000 AD. Researchers postulated that it was brought to central Polynesia around 700 AD, it was Polynesians who brought this tuber when they traveled to South America. The first record of the name “sweet potato” is found in the Oxford English Dictionary in 1775. In Chile, Mexico, Central America, and the Philippines, this is known as camote or kamote. In Argentina, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic, it is called batata. Boniato is another name for it in Spain and Uruguay. In Peru, it is kumar, while in New Zealand it is called kumara.

The root vegetable is a great source of iron and fiber that can help regulate the digestive system.This vegetable tuber is found in different varieties all over the world has anti-cancer properties like vitamin C, A and manganese. No wonder everyone is going gaga over this root tuber veggie necessity. Try it today!

Must – Eat – Vegetables for Wellness: Part 3

Wellness is defined as the condition or state of having good physical and mental health, especially as the result of deliberate effort that emphasizes preventing illness and prolonging life by proper diet, exercise and maintaining good health habits, as opposed to treating diseases.

When I was growing up, my grand mom and mother used to say “Eat your veggies, it will keep you strong and safe” or they’d say “Eat your salad, you won’t turn into a rabbit instead you will be as strong and as fast as a horse”. To be honest, I grew up liking vegetables due to repetition, being a writer-researcher has opened my eyes to the miracles of plants, vegetables and fruits. 

Total wellness has now become a popular topic for people around the world. Social media has made it possible for people to read health tips from their mobile devices or chancing about their friends’ latest fruit “Like” and more. People have the power to “share” the things they like or articles they think would help other people stay healthy and glow with beauty. Below is my personal list of veggies our fridge often has an abundance of; I recommend you do the same and you will feel light and healthier even more.

3. Carrots

This horn-like shaped root vegetable is also called Daucus carota in Science or καρότον karōton in Greek. Carrot seeds have been found in Switzerland and Southern Germany dating to 2000–3000 BC. Back in the days, it was cultivated for its aromatic leaves and seeds, not their root. The carrot gets its characteristic and bright orange colour from β-carotene, and lesser amounts of α-carotene and γ-carotene. Glad to inform you that this veggie is the richest source of some antioxidant, like Vitamin A and Vitamin C – all perfect for your total wellness. Not only is it loaded with nutrients that are good for your eyes, hair and skin, this orange colored necessity helps reduce the risk of cancer and protects your cardiovascular system from damage. So now you can indulge in eating your low calorie carrot cake after dinner, enjoy your carrot nibbler as you watch TV, eat your Chopsuey for breakfast and feast on salads during lunch. With this orange colored miracle worker, you will never go wrong.

4. Squash

Archaeologists suggest that this plant has been cultivated first in Mesoamerica dating back to about 8,000 to 10,000 years ago. Rich in fiber, potassium and magnesium, the squash is also a viable source of anti-inflammatory nutrients.Consumption can help remedy a lot of health conditions including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and asthma.Bees played a big role in the pollination and cultivation of the squash plant in the olden days.Squash was said to be historically proven to have been pollinated by the native North American squash bee, Peponapis pruinosa. Due to the decline of bee population, gardeners resorted to hand pollination. Squash was derived from the word askuta

squash (a green thing eaten raw). Botanically speaking the squash is a fruit though, like the tomato, it is considered to be a vegetable in cooking. This yellow necessity can be served in salads, made into a soup-base and cooked stuffed with meat, fried and baked into pastry. Take note that this yellow-orange fruit-veggie has lots of wonders, for not only can the fruit be eaten but also its seeds. The leaves, shoots and squash tendrils can also be eaten as greens. The blossoms are used in many other parts of the world but are recorded to have played an important part in Native American cooking. To this very day, we enjoy the same privileges of our ancestors; this golden veggie contains Vitamin C and beta-carotene which reduces the risk of breast cancer. Today health enthusiasts have come up with squash flavored cakes and pastries, catering to the health conscious crowd, for a yummy tandem with your favorite afternoon coffee or tea time.

Must – Eat – Vegetables for Wellness: Part 2

Wellness is defined as the condition or state of having good physical and mental health, especially as the result of deliberate effort that emphasizes preventing illness and prolonging life by proper diet, exercise and maintaining good health habits, as opposed to treating diseases.

When I was growing up, my grand mom and mother used to say “Eat your veggies, it will keep you strong and safe” or they’d say “Eat your salad, you won’t turn into a rabbit instead you will be as strong and as fast as a horse”. To be honest, I grew up liking vegetables due to repetition, being a writer-researcher has opened my eyes to the miracles of plants, vegetables and fruits. 

Wellness has now become a popular topic for people around the world. Social media has made it possible for people to read health tips from their mobile devices or chancing about their friends’ latest fruit “Like” and more. People have the power to “share” the things they like or articles they think would help other people stay healthy and glow with beauty. Below is my personal list of veggies our fridge often has an abundance of; I recommend you do the same and you will feel light and healthier even more.

Here are my most recommended wellness vegetables:

2. Tomatoes

In an article written by award-winning physician and medical journalist, Dr. Julie Lynn Wong published by www.abcnews.go.com last Oct. 2012, it was stated how tomatoes are linked to lower stroke risk. The article discussed a research conducted by Jouni Karppi, lead study author of the University of Eastern Finland showing the evidence that diet high in fruits and vegetables is associated with lower risk of stroke. Karpi confirmed that eating tomatoes and tomato based food reduce stroke risk. Men with the highest blood level of lycopene, followed over an average of 12 years to see if they would develop a stroke, were 55 percent less likely to have a stroke. Statistics confirm every four minutes, someone dies of a stroke. Lycopene found in vegetables like tomatoes may help reduce risk of stroke by preventing the formation of blood cloths that can obstruct the brain’s blood supply, Karppi mentioned in an interview.

A very exciting medical find that support the cardiologist recommendation that people consume fresh fruits and vegetables rather than nutritional supplements. Tomatoes are always plentiful and cost-efficient.

Dubbed as the “golden apple” or pomi d’oroback in the 1500s by Pietro Andrea Mattioli, this red fruit of the Solanum lycopersicum, commonly known as a tomato plant, has been around since the time of Mesoamerica. Aztec people used it in their cooking by 500 B.C. and they believed that those who witnessed the ingestion of tomato seeds were blessed with powers of divination. Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes may have been the first to bring this red orb to Europe after he captured the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan, now Mexico City, in 1521. Good for the heart, the face and the whole body. Not only should you consider the tomato an important part of your everyday diet but also include tomato based products available in the market. This salad-making necessity is a big hit in the wellness community. These gorgeous little red-orange spheres are jam-packed with lycopene that have anti-aging and anti-cancer properties. Though categorized as a fruit, it is usually treated as a vegetable. Who would think that these little red planets are bursting with vitamins from A to K. So to live long, eat your tomatoes.

Must – Eat – Vegetables for Wellness: Part 1

Wellness is defined as the condition or state of having good physical and mental health, especially as the result of deliberate effort that emphasizes preventing illness and prolonging life by proper diet, exercise and maintaining good health habits, as opposed to treating diseases.

When I was growing up, my grand mom and mother used to say “Eat your veggies, it will keep you strong and safe” or they’d say “Eat your salad, you won’t turn into a rabbit instead you will be as strong and as fast as a horse”. To be honest, I grew up liking vegetables due to repetition, being a writer-researcher has opened my eyes to the miracles of plants, vegetables and fruits. 

Wellness has now become a popular topic for people around the world. Social media has made it possible for people to read health tips from their mobile devices or chancing about their friends’ latest fruit “Like” and more. People have the power to “share” the things they like or articles they think would help other people stay healthy and glow with beauty. Below is my personal list of veggies our fridge often has an abundance of; I recommend you do the same and you will feel light and healthier even more.

Here are my most recommended Wellness Vegetables:

1. Broccoli

Cardiologists all over the world must have seen the documentary Fat Sick and Nearly Dead by Joe Cross, which chronicles Joe’s journey to healthy living though juicing, to answer their patients million dollar question: will that also work for me? The answer is yes. Cells in the body need frequent supply of nutrients to function well. When cells receive adequate micronutrients the body will feel fully energized. Juicing vegetables like broccoli will grant the body much needed fiber, phytonutrients such as sulforphane and provide natural anti-oxidants.

Broccoli or Brassica oleracea (from the Italian plural of broccolo, refers to the: “flowering top of a cabbage”) is defined as an edible green plant belonging to the cabbage family, whose huge flower head is used as a vegetable. Abundant in beta-carotene, folate and rich in vitamin C, this green veggie is notorious for boosting your immune system to fight the common flu and colds. The wellness gurus of the world now endorse this vegetable as part of the “cannot live without” list of food to eat in a week. Some eat it steamed with a special sweet-salty sauce or mixed with other veggies for variety, either way it will not lose its cancer-fighting abilities; also rich in vitamin K, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Lutein. Studies show that this green fighter can help reduce the risk of lung, stomach and rectal cancers since it if jam-packed with antioxidants. Juicing broccoli and other vegetables work explains Dr. Kahn, a cardiologist and medical director of Preventive Cardiology at the Detroit Medical Center. Dr. Joel Kahn is also a clinical professor of Medicine at Wayne State University School of Medicine. Dr. Kahn is also the Director of Cardiac Wellness at Michigan Healthcare. You can build a plant-based nutrition program rich in phytochemicals through juicing veggies. This also makes it easier to reach your goal of 5-10 servings per day of vegetables. So learn from the experts and learn well, eat broccoli to stay healthy.

Medication for Cardiomyopathy: What is does for your Heart?

Healing is two-step process. Your mind can achieve great things and healing is one of them. First step is getting peace of mind. Peace of mind comes with the knowledge that you went out to do something for yourself. This starts by seeing a specialist and getting the prescription necessary to improving your condition. Buying the medication and following through with the schedule in taking what your doctor prescribed. Understanding what you are taking is absolutely necessary to attain this. It comes in knowing that you are doing something to help yourself reach your goal of self-preservation.

Second step is to improve your physical state. This goes to show that the person is dedicated in getting better. Thus follows the conscious effort in avoiding the things which may worsen the condition like unhealthy food, vices, stress and overall unhealthy lifestyle. Taking your prescription regularly and on time is a must. Avoid cutting the recommended dosage or prolonging the medication. Taking some medicine doesn't equate to the effect of taking all your prescribed medicine. There is a reason why it was given all in one prescription. Mostly some of it will not work without the others.

Reading the material below, understanding the benefits of your prescription and its effects will help you understand what your cardiologist wants to achieve.

Here are some of the most common medications used for cardiomyopathy

1.     Beta-adrenergic (beta) blockers 

·         Beta blockers decrease the heart's demand for oxygen which decreases the workload on the heart.

·         In slowing the heart rate it lessens the symptoms of heart failure.

·         This is prescribed to lower blood pressure, slow the heart rate and by reducing the effect of adrenaline on the heart.

·         Studies show the increase survival by about 30-35 percent in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

·         Beta blockers can prevent further heart enlargement and scarring.

·         By preventing the enlargement of the heart, Beta blockers decrease risk of for people diagnosed with cardiomyopathy.

2.     Diuretics

·         It is more commonly called water pills.

·         It helps to promote urine production in the kidneys through relieving excess fluid in the body.

·         This decreases symptoms of shortness of breath, bloating and swelling.

3.     Positive inotropic medications 

·         Positive inotropic medication is used to strengthen the contractions of the heart.

·         Thisis prescribed to people with severe dilated cardiomyopathy. 

Examples of these drugs include the following:

§  digoxin

Ø  Digoxin has been used for a very long time to improve heart contractions and seems to work best in people who have severe heart failure complicated by atrial fibrillation because digoxin can slow a rapid heart rate.

·         Studies show that these drugs may accelerate the degeneration of the heart by forcing an already weakened organ to work harder.

·         Hence it is usually only used for a short period of time, or when there are no other treatment options. Take these only up to the time your doctor recommends and bring up if there are any adverse effects felt in your body.

§  milrinone

§  dopamine

§  dobutamine 

·         Positive inotropic medications are not recommended for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients because they can worsen the condition.

So far, so good in learning about prescription drugs given by doctors for people diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. Read on to learn more about the other drugs possibly given to you to reduce or eliminate certain symptoms.

4.     Vasodilators 

Ø  These commonly used to reduce symptoms of heart failure.

Ø  It can prolong the life of people with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Ø  Examples of vasodilators which cause blood vessels throughout the body to relax are the following:

·         (ACE) Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors

·         (ARBs) Angiotensin receptor blockers

Ø  Benefits include the following:

Ø  Decreases the resistance to blood flow measured as blood pressure,

Ø  Blood pressure change which in turn reduces the workload on the heart.

Ø  Vasodilators can also reverse the enlargement and scarring of the heart.

Ø  Taking these prescribed drugs can improve symptoms decrease the risk of hospitalization and death.

Ø  These are vasodilators which also reduce the workload of the heart and have been shown to improve symptoms and survival in dilated cardiomyopathy.

·         hydralazine

·         nitrates

5.     Aldosterone blockers 

Ø  Used to help balance electrolytes in the body

Ø  Prevents heart and blood vessel scarring, stiffening, and enlargement

Ø  Studies have shown that aldosterone blockers can improve survival in patients with severe dilated cardiomyopathy

Ø  Clinical studies also show improvement for those who have had a heart attack complicated by cardiomyopathy.

6.     Antiarrhythmic 

Ø  Antiarrhythmics increase the efficiency of the heart by regulating the heart rhythm.

Ø  These are drugs alter the way in which electrical currents are transmitted through the heart muscle.

Ø  The heart pumps most efficiently when it beats in a regular rhythm.

Ø  These drugs are used only in selected patients because they can have significant side effects. Do not take these drugs without a prescription.

Having learned a lot about your prescription drugs, now you are armed with the necessary knowledge to understand why your cardiologist gave this to you. Congratulations for you have just started the process of healing, both inside and out. Always keep the positive outlook in life, for this will provide good results slowly but surely.

Do you have Cardiomyopathy? Common Symptoms to Watch Out For.

It was a sunny Monday afternoon, one of the busiest days at any major hospital in the city. Anthony went to visit the doctor with his wife, Elaine. She was able to convince him to finally see the doctor. They waited patiently for their number to be called. She tried to make him smile by cracking jokes despite the knot of worry that was persistently nagging her own mind. He tried to act nonchalant about the appointment, convinced it was a waste of time. He was OK  or was he? He just focused on holding her warm comforting hand. He loved her and his kids, he had to make sure he did all that he could to be better and to live longer.

People tend to disregard the life threatening symptoms of any disease or ailment thinking that knowing about it would speed up their decline. Most hoped that the symptoms would naturally go away and they could move on with their lives.

The doctor’s assistant called out the numbers until it was their time to go. The couple stood up and bravely entered the office. They were about to learn more about his condition and the life threatening symptoms that if ignored could cost Anthony his life.

Cardiomyopathy and Congestive Heart Failure

Cardiomyopathy is a life threatening condition in which the heart is damaged and can no longer function properly, often not curable but has many treatment alternatives that can effectively control the disease. Most patients with cardiomyopathy have congestive heart failure. Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to pump blood throughout the body. Congestive heart failure is not a diagnosis in itself. It is the result of the heart damage due to underlying conditions like cardiomyopathy.

Top 5 Symptoms of Cardiomyopathy

1.      Fluid accumulation

·     Bloating of the abdomen due to fluid build up

· Fluid buildup in the lungs may cause combined complications to heart & lungs

2.      Persistent coughing

3.     Shortness of breath or dyspnea with exertion or even at rest

·   Dizziness, light-headedness and fainting

4.  Irregular heartbeats that feel rapid, pounding or fluttering or arrhythmia

5.      Patient may develop orthopnea or cardiac asthma

·         Patients need several pillows to sleep on to prevent shortness of breath

·         Consistent need to go stand up by a window to breathe better

·         Person awakens in the middle of the night

·         Shortness of breath is positional, caused by positional changes in blood flow

Having knowledge is power, so to say the least. The more you know about the symptoms and how to prevent the catastrophic deterioration in the person's condition, the better. To improve your personal condition once diagnosed with this illness, you would need discipline and commitment in improving your quality of living for a longer better healthier life. Family becomes a motivation and a support system in keeping you aligned with your goals of getting better.

Heart failure generally develops slowly, and the patient is often unaware of the condition until symptoms appear. So watch out for these symptoms and consult your doctor regularly.

After the checkup, Anthony’s wife hugged him. Elaine was confident that with the right diet, maintenance, blood pressure monitoring, weight control and regular walking exercise, Anthony’s condition will improve in the next couple of weeks, months and years. They wanted to spend time raising their children and she was committed in helping him keep up with his new lifestyle as determined in Anthony was in prolonging his life for the future of his loved ones. They were glad they did this together, they we glad to find out what they needed to know to fight this disease and what it would take to get better.