29.04.2010
The Darkness of Depression, The Wounded Heart: Heart Disease and You
A recent news release from the American Physiological Society indicates that people taking a certain type of anti-depressant called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) [for example, Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro, Celexa] may actually have a second benefit of reducing potential heart problems.
According to the article, the researchers noted that the medication “may help protect cardiovascular health by slowing the clumping of blood platelets, thus reducing the risk of hardening of the arteries and blood clots that can cause heart attack and stroke.”
Article available at: http://www.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=638424
Dr. Schwartz
San Diego Psychologist
www.integrative-health.net
28.04.2010
Lifestyle Coaching: Changing Your Path
A new study in the New England Journal of Medicine indicates that Vitamin E may help improve non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (otherwise known common liver disease). As reported by the article, the principle researcher Dr. Arun J. Sanyal, M.D. stated, “This clearly shows that Vitamin E is effective for treatment of patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis who don’t have active diabetes.”
According to the article, patients were given 800 IU of Vitamin E daily, and “a significant rate of improvement in markers of the disease, such as inflammation, was seen in 43 percent of those getting vitamin E, compared to 19 percent of those getting placebo.”
The article is available at : http://www.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=638542
As always, please check with your primary care physician or other health care provider before making any decisions about your health.
Dr. Schwartz
San Diego Psychologist
www.integrative-health.net
15.04.2010
Lifestyle Coaching: Changing Your Path, The Heaviness of Weight Management, The Wounded Heart: Heart Disease and You
In the recent annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in Toronto, a study suggested that the potential heart healthy benefits of light drinking are eliminated if you drink and smoke. For non-smokers, they found that drinking 3-14 approximate glasses of wine lowered the risk of stroke about 37% as compared to non-drinkers. They did not specify red or white (although many studies point to red wine as being more effective). However, the study showed that these benefits were not found in the participants who also smoked.
Now, I would NOT recommend running out to the liquor store and starting to drink 3-14 glasses of red wine per week (if you don’t smoke) so you can reduce your stroke risk. Also, one of the authors notes in other research, “the protective effect of moderate alcohol consumption was seen among both smokers and nonsmokers.”
Therefore, (and as always) please make sure you talk to your primary care physician or other health care provider(s) about the contents of this blog or the article/study it refers to before making any decisions about your health. Article available at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_97536.html.
Dr. Schwartz
San Diego Psychologist
www.integrative-health.net
02.03.2010
Lifestyle Coaching: Changing Your Path, The Wounded Heart: Heart Disease and You
A government-industry collaboration study announces that even as little as a 10% reduction of salt in the U.S. population can very significantly reduce the amount of heart attacks, strokes, etc. per year. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_95859.html
Dr. Schwartz
San Diego Psychologist
www.integrative-health.net
22.02.2010
The Darkness of Depression
A Columbia University study shows that happiness can potentially reduce the risk of heart problems. The authors found, “For every point on the happiness scale, people were 22 percent less likely to have a heart problem.” As reported by the San Diego Union Tribune. http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/feb/18/happiness-helps-when-it-comes-to-the-heart/
Dr. Schwartz
San Diego Psychologist
www.integrative-health.net
13.01.2010
Services Posts
Heart disease is a general term that describes a wide variety of diseases that affect you heart and you blood vessels. These conditions include coronary artery disease; heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias); and heart defects you’re born with (congenital heart defects). The most common cause of heart disease is cardiovascular disease — a condition involving the narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries (blood vessels that supply the heart) that can lead to chest pain (angina), heart attack, or stroke. Other forms of heart disease may include infections and conditions that affect your heart’s muscle, valves, or rhythm.
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