More and more research is emerging to support the value of physical activity and a
healthy balanced diet.
In one study, 3234 non-diabetic patients with elevated glucose - a
high-risk population for developing diabetes - were assigned to either a placebo,
metformin or lifestyle modifications. Lifestyle intervention was classified as a
goal of at least 7% weight loss and at 150 minutes of physical activity per week.
The average length of time for follow-up was 2.8 years. Results showed that after
this time the incidence of diabetes had been reduced by 58% in the lifestyle
intervention group as compared to the placebo whereas metformin group had reduced
their incidence of diabetes only 31%.
This has been backed up by numerous other studies and one particular
study suggested that lifestyle interventions could reduce the incidence of disease
by 20% and delay the development of diabetes by 11 years as compared to Metformin
which only resulted in an 8% reduction in disease and delayed onset of diabetes by 3
years.
Another study of lifestyle interventions in people at high risk for
type II diabetes showed sustained lifestyle changes and a reduction in diabetes
incidence that remained after the individual lifestyle counselling was
stopped.
Showing posts with label blood pressure. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blood pressure. Show all posts
Friday, 15 August 2008
Thursday, 8 November 2007
vital functions of salt in the body
"Water: Rx for a Healthier Pain-Free Life".
Vital Functions of Salt in the Body
1. Salt is most effective in stabilizing irregular heartbeats and, Contrary to the misconception that it causes high blood pressure, it is actually essential for the regulation of blood pressure - in conjunction with water. Naturally the proportions are critical.
2. Salt is vital to the extraction of excess acidity from the cells in the body, particularly the brain cells.
3. Salt is vital for balancing the sugar levels in the blood; a needed element in diabetics.
4. Salt is vital for the generation of hydroelectric energy in cells in the body. It is used for local power generation at the sites of energy need by the cells.
5. Salt is vital to the nerve cells' communication and information processing all the time that the brain cells work, from the moment of conception to death.
6. Salt is vital for absorption of food particles through the intestinal tract.
7. Salt is vital for the clearance of the lungs of mucus plugs and sticky phlegm, particularly in asthma and cystic fibrosis.
8. Salt is vital for clearing up catarrh and congestion of the sinuses.
9. Salt is a strong natural antihistamine.
10. Salt is essential for the prevention of muscle cramps.
11. Salt is vital to prevent excess saliva production to the point that it flows out of the mouth during sleep. Needing to constantly mop up excess saliva indicates salt shortage.
12. Salt is absolutely vital to making the structure of bones firm. Osteoporosis, in a major way, is a result of salt and water shortage in the body.
13. Salt is vital for sleep regulation. It is a natural hypnotic.
14. Salt is a vitally needed element in the treatment of diabetics.
15. Salt on the tongue will stop persistent dry coughs.
16. Salt is vital for the prevention of gout and gouty arthritis.
17. Salt is vital for maintaining sexuality and libido.
18. Salt is vital for preventing varicose veins and spider veins on the legs and thighs.
19. Salt is vital to the communication and information processing nerve cells the entire time that the brain cells work - from the moment of conception to death.
20. Salt is vital for reducing a double chin. When the body is short of salt, it means the body really is short of water. The salivary glands sense the salt shortage and are obliged to produce more saliva to lubricate the act of chewing and swallowing and also to supply the stomach with water that it needs for breaking down foods. Circulation to the salivary glands increases and the blood vessels become "leaky" in order to supply the glands with water to manufacture saliva. The "leakiness" spills beyond the area of the glands themselves, causing increased bulk under the skin of the chin, the cheeks and into the neck.
21. Sea salt contains about 80 mineral elements that the body needs. Some of these elements are needed in trace amounts. Unrefined sea salt is a better choice of salt than other types of salt on the market. Ordinary table salt that is bought in the super markets has been stripped of its companion elements and contains additive elements such as aluminum silicate to keep it powdery and porous. Aluminum is a very toxic element in our nervous system. It is implicated as one of the primary causes of Alzheimer's disease.
22. Twenty-seven percent of the body's salt is in the bones. Osteoporosis results when the body needs more salt and takes it from the body. Bones are twenty-two percent water. Is it not obvious what happens to the bones when we're deficient in salt or water or both.
* The information on salt intake is taken from Dr. Batmanghelidj's book, "Water: Rx for a Healthier Pain-Free Life".
Vital Functions of Salt in the Body
1. Salt is most effective in stabilizing irregular heartbeats and, Contrary to the misconception that it causes high blood pressure, it is actually essential for the regulation of blood pressure - in conjunction with water. Naturally the proportions are critical.
2. Salt is vital to the extraction of excess acidity from the cells in the body, particularly the brain cells.
3. Salt is vital for balancing the sugar levels in the blood; a needed element in diabetics.
4. Salt is vital for the generation of hydroelectric energy in cells in the body. It is used for local power generation at the sites of energy need by the cells.
5. Salt is vital to the nerve cells' communication and information processing all the time that the brain cells work, from the moment of conception to death.
6. Salt is vital for absorption of food particles through the intestinal tract.
7. Salt is vital for the clearance of the lungs of mucus plugs and sticky phlegm, particularly in asthma and cystic fibrosis.
8. Salt is vital for clearing up catarrh and congestion of the sinuses.
9. Salt is a strong natural antihistamine.
10. Salt is essential for the prevention of muscle cramps.
11. Salt is vital to prevent excess saliva production to the point that it flows out of the mouth during sleep. Needing to constantly mop up excess saliva indicates salt shortage.
12. Salt is absolutely vital to making the structure of bones firm. Osteoporosis, in a major way, is a result of salt and water shortage in the body.
13. Salt is vital for sleep regulation. It is a natural hypnotic.
14. Salt is a vitally needed element in the treatment of diabetics.
15. Salt on the tongue will stop persistent dry coughs.
16. Salt is vital for the prevention of gout and gouty arthritis.
17. Salt is vital for maintaining sexuality and libido.
18. Salt is vital for preventing varicose veins and spider veins on the legs and thighs.
19. Salt is vital to the communication and information processing nerve cells the entire time that the brain cells work - from the moment of conception to death.
20. Salt is vital for reducing a double chin. When the body is short of salt, it means the body really is short of water. The salivary glands sense the salt shortage and are obliged to produce more saliva to lubricate the act of chewing and swallowing and also to supply the stomach with water that it needs for breaking down foods. Circulation to the salivary glands increases and the blood vessels become "leaky" in order to supply the glands with water to manufacture saliva. The "leakiness" spills beyond the area of the glands themselves, causing increased bulk under the skin of the chin, the cheeks and into the neck.
21. Sea salt contains about 80 mineral elements that the body needs. Some of these elements are needed in trace amounts. Unrefined sea salt is a better choice of salt than other types of salt on the market. Ordinary table salt that is bought in the super markets has been stripped of its companion elements and contains additive elements such as aluminum silicate to keep it powdery and porous. Aluminum is a very toxic element in our nervous system. It is implicated as one of the primary causes of Alzheimer's disease.
22. Twenty-seven percent of the body's salt is in the bones. Osteoporosis results when the body needs more salt and takes it from the body. Bones are twenty-two percent water. Is it not obvious what happens to the bones when we're deficient in salt or water or both.
* The information on salt intake is taken from Dr. Batmanghelidj's book, "Water: Rx for a Healthier Pain-Free Life".
Sunday, 24 June 2007
chiropractic reduces high blood pressure
Researchers from the University of Chicago say that a minor one-time adjustment of a the Atlas, or C1 vertebra in the neck can lower blood pressure by the same amount as the combination of two blood pressure medicines at once. The pilot research program adjusted the vertebrae of 25 people with high blood pressure.
Amazingly they discovered that both their systolic and diastolic readings decreased significantly. Previous anecdotal reports have linked blood pressure and neck pain, according to a report in the Chicago Tribune, but no one investigated this further.
Dr. George Bakris, director of the hypertension center at the University of Chicago Medical Center said "Even back in the 1960s and '70s, neurosurgeons and some specialized chiropractors knew that things change when you realign C1. But there has not been the rigor of the scientific method applied to see what's going on. We wanted to find out if this effect lasts longer than a week or two."
The C1 vertebra is not like the other vertebrae because it is not anchored like other vertebrae. It is held in place solely by muscles and ligaments and can easily slip out of alignment. There may not be any pain associated with this condition and it often goes undetected and untreated.
The Tribune reports that there were chiropractic specialists aware of the phenomenon. Some specialists limited their practice to manual alignment of the C1. They make up the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA). Patients from Chicago NUCCA specialist, Marshall Dickholtz Sr., were sent for the study.
Half the patients received a tailor-made adjustment while the other half received a "sham intervention." Patients were assessed after the alignment and after eight weeks.
"We were shocked to find out that we got more than double what we expected in blood pressure reduction," Bakris said. Patients did not need to resume taking blood pressure medicine. The effect lasted for months.
George Bakris, MD
Amazingly they discovered that both their systolic and diastolic readings decreased significantly. Previous anecdotal reports have linked blood pressure and neck pain, according to a report in the Chicago Tribune, but no one investigated this further.
Dr. George Bakris, director of the hypertension center at the University of Chicago Medical Center said "Even back in the 1960s and '70s, neurosurgeons and some specialized chiropractors knew that things change when you realign C1. But there has not been the rigor of the scientific method applied to see what's going on. We wanted to find out if this effect lasts longer than a week or two."
The C1 vertebra is not like the other vertebrae because it is not anchored like other vertebrae. It is held in place solely by muscles and ligaments and can easily slip out of alignment. There may not be any pain associated with this condition and it often goes undetected and untreated.
The Tribune reports that there were chiropractic specialists aware of the phenomenon. Some specialists limited their practice to manual alignment of the C1. They make up the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA). Patients from Chicago NUCCA specialist, Marshall Dickholtz Sr., were sent for the study.
Half the patients received a tailor-made adjustment while the other half received a "sham intervention." Patients were assessed after the alignment and after eight weeks.
"We were shocked to find out that we got more than double what we expected in blood pressure reduction," Bakris said. Patients did not need to resume taking blood pressure medicine. The effect lasted for months.
George Bakris, MD
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