Finer points: An editorial published by Mori Krantz, MD, and colleagues reviewed the evidence on the use of aspirin therapy for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in patients who had not experienced a previous coronary or cerebrovascular event. The authors reviewed a meta-analysis of six trials (n = 95,456) assessing the benefits and risks of aspirin therapy for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in men and women. The analyses found that aspirin use resulted in a 12% reduction in cardiovascular events in women, primarily driven by a reduction in ischemic strokes, and a 14% reduction in men, primarily driven by a reduction in myocardial infarctions. However, these patients had no significant reductions in cardiovascular mortality and were at a significantly higher increased risk of bleeding (68% to 72%).

In a review of data from four publications involving patients with peripheral arterial disease, researchers concluded that use of aspirin therapy for primary prevention had no benefit on reducing cardiovascular morbidity or mortality. In addition, one trial observed an increased risk of major bleeding among patients given aspirin. Data on the use of aspirin therapy in patients with diabetes have also failed to demonstrate a convincing cardioprotective effect. “Unless a patient has coronary or cerebrovascular disease, the available data do not justify routine use of aspirin in patients based solely on a moderate risk level … Further research regarding optimal antiplatelet therapy is clearly warranted for patients with peripheral arterial disease [and] diabetes and those at risk for atherosclerosis,” wrote the authors.

What you need to know: This editorial highlighted how patients may be swayed by false advertising about the cardioprotective effects of aspirin. Patients need to understand that the current evidence does not support the use of aspirin therapy for primary prevention in patients at moderate risk. In addition, patients should be educated on strategies proven to reduce cardiovascular events such as reductions in lipid levels and blood pressure, smoking cessation, and weight control through diet and exercise.

What your patients need to know: Counsel patients that daily aspirin therapy has been shown to be cardioprotective for patients with established cardiovascular disease; however, the benefits of aspirin for primary prevention require further study. Counsel them on lifestyle modifications that have been shown to be heart healthy such as a low-fat diet, increased physical activity, and smoking cessation. If patients choose to use aspirin, inform them that they are at an increased risk of bleeding.

Sources:

• Krantz MJ et al. An aspirin a day: are we barking up the wrong willow tree? Pharmacotherapy. 2010;30:115–8.
• Berger JS et al. Aspirin for the primary prevention of cardiovascular events in women and men: a sex-specific meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. JAMA. 2006;295:306–13.

Many people believe that eating a well balanced diet provides all the vitamins and minerals necessary for good health. In ideal circumstances, this is the case, but in reality there are many reasons why you may need vitamin supplements to cope with living in the twentieth century environment. Taking vitamins when required is a safe method of optimizing your dietary sources of nutrients, providing you follow the instructions on product labels.

1. Poor Digestion

Even when your food intake is good, inefficient digestion can limit your body’s uptake of vitamins. Some common causes of inefficient digestion are not chewing well enough and eating too fast. Both of these result in larger than normal food particle size, too large to allow complete action of digestive enzymes. Many people with dentures are unable to chew as efficiently as those with a full set of original teeth.

2. Hot Coffee, Tea and Spices

Habitual drinking of liquids that are too hot, or consuming an excess of irritants such as coffee, tea or pickles and spices can cause inflammation of the digestive linings, resulting in a drop in secretion of digestive fluids and poorer extraction of vitamins and minerals from food.

3. Alcohol

Drinking too much alcohol is known to damage the liver and pancreas which are vital to digestion and metabolism. It can also damage the lining of the intestinal tract and adversely affect the absorption of nutrients, leading to sub-clinical malnutrition. Regular heavy use of alcohol increases the body’s need for the B-group vitamins, particularly thiamine, niacin, pyridoxine, folic acid and vitamins B12, A and C as well as the minerals zinc, magnesium and calcium. Alcohol affects availability, absorption and metabolism of nutrients.

4. Smoking

Smoking too much tobacco is also an irritant to the digestive tract and increases the metabolic requirements of Vitamin C, all else being equal, by at least 30mg per cigarette over and above the typical requirements of a non-smoker. Vitamin C which is normally present in such foods as paw paws, oranges and capsicums, oxidizes rapidly once these fruits are cut, juiced, cooked or stored in direct sunlight or near heat. Vitamin C is important to the immune function.

5. Laxatives

Overuse of laxatives can result in poor absorption of vitamins and minerals from food, by hastening the intestinal transit time. Paraffin and other mineral oils increase losses of fat soluble vitamins A, E and K. Other laxatives used to excess can cause large losses of minerals such as potassium, sodium and magnesium.

6. Fad Diets

Bizarre diets that miss out on whole groups of foods can be seriously lacking in vitamins. Even the popular low fat diets, if taken to an extreme, can be deficient in vitamins A, D and E. Vegetarian diets, which can exclude meat and other animal sources, must be very skillfully planned to avoid vitamin B12 deficiency, which may lead to anemia.

7. Overcooking

Lengthy cooking or reheating of meat and vegetables can oxidize and destroy heat susceptible vitamins such as the B-group, C and E. Boiling vegetables leaches the water soluble vitamins B-group and C as well as many minerals. Light steaming is preferable. Some vitamins, such as vitamin B6 can be destroyed by irradiation from microwaves.

8. Food Processing

Freezing food containing vitamin E can significantly reduce its levels once defrosted. Foods containing vitamin E exposed to heat and air can turn rancid. Many common sources of vitamin E, such as bread and oils are nowadays highly processed, so that the vitamin E content is significantly reduced or missing totally, which increases storage life but can lower nutrient levels. Vitamin E is an antioxidant which defensively inhibits oxidative damage to all tissues. Other vitamin losses from food processing include vitamin B1 and C.

9. Convenience Foods

A diet overly dependent on highly refined carbohydrates, such as sugar, white flour and white rice, places greater demand on additional sources of B-group vitamins to process these carbohydrates. An unbalanced diet contributes to such conditions as irritability, lethargy and sleep disorders.

10. Antibiotics

Some antibiotics although valuable in fighting infection, also kill off friendly bacteria in the gut, which would normally be producing B-group vitamins to be absorbed through the intestinal walls. Such deficiencies can result in a variety of nervous conditions, therefore it may be advisable to supplement with B-group vitamins when on a lengthy course of broad spectrum antibiotics.

11. Food Allergies

The omission of whole food groups from the diet, as in the case of individuals allergic to gluten or lactose, can mean the loss of significant dietary sources of nutrients such as thiamine, riboflavin or calcium.

12. Crop Nutrient Losses

Some agricultural soils are deficient in trace elements. Decades of intensive agriculture can overwork and deplete soils, unless all the soil nutrients, including trace elements, are regularly replaced. This means that food crops can be depleted of nutrients due to poor soil management. In one U.S Government survey, levels of essential minerals in crops were found to have declined by up to 68 per cent over a four year period in the 1970’s.

13. Accidents and Illness

Burns lead to a loss of protein and essential trace nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. Surgery increases the need for zinc, vitamin E and other nutrients involved in the cellular repair mechanism. The repair of broken bones will be retarded by an inadequate supply of calcium and vitamin C and conversely enhanced by a full dietary supply. The challenge of infection places high demand on the nutritional resources of zinc, magnesium and vitamins B5, B6 and zinc.

14. Stress

Chemical, physical and emotional stresses can increase the body’s requirements for vitamins B2, B5, B6 and C. Air pollution increases the requirements for vitamin E.

15. P.M.T

Research has demonstrated that up to 60 per cent of women suffering from symptoms of premenstrual tension, such as headaches, irritability, bloated ness, breast tenderness, lethargy and depression can benefit from supplementation with vitamin B6.

16. Teenagers

Rapid growth spurts such as in the teenage years, particularly in girls, place high demands on nutritional resources to underwrite the accelerated physical, biochemical and emotional development in this age group. Data from the USA Ten State Nutrition Survey (in 1968-70 covering a total of 24,000 families and 86,000 individuals) showed that between 30-50 per cent of adolescents aged 12-16 had dietary intakes below two thirds of the recommended daily averages for Vitamin A, C, calcium and iron.

17. Pregnant Women

Pregnancy creates higher than average demands for nutrients, to ensure healthy growth of the baby and comfortable confinement for the mother. Nutrients which typically require increase during pregnancy are the B-group, especially B1, B2, B3, B6, folic acid and B12, A, D, E and the minerals calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and phosphorous.

The Ten State Nutrition Survey in the USA in 1968-70 showed that as many as 80 per cent of the pregnant women surveyed had dietary intakes below two thirds of recommended daily allowances. Professional assessment of nutrient requirements during pregnancy should be sought.

18. Oral Contraceptives

Oral Contraceptives can decrease absorption of folic acid and increase the need for vitamin B6, and possibly vitamin C, zinc and riboflavin. Approximately 22 per cent of Australian women aged 15-44 are believed to be on “the pill” at any one time.

19. Light Eaters

Some people eat very sparingly, even without weight reduction goals. US dietary surveys have shown that an average woman maintains her weight on 7560 kilojoules per day, at which level her diet is likely to be low in thiamine, calcium and iron.

20. The Elderly

The aged have been shown to have a low intake of vitamins and minerals, particularly iron, calcium and zinc. Folic acid deficiency is often found, in conjunction with vitamin C deficiency. Fibre intake is often low. Riboflavin (B2) and pyridoxine (B6) deficiencies have also been observed. Possible causes include impaired sense of taste and smell, reduced secretion of digestive enzymes, chronic disease and, maybe, physical impairment.

21. Lack of Sunlight

Invalids, shift workers and people whose exposure to sunlight may be minimal can suffer from insufficient amounts of vitamin D, which is required for calcium metabolism, without which rickets and osteoporosis (bone thinning) has been observed. Ultraviolet light is the stimulus to vitamin D formation in skin. It is blocked by cloud, fog, smog, smoke, ordinary window glass, curtains and clothing. The maximum recommended daily supplement intake of vitamin D is 400 i.u.

22. Bio-Individuality

Wide fluctuations in individual nutrient requirements from the official recommended average vitamin and mineral intakes are common, particularly for those in high physical demand vocations, such as athletics and manual labor, taking into account body weight and physical type. Protein intake influences the need for vitamin B6 and vitamin B1 is linked to kilo joule intake.

23. Low Body Reserves

Although the body is able to store reserves of certain vitamins such as A and E, Canadian autopsy data has shown that up to thirty percent of the population have reserves of vitamin A so low as to be judged “at risk”. Vitamin A is important to healthy skin and mucous membranes (including the sinus and lungs) and eyesight.

24. Athletes

Athletes consume large amounts of food and experience considerable stress. These factors affect their needs for B-group vitamins, vitamin C and iron in particular. Tests on Australian Olympic athletes and A-grade football players, for example, have shown wide ranging vitamin deficiencies.

Source
Cannabis Science, Inc.

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To build muscles, both stamina and muscle building materials are required. If you are starting to exercise for the first time or have a weak physique, then your body requires certain vitamins to build up the stamina to carry on with the workouts. Sometimes diet alone is not able to provide the vitamins to make your body strong. It is better to start with supplements at this time to fulfill the nutritional level. You can consume certain food supplements and drugs which are legally approved. These sophisticated new anabolic products help to initiate massive increase of the same analogs of testosterone which are present in the body after oral consumption of these anabolic steroids. Ingredients like Methandrostenolone, Boldenone, Stanazolol and Drostanolone are found and are legally accepted in steroids which help to energize the body and prepare it for workouts.

Certain workouts put heavy strain on muscles and are very tiring. You require enough stamina to carry them out. Initially to build up this stamina, you can take supplements as they easily make it possible to build stamina for heavy workouts. Professional body builders and sportsmen consume these supplements to speed up their muscle build up process.

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These supplements are available in different compositions like some are protein rich while others are carbohydrate rich and which ever is suitable and required for your body, can be taken. Food alone is not able to provide the nutrition and vitamins required and supplements become very essential during that time. Multi vitamin mineral supplements help to fill your deficiency level of these nutrients and help to increase fitness level, health and performance. Chromium for example is a fat burner and muscle builder mineral. If your body has deficiency of this then you can take them in forms of supplements. But you have to take advice and help of your physician or a physical trainer who is experienced enough to provide you proper information on usage and effectiveness of these drugs and supplements. Because these supplements are quite popular among people for muscle growth, many companies manufacture non-effective supplements as they think people will buy anything they produce. Thus a thorough research on the effectiveness of these should be conducted before their consumption.

In these busy days it is difficult for people to take their meals in time and in right quantity with proper nutrients present in their diet. In these cases meal replacements products are very helpful. They allow you to take frequent amount of food and constant supply of vitamins, proteins and minerals to your body, thus increasing your energy and efficiency. These products are extremely convenient and useful if consumed in proper quantities.

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What many people fail to realize, is the importance of vitamin B. Research has shown in the past that vitamin B is very important to hair growth. Men who consume foods that are rich in vitamin B are less likely to experience hair loss. Vitamin B is an essential vitamin, and also one that enriches the overall quality and thickness of hair. 

Vitamin A is also important with hair growth. To get the proper amount of vitamin A, you should consume fatty acids. Some examples include flaxseed oil, primrose, and salmon oil. If you consume these types of fatty acids, you’ll get the right amount of vitamin A that is needed to enhance the growth of your hair. If you are worried about hair loss, you should make sure that you are getting enough vitamin A and vitamin B.

Vitamin E is also important for hair growth, as it stimulates your intake of oxygen and helps to improve your blood circulation as well. If your blood is circulating properly, then the growth of your hair will be enhanced. The proper circulation of blood is very important with hair growth, as the blood is what helps your hair to grow, and the necessary vitamins to flow through your body.

Another necessary vitamin for hair growth is biotin. You can find this essential source in rice, green peas, soybeans, oats, yeast, walnuts, and sunflower seeds. It is also found with some types of shampoos as well. If you are using shampoo that contains biotin, you’ll be getting into your root tips faster, which will help to promote the growth of your hair. Even though you may be using shampoo that contains biotin, you’ll still need to take the necessary vitamins and supplements as well.

Before you take any vitamins or supplements, you should always consult with your doctor and get his opinion. There may be some vitamins and supplements that you shouldn’t be taking, which is why you should always consult with your doctor before you make any decision. Your doctor will be able to run tests and go through your history with you, letting you know what you can and can’t take. This way, you can choose your vitamin supplements accordingly – and know without a doubt that there will be no long term side effects or problems.

There have been several momentous changes in the production and manufacture of hearing aids, but none so dramatic as the introduction of open ear hearing aids.

Firstly, there was the traditional ear trumpet. Then, the first proper hearing aids were introduced, in the form of the little box, which would sit around the neck or in a breast pocket. That was known as the ‘body worn’ hearing aid.Then the first behind the ear hearing aids were made, which were large and cumbersome, but sat behind the ear, and had the microphone pointing in the direction that the ear pointed, which in itself was a big advance.

 Then anaologue ‘in the ear’ hearing aids were produced, which were the first hearing aids to pay heed to cosmetic requirements.Hearing aids that were analogue but programmable came next, and then soon after that was the advent of digital hearing aids. These revolutionised the hearing profession, giving extra clarity, noise filters, dual microphones and an accurate programming ability. When we look at original digital hearing aids now, they seem as antiquated as an analogue aids would have done when digital first became available, but at the time they were groundbreaking.

 Technology in the hearing profession has moved at an astonishing pace in the last five years or so.The biggest breakthrough for the hearing aid wearer is the open fit hearing aid. The first of these was the Resound Hearing Aid called the Contact Air. This comprised of a small pod behind the ear using size 10 hearing aid batteries, a very thin tube to carry the sound into the ear, where it connected to a soft dome, which fitted snugly in the ear canal. These were amazingly popular and successful, and were responsible for a revolution in hearing aid technology. The Delta was the first Oticon hearing aid to incorporate an open fit and the Savia Art and Audeo are some of the early open fit Phonak Hearing Aids. The Delta from Oticon (which has now been superceded by the Dual Mini) introduced RITE (receiver in the ear) technology, which removed the acoustic vagaries of thin tubing, as the tubing itself was replaced by a wire which carried the sound electronically to the speaker, which was housed underneath the soft rubbery dome.

 But what makes open ear hearing aids so special?

  There are several reasons why an open fitting hearing aid will always be preferable.

Comfort. Because there is no mould to seal the ear, the rubber dome sits snugly in the ear canal, preventing unnecessary perspiration and allowing the ear to ‘breathe’ as it would if no hearing aid was worn. I have often heard people say ‘I don’t know I’m wearing them’ as they are so light and comfortable. Quality of hearing. The basis of an open ear fitting is that it allows the wearer to use the percentage of hearing he or she still has remaining, but is given a boost (usually in mid and high pitch sound) to aid clarity with the hearing of speech. This effect has given us the nearest we can achieve to normal hearing via hearing aids. Cost. Open ear hearing aids are factory made and do not cost as much to manufacture as a custom-made in the ear hearing aid. Therefore, higher technology specifications are available at lower price ranges. The fact that they are factory manufactured also means the instruments are more reliable than in the ear hearing aids. Discretion. Due to the very thin wire and small ‘pod’ sitting behind the ear, open fit hearing aids tend to be very discrete and largely invisible.

OK, so how do I get an open ear hearing aid?

 If you are interested in finding out more about open ear hearing aids, the first step is to contact your local hearing aid retailer. It is advisable to mention Phonak, Resound and Oticon hearing aids, as these are the market leaders in regards to technology.

Once you have ascertained that your retailer will deal with the above mentioned brands, the next step is to ask for a free hearing test and a possible demonstration of open ear hearing aids. When you have had your free hearing test, the hearing-aid audiologist will give you a demonstration of the hearing aids recommended and discuss hearing aid prices. You may also like to ask about the aftercare offered by the retailer, and the cost of hearing aid batteries. Some retailers offer free hearing aid batteries as part of their general aftercare package. This is a nice bonus!

The rest is up to you, but you have NOTHING to lose by trying to find out if open ear hearing aids are suitable for you, and if you have hearing loss that can be helped by these little marvels, then you will be very glad you looked into it!

Taking herbal supplements along with a balanced diet can be a great way to stay fit and therefore a large number of people are turning towards herbal remedies. Looking at the surging demand and the many therapeutical benefits of herbal products, the pharmaceutical industry is experiencing a new revolution. A huge amount of money is being invested in research and development of more effective herbal drugs and supplements.

Newest Herbal Supplements: Many Options

With consumerism at an all time high, the pharmaceutical industry has opened its doors to manufacturing herbal supplements. A quick look into any grocery store or pharmacy will give you an idea of how popular such supplements are. From stress busters, anti aging treatments, heart care and joint pain to hair care and beauty creams, herbal based products have become the most attractive alternative to over the counter drugs and traditional beauty products.

The popularity of herbal based products is largely due to the minimal risk of side effects that herbal remedies pose. Being all natural products, they can be generally be used by anyone without concern. Examples of such herbal supplements are acai and ginger.

Modern Lifestyle & Medical Conditions

Cruises, amusement parks, video games and long car rides have given birth to the medical condition known as motion sickness. Many travelers experience motion sickness while traveling. When the impulses from the various senses [ears, eyes, feet] are mismatched in the brain, the result is vertigo and dizziness which cause the symptoms of motion sickness.

Even kids playing 3D games, which have free camera movement, are vulnerable to motion related dizziness and/or motion sickness. Some of the symptoms are:

* Headaches

* Dizziness

* Nausea

* Heavy sweating

* Excessive production of saliva

There are many over the counter and prescription drugs that are effective at mitigating these symptoms. Unfortunately, many of them can cause side effects, such as drowsiness, and thus can spoil a vacation or a video gaming experience.

Some herbal supplements, on the other hand, do not have any such side effects. For more information about herbal remedies and supplements, visit http://www.dizzystop.com/. This website is an online store for the best herbal supplement that alleviates conditions such as dizziness, vertigo, nausea and motion sickness.

The first vitamin that comes to mind for most people is vitamin E, a vitamin that is essential to improving the overall health of your heart. When taken correctly, vitamin E will stop the cholesterol in the body from harming the arteries that surround the heart. Anytime cholesterol oxidizes, it sticks to the sides of the arteries and can lead to blockages which can cause heart attacks or other serious problems with the heart. 

To help you keep your heart healthy, most doctors recommend that you take additional supplements that contain vitamin E. They may also suggest that you eat foods that are naturally rich in vitamin E, such as nuts. Nuts have high amounts of vitamin E, and most of them taste great. You can find other foods that contain vitamin E as well, although nuts have the highest amounts.

In the past, research has shown Vitamin E to help those who have already suffered the wrath of a heart attack. This vitamin helps to prevent heart attacks in the future by opening up the arteries and eliminate blockage. Those who have had a heart attack in the past are always encouraged to add more vitamin E to their diet.

What many aren’t aware of, is the fact that you can use vitamin C to boost the effects of vitamin E. Vitamin C is known as an antioxidant, which prevents the damaging effects that cholesterol has on the body. Along with preventing cholesterol from damaging the body, vitamin C also helps vitamin E with it’s functions – such as protecting your arteries and your heart.

By taking both vitamin C and E as a combination, you’ll be well on your way to a healthier heart. Overall, this is the easiest way that you can be sure you aren’t damaging your heart, especially if you have had a heart attack in the past. If you have a history of heart disease or heart problems in your family, these vitamins are essential to your diet. Even if you are just concerned about the health of your heart, these vitamins will give you the peace of mind in knowing that you are eating for a healthy heart.

As far as your dosage goes, it will vary from person to person, although 400 international units of vitamin E and C are the recommended amounts for most people. On it’s own, vitamin C can be tolerated in large doses, without imposing any harmful effects. You can take around 500 mg of it twice a day, and ensure that your heart remains healthy.

To be on the safe side, you should always make sure that you get the proper amount of vitamins in your daily diet. Taking additional vitamins and supplements isn’t a bad idea either, especially if you are trying to boost the health of your heart. Your heart is one of the most important organs in your body, which is why you should always take care of it. If you eat the proper diet and take the necessary vitamins – you’ll be well on your way to keeping your heart healthy.

First of all, it is always a good idea to check with your doctor or pharmacist to be aware of any food, drug or supplement interaction that may be harmful to you. For example, people taking simvastatin (ZOCOR) should avoid grapefruit juice and St. John’s Wort, which decreases the absorption of the medicine.

On the other hand, a supplement that actually supports and otherwise helps the medication simvastatin work better is   the omega-3 fatty acid EPA fish oil. You can find this fatty acid in many health food store, drug stores, and online. Just be sure it clearly states on the package that the product you buy comes from fish that live in uncontaminated waters. I’ll tell you more about that a bit later.

In a preliminary trial, people with high cholesterol levels who had been taking simvastatin for about three years were able to significantly lower their triglyceride levels and raise the levels of HDL (“good cholesterol”) by supplementing with either 900 mg or 1800 mg of EPA fish oil per day for three months in addition to the above mentioned presecription drug. . The authors of this study came to the conclusion that the combination of simvastatin and EPA fish oil may prevent coronary heart disease better than the drug alone.

As I stated before, you need to do your research on where your omega-3 fatty acid comes from. Some companies aren’t as cautious about the quality of the products they sell to you. Their fish may come from waters that are highly contaminated with toxins such as mercury. The North Sea has been found to be heavily contaminated with toxins that the fish ingest. Those dangerous substances then get into the fish’s body. Therefore, when the oil is harvested from such fish and made into capsules, contaminates will get into the blood stream of everyone who takes the supplements.

A body of water in the Southern Ocean off the coast of New Zealand is one area that has been tested and found to be free of pollution and heavy metals. Look for manufacturers who get their fish from this region

An important factor in selecting an omega 3 fatty acid supplement is to be sure it has been molecularly distilled (a process where the toxins are discarded after being separated from the oil) providing you with a safe and pure product. Also, look for the ester form of fish oil, which is the most superior type as it is easily able to enter cell membranes allowing the body to use it instantly.

Whether you are on medication to lower cholesterol or are just trying to keep your cholesterol at proper levels, <a onClick=”javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(’/outgoing/article_exit_link’);” href=”http://www.omega-3-health.com/”>EPA fish oil</a> supplements will be beneficial to you as you seek optimum health. To find a supplement free from contaminates like mercury, check out my web site listed in my bio below.