QUOTE FOR THURSDAY

May28

“Stay mentally & socially active – stimulating activities strengthen brain cells and the connections between them, and may even create new nerve cells. Social activity not only makes physical and mental activity more enjoyable, it can reduce stress levels, which helps maintain healthy connections among brain cells.”

alz.org (alzheimer’s association)

Brain Health Part 2: How to get the brain waves on a healthy pathway, that helps the body overall.

May28

Now, how do we reach that, you say? In review of part 1 (yesterday’s article), we now know from yesterday’s article Part 1 – the basics of how the brain waves operate with how the brain waves work with a healthy brain as opposed to unhealthy brain but now we need to know how do we reach that steps of keeping the brain healthy and there are a few steps to take. Those steps will train your brain waves to become balanced more effectively in both motor and cognitive function. This includes the following: 1.) Diet (foods you eat on a routine basis 24 hours/7days week on your routine diet foods, with including exceptions of occasionally treats when you are in ideal weight range or ideal body mass index range) 2.) Balance both rest and exercise 3.) Learning healthier habits (from types of foods you eat including all the food groups, when to eat, how large a meal, how many times a day, what exercise keeps you healthy, and how the body works with our metabolism). 4.) The hardest and most promising ingredient, if it’s reached, is you are effectively training & practicing the healthy habits of daily living with having all brain waves working appropriately. To obtain this goal you need to know the area(s) that need to be improved to make your life a healthier one. You know what your routine lifestyle is like now and what health habits you’re not doing now. (Ex. Either needing to sleep more=8hrs a day is healthy, or increase your cognitive/problem solving more with the brain from reading to crossword puzzles daily to looking at the news daily or even college classes register for or take up a hobby=ceramics to simply learning how to play an instrument, or just simply eating better foods). At first this may take discipline but then it becomes a natural way of living or just a routine you adapted in your life style. You know yourself better than anyone else and if you feel you need a little help to get in the right direction in reaching a healthier state than you came to the right blog for a helping hand. Our diet plus Dr. Anderson’s guidance with his book “Dr. A’s Habits of Health” will help increase the brain’s function with learning what healthy habits are and you choosing what changes to make for your life regarding diet, exercise & habits. First doing this you need to learn this knowledge in steps using an outlined, structured, and time period that is suitable for you. So set a goal for yourself that you find reachable. Most importantly, you actually practicing the healthier habits forever which become a breeze for you when you understand the logic behind the diet and healthy habits we teach you. Learning proper eating, proper health habits routinely is not just for 6 months or less but for life with understanding why you’re making the change so you’ll be more inclined to doing them. Brain wellness.com even further expands my article with the following; it agrees that the following are important in your life advertising to learn about 11 DOMAINS of brain health:

If you want to learn healthy habits to bring into your routine day to day schedule with learning about all 4 food groups, how to eat the foods you like 5-6 times a day every 3 hours to 4 hours a day, and for those who even want to learn how to lose weight safely and effectively. Yes you’re interested, than what are you waiting for click onto heathyusa.tsfl.com. We are not just a diet to lose weight but much more. All these ingredients will help keep your brain healthy and even enhance it depending on what you choose to achieve (the ball is in your court). The key is to live a healthy life with all your body systems. This consists of diet, exercise or activity and practicing healthy habits routinely in your life that will help prevent or assist you in treating illnesses/diseases (not add to them like obesity and anorexia can). Ending result it makes you feel great both inside and out. The better we treat ourselves regarding health the higher the odds we will live a longer, more active and healthier life. There is not just one food to eat or one type of exercise to do or one healthy habit to perform that will keep you healthy; there are choices. Come onto my website which is no fee, no charge, no hacking, it will just let you check us out to look further in understanding how to take a shape for your life with Dr. Anderson and even myself as your health coach in helping you learn what these healthier habits or changes are for a better life that will help keep your brain and overall body healthy (again, mind and body). It allows you to make all the decisions in what you want to do regarding what to eat (diet), do as exercise/activity, and practice as healthy habits added in your life. We just provide the information and even the healthy foods in your diet; you decide if you want them. I eat them 5 to 6 times out of the day with one meal my meat or fish (high protein) and vegetable (lean and green) to help keep my metabolism on a steady rate. I have lost over 20 lbs. and find it to be cheaper than the foods in the supermarket. You make all the choices. Wouldn’t you want less disease/illness for yourself and for even others throughout the nation including the future generation. Well than click on over and take a look with what Dr. Anderson and myself provide. We both have been in the health care system; Dr. Anderson over 30 years and myself over 25 years. Dr. Anderson is the co-founder and medical director of “Take Shape for Life”; so click on to http:// healthyusa.tsfl.com. Thank you for reading my blog. I know you will benefit from it, and from my blog you will learn daily about health, disease and illness caused by just bad habits, poor diet and no exercise/activity in your life. So don’t stop reading my blog articles and I hope to hear from you soon at my website under comments. Listening to other mind perceptions is an open mind.

QUOTE FOR WEDNESDAY

May28

“Research suggests that high cholesterol may contribute to stroke and brain cell damage. A low fat, low cholesterol diet is advisable. And there is growing evidence that a diet rich in dark vegetables and fruits, which contain antioxidants, may help protect brain cells.”

alz.org (alzheimer’s association)

How the brain is affected by your HEALTH.

May28

Let’s start with how the brain operates; think of the human body as a car for a moment. The brain of the car is a computerized disc that allows a lot of the operations to take place in making the engine and more run proper and safely when the key is turned on (if that car is at least late 1980’s or newer). The battery is like the nervous system allowing connection of electrical currents to many parts of the car enabling them to do their job (Ex. lights turned on at night). Well we can’t live without the brain (sort of like the computerized disc in the car). Our nervous system works with the brain in allowing currents to be sending messages to our body parts to function (sort of like our car battery). To provide a MD with accuracy in evaluating how your brain is operating or if dysfunctional (Ex. Seizure disorder, Alzheimer disease-dementia, etc…) he or she uses a tool that is called an electroencephalogram (EEG) and he looks at your brain waves (alpha, beta, delta, & theta waves). Well how the car is diagnosed is through a diagnostic scanner that connects to your car telling the mechanic how the car is functioning, to see why certain car lights are on at the dash board when they shouldn’t be (ex. Like when the brake light or engine light or temperature light is on) well the doctor uses as a diagnostic tool also to evaluate these brain waves of the human body called an electroencephalogram (EEG). Well during certain times of human functioning the brain shows certain brain waves which gives information to MD’s on the patient’s brain normality regarding its function. There are the 4 traditional brain waves that researches in 1930-1940 have identified. These brain waves show us what is going on in the body. The following is a breakdown of what these waves represent in action: Alpha-appear when you are relaxed and calm. Beta-appear when we are actively thinking or actively doing problem solving Delta-appear during sleep Theta-are associated with deep relaxation (like a hypnotic relaxation), in sleep, and visualization. These brain waves are measured in what we call Hertz=Hz, for abbreviation. So Alpha=(8-13 Hz), Beta=(13-38 Hz), Delta=(below 4 Hz) Theta=(4-7 Hz). Since these brain waves were introduced into medical profession, other types of brainwaves have been identified and the traditional 4 have been further subdivided into 2 other groups; they are: 1)Sensory Motor Rhythm- This involves with some brain and motor function and 2)Gamma rhythm- This is more involved with mental activity of the brain. Our overall brain activity is a mix of all the frequencies at the same time, some in greater quantities and strengths than others. So what is the meaning of all this? The answer is Balance with having Flexibility. This generally means being able to shift ideas or activities when we need to or when something is just not working. We don’t want to regularly produce too much or too little of any brainwave frequency. Just like the car, if you’re constantly in overdrive or the opposite it will stress the overall engine and its associated parts to the point that the car is no longer running effectively or productively. This is the same with the brain; it should not constantly be in cognitive thinking or problem solving 24 hours/7days a week, but not a zombie either. Living your life in keeping your brain waves balanced along with eating a balanced diet and doing regular exercise (2 to 3 times a week up to daily) with rest will help you maintain a good weight that is beneficial for your mind and body. Same principle as the car just constantly doing one of these activities, staying in the same gear or activity mode will hurt you (Ex. Prevent vitamin deficiency like calcium deficient which puts bones at risk of getting a fractured or broken bone. From too much work out with no rest=sprain or injury of the body. Without staying within a healthy weight can put you at risk for anorexia or obesity and both can cause injury to the body, like anemia or cardiac/diabetic diseases.) How do you make or manage a healthy brain? Well, first being able to control the brain through balance and flexibility with resilience; that is the capacity of humans to come out of an extreme shock, damage, injury and trauma followed by getting back to a normal life (like run with the ball but don’t drop it.) Simply it is saying we bounce back positive after a negative stress in our lives (deep depression, become hateful or resentful, drink heavy to increasing or a smoker with increasing packs smoked/day rather than quitting cold turkey=unhealthy for the brain and their overall body). This is surely not saying it’s easy but that is why brain training yourself with healthy habits will help you deal with stress in your life better. Stay in a negative state, this keeps your brain in the same mode (Ex. Depression) and become stagnated. It can be hard to get out of especially the longer you stay in it; and it brings yourself down further into the negativity (depression, lack of confidence in oneself). So whatever stresses, injury, emotional hard time, pain, or fatigue that is due to never balancing your life (brain waves) you need to take the step to support your health both mentally and physically by directing your brain waves to something else positive in particular. It may not always be simple but no matter the hardship there is someone else in this world in the same boat as you or worse off than you. The more you think along those lines the easier it gets in dealing with life. Without brain balance, flexibility with resilience we holistically cannot function effectively; just like the car without the battery or computerized disc in today’s vehicle the car won’t function properly, unless it runs on electricity but it still won’t function correctly if the computerized disc is not working. We need all our brain waves balanced to sustain our wellness and health. Again, this generally means being able to shift ideas or activities when we need to or when something is just not working (like being healthy). We don’t want to regularly produce too much or too little of any brainwave frequency. Well now you know how the basics of how the brain operates, how the brain waves have to operate to stay healthy but now we need to know how do we reach that step and that’s tomorrow’s article Part 2 but if you want to know how to get healthier for your brain and the body overall right now than go to my website http://healthyusa.tsfl.com/. , otherwise see you tomorrow for Part 2.

Quote for Tuesday

May26

”Most people have severe fatigue, weak muscles, high blood pressure and high blood sugar. Irritability, anxiety and depression are common.”

MedicineNet.com

Part 2 Cushings Signs & Symptoms, its complications, the Rx & how its diagnosed.

May26

Symptoms of Cushings Syndrome

Symptom of cushings syndrome include fat deposits close to the face neck and trunk; weariness; muscular weakness; salt and water retention; acne; leisurely bruising; menstlruall irregularities; and signs (in women) of virilisation, such as increase of the voice, commute in body, shape, loss of scalp hair, and extend in facial and body hair. Complications of cushings syndrome include advanced blood pressure, The symptoms and signs of cushings syndrome induced by a chronic redundant of corticosteroid hormones in the blood. The redundant may be acquired by a tumour of the outer part (cortex) of the adrenal gland, or may be referable to over inspiration of the adrenal glands by a tumour the pituitary gland.

Many children and teenagers with Cushing’s syndrome will exhibit various of the following:

 extreme weight gain

 growth retardation

 missed periods in teenage girls

 excess hair growth

 acne

 reddish-blue streaks on the skin

 high blood pressure

 tiredness and weakness

 either very early or late puberty

Adults with the disease may also have symptoms of intense weight gain, redundant hair growth, high blood pressure, and skin difficulties. In addition, they may show:

 muscle and bone weakness

 moodiness, irritability, or depression

 sleep disturbances

 high blood sugar

 menstrual disorders in women and diminished fertility in men

Complications include:

Diabetes (High or Low blood glucose levels)

Enlargement of pituitary tumor and other complications from the tumor growth

Fractures due to osteoporosis which are common in older people

High blood pressure which could be life threatening

Kidney stones from the increase in cortisol and other chemicals filtered through the kidneys

Serious infections which could lead to further secondary infections

Treatment of Cushings Syndrome

Treatment of cushings syndrome is by castigation of the under lying cause. Treatments for Cushing’s syndrome are contrived to pass your body’s cortisol production to normal. By indurate, or even distinctly lowering cortisol levels, you’ll feel evident improvements in your signs and symptoms. Left untreated, however, Cushing’s syndrome can finally induce to death. The treatment choice depend on the cause. For example:

 If a tumour in an adrenal gland is the reason, an operation to withdraw it will cure the condition.

 For adrenal hyperplasia, both adrenal glands may require to be withdraw. You will then require to take lifelong replacement therapy of several adrenal hormones.

 Other tumours in the body that produce ‘ectopic’ ACTH may be able to be removed, depending on the kind of tumour, where it is, etc.

 Medication to block the production or consequence of cortisol may be an choice.

How is Cushing’s syndrome diagnosed?

Diagnosis is established on a survey of the patient’s medical history, somatic examination and laboratory tests. Frequently x-ray exams of the adrenal or pituitary glands are beneficial for locating tumors. These tests assist to find out if excess levels of cortisol are demonstrate and why.

Quote for Monday

May26

“Cushing’s syndrome facts by John P. Cunha, DO, FACOE
Cushing’s syndrome, or “hypercortisolism,” is a relatively rare hormonal disorder caused by prolonged exposure of the body’s tissues to high levels of the hormone cortisol.”

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOE MedicineNet.com

Part 1 What Is Cushing’s Syndrome?

May25

Cushing’s syndrome describes the signs and symptoms associated with prolonged exposure to inappropriately high levels of the hormone cortisol. This can be caused by taking glucocorticoid drugs, or diseases that result in excess cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), or CRH levels.

^Cushing’s^{syndrome appears when the}^{body’s tissues}^{are display to immoderate levels of}^cortisol^{for long periods of time.}

There are two types of the disease and they are known as exogenous and endogenous. Exogenous Cushing syndrome is caused by something outside of the body, like when hormones are given to a patient during a RX for another condition. Endogenous is caused by natural causing problems within the body. Endogenous is likely to be hereditary and not caused by an outside force like a steroid complex.

Causes of Cushing Syndrome

The most common cause of Cushing’s syndrome is ^exogenous^{administration of}^{glucocorticoids}^{prescribed by a health care practitioner to treat other diseases (called}^iatrogenic^{Cushing’s syndrome}). This can be an effect of corticosteroid treatment of a variety of disorders such as ^asthma^and^{rheumatoid arthritis}^{, or in}^{immunosuppression}^{after an organ transplant.}

Administration of synthetic ACTH(adrenocorticotropichormone) is also possible, but ACTH is less often prescribed due to cost and lesser utility. Although rare, Cushing’s syndrome can also be due to the use of medroxyprogesterone In this form of Cushing’s, the adrenal glands atrophy due to lack of stimulation by ACTH, since glucocorticoids downregulate production of ACTH. Cushing syndrome in childhood usually results from use of glucocorticoid medication.

^Endogenous^{Cushing’s syndrome results from some derangement of the body’s own system of secreting cortisol. Normally,}^ACTH^{is released from the}^{pituitary gland}^{when necessary to stimulate the release of cortisol from the}^{adrenal glands}^.

 In pituitary Cushing’s, a benign pituitary adenoma secretes ACTH. This is also known as Cushing’s disease and is responsible for 70% of endogenous Cushing’s syndrome.^[3]

 In adrenal Cushing’s, excess cortisol is produced by adrenal gland tumors, hyperplastic adrenal glands, or adrenal glands with nodular adrenal hyperplasia.

 Tumors outside the normal pituitary-adrenal system can produce ACTH (occasionally with CRH) that affects the adrenal glands. This etiology is called ectopic or ^{paraneoplastic}^{Cushing’s disease} and is seen in diseases like ^{small cell}^{lung cancer}^.^[15]

 Finally, rare cases of CRH-secreting tumors (without ACTH secretion) have been reported, which stimulates pituitary ACTH production.^[16]HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cushing%27s_syndrome” \l “cite_note-Voyadzis_JM.2C_Guttman-Bauman_I.2C_Santi_M.2C_Cogen_P._2004_212.E2.80.936-16” [16]

Pseudo-Cushing’s syndrome

Elevated levels of total cortisol can also be due to estrogen found in oral contraceptive pills that contain a mixture of estrogen and progesterone, leading to ^{Pseudo-Cushing’s syndrome}^{. Estrogen can cause an increase of}^{cortisol-binding globulin}^{and thereby cause the total cortisol level to be elevated. However, the total free cortisol, which is the active hormone in the body, as measured by a 24 hour urine collection for urinary free cortisol, is normal.}

QUOTE FOR THE WEEKEND

May23

“Excess dietary salt is most notorious for increasing blood pressure. Americans have a 90 percent lifetime probability of developing high blood pressure – so even if your blood pressure is normal now, if you continue to eat the typical American diet, you will be at risk.“

Joel Fuhrman M.D. (born December 2, 1953), is an American board-certified family physician who specializes in nutrition-based treatments for obesity and chronic disease.

Part 3 What foods to buy for your diet when preventing or dealing with high blood pressure

May23

The foods to buy are low sodium foods —-What to buy:

–Fruits – Fresh, canned or frozen. I recommend with canned look at the ingredients to make sure you know how much sodium is in a serving. Remember for a person with high b/p you want to keep your sodium count less than 1800 to 2000mg a day. Sodium causes the vessels to vasoconstrict (or narrow) which increases blood pressure in a person.

-Vegetables – Fresh or frozen (no sauce or plastic pouches) Canned (UNSALTED, AGAIN check the canned label for the amount of sodium in each serving.).

–Drinks – Fruits juices, fresh or frozen.

Canned low sodium or no salt added tomato & vegetable juice.

Instant breakfast* (all flavors but eggnog) —- limit to 1 cup /day

-Dairy choices – liguid or dry milk (1% or skim milk).

Homemade buttermilk (made from powdered milk) *limit these to 2-3 cups a day*

Cottage cheese, dry cured (low sodium)

Ricotta Cheese from low fat or skim milk

Farmer Cheese, part skim mozzarella neufchated *limit cheese to 1oz or 1/2 cup of one cheese/day.

-Fats, Oils – Canola, Olive, Corn, Cottonseed, Peanut, Safflower, Soybean &

Margarine (unsalted)

–Meats, Poultry, Fish

Fish, fresh or frozen (NOT BREADED): Canned tuna and salmon (Unsalted or rinsed).

Chicken or Turkey

Lean cuts of: BEEF, VEAL, PORK, LAMB.

BEEF TONGUE if you must have.

-Meat Substitutes

Dried beans, peas, lentils (not canned)

Nuts or seeds (UNSALTED, DRY ROASTED), sunflower seeds, peanuts, almonds, walnuts.

Unsalted peanut butter

Tofu (soybean curd)

–Breads, Cerals, Grains, Starches:

Loaf of bread and yeast rolls (limit to 3 slices a day)

Homemade breads with regular flour, not self rising.

Melba Toast

Matzo Crackers

Pita Bread

Taco Shell

Tortilla (corn)

Cooked cereals like corn grits, farina (regular), oatmeal, oat bran, cream of rice, cream of wheat (AVOID instant cereals).

Puffed Rice or wheat, shredded wheat (or any cereal with 100-150mg sodium–limit to 1 cup a day).

Wheat germ

Popcorn (no salt or fat added)

Starchy vegetables: corn, potato, green beans, etc… (not canned unless salt free).

Rice (enriched white or brown)

Pasta

– Cooking ingredients, seasonings

Corn starch, tapioca

Corn meal (not self rising)

Fresh or dried herbs, salt free herb seasonings.

Flour, regular white or whole wheat (not self rising)

Fresh fruits or vegetables (lemons, limes, onions, celery, etc.)

Fresh garlic or ginger

Louisiana – type hot sauce (limit to 1 tsp/day)

Low sodium baking powder

Onion or garlic powder

Tomato paste, unsalted tomatoes, unsalted tomato sauce.

Vinegar

Water chestnuts, yeast, butter substitute (such as Molly Mc Butter—limit to 1/2 tsp/day).

– Sweets

Carob powder, cocoa powder

Flavored gelatins

Fruits (fresh, canned, frozen)

Frozen juice bars, fruit ice, sorbet, sherbet

Sugar, honey, molasses, syrup (cane or maple)

Jelly, jams, preserves, apple butter

Graham and animal crackers, fig bars, ginger snaps

OTHER WAYS TO IMPROVE HEART FUNCTION:

1. Lose Weight, if you need to. The heart does not have to beat as hard to send blood to all parts of a slim body as opposed to a overweight or obese body.

2. Don’t smoke-Smoking makes blood vessels constrict making it more difficult to move the blood throughout the body to all tissue parts and it also makes it more difficult in breathing.

3. Avoid hard exercise and lifting heavy objects to prevent sudden pumping demands on your heart.

4. Wear clothes that permit good bloodflow in the legs. Garters, hose with tight tops (like thigh-high or knee high hose) may slow blood flow to and from your legs causing clots.

5. Avoid temperature extremes-The body works harder to keep a normal temperature when you’re too hot or cold.

6. Try to stay away from people who have colds or the flu. Ask your doctor if you should have a flu shot every year and a pneumonia shot every 6-10 years.

7. Talk with your doctor about how much alcohol (if any) is ok for you. Since alcohol weakens the heart, heart failure may improve if you stop drinking alcohol.

8. Reduce high blood pressure or high cholesterol and control your diabetes (one major way is be compliant with your meds, diet, exercise program as your M.D. orders. This can also help keep heart failure symptoms from getting worse.

9. Herbal supplements may interact with heart failure drugs. Ask your doctor before taking any herbal medicine.

**Recommended is to get clearance for any changes you decide to make with this advice on blood pressure since you may have other conditions that may not allow certain food, or activity changes. If you have high blood pressure get yourself a cardiologist if you don’t have one yet and is a specialist in knowing the best treatment for you.**