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Vitamin D has long been associated with bone health. Recently, researchers have identifyied other potential health benefits of vitamin D. It may reduce the risk of heart disease, certain cancers, diabetes, depression and arthritis.
Vitamin D is naturally present in a few foods and added to others. Good sources include fatty fish, like tuna, and fortified milk. A cup of skim mild contains 100 international units (IU) of vitamin D. You may find it difficult to get enough vitamin D from foods, so you may want to consider taking a vitamin D supplement.
In 2010 new recommendations for vitamin D were issued. Most children and adults should get 600 IU a day, while those over age 70 need 800 IU. Talk with your health care provider, who can test for the level of vitamin D in your blood and help you determine if a supplement is necessary.View Thread

A new study found that happily married people are more than 3 times as likely to be alive after bypass surgery than their unmarried peers. It may be that marital contentment is as important to post-surgery survival as blood pressure and other traditional factors. Researchers believe that in a happy union, a partner will do more to encourage and support healthy behaviors after surgery, and a heart patient may take rehab more seriously to maximize time with his or her spouse.
That's how it has been for me since my surgery. Partner, best friend, counselor and even co-author, my wife Bernie has kept me on track for healthy living for 34 years.
Anyone else have such an experience?View Thread


For six month months, researchers had them exercising in a training routine that included walking, jogging and cycling. By the end of the study, they were exercising pretty rigorously for about 4.5 hours a week. Measurement of their aerobic capacity showed that 100% of the cardiovascular decline that had taken place over 30 years had been reversed. The men returned to the same level of cardiovascular fitness they had enjoyed three decades earlier.
The bottom line: if you've fallen away from regular exercise, it's never too late to get back in the game. Your heart, lungs & waist will thank you!
Has anyone h this sam type of experience?
View Thread

One of the easiest ways to add soy protein to your diet is to eat Japanese soybeans, edamame, as a snack food. These blanched soybeans come in little pods about the size of baby lima beans and have a sweet, nutty taste. You can use them in salads or stir-fries, but I eat them the Japanese way - just squeeze the pods with your fingers and pop the beans into your mouth. A half-cup serving contains about 16 grams of protein.
What is your favorite soy food?View Thread

Bottom line? Limit all sedentary "screen time" whether it is TV, video games, computers or telephone texting. That's a good suggestion from researchers, but it can be hard to do. What are your suggestions for limiting screen time?
View Thread

This is pretty radical in my mind and pretty unneeded in my experience. Will a vegan diet help some with heart disease? Most certainly. But is it the answer for all? I think not.
Two things concern me. First, there is much science to support the American Heart Association dietary guidelines for heart health.
Next, a diet has to be interesting and palatable or it will not be eaten, no matter how healthy. Many people try a very restrictive diet, fail to enjoy it and quit, only to end up back at the high-fat American diet. What, then, has been accomplished?
If you know my books and recipes, then you know that I got to 34 years post-bypass with "all things in moderation."
Two nights ago CNN had a "special" on heart disease hosted by Dr. Sanjay Gupta. He interviewed physicians and patients who believe that eating vegan is the solution to heart disease. That means no meat, fish, poultry, dairy or added oils...just fruits, veggies, whole grains & beans.
This is pretty radical in my mind and pretty unneeded in my experience. Will a vegan diet help some with heart disease? Most certainly. But is it the answer for all? I think not.
Two things concern me. First, there is much science to support the American Heart Association dietary guidelines for heart health.
Next, a diet has to be interesting and palatable or it will not be eaten, no matter how healthy. Many people try a very restrictive diet, fail to enjoy it and quit, only to end up back at the high-fat American diet. What, then, has been accomplished?
If you know my books and recipes, then you know that I got to 34 years post-bypass with "all things in moderation."
View Thread


So, what to do? First, get your pressure checked. It is recommended that all adults should have their pressure checked at least every two years. Watch what you eat. Cut down on foods high in sodium & increase foods rich in potassium. Exercise regularly. Lose weight, if you need to. And manage your stress.
Be sure to work with your health care provider to monitor your progress.View Thread

I'm going to continue to cut down on high-sodium foods. But because other factors are involved with hypertension, I'm also trying to consume more potassium, exercise regularly, watch my weight and manage stress.View Thread
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