Why should men have all the fun? Women are still waiting for their version of Viagra, but until that breakthrough is achieved, there are supplements available that can help women fire up their sex drive. Talk to your doctor about how the following supplements can benefit you and your libido as an alternative to viagra for women:

BLACK COHOSH

Black Cohosh plays an important role in stimulating the production of the sex hormone estrogen, which studies show increases blood flow to the vagina, vaginal lubrication and sexual desire. Avoid supplementing with Black Cohosh if you are pregnant. Recommended use: 1000mg daily.

GINSENG

A widely used tonic in the far East, Ginseng restores energy, improves mental concentration, and boosts the sex drive both in men and women, according to several studies. In fact, the supplement is used to treat severe exhaustion. Avoid using Ginseng if you are pregnant or hypertensive. Recommended use: 100mg in the powder form.

From the worlds first civilization, the Sumerians, to Cleopatra and even in the Bible, people have strived for soft and supple skin. Although they all had their own versions and formulas, with ingredients ranging from sesame oil to wine, they all were used as modern day moisturizers.

The first cold cream, which was named for the way it felt, was created around 200 BC by the famous Roman physician Galen of Pergamon. He melted beeswax into rose oil and added water. Obviously the moisturizers we use today are a bit more advanced but probably not a whole lot different in the fact that they are all used to seal in water. That is the main purpose of moisturizers.

For this three part series on maintaining your most beautiful skin I sat down with local dermatologist and professor of dermatology Steven Grekin to explain the best methods and techniques on how to defy aging skin keep our skin beautiful, youthful and healthy. We discussed everything from daily moisturizing routines to chemical peels and Botox. In part one of this three part series we will focus on creams and camouflages.

Creams can be more specifically broken down into Sun Protection Factors(SPF), moisturizers and retinoids. First we will examine SPF, what it does and what to look for when buying sunscreens.

SPF is the amount of time you will burn with nothing on your skin. So the way to figure out SPF’s is this: If your skin will burn in 10 minutes and you are using an SPF of 10, you can theoretically sit in the sun for 100 minutes because 10×10= 100. I say theoretically because that number would be in an ideal situation where we are not swimming or sweating. Naturally, however, we are going to be doing those things and that is why we need a lot more sunscreen than we think we do. Dr. Grekin says that ideally we need to use a shot glass full of sunscreen for our entire body each time we expose our skin to the sun. You’re probably thinking to yourself right now, “That doesn’t seem like a lot. I probably use that much”! In reality Dr. Grekin jokes that one 8 oz bottle of sunscreen probably last us through three summers and two winter vacations.

Now that we know sunscreen is imperative when spending time in the sun, what ingredients should we look for when buying one? We have all heard the acronyms UVA and UVB but what do they mean? UV stands for ultraviolet, which are radioactive rays emitted by the sun. They are wavelengths of light and it is the amount of energy that penetrates the skin. UVA and UVB are two types of ultraviolet rays that reach the earth and can be damaging and harmful to the skin.

UVA rays are the damaging rays and can cause skin to sag, wrinkle and age prematurely. They go through the epidermis (the outermost layer of skin), the dermis and all the way down to the hypodermis. These rays can penetrate clouds, glass and windows, therefore, we are never really safe from them. Rain or shine they are there haunting us waiting to do serious damage to out skin. On the other hand, UVB rays are what cause our skin to turn red, burn and blister. They can NOT penetrate clouds and windows the way UVA rays can. Also, for the most part they remain in the epidermis. So when choosing a sunscreen Dr. Grekin recommends we look for one with both UVA and UVB protection. Another important ingredient to look for in sunscreens is Mexoryl. Mexoryl is the trade name given to numerous UV absorbers. According to Dr. Grekin it is the best on the market. It offers both UVA and UVB protection and is found in such products as La Roche-Posay.

When discussing sunscreens and SPF there are two terms that come to mind: physical blocks and chemical blocks. I asked Dr. Grekin about both and this is what he had to say. “Physical blocks block the sun, not absorb the rays. They can be used by all skin types and ages but mostly used on babies so that no rays are being absorbed by the skin. Physical blocks can be found in a few forms. They can be found in certain sunscreen creams, the ones that turn completely white when you apply them. They can also be found in such products as SunGuard™ which is made by the Rit company. On the other hand, chemical blocks are simply all other forms of sunscreen protection that we find in almost most all of the sunscreens that we use.”

Our next topic on maintaining healthy skin is a term that we hear often. Yup, you guessed it; Moisturizer. Moisturizers key function is to seal in water. “Grekin lesson #1: Apply moisturizer to wet skin.” The doctor goes on to say that the key ingredients to look for in moisturizers are glycerine and dimethacone(like silicone) which gives the skin that soft silky feel. He tells me that Vaseline has developed three variations of old products all based around glycerine which he says are very good daily moisturizers. Other over the counter products that he recommends are Cetaphil® Restoraderm, CeraVe®, Aveeno® Advanced Care and Eucerin® Calming Cream. Many of us have heard from friends, family and coworkers that their doctor, neighbor or bank teller said that its bad to use moisturizers twice a day because we need to “let our skin breathe.” Dr. Grekin reassures me that contrary to popular belief there is nothing wrong with moisturizing twice a day. Although he goes on to advise using a lighter cream in the summer when pores are open and susceptible to more of natures elements. 

OK, are you ready for the juicy stuff? The “Fountain of Youth”? Well, maybe I’m getting ahead of myself but I might not be that far off. When I brought up the word Retinoids, such as Retin-A and Renova, the first thing Dr. Grekin had to say was that they are the only creams proven to have any anti-aging effect. “They teach the skin how to slough off in a normal fashion,” he says. “That allows new fresh skin to be produced.” He also tells me that it stimulates collagen production which has been proven under the microscope numerous times. So, for patients who are interested in turning back those pesky hands of time consult with your dermatologist about possibly getting a prescription for a Retinoid cream. After a short while, looking at yourself in the mirror might be a welcoming glance rather than a reminder of all those nights we stayed up partying until 3 am or staying up with the sick kid.

Retinoids have another major, and maybe more common, use and that is for acne patients. Most, if not all of us have struggled with some form of acne through our teen years or even as adults. When asked Dr. Grekin says, “Acne is a problem of retained keratinocytes meaning the skin cells clump and don’t go away and then they clog up the pores. So retinoids again are used for the sloughing effect but also to unclog the pores.” Dr. Grekin says that retinoids are not a spot treatment. They should be applied to the entire face once a day at bedtime because fluorescent lights and the sun inactivate it and can burn the skin. Also, he says that if the direct application of the product causes excessive redness or irritation to the skin you could blend a pea sized amount of the medication with your night time moisturizer. It will help to dilute the medication and reduce irritation to the skin.

Now that you are better versed in SPF and sunscreen, moisturizers and retinoids don’t you feel like going and shouting it from the rooftops?! OK, probably not, but you should still feel good that you now are better informed about how to keep your skin looking young, beautiful and most importantly healthy for many years to come.

As always, we look forward to seeing you back here in the next issue when we will be discussing the ins and outs of chemical peels and lasers. And always remember…knowledge is power.

Hopefully you will never hear those words, but chances are you know someone who has. People going through cancer treatment are generally not at their best and can be quite trying and testy. They also want to know that, no matter what, they will still be able to pull their own weight. They want to be reassured by your behavior that they are not helpless, just temporarily a bit low. Little things do matter. They really mean the most. Just a flower, a note, a plate of cookies or a box of our favorite tea will do. Do you get the picture?

We’ve all heard about the stages of grief. We’ve heard of post-traumatic stress disorder. Well, this is one of those times when the two collide – violently and eerily. The stages we’ve read about help explain the processes we go through when cancer hits. When we remember them they help put our emotions into perspective so that at least we don’t feel so overwhelmed. I imagine that most people feel as I did. A sort of shock takes over, mixed with other feelings like fear, sadness, helplessness and frustration. Self-blame (it must somehow be our fault) rears its ugly head and then comes and goes for years.

As soon as you put the Kleenex down, your doctor and staff start to tell you about “The Plan.” If you expect it to be a custom-made plan just for you, you’ll feel anything but that when you start chemotherapy. Almost every staff member I dealt with, from surgeon to janitor, doled out lots of TLC. I was fortunate to be dealing with a group of people who were immensely patient and empathetic. But patients were all basically placed in a row of cubicles that were pretty much the same, getting the same stuff, at the same time, in the same way.

I am in the habit of feeling hesitant to cry in public. Even though I know it’s OK because I’m so very enlightened (ha!), I still felt embarrassed when Kleenex time takes hold. It can happen at totally unexpected times. I bottle it all up until I’m alone, and by then hopefully the mood has changed. In fact, some of these feelings are still rattling around inside after all these years. Once we’re out of the doctor’s office, there are so many things to do and think about. The planning for absences during surgery and treatment takes up a lot of our brain function. We start to see how many other people depend on us and how we have designed our lives relative to those needs.

With all these things on your mind, it’s easy to stave off thoughts about the Big C till it looms its ugly head at night. You have to take care of yourself. This is it, the Crash Course. You have always heard about techniques for calming yourself into a restful night’s sleep. Now’s the time to pull out those old mental notes. Anything you can think of, except “It.” Prayer is really great any time, but especially now. Some prefer meditation, warm baths or milk. Try not to resort to brain modifying medications, as they can throw off your thought processes and make you feel more stupid and useless than ever. This mental-emotional tug of war tends to linger in your system and makes you fell tired all day, too.

I’ve had cancer twice, lucky me. It wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I have never had much pain of any kind and I never threw up or even wanted to during treatment. The first time I had cancer I didn’t know it until a few days after surgery. I arranged it that way so I could concentrate on recovering. I kept my focus on healing. I highly recommend this. It helps to come to grips gradually with the fact that there has been a gigantic shift in your life, from near immortality to simple mortal.

Prayer is probably the single most effective way to deal with the feeling of utter helplessness that cancer brings. It helped me, not miraculously, but a bit at a time. It counteracted the feeling of total helplessness to know that I could call on God to help. The need to reach out is as old as the human race and I needed help. It cushioned the blow.

My first cancer was ovarian. I had a radical hysterectomy. I always say they took out things I didn’t even know I had. By the way, an ordinary abdominal ultrasound would have been sufficient to diagnose it if I had more faith in my own judgment and had made it clear to my doctors that my chronic indigestion was extremely unusual for me. It would have resulted in a diagnosis about 6 months earlier. This delay could have easily cost me my life, as the tumor had grown to 14 cm by the time it was officially found.

After surgery and radiation treatment, I went back to my “real life.” I have always thought of myself as open and resilient, willing and eager to face the trials of life head on. Up to then that was true. Not surprisingly I was invited to a support group. My instantaneous reaction surprised me. No way did I want any part of this. It was just down the hall. A fact I was reminded of daily. I steered clear.

A couple weeks after I went home, my husband, through some very unusual behind-the scenes collaboration, drove me to a group meeting. I guess he figured if I talked to Them, I wouldn’t try to (gasp!) talk to him about the messy things in my life. He had lost his mother to cancer and he wanted to be left out of the whole process.

As you have probably guessed, like many women, I am a talkative person, a very talkative person. The day I went to “Group,” I don’t think I said more than ten words. I listened. I tried my best not to be in the room, nor make eye contact with any of the ladies in the room. I didn’t want any part of it and I never went back. I am sure there is much to gain from “Group,” but I wasn’t ready. I am probably still not ready and, honestly, I probably still need to go (someday).

After my surgery, the doctor kept telling me I was lucky and that I would go back to my life soon. I didn’t feel lucky. I didn’t feel much of anything for quite a while and I couldn’t imagine life ever being the same. My body felt strange. It didn’t feel like my body any more. But I was confident that I would get well, if not today, then soon. And I did.

That was the introductory course. Three years ago I had breast cancer. This time it was a whole different ball game. After three surgeries, the use of my right arm was limited. There was also way more discomfort due to extreme sensitivity in the breast area. But the surgeries were still just a temporary interruption of my life. I only took two weeks off. All the pain went away and I put away the bottles of ibuprofen (the strongest pain medication I have ever needed).

But once chemotherapy started, things changed. I was in a fog and constantly tired. There is little nausea nowadays due to modern medications. Not that anyone’s in the mood to eat much. Doing any physical exercise was a huge undertaking. But, honestly, it’s very important to the body and the mind to do a little exercise every day.
Radiation was much easier. There was no lasting damage. Again, my skin type is very resilient and I sailed through this with ease. It didn’t sap my energy like chemo and there wasn’t the worry about what was happening inside me. Many years in the future people will read about injecting an exposing our bodies with poison to make us well. They will say, “They did what to you?!?!”

One thing I haven’t finished dealing with yet is the changes in my body. Once in a while it occurs to me that most of what makes one a woman has been taken from me. Sometimes it seems that the house I live in was blown to bits, but I still go past the lot once in a while and gaze at the charred spot where it stood. On some level I feel very different, but I haven’t sorted that out yet. In the meantime I believe I have a lot less to deal with than many others. All I can say is not dealing with any of this doesn’t help. They have to be dragged out and sorted out, even if only a little bit at a time.

I don’t really look at my body often and I don’t think about it for the most part. It hasn’t made any difference in my relationships. I don’t avoid talking about having cancer, though it seldom comes up. When it does, I try to work in my advice about getting ultrasounds and communicating with doctors and so on.

Life has never been the same since my first diagnosis. However, none of it has added up to anywhere near enough to negate the riches I have enjoyed in life. It is my son, my many friends, lovers, relatives and experiences that have made my life worthwhile. I still feel happy almost all of the time. I feel like a new and improved me; mortal, but more appreciative of life than ever before. It can be the same for you or someone you love if the the Big C hits.

If you have an interesting personal story you would like to share, please contact us.

But why was this, the first in history, why was it so important, why & how was GM involved, and how could this possibly redefine the terms of life and death?

Why, this was the first, is simple. Open heart surgery required that the heart be taken, so to speak, “off line” while it was being operated upon. This meant something else had to fill in for it, specifically something capable of blending and pumping perfectly oxygenated blood throughout the human body. A substitute for the human heart! This had never been done before, if it was even possible outside of fantasy worlds inhabited by the likes of Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers.

This fantasy started its journey to reality not with a moon shot or a visit to Mars, but with a meeting late in 1949 between Dr. Dodrill of Harper Hospital and a Mr. Charles Wilson. At this meeting Dr. Dodrill showed Mr. Wilson a number of conceptual sketches for a very special pump, a human heart pump. Mr. Wilson was uniquely positioned to make this dream into a reality. He was both the President of General Motors and Chairman of the Board for the Michigan Heart Association. GM would build it and it would be primarily financed by the Michigan Heart Association along with donations from GM. This was not a Michigan Connection, but a Michigan Project from conception thru construction and financing.

1. Presenting the heart machine for display at the Smithsonian are Edward Ribbingille, assistant general manager of research at GM; Calvin Hughes, research biologist and project coordinator who ran the pump and oxygenator during all procedures; Dr. Dodrill, who performed the surgery; and Charles McCuen, GM vice president and head of research.
2. In 1952, WSU physicians made history using a mechanical heart pump built by General Motors.

Was this project outsourced to MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) or the Pentagon? No way! It was a Michigan Project. GM Research Laboratory assisted by the Detroit Medical Center (parent company to Harper Hospital) and Wayne State University would labor for over two years, to design this modern marvel, the world’s first mechanical heart.

Was the project headed by an AT&T or IBM engineer? No way! It was a Michigan Project. The engineer in charge was Edward Rippingille, on loan from GM who said, “We (GM) have pumped oil, gasoline, water and other fluids one way or another in our business. It seems only logical we should try to pump blood.”

Were the engineering designs and specifications put into physical reality by a world famous Swiss laboratory known for it exacting craftsmanship? No way! It was a Michigan Project. Most of the fabrication and exacting hands on work was done by Charles Schafer a journeyman model maker on loan from GM. Echoing Mr. Rippingille, he said,
“We (GM) were building all kinds of engine parts and other devices in those days. You name it and we could build it!”

Were the laboratory tests on this first mechanical heart, at least, preformed at Harvard Medical School? By now, I think you know the answer. No way! It was a Michigan Project. Dr. Dodrill tested this device himself on eight dogs at Harper Hospital’s research laboratory in Detroit, Michigan. They must have been Michigan dogs, all eight of them survived!

On July 3, just one day before Independence Day, the operating theater at Harper Hospital contained two star performers: Dr. Dodrill and the human heart pump formally known as the Dodrill-GMR (General Motors Research) Mechanical Heart. The patient was Henry Opitek, a Michigan resident. And, just in case you are wondering, the mechanical heart was operated not by an imported big name medical doctor or a world famous university research scientist, but by Calvin Hughes, a GM research biologist. Again a Michigan Team from surgeon to patient and most importantly the intervening machine.

Admittedly, the machine looked a little out of place in the operating theater. To put it bluntly, it looked like an old Cadillac V-12 motor made out of stainless steel and glass, with six cylinders on each side, or pumps as the medical professions likes to call them. This machine had to pump oxygenated blood throughout the patient’s body, without fail, for second after second and minute after minute. The tolerances were not tight, they were perfection itself, if a single air bubble got into the blood flow, the patient would almost certainly have a stroke and die on the operating table. There was no 99.99% perfect; it had to be 100% perfect. But would, could, or was it even possible, for this locally designed and built, first of its kind, mechanical heart actually perform the impossible? It had to perform or the patient would die.

And did that mechanical heart ever perform! For 14 minutes, while the heart was being operated on, it circulated oxygenated enriched human blood through out the patient’s body without a missed beat or a bubble of air. The machine worked perfectly!

The surgery was a success; the patient recovered and went on to live a quality life of almost thirty years. For obvious reasons, when the story broke to the world, this modern marvel was renamed simply The Michigan Heart.

For centuries, life and death had been defined in terms of a beating heart versus a silent heart. No more! Now death could be suspended while a machine pumped oxygenated blood throughout the human body while a surgeon repaired the heart. By most estimates, worldwide this saves a million lives every year. This is approximately the population of Detroit, Michigan, counting every man, woman, and child. Death was not defeated, but it was being redefined by open heart surgery; all made possible by a masterfully designed and crafted machine. This machine was the start of modern marvels known as heart-lung machines that we take for granted today. But back in those days, even after splitting the atom in World War II, the National Institutes of Health considered successful open heart surgery physiologically impossible and had stopped funding all such efforts. Fortunately, the Michigan Team did not consider it impossible; it was just “another” machine to be designed and built for the good of all.

As a side note, the Smithsonian Institution, in Washington D.C., asked for and received the Michigan Heart as part of their permanent exhibition; where it still resides fifty years later, a tribute to the Michigan Team.

COFFEE

Most of us start our day with the rich taste and aroma of coffee; for coffee lovers there is nothing like it indeed. This is perfectly fine but remember that this must be limited to one to two cup in the morning. More than two cups will have the opposite effect. Too much caffeine will depress the central nervous system rather than energize it. With too much caffeine, you might end up with irregular heartbeat, sweating and profound anxiety and restlessness. So it’s best to stick with one cup in the morning.

Breakfast must include a small portion of protein. Proteins are known to slow the rate of sugar absorption and therefore help maintain a steady state of sugar in the blood without the sudden fluctuations. This keeps you even keel for longer periods of time. Eggs, milk and lean red meat are all good sources of protein.

TYROSINE: POWER UNDER PRESSURE

Could there be a nutrient that enhances stamina and combats fatigue? Yes. Tyrosine is an essential amino acid without which the body is unable to produce the essential chemicals that are necessary for various optimal functions of the nervous system. Some of these chemicals include dopamine and adrenaline.

Dopamine is a hormone linked to the pleasurable sensations in the brain. Adrenaline, which is universally known as the “Fight or Flight” hormone, prepares you to both confront and conquer danger or protects you by allowing you to flee danger. It is no surprise to learn that the United States Military has been conducting studies exploring Tyrosine usefulness for our troops on the battlefield. I’m sure you are well aware that not only men and women of the military face stress but the average person does as well. Tyrosine occurs naturally in foods such as cheese, chicken, turkey, fish and eggs. It is also available in a tablet form that you can find over-the-counter. The recommended dose should not exceed 2,000mg and must NOT be used on a daily basis as a dietary supplement. Take it only in times in stress and fatigue.

GINSENG

Ginseng has been used as a herb in Chinese medicine for centuries and it is extracted from the root of the plant Araliaceae. Scientists in Germany and Russia find Ginseng not only useful to enhance physical performance and stamina of athletes given 200mg daily but also to reduce their recovery period following strenuous exercise. It is quite safe to be taken daily as a brewed hot drink. It may also be taken in tablet form.

NICOTINEAMIDE ADENINE DINUCLEOTIDE (NADH)

NADH is a coenzyme without which several important chemical reactions cannot proceed in the body to generate energy and hormones such as dopamine and adrenaline that facilitate the function of the brain and nerves. There are no serious side effects to NADH.
NADH is best consumed in tablet form. It is available in 5mg tablets and the daily dose should not exceed 10mg. Small amounts can also be found in such foods as meat and poultry.

The function of the heart valves is to direct the flow of blood inside the heart in one direction. They open and close every split of a second to achieve that goal accurately without taking a break. Can you imagine a young valet attendant opening and closing a car door every second, one car after the other for only 24 hours?! Your valves, however, are designed to serve you loyally for your entire life. But things can sometimes go wrong. The valves become rigid and its opening is reduced to a mere buttonhole (stenosis) hardly letting enough blood to pass through or it may dilate and fail to close (incompetence or a leaky valve) allowing large amount of blood to rush backward.

Imagine driving in the opposite direction on a freeway at a speed of 70 miles per hour during rush hour traffic! Same applies to malfunctioning valves. The heart in these circumstances will carry the burden and signs such as shortness of breath, fatigue, lightheadedness, chest pain or irregular heart rhythm will appear…

But why do heart valves malfunction? There are many causes. Some are inherited, others are acquired, and a sizeable percentage is of unidentified causes; Infections, trauma, high blood pressure and heart attacks play an important role. On the other hand the valve may decay merely due to old age.

75% of all heart valve problems involve 2 of the 4 heart valves: the aortic and the mitral which are located in the left side of the heart. Damage to heart valves in general can develop slowly over many years (chronic) or over a few hours (acute). In either case, the diagnosis has to be made early to ensure effective therapy or surgical repair.

The three most frequent conditions encountered in medical practice include:

AORTIC VALVE STENOSIS

The Valve fails to open properly to deliver adequate blood supply to the rest of the body. It is the most common of all heart valve diseases and it is serious if not corrected. No one can survive without enough blood flowing through his body.

What causes it? It was previously believed that a wear and tear process brought on by aging is the offender. Recent research disputed this belief. Problems do not have to run into us just because we get older. Now we know that other factors play a role. And there we go again. Cholesterol and high blood pressure. Excess cholesterol invites other particles such as calcium to be deposited on the aortic valve creating stony hard lumps on its surface similar to ice build-up on the wings of an airplane. The aortic valve is therefore unable to flap its wings to open properly to let the blood out to the rest of the body. Hypertension creates a hurricane-like jet that destroys the aortic valve piece by piece over many years.

Hardening of the valve (stenosis) is silent in its early stages. As its opening gets narrower, the patient begins to experience chest discomfort. At that stage medical treatment can halt its progression. In severe cases, there is fatigue, shortness of breath and episodes of collapse with loss of consciousness. The outcome is poor unless the valve is surgically repaired.

Aortic valve disease, as you just noticed, is not an inevitable condition caused by old age. It is preventable using good, simple and common sense measures to delay its occurrence and even prevent it. Pay attention to your diet and have your blood pressure under control by making regular visits to your doctor.

AORTIC INSUFFICIENCY

Simply speaking, the valve does not close properly and blood leaks back to the heart instead of moving forward. The heart responds by working harder to supply enough blood to the body. In time, the heart muscle thickens and loses its elasticity and eventually fails to pump forcefully and effectively. Again, as in aortic stenosis, the culprit here is high blood pressure, that evil and silent killer that many of us underestimate.

MITRAL VALVE PROLAPSE

One of the valve problems which is common in young adults especially women is mitral valve prolapse (MVP). The valve fails to close and balloons out (prolapse) disturbing the flow of blood inside the heart. We do not know exactly what causes the valve to prolapse. It may be genetic but whatever the cause the condition in the majority of cases is mild and may be discovered by a physician during a physical examination. MVP is harmless. Only 4 in 100 individuals with the disease develop complications severe enough to require treatment. It is however important to diagnose it early because MVP although benign in nature, never the less it increases the risk of getting the valve infected during surgical procedures as minor as dental work. Antibiotics are usually given before surgery to prevent such an adverse complication. In addition individuals with mitral valve prolapse must have regular medical check-ups.

As you see, there is more to heart disease than just heart attacks. Diseases of the valves also can pose a threat and must be dealt with effectively and early. Think of the heart as one unit with four parts: Blood vessels, nerves, muscle and valves; each part, like an instrument in an orchestra, works together to produce a symphony. Just like an ill-mannered attendee can disrupt the flow of the music, likewise, high cholesterol and high blood pressure can disrupt the flow of blood through the valves. Eliminating these two ailments can protect the valves from future deterioration.

Common knowledge states that this must start with lifestyle changes which focus on normal weight for your age and height; however, this often times fails. In this case we have the statins, a family of drugs that can help lower your cholesterol level. They work by limiting the production of cholesterol in the liver which in turn prevents plaque build-up in the blood vessels and on the surface of the valves. This build-up of cholesterol will invite calcium to be deposited into the valves making them stiff and inflexible. These drugs not only clean your arteries but can reverse the process of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). They can also lower your blood pressure and keep your heart in tip top shape. The equivalent to taking statins would be to eliminate eggs, pork, beef, chicken, butter and dairy from your diet. Are you willing to make this sacrifice? Is it a practical alternative? Probably not, but limiting your intake of these foods can definitely help your arteries, valves and heart.

There are many available statins on the market with almost similar results of lowering the bad cholesterol (LDL) by about 40% and lowering your total cholesterol by roughly 25-30%. The following is a list of the most commonly used statins:

• Lipitor (atorvastin)
• Crestor (rosuvastatin)
• Mevacor (lovastatin)
• Zocor (simvastatin)

These are safe drugs and well tolerated but occasionally patients may complain of muscle cramps which must be discussed with your physician in which case he will try putting you on a different statin.

High blood pressure has been shown in recent studies as an important factor in interfering with the function of our heart’s valves. Naturally, hypertension (high blood pressure) must be dealt with aggressively. Along with salt restriction, potassium supplements have been found to alleviate hypertension. However, the traditional antihypertensive medications remain the cornerstone of treating this silent killer.

One of the most commonly used medications is known as ACE inhibitors. They work by dilating (opening) the blood vessels which results in lowering the blood pressure. The most popular ones in this family of drugs are the following:

• Vasotec (enalapril)
• Prinivil / Zestril (lisinopril)
• Altace (ramipril)

Another group of popular hypertensives include calcium channel blockers, beta blockers, angiotensin receptor blockers and diuretics. They all have the capacity, on different levels, to keep your blood pressure within the normal limits.

Hypertension and high blood cholesterol are looked at by the medical community, researchers, cardiologists, epidemiologists and biochemists as catastrophically as a meteor hitting the planet Earth would be to the human race. All of our previous knowledge of the causes of heart disease has been turned upside down. As we learn more and more about the heart and study in depth the roots of its diseases, I think we have reached a stage where we can comfortably say that “World without Heart Disease” could really be a reality and not just a fantasy. In Part three of this series, I will discuss with you the nerves of the heart and their impact on the longevity and normality of this amazing organ.

Cleopatra did not have Fig Newton in ancient Egypt, but she did have the real thing and it was her favorite fruit. She enjoyed its delicious, earthy, sweet flavor. But to Cleopatra, there was more to the fig than just its flavor. Historians tell us that servants brought her figs and water in the morning while she was still in bed. What is the secret to this unusual daily ritual? Is it a religious belief or a pharaoh’s tradition?

The secret lies in the fiber. Figs are known to be one of the best natural sources of fiber. Four figs, fresh or dried, contain 6 grams of fiber, which is equivalent to about one quarter of our daily requirement. Fiber adds bulk to the stool and this just by its physical size stimulates the bowels to eliminate its contents. Now you know the secret to Cleopatra’s indulgence with figs. The genius of the ancient Egyptians extended beyond agriculture, architecture and irrigation. However, their wisdom in medicine and nutrition was also remarkable and archeologists continue to decipher their writings and discover more of their advanced knowledge.

Fiber, of course, is also known for its protection against cancer of the colon, an observation documented decades ago by medical researchers in Africa where the incidence of cancer of the colon is extremely low; this is attributed to their high fiber diet. Figs are also good for high blood pressure because of their high potassium content. Recent research has focused on potassium and its protective role against high blood pressure. They do not know exactly how it works but have established already a few theories in this regard. One of these theories states that potassium helps to balance fluid levels in the blood. Too much fluid translates to high pressure inside the blood vessels which causes hypertension. Potassium also prevents bad cholesterol from penetrating the walls of the blood vessels which can cause hardening of the arteries (arteriosclerosis), an important factor in developing high blood pressure. So much goodness in such a tiny fruit.

Banana Benefits

-Richest in potassium, which helps in regulating blood pressure and heart rhythm

- Can reduce the risk of stroke (blocked arteries in the brain)

- A great source of carbohydrates and magnesium

- Provides 30% of the RDA (recommended daily allowance) of vitamin B6

- Contains no cholesterol

- Several varieties available including: plantains, canvendish, red and finger bananas

Storage

- Avoid bananas with split or broken skin, as they can be contaminated

- Once they are ripe, they can be stored in the refrigerator.

Recipe Ideas

A delicious way to prepare plantains! Fried plantains, a popular side dish in Mexico can be made healthier by baking them in the oven at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

But with such an important organ comes an equally important responsibility for the individual to which it belongs; your heart will continue to serve you well as long as you take care of it. It has its own blood supply, which must remain steady for proper functioning. Neglecting steps to promote heart health can result in some serious ailments. In fact, heart disease is a condition that continues to lead the list of the top ten deadliest diseases in the United States.

Fortunately, medical professionals can record the heart’s electrical activity, measure the strength of its contractions, and evaluate its vessels and overall functions. These breakthroughs have resulted in improved medical treatment for serious heart conditions. Still, there is much to be learned about the heart.

This month, Doctor Magazine launches an editorial series that will exhibit the interconnections of the parts and functions of the heart, which is made up of four components: muscle, nerves, valves, and blood vessels. Each component has a distinct function and its own unique processes. If those functions are not maintained, disease can result. The muscle can become exhausted and weak, eventually failing to pump blood to the rest of the body and resulting in a fatal condition known as heart failure. If the heart’s rhythm (which is controlled by the nerves) is interrupted, the organ can flutter or beat irregularly. The heart’s valves are subject to deterioration, causing turbulent blood flow. If the heart’s arteries become clogged, they fail to deliver blood to the heart, resulting in a heart attack.

In part one of heart health series, Doctor Magazine highlights hypertension’s effect on the heart muscle discussing the signs of the condition as well as ways to prevent it. Next month, we will focus on the valves of the heart. In month three of the series, we’ll outline heart attacks, addressing ways to prevent and identify them as well as common knowledge and misconceptions about them. In the final part of the series, Doctor Magazine will detail the nervous supply to the heart, highlighting heart palpitations and cardiac dysrhythmia.

It is vital to understand the direct correlation between an individual’s lifestyle and their heart health in the face of so many potential threats. Heart attacks are the most common fatal illness of all heart diseases and may be the most recognizable threat, but no potential heart problem should be ignored; they can all result in serious and possibly fatal conditions. In fact, while 650,000 Americans suffer heart attacks each year, another 550,000 Americans are diagnosed with heart failure annually. If detected early and treated properly, heart conditions can be prevented and even cured.

Fat, pudgy, stocky, robust, plump, are words associated with childhood teasing and misery. While some people shed those pounds as they get older, others continue to pack them on until one day they realize they can no longer fix the problem with simple diet and exercise.

Weighing the facts:

Dr. Michael Wood is the Medical Director of Bariatric Surgical services at Harper University Hospital in Detroit, MI. The once hidden procedures of gastric surgery are, according to Dr. Wood, “Coming out of the closet.” He says, “When I first began to practice 25 years ago I shunned weight loss surgery and considered it the easy way out. However, with the rise of obesity, I quickly concluded that the reduction of co-morbidities such as high blood pressure, Diabetes type II, heart disease, arthritis, and obstructive sleep apnea well out-weight the risk of the procedure.” The types of procedures can be broken down into two categories: restrictive and mal-absorptive. Gastric lapband and the sleeve gastrectomy are simply restrictive, while the Roux and Y is both restrictive and mal-absorptive.

Although the benefits sound sweet, all surgeries carry risks such as bleeding, infections, blood clots, heart problems and lung problems. Being obese increases the chance of all of these complications. Knowledge is power. So, before making a life changing decision, be
sure to weigh all of the facts.

Criteria:

Do I qualify?

• BMI >40
• BMI >35 with health problems such as diabetes or heart disease
• multiple previous failed weight loss attempts
• must be over 18