“For nearly every challenging moment in life, there’s a yoga pose to help you feel better,” says celebrity yoga instructor Mandy Ingber with Shape.com, Jennifer Aniston’s go-to yogi. Try her mat cures, and get back to being yourself again. continue reading...

January has been national blood-donor month since 1970.  Why don’t you take the opportunity to help by donating?  Read more… continue reading...

A panel of US experts said yesterday that patients with high blood pressure should be regularly measuring it at home to help them and their doctors manage the disease.

The advice was published online yesterday in the journal Hypertension, will be printed in the June issue of the Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing and comprises a joint statement from three medical organizations: the American Heart Association, American Society of Hypertension and the Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses’ Association. continue reading...

Toronto, ON – Dietitians of Canada is one of 12 organizations joining forces on World Hypertension Day (WHD), May 17, 2008 to shine the spotlight on the importance of a healthy blood pressure.  High blood pressure is the number one risk factor for stroke and heart disease, but because there are no obvious symptoms, it is often called the “silent killer.” This year’s WHD Theme – Measure Your Blood Pressure at Home – is one of several positive actions Canadians can take to protect their health.

“There are many positive lifestyle steps that Canadians can take to help keep their blood pressure within a healthy range, including making healthy food choices, being active, limiting alcohol and maintaining a healthy weight,” says Debra Reid, PhD and registered dietitian. Some healthy eating actions include: continue reading...

OTTAWA, ONTARIO–(Marketwire - March 20, 2008) - Health Canada is warning consumers not to use Libidus, an unauthorized product promoted on the web site of the manufacturer for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. The product may pose serious health risks, as it was found to contain the undeclared prescription drug sildenafil, which should only be used under the supervision of a health care professional. Patients with pre-existing medical conditions, including those with heart problems, those taking heart medications, or those at risk for strokes, may be at an increased risk of serious health effects associated with the use of this product.

Use of sildenafil by patients with heart disease can result in serious cardiovascular side-effects such as sudden cardiac death, heart attack, stroke, low blood pressure, chest pain and abnormal heartbeat. Additionally, use of sildenafil may be associated with other side-effects including vision loss, seizure, sudden decrease or loss of hearing, dizziness, prolonged erection, headache, flushing, nasal congestion, indigestion and abdominal pain. Sildenafil should not be used by individuals taking any type of nitrate drug (e.g., nitroglycerin) due to the risk of developing potentially life-threatening low blood pressure. continue reading...

LENOX, MA–(Marketwire - January 31, 2008) - Some newly discovered compounds have just been found to turn off all of the genes that cause type 2 diabetes, but they are not found in a pharmacy. Instead, you’ll find them on your dinner plate. Eating in a way that balances your blood sugar, reduces inflammation and oxidative stress, and improves your liver detoxification is the key to preventing and reversing insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes says Mark Hyman, M.D. of UltraWellness.

“Type 2 diabetes and its precursor, insulin resistance, are looming as the major threat to our health in the 21st century. This is a tragic consequence of our toxic food environment, our unmitigated exposure to stress, and our sedentary lifestyle,” said Dr. Hyman. “However, these problems are completely preventable and often reversible through my five-step plan of aggressive lifestyle changes, supplements, and exercise and stress management.” continue reading...

Thousand Oaks, CA (PRWEB) January 21, 2008 — Low blood levels of vitamin D have long been associated with disease, and the assumption has been made that vitamin D supplements may protect against disease. In the light of new knowledge that hundreds of genes are dependent on vitamin D, this assumption needs to be reconsidered.

In a report published in the current issue of the journal BioEssays(1), Trevor Marshall, Ph.D., professor at Australia’s Murdoch University School of Biological Medicine and Biotechnology, explains how increased vitamin D intake affects much more than just nutrition or bone health. The paper explains how the Vitamin D Nuclear Receptor (VDR) acts in the repression or transcription of hundreds of genes, including genes associated with diseases ranging from cancers to multiple sclerosis. continue reading...

A drug used to treat people infected with the AIDS virus has shown promise as a possible future weapon against cancer, U.S. researchers said on Friday.

Scientists at the U.S. National Cancer Institute examined how drugs called protease inhibitors, usually given in combination with other drugs to fight the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, performed against several types of cancer including non-small cell lung cancer. continue reading...

Although researchers in the medical field are raving about the uncovery of the beneficial effects on blood pressure with the use of oxidation, they are openly discussing the harmful effects it can have on the cells.

“UK scientists say they have discovered a new way to regulate blood pressure, offering hopes of new drugs to combat strokes and heart attacks. continue reading...

The Mediterranean diet consistently gets great reviews, part of that comes from the use of virgin oil in many of its dishes.  A recent report echoes that, finding that virgin olive oil may help keep blood clot-free.

Read more. continue reading...