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Blog author, Solai Buchanan is an experienced Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator with an MS from Columbia Teachers College. She specializes in treating heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, polycystic ovarian syndrome,and other chronic diseases. She is a provider at a full-service cardiology practice accepting most insurance and staffed with a primary care MD, pediatrician, and cardiologist. Call: 718.894.7907. NYCC is lead by Interventional Cardiologist Sanjeev Palta, MD, FSCAI, FACC. He trained at Cornell-Columbia Presbyterian Hospital and the State University Hospital of Brooklyn. He currently is an Attending Cardiologist at New York Methodist Hospital and Maimonides Medical Center. He is also an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Medicine at Mount Sinai Medical Center. Having performed over 2000 invasive cardiac procedures Dr. Palta’s patients know they are in trusted hands.

Friday, August 30, 2013

DIETS RICH IN FRUITS REDUCE RISK OF LETHAL ANEURYSM

A large long-term Swedish study has found that eating lots of fruit might decrease your risk of developing a dangerous bulge in the wall of the body’s largest artery, the aorta.  This condition is known as an abdominal aortic aneurysm and can result in death if the bulging artery bursts.   
In this study, researchers analyzed dietary and lifestyle data from more than 80,000 people, age 46 to 84.  They tracked the individuals for 13 years.  During that time, nearly 1,100 of the participants had abdominal aortic aneurysms, including 222 whose aneurysms ruptured.
Those who ate the most fruit had the greatest reduction in aneurysm rates.  After controlling for other lifestyle factors known to impact vascular disease risk, researchers found that those who ate more than two servings of fruit a day (not counting juice) had a 25% lower risk of the condition and a 43% lower risk of rupture than those who ate less than one serving of fruit a day. 
This study adds to the consensus that diets rich in fruits and vegetables help to reduce risk for vascular diseases including high blood pressure and clogged arteries.  One reason that fruits promote vascular health is because they contain high levels of antioxidants which reduce inflammation in the body.  Most fruits are also rich in potassium and diets rich in potassium are also know to be good for blood pressure.   
What to do:  Regularly include a variety of fruits in your diet, at least 2 per day.  The American Heart Association recommends 4-5 servings of fruit a day.  Besides a plant rich diet other factors that reduce your risk for aortic aneurysms include not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and controlling blood pressure and cholesterol.  Aortic aneurysms often have no symptoms but can be easily detected with an abdominal ultrasound and treated when necessary.  Discuss with your provider whether you might need an abdominal aortic screen.
Adapted from articles available at:

Source:

Stackelberg O, Björck M, Larsson SC et al.  Fruit and vegetable consumption with risk of abdominal aortic aneurysm.  Circulation 2013; 128: 795-802.  Available at: http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/128/8/795

SKIPPING BREAKFAST MAY RAISE DIABETES RISK

Eating breakfast every day may help reduce the risk of weight gain and developing diabetes.  A small new study of overweight and obese women found that when participants skipped breakfast, their blood glucose and insulin responses to the same lunch meal increased. 
In the study, Dr. Elizabeth Thomas and her team at the University of Colorado measured the levels of participants’ insulin and blood sugar on different days after the women ate the same lunch. On some of the days, researchers gave the participants breakfast while on other days participants did not eat breakfast.  Glucose levels normally rise after eating a meal, and that in turn triggers insulin production, which helps the body’s cells take in the glucose to use for energy.  When the cells respond to the insulin, blood sugar drops back down.  The researchers found that on days when the women had not eaten breakfast, blood sugar responses to the same lunch meals rose 12% higher and the insulin their bodies’ produced in order to get the cells to take up the glucose rose 28%. 
The fact that the women's insulin and glucose levels after lunch were significantly higher on the days they skipped breakfast than on the days they ate it, means that the cells of the body were less receptive to taking up fuel when breakfast had been skipped.  As a result, glucose levels remained higher and the pancreas had to produce more insulin in order to get the cells to take up the glucose.  When cells become progressively resistant to responding to insulin, type 2 diabetes develops.  While in this study, the higher glucose and insulin levels following lunch were a short-term effect, it is possible that, over time, this meal pattern increases rates of diabetes.  Another drawback to excess insulin production is that having greater levels of insulin in body generally leads to more nutrients being directed to fat storage, increasing the likelihood of weight gain.  Excess insulin can also lead to increased carbohydrate cravings, which can also lead to weight gain. 
What to do: Eat a healthy breakfast!  Aim to include fiber rich whole grains, fruits and/or veggies and some lean protein such as nonfat dairy or eggwhites and limit the amount of unhealthy fats such as those from meat, butter, and cream.  No time?  Some easy on the run options - add a fruit to any of the following:  whole-grain toast/English muffin with peanut butter/lowfat cheese/turkey; a cup of nonfat Greek yogurt with a handful of whole grain cereal; a baggie of dry cereal and nuts; a hard-boiled egg & whole-grain crackers.

Source:
Thomas, E.  June 16, 2013, presentation, Endocrine Society annual meeting, San Francisco, CA.

Thursday, August 29, 2013

INCREASED WATER INTAKE INCREASES WEIGHT LOSS

Dieters who drink more water have greater weight loss, according to a new review of several prior studies  on the relationship between water consumption and weight management. 
The review was lead by Dr. Rebecca Muckelbauer, a researcher at the Charité University Medical Center in Berlin.  Dr. Muckelbaurer team found that increased fullness is the most likely explanation of how water increases weight loss.  For example, in one of the reviewed studies, researchers found that middle aged and older adults who drank two cups before a meal lost about four pounds more than a group that didn't drink the extra water. The research also suggested that increased water intake replaces the consumption of other high calorie foods and beverages, especially sugary drinks which have been found to be potent drivers of weight gain.  There is also evidence that sometimes when fluid intake is inadequate, often people tend to feel hungry rather than thirsty.  So, in effect, they may eat when what they really needed was water.  Researchers also proposed that water intake may also contribute to weight loss through "water-induced thermogenesis."  As Dr. Muckelbaurer explained it, "The idea is that drinking water itself increases energy expenditure of your body. It has an energy consuming effect."  More study is needed to confirm this effect.
What to do:  Unless you have a medical condition that requires fluid restriction, drink plenty of water.  Besides helping us feel full and reduce our intake of food and sugary beverages, adequate water consumption reduces risk of kidney stones and urinary tract infections.  How much is enough?  You can aim for the proverbial 8 glasses per day but, in truth, fluid needs vary greatly depending on the weather, level of activity, and the individual.  A good way to ensure you are adequately hydrated is to make sure your urine stays light yellow or clear.    To aid with weight loss, try drinking a glass of water before deciding if you want a snack and drinking 2 glasses before meals. 
Adapted from article available at:

Source:
Muckelbaurer R, Sarganas G, Gruneis A, et Muller-Nordhorn.  Association between water consumption and body weight outcomes: A systematic review.  J.  Am J Clin Nutr August 2013 vol. 98 no. 2, pg. 282-299.  Available at http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/98/2/282.