Category Archives: Heart Health

3 Foods that Raise Your Blood Pressure

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness

April 18, 2018

Are you grilling your way to high blood pressure?
The “other” white crystals that contribute to hypertension
4 nutrients to improve your blood pressure readings

If you are trying to maintain a healthy blood pressure, you probably analyze labels very carefully for salt content. But did you know that there are other foods and beverages – ones that aren’t high in salt – that can affect your blood pressure too?

For example, most folks don’t realize that something as simple as the way you cook your meat can raise your chances of high blood pressure by as much as 17%.

You see, when you cook meat, poultry and fish at high temperatures, they create cancer-causing chemicals called heterocyclic aromatic amines. The more charred the meat, the more of these compounds are produced. A similar unintended consequence occurs forming acrylamides (a DNA mutagen) while cooking high starch content foods in high temperature, think French fries or potato chips.

Well, here’s the thing. Continue reading →

64% Increased Heart Attack Risk With This Deficiency

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By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness

February 26, 2018

You must screen for this to protect your heart
Deficiency increases heart attack risk by 64%
Getting tested is as easy as this

When you go to the doctor, certain testing generally happens without fail. Most doctors will automatically do a CBC to measure things like your red and white blood cell count.

They also test for lipid counts (cholesterol, triglycerides) and blood sugar. These days a lot of docs are even testing for homocysteine and C-reactive protein. These are both inflammatory markers for heart disease and other degenerative diseases.

But one of the most important tests you can get is one that many health experts say is unnecessary: Continue reading →

How Much Meat Should You Eat?

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By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness

January 29, 2018

There’s nothing wrong with including meat in your diet
How much meat should you eat?
6 ways to slash meat intake without sacrifice

There is no doubt that fruits and vegetables are good for you. I just wrote about all of the great health benefits they offer in the January 26^th issue of Advanced Natural Wellness.

But that has left a few meat-lovers grumbling at me. “Doc! What do you have against meat!” they exclaim. Most people who don’t eat animal protein do so because of personal issues surrounding the ethics of it as well personal health issues, for example their cardiovascular health a la the Ornish diet.

The truth is (and despite popular belief) I don’t actually have a problem with meat. I’m just as likely to enjoy a sensible sized portion of juicy steak as the next guy. However, I do have an issue with meat that comes from

Continue reading →

Can a “Roll in the Hay” Stop Your Heart?

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By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness

December 18, 2017

Can a “roll in the hay” stop your heart?
Get romantic for a dose of mild physical activity
Lower stress, boost your cardiovascular health and live longer

The topics my patients ask me about run the gamut.

But the one that always surprises me the most is when patients ask if it’s still okay to have sex? This question mostly comes from men who think they’re “too old” for bedroom activity or have a heart condition. (That doesn’t mean that a fair share of women don’t ask this question, too!)

For some reason, maybe due to television dramas, they imagine they’ll experience sudden cardiac arrest during these activities and die in the arms of their lover.

While this is certainly not the worst way to go, it’s an extremely unlikely outcome. Continue reading →

Is Your Newly Diagnosed High Blood Pressure Real?

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By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness

December 13, 2017

New guidelines might say you have high blood pressure
Which blood pressure medication is best for you?
Natural ways to lower your blood pressure

You may be shocked. You may think your doctor has given you an incorrect diagnosis. And you may go home with an entirely new prescription that you never expected to see in your health arsenal: blood pressure medication.

I’ll tell you right now. You are not alone. The guidelines for high blood pressure have changed.

Until last month, high blood pressure was defined as having a top number of 140 (systolic) and 90 on the bottom (diastolic). But the new parameters presented by numerous agencies, including the American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology and other organizations changes all of that. Continue reading →

The Bone Nutrient That Keeps Your Heart Beating Strong

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By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness

November 8, 2017

The bone nutrient that keeps your heart beating strong
Sudden cardiac death linked to calcium deficiency
Do your heart a favor with these natural sources of calcium

Calcium. You’ve heard it can strengthen your bones.

And as many physicians like my self know, most folks don’t become concerned about their calcium intake until osteoporosis, bone fractures or loss of physical function sets in. It simply isn’t a concern unless you’re the one dealing with these issues.

But what if calcium isn’t “just about the bones”? Continue reading →

Stop Feeding the Flames of Inflammation

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By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness

October 16, 2017

Are salty foods giving you diabetes?
Here’s how easy it is to blow your daily sodium intake
It’s time to change your salty ways

One thing food makers are notorious for is adding copious amounts of salt to their products. In fact, the majority of salt in your diet – about 77% of it – doesn’t come from your salt shaker. It comes from processed, packaged and restaurant foods.

All of this hidden salt makes it very easy to greatly surpass the recommended 2,300 mg of daily sodium. And that amount is recommended only for the healthiest of people.

If you’re over 50, diabetic or have high blood pressure, current guidelines suggest sticking below 1,500 mg of sodium daily. This is the same amount I recommend for all of my patients, healthy or not. Continue reading →

4 Simple Steps to a Healthier Heart and Brain, Part 1

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By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness

October 11, 2017

4 simple steps to prevent heart attack, stroke and cognitive decline
Lower blood pressure without dangerous prescription drugs
Targeting the real cause of plaque build up

A new presidential advisory from the American Heart Association (AHA)/American Stroke Association notes that the following steps can prevent heart attack, stroke and cognitive decline. The AHA has dubbed it “Life’s Simple 7” and it includes…

Managing blood pressure
Controlling cholesterol
Keeping blood sugar normal
Getting regular physical activity
Eating a healthy diet
Losing extra weight
Not smoking

While I agree with most of this advice, there is nothing “simple” about it. In fact, there is a lack of clarity in these recommendations that can lead even the most well intentioned person astray. So I’m going to dedicate this issue and this coming Friday’s issue to clearing up the confusion.

For example, does managing blood pressure means taking blood pressure lowering medication on a regular basis? What about cholesterol? Should you be taking a statin drug?

And just exactly what does “eating a healthy diet and getting more physical activity” really mean? Continue reading →

Drinking Coffee May Reduce Risk of Death

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By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness

September 27, 2017

Drinking coffee may reduce risk of death (shuffle)
Good for your heart, brain and metabolism
What every “java-junkie” must know

Coffee gets a bad rap. Over the years it’s been blamed for everything from stunting your growth to causing heart disease and cancer. This makes it something of a “guilty pleasure” for those who can’t seem to get their day started without a cup or two each morning.

Well, drinking a few cups of hot coffee to get a jump on your day may not be so bad. In fact, it could potentially add a few years to your life. Continue reading →

Is Plant-Based Always Best?

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By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness

September 18, 2017

Are plant-based omega-3 fatty acids the same as those that come from fish?
Here’s what flaxseed and Ahiflower® are missing
The best source of omega-3s on earth

One of the supplements I recommend everyone take… every single day… is omega-3 fatty acids. Your body doesn’t produce them on its own, and it can’t function without them. So these essential oils have to come from dietary sources.

But surprisingly, choosing an appropriate omega-3 supplement isn’t nearly as cut-and-dried as you might think.

Part of the confusion arises when plant-based products, like flaxseed oil, claim to provide omega-3 benefits. It sounds good in theory, especially if you’re a vegetarian. However, plant-based omega-3s are not interchangeable with those that come from fish oil. Continue reading →