Man Guides

Beta Blockers - High Blood Pressure Medication & Beta Blocker Side Effects

admin — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:54:09 +0000

Toprol XL is classify under a group of drugs called beta-blockers. It is used to treat chest pain and hypertension, also known as high blood pressure. The drug may also be used for heart attack prevention. Important Toprol XL Information You should not stop your Toprol XL medication without consulting your doctor or pharmacist. A sudden stoppage of this drug may worsen your conditions. If you have undergone or planning for any surgery, you should stop taking this for the time being. Please make sure that your surgeon are informed about your treatment. Toprol XL Side Effects This drug have certain side effects which may impair your thinking and reaction, thus losing your alertness. You should not drive or operate any machinery after taking it. In addition, refrain from consuming any alcohol. This will increase your drowsiness and dizziness further. In certain cases, the patients may develop allergic reaction such as hives, breathing difficulty, swollen face, lips or tongue. Inform your doctor immediately if you these serious side effects as listed below: - slow or uneven heartbeats - depression - cold feeling in your hands and feet - nausea, loss of appetite - dark urine Other less serious side effects may include: - decreased sex drive - insomnia - anxiety, nervousness How to Take Toprol XL It is recommended that you take the drug with a glass of water and take it at a consistent timing daily. Normally, Toprol XL is taken after food too. Store the medication at room temperature and prevent contact with moisture. Over Dosage Seek medical help immediately if you have overdosed on this. Symptoms of over dosage may include dizziness, uneven heartbeats, discolored fingernails or weakness. On the other hand, if you have missed a dose, just take it as soon as you remember it. However, do not take extra medication to make up for the miss dose. Alvin Hopkinson is a leading researcher of various high blood pressure treatments. He runs an informational website that provides free tips to lower your hypertension and unbiased reviews on medications such as Toprol XL . To take advantage of such solid resources, make sure you visit Alvin s site at http://www.minusbloodpressure.com .

High Blood Pressure - Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

admin — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:54:08 +0000

Blood pressure is the force of the blood pushing against the walls of the arteries. Blood pressure is the result of two forces: from the heart as it pumps blood into the arteries and throughout the circulatory system, and the force of the arteries as they resist blood flow. Blood pressure is measured by putting a blood pressure cuff around your arm, inflating the cuff and listening for the flow of blood. It is always given as these two numbers, the systolic and diastolic pressures and is traditionally measured with a device called a sphygmomanometer. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). It is generally felt to be abnormally high at a level of 140/90, and some sort of definitive therapy and follow-up should be started at this level. High blood pressure is called the silent killer because it usually has no symptoms. Blood is carried from the heart to all parts of your body in vessels called arteries. Blood does not flow regularly like water from a tap: When the heart contracts (systole), the blood is propelled into the main arteries that act as a pressurised reservoir. Pressure in a hose can be regulated either by controlling the rate at which fluid passes through it or by widening it. Pressure inside your arteries can cause the muscles that line the walls of the arteries to thicken. Your blood pressure is at its highest when the heart beats, pumping the blood. When the heart is at rest, between beats, your blood pressure falls. Still, for most of your waking hours, your blood pressure stays pretty much the same when you are sitting or standing still. Heart disease is the UK s biggest killer, claiming thousands of lives each year. Heart failure is when your heart cannot pump blood around the body as well as it should, and this can cause you to become short of breath and can cause your ankles to swell. Heart attack High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart attacks. Various disorders and drugs can cause the compensatory mechanisms to malfunction, and high blood pressure may result. Causes In most instances of high blood pressure, no known cause can be identified. Doctors do not know what causes high blood pressure in 90 to 95 percent of people who have it. For some people, just being in a medical setting causes their blood pressure to rise. Symptoms When blood pressure is too low, the first organ to malfunction is usually the brain. Symptoms that may occur include: Confusion Chest pain Ear noise or buzzing Irregular heartbeat Nosebleed Tiredness Vision changes. What is treatment, medication, medicines, remedy, drugs, cure of lowering high Blood pressure or Hypertension? . Although high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can cause headaches, dizziness and problems with vision, the majority of people with the condition do not display any noticeable symptoms. Treatment for hypertension depends on the severity of the disease and whether you have other health problems, such as heart failure or diabetes, or you are pregnant. Treatment of primary hypertension, especially moderate or severe high blood pressure, decreases the risk of heart failure, coronary artery disease, heart attack, abnormal heartbeats, stroke, and kidney disease, and reduces the risk of death from these conditions. Treatment must be highly individualized and based on your risk factors, such as diabetes, smoking, and heart disease. Treatment when blood pressure increases slightly and the woman is not near the end of her pregnancy, bed rest may help reduce the pressure. Treatment begins with changes you can make in your lifestyle to help lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart disease. hypertension is called the silent killer because it usually has no symptoms. When it is not found and treated, it can cause: The heart to get larger, which may lead to heart failure. If your blood pressure is in the prehypertension range, it is more likely that you will end up with high blood pressure unless you take action to prevent it. hypertension is dangerous because it makes the heart work too hard and contributes to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). If your blood pressure is between 120/80 mmHg and 139/89 mmHg, then you have prehypertension. The good news is that if your blood pressure is high, it can be lowered by making changes to your lifestyle, for example changing your diet, exercising and losing weight, and when needed, with tablets. The medical community s knowledge of high blood pressure is great, but far from perfect. hypertension is more common: In patients whose families have hypertension In those over 35 years old In males In Afro-Americans In women on oral contraceptives. The only way to know whether you have hypertension is to have it taken by a person who knows how (those automatic machines you sit at in the supermarket are not necessarily kept accurate condition. My name is Alexis Kenne. I reside in London,UK. I m one of the nations leading health and wellness experts and I ve spent years studying many of the ailments that, statistically, will kill one in every 3 people reading this information. http://www.extend-yourlife.com/hypertension http://www.goodhealthguaranteed.com

Canadian Pharmacy - Your Reliable and Affordable Health Portal

admin — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:54:07 +0000

In the last few years, Canadian Pharmacy has carved a niche for itself in the market. The ease of availability and affordable rates of Canadian pharmacy drugs have lured many US customers to Canadian Pharmacies. More than 50 million US citizens have insufficient medical cover. In the US, prescription medication costs are much higher than most of the countries; it often becomes unaffordable in spite of the medical coverage. Hence, Canadian pharmacies have emerged as the only preferred destination for prescription drugs. Most of these pharmacy firms are based in Western Canada and the industry provides bread and butter to more than 7000 people. While these statistics may not be overwhelming, but the number of customers it takes care of is quite significant. These online drug stores serve an estimated 2 million patients in the US, which includes US citizens without any insurance. However, patients purchasing drugs from Canada may not get the same drug brands as they get in US. It might even happen that an US citizen finds a generic drug that is only used in Canada. In such cases, it is preferable to use FDA approved generic drugs in US. Besides, there have been shortages in Canada itself owing to the illegal cross-border drug business. Bulk import of Canadian drugs is against the US policy. But the government generally does not prosecute people purchasing drugs for personal consumption in small quantities. The probability of US drug prices matching their Canadian counterpart is very low and it appears that Canadian Drug Pharmacy will flourish in the US in near future. It is to be kept in mind that Canadian pharmacy drugs are not FDA approved but have standards similar to FDA. Thus, it is always better to consult an expert who knows more about Canadian pharmacies. As a concluding suggestion- Canadian pharmacy drugs are cheap, but it is advisable to do some research work before purchasing your drugs online. Factors like cost of drugs, cost of delivery, quality of drug etc. need to be examined before ordering a drug. Sam D Costa is well known professional in Online Marketing and web promotions. Online Pharmacy

What Exactly Is Sports Medicine?

admin — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:54:06 +0000

What Exactly Is Sports Medicine? Preventive care and therapeutic remedies form the mainstay of the specialized field of sports medicine. This is basically an interdisciplinary sub specialty of medicine, providing curative options to players from the amateur as well as professional groups. The field of sports is fast gaining a competitive tone at an astounding pace. In fact, this is the main reason that the branch has assumed mammoth significance in the recent years. This holds especially true in the light of the fact that a major focus of this practice lies on the rapid recovery of patients, to facilitate minimum loss of performance and efficiency. The core working principle of it lies in the modifications in training techniques, equipment, sports venues and rules, decisions for which generally emerge out of substantial and meaningful research and studies. Scope of Function Sports medicine covers a vast range of disorders and disabilities, both preventive and curative, caused due to various factors. The scope of this field of medicine covers a vast span of specialists branches, including the following: * Cardiology * Pulmonology * Orthopedic surgery * Exercise physiology * Biomechanics * Traumatology In addition to the above, there are certain special categories of athletes that demand attention from the experts in the field of sports medicine. These include: * Female athletes, with eating disorders, menstrual disturbances and bone density issues * Aging athletes * Athletes with dermatological and endocrinological diseases Special Concerns Apart from the above, there are certain specific and occasional situations that require an active role from the sports medicine specialists. Here we ve listed some of the most crucial ones amongst these issues: * Issues emerging from international sporting events, such as travel and acclimatization * Use of pharmacologic supplements * Substance abuse * Gender verification The Profession An increasing number of medical professionals are now opting for specialization in the field of sports medicine. Professionals who aspire to gain specialization first need to begin with a primary residency program in one of the following areas: * Family practice * Internal medicine * Emergency medicine * Pediatrics * Physical medicine * Rehabilitation The above is then required to be followed by one or two years of additional training, through accredited fellowship programs. Depending upon the basic eligibility criteria, some professionals are then allowed to appear for a sub specialty qualification examination in the field. The Future Scenario There have been a vast series of studies and estimations being conducted to gauge the future of sports medicine as a means to enhance performance and reduce ailments. The majority of such analysis points towards the possibility that this is likely to play a highly crucial and effective role in prevention of sports-related injury. The most prominent aspect of research that looks into the application of this branch of this medicine in prevention is the study of the body s neuromuscular adaptations. Overall, further developments in sports medicine are likely to ensure safe physical activity, while augmenting the performance levels to a considerable extent. Peter Curtis is a full time aerobics instructor in Las Vegas. Take a look at this great Gluten Free Diet advice site or maybe Gluten Free Food advice and tips. http://www.topglutenfreediet.com

Probiotics - Why You Should Start Taking Them Today

admin — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:54:05 +0000

Intro An optimally functioning colon may have over 100 billion friendly bacteria per millimeter surface area. These good or friendly bacteria are called probiotics. Probiotics help the body to: support the immune system; fight cancer causing agents; discard old fecal matter; decrease inflammation in the colon; make certain vitamins (vitamin K and some B vitamins); protect against food poisoning; and fight bad bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Probiotics Destroyed / Depleted Probiotics can be significantly decreased in our colon because of many everyday factors. Some of these factors include: stress, carbonated beverages, constipation, antibiotics in our food supply, chlorine in our water supply, smoking, alcohol, and drugs such as certain nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS), laxatives, antibiotics (overuse) and birth control pills. A routine diet or meal rich in animal fat and protein can lead to decay of these food products in the intestines. This in turn serves as a culture for bad bacteria. The human intestine is long and convoluted, putting it at high risk for such decay. Taking a quality supplement rich in Enzymes can help to prevent this decay and enhance nutrient absorption. Enzymes are proteins that help to break down nutrients and help to facilitate physiologic processes in the body. Without enzymes our bodies could not absorb the vital nutrients and would cease all physiologic functions. Effects of Depleted Probiotics Significant depletion can contribute to: a poorly functioning immune system; vitamin deficiencies; increased risk for infections, cancers, ulcers, food intolerances, and food poisoning; and decrease in nutrient absorption by the gastrointestinal tract (human gut). Still, this depletion can contribute to a weakened urinary system and place one at greater risk for bladder or kidney infections. You Should Start Probiotics Today You should start taking probiotics today. With the daily assault on good bacteria, bad bacteria are waiting to move into the space left by good bacteria. Consider your colon an apartment building for bacterial tenants. You can either have good tenants or bad tenants. The more you are depleted of those good bacterial tenants, the more bad ones move in. As we age, the number of probiotics in our body decline. This is one reason why the elderly are at greater risk for infection, cancer, and Vitamin B12 and other vitamin deficiency. You cannot afford the risk of a weakened immune system which can increase the risk of life-threatening infections and cancers, food intolerances, irritable or inflamed bowel, and ulcers. Obtain a Potent Probiotc Supplement called Vital Probiotic (over 8 Probiotics): http://www.healthandwellnessmarketing.com/2.html (then click on Nutrition Supplements) Detox with Vital Fucoidan: http://www.healthandwellnessmarketing.com/10.html Get the Vital Enzymes to digest your food and Enhance Nutrient Absorption. Vital Digest http://www.healthandwellnessmarketing.com/2.html (then click on Nutrition Supplements) Orville Campbell, MD is an internist and nephrologist. He is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. His expertise include: health and wellness, hypertension, diabetes, vitamin D, and kidney diseases. Dr. Campbell is an entrepreneur. He has owned several businesses and medical practices since finishing Emory University in 1995.

Tunguska Blast - The Next Generation

admin — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:54:04 +0000

When evaluating a nutritional supplement that impacts the immune system and the body s general feeling of well being, block out the hype and rhetoric and listen for the substance. It s not about the name of the product or even the testimonials but the ingredients. What do the ingredients do to support the systems of your body? When reading about or listening to a presentation regarding the supplement, be wary about presentation terms such as treat or cure. Only medicines treat or cure. Supplements support the body or place the body in a better position to fight disease or heal itself. The ingredients are key. Avoid any product with artificial colors, artificial sweeteners, or high fructose corn syrup. These are unnatural ingredients that are foreign to the body and in may cases difficult for the body to use. Antioxidants and adaptogens are key contents or ingredients of a nutrition supplement. They will positively impact your well-being and the systems of your body, including the immune system. Adaptogens are natural plant substances that help the body to adapt to or fight internal or external factors of stress. They help to restore energy and stamina, which in turn will help you to manage stress. Antioxidants are substances that help to neutralize free radicals. Free radicals are molecules that can cause tissue and blood vessel damage or even speed up the aging process. Certain disease states can promote the production of free radicals. Some of these disease states include stress, diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure. Vitamin A, C, and E are well-known antioxidant as well as adaptogens. Usually, adaptogens are also antioxidants. As a physician I use several supplements. One with which I am especially pleased is Tunguska Blast. This is a dietary supplement made by a company called Cyberwize. It has 10 powerful and vital herbal Adaptogens and Antioxidants. I use it to support my immune and nervous systems. My favorite use of this supplement is to obtain the energy and stamina it imparts to me. I try not to refer to it as a juice because juice implies that the product is obtained by just juicing fruits. This is a nutrition supplement rich in antioxidants and adaptogens. A few of these adaptogens are Eleuthero root (used to be called Siberian Ginseng), Licorice root, Chinese Magnolia (Schizandra Chinensis), and Golden root (Rhodiola Rosea). Sorbus Aucuparia is an adaptogen that can enhance the body s ability to prevent vitamin C deficiency (again another adaptogen and antioxidant). The adaptogens in Tunguska blast can enhance one s physical performance. The notable adaptogen, Eleutherococcus, supports better oxygen utilization by muscles. Rhaponticum Carthamoides can further enhance physical performance by supporting the increase in muscle mass. Why harm the body with anabolic steroids when there are natural muscle builders available in the form of beneficial adaptogens. The next generation of supplements such as Tunguska Blast is here. This generation is a rich blend of adaptogens and antioxidants, which have multi-system support (including the immune, respiratory, urinary and digestive); helps you to manage stress and helps you to restore energy, vigor and stamina. Get Tunguska Blast. Also, get Whole Food Vitamins, Probiotics, Vitamin B12, and Enzymes. http://www.healthandwellnessmarketing.com/9.html Orville Campbell, MD is an internist and nephrologist. He is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. His expertise include: health and wellness, hypertension, diabetes, vitamin D, and kidney diseases. http://www.ClaimWellness.com

Are You Sick And Tired Of Being Sick And Tired? Learn How To Detox For A Healthy Life

admin — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:54:03 +0000

Are You Sick And Tired Of Being Sick And Tired? Learn How To Detox For A Healthy Life Have you ever wondered why you feel weak and lazy sometimes? No, it s not just because of aging or the stress you get from work. Have you considered the stuff you ve been eating? If we re honest with ourselves, we ll admit that we all tend to eat unhealthy food at one time or another . In the long run, however, introducing these substances to the body actually shortens your life span. You have already posted a welcome sign for toxins to invade your system and eventually cause malfunctions and illness. We all want to move along with the fast-paced environment we have today. Almost everything around us seems to be instant; instant noodles, instant foods, instant beverages, instant coffee and the like. In wanting to constantly be active and alert, we compromise ourselves and resort to certain body stimulants which may include junk food, cigarettes, coffee, pills drugs. Don t worry; it s not the end of the world. You can do something about this predicament. For starters, aside from lessening and quitting these bad habits, you should consider detoxifying your body which can help change your life and keep you living longer. Intake of a lot of harmful substances and other foods rich in preservatives will also make the level of toxins in the body higher. In effect, these toxins create harmful and irritating effects that could even stress organ and biochemical processes that can destabilize health. Always remember that too much of these toxins would alter the body s balance and thus, toxicity occurs. To avoid all these things, you are advised to enter a detoxification program to maintain a clean and healthy body inside and out. If you re wondering what detoxification is, well it is, in simple terms, the method of cleansing the body and removing all traces of drugs and other harmful substances. Not only this, it is also helpful for those people that suffer from different kinds of illnesses. Such illnesses include allergies, asthma, arthritis, depression, headaches, high cholesterol level, heart diseases, mental illness, diabetes, digestive disorders, and obesity. It also aids people with cancer and those who are exposed to enormous level of toxins due to work and accidents. Moreover, if you usually experience headaches, insomnia, pains, sudden weight loss or gain, lower resistance to infections and viruses, indigestion and the like, detoxification can help you achieve a healthy body free from all these. Detoxification can be a good preventive measure and a means to have an overall healthy body resistant to diseases. Indeed, detoxification in general, is a matter of good system living. It does not only aid in treating certain diseases but also gives the body a chance to feel revitalized and renewed. Learn How To Rid Your Body Of Toxins Naturally With 10 Of The Most Cleansing Herbs In Nature . Visit Womans-Health.Net to learn how to select The Best Colon Cleanser ingredients which will help you get rid of pounds of fecal matter and live a healthier life. Visit us now: http://www.womans-health.net

What is Normal Blood Pressure?

admin — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:54:01 +0000

What is Normal Blood Pressure? The fact that you’re asking, “what is normal blood pressure” is a good sign. Many people don’t give blood pressure a second thought. This is pretty typical as high blood pressure, otherwise known, as hypertension, has no detectable symptoms other than a high reading on a blood pressure monitor. The long-term results however, can be devastating. The chronically elevated pressure on your arterial walls can lead to damage to vital organs such as your kidneys and can also lead to heart disease and stroke. This can result in disability or even death. Before we discuss what is normal blood pressure, we first need to know how to properly measure blood pressure. You should initially have your blood pressure checked in a doctor’s office. However, many doctor’s offices rush patients into the exam room where a nurse will immediately take their blood pressure. This can sometimes result in a higher reading than if you had time to sit and relax for about 15 minutes. You should insist that the doctor take you blood pressure again after you’ve had a chance to remain seated for at least 15 minutes. Then take the average of the two measurements. The other factor that may cause your blood pressure to read higher is nervousness from just being in the doctor’s office. This is often referred to as “white coat hypertension”. If this is suspected ask your doctor about how you can measure your blood pressure yourself while at home. There are several stages of blood pressure: normal, pre-hypertension, stage 1, and stage 2. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently changed the values of these ranges. This is the first change to the blood pressure ranges since 1997. These changes have eliminated Stage 3 Hypertension. The changes to the normal blood pressure range deserves particular attention since people who assumed they were in the normal blood pressure range previously, are now finding that they are classified in the pre-hypertension range. If you find that your blood pressure now falls within the pre-hypertension range don’t panic. Medication is not typically prescribed for people in this range. The NIH lowered the thresholds on the blood pressure ranges to make patients and their doctors more aware of the serious consequences of the risks associated with high blood pressure. Lowering your blood pressure a few points during this stage is much more manageable than at the higher stages. The following chart taken from the “Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure”, shows the old and new blood pressure ranges: *Normal: Systolic less than 120, used to be less than 130 or diastolic less than 80, used to be less than 85. *Pre-hypertension: Blood pressure in this category used to be considered high-normal. Systolic 120-139 or diastolic 80-89. *Stage 1 hypertension: Systocli 140-159 or diastolic 90-99. *Stage 2 hypertension: systolic 160 and higher or diastolic 100 and higher. *Stage 3 hypertension category has been eliminated: Systolic used to be 160-179 and diastolic used to be 100-109 Remember that the blood pressure ranges are general guidelines and that your individual medical history must be taken into consideration when determining appropriate treatment. Health conditions such as kidney disease, angina, diabetes, and pregnancy require special consideration when determining the effects of high blood pressure on your health. In addition, systolic blood pressure becomes more important in people over 50. Richard R. Rojas reports on health and fitness topics with an emphasis on natural remedies for treating health disorders. Find out more about lowering your blood pressure naturally: http://www.bloodpressurezone.com/who-s-taking-your-blood-pressure-seriously.html

Change Your Eating Habits For A Healthy Heart

admin — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:53:59 +0000

If you have heart disease or if you are at high risk for acquiring it you have probably been told by your doctor that a healthy diet is important. Lets take a look at some changes you can make to your eating habits in order to improve your health and prevent heart disease from occurring. Fats It s very important to significantly reduce the amount of saturated fats and trans fats that you include in your diet. Reducing these types of fats is perhaps the best action you can take in order to lower your cholesterol level and decrease the chances of acquiring coronary artery disease. If you have too much cholesterol in your blood this can eventually lead to having too much plaque in the arteries which increases the probability of you having a heart attack and a stroke. Saturated fat should be below seven percent of the total daily calories that you consume. Trans fats should be below one percent of the total calories that you consume each day. If you are an adult who is in good health, your intake of cholesterol should be below three hundred milligrams on a daily basis, while adults who have a high level of bad cholesterol (LDL) should consume less that two hundred milligrams per day of cholesterol. In order to lower the amount of saturated fats and trans fats in your diet you should significantly decrease the amount of solid fats such as shortening, butter and margarine you consume. It s a good idea to use low fat items as substitutes for the unhealthy fats such as putting some salsa on a baked potato and substitute low fat yogurt for butter. Some people who are at risk for heart disease avoid putting margarine or butter on their toast and choose to put sugar free fruit spreads instead. When you are cooking use fats such as olive oil and canola oil. Select margarines that mention trans fat free on the product and you might want to select cholesterol lowering margarines. Protein To reduce the risk of heart disease, choose protein sources that are low in fat such as poultry, fish, eggs as well as low fat types of dairy products. Eat skinless chicken breasts and avoid fried foods, consume skim milk and avoid whole milk. Make sure that legumes such as beans, peas as well as lentils are a part of your diet since they are a great source of protein and are low in fat and do not contain any cholesterol at all. To prevent heart disease it s a good idea to have a large amount of fruits and vegetables in your diet since they are full of dietary fiber and vitamins and minerals. A diet that includes a large amount of soluble fiber will decrease your cholesterol level and decrease the chances of acquiring heart disease. Whole grains are also good sources of fiber and should be a part of your diet. Eating a healthy diet is important in order to prevent heart disease. Niacin is the closest thing available to a perfect treatment that corrects most causes of coronary heart disease. Niacin blocks the release of fatty acids from fat cells. Niacin plays a critical role in energy production, gene expression, and hormone synthesis. You cannot live without it. Niacin also tends to shift LDL particle distribution to larger particle size and improve HDL functioning. The intake of 3 grams Niacin for as little as two weeks can reduce serum cholesterol by 26 percent. David Cowley has created numerous articles on heart disease. He has also created a Web Site dedicated to heart disease and how to treat them. Visit Heart Disease

Lower Homocysteine Levels Naturally

admin — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:53:58 +0000

A heart risk factor we don t hear much is initiated by the amino acid homocysteine. Elevated blood homocysteine levels have been shown to increase the risk of coronary artery disease, stroke and blood clots. When you have your next physical be sure and ask your physician to include the C-reactive protein, or CRP test when your blood work is done. Your CRP results will show the amount of the amino acid in your blood and is also a marker for inflammation. Your C-reactive protein, or CRP homocysteine blood test results: Healthy levels, less than 10 mol/l is a good target Levels above 12 micromoles per deciliter of blood dramatically increases the risks of heart attacks Here s the bad news… Elevated levels are dangerous EVEN with people having normal cholesterol levels. It s estimated that elevated levels account for 10 to 20 percent of cases of coronary artery disease and pose just as high a threat as high blood pressure and hypertension. If you would like to raise your homocysteine levels please feel free to: Smoke - Smoking dramatically raises levels. Be Overweight - Obesity also dramatically raises levels. And here s the good news… Even if you don t smoke or you re obese your homocysteine levels can be elevated. There s a simple dietary fix to lower your levels naturally. Adding folic acid, or folate to your diet decreases these evels which in turn lowers your risk of heart disease and stroke. The easiest way to add folate to your diet if you don t feel like eating more green, leafy vegetables, like spinach or if you re not interested in drinking more citrus juices you can take a simple folic acid supplement. There is such an overwhelming body of evidence that points to it as a causative factor in heart disease that it is recommended that you start TODAY with a folic acid supplement. Note: You probably haven t heard much about homocysteine in the news and there s a good reason - it s too easy and cheap to fix! Food or pharmaceutical industries have nothing to sell you for homocysteine reduction! This is perhaps the number one reason why the discussion is mysteriously silent in mainstream media. Recommendations Eat foods like spinach, asparagus and broccoli 800 - 1000 mcg of folic acid each day 10 mg of vitamin B6 and 400 mcg of vitamin B12 http://www.age-extension.com/lower-homocysteine-levels-naturally/