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Showing posts from April, 2014

Heart failure and potassium

Your body depends on the mineral potassium to help control the electrical balance of your heart as well as metabolize carbohydrates and build muscle. Low potassium levels can cause muscle weakness and heart rhythm disturbances. On the other hand, too much potassium can cause dangerous heartbeat irregularities and even sudden death. If you have heart failure, you need to pay close attention to how much potassium you get each day. What’s more, some heart failure drugs can cause your body to excrete too much potassium, while others can cause your body to retain too much potassium. Your doctor can tell you how the medications you need will affect your potassium levels. You’ll likely need to have your potassium level checked regularly to be sure it is within a good range for you. If you need to raise your potassium level If your potassium level is too low, the solution may be as simple as taking potassium supplements. If you need to get your potassium level d

seniors, Hearing Loss? You are not alone.

The human ear is the envy of even the most sophisticated acoustic engineer. Without a moment's thought or the slightest pause, you can hear the difference between a violin and a clarinet, you can tell if a sound is coming from your left or your right, and if it's distant or near. And you can discriminate between words as similar as hear and near , sound and pound . Nearly everyone experiences trouble hearing from time to time. Common causes include a buildup of earwax or fluid in the ear, ear infections, or the change in air pressure when taking off in an airplane. A mild degree of permanent hearing loss is an inevitable part of the aging process. Unfortunately, major hearing loss that makes communication difficult also becomes more common with increasing age, particularly after age 65. Testing — 1, 2, 3 How do you know if you need a hearing test? If you answer yes to any of the questions below, talk with your doctor about having your hearing tested: A

Pineapple Juice Is 5 Times More Effective Than Cough Syrup

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Pineapple Juice Is 5 Times More Effective Than Cough Syrup Posted: April 5, 2014 | Author: yazdi   Pineapples contain bromelain, an enzyme with anti-inflammatory properties. It fights infections and kills bacteria.  The juice from fresh pineapples can suppress coughs five times more effectively than cough syrup.  One cup of pineapple juice contains nearly 50% of the daily requirement for vitamin C intake. This helpful nutrient works to implement the use of vital enzymes within the body that regulate metabolism and energy conversion. Pineapple juice also contains high levels of manganese, a mineral that predominately helps form healthy connective tissue and bones. Manganese works to absorb more calcium, metabolize carbohydrates and fats, plus increases regular nerve function. Some bromelain appears to be absorbed by the body intact, so it’s also thought to have effects outside the digestive tract. In fact, bromelain is often marketed as a natural anti-inflammatory for

What you should know about magnesium

Y ou need magnesium for many tasks. It’s involved in more than 300 chemical reactions in the body. Muscles need this mineral to contract; nerves need it to send and receive messages. It keeps your heart beating steadily and your immune system strong. Most people can get enough magnesium by eating foods such as green leafy vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, and fish. Magnesium supplements are sometimes marketed as super pills that can fix a long list of ailments such as muscle tension, low energy, and trouble sleeping. But think twice before you reach for a magnesium supplement. Dr. Bruce Bistrian, chief of clinical nutrition at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, says magnesium deficiency is very rare. “The kidney has an extraordinary ability to reduce magnesium loss in urine, and thus achieve magnesium balance on a wide variety of intakes,” he explains. For people who have trouble absorbing magnesium from food — such