HEART DISEASE IS the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States.This is a fact that should invite everyone to:
- Not smoke.
- Maintain a healthy cholesterol level (usually, less than 200 for the total cholesterol and above 45 for the "good" HDL cholesterol).
- Make exercise a regular part of your life.
- Maintain an appropriate body weight, avoiding obesity.
- Follow your doctor's recommended schedule for regular health screening, which includes getting checked periodically for such conditions as high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity.
- If you are over age 40. ask your doctor whether you should take a daily baby aspirin to prevent heart disease and stroke.
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| Nutritional Supplements For Multiple Sclerosis |
While prevention is the best policy, early detection is also important. MS could affect how a person experiences early warning signs of a heart attack or stroke, so it is important to remain vigilant for unusual symptoms. Stroke symptoms (e.g., visual changes or weakness), are easy to confuse with MS symptoms. Even without MS, women having heart attacks may not necessarily feel "classic" chest main, but instead may experience nausea or shortness of breath. When in doubt, seek medical attention right away.
Nutrition
OBESITY IS A growing problem in this country, and efforts to maintain a healthy weight may be even more challenging for those who are less mobile. The following Dietary Guidelines for Americans have been published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture:
- Eat a variety of healthy foods.
- Balance the food you eat with physical activity to maintain or lower your weight.
- Choose a diet that contains plenty of grains, vegetables, and fruits.
- Limit your intake of fat (especially saturated fat) and cholesterol.
- Choose a diet that is moderate in sugar (including corn syrup) and salt (sodium).
- If you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation.
Fortunately, the information necessary to help us comply with these recommendations is now readily available. The newly-revised food guide pyramid (available at MyPyramid.gov) is designed to help you choose the foods and amounts that are right for you. Seeking advice from a nutritionist may be a reasonable step to take, along with purchasing one of the many books available about healthful eating. However you choose to pursue healthy nutrition, the following elements in your diet need careful attention:
Sodium. The salt in our diet comes not only from the saltshaker on the table, but also from almost all processed foods (e.g., canned soups and frozen dinners). It is important to pay attention to the labels on packaged foods in order to consume less than 2400 mg of sodium a day.
Calcium. Most people consume too little of this essential mineral. Some individuals, including women at or near menopause, and women or men whose mobility is restricted or who use steroids, need to be especially careful to obtain appropriate amounts of calcium in order to maintain healthy bones. Individuals who rely primarily on a scooter or wheelchair for mobility are particularly prone to bone loss. Smoking or a family history of osteoporosis are also reasons to increase calcium intake. The Revised Daffy Elemental Calcium Requirements published by the National Institutes of Health include:
- 1000 mg per day for adults 25 to 65 years old.
- 1500 mg per day for postmenopausal women.
Skim milk or any other low-fat dairy products such as yogurt or reduced-fat cheese are good dietary sources of calcium, as are other foods specially fortified with extra calcium (e.g., certain cereals and juices). Since it is difficult to obtain adequate calcium from diet alone, adults should also consider calcium supplements.
Calcium carbonate, the most readily absorbed form of calcium, is available in a variety of supplement forms. Although many calcium supplements contain small amounts of lead, the benefits of calcium for most adults, especially adults with MS, are believed to outweigh any risk from lead. Some calcium citrate supplements contain less lead but are also more difficult for the body to absorb.
A compromise would be to look for a supplement that is labeled "lead-free." Because calcium supplements do not typically include vitamin D, adding a multivitamin that contains vitamin D will help your body process the calcium.
In summary, a diet that is guided by the food pyramid and includes sufficient grains for fiber, along with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, fat-free or low-fat dairy products, and supplements of calcium with vitamin D can help control weight and avoid osteoporosis. This relatively simple diet will also help prevent constipation, heart disease, and some cancers. To find out more, you can check out Nutritional Supplements For Multiple Sclerosis.