Possibly. It’s thought that red or purple grape products may reduce your risk of heart disease by relaxing your blood vessels, allowing your blood to more easily flow.

This benefit is most likely due to substances called antioxidants found in the skin and seeds of grapes — especially dark red and purple grapes. One particularly important antioxidant, resveratrol, is also found in grape juice — especially juice made from dark purple Concord grapes.

Recent studies have suggested that red and purple grape juices may provide some of the same heart benefits of red wine, including:

• Reducing the risk of blood clots
• Reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or “bad”) cholesterol
• Preventing damage to blood vessels in your heart
• Helping maintain a healthy blood pressure

Both red wine and grape juice also contain antioxidants called flavonoids, which have been shown to increase your high-density lipoprotein (HDL, or “good”) cholesterol and lower your risk of clogged arteries (atherosclerosis), and may help lower blood pressure.

Eating whole red or purple grapes has benefits, as well. Some research suggests eating whole grapes also delivers the same antioxidants that are in grape juice and wine. You also get the benefit of the fiber if you eat whole grapes.

These findings on grape juice are good news for people who want the cardiovascular benefits of red wine without the alcohol. Remember, if you do choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation — no more than one drink a day for women or two drinks a day for men.

Cigarette contains chemical such as tar, carbon monoxide and nicotine.

The prime ingredients, tar and carbon monoxide are instigators of cardiovascular diseases and lung ailments.

The cigarette’s third main component, nicotine, affects the heart, lungs and stomach.  There is definite evidence that this chemical effects the brain adversely in various ways.

Effects of Smoking

Smoking and tobacco-related health complications are the single largest cause of preventable, premature death.  Estimates are clearing that cigarettes are responsible for over 400,000 deaths each year. Smoking causes a significant increase in the risk for cancer (lung, larynx, esophagus), chronic bronchitis, and emphysema as well as diseases of the heart and coronary arteries. In addition, smoking  is a major contributory factor in the development of many other cancers.

Chewing tobacco and using snuff also dramatically increase your risk for cancers of the mouth and throat. A smokers baby is more likely to be a victim of cot death and, in childhood, suffers more respiratory infections, glue ear and asthma.

Smokers can successfully quit if they understand how to deal with their nicotine addiction, learn a relaxation technique to cope with their stress, get support from health professionals, family and friends and are able to change the behaviour and habits that are associated with smoking. Most long-term smokers are addicted to nicotine and will experience a craving to smoke and withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop smoking.

Such individuals find it very difficult to give up their smoking habit. They, with the help of health professionals can make use of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) to quit smoking. But the majority of smokers can give up without any help from health professionals or drug therapy.

Prepare mentally before you stop smoking and understand what to expect.

• Make a resolution to give up smoking.
• Think about why you want to quit and the benefits of quitting.
• Set a definite time to quit.Let it be today not the next day!
• Think ahead, how you are going to cope with craving or withdrawal symptoms you may experience.
• Visualise a change in your usual routine to avoid temptation and high-risk situations.
• Get all the support you can, from your loved ones.
• Understand that breaking habits take time and need regular practice.
• Be aware that there will be a constant temptation to go back and chances of a relapse. Think about the effort that has already been put in and don’t look back.

The good news is that once you quit, your body begins healing itself almost immediately. This includes a reduction in your risk for cancer, heart attack, and stroke. If you also begin exercising and eating better, the improvements will be even more dramatic. There are many benefits of quitting smoke like more stamina for work and play, Whiter teeth and fresher breath, Decreasing risk of serious illnesses and saving your money.

The longer you don’t use tobacco, the more your confidence will grow and the less likely you are to slip back to your old habits…

The benefits of vitamin E for the heart most likely lies with the antioxidant effects, preventing the formation of free radicals. The free radicals contribute to artherosclerosis by increasing plaque build up in the heart vessels.

Vitamin E also decreases platelet aggregation, thus decreasing plaque size. It is also believed that vitamin E helps to decrease total cholesterol and LDL levels (the bad cholesterol) and therefore, helping the heart.

When looking at the various studies available on vitamin E, we see that this vitamin does not have the claimed benefits for cardiovascular disease. Two well done and large studies showed that taking vitamin E did not decrease heart disease or cardiovascular events including myocardial infarction, stroke, or death. One of these studies was the famous HOPE study where taking natural Vitamin E 400 IU for about 4.5 years showed no additive benefits.

Vitamin E supplements are safe when taken orally. Likelyhood of experiencing an adverse effect increases as dose exceeds the recommended upper limit of 1000 mg/day. Consult your pharmacist if you think you may be experiencing any adverse effect, including nausea, diarrhea, intestinal cramps, fatigue or rash. When starting any new supplement it is important to discuss it with physician or pharmacist due to interactions. For any other queries on drug interactions, you can consult your pharmacist.

Looking at the overall evidence, it is recommended to obtain antioxidants, including vitamin E, from diet high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains rather than supplements. Vitamin E supplementation is unlikely to benefit cardiovascular disease. It is best to prepare oneself with this valuable and latest information available to prevent taking unnecessary supplements.

Healthy Heart Facts

The cardiovascular system (heart and circulatory system) is a network that delivers blood to the body’s tissues. With each heartbeat, blood is sent throughout our body, carrying oxygen & nutrients to all of our cells.

Each day 5.76 L of blood travel through about 12,000 miles of blood vessels. They branch and cross, linking the cells of our organs & body parts. From the hard-working heart, to our thickest arteries, to capillaries so thin that they can only be seen through a microscope, the cardiovascular system is our body’s life.

Remember, exercise strengthens the cardio-vascular system. Improving the bodies vessels ability to pump blood effectively through the body. Keep fit and stay healthy, exercising aerobically a minimum of 150 minutes per week.

Deep Vain Thrombosis (DVT) can occur during or as a result of air travel due to little movement or activity. DVT is a condition in which a blood clot forms in a vein that is deep inside the body, most often in the lower leg and thigh.

During flight your body is at greater risk of DVT because blood flow slows down. A blood clot can break off and move through the blood stream and in some instances get lodged in the brain, lungs, heart or other area causing serious health problems.

Why do drug companies not disclose that their cholesterol-lowering drugs cause a deficiency of your essential Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) levels? In Canada, the disclosure is mandatory if the drug inhibits your amounts of CoQ10.

But here in the United States, if you take statins and are unaware of the side effects you could suffer from:

• Serious heart problems
• Deterioration of critical heart muscle
• Low energy levels and extreme fatigue
• Poor circulation
• Chest pain
• Skipped heartbeats

If you are in the at-risk group of patients taking Lipitor, Crestor, Zocor or Mevacor , then you need to replenish your depleted CoQ10 levels so you can experience healthy blood pressure levels, protection from memory loss, improved cell structure, endless amounts of energy and relief from recurrent headache pain.

CoQ10 is the energy spark that all 100 trillion of your body’s cells need to thrive. Plus, your heart must have this essential nutrient since it uses 10 times more CoQ10 than any other organ in your body.

By supplementing with CoQ10 patients have experienced remarkable clinical results. Within 30 days of taking the CoQ10 supplement, 75 percent of patients reported fewer heart rhythm disturbances, 66 percent of patients reported diminished chest pain and 50 percent fewer patients suffered from future cardiac events. Plus, after only eight weeks 87 percent of patients had restored heart function.

After more than 1,000 published medical studies, CoQ10 is proven to be one of the most critical nutrients for your cells, heart and brain. Be sure to include this potentially lifesaving solution for optimum cardiac and neurological health well into your 90s and beyond!

The International Journal of Medical Engineering and Informatics is reporting that heart rate variability (HRV), which is the sign of a healthy heart, has a higher incidence in yoga practitioners than those who don’t do the exercise.

HRV deals with the mechanisms of heart rate regulation, which means the heart would be able to respond well to changes in the body.

The researchers looked at the HRV of 42 healthy men who did not practice yoga, and 42 men who were experienced practitioners. The age range for the participants was between 18 and 48 years old.

It was found that the yoga practitioners had higher HRV levels, and better autonomic control over their heart rate, leaving them with a healthier heart.

In addition to practicing yoga, herbal-supplements reports that nutritional supplements such as fish oils and omega-3 fatty acids can be used to prevent heart complications.

My philosophy is in my books. But for the November issue of Prevention, I want to summarize it for you — what I eat, how I exercise and beat stress, even my own advice that I struggle with. Here’s my personal Rx — feel free to make it your own:

Eat three squares and a snack

I start most days with a three-egg omelet (one yolk and whites) and some green tea with a scoop of Benefiber (a natural fiber supplement). For lunch, I usually order baked salmon and grilled veggies from a nearby restaurant. I never eat fast food. And for dinner, my wife, Sari, typically makes fish or chicken with veggies. We eat little starch at home. If I get hungry during the day or when I’m traveling, I’ll have a mozzarella stick, fruit, wasabi-coated soy nuts, other nuts, or a high-fiber bar.

Indulge in moderation

I love dark chocolate. I keep a stash in the office and usually eat a piece after lunch. I try to limit myself to that single daily indulgence, although I also have a weakness for rugelach, a rich pastry my wife buys when our boys come home from college. If I’m lucky, they consume most of it before I have the opportunity to yield to temptation.

Exercise early and regularly

On weekdays, I’m up and in my home gym by 6:15 am. Three days a week, I use a machine called the Power Plate, which vibrates as I do various exercises. It helps warm up my old bones, while building balance and core strength. Then I’ll do Pilates. This workout normally lasts an hour. The other two weekdays I’ll do 20 to 30 minutes of interval training on an elliptical machine. This type of high/ low intensity is great for the heart. On weekends, I golf, play tennis, or occasionally do a boxing workout.

Go easy on the supplements

I believe a good diet will provide most of the essential nutrients I need. So, besides Benefiber, the only supplements I take are fish oil, turmeric, and Cold-Eeze when I travel. The omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil protect the heart, while some doctors I respect believe the curcumin in turmeric helps prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Cold-Eeze contains zinc, which may prevent colds or lessen their symptoms.

Prioritize sleep

I get at least 7 hours per night. I also believe in naps. If I have an evening social engagement, I’ll nap for 30 minutes before going out.

Cultivate closeness

I’ve been married for 28 years, and my wife and I have not only a wide circle of friends but also two much-loved sons who come home often. We all try to spend a few weeks vacationing together in the summer. Studies show that a strong social and family network is not only helpful for your general health but also for preventing heart disease.

Maintaining a healthy mouth will mean fewer visits (and payments) to the dentist and a happier you. Follow these smile-saving steps to perfect your dental do-it-yourself.

Floss first
To dislodge food and plaque, floss before brushing, says Andie Pearson, D.M.D., a dentist in Chicago. Are your teeth tightly packed? Skip waxed floss — it’s thicker than unwaxed varieties — or try one such as Glide (made of Gore-Tex), which easily slides between teeth and is shred-resistant. Wrap floss around both index fingers. Don’t saw up and down; you can cut your gums, which can cause bleeding and infection. Rather, curve the floss around each tooth, making a C, and lightly rub the floss up and down the tooth sides. Rinse afterward.

Pick the best brush
Choose a soft or extra soft toothbrush. “A stiff brush can harm gum tissue, remove enamel and abrade the teeth,” Dr. Schuller says.

Keep it simple: Manual brushes offer you more control than electric varieties, says Dr. Pearson, who likes Colgate 360 and Oral-B CrossAction. Replace your brush every three months.

Select a main squeeze
No gobs necessary. Use a quarter of a teaspoon at most, Dr. Pearson advises. Pastes with fluoride are better if you’re cavity-prone; whitening formulas may worsen sensitivity to hot and cold foods.

Brush off
The key is to apply gentle pressure for three to five minutes, Dr. Pearson says. Place the toothbrush on the gums, at the top of the gum line; using a large circular motion, slowly work your way down to the teeth, then reposition your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your teeth and brush in a circular motion down to the end of the tooth. Hold the brush perpendicular to your front teeth and brush the back side.

Swish and spit
Rinse away brushing by-products with plain old H2O, but for an added benefit, follow up with a gargle of mouthwash; it contains fluoride, which you want coating the teeth in order to strengthen the enamel, Dr. Schuller suggests. Avoid rinses that contain alcohol, which can upset the natural balance of bacteria in your mouth.

Get into a routine
Twice a day is fine, but ideally, you should brush after every meal, Dr. Schuller says. See your dentist for a cleaning every six months. If she has ID’d issues like gum inflammation, see her four times a year. Tell her if you’re on meds (antihistamines and antidepressants, for example, up your chances of tooth decay). Smile, gorgeous!

The greatest exponent of monounsaturated fat is olive oil, and it is a prime component of the Mediterranean diet. Olive oil is a natural juice which preserves the taste, aroma, vitamins and properties of the olive fruit. Olive oil is the only vegetable oil that can be consumed as it is – freshly pressed from the fruit.

Olive oil is very well tolerated by the stomach. In fact, olive oil’s protective function has a beneficial effect on ulcers and gastritis. Olive oil activates the secretion of bile and pancreatic hormones much more naturally than prescribed drugs. Consequently, it lowers the incidence of gallstone formation.

Olive oil is one of the m o s t amazing o i l s which is naturally occurring. It is a natural juice which preserves the taste, aroma, vitamins and properties of a whole olive and the only vegetable oil that can be consumed fresh pressed from the fruit from which it is derived.

Reasons why olive oil should be consumed daily:
It is good for your heart. Olive oil is great for your heart and you only need to consume about 2 tablespoons a day to benefit from it. Extra virgin olive oil is the best choice because it is less processed than other kinds. Studies have shown that people who consume olive oil daily have a lower cholesterol level than those who do not have the oil. One study conducted in Greece showed that people who used olive oil exclusively for cooking had a 47% lower risk of having coronary heart disease.

It eases stomach problems. If you suffer from ulcers or other stomach or digestive upsets, olive oil is the perfect cure. Taking about a tablespoon before a meal will line and protect the stomach from ulcers. It also prevents constipation and treats urinary tract infections. Olive oil is even a safe remedy for children who have stomach problems as it is completely natural and healthy..

It is great for your skin. Olives are extremely high in Vitamin E which plays a big part in healthy skin. If olive oil is taken raw it will promote healthy skin from the inside out. It can also be used in bath water or rubbed right on your skin as a natural moisturizer. Olive/olive oil has been known to

At the universities of Reading, Cardiff and Bristol in the UK, researchers have studied if there are more perks to consuming this potentially fat-filled beverage than omitting it from the diet. They used data from a recent report by the World Cancer Research Fund to determine current death rates from heart disease and stroke and what links to cancer may be present.

To summarize, the researchers found that drinking milk may only increase the risk of developing prostate cancer, whereas it decreased the likelihood a person would have a stroke, CHD or suffer from colo-rectal cancer.

Study co-leader professor Ian Givens exaplained, “our review made it possible to assess overall whether increased milk consumption provides a survival advantage or not.” He concluded, “we believe it does.”

To maintain a healthy heart and strengthen bones, some may consider following the alkaline diet. This eating plan centers on the consumption of fresh fruits, vegetables, tubers and legumes.