Healthy Podcasts

Lately there have been many articles published about women’s heart health.  Something that surprised me was the fact that women are at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease than men.  As a 20-something-year-old I have to recognize the importance of paying attention to my heart health.  It’s a lifelong process and what I do now will affect my future heart health.  You’re never too old or too young to think about your heart health. 

According to Dr. Sarah Samaan, there are Three things women must do for heart health.  Stay tuned for more information from Dr. Samaan and other cardiovascular specialists.

My time in London has come to an end.  Tomorrow I head back to Kansas City, Missouri and back to reality.  I have spent this past week soaking in the culture and visiting last-minute tourist attractions.  I have eaten all of the British classics: fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, bangers and mash, and a new favorite: curry.

I have discovered a diamond in the rough: Borough Market.  This is a market for food lovers everywhere.  Hidden on the edge of the business district in London, it is a monstrosity of delectable fumes and wonderful dishes throughout.  This is where many people go to find open range meat, organic fruits and vegetables, and hand-made cheeses, breads, and spreads.  In fact, I spotted Bobby Flay, a popular food network star, meandering his way through the market, taste testing many of the different options.

As a food lover, I was in heaven.  The market was full of handmade cheeses, wines, organic juices and meat galore.  What impressed me so much about this market was it’s wide range of healthy choices.  Sure, there were many tarts and cakes to tempt me.  However, within the hour, I had discovered hand squeezed 100% natural orange juice; home-made organic salsa; open range grilled chicken burger topped with a thin slice of freshly made pepper jack cheese.  All of the breads on site were made fresh that day and contained absolutely no preservatives.  In my experience, most completely organic food tastes incredibly bland or tastes overwhelmingly stale.  The food I ate at Borough Market was by far the best food I have experienced all summer.

While England in general, lacks the ability to cook a delicious meal, they do know one thing: Borough Market.  Where free range, organic, and fresh is the standard.

Before I left for London, my mother told me that she wished to follow my example and get healthy, not only to look better, but also to have a healthier heart and lifestyle.  I recommended that she start of small.  Take the dog for walks each night or go for a leisurely bike ride with Dad.

I also reminded her to always be thinking about her numbers.  Joan O’Keefe, RD, is a master with the numbers and says there are specific Numbers to Remember.

I just got off a Skype chat with my mom and it seems that she has stuck to the plan for a little over a week now.  She has also been doing her own research into heart healthy living.  She has discovered that diet and exercise can be very different between women and men and that there are certain things women must to pay attention to.

Joan O’Keefe breaks down the important things What Women Should Know About Heart Health.

I have spent a great deal of time in this blog talking about the importance of daily supplements, specifically multivitamins and omega-3.  Everyday when I take my supplements, I choose CardioTabs.  CardioTabs has the cleanest, purist, and best over all quality in the supplement department.

Preventive cardiologist Dr. James O’Keefe, MD leads CardioTabs’ scientific team that formulates the products.  CardioTabs supplements were created to eliminate patients’ laundry lists of supplements and help them get the exact nutrients they need for optimal wellness.  Listen in to hear Why Dr. O’Keefe recommends CardioTabs.

It is important that you monitor every supplement and medication you take.  If you have any questions about whether you would benefit from CardioTabs, listen to the clip, “Are CardioTabs for Everyone?“  or check them out at www.cardiotabs.com.

Living in London for the summer has been great so far.  I feel as though I have been feeling even greater than normal.  Living in the city has forced me to walk EVERYWHERE.  Not only have I seen some really great things, but I have also really toned my legs and calf muscles.  No cankle here, that’s for sure.

Like I said, walking everywhere has left me feeling great.  The natural sun, fresh air, and copious amounts of exercise have done great things for my body.

I have concluded that the lifestyle I have in America is very different from my European self.  Back home, I drive everywhere, even for only a few blocks.  Since I have been here, I have really begun to realize that exercise is essential to health and is a big part of the hunter-gatherer diet.

The hunter-gather idea is based upon the notion that humans are in their natural state when they are spending their days outside, walking and running everywhere, eating natural fruits and veggies, and living in their natural environment.  Today, it is very difficult to live in this manner, but small things, such as walking to work or working outside can play a big part in feeling better each day.

Living in London has been great and because of it, I have truly experienced a happier, healthier me.

I spent this past weekend in Paris.  Let me tell you, the French know how to eat delicious food.  For dinner had unbelievable pasta, I consumed some of the best sandwiches for lunch, and breakfast and dessert might as well have been the same meal: crepes.

It was all so delicious, but terribly unhealthy.  My tortellini was drenched in a butter rich sauce, the crepes were filled with sugary goodness, and every thing seemed to be served on a croissant or French bread.  With the standard carbohydrate intake of France being way above healthy levels, how do the French stay so slim and good looking?

The french, in general, consume great amounts of high-cholesterol foods such as cheese, butter, and eggs.  But yet, they have a lower rate of heart disease than americans.

With every menu I was given, I was handed a dictionary of different wines to drink along side each meal.  The French love their red wine.  It is a custom to have a glass of red wine every night with dinner.  One of the reasons for this paradox is the greater intake of wine in France.  Red wine has been linked to a reduction of a cardiac diseases.  With such a great intake of red wine, this society has discovered an interesting way to tackle heart health, without even knowing it.  Of course, too much red wine can be detrimental to health.

It also helps when wine costs are drastically cheaper in Europe than in the United States.

Another aspect of this paradox is the presence of a great public transportation system throughout Europe.  Everyone uses the tube/metro.  This has helped lead to a higher amount of walking.  Very few people actually own a car, nonetheless, multiple cars.  The main source of transportation is through the underground subway systems.  Individuals walk from their home, to the station; from the station to work; from work to get food; etc. etc.  It is a constantly moving and on the go society.
Another thing is that everyone (and I do mean everyone) has a dog.  Dogs also need to have exercise.  I often see people walking their dogs, taking them to park, playing with them, exercising alongside their pet.

All of this walking and exercise throughout each day helps keep a fast metabolism, toned muscles and overall weight loss.

For more information on the french paradox, check out James O’Keefe’s article: At the Heart of the Matter, Less is More

I am awful at taking pills each day.  I always forget to take them; I’m awful at swallowing them whole; so I really just despise taking pills of any sort.

Therefore, I’m not one who enjoys taking a lot of supplements each day, so it is important to me to have a quality product that helps eliminate some of the other supplements I might have to take.  CardioTabs has done just that.  Dr. O’Keefe explains that is the exact reason Why CardioTabs Was Created and how beneficial they have proven to be for my “pill-hating self.”

I have recently arrived in London!  I will be here for nine weeks. During this time I plan to travel and see this part of the world.  One thing that will definitely be packed in my bags as I travel around Europe will be my CardioTabs Ocean Safe Omega-3 supplement.  There are so many reasons why Ocean Safe is superior to other Omega-3 supplements.  How do you know if the omega-3 supplement you’re using is high quality?  One thing to check is if it is highly concentrated. Dr. James O’Keefe, MD explains exactly How to Tell if You Have a Highly Concentrated Fish Oil

One of my favorite benefits of Ocean Safe is not the extremely high presence of DHA, the most valuable of the fatty acids, but actually the fact that it also has Vitamin D in it.  With the always-present overcast skies in London, I am going to need to get as much Vitamin D each day as I can.   Listen to Dr. O’Keefe explain the most important The Benefits of Fish Oil

Stay tuned to hear more about my European adventures!

I am a sucker for cereal.  Not just any cereal, Frosted Flakes-  They’re Grrreeeaattt!  Unfortunately, when I only eat my favorite cereal for breakfast, I find myself hungry again around 9:30.  I also experience spiking and crashing energy all morning. 

So I am trying new ways to eat healthy at breakfast and still have it be just as delicious.  Recently, I’ve tried organic corn flakes.  The lack of sugar and the natural whole grains enticed me.  I usually add chopped berries and bananas to the bowl, which adds some really great flavor.  Adding nuts to the mixture  has really helped to prevent the spiking and crashing I was experiencing before. 

On Sunday nights, I take a few minutes to hard boil five eggs.  After I eat my bowl of cereal, I grab a hard-boiled egg and eat that as I’m running out the door to the bus stop.

The other morning I was running a little late and my roommate had his box of frosted flakes sitting out.  So I did it; I stole some.  And to my surprise, I didn’t like it nearly as much as my new cereal concoction.  Apparently my body- and taste buds- enjoy natural fruit and whole grains much more that sugary treats.

Yesterday I had my yearly check-up.  During the visit, my doctor asked me what supplements I was taking.  I told him that I take a multivitamin and omega-3.  I then asked him a question that seems to be on the forefront of many people’s thoughts: What are the best supplements to take and how do I know if I am taking a quality supplement?

I’ve been taking Omega-3 fish oil and a multivitamin and know the benefits of both, but I was curious to hear what he said.

According to my doctor, there are many supplements to take, it depends what you need on a personal basis.  So he really didn’t answer my question.

Once again, Dr. James O’Keefe, MD, to the rescue.  Dr. O’Keefe answers my question in this clip, Are All Supplements Safe to Take?

Find out what Dr. O’Keefe thinks is the number one supplement to take.  Listen to find out what his Recommended Products are.