Finding time in our busy lives for exercise is a challenge for all Americans. But the benefits far outweigh the sacrifices it takes to create time. The facts are clear: By exercising for as little as 30 minutes each day you can reduce your risk of heart disease. Without regular physical activity, the body slowly loses its strength and ability to function well. Physical activity = living a longer, healthier life.
Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like, waxy substance found in the bloodstream and in all your body's cells. It's normal to have cholesterol. Cholesterol is an important part of a healthy body because it's used for producing cell membranes and some hormones, and serves other needed bodily functions. But too much cholesterol in the blood is a major risk for coronary heart disease (which leads to heart attack) and for stroke.
A healthy diet and lifestyle are your best weapons to fight cardiovascular disease. You may be eating plenty of food, but your body may not be getting the nutrients it needs to be healthy. Nutrient-rich foods have vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients, but are lower in calories. To get the nutrients you need, choose foods like vegetables, fruits, whole-grain products and fat-free or low-fat dairy products most often. The American Heart Association recommends that you eat a wide variety of nutritious foods daily from each of the basic food groups.
Hypertension (also know as High Blood Pressure) is the single most significant risk factor for heart disease. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can injure or kill you. It's sometimes called "the silent killer" because it has no symptoms. One in three adults has high blood pressure, yet, about 21% don’t even know they have it. Of those with high blood pressure, 69% are receiving treatment, yet, only 45% have their blood pressure controlled.
Among Americans age 20 and older, 145 million are overweight or obese (BMI of 25.0 kg/m2 and higher). That’s 76.9 million men and 68.1 million women. Obesity is now recognized as a major, independent risk factor for heart disease. If you have too much fat — especially if a lot of it is at your waist - you are at higher risk for such health problems as high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and diabetes.
The American Heart Association considers diabetes one of the six major controllable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Adults with diabetes are two to four times more likely to have heart disease or a stroke than adults without diabetes. Diabetes is treatable, but even when glucose levels are under control it greatly increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. Most people with diabetes die of some form of heart or blood vessel disease.
Smoking is the most important preventable cause of premature death in the United States. Smokers have a higher risk of developing many chronic disorders, including atherosclerosis - the buildup of fatty substances in the arteries - which can lead to coronary heart disease, heart attack (myocardial infarction) and stroke. Smoking by itself increases the risk of coronary heart disease. When it acts with the other factors, it greatly increases your risk from those factors, too. Smoking decreases your tolerance for physical activity and increases the tendency for blood to clot. It decreases HDL (good) cholesterol. Your risks increase greatly if you smoke and have a family history of heart disease. Smoking also creates a higher risk for peripheral artery disease and aortic aneurysm. It increases the risk of recurrent coronary heart disease after bypass surgery, too.
Broward County Dietetic Association celebrates National Nutrition Month from the Ground Up.
BCDA members (from left to right) Tracy Wilczek, Stacy Roberts, Jennifer Keil and Ashley Johnson
Summary of Speakers
Douglas Kalman, PhD, RD, CCRC, FACN (MRA Clinical Research).
Sports Nutrition: Assessing the Athlete. Dr. Kalman emphasized an individual should focus on changing their lifestyle and not their weight.
Sami Shafiq, PharmD, AAHIVE (Barry University, NSU, Walgreens Health Services).
Metabolic and Morphologic Lipodystrophy. Dr. Shafiq explained the relationship of AIDs to muscle and fat wasting.
Elizabeth Stone, MD (Dept of Hematology & Oncology, Cleveland Clinic, Weston, FL).
BRAC Genetic Testing. Dr. Stone described how to use the BRAC analysis to detect the genes for breast and ovarian cancer. The tool is not meant to provide a yes or no answer, but sets guidelines and potential risks for developing cancer.
Christopher Fuzy, MS, RD, LDN (Owner, Lifestyle Nutrition, Inc).
Lifestyle, DNA & Nutrition Counseling. The possible relationship between DNA, food and supplements were discussed.
Jennifer Marks, MD (Professor of Medicine, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Diabetes Research nstitute). Diabetes. The insulin pump should allow for continuous blood sugar monitoring.
Gail Perry Mason (Senior Director of Investments, Oppenheimer & Co, Inc.).
Finances in difficult times. An informative list of Internet places where you can find discounts and free items and services.
A special thanks to the Sponsors and Vendors.
Meet and Greet South Florida RD Authors:
Lucille Beseler, MS, RD, LDN, CDE author of Nurturing with Nutrition.
Darlene Moppert, MS, RD, LDN author of The Fort Lauderdale Diet.
Lunch was sponsored by Cabot Creamery and the Florida Dairy Council.
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