Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries have used olive leaf extract---a natural, medicinal treatment derived from the leaves of the olive tree---for a variety of reasons for centuries. Now, olive leaf extract (OLE, olea europaea) is gaining...
The exercise stress test, also called the exercise tolerance or treadmill test, helps your cardiologist determine whether your heart gets sufficient oxygen and blood flow during hard work. These exercise tests are the preferred method for...
L-citrulline is a non-essential amino acid, meaning that the body can synthesize it from other amino acids. It was first isolated from the watermelon, but is also found in a number of other foods. The “Manual of Dietetic Practice”...
Oats are a type of cereal grain commonly used as food. Processing removes the outer hull of oats but retains the bran and germ layers, so they are considered whole grains. Oats can be rolled, crushed or cut and made into oatmeal or oat flour....
Although high blood pressure can be genetic, your risk increases because of age, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. One way to improve your blood pressure and overall cardiovascular fitness is aerobic exercise. Bicycle training, both indoors and...
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a chronic disorder that increases your risk for kidney damage, heart attack or stroke. Hypertension occurs when your heart pumps blood through arteries that are constricted, putting stress on artery walls....
Caffeine is found in coffee, soda, chocolate and energy drinks. Caffeine occurs naturally in more than 60 different plants and man-made caffeine is sometimes added to food, drinks and medicines. Approximately 90 percent of the people of the world...
Ginkgo biloba ranks as the most widely used supplement in Europe and is one of the top ten supplements used in the United States, as reported by the September 2003 issue of the "American Family Physician." Although some clinical trials have not...
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 61 percent of adults in 2006 drank alcohol in one form or another. But for some, alcohol can present a number of medical problems, including high blood pressure. According to the...
A low carb diet allows your body to burn more of your stored fat. When you eat carbohydrates, your body breaks them down into glucose. While glucose is circulating in your blood, insulin is released in order to move glucose into cells. Insulin...
High blood pressure does not have to affect your quality of life. If your doctor tells you your blood pressure numbers are higher than 140/90, he may recommend exercise as part of your treatment. Through 30 minutes each day of walking on a...
Vasodilation is the relaxing of the arteries, a beneficial effect that can help to lower blood pressure. Many anti-hypertensive drugs achieve their effects through this mechanism. Vasodilator substances are also found naturally in foods. One...
Taurine, or 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid, is an amino acid that plays a role in various physiological functions and certain aspects of early development. Your body makes taurine, but the largest source of taurine is from your diet. Taurine is found...
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, on its own increases the risk of having a heart attack or stroke. So does metabolic syndrome, which describes multiple risk factors for heart disease and diabetes. Having these risk factors, of which high...
Eating a diet high in fiber and whole grains helps your body maintain a healthy blood pressure. Oatmeal satisfies both of those dietary requirements. According to the USDA National Nutrient Database, 100 g of fortified oats has 10 g of fiber, as...
According to the American Heart Association's 2009 update on heart disease statistics, more than 80 million Americans suffer from some form of cardiovascular disease. Sixteen million are diagnosed with coronary artery disease, 73 million have high...
In today's fast-paced society, you may be tempted to turn to caffeinated beverages for a quick pick-me-up. Coffee, soft drinks and energy drinks can be purchased at almost any restaurant, grocery or convenience store. The cumulative effects can be...
Blood pressure refers to the force of blood as it is pushed through your arteries and arterioles. Over a period of time, high blood pressure damages the walls of the arteries and blood vessels and can lead to a heart attack or stroke. A person is...
Blood pressure is one of the many things affected physiologically when you exercise. Blood pressure is the pressure made by the blood against the arterial walls during contraction and relaxation of the heart. When you perform aerobic or anaerobic...
Steady-state exercise affects many aspects of your body's function. You may notice a decline in your blood pressure and heart rate, and your overall aerobic endurance will improve after you consistently perform steady-state exercise over several...
Blood pressure is the force that blood exerts against artery walls. The top number in blood pressure readings is called systolic, which refers to the force of the heart contracting. The bottom number is called diastolic, which refers to the force...
Thousands of years ago, the inhabitants of Crete used olive leaf to clean out wounds and prevent infection. Laboratory testing indicates it possess antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial properties. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center...
Your doctor should take your blood pressure reading during regular office visits. If you are at risk for hypertension, however, you may wish to take readings more often in order to monitor your health status. Electronic cuffs provide an easy way...
The use of olive leaf as a medicine dates back to 3,500 B.C. when residents of Crete used the leaf to clean wounds. It is probably best known for its demonstrated actions against bacteria, viruses and other microbes. Research indicates it might...
Tea has a soothing effect, whether you are sipping iced tea on your patio or curling up on the couch with cup of hot tea. While lagging behind other countries in tea consumption, the market continues to grow. The Tea Association of the U.S.A. Inc....
Consuming fish like salmon, tuna and herring, or taking daily fish-oil supplements, can help you to round out a healthy diet. But consuming such fish that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids may provide more healthy benefits than you ever knew....
The University of Maryland Medical Center calls stroke the leading cause of disability among Americans, with 150,000 dying from stroke each year. Stroke occurs when oxygen is cut off from your brain due to blockage or rupture of one of the brain's...
Reducing the salt contained in processed foods by 50 percent could prevent the deaths of 150,000 people from strokes, heart attacks and other sodium-related illness, claims Dr. Stephen Havas, professor at the University of Maryland School of...
Salt plays a major role in the diets of most Americans, even those who don't keep the salt shaker prominently on the dinner table. Around 75 percent of the sodium Americans consume each day comes from processed foods, which use sodium as a...
