Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
Understanding Fasting part 2 Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND In our last blog on fasting, we were focused on shorter fasts such as water or juice fasting. We also talked about how you would go about doing a detox or cleanse, which lasts longer than a …
Understanding Fasting Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND Fasting can be done for so many reasons. It can be done for religious reasons, cleansing or for general detoxification of the body. Fasting can also look vastly different depending on the reasons behind your fast. Several types of …
Winter and Heart Health
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
Wintertime, as we all know, can have negative effects on our immunity, mood and even our heart health. But how exactly can the cold of winter impact our heart health? What can you do to protect your heart? Let us get into it, shall we?
If you are watching the news after a storm, you may notice that it is common to hear about people having a cardiac event after shoveling snow. This can happen for a number of reasons. Lifting snow is exercise. This type of exercise can put an added strain on your heart. This extra hard work and stress on your heart can trigger a cardiac event. As you can imagine this is especially true in those who do not regularly exercise or who are elderly and /or have any underlying heart conditions. This makes sense if you think about it. Have you ever used a muscle that you do not normally use? It tends to hurt and feel strained, right? Well, the heart is a muscle and if you suddenly start exercising just like any other muscle the heart can be overworked. If you go from no heavy lifting in the summer to heavy weightlifting aka shoveling snow your heart will feel it just like any other muscle.
Another reason winter can have a negative impact on heart health is the cold. When it comes to blood flow and heat the body will prioritize the core organs. For example, your lungs are more important to your body than your skin. I know what you are thinking, what does this mean and how does the body prioritize heat? It means that the body makes sure that your organs that keep your alive stay warm by clamping down on the blood vessels that lead to the skin making them narrower. This affects the heart because the heart must work harder to pump blood through the narrow passages. In fact, studies have found that for every 10 degrees drop in temperature there is a 5-10% increase in the risk of heart attacks. (1) Chilly weather can also affect blood pressure. As we all know, high blood pressure is a risk factor for both heart attacks and strokes.
Something else that may be unexpected but that comes up often in the winter is the issue of dry heat. For some people, this dry heat can lead to nosebleeds. For others it can lead to dehydration. This dehydration can increase the blood, increasing the risk of blood clot formation.
And while some people exercise more in the winter due to activities like snow shoveling others find themselves staying inside their homes and as a result exercise less. In some cases, this decrease in activity can lead to an increase in heart disease risk factors.
The risk of other heart related conditions can increase in winter. For example, you are at an increased risk of angina, irregular heartbeat, and even chronic heart disease in the winter. This can be due to the combination of wintry weather, temperature changes, reduced physical activity and seasonal stress all putting a strain on your heart. (2)
It’s important to seek medical help if you suspect you are having a heart attack. Please see the attached diagram for the symptoms of a heart attack. While the most common signs of a heart attack include chest pain, weakness/lightheadedness, and a squeezing sensation in the chest there are other signs that you may not expect. (1) Men and women can have slightly different symptoms, so I have included the signs of a heart attack usually experienced by men and by women. (3)
Now what can you do to improve heart health?
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Winter Back Pain from Cold Temperatures and Shoveling Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND If you are in New York and look out the window or go for a walk you will notice the snow. While snow may look pretty when it falls after the snowfall is …
Pneumonia Part 2 Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND In our first blog on pneumonia, we covered the basics of pneumonia. In this blog we will be reviewing risk factors for pneumonia, details about the vaccine and what you can do to help boost your immunity. Let …
Energy in the Body
written by: Noreen Kodula, Certified Natural Health Professional (CNHP)
Energy is essential for all body functions. Involuntary processes like breathing and circulation, and voluntary actions like movement and thinking all rely on energy. Most people think of energy in terms of how you feel each day; why you feel sluggish, whether you need a boost or how refreshed you feel after a good night’s sleep.
The human body derives energy from the food we eat. Macronutrients from the food is converted into adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is the universal energy currency that powers all cellular activities. Cellular energy is how well your cells produce and use energy (ATP) to power the systems that keep you functioning. The body continuously regenerates ATP to ensure it has a constant supply of energy.
Macronutrients are nutrients your body needs in substantial amounts, to function optimally. They provide the body with energy and the components needed to maintain its structure and functions. The body obtains energy from three primary macronutrients:
If we eat more than what is needed for cellular energy, the remainder is stored as body fat. If a person needs more energy than they consume, like when exercising, the body will draw from its fat stores. In this way exercise can be helpful in losing fat.
Having too little energy regularly can interfere with your ability to be present, living your life. This in turn can interfere with your daily routine. This constant lack of energy can be due to many factors like stress, lack of sleep, an unbalanced diet, an overworked immune system and more. Instead of reaching for a cup of coffee, a sugary snack or an energy drink, reach for high-quality sustainable energy support: reach for research-backed, energy-boosting supplements:
Energy production is not just about eating enough; it involves a balanced diet with an adequate intake of essential vitamins and minerals, adequate hydration, sufficient sleep, regular physical activity and proper supplementation. This will help support energy levels and metabolic functions in the body.
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Noreen Kodula, Certified Natural Health Professional (CNHP)