Tag Archives: potassium

Blood pressure drugs linked to Diabetes, Heart Failure

01 Monday Dec 2008

Posted by in blood pressure, blood vessel, diabetes, drugs, heart failure, potassium

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Potassium Loss From Blood Pressure Drugs May Explain Higher Risk Of Adult Diabetes (December 1, 2008) — Researchers have discovered that a drop in blood potassium levels caused by diuretics commonly prescribed for high blood pressure could be the reason why people on those drugs are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. The drugs helpfully accelerate loss of fluids, but also deplete important chemicals, including potassium, so that those who take them are generally advised to eat bananas and other potassium-rich foods to counteract the effect. … > full story

Discover what other nutrients your drugs are depleting from your body.

 

Diabetes Medications In Same Class Carry Different Risks Of Heart Failure, Death (December 1, 2008) — Older adults who take the diabetes medication rosiglitazone appear to have a higher risk of death and heart failure than those taking the related medication pioglitazone, according to a new report. … > full story

 

Portuguese Scientists Discover New Mechanism That Regulates Formation Of Blood Vessels (November 30, 2008) — Researchers have discovered a novel mechanism which regulates the process whereby new blood vessels are formed and wounds heal, including chronic wounds, such as those found in diabetic patients and those suffering from morbid obesity. These findings have implications for the development of new therapeutic approaches to healing damaged blood vessels and building new ones. … > full story

 

Garlic lowers blood pressure without bad side effects.

alfalfa – cholesterol, allergies, blood sugar, arthritis

30 Sunday Nov 2008

Posted by in allergy, arthritis, blood sugar, bursitis, cholesterol, digestion, heart disease, hot flash, IBS, liver, sinus, steroids

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Alfalfa, the king of plants

  • reduces cholesterol
  • reduces blood sugar levels 
  • enzymes break down food
  • thins mucas (sinus, intestinal)
  • alleviates allergies / congestion
  • promotes liver health
  • detoxifies the body
  • relieve pain and stiffness of arthritis/bursitis
  • anti-cancer activity because of isoflavone/phytoestrogens content
  • alleviate postmenopausal “hot flashes”. 1
  • If cut before it blooms, alfalfa is low in fiber and high in energy. 
  • improves soil structure and condition, and controls weeds in subsequent crop rotations.
  • Alfalfa is a good source of protein, B-complex vitamins, and certain minerals, including calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, and potassium.
  • Alfalfa could help prevent fatigue associated with vitamin/mineral deficiency or protein energy malnutrition in disadvantaged parts of the world. 
  • absorbs significant quantities of cholesterol. The direct interaction of saponins and cholesterol is thought to be responsible for the ability of alfalfa and other saponin-containing plant materials to reverse diet induced cholesterolemia in rats. Alfalfa saponins also interact with cholesterol found in intestinal cell membranes. This potentially alters cholesterol metabolism by interfering with intestinal absorption of cholesterol. 3
  • absorbs bile acids in the small intestine which then enter the large intestine and are eliminated along with steroids.  Since steroids normally facilitate cholesterol absorption, their elimination provides another possible mechanism to reverse or prevent cholesterolemia. 4

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References

  1. Alfalfa, Supplementwatch.com, 2002 
  2. International Forage Factsheet Series, http://www.forages.css.orst.edu/Topics/Species/Legumes/Alfalfa/International_Fact_Sheet.html
  3. Hwang J, Sevanian A, Hodis H, Ursini F. Synergistic Inhibition of LDL Oxidation by Phytoestrogens and Ascorbic Acid. Free Radical Biol Med, 29(1); 2000:79-89; Malinow M, McLaughlin P, Stafford C, Livingston A, Kohler G. Alfalfa saponins and alfalfa seeds. Atherosclerosis, 37;1980:433-438; Molgaard J, von Schenck H, Olsson A. Alfalfa seeds lower low density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein B concentrations in patients with type II hyperlipoproteinemia. Atherosclerosis, 65,1987:173-79.
  4. Story J, LePage S, Petro M, West L, Cassidy M, Lightfoot F, Vahouny G. Interactions of alfalfa plant and sprout

 

alfalfa