Farmers' Pesticides May Not Raise Heart Risks

Good news for men who farm U.S. fields. Regular exposure to pesticides used commonly on the farm does not appear to increase the risk of heart attack.

As part of the Agricultural Health Study, between 1993 and 1997, researchers asked more than 54,000 male farmers what pesticides they used regularly, how much time they spent using tractors and other farm equipment, and whether they raised poultry or other livestock.

Dr. Jane A. Hoppin, of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, and colleagues surveyed roughly 32,000 of these men 5 years later and discovered 839 non-fatal heart attacks.

They also followed the entire study population for nearly 12 years on average and found that a total of 476 farmers died from heart attack.

In analyses adjusted for factors that might increase heart attack risk, such as older age, smoking and being overweight, the researchers found some suggestion of an increased risk of heart attack with exposure to six specific pesticides, although the link was not statistically significant.

These pesticides were the organochlorines aldrin and DDT, the herbicide 2,4,5-T, the fumigant ethylene dibromide, and the fungicides maneb and ziram.

By contrast, five other pesticides - carbaryl, terbufos, imazethapyr, pendimethalin, and petroleum oil - seemed to be associated with a somewhat reduced risk of death from heart attack.

However, none of the 49 pesticides were statistically associated with heart attack, nor did the investigators note similar risk due to other farm-related "exposures."

In a report in the American Journal of Epidemiology, Hoppin and colleagues point out that farmers commonly have heart attack rates lower than those of the general population.

Hoppin and colleagues say further investigations are needed to confirm their findings and to assess short- and long-term heart-related risks from exposure to pesticides.


P.S. take care of your heart by eating Vitamin C and Vitamin D rich foods and fruits.



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Eat your heart out

I Love My Heart! I Love my Health! That's what people always say when someone questions them about their health and well being but science says that you have done nothing in your action towards loving your heart if you haven't taken a close look at your diet. If you already have risk factors such as hypertension, cholesterol, smoking, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle and high stress, start on your diet right away! If you have no obvious risk-factors(good for you!), this 5 easy steps will let you have a healthy heart throughout your lifetime.

1. Up your anti-oxidants

• Anti-oxidants such as vitamins C, E, beta carotene and bioflavonoids occur naturally in fruits, vegetables, wholegrains, nuts and seeds. They protect the heart from free radical damage.

• Eat gooseberries or amlas every day. Rich in Vitamin C, they mop up free radicals from the body. Steam your veggies for retaining Vitamin C. • Add a glass of freshly-squeezed citrus fruit juice combined with carrots, 3-4 times a week for Vitamin C and beta carotene.

• Snack on 4 almonds, 2 walnuts and 1-2 Tbsp of sunflower seeds each day to get a Vitamin E boost. Add a teaspoon of wheat germ to your breakfast cereal for more Vitamin E.



2. Feast on good fats

MUFA or monounsaturated fatty acids are good fats. Get them in olive, soya, and mustard oil; nuts (walnuts and pistachios) and seeds (sunflower, flax seeds), olives and dark chocolate. They have been proven to reduce 'bad' LDL cholesterol and increase 'good' HDL cholesterol.Good polyunsaturated fatty acids like Omega 3 and Omega 6 are also heart protective and found in oily fish (sardines, salmon, tuna) and flax seeds. Add them to your diet.

3.Fill up with fibre

Fibre is important for lowering bad cholesterol, a major risk factor in heart diseases. Fruits, vegetables, wholegrains, beans and legumes are good sources of both soluble and insoluble dietary fibre. Oats are great for reducing cholesterol levels, so start your day with a steaming bowl of porridge. Switch to wholewheat bread and pastas and go for brown rice instead of refined.

4.Add more vitamin D
Recent research published in the American Journal of the Medical Sciences (2009), points out the importance of Vitamin D for keeping your heart healthy. According to one article, low Vitamin D levels could increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart failure, and ischemic heart disease. There is still little information on whether taking Vitamin D supplements will reduce these risks. But because you love your heart and to be on the safe side, ensure that you expose your body to 20 minutes of sunlight every day for Vitamin D synthesis.

5.Eat this way

• Loving your heart is not simple so go easy on saturated fats and cut trans fat. Swap red meat with fish such as salmon, sardine, mackerel, sea bass. Pick white meat if you don't like fish.

• Reduce your dairy intake and go for soya instead. ? Add more coloured vegetables to your diet. Go for salads and steamed veggies.? Cut back on your salt intake. Avoid table salt and stay away from packaged foods, pickles and processed foods.

• For snacks, swap chips, cookies and chocolates with fruits, nuts and seeds.

• Swap refined foods with wholegrain foods such as brown rice, brown bread and wholewheat pastas.

• Try grilling, baking, stir-frying and steaming foods, instead of frying them.

• If you drink alcohol, exercise moderation. You can opt for red wine as it is said to contain heart-friendly polyphenols.

• Use a mix of healthy oils-olive oil, canola, rice bran, mustard and soya oil.



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One in four heart attack and stroke patients miss medication

Almost a quarter of people on medication to prevent strokes and heart attacks are not taking their drugs, research has found.

Women are slightly more likely than men to take their drugs on time, according to a poll of 472 patients, but overall 26% said they either missed doses or did not use their prescribed medication at all.

Anti-clotting drugs were not taken regularly by 29% of patients at a GP practice in the North-east of England, and 23% failed to take statins on time, which reduce cholesterol and lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Research presented at the British Pharmaceutical Conference in Manchester found that older patients and those on large numbers of drugs were more likely to stick to a medication schedule.

Pharmacist Wasim Baqir, from The Village Green Surgery, Sunderland, said: “Simply prescribing a drug is not enough.

“Doctors and other members of the primary care team, such as pharmacists, need to work with patients so they understand the importance of taking their medicines in the right dose, at the right time.”

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Magnesium good for heart health?

The daily stress of modern life can take its toll on our health. Magnesium is one of the most important minerals for obtaining deep relaxation and maintaining overall wellness.

While many are familiar with its roles in heart health, bone strength, and a healthy immune system, fewer people are aware of magnesium’s role in muscle relaxation and nervous system balance. During times of stress, magnesium stores in the body can be depleted.

Magnesium is an important element critical to bone development, and the proper development and maintenance of organs, tissues, and blood.

Magnesium sources include spinach, legumes such as beans and peanuts, nuts and seeds, whole grain bread and ‘hard’ tap water. Who really drinks ‘hard’ tap water anymore? Halibut is another excellent source of magnesium. Other foods that contain magnesium, although not in as abundant quantities include: milk, cheese, bananas, and avocadoes.

Here's a healthy snack for you and your children to enjoy. Ants on a Log: This classic camp recipe, is actually amazingly heart healthy. The classic recipe for ants on a log is celery, peanut butter, and raisins. Celery is very high in vitamin K, vitamin C, potassium, folate, and dietary fiber. It is also low in calories, and helps in preventing high blood pressure. It lowers blood pressure because celery is full of pthalides, which are active compounds which can help relax the muscles around the arteries, thus lowering the pressure on the arties. Pthalides also help lower the hormones which cause stress levels to rise. All of that in a piece of celery! Peanut butter is very high in monounsaturated fat, the type of fat that is promoted in heart-healthy eating and is often heard in conjunction with the “Mediterranean Diet.” Peanuts are also high in vitamin E, niacin, and folate. New research has also shown that peanuts may be just as high in antioxidants as some fruits and vegetables. Peanuts are one of the best foods to eat, in moderation, to prevent cardiovascular problems and coronary heart disease. Raisins, the ants on the log, are one of the top sources of the trace mineral, boron. Boron is very important, especially for women, in bone health and prevention of osteoporosis. Who know that such a classic and simple after-school snack had such health benefits not just for the kids, but for the adults as well!

Magnesium sources are essential to helping the body regulate blood sugar, control blood pressure, maintain strong bones and a steady heartbeat. Research indicates that magnesium may also be beneficial in preventing heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

The best way, if at all possible, to obtain a healthy amount of magnesium is to include natural magnesium sources, such as vegetables, legumes, and whole grains. Introducing foods containing magnesium into the diet of a person, who has already developed a deficiency, may not be sufficient and it may be necessary to add supplements in order to raise magnesium levels to an acceptable point.


A scientific evidence on the importance of Magnesium