Guest guest Posted June 4, 2008 Report Share Posted June 4, 2008 Well, I can stop worrying so much, *and* I can feel encouraged about the benefit of eating well. I visited my doctor (GP) and the cardiologist last week, and basically, I've gone from my general doctor (who believes that every fat person is unhealthy just because she's fat, and that I'm a ticking time bomb) telling me I'll probably have to be on heart meds for the rest of my life just to save me from a coronary, to seeing the cardiologist, who basically said: 1) Being fat isn't a risk factor in itself -- it's a signal to look for things like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, etc. -- none of which I have. My blood pressure was normal again, and may have been high because of stress or animal fat or something else. 2) He doesn't want me to go on any medications right now. My test was only mildly abnormal, and it was in a spot that has a 10% false positive rate, so he's sending me for another test just to be sure, but putting a healthy 41-year-old woman on heart meds is something he thinks is reckless. 3) I am obviously smart and am handling my risk factors -- eating well, exercising, controlling my blood pressure -- so he doesn't see why I should do anything I find too invasive or risky, like surgeries or powerful medications. You can't imagine how great this feels. Or maybe you can; after all, I guess a lot of us got to these lists because of heart trouble or whatever. Anyway, I'm happy with what I've heard this week, and I feel even more motivated to treat my heart well for the long run. I guess my next project is to go back to my search for the perfect fat-free salad dressing. ;-) Serene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 4, 2008 Report Share Posted June 4, 2008 , Serene <serene-lists wrote: > > Well, I can stop worrying so much, *and* I can feel encouraged about the > benefit of eating well. I visited my doctor (GP) and the cardiologist > last week, and basically, I've gone from my general doctor (who believes > that every fat person is unhealthy just because she's fat, and that I'm > a ticking time bomb) telling me I'll probably have to be on heart meds > for the rest of my life just to save me from a coronary, to seeing the > cardiologist, who basically said: > > 1) Being fat isn't a risk factor in itself -- it's a signal to look for > things like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, etc. -- none of which > I have. My blood pressure was normal again, and may have been high > because of stress or animal fat or something else. > > 2) He doesn't want me to go on any medications right now. My test was > only mildly abnormal, and it was in a spot that has a 10% false positive > rate, so he's sending me for another test just to be sure, but putting a > healthy 41-year-old woman on heart meds is something he thinks is reckless. > > 3) I am obviously smart and am handling my risk factors -- eating well, > exercising, controlling my blood pressure -- so he doesn't see why I > should do anything I find too invasive or risky, like surgeries or > powerful medications. > > You can't imagine how great this feels. Or maybe you can; after all, I > guess a lot of us got to these lists because of heart trouble or whatever. > > Anyway, I'm happy with what I've heard this week, and I feel even more > motivated to treat my heart well for the long run. > > I guess my next project is to go back to my search for the perfect > fat-free salad dressing. ;-) > > Serene Hi Serene: I am new to this group. Congratulations regarding your doctor visit. Yes, changing to a vegetarian diet with consistent excercise can change a number of health conditions for the better. I am living proof of that. I just read about a fat free salad dressing from the Veggie Queen you might like to try. I used it last week and I think it is delicious. To prepare a fat free " oil " you whisk together 1 cup of vegetable broth and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until it thickens and comes to a boil. While that is cooling mix one package of Good Seasons Italian dressing mix with 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar and 2 tablespoons of water. Add 1/2 cup of the cooled fat free " oil " . Mix thoroughly in either a cruet or jar with a tight fitting lid. Refrigerate to blend the flavors. This fat free " oil " can be used with any type of salad dressing mix you like. I used this on both hot and cold salads. Gerri Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 4, 2008 Report Share Posted June 4, 2008 In my opinion, the perfect fat-free salad dressing is Balsamic vinegar. And salsa (one without a lot of sodium) is a close second. , Serene <serene-lists wrote: > >(snip) > I guess my next project is to go back to my search for the perfect > fat-free salad dressing. ;-) > > Serene > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 4, 2008 Report Share Posted June 4, 2008 Gerri Scharff wrote: > I just read about a fat free salad dressing from the Veggie Queen you > might like to try. I used it last week and I think it is delicious. > To prepare a fat free " oil " you whisk together 1 cup of vegetable > broth and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. Cook over medium heat, > stirring constantly until it thickens and comes to a boil. While > that is cooling mix one package of Good Seasons Italian dressing mix > with 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar and 2 tablespoons of water. Add > 1/2 cup of the cooled fat free " oil " . Mix thoroughly in either a > cruet or jar with a tight fitting lid. Refrigerate to blend the > flavors. This fat free " oil " can be used with any type of salad > dressing mix you like. I used this on both hot and cold salads. > Gerri, you may be my new best friend. Good Seasons used to have a fat-free version of their dressing, mixed with water, and I LOVED it, and was sad when I stopped being able to get it. You may have solved my problem. Thanks!! Serene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 4, 2008 Report Share Posted June 4, 2008 , Serene <serene-lists wrote: > > Gerri Scharff wrote: > > > I just read about a fat free salad dressing from the Veggie Queen you > > might like to try. I used it last week and I think it is delicious. > > To prepare a fat free " oil " you whisk together 1 cup of vegetable > > broth and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. Cook over medium heat, > > stirring constantly until it thickens and comes to a boil. While > > that is cooling mix one package of Good Seasons Italian dressing mix > > with 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar and 2 tablespoons of water. Add > > 1/2 cup of the cooled fat free " oil " . Mix thoroughly in either a > > cruet or jar with a tight fitting lid. Refrigerate to blend the > > flavors. This fat free " oil " can be used with any type of salad > > dressing mix you like. I used this on both hot and cold salads. > > > > Gerri, you may be my new best friend. Good Seasons used to have a > fat-free version of their dressing, mixed with water, and I LOVED it, > and was sad when I stopped being able to get it. You may have solved my > problem. Thanks!! > > Serene > Hi Serene: I live in Tustin, California (Orange County) and found the Good Season's fat-free salad dressing mix (packaged) at my local Albertson's supermarket. Depending where you live you may be able to find it as well. Gerri Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 4, 2008 Report Share Posted June 4, 2008 If you like salsa on your salad wishbone has a new salad dressing called bountifuls Santa Fe, it is juts the right amount of spice with little bits of veggies in it. Prim Hugs , Lisa http://www.dandeliondarlings.com/shoppes/ddcraftyeladyecreations http://craftyeladyecreations.blogspot.com "Everyone has a talent, what is rare is the courage to fcllow that talent." Now you can invite friends from Facebook and other groups to join you on Windows Live™ Messenger. Add them now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 5, 2008 Report Share Posted June 5, 2008 Gerri Scharff wrote: > I live in Tustin, California (Orange County) and found the Good > Season's fat-free salad dressing mix (packaged) at my local > Albertson's supermarket. Depending where you live you may be able to > find it as well. Do you like the " oil " way better? Serene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 5, 2008 Report Share Posted June 5, 2008 Amen to that. I just got a check up with my doctor and he was shocked that my high blood pressure was reversed. I've always exercised, but I had a problem with stress and sodium. I've read something that said that the intake of sodium was an acquired thing ( Something we've learned ). I had thought that peopled just craved sodium due to our genes, but nope! So I immediately lowered my sodium intake, started taking up more yoga, and started eating more fruits and veggies that contained potassium like bananas, and plantains. The most important thing is sleep though. Getting 8 hours of sleep lowers blood pressure up to 60%.Serene <serene-listsmcd12day ; Sent: Wednesday, June 4, 2008 5:16:06 AM OT, sort of: Good news from my docs Well, I can stop worrying so much, *and* I can feel encouraged about the benefit of eating well. I visited my doctor (GP) and the cardiologist last week, and basically, I've gone from my general doctor (who believes that every fat person is unhealthy just because she's fat, and that I'm a ticking time bomb) telling me I'll probably have to be on heart meds for the rest of my life just to save me from a coronary, to seeing the cardiologist, who basically said: 1) Being fat isn't a risk factor in itself -- it's a signal to look for things like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, etc. -- none of which I have. My blood pressure was normal again, and may have been high because of stress or animal fat or something else. 2) He doesn't want me to go on any medications right now. My test was only mildly abnormal, and it was in a spot that has a 10% false positive rate, so he's sending me for another test just to be sure, but putting a healthy 41-year-old woman on heart meds is something he thinks is reckless. 3) I am obviously smart and am handling my risk factors -- eating well, exercising, controlling my blood pressure -- so he doesn't see why I should do anything I find too invasive or risky, like surgeries or powerful medications. You can't imagine how great this feels. Or maybe you can; after all, I guess a lot of us got to these lists because of heart trouble or whatever. Anyway, I'm happy with what I've heard this week, and I feel even more motivated to treat my heart well for the long run. I guess my next project is to go back to my search for the perfect fat-free salad dressing. ;-) Serene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 5, 2008 Report Share Posted June 5, 2008 On 6/4/08, candyazz28 <candyazz28 wrote: > > The most important thing is sleep though. Getting 8 hours of sleep > lowers blood pressure up to 60%. This is something I've been going back and forth with my doctor about. I keep an off-set schedule so on days when I have a doctor's appointment, I get about four hours sleep. My blood pressure is usually something like 140/90 when I go in. But I take my blood pressure about once a week and I'm well-rested when I do and it's always around 114/72 when I take it, no matter whose machine I use. The doctor has prescribed Ace-inhibitors but I have refused to get the prescription filled because I don't feel comfortable taking blood pressure medication when my blood pressure is already so low. I need to find an academic article about lack of sleep and blood pressure that I can print out and bring in for the next visit. Thank for that cue. Sparrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 5, 2008 Report Share Posted June 5, 2008 Is Balsamic vinegar acetic acid as in white vinegar or malic acid like in apple cider vinegar? And which salsa is low sodium? Maureen bigoldog <bigoldog Sent: Wednesday, June 4, 2008 11:58:15 AM Re: OT, sort of: Good news from my docs In my opinion, the perfect fat-free salad dressing is Balsamic vinegar. And salsa (one without a lot of sodium) is a close second., Serene <serene-lists@ ...> wrote:>>(snip) > I guess my next project is to go back to my search for the perfect > fat-free salad dressing. ;-)> > Serene> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 5, 2008 Report Share Posted June 5, 2008 On 6/4/08, maureen smith <maureensgardengrotto wrote: > > Is Balsamic vinegar acetic acid as in white vinegar or malic acid > like in apple cider vinegar? It depends on the brand. Cheap " balsamic " vinegar is just wine vinegar with coloring and sugar added. Traditional balsamic vinegar is also made from grapes but rather than being made into wine first, they are boiled down into a syrup and aged for many years in wooden casks. According to " On Food and Cooking " by Harold McGee, traditional balsamic vinegars may contain anywhere from 20% to 70% unfermented sugars, about 8% acetic and 4% , malic, and other nonvolatile acids, an aroma-enhancing 1% alcohol, and up to 12% glycerol. Any label that makes a traditional balsamic (which can cost $50-$300 per bottle) typically also makes a " condiment grade " balsamic that is younger, aged only a year, and costs much less - usually more like $25 per bottle. If you get a bottle of balsamic vinegar for $1.50, it's probably not really balsamic vinegar (though it may still taste good, so don't let that stop you if you're on a tight budget.) Sparrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 5, 2008 Report Share Posted June 5, 2008 I eat salsa on my salads. That's really the only thing that I like. CeCe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 5, 2008 Report Share Posted June 5, 2008 I don't know the name of the acid (one could probably research that online), but balsamic vinegar doesn't taste anything like the two vinegars you mention (white and apple cider), neither of which I like. There is some variation in flavor among different brands of balsamic vinegar, but most are mild and aromatic and go well on lots of foods (salads, veggies, cold pasta salad, rice, avocado, etc.). I've tried different ones, and usually stick with a familiar brand name and reasonable price (rather than an overpriced gourmet version!). The one in my cabinet now is Alessi and one we just used up was Heinz, but others are equally as good or better. As for the salsa, you have to read labels as the sodium content can vary widely (some as high as 300-400 mg or more). I always choose the lowest possible at whatever store I'm at. I sometimes use Newman's Peach which is 90 mg per serving. Or you can eliminate added salt altogether and make your own salsa if you have time. , maureen smith <maureensgardengrotto wrote: > > Is Balsamic vinegar acetic acid as in white vinegar or malic acid like in apple cider vinegar? And which salsa is low sodium? > Maureen > > > > bigoldog <bigoldog > > Wednesday, June 4, 2008 11:58:15 AM > Re: OT, sort of: Good news from my docs > > > In my opinion, the perfect fat-free salad dressing is Balsamic > vinegar. And salsa (one without a lot of sodium) is a close second. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 6, 2008 Report Share Posted June 6, 2008 Sparrow, Are you interested in sleep duration or sleep disturbances (i.e. apnea) in regard to their correlation with HBP? I can send you some if I know what you want. - Sparrow R Jones Wednesday, June 04, 2008 6:57 PM Re: OT, sort of: Good news from my docs On 6/4/08, candyazz28 <candyazz28 > wrote:>> The most important thing is sleep though. Getting 8 hours of sleep> lowers blood pressure up to 60%.This is something I've been going back and forth with my doctor about.I keep an off-set schedule so on days when I have a doctor'sappointment, I get about four hours sleep. My blood pressure isusually something like 140/90 when I go in. But I take my bloodpressure about once a week and I'm well-rested when I do and it'salways around 114/72 when I take it, no matter whose machine I use.The doctor has prescribed Ace-inhibitors but I have refused to get theprescription filled because I don't feel comfortable taking bloodpressure medication when my blood pressure is already so low.I need to find an academic article about lack of sleep and bloodpressure that I can print out and bring in for the next visit. Thankfor that cue.Sparrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 6, 2008 Report Share Posted June 6, 2008 On 6/5/08, Janet Coe Hammond <janetcoe wrote: > > Sparrow, > Are you interested in sleep duration or sleep disturbances (i.e. apnea) > in regard to their correlation with HBP? I can send you some if I know > what you want. Mainly duration. I don't believe I have apnea though I do get up many times during the night for my bladder. But so long as I get a full sleep, my blood pressure is still healthy and low. It's high in the doctor's office and that's either " white coat syndrome " or based on the fact that they give me early appointments that mean I get four hours sleep (or fewer) before I go in. Either way, I'd like to have something to show my doctor so I can get her to remove the blood pressure medication I'm prescribed but not taking. The way the state insurance system works here, I can't even just not fill the prescription - the pharmacy is automatically refilling it for me whether I want it or not and that's just a waste because I'm not going to take blood pressure medication so long as my blood pressure is regularly 114/72! Sparrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 6, 2008 Report Share Posted June 6, 2008 Sparrow, I found, but have not yet been able to open: (Hypertension. 2007;50:693.)© 2007 American Heart Association, Inc. Original Articles Gender-Specific Associations of Short Sleep Duration With Prevalent and Incident Hypertension The Whitehall II Study Francesco P. Cappuccio; Saverio Stranges; Ngianga-Bakwin Kandala; Michelle A. Miller; Frances M. Taggart; Meena Kumari; Jane E. Ferrie; Martin J. Shipley; Eric J. Brunner; Michael G. Marmot From the Clinical Sciences Research Institute (F.P.C., S.S., N-B.K., M.A.M., F.M.T.), Warwick Medical School, Coventry, United Kingdom; and the International Centre for Health and Society (M.K., J.E.F., M.J.S., E.J.B., M.G.M.), University College London Medical School, London, United Kingdom. Correspondence to Francesco P. Cappuccio, Clinical Sciences Research Institute, Warwick Medical School, UHCW Campus, Clifford Bridge Rd, Coventry CV2 2DX, United Kingdom. E-mail sleepresearch Sleep deprivation (5 hour per night) was associated with a higher risk of hypertension in middle-aged American adults but not among older individuals. However, the outcome was based on self-reported diagnosis of incident hypertension, and no gender-specific analyses were included. We examined cross-sectional and prospective associations of sleep duration with prevalent and incident hypertension in a cohort of 10 308 British civil servants aged 35 to 55 years at baseline (phase 1: 1985–1988). Data were gathered from phase 5 (1997–1999) and phase 7 (2003–2004). Sleep duration and other covariates were assessed at phase 5. At both examinations, hypertension was defined as blood pressure 140/90 mm Hg or regular use of antihypertensive medications. In cross-sectional analyses at phase 5 (n=5766), short duration of sleep (5 hour per night) was associated with higher risk of hypertension compared with the group sleeping 7 hours, among women (odds ratio: 2.01; 95% CI: 1.13 to 3.58), independent of confounders, with an inverse linear trend across decreasing hours of sleep (P=0.003). No association was detected in men. In prospective analyses (mean follow-up: 5 years), the cumulative incidence of hypertension was 20.0% (n=740) among 3691 normotensive individuals at phase 5. In women, short duration of sleep was associated with a higher risk of hypertension in a reduced model (age and employment) (6 hours per night: odds ratio: 1.56 [95% CI: 1.07 to 2.27]; 5 hour per night: odds ratio: 1.94 [95% CI: 1.08 to 3.50] versus 7 hours). The associations were attenuated after accounting for cardiovascular risk factors and psychiatric comorbidities (odds ratio: 1.42 [95% CI: 0.94 to 2.16]; odds ratio: 1.31 [95% CI: 0.65 to 2.63], respectively). Sleep deprivation may produce detrimental cardiovascular effects among women. Key Words: sleep duration • blood pressure • hypertension • gender differences • confounders • comorbidities This article has been cited by other articles: P. Virtanen, J. Vahtera, U. Broms, L. Sillanmaki, M. Kivimaki, and M. KoskenvuoEmployment trajectory as determinant of change in health-related lifestyle: the prospective HeSSup studyEur J Public Health, May 31, 2008; (2008) ckn037v1. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] A. Stang, S. Moebus, S. Mohlenkamp, R. Erbel, K. H. Jockel, and on behalf of the Heinz Nixdorf Recall Study InvestGender-Specific Associations of Short Sleep Duration With Prevalent HypertensionHypertension, March 1, 2008; 51(3): e15 - e16. [Full Text] [PDF] F. P. Cappuccio and S. StrangesResponse to Gender-Specific Associations of Short Sleep Duration With Prevalent HypertensionHypertension, March 1, 2008; 51(3): e17 - e17. [Full Text] [PDF] Less Sleep = More HypertensionJournal Watch Women's Health, November 8, 2007; 2007(1108): 2 - 2. [Full Text] - Sparrow R Jones Thursday, June 05, 2008 11:12 PM Re: OT, sort of: Good news from my docs On 6/5/08, Janet Coe Hammond <janetcoe (AT) cox (DOT) net> wrote:>> Sparrow,> Are you interested in sleep duration or sleep disturbances (i.e. apnea)> in regard to their correlation with HBP? I can send you some if I know> what you want.Mainly duration. I don't believe I have apnea though I do get up manytimes during the night for my bladder. But so long as I get a fullsleep, my blood pressure is still healthy and low. It's high in thedoctor's office and that's either "white coat syndrome" or based onthe fact that they give me early appointments that mean I get fourhours sleep (or fewer) before I go in.Either way, I'd like to have something to show my doctor so I can gether to remove the blood pressure medication I'm prescribed but nottaking. The way the state insurance system works here, I can't evenjust not fill the prescription - the pharmacy is automaticallyrefilling it for me whether I want it or not and that's just a wastebecause I'm not going to take blood pressure medication so long as myblood pressure is regularly 114/72!Sparrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 6, 2008 Report Share Posted June 6, 2008 On 6/6/08, Janet Coe Hammond <janetcoe wrote: > > Original Articles > Gender-Specific Associations of Short Sleep Duration With Prevalent > and Incident Hypertension Oh, that's perfect! Thank you so much! I will print this out and have it ready for my next doctor visit. You are an angel! Sparrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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