Ask Your Doctor if the TV Ads are Working

A survey published in the February issue of Consumer Reports stated that a large majority of their patients ask for prescription medications they have seen in advertisements and physicians often facilitate their requests.

According to the report, “78 percent of primary-care physicians said their patients ask for drugs they’ve seen advertised on TV. The surveys, which involved 335 doctors and 39,090 people around the nation, found 67 percent of doctors concede they sometimes grant their patients’ requests.”

Forty-one percent of Doctors that participated in the survey also concluded that many of the patients are poorly informed. Television, Radio, and print adds account for 94 percent of the annual 4.2 billion dollars spent on direct-to-consumer advertising according to the federal Government Accountability office. They also stated that such advertising is increasing 20 percent a year.

Robert Thompson, professor of popular culture at Syracuse University told the Atlanta Journal Constitution, “The ads have completely turned around the old relationship when the doctor was this godlike character and you used to go in there all deferentially”.

The Top 10 Prescription Drugs by Advertising Dollars Spent in 2005 were:

Nexium (heartburn) …………$223.7 million

Lunesta (sleep aid) ………….$215.1 million

Vytorin (cholesterol)………..$155.2 million

Crestor (cholesterol)…………$141.5 million

Advair (asthma)……………….$136.9 million

Nasonex (allergy)……………..$124.2 million

Flonase (allergy)………………$111.1 million

Lamisil (toenail fungus) ……$110.2 million

Plavix (blood thinner) ………$110.2 million

Cialis (erectile dysfunction).$110.1 million

There is definitly been a clear lack of concern by the FDA to deal with this problem. The pharmaceutical industry should consider putting some of the millions it spends on direct to consumer advertising into research and developement, instead of producing “innovations” on the same drugs we have had for the last 20 years.

Source: TNS Media Intelligence

For more information on ordering from an online freebeeforeignpharmacy.com foreign pharmacy.

Cathlene Martinez has established herself as a pioneer in the online pharmaceutical resource industry. She has been innovating the industry since 2000 and is currently the president of freebeeforeignpharmacy.com freebeeforeignpharmacy.com For more information on ordering from online freebeeforeignpharmacy.com foreign pharmacies.

Athletes foot and Colloidal Silver Soap

Athlete’s foot is a common fungal infection of skin of the foot, usually affecting the soles of the feet and the areas between the toes. Sometimes, it may also spread to the toenails. This skin disorder is caused by the fungus tinea pedis, which is contracted from public environments. The fungus thrives in damp and warm areas such as locker rooms and common showers, which provide an ideal breeding ground for them. Walking barefoot in such facilities, the fungus can easily be transferred from the barren floor into the foot. As the infection was common among athletes who used these facilities frequently, the term “athlete’s foot” became popular. Susceptibility to this infection is increased by poor hygiene, tight and closed footwear, prolonged moist skin, and minor skin or nail injuries. This infection is contagious, and can spread through direct contact, or contact with items such as shoes, stockings, and shower or swimming pool surfaces. They also can be transmitted from contact with pets that carry the fungus. Athlete’s foot infection may be brief or long-term and may recur after treatment.

The most common symptom of athlete’s foot is cracked, flaking, peeling skin between the toes. With the infection slowly developing, the skin surrounding the foot becomes dry and scaly. Inflammation and blisters may also develop gradually during the course of the infection. The blisters especially those found in between the toes are more likely to break out, exposing raw skin that can cause a great deal of pain and burning sensation. Itchiness on the surrounding skin is also one of the disturbing and troublesome symptoms of athlete’s foot. The affected area is usually red and itchy. In addition to the toes, the symptoms can also occur on the heels, palms, and between the fingers. If the fungus spreads to nails, they can become discolored, thick, and even crumble. It can also spread to other parts of the body, notably the groin and underarms, by those who scratch the infection and then touch themselves elsewhere. The organisms causing athlete’s foot may persist for long periods. Consequently, the infection may be spread by contaminated bed sheets or clothing to other parts of the body.

The best treatment of athlete’s foot is prevention. Its infection can be prevented by practicing good foot hygiene. Daily washing of the feet with soap and water; drying carefully, especially between the toes; and changing shoes and hose regularly to decrease moisture, help prevent the fungus from infecting the feet. Also helpful is daily use of a quality foot powder. One should take extra care in public places. It is best to avoid walking barefoot in places like locker rooms and use shower shoes instead. It is also advisable to wear a sock, like cotton sock, which keeps the feet dry. Also, it should be changed frequently if one perspires heavily. Wet or sweaty socks should never be worn. One can also find socks made of special “moisture wicking” fabrics in many sports stores - these are designed to keep feet dry. If possible, one should choose sneakers that are well ventilated - some sneakers contain small ventilation holes that help to keep the feet dry. Light and airy shoes should be given preference to other variety of shoes. A clean towel should always be used and it is better to avoid sharing towels because doing so can spread the infection.

Although, over the counter medications are available for treatment of athlete’s foot, the fungicidal and fungistatic chemicals, its main constituents, frequently fail to contact the fungi in the horny layers of the skin. If the topical antifungal treatments are not sufficient to control the problem, then an oral prescription treatment is often the next step.

However, these medicines have their own set of problems like side effects, longer duration of cure etc. Most recently, it is being replaced by colloidal silver, which has been found extremely effective in the treatment and prevention of athlete’s foot. Colloidal silver, which is nothing but ultra fine particles of silver suspended in water, is well known for its effectiveness in fighting against infectious organisms. Colloidal silver has proven itself useful against all species of fungi, parasites, bacteria, protozoa, and certain viruses. In the early 1900’s, colloidal silver was considered to be one of the mainstays of antibiotic treatment. It is still considered to be the most universal antibiotic substance that is non-toxic in its micro concentrates of 10-25 ppm. It is absorbed into the skin tissues at a slow enough rate that is non irritating to the tissues.

As stated earlier, cleanliness is one of the main factors in the prevention of athlete’s foot which is one the main virtue of the soap containing colloidal silver. The germ fighting capabilities of colloidal silver has been incorporated into soap and it is being extensively used for daily usage. These soaps help to maintain a healthy and clean skin because it has got the extra strength to fight the disease causing fungus. Colloidal silver is also found to stimulate healing process in the skin. This leads to a rejuvenating skin appearance because of regular usage of soap containing colloidal silver. Also, these soaps are considered to be purely natural because of its silver content. As a result, it is free from all toxic materials a normal soap contains. The soaps with colloidal silver are totally safe for human usage and they do not have any side effects. Also, the fungus causing athlete’s foot do not seem to build up a resistance to colloidal silver the way they do to pharmaceutical antibiotics. Antibiotics are becoming less effective as resistance to them grows. This also has led to such soaps being extremely popular in the treatment and prevention of athlete’s foot.

Peter Salazar’s source for quality supplements is utopiasilver.com utopiasilver.com

To go to this product go here: utopiasilver.com/products/supplements/skincare.htm utopiasilver.com/products/supplements/skincare.htm

All products have a utopiasilver.com/warranty-return-policy.htm MONEY BACK GUARANTEE!

4 Things That Are Taking Your Health From You

Be sure that you are sitting down when you read this report because you will be shocked by the truth!
Your health is being taken from you day by day, meal by meal, and only YOU can take back your health!

Don’t allow yourself to be overcome by sickness and dis-ease and not be able to enjoy your love ones.
Take back YOUR health NOW!

You are probably saying by now, “How is my health being taken from me?” Well you will get the answer to this question on your own as you see the truth I am about to reveal.

This way when you see it, you prove it to yourself and seeing it for yourself will convince and convict
you. It is YOUR own convincing that will cause you to act on YOUR own behalf to take back your health NOW!

Ask yourself this question: what do I feed my body…

* Live organic nutrition that regenerates and replenishes my cells?

* Dead cooked foods that destroy my cells and cannot regenerate them?

Remember this: You have the power to promote health or promote sickness and dis-ease in your body based
on what you eat. The choice is up to you!

1. Your Current Diet

Your diet (everything you digest) is the determining factor whether you will have good or bad health,
sickness or wellness. All of these degenerative dis-eases, such as diabetes, cancers, heart, ulcers,
kidney, liver, colon, lung, etc. can be related to ‘organic mal-nutrition’ in the diet.

If your diet is based on the Standard American Diet (SAD) you are probably experiencing obesity, sickness
or dis-ease; if not, you will one day, if you continue on this diet of mostly cooked (dead) and processed
devitalized foods! You have the power to promote health or promote sickness and dis-ease in your body
based on what you eat.

2. Not Knowing How Your Body Works

Most people have no clue as to how their body works and without this knowledge it is all most impossible to know what it takes to have optimal health. Once you know your body organs, what they do, and what they need to work properly to thrive, you can work in accordance with your body rather than keep working against it.

This is why it is imperative that you provide your body with the organic nutrition it needs so it can operate properly. Your body can’t regenerate itself or maintain health with ‘inorganic’ food substances.

3. Not Feeding Your Cells Organic Nutrients

Most people have no clue as to how their body works and without this knowledge it is all most impossible to know what it takes to have optimal health. Once you know your body organs, what they do, and what they need to work properly to thrive, you can work in accordance with your body rather than keep working against it.

This is why it is imperative that you provide your body with the organic nutrition it needs so it can operate properly. Your body can’t regenerate itself or maintain health with ‘inorganic’ food substances

4. Not Properly Moving Waste Matter From Your Body Systems

Your intestinal tract is the sewage system of your body and it must be cleaned and unclogged for you to be healthy. Today over 100 million people have digestive disorders. Digestive disorders are responsible for over 50 million physician visits a year and more hospitalizations than any other category of medical problems in the U.S. today. The cost is well over $100 billion dollars a year!

This is all because people keep filling their bellies with dead-cooked and processed foods that clog up the colon and cause a condition for dis-ease in the body. What people and many doctors don’t realize is that in most cases one of the main causes of degenerative diseases are the poisonous, toxic, constipated unhealthy conditions in the colon along with overweight-ness and they are cased by unhealthy diets! COOKED AND PROCESSED FOODS ARE THE MAIN ENEMY TO YOUR BODY!

Did you find the 4 things That are taking your health from you helpful? If You would like to know more, enroll in our 7 SecretsTo Good Health Online Course. We will address all four of these and give you their solutions and much more so you can begin to restore your health and hopefully overcome obesity, sicknesses and dis-eases. But we did not stop there, we coupled it with the perfect online business opportunity that allows you to START EARNING MONEY TODAY AND EVERYDAY!
So Let Me Show You How To take Back Your Health And Activate Your Wealth Today!

For more information go to 7.takebackyourhealthnow.com/random 7.takebackyourhealthnow.com/random

Peace & Blessings

Joshua Yamson, Health Restore Consultant

=======================================================

Five Common Illnesses in Newborns - Symptoms and Treatment

Every new parent hopes that their child’s health will be free of all health complications, but a number of illnesses have been shown to afflict many newborns on a regular basis. This article will discuss five common illnesses in newborns, giving causes, symptoms and treatment options for each.

The rotovirus is a viral infection found in babies and young children. Symptoms of the illness include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and fever. The virus acts by attacking the lining of the small intestine. This results in dehydration from excessive loss of fluids and electrolytes. Often these symptoms will last from three to ten days. Children infected with the rotavirus can be contagious for ten to twelve days following the first signs of diarrhea. Home treatment consists of rest and administration of specially made electrolyte replacement products. Examples of these include gastrolyte, pedialyte and plamalyte.

Oral thrush is an infection caused by the yeast fungus known as Candida albicans. It is also called candidosis or moniliasis, but usually these terms describe the appearance of infection in adults (candida albicans). Oral thrush often finds its way into the human body when the immune system is in a weakened state. Newborn babies are especially at risk from infections such as oral thrush. Two specific causes of oral thrush are a reaction to antibiotics and transmission from a mother with a yeast infection. The main symptom of oral thrush is evidence of painful white lesions on the inside of the mouth. When oral thrush or a yeast infection has been diagnosed, both the mother and her baby should be treated simultaneously. The infection is usually treated with Nystatin.

Cradle cap is a common scalp and skin condition caused by excess oil production from the scalp. Symptoms include flaky, scaly or greasy crusts on the scalp, ears or eyebrows of an infant. Cradle cap can be treated by first loosening the crusts. Using baby, mineral or olive oil, gently rub the the crusts for ten minutes followed shortly by shampooing. Comb the hair in one direction with a baby comb, carefully removing crust remnants as you go. You should then shampoo your child’s hair three times a week during the first three weeks following the treatment. Afterwards, use the anti-dandruff shampoo once a week until the cradle cap is completely gone. If the condition worsens or begins to look infected you should immediately contact your pediatrician.

Cat scratch fever is a bacterial infection caused by the microorganism Bartonella henselae. It is most often caused from a scratch or bite from a cat or kitten. Symptoms of a cat scratch infection include small pimples forming around the wound as it heals. These pimples can last up to a month. Your baby’s lymph nodes may become swollen and tender. Other symptoms include headache, fever, poor appetite and fatigue. If you suspect that your child has developed cat scratch fever, you should contact your pediatrician immediately. You can take preventative measures by carefully cleaning scratches and bites from cats with soap and water.

Like oral thrush, ringworm is a fungal infection of the skin. It generally affects the scalp in a condition called tinea capitis. When the fungal infection is present on the body it is referred to as tinea coporis. Symptoms of a ringworm infection in infants include coin-sized scaly patches. These rashes may be dry or moist and generally stop growing once they are an inch in diameter. Ringworm on the scalp may look like bald spots or scaly patches with hair broken off in the center. Sometimes ringworm is inappropriately confused with cradle cap. Treatment for ringworm should begin by consulting with your pediatrician. He or she will most likely suggest an over-the-counter anti-fungus cream. Further prevention of reinfection includes carefully washing your baby’s bedding until the infection is completely cleared up.

The presence of any one of these illnesses would be cause for concern by any parent. Thankfully, with proper attention to symptoms, consultation with a pediatrician and careful treatment each of them can be addressed and cured. With patience and care you will be able to return to the joy of nourishing your healthy newborn child.
Copyright © Safe-Baby.net 2006.

Rebecca Lee is a mother of four children. She is a retired midwife and author of articles about childbirth and newborn care. safe-baby.net Safe-Baby.net provides information on common baby illnesses.

Copyright © Safe-Baby.net 2006.

Creating Your Own CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) Support Group

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a condition that can be difficult to manage. It can be even more challenging to find the support you need because many people simply do not understand chronic fatigue syndrome. For this reason, many people with chronic fatigue syndrome seek out a support group. However, what if there is not support group in your area? What can you do?

A great way to start is to check out our local chat forms. There may be a chat group for your area devoted to chronic fatigue syndrome. If not, start one. This will provide you with a quick and effective means to communicate with people in your area who have the same condition.

The more people you meet, the more information you will have that will help you organize your support group. Perhaps the great majority of people you meet live in a certain area. This will help you find possible locations for your group. You can also ask people about their schedules, and this will help you determine a few possible meeting times. Be advised that it may be impossible to find a location and meeting time to accommodate everyone’s schedules. You can’t please everyone.

At this point, you will be ready to find a location for your support group. Many churches and schools allow groups to use their space at a very inexpensive rate or even at no charge. There may even be a local coffee shop that will allow your group to meet at their location. This is a win-win situation for both parties. You will have a free space, and many people in your group will purchase drinks from the establishment.

For your first several meetings, it is best to meet in a public space. People tend to feel very uncomfortable about going to the homes of people that they do not know. Once your group is more established, you may decide to move the support group to someone’s home.

You will also need to advertise your support group meeting. You can ask the doctor who treats your chronic fatigue syndrome to place flyers in his waiting room. You may find that your doctor refers people to your group. You can also advertise your group in the local newspaper. This is usually very inexpensive.

It may seem like a lot of work, but the great majority of this work can be completed at your leisure from home. It does not require much running around. Once your group is established, you will be glad you put in the extra energy to establish your chronic fatigue syndrome support group.

Kristi Patrice Carter is an experienced marketing consultant and copywriter that has been battling Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Fibromyalgia for over 3 years. She created chronicfatiguerelapse.com chronicfatiguerelapse.com to assist others who are experiencing this debilitating condition or hoping to avoid a relapse of symptoms after a symptom-free time. Learn more about Chronic Fatigue Relapse.

What Is A Carb Blocker Pill?

A carb blocker pill helps a person to lose weight by preventing carbohydrates that we consume from being stored as fat in our bodies. It is interesting to note there have been clinical studies conducted which claims that carb blocker pills do work but the studies were not conclusive. However in my opinion, carb blocker pill does work but the results will vary from person to person.

The main ingredient to be found in carb blocker pills is phaselous vulgaris which is an extract taken from the white kidney bean and wheat germ. It is claimed that by taking carb blocker pills, you are helping to prevent a digestive enzyme known as alpha amylase from breaking carbohydrates down into glucose and in turn into fat. So instead of your body retaining the carbohydrates and turning them into stored fat, they are removed from the body before they actually have a chance to enter your bloodstream. It is also claimed that these pills can prevent as much as 30 to 45 grams of carbohydrates being absorbed into the body.

However when these pills first came to prominence back in the 1980’s, people who began using them found that they caused some quite bad side effects which included diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, excess gas and bloating. Plus on top of all of this, the pills were expensive to purchase when they were initially out on the market.

However in the last couple of years this particular kind of diet supplement has seen a revival and the bad symptoms have all but been eliminated. The prices has also dropped due to advanced biomedical manufacturing techniques. Today you could expect to pay between $20 to $25 for 120 capsules of carb blockers.

Recently, there have been studies carried out which show that both the extracts of the white kidney bean and wheat germ which is used in a carb blocker pill do actually slow down the absorption of carbohydrates in to the body. In fact, it has been proven that it can reduce the absorption of starch into your body by as much as 75%.

If you can’t take your hands off starchy foods such as cakes and pasta, then taking carb blocker pills can help you block away extra calories.

Discover the best

Xylitol and Ear Infection Treatment

There is almost nothing worse than the pain that an ear infection can cause. Unfortunately, in the past you would have to take antibiotics for as many as ten days to cure the infection, and it could take two to three days before you found any relief from the pain. Children as well as adults suffer from ear infections, and many agree that the ten day course of antibiotics as an ear infection treatment is hard to handle.

Xylitol is a great option for those that are seeking to avoid ear infections. This naturally occurring substance has proven to reduce the incidence of ear infection in those that have a history of them. The substance is derived from raspberries as well as plums and is a naturally occurring sweetener. It is known to prevent the growth of certain bacteria, specifically the bacteria that causes dental cavities, sinus infections, and ear infections. This substance does not require a prescription and is available in many different forms, and is safe for everyone to take. Studies have shown that children who chew Xylitol gum can reduce the incidence of ear infection by as much as 50%! The gum is tasty and most children are willing to chew it without a problem!

Xlear is a relatively new product that is available over the counter. This is a nasal spray, or wash that is used to help prevent the growth of bacteria in the sinuses. This has proven to be a very useful product for those that suffer from sinus infections as the product contains the very effective anti-bacterial agent, Xylitol. The nasal wash is non-addictive unlike other nasal products, which is an added bonus as it is very easy to become addicted to such products. Not only is it effective, Xylitol has no addictive components, which is so very important to many consumers!

From treatments for sinuses, cavities, and of course ear infections it appears that Xylitol holds a lot of promise in the medical community. This product is available over the counter, as mentioned above, so consumers needn’t visit their doctors for a prescription. With most doctors agreeing that every ear and sinus infection should not be treated with antibiotics, this is a great product that will allow for the need for antibiotics to decrease in most patients. Consuming this product daily will prevent the incidence of ear infection in the very young to the very old.

Caitlina Fuller is a freelance writer. Studies have shown that children who chew worldhealthdepot.com/ Xylitol gum can reduce the incidence of ear infection by as much as 50%! The gum is tasty and most children are willing to chew it without a problem!

worldhealthdepot.com/ Xlear is a relatively new product that is available over the counter. This is a nasal spray, or wash that is used to help prevent the growth of bacteria in the sinuses. This has proven to be a very useful product for those that suffer from sinus infections as the product contains the very effective anti-bacterial agent, Xylitol.

Chemicals We Live With

Think what it must have been like to live in the days before chemicals,
when the earth was clean! The Indians drank pure water and grew
pure food and the meat was grass fed and good.

Now there are chemicals in everything; our food, our water, our clothes,
all the products we use, in our air and in our earth! These chemicals
have adverse affects on our bodies, our minds and our souls. They
have shortened our life expectancy by making us sick and unhealthy.
This is the environment we have chosen for ourselves! What an
unhappy state of affairs!

However, all is not lost! By using organically grown food and drinking
pure water (yes it still exists in some places!), and using natural
products we can again be healthy. We must become aware of what we
are putting into our bodies and the effects those things have on
our bodies! Each of us has a moral obligation to ourselves, to learn
about ourselves and the products we use, and then to listen to our
bodies! This is the only way we will once again be healthy, be in tune with ourselves and live long, healthy,and productive lives.

Let us each make a pact with ourselves to be as healthy as is
possible because if we don’t we will live - or die with the consequences!

I am a health conscious individual that spends a lot of time researching
different ways of thinking. It is important to me to think outside the
box or the matrix if you will! I do not believe and accept everything I
see, read, or hear. Some things I have found to be truths for my own
life and those things I pass on to you. My maxims are “think for
yourself” and “listen to your whole self, body, mind and soul!” I have
found that if I do those two things I am always happy! The goal of my
web site is to supply those of you that have made the choice to go
natural with quality products!

naturallivingbychoice.com naturallivingbychoice.com

Reasons Why You Should Quit Smoking

Smoking can hook you because cigarettes contain nicotine which is highly addictive. But being hooked is not an excuse why you cannot quit smoking. Smoking has been proven by several researches to be great threat to one’s health, that is why there is no reason why one who is already hooked to it should not quit smoking.

It is tough to quit smoking. People try at least 2 to 3 times before they can finally quit smoking. It takes hard work and lots of effort but if you’re really determined then you can quit smoking for good.

Why quit smoking?

There are at least five reasons why you should quit smoking.

* First, if you quit smoking, you will definitely live longer and better.

* Second, each time you smoke, you take about 5 to 20 minutes off your life. Your chance of getting lung cancer, stroke or heart attack increases if you don’t quit smoking.

* Third, the people you live with, especially the children, will be healthier only if you stop smoking. In fact, second hand smoke is more dangerous than the actual smoke users get from smoking.

* Fourth, if you quit smoking, you will have extra money to spend on other things than cigarettes.

* And lastly, if you’re pregnant, chances of having a healthier baby is more likely if you quit smoking.

So the next and most crucial question is “how do I quit smoking?”

Here are five ways that can help you quit smoking:

1. Get ready and prepare yourself to undetake your quit somking program? Set a quit smoking date. Change your environment by getting rid of all cigarettes in places you frequent and not allowing people to smoke near you or at your home.

2. Get support and encouragement. Studies have shown that you’ll have better chances in quitting smoking if you can get support from families, friends, and co-workers.

3. Learn new skills and behavior. Always remember that your goal is to quit smoking, so distract yourself from urges of smoking. Change your routine in your first try of quit smoking program. Do something to reduce your stress such as taking a hot bath, exercise, or reading. Plan something to do enjoyable every day.

4. Get medication and use it correctly. Medications can help you lessen the urge to smoke. Five approved medications that can help you to quit smoking are: Bupropion SR, nicotine gum, nicotine inhaler, nicotine nasal spray, and nicotine patch.

5. Be prepared for a relapse. If you quit smoking, chances of a relapse is high. Most relapses occur after 3 months of quitting, so watch out for situations that may trigger you get back to smoking such as alcohol, other smokers, weight gain and depression.

Everyone can quit smoking so don’t hesitate to at least try to quit smoking also.

Quit smoking now and I guarantee you a healthier, better and longer life.

Note: This article may be freely reproduced as long as the resource box at the bottom of the article is included and and all links must be Active/Linkable with no syntax changes.

Charlene J. Nuble 2005. For updated links and information about quit smoking, please go to: quit-smoking.besthealthlink.net/ quit-smoking.besthealthlink.net/ or for updated links and information on all health related topics, go to: besthealthlink.net/ besthealthlink.net/

Coronary Diseases and Heart Smart Eating

Heart disease continues to be the number one cause of death in the United States. Much of this is credited to the huge amount of fats in the typical Western diet.

Heart problems were almost non-existent in most Asian countries where the typical diet consisted mainly of fish, vegetables, rice and other foods low in saturated fat. Tragically, as these countries have become industrialized and traditional diets are being replaced with Western diets, there has been an alarming rise of coronary heart disease.

The traditional Asian diet contains clues on heart smart eating. You can reduce your risk of coronary disease by making some dietary changes.

Chow Down on Complex Carbohydrates – Complex carbohydrates include foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and rice. They fill you up, help increase your fiber intake, and make you less prone to eat sugary desserts and fatty meats. Better yet, complex carbohydrates do not clog your arteries.

Skin the Poultry – Chicken and turkey skins contain a lot of saturated fat, and should definitely be avoided if you do not want coronary artery disease.

Grill It; Broil It; Steam It – If you’re pursuing a heart smart diet but do not want to be a vegetarian, avoid frying meat. If you fry it, you usually have to add more fat.

Eat Less Yolks and Organs – Egg yolks are more than 50% fat and have high amounts of cholesterol. Organ meats, like liver, may be rich in iron and protein, but they are extremely high in fat and cholesterol. If you’re striving to avoid coronary disease, these types of foods should be restricted or avoided.

Reduce the Portions of Meat, or Replace Meat with Fish – Eating a 3-ounce portion of meat instead of a 6-ounce serving will help you cut down on saturated fat. A 3-ounce portion is about the size of a deck of cards. Heart smart eaters might want to replace their meat intake with fish.

Stay Away from Donuts, Danishes and the Like – Pastries are a hidden source of saturated fat because they are generally made with shortening or butter. Whole grain breads or rolls are much healthier on the heart, and usually contain fewer calories than pastries.

Coronary artery disease occurs when the arteries that provide blood to the heart muscle (the coronary arteries) become smaller and hardened. This is secondary to a buildup of a material called ‘plaque’ on the inner walls of the arteries (atherosclerosis). By incorporating a heart smart diet into your life, you will reduce the saturated fats that contribute to plaque buildup and heart disease.

Urbain C. Beck is a freelance writer who contributes to a number of web sites. Additional information: mymedicallearningcenter.com/The_Heart_and_Circulatory_System.html Heart Diseases and Risks