the health corner

Choking

noreply@blogger.com (DocSharma) — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 22:44:00 +0000

Choking can take place due to:
Swallowing a large piece of food
Swallowing food that is not well chewed
Eating food quickly
Eating and talking
Consuming alcohol before a meal
Wearing loose-fitting dentures
Walking / playing with food in mouth

Symptoms
Hands will grasp the throat
Breathlessness
Noisy breathing
Inability to cough
Skin, nails and lips may turn blue
The person may become unconscious

Immediate care

If the person cannot cough or speak, begin the Heimlich maneuver(as shown in illustration) immediately to dislodge the object blocking the windpipe. The Heimlich maneuver creates an artificial cough by forcing the diaphragm up toward the lungs.
If you are choking and alone: You can perform the Heimlich maneuver on yourself by giving yourself abdominal thrusts. Or position yourself over the back of a chair or against a railing or counter and press forcefully enough into it so that the thrust dislodges the object.

Fainting

noreply@blogger.com (DocSharma) — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 19:30:00 +0000

Fainting occurs when the blood supply to your brain is momentarily inadequate, causing you to lose consciousness. This loss of consciousness is usually brief. It may or may not have medical significance Therefore, treat loss of consciousness as a medical emergency until the signs and symptoms are relieved and the cause is known.Fainting can be caused by fatigue, hunger, dehydration, sudden emotional upset, a poorly ventilated room, or rapid change in body position. Fainting is usually accompanied by pale, clammy skin & rapid pulse.
If you feel faint:
Lie down or sit down.
If you sit down, place your head between your knees.

If someone around you faints :
Lower their heads between knees, or
Have them lie flat with feet elevated
Check to see if airways are clear
Loosen tight clothing
Do not leave alone or give any fluids until fully recovered
Patient should become normal within a minute
If not, seek medical help
Check if breathing/pulse is normal
If not, do Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

Seek medical attention if the person hit his/her head when fainting or experienced seizure-like activity (involuntary muscle movement)

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

noreply@blogger.com (DocSharma) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 20:17:00 +0000

CPR in basic life support. Figure A: The victim should be flat on his back and his mouth should be checked for debris. Figure B: If the victim is unconscious, open airway, lift neck, and tilt head back. Figure C: If victim is not breathing, begin artificial breathing with four quick full breaths. Figure D: Check for carotid pulse. Figure E: If pulse is absent, begin artificial circulation by depressing sternum. Figure F: Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation of an infant. ( Illustration by Electronic Illustrators Group.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, commonly called CPR, combines rescue breathing (one person breathing into another person) and chest compression in a lifesaving procedure performed when a person has stopped breathing or a person's heart has stopped beating.
When performed quickly enough, CPR can save lives in such emergencies as loss of consciousness, heart attacks or heart "arrests," electric shock, drowning, excessive bleeding, drug overdose, and other conditions in which there is no breathing or no pulse. The purpose of CPR is to bring oxygen to the victim's lungs and to keep blood circulating so oxygen gets to every part of the body. When a person is deprived of oxygen, permanent brain damage can begin in as little as four minutes and death can follow only minutes later.

Burns

noreply@blogger.com (DocSharma) — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 20:27:00 +0000

The extent of the burn will indicate whether shock is likely to develop, as tissue fluid (serum) leaks from the burned area and is replenished by fluids from the circulatory system. The greater the extent of the burn, the more severe the shock will be. The cause of the burn may also signal any other possible complications. Burns also carry a serious risk of infection, which increases according to the size and depth of the burn. The body’s natural barrier, the skin, is destroyed by burning, leaving it exposed to germs.
Burns can be categorised as follows:
Superficial burns (First Degree)
These involve only the outer layer of the skin, and are characterised by redness, swelling and tenderness. Typical examples are mild sunburn, or a scald produced by a splash of hot tea or coffee. Superficial burns usually heal well if prompt first aid is given, and do not require medical treatment unless extensive.
Partial-thickness Burns (Second Degree)
These damage a ‘partial thickness’ of the skin, and require medical treatment. The skin looks raw, and blisters form. These burns usually heal well, but can be serious, if extensive. In adults, partial-thickness burns affecting more than 50% of the body’s surface can be fatal. This percentage is less in children and the elderly.
Full-thickness Burns (Third Degree)
These damage all layers of the skin. Damage may extend beyond the skin to affect nerves, muscle and fat. The skin may look pale, waxy, and sometimes charred. Full-thickness burns of any size always require immediate medical attention, and usually require specialist treatment.
Treatment of Minor Burns and Scalds
DO NOT use adhesive dressings.
DO NOT break blisters, or interfere with the injured area.
DO NOT apply lotions, ointments, creams, or fats to the injured area.
Cool the injured part with copious amounts of cold water for about 10 minutes to stop the burning and relieve the pain. If water is unavailable, any cold, harmless liquid such as milk or canned drinks will suffice.
Gently remove any jewellery, watches, or constricting clothing from the injured area before it starts to swell.
Cover the injury with a sterile dressing, or any clean, non-fluffy material to protect from infection. A clean plastic bag or kitchen film may be used.
Minor burns usually heal without further treatment.
If there is oozing,redness,pain or swelling seek medical help.

Blisters

noreply@blogger.com (DocSharma) — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 19:34:00 +0000

Blisters occur due to friction caused by constant rubbing of shoes / clothes
Outer skin layer separates from the inner layer
The space in-between fills up with fluid
They are common in athletes, trekkers, rowers
Also seen in people using new shoes
Suggested first-aid :
Wash your hands and the blister with soap and warm water.
Make a hole at the edge of the blister
Use a needle or pin sterilized by passing over flame /rubbing with alcohol
Drain the accumulated fluid
Keep skin intact to prevent infection
Clean blister with gauze containing iodine/alcohol
Apply antibiotic ointment
Cover with adhesive bandage for small blister
Use porous, bandage for large ones
Do not puncture blister if painless
Do not puncture a blood-filled blister
Blisters disappear in a few days time
Diabetics should consult a doctor

Anaphylaxis

noreply@blogger.com (DocSharma) — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 20:42:00 +0000

A severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) can produce shock and life-threatening respiratory distress. In sensitive people, anaphylaxis can occur within minutes or up to several hours after exposure to a specific allergy-causing substance. Almost any allergy-causing substance — including insect venom, pollen, latex, certain foods and drugs — can cause anaphylaxis. Some people have anaphylactic reactions from unknown causes.
If you're extremely sensitive, you might break out in hives, and your eyes or lips might swell severely. The inside of your throat might swell as well, even to the point of causing difficulty breathing and shock. Dizziness, mental confusion, abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea also may accompany anaphylaxis.
If you've had an anaphylactic reaction in the past, carry medications with you as an antidote. Epinephrine is the most commonly used drug for severe allergic reactions. It comes only as an injection that must be prescribed by your doctor. You should also carry an antihistamine pill, such as cetrizine(Cetzine, others), because the effects of epinephrine are only temporary. Seek emergency medical attention immediately after taking these medications.
Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening medical emergency because of rapid constriction of the airway, often within minutes of onset, which can lead to respiratory failure and respiratory arrest. Brain and organ damage rapidly occurs if the patient cannot breathe. Due to the severe nature of the emergency, patients experiencing or about to experience anaphylaxis require the help of advanced medical personnel. First aid measures for anaphylaxis include rescue breathing (part of CPR). Rescue breathing may be hindered by the constricted airways, but if the victim stops breathing on his or her own, it is the only way to get oxygen to him or her until professional help is available.
Another treatment for anaphylaxis is administration of epinephrine (adrenaline). Epinephrine prevents worsening of the airway constriction, stimulates the heart to continue beating, and may be life-saving. Epinephrine acts on Beta-2 adrenergic receptors in the lung as a powerful bronchodilator (i.e. it opens the airways), relieving allergic or histamine induced acute asthmatic attack or anaphylaxis. If the patient has previously been diagnosed with anaphylaxis, they may be carrying an EpiPen (or TWINJECT TM) for immediate administration of epinephrine. However, use of an EpiPen or similar device only provides temporary and limited relief of symptoms.

Some Common Myths about Acne

noreply@blogger.com (DocSharma) — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 13:38:00 +0000

Myth
Washing your face more often will help clear up acne

Reality:
Facial blemishes are not caused by dirt. In fact frequent washing may actually irritate pores and cause them to become clogged. A washcloth can add even more irritation. The best thing to do is to wash very gently with bare hands, and only wash twice a day.

Myth:
Stress causes acne

Reality:
Stress may have an effect on hormones and theoretically can promote acne. However, an effective acne treatment regimen is more powerful than a bout of stress any day. Some psychiatric medications may have acne as a side effect, but stress itself is not responsible for your acne. It is better to spend time determining the right course of acne treatment rather than feeling guilt about stress.

Myth:
Masturbation or sex causes acne

Reality:
DON'T BELIEVE IT!

Myth: Diet and acne are related

Reality:
Another myth is the belief that eating chocolate, fried or greasy foods causes acne outbreaks. However, a number of scientific studies have shown that there is absolutely no connection between one's diet and acne.

Ways to Erase Low Back Pain

noreply@blogger.com (DocSharma) — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 19:36:00 +0000

"Low back pain is the most expensive work-related injury as well as the third most common reason for a surgical procedure,"
The spine is a complex collection...It consists of bones, called vertebrae, and the joints that allow them to interact; discs that separate the vertebrae from each other; the spinal cord and nerves; the soft tissues such as muscles and ligaments that help hold the spine together. Your spine has 3 major functions including protecting the spinal cord, supporting the body in an upright position, and allowing the body to move freely.
The four major categories of low back pain are:
? Mechanical- arising from either trauma or repetitive motion
? Degenerative- usually from arthritic causes
? Systemic- arising from medical illnesses
? Stress-induced
Mechanical causes are responsible for more than 90% of back pain and the most common cause of back pain is probably muscle injury due to strain or sprain. Other common causes include disc herniation, spondylolisthesis (a condition where the vertebra slips on the one below it), spinal stenosis (narrowing of the canal that carries the spinal cord), scoliosis (curvature of the spine), osteoporosis (a disease where the bones become fragile and break), and arthritis. Bone tumors are another potential cause.
There are simple ways to help your back. For instance use the log roll technique to get into and out of bed. Think of your body as a log, and make sure you move it as a unit... rolling into and out of bed.Use the same idea when getting into and out of your car. Don't twist or stick one leg one way and the other leg a different way. Move your body as a unit.
Check your work area .Make sure your computer, chair, and other parts of your work environment are "friendly" to your back. Good support for your low back as well as your legs is important.
Exercise regularly. Stretching is important for your spine?Since rotation is a key movement and the upright position is part of our daily routine, we need to incorporate exercises that stretch and strengthen those muscles that are important for twisting and for posture.
Surgical procedures are a last ditch effort...and should be reserved for patients who have pain unresponsive to conservative treatment or who have a progressive neurologic problem.

Stay Healthy During Monsoons!

noreply@blogger.com (DocSharma) — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 10:27:00 +0000

Being a Family Physician,I come across a lot of diseases especially during the monsoons .Diseases like diarrhoea, viral infections, sore throat, allergic colds and coughs, tend to be prevalent in the monsoons. While prior vaccination prevents several diseases, maintenance of hygiene will keep many others at bay

A lot of these illnesses can be avoided if one takes a few simple precautions.
I find that school -going children are the biggest sufferers primarily in the age group of five to ten years.
With the burden of school as well as home-work being what it is these days,it is better to take preventive measures.
Here are a few health tips:
* Wash your hands properly before eating
* Stay away from roadside food
* Avoid seafood, junk food and leafy vegetables

* Keep yourself dry

Vaccination: Vaccination can protect you from most of the diseases that pop up with the onset of monsoon.
Besides the usual umbrella, windcheaters and raincoats, this monsoon brace yourself with some more safeguards to keep those monsoon associated diseases at bay:

Avoid consuming outside food especially stale food as during monsoon food gets contaminated quite often. Also, try to distance yourself from roadside foods as it maynot be cooked properly and maybe with infected with disease causing organisms. Home-cooked food is the best choice during the rains.

As most diseases are water-borne in this season, make it a point to drain accumulated water from your surroundings.

Many infections occur because of contaminated water. Hence, consume only properly boiled and filtered water.

While going make sure you feet is not exposed by wearing gumboots and make sure that you wash off the dirt from your feet once you are back home. Don’t walk in the dirty water as it can lead to leptospirosis

Try to keep yourself dry as dampness has a tendency to give birth to fungus and other skin infections

Seafood is prone to be contaminated during this season and is known to cause severe food poisoning and gastro-enteric diseases. Hence, avoid seafood in monsoons as much as you can.

Attend to any wounds immediately as contact with rain-water can contaminate the wound.

Asthmatics need to be extra careful as change of weather can trigger frequent asthma attacks.

Use mosquito nets to avoid diseases from mosquito-bites.

Avoid staying in wet clothes for long as it can result in viral fever as well as cold and cough .

Naturally Increase Your Energy

noreply@blogger.com (DocSharma) — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 18:42:00 +0000

1. Eat protein at every meal:
The best protein sources include
Fish,
Organic meat,
Chicken,
Eggs,
Yogurt,
Whey protein powder.

2.Reduce intake of caffeine and sugar
Despite giving you instant energy,sugar and caffeine tire you in the long run by sapping your adrenal glands(responsible for maintainig your energy levels)
It is better to consume something like GREEN TEA which is a very good Natural source of Antioxdants.

3.Make sure you do not have any medical conditions that can cause fatigue
Common conditions causing fatigue include:
Low thyroid function,
Low iron,
High iron (hemochromatosis)
Anemia

4.Get enough sleep!
We all need different amounts of sleep to wake up feeling rested. Figure out how much your body needs so that you are able to wake up without an alarm clock.

5.Exercise regularly.
After exercise,you should feel refreshed rather than wiped out.

6.Maintain emotional stability.
This is important to avoid sleepless nights, which stresses the body.
Our emotional health is important in order to avoid the stress and worry that often leads to reduced sleep quality, and affect our energy each day.

7 Take nutritional supplements.
Taking supplements is necessary to ensure adequate amounts in your system and to cover any deficiencies
Resource:
http://www.rockwellnutrition.com"

Weight Loss-10 Easy Steps

noreply@blogger.com (DocSharma) — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 19:15:00 +0000

10 Easy to follow Tips to help YOU Lose Weight

Here are some tips that people have used to lose weight successfully.

SUCCESS TIP NO. 1: DRINK 8-10 GLASSES OF WATER EACH DAY

Okay, for many people this is a big problem. Water doesn’t taste all that great generally because water doesn’t really “taste” like anything. Drinking water 8 to 10 times each day gets easier the more you actually do it. It is simply a matter of conditioning your taste buds, and yourself, so that it becomes easier to do. Once you get started, you will begin to crave water.

To begin with, you should drink a glass of water in the morning first thing, before you eat. This is probably the easiest glass you will drink all day and it will help you remember to drink water all day long. Better yet, why not drink two glasses?

If you really cannot bear the taste of water, try using a water purifying pitcher or filter. You can also add a few drops of lemon or lime to your water – but no sugar or sweetener! Ice also helps.

Check out flavored waters on the market, too. Just keep an eye out for additives.

SUCCESS TIP NO. 2: EAT BREAKFAST

Do not skip breakfast. If you need to go to bed a little earlier so that you can get up 20 minutes earlier each morning – do it! Breakfast is so important to your good health and to weight control. According to Dr. Barbara Rolls a professor of nutrition at Penn State University, "Your metabolism slows while you sleep, and it doesn't rev back up until you eat again."

Eating breakfast is not only good for overall weight loss, it will help you stay on track with your diet the rest of the day. You are more likely to binge on something sweet and in the “bread” group if you skip breakfast.

You can always keep a couple of hard-boiled eggs in the fridge or some high-fiber, low starch fruit around. If you plan to eat fruit at all during the day, breakfast is the perfect time to do it.

SUCCESS TIP NO. 3: EAT AT LEAST 3 MEALS AND 2 SNACKS EACH DAY

This can be one of the hardest adjustments to make. After all, you are busy! You already have a “full-plate”. When do you have time to worry about filling your plate with more frequent meals?

Just like eating breakfast will increase your metabolism, so will eating more often. This will also help you curb your bad-carb intake by making sure that your snacks are planned and occur regularly throughout the day.

Really, it will just take a minimal investment of planning time at the grocery store and at home each morning before you head out for the day to make some healthy food choices and prepare a few healthy snacks and meals. For suggestions, just see the handy list of snacks and appetizers listed later.

SUCCESS TIP NO. 4: AVOID WHITE FOODS

This is one easy way to remember what not to eat. If it is made from sugar, flour, potatoes, rice or corn - just say no. Remembering this rule of thumb will make it easier to recognize those rice cakes as an unhealthy high-carb snack.

Always look for colorful fruits and veggies to substitute for the white ones. Buy broccoli, lettuce, bell peppers, green beans and peas, brown rice in moderation, leafy greens like kale and spinach, apples, melons, oranges and grapes.

These foods are not only colorful they are also high in fiber, nutrients and important antioxidants. Eating colorful fruits and vegetables will give your diet variety as well as give you added health benefits.

SUCCESS TIP NO. 5: EAT YOUR VEGGIES

It is so easy to use a low-carb diet as an excuse for poor nutrition. Resist this temptation. If the only vegetable you have eaten in the last 5 years has been the potato, now is a good time to begin experimenting with other vegetables. This is important for your overall health and to avoid some nasty side effects of not getting enough fiber in your diet.
If you try hard enough, you will find vegetables that you enjoy eating. Experiment with grilling veggies and cooking with real butter to add flavor. You can also search for new recipes on the Internet or in cookbooks.
Remember, if you are only eating 40 grams of carb a day or less, two cups of plain salad greens contain only about 5 grams of carbohydrate. You have no excuse not to eat your veggies.

SUCCESS TIP NO. 6: PREPARE YOUR OWN FOOD AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE
While more and more restaurants are offering low-carb friendly menu items, many of them are still not ideal low-carb fare. There are many recipes for quick and easy meals that you can prepare yourself at home. Try to do this as often as possible.

If you cook your own foods, you know exactly what the contents are and you will be able to better control for hidden sugar and otherwise processed foods.
Another benefit is the cost savings over the long run. Even if you must go to the grocery store more often, you will save a significant amount per meal as opposed to eating at restaurants and fast food establishments.
It will also be easier to maintain your diet with your own favorite fresh food selections on hand.

SUCCESS TIP NO. 7: INVEST IN A GOOD SET OF FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS
Having food storage containers of various sizes on hand will make it so much easier for you to plan your meals and snacks. When you buy nuts, fruits and vegetables in bulk you can simply prepare, separate and store them for easy use later.
For instance, you can pre-slice your apples and snack on them over several days. Simply cut them, rinse them in pineapple or lemon juice and store. This will make a quick and easy snack for later.
Fix your lunch and take it with you to work. Better yet, fix your lunch and 2 snacks for work.

SUCCESS TIP NO. 8: EAT SOME PROTIEN AT EACH MEAL & AS A SNACK
In addition to everything that’s been discussed before, eating protein helps you burn more calories. Jeff Hample, Ph.D., R.D., a spokesman for the American Dietetic Association says that, "Protein is made up mainly of amino acids, which are harder for your body to breakdown, so you burn more calories getting rid of them.”
Just think – eating a protein rich snack can help you lose weight. How about a few slices of turkey or ham or some string cheese?
Eating protein will also help you feel full so that you are less likely to crave unhealthy snacks.

SUCCESS TIP NO. 9: DRINK A GLASS OF WATER AFTER EACH SNACK
This will help you get in your 8 to 10 glasses of water each day but it can also have other benefits. Ever feel hungry after eating a handful or standard serving of nuts? Try drinking water afterwards. The water will help you feel full and prevent overindulgence.
Drinking water after a snack will also help remove the aftertaste from your mouth and can help curb your desire for more.

SUCCESS TIP NO. 10: EAT SLOWLY & ENJOY YOUR FOOD
You will feel full and more satisfied if you take the time to savor your food and chew it slower. Don’t get in the habit of eating while standing or eating quickly. Sit down and chew.
Eating slower will help you enjoy your food more, pay attention to what it is you are actually eating and get a better sense of when you are actually full.

Researching Glyconutritionals (a.k.a. Glyconutrients)

noreply@blogger.com (DocSharma) — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 18:33:00 +0000

The Greek word "Glyco" means, "Sugar". Most people think of sugar as being bad for you. However, there are actually TWO kinds of sugars. One is the refined or "extracellular" sugars which have been long associated with human disease. The other sugars are "intracellular" which can be found in fruits and vegetables and provide the body with nutrition it needs. These sugars, also known as complex carbohydrates, have been studied for years. However, only recently have we begun discovering their purpose in the body. An increasing number of scientists believe that certain carbohydrates represent the next frontier in the search for non-toxic treatments for various degenerative conditions. Even though we have just begun to scratch the surface in understanding the full potential of these carbohydrates, the research being reported in just the last decade has ignited a new level of hope and optimism with some of the world's leading immunologists. One of the world's most renowned veterinary immunologists, Dr. Ian R. Tizard, writes in a published paper entitled Carbohydrates, Immune Stimulating, "there has long been a tradition in folk medicine that extracts of certain fungi and plants may be of assistance in the treatment of cancer. On investigation, many of these extracts have been found to possess potent immune- stimulating activity. In many cases, this activity is attributable to complex carbohydrates." Healthy bodies are comprised of many components working together in sophisticated harmony, and must have accurate internal communication to function correctly. In it's most basic form, this communication occurs at the cellular level. To maintain a healthy body, cells must "talk" to each other. Their language is one of touch, written in saccharides (or simple sugars) on the cell surfaces. These simple sugars combine with other molecules to make glycoforms such as glycoproteins when combined with proteins or glycolipids when combined with fat. Of the 200 monosaccharides (glyconutrients) that occur naturally in plants, 8 have been discovered to be components in the cell surface glycoforms (see Harper's Textbook of Biochemistry--1996). Like thousands of different "keys" projecting from the cell surface, they will either unlock the required functions of the adjoining cell or not. If the right keys are available, the body functions smoothly. If not, it doesn't. Acta Anatomica, which is a European journal, states that these simple sugars have a coding capacity that surpasses that of amino acids!! Glyconutritionals provide the cellular communication needed in the body. Only two of the eight monosaccharides (glyconutrients) are found in today's diet. Our diets have changed in response to the demands for quicker, cheaper food. Consequently, we are not eating foods that contain the necessary fuels for our cells to communicate in a healthy, effective manner. While our body has the capacity to manufacture these simple sugars, the conversion process is complicated. During the conversion process your cells are exposed to tens of thousands of free radical hits each day. This requires time, energy and a host of other micronutrients in order to complete the conversion. Viruses can also interfere with our body's ability to make these conversions. People who are ill or who have inborn errors of metabolism are especially vulnerable to a breakdown in the process. Whenever the monosaccharides cannot be made, communication is slowed down or impaired as a result. Since your body has more than a trillion cells and fully regenerates all of its cells in approximately 1 year, any miscommunication or slowdown could cause major health problems. With millions of cells regenerating each day, it's easy to imagine what could happen if during this process, the cells didn't regenerate correctly. This is why glyconutritional supplements are essential to our diet!

OMEGA-3 and Sudden Cardiac Arrest

noreply@blogger.com (DocSharma) — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 21:44:00 +0000

Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) is responsible for numerous deaths around the world. It is not the same as a heart attack. A heart attack normally occurs when advanced atherosclerosis (clogging of the arteries) slowly starves the heart causing irreversible damage. The heart finally cannot function properly and stops. Sudden cardiac death occurs when the electrical impulses that control heart function become erratic resulting in an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). When the arrhythmia is severe enough the heart suddenly stops, starving the brain of needed blood. Death often follows quickly unless emergency care is administered immediately. Often sudden cardiac death occurs when no other heart disease is detected.
It has long been understood that eating fish can reduce the likelihood of heart attack and other cardiovascular diseases. The reason? Fish, especially cold-water fatty fish, is high in two omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). These two fatty acids are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Omega-3 has been shown to reduce the build-up of artery clogging atherosclerosis and keep blood platelets from sticking together thus reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
But more recent studies suggest that omega-3 fatty acids also have an effect on the dangerous arrhythmias that can cause sudden cardiac death by regulating the impulses that control heart rhythm.
One study involved the use of mycocytes (cells that beat independently). By adding the free fatty acids to these cells arrhythmias were aborted. When the fatty acids were extracted from the mycocytes the arrhythmias would reoccur thus indicating that omega-3 fatty acids have a stabilizing effect on heart rhythm. The apparent mechanism for controlling rhythm involved cell ion channels, proteins that control the movement of sodium, calcium and potassium ions across the membrane of the cell.
Another study, conducted by Danish researchers, examined the relationship between heart rate variability and omega-3 fatty acids in healthy subjects. It had already been determined that heart arrhythmias could be positively impacted in patients who were recent heart attack victims. These researchers wanted to determine if people otherwise free of heart disease could gain the same arrhythmia controlling benefits from omega-3 fatty acids.
Sixty healthy adults were randomly divided into three groups. The first group received daily supplements containing 6.6 g of omega-3 (containing 3.0g EPA and 2.9g DHA). Group two received 2.0g of omega-3 (containing 0.9g EPA and 0.8g DHA). The remaining group received only an olive oil placebo. The supplements were given for 12 weeks. Before and after the supplements were consumed heart rate variability and blood cell fatty acids were measured. It was found that heart rate variability was favorably influenced by the amount of omega-3 consumed. In other words, the more omega-3 one consumed the higher the heart rate variability, especially in men with low heart rate variability before supplementing.
The researchers concluded that omega-3 fatty acids positively affected heart rate variability thus having a protective effect on heart function. These finding were similar to those of earlier studies showing that omega-3 positively affects heart rhythm in patients who had suffered a previous heart attack. Since sudden cardiac death is the result of erratic heart rhythm, omega-3â??s heart protective qualities show great promise in the fight against sudden cardiac arrest. The mechanical studies completed by these and other researchers seemed to confirm other studies that the oral ingestion of fish and fish oils provide prophylaxis for the prevention of fatal cardiac arrhythmias when taken regularly in small amounts. In simple terms, consuming fish and fish oil supplements can save lives.