Anti-Aging
PsychologyHolistic Health and Wellness
When you have your
annual physical, include blood testing for fibrinogen,
homocystine,
Hemoglobin A1C, and possibly C-reactive protein.
I normally focus on what I know best—what it takes mentally
to grow young
and live with purpose. Sometimes, news about physical
health issues is so noteworthy
that I address it as well. The research source that I have
grown to trust the most
for health news is the nonprofit organization, the
Life Extension Foundation.
It has a history of championing causes ten years before
mainstream medicine
and federal agencies acknowledge the problem or remedy.
Everyone agrees that exercise and good nutrition are vital
to cardiovascular health.
For the past decade, cardiologists have focused on
cholesterol in the battle against
heart disease—initially on total cholesterol and later on
keeping HDL high and LDL low.
The Life Extension Foundation’s research indicates several
factors foster cardiovascular
problems and cholesterol probably isn’t the most important
factor–certainly not the
preeminent factor. Fibrinogen is one of those overlooked
independent risk factors
that has a substantial body of animal and human research
indicating that higher levels
of fibrinogen bring higher risk of heart attacks and
stroke. In a 2006 study, for example,
fibrinogen was the only independent risk factor to predict
who was most likely to die
within 42 months of a heart attack. It also is a risk
factor for cancer.
The liver produces the protein fibrinogen to make fibrin
for the “mesh” that forms
to enable clotting to heal a wound or stop bleeding. Fibrin
also helps in gathering platelets.
We need some fibrin. Americans' sedentary lifestyles and
fat rich diets, however,
often result in levels that are too high. A simple blood
test can check fibrinogen levels.
The optimal range is 200-300 mg/dL. Factors that appear to
reduce fibrinogen levels include:
• fish oil (e.g., fish such as salmon or from supplements)
• olive oil
• niacin (vitamin B3)
• Vitamin A
• keeping homocystine levels down (which usually can be
reduced with vitamins B6, B12,
and folic acid and lowering saturated fats)
• foods and supplements that thin the blood, e.g., aspirin,
garlic, green tea, Ginkgo, and Vitamin E
If you do nothing
else, when you have your annual physical, include blood testing for fibrinogen,
homocystine, Hemoglobin A1C, and possibly C-reactive protein. Elevations of any
of these is a
red flag for high risk of cardiovascular disease. I'll discuss homocystine,
Hemoglobin A1C, and
C-reactive protein in the next issues.
In 2003 2,448,288 Americans died. In 2004, only 2,398,343
Americans died. (2005 data have
note been compiled yet.) Note that nearly 50,000 fewer Americans died in 2004 than in 2003,
despite
population increases and a greyer census. This is one more indication of life spans increasing.
Fortunately, as reported in the previous issues, despite an obesity epidemic disability rates are also
declining.
Every disease
is a physician.
~Irish proverb
A new arrival,
about to enter hospital, saw two white coated doctors searching through the
flower beds.
"Excuse me," he said, "have you lost something?"
"No," replied one of the doctors. "We're doing a heart transplant for an
income-tax inspector
and want to find a suitable stone."
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Anti-Aging
PsychologyThe following newsletter articles may be reprinted in E-zines, newsletters, newspapers, and magazines provided they the content is not edited and the attribution below is given. Formatting may be changed and you may use one of the web site pictures of the author to accompany the article.
"Dr. Michael Brickey, The Anti-Aging Psychologist, teaches people to think, feel, look and be more youthful. He is an inspiring keynote speaker and Oprah-featured author. His works include: Defy Aging, 52 Baby Steps to grow young, and Reverse Aging (anti-aging hypnosis CDs). Visit www.NotAging.com for a free report on anti-aging secrets and a free newsletter with practical anti-aging tips."