Reduce Stroke In Women

The baby boomers are reaching the stage where they are more susceptible to heart disease and stroke. This is causing alarm among the general population. Many people are looking for ways to improve their health without changing their lifestyle.

The answers to our health problems are often found in food. Such is the case with women an strokes. The Harvard Medical School doctors have released research which reveals that women who eat more fish have a reduced risk of suffering from a stroke.

The Harvard researchers examined the health records of 80 000 women from 1980-1994, using the popular Nurses' Health Study. This study collects information on lifestyle, diet, and medical history from a large segment of the female nurse population in the USA and uses it to track trends.

The Harvard report suggests that the stroke-protective ingredient is Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid. This means that the best choices are dark fleshed fish such as mackerel, salmon or sardines. These contain the highest levels of Omega-3 acids.

To receive maximum benefits a woman must eat fish one to three times a month. This will reduce a woman’s risk seven percent more than those who eat fish occasionally.

Women who eat fish once a week have a 22 per cent lower risk, and eating fish more than once a week reduces the risk 27 percent. Women who eat fish more than five times a week win, with a total stroke reduction of 52 per cent. These figures are based on a report by to Dr. Hiroyasu Iso, the lead Harvard investigator.

Like everything, eating fish must be balanced with other health factors. Changing a red meat diet to a fish diet will lower the iron levels in the body. This can lead to other complications.

This report does not take into account extenuating factors like age, smoking, and body weight.

This has prompted the American Heart Association to recommend at least 2 servings of fish a week as part of a heart healthy diet. However, they also issue a warning that too much Omega-3 can have a detrimental effect.

At this time, adults are warned to avoid capsules that bypass foods ability to combine different ingredients, possibly diminishing any harmful effects. All adults should consult their physician before using any type of supplement or drug.

There is a lot of research on Omega-3 fatty acid and its effect on cholesterol. Several studies claim that a diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids may lower triglycerides and increase HDL cholesterol (the Good cholesterol). Other studies indicate that these fatty acids help lower high blood pressure.

The key is to balance fish with green vegetables.

Supplementing the body with fish oil may cause problems. For example, cod liver oil is high in vitamin D. This is good to a point. However, if you try to eat enough cod liver oil to imitate a high fish diet, your vitamin D level will throw off the calcium level your bones need to stay healthy and strong.

This is why physicians warn adults to use supplements wisely, and understand what they are taking.

All of this is good news for people who are aging, but still have a long way to go before retirement.

Ethan Miller advises on heath and wellness from his web site at www.healthinsurancemonster.com He invites you to get her FREE home health guide at www.heartpatrol.com

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Reduce Stroke In Women
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