Tag Archives: L-Carnitine by Pure Encapsulations

Listen to Your Heart

ListenToHeartJacquie Eubanks RN BSN

If you’re a woman over age 50 who believes you would easily recognize the symptoms of a heart attack, read on. Certainly, there are risk factors for heart disease common to both men and women that include family history, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome and smoking. Both genders share some recognizable “classic symptoms” such as upper body pain or breaking out in a cold sweat. However, heart attack warning signals are not always clear cut and every heart incident is unique. Women often experience subtle symptoms, such as shortness of breath or stomach pain, that may be easily ignored or shrugged off as normal signs of aging or an illness.

Statistics show that only 65 percent of women would call for help immediately if they suspected they were having a heart attack. Minutes count when it comes to life-saving intervention and improved chances for a complete recovery. Failure to acknowledge and address the warning signs of an impending heart attack can be especially dangerous for women, as women’s heart attacks are more likely to result in fatality, if not immediately, within the year following. Statistics show that early heart attack symptoms occur in 50 percent of all people who have a heart attack.

Additionally, women are more likely to have a silent heart attack, which has no overt symptoms, but can cause heart damage and increase the risk of future attacks. Early warning symptoms of an impending heart attack can include intermittent mild chest pain or discomfort, nausea, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, sweating or severe anxiety. In hindsight, after a heart incident, many women report experiencing symptoms in the weeks or months prior. Although some heart attacks are sudden and intense, many start slowly with mild discomfort.

Seek immediate help if any of the following symptoms are accompanied by severe chest pain, or rapid or irregular heart beat:

Unusual fatigue: For many busy women, feeling tired most of the time is not abnormal. However, if fatigue becomes dramatic wherein normal activity leaves you exhausted; or your chest has a feeling of heaviness; and your sleep is disturbed, it can be cause for serious concern.

Sweating and/or shortness of breath: Whether or not these symptoms are accompanied by chest pain, they can signal a heart problem. Watch for sudden sweating or breathlessness without exertion, a cold, clammy feeling, or shortness of breath that worsens when lying down and improves when getting up.

Neck, jaw and back pain: Though most associate heart incidents with chest pain, women, in particular, may experience pain in either arm, the lower or upper back, or the left lower side of the jaw.

Nausea/vomiting: Women are more likely to experience nausea, vomiting, indigestion, acid reflux, lightheadedness, or fainting.

Risk factors that relate specifically to women include increasing hypertension during menopause, autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, stress, and depression. Best advice, listen to your body. Having an awareness of symptoms unique to women and taking steps to address them can lower the risk of severe heart damage from a heart attack. To support overall wellbeing, work to lower controllable risk factors. These include avoidance of smoking, getting regular exercise, consuming a heart-healthy high fiber diet, and consulting with a healthcare provider for a cardiovascular evaluation.

Professional Supplement Center carries these and other high quality supplements in support of healthy heart function and overall health:

Ubiquinol-QH (201899...Ubiquinol-QH by Douglas Laboratories®: Ubiquinol is the biologically reduced form of CoQ10, which has critical roles in antioxidant, energy and cardiovascular functions. As our ability to convert CoQ10 decreases with age, ubiquinol is ready to be utilized by the body in support of normal aging and cardiovascular health. Gluten, wheat, soy, dairy and yeast free formulation.

L-CarnitineL-Carnitine by Pure Encapsulations: This highly stabilized from of L-carnitine has been shown to promote oxygenation of the heart muscle, support cardiovascular energy, enhance exercise recovery and maintain healthy lipid metabolism. Gluten and soy free, Non-GMO vegetarian formulation.

Cardio CareCardio Care by Genestra: This unique formulation of CoQ10, magnesium and standardized botanicals is formulated for support of cardiovascular health, muscle function, energy metabolism and antioxidant defense. Gluten and soy free, Non-GMO vegan formulation.

Ultra Cardio Pack ...Ultra Cardio Pack by Douglas Laboratories®: Individual packets support cardiovascualar health with vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, natural CoQ10, L-carnitine, and a proprietary organic fruit and vegetable blend. Soy free.

 

Lest we forget the importance of our pets’ cardiovascular health:

Cardio-StrengthCardio-Strength by Vetri-Science: This specialty canine and feline formula provides 11 synergistic ingredients that support cardiovascular health and function in geriatric pets and animals with pre-existing, sub-optimal cardiovascular function. Ingredients include L-carnitine, L-taurine, CoQ10, magnesium and essential fatty acids. Veterinarian approved.

References:
Heart Disease: Differences in Men and Women. http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/heart_vascular_institute/clinical_services/centers_excellence/womens_cardiovascular_health_center/patient_information/health_topics/heart_disease_gender_differences.html
Gender and Heart Disease. https://www.goredforwomen.org/know-your-risk/find-out-your-risk/gender-heart-disease/
Women: Don’t Ignore These 3 Subtle Heart Attack Symptoms. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/2016/03/women-dont-ignore-3-subtle-heart-attack-symptoms/
Heart Attack Symptoms in Women. http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HeartAttack/WarningSignsofaHeartAttack/Heart-Attack-Symptoms-in-Women_UCM_436448_Article.jsp
Warning Signs of a Heart Attack. http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HeartAttack/WarningSignsofaHeartAttack/Warning-Signs-of-a-Heart-Attack_UCM_002039_Article.jsp
Symptoms of a Heart Attack. http://www.healthline.com/health/heart-disease/heart-attack-symptoms#overview1

 

What Constitutes Physical Fitness?

PhysicalFitnessJacquie Eubanks RN BSN

How many times have you admonished yourself for being “out of shape?” Whether or not we chose to exercise, athletes and exercise enthusiasts alike know that physical activity is crucial for the maintenance of current and long term health. Healthcare professionals, personal trainers, instructors, governmental heath agencies, the media, and others repeatedly emphasize the importance of 30 minutes of daily exercise. The terms exercise and physical activity are often used interchangeably, but there’s a difference between physical activity, exercise, and physical fitness. Physical activity can be defined as any movement that is carried out by the skeletal muscles that requires caloric energy expenditure. In other words, any activity that gets you from here to there, whether walking from the couch to the fridge or taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Exercise is planned, structured and intentional movement with the goal of challenging your competence and improving your level of fitness through sports, dance, running, yoga or any number of physically active pursuits.

One common misconception of fitness is ignoring flexibility and balance skills, both of which are key to overall fitness. We are not truly fit unless we consistently challenge ourselves to gain and maintain flexibility, endurance and strength. A great way to test your strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination is to sit down on the floor and see if you can stand up without using your arms or knees or grabbing onto to someone or something for assistance. If you can’t get up without help, you can build strength and improve coordination by balancing on one foot at a time, or practice lifting an arm or a leg while in a plank position. Just as a runner might train to complete a marathon or a ballet dancer would strive to master the ultimate challenge of thirty-two fouette turns, we can work towards walking a mile without becoming winded, or practice forward bends each day until we can easily touch our toes.

Physical fitness, which begins with regular exercise to improve aerobic fitness, muscular strength and flexibility, is measured by:

Cardiorespiratory fitness: This means that your body can supply the fuel and oxygen you need during continuous physical exertion. Aerobic exercise raises heartbeat, maximizes the amount of oxygen in the blood, and increases blood flow to the muscles, delivering oxygen and nutrients and carrying away carbon dioxide and lactic acid. Over time, regular aerobic exercise increases stamina and reduces fatigue, while improving immune function, managing weight and reducing disease risk. Cardiorespiratory endurance means the body’s energy systems, muscle fibers, and capillaries can sustain long periods of exercise, such as running a marathon, swimming a mile or cycling for 100 miles.

Muscular strength fitness: Muscle strength is the muscle’s capacity to exert force against resistance. To gain muscular strength and build muscle, focus on weight training. Aerobic exercise strengthens the heart muscle as well, helping to pump blood efficiently and slowing resting heartrate.

Muscular endurance fitness: Along with muscle strength, muscular endurance means that a muscle or group of muscles can sustain repeated contractions against resistance for an extended time period, such as when running, swimming or cycling. Separate from cardiovascular endurance, muscular endurance relates to the number of repetitions you can do without having to stop to rest, such as when doing squats, abdominal exercises or weight training.

Flexibility fitness: Commonly overlooked, a regular stretching routine should be incorporated into every fitness plan. Flexibility fitness is the ability to move the joints freely through a range of motions. Flexibility tends to decline with age, often due to a sedentary lifestyle. Regular stretching helps to prevent loss of mobility, makes it easier to perform everyday tasks, and may enhance aerobic training and muscular conditioning, as well as sports performance.

Body composition: Body composition is determined by the percentages of body fat, bone, water and muscle tissue. Lean mass includes the muscles and organs, while fat mass refers to the amount of fat tissue stored in the body. Because muscular tissue takes up less space than fat tissue, it is body composition together with weight that determine leanness.  To change your body composition, you must reduce fat mass and increase lean muscle tissue.

Physical fitness requires cardiorespiratory and muscular endurance and muscular strength, as well as flexibility, balance, agility and coordination. No matter where you are on the fitness spectrum, daily physical activity, along with intentional exercise, assists the improvement of physical fitness. While any physical activity may contribute to overall health, regular exercise is necessary to dramatically improve daily life. Sedentary people who incrementally increase daily activity can begin to enhance health and reduce disease risk. Newly active people should work towards increasing frequency, duration, intensity and variety of activity. Being physically fit puts you in state of wellbeing with lowered risk of disease, gives you the energy to fully participate in sports or other physical activities, and provides a better outlook for a longer, healthier lifespan.

Professional Supplement Center carries these and other high quality supplements to support your fitness goals, muscle mass and endurance:

Muscle Cramp/Tension...Muscle Cramp/Tension Formula by Pure Encapsulations®: This formula provides important electrolytes and soothing botanicals to help relieve occasional nighttime leg muscle cramps, minor muscle cramps associated with athletic activity and overall muscle tension. Gluten and soy free, Non-GMO vegetarian formulation.

 

Klean Endurance ...Klean Endurance by Klean Athlete®: These pure, all-natural D-ribose chewable tablets are clinically proven to help restore and replenish energy, and reduce muscle soreness and fatigue. Gluten, wheat, corn, soy, dairy, and yeast free, vegetarian formulation.

 

CLA 3000 mgCLA 3000 mg by Olympian Labs: Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) helps to maximize fitness efforts, reduce body fat, and increase lean muscle mass, supporting improved body composition.

 

L-CarnitineL-Carnitine by Pure Encapsulations: This formula provides l-carnitine-l-tartrate, a highly stabilized form of amino acid L-carnitine in support of cardiovascular health and exercise recovery. Gluten and soy free, Non-GMO vegetarian formulation.

 

Pure Power Protein...Pure Power Protein Banana by Dr. Mercola®: This exclusive all natural whey protein powder with chia seeds provides probiotics and unique superfoods for the competitive athlete or anyone seeking to optimize nutrient absorption and lean muscle gain. No preservatives, added sugars or artificial sweeteners. Also available in Chocolate, Strawberry and Vanilla flavors.

 

Classic Protein -...Classic Protein Chocolate by Sunwarrior: This raw, plant-based, whole grain brown rice protein formula is designed for fitness and health enthusiasts in support of lean muscle mass, reduced fat, and increased athletic performance. Hypoallergenic, soy and dairy free, Non-GMO vegan formulation. Also available in Natural and Vanilla flavors.

References:
7 Common Exercise Errors. https://medlineplus.gov/news/fullstory_165393.html
What is the Difference Between Physical Fitness, Exercise, and Physical Activity? http://articles.extension.org/pages/24799/what-is-the-difference-between-physical-fitness-exercise-and-physical-activity
What aerobic exercise does for your health. http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/aerobic-exercise/art-20045541?pg=2
What is Muscular Endurance? https://www.verywell.com/what-is-muscular-endurance-3120360
The importance and purpose of flexibility. http://www.humankinetics.com/excerpts/excerpts/the-importance-and-purpose-of-flexibility