by David Proctor

September 17, 2015

Published Weekly   Urban Farm Lifestyle Magazine

The latest news on our health is to take action when it pertains to our heart so we do not have the risk factors for high blood pressure. To support this:The National Institute of Health (NIH) presently reports that, for people age 50 and older with high blood pressure and at least one other risk factor for heart disease, lowering blood pressure to under 120 mm Hg reduced a combined end point of heart attack, acute coronary syndrome, heart failure and strokes by 30% more than lowering it to 140 mm Hg.In addition, deaths from any cause were reduced by 25% in those treated to reach a goal of 120 mm Hg.The study’s independent data safety and monitoring board called for the study to be halted because of this significant benefit, which clearly outweighed any harm. (1)I started to work on my health a little late in life.  Ten years ago, I started to take steps to reduce my weight, increase my stamina, and lower my blood pressure.My blood pressure was not extremely high, but averaged around 125 mm Hg.After taking small steps to reach these goals, I lost 50 lbs and have kept it off for over ten years now.I do not diet; I just made small steps in my lifestyle that accomplished the weight loss.I can also say that my blood pressure now averages about 113 mm Hg.This does not take hours of sweating at the gym but a commitment to small, sustainable steps that can prolong life.

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HighBloodPressure/AboutHighBloodPressure/Understanding-Blood-Pressure-Readings_UCM_301764_Article.jsp

All this means is that I have lowered my risk.  I do not always eat as I should, or refrain from unhealthy activities, but overall the idea is to keep in a path that gets you where you would like to be and that is to be around for your family and loved ones.

This is the whole premise around urban farm lifestyle, to incorporate a healthy sustainable lifestyle that helps reduce illness and aging effects that diminish our quality of life.

Think about the children that are overweight, pre-diabetic and prone to heart disease at an early time of life. This is changeable and doable, it just takes small steps.

Step 1: Start measuring you blood pressure on a regular basis. Ignorance is bliss here.  Try to take it the same time at least weakly or once a month.  I take mine 5 days a week, after I work out and have had breakfast.

Step 2: Measure you waistline. This means more than what you see on the scales, you waistline is an indicator of your health not your wealth.  Just because you can or cannot afford to eat and drink healthy, should not show up on your waist as a spare tire or food baby.  One of the best tools is a simple tape measure.

Step 3: Stay mobile.  You have to move, our bodies are engineered to move.  Do mild stretches, get the kinks out, and move around. You do not have to play rugby, but you need to move.

Step 4: Eat less and eat well.  Our plates are too big, get a smaller plate so you do not have to feel guilty about cleaning your plate or eating the portions on it.

Eat less and let it hit bottom, wait a few minutes before you think about seconds, then if you want seconds, always take less than the first.

Eat well. Eat fresh and try to stay away from processed foods.  The biggest contributor to high blood pressure is our salt (sodium) intake.  Our foods are loaded with salt, sugar, and fat. There are all three ingredients that we need to take control of.

Step 5: Try to lower your stress.  Stress can cause many ill effects on the human body.  Take time to do the things you enjoy and put the stressful parts of life in perspective.

Reconnect with friends and activities that bring relief from the everyday anxieties that come from work, commuting, and everyday stress.

None of these steps are easy. When you look at all the things that pull at our attention, from work to family matters, it is not easy to find the time and energy to change your lifestyle.

To put this all in perspective, it is hard to teach an old dog new tricks.  This month of September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month.

Think about the kids. Too many times we see our youth with weight problems.  Stop and think about what you may have on hand in your own home for your children to eat or drink. Think about their activities.I can remember back in high school one of the coaches that I had, Coach Clark.  He was a great inspiration to me. I can remember when he would run races backwards as we tried to keep up with him.He would talk about not spending time watching TV, if he even owned one, and would encourage people to spend time outdoors playing sports or other activities.  He is the kind of role model today’s youth need.We have to pick up the slack and be that type of role model.  Whether we think the youth are watching or not, they are. They want their family members, neighbors, and loved ones to be around.So let’s take the time to watch what we eat, monitor our blood pressure, and be the example that our youth need.  This will help us all to live a more enjoyable, healthy, and sustainable lifestyle.

NYC Sodium Shakeup

New York City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene passed a rule that requires some restaurants to label menu items that exceed 2,300 milligrams, the daily limit recommended by federal guidelines.

For ideal heart health, the American Heart Association recommends consuming no more than 1,500 milligrams per day.Here’s a look at the sodium levels in five New York City favorites!

New York Style Pizza: 1 slice = 689 mg 46% of daily max

Manhattan Clam Chowder: 1 cup = 690 mg 46% of daily max

Pastrami Sandwich: 1 sandwich = 2,750 mg 183% of daily max

Bagels: 1 plain bagel = 740 mg 49% of daily max

Hot Dogs: 1 plain hot dog, no toppings = 780 mg 52% of daily max

New York has been home to several high-profile measures to improve people’s health over the past decade, including efforts to eliminate trans fats in restaurants, calorie labeling, and even a push to ban over sized sugary drinks.

Their efforts have paid off, for there are many New Yorkers who are getting healthier!

Source: Menus on the websites of popular New York restaurants
http://blog.heart.org/new-york-city-diners-will-soon-see-sodium-warnings-on-menus/nyc-salt-shake-up/