Life style modification and prevention of thrombosis

تعديل نمط الحياة للوقاية من أمراض تخثر (تجلط) الدم

يعد تختر الدم من الأمراض التى تؤدى للاصابة بكثير من المشاكل الصحية كالأزمات القلبية وجلطات المخ والفشل الكلوى والجلطات الرئؤية وغيرها. ولذا يجدر بكل انسان أن يهتم بسبل الوقاية من هذا المرض بتعديل نمط الحياة الذى يرتكزعلى نوعية  الغذاء وممارسة الرياضة:

اما الغذاء الصحى فيعتمد فى مكوناته على الفاكهة والخضروات لكونها تحتوى على مواد تسمىPhytochemicals  ومن أهم الأغذية الغنية بمثل هذه المركبات: الطماطم والتفاح والكيوى والفراولة والعنب ...

النشاط البدنى له فائدة عظيمة للاستمتاع بحياة ذات جودة عالية  وتعد رياضة المشى من أهم وأسهل الانشطة التى يمكن أن تتبع: نصف ساعة من المشى يوميا تحافظ على القلب وسائر أعضاء الجسم من الأمراض

http://www.4shared.com/file/243272482/3b8e6a99/Life_Style_Modification_and_pr.html


Thrombosis has been described as coagulation occurring in the wrong place or at the wrong time. The end result of thrombosis is an obstruction of the blood flow. It is important for healthy people to take steps to prevent thrombosis. For those with risk factors for developing thrombosis, aggressive actions must be taken to protect against stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, pulmonary embolus, etc...


NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS

The nutritional supplements listed below have been scientifically studied specifically for their ability to reduce the risk of thrombosis:

Cholesterol-lowering supplements
Natural platelet aggregation inhibitors
Homocysteine-lowering supplements
Anti-inflammatories
Antioxidants
Sulfur-containing compounds

Exercise
Regular exercise is also well known to provide a host of other health benefits, particularly for the cardiovascular system:
Why is Getting Active So Important?
The facts are clear: By exercising for as little as 30 minutes each day you can reduce your risk of heart disease. Without regular physical activity, the body slowly loses its strength and ability to function well. Physical activity = living a longer, healthier life.

Regular Physical Activity Helps: Lower blood pressure, increase HDL “good” cholesterol in your blood, control blood sugar by improving how your body uses insulin, reduce feelings of stress, control body weight and make you feel good about yourself.

Physical activity is anything that makes you move your body and burns calories, such as climbing stairs or playing sports. Aerobic exercises benefit your heart, such as walking, jogging, swimming or biking.

The simplest, positive change you can make to effectively improve your heart health is to start walking. It’s enjoyable, free, easy, social and great exercise.

Diet
Why Fruits and Vegetables are Better Than Supplements?

Colorful fruits and vegetables contain hundreds of phytochemicals that work together with nutrients to promote health and prevent disease. When you eat fruits and vegetables, the phytochemicals are easily absorbed to provide the maximum health benefits.

In contrast, supplements or pills contain large doses of only one or two phytochemicals. These isolated supplements have not proven to be effective or even safe.

Phytochemicals in Fruits and Vegetables
Carotenoids
Carotenoids are the pigments responsible for the colors of many red, green, yellow and orange fruits and vegetables. Carotenoids are a large family of phytochemicals which include alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lutein, lycopene, cryptoxanthin, canthaxanthin, zeaxanthin, and others.

Carotenoids protect the body by decreasing risk of heart disease, stroke, blindness, and certain types of cancer. They may also help to slow the aging process, reduce complications associated with diabetes, and improve lung function. Fruits and vegetables that are dark green, yellow, orange or red contain carotenoids.The following information describes four of the carotenoids.

Fruits and Veggies Rich in Phytochemicals
• most fruits and vegetables contain phytochemicals
• some fruits and vegetables contain many different phytochemicals
• phytochemicals in a specific fruit or vegetable work together with nutrients to protect your health.

Following is a list of the most well researched fruits and vegetables and the phytochemicals they contain.
• Apples and apple juice contain phenolic compounds which may protect against heart disease.
• Citrus fruits, such as oranges, grapefruits, and tangerines contain hesperidin and tangeritin which act as antioxidants to reduce the risk of heart disease and various types of cancer. Citrus fruits also contain limonene which may protect the lungs.
• Garlic contains allium compounds which may reduce the risk of certain forms of cancers and lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Garlic also contains quercetins which may reduce inflammation associated with allergies, inhibit the growth of head and neck tumors, and protect the lungs from the harmful effects of pollutants and cigarette smoke.
• Kiwifruit contains a variety of phytochemicals, including beta-carotene, lutein, anthocyanins, and ellagic acid. These phytochemicals may reduce the risk of heart disease, certain types of cancer, cataracts, and macular degeneration.
• Onions contain allium compounds which may reduce the risk of certain forms of cancer and lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Onions also contain quercetins which may reduce inflammation associated with allergies, inhibit the growth of head and neck tumors, and protect the lungs from the harmful effects of pollutants and cigarette smoke.
• Raisins contain phenolic compounds that may act as powerful antioxidants to help slow the aging process.
• Raspberries contain ellagic acid which may reduce the risk of certain forms of cancer and decrease cholesterol levels.
• Red grapes and grape juice contain resveratrol and ellagic acid which may lower the risk of heart disease and certain forms of cancer.. Red grapes also contain quercetins which may reduce inflammation associated with allergies, inhibit the growth of head and neck tumors, and protect the lungs from the harmful effects of pollutants and cigarette smoke.
• Red peppers contain lycopene which reduce the risk of prostate cancer and heart disease.
• Strawberries contain anthocyanins which may protect against the effects of aging. Strawberries also contain ellagic acid which may reduce the risk of certain forms of cancer and decrease cholesterol levels.
• Tomatoes and cooked tomato products contain lycopene which may decrease risk for prostate cancer and heart disease. Tomato products such as ketchup, tomato juice, and spaghetti sauce are some excellent sources of lycopene.

Prevention of blood clots is a complex task involving maintenance of a fine balance between the process of coagulation and anticoagulation. Patients on prescription medications (e.g., Coumadin), as well as those who combine Coumadin with over-the-counter anti-inflammatories or aspirin, need close monitoring. Patients taking supplements (such as vitamins, herbs, or oils) should also have their thrombotic risk factors evaluated in the same way. However, close monitoring of coagulation balance is usually not necessary in people who are otherwise healthy.

References
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3071616
Hannum SM. Potential impact of strawberries on human health: a review of science. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr, 2004; 44(1):1-17.
Andlawer W, Flawrst P. Special characteristics of non-nutrient food constituents of plants-phytochemicals. Introductory lecture. Int J Vitam Nutr Res, 2003 Mar; 73(2): 55-62.
Rui Hai Liu. Health benefits of fruit and vegetables are from additive and synergistic combinations of phytochemicals. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2003 Sep; Vol. 78, No 3: 517S-520S.