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Research Underway on Young Adults Experiencing Myocarditis After COVID Vaccine

AHA Publisher — Mon, 05 Dec 2022 08:00:17 +0000

Steve Warren via CBN News – Researchers are looking into cases of serious side effects occurring in some young adults after they received a COVID-19 vaccination, including the possibility of myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle. In the U.S. since late 2020, there have been around 1,000 known reports of vaccine-related myocarditis or pericarditis in children under age 18, primarily young males, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But the CDC does not have data on the number of cases of young adults in their 20s, which has become an age group of particular concern. NBC News was the first mainstream media outlet to admit last month to the possible link between the COVID vaccines and myocarditis in young adults. The first research trials are finally underway in the U.S. to monitor these side effects. Both drugmakers who developed the COVID-19 vaccines, Moderna and Pfizer are involved. Moderna has already started two studies. Pfizer is preparing to launch another in the next couple of months that will include up to 500 teens and young adults under age 21, according to NBC News. The Food and Drug Administration has now made the studies compulsory for the companies to weigh the possible long-term effects of myocarditis. Early research conclusions could be published next year, the outlet reported. An FDA official told NBC News the chance of having myocarditis occur following vaccination is “very low.” Other Instances of Vaccine Complications Newly released data obtained from the CDC also shows the first people to receive the COVID-19 vaccines, like healthcare workers, did report a high rate of serious complications after receiving the shot. Just the News reports among the 10 million-plus users of the agency’s v-safe active monitoring smartphone app through July — 8.5 million of whom signed up between December 2020 and April 2021, before all adults were eligible for COVID vaccines — nearly 8% said they required medical care after receiving the vaccines. The data was acquired by the Informed Consent Action Network. It received the information after filing a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit against the CDC. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, more than 7,500 claims have been filed alleging serious injury from the COVID-19 vaccines as of Nov. 1. There may also be a problem with vaccine booster shots as well. Last January, an original study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reported about the risk of myocarditis after mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccination. “Based on passive surveillance reporting in the US, the risk of myocarditis after receiving mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines was increased across multiple age and sex strata and was highest after the second vaccination dose in adolescent males and young men,” the study said. As CBN News reported in October, Florida’s Surgeon General, Dr. Joseph A. Ladapo issued new guidance regarding mRNA shots, warning they are associated with an 84% increase in cardiac-related adverse events among males 18-39 years old. While the Florida study wasn’t published in a peer-reviewed journal, Ladapo contends the study, along with other peer-reviewed research that points to similar results, indicates young males in this age range could be at risk from those types of vaccines. Symptoms of myocarditis include: Chest pain Shortness of breath Feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering or pounding heart To read the original article click here.

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Dr. Don Colbert Reveals Health Tips for Preventing Alzheimer’s

AHA Publisher — Wed, 30 Nov 2022 08:00:54 +0000

CBN News – Many American families have been touched by the pain of Alzheimer’s disease, and some may be concerned about getting it ourselves as we age. But the good news is scientific studies over the last few decades have led to the discovery of dozens of lifestyle choices that can contribute to Alzheimer’s. On this week’s episode of “Healthy Living” on the CBN News Channel, Dr. Don Colbert discusses some of the health choices we can make to help prevent brain diseases, like choosing more plant-based foods, lowering our intake of unhealthy fats, engaging in intermittent fasting, and tackling homocysteine levels. Dr. Colbert shared practical lifestyle moves you can make to limit your chances of getting Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other cognitive decline. You can check those out on Healthy Living with Lorie Johnson, which is available on the CBN News app. To read the original article click here.

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Good Gut Health Can Blunt Viruses, Doctor Says

AHA Publisher — Wed, 23 Nov 2022 08:00:52 +0000

Lorie Johnson via CBN News – This flu season is off to a deadly start. The C.D.C. reports so far 2,100 Americans have died from the illness, including seven children. Most of the cases are influenza A (H3N2) viruses, but the proportion of influenza A (H1N1) is increasing slightly. Fourteen mostly southern and eastern states are currently experiencing the highest possible level of flu activity, with many others not far behind. Approximately 38,000 people have been hospitalized for the flu so far this season, which is the highest level this early in the season since the 2009 Swine Flu pandemic. Healthcare workers, like emergency medicine physician at New York City’s Mt. Sinai Hospital Dr. Brendan Carr, are bracing for the possibility of overwhelming patient intakes this winter. “Here we are again,” he said. “Thinking about and planning for a surge that will be really hard for us to absorb over the next couple of months.” The flu isn’t the only virus affecting the U.S. right now. RSV, COVID-19, and the common cold are other viruses that are circulating the country that are likely to spread more widely during the holidays as people gather together inside. However, being exposed to a virus doesn’t necessarily translate into sickness. A strong immune system can make the difference between no symptoms, mild symptoms or severe illness, or even death, according to gastroenterologist and gut health expert Robynne Chutkan, M.D., author of The Anti-Viral Gut: Tackling Pathogens from the Inside Out. Dr. Chutkan told CBN News, “70 to 80 percent of your immune system is actually physically located in your gut.” A strong immune system can be traced to higher levels of good bacteria in the intestines because those organisms can recognize when harmful viruses enter the body. “And that results in the release of something called interferons,” explained Dr. Chutkan. “Interferons are called interferons because they interfere with viruses. And then the interferons are the beginnings of this immune cascade, this whole series of events, like killer t-cells, and antibodies, that all rush in to protect us from the virus.” Good bacteria, which are so vital to a healthy immune system, are living organisms found in foods like yogurt and kimchi, beverages like kombucha, and some probiotic supplements. However, just like soldiers in an army, simply possessing some of these good bacteria in our gut isn’t enough to effectively withstand the onslaught of viruses attacking our bodies. Dr. Chutkan says we need to have lots of them. That’s why she says it’s critically important to feed the good bacteria fiber-rich foods so they grow and multiply. “Thirty different plant foods per week was a sort of magic number for a healthy microbiome,” she said. “So you get credit for fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains, seeds, spices, all of it. I can get ten different plant foods into a bowl of oatmeal.” And while fiber strengthens the gut, certain medications can harm it. Dr. Chutkan says these medications include antibiotics and stomach acid blockers. “Stomach acid is one of your body’s main defenses against viruses,” she said. “When you ingest a virus, which is a common way for people to get infected, if you have intact levels of stomach acid, it unravels that viral protein and renders it inactive.” Still, those medications can be life-saving in some cases, so Dr. Chutkan recommends discussing with your doctor whether you really need them. To read the original article click here.

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Not Your Grandpa’s Weed: Today’s Super-Strong Marijuana Causing Mental Health Problems, Addictions

AHA Publisher — Mon, 31 Oct 2022 07:00:59 +0000

Lorie Johnson via CBN News – Health experts and broken-hearted family members along with former marijuana users themselves are all warning about the high potency of today’s weed. The combination of a stronger product plus states legalizing the drug equals a dangerous situation. The highly concentrated marijuana is leading to greater levels of addiction and mental disorders. Zach’s Story Zach Plant starting using marijuana to ease the stress in his life, he told CBN News. At first he enjoyed getting high whenever he could. “It just sounded like a great idea,” he said, “I’d much rather be high than be sober.” Months later, Zach entered the hospital for cannabis-induced psychosis, a mental health disorder that can cause people to lose touch with reality, and experience hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia. “I had thoughts of other people wanting to hurt me,” Zach said, “Thoughts of the only way of being safe was to end my own life.” While Zach’s symptoms didn’t last, doctors warned him that if he used marijuana again he could risk going into psychosis and not ever coming out. “Your brain may not recover,” Zach recalled his doctors saying. Higher THC Content Up until about twenty years ago, most marijuana contained comparatively low levels of THC, the ingredient that makes users high, hovering around three percent. Now, that concentration can be ten times greater, 30-percent THC, and in some cases, much more than that. “You can go to a gas station,” Zach explained, “And you will find a vape pen that has, we call them carts, or dab pens, and it will have 50 times the potency of just smoking regular marijuana.” New research published in the medical journal Lancet Psychiatry show’s today highly potent marijuana can be directly linked to a greater risk of mental illness and addiction. Christine Miller, Ph.D., a neuroscientist specializing in psychosis, told CBN News the public should become better educated about the link between marijuana use and serious mental health impacts, including psychosis and suicide. “Marijuana-induced psychosis and marijuana-induced schizophrenia is the single most well-replicated finding in schizophrenia research today,” she said. This super-strong weed is widely available on the streets as well as in cannabis dispensaries nationwide, sources that can both carry risks to the buyer. “The legal pot shops are dedicated to selling very potent products,” Dr. Miller explained, “The only caveat to that is the drugs on the street can have fentanyl laced-in, on occasion, which obviously can be fatal.” Making Marijuana Legal So far 37 states have legalized medical marijuana and in 19 of those states, recreational use is also legal. All of these sales rake in billions of tax dollars for those state and local governments. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, (D-NY), U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden, (D-OR) introduced legislation in July to federally decriminalize marijuana and establish a federal cannabis tax. “We are taking steps in the Senate to right the wrongs of the failed war on drugs,” said Sen. Schumer. However, many believe the U.S. needs to revive the war on drugs, now more than ever, including Aubree Adams, the Director of Every Brain Matters, an advocacy group supporting and educating families on the harmful effects of cannabis. “Legalizing or promoting marijuana is not a solution. It’s a nightmare,” Adams told CBN News. “THC is the perfect drug to hijack our children’s brains and embed the disease of addiction and mental illness and we have to stop this nightmare.” She speaks from personal experience. “I’ve witnessed THC psychosis in my own son, and my husband was hearing voices after using 24% THC flour,” she said. The two used the amped-up weed after it became legal in their home state of Colorado, not knowing how powerful it had become. “The THC content in marijuana is increasing on purpose,” Adams said. “The legal marijuana industry has to addict their users. So the more potent the product, the more at risk they are of becoming addicted, just like the tobacco industry did.” The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates one-third of today’s marijuana users are addicted. “Probably the majority who are using daily are addicted,” said Dr. Miller “Because they’re not just using once a day they’re using several times a day.” Marijuana addiction interferes with normal life, as Zach Plant knows all too well. “Can’t get off work without doing it, can’t go into work without doing it,” he said. Scientists say marijuana addiction can also hamper the development of children and young adults. Dr. Miller explained it can “interfere with developing careers and completing degrees and things like that.” It’s been two years since Zach suffered from marijuana-induced psychosis, and he’s doing great. He’s glad to be off the drug and recommends other steer clear of it too. “For me, it was detrimental,” he said. “I don’t think anyone can know if it will have that effect on them and so it’s very risky to do.” To read the original article click here.

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Today’s Marijuana Is Much More Dangerous, and That’s Leading to Addiction and Psychotic Episodes

AHA Publisher — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 07:22:24 +0000

News Staff CBN News – Today’s marijuana is nothing like the pot used by previous generations. It’s much, much stronger. Decades ago the THC content was three percent. Today it’s anywhere from 15 to 30 percent. A recent study in a major medical journal found high potency marijuana is linked to a greater risk of addiction. The detailed research paper by mental health experts also warns about those higher concentrations of THC and the chemical’s terrible impact on the mind, including depression, anxiety, addiction, and more. The authors explained that people who used cannabis with higher THC levels were more likely to have a “psychotic episode.” On this week’s Healthy Living program, CBN News Medical Reporter Lorie Johnson talked to a young man who not only became addicted to marijuana but also suffered from cannabis-induced psychosis. Zach Plant told Healthy Living how using cannabis gave him a mental disorder. “In my experience, cannabis-induced psychosis is something that happened for me from smoking way too much marijuana,” he said. “And it triggered my brain to go into a mode where I was very manic, I had very manic thinking and a lot of paranoid thinking in a short amount of time.” During the interview, Plant said this paranoid thinking included fears of others trying to attack him. “Whenever I was induced psychosis by cannabis, I had thoughts of other people wanting to hurt me,” Plant told CBN News. “Thoughts of the only way of being safe was to end my own life. It went very quickly to suicidal thinking.” He recalled that he even operated a vehicle while under the effects of cannabis and was in total blackout mentally. “I don’t remember getting to where I needed to go, but somehow just ending up there,” Plant said. “I do have brief memories of swerving on the road and things like that. It’s really just a miracle that I’m still alive after an experience like that.” The young man explained his cannabis tolerance became so high that he would have to smoke more to feel its effects for 30 minutes to an hour. “At first, I would smoke one time and the effects would last for several hours,” Plant said. “My tolerance had been so high at that point, I was ingesting a lot more.” This led to a manic episode. “My manic episode was thinking that I had all the answers for what was wrong in the world,” he said. As several U.S. states have legalized the recreational use of marijuana, drug-related issues have risen. Arkansas voters will decide on the question on Nov. 8 after the state Supreme Court ruled Issue 4, the Marijuana Legalization Initiative could appear on the ballot. David Cox, assistant director of the Arkansas-based Family Council told American Family News (AFN) that voters need to look at the problems caused by cannabis use that several of those other states are just now finding out about. “For example … in Oregon legalization of marijuana hasn’t weakened the drug cartels, but it has actually emboldened them,” he said. “In other states, we see youth marijuana use and youth drug use increase with legalization.” Cox also noted that the social cost to the local community is too high to support the legalized retail sales of cannabis. “If you start selling marijuana retail in a community, obviously you see drug use increase – and so there is a social cost here that we feel is just too high. That is one of the reasons why we oppose the legalization of marijuana.” Others who support the legalization of pot argue it will bring in more revenue to the Natural State through sales taxes. But Cox argues it’s not as much in revenue as people think due to the low amount of taxes that will be levied on marijuana due to Issue 4. “So, a lot of people may think that ‘hey, we’ll legalize marijuana in Arkansas, it will bring this windfall to the state, we’ll get all this tax revenue,'” he told AFN. “The reality is the taxes in this amendment are very low and your elected officials will not be able to raise those taxes without having to actually change the state constitution.” As CBN News reported in November of 2018 when Massachusetts became the first state on the U.S. East Coast to legalize marijuana and begin commercial sales, the legalization of the drug comes at a cost. A report released ahead of Massachusetts’ action outlined economic and social effects in the wake of marijuana legalization in Colorado. The findings by the Colorado Christian University’s (CCU) Centennial Institute are pretty stark: For every dollar gained in tax revenue, Coloradans spent roughly $4.50 to mitigate the adverse effects of legalization. The largest costs of legalizing the drug are related to the health care system and high school dropouts. Calls to poison control have increased dramatically since legalization. Long-term use can lead to reduced cognitive ability. Jeff Hunt serves as vice president of public policy at CCU and director of the Centennial Institute. He said the report is an important first step in “giving researchers and policymakers a sense of the breadth of costs associated with commercial marijuana.” To read the original article click here.

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A Good Night’s Sleep Is Good for Your Heart: Here Are Some Tips for Better Sleep and a Healthier Heart

AHA Publisher — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 07:00:06 +0000

Lorie Johnson via CBN News – There’s no question that sleep is important to our health and well-being. Now the American Heart Association is emphasizing that it’s also one of the most important paths to heart health. That’s worth our attention because heart disease kills more Americans than any other cause of death. To show the powerful connection of sleep to a healthy heart, the AHA is adding sleep to its overall key measurements. It joins diet, exercise, nicotine exposure, body mass index, blood lipids, blood glucose, and blood pressure. Most health experts and institutions recommend adults get seven to nine hours of sleep each night, preferably with few to no interruptions. Bodies need that time to repair and reset, and doctors say without it, our heart pays the price. Research shows people who regularly sleep less than six hours a night my triple their risk of heart disease. The concern is that’s not enough time spent in the deepest stage of sleep, when blood pressure and heart rate drop as much as 20 percent, reducing stress on the heart. Also during this sleep stage, the brain releases growth hormones that help the heart recover from demands placed on it during the day. Deepak R. Talreja, M.D., a cardiologist with Sentara Healthcare told CBN News sleep is very important to heart health, but unfortunately, today more than half of all U.S. adults don’t get enough, and sleep deprivation is more common now than it was in past generations. “As our society has gotten busier and busier and we’re all available 24/7 with devices that connect us all the time,” he said, “most Americans don’t get enough sleep.” He sees firsthand how that’s taking a toll. “When someone is sleep deprived, it affects their overall functional status, their mental state, they tend to have more problems with depression, pessimism, anxiety,” he explained. “Then there are direct effects on inflammation, on heart rhythm issues, and on the presence of heart disease.” Dr. Talreja tells his patients that the path to better sleep begins with the right environment. The bedroom should be dark, cool (but not too cold), and quiet, which can include a white noise machine to cover up environmental or outside noises. Then establish your best bedtime and stick to it. “Set an alarm to remind you, just like you have a wake-up alarm, a go-to-sleep alarm can be very helpful,” he said. Stay away from electronics well before bedtime and silence them to avoid interruptions during the night. If you do wake up, stay away from the smartphone. “We’re tempted to pull our device quickly if we’re having a little bit hard time sleeping and look at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or do things that one, introduce light to our environment, and two rev us up instead of letting us calm down,” said Dr. Talreja. Exercise is also very important to getting a good night’s sleep. “That way when it comes time for sleep, your body’s ready for it. Someone who doesn’t do anything (physical) during the day, they haven’t really worn out their body so they’re not ready to sleep,” Dr. Talreja explained. Dr. Talreja points to a star patient who changed his ways. Severino Tiaba now works out daily and goes to bed at nine o’clock. “Now that I’m getting older, it’s routine,” Severino told CBN News. “The kids are out of the house. It’s just me and my wife.” Severino made a lot of other changes after suffering a heart attack six years ago. “My chest was burning real bad,” he recalled. “I had my wife take me to the emergency room because I felt like I needed to get checked out and it just got worse.” That near-death experience convinced the beer-drinking, cigar-loving, junk food junkie to do a 180. “I want to be around to see my grandkids,” he said. Severino started by following Dr. Talreja’s advice to switch to a more heart-healthy diet. Dr. Talreja recommends a plant-based eating plan that minimizes saturated fat, sugar, and processed foods. Severino enjoys the Mediterranean diet. “I eat a lot of fruits, a lot of vegetables, a lot of grains,” he said. “No more red meat, no more pork. So I eat a lot of cold water fish, salmon, mackerel, and poultry.” He gave up alcohol except an occasional glass of red wine, and ditched the cigars. “The biggest risk factor for heart disease in this era is still smoking,” said Dr. Talreja. “Quitting smoking is far and away the single most important thing a person can do.” Dr. Talreja says some people are better able to improve their heart health by making changes gradually and with the help of others. “First, introduce more fruits and vegetables into your diet. Cut down fried food and fast food, cut down soda,” he advised. “Pick specific goals you can achieve, and then pull other people in your life into it. If a whole family decides together they’re going to eat more healthful, they’re more likely to succeed.” So while heart disease is currently America’s number one killer, that could change. “If we could get the average American to eat better, exercise, pay attention to their other risk factors, and sleep better,” Dr. Talreja said, it would make a world of difference. To read the original article click here.

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Are You Hooked on America’s Deadly Diet? Heal Your Body with These Life-Saving Foods

AHA Publisher — Fri, 09 Sep 2022 07:00:59 +0000

Lorie Johnson via CBN News – The pandemic consumed most health news for two years, but underneath it all there’s been a deeper issue – a majority of the fatalities and serious cases involved patients with significant underlying health problems. Medical issues like diabetes, heart disease, and obesity were already a serious health risk for millions of Americans, and the outbreak only made matters worse. Even before COVID, scientists were pointing out that the Standard American Diet (SAD) causes even more deaths than smoking. This diet largely consists of ultra-processed foods loaded with chemicals, added sugars, and industrial oils. A growing number of doctors and other health experts recommend replacing the SAD diet with one that’s full of whole, plant-based foods. Whole foods are ones that are as close to their original state as possible, and plant-based foods, as the name suggests, are those that grew out of the ground. A Grandmother’s Testimony As a young boy, Michael Greger saw how food can be medicine. When doctors couldn’t treat his 65-year-old grandmother’s heart disease, they sent her home to die. However, at that time she started eating a plant-based diet, reversed her heart disease, and lived to the ripe old age of 96! Astounded by what he saw in his grandmother’s life, Michael decided to help others achieve the same results. Now as a physician, Dr. Greger offers free nutrition advice, including hundreds of healthy recipes on his non-profit website, nutritionfacts.org. Dr. Greger points to an increasing number of scientific studies showing a plant-based diet proves to be the healthiest of all diets for people like his grandmother who deal with heart problems. “Not only can heart disease be prevented and arrested with a plant-based diet,” he told CBN News, “It’s the only diet ever proven to reverse heart disease in the majority of patients, opening up arteries without drugs, without surgery.” Every Small Change Can Make a Difference Every 37 seconds someone in America dies from heart disease. Cardiologists like Dr. Deepak Talreja urge their patients to switch to a whole-food, plant-based diet before it’s too late. For some patients, particularly those who’ve been eating processed foods for many years, they’re encouraged to do the best they can. “We try to push people towards as optimal a diet as they can really stick with,” Dr. Talreja told CBN News. In short, he tells them to eat as many plants and as few animals as possible. He also recommends eating foods as close to their natural state as possible. For example, instead of highly processed breakfast cereal, Dr. Talreja recommends whole-grain oatmeal. He says every small change can make a difference. “Some people are very committed and they’ll fall into a program where they do 100 percent the right thing,” he explained, “Some people can’t do that, but if they can do the right thing 70 or 80 percent of the time that moves them closer to where they’re either going to get more committed or at least get some benefits from that diet.” Prevents Other Causes of Death Heart disease is just one of many chronic diseases a plant-based diet has been shown to prevent or reverse. The list includes other leading causes of death including cancer, diabetes, and obesity. Case in point: Loma Linda, California, is the American city with the highest percentage of centenarians per capita. It’s also home to the highest concentration of Seventh Day Adventists, a denomination which advocates a plant-based diet. Dr. Larry Beeson, a researcher at the Loma Linda School of Public Health, analyzed over 50 years of studies done by himself and others. “Adventists have approximately the same proportion of people who die of cancer, heart disease or stroke,” he told CBN News, “But the age that they get diagnosed is much later.” Beeson said within the Seventh Day Adventist community, people follow various plant-based diets, but noted the ones who ate more plants and fewer animal products lived longer, healthier lives in general. Different Plant-Based Diets Here are the four major plant-based diets. 1. Vegan: 100% plant food. No animal products whatsoever 2. Vegetarian: Mostly plants but some eggs and dairy foods 3. Pescatarian: Mostly plants but some eggs, dairy and seafood 4. Flexitarian: Mostly plants but some eggs, dairy, seafood, poultry, and meat For the last 15 years, dietician Julieanna Hever has been teaching people how to switch to a more plant-based diet, which she says can reverse Type 2 Diabetes, high blood pressure, and more. “It reduces obesity and extra weight,” she said. “It reduces medication requirements. I love to say decreasing your medication results are normal. My clients get off their medications.” In her cookbook, The Healthspan Solution, she offers recipes and tips for newcomers to this lifestyle, adding there’s a bit of a learning curve. “I liken it to learning a new language,” she said, “Anything, when you’re transitioning to something major, like the way you’ve eaten your whole life, you just have to learn a few new words, a few new ingredients, tie them together in sentences and paragraphs and some recipes and then if you keep doing it over and over again you become fluent.” Hooked for Life Dr. Greger says if he can get his patients to try a plant-based diet for three weeks, they’re usually hooked for life. “They’re going to sleep so much better, their digestion’s better, their periods {are} less painful, they have more energy,” he said, “In fact, some people say ‘Oh, I felt fine, Doc,’ but then they didn’t realize they had chronic indigestion. They just thought it was normal to feel like this after a meal. But no, you don’t know how good you’re going to feel until you give it a try.” Dr. Greger tells his patients to consume the following plant-based foods each day: 3 Servings of Beans (such as hummus, lentils or tofu) 1 Serving of Berries 3 Servings of Other Fruit 1 Serving of Cruciferous Vegetables (such as broccoli, cauliflower or Brussels sprouts) 2 Servings of Greens (such as kale, romaine or collards) 2 Servings of Other Vegetables (such as mushrooms) 1 Tablespoon of Ground Flaxseed 1 Serving of Nuts 1/4 Teaspoon of Turmeric 3 Servings of Whole Grains (such as 100% whole grain bread, oatmeal or pasta) ***** HEALTHY RECIPES ***** Recipe for Pat Robertson’s Minestrone Soup: Ingredients: 1 can (14.5 oz.) chicken broth, low sodium, NO MSG 1 can (approx. 15 oz.) chickpeas, drained 2 cans (15 oz. each) diced tomatoes 1 can (11-15 oz.) corn, drained 2 large red potatoes (with skins), diced 1 zucchini, diced 1 large onion, diced 3 large stalks celery, diced 1 package (10 oz.) frozen spinach 2 cups chopped kale 2 cups chopped cabbage (outer leaves preferred) Half a 16-oz. package frozen peas 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil Worcestershire sauce, sea salt, and pepper to taste Directions: Place all ingredients into a large pot and mix well. Bring soup to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for four or five hours, adding a small amount of water as needed. For a hearty meal, serve with your favorite whole-grain bread. Leftover soup can be kept in the refrigerator for up to three days. Use it as a quick heat-and-eat meal or savory first course. • Optional: For extra spice, try one can of regular chopped or diced tomatoes and one can (10 oz.) of diced tomatoes with green chiles Recipe for Butternut Squash, Ginger, Turmeric Soup Courtesy of Elizabeth Lindemann Ingredients: 1 large butternut squash cooked (see notes) 2 tablespoons fresh ginger peeled and chopped 1 onion diced 1 tablespoon coconut oil or olive oil, or butter 2 cups chicken stock/broth or vegetable broth, for vegetarian/vegan 15 oz. canned coconut milk kosher salt to taste black pepper to taste 1 teaspoon ground turmeric roasted squash or pumpkin seeds and fresh cilantro for serving (optional) Directions: In a large pot, sauté the ginger (2 tablespoons) and diced onion in oil (1 tablespoon) over medium heat until softened (about 3 minutes). Add the stock (2 cups), bring to a boil. Add the cooked butternut squash. Stir in the can of coconut milk. Season with salt, pepper, and turmeric (1 teaspoon). Use an immersion blender to blend to a smooth puree (alternatively, you can use a standing blender in batches). Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Serve topped with roasted seeds and/or fresh cilantro, if desired. Notes: To cook the butternut squash, place it whole in your slow cooker for 3 hours on high or 6 hours on low. Remove, let cool, halve, deseed, and remove flesh from the peel. Or, purchase about 4 ½ cups cubed, raw squash and roast on an oiled pan in your oven at 425 degrees for 25 minutes or until fork-tender. To read the original article click here.

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‘There’s Something Wrong with Me’: Domestic Abuse Victims Could Have Traumatic Brain Injuries

AHA Publisher — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 07:00:24 +0000

Lorie Johnson via CBN News – Domestic violence is a terrible crime, often leading to a lifetime of emotional and physical scars. That can include traumatic brain injuries, which often go undetected. Now a growing number of domestic abuse advocates are trying to change that. Paula’s Story Like many domestic violence victims, Paula Walters has been hit in the head more times than she can count. “Not just the slaps to the head,” she told CBN News, “But it was physically, him pounding my head against the cement and the tile floor. ” Unfortunately, that cruel treatment was all too familiar for Paula. “I was a child abuse victim, so I didn’t see anything very wrong with what he did,” she said. It wasn’t unusual for Paula to be hit in the head multiple times in one day, something other abuse victims often report. “In the car, if he was mad, hit me across the head if I said something, mouthed off or anything,” Paula said. “He had a pole, it was that long, and he’d hit me in the head, especially in the back, and the neck.” Paula left her abuser decades ago. She’s in a safe, healthy relationship now. Through her nonprofit organization, The Courageous Survivor she tries to educate and empower other abuse victims. However, despite her progress, Paula still suffers from brain-related repercussions from her years of abuse, such as sensitivity to light and sound, dizziness, and more. “My memory, I have a really hard time,” she said, “Tell me something, to go to the store to get two items, and I’ll get there and can’t remember the two items.” A doctor’s visit and an MRI revealed Paula suffered from extensive brain damage which is likely permanent and could cause her increasing difficulty as she ages. “He still controls my life very much,” she said, “My life might end early because of him. I have to worry about, I might not get to see my grandkids potentially because of him and there’s nothing I can do.” Not Just Football Players About 15 years ago, doctors discovered football players who were repeatedly hit in the head, often developed the brain disease called CTE, or Chronic Traumatic Encephalitis. Now, researchers are taking a closer look at domestic violence victims who have been repeatedly hit in the head to determine whether they too may have CTE or other types of brain injuries. These diseases can cause personalities to change, steal memories, and lead to early death. Lee Goldstein, M.D., Ph.D., a researcher and clinical team leader at the Boston University CTE Center told CBN News, “What happens over time is that these repetItive injuries, these repetitive insults to the brain, accumulate, cause damage to the brain, and then trigger a neurodegenerative disease that then progresses over time, even in the absence of further insults.” Dr. Goldstein emphasizes CTE can occur in people who have never sustained a concussion, but who instead have repeatedly been hit in the head, regardless of whether any of the blows caused a concussion. Researchers are reportedly close to developing a test to diagnose CTE in people who are alive, but right now, the only way to determine whether a person definitely had CTE is to examine their brain after their death. “Unfortunately at the present time we have no way to definitively diagnose CTE in living persons at this point,” said Dr. Goldstein. Scientists at the B.U. CTE Center have confirmed CTE in the donated brains of over a thousand people, mostly deceased football players, who exhibited CTE symptoms while they were still alive. “The forgetfulness, the changes in behavior, the changes in mood, the changes in personality, and often aggression, violence, homicide, suicide, and the like,” Dr. Goldstein explained. The B.U. CTE Center has also confirmed CTE in a small number of brains from battered women, mainly due to lack of access. “Intimate partner abuse, or domestic violence, we have far fewer individuals who have donated with this type of a background, so we’re in really urgent need,” explained Dr. Goldstein, adding, “The donations are essential not only for helping the next person down the line who may be at risk for this, but also to help families understand what was going on with their loved one.” Making the Connection Surprisingly, until very recently, it didn’t occur to many in the medical community, victim advocates, and abused women themselves, that repeated hits to the head were likely causing traumatic brain injuries. “We have to start connecting domestic violence and brain injury,” Rachel Ramirez, LISW-S, RA, the Founder and Director of The Center on Partner-Inflicted Brain Injury, a project of the Ohio Domestic Violence Network, is one of the few to research this connection. “One of the most important revelations we found,” she told CBN News, “is how common hits to the head are. We’ve known that, but connecting hits to the head with the possible consequence of brain injury is something that seems kind of obvious after the fact,” she said, but nevertheless, “Brain injury never played a part of that conversation.” Now that the connection between domestic abuse victims who’ve been repeatedly hit in the head and traumatic brain injury has been made, Ramirez is trying to raise awareness among people best positioned to help victims. “The first person they reach out to when they’re struggling with abuse, it’s not us,” she said, “They’re not calling our hotlines. They’re talking to your viewers. They’re talking to their friends, they’re talking to their families, they’re talking to their pastor.” Recognizing the risk of permanent brain injury from domestic abuse could potentially motivate more victims to leave dangerous partners, get medical attention, and stop blaming themselves for the symptoms they’re experiencing such as depression, difficulty remembering, and trouble with problem-solving. Ramirez said domestic violence victims often know “there’s something wrong,” but generally keep it to themselves and, “often attribute that to either a psychological issue, to, ‘There’s something wrong with me,’ to, ‘I’m stupid. I’m crazy.'” Shelters Now Getting Involved When women gather the strength to seek help from domestic abuse shelters, more of the people who work at these help centers are beginning to consider the possibility that the women coming to them could be suffering from traumatic brain injury. One of those is Samaritan House, which provides emergency and permanent housing, support services and community outreach to victims of violence in the Hampton Roads, Virginia region. “We do assessments for every woman who comes into our program, and ask her some survey questions, to see what types of injuries she’s had, or symptoms she’s had, from possibly being punched in the head, or slapped or hit, where she could have some traumatic brain injury from that,” Robin Gauthier, Samaritan House Executive Director told CBN News. Those questions include inquiries about physical health, such as whether the woman has experienced headaches, dizziness, and vision problems, mental health, concerning problems with memory, concentration, and staying organized. Emotions also play a part, including irritability, nervousness and depression. “It’s a very scary situation to think someone is being hurt so badly that they could get a traumatic brain injury,” Gauthier said, “Why are perpetrators being allowed to abuse, and why aren’t they going to jail more often for longer lengths of time so they don’t continue to cumulatively hurt other people?” Counting the number of domestic abuse victims with brain injuries is difficult. Many choose to suffer in silence. Those who seek medical treatment often minimize their injuries or lie about how they got them. “Sometimes women carry so much shame they don’t want to tell anyone,” Gauthier explained, “And then the other thing is sometimes it’s dangerous if they do tell what’s going on, and then they’re going back home to that abuser, they’re going to get hurt even worse.” “The damage is done,” Walters said, “I don’t get to take a pill and have it better.” While treatments for brain injuries are limited, some can get better, especially when identified early. Some things that help are lots of rest, a healthy diet, and most importantly, avoiding future head injuries. To read the original article click here.

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The Surprising Link Between These Foods and Depression, Anxiety and Other Mental Health Issues

AHA Publisher — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 07:00:49 +0000

Lorie Johnson via CBN News – Macaroni and cheese, hot fudge sundaes, and other comfort foods have become our go-to fixes during the pandemic to help brighten our days and soothe a lonely night. Unfortunately, what’s in these guilty pleasures can make blue moods and other mental health problems worse, not better, as researchers continue to discover a link between what we eat and how we feel. Mental Health Problems on the Rise The number of Americans seeking help for depression and anxiety skyrocketed 93 percent in 2020 compared to 2019. While some of that can be blamed on the COVID-19 impact, research shows mental illness has steadily increased for years. In fact, 40 million Americans deal with some mental health concern. That’s more than the populations of New York and Florida combined. These disorders make the list of the most common causes of death and disability. Suicide scores as a leading cause of death no matter the age group. Harvard Psychiatrist Uma Naidoo told CBN News, “We need to understand that the silent pandemic going on is one around mental illness – people feeling more depressed, bluer, not sleeping well, feeling extremely stressed and traumatized by everything that’s going on,” she said. It’s the Food Meanwhile, three out of four Americans are either overweight or obese – the highest level ever. As it turns out, there’s a link between the skyrocketing weight gain and the sharp increase in mental health problems, according to Naidoo and a growing number of mental health experts. The same foods that trigger weight gain can also lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. Dr. Naidoo founded and directs the first hospital-based Nutritional Psychiatry Service in the United States. She is the Director of Nutritional and Lifestyle Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital while serving on the faculty at Harvard Medical School. She is the author of the book, This is Your Brain on Food: An Indispensable Guide to the Surprising Foods that Fight Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, OCD, ADHD, and More. “The foods that we call comfort foods are actually discomforting for our brain,” she said. As a result, Dr. Naidoo is one of a growing number of psychiatrists and other mental health professionals using healthy foods to treat their patients. “Not that a person shouldn’t see their doctor and take medication if they need it,” she explained, “But we also can start today at the end of our fork by making healthier choices in how we eat.” The Gut-Brain Axis Dr. Naidoo says a healthy brain begins with a healthy gut. “Essentially the gut and brain,” she explained. “Even though they are in different parts of the body, they actually arise from the same cells in the embryo and they divide up and turn into these two organs, and then they remain connected throughout life.” That key connection, the gut-brain axis, is a two-way superhighway sending constant chemical messaging back and forth via the vagus nerve. The chemicals, for better or worse, are determined by the type of bacteria, good or bad, found in the gut. “When we’re feeding those microbes lots of sugary treats, lots of refined sugars, lots of soda, what unfortunately happens is the bad microbes get fed, and when they get fed sugary foods, they overcome the good microbes,” Dr. Naidoo said. Sugar Bad, Vegetables Good Several studies including MRI imaging that shows excessive sugar consumption makes depression and anxiety worse. Dr. Naidoo says processed foods are loaded with sugar, even those that don’t seem sweet. “Unfortunately things like French fries from fast-food restaurants are actually made with added sugar,” she said. “We don’t taste that, but they’re made to be hyper-palatable. So just be aware of hidden sugars.” Believe it or not, many fake sugars are just as bad for the gut or in some cases worse than real sugar. “Several of the artificial sweeteners, unfortunately, can drive anxiety, worsen depression and disrupt those gut microbes,” she said. Dr. Naidoo recommends adding colorful vegetables, like leafy greens to your menu, which contain folate. “Folate, when there’s a low level in the brain, actually can lead to depression,” she said. She advises her patients to load up on antioxidant-rich foods like blueberries and green tea. “We are combating oxidative stress,” she explained, “Which is really good, and much better for our mental well-being.” She tells her psychiatric patients to eat plenty of healthy fats like olive oil, avocados, and things like salmon and walnuts which contain high levels of Omega-3 fats. Not Just Depression and Anxiety Dr. Naidoo believes in addition to relieving depression and anxiety, that this approach can also have a positive impact on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Schizophrenia, Bi-Polar Disorder and other mental health challenges. “It doesn’t exclude the use of medications when needed,” she explained, “but it provides individuals with additional tools in their tool kit to really uplift their mental health.” An added benefit is that a healthy diet can also increase a medication’s effectiveness. In her book, This is Your Brain on Food: An Indispensable Guide to the Surprising Foods that Fight Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, OCD, ADHD, and More, Dr. Naidoo lists specific foods that alleviate certain mental health problems. She also provides dozens of recipes that address specific mental health challenges. HERE ARE THREE OF THOSE RECIPES AS FEATURED ON THE 700 CLUB: Hearty Vegetable Soup – Fights Depression This soup has peas for magnesium, broccoli for iron, and sweet potatoes for vitamin A. It is low in saturated fat and high in fiber and antioxidants. Servings: 4 Prep Time: 15 minutes Cooking Time: 30 minutes Ingredients 2 Tablespoons olive oil 1 leek, sliced 1 clove garlic, finely chopped 1 cup fresh or frozen peas 2 cups fresh or frozen broccoli florets 1 sweet potato, unpeeled, cut into 1/2-inch pieces 1 Tablespoon kosher salt, plus more if needed 1 teaspoon black pepper, plus more if needed 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley 4-6 cups hot vegetable stock or filtered water Fresh parsley, chopped (optional) Directions Heat the oil in a cast-iron Dutch oven on medium heat. Add the leek and garlic and sauté for 3-5 minutes, until the leek is soft and almost translucent. Add the peas, broccoli florets, sweet potato, salt, pepper, thyme, and dried parsley and allow to cook, stirring the mixture once or twice for 3-5 minutes. Once the vegetables appear partly cooked, add the vegetable stock. Partially cover, and allow the soup to simmer on medium for about 20 minutes. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper if desired, and garnish with fresh parsley, if desired. Mushroom and Spinach Frittata – Fights Anxiety (gluten-free, dairy-free) This easy-to-make frittata has mushrooms for a vitamin D boost and spinach for magnesium. You could save pieces for lunch for the next 2 days or save for up to 1 month in the freezer. Servings: 6 Prep Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 18 minutes Ingredients 5 whole eggs 1 cup almond milk 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1 1/2 teaspoons dried parsley 1 Tablespoon olive oil 1 cup spinach (fresh or frozen and thawed) 1 cup mushrooms, chopped Directions Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Line a 9-inch round casserole dish with parchment paper. In a medium bowl whisk the eggs with the milk, salt, pepper and parsley and set aside. Heat the oil in a medium cast-iron pan over medium heat. If using frozen spinach, wrap in cheesecloth (or a clean dish towel or paper towel) and squeeze to remove the excess water. Sauté the spinach and mushrooms in the oil until the mushrooms are lightly brown, about 3 minutes. Allow to cool. Place the cooled mushroom-spinach mixture in the casserole dish. Pour the egg mixture over the vegetables, cover with foil and bake until the eggs are just set, 15-18 minutes. Ovens vary, so make sure the eggs are set before removing the frittata from the oven. Cut into 6 even pieces and serve. Chia Pudding Topped with Nuts and Berries – Fights Trauma (vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free) Chia pudding is a great way to start the day and doesn’t require any early-morning prep. Since it has to set in the fridge overnight, you can prepare it the night before and then eat on the go. Servings: 2 Prep Time: 10 minutes Ingredients 1/2 cup organic canned light coconut milk 1/2 teaspoon honey 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 Tablespoons chia seeds Raspberries, blueberries, walnuts or other fruit Directions Pour the coconut milk into a mason jar and stir in the honey, vanilla, and cinnamon. Sprinkle the chia seeds on top. Screw the lid of the mason jar on and shake well so that the seeds mix with the milk. Chill overnight in the fridge. Serve topped with nuts and berries. To read the original article click here.

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