Wednesday, December 01, 2004

Body Mass Index Linked to Heart Disease

It’s official: Obesity is inked to subclinical changes in cardiac structure and function.

Even in the absence of overt heart disease, obesity appears to have an adverse effect on left ventricular (LV) structure and function, according to the Journal of the American Heart Association.

"The study showed a direct relationship between the level of obesity and the degree of myocardial dysfunction. The impact was independent of other risk factors such as hypertension, and indicates a direct metabolic effect of obesity on the heart muscle."

Researchers found a direct correlation between body mass index (BMI) and LV mass and wall thickness. Moreover, severely obese subjects (BMI > 35) had markedly reduced systolic and diastolic function.

As a service to our patients we will calculate your BMI to determine your risks for dysfunctions in the Heart. Patients can also have a complete Meridian Stress Assessment performed to determine imbalances in all the body’s organs and meridian systems.

Meridian Harmonics

Stress Increases Aging

Severe emotional distress - like that caused by divorce, the loss of a job, or caring for an ill child or parent - may speed up the aging of the body's cells at the genetic level. Though doctors have linked chronic psychological stress to weakened immune function and an increased risk of catching colds, among other things, there is now a link between stresses and damaged or weakened tissue.

According to Chinese Medicine, stress causes a significant imbalance in the body’s Qi mechanism. One organ system affected, early on, is the Liver. From a western medical viewpoint the Liver plays an important role in re-building blood cells, as well as several other metabolic functions related to longevity and health. As the Qi dysfunction progresses, other systems will become involved: Heart, Spleen/pancreas, Intestines, Lung and Kidney. All the body’s organs have specific roles in governing the aging process. If allowed to go unchecked, prolonged stress can eventually overwhelm individual organ systems. When this happens the body is unable to re-establish balance or homeostasis. Rapid deterioration will result, thus decreasing the ability of the body to heal itself.

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can have a tremendous affect on restoring balance to the body’s Qi mechanism. As a result of regular preventative wellness treatments, patients can considerably slow down the aging process.

Meridian Harmonics