Nutrition Recap For February and March

So for the month of February and March on this blog and on Youtube my focus  was on Heart Health and Women’s Health. The month of February in the US is Heart Health Month and the month of March is Women’s History Month . I will leave the links below to the Youtube videos I did for February and March.

Now that we are in April, I just wanted to give a recap of some of the diseases and disorders that I discussed and nutrition recommendations for those diseases and disorders. ( Disclaimer I work in the field of Nursing and Nutrition but I am not a Medical Doctor. When making any major changes to your diet or health please consult with your primary care doctor or a Registered Dietitian).

1. Multiple Sclerosis 

• Disease of the central nervous system 

• Central nervous system includes the brain and spinal or cord

• Attacks the nerves or nerve cells 

• Myelin sheath deteriorates

• Myelin sheath helps nerve signals travel and covers the nerve cell

• Sensory Motor and Cognitive Problems

• Cause is unknown 

• Linked to genetic and environmental factors

• Genetic being a female and Certain Genes

• Environmental factors infections and Vitamin D deficiency 

• Four types of MS

• vision problems

• tingling and numbness

• pains and spasms

• weakness or fatigue

• balance problems or dizziness

• bladder issues

• sexual dysfunction

• cognitive problems

Nutrition for MS – There is some evidence that a diet low in saturated fats and supplemented by Omega-3 (from fatty fishes, cod-liver oil, or flaxseed oil) and Omega-6 (fatty acids from sunflower or safflower seed oil and possibly evening primrose oil) may have some benefit for people with MS.

Vitamin D is a hormone and has many functions in the body:

promotes the absorption of calcium, necessary for bone health

supports immune response to infections

helps to limit inflammation and regulate the immune system

Food sources of Vitamin D include oily fish (such as salmon or tuna), beef liver, egg yolks, pork, fortified foods such as milk and juices

Biotin is considered a form of vitamin B, and is a component of enzymes in the body that help break down certain substances. It also activates certain enzymes that help the body produce myelin – the substance wrapped around many nerves in the central nervous system. Biotin, also known as vitamin H, is usually obtained from food.

2. Cardiovascular Disease 

• Can include any condition that affects the heart , blood vessels, hypertension , atherosclerosis, arteriolosclerosis , high blood pressure, blood clots

• Heart diseases that affect women more than men include

• Coronary microvascular disease (MVD) – a problem that affects the heart’s tiny arteries

• Broken heart syndrome – extreme emotional stress leading to severe but often short-term heart muscle failure

• Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest. It lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.

• Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.

• Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.

• Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness

Nutrition for Cardiovascular Disease – Avoid junk foods, processed foods, fast foods. Stay away from saturated and trans fats. Eat fruits, vegetables, nuts, lean meats, fish such as salmon. Low Sodium Diet, Low Fat Diet/ Protein plus Fiber 

3. Lupus

• Autoimmune Disease 

• Inflammation and swelling takes place anywhere in the body and can attack any organ or organ system

• Lupus affects everyone different some people might have mild symptoms and some people might have severe symptom

• People will have flare ups and then go into remission 

• Symptoms:

• fatigue

• fever frequent fevers

• hair loss and hair thinning

• rash butterfly shaped rash on cheek bones

• pulmonary problems lungs can become inflamed and swollen 

• kidney problems Inflammation of kidneys

• swollen joints

• gastrointestinal problems

• thyroid problems

• dry mouth and eyes

Nutrition for Lupus- Eat a well balanced diet with lots of fruits and vegetables and omega 3s Salmon, Tuna, Mackerel, and Sardine, Citrus fruits Vitamin C.

Avoid processed foods, junk foods, any foods that cause Inflammation in the body dairy is known to cause Inflammation in the body

Check out my YouTube Nutrition Coaching Videos: