To Eat Eggs, or Not to Eat Eggs...

...that is one of many questions the average person faces when trying to develop or maintain heart-healthy eating habits.

With such a large amount of publicity about the benefits of wine, the latest controversial information about eggs, and even the advantages of drinking tea, it's no wonder people are confused.

"It is important to realize no single food item can be used as a type of `medicine' to counteract the effects of a poor diet," says Dr. Virendra S. Mathur, a cardiologist at the Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital. "Abusing the body will have its impact regardless of whether or not you drink a glass of wine a day."

And should we drink a glass of wine a day? "Though there have been several studies over the years that draw the conclusion that wine is good for you, there are plenty of studies that negate this finding," says Dr. Mathur. "Wine is not curative - if you sip a glass of wine while snacking on fatty foods, you certainly aren't doing anything good for your body."

But is it bad for us? "For a healthy person that follows an overall heart-healthy lifestyle, a glass of wine a day is most likely not harmful," says Dr. Mathur, "but for people with high cholesterol and/or high triglycerides, wine can be detrimental and should be avoided."

So, what about eggs? "Eggs are not bad for people whose cholesterol levels are normal," says Dr. Mathur. "But a person with a family history of high cholesterol, or someone whose levels are already high, starts consuming large quantities of eggs, their levels can get much higher. The good news is that everybody can eat the nutritious, protein-rich white of the egg to their heart's content."

Not surprisingly, Dr. Mathur says moderation is the key to heart-healthy eating. He recommends watching total fat intake by checking the proportion of fat in each item. He also emphasizes the importance of including proper amounts of vitamins, minerals and proteins in your diet.

"Keeping a very detailed food diary is a good way to begin changing your eating habits," says Dr. Mathur. "Seeing exactly what you eat and drink, and studying the contents as well as detailed analysis of each item from a standard table or chart, will help you identify faulty eating habits and hopefully push you towards a healthy diet."

- From Texas Heart Institute

Nosebleeds can occur for a variety of reasons - trauma, vigorous rubbing or being in a heated or dry environment.

To control bleeding, apply firm pressure just above the nostrils using the thumb and index finger. Your child's head should be bent forward so the chin is almost resting on the chest. Use a cold, clean washcloth at the end of the nose to help stop the bleeding.

"If the bleeding remains profuse or difficult to control after 15 to 20 minutes, it's a good idea to call your child's doctor," says Dr. Jan Drutz, a pediatrician at Texas Children's Hospital. "If nose bleeds are recurrent or there are other signs of bleeding, such as easy bruising or gums that bleed easily, notify your child's doctor."

- From Texas Children's Hospital

High Blood Pressure More Common Among African-American Men

Regular blood pressure checks can make the difference between life and death for men, especially African-American men. "In men ages 35 to 44, high blood pressure is two times more prevalent in African-Americans than whites," says Dr. Charlene Dewey, an assistant professor of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. "African-Americans are 15 times more likely to die from high blood pressure than white men."

Dr. Dewey recommends that healthy African-American men over age 18 have their blood pressure checked at least once every two years. Risk factors for high blood pressure include obesity, high salt and alcohol consumption, a sedentary lifestyle, and a family history. If left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to heart disease, heart attacks, stroke, and kidney or heart failure.

- From Baylor College of Medicine

---

©2006 Texas Medical Center

---

E-Mail: tmc-info@tmc.edu
URL: http://www.tmc.edu/tmcnews/02_01_00/page_19.html