Hope that everyone has had a great start to 2013! I know that it is going to be an amazing year for all of us. First of all, please note the new address for the practice.

3100 Oak Road, Ste 120

Walnut Creek, CA 94597

Parking was starting to be an issue at the old location, as so many of my patients pointed out. So, a new home for East Bay Natural Medicine it is! I’ve enjoyed settling into the new space and getting to know the wonderful people I have the honor of sharing space with.

American Heart Month

February is American Heart Month! As we celebrate Valentine’s Day – take a moment to reflect and pay attention to the care and function of the most important muscle in your body – your heart! What are some important supplements for heart health?

1. Fish Oil/Omega 3 Fatty Acids – Fish oils have the highest amount of Omega 3 Fatty acids, which lower inflammation throughout the body. Inflammation damages our blood vessels and leads to heart disease. Eating 1-2 servings per week of fish are associated with lowering the risk of heart disease. Patients with heart disease may choose to add a Fish Oil supplement.
2. CoEnzyme Q-10 (CoQ10) – CoQ10 helps improve energy production in cells, inhibits blood clot formation and also is an antioxidant. It is a nutrient that helps protect the heart and skeletal muscles and also helps with recovery after exercise. When purchasing CoQ10 – you want to be sure to purchase the Ubiquinol form. Ubiquinol is the active state of this molecule and it is ready to be utilized in your body when taken in this form.
3. Garlic – many studies have shown garlic to be effective in lowering blood pressure and high cholesterol when taken on a regular basis. Garlic is generally considered a safe supplement and can be used long term for coronary heart disease management. Garlic has traditionally been used in medicine as a blood thinner, antifungal and antibacterial agent. Research has shown that freshly crushed garlic is more beneficial than any other form. You can take a clove, mince it and let it sit for 10-15 minutes, mix it with some yogurt or honey and eat it.

Calling 911

Heart disease leads to a lot of ER visits and urgent situations. The first and most important thing you can do is to be properly trained in CPR. CPR recommendations have changed in the recent years, so if you were trained several years ago, consider taking the course again, so that you are up to speed on the latest recommendations.  Visit the American Heart Association to find a course near you.

The second thing that is important is to know your local fire department or emergency response phone number. As we rely more and more on mobile phones, we begin to be a step away from emergency responders. If you ever need to call 911 – do it from a landline if possible. Landline calls are directly routed to the local emergency response system. Mobile phone 911 calls are routed to the CHP and then to the local emergency response system. If you only have a mobile phone at your home you can call your local police or fire department and ask for their direct emergency phone number. Save this number as 911 in your cell phone, this way it shows up at the top of your contact list. You can save 2 numbers this way, one for your home town and one for where you work (i.e. 911 Walnut Creek and 911 Pleasant Hill).

The simple steps we take now to be prepare for emergency situations can help save the life of a loved one.