DH went to the doctor..Now I'm researching American Heart Association

He's had some pain in his hands since taking a new bp med, so I made him a doctor's appointment for his day off, and we were there for 2 hours yesterday. The doc changed his meds to something that isn't made out of gold to cut down on the swelling in the carpal tunnel region and exercises to stretch it to see if we can wait on surgery or not have to have surgery.

In addition to that, we found out that one of his "gold" pills was actually a 2-fer, which means he technically was on 3 BP meds. He said, "I'd rather not walk you through a heart attack. Let's get the weight off." EVERY man in his direct line of descendancy has had a heart attack and died. HIs dad so far has beaten the odds, but he's got heart problems himself. *Sigh*

He said to get 30 pounds off this year, and the 14 a year...so he wants it off slowly and no salt. It HAS helped him that he's eating Morton's Lite salt since that's all I allow in the house. He's been eating 1 meal per day, and I've nagged him about it...all my nagging was confirmed yesterday. His body is in starvation mode thinking he's "getting ready to hike through the Sahara" according to our doc that Dr. Walton recommended to be my PCP in Edmond.

He was told to pack breakfast and lunch and that it was just as easy to eat a hunk of chicken breast "on the go" (as DH put it) as it was to eat a double cheeseburger and fries from Mickey D's.

So, I asked about protein bars and other protein sources for breakfast. I have to watch sodium with him..and I packed him a breakfast and lunch today. We'll see how far he goes with that one.
I don't cook with salt, and I buy reduced fat and sodium stuff for cooking with, so I'll go even further with the veggies. He's taken himself out of his salt habit voluntarily which was to salt everything before he tasted it.

He has blood work to do next month before his next doctor's appointment.
All of this is long, but I'd really like some prayers sent his way if you all can find the time.
After I go to we eBay4U today, I'm gonna pick up the AHA cookbook from the library and see what I can combine between his diet and mine that will work.

You got it!  I will add your DH to my prayer list.  We have to take care of them because they sure don't many like our's any more!

You're right about that one, for sure. He's loved me through some pretty rough patches. I don't know what I'd do without him. I appreciate it very much.

The American Heart Association is not a fan of low carb/high protein diets. They support low fat, healthy, low calorie food choice diet with healthy veggies, fruits and whole grains for weight loss.

The American Dietetic Association website is a great source of nutritional info. (Here's a little tidbit from their website.) Here's also an article written by Dr. Dean Ornish that is very helpful. And, here's the position of the American Heart Association on high protein, low carb diets.

Additionally, it is estimated that 40% of the adult (40 yrs or older) US population has some degree of kidney function issues. If anyone has had a diagnosis or problem with kidneys, high blood pressure (which is one of the biggest causes of kidney disease and loss of kidney function), any autoimmune disease, dyslipidemia, etc. ... which is what many of us have dealt with... then I would exercise caution with high protein/low carb diets. Here's another article that gives good information about high protein, low carb diets from WebMD (read *both* pages). In a Harvard study comparing low carb dieting with traditional low fat and low calorie diet, the low carb group lost 4% more of the weight at the 6 month mark than the low fat group ... but at 1 and 2 years out, weight loss was equal in both groups. So, for a bit faster weight loss temporarily, it doesn't come without some risk for many people. Also, no long term studies have been completed about the long term effects of low carb dieting.

Keep researching. High protein/low carb diets are not without controversy. Just keep focusing on health and seeing your physician for regular blood work and urine tests to make sure you're doing fine.

If I went the low carb/high protein route, I would be in serious kidney function jeopardy and possibly be facing dialysis. My nephrologist even reduced my previous protein goal due to my kidney situation after being off of some of my medicines for surgery for a short time. I am NOT to be in ketosis.

I'll be keeping your husband in my prayers. I hope he feels better and has great success with his weight loss and health goals.

My husband also has heart problems and had emergency open heart surgery at the age of 38 for a torn mitral valve. He will eventually need a mechanical valve replacement, but we're not at that point yet.

I don't want to upset anyone with these links at all. This is simply sharing excellent resources with scientific studies backing their information. Just make informed choices that are best for you.

I also highly recommend the book *YOU On A Diet* by Dr. Michael Roizen and Dr. Mehmet Oz. It's a very informative and a scientifically backed read ..... and an easy read, too.

Your DH is lucky to have to to make him take care of himself.  He is also lucky to live with a dieting pro.  I will keep him in my thoughts.

Denise

He will defiantely be in my prayers!!!!

Thanks again. I figure I can combine the diets..low fat is good for me, too! I even suggested WLS as an option...gently suggested it, but he doesn't want to go that far...yet.

 You're both in my prayers.  donna

YOU on a Diet is a great book-and there are several YOU Tv specials on weightloss that your husband could probably relate to-one episode was a bowler who was facing serious heart trouble.

There is a lot of good information at www.realage.com

I had all the programs DVR'd but changed providers or I would send them to you.  Dr. Oz and Dr. Rosen are both cardiologists, so they tend to take a heart centric view of things, which would be good in your hubby's case anyway.