Flax seeds, rich in fiber and omega-3 acids, may help lower harmful cholesterol levels (LDL) when eaten regularly as part of a balanced diet, but it is preferable to eat them ground and in moderation, while continuing to take the cholesterol medications prescribed by the doctor.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death
According to a study presented by the Science Direct website, cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide, and according to the World Health Organization, they contribute to about a third of all deaths - equivalent to about 17.7 million people - a number that is expected to rise.
As a result, cardiovascular disease prevention is a global health issue, with a negative impact on the economy and health care. The rates of these diseases are affected by “dyslipidemia”, a clinical condition characterized by high levels of one or more fats in the blood circulation.
These fats include: total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein-bound cholesterol as well as low-density lipoprotein-bound cholesterol.
Innovative nutritional strategies have been developed to modify blood lipid levels, including functional foods and herbal medicines.
These complementary therapies are gaining increasing popularity as people seek natural and safe treatments to prevent or treat cardiovascular disease.
Flax seeds are one of the most important herbal medicines
Flax seeds are one of the most important and widely used herbal medicines and have recently received great attention in the field of treating cardiovascular diseases due to them being a good dietary source of alpha-linolenic acid, phenolic compounds, phytoestrogens, and lignans, as well as containing high-quality protein and soluble fiber.
Many people cannot start their day without consuming caffeine, which gives them the energy and alertness needed to start their day. However, coffee and tea lovers, and those who take some modern weight-loss medications, may need to rearrange their morning routine.
According to the American Fox News network, those who take glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications orally, such as Wegovi tablets, are advised not to take them with coffee, tea, other drinks, or oral medications, because this may reduce the absorption of the medication and reduce the body’s benefit from it.
According to health guidelines, the oral weight loss tablet should be taken on an empty stomach, with an amount not exceeding about 120 milliliters of water, without any other drinks.
After taking the tablet, you should wait at least 30 minutes before eating food, coffee, tea or any other drinks, and before taking other oral medications.
These instructions differ from some weight loss treatments that are given by injection; Because the absorption of oral medication through the digestive system can be affected by food and drink.
Dr. Michael Hall, a physician specializing in health care and longevity, said: “Coffee, tea, juice or other drinks should not be taken with weight loss pills, because they may interfere with how they are absorbed if taken too close to the dose.”
Hall stressed that: “The safest rule is not to take anything orally, except water, for 30 minutes after taking the tablet.”
Fox News' chief medical analyst, Dr. Mark Siegel, agreed that the GLP-1 tablet should not be taken with caffeine, but rather on an empty stomach with water only.
Siegel explained that although drinking coffee and tea throughout the day does not generally interfere with oral GLP-1 or prevent its absorption, patients should consult their doctors regarding this matter.
What is the correct morning routine?
Hall recommends arranging your morning routine as follows:
- Wake up and take the tablet.
- Swallow the tablet whole with an appropriate amount of water, without splitting, crushing, chewing or dissolving the tablet.
- Wait for at least 30 minutes.
- Eat breakfast and drink coffee or tea.
The timing of your carbohydrate intake may be an important factor in keeping your blood sugar levels stable and avoiding feeling shaky or extremely hungry after eating. But timing alone is not enough, as the foods you eat with it also play an essential role.
Regularity is more important than perfect timing
There is no specific hour that is best for everyone to eat carbohydrates. Research suggests that distributing carbohydrates evenly throughout the day, rather than eating most of them at one meal, may help stabilize blood sugar levels.
It also appears that eating meals early in the day, in line with the body's biological clock, helps the body handle glucose better than eating late at night.
This can be applied by eating an amount of carbohydrates at each meal, avoiding skipping meals, and trying to eat at similar times daily.
Don't eat carbohydrates alone
To avoid a rapid rise in blood sugar and then a drop, it is important to pay attention to foods that accompany carbohydrates. Adding protein, healthy fats, or fiber slows the digestion process, allowing glucose to enter the bloodstream more gradually and helping energy last longer.
Suitable options include eating fruit with Greek yogurt or nuts, adding chicken, beans or eggs to rice and pasta, and eating whole grain bread with peanut butter or avocado.
Breakfast may make a difference
Skipping breakfast may cause some people to feel tired or very hungry later. A balanced breakfast containing carbohydrates, protein and fiber can help keep blood sugar stable during the morning and reduce overeating later.
Suitable options include oatmeal with nuts and berries, whole wheat bread with eggs and avocado, or Greek yogurt with fruit and chia seeds.
Eat carbohydrates around physical activity
Physical activity helps muscles use glucose more efficiently, so exercise can be timed appropriately to include carbohydrates within a balanced meal or snack.
Studies have also shown that walking for 10 minutes after eating may help lower blood sugar levels after a meal.
Don't wait until you feel very hungry
Going for a long period without food may lead to extreme hunger and overeating at the next meal, which may cause greater fluctuations in sugar levels, especially in people with insulin resistance or diabetes.
Therefore, it is recommended to avoid long periods without food if they cause hunger or low energy, and to use balanced snacks when needed.
Timing varies from person to person
There is no strong evidence for a specific time when everyone should eat carbohydrates to avoid low blood sugar. Medications, activity level, insulin sensitivity, sleep, and meal components all affect the body's response.
In general, it seems that having regular meal times, distributing carbohydrates throughout the day, eating them with protein, fiber, and healthy fats, and avoiding eating large amounts of them late at night is more important than finding an ideal hour to eat them.
