Despite decades of medical research and public campaigns to ease the problem, heart disease is the No. 1 killer in the United States and throughout the Western world.

One of the problems driving heart disease is the messaging, says Robert Thompson, M.D., an integrative medicine specialist deemed by his peers to be in the top 5 percent of U.S. physicians. While there's plenty of good research to indicate good advice, the general public, and many of his peers in the medical community, are stuck with faulty conclusions, he says.

"Perhaps the biggest misconception is that an overabundance of calcium, which may include supplements, is very good for people, especially women, but that's simply not true," says Thompson, author of "The Calcium Lie II: What Your Doctor Still Doesn't Know," (calciumliebook.com), a new book that details the roles minerals play in overall health and how to identify and correct deficiencies and imbalances.

Calcium is just one of 12 substances, as well as traces of 64 other minerals, that make up our bones. Excessive amounts of calcium hurt our bodies in many ways, especially the heart and the brain, he says. We cannot possibly replace minerals with just calcium, which hardens concrete and makes bones more brittle.

One study, published in the British Medical Journal in 2008, was meant to assess the effect of calcium on bone density and fractures in postmenopausal women. Researchers found that participating women were significantly more likely to suffer heart attacks while taking calcium supplements.

"This is far from an isolated study - there are others, including 15 studies combined into a meta-analysis yielding similar heart-health results, which show an increased risk of heart disease by at least 30 percent," says Thompson, who offers practical recommendations for what individuals can start doing for better overall health in recognition of American Heart Month, celebrated in February.

•  Drink at least 64 ounces of water a day. As a general rule, we need to drink half of our bodyweight in ounces of water daily. For a 150-pound individual, that's 75 ounces of water. Those who are overweight, or are heavy exercisers or live in warm climates may need more. Take care to drink quality water. Get a quality filtration system at home, which can range from $200 to $3,000.

•  Take ionic sea salt-derived minerals. We all need a diverse range of minerals and virtually none of us get enough. Ionic minerals are the only ones that are completely available for our bodies to use because they are water-soluble and they naturally carry an electrical charge that allows them to be carried through the cell membranes. All sea salt-derived trace mineral products are recommended - at least three grams per day.

•  Use only vitamin supplements made from 100 percent organic whole foods that have been vine-ripened. Almost all of us need supplements because contemporary food supplies lack adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals, thanks to soil depletion. Most store-bought vitamins include just one component of the many complex molecular elements contained in the naturally occurring vitamin source. You need all of the nutrient components to get the full benefits.

•  Get your fill of essential fatty acids; raw nuts and/or seeds are a good source. In 2003, the Food and Drug Administration approved the following health claim for seven kinds of nuts: "Scientific evidence suggests but does not prove that eating 1.5 oz. per day of most raw nuts as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease." Omega-3 and Omega-6 are considered essential because humans can't manufacture them within our bodies. Research has now shown that plant-derived Omega 6, and not fish oil, is the best oil for humans.

•  Eat high-quality proteins. Seafood, eggs, beans, chicken, game meat, duck and turkey are excellent sources of essential amino acids that are the building blocks of every protein molecule, hormone, neurotransmitter, cell membranes and immune molecules. Proteins can also be obtained from grains, sprouted grains, raw nuts and raw seeds. Vegetarians and vegans need to play close attention to combine protein sources to get the full complement of amino acids.

•  Walk at least 30 minutes every day. This activity has a huge effect on relieving the physiologic effects of stress on the human physiology. Exercise is good, but walking is amazing. No other single activity will more significantly or more rapidly affect the adrenal stress response in humans than walking, which probably works so well because it slows us down. And, it is an incredible way to build relationships.

"Also, I recommend ingesting essential monosaccharides, which is new and unknown territory for most people," he says. "They are the simplest form of carbohydrate molecules found in the body, are essential for protein molecules and can be found in maple syrup, sweet potatoes, parsnips, beets and onions."

*Robert Thompson, M.D., was added to the peer-reviewed directory, "Best Doctors in America," in 1996.

About Robert Thompson, M.D.

Dr. Robert Thompson is a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist, and a nutrition specialist who helps patients get long-term relief from chronic disease, including obesity, diabetes, hypothyroidism and adrenal fatigue. His newest book, "The Calcium Lie II," is available for free at calciumliebook.com. Dr. Thompson received his medical training at the University of Kentucky and has been a leader in medical advances for more than 30 years.

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Having diabetes can result in many other complications, such as damage to the heart, nerves, kidneys, feet, eyes, and skin. If you have diabetes, you may also have a greater risk for osteoporosis, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease. Some diabetes complications are related to high or low blood sugar, while others are related to how long you've had diabetes.

The best way to mange diabetes and avoid diabetes complications is by monitoring your blood sugar (glucose) with a glucose meter, or glucometer. "How often you monitor your blood sugar depends on the type of diabetes you have, if you have diabetes complications, and your diabetes treatment plan," says Amber Taylor, MD, director of diabetes at The Center for Endocrinology of Mercy Hospital in Baltimore, Md.

Tips for Controlling Blood Sugar

Spyros G.E. Mezitis, MD, PhD, an endocrinologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, suggests these general healthy-lifestyle habits to make controlling your blood sugar easier:

• Follow a low-fat, low-salt, low-carbohydrate diet.
• Pass on processed foods.
• Do at least 20 minutes of aerobic exercise three times a week.
• Lose weight if you're overweight.
• Take any and all diabetes medications as prescribed.
• Following your insulin treatment program if needed.

Work with your own doctor to personalize this general plan. "There isn't a best way to manage diabetes ? the right approach is the one that works well for you," Dr. Taylor says. "Different people with diabetes need different treatment plans, and test results are used to watch for and prevent complications."

There are many diabetes testing and management tools available to you for monitoring your blood sugar, such as glucometers, insulin pumps, and continuous glucose monitors.

At your doctor's office, the A1C test is an important way to measure your average blood sugar control for the prior three months and gauge how good of a job you're doing at home. "The A1C target for most people with diabetes is less than 7 percent, which is the lowest risk for complications from high blood sugar," she says. "Some people, especially younger adults with diabetes, may have an even lower target to help prevent diabetes complications long-term."

The A1C test is used to:

• Confirm that other test results, such as those done by self-testing or by your doctor, are accurate.
• Show if your treatment plan is successful.
• Demonstrate that healthy diet and lifestyle choices can make a difference in controlling your diabetes.

Minimizing Diabetes Complications

The best way to prevent most diabetes complications is to see your doctor regularly, and to call him or her if you experience any new symptoms. Some complications, such as eye disorders, occur after many years of diabetes. "It's essential for people with diabetes to see an eye doctor at least once a year whether they have vision problems or not," Taylor says. "Ophthalmologists have tools to stop retinopathy and other diabetes-related eye disorders from progressing."

Good self-care and immediate medical attention for even a minor symptom are important steps in preventing the type of amputations often associated with diabetes. For instance, you can help to prevent foot ulcers by practicing good foot care, but if an ulcer develops, see your doctor or a foot specialist (podiatrist) immediately. "Even small foot ulcers can grow quickly and lead to infection," Taylor advises. Infections that resist treatment can lead to amputation to stop their spread.

Follow these other steps to better manage your diabetes and help prevent diabetes complications:

• Make and keep all needed check-ups with your doctors and others on your diabetes team.
• Keep your immunizations up to date to fight infections.
• Wear a diabetes tag or ID bracelet so that you receive the right treatment in an emergency.
• Have a glucagon kit handy in case of a low blood sugar emergency.
• Take care of your skin and your feet to prevent infections, and check for any signs of infection every day.

"It's easy to become overwhelmed with all this information," Taylor says. "When you think of questions, write them down and bring them to your next visit with your doctor. Advocate for yourself, know your targets for A1C, blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight, and do everything in your power to achieve these goals."