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How endlessly
complex and fascinating is the heart, how imbued with both
physical and sentimental importance. This majestic muscle,
with its energy cells and electrified fibers, pumps in our
chests day in and day out, ideally without our giving it
a second thought, making all of the functions of the body
possible.
Unfortunately for some, this function most of
us take for granted is the focus of their worry and concern:
the American Heart Association estimates that 59,700,000
Americans are suffering from some type of cardiovascular
disease (CVD.)
While there are some hopeful signs
overall as far as actual heart attacks are concerned,
unfortunately Doctors are seeing an increase in problems
associated with heart weakness, such conditions as
cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure.
There is a good deal of speculation about the
reason for this. In my opinion, one reason is that these
heart weaknesses are the chronic manifestation
of poor diet and lifestyle choices, as opposed to the the acute
manifestation, which is an actual heart attack. They should be
addressed in three ways:
-
by
modifying lifestyle factors such as diet,
exercise and stress levels
-
by
controlling blood sugar levels and
inflammation
-
by
the judicious use of nutrients and herbs to
protect and support heart function.
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Interesting
research at
(http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/88030.php) suggests that fasting just one day a month
positively affects cardiovascular health, possibly through
reduced exposure to glucose. Researchers theorize that
this one day without food gives the organs time to rest and
work more efficiently.
Implementing a program of this nature will not
only lessen the chances of heart problems, but increase the
chances of surviving an event.
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Let's
start with overall guidelines for a healthy dietary,
which are simply expressed: fresh, unprocessed, varied
and moderate.
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A huge 2004 study of over
39,000 people in 40 countries people made an
incontrovertible connection between high blood sugar and
cardiovascular disease. About half of the subjects were
men, averaging 63 years of age, and the researchers determined
that only one man in three had normal glucose and insulin
levels. I in 5 had diabetes that had gone undetected,
and over 1 in 4 had pre-diabetic readings. This
emphasizes the importance of
controlling
blood sugar.
Alarmingly, in December 2006, the Mayo Clinic
published a paper pointing out that bad diets are causing more
children to show sign of metabolic syndrome, which leads to
the kinds of diseases previously found only in adults. Dr.
Weinstock, the author of the study, is quoted as saying
“Unfortunately, as the population becomes less active and
more obese, we're seeing a rise in this constellation of risk
factors for cardiovascular disease. That's of great concern
because of the increased risk for heart attack, stroke and
diabetes, and we're seeing this occur in younger and younger
individuals.”
Consider the results of Dr. Dean Ornish's 1998
heart treatment regimen, published in JAMA (1998;
280: 2001-7). To summarize: there were 20
patients in the experimental group, and 15 in the control.
-
The experimental group ate a diet which
was 10% vegetarian, did moderate aerobic exercise, added
stress management, and stopped smoking.
Experimental patients reduced chest pain by 91% at the end
of one year, and 72% after 5 years
-
The control group followed their
individual Doctors' recommendations, followed the American
Heart Association's Step 2 diet, and 60% of them took
lipid lowering drugs. The control group reported
an 186% INCREASE in angina frequency after one year, and a
36% increase after 5 years.
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Low
density lipoproteins were the same in both groups
whether they took or did not take lipid lowering
drugs.
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In the experimental group, coronary artery
blockage decreased by 3.1%, in the controls it increased
by 11.86% The control group also experienced twice as many
cardiac events as the experimental group.
These were, in my opinion, very low impact
interventions, since no supplements or vitamins were used, and
even so - look at the results!
An interesting study on
lipids, cholesterol and heart attacks - not what you
expect!!
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- Generous amounts of olive oil are allowed
on my diet, while saturated fats from animal sources and
trans fats are eliminated .
- This change needs to be accompanied by
consistent healthful exercise, such as brisk walking.
- Protein should be supplied liberally from
plant sources, such as beans, nuts and soy, with poultry,
eggs, fish and meat a few times a week, and red meat a few
times a month.
- Remember: many of the herbs and spices
have health benefits - consider cayenne, turmeric and
parsley as examples. Season your food with the good ones.
- Cheese and
yogurt
may be consumed on a daily basis, but in small amounts.
- Fruits and vegetables should be consumed
in variety on a daily basis.
- Make sure a goodly proportion of your
food is raw, for the enzymes provided
- Walnuts and almonds are encouraged as
snacks. I like almond butter in celery sticks, and
walnuts in my yoghurt.
- A glass of wine per day (moderation rules
- see RESOURCES
for alcohol and Dementia) is an acceptable
addition,
- but your main drink should be pure
water.
- Green tea is encouraged. One cup of
coffee a day is accepted.
Consider increasing raw foods in your diet
to offset the damaging effect of a diet that consists mostly
of cooked
foods. (http://ahha.org/articles/appleton2.htm) Enzymes are the difference between raw and cooked
foods. Enzymes are powerful biochemical catalysts. They speed
burning or building reactions in the body according to need,
but enzymes are destroyed by temperatures as low as 105
degrees, the equivalent of light steaming.
I think most of us have experienced the pounding of the
heart that occurs when something unexpected happens: we
also know that extreme shock can stop the heart.
Training oneself to control one's reaction to stress, finding
ways to organize and simplify one's life, can pay big
dividends in cardiovascular health.
Cortisol is a prime example of the moderation principle.
High or sustained stress levels raise cortisol, and while
moderate amounts of cortisol reduce inflammation, persistently
high levels can CAUSE it.
Remember - stress (physical and mental burnout)
results from this equation:
challenges - modifiers = level of stress.
By this I mean that the situations we perceive as stressful
are the challenges; the behaviors we put in place to deal with
them are the modifiers. The level of stress that results is
therefore in our control. Training our mind and body to deal
successfully with Stress pays huge dividends in our daily
lives, and in our long term health.
Let me take a moment here to introduce you to 2 programs
which have made a huge difference in my own ability to control
stress reactions.
|
Stress Control
through Mind Control -
Accepting and Receiving suggestions for change through
Hypnosis
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This is the ultimate relaxation technique,
where certified experts guide you to minimize stressors.
When I think of the years I wasted reacting to every set-back
in life so extremely that I made myself both ill and
miserable, I wish I had known about this method of learning to
be patient with myself, and finding out how to become skilful
at controlling my reactions.
Find out more about programs to manage Stress and Anxiety”,
all composed by state-licensed psychologists.
http://www.hypnosisnetwork.com/hypnosis/stress_anxiety.php
| A FREE program that brings
Sanity to your day |
• See your day with instant clarity
• Focus instantly on what's important
• Dump the rest (liberation is a click away)
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| The
role of supplements and anti-oxidants |
Of particular interest is an analysis from the
Erasmus University Medical School in Rotterdam (Am.
J. of Clin. Nutr., Feb 99; 69(2):261-6) where
subjects were graded by antioxidant intake, and it was found
that those in the top third of beta-carotene intake
from food (2.11 mg per day) had 55% the risk of heart attack
of those in the bottom third (0.84 mg per day). However,
when intake from food and supplements was combined,
the risk dipped to 49%. If the person in question was a
smoker, the protection was even greater - only 33% of the risk
of heart attack as former smokers with low beta-carotene
consumption! (Nutr. Sc.
News; July 99: 313).
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Of
all antioxidants, the most important for heart health
is Co-enzyme Q10.
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CoQ10 is naturally present in our cells, where
it is essential for cellular respiration and energy
production. However, our supplies become depleted as we
age, and replacing them from food is marginally practicable.
As an example, it would require two gallons of chopped spinach
daily to provide 30 mgs of CoQ10.
Not only do we have less CoQ10 in our bodies
as we age, but since it is a potent antioxidant, under
conditions of oxidative stress - for example, pollution,
smoking - available supplies of CoQ10 are used first to answer
that need, and less of it is therefore available to supply the
needs of the cell. This sequence of events, where our
body contains less of the nutrient through the natural process
of aging, increasing demands for it in its antioxidant
role deplete our remaining supplies, and therefore less of it
is available for essential energy production in the body's
cells, illustrates the vital role CoQ10 plays in heart
disease.
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It
is the energy produced in the cells of our hearts
that literally determines the efficiency of our
heartbeat!
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I remember CoQ10 being attacked in Dr. Gott's
newspaper column years ago, and would like to quote Dr.
Julian Whitaker's reply verbatim:
| Dear
Dr. Gott,
At first I was incredulous, then
alarmed by your comments on CoQ10.
I have been practicing medicine in
California for twenty years, and have been
dispensing, prescribing and recommending CoQ10 daily
for over a decade ...
CoQ10 is not a "non
traditional" treatment of cardiomyopathy: it is
the most powerful treatment of cardiomyopathy
available. It increases the survival rate of
cardiomyopathy patients tenfold compared to the
combined therapies of ACE inhibitors, diuretics and
Lanoxin ...
For your reader with
cardiomyopathy, you need to set the record straight
... to withhold this information from her is
unreasonable, unethical and will facilitate her
demise and potentially that of many others
signed, Dr. J.W.
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Dr. Judy, of the Southeastern Institute of
Biomedical Research in Bradenton, FL, has been conducting
research into CoQ10 for nearly two decades. He reports
that studies on over 4200 people show that CoQ10 reduced heart
problems in those already suffering from them, improved
pumping and heart contraction, and reduced heart volume in
almost 90% of those tested within between 24 and 90 days of
starting to supplement them with from 100 to 250 mg per day.
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In
another study of 240 people with ischemic heart
disease, 85% of those taking from 30 to 600 mg of
CoQ10 per day ( Lynn's note - 600 is a VERY high
dose!) showed results with lessening of resting
angina and exercise induced ischemia.
Arrythmias were also reduced by 50 to 100%.
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Research
in 2005 shed more light on how CoQ10 may help.
Clay Semenkovich of the Washington University School of
Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri does not accept the
cholesterol/heart disease connection, but suggests that with
age, the energy producing mechanisms in the mitochondria of
the cells become less efficient. This allows highly
re-active oxygen species to leak into the blood stream,
causing damage to the walls of the blood vessels.
http://www.nature.com/news/2005/050523/full/050523-7.html
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One
of the original clinical researchers into CoQ10's role
in cardiovascular health Dr. Per Langsjoen of Tyler
TX, went so far as to speak of it as the
"crucial factor in cellular
bioenergetics and free radical quenching".
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Dr. Whitaker's book, Guide to Natural
Healing, gives a number of other study examples and a
search will turn them up in the hundreds: this is a much
researched and highly effective heart nutrient.
At this stage, I'm sure no one will be
surprised to learn that 100 mg of CoQ10 is the first thing I
would supplement with if I had heart problems of any kind, to
include high blood pressure. A minimum dose of CoQ10
would be 30 mg. It appears to be even more effective if
taken in conjunction with Vitamin E, but should in any event
always be taken in conjunction with a form of fatty acids for
maximum absorption. There are CoQ 10 products on the
market now that are combined with the lipids necessary for
best absorption, and while they cost a little more they are
documented to deliver more CoQ10 to the cells.
Obviously the production of energy in the
heart cell is the key to cardiovascular health, hence the
importance of Co-enzyme Q10.
Which form of Co-Enzyme Q10 should I choose?
-
The powder CoQ10 or
Ubiquinone, the fully oxidized form and the most commonly
available. This kind of CoQ10 is serviceable if
taken with some accompanying fatty acids to help
bio-availability.
-
Such brands as Q-Sol,
Q-Absorb, which already contain the necessary lipids
for better absorption
-
The newest and claimed to
be the best absorbed form,
Ubiquinol, the
active form to which Ubiquinone is converted in the
body, and which constitutes 90% of CoQ10 circulating in
the body.
To
misquote Orwell, they are all active, but some are more active
than others. Generally, they are priced accordingly.
You
can compare here.
Dr. Robert J.
Barry, of National Institute of Health repute, characterizes
them thus: up to the age of approximately 45, unless you
are addressing a chronic or serious health condition, then the
Ubiquinone form is perfectly adequate. After that age, when
absorption is to a certain extent compromised by age and ill
health, the Ubiquinol form may provide more benefit.
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One
of the main reason we experience
atherosclerotic deposits in our arteries is that we
are chronically depleted of the vitamins,
minerals and amino acids needed to maintain arterial
integrity.
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Over time, as the deficiency of these
nutrients continues, the deposits represent a desperate
attempt at artery repair by our bodies.
A diet low in
Vitamin C leads to the formation of lesions in
the walls of blood vessels, causing the blood vessel to
actually leak blood. This prompts a repair molecule called
Lipoprotein (a) to apply Apo (a), which we can think of as a
kind of repair tape, to the affected area. As the damage
continues to occur, however, the response stimulus overreacts,
and the resulting overcompensation leads to atherosclerotic
deposits.
Imagine, as long ago as the 1940s, two groups
of Doctors - the Canadian cardiologist Paterson, and Trimmer
& Lundy in the U.S. - had already noted that 70 to
80% of their patients had very low plasma levels of Vitamin C.
It is obvious that if the walls of our blood
vessels were able to repel the threatened buildup there would
be fewer deposits of the lipo protein (a) particles, and this
is the role experts attribute to
Proline and
Lysine.
Lysine is an essential amino
acid: that is to say, the body is unable to manufacture
it and we must obtain our supplies from our diet. Those
of us susceptible to fever blisters may be aware that they
erupt when there is too little lysine in relation to Arginine
in our diet, and therefore we know how easy it is to be
deficient in L-Lysine.
It is also known that L-Lysine is essential
for calcium metabolism, and that calcium plays a role in
regulating many of the cellular, biochemical and molecular
functions that are frequently abnormal in cardiovascular
disease.
Proline is classified as a
non-essential amino acid ( our body can manufacture it) but it
appears that under high risk conditions for heart disease, the
body is unable to manufacture enough. Lysine and Proline
are important to this process because they are natural
anti-adhesives, not only preventing the
deposit of further fat globules in the blood vessel wall, but
releasing all types of deposits which ate already there such
as low density lipoproteins. The recommended amount is
generally 500 mgs of each per day, and up to several
grams per day therapeutically.
New research on the amino acid
L-Arginine
is also of interest here, particularly to angina
sufferers. It appears (research by the Mayo Clinic's Dr.
A. Lerman, published in Circulation) that L-Arginine
acts on the lining of blood vessels to relax the muscle wall,
thereby easing chest pain as well as inhibiting the build-up
of plaque. Another study in Circulation (Feb
1998;97:363-8) showed that intravenously administered
Vitamin C, or 1 gm oral Vitamin C daily, led to increased
arterial dilation in patients with chronic heart failure.
The method of action appeared to be inhibiting the
oxidation of nitrous oxide, leaving it available to ensure
healthy dilation of the blood vessels.
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When
considering other reasons for the new epidemic of
heart problems, it is alarming to realize the
connection between NSAIDS ( non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen) and heart
failure.
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Jack Challem, the well known nutrition writer,
reports (Lets Live Aug 2000)
that Australian researchers show that nearly ONE FIFTH of
heart failures may be attributed to these drugs, which are
very widely used. In the same interesting article, Mr.
Challem traces the connection between cardiomyopathy and
mutation of the Coxsackie's B virus. While this virus is
relatively harmless in its causative role of sore throats and
the like, it appears that in the absence of sufficient Vitamin
E and/or
selenium (both of which are undersupplied in
diets of processed foods) it can mutate and attack the
heart.
New research implicates
inflammation generally
in poor heart health: Dr. Giles &
colleagues (Am J Respir Crit Care Med
2000;162:1348-1354) examined a study
conducted from 1976 to 1992 on 8900 adults, and stated
"What we found was that people with an elevated white
count (WBC) were 40% more likely to die from coronary
heart disease after taking into account a number of
traditional risk factors". See RESOURCES for more info. Alarming new research shows that simply
breathing the air we live (http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,575037139,00.html)in is linked to
the development of heart disease through the inflammatory
process.
The study showed that patients with a WBC count over 7.6 were
at much higher risk of dying from Coronary Heart Disease, even
after adjusting for other risk factors. The new findings
support a role for
inflammation
as a causal factor in the pathogenesis of
CHD, the authors say. "We really don't know
whether reducing white count will lower the risk," Dr.
Giles added in an interview. "That's where we need more
studies."
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It
seems that persistent inflammation (triggered by
viruses, bacteria and even toxins) causes the
formation of a protein called FIBRIN, which is
implicated in blood clots.
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A Dr. Sumi, in Japan, has
recently made the discovery that an enzyme in a food called
NATTO,
from fermented soybeans, can block this process, and actually
resolve thrombi. It also decreases the viscosity of the
blood, and of course, thicker blood means higher blood
pressure and more work for the heart. It goes without
saying that this cannot be used by people with bleeding
problems, and only under the care of a health professional if
you are already on blood thinners.
The marker of systemic
inflammation, a body wide problem which, it now
apears, includes the heart, is C-reactive protein, or C-RP.
The main source of this protein is the body's fat cells, and
it is currently considered by many MDs to be an even more
accurate predictor of heart problems than homocysteine or
cholesterol.
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At least,
while the establishment continues to disseminate
misinformation about fiber and cancer,
it is acknowledging that insoluble fiber lowers
C-RP. http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/290/4/502
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Research in the UK has
connected high levels of C-reactive protein specifically to
abdominal fat, with the inflammatory process leading through
insulin resistance to diabetes, and on to cardiovascular
disease.
Two key passages
from a 2003 editorial by Russell Tracy of the Vermont College
of Medicine follow:
"First,
the data fit well with a growing body of evidence
implicating adipose tissue in general, and visceral
adiposity in particular, as key regulators of
inflammation, coagulation, and fibrinolysis. Adipose tissue
secretes proinflammatory cytokines and fibrinolytic
regulators such as plasminogen activator inhibitor.
Along with many possible roles in
atherogenesis and atherosclerotic progression, inflammatory
mediators can activate coagulation by stimulating monocytes
to express tissue factor
(as can C-RP itself ) and by
causing disregulation in natural anticoagulation."
"They
suggested that the role of visceral fat may be more
complex than suspected, because even people who are
not obviously overweight may still have disproportionately
too much visceral fat, with the result of a
predisposition toward insulin resistance and
atherosclerotic disease, possibly through inappropriate
cytokine secretion.
". Full
text at http://atvb.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/21/6/881
See
also a study in RESOURCES Below
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Vitamin
E is a natural enemy of C-RP, preferably Vitamin E
with Gamma Tocopherol and Tocotrienols.
|
Tocotrienols may prevent arterial
plaque build-up, and therefore lessen inflammation. Since C-RP
is also to a certain extent manufactured in the liver, some
liver
support is recommended.
There is another important
association is between fruits and vegetables and inflammation.
A 2001
study found that beta carotene levels were
universally low where C-RP readings were high. Examples of
important carotenes are lutein and lycopene. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11493133&dopt=Abstract
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The importance
of Omega 3s in heart disease has been a subject of much
interest in recent years, as the evidence mounted.
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The latest edition of the
PUFA newsletter (September 2003) has a number of studies on the
importance of the proper balance of fatty acids in a number of
conditions, but relevant to the heart, this:
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Overall, the authors
estimate that even allowing for eating lean fish and
possible confounders, eating fatty fish was
associated with a 34% decrease in CHD mortality across
the 3 European countries.
(Am. J. of Epidemiology,
2000; 151:999-1006)
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I am sure that one of the main
methods of operation is going to be the positive influence of
Omega 3s on the anti-inflammatory cascade! Another connection
will be the effect of proper balance of dietary fats on visceral
adipose tissue.
| A
warning, however, for anyone who has an implanted
cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) - Fish Oil may do you
harm, rather than good.
A
recent study concluded that with this particular class
of heart patients suffering from ventricular
tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF),
there was no benefit and some risk. The
researchers emphasized that their study does not
negate other studies which show benefit for Fish Oil
and Omega 3 use in other heart conditions.
Journal
of the American Medical Association
(vol 293, pp2884-2891), June 2005
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Inflammation may be one of the connections to the fact that high
levels of iron are a risk for heart
disease: although iron is an essential and important
nutrient, excessive levels can be very dangerous for the liver
and the heart, and can cause significant harm.
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A
new study has shown that excess iron can cause damage to
the endothelium, the inner lining of blood vessels,
causing inflammation and increasing a person's chances
of developing hardening of the arteries and heart
attack.
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The mechanism of action
seems to be that high iron levels impede the action of nitric
oxide, a chemical released by the endothelium which aids on
keeping blood vessels relaxed. The lead study investigator, Dr.
Hidehiro Matsuoka of Kurume Medical Scholl, states that
consuming high amounts of iron long term may increase iron
levels in the body, and suggests that people over 40 who have
other risk factors for heart disease might find it useful to
have their iron levels checked.
Researchers in his study
injected volunteers with high doses of iron (0.7 mgs per kg of
body weight) and used ultrasound imagery to observe the
functioning of the artery walls: they found that the iron
raised levels of malondialdehyde, a chemical marker for
oxidation, and inhibited normal endothelial function.
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A
caveat: older women need to watch their
iron levels (http://live.psu.edu/story/8280): poor absorption as we age can
cause them to be dangerously low. The answer is to
have the situation checked by a blood test before taking
or not taking iron supplements!!
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As if the damage to the heart
were not bad enough, a study from the American Academy of
Neurology (June 2003) links hemochromatosis (fancy word for high
iron) to Parkinson's disease. See RESOURCES for more information.
There are natural
substances that can help control iron levels:
first among them is
IP6, a phytate from rice
that binds to iron and carries it out of the body. The
other one I recommend highly is
Lactoferrin.
This is a natural protein fraction extracted from cow's milk,
which affects iron in two ways:
.
it can enhance iron absorption by assisting in its transport,
leaving less free iron in the blood .
. by
transporting the iron to receptor cells in the intestine, it
also facilitates its elimination from the body.
Interestingly, with the debunking
of the HRT/Women's heart health theory, which was based on
the possibility that extraordinarily low rate of heart
disease in young women was due to hormonal protection, another
theory which makes more sense to me comes to the fore: and
that is that the blood-letting of the menstrual cycle each
month keeps IRON levels low in pre-menopausal
women. For a complete report on this, see RESOURCES.
|
Meeting of
the American Heart Association's Council for High Blood
Pressure Research, Oct. 2000. I am indebted to
Dr. Mercola for this information:
his newsletter is at www.mercola.com
|
I
am struck by the fact that each time I address a substanceI
consider essential for the heart I find myself saying to myself
as I write "THIS is the most important one!"
Maybe this is why I had a lady ask me the other day whether I
take all the things I write about - well, the answer to that, of
course, is that I don't suffer from all the things I write
about! However, I do take a considerable number of
supplements, and magnesium is high on my list of
musts. One because I did at one point
have a mild arrhythmia, two because of
its extreme importance in our bodies and three because
of the high incidence of magnesium deficiency. I would also add four many
people lack the stomach acid to absorb magnesium.
To take the second point,
magnesium plays a part in all the enzyme reactions in the body,
and also is essential ( with the other important electrolyte,
potassium) for the "firing" of nerves and muscles.
This means that few of the body's vital processes take place
efficiently in the presence of low levels of magnesium.
Third and fourth points:
among older people, deficiencies of magnesium are especially
common because processed foods contain low levels of the
mineral, though it is abundant in whole foods. Magnesium
levels are also adversely affected by alcohol consumption,
diuretics, antibiotics, diabetes, kidney problems, and HRT.
(Among younger women, birth control has the same effect.
Think cramps!) Then too, production of hydrochloric acid,
necessary for absorption of magnesium, decreases with age.
Often these deficiencies go unrecognized, because magnesium
levels are inefficiently measured through blood tests: most
magnesium is stored in the cells. Ironic, that diuretics, often
prescribed for heart patients, deplete the body not only of
potassium ( a fact which is often addressed) but also the
heart-important magnesium .
One of my preferred reference
books is Dr. Werbach's Nutritional Influences on Illness,
and I looked in the index to refresh my memory on some of the
uses of magnesium: it did not surprise me to find some 47
health conditions listed with the relevant research, since some
naturopathic health professionals consider
|
asthma, heart
problems, fibromyalgia, menopause, PMS and migraine,
most kidney stones, and some cardiac problems
|
all to be, in one degree or
another, magnesium deficiency diseases.
The role of magnesium in
cardiac arrythmias was first acknowledged as long ago as
1945, and in 1989 the American Journal of Cardiology (63(14):43G-46G)
published a study by Dr. Roden saying "the association
between hypo-magnesia (Lynn: hypo= low) and arrythmias ...
has long been recognized. More recently, acute
intervention with magnesium in patients who are not hypomagnesic
has demonstrated arrhythmia suppression.."
In cases of High Blood Pressure,
a 1981 study found that 50% of patients with HBP had low
magnesium levels and their hypertension was reversed when their
magnesium levels rose. It is also interesting that many women
who develop HBP do so after menopause, which makes the magnesium
connection particularly important for them, especially if they
are on HRT. As a bonus, Dr. Alan Gaby (NSN
Vol.5 #9 p.402) says adequate levels of
magnesium in post-menopausal women increase bone density levels.
Another really
interesting study showed that when a patient is deficient
in magnesium, normal levels of a medication which would usually
take care of the problem are of no help - more is needed to get
results, unless the mineral deficiency is addressed.
|
Let me
restate that in reverse
if an underlying magnesium deficiency
is identified and addressed, you may need less of your
medication to get results.
If such a deficiency exists and is NOT
addressed, you will need higher than normal levels of
medication to get results.
|
Magnesium is also
important for patients with Cardiomyopathy, and Dr.
Michael Murray reports that magnesium levels "correlate
directly with survival rates". It is unfortunate that
many of the conventional medical drugs used for these
conditions, such as calcium channel blockers, diuretics and beta
blockers, deplete the body of magnesium.
Mentioning Calcium Channel
Blockers brings me to some excellent information in Dr. Ronald
Hoffman's book, Intelligent Medicine, (Simon
& Schuster 1997, p.318-319) where he
points out that the method of action of this class of drugs is
to block the spasm-inducing effect of calcium, thus keeping
blood vessels dilated. He points out that calcium and
magnesium compete for the same receptor sites in
the smooth muscle wall of the blood vessel: magnesium is
the nutrient that relaxes spasms, so its presence in greater
amounts than calcium will prevent spasms in the same way calcium
channel blockers do. This is why, when my Doctor
prescribed a calcium blocker, I went away and took lots of
magnesium. Dr. H. says his protocol in patients with
advanced heart conditions is to recommend magnesium in reverse
ratio to calcium. i.e., twice as much magnesium as
calcium. Buy his book, do: it is full of
excellent information. I recommend magnesium bound to either
aspartate or citrate as being the most effective for absorption,
and also to avoid the possibility of diarrhea that sometimes
accompanies high doses. I have had a hard time up until
now finding a means to get extra magnesium in meaningful amounts
at an affordable price, but there are now some powdered
magnesiums on the market, and I can recommend both Ionic
Fizz Magnesium and Magna-Calm as an
excellent strategy. I have also found a softgel Magnesium
500 mg.
The following information may be
of interest to you:
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Magnesium:
Research Misconduct?
For the past 15 years
evidence has stacked up showing patients with acute
coronary thrombosis improve their survival chances by
50 - 82.5% when given intravenous magnesium of 32-66
mmol in the first 24 hours. The single negative
study showing that magnesium had a worsening effect on
survival employed a far higher dose of magnesium (80
mmol) than the other studies. (European
Heart J, 1991;12:12158), and
one other study showing no benefit with magnesium
employed the low dose of 10 mmol in the first 24
hours.
Although it would
appear clear to any first year medical student that
magnesium worked well for coronary thrombosis within
the optimal dosage level of 30 - 70 mmol; that 10 mmol
was shown to be too little, and 80 mmol had been shown
to be too much, in 1990/91, the Fourth International
Study on Infarct Survival decided to do a major study
which was to definitely determine whether magnesium
was beneficial when used for this purpose. Although
their own meta-analysis of all earlier studies showed
that magnesium was beneficial, the ISIS4 investigators
also decided to test magnesium against the drug
Catopril and a coronary vasodilator.
Astonishingly, the ISIS
investigators chose to use the 80 mmol dosage for
their study, the one dosage that had been
found to be harmful. It should be
noted that the ISIS4 study was funded to the tune of
almost $10 million by Bristol Myers Squibb, the
manufacturers of Catopril. Not surprisingly,
magnesium lagged behind the drugs.
As a result of this
paper, many hospitals ceased using magnesium in their
treatment of acute coronary thrombosis.
The scandalous decision
to use an overdosage of magnesium in this study must
have caused the loss of several thousand lives within
the study and many other lives in other hospitals that
have now stopped using magnesium. Both nutritional
pioneer Dr. Stephen Davies and Dr. Damien Downing,
editor of the Journal of Nutritional and
Environmental Medicine, criticized the designers
of the study for clearly selecting too large a dose of
intravenous magnesium, and also for giving magnesium
too late and then too quickly. Downing even
titled his editorial "Is ISIS4 research
misconduct?" (J Nutr
Environ Med, 1999;9:513)
Now comes Feb 13th 2002, when Dr. Jeffrey L. Saver of
the UCLA Stroke Center told attendees of the American
Stroke Association's 27th International Stroke
Conference that using magnesium intravenously by
paramedics transporting acute stroke victims to the
hospital resulted in "dramatic" recovery
rates and levels for 25% of the patients. No
side effects were reported at all from a dose of 4 gms
given en route, and 16 gms more infused over the
following 24 hours. Dr. Saver noted that he instituted
the study because of the neuroprotective effect noted
for Magnesium in animals.
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Another important nutrient on the heart health front is
L-Carnitine.
I have been recommending it for many years now, but we
live in exciting times nutritionally, and new research is
continually being published that underscores its vital part in
the cardiovascular system, and for other health conditions. In
fact, it is a little hard to limit an article on l-Carnitine
JUST to the heart, because this substance has been positively
linked to improvements in health problems as far removed as
obesity and Parkinsonism.
First, however, what it is. The prefix
"L" would lead one to suppose that it is an amino acid
- but strictly speaking, although its structure is similar to
amino acids , it is more closely related to the B vitamins. It
is considered a nonessential nutrient in the sense that the body
can manufacture it from other nutrients present in the body
(Lysine, Methionine, B6 among others, with Vitamin C being a
limiting factor), but it is highly essential in its actions! In
the diet it is found mostly in muscle meats ( as the name would
suggest, coming from the Latin root for meat), and while it is
rare for an actual clinical deficiency to exist, sub-optimal
levels can lead to many problems associated with diabetes,
obesity, cardiovascular disease and possibly Alzheimer's and
muscular dystrophy. It is also being studied for its role in
energy with cancer patients.
The reason L-Carnitine can be
involved in such a wide range of problems, and the reason for
its extreme importance in the maintenance of heart health, is
its influence on the destiny of the massive amounts of
carbohydrates in the average American diet. Excess carbohydrates
are stored as fat, and Carnitine facilitates the burning of fat
for energy by making it possible for the long chain fatty acids
it transports to enter the cell . After all, if the fatty acids
cannot reach the mitochondria where they are transformed to
cellular energy, it stands to reason they are going to be
deposited in places where the body will suffer from their
presence, as happens in fatty liver disease, fatty build-up in
the heart, and your plain old everyday variety obesity, where
fatty build-up occurs in the muscles..
My hero Dr. Whitaker compares
the heart deficient in Carnitine to a car without a fuel pump!
However, as you can plainly see, the heart is not the only organ
that can benefit from more efficient burning of fats for energy:
Carnitine has its uses in the following conditions: angina,
myocardial infarction, recovery from heart surgery, hypertension
and high cholesterol levels, also high triglycerides,
Alzheimer's, liver disease (including alcohol induced liver
problems) diabetes, diabetic neuropathy male infertility,
diabetic neuropathy, Parkinson's and many other more obscure
afflictions.
The average amount of Carnitine found in the
daily diet is app. 50 mgs: therapeutic levels range from 500 to
1000 mgs. deficiencies may be due to a genetic error in
Carnitine synthesis, or to low levels of lysine or vitamin C,
high levels of homocysteine, or vegetarianism . There do not
appear to be any side effects from its use even at high dosages,
but it is wise to increase Vitamin C supplementation, since some
studies show that high amounts of Carnitine cause loss of
Vitamin C from the body.
As
science advances, new forms of
L-Carnitine are becoming
available. We now have Carnitine
bound to Arginine, with perhaps a
greater affinity for brain energy, and
an exciting new compound called Ester
Carnitine, which is Propionyl L
Carnitine bound to Glycine.
A 2001 study
in Cardiovascular research by
study by Lango et al said
"It has also been shown
that propionyl-L-carnitine,
which penetrates faster than
carnitine into myocytes,
is effective in inhibiting
production of free radicals.
Beneficial effects of
carnitine supplementation have
been demonstrated under a
variety of clinical conditions
such as acute cardiac ischemia,
during extracorporeal
circulation, in carnitine-dependent
cardiomyopathy as well as in
patients with chronic
circulatory failure and in
cardiogenic shock." |
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Carnitine is also sometimes marketed as DL-Carnitine,
which in my opinion should be avoided since some experts say it
interferes with the body's use of natural L-Carnitine.
Athletes have known about Carnitine's ability
to burn fat for energy for some time, but heart disease
sufferers are just beginning to realize the benefits that come
from using a substance that provides the heart with its main
fuel: the heart gets two thirds of its energy from burning fat!
Less pain and more endurance can be associated with
supplementing with L-Carnitine, with no downside! It works
synergistically with Coenzyme Q 10.
- Prime among other nutrients is Vitamin
E. Whenever Vitamin E is mentioned, i still
feel a deep sorrow as I reflect on the way the two Doctors
Shute, who first asserted that Vitamin E was helpful in
cardiovascular disease, were treated. Sneered at and
discredited by their peers, I wish they were alive today to
see how thoroughly they have been vindicated - find me a
Doctor who doesn't take Vitamin E himself! They
probably would never have dreamed that these words would
pass my pen (mouse), but I think the role of vitamin E in
heart disease is well enough known now to need to comment
from me. I will say that in my opinion not only is
Vitamin E important when you have heart disease, but taking
it regularly when you are healthy can play a role in
averting it. I suggest a minimum of 400 i.u. of
natural d-alpha tocopherol per day, and for maximum effect,
look for a formula which contains the
tocotrienols
as well.
- Other nutritional substances I recommend
are: a balance of Essential Fatty Acids, to
protect the cells of the heart. For serious heart
problems, I suggest adding one gram of
Fish
Liver Oil.
Of interest here is a report by Dr. Roberto Marchioli of
Milan, Italy, announcing to the American College of
Cardiology in New Orleans LA in April of 1999, that a study
of 12,000 patients with heart disease had found that those
patients using the FLO had a 29% lower risk of dying. See RESOURCES
for another new study.
- Avoid trans fatty acids- a
diet rich in foods containing trans fatty acids increases
concentrations of LDL cholesterol. However, unlike saturated
fats, trans fatty acids also decrease concentrations
of HDL cholesterol, which appears to significantly impair
endothelial function, Dutch researchers report.
"By measuring arterial vasodilation, we compared the
effects of trans fatty acids with those of saturated fatty
acids to determine whether the decrease in HDL cholesterol
posed an additional risk of cardiovascular disease,"
Dr. Nicole M. de Roos, from Wageningen University, told
Reuters Health.
In a randomized crossover trial, Dr. de Roos and colleagues
put 29 healthy subjects on two controlled diets, according
to their report in the July issue of Atherosclerosis,
Thrombosis and Vascular Biology . The subjects consumed each
diet, for 4 weeks. Both diets contained 9.2 energy percent
from either trans fatty acids (Trans-diet) or saturated
fatty acids (Sat-diet).
Dr. de Roos' group found that when subjects consumed trans
fats instead of saturated fatty acids HDL-cholesterol levels
went down by about 26% and arterial dilation was impaired by
about one third. "When patients consumed a diet
containing saturated fats, vasodilation was about 6.5% of
baseline diameter, while it was about 4% of baseline
diameter on the diet rich in trans fats," Dr. de Roos
said.
Given their findings, Dr. de Roos believes that "we
should try to ban trans fatty acids from our diets and
replace them with natural oils, before they are
hydrogenated, or by tropical saturated fatsthat
are rich in C14, C16 fatty acids, which do not lower HDL
cholesterol." By tropical, he means Palm
Oil and/or Coconut Oil,which
both have very interesting benefits. See RESOURCES
Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2001;21:00-00.
- I also recommend a good trace
mineral combination, necessary for the regulation
of the heart rhythm (Balch) and selenium in
more than trace amounts - 100 to 200 mcgs. There is
some research which implicates a deficiency of this mineral
in heart problems.
- I considered putting
Pycnogenol
or OPCs under herbs, since they are plant based
but I will list them here. along with Resveratrol.
These are potent antioxidants, and have a beneficial effect
on micro-circulation, possibly because they strengthen
as well as protect the cell. They are also
anti-inflammatory in nature - see RESOURCES
for more information.
- An article by Dr. Anthony Cichoke (Health
Products Mar 1999 p.22) cites research showing that proteolytic
enzymes(those which break down protein) can:
improve circulation, help fight plaque build-up on blood
vessel walls, decrease LDL and triglyceride levels, and
maintain proper equilibrium between blood clotting and the
break-up of blood clots. He says that proteolytic
enzymes help in 5 ways: they are a natural
inhibitor of inflammation which can occur in the
blood vessels, they aid the efficiency of blood flow, they
decrease pain and edema, they increase circulation and
thereby improve the supply of nutrients to the tissues, they
dissolve micro thrombi and inhibit clot formation. In
support of Dr. Cichoke, a recent study in the New England
Journal of Medicine (Ricker et
al,2000;342(12):836-843) followed over
28,000 women after menopause to find out what the most
common predictor of heart disease would be. The
researchers were looking at 12 markers, and of them all,
inflammation turned out to be the most accurate fore-runner
of cardiovascular accidents.
Here is a list of some of the herbs that are
protective of the heart -
-
Garlic
- this looms above all others on the list in importance,
because it has so many well-documented effects, not only on
the heart and circulation, but on general well-being.
It is a giant in the health field, and one I think everyone
can benefit from using!
-
Resveratrol
- protective against
changes in the vascular system (http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=17494410), and with
many
other health benefits
- Hawthorn Berry - its
effects on the heart are as important as garlic, but it has
a more narrow application. Be careful with Hawthorn
berry if you are using Digoxin or Lanoxin: consult an
expert.
- Cayenne - for its effect
on circulation.
- Ginger - for
its anti-inflammatory properties, and as a digestive aid.
See RESOURCES for more
about this amazing herb.
- Motherwort- one of my
personal favorites with a record of use going back to the
Middle Ages - it is particularly useful for palpitations
where stress is a factor.
- Butchers Broom
- Ginkgo Biloba
- Bilberry
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There are
many combinations which include some or all of these
herbs. Do be very aware that if you are
taking prescription medications and have serious
problems, certain of these herbs can have potentially
serious effects. You REALLY need to do
two things: make sure your Medical Doctor knows
what you are doing, and do it in conjunction with a
natural health professional who can work with your
Doctor for the best results.
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I hope this series has been
helpful to those who are addressing heart problems, and to those
who want to avoid them. I would like to emphasize again
that none of these things are going to be helpful unless you first
address your diet, introducing more fresh and
unprocessed foods, fruits and vegetables, fish, olive oil,
garlic, walnuts, and herbs into your cooking, and make a
commitment to a regular exercise program that is
right for you.
Dr. Weiss's book is an excellent overall guide for regaining
heart health!
There is no doubt that the
pendulum is finally swinging back from the point where people
simply surrendered their health into the hands of others, and
moving back to the point where we will realize that much of what
happens to our bodies is our own responsibility: we need
to remember that we are flesh and blood, of the animal world:
the principles we never abandoned for our beloved pets and prize
livestock apply just as much to us: we have to have the proper
nutrition and we have to stay active, otherwise we pay the
price. My aim is to be your guide along the path - I hope
to provide helpful insights in the search for Good Health!
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