Tag Archives: Heart Disease

Simple basic changes to help with heart disease

Posted on 18 January, 2012 by | Leave a comment

When facing heart disease there are some things you need to sort out.

Making simple changes can help you beat the odds against heart disease which is, at the end of the day, a leading cause of death.

  • Get smoke-free
    Quit smoking and stay clear of cigarette smoke to lower your risk of a few types of cardiovascular disease
  • Watch what you eat
    Eat lots of fruits, vegetables, pulses, whole grains, fish, and avoid fats from meat, dairy, and processed foods high in hydrogenated oils
  • Stay active
    Couch potatoes have increased cardiovascular disease risk, so make sure you get regular exercise
  • Get tested
    See your doctor to find out if you have problems with high blood pressure or high blood levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, or glucose

It’s a good idea to chat with your doctor and get fully up to scratch on maintaining heart health with information from groups like The British Heart Foundation.

SUPPLEMENTS
When it comes to supplements various nutritional aids are thought to be helpful such as Co-enzyme q10, L-carnitine and Taurine.

Higher Nature, a group dedicated to providing the best, natural, most effective supplements have three products which are all, in some way, thought to help reduce heart disease.

  • First up there’s Red Sterol Complex which is made from red yeast rice extract, which contains lovastatin (or statins as they are popularly known). This can be used to help lower unhelpful cholesterol in the body. (See NHS report)
  • Next, there’s Organic Flax Seed Oil which in rich in Omega 3. Having a diet which is high in Omega 3 is recommended for a healthy heart.
  • Finally there’s Maxi Multi, a good old multivitamin and mineral. It should be noted that B vitamins, vitamin C, E and A and magnesium have all been thought to be beneficial to heart health.

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Posted in Health, Heart and Blood, High Cholesterol

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Red wine in a pill – healthy benefits coming your way soon.

Posted on 24 June, 2011 by | 1 Comment

This could be good news: Scientists have managed to synthesize the secret ingredient that makes red wine so healthy.

A secret fountain of youth?

Could resveratrol be a secret fountain of youth?

Resveratrol, found in red wine and colourful berries, is thought to be a key to reversing the aging process, tackling obesity and reducing the risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes. However, it is very difficult to harvest enough for its beneficial properties.

Nonetheless, researchers from New York are very excited because they have found a way around the problem by making similar beneficial compounds from molecules comparable to resveratrol.

“It’s like a recipe book for the whole resveratrol family,” says Scott Snyder, the team leader, “We’ve opened up a whole casket of nature’s goodies.”

Source: New Scientist

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Posted in Antioxidants, Cancer, Complementary Health, Diabetes, Heart and Blood

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Olive oil almost halves your chance of having a stroke

Posted on 22 June, 2011 by | Leave a comment

If you’re older the bad news is you’re more likely to have a stroke (although roughly a quarter of strokes happen to people under 65).

An oil that keeps your body working

An oil that keeps your body working

But you can halve your chances with olive oil. Such are the indications from a study of over 7000 people.

No one is exactly sure why olive oil helps – it may be that the average diet of olive oil users is healthier over all, but a risk reduction of 41% is not to be sneezed at. Strokes are the biggest cause of adult disability in the UK.

What is known is that olive oil reduces blood pressure and contains compounds which are good for dealing with  inflammation which is linked to the development of heart disease and arthritis.

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Posted in Arthritis, Health, Heart and Blood, Omega-3

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Why do you need Prebiotics? And other musings…

Posted on 7 February, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Why do you need Prebiotics?

They cultivate good bacteria in your gut and kill off the bad ones. A healthy balance of good bacteria means you’ll have a better immune system, absorb nutrients more efficiently (especially calcium), and improve your bowel health.

Why do we need Calcium?

We all know that calcium is good for the bones. It is also essential for your metabolism and muscles, it protects your heart and improves premenstrual moods. Too little calcium and your body can soon be in a mess, but if you overdose on it you won’t absorb nutrients properly.

Why do we need Cranberries?

Cranberries inhibit bacteria at work in your body and helps reduce inflammation. The knock on effect has been linked to heart health, kidney stones, urinary health, gum disease and cancer.

Why do you need Flaxseed?

For Omega 3 apart from anything else. It has been found to have an impact on the symptoms of arthritis, colitis, cancer, heart disease and even acne. Flaxseed helps your hormone levels and is a natural way to normalize the menstrual cycle, manage menopause, and lower the risk of osteoporosis, cancer and heart disease.

How can you get them?

Calciflax is a new food supplement from Lifestream which is 100% natural and has Calcium, Flaxseed, Prebiotics and Cranberries in it. It is ethically made and can easily be added to cereals or smoothies, yoghurts and salads.

If you’re interested, take a look…

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Posted in Antioxidants, Arthritis, Bones, Cancer, Colds, Diet, Digestion, General, Health, Heart and Blood, Joints, Kidneys, Menpause, Mouth, Women's Health

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Gum disease linked heart disease, strokes, diabetes and infertility

Posted on 10 June, 2009 by | 6 Comments

Bad oral health can affect our general health and well-being as well as robbing us of our smile.

The British Dental Health Foundation recently conducted a National Dental Survey . The conclusions of the research are shocking and have gone so far as to associate gum disease to potential risk of heart disease, diabetes, strokes, premature births, low birth-weight babies and, in recent early studies, infertility. These are astounding implications and Dr Nigel Carter (the Foundation’s Chief Executive) states in conclusion ‘The public is put at risk by poor dental hygiene habits yet awareness of these risks is very low. Gum disease in particular has been linked to serious health issues. It affects most people at some point in their lives, so there is no excuse for ignoring good dental hygiene.”

Cleaning teeth

Brush twice a day

Such important conclusions that have wide spread effects need to be broadcast a little more widely.  The basic advice of the British Health Foundation is to:

a) brush your teeth twice a day with a flouride toothpaste (there is a massive debate about flouride that I will touch on in a separate post)

b) floss daily

c) avoid sweet sticky foods

d) have regular dental check ups

Of those responding to some research carried out by the foundation 33% did not follow the advice to brush twice daily, 8% (equivalent to nearly five million people in the UK), admitted they had no NHS dentist and were not inclined to find one.  I wonder if they know the darker side of not caring for your mouth and teeth?

Research carried out which looks specifically at the systemic links between oral health and general health has come up with these frightening conclusions:

Facts, figures and details taken from British Dental Health Foundation

Heart Health

Good oral healthcare and treatment for gum disease can prevent the bacteria that cause thickening of the arteries. (Piconi, Trabattoni et al, FASEB Journal Dec 08 Italian/UK study in FASEB Journal)

Gum disease can be linked to heart disease. (September 2008 – scientists present the Society of General Microbiology’s autumn meeting with two new studies illustrating this.

There are 700 million oral bacteria among these the harmful bacteria can bond and act against the immune system or antibiotics, increasing chances of heart disease even in the case of fit healthy people (Jenkinson, Kerrigan et al – Uni Bristol/RCS Dublin Sep 08)

Oral bacteria causes atherosclerosis, or ‘furring’ of the arteries, as oral bacteria’s similarity to proteins which cause arteries to fur confuses the immune system. (These findings were presented by University of Otago’s Professor Greg Seymour).

There is strong evidence that treating gum disease can reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke. Inflammation in the mouth has a measurable effect in the bloodstream and the rest of the body. In trials, once the gum infection was eradicated the risk of heart attacks and future blood clots was reduced. (Taylor, Tofler et al; Journal of Dental Research, January 2006) * Jan 2006 – PERICAR trial).

Diabetes

There is evidence of links from periodontal disease to type 2 diabetes. Of 9,000 participants in the study 800 developed diabetes. Those with high levels of periodontal disease were twice as likely to develop diabetes. (Demmer, Desvarieux et al, Diabetes Care November 2008 – Columbia University. USA).

A link has been found between gum disease and pre-diabetes, often a precursor to type-2 diabetes. Dr. Carla Pontes Andersen said: “The gum inflammation seen in periodontitis can allow bacteria and inflammatory substances from the dental structures to enter the bloodstream. These processes seem to affect blood sugar control.” (Pontes Anderson, Flyybjerg et al; Journal of Periodontology)

Premature births

December 2008 – researchers in Finland question 328 women on oral health and pregnancy, those who needed urgent dental treatment, suggesting poor oral health, were 2.5 times more likely to miscarry. (Heimonen et al, Blackwell Publishing)

July 2007 – Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Chile finds link between gum disease and premature births. One in three women at risk of premature labour presented with gum disease bacteria in their amniotic fluid, as well as their mouth.

Strokes

In June 2006 scientists found that gum disease may contribute to clogged carotid arteries leading to an increased risk of a stroke. Blocked carotid arteries were much more common in people who had gum disease. (Chung, Friedlander et al, General Session & Exhibition of the International Association for Dental Research)

Infertility

In February of this year a pilot study on 56 men  suggests links between gum disease and low sperm counts. ( Hebrew University Hadassah School of Dental Medicine and Bikur Holim Hospital-based scientists)

If that has scarred you into visiting the dentist or you need more information you can contact the National Dental Helpline for free and impartial expert advice on 0845 063 1188 Monday to Friday.

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Posted in Mouth, Uncategorized

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Fish Oils

Posted on 11 March, 2009 by | 1 Comment

Cod Liver Oil has been used as a medicine for centuries although its clinical use did not begin until the mid 17th century when it was given to people suffering with bone disease and rheumatism. At that time no-one knew why it worked.

A Time-Honoured Remedy

Research continued and cod liver oil was found to contain many nutrients that were not easily obtained from non-marine sources. Cod liver oil is a rich source of fat-soluble vitamins, A, D and E and also contains polyunsaturated fatty acids (EPA and DHA) which have essential roles in the body’s metabolism.

In 1970, two Danish doctors discovered that Eskimos in Grenland had a low incidence of coronary heart disease, associated with eating large amounts of fatty fish and seafoods. Further tests showed that EPA (eicosapentanoic acid) is contained in far greater quantities in the blood lipids of Eskimos, as is DHA (docohexaenoic acid). This is needed in high proportions in the grey matter of the brain, the nerve tissue and the retina of the eye to ensure healthy functioning of these organs.

So perhaps the “old wive’s tale” of fish being good for the brain is not so far fetched!

Researchers at the University of London have shown that fish oils can lower the risk of heart disease and reduce cholesterol levels and it has also been indicated that EPA can help with arthritis and rheumatism.

A Dutch researcher carried out surveys in more than 16 different countries to measure fish intake relative to heart disease frequency. His results showed that the groups eating no fish have a 10 times greater risk of heart disease than groups like the Japanese or the Eskimos who eat a great deal of fish.

More importantly, it is also shown that eating a limited amount of fish reduces the risk significantly so that changing the diet from eating no fish to eating 50g a day will reduce the risk by half. (One tsp of cod liver oil is equivalent to 50g fish.)

There is also good news for those who have had heart trouble. A study carried out by the Medical Research Council gives direct evidence that increasing the fish oil intake can reduce the risk of death from heart disease where one heart attack has already been suffered. One group advised to take 6 cod liver oil capsules a day (or eat fatty fish at least twice a week) had a 35% better survival rate.

Could fish oils calm us all down?

The intriguing possibility that eating more fish or supplementing the diet with fish oil capsules could calm us down has been raised by research published in the Lancet.

The idea comes as a result of a study suggesting that people with a high level of a certain type of fat in their blood tend to be more aggressive. Researchers in Edinburgh took samples from 1,500 randomly selected middle aged men and women. These were then measured for the different types of fat and the subjects’ personality profiles examined, assessing them for factors such as hostility and the extent to which they looked down on, or tended to dominate, other people.

After taking into account factors such as smoking and drinking habits, it was found that those with the most aggressive attitudes had higher levels of the triglyceride type of fat in their blood. The connection with fish lies in the well-established fact that eating more of the oil found in fish lowers the level of triglyceride due to its Omega-3 polyunsaturates content.

“A reduction in aggressiveness may be one more of the factors contributing to the explanation of how eating more oil-rich fish reduces heart disease risk” comments Fish Foundation chief executive, Dr Ray Rice.

Daily Dose

During the period from 1930 to 1950, the Government provided cod liver oil through the NHS as a vitamin A and D supplement to ensure healthy growth and bone formation in children and it was not until 1971 that the free distribution of cod liver oil was dropped at health clinics because of decreased demand.

For many of us, the daily dose of cod liver oil is a never to be forgotten experience as it tastes so unpleasant. Cod liver oil remains the subject of very extensive research and the good news is that much as been done to make it far more palatable.

Who Should Take Fish Oil as a Supplement?

  • Those with arthritis or rheumatism
  • Those concerned with heart health
  • Those with dry skin and hair

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Posted in Bones, Health

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Cholesterol

Posted on 4 March, 2009 by | 1 Comment

Cholesterol is not itself fat, but a fat-soluble substance that normally combines with fats in the blood. It is essential to the human body but there is no need for us to consume it in our diet because the body itself can usually manufacture enough to meet its needs for cellular health, good digestion, hormone production and other bodily functions.

Because it does not dissolve in the blood, cholesterol is transported around the body by linking with fat and protein to form a lipoprotein. It is the proportion of cholesterol to protein in these combination molecules that determines their effect on the body. If the cholesterol proportion is high, the density decreases. Low Density Lipoproteins (LDLs) tend to clump together and cling to the walls of the arteries, forming a thick, hard deposit that can eventually clog the blood vessel and restrict the flow of oxygenated blood. This condition is termed atherosclerosis and can lead to heart attack or stroke.

High Density Lipoproteins (HDLs) on the other hand seem to do the opposite. They actually remove cholesterol from the artery walls and return it to the liver for disposal. It’s not surprising therefore that LDL, which contributes significantly to hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol) is widely dubbed the “bad” cholesterol and HDL the “good” cholesterol.

Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is the biggest cause of death in the UK, taking one in five women and one in four men. There is a clear link between these horrifying statistics and the fact that the average blood cholesterol level in the UK is one of the highest in the world – 5.8mmol/litre compared to, say 4.2mmol/litre in China. What is even more surprising though is that every time our cholesterol level drops by 1%, our risk of heart disease falls by 2%. If this is the case, why aren’t we all doing more to cut our own risk?

Perhaps the principal reason is that we don’t even know we’re at risk. Atherosclerosis remains an invisible problem until an affected artery becomes so clogged with sludgy cholesterol that heart attack or stroke occurs “out of the blue.”

Another reason is that it is not obvious which foods contribute to raising blood cholesterol levels. Eggs, prawns, shrimps and organ meats like liver actually contain natural cholesterol and are best avoided if your cholesterol level is very high. However, if they are eaten, it is thought that the body simply compensates by producing less cholesterol in the liver. The real baddies in terms of cholesterol are saturated fats, the prime sources of which are dairy products, animal fats and tropical oils like palm and coconut. These all raise levels of LDL cholesterol, while polyunsaturated fats like vegetable oils lower both “good” and “bad” cholesterol and monounsaturated fats like olive oil reduce “bad” cholesterol and, at the same time help to protect levels of the “good” HDL cholesterol.

As well as restricting intake of the wrong types of fat, cholesterol levels can also be controlled by reducing its absorption in the gut. Fibre in fruit and vegetables helps to do this by speeding the passage of foods through the intestine but high amounts of fibre will reduce HDL as well as LDL cholesterol.

The most valuable dietary components for reducing cholesterol levels are plant sterols and plant stanols. Sterols are a natural part of the cell membrane in both plants and animals, cholesterol being exclusively an animal sterol. Plant stanols, less common in nature are produced by hydrogenating sterols and the term sterols is generally used as a generic term to encompass both. Because plant sterols are structurally very similar to cholesterol, they reduce the absorption of cholesterol by competing for the limited sites for take-up in the gut. The result is a lower concentration of cholesterol in the bloodstream.

Unfortunately, plant sterols are easily destroyed during food processing and, as a consequence, we generally don’t consume anywhere near as many as we should. Studies indicate that consuming 2g per day of plant sterols can significantly reduce LDL cholesterol while retaining HDL levels and produce a 25% reduction in the risk of heart disease. The average daily intake in the UK is a pitiful 167mg.

These precious plant sterols can now be taken as a food supplement. Lestrin tablets contain beta-sitosterol and beta-sitostanol, the most abundant forms in the same amounts used in recent studies. Taking two tablets twice a day with meals will help to reduce LDL cholesterol levels and the intake may be reduced to two tablets per day for a maintenance dose

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Posted in Health, Heart and Blood

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Health Benefits of Pom Wonderful Pomegranate Juice

Posted on 5 November, 2008 by | 1 Comment

Antioxidants Found in Pomegranate Juice

  • Antioxidants prevent free radical damage. Free radicals are produced naturally in our body and are thought to play a role in the progression of diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease and premature aging.

Other items of interest

  • One of the body’s main defenses against this onslaught of free radicals is to consume antioxidants that are typically found in fruit and vegetables. Research has shown that the POM Wonderful pomegranate juice is very high in antioxidants. POM Wonderful pomegranate juice was compared to other beverages known to be high in antioxidants, and POM Wonderful pomegranate juice has more polyphenols than all the other beverages tested.
  • POM Wonderful pomegranate juice is very high in antioxidants called polyphenols. Polyphenols are thought to be highly beneficial for optimum health, particularly for heart health. POM Wonderful pomegranate juice has more polyphenols than red wine, green tea, white wine, red grape juice, white grape juice, cranberry juice, blueberry juice, apple juice, orange juice and grapefruit juice.

POM Wonderful Pomegranate Juice and Heart Health

  • Antioxidants such as those found in POM Wonderful pomegranate juice diminish the oxidation of LDL cholesterol (LDL oxidation) in humans and mice. LDL oxidation is thought to be a factor in the formation of plaque in arteries, a key step in the progression of atherosclerosis (plaque build-up in the arteries).
  • When a compound is attacked by a free radical, its chemical structure is changed, and it can no longer perform its function in the usual way. This is considered ‘free radical damage’ and the compound is considered oxidized. LDL cholesterol is susceptible to oxidation. Also, after it is attached, it becomes a free radical itself, attacking other normal compounds and turning them into free radicals.
  • Free radical damage is cumulative over time and is thought to contribute to the progression of many conditions, including heart disease, cancer and premature aging.
  • An additional human study showed that consuming pomegranate juice reduces another enzyme: ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme). ACE is involved in blood pressure, and inhibition of ACE has been shown to lead to fewer heart attacks in patients with heart disease. Pomegranate juice inhibited ACE by 36% after two weeks of juice consumption. It also caused a 5% decrease in systolic blood pressure, and high blood pressure is a known risk factor for atherosclerosis.
  • The latest published research (Clinical Nutrition: 2004) showed a decrease in plaque of up to 30% among patients who drank 8oz of POM Wonderful pomegranate juice a day. After one year of consuming 8oz of pomegranate juice daily, patients had up to a 30% decrease in arterial wall thickness in the carotid artery, a 21% decrease in blood pressure, a 59% decrease in LDL susceptibility to oxidation, and improvement in total serum antioxidant status by 130%. Those patients continuing the daily dosage for two additional years maintained the benefits.
    Pom Wonderful © April 2005

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Posted in Antioxidants

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Experience the Incredible Health & Weight Loss Benefits of the Premier Coconut Oil

Posted on 5 November, 2008 by | Leave a comment

Why should you be using coconut oil versus any other type of oil? Because it can:

Other items of interest

Help you lose weight, or maintain your already good weight

  • Reduce the risk of heart disease
  • Lower your cholesterol
  • Improve conditions in those with diabetes and chronic fatigue
  • Improve Crohn’s, IBS, and other digestive disorders
  • Prevent other disease and routine illness with its powerful antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal agents
  • Increase metabolism and promotes healthy thyroid function
  • Boost your daily energy
  • Rejuvenate your skin and prevent wrinkles

In short, after unjustly getting lumped in the “no-fat” craze of past decades, coconut oil is now starting to get the respect it deserves as not only the healthiest oil you can consume, even superior to olive oil which contains trans-fat, but as one of the most nutritious of all foods.

Coconut oil’s benefits have been covered extensively on [www.Mercola.com, but now it’s benefits are finally reaching the mainstream. For example, the May 20, 2003 edition of Women’s World, a very popular and wide-reaching magazine, called coconut oil a “miracle food” and particularly touted its ability help the body burn unwanted fat, triple your energy, and greatly help those with thyroid problems.

You should be absolutely certain, however, of the quality and effectiveness of whatever coconut oil brand you choose. There is a very wide variance in terms of the types of coconuts, the manufacturing processes used to make the oil, and more, which will have a major impact on the healthiness and effectiveness your coconut oil.

Dr Joseph Mercola © Dr Joseph Mercola

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Why a dose of folic acid is good for all

Posted on 5 November, 2008 by | Leave a comment

D. Express, “WHY A DOSE OF FOLIC ACID IS GOOD FOR ALL” by Dr Rosemary. Pregnant mums know folic acid supplements help prevent spina bifida, but new research in British Medical Journal reveals it could combat heart disease & strokes etc.

Other items of interest

Folic acid (a B vitamin) has an important role in forming DNA, the vital part of each cell that contains genetic material. It ensures cells duplicate normally.

Insufficient folic acid could increase cancer risks where cells grow abnormally. There’s now evidence that extra folic acid may prevent lung, cervix & bowel etc. cancers. This B vitamin helps regulate the chemical homocystein in the blood.

High homocysteine levels can increase heart attacks & strokes. An Illinois University study found men with the highest intake of folic acid were almost 30% less likely to have a stroke due to a blocked artery. (This has been known for ages in complementary medicine but it’s good the BMJ have now reported it).

Dr Rosemary © Daily Mail. 3 February 2004

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Posted in Heart and Blood

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