Treatment for Ischaemic CVD:Â Â Prevent /Modulate Inflammation
DIY natural "Tools" to treat cardiovascular-related problems
Ischemic CVD (resulting from reduced blood supply):
Coronary heart disease (CHD), high blood pressure, high
cholesterol, heart attack, thrombosis / embolism and angina
Also preventative protocol for: Stroke
and hemorrhagic burst
Forget measuring serum lipids and reducing dietary saturated
fat! Ischaemic CVD is a
chronic low-level inflammatory disease , which can be dealt with
effectively by eating real, nutritious food containing lots of
antioxidants and
alkalizing foods,
sufficient water and getting moderate
exercise (e.g. a daily, brisk
30 minute walk), sunlight, fresh air, sufficient sleep, and peace within.
See:
N E W
S T A R T S :
Nutrition
Exercise
Water
Improve the balance of
antioxidants
vs. oxidants to prevent
radical/oxidant
damage to arteries:
Supply sufficient
antioxidants - especially
vitamins
A, B6 ,
C , D ,
E and K
ANTIOXIDANT / ROS BALANCE
Antioxidants
have several roles concerning CVD health problems
CONTROL
oxidants.
W hich would otherwise cause chronic arterial damage
and subsequent inflammatory response /atherosclerosis. Vitamins
A , C, D ,
E,
and Beta-carotene
inhibit lipid peroxidation (as they are Incorporated in endothelial
cells, smooth muscle cells, platelets, immune cells)REDUCE inflammatory
cytokines REDUCE
calcification in the arteries REDUCE platelet aggregation (blood clots):
Vitamin C
Antioxidant vitamin C
prevents free radical damage in the watery medium. Vitamin C and
Vitamin E
work hand-in-hand supporting and recycling each other. Sato, K., et al., Free radical-mediated chain oxidation of
low density lipoprotein and its synergistic inhibition by vitamin E and vitamin
C. 1990 .
Rath-Pauling Therapy to strengthen the vascular wall combines
high dose vitamin C , with amino acids lysine, and proline.
Dr.
Linus Pauling and his research partner Dr. Mattias Rath determined that CVD is a
symptom of a chronic ascorbate
deficiency, common in most humans. This author surmises that many other symptoms,
including bleeding gums, random nosebleeds, slow healing wounds (E.g. in diabetics),
hemorrhages in disease such as Crohn's and ulcerative colitis, are also consequences
of a low-grade C deficiency, causing weakened
connective tissue, but not full-blown scurvy.
Strengthens vascular wall.
Vitamin C
needed to make collagen to strengthen wall's connective tissue. Both
Vitamins C and
E are instrumental in building vascular wall, since they are
equired for the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs),
crucial ingredients in the "cement" that holds the arterial lining cells in
place, protecting them from damage.
Removes plaque
Vitamin E
Vitamin
E -deficient arterial walls allow oxidative stress to cause
damage to arteries. Halts LDL oxidation within the
fatty portions of LDL
Dr. B. Hennig, University of Kentucky, 1989. Vitamin
E protects against the artery damage that leads
to plaque and heart disease. There is a significantly lowered
rate of heart disease and amount of heart disease in any
age group proportionally with the length of time that
vitamin E had been taken -length of time
was actually more important than quantity after a minimum daily dose of 400 IU [1974 epidemiological study conducted by biochemist/author
Dr. R. A. Passwater; Heart Study of 50- 59 Year Olds. Passwater, Richard A.,
Prevention 28 (5) 111- 115 (May 1976); Heart Study of 60- 69 Year Olds. Passwater, Richard A.
Prevention 28 (4) 107- 113 (Apr. 1976); Heart Study of 70- 79 Year Olds. Passwater, Richard A.,
Prevention 28 (2) 61- 68 (Feb. 1976)]
Vitamin E supplements raise HDL cholesterol.
Several researchers, including Dr. William
Hermann of the Methodist Hospital in Houston and Dr. Staurt Hartz of Tufts University.Hermann,
W., Ann. NY Acad. Sci. 462 1982. A 1987 studyfound that 500 IU /day
of vitamin E for 3 months produces a significantly improved HDL level.
Cloarec, M. J., et al., Israel J. Med. Sci. 23(8) 869-72,
Aug. 1987
Effect of Vitamin E on CVD
Details
▼Endothelial cell injury;
Protects against lipid oxidation; Prevents inflammatory reaction;
▼Adhesion molecule expression;
Down-regulates expression of adhesion molecules (ICAM-1 and VCAM-I)Cominacini L et al. Lacidipine inhibits the activation of the transcription factor NF-kappaB and the expression of adhesion molecules induced by pro-oxidant signals on endothelial cells. J Hypertens. 1997 Dec;15(12 Pt 2):1633-40. PubMed
▼Smooth muscle cell proliferation
Through the inhibition of protein kinase
▼Platelet aggregation2 (thromboxane A2
Reduces the stickiness (clotting) of blood - by inhibiting plasma generation of thrombin (blood clotting enzyme)Violi F et al. Inhibition of cyclooxygenase-independent platelet aggregation by low vitamin E concentration. Atherosclerosis 82:247-252; 1990 PubMed
▲NO production, 2 (prostacyclin)
Dilates vessels -by enhancing release of prostacyclin, a potent vasodilator and inhibitor of platelet adhesion
Beta-Carotene
Beta-carotene
discourages LDL oxidation. Involving
~22,000 male physicians; physicians who took 50mg beta-carotene every other day
had about half as many heart attacks, strokes, cardiac arrests, bypass operations
or angioplasties to remove embolisms. 1990 Harvard Physicians' Health Study
Vitamin D
Most people ar e Vitamin D- deficient.
Your optimal circulating
CALCIDIOL [25(OH)D]
level should
be between 50-65 ng/ml, but while treating heart disease, 70-90 ng/ml is recommended.
Test your level using a company such as Lab Corp.
Vitamin D -The Sunshine Vitamin
Vitamin D lowers blood pressure
The further from the equator, the higher risk of high blood pressure -
found a 2007 study, in which researchers theorized that UV exposure leads
to the release of endorphins (brain chemicals linked to pain relief and euphoria)
that lower blood pressure by reducing stressful feelings. Researchers also consider
that decreased vitamin D production
results in increased parathyroid hormone production, serving to increase blood pressure.
Rostand SG, Ultraviolet Light May Contribute to
Geographic and Racial Blood Pressure Differences, Univ. of Alabama, Hypertension.
1997;30:150-156.
Another study
found that vitamin D actually
serves to lower blood pressure - in that
vitamin D is a negative inhibitor of the renin-angiotensin
system;
D sufficiency produces optimal blood pressure
levels.
Ultraviolet light may contribute to geographic and racial blood pressure
differences
Several physiological mechanisms that fight heart disease are triggered by
vitamin D production through sunlight exposure:
British Journal of Nutrition October 2005; 94(4): 483-492
An increase in the body's natural anti-inflammatory
cytokines
The suppression of vascular calcification
The inhibition of vascular smooth muscle
growth.
Vitamin D supplementation lowers calcium deposition
in arteries/lowers blood pressure - Scottish researchers found that calcium
levels in the hair inversely vitamin D was administered, the amount of calcium
in the beard went up and this rise continued as long as
vitamin D was consumed. Almost immediately
after stopping supplementation, however, beard calcium fell to pre-supplement levels.Administration of dietary vitamin D
or UV-B
treatment has been shown to lower blood pressure, restore
INSULIN sensitivity and lower cholesterol.
Vitamin K
(two natural forms are
K1 and K2 )
Vitamin
K1 (found in green vegetables)
is known for its role in ensuring blood is able to form clots when necessary - E.g
to prevent excess bleeding with an injuryVitamin
K2 together with
vitamin D
prevent arteriosclerosis (hardening of the medium/large arteries)
due to arterial calcification - calcium buildup in the arteries causes
blood vessels to to lose elasticity rendering them unable to contract and dilate
efficiently. This can lead to a restriction of blood flow delivering nutrients and
oxygen to your organs and tissues. Vitamin K2,
in particular, keeps calcium out of the arteries and other soft tissue and puts
it where it belongs E.g. in teeth and bones.
Health Benefits of K
CoQ10 - acts to scavenge oxidant
species
Coenzyme Q10 - Spark and Dampener
Polyphenols (e.g. in 2 glasses red
wine/day) or flavanols (e.g. in cocoa). In sufficiency reduce
white blood cell adhesion to arterial lining and enable lining cells to make vessel
dilating Nitric oxide (NO).
Selenium.
antioxidants
Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx) and
Glutathione (GSH).
Selenium
found protective against CVD. Oster O, Prellwitz W,(1990), Lancet II 175 (1982), Clin.
Chem. 30:1171 (1984) Persons
with low- selenium
diets have two-to-three times greater risk of heart disease than those eating
selenium rich
diets
Omega-3 Quality Antarctic krill oil shown to significantly reduce
total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides, and increase HDL levels
(1-1.5 g/day krill oil for 90 days + Follow-up of 500mg/day (1 softgel) for
90 days). Recommended preventive maintenance dose is 1000 mg/day.
Antarctic Krill Oil
One study showed that fish consumption reduces
Lp(a) levels. Most likely due to its
omega 3 fatty acids
Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 1999 May;19:1250-6 .
In another study with patients consuming large
quantities of walnuts (contain
omega -3 ALA), Lp(a)
levels were found to decrease an average of over 6% - as well as an
almost equal decrease in LDL cholesterol levels
Ann Intern Med 2000 Apr 4;132(7):538-46 .
Magnesium A
magnesium deficiency is closely associated
with CVD
Magnesium against CVD
Reduce free radical presence
Minimize dietary free radical
Intake from:
Refined
carbohydrates (fructose, high fructose syrup, refined sugar and flour).
Prevents hyperglycemiaProcessed
foods/Damaged fats. "Grocery store"vegetable oils,
hydrogenated fats and products containing them usually contain altered, toxic fats,
such as trans fats (tFAs) :
tFAs raise LDL and triglycerides and lower HDL cholesterol.
tFAs block the liver's
normal conversion of cholesterol to bile, contributing to higher blood cholesterol
levels The net increase in LDL/HDL ratio with
tFAs is approximately double that due to
saturated fat ,
and Harvard university researchers determined that those who ate
partially hydrated oils
(which contain
tFAs )
had double the risk of heart attack of those who didn't.
tFAs increase
C-reactive protein . Indicative of general inflammation and
an accurate marker for CVD presence and extent;tFAs raise blood levels of lipoprotein(a).
A type of cholesterol used to fix arterial damage.
Oxidized cholesterol in foods Too much
meat. Prevents elevated homocysteine levels
Reduce stress
Antihistamines.
Histamine accumulates as a result of erratic stress leading to inflammation
and plaque formation.Vitamin C is somewhat
antihistaminic. B6 - Treatment of diabetics with antihistamines or B6 lessened
vascular leakage and curbed retinal degeneration, suggesting an antihistaminic role
for B6.
Avoid environmental toxins
Keep iron levels under control.
Over 50's should have their iron levels
checked since elevated levels can raise cholesterol levels and cause major oxidative
damage in the blood vessels, heart and other organs. Consume anti-microbial /saturated fats to fight
inflammation-causing microbes. Animal fats, coconut oilExercise daily. Reduces
inflammation.Address emotional issues.
E.g. using
Meridan Tapping Technique
(MTT)Get plenty of restorative sleep Avoid smoking or excessive drinking
of alcohol
Reduce glycation and AGES
Minimize sugar/fructose/grains intake L-Arginine. Inhibits in
vitro non-enzymatic glycation and advanced glycosylated endproduct (AGEs) formation
of human serum albumin.
Anti-inflammatory foods / ideal heart-healthy diet
Great anti-inflammatory foods.
Include
eating fish for omega-3 EPA/DHA , turmeric,
dark chocolate , and red wine (contains the anti-aging polyphenol
resveratrol).
Ideal heart-healthy diet :
Organic
raw, dairy products from pastured cows. E.g. butter, cream, sour
cream, cheese
Organic, pastured Eggs.
Lightly cooked with yolks intact, or raw in smoothies
Avocados
Raw nuts and seeds in moderation
Some raw foods / Some cooked foods
Organic, grass-fed meats.
In moderation (too much meat yields an excess of inflammatory eicosanoids
from omega-6 AA fatty acids, and introduces free radicals by elevating
homocysteine levels)
Minimal sugar / fructose/grains (even
whole grains). Fructose is found in soda and processed foods. While
you have CVD issues, keep even the fructose from fruit to no more than 15g.
Plenty of pure water
Vitamin E
Vitamin E protects against blood clot formation, which can block the
coronary arteries, causing a heart attack. High blood platelet adhesion (blood
"stickiness") causes blood to clot when squeezed through plaque-narrowed
arteries.
Vitamin E reduces the stickiness of blood.
Violi F, Pratico'D, Ghiselli A, Alessandri
C, Iuliano L, Cordova C, et al. Inhibition of cyclooxygenase-independent
platelet aggregation by low vitamin E concentration.Atherosclerosis 1990;
82:247-52.
Arginine
L-Arginine is shown to
have the same anti-clotting ability as aspirin - but not continuously, only when needed (i.e. when chemicals
associated with injury are released into the blood stream);Endothelial cells (line artery)
produce vessel relaxing nitric oxide
(NO) from L-arginine and oxygen -
eNOS busily activates NO production - provided it is "coupled" with
sufficient L-arginine, oxygen and BH4 .
Arginine - Precursor to blood vessel dilator Nitric Oxide
It is important to recognize that cholesterol is
a consequence cause As such it would NOT be wise to remove the cholesterol
component of arterial plaque Lp(a) ,
which was laid down as a stop-gap repair to prevent bleeding out through the arterial
wall) until you first "beef up" the arterial
walls with connective tissue components
Rath-Pauling Therapy )
Substances which lower cholesterol levels
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
lowers cholesterol
B3 in food. Rice bran, tuna, chicken
liver, white-meat chicken, wheatgerm, brown rice;Effective cholesterol-lowering dose of B3.
Begins at ~ 1000 mg / day for most people;Detrimental effects. B3 can cause liver damage at cholesterol-lowering
dose,and can cause red, itchy rash;B3 Supplement Forms
• Crystalline
niacin (Nicotinic acid). Produces red, itchy rash, sometimes
at doses as low as 20 mg.
• Timed-release
niacin (niacinamide). More
notorious for liver damage, does not produce a rash, but also not proven effective
at lowering cholesterol.
• Inositol
hexanicotinate. Small group studies have found that this "no-flush"form
of niacin is not as damaging to liver. 1000-1500mg per day in divided doses typically
lowers cholesterol
The body can synthesize 1 mg niacin from ~60 mg
tryptophan. With cofactors B1, B2
and B6 .
Chromium combined with vitamin B3 (niacin)
lowers cholesterol in 50% of people with high serum levels.
This combination has been patented as a cholesterol-lowering agent.
Chromium is known to increase the effect of
INSULIN Chromium supplementation.
100-200mcg
shown to increase HDL and decrease total cholesterol and triglycerides andimprove
glucose tolerance.
Choloretics (stimulate Bile Production)
combined with natural fibers to absorb bile
Natural chloretics, such as standardized artichoke extract
(100-200mg/day) forces the liver to produce bile.
This will then cause the liver to take more cholesterol
from the blood via its LDL receptors and produce more bile;Natural bile sequestering fibers such as psyllium or guar gum prevent the bile
from being reabsorbed. Bile is removed in the stool.
Gugulipids
Used in India for centuries. Gugulipids come from the resin of the mukul myrrh tree;Shown to lower serum cholesterol and triglycerides, lower
LDL and raise HDL levels. It's main action seems to be
by increasing the number of hepatic LDL receptors. Taken as a sole therapy use 50-75 mg / day.
However, only use 10-25 mg/day when added with synergistic ingredients.
Red Yeast Rice Extract.
A potent inhibitor of the rate-limiting enzyme, HMG-CoA Reductase,
in cholesterol synthesis. This is the same enzyme targeted by statin drugs.
Lipitrol.
Product
combining Chromium, Inositol, Gugulipids, Guar Gum and Artichoke extract, to synergistically
lower cholesterol.
HDL is a potent
antioxidant
capable of preventing the formation of oxidatively modified
LDL cholesterol (LDL-C)
Vitamin C
shown to raise HDL significantly. Dr.
Bazzare of Univ. of N. Carolina found that 1000mg Vitamin C / day reduced HDL in
both smokers and non-smoker s
Bazzarre
T, 1986
Provide thyroid function boosters
People with poor thyroid
function are prone to heart disease. Ensure the presence of the following thyroid
function "workers":
Iodine against thyroid disorders . Iodine
is found in seaweed or best supplemented
as Lugol's Solution or Iodoral ®
Support
nutrients for thyroid hormone production . E.g. Fat-soluble vitamins A , D ,
E , and K Tyrosine. An amino
acid required for thyroid hormone
synthesis, and although non-essential in the diet, the body produces it from
phenylalanine, which is
What injures arteries leading to CVD?
Lowering homocysteine
levels seems only to provide benefit over the long term.
By preventing it from degrading and
inhibiting formation of matrix proteins: collagen, elastin and proteoglycans,
the 3 main structural components of the arterial wall.
Homocysteine level can be reduced with B6, B9 and
B12 vitamins:
Deficiencies in the entire B-vitamin
complex are a consequence of excess sugar B vitamins are heat-sensitive B6 (Pyridoxine) - B6 deficiencies occur
partly because B1 and
B2 added to white flour interfere with its proper use, and
partly because it is destroyed during milk pasteurization;B6
seems to protect against oxysterols; Some Vitamin B6
forms may have neurological side
effects. A few people may be sensitive to B6
vitamin as pyridoxine hydrochloride, its common supplemented form. Russell
Jaffe, MD, PhD, eliminated neurological side effects among thousands of
volunteers by using pharmaceutical
grade B6 Suggested B6 dose - 200 mg B6 (half as
complex) with 400 IU vitamin E, plus vitamin C ,
selenium , magnesium
Trimethylglycine / betaine. Donates a
methyl group to convert homocysteine to methionine;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trimethylglycine
Betaine hydrochloride
("betaine HCl") is a satisfactory supplemental form of betaine.
The chloride salt of TMG, it is used as a
digestive aid. The hydrochloride is particularly helpful for persons with
insufficient acid production in the stomach. Betaine HCl has an acidic taste
whereas anhydrous TMG ("anhydrous betaine") tastes sweet with a metallic
aftertaste and is usually produced from sugar beets (as is betaine
hydrochloride). Both are active as methyl donors, as 'betaine' is retained in
both forms. Betaine HCl (hydrochloride) has a chloride ion, but is otherwise
identical, chemically, to TMG.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D
deficiency is associated with calcification of the
arteries as well as defective calcification of the bones.
Vitamin D essential for the
intestinal absorption of many minerals. calcium and magnesium Obtain
vitamin D from the sun. Our bodies can manufacture vitamin D
from cholesterol by the
action of sunlight on the skin;Natural dietary sources
give added protection. Dietary
vitamin D
is found
only in animal fats.
Vitamin D -"The Sunshine Vitamin"
Vitamin K2
An important part of the
synergistic bone and heart health team. Includes
vitamin K (especially K2 ), calcium , magnesium
and vitamins A and
D . Vitamin K2 c an be
obtained naturally from natto (smelly /slimy), fermented cheeses or vitamin K2
supplements. Vitamin K2
is required to activate a protein hormone called OSTEOCALCIN.
Produced by osteoblasts,
it is needed to bind calcium into the bone matrix. In so doing, OSTEOCALCIN also appears to help prevent
calcium from depositing into arteries. Without
vitamin K2 , the
calcium absorbed using
vitamin D may build
up in your coronary arteries rather than in your bones
L-Carnitine (an amino acid). Rate-determining factor for beta-oxidation (metabolic process involving
multiple steps by which fatty acid molecules are broken down to produce energy),
by carrying fats across the cell's inner membrane. L-Carnitine has a role in the
removal of acetyl units from the mitochondria;Coenzyme Q10.
Key factor in the electron transport system of cellular respiration;Magnesium.
Essential cofactor for many of the enzyme systems which support energy
production;Vitamin E.
In the cell membrane, scavenges free radicals generated by the electron
transport system.
Beck Protocol (Optional). Powerful and simple
electromagnetic therapy removes microbial infection, increases cellular
energy output, reduces inflammation and more;
Meridian
Tapping Technique (MTT . Unblocks cellular
communication pathways formed by distressing memories, which surface
as physical and emotional issues;
