Dr. Health - Holistic Medicine
HEALTH GALLERY NUTRITION CENTER NEWSLETTER
August 2008
Stroke Prevention Starts With Some Lesser Known Facts
Lower homocysteine levels!!! Have you ever heard your medical doctor refer to a concern about your homocysteine level? Homocysteine has been getting a little more attention recently as an important risk factor for hardening of the arteries. Although studies have yet to definitely prove that lowering homocysteine levels prevents strokes, the treatment is simple and safe enough that there's little risk in lowering your homocysteine levels while further studies are being done.
Walt Edwards, Ph.D. - Dr. Health
Homocysteine levels can easily be measured with a blood test. You lower homocysteine, not with drugs, but by just supplementing with a good multiple vitamin with at least 25 mg to 60 mg of B complex—namely folic acid, B6 and B12. To reduce high levels of homocysteine, the recommended amount of 800 mcg of folic acid, 100 mg of B6 and 2000 mcg of B12.
It is important to remember that B and C vitamins are water soluble and are usually out of the body in 3 to 4 hours. This is a good reason why vitamins and minerals should be taken at each meal.
Take Fish Oil Every Day
I've written about the many benefits of fish oil before. Reducing the risk of stroke is a big one. One study showed a 52 percent reduction in strokes in women who eat fish at least 5 days a week.
Many people don't want to eat fish that often and unfortunately heavy metals and pesticides contaminate many fish these days. For these reasons, fish oil supplements make sense for most people. I take 1-2 grams twice a day, taken with meals.
Do You Need Low-Dose Aspirin?
Platelets are the body's first responders to a cut in a blood vessel. When an injury occurs, they clump together to form a temporary plug while the clotting process gets underway. Unfortunately, as plaque builds up on the interior of vessels, it also can stimulate the platelets to clump. That clump can block the vessel right there or it might break off and cause damage downstream. To reduce the chance of that happening, physicians often recommend aspirin at the children's dose of 81 mg daily.
Aspirin interferes with the platelets' ability to clump together. This reduces the chance of a blockage but comes at the expense of an increased risk of bleeding. Balancing the risk vs. the benefit varies from person to person, so it's a good idea to check with your doctor before taking it. Aspirin's effect on platelets persists for up to 2 weeks after you stop taking it. If you have surgery scheduled, be sure to let your surgeon know you've been taking it.
Progressive Laboratories Nattokinase is my choice to reduce stroke rather than aspirin. I take one to two daily. There are no side effects from the use of Nattokinase like aspirin or any blood thinners that are noted for a number of side effects.
What About Chronic Inflammation?
Mainstream medicine has adopted statin cholesterol-lowering therapies as its first-line defense against heart attack. Millions of people swallow drugs each day to keep their cholesterol low, and drug companies continue to campaign aggressively to get more people to take these medications with the many negative side effects. Many more enlightened individuals, including medical doctors, select Red Yeast Rice. Another popular product is Cholest Factors that contain Red Yeast Rice as well as a combination of supplements noted to reduce cholesterol. A review of the scientific evidence, however, shows that measurements of an inflammatory marker in the blood called C-reactive protein can yield important diagnostic information than measurements of cholesterol.
The (high sensitive) C-reactive protein test is inexpensive and simple, but most physicians don't yet prefer it. Why? One reason may be because they have no protocol to treat it. In onother words there is no drug treatment to lower C-reactive protein. When doctors for George W. Bush measured his C-reactive protein levels, they had to consult with a research team to find out how to analyze his results!
A chronic inflammatory state, as evidenced by elevated C-reactive protein, results in significant damage to the arterial system. Inflammation accelerates the production of free radicals. When inflammation is limited, free radicals can be controlled by antioxidant defenses; in fact, the free radicals help the body get rid of pathogens and make way for healing. But when inflammation is chronic or intense, free radicals can do more harm than good. They can do significant damage to tissues and set in motion harmful chain reactions.
What can you do to control C-reactive protein? An anti-inflammatory diet includes abundant fresh vegetables and fruits, small servings of whole grains and protein from fish (especially salmon, mackerel, cod, sardines and other deep-sea-dwelling species). Pumpkin seeds, walnuts and flaxseeds are excellent sources of omega-3 fats. Stay away from hydrogenated oils and trans-fats. If you must use butter, do so moderately. A low-glycemic diet and fasting both lower C-reactive protein levels. Exercise and activity is critical to control C-reactive protein. At least 30 to 60 minutes of walking daily can be helpful.
I used Sedona Labs SerraPhase to help me reduce my C-reactive protein which is an anti-inflammatory supplement designed to support sinus, bronchial, heart, joint, tendon, cartilage, and muscle health. A new product, now available, was designed for defense of C-reactive protein. Kal CRP Defense contains magnesium, muscadine grape, turmeric, phytosterols and nattokinase.
Magnesium Is Vital for the Cardiovascular System
Magnesium appears to be vital for proper cardiovascular function. Reported by the National Institute of Health, magnesium maintains normal muscle and nerve function, keeps heart rhythm steady, supports a healthy immune system, ensures the integrity of the arterial wall by controlling blood pressure and keeps bones strong. It also helps regulate blood sugar levels and is known to be involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis. The most advantageous forms of magnesium are avocados, mineral water and magnesium asparate, citrate, orotate or chelate, (500-1000 mg daily are recommended).
Did You Know?
Coenzyme Q10 is best known for cardiovascular protection. It is one of the most important supplements I take daily. Dr. Whitaker recommends 60-120 mg for the general population. Recent tests in Japan have supported the use of CoQ10 to also reduce exercise-induced muscular injury in athletes. If you have cardiovascular problems, or use cholesterol-lowering statin drugs, he suggests you take 200-300 mg daily.
Thought For The Day: Where there is pain, I wish you peace and mercy. Where there is self-doubting, I wish you a renewed confidence in your ability to work through them. Where there is tiredness or exhaustion, I wish you understanding, patience and renewed strength. Where there is fear, I wish you love and courage!
Contact Dr. Health:
Walt Edwards, Ph.D.
29820 Ellensburg Avenue
PO Box 283
Gold Beach, OR 97444
541-247-7077
walt4health@gmail.com
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