Harvard: 11 Foods That Lower LDL-Cholesterol
It is easy to eat your way to high cholesterol levels. But it may also be easy to lower LDL-cholesterol by changing the foods that you eat.
Tag: heart health
Men, Could Your Graying Hair Be A Sign of Increased Cardiovascular Risk?
There are many factors that may cause graying hair, including genetics, low levels of catalase in the body, and high levels of stress. But the main factor that causes your hair to change from its dark, vibrant tresses to a light gray is due to …
New Study: Lowering Levels of this Common Condition Could Prevent 100,000 Early Deaths Each Year
Researchers from the University of Utah have projected that aggressively lowering blood pressure could help prevent more than 100,000 deaths in the United States each year.
Blood Pressure
According to Nicole Crane, BS, NTP of InVite Health, in the United States alone, 72 million adults, nearly one third of all people over the tender age of 20, have high blood pressure, according to the National Heart and Lung Association. Worldwide, the number of people expected to have elevated blood pressure has been estimated to climb to 1.56 billion by 2025. When blood pressure remains uncontrolled, it can have serious consequences like damage to the heart, arteries and other organs. This can increase the risk of a heart attack, stroke, or other heart diseases like congestive heart failure, atherosclerosis (fatty buildup in arteries causing hardening of the arteries) peripheral artery disease and other heart and vascular problems. Over time, high blood pressure can also do damage to the kidneys, allow for fluid to accumulate in the lungs and affect the healthy flow of blood to the brain and around the body. Having normal, healthy blood pressure is an important aspect of overall wellness.
The Study
Adam Bass, University of Utah assistant professor of population health services says, “The public health impact of adopting intensive treatment in the right patients is enormous.” Building upon the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT), which found that decreasing blood pressure to less than 120 mmHg compared to 140 mmHg reduced heart attack, stroke and death in high risk individuals. But the potential of lives was not factored into that trial if that treatment was fully implemented – until now.
New Study: Consistent use of Probiotic’s helps manage Blood Pressure
The University of Utah’s researchers used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examinations Survey (1999-2006), focusing on 2,000 men and women who met the SPRINT eligibility criteria – age 50 or older, at high risk of cardiovascular disease, and without a history of diabetes or stroke. The study’s senior author, Richard Cooper, reported, “The lifetime risk of high blood pressure in the US is about 80%. Optimal management is one of the most significant contributions of medical care to patient survival. So we need to understand that small improvements in individual management can make a major impact on people’s health.”
The Risks
Cooper stated that it is likely that individuals with high blood pressure would need to take three or four medications instead of two recommended, would need to see their healthcare provider more frequently, and would need more lab tests for this goal level. He also believes that the treatment goal for systolic blood pressure should be reset to at least 130, as he acknowledges that some concerns remain about dropping levels so drastically, including low blood pressure, fainting, and acute kidney injury. *Speak with your doctor before starting or modifying your medication regimen and lifestyle.
Natural Remedies for Healthy Blood Pressure
According to Nicole Crane, BS, NTP of InVite Health, there are safe, effective and natural options that support healthy blood pressure levels. “Potassium and Magnesium can bring balance to both the heart muscle and vascular system. Garlic is a powerful antioxidant that has antibacterial and cardiovascular supportive properties. Hawthorne Berry is a heart healthy herb and powerful antioxidant has been shown to support healthy cholesterol levels by clearing “lousy” LDL cholesterol from the bloodstream. Taurine is an amino acid known for its vascular protective effect and its overall benefit to the heart, as it acts as a neurotransmitter and a regulator for the heart and circulatory system.”
Identifying the causes of blood pressure and taking the steps to control those factors naturally supports the cardiovascular system in an indispensable way. Use herbs and nutrients to support circulation, maximize the release of nitric oxide, strengthen the heart muscle and reinforce the structural integrity of the vascular system. Cut out refined sources of sugar and replace them with vibrant, fresh fruits and vegetables. Achieving and maintaining healthy blood pressure levels is one of the best things you can do for your health. Holistic remedies address hypertension biochemically, safely and effectively, to make sure the ‘silent killer’ that is hypertension does not sneak up on you.
*Speak with your doctor before starting or modifying your medication regimen and lifestyle.
What do you think about this new study? Do you think the benefits outweigh the risks? Share your thoughts in the comments!
New Analysis: Blood Pressure Levels Rising Worldwide
According to a new analysis published in the Journal of the American Medical Association and based on more than 8 million people from 154 countries across 844 studies, elevated blood pressure is a worldwide concern. Certain foods and heart health supplements can make a major …
Can Magnesium Regulate Blood Pressure? by Nicole Crane, BS, NTP
Written by Nicole Crane BS, NTP In the United States alone, 72 million adults (nearly one third of all people over the tender age of 20) have high blood pressure, according to the National Heart and Lung Association. Worldwide, the number of people expected to …
Combining 3 Ingredients to Fight Against Heart Disease
In April of 2016, scientists from Cardiff University and Cultech Ltd set out to research the benefits of combining three ingredients – marine fish oil, cocoa extract and phytosterols – “as a means of preventing atherosclerosis, or “furring” of the arteries.”
According to Science Daily, atherosclerosis is a major cause of heart disease that kills approximately one individual every 34 seconds and is responsible for about a third of all deaths worldwide.
Published in the journal PLOS ONE, researchers found that combining these three ingredients helped “inhibit key processes associated with the progression of atherosclerosis”. Dr. Dipak Ramji from Cardiff University’s School of Biosciences, co-author of the study, reported, “A variety of active food ingredients have been shown to impart beneficial effects on cardiovascular disease. The study found, in cell-based models, that combining the three ingredients could, potentially, help halt the progression of atherosclerosis. The challenge now is to take our finding and examine whether they translate into humans.”
Fish Oil
The oils from fatty fish supply amazing health benefits. It’s true – fish is “brain food”. The key component in fish oil is their EPA-DHA (Omega-3) fatty acid content. Fish oils benefit every aspect of brain health, from mood regulation all the way to possible prevention of severe brain problems like stroke and dementia. They also support heart and circulation health, protect your vision, help maintain the digestive tract, and offer support for the kidneys, joints, lungs, and essentially every other tissue in your body. They improve and control immune function, support detoxification, adjust blood pressure and heart rate, and maintain lung function. In short, you cannot do without them – at least not for long.
For more information on Fish Oil, read Nicole Crane’s “Move Over Fish Oil! There’s a New Omega 3 in Town, and Its Name is Krill by Nicole Crane, B.S., NTP” by clicking here.
Cocoa
Chocolate in its natural form (without the additives) includes essential minerals such as magnesium, calcium, iron and zinc, as well as the Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C, E and pantothenic acid. It has polyphenols similar to those found in wine that offer excellent antioxidant protection. These beneficial antioxidants increase circulation to the brain and heart, improving healthy blood flow. They also help to reduce the blood’s clotting function, potentially decreasing your risk of blood and cardiovascular related health issues. Together, these agents help improve various areas of health such as circulation, energy and mood. Flavonols appear to be the substances in cocoa that are responsible for boosting heart health and keeping blood pressure in the normal range. These substances appear to improve the bioavailability of nitric oxide from the cells that line the inner wall of blood vessels.
For more information on Cocoa, read Nicole Crane’s “Cocoa: A Sweet Treat for Your Heart and Brain” by clicking here.
Phytosterols
Phytosterols, or plant sterols, are naturally occurring white-powder phytochemicals found in plants. Phytosterols are plant fats that are alcohol-soluble, but are insoluble in water. Phytosterols provide the raw materials needed for the body to manufacture hormones, thus they are beneficial to people with many types of health challenges. It can be difficult to intake a substantial amount of Phytosterols without supplementation. As Phytosterols often occur naturally in high-fat foods, many health-conscious consumers will intentionally bypass those foods. Others on a vegetarian diet may intake a higher amount of Phytosterols, but can still benefit from supplementation.
Based on evidence collected from scores of studies involving thousands of individuals, supplementing with at least 1.3 grams of plant phytosterol esters daily as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, is suggested to significantly lower cholesterol levels. For the past fifty years, phytosterol esters have been studied in many different population groups under many circumstances and they have consistently lowered cholesterol in these individuals. Because of this, many public health authorities are beginning to include phytosterol esters as part of their recommendations.
For more information on Phytosterols, read Jerry Hickey, R. Ph’s article titled, “Simple Solutions for Cardiovascular Health” by clicking here.
Scientists hope that further research will give rise to additional successful projects in the future.
Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/04/160425095352.htm
