Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
On today’s episode, Amanda Williams, MPH discusses one of the world’s longest used medicinal foods available – Garlic. Many times, it is only looked at for its heart health benefit, but it really has advantages for overall health, especially in its supplemental form, Aged Garlic.
On today’s episode, Amanda Williams discussing Resveratrol, the popular anti-aging supplement that is so important for your body, especially your brain and heart. Let’s get started.
Superior non-GMO heart health dietary supplements are important for your overall heart wellness. Following a healthy lifestyle, including a healthy diet and regular exercise routine, can make a major difference in cardiovascular health. Here are the top four heart health products recommended by Chief Scientific Officer and Pharmacist, Jerry Hickey, Ph.
Aged Garlic
Aged Garlic, Allium Sativum, is an herb used in ancient medicine, a healthy vegetable, and a potent superfood that has been used traditionally for its vast health benefits. When garlic is aged, some of its health-preserving constituents are augmented, making it more powerful for the immune system without the odor, stomach upset, or gassiness. The aging process converts unstable “allicin” to even more powerful properties. Aged garlic is odorless and richer in health-promoting compounds than fresh garlic or other forms of garlic preparations, more effective in supporting heart health, and more beneficial in protecting the body than other garlic forms.†
One study says Aged Garlic Extract can decrease plaque buildup in the heart. Read more here >>
CoQ10 (Ubiquinol)
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an important energy-releasing nutrient produced naturally in the human body. Traditional CoQ10 (Ubiquinone) may be difficult to absorb, because they must be reduced by the body into their active form before enabling energy production and offering nutritional support. When NADH – a very important nutrient needed to create energy – it helps recycle Ubiquinol to support muscle function and energy.†
In its active form, Ubiquinol allows the calories from food to be absorbed and utilized as energy supporting most of the body’s energy needs. However, many individuals, especially the elderly, have trouble metabolizing traditional CoQ10 into the active Ubiquinol form. A superior CoQ10 Ubiquinol supplement is easily absorbed, allowing the body to produce cellular energy to reap the benefits much more quickly. Research shows that boosting CoQ10 levels supports brain health, heart health, oral health, kidneys, and hearing. It also helps boost muscle function and performance while decreasing fatigue and providing antioxidant protection.†
Beetroot
Beets are a source of many heart health constituents including natural nitrates, reddish-yellow water soluble pigments known as betalains, carotenoids, Trimethylglycine (an important betaine) and fiber; beets are excellent for heart and circulatory health and physical performance.†
Beetroot helps support healthy blood pressure and cardiovascular-circulatory health for many reasons. The reddish-brownish betalains are powerful antioxidants that protect the walls of arteries. Trimethylglycine detoxifies homocysteine; elevated homocysteine is implicated in clogged arteries. The natural nitrates convert to nitric oxide which is responsible for healthy blood flow for heart and circulatory system health and for support during physical activities.†
Tart cherry is a source of purplish-red anthocyanin-pigments that support circulatory and heart health and protect muscle tissue during physical activity. Tart cherry may also help support healthy uric acid levels already within a normal range. Texas A&M recently completed two sports nutrition based human clinical studies focusing on recovery from intense resistance and endurance training. Original CherryPURE®, used in the Texas A&M studies at a dose of 480mg, is a carrier free, freeze-dried powder produced from the skins of Montmorency Tart Cherries.†
Sterols
Plant sterols are healthy fatty components that provide nutritional support for people with cholesterol levels already within normal range and borderline cholesterol. Plant sterols have great benefits for cholesterol support. Research has shown a direct link between consuming plant sterols and lower levels of LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, in the body.†
Oat ß-glucans are a fiber from oat bran that have the ability to bind to cholesterol that is present in foods we consume, thereby escorting some cholesterol out of the body before it can be absorbed. Red Yeast Rice is natural substance extracted from rice that has been fermented with a type of yeast called Monascus purpureus. Red yeast rice naturally has a list of nutrients for borderline cholesterol levels. These include monacolin K, sterols, isoflavones, and good fats called mono-unsaturates. The Proanthocyanidins in Cranberry Fruit Extract may help support circulatory health. Sterols Plus Hx® Powder supplies four herbs that may support cardiovascular health.†
With so much evidence in the form of clinical studies available, it’s hard to dismiss the impact Green tea can have on your longevity and heart health. Jerry Hickey, Ph. discusses the most recent studies in Episode 31.
In Episode 22, Jerry Hickey, Ph. focuses on grape seed and how it has been proven clinically to improve and protect your circulatory system, especially your circulation and blood pressure.
Invite Health Podcast, Episode hosted by Jerry Hickey. Ph
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Heart disease is extremely dangerous. When most people think of heart disease, they are referring to the clogging of arteries in the heart by cholesterol which leads to strokes and heart attacks. But many factors contribute to heart disease and Aged Garlic has been proven to lower many of these other contributors substantially.†
Heart Concerns
Coronary artery disease occurs when the arteries within the heart muscle become stiffened and narrowed. This is a result of plaque build up which is mostly made out of LDL-cholesterol. This is very dangerous because the arteries inside the heart are much narrower than other arteries to begin with and this narrowing is a major risk for stroke and heart attack.
In studies of risks that contribute to developing heart disease such as elevated LDL-cholesterol, low-HDL the good cholesterol, high blood pressure, or elevated triglycerides, garlic leads to improvements but Aged Garlic consistently offers better results than other forms of garlic.
What is Aged Garlic?
Garlic belongs to the Allium family and is closely related to the onion, scallion and shallot. It has been used all over the world in many foods and added as a flavor for cooking. But traditionally garlic has been used for a variety of medicinal reasons especially in Ancient Egypt to promote a healthy immune system, heart function, borderline blood pressure, borderline LDL-cholesterol, and circulation.
When garlic is aged, some of its health-preserving constituents are augmented, making it more powerful for the immune system and in the support of health health without the odor, stomach upset, or gassiness. The aging process converts unstable “allicin” to even more powerful properties. Aged garlic is odorless and richer in health-promoting compounds than fresh garlic or other forms of garlic preparations, more effective in boosting immunity, and more beneficial in protecting the body than other garlic forms.
So how do you make Aged Garlic? You start off with high quality, non-GMO garlic that has not been sprayed; you wash it to clean off any dirt, slice it thin and cover it with water for at least 18 months. Then you dry it, check it for purity, make it into a powder, and check it again.
Evidence of Aged Garlic At Work
In terms of blood fats, one breakthrough study performed by UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles), research found that adding Aged Garlic to Statins decreased plaque build up an additional 50%.
A separate study published in the journal Atherosclerosis studied the benefit of garlic supplementation over four years in men and women. Garlic supplementation actually reversed plaque buildup in their arteries by 4.4 % in men and by 4.6% in women. Meanwhile, study participants on placebo had an additional 15.6% increase in plaque buildup. All subjects had advanced plaque buildup in their arteries and other issues such as high blood pressure, obesity, or diabetes.
In a review of eight separate meta-analyses (a group of similar studies that can add to results by large numbers of participants, research, etc..) by researchers at the University of Saskatchewan and at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Garlic lowered total cholesterol up to 29.8 points. In their review of 4 additional meta-analyses and two original studies the researchers found that in people with hypertension, Garlic (especially Aged Garlic) reduced SBP up to 16 points. It also reduced DBP by up to 9 points. The review also showed that Aged Garlic lowered hs-CRP.
Many things are shown to be cardio-protective; a healthy diet including lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, exercising, and cutting back on sugar and salt. But Aged Garlic demands respect for its clinically proven ability to substantially lower the risk factors that contribute to heart disease.
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