Heart protectors: not just a case of
lowering cholesterol
Cardiovascular
disease (CVD), which includes coronary heart disease and stroke, kills millions every
year. Fundamental to these conditions is atherosclerosis,
a progressive deterioration of arterial blood circulation, rather better known as
thickening of the arteries. This deterioration
is caused by a mix of environmental and lifestyle factors, genetic inheritence and
biochemical processes. Many of the lifestyle factors which contribute to CVD have been
known for some time: a high animal fat diet with too much red meat, extreme overweight,
smoking, lack of exercise, lack of fruit, vegetables, fibre and oily fish in the diet.
Within the last
few years however, scientific research has identified certain key biological markers
shared by individuals who are at greater than normal risk of developing heart
disease.
Reducing
cholesterol has long been thought to be the way to reduce risk, but the evidence is pointing more and more to
homocysteine, an amino acid, according to reports from the famous Framingham Heart Study
(reported in the Journal of the American Medical
Association).
Researchers studied the records of 2,491 adults
with an average age of 72 who had no previous heart problems, and found that the first
heart attack was closely linked to high levels of homocysteine. The link was more evident
in women, but it is thought that both women and
men with relatively high levels of homocysteine have a greatly increased risk of
developing CVD. A high homocysteine level is a good predictor of a
heart attack.
Earlier
research supports the Framingham
conclusion. Victims of
homocysteinuria, a rare genetic disease where the liver is unable to dispose of
homocysteine, often die from blood clots in the brain, heart and kidneys. The arteries are
also abnormal, and tend to harden and lose their elasticity.
If you have any reason to suspect that you have
high levels of homocysteine, perhaps because others in the family have suffered from CVD,
then discuss the problem with your doctor. In healthy people,
homocysteine is converted to methionine, an amino acid found in all proteins. But
this complicated process needs vitamin B12 and folic acid. It looks increasingly as if our
diets needs to be high in B12 and folic acid to ensure a healthy cardiovascular system,
both of which come into the category of alternative supplements.
B
vitamins to reduce homocysteine levels
B
vitamins that speed up a metabolic pathway involving homocysteine have been shown to
reduce homocysteine levels. Daily supplementation with folic acid and B 12 in the range of
500 to I 000 mcg each, and 50 - 100mg of B6 can return homocysteine levels to normal
ranges.
HomoCysteine
Metabolite Formula
This
special formula is designed to sustain healthy low homocysteine levels. Each capsule
contains: vitamin B6, folic acid 400 mcg, vitamin B12, 400 mcg. As a dietary supplement, you need to take 1 capsule
per day with a meal, or as directed by a healthcare practitioner. Made by Solgar, the formula costs £8.95
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Evolve
(P25 tocotrienol) lowers 3 major risk
factors
This product contains a variant of vitamin E (P25 tocotrienol is the
vitamin E factor). It may help reduce high levels of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) the bad
form of cholesterol associated with heart disease. The
makers claim that it helps prevent oxidation of LDL ... it is oxidized LDL that has been
established as the villain which damages the lining of arteries.
Evolve is thought to
reduce blood coagulation, and so reduce risk of formation of clots. The special form of vitamin E is thought to
have 40-60 times higher antioxidant activity than other forms of the vitamin. Antioxidants, present in fruits and vegetables,
help reduce dangerous free radicals though an oxidizing process. Evolve contains 25 mg of
the patented P25 tocotrienol complex, and is available in the UK exclusively from The
Nutri Centre. Suggested use is 1-2 capsules per day depending on cholesterol levels. The
makers say that it is alright to take Evolve and other forms of vitamin E, but there are
some dangers associated with overdosing, so if you are already taking vitamin E, it would
be wise to consult your doctor. Evolve costs £49.95
Complete Heart
II - a comprehensive cardiovascular support
formula
This comes in a powder form, containing a variety of herbs and nutrients
though to protect against heart disease. Ingredients
include garlic, co enzyme Q10, tocotrienols, hawthorne , lipoic acid, bromelain, grape
skin extract and amino acids.
As
a dietary supplement, makers recommend 1 scoop
(20g) daily, mixed with juice or other
beverages.
Lestrin
This
is designed to maintain normal cholesterol levels.
Many
people who are concerned about their cholesterol are turning to the new margarines and
yoghurts that contain plant sterols and stanols. Research
has shown that these natural compounds can block the absorption of cholesterol from the
gut and so reduce blood cholesterol levels.
Now
these plant sterols and stanols are available in tablet form called Lestrin. Taken
daily, Lestrin may help to maintain normal cholesterol levels. Initially take 2 tablets twice a day with meals but
after a few weeks intake may be reduced to 2 tablets daily.
All of the above are
available from the Nutricentre…..
We recommend if you
are taking any prescription drugs that you check compatability with your doctor or
practice nurse for any drug interaction.
Check quantities of
any supplements to ensure the amounts you are taking are safe for you.
Ensure you follow
directions supplied with products.
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