(19-03-11) Heart Disease - Stop this preventable disease

by Dr. David Jockers


(NaturalNews) Heart disease is the leading cause of preventable death in the
United States. Scientists are now saying that 95% of these heart disease
related deaths are caused by cellular inflammation. Today's technology allows
us to analyze our level of cardiovascular inflammation and use specific healthy
lifestyle interventions to de-inflame our bodily systems.

Inflammation is driven by several different routes in our body. Oxidative
stress from excessive free radical formation and/or a deficiency in anti-
oxidants is a common mechanism. Increased sympathetic stress response within
the body causing catecholamine overload and burnout plays a role in most
inflammatory cycles. Finally, improper cell signaling due to excessive pro-
inflammatory prostaglandin formation and immunological cytokine reactions is a
staple ingredient in the inflammatory soup.
Three tests that analyze the risk of inflammation in the coronary arteries
include C Reactive Protein, Homocysteine, and Lipoprotein (a).

C Reactive Protein (CRP) is a protein found in the blood that rises in
response to inflammation. During times of acute infections and resulting
inflammatory responses, CRP can elevate up to 50 times higher than normal. When
the artery walls are inflamed and damaged, CRP remains elevated. Even though
many causative factors can increase CRP, research has shown that laboratory
test levels above 2.4 mg/l result in a much higher risk of a heart attack,
compared to levels below 1 mg/l.

An anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle are the critical keys to reducing CRP
levels. This begins with a diet rich in phytonutrient dense vegetables, healthy
fat and clean protein sources. Healthy fat sources include coconut products,
avocados, olive oil, nuts, seeds, & purified omega-3 fish oil supplements.
Healthy protein includes wild-caught fish, grass-fed red meat and free range
chicken, turkey, and eggs. Anti-inflammatory herbs such as turmeric, cinnamon,
ginger, rosemary, oregano & garlic are also powerful aids.

Homocysteine is an inflammatory amino acid that is produced as a byproduct of
protein metabolism. Homocysteine-induced injury to the arterial wall is one of
the factors that can initiate the process of atherosclerosis, leading to
endothelial dysfunction and eventually to heart attacks and stroke. The amino
acid methionine is digested and metabolized into homocysteine. When the body is
sufficient in Vitamin B12, B6 & Folic Acid, excess homocysteine is remethylated
into methionine or transsulfurated through vitamin B6.

Blood tests that show homocysteine levels above 6.3 umol/L are an indication
of methylation deficiencies and elevated risk of cardiovascular disease.
Supplementing with Folic Acid, B6, B12, and trimethylglycine have been shown to
significantly lower homocysteine levels. Adequate amounts of magnesium,
riboflavin (B2), and cellular anti-oxidants are also critical players in
homocysteine metabolism.

Lipoprotein (a) is a particular subclass of LDL cholesterol. Lp(a) is very
similar in structure to a critical enzyme called plasminogen. Plasminogen helps
the body dissolve blood clots. At any one time, our bodies are constantly
making and dissolving microscopic blood clots. This dance is very delicate and
dependent on a healthy balance of two blood clotting systems.

If Lp(a) competes for binding spots for this blood clot dissolver, the blood
system balance may form blood clots. The majority of heart attacks are caused
by a blood clot in a heart artery at a site of atherosclerosis. Lp(a) has been
shown to stimulate our immune cells to deposit cholesterol into heart artery
walls thereby promoting the development of atherosclerosis.

Lp(a) levels should be under 20 mg/dl and ideally under 14 mg/dl. Several
nutritional supplements have been shown to lower Lp(a) naturally. Niacin,
vitamin C, l-lysine, & l-proline are an effective combination for lowering Lp
(a) by interacting to reduce oxidative stress and by building healthy collagen,
which is the foundational component for healthy soft tissue.

http://www.mamashealth.com/Heart_st...
http://www.lef.org/protocols/heart_...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C-reac...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homocy...
http://www.healthcentral.com/choles...
http://www.drlam.com/opinion/Lp(a).asp
http://www.naturalnews.com/030475_i...
http://www.naturalnews.com/031178_d...


About the author
Dr. David Jockers owns and operates Exodus Health Center in Kennesaw, Ga. He
is a Maximized Living doctor. His expertise is in weight loss, customized
nutrition & exercise, & structural corrective chiropractic care. For more
information go to www.exodushc.com To find a Maximized Living doctor near you
go to www.maximizedliving.com

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