Supplement News Blog Traditional Herb Prolongs Life In Congestive Heart Failure Crataegus, or Hawthorn tree, has been used for centuries for ailments of the circulatory system. It is commonly prescribed by herbalists for conditions of the heart, as well as edema, palpitations, nervousness, and as a general tonifying herb. Because of its long standing use in Western herbalism, researchers wanted to determine if the use of Hawthorn tree extract would affect lifespan in patients with congestive heart failure. The herb is believed to improve the function... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on April 2, 2007 02:55 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Heart Drugs As Effective As Stent Procedure Coronary artery disease (or heart disease) is characterized by plaque build up in the arteries, leading to oxygen deprivation in the heart muscle, chronic chest pain and heart attacks. Each year, hundreds of thousand of Americans with heart disease undergo angioplasty with stent procedures to open up the arteries of the heart. Yet for patients with stable heart disease there has not been sufficient evidence that stent treatment is significantly better than drug therapy alone.... More» Posted by Elaine Gavalas on March 30, 2007 03:03 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Bioflavonoids Protect Postmenopausal Women From Heart Disease According to a study in this months American Journal of Clinical Nutrition regular consumption of bioflavonoids may help protect postmenopausal women from heart disease and stroke. Bioflavonoids are anti-inflammatory and can help to lower the bad cholesterol or LDL. Heart disease is the number two killer of women in the US. Myocardial infarctions, or heart attacks and stroke are one of the leading causes of hospital admissions each year. Many factors contribute to the development... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on March 29, 2007 01:58 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Anger Linked to Poor Heart Health in Women Women who outwardly express their anger, instead of suppressing it, may be at increased risk for coronary artery disease according to a study released late last year. The study was aimed at determining if any relationship existed between anger and hostility and the presence of blocked arteries in women. Previous studies had shown a positive relationship in men. Researchers in Maryland enrolled about 630 women in a study aimed at providing more information about chest... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on March 29, 2007 12:16 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) High Fish/Omega-3 Intake As Effective As Defibrillators Previous studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids from fish oils reduce the risk of heart disease and sudden cardiac death. Consuming a small amount of fish, two or three times a week, has been found to offer heart protection. Heart failure patients receive implantable defibrillators (ICD) to decrease the risk of sudden cardiac death. Automated external defibrillators (AED) are also used to shock the heart back if it develops a fatal arrhythmia. Now research... More» Posted by Elaine Gavalas on January 25, 2007 03:07 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Abdominal Obesity Ups the Risk for Heart Disease Being overweight or obese can be a significant risk factor for heart disease, one of the top three causes of death in the US. But recent studies have found that just looking at overall weight may not signal every man or woman who is at risk for a potentially fatal heart attack or stroke. A study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology in December of 2006 found that abdominal obesity represents a greater risk... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on January 22, 2007 12:41 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Smoking Ban Results in Lower Heart Attack Rates According to data from Italy, banning public smoking not only affects lung cancer but heart disease as well. The European Heart Journal reported in October of 2006 that hospital admissions for heart attack and related conditions declined significantly in several regions in Italy after a public ban on smoking cigarettes was put into effect. Cigarette smoking is harmful to one's health for a variety of reasons. It is high in carcinogenic compounds that increase the... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on December 27, 2006 10:38 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Chocolate Protection Similar to Aspirin Researchers at John Hopkins University discovered that chocolate may help to prevent heart attacks by the same mechanism as aspirin. The discovery was not part of the original study design and was happened upon only because a select few of the study participants could not kick the habit. The original study was aimed at determining the effects of aspirin intake on heart disease, specifically if it changed the way blood clotted. Aspirin is often prescribed... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on December 12, 2006 03:18 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Folic Acid Cuts Heart Attack Risk Folic acid, a derivative of folate, can decrease one's risk for a heart attack significantly according to a recent British review. The review examined all past studies that measured the effect of folic acid on blood levels of homocysteine. Homocysteine is an amino acid that can build up in the blood and is an independant risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The authors came to the conclusion that folic acid, in the diet and that taken... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on December 11, 2006 12:21 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) High Meat Intake Increases Blood Pressure Risk High blood pressure (hypertension) is known to increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. About 65 million American adults have high blood pressure. Previous studies suggest that high blood pressure is effectively regulated by a vegetarian diet. Now research reports that a high meat intake increased the risk of high blood pressure in young adults. The study, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, investigated the association of plant foods, dairy and meat... More» Posted by Elaine Gavalas on December 9, 2006 03:46 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) New Guide For Lowering Blood Pressure High blood pressure (hypertension) affects 65 million American adults. High blood pressure is classified as systolic blood pressure of 140 or higher and/or diastolic blood pressure of 90 or higher. High blood pressure is known to increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Research shows that high blood pressure is effectively regulated by the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet, which recommends increasing the intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy... More» Posted by Elaine Gavalas on November 22, 2006 03:27 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Coffee Consumption Does Not Harm Blood Vessel Function Previous studies had found that caffeinated coffee may disrupt function of blood vessels, in particular the inner lining, or endothelium. This primary disruption could potentially contribute to heart disease, high blood pressure, and atherosclerosis. So naturally more studies were warranted given the wide use of coffee. The October issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition featured such an article. Researchers at Harvard used a cohort of women from the Nurse's Health Study to analyze... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on November 14, 2006 09:59 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Atherosclerosis May Start During Childhood Atherosclerosis is the dangerous condition of hardened, narrowed arteries that is to blame for heart attacks and strokes. There are several key risk factors for developing atherosclerosis including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Usually individuals are at increased risk in their adult years, but a new report to be presented at this coming American Heart Association meeting states that today children are showing signs of atherosclerosis. How is it that children, even those... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on November 14, 2006 09:20 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Selenium and Heart Disease Selenium is a potent antioxidant in the body. Some have made claims that selenium can help prevent the development of heart disease, specifically coronary artery disease, without substantial support from clinical studies. A recent review of all literature on the use of selenium for heart disease was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The authors determined that selenium has been associated with a decreased risk for heart disease in observational studies, but randomized... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on November 13, 2006 04:37 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Can Chocolate Snack Bars Lower Cholesterol? A new study found that cocoa bars enriched with plant stanols help to lower cholesterol. Plant stanols have been approved by the FDA as a treatment alternative to lowering cholesterol and are encouraged as a first line of treatment for high LDL or total cholesterol. The Journal of the American Dietetic Association published the results this month. Plant stanols work in the GI tract to limit the absorption of cholesterol and fat in the diet,... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on November 13, 2006 04:10 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Lower Blood Pressure in Persons of Faith? High blood pressure (hypertension) is associated with social and cultural issues and affects millions of American adults. High blood pressure is defined as systolic blood pressure of 140 or higher and/or diastolic blood pressure of 90 or higher. High blood pressure is known to increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Small studies have suggested that there may be a link between religious observance and lower blood pressure. Now a large, nationwide study reports... More» Posted by Elaine Gavalas on November 8, 2006 02:46 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) How Mood Affects Blood Pressure A study published in the recent journal Psychosomatic Medicine found that both men and women with a more positive attitude had lower blood pressure. For the study blood pressure was measured and compared to scores on a questionaire used to assess emotions. More than 2,500 men and women completed the study. Each person ranked their emotions on a scale from 0 to 12, with 12 being the most positive. The researchers found that the higher... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on November 3, 2006 02:07 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Improve Heart Function Numerous studies have shown that polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) protect the heart from cardiovascular disease by helping lower cholesterol and blood pressure and preventing the formation of clots and plaques in the blood vessels that can lead to heart attack and stroke. Some research has even suggested that those taking PUFAs fair better after a heart attack or stroke. But a recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on October 27, 2006 02:31 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Plant Stanols Improve Cholesterol Levels Many individuals with high cholesterol are placed on a statin drug, the pharmaceutical choice of many doctors in the US. Most are placed on this medication without being given dietary advice or any lifestyle modification choices, even though they help support treatment with statins. In a new study reported in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association plant stanols were assessed for their efficacy in lowering cholesterol in those who were already on a statin... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on October 15, 2006 12:11 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Blood Pressure Drug Helps Prehypertension Millions of U.S. adults have hypertension (high blood pressure) and prehypertension (borderline high blood pressure ). Hypertension is classified as systolic blood pressure of 140 or higher and/or diastolic blood pressure of 90 or higher. Prehypertension is classified as systolic blood pressure of 120-139 and/or diastolic blood pressure of 80-89. Prehypertension can progress rapidly to hypertension. Now research reports that early treatment with blood pressure medication can slow the progression of prehypertension to hypertension. The... More» Posted by Elaine Gavalas on October 14, 2006 01:09 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) High Blood Pressure Linked To Birthweight A new study from the UK found that the lower a babies weight at birth the more likely they will have high blood pressure as an adult. The study, published in the September issue of Hypertension, gathered information from more than 25,000 men and women on their weight at birth and blood pressure. Some of the participants had birth records with exact weight while others had to use recall. They found that blood pressure decreased... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on October 10, 2006 12:47 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Essential Fatty Acid Ratio Does Not Affect Clot Formation Essential fatty acids (EFAs) such as alpha-linolenic (ALA) , eicosapentenoic acid (EPA) , and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have favorable effects on cardiovascular health. Clinical studies have proven they lower total and LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, inhibit platelet activation, and influence blood pressure. A new study out of the UK tested the hypothesis that a 3:1 omega 6 to omega 3 fatty acid ratio may lower levels of clotting factors known to influence fatal heart attacks.... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on September 29, 2006 02:24 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Tomato Extract Decreases Platelet Activity A new study showed that tomato extract can reduce platelet activity and may be protective against cardiovascular disease. In the study 90 healthy men and women were randomized to either a dietary supplement containing a tomato extract or a control supplement. Hemostatic function was assessed at baseline then three hours after consumption of the extract or control. Then participants switched treatment according to a cross-over study design. The tomato extract caused significant changes in platelet... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on September 28, 2006 04:09 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Long Term Intervention in Obese Children Improves Cardiovascular Health Children who are obese place themselves at increased risk for early cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and even an early death. Many obese children who present with cardiovascular disease risk factors are placed on long term interventional treatment aimed at reducing weight and therefore risk of death due to heart attack or stroke. Very little information has been gathered about the long term effects of weight loss interventions in this population. A new study published this September... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on September 28, 2006 03:39 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) African Americans at Increased Risk for Artery Disease According to a report published by Reuters Health African Americans are at increased risk for peripheral artery disease (PAD) compared to other races. The risk can be as high as 2 times other races and is equivalent to smoking a pack of cigarettes a day for 20 years. PAD, a form of atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, usually presents with the classic symptom of leg pain during exercise that usually improves after rest. Though... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on September 27, 2006 02:44 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Abdominal Obesity Associated With High Blood Pressure A new study found that not only is abdominal weight associated with high cholesterol and diabetes but also high blood pressure. The study was published in the respected American Journal of Hypertension this month. The study was aimed to understand the relationship between weight gain and high blood pressure, but more specifically abdominal weight gain. More than 2,300 Chinese men and women were followed for 10 years. Statistics including weight, abdominal circumferance, BMI, and blood... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on September 27, 2006 02:21 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Job Stress Raises Blood Pressure Previous studies have reported a link between heart disease and job stress. However, studies about the effect of job stress on blood pressure have had conflicting results. Now research reports that job stress with low levels of social support at work can increase blood pressure. High blood pressure (hypertension) affects millions of American adults, with disproportionately higher rates among African Americans, men, obese adults, and the elderly. High blood pressure is classified as systolic blood... More» Posted by Elaine Gavalas on September 21, 2006 02:14 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Stroke Prevention Stroke is one of the nation's top healthcare concerns. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. and the leading cause of functional impairments. It is estimated that there are more than 700,000 incident strokes in the U.S per year, with about 160,000 deaths annually linked to stroke. The elderly, men, African Americans, and people with a family history of stroke may have a higher stroke risk. Other risk factors include high... More» Posted by Elaine Gavalas on September 21, 2006 02:10 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Heart Disease Deaths Decline, But For Whom? Heart disease deaths have been declining in the U.S over the past several decades. However, heart disease still remains a leading cause of death for men and women. Now research reports that heart disease deaths have not declined as much for women and the elderly. The study, published in Circulation, investigated the trends of cardiovascular disease (CVD) deaths in Olmstead County, Minnesota, between 1979 and 2003. Researchers from Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, analyzed the... More» Posted by Elaine Gavalas on September 20, 2006 02:20 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) 1 Billion Smoking Deaths Expected in 21st Century Smoking is still the leading cause of death in the United States mostly due to its cancer causing effects and cardiovascular disease. Tobacco accounts for 1 in 5 cancer deaths in the world. Lung cancer, specifically bronchogenic carcinoma, is the leading cause of cancer death among men and women in the United States, with tobacco accounting for 87% of lung cancer. Tobacco use is associated with at least 15 types of cancer, including acute leukemia,... More» Posted by Dr. Jennifer Stagg on September 17, 2006 08:17 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Omega-3 Fatty Acid Intake Linked with Lower CRP Omega-3 fatty acids have been touted for many disorders, primarily linked to their ability to influence inflammatory conditions. These beneficial fats are found in significant amounts in cold-water fish like salmon, mackerel and cod. Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of Americans, both male and female, therefore anything that can be done to reduce its incidence is of primary concern. Inflammation plays a central role in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. A simple... More» Posted by Dr. Jennifer Stagg on September 17, 2006 07:01 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Red Grape Juice Extract Reduces Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors Prior research has pointed to the heart healthy benefits of red grape extracts. Some confusion has existed regarding the role of wine, specifically red wine, in reducing cardiovascular disease risk. Most of the evidence has suggested that alcohol itself is good for reducing risk of cardiovascular disease. However, scientists have suggested the phytochemicals contained in extracts of red grapes may also have beneficial effects and a new study appears to confirm this. Spanish researchers published... More» Posted by Dr. Jennifer Stagg on September 16, 2006 06:26 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) "Green Tea for Heart Health" Rejected by FDA - A Mistake? Green tea is touted throughout Asia as an ancient health elixir, preventing the ills of Western societies. A Japanese based company, Ito En Ltd., planned to market its green tea in the US claiming it prevents cardiovascular disease. They filed a petition with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in June 2005 with hopes of stating green tea consumption could reduce the number of risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease. However, after reviewing the scientific... More» Posted by Dr. Jennifer Stagg on September 16, 2006 05:28 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Switching to Whole Grains Lowers Blood Pressure Diets rich in whole grain are healthy for our hearts because the fiber helps lower cholesterol. Now a new study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that whole grain diets can also help lower blood pressure. Cardiovascular disease has many components including family history, cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar control, and weight. Once diagnosed to be at risk for a heart attack or stroke, it can often be difficult to tackle... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on September 15, 2006 10:38 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Consuming Higher Amounts of Fish and Fish Oil Prevents Death Research supporting the benefits of fish oil and the high level of omega 3 fatty acids contained therein has been abundant. But what new research found this month is that fish oil consumption may save more lives than the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs). The findings will be published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine this coming month. It might sound crazy to say that fish oil could save more lives than a... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on September 14, 2006 03:29 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Vitamin C Improves Heart Function After Myocardial Infarction The International Journal of Cardiology published results from a trial showing improved recovery after a heart attack using Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid. Patients who suffer a serious myocardial infarction (MI) often do not recover to pre-heart attack state. Their heart often underfunctions and does not respond well to stress or increased demand, such as that from exercise. Most doctors and scientists believe the heart functions sub-optimally because of a weakness of the sympathetic nervous... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on September 14, 2006 02:12 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Concentrated Red Grape Juice Improves Lipid Profile in Patient's Receiving Dialysis Although dialysis is an often life necessitating treatment for individuals with kidney disease, it can contribute to the development of other chronic conditions and make concomitant conditions worse. For example, individuals on dialysis often suffer from cardiac complications because cholesterol and fatty acid metabolism are affected by the treatment. The treatment also raises inflammation in the body, which can negatively impact cardiovascular health via the production of free radicals. Scientists in Spain felt that the... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on August 31, 2006 11:18 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Chocolate Scores Another Point Against Blood Vessel Disease In the last decade chocolate, or more precisely cocoa, has been studied for its health benefits. A new study published this month the Journal of Hypertension supported previous evidence that cocoa, rich in antioxidants supports proper blood vessel function and may protect against cardiovascular disease. Cocoa contains a high level of flavonols, a particular antioxidant that is also high in wine and tea. Flavonols have been proven to improve blood vessel tone via nitric oxide.... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on August 28, 2006 12:40 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Religion And Spirituality Helps Blood Pressure High blood pressure (hypertension) affects millions of American adults, with disproportionately higher rates among African Americans, men, obese adults, and the elderly. High blood pressure is classified as systolic blood pressure of 140 or higher and/or diastolic blood pressure of 90 or higher. High blood pressure is known to increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Now research reports that religion and spirituality may help lower the risk of high blood pressure. The study,... More» Posted by Elaine Gavalas on August 21, 2006 02:49 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Coffee Drinking Lowers Heart Deaths Coffee is a major dietary source of antioxidants. Antioxidants neutralize harmful free radicals (toxic byproducts of metabolic functions) and protect against inflammatory or oxidative stress. Research suggests that oxidative stress (damage caused by free radicals) is a major factor involved in inflammation, heart disease, and age-related diseases. The link between coffee intake and risk of death from disease due to oxidative stress has not been previously studied. Now for the first time, a study reports... More» Posted by Elaine Gavalas on August 18, 2006 02:23 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Palm Oil Negatively Affects Cholesterol Partially hydrogenated oils are dangerous to our health. They increase the LDL or bad cholesterol in our blood and also contribute to inflammation in the body by production of free radicals. Partially hydrogenated oils are widely used in many processed foods because of their ease and use under extreme temps and conditions. However, cooking partially hyrdrogenated oils at high temps can increase the formation of trans fatty acids, which are also bad for our cardiovascular... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on August 14, 2006 05:03 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids Affects Cardiovascular Benefit Of the two primary types of essential fatty acids, omega 6 and omega 3, those shown to have the most cardiovascular protection are the omega 3 fatty acids. There are several sources of omega 3 fatty acids including animal and plant sources. The most recognized and essential omega 3 fatty acids are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and alpha linolenic acid (ALA). A review published in the July issue of the American Journal of... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on August 14, 2006 04:41 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Lower Your Cholesterol Today Cholesterol, found in all of the body's cells, is essential for most bodily functions. However, too much cholesterol, called hypercholesterolemia, is a major risk factor for heart disease. In particular, too much LDL "bad" cholesterol can build up in the walls of your arteries and cause heart problems, as compared to HDL "good" cholesterol which protects against heart attack. The body produces its own cholesterol, as well as obtaining it from animal products like meats,... More» Posted by Elaine Gavalas on August 8, 2006 02:48 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Maintain Healthy Heart Function With Fish Heart health is dependent on many factors including blood pressure and cholesterol levels. But what many people fail to address is the electrical activity in the heart, or the heart beat its self. A heart beat is accomplished when an electrical signal travels from a specialized area in the atrium down to the ventricles, which results in the lub-dub, two contraction system of the heart. How efficiently the electrical current travels gives a heart rhythm... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on August 2, 2006 10:59 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) L-Arginine Improves Exercise Tolerance In Heart Failure Patients Patients who have undergone treatment for heart failure benefit from daily supplementation with L-arginine, an amino acid precursor to nitric oxide, according to a study published in the International Journal of Sports Medicine. Daily supplementation was shown to improve exercise capacity and recovery in a small group of patients compared to no treatment at all. Nitric oxide causes dilation of blood vessels through a complex process. In heart failure patients there is often a disruption... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on July 31, 2006 05:38 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Experiencing Migraines With Aura Can Up Heart Disease Risk There are many factors that increase one's risk for developing heart disease. Some of the independent risk factors include family history, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. New research published in the Journal of American Medical Association is adding another factor to that list: Migraines with Aura. The study looked at women migraine sufferers and compared cardiovascular disease incidence between those that experience an aura versus those that do not. Nearly 30 million Americans... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on July 31, 2006 02:51 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Common Stomach Bug Linked to Vascular Disease Helicobacter pylori (H.pylor) is a bacteria associated with conditions of the stomach and intestines. Individuals who have been colonized by this bacteria can develop several condtions including low stomach acid, peptic ulcers, and gastric cancer. Now research published in the American Heart Journal finds the bacteria may also be associated with vascular disease, or blood vessel health. Investigators in Italy conducted a review of all clinical trials that investigated the association between H.pylori infection and... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on July 31, 2006 12:34 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Sunshine for Congestive Heart Failure? Vitamin D was once thought to only be important for proper bone formation in the fetus, prevention of rickets in childhood and prevention of osteoporosis later in life. We now know that vitamin D is protective against a host of other conditions including muscle weakness, internal cancers, type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis. Recent evidence suggests that patients suffering from congestive heart failure may also reap the benefits of vitamin D. A study published in... More» Posted by Dr. Jennifer Stagg on July 30, 2006 05:00 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) NSAIDs Increase Heart Attack Risk In April 2005, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued new label warnings for prescription and over the counter (OTC) painkillers. Prescription anti-inflammatory Cox-2 drugs, such as Vioxx, Bextra, and Celebrex, now have "black box" alerts warning of heart disease and stroke risk. Nonprescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), other than aspirin, must warn of potential risks of long-term use. Now research reports that nonprescription NSAIDs also increase the risk of heart attack in arthritis... More» Posted by Elaine Gavalas on July 28, 2006 01:52 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) High Fish/Omega-3 Intake Lowers Heart Disease Previous studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids from fish oils reduce the risk of heart disease and sudden cardiac death. Consuming a small amount of fish, once or twice weekly, has been found to offer heart protection. Now research reports that people who eat more fish (or more omega-3s) have an even greater reduction of heart disease risk. The study, published in Circulation, investigated the association of high fish intake and omega-3 fatty acids... More» Posted by Elaine Gavalas on July 27, 2006 02:15 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Marital Stress Endangers Heart Prolonged stress has been shown to increase the risk of heart disease, cancer and other health problems. Psychological factors, such as job stress, have been linked to heart disease and high blood pressure. Now research reports that marital stress can also increase the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure. In one study, researchers at the University of Toronto, evaluated the effect of marital stress on spouses with mild hypertension (high blood pressure) for... More» Posted by Elaine Gavalas on July 25, 2006 02:06 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Low Salt Diet May Not Lower Heart Risk Experts are questioning the role of salt-restricted diets in blood pressure regulation and protection against heart disease. The current US Dietary Guidelines recommend less than 2,300 milligrams (about a teaspoon) a day of table salt. Now research reports that a low-salt diet may increase the risk of heart disease. The study, published in The American Journal of Medicine, investigated the association of salt intake on the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Researchers at Albert Einstein... More» Posted by Elaine Gavalas on July 24, 2006 01:59 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Whole Foods Fight Heart Disease Carbohydrates are divided into two groups, simple (sugars) and complex (starches). Simple (refined) carbs, such as sugars, white flour products (white bread, white pasta, baked goods, junk foods) and white rice are digested and absorbed quickly, causing blood sugar and insulin levels to rapidly increase. These harmful effects are linked to obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Whole foods (complex carbs) such as brown rice, oats, whole grain products (whole grain bread, whole grain pasta), fruits,... More» Posted by Elaine Gavalas on July 24, 2006 01:47 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Blood Pressure Associated With Erectile Dysfunction High blood pressure (hypertension) and prehypertension (borderline high blood pressure) affects millions of American adults, with disproportionately higher rates among men, obese adults, the elderly and African Americans. High blood pressure is classified as systolic blood pressure of 140 or higher and/or diastolic blood pressure of 90 or higher. Prehypertension is classified as systolic blood pressure of 120-139 and/or diastolic blood pressure of 80-89. High blood pressure and prehypertension are known to increase the risk... More» Posted by Elaine Gavalas on July 22, 2006 01:43 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Can Laughter Really Heal? Laughter has been used increasingly in many areas of health care to improve immune function, most notably in pediatric cancer care centers. There is a growing body of evidence that not only does laughter boost immunity, it appears to affect other parts of the body like the cardiovascular system. A study presented at the Scientific Session of the American College of Cardiology in 2005 examined the effects of watching different types of movies. Researchers enrolled... More» Posted by Dr. Jennifer Stagg on July 16, 2006 05:41 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Heart Disease Risk Escalates in Diabetics There are two main forms of diabetes mellitus (DM). Type 1 DM is most always diagnosed early in life and results from a lack of insulin production by the pancreas. Type 2 DM (adult onset) is usually diagnosed later in life and results from poor tissue response to insulin and decreased productiving in the pancreas. Type 2 DM is associated with increase risk of many other health conditions including heart disease, kidney disease, eye damage,... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on July 14, 2006 01:17 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Cutting Calories May Lower Risk of Age-Related Diseases Previous studies have suggested that calorie restriction can increase longevity and decrease oxidative stress (DNA damage) in a variety of species. Now research reports that calorie restriction in humans may provide similar benefits seen in animals, including low levels of insulin and reduced DNA damage. These markers are associated with longevity and a lower risk of age-related diseases including atherosclerosis, cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer's. The randomized controlled study, published in the Journal of the American... More» Posted by Elaine Gavalas on July 12, 2006 02:22 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Diet Rich in Healthy Fats Better Than No Fat Diet Many are aware that the Mediterranean style diet has purported benefits for protecting the heart when compared to the standard american diet. But a new study released this July in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that the Mediterranean diet is also superior to the low fat diet when it comes to reducing risk factors for heart disease and stroke. It has been decades since doctors and researchers recognized that those living in the Mediterranean... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on July 11, 2006 02:40 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Homocysteine and Heart Health The most commonly known concern for heart disease is elevated cholesterol. While high cholesterol is indeed a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, there are many others, some of which are not so highly publicized. Homocysteine is an amino acid that circulates in the blood stream and can be measured with a simple blood test. In higher levels, homocysteine has been repeatedly shown to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disorders and problems in... More» Posted by Dr. Jennifer Stagg on June 30, 2006 07:24 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Depression and High Blood Pressure Related The American Journal of Hypertension published a study this month that found a relationship between high blood pressure and depression, and it seems the uniting factor is obesity. Researchers drew this conclusion after analyzing data from more than 1,000 men and women from similar background. They did not determine which came first, the depression or high blood pressure. Being overweight seemed to be the predominant factor of individuals in the study. More than 13% had... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on June 30, 2006 06:09 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Yoga For Lowering High Blood Pressure? High blood pressure affects millions of American adults, with disproportionately higher rates among African Americans. Now, research reports that yoga meditation more effectively lowered high blood pressure in African Americans than progressive muscle relaxation or participation in a conventional health education control program on hypertension. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on June 30, 2006 02:16 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Negativity May Increase Your Risk for Cardiac Events Individuals with a strong work ethic or drive to be successful have been labeled the Type A personality. Past research has shown that their high stress lifestyle can contribute to disease and oxidative damage in the body. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on June 26, 2006 12:39 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Winding Down May Lower Risk For Heart Attack For many Americans weekends simply mean more time to get stuff done around the house. We see time off from work as a way to accomplish other tasks in our lives, and not as a means to relax. This is part cultural, because we live in a go faster, do more world and also due to our own anxieties over needing to fill the time. We may need to change our thinking. According to a... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on June 23, 2006 02:24 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) The Salt Debate Current dietary recommendations for salt intake are being vigorously debated by the medical community. Salt aficionados also debate whether specific types of salt may have certain health benefits. Experts are questioning the role of salt in blood pressure regulation, as new research suggests that other factors in blood pressure control may be more important. Some experts believe that restrictions on salt intake have been overemphasized. However, other experts argue that the current American Heart Association... More» Posted by Elaine Gavalas on June 23, 2006 02:17 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Policosanol for Lowering Cholesterol? Policosanol is a naturally occurring substance derived from sugar cane. It was discovered by medical researchers in Cuba and until recently most randomized clinical trials have proven its benefit to lower LDL and total cholesterol in individuals. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on June 23, 2006 12:37 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Dark Soy Sauce Has High Antioxidant Power Dark soy sauce (DSS) is high in antioxidant power, with some reports showing 150 times the activity of Vitamin A, C and E and 10 times the activity of red wine. Dietary and supplemental antioxidants can protect against a variety of diseases including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and Parkinson's disease. New information on dark soy sauce as a condiment may provide reason to increase its use to protect against heart disease. Studies in the lab... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on June 21, 2006 03:52 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Vioxx Long-Term Heart Risks In September, 2004, Merck & Co., Inc reported the results of the three-year APPROVe (Adenomatous Polyp Prevention on VIOXX) study, which found a 92% higher risk for heart attack and stroke in patients taking the painkiller drug Vioxx. Merck voluntarily removed Vioxx (rofecoxib) off the market and extended the study to follow patients for one year after stopping Vioxx. Now Merck has released new preliminary data from the APPROVe off-drug extension. However, experts and Merck... More» Posted by Elaine Gavalas on June 21, 2006 01:50 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Sex Helps Blood Pressure Previous research has suggested that sexual intercourse is linked with better psychological and physiological function. Now a study reports that sexual intercourse before stressful events helps normalize blood pressure response to stress. The study, published in Biological Psychology, investigated the relationship of different sexual behaviors on blood pressure and stress response. Researchers at the University of Paisley in Scotland, UK, conducted stress tests (such as public speaking and verbal arithmetic), psychological tests and blood pressure... More» Posted by Elaine Gavalas on June 18, 2006 02:12 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Study Questions Use of Iron in Pregnancy Iron deficiency anemia is common in pregnancy. It occurs due to two separate mechanisms. First is the process of hemodilution and second due to sequestration of iron by developing fetus. In order to treat iron deficiency anemia most doctors recommend that women take a daily iron supplement and increase iron containing foods in their diet. Most pre-natal vitamins also contain some iron. However, not all women will become anemic and not all women need to... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on June 13, 2006 02:46 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Transcendental Meditation Improves Risk Factors Associated with Heart Disease Individuals with Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) are often on a list of prescription medications to treat a variety of complaints including high blood pressure, high blood lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides) and high blood sugar (diabetes). In some cases these medications need to be adjusted numerous times to reach an optimal dose and result in several side effects that can lower quality of life. A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine this month documented... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on June 13, 2006 11:53 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) High Likelihood Teens with High Blood Pressure Will Become Hypertensive High blood pressure can increase the risk that an individual will develop other health conditions such as heart disease, kidney disease, and ocular (eye) conditions. Most physicians will begin treatment in adults at the pre-hypertension stage, or a blood pressure greater than 130/80. Now a new report from the American Society of Hypertension states that teens with pre-hypertension on one occasion are more likely to develop persistent high blood pressure in two years time. For... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on June 13, 2006 10:14 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Fruits And Vegetables Lower Stroke Risk Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the US and the leading cause of disability. Previous studies have shown that fruits and vegetables may lower the risk of stroke. Now research reports that people who eat more than five servings of fruits and vegetables daily have a significantly lower risk of stroke. The study, published in The Lancet, investigated the association of fruit and vegetable intake on the risk of stroke. Researchers at... More» Posted by Elaine Gavalas on June 13, 2006 09:11 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Fruits And Vegetables Lower Stroke Risk Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the US and the leading cause of disability. Previous studies have shown that fruits and vegetables may lower the risk of stroke. Now research reports that people who eat more than five servings of fruits and vegetables daily have a significantly lower risk of stroke. The study, published in The Lancet, investigated the association of fruit and vegetable intake on the risk of stroke. Researchers at... More» Posted by Elaine Gavalas on June 13, 2006 09:11 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Rye Bread and Pasta May Help With Metabolic Syndrome A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2005;82(6):1218-1227) indicates that changing the carbohydrate source consumed regularly in the diet may be beneficial for persons suffering with Metabolic Syndrome. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on May 14, 2006 08:40 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Essential Fatty Acids Important in Metabolic Syndrome Researchers indicate that high intake of omega-3 fatty acids can protect against the development of metabolic syndrome in obese individuals, as early as adolescence. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on May 14, 2006 07:38 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Metabolic Syndrome X The incidence of metabolic syndrome (metabolic syndrome X) is increasing in the United States. Latest estimates attribute the disease to have affected 26% of adults, or 50 million Americans. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on May 12, 2006 04:16 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Impact of Stress Upon Heart Several studies report that sudden mental stress can change the heart rate and rhythm of the heart. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on April 30, 2006 04:04 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Is Metabolic Syndrome on the Rise? The CardioMonitor Survey, a study examining the rates of cardiovascular disease and obesity syndrome, was presented at the 55th Annual Meeting of the American College of Cardiology (ACC). More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on April 30, 2006 12:07 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Lack of Sleep and Hypertension The relationship was not well understood, but a new study published in the journal Hypertension sheds some light. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on April 30, 2006 11:12 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Grape Seed Extract and High Blood Pressure Grape seed extract contains powerful antioxidants called proanthocyanidins. The antioxidant power of proanthocyanidins is many times stronger than vitamin C and vitamin E. Antioxidants neutralize the free radicals (unstable molecules that cause damage to cells) associated with degenerative diseases, cardiovascular disease, and aging. Current research reports that grape seed extract supplementation may lower high blood pressure. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on April 30, 2006 10:48 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Lowering Blood Pressure with Lifestyle Changes This month a study was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine that supports dramatic changes to diet and lifestyle as a means of significantly lowering blood pressure. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on April 28, 2006 11:47 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Protein, Monosaturated Fat Diet Benefits Heart Although research has shown that reduced intake of saturated fat prevents heart disease, the type of nutrient that should replace saturated fat has not been determined. Now the OmniHeart study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, reports that replacing saturated fat with protein from plant sources and monounsaturated fats helps lower heart disease risk. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on April 21, 2006 04:38 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Nutritional Supplements and CHF Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a leading cause of disability and death in industrialized countries. Now research reports that long-term multiple nutritional supplementation improves heart function and quality of life in seniors with chronic heart failure. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on April 20, 2006 03:55 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Lipid Profile Improved by Fish Oils and Garlic Both fish oil and garlic have proven to be effective treatments for reducing cardiovascular disease risk by improving lipid profiles. Researchers at the Women's Christian College recently published the results of a study that measure the combined effect of these treatments on lipid profiles. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on April 20, 2006 03:50 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) More Fish, More Protection Against Heart Disease Previous studies have shown that consuming omega-3-rich fish once or twice a week helps protect against heart disease. Now research reports that including fish more frequently in the diet (eight times weekly) can provide an even greater benefit for the prevention of heart disease. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on April 20, 2006 03:47 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Stress Can Lead to Heart Disease In the medical Journal, Psychphysiology, researchers describe how measurements of brain activity following mental stress correlate with blood pressure readings. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on April 20, 2006 03:40 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Exercise Helpful for Congestive Heart Failure An article published in the American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology shows that in animals with a certain type of heart failure, low-intensity exercise training delays the onset of decompensated heart failure. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on April 20, 2006 03:34 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Lowering Cholesterol with Food An article published in the November 30th, 2005 issue of the American Chemical Society's Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry outlines specifically which nuts and seeds are highest in the naturally occuring plant compounds, phytosterols, which help reduce cholesterol. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on April 20, 2006 03:31 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Alcohol and Heart Attack Risk study recently published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2005;82(6):1336-1345) helps to clarify the relationship between alcohol consumption and risk of having a heart attack (also referred to as myocardial infarction). More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on April 19, 2006 07:27 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Soy Reduces Risk Factors For Cardiovascular Disease "Heart healthy soy" is a phrase commonly employed by manufacturers to help sales of their products. For years, we have known the soy products can help lower the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and now a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2005;82(6):1260-1268) may further explain the effects of soy. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on April 19, 2006 07:23 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Coffee Bean Extract Lowers Blood Pressure Green coffee bean extract (GCB) has been used as a potent antioxidant, immune system stimulant, and been proposed to be chemo protective. A recent study published in the journal Hypertension Research documented it ability to lower blood pressure. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on April 6, 2006 01:17 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Caffeine Intake and Blood Pressure in Women Previous studies have shown that high caffeine intake from coffee can result in relative increases in blood pressure in men. This effect can be negated if caffeine is discontinued. However, no such evidence in women existed. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on April 4, 2006 09:54 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Insulin Secretions and Metabolic Syndrome Scientists at a major university in Finland tested the hypothesis that changes in carbohydrate intake may increase insulin sensitivity and subsequent glucose metabolism. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on March 27, 2006 05:12 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Coffee, No longer Associated with High Blood Pressure; Colas Are Although physicians are well aware that caffeine acutely raises blood pressure short term, the long term effects of habitual caffeine consumption on blood pressure have not been so clear. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on March 22, 2006 11:09 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) CRP - A Major Risk Factor for Heart Disease An article published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2005;82(5):1052-1058) shows that a following a particular diet for only four weeks produced significant reductions in CRP. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on March 22, 2006 10:32 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) When Should You Take Dietary Supplements? Your supplement program will be most effective if you follow these simple guidelines. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on March 16, 2006 11:39 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Dairy and Metabolic Syndrome A study carried out in Iran was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that gathered epidemiological data on the association between dairy and metabolic syndrome. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on March 15, 2006 04:16 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Ayurvedic Plant Medicines Improve Liver Status Because of the inadequacy of conventional medicine, many providers have looked towards herbal and traditional medicine to find treatments; i.e. popular Ayurvedic treatments for cirrhosis is Liv-52. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on March 15, 2006 02:56 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Lowering Cholesterol Without Statins Red Yeast Rice has been used in Asia for centuries as a curative agent for many diseases, including heart disease. In November 2005, the results of a clinical trial proved the efficacy of Red Yeast Rice for lowering blood cholesterol. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on March 14, 2006 09:16 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Vitamin C/Arginine and Vasodilatory Effects A study published in Heart examines the effects of concurrent Vitamin C use on the vasodilatory effects of L-arginine. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on March 13, 2006 11:05 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Nicotinamide Improves Glucose Control A recent study examined the benefits of concurrent use of nicotinamide in newly diagnosed Type I diabetes. Previous research had shown a possibility that glucose control could be improved by using nicotinamide and insulin at onset of treatment. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on March 9, 2006 03:22 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Iron and Folic Acid vs Micronutrients for Anemia A recent study from India focused on current methods to correct iron deficiency anemia in women age 14-18. The study was published in the October issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on March 9, 2006 03:04 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Calcium Phosphate and Cholesterol Metabolism A study published in the July issue of the Journal of Nutrition tested the hypothesis that calcium phosphat (ACP) can lower cholesterol via bile acids. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on March 8, 2006 03:41 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Is Metabolic Effect Affected by Naturally-Occurring Conjugated Linoleic Acid? An original study published in the August issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition evaluated the effects that butter enriched with naturally occurring CLA has on the metabolic activity and lipid profile in overweight men. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on March 6, 2006 10:34 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Lipid Lowering Therapy and Coronary Artery Disease Elevated levels of lipids (cholesterol, triglycerides) in the blood increase the risk of cardiovascular disease including atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis or coronary artery disease is due to increased deposition of calcium on the artery wall combined with plaque build up. Small-uncontrolled trials have presented evidence that lowering lipids in the blood may decrease the progression of coronary artery calcification. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on March 6, 2006 10:30 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Triglyceride Lowering Effect of Fish Oils A study published this year by the Journal of Thailand Medical Association documented the effects of fish oil consumption on serum indices of cardiovascular disease. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on March 6, 2006 10:25 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Ursodeoxycholic Acid for Hepatitis C Patients Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), a bile acid, is a powerful antioxidant. Hepatogastroenterology published a study in July 2005 that documented the additive effects of a triple therapy of interferon, ribavirin, and UDCA. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on March 6, 2006 10:21 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Folic Acid and Arterial Stiffness A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition examined the possibility that folic acid supplementation reduces arterial stiffness, therefore reducing risk of cardiovascular disease. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on March 1, 2006 09:43 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Soy Protein Lowers Blood Pressure A study published in the American Journal of Nutrition documents the effects of soy protein on blood pressure. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on March 1, 2006 09:28 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Choline May Reduce Homocysteine Levels A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2005;82(1):111-117) demonstrates that supplementation with choline can lower homocysteine levels in healthy men who have mildly elevated total homocysteine levels. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on February 27, 2006 09:57 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Folic Acid Supplementation May Prevent Hypertension A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2005;82(1):26-31) shows that supplementation with folic acid can actually reduce large artery stiffness, which can affect hypertension. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on February 24, 2006 09:42 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Omega 3's, Effective Alternative to Statins Current research reviews past reports that omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs) provide similar benefits to statin drugs in lowering high cholesterol levels and reducing the risk of cardiac mortality. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on February 24, 2006 09:39 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Citrus Peel: Can it Lower Cholesterol? Citrus peels contain potent antioxidant flavonoids called polymethoxylated flavones (PMFs). An animal study, published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (2004, vol 52, no 10), investigated the effect of PMFs isolated from citrus peels on cholesterol levels in hamsters fed a high cholesterol diet. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on February 24, 2006 09:36 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) The Added Benefits of Vitamins and Healthy Fats Previous studies have shown that high cholesterol levels are a risk factor for coronary-vascular disease. Now research reports that daily intake of healthy fats, including omega-3 fatty acids, oleic acid, and multivitamins (folic acid and vitamins A, B6, D and E), lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of coronary-vascular disease, including peripheral vascular disease and intermittent claudication (PVD-IC). More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on February 24, 2006 09:32 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Fish Intake Improves Cholesterol Subfractions Previous studies have shown that fish oil supplements and diets containing fish reduce plasma levels of cholesterol. Now research reports that fish intake may lower cholesterol subfractions, including medium and small very low density lipoprotein ('bad') cholesterol. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on February 24, 2006 09:28 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Dairy Intake and sdLDL Cholesterol Levels Previous studies have suggested that small dense LDL (sdLDL) cholesterol is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Now research reports that men with a higher intake of fatty acids found in milk products have lower levels of sdLDL, which may benefit heart health. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on February 23, 2006 03:24 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Vitamin K2 May Prevent Liver Cancer The use of vitamins in the prevention of various types of cancer is a hot topic and frequently scrutinized in the medical press. A new study shows that in women with viral cirrhosis of the liver, supplementation with vitamin K2 may help prevent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a type of liver cancer. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on February 23, 2006 03:10 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Olive Oil Lowers Cholesterol In vitro studies have suggested that olive oil prevents low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol oxidation (a risk factor for cardiovascular disease). Now research reports that olive oil consumption may decrease LDL ('bad' cholesterol) and increase HDL high-density lipoprotein ('good' cholesterol) in humans. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on February 23, 2006 12:38 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Can Regular Eating Prevent Obesity? Previous studies have suggested that there may be a negative association between meal frequency and body weight. However, newer research reports that regular mealtimes may help prevent obesity, high cholesterol, and cardiovascular disease. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on February 23, 2006 12:32 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Biochanin-Enriched Red Clover and Cholesterol A previous study has reported that the effect of isoflavones alone on cholesterol is unclear (J Nutr,134:1759-64, 2004). Now research reports that red clover-derived isoflavone enriched with biochanin may lower LDL ('bad') cholesterol in men. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on February 23, 2006 12:20 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Lycopene Beneficial in Cardiovascular Disease Lycopene has been recognized as a preventative phytochemical for prostate cancer. Men have been encouraged to eat tomato products regularly to reduce their risk of developing cancer of the prostate gland. A new study shows that lycopene may also be beneficial in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on February 22, 2006 10:25 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) The Usefulness of Plant Stanol Esters Researchers at the University of Texas investigated 3 metabolic interactions with plant stanol esters and cholesterol. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on February 22, 2006 09:36 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Sterols vs. Stanols for Blood Cholesterol Control The American Journal of Cardiology published a study in July that compares the efficacy of sterols versus stanols for long-term control of high cholesterol. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on February 22, 2006 09:29 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Increased Fish Consumption May Combat CHF The Journal of the American College of Cardiology published a study in June of 2005 that compared the dietary intake of fish with the incidence of congestive heart failure (CHF). More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on February 21, 2006 01:38 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Creatine Supplementation for Patients with COPD Creatine has been used for many years as a supplement to improve exercise performance and increase muscle mass in healthy individuals. A study published in Thorax this July investigated the effects of creatine supplementation on patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD). More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on February 21, 2006 01:21 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Folate Lowers Heart Attack Risk Previous research has found that the B-complex vitamin, folate (also called folic acid), may lower levels of homocysteine (a metabolite that can damage blood vessels) and improve blood flow. Interestingly, recent study reports that supplementation with folate may also reduce the risk of heart attacks. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on February 20, 2006 07:52 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Chocolate Lowers Diabetes and Blood Pressure Risks Previous research has shown that flavanol antioxidants, a class of polyphenols found in chocolate, fruits, vegetables, red wine, and green tea, may contribute to heart health and boost immunity. Now a study reports that daily supplementation with antioxidant-rich dark chocolate may reduce the risk of hypertension and diabetes. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on February 20, 2006 07:03 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Fish and Soy Oils Improve Heart Health Previous research has shown that omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish and soy oils, may reduce inflammation and the risk of sudden cardiac death. Research now reports that daily supplementation with fish or soy oil may indeed improve heart health. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on February 20, 2006 06:58 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Vitamin A: A Useful Treatment for Anemia in Children A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2005;82(2):406-412) examines the effect of Vitamin A (which is often deficient in young African children) in the treatment of anemia in young children with malaria. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on February 20, 2006 06:38 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Folic Acid for Reducing Homocysteine A new clinical study shows that a specific form of folic acid may be superior for widespread supplementation, as it would be less likely to mask a vitamin B12 deficiency that could be present. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on February 17, 2006 02:10 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Rice Bran Oil Lowers Cholesterol Rice bran oil contains tocotrienols (four natural compounds that belong to the vitamin E family), which have been shown to be potent antioxidants. Newer research reports that the tocotrienols in rice bran oil significantly lowers total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL). More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on February 17, 2006 12:45 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Vitamin E Lowers Plasma Cholesterol Oxidation The study, published in the journal, Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology (2004, vol. 24, no. 1), investigated the effect of vitamin E supplementation on cholesterol oxidation and atherosclerotic plaques in patients with advanced atherosclerosis. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on February 17, 2006 01:07 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Magnesium, Effective Alternative to Statins Previous research suggests that magnesium supplementation and statin drugs may effectively lower cholesterol and prevent cardiovascular disease. Now a review finds that magnesium supplementation provides similar benefits to statins in lowering high cholesterol levels. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on February 17, 2006 12:53 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Red Wine vs. Gin: Which is Healthier? The randomized, cross-over, single-blinded study, published in the journal Atherosclerosis (2004, vol 175, no 1), investigated the effects of red wine and gin consumption on inflammatory biomarkers of atherosclerosis. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on February 16, 2006 07:07 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Fish Oil Supplementation and Arrythmia A study published in JAMA this June from the Oregon University of Health Sciences investigated the effects that fish oil supplementation had on the incidence of ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation in participants with an implantable cardiac defibrillator. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on February 13, 2006 11:27 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Plant Sterol Absorption and Plaque Formation Recent research published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology investigated the possible role that plant sterols may play in the development of atherosclerotic plaques in the carotid arteries. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on February 13, 2006 11:19 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Can Green Tea Prevent Heart Disease? Green tea contains many active polyphenol antioxidants, commonly known as catechins, which have been shown to lower cholesterol, prevent cancer, and improve fat metabolism. Now research reports that the antioxidants in green tea prevent the formation of new plaque in the arteries without affecting established plaque. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on February 13, 2006 11:01 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Linolenic Acid Affects Repolarization of the Heart Polyunsaturated fatty acids have been shown in trials to exert a protective effect on the heart and cardiovascular system in general. Studies show that ingestion of fish oils can reduce the risk of death from a heart attack. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on February 10, 2006 09:26 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Fatty Acid Synthesis in Liver Effected by Garlic Compounds Research on garlic has proven its beneficial effects at lowering high blood cholesterol while exerting protective effects on cardiovascular system. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on February 10, 2006 09:24 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Iron Overload Not Associated with Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis A study published in the May issue of Digestive Disease Science investigated the possible link between iron overload and Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH). More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on February 10, 2006 09:12 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Betaine, Folic Acid; Involved In Pathway to Reduce Homocysteine A recent study published in the June issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition investigated the relationship of plasma homocysteine to betaine. It also looked at the effects of folic acid supplementation on betaine concentrations in the blood. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on February 10, 2006 09:06 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Type 2 Diabetics, Cholesterol, and Plant Sterols The June issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published a small double blind randomized study that tested the efficacy of plant sterols against placebo in Type 2 diabetic and non-diabetic patients. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on February 10, 2006 09:00 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Lycopene and Cardiovascular Disease Recent findings in various medical studies have shown a possible beneficial relationship between serum carotenoids and cardiovascular health. In particular lycopene was thought to help prevent cardiovascular disease. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on February 10, 2006 08:57 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Herbs Shown to Inhibit Detoxification Pathways in the Liver A study from the University of Arkansas was published in May that examined herb drug interaction in relationship to the detoxification system in the liver that is responsible for breaking down and eliminating drugs from the body. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on February 9, 2006 11:34 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) A New Treatment for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease An open label study published in the May issue of the American Journal of Gastroenterology looked at the efficacy of metformin compared to diet and antioxidant treatment for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on February 9, 2006 11:29 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Statin Drugs and Vitamin E for Dialysis A recent trial tested the efficacy of the statin drug atorvastatin with alpha-tocopherol (Vitamin E) in patients on dialysis. The study was aimed at investigating the effects on the lipid profile as well as lipid oxidation in this population because of the high incidence of cardiovascular disease. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on February 9, 2006 11:19 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) CoQ10 Benefits Neurodegenerative Disease Patients Researchers in London investigated the effects of supplementation with Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and Vitamin E on heart function and functional decline in patients with Friedreich ataxia. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on February 8, 2006 08:13 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Vitamin E and Atherosclerosis in Smokers The study, published in Nutrition Research (2004, vol. 24, no. 5), investigated smoking's effect on plasma vitamin C and vitamin E concentrations on LDL oxidation susceptibility. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on February 8, 2006 07:02 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Green Tea Extract, Cholesterol, and Body Fat A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (January 2005;81(1):122-129) shows that Green Tea may lower various measures of body fat, as well as being associated with lower MDA-LDL cholesterol (an oxidized form) levels. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on February 8, 2006 06:44 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Low Fat vs. High Fat Diet for Cholesterol Treatment A study from Stanford University published in the May issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine compared the standard recommended low fat diet to a low fat diet high in whole foods such as legumes, vegetables, and whole grains (Low fat plus diet). More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on February 8, 2006 06:23 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Omega-3s, Inflammation, and Heart Disease The supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids may reduce inflammation and endothelial activation (dysfunction of the blood vessel wall), helping to prevent heart disease. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on February 7, 2006 10:11 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0)