coronary artery disease Archives - Amazing Health Advances

Suboptimal Sleep Linked with Higher Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke

AHA Publisher — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 07:00:18 +0000

European Society of Cardiology via News-Medical – Nine in ten people do not get a good night’s sleep, according to research presented at ESC Congress 2022. The study found that suboptimal sleep was associated with a higher likelihood of heart disease and stroke. The authors estimated that seven in ten of these cardiovascular conditions could be prevented if everyone was a good sleeper. “The low prevalence of good sleepers was expected given our busy, 24/7 lives. The importance of sleep quality and quantity for heart health should be taught early in life when healthy behaviours become established. Minimising night-time noise and stress at work can both help improve sleep.” Dr. Aboubakari Nambiema, Study Author, INSERM (the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research), Paris, France Previous studies on sleep and heart disease have generally focused on one sleep habit, such as sleep duration or sleep apnoea, where breathing stops and starts while sleeping. In addition, prior studies have often assessed sleep at baseline only. The current study used a healthy sleep score combining five sleep habits. The researchers investigated the association between the baseline sleep score, and changes over time in the sleep score, and incident cardiovascular disease. This study included 7,200 participants of the Paris Prospective Study III (PPP3), an observational community‐based prospective cohort. Men and women aged 50 to 75 years and free of cardiovascular disease were recruited in a preventive medical centre between 2008 and 2011. The average age was 59.7 years and 62% were men. Participants underwent a physical examination and completed questionnaires on lifestyle, personal and family medical history, and medical conditions. Questionnaires were used to collect information on five sleep habits at baseline and two follow up visits. Each factor was given 1 point if optimal and 0 if not. A healthy sleep score ranging from 0 to 5 was calculated, with 0 or 1 considered poor and 5 considered optimal. Those with an optimal score reported sleeping 7 to 8 hours per night, never or rarely having insomnia, no frequent excessive daytime sleepiness, no sleep apnoea, and an early chronotype (being a morning person). The researchers checked for incident coronary heart disease and stroke every two years for a total of 10 years. At baseline, 10% of participants had an optimal sleep score and 8% had a poor score. During a median follow up of eight years, 274 participants developed coronary heart disease or stroke. The researchers analysed the association between sleep scores and cardiovascular events after adjusting for age, sex, alcohol consumption, occupation, smoking, body mass index, physical activity, cholesterol level, diabetes, and family history of heart attack, stroke or sudden cardiac death. They found that the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke decreased by 22% for every 1 point rise in the sleep score at baseline. More specifically, compared to those with a score of 0 or 1, participants with a score of 5 had a 75% lower risk of heart disease or stroke. The researchers estimated the proportion of cardiovascular events that could be prevented with healthier sleep. They found that if all participants had an optimal sleep score, 72% of new cases of coronary heart disease and stroke might be avoided each year. Over two follow ups, almost half of participants (48%) changed their sleep score: in 25% it decreased whereas in 23% it improved. When the researchers examined the association between the change in score and cardiovascular events, they found that a 1 point increment over time was associated with a 7% reduction in the risk of coronary heart disease or stroke. Dr. Nambiema said: “Our study illustrates the potential for sleeping well to preserve heart health and suggests that improving sleep is linked with lower risks of coronary heart disease and stroke. We also found that the vast majority of people have sleep difficulties. Given that cardiovascular disease is the top cause of death worldwide, greater awareness is needed on the importance of good sleep for maintaining a healthy heart.” To read the original article click here.

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How Your Uric Acid Levels Could Hold the Key to Optimizing Your Mental & Physical Health

AHA Publisher — Wed, 25 May 2022 07:00:15 +0000

Dr. Caroline Leaf – In this podcast (episode #381) and blog, I talk to best-selling author Dr. David Perlmutter about his new book Drop Acid: The Surprising New Science of Uric Acid-The Key to Losing Weight, Controlling Blood Sugar, and Achieving Extraordinary Health, strategies to control uric acid levels in your diet and improve your health, and so much more! As Dr. David points out, uric acid, a byproduct of foods and drinks that are high in fructose or contain a lot of purines, is something we do not often think about when it comes to our health. Yet it actually plays an important role in our metabolism and overall mental and physical wellbeing. Even though people have been researching uric acid for decades, it has not gotten the attention it deserved until recently. Many recent studies have shown how uric acid levels are an important signal for food scarcity. It is a primitive mechanism that lets our body know that it needs to make fat, raise blood pressure and blood sugar to prevent death. This was a powerful survival mechanism for much of our evolutionary history; however, in our world today, it can be dangerous. For the first time in recent history, our life expectancy levels are declining (even pre-COVID). In part, this may be due to high uric acid levels and the effect they have on our metabolic health. When we disrupt our metabolism, we set the stage for acute and chronic health issues, insulin resistance, diabetes, depression, anxiety, coronary artery disease, stroke, cancer, dementias, and more, which are some of the leading causes of distress, disease and death in our world today. Thankfully, controlling uric acid levels is a lot easier than controlling things like blood pressure and blood sugar levels. It is easy to check uric acid levels through a blood test online, and our bodies are incredibly responsive to the changes we make to reduce uric acid levels and reach optimal health, including: Changing our diet. Studies have shown how just changing the way we eat can improve our overall health and increase our lifespan, including reducing our uric acid levels. One great way to do this is to by reducing the fructose levels in our diet. This doesn’t mean avoiding all fruit or foods that contain fructose. It just means managing how much fruit you eat, and what kinds of fruit you eat. For example, it is much better to eat an apple with its fiber and other components than drinking lots of apple juice, which is very high in concentrated fructose and impacts our uric acid levels directly. It is also helpful to consume more foods and drinks that help reduce uric acid levels, such as coffee (even decaf!) and tart cherries. Supplements like quercetin can also help reduce uric acid levels. Improving your lifestyle, including getting better quality sleep and moving more. Identifying common pharmaceuticals that threaten to increase uric acid, and working with a medical professional to find alternatives if you are worried about your uric acid levels. To read the original article click here.

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Cholesterol Savvy? Take Our Cholesterol Quiz: Facts and Myths

AHA Publisher — Fri, 15 Oct 2021 07:00:19 +0000

Dr. Don Colbert – Are you cholesterol savvy? For decades, cholesterol risks, numbers, and information have been confusing, misguided, or even downright wrong. We all have cholesterol. A cholesterol measurement is one of the most common laboratory tests ordered, but does it give you the real picture of your heart health and risk? Take our cholesterol quiz to separate facts and myths and find out if you are cholesterol savvy. Cholesterol Quiz Questions Want to test your knowledge before reading the answers? Jot down your thoughts and decide which statements are facts and which are myths. The majority of cholesterol in the blood stream originates from the diet. It is required for the body to synthesize Vitamin D. Cholesterol dissolves into the blood making it thick. Its numbers are primarily altered by diet and exercise. Heart attack sufferers almost always have high cholesterol. High triglycerides are more concerning than high cholesterol. Avocado oil is higher in cholesterol than olive oil. Inflammation is a primary factor in heart condition risk. All LDL cholesterol is harmful. Statins are completely safe and effective. Cholesterol Quiz: Facts and Myths CHOLESTEROL STATEMENT #1: THE MAJORITY OF CHOLESTEROL IN THE BLOOD STREAM ORIGINATES FROM THE DIET. Myth. Only about 20% of the cholesterol in your body comes from your diet. The rest is synthesized your liver and intestines (1). CHOLESTEROL STATEMENT #2: CHOLESTEROL IS REQUIRED FOR THE BODY TO SYNTHESIZE VITAMIN D. Fact. Cholesterol is a waxy, whitish-yellow fat. It is needed to make vitamin D, hormones (including testosterone and estrogen), and fat-dissolving bile acids. It is a vital building block in cell membranes. And Cholesterol can be found in every cell in the body. CHOLESTEROL STATEMENT #3: CHOLESTEROL DISSOLVES INTO THE BLOOD MAKING IT THICK. Myth. Cholesterol doesn’t dissolve in the blood, kind of like how fat won’t dissolve in water. Instead, cholesterol bonds to carriers called lipoproteins. Lipoproteins are made up of cholesterol on the inside with a layer of protein on the outside. These carriers transport cholesterol between cells to be used for various biological functions. When cholesterol is oxidized, it can embed into the artery wall which can lead to plaques and blockages. CHOLESTEROL STATEMENT #4: CHOLESTEROL NUMBERS ARE PRIMARILY ALTERED BY WEIGHT LOSS, DIET AND EXERCISE. Fact. While your absolute cholesterol number is highly influenced by your familial history, age, sex, and ethnicity (2), changes in total cholesterol are primarily achieved by weight loss (if overweight), diet, and exercise (3, 4). STATEMENT #5: ALL LDL CHOLESTEROL CREATES PLAQUES IN ARTERIES. Myth. As most people know, there are two primary types of cholesterol, Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and High-density lipoproteins (HDL) cholesterol. LDL cholesterol is taught as “bad,” and HDL as “good.” But there’s more to it than that. There are actually two sub-groups of LDL particles. LDL subtype A is a large fluffy cholesterol particle that is less prone to oxidation and less likely to stick to arterial walls. LDL subtype B is a smaller and denser particle that is easily oxidized and more likely to build up in the arteries. Subtype A LDL cholesterol is not necessarily a threat, and only oxidized LDL cholesterol forms plaques (5). CHOLESTEROL STATEMENT #6: HEART ATTACK SUFFERERS ALMOST ALWAYS HAVE HIGH CHOLESTEROL. Myth. Whilst high LDL cholesterol (specifically, high LDL subset B) is one of many risk factors of heart conditions and heart attacks, many people who have heart attacks have “normal” cholesterol levels (6). When assessing risk, we should look at our heart illness risk overall, including weight, blood glucose, lifestyle, inflammation markers, blood pressure, triglycerides, and specifically LDL Subst B cholesterol numbers. It is not the primary risk factor. CHOLESTEROL STATEMENT #7: HIGH TRIGLYCERIDES LEVELS ARE COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT OF CHOLESTEROL LEVELS. Myth. Interestingly, more and more practitioners are looking at the ratio of triglycerides (TG) to HDL. In fact, when you calculate this ratio, you can infer your health risk of cardiovascular issues, blood sugar issues, inflammation and more. Divide your triglycerides by your HDL cholesterol levels. Studies have found that a number of 1.0 or less is likely indicative of lower risk, and a number of 3.0 or more of highest risk. Interestingly, a lower ratio is also linked to healthier LDL subset particle size (less subset B) (7, 8). STATEMENT #8: AVOCADO OIL IS HIGHER IN CHOLESTEROL THAN OLIVE OIL. Myth. Both avocado oil and olive oil have zero milligrams of cholesterol. Foods derived from plants do not contain cholesterol. STATEMENT #9: INFLAMMATION IS A PRIMARY FACTOR IN HEART CONDITION RISK. Fact. Cholesterol is an active compound in the body. It reacts to oxidative stress and inflammation. Here’s how: As free radicals move throughout the body and damage cells, cumulative oxidative stress rises. Next, the body mounts an inflammatory response and cholesterol comes in to patch things up. When cholesterol can also become damaged and oxidized by free radicals. Oxidized cholesterol is sticky. It can embed into artery walls and potentially form plaques and blockages (9). CHOLESTEROL STATEMENT #10: STATINS ARE COMPLETELY SAFE AND EFFECTIVE. Myth. While statins may be right for some patients, no medication is completely safe, and no medication is completely effective. Even though it is true that statins typically lower overall cholesterol, there are some harmful side effects of which you should be aware. First, statins may lower total cholesterol too much. This can lead to inadequate cholesterol levels for proper brain function (25% of cholesterol is in the brain). It can also interfere with and inhibit the benefits of omega-3 fats. Statins metabolize omega-6 fatty acids which work against omega-3s and can promote resistance to insulin, and elevated blood glucose levels. Like most medications, statins include a risk of damage to organs and systems in the body (10). Lastly, chronic use of statins has also been shown to interfere with the body’s production of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). CoQ10 is critical for immune and nervous system health, and also bolsters heart health, proper muscle function, and healthy blood pressure, among much else. If you are on statins it is very important to supplement with CoQ10. HOW’D YOU SCORE? Are you savvy about cholesterol? Well, if you weren’t before, you are now. And, there’s great news! Most heart condition risk can be strongly influenced by lifestyle. Weight changes, anti-inflammatory foods, diets high in antioxidants, exercise, cessations from smoking, and more can help you reduce triglycerides, LDL subset B cholesterol, blood pressure, and more. What’s more, these can all improve your HDL cholesterol, too! GET CHOLESTEROL SAVVY: WHERE TO START? Unsure where to start? After taking our cholesterol quiz, do you want to improve your knowledge and health? The Keto Zone® can help you achieve your weight and health goals! Get started today with our complete Keto Zone Starter Kit. You’ll get everything you need to get in the Keto Zone! BOTTOM LINE Cholesterol can be confusing. However, the more you know, the more you can make needed changes for heart health. Thanks for taking our cholesterol quiz. From here, focus on whole body health, specific LDL cholesterol, blood pressure, triglycerides, and HDL levels. Eat healthy in the Keto Zone, exercise, and protect your heart! To read the original article click here.

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Gut Bacteria and Flavonoid-Rich Foods Are Linked and Improve Blood Pressure Levels

AHA Publisher — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 07:00:10 +0000

American Heart Association (AHA) via Newswise – Flavonoid-rich foods, including berries, apples, pears and wine, appear to have a positive effect on blood pressure levels, an association that is partially explained by characteristics of the gut microbiome, according to new research published today in Hypertension, an American Heart Association journal. “Our gut microbiome plays a key role in metabolizing flavonoids to enhance their cardioprotective effects, and this study provides evidence to suggest these blood pressure-lowering effects are achievable with simple changes to the daily diet,” said lead investigator of the study Aedín Cassidy, Ph.D., chair and professor in nutrition and preventive medicine at the Institute for Global Food Security at Queen’s University in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Flavonoids are compounds found naturally in fruits, vegetables and plant-based foods such as tea, chocolate and wine, and have been shown in previous research to offer a variety of health benefits to the body. Flavonoids are broken down by the body’s gut microbiome—the bacteria found in the digestive tract. Recent studies found a link between gut microbiota, the microorganisms in the human digestive tract, and cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is the leading cause of death worldwide. Gut microbiota is highly variable between individuals, and there are reported differences in gut microbial compositions among people with and without CVD. With increased research suggesting flavonoids may reduce heart disease risk, this study assessed the role of the gut microbiome on the process. Researchers examined the association between eating flavonoid-rich foods with blood pressure and gut microbiome diversity. The study also investigated how much variance within the gut microbiome could explain the association between intake of flavonoid-rich foods and blood pressure. A group of 904 adults between the ages of 25 and 82, 57% men from Germany’s PopGen biobank were recruited for this study. (The PopGen biobank includes participants from a network of seven biobanks in Northern Germany.) Researchers evaluated the participants’ food intake, gut microbiome and blood pressure levels together with other clinical and molecular phenotyping at regular follow-up examinations. Participants’ intake of flavonoid-rich foods during the previous year was calculated from a self-reported food questionnaire detailing the frequency and quantity eaten of 112 foods. Flavonoid values were assigned to foods according to United States Department of Agriculture data on flavonoid content in food. Gut microbiome for participants was assessed by fecal bacterial DNA extracted from stool samples. After an overnight fast, participants’ blood pressure levels were measured three times in three-minute intervals after an initial five-minute rest period. Researchers also collected participants’ lifestyle information, including sex, age, smoking status, medication use and physical activity, as well as family history of coronary artery disease, the number of daily calories and fiber consumed, and each participant’s height and weight was measured to calculate BMI (body mass index). The analysis of regular flavonoid intake with gut microbiome and blood pressure levels found: Study participants who had the highest intake of flavonoid-rich foods, including berries, red wine, apples and pears, had lower systolic blood pressure levels, as well as greater diversity in their gut microbiome than the participants who consumed the lowest levels of flavonoid-rich foods. Up to 15.2% of the association between flavonoid-rich foods and systolic blood pressure could be explained by the diversity found in participants’ gut microbiome. Eating 1.6 servings of berries per day (one serving equals 80 grams, or 1 cup) was associated with an average reduction in systolic blood pressure levels of 4.1 mm Hg, and about 12% of the association was explained by gut microbiome factors. Drinking 2.8 glasses (125 ml of wine per glass) of red wine a week was associated with an average of 3.7 mm Hg lower systolic blood pressure level, of which 15% could be explained by the gut microbiome. “Our findings indicate future trials should look at participants according to metabolic profile in order to more accurately study the roles of metabolism and the gut microbiome in regulating the effects of flavonoids on blood pressure,” said Cassidy. “A better understanding of the highly individual variability of flavonoid metabolism could very well explain why some people have greater cardiovascular protection benefits from flavonoid-rich foods than others.” While this study suggests potential benefits to consuming red wine, the American Heart Association suggests that if you don’t drink alcohol already, you shouldn’t start. If you do drink, talk with your doctor about the benefits and risks of consuming alcohol in moderation. According to a statement on dietary health by the American Heart Association, alcohol intake can be a component of a healthy diet if consumed in moderation (no more than one alcoholic drink per day for women and 2 alcohol drinks per day for men) and only by nonpregnant women and adults when there is no risk to existing health conditions, medication-alcohol interaction, or personal safety and work situations. The authors note that participants for the study were from the general population, and the participants were unaware of the hypothesis. However, residual or unmeasured confounding factors (such as other health conditions or genetics) can lead to bias, thus these findings cannot prove a direct cause and effect, although the researchers did conduct a detailed adjustment in their analyses for a wide range of diet and lifestyle factors. The authors noted the focus of this study was on specific foods rich in flavonoids, not all food and beverages with flavonoids. To read the original article click here.

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Drinking This Nitrate-Rich Juice Offers POWERFUL Benefits to People With Heart Failure

AHA Publisher — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 07:00:56 +0000

Lori Alton via NaturalHealth365 – Heart disease, a condition in which the heart can’t pump enough blood to meet the body’s demands, currently affects 5.7 million people in the United States, with roughly 550,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Unfortunately, heart failure – often triggered by coronary artery disease and ischemic heart disease – features a high mortality rate. The ability to undertake medically supervised, appropriate physical activity is key to the survival of heart failure patients, especially in the early stages. But shortness of breath and fatigue – classic symptoms of the condition – can make exercise difficult. And this is where a particular nitrate-rich juice comes in. A study from researchers at Indiana University suggested that dietary nitrates from beet juice could improve the ability of heart failure patients to exercise. CATCH 22 – While Heart Failure Symptoms Make Exercise Difficult, Inactivity Worsens Survival Rate Not only is inactivity a major risk factor for heart failure, but it has been shown in studies to worsen the survival rate once the condition has developed. In one study, only 25 percent of heart failure patients with a sedentary lifestyle were still alive two and a half years after being admitted to the hospital – compared with 75 percent of physically active patients. Scientists report that medically supervised regular activity that provokes mild-to-moderate shortness of breath can improve quality of life, increase functional capacity, promote endothelial function and reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in heart patients. Most important of all, it reduces both hospitalizations and deaths. Nitrate-Rich Juice Enhances Exercise Capability of Heart Failure Patients and Elite Athletes Alike Noting that heart failure patients exhibit lower exercise efficiency, shortness of breath, and diminished peak oxygen uptake (VO peak) during exercise, researchers wanted to see if dietary nitrates from beet juice could help. Nitrates, found in great supply in beetroot and beet juice, are converted during exercise into beneficial nitric oxide. Earlier studies had shown that nitrates improve muscle contractile function and physical performance. In the double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in Journal of Cardiac Failure, the team found that beet juice supplementation caused significant increases in exercise duration, peak power, and peak oxygen uptake in heart failure patients. As a result, the participants could exercise longer without becoming fatigued. The scientists concluded that dietary nitrates could be a valuable means of enhancing exercise capability in patients with heart failure. But Wait, There Is More! Heart Failure Patients Can Also Expect Increased Muscle Power From Beet Juice, According to Study In research conducted at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO., and published in Circulation: Heart Failure, scientists built upon earlier research showing that dietary nitrates improve muscle performance for elite athletes. To conduct the study, researchers gave heart failure patients either beet juice or a placebo version – identical, except that the nitrates had been removed. Those who had received the “live” beet juice showed a 13 percent increase in muscle power over those who received the nitrate-depleted juice. Particularly, power increased in the muscles that extend the knee, which obviously has great relevance to walking and running. The researchers compared the “magnitude of improvement” in the heart failure patients to that of patients who had performed two to three months of resistance training – a remarkable result. Lead study author Dr. Linda R. Peterson, associate professor of medicine at the Washington University School of Medicine, commented that many everyday activities in life – even those as simple as climbing stairs or getting in and out of a bathtub – are “power-based.” The goal, she said, is to make people more powerful. In addition to benefiting the quality of life, power is an important indication of how well patients will do when battling health conditions such as heart failure or cancer. Beet Juice May Help Prevent Life-Threatening Chronic Diseases Increased exercise capacity is not the only gift of beet juice to the heart. The increased production of nitric oxide helps dilate blood vessels and combats high blood pressure, a risk factor for heart attacks, heart failure, and stroke. One study showed that drinking 250 ml (about eight ounces) of nitrate-rich beet juice a day significantly lowered blood pressure, leading the researchers to advise eating high-nitrate vegetables as a low-cost way to help treat hypertension. (Of course, never reduce or eliminate prescribed medication unless advised to do so by your doctor). Beets may also help fight type 2 diabetes with their content of alpha-lipoic acid. This powerful antioxidant has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar. In addition, beets contain natural plant pigments known as betalains, which can disrupt potentially cancer-causing mutations of cell DNA. While more study is needed, researchers are intrigued by betalains’ potential for acting against cancer. If you choose to get your beets in the form of the cooked root vegetable rather than the juice, you will be benefiting from a hefty 3.81 grams of fiber per cup. Dietary fiber has been shown in numerous studies to help prevent colon cancer. Clearly, it is not just heart failure patients that may be helped by beet juice. Older individuals without heart failure could benefit – along with the rest of the general population, many of whom don’t take in enough nutrient-rich, antioxidant-laden healthy fare. By the way, other promising natural interventions for heart failure include hawthorn, CoQ10, and fish oil. Naturally, check with your doctor before supplementing. Whether you are a heart disease patient, an athlete in training, or just someone looking to improve their health, it looks like lifting a glass (of nitrate-rich beet juice) is a wise move. Sources for this article include: ScienceDaily.com MedicalNewsToday.com LifeExtension.com MedicalNewsToday.com To read the original article click here. For more articles from NaturalHealth365 click here.

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Researchers Link “Genetic Signatures” of Bacteria in the Human Gut to Multiple Diseases

AHA Publisher — Thu, 20 May 2021 07:00:24 +0000

Harvard Medical School via News-Medical – We are truly never alone, not even within our own bodies. Human beings play host to trillions of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microorganisms that make up the human microbiome. In recent years, the mix of these resident bacteria, and the presence of specific bacterial species, has been linked to conditions ranging from obesity to multiple sclerosis. Now, going a step farther, researchers at Harvard Medical School and Joslin Diabetes Center have gone beyond microbial species. Analyzing the genetic makeup of bacteria in the human gut, the team has successfully linked groups of bacterial genes, or “genetic signatures,” to multiple diseases. The work brings scientists closer to developing tests that could predict disease risk or identify disease presence based on a sampling of the genetic makeup of a person’s microbiome. The findings, to be published May 18 in Nature Communications, link sets of bacterial genes to the presence of coronary artery disease, cirrhosis of the liver, inflammatory bowel disease, colon cancer, and type 2 diabetes. The analysis indicates that three of these conditions–coronary artery disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and liver cirrhosis–share many of the same bacterial genes. In other words, people whose guts harbor these bacterial genes seem more likely to have one or more of these three conditions. The work represents a significant advance in the current understanding of the relationship between microbes residing in the human gut and specific diseases, the team said. If confirmed through further research, the results could inform the design of tools that could gauge a person’s risk for a range of conditions based on analysis of a single fecal sample, they added. “This opens a window for the development of tests using cross-disease, gene-based indicators of patient health. We’ve identified genetic markers that we think could eventually lead to tests, or just one test, to identify associations with a number of medical conditions.” (Braden Tierney, Study First Author and Graduate Student, Biological and Biomedical Sciences Program, Harvard Medical School) The researchers caution that their study was not designed to elucidate exactly how and why these microbial genes may be linked to different diseases. Thus far, they said, it remains unclear whether these bacteria are involved in disease development or are mere bystanders in this process. The goal of the study was to determine whether groups of genes could reliably indicate the presence of different diseases. These newly identified microbial genetic signatures, however, could be studied further to determine what role, if any, the organisms play in disease development. “Our study underscores the value of data science to tease out complex interplay between microbes and humans,” said study senior author Chirag Patel, associate professor of biomedical informatics in the Blavatnik Institute at HMS. The researchers started out by collecting microbiome data from 13 groups of patients totaling more than 2,500 samples. Next, they analyzed the data to pinpoint linkages between seven diseases and millions of microbial species, microbial metabolic pathways, and microbial genes. By trying out a variety of modeling approaches–computing a total of 67 million different statistical models–they were able to observe what microbiome features consistently emerged as the strongest disease-associated candidates. Of all the various microbial characteristics–species, pathways, and genes–microbial genes had the greatest predictive power. In other words, the researchers said, groups of bacterial genes, or genetic signatures, rather than merely the presence of certain bacterial families, were linked most closely to the presence of a given condition. Some of the main observations included: Clusters of bacterial genes, or genetic signatures, rather than individual bacterial genes, appear implicated in various types of human disease. Coronary artery disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and liver cirrhosis have similar gut microbiome genetic signatures. Type 2 diabetes, by contrast, has a microbiome signature unlike any other phenotype tested. The analysis did not find a consistent link between the presence of the bacterial species Solobacterium moorei and colon cancer–an association previously reported in numerous studies. However, the researchers did identify particular genes from a S. moorei subspecies associated with colorectal cancer. This finding indicates that gene-level analysis can yield biomarkers of disease with greater precision and more specificity compared with current approaches. Patel said this result underscores the notion that it is not merely the presence of a given bacterial family that may portend risk, but rather the strains and gene signatures of the microbes that matter. The ability to identify interconnections with such precision will be critical for designing tests that can measure risk reliably, he added. Thus, in this specific example, a test intended to measure colon-cancer risk by merely detecting the presence of S. moorei in the gut may not be as reliable as a more refined test that measures bacterial genes to detect the presence of specific strains of S. moorei that are associated with colon cancer. Two conditions–ear inflammation and benign soft-tissue tumors called adenomas–showed weak associations with the gut microbiome, suggesting that microorganisms residing in the human gut are not likely to play a role in the development of these conditions, nor are they likely to be reliable indicators that these conditions are present. In a previous study, the HMS team used massive amounts of publicly available DNA-sequencing data from human oral and gut microbiomes to estimate the size of the universe of microbial genes in the human body. The analysis revealed that there may be more genes in the collective human microbiome than stars in the observable universe. Given the sheer number of microbial genes that reside within the human body, the new findings represent a major step forward in understanding the complexity of the interplay between human diseases and the human microbiome, the researchers said. “The ultimate goal of computational science is to generate hypotheses from a huge swath of data,” said Tierney. “Our work shows that this can be done and opens up so many new avenues for research and inquiry that we are only limited by the time, people, and resources needed to run those tests.” To read the original article click here.

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Anti-Inflammatory Juice Recipe

AHA Publisher — Tue, 11 May 2021 07:00:57 +0000

Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DMN, CNS – We now know that most diseases today are due to inflammation. (1) Inflammation damages your cells and arterials walls and can cause all kinds of problems, including chronic inflammatory conditions like cardiovascular diseases and arthritis. (2) By reducing inflammation, your body is better able to heal from disease. One of the top ways to decrease inflammation is to follow The Healing Foods Dietand consume plenty of anti-inflammatory foods. If you’re looking for anti-inflammatory diet recipes or anti-inflammatory juices for arthritis, this delicious drink I’m about to share with you has you covered on both fronts. This anti-inflammatory juice recipe is the perfect blend to help support your body’s natural defenses and reduce inflammation — plus, it’s absolutely delicious! Key Ingredients Some of the best natural anti-inflammatory drinks come in the form of fresh juices. Juicing for inflammation and weight loss are very popular these days, but it’s very important that you choose the right combination of foods. Anti-inflammatory fruit juice can be healthy, but a fresh juice that includes vegetables such as cucumbers and celery is even better in my book because it’s typically much lower in sugar! Pineapple is definitely one of my favorite anti-inflammatory which is why I made sure to include it in this recipe. You’ve probably heard about the benefits of pineapple and pineapple juice for inflammation thanks to its high bromelain content. (3) Ginger is another ingredient shown by scientific research to possess potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It can even help to decrease muscle pain after an intense workout. (4) Why include green apple in this juice recipe? Aside from its delicious flavor, like pineapple, it’s also a rich source of quercetin, a natural antihistamine and an anti-inflammatory. Low-sugar lemon is also added. In studies using animal models, extracts of lemon peel have been shown to decrease inflammation related to arthritis. (5) So when you’re making this juice, I highly recommend using the whole lemon, peel and all! If you’re looking to make a smoothie anti-inflammatory, you can include some of the fruits and veggies I use here. Nutrition Facts If you’re juicing for health, anti-inflammatory juice recipes like this are not to be missed! One serving of this tasty juice includes about: 114 calories 2 grams protein 0 grams fat 28 grams carbohydrates 5.5 grams fiber 16 grams sugar 112 milligrams sodium 81 micrograms vitamin K (68 percent DV) 1,512 IUs vitamin A (30 percent DV) 27 milligrams vitamin C (30 percent DV) 532 milligrams potassium (11 percent DV) 32 micrograms folate (8 percent DV) 1.3 milligrams iron (7.2 percent DV) 66 milligrams calcium (5.1 percent DV) 12.5 milligrams magnesium (3 percent DV) 0.2 milligrams zinc (1.8 percent DV) How to Make This Anti-Inflammatory Juice As long as you have a juicer on hand, this recipe, from start to finish, only takes a few minutes. Once you have all of the ingredients ready, you simply combine them all in the juicer. Then give your final product a quick stir and it’s ready to be enjoyed! Remember that fresh anti-inflammatory drinks like this one are best drank immediately. This drink is so full of beneficial nutrients and enzymes that it will feel like you’re taking an anti-inflammatory juice shot with each and every sip. Enjoy! Anti-Inflammatory Juice Recipe DESCRIPTION This drink is so full of beneficial nutrients and enzymes that it will feel like you’re taking an anti-inflammatory juice shot with each and every sip. INGREDIENTS 4 celery stalks ½ cucumber 1 cup pineapple ½ green apple 1 cup spinach 1 lemon 1 knob ginger INSTRUCTIONS Add all ingredients to vegetable juicer. Gently stir juice and consume immediately. To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Axe click here.

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Aged Garlic Banishes Arterial Plague and Stops Heart Disease, Study Claims

AHA Publisher — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 07:00:19 +0000

Lori Alton via NaturalHealth365 – According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease, affecting over 18 million Americans. CAD is a condition in which arteries leading to the heart become constricted and narrowed by cholesterol-laden plaque (atherosclerosis). A complete blockage in an artery can cause blood clot formation, leading to a potentially life-threatening heart attack or stroke. Ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and Chinese healers turned to garlic to treat a variety of ills. Now, research shows that extracts from these pungent little cloves can play a role in modern-day therapies to combat heart disease. In study after study, aged garlic extract is impressing researchers with its ability to vanquish atherosclerotic plaque. Let’s take a look at some of the evidence. Is it Possible to Reverse Heart Disease? Study Makes Bold Claim About Aged Garlic Extract Garlic, botanically known as Allium sativum, gets its therapeutic powers from its supply of allicin – an enzyme formed when garlic is chopped, crushed, or chewed. Allicin’s powers are further unleashed when it breaks down into disease-fighting organosulfur compounds known as L-cysteine sulfoxides. (In fact, cysteine is a “building block” of glutathione, the body’s most indispensable antioxidant). In a placebo-controlled study published in 2016 in the Journal of Nutrition, researchers examined the effect of garlic extracts on patients with metabolic syndrome or MS. Metabolic syndrome – a linked cluster of unhealthy conditions including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, abnormal cholesterol, and obesity – creates a sort of “perfect storm” for heart disease to develop. The remarkable results showed that garlic not only reduced cholesterol and lowered blood pressure but reduced plaque in coronary arteries. And, it excelled at dissolving a particular type of deposit known as “soft plaque.” Some experts believe that this softer, more waxy plaque is more likely to rupture – and cause a life-threatening blood clot – than the denser variety. Significantly, the researchers found the results so compelling that they used the “R” word (reverse) to describe the effects. “Aged garlic extract can help slow the progression of atherosclerosis and reverse the early stages of heart disease,” the team unequivocally stated. The scientists added that “safe, highly tolerable” aged garlic extract could be used as either a stand-alone therapy or as an adjunct to standard medical treatment. Aged Garlic Extract Offers Help for High Blood Pressure, Outperforms Prescription Drug High blood pressure, which occurs in roughly 25 percent of the adult population in developed nations, poses a particular risk to heart health. Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure makes blood vessels more prone to rupture and more prone to the accumulation of artery-clogging cholesterol. Once again, garlic can come to the rescue. In a 2019 review of studies published in Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, the authors reported that aged garlic extract had a favorable effect on blood pressure, dropping it by 7 to 16 mmHg in the systolic and 5 to 9 mmHg in the diastolic. In one study, researchers noted that garlic supplementation even outperformed atenolol, a popular pharmaceutical blood pressure medication. In addition to lowering blood pressure, garlic extract caused mild to moderate decreases in total cholesterol and reduced arterial stiffness and the “stickiness” of blood platelets – meaning the tendency of blood to form into clots. The investigators pointed out that blood pressure reduction, along with other interventions, has been shown to slash the risk of heart attack, heart failure, and stroke by a stunning 40 percent. More Good News: Garlic Influences the Ratio of Healthy to Unhealthy Fats, Supports Friendly Bacteria in the Gut When it comes to reducing risk factors for heart disease, it turns out that garlic extracts can provide valuable “pieces” of the interlocking puzzle. As researchers have learned, adipose (fat) tissue of overweight individuals acts almost like a separate organ of the body, capable of influencing rates of inflammation and driving the progression of atherosclerosis. But, not all fats are created equal. “Brown” fat is linked to a lower risk of heart disease (and doesn’t promote the development of atherosclerosis), while “white” fat is much more problematic. In a recent study published in the International Journal of Cardiology, researchers found 250 mg of aged garlic extract a day improved brown-to-white adipose tissue ratio – definitely good news for those battling obesity and heart disease. Another “plus” for garlic is that it is a prebiotic food, meaning that it provides nourishment for the community of bacteria in the gut. In this way, garlic improves the richness and diversity of the gut microbiome, which is linked with anti-obesity effects, immune system health – even mood and cognition. In one study, three months of garlic supplementation increased the number of beneficial Lactobacillus bacteria in the intestines. Get More Garlic in Your Life Garlic – whether raw, sauteed, or roasted – is such a beloved part of many cuisines that it’s hard to imagine certain dishes without it. Of course, shrimp scampi, garlic bread, pizza, and pasta are all foods enhanced by using garlic. But, healthier ways to use garlic include: hummus, mashed sweet potatoes, or “intensified” marinades and dressings. Some garlic lovers advise nibbling on mint leaves, sucking on cloves, or chewing fennel seeds after a meal to reduce objectionable garlic breath. Others swear by diluted apple cider vinegar. Or, you can bypass the problem by using aged garlic extract, an odor-free alternative. (Another advantage of aged garlic extract is that it reduces the chances of gastrointestinal upset that can accompany garlic supplementation). Natural health experts typically advise 300 mg to 1,000 mg of aged garlic extract a day but check first with your integrative doctor before supplementing. Research continues to demonstrate that aged garlic extract can benefit heart health. When you consider that garlic also boosts immune system function, reduces the risk of infection, and helps to remove heavy metals from the body, it’s clear that the humble garlic clove deserves a place of honor in your health regimen. Sources for this article include: SpandidosPublications.com CDC.gov Healthline.com NIH.gov NIH.gov To read the original article click here. For more articles from NaturalHealth365 click here.

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Elevated Blood Pressure Linked to Decreased Life Expectancy

AHA Publisher — Mon, 12 Oct 2020 07:00:01 +0000

Lori Alton via NaturalHealth365 – Doctors have long warned that high blood pressure, which affects over 100 million American adults, can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke – the leading causes of death in the United States. In fact, it sometimes seems that statistics regarding elevated blood pressure are so alarming that the mere act of reading about them may raise it! Moving on, in a recent study examining the relationship between high blood pressure and life expectancy, researchers discovered the full extent to which elevated blood pressure threatens longevity (the number of “lost” years may shock you!) But, the picture is not all gloom. Although high blood pressure (hypertension) is indeed a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and mortality, it is modifiable – meaning that much can be done to manage it and, more importantly, dramatically lower the risk. CDC BOMBSHELL: High Blood Pressure Claims Up to One Thousand Lives Per day Researchers say that excessive systolic blood pressure causes or contributes to a wide range of potentially deadly diseases, including coronary artery disease, aortic valve stenosis, cerebral vascular diseases, kidney failure and dementia. Note: The systolic (top) reading in blood pressure measurements involves the amount of pressure exerted on arterial walls by the heartbeat, while the diastolic (bottom) number measures the pressure between beats. Optimal blood pressure is typically defined as 120/80 mmHg or lower – but many integrative physicians suggest striving for even lower levels (115/75 mmHg). In fact, a 2017 study showed a 25 percent reduction in risk of cardiovascular events when systolic blood pressure was targeted below 120 mmHg. Muthiah Vaduganathan, MD, MPH, an instructor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, is blunt about the deadly effects of uncontrolled high blood pressure. “High blood pressure has been implicated as one of the reasons for stalled progress in reducing heart disease-related deaths in the United States,” notes Dr. Vaduganathan. Warning: Hypertension Can Cut Lifespan By Up to Five Years In an eye-opening study published in Hypertension, researchers found that people with blood pressure above 140/90 mmHg had a decrease in life expectancy of five years -when compared to people with optimal blood pressure. The good news is: getting blood pressure under control can lead to significant increases in life expectancy. For example, studies presented at the American Heart Association’s annual 2019 meeting suggested that a 50-year-old person with systolic pressure under 120 mmHg can expect to live almost three years longer than a 50-year-old with elevated systolic blood pressure. By age 65, the same drop prolongs life expectancy by a year. To reach their conclusions on hypertension and life expectancy, researchers used data from the Framingham Heart Study, which followed participants for over a quarter of a century. Red ALERT About Hypertension: The Sooner You Can Control It, the Better Unfortunately, blood pressure tends to rise with age, due to the wear and tear of poor lifestyle decisions. The “catch,” or complication, of blood pressure management is that older people with preexisting vascular diseases or circulatory deficits may require higher systolic pressure (above 140 mmHg) to ensure adequate circulation throughout the body. In other words, hypertension can damage arterial linings, which then require even higher pressure and – in a vicious cycle – inflict more arterial damage. For this reason, it is important to begin managing blood pressure earlier in adulthood. In fact, researchers have concluded that controlling blood pressure should begin at around age 40. Naturally, when it comes to managing (lowering) high blood pressure, it is important to work with a qualified healthcare provider, who appreciates the value of good nutrition and lifestyle changes. While a variety of anti-hypertensive medications exist, many of these can cause side effects – such as fatigue, weakness, difficulty breathing and even increased cancer risk. On the other hand, natural remedies can help you lower your blood pressure, thereby reducing the need for toxic medications. Just keep in mind, you should never eliminate or reduce prescribed medications without first talking to your doctor. It’s Time to Take Action: Manage Your Blood Pressure Naturally with Nutrients and Supplements The essential mineral magnesium, which regulates blood pressure by helping blood vessel relax, is of vital importance in preventing hypertension. The National Institutes of Health recommends 420 mg a day for men 50 and over, while women in that age group should get 320 mg a day. Good dietary sources include dark leafy greens, wild-caught salmon, pumpkin seeds, Brazil nuts and almonds. Fish oil, which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as EPA and DHA, promotes the relaxation of arteries and reduces arterial inflammation. Integrative healthcare providers typically recommend between 1,000 mg and 2,000 mg of high-quality fish oil a day. In addition, many natural healers advise garlic to lower blood pressure. And, there is a sound scientific rationale behind this advice. Garlic contains allicin, which increases the body’s production of beneficial nitric oxide. This, in turn, promotes dilation of blood vessels. For maximum benefit, garlic may be taken with lemon juice. One clinical study demonstrated that 20 grams of garlic and a tablespoon of lemon juice a day lowered blood pressure and significantly cut total cholesterol. Other supplements that may help lower blood pressure include olive leaf extract, basil, cinnamon, green tea, beet juice and celery seed. Simple Lifestyle Changes Can Lower Blood Pressure Stopping smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, getting regular exercise and eating a healthy, organic diet can all help to lower elevated blood pressure. Avoiding refined sugars, artificial sweeteners, excessive caffeine and processed foods is also a wise move. And, don’t overlook the potential of natural stress reduction techniques, such as guided meditation, controlled breathing and yoga. You may even want to consider regular sauna bathing – which has been shown to reduce blood pressure, while slashing stroke risk by 50 percent. For years, natural health experts have been advising optimizing blood pressure to prolong life. Now, it sounds like mainstream medical experts and institutions are beginning to get on board, as well. One thing is certain: our years are precious – and maintaining healthy blood pressure can certainly help to protect them. Sources for this article include: LifeExtension.com, NIH.gov, NaturalHealth365 To read the original article click here. For more articles from NaturalHealth365 click here.

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