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A “Game-Changer” For Your Heart

The AHA! Team — Wed, 21 May 2025 05:30:38 +0000

Al Sears, MD, CNS – Heart disease continues to be the biggest killer in America for one simple reason: The health advice we’re told to follow is just plain wrong. Giving up meat and fat, jogging, and taking a handful of medications will not cure your heart disease. But there is a cutting-edge, FDA-approved natural therapy that I call a game-changer for your heart… I’m talking about enhanced external counter pulsation, or EECP. Most cardiologists continue to ignore this treatment because it doesn’t fit the traditional image of what they do. They consider heart disease a “plumbing” problem. And the solution is to simply fix the blockages. But if that were true, why do heart attacks happen after these blockages have been cleared or bypassed? The real causes of heart disease are damaged blood vessels that inhibit blood flow and inflammation. That’s where this life-saving therapy comes in. Multiple studies reveal that EECP is the safest and most effective reliever of angina chest pain available. It has been shown to have huge benefits for patients with coronary artery disease and heart failure. It increases blood flow to the heart, strengthens circulation, and provides a proven way to treat heart disease with fewer drugs and without bypass surgeries, angioplasty procedures, or stents. And in many cases, it works better than the Big Pharma meds and risky, expensive surgeries that cardiologists continue to push. Although EECP was invented in the U.S. in the 1950s, it was left undeveloped as cardiology went down the more lucrative path of drugs and invasive surgeries. Instead, doctors overseas took up the challenge. They spent 20 years developing counter pulsation as a non-surgical way to treat coronary heart disease, by getting the timing of these devices just right. Counter pulsation means pumping blood during the heart’s rest phase. When the heart is at rest, the cuffs inflate. When the heart pumps, the cuffs deflate. The cuffs compress the blood vessels in your lower limbs and push blood toward the heart. Each wave of increased blood flow is timed to arrive at your heart the moment the organ relaxes. When your heart pumps again, pressure is released. This essentially acts as a passive form of vigorous exercise, boosting blood flow, and pushing oxygen-rich blood throughout your body more strongly than normal. More than 100 studies along with multiple clinical trials prove the effectiveness of EECP. In one large study, researchers followed more than 5,000 patients worldwide. They discovered that 83% of patients had vastly improved blood flow after EECP and 73% reported a significant reduction in the severity of angina symptoms.1 Yet in America, almost all coronary artery disease patients are prescribed Big Pharma meds instead. Regrow Brand-New Blood Vessels Perhaps the most remarkable benefit of EECP is its ability to strengthen and repair damaged blood vessels and regrow new ones, creating new pathways in and around the heart – without any surgical grafting. That is why EECP is hailed as a “natural bypass.”2 Blocked Coronary Arteries You see, when coronary arteries become blocked with plaque, obstructing blood flow, it causes chest pain and possibly a heart attack. Some people can naturally form new blood vessels that serve to bypass these obstructions. Unfortunately, not everyone can. And despite the conventional opinion that nothing can be done, EECP has worked wonders for these patients. Study involving 1,400 patients In a study involving 1,400 patients with refractory angina, 75% had half as many angina attacks after EECP. And in a three-year follow-up, 16% had no angina at all.3 Other studies show that EECP triggers the production of an important hormone called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). This allows blood to bypass the blocked arteries by creating new ones.4 The effects of EECP last about five years.5 If you are interested in trying EECP to increase blood flow and protect your heart, please call the Sears Institute for Anti-Aging Medicine at 561-784-7852. 2 More Ways To Protect Your Arteries EECP is a miracle cure for unclogging arteries. But if you can’t get to my clinic, there are nutrients you can supplement with at home. Here are a couple to try today: 1. Use the B vitamin that’s proven to protect your heart. You probably know vitamin B9 better than folate or folic acid. Folate is the nutrient found in food, while folic acid is the supplement form.Folic acid lowers levels of toxic substances that irritate the heart’s lining. This relaxes your blood vessels and keeps them flexible. Fewer irritations equate to normalized pulse pressure and a reduction in stroke and heart attack. Simply put… When folate is high your risk of heart attack drops by up to 50%.6 Natural sources of folate are dark green vegetables as well as beef, lamb, chicken liver, and eggs. But your body only absorbs half the folate you get from food. I recommend supplementing with 800 mcg a day. 2. Try heart-saving vitamin K2. Vitamin K2 scrubs your arteries clear of the plaque that clogs blood vessels. In a landmark, Dutch trial researchers followed 4,800 people. Results revealed that high levels of vitamin K2 lowered the risk of coronary artery disease by 57%. It lowered calcium buildup in the arteries by 52%. And it slashed the risk of death from any cause by 26%.7 You can get vitamin K2 directly from foods. Our ancestors got plenty from eating organ meats like liver. Other rich sources are meat, full-fat milk, cottage cheese, butter, and cheese. But these foods MUST come from grass-fed animals.You can also supplement. Look for vitamin K2 in the form of “menaquinone-7.” It’s much more bioactive than other forms. Take 45 to 90 mcg a day with a meal to improve absorption. To Your Good Health, Al Sears, MD, CNS References: Soran O. “Two-year clinical outcomes after Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP) therapy in patients with refractory angina pectoris and left ventricular dysfunction (Report from the International EECP Patient Registry). Am J Cardiol. 2006;97(1):17–20. Kiefer D. “Doctors ignore proven alternative to coronary stents and bypass surgery.” Life Extension. Loh PH, et al. “Enhanced external counterpulsation in the treatment of chronic refractory angina: a long-term follow-up outcome from the International Enhanced External Counterpulsation Patient Registry.” Clin Cardiol. 01 Apr 2008, 31(4):159-164 Sharma U, et al. “The role of enhanced external counter pulsation therapy in clinical practice.” Clin Med Res. 2013 Dec;11(4):226-32. Fitzgerald CP, et al. “Enhanced external counterpulsation as initial revascularization treatment for angina refractory to medical therapy.” Cardiology. 2003;100(3):129-35. Pan Y and Jackson R. “Dietary phylloquinone intakes and metabolic syn¬drome in US young adults.” J Am Coll Nutr. 2009;28(4):369-379. Geleijnse JM., et al. “Dietary Intake of Menaquinone Is Associated with a Reduced Risk of Coronary Heart Disease: The Rotterdam Study.” J Nutr. 2004. To read the original article click here.

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10 Shocking Facts About Cholesterol You Don’t Know

The AHA! Team — Mon, 27 May 2024 08:05:28 +0000

Dr. Don Colbert – Do you really know what you need to know about cholesterol? Do you know the truth about how diet does and does not affect it? How about how body weight affects it? Do you really know what you need to know about cholesterol? Surprisingly, even though cholesterol has been discussed for many decades, the facts about cholesterol are still lost on most. Why? Misinformation abounds. New studies shed new light on the subject. As our population has become increasingly overweight, people’s bodies (all the way down to their cells) change in how they synthesize and deal with cholesterol. To know the facts about cholesterol, you really have to dig in. It’s simple and yet complex in some ways. If you’re ready for the complete low-down on cholesterol, listen to the Divine Health Podcast! Dr. Colbert and Mary Colbert will take you on an in-depth journey to know all you need to know about cholesterol and how to obtain your best heart health! Check out all 3 cholesterol episodes here: Divine Health with Dr. Don Colbert Podcast. And for now, here are 10 shocking facts about cholesterol you probably don’t know. 10 Shocking Facts About Cholesterol You Don’t Know A heart healthy diet is imperative for overall heart health. But when it comes to cholesterol itself in the bloodstream, most is made by the body, not consumed in the diet. In fact, only about 20% of the cholesterol in your body comes from your diet. The rest is synthesized in your liver and intestines (1). How does diet play a role? Many ways! First, your diet affects how much, and what types of cholesterol are synthesized. In fact, the types of fats you eat play a bigger role than the cholesterol you eat. Next, eating a diet high in antioxidants is paramount, since antioxidants reduce the amount of oxidized cholesterol (which forms plaques) in the arteries. Vegetable oils do not contain cholesterol, however, many are still inflammatory and detrimental to heart health. Oils derived from vegetables and grains, including avocado oil, olive oil, corn oil, and others have zero milligrams of cholesterol. Foods derived from plants do not contain cholesterol because cholesterol is synthesized in an animal’s liver. However, vegetable oils with high omega-6 content increase inflammatory pathways in our bodies because they negatively affect our ratio of omega-3s to omega-6s. This means they fight against the anti-inflammatory omega-6s in our bodies. The most commonly used high-omega-6 oil in processed foods is soybean oil. Consuming this oil negatively affects metabolic health, cardiovascular health, and inflammation in the body (2, 3, 4). Avoid: Safflower oil (10.1 gm Omega-6 per tablespoon), grapeseed oil (9.5 gm), vegetable Oil (7.9 gm), wheat germ oil (7.5 gm), corn oil (7.3 gm), walnut oil (7.3 gm), cottonseed oil (7.0 gm), soybean (7.0 gm), sunflower Oil (5.4 gm), canola Oil (3.0 gm). Include: Extra-virgin olive oil (1.3 gm), avocado oil (1.8 gm) and occasionally organic coconut oil (0.4 gm), high-oleic sunflower (0.5), and high-oleic safflower oils (2.0). To learn more about this ratio and the dangers of a high omega-6 diet, click here. Weight Loss, Diet, and Exercise are your best options to ALTER unhealthy cholesterol numbers. While your absolute cholesterol number is highly influenced by your familial history, age, sex, and ethnicity (5), CHANGES in total cholesterol are primarily achieved by weight loss (if overweight), diet, and exercise (6, 7). Your Body Needs Cholesterol for Crucial Tasks Such as Synthesizing Vitamin D. Cholesterol is a waxy, whitish-yellow fat. Cholesterol 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. Cholesterol can be found in every cell in the body. What’s more, cholesterol is important for the formation of myelin sheath, the protective membrane around the nerves, especially in early years of life. Healthy cholesterol has its place in human health. Cholesterol does NOT dissolve in the blood to make it thick. 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. Not all LDL cholesterol (aka bad cholesterol) creates plaques in arteries. 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 (8). Triglyceride numbers and cholesterol numbers should be looked at together when assessing cardiovascular risk. 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) (9, 10). People who suffer heart attacks don’t always have high cholesterol. Conversely, those with high cholesterol don’t always suffer heart attacks. While 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 (11). 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 Subset B cholesterol numbers. It is not the primary risk factor. Inflammation is a primary factor in cardiovascular risk. 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 (12). Statins may be useful in some, but they are not completely safe and effective. While statins may be right for some patients, no medication is completely safe, and no medication is completely effective. While 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 (13). 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. Ready to Do All You Can to Support Healthy Cholesterol Numbers and Heart Health? Dr. Colbert has devised an amazing guide to help you obtain a healthy weight, healthy cholesterol, and overall great health for life: Beyond Keto. When you follow this plan that marries the best of the Mediterranean Diet with the best of Keto Zone, you can optimize your health efficiently and effectively. Try Beyond Keto and get started today. Then, listen to the podcast and learn even more facts about cholesterol! Bottom Line After decades of confusing information, new studies, changes in lifestyles and societal health, and more, it’s important to learn the facts about cholesterol. Learn all you can. Listen to Dr. Colbert’s Podcast, it’s a wealth of free information to keep you up to date on what you can do to support your heart health and cholesterol numbers, every day. To read the original article click here.

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Women’s Heart Attacks Are Often Missed. This Gene May Help Explain Why.

AHA Publisher — Mon, 27 Jun 2022 07:00:43 +0000

University of Florida via Newswise – When diagnostic tests for the heart were first created, scientists at the time did not fully consider that no two bodies are the same, especially between the sexes. According to University of Florida College of Nursing associate professor Jennifer Dungan, many of the current symptom profiles and lab tests for heart disease do not accurately reflect known differences in women’s heart disease. This oversight has led to increased gaps in health care equity. “Because of this disparity, women are more likely than men to report heart disease symptoms that appear out of the norm, experience delayed treatment for heart disease and even have undiagnosed heart attacks,” Dungan said. “For reasons that remain uncertain, women can experience heart disease differently than men. This can lead to inequities for women that need to be addressed.” Dungan said cardiac researchers believe that some of these differences in symptoms and outcomes may be due to genetic variation between men and women. She has identified a specific gene she believes may be responsible, named RAP1GAP2. “RAP1GAP2 is a strong candidate for sex-linked effects on women’s heart disease outcomes,” Dungan said. “Certain DNA markers in this gene are thought to manage the activity of platelets, colorless blood cells that help our blood clot. This also presents a heart attack risk. An overactive gene could cause too many platelets to respond to the clot, which could block the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart muscle and lead to a heart attack.” Since RAP1GAP2 was not linked to poor heart outcomes among men in her team’s study, she believes this gene may work differently in women. Her team included faculty from UF’s colleges of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Public Health and Health Professions. Their findings were recently published in American Heart Journal Plus. Even less is known about such differences among races and ethnicities. Black women and some Hispanic women are at an even greater risk of poor heart disease outcomes, due to many factors that Dungan believes may include genetics. Unfortunately, the traditional ways that racial and ethnic groups are studied tends to produce results that are not relevant, Dungan said. “The goal is not to find biological differences between groups of people. Our goal instead is to find the gene markers most accurately linked to heart disease for all women,” she said. “And to do that, we need to consider genetic variation within women, too.” To discover how the gene may impact cardiac disease risks among women of different backgrounds, Dungan’s newest project, supported by a two-year grant from the National Institute on Aging, a division of the National Institutes of Health, aims to find the specific RAP1GAP2 gene markers that most strongly correlate with disease symptoms, heart attacks and death in women from different racial and ethnic groups. Using health data from 17,000 postmenopausal women, Dungan and her team will use statistical genetics methods to analyze if there is a link between certain DNA markers on RAP1GAP2 and heart disease. Her team will also use genetic ancestry markers rather than arbitrary racial categories to account for natural diversity in our genetic code. According to Dungan, this will assure that her team finds gene markers that reflect all women’s heart disease risk, not just for certain groups. “At the end of the study, if RAP1GAP2 gene markers accurately reflect women’s heart symptoms and predict their likelihood of a future heart attack, stroke or death, then those gene markers could help us be more confident in their diagnosis and future prognosis,” she said. “Having more accurate biomarkers for women would save lives and improve health equity for all women.” To read the original article click here.

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WARNING: Aspirin and Ibuprofen Proven to Cause Heart Attacks

AHA Publisher — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 07:00:36 +0000

Karen Sanders via NaturalHealth365 – A groundbreaking study presented at the Annual Congress of the European League Against Rheumatism provided compelling data proving that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin and ibuprofen can cause heart attacks. At the conference, Dr. Carl Orr from the Department of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons, stated: The side effect profile and safety of NSAIDs have been commonly reported, but little is known about treatment duration and its implications for cardiovascular risk. This data demonstrates an immediate increase in the risk of death and MI [heart attack], challenging the safety of even short-term use. The introduction of physician guidelines to assist safe prescribing of this class of drug is vital and the only way to keep patient safety at the forefront of disease management. Shocking Statistics from Dr. Orr’s Study Software was used to analyze 10,000 patients registered with a large primary care facility who fit the following profile: • Over 50 years old • Had been prescribed NSAIDs in the past • Was previously diagnosed with ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and/or hypertension Computer-generated data discovered that in late 2012, 108 patients were prescribed NSAIDs over a two-month period, and 36 percent had established ischemic heart disease or risk factors for cardiovascular disease. It’s also interesting to note that the average treatment prescribed was 265 days; 56 percent were prescribed NSAIDs for longer than one month, and 15 percent for a year or longer. In addition, in 55 percent of cases, diclofenac was the NSAID prescribed. This last point has caused much concern due to diclofenac’s well-known side effects, including heart attacks, strokes, and internal bleeding. Disheartened, Dr. Orr subsequently concluded, “We find it disconcerting that diclofenac was prescribed in 55 percent of cases and suggest that recommendations to switch to safer alternatives are a critical component of any physician guidelines.” Research Is Mounting Against NSAID Use Dr. Orr’s study is not sitting alone on some obscure island. Scores of studies have been and are being published correlating significant health risks to common pain killers. Back in 2013, for example, the world-renown journal Lancetpublished the results of the famous Coxib and traditional NSAID Trialists’ (CNT) Collaboration – a study in which data was employed from more than 350,000 randomized patients. From their research, the authors confidently concluded: • Heart failure risk was roughly doubled by all NSAIDs • All NSAID regimens increased upper gastrointestinal complications • Major vascular events were increased by about a third by a coxib [Cox-2 inhibitor], chiefly due to an increase in major coronary events • Ibuprofen also significantly increased major coronary events, but not major vascular events. Ironically, NSAIDs have been heralded by the medical community for their ability to prevent heart attacks and strokes because they supposedly help prevent blood clots from forming in the bloodstream. In fact, while waiting for the emergency response team to arrive, it is common practice for physicians to provide patients with aspirin if they are suspected of having a heart attack in their office. Let’s Not Forget the Biggest Issue With taking NSAIDs NSAIDs are the most prescribed medications in the world and are among the most common pain relievers globally. It is believed that up to 30 million people take NSAIDs every day. Used to reduce arthritis complaints, fever, and swelling, NSAIDs are Cox-1 and Cox-2 enzyme inhibitors. By blocking these enzymes, the prostaglandin cascade is inhibited, and the body’s natural inflammatory response is prohibited, thus keeping pain, swelling, and fevers at bay but not addressing the root cause of the disease process. Prescription NSAIDs include: • Daypro • Indocin • Lodine • Naprosyn • Relafen • Vimovo • Voltaren Over-the-counter NSAIDs include: • Aspirin (Bufferin, Bayer, and Excedrin) • Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin) • Ketoprofen (Actron, Orudis) • Naproxen (Aleve) There Are Safer Alternatives to NSAIDs A plethora of safe, natural alternatives exists, so you don’t need to feel pressured to use NSAIDs. Instead, contact your local natural health provider today to see what works for you. And, don’t overlook the power of natural foods to reduce inflammation – like eating plenty of organic fruits and veggies – loaded with antioxidants like vitamin C. Sources for this article include: NIH.gov ScienceDaily.com TheLancet.com Drugs.com To read the original article click here.

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UVA Scientists Identify a Potential Way to Prevent Heart Attacks and Strokes

AHA Publisher — Fri, 02 Apr 2021 07:00:00 +0000

UVA Health via News-Medical Net – Scientists at the University of Virginia School of Medicine have identified a potential way to head off heart attacks and strokes by strengthening the fibrous caps overlying atherosclerotic plaques that naturally accumulate inside our arteries. These fatty lesions can rupture, triggering blood clots that cause disability or death. New research from the lab of UVA’s Gary K. Owens, PhD, reveals surprising new information about the makeup of the protective caps our bodies build over these lesions, and about the factors that determine their stability. The study supports recent findings that certain types of inflammation might actually help stabilize plaques. Doctors may one day be able to use these insights to strengthen the caps and prevent the plaques from rupturing. “These studies redefine our understanding of both how the caps form and what makes them strong. These studies were completed by a large team of highly talented investigators from UVA and abroad but led by three outstanding trainees from my laboratory, including co-first authors Alexandra Newman [PhD], Vlad Serbulea [PhD] and Richard Baylis [MD/PhD].” (Gary K. Owens, PhD, Head of UVA’s Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, and Member of UVA’s Departments of Molecular Physiology, Biological Physics, Internal Medicine – Division of Cardiology) Understanding Atherosclerotic Plaques Unstable atherosclerotic plaques account for the majority of heart attacks and a large fraction of strokes, making these lesions the leading cause of death worldwide. The protective caps our bodies create over these lesions act like a patch on a tire, preventing them from rupturing and triggering catastrophic blood clot formation, which, in blood vessels supplying the heart or brain, can cause a heart attack or stroke. Therefore, improving our understanding of how the cap forms is of major clinical importance. “Despite decades of research, little is known regarding the factors and mechanisms that promote formation and maintenance of a stable fibrous cap,” the UVA researchers write in a new scientific paper outlining their findings. This work from Owens and his team helps change that, offering unexpected insights into the caps’ composition and origins. Scientists have thought that the caps were derived almost exclusively from smooth muscle cells, but Owens’ findings reveal that there is a “tapestry” of different cell types involved. “For years we assumed that most of the protective fibrous cap cells were of smooth muscle cell origin because that’s what they look like under the microscope,” Newman said, adding, “Advanced techniques show us how dynamic this structure really is.” Baylis noted that “having multiple cell types contribute to the fibrous cap likely make this critically important structure more robust and resistant to plaque rupture.” Up to 40% of the fibrous cells in the cap in lab mice come from sources other than smooth muscle cells, the researchers found. In advanced human lesions, approximately 20%-25% of the fibrous cap cells came from other sources. Those other sources include endothelial cells – cells that line our blood vessels – and immune cells called macrophages, typically viewed as being pro-inflammatory and plaque de-stabilizing, that have undergone special transitions that enable them to perform plaque-stabilizing functions. The researchers went on to provide evidence that the formation of the fibrous cap is dependent on metabolic re-programming of these cells to perform processes that are essential to plaque stabilization. The findings suggest that clinicians may one day be able to treat the underlying causes of heart attacks and strokes by enhancing these transitions through novel drug therapies and dietary modifications to help ensure patients have stable caps. “Our studies unveil a potential new approach for reducing the probability of plaque rupture, which could be used in conjunction with current therapies that focus on lowering cholesterol and preventing clot formation.” (Gary K. Owens, PhD) “This paradigm-shifting study presents evidence for beneficial roles of other cell types and mechanisms driving plaque stabilization,” Serbulea explained. He added that in conjunction with previous studies from the lab, these findings provide evidence that “inflammation, often the scapegoat for heart disease, seems to reprogram endothelial cells and macrophages to help stabilize plaques.” Taking the new results in consideration with recent clinical trials such as CANTOS, TINSAL-CVD and CIRT that have shown little to no benefit of global anti-inflammatory therapies, the UVA team is urging researchers and pharmaceutical companies to rethink their approaches to preventing heart attacks and strokes. Findings Published The researchers have published their findings in the scientific journal Nature Metabolism. The research team consisted of Newman, Serbulea, Baylis, Laura S. Shankman, Xenia Bradley, Gabriel F. Alencar, Katherine Owsiany, Rebecca A. Deaton, Santosh Karnewar, Sohel Shamsuzzaman, Anita Salamon, Mahima S. Reddy, Liang Guo, Aloke Finn, Renu Virmani, Olga A. Cherepanova and Owens. Finn disclosed an interest with the Amgen biotechnology company. The work was supported by National Institutes of Health grants R01 HL132904, R01 HL136314 and R01 HL141425; a Leducq Fondation Transatlantic Network Grant; Basic and Translational Cardiovascular Training Grants 5 T32 HL 007284-41, 5 T32 HL007284- 43 and 5 T32 HL 007284-40; NIH Fellowship F30 HL 136188-04; a Small Research and Travel Grant; an Ingrassia Family Echols Scholars Research Grant; and a Harrison Undergraduate Research Award. To read the original article click here.

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Herbal RELIEF: Lower Blood Pressure with These 3 Ancient Remedies, Science Confirms

AHA Publisher — Tue, 15 Dec 2020 08:00:15 +0000

Lori Alton via NaturalHealth365 – High blood pressure, a major trigger for heart attacks, heart failure and stroke, affects a stunning 45 percent of the adult population in the United States. Unfortunately, high blood pressure medications such as beta blockers and ACE inhibitors come with a long list of possible side effects, including dizziness, fatigue and weight gain. In fact, some have even been linked with an elevated risk of stomach, pancreatic and liver cancer. Many people turn to botanical remedies – such as fennel seeds, lavender oil and German chamomile – to help lower blood pressure. In a published scientific study, researchers examined the molecular “nuts and bolts” behind the blood pressure-lowering properties of these herbs – with impressive results. Let’s take a closer look at the surprising findings. Study Confirms Effects of Traditional Herbal High Blood Pressure Remedies – With a New Twist Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure is considered present when readings rise above 130 mm/hG in the top measurement and 80 in the bottom. By the way, the condition has been with humanity a very long time. In fact, records show that high blood pressure – which used to be known as “hard pulse disease” – was being diagnosed and treated as early as 2600 BC! A variety of herbs used in folk medicine, Ayurvedic healing systems and traditional Chinese medicine have been shown in both human and animal studies to lower blood pressure. Recently, a team of scientists at University of California, Irvine, set out to evaluate some of them. In a study newly published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the researchers found that certain herbs can activate a specific potassium channel in blood vessels. This channel, known as KCNQ5, has the effect of relaxing the blood vessels, thereby lowering blood pressure. In addition, the team was able to identify an alkaloid, aloperine, as the active artery-relaxing molecule. The team also examined the channel-activating ability of other herbs – such as spearmint, tarragon and wheatgrass – with no known effects on blood pressure. Sure enough, they found that these had no effect on the potassium channel. Yet, the traditional hypotensive herbs, which are used across a spectrum of diverse cultures and geographic areas, all shared the identical ability to open the KCNQ5 channel – a finding that the scientists called “striking.” They praised lavender, fennel seed extract and German chamomile as particularly effective in opening the channel. According to study leader Geoff Abbott, Ph.D., a professor of physiology and biophysics in the School of Medicine at University of California, Irvine, the findings of the study could enable the potential development of new therapeutic drugs. Fennel Seeds: Potent Powers in a Tiny Package Used in recipes for their piquant, licorice-like flavor, fennel seeds (Foeniculum vulgare) are also valued in Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine as a remedy for coughs, digestive problems and liver disease. Strongly anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and antioxidant, fennel seeds are currently being investigated for their potential anticancer effects. In addition to displaying the potassium channel-activating powers investigated in the study, fennel seeds are rich in the minerals potassium, calcium and magnesium – which naturally regulate blood pressure. They also contain dietary nitrates, which also lower blood pressure and protect the heart – as well as the beneficial flavonoids quercetin, rosmarinic acid, apigenin and anethole. Natural healers typically advise amounts of 400 mg of fennel seed extract a day. However, consult your own integrative doctor before adding fennel seeds or fennel extracts to your health routine. Lavender: More Than Just a Pretty Scent This purple-flowered, fragrant member of the mint family is a trusted herbal remedy for anxiety, which can cause sudden spikes in blood pressure. Science confirms lavender’s calming effects, with solid studies backing lavender essential oil’s anxiety-reducing and mood-lifting properties. Incidentally, the new study was not the first to investigate lavender’s blood pressure-lowering effects. A study published in the Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research showed that lavender essential oil lowered blood pressure and heart rate in patients who had undergone open-heart surgery. To use lavender essential oil, dilute 3 drops in 9 drops of olive or coconut oil and apply to the back of the neck. You can also inhale the fragrance of lavender oil through an aromatherapy diffuser. However, lavender essential oil is not to be taken internally. Lavender, which is botanically known as Lavandula angustifolia, is also available in capsule form. Natural healers typically advise amounts of 80 milligrams a day. Again, naturally, it’s best to check with your integrative physician before supplementing with lavender. German Chamomile: Time-Honored, Calming Remedy Supported by Science German chamomile, scientifically known as Matricaria chamomilla, has long been used by natural healers to treat a variety of ills, including indigestion, nausea, and skin rashes. The active principle in this time-honored herb is a powerful antioxidant known as chamazulene. Like fennel, German chamomile also contains the flavonoids apigenin and quercetin. Research has shown that German chamomile has mild sedative effects. This means that – like lavender – it can help to ease the anxiety that can cause sudden spikes in blood pressure. German chamomile is available in capsules and may also be brewed into a tea. You can also use chamomile essential oil, either through an aromatherapy diffuser or applied to the skin after dilution with a carrier oil. And, like many essential oils, chamomile oil should not be taken orally. One important note: don’t use chamomile in any form, if you are allergic to any members of the aster family – which includes ragweed and chrysanthemums. Typical chamomile amounts can range from 300 mg to 1,000 mg a day. And, you guessed it: before trying chamomile … get the “thumbs-up” from your own doctor. Of course, it’s always good to say the obvious: never eliminate or reduce prescribed blood pressure medications unless advised to do so by your own healthcare provider. Other steps you can take to manage blood pressure naturally include getting sufficient physical exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a nutritious (organic) diet, and avoiding processed (denatured) salt. As the latest study shows, these three trusted herbal remedies all activate sophisticated molecular mechanisms to help lower blood pressure – and science continues to confirm ancient wisdom. Sources for this article include: ScienceDaily.com, MedicalNewsToday.com, Healthline.com, EverydayHealth.com, Healthline.com, CDC.gov To read the original article click here. For more articles from NaturalHealth365 click here.

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Foods High in Vitamin D May Have Heart-Protective Effects

AHA Publisher — Fri, 10 Apr 2020 07:00:31 +0000

Wiley via News-Medical Net – Consuming foods high in vitamin D may have heart-protective effects, according to new research published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics. The study was conducted during 2001-2012 and included 1,514 men and 1,528 women from the greater Athens area, in Greece. In the lowest, middle, and highest categories of vitamin D intake, cardiovascular events (such as heart attacks and strokes) occurred in 24%, 17%, and 12% of men and 14%, 10%, and 11% of women. In contrast with vitamin D supplementation trials that have shown modest to neutral beneficial effects on heart health, this study revealed that increased vitamin D intake from food sources may protect against heart-related problems, especially in men. To read the original article click here.

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Changing What Heart Cells Eat Could Help Them Regenerate

AHA Publisher — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 08:00:14 +0000

UT Southwestern Medical Center via EurekAlert – New study suggests that encouraging cardiomyocytes to consume glucose instead of fatty acids could help treat heart failure. DALLAS – Feb. 20, 2020 – Switching what the powerhouses of heart cells consume for energy could help the heart regenerate when cells die, a new study led by UT Southwestern researchers suggests. The finding, published in the Feb. 20, 2020, Nature Metabolism, could open whole new avenues for treating a variety of conditions in which heart muscle becomes damaged, including heart failure caused by viruses, toxins, high blood pressure, or heart attacks. Current pharmaceutical treatments for heart failure – including ACE inhibitors and beta blockers – center on trying to stop a vicious cycle of heart muscle loss as strain further damages remaining heart muscle, causing more cells to die, explains UT Southwestern physician-researcher Hesham A. Sadek, M.D., Ph.D., the J. Fred Schoellkopf, Jr. Chair in Cardiology. There are no existing treatments for rebuilding heart muscle. Nine years ago, Sadek and his colleagues discovered that mammalian hearts can regenerate if they’re damaged in the first few days of life, spurred by the division of cardiomyocytes, the cells responsible for a heart’s contractile force. However, this capacity is completely lost by 7 days old, an abrupt turning point in which division of these cells dramatically slows. Subsequent research has shown that this change in regenerative capacity appears to stem, at least in part, from damaging free radicals generated by organelles known as mitochondria, which power cells. These free radicals damage cells’ DNA, a phenomenon called DNA damage, which prompts them to stop dividing. The shift in free radical production appears to be spurred by a change in what mitochondria in the cardiomyocytes consume for energy, Sadek explains. Although mitochondria rely on glucose in utero and at birth, they switch to fatty acids in the days after birth to utilize these energy-dense molecules in breast milk. Sadek and his colleagues wondered whether forcing mitochondria to continue to consume glucose might stymie DNA damage and, in turn, extend the window for heart cell regeneration. To test this idea, the researchers tried two different experiments. In the first, they followed mouse pups whose mothers were genetically altered to produce low-fat breastmilk and that fed on low-fat chow after they weaned. The researchers found that these rodents’ hearts maintained regenerative capacity weeks later than normal, with their cardiomyocytes continuing to express genes associated with cell division for a significantly longer window than those fed a diet of regular breastmilk and chow. However, this effect didn’t last into adulthood – their livers eventually made up the deficit by synthesizing the fats that their diets were missing, which significantly reduced their hearts’ regenerative capacity. In the second experiment, the researchers created genetically altered animals in which the researchers could delete an enzyme, known as pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4), necessary for the heart cells’ mitochondria to digest fatty acids. When the researchers delivered a drug to turn off PDK4 production, the animals’ cardiomyocytes switched to consuming glucose instead of fatty acids, even in adulthood. After researchers simulated a heart attack, these animals experienced improvement in heart function, which was accompanied by markers in gene expression that suggested their cardiomyocytes were still actively dividing. Sadek notes that these findings provide proof of principle that it’s possible to reopen the window for heart cell regeneration by manipulating what cardiomyocyte mitochondria consume for energy. “Eventually,” he says, “it may be possible to develop drugs that change what cardiomyocytes eat to make them divide again, reversing heart failure and representing a true cure.” To read the original article click here.

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Nanoparticle Chomps Away Plaques that Cause Heart Attacks

AHA Publisher — Mon, 03 Feb 2020 08:00:26 +0000

Michigan State University via Science Daily – Scientists have invented a nanoparticle that eats away — from the inside out — portions of plaques that cause heart attacks. To read the original article click here.

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