Cholesterol, Heart Disease and Supplements

[Guest guest]

Someone recently asked for more recent information on heart disease and

cholesterol levels, especially since some cholesterol-lowering drugs

(statins) recently have caused several dozen deaths. Here is a website with

some useful information in this regard:

<http://www.y2khealthanddetox.com/truthchol.html>

In addition, I have appended information on other " natural " ways of dealing

with different types of cardiac disorder, based largely on what I have used

or am using to deal with my own health after a near fatal infarct and

quadruple bypass surgery about 4 years ago. I responded very adversely to

beta blockers, so, in conjunction with my cardiologists, I weaned off these

drugs and settled for the use of several supplements such as hawthorne berry

and others listed later. I also took a short course of the antibiotic,

azithromycin, just in case reports are accurate that cardiac disease has a

lot to do with inflammation associated with bacterial infection of the

cardiovascular system.

I regarded the small, though very real risk posed by (very costly) statins to

be unacceptable in my life, so that I have managed to effectively use many

of the supplements below to control any increased levels of cholesterol

(see our archives for more information on the statins).

So far, medical tests seem to show that I am in excellent health and my

lifting performance and work capacity seems to corroborate this - not that

this really means all that much, because, as I found out when I suffered my

heart attack, it is not unusual to have a clean bill of health and compete in

top level sport one day and to suffer a massive coronary the next day. What

is of supreme importance is one's quality of mental and physical health and

vigour right now, not one's hoped-for health in one's old age. Note, however,

that cardiac disease is not something to be trifled with and that whatever you

do should be done in consultation with suitable medical specialists. What suits

me might not necessarily suit anyone else.

Here are a few extracts from the article which I mentioned earlier:

HOMOCYSTEINE

Researchers conclude that homocysteine is up to 40 times more predictive than

cholesterol in assessing cardiovascular disease risk.

Cardiovascular disease causes 44% of all deaths in the United States.

Alzheimer's dementia affects 4 million Americans now, and is expected to

increase sharply as the population ages. Both cardiovascular and Alzheimer's

disease have now been linked to the accumulation of a toxic amino acid called

homocysteine. (See my article on Alzheimer's Disease for more details.)

Vitamin supplement users have assumed they are being protected against

homocysteine elevations. Unfortunately, this is just not true. There is a

very specific groups of nutrients needed to work together, which you will see

as I proceed with this article.

Homocysteine is formed by the body as a naturally synthesized byproduct of

methionine (a very important amino acid in your body) metabolism. Like

cholesterol, homocysteine performs a necessary function in the body, after

which, if the right cofactors are present, it will eventually convert to

cysteine (and this is one of the amino acids needed to produce glutathione,

which is very critical in your detoxifications pathways.) and other

beneficial compounds such as ATP, (the energy molecule of the body) and

S-adenosylmethionine (SAM). When left intact, it enters the bloodstream and

begins attacking blood vessel walls, laying the foundation for heart disease,

stroke and other cardiovascular diseases.

The clear message from new scientific findings is that there is no safe

" normal range " for homocysteine. While commercial laboratories state that

normal homocysteine can range from 5 to 15 micromoles per liter of blood,

epidemiological data reveal that homocysteine levels above 6.3 cause a steep,

progressive risk of heart attack (the American Heart Association's journal

Circulation, Nov. 15, 1995, 2825-30). One study found each 3-unit increase in

homocysteine equals a 35% increase in myocardial infarction (heart-attack)

risk (American Journal of Epidemiology, 1996, 143, 9: 845-59).

Many enzymes, or catalysts are involved in the complete metabolism of

homocysteine. If any of these enzymes is defective or functions

inefficiently, the body is less able to successfully process homocysteine.

Although this enzyme dysfunction may be due to a mutated or defective gene,

(identified by Dr. Rima Rozen at McGill University in Montreal), more often

this breakdown in metabolism is due to deficiencies of certain nutrients -

particularly B-6, B-12 and folic acid. When this function is disordered,

whether due to genetic defect or nutrient deficiency, homocysteine

accumulates and enters the bloodstream where it promotes oxidation of lipids,

causes platelets to stick together, enhances the binding of lipoprotein (a)

to fibrin and promotes free radical damage to the inside of arteries.

Some have suggested that the obvious solution to reducing homocysteine would

be to restrict methionine intake by restricting foods such as meats that are

rich in methionine. Then the supermarket shelves would be lined with low

methionine and methionine-free foods. That makes about as much sense as

switching cabins on the Titanic. Methionine is a sulfur-containing amino acid

that is involved in the synthesis of protein, important in the maintenance of

cartilage, and needed for the formation of other important amino acids such

as taurine and carnitine. Methionine is not at fault. The problem is when

homocysteine cannot be converted......

For many people, the daily intake of 500 mg of TMG, 800 mcg of folic acid,

1000 mcg of vitamin B12, 250 mg of choline, 250 mg of inositol, 30 mg of

zinc, and 100 mg of vitamin B6 will keep homocysteine levels in a safe range.

But the only way to really know is to have your blood tested to make sure

your homocysteine levels are under 7. If homocysteine levels are too high,

then up to 6 grams of TMG may be needed along with higher amounts of other

remethylation cofactors. Some people with cystathione-B synthase deficiencies

will require 500 mg a day or more of vitamin B6 to reduce homocysteine to a

safe level. For the prevention of cardiovascular disease, you would want your

homocysteine blood level to be under 7. For the prevention of aging, some

people have suggested that an even lower level is desirable, but more

research needs to be done before any scientific conclusions can be

reached.......

[TMG - trimethylglycine - is sometimes also known as betaine. The betaine,

B6, B12 and folic acid combination is very reasonably priced and anyone with

heart disease could benefit from daily intake of this supplement. Mel Siff]

Homocysteine is Not a New Story

Also from the Life Extension article: " The homocysteine theory of

cardiovascular risk was first tested and published by Dr. Kilmer McCully in

1969, but, with everyone focusing on cholesterol at that time, his findings

were ignored. Finally, almost 30 years later, the word is out on

homocysteine. In addition to NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw, articles have

been published in Newsweek, The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times,

Prevention magazine and more. "

Homocysteine levels rise as people age. Therefore, any anti-aging program

must take homocysteine level control into consideration. Lowering

homocysteine has benefits beyond heart protection. When the blood supply to

the heart is blocked, a heart attack results. When blood to the brain is

blocked, a stroke results. If the penile artery is occluded, impotence

results. Blockages in the extremities results in intermittent claudication or

pain in the affected extremity......

Guggul:

Guggul is the name given to the yellowish resin produced by the stem of the

mukul myrrh (Commiphora mukul) tree found throughout India.  It has been used

in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries in the treatment of arthritis, obesity,

and one of its prime uses was for " medoroga " .  Medoroga is basically an

ancient diagnosis for what we know as atherosclerosis.  It was effective for

this problem because of its ability to lower serum cholesterol and

triglycerides.

Guggul extract isolates contain safe plant steroid compounds known as

guggulsterones, which have been shown to lower lipid levels in your

blood. They actually lower serum triglycerides and cholesterol, as well as

LDL VLDL cholesterols (the " bad " ones) and as a bonus..raises HDL cholesterol

(the " good " guys).  Guggulsterones also act as antioxidants in that they keep

LDL cholesterol from oxidizing, protecting you further from

atherosclerosis. Guggul has also decreased the " stickiness " of platelets,

which of course also lowers the risk of coronary artery disease and stroke. 

There was a study which actually found guggul extract similar and even

slightly better than clobfibrate for lowering cholesterol levels.....

Niacin:

For some time, some practitioners have been using high amounts of niacin

(Vitamin B3) (also called nicotinic acid) to lower cholesterol. The problem

with this is that at the doses needed, about 3 grams per day, divided dosing,

patients experience side effects of flushing, headache, stomach pains and

even chronic liver damage, diabetic responses, gastritis or stomach

inflammation, eye damage and even gout. The other common form of B3 -

niacinamide (also called nicotinamide) - does NOT help cholesterol levels.

An acceptable variation on niacin called inositol hexaniacinate has more

recently been prescribed by European doctors for cholesterol treatment

without the unwanted effects of niacin. It is used at the 500 to 1,000 mg

taken three times per day. It is newer and fewer studies have been done, so

if one takes it, make sure you have your cholesterol monitored to evaluate

its effectiveness and have liver enzymes, uric acid and glucose levels

checked just to be sure you are not one of the people prone to problems with

B3 therapy.....

[You may also try niacin in the form of " no flush " niacin hexaniacinate,

which most health shops sell - alone or in combination with small doses (less

than 150mg) of regular niacin (to minimise the uncomfortable flushing). It

is a good idea to take the niacin in combination with other members of the

vitamin B family - vit B complex, with at least 50mg of most Bs. MCS]

Other Factors:

Supplementing with Vitamin E (800 IU per day), Vitamin C (2-3 grams per day),

Octacosanol (from wheat germ..another good reason to use this food, as it is

also high in beta-sitosterol), Lecithin (2-3 grams per day), and garlic

supplements (600-900 mg per day) all have shown to be very helpful in

reducing cholesterol and triglycerides levels.

*** Here is some very brief information on other helpful supplements to

assist in managing different cardiovascular problems.

OTHER CHOLESTEROL LOWERING SUPPLEMENTS

Since lecithin is a very effective emulsifying agent, which also contains

choline and inositol, some authorities also suggest taking at least 1200mg of

lecithin capsules or granules 3 times daily. By the way, for those who take

skim or reduced fat milk, blending or shaking a teaspoon or two of lecithin

granules into the milk makes it taste much creamier and more palatable - add

according to your personal taste.

Chinese red yeast extract

Chromium picolinate

L-carnitine (2-4gm daily on an empty stomach)

L-arginine on empty stomach (avoid if suffering from herpes, shingles,

schizophrenia)

Bromelain and pectin enzymes (on an empty stomach)

Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols) 1000mg daily (begin with 200-400mg daily)

Vitamin C (plus bioflavonoids)

Oats (fibre) and other brans

Olive oil (raw, virgin, cold pressed, kept in refrigerator)

Fish oil

Green tea

Hawthorne berry (also for heart arrhythmias and hypertension)

Grapefruit (note that this can accentuate the effects of some cardiac drugs)

Boswellia

Aloe Vera

Alfalfa

Dandelion

Thyme

Turmeric

Other Supplements for Cardiac Use:

(e.g. for reducing inflammation of tissues, reducing blood pressure or

" thinning " the blood)

CoQ10 (75-150mg a day, with lecithin)

Magnesium (maleate, citrate, aspartate)

Willow bark, Aspirin (75mg a day with meals)

L-arginine on empty stomach (avoid if suffering from herpes, shingles,

schizophrenia)

Ginger

Fish oil

Capsaicin (from " hot " peppers)

MSM

Gotu kola

Ginkgo biloba

Bilberry

Primrose oil

Turmeric

AVOID

Refined carbohydrates

Highly sugared drinks (pop, sodas, etc)

Licorice (can increase blood pressure)

Hydrogenated or " partially hydrogenated " fats (in many cereals, margarines,

candies)

Transfatty acids (in many margarines, cakes, cookies etc)

Heated or fried fats and meats

Fatty meats

Lard and animal fat (many fast food chains use these fats in many products)

Coffee

Ephedra, ephedrine

Shark cartilage

NOTE

If you are considering the use of any of the above supplements, remember that

you should find out as much as you can by reading reputable web pages on each

of them, or consulting books such as:

Balch & Balch, " Prescription for Nutritional Healing "

The following metasearch engine should help you find detailed information on any

of the

above supplements:

http://www.metacrawler.com

If you suffer from any cardiac problems, it is essential that you seek

professional medical advice and ascertain if any supplements may interact

adversely with any medication which you may be taking. For example, if you

are on anticoagulants such as warfarin (Coumadin) or heparin, other

supplements such as fish oil, garlic, aspirin, vitamin E (large doses) and

several others can reduce the clotting ability of your blood even further.

If you are on a cholesterol-lowering medication such as one of then statins,

then many of the above supplements can increase the potency of these drugs,

so, in consultation with a suitable medical expert, you should adjust your

dosage accordingly or gradually wean yourself off such drugs, according to

your particular situation. If doing this, it is important that you regularly

have your cholesterol and HDL/LDL ratios checked and that you work under the

supervision of your doctor.

-----------------

Dr Mel C Siff

Denver, USA

Supertraining/

[Guest guest]

After reading the following article in Pubmed, i'm a little concerned about

consuming too much of the protein powder I buy (it uses acesulfame-k as its

sweetener). I buy it though because it's cheap - does anybody on this list

from the UK know of a none sweetened whey pro powder that is reasonably

priced?

--------------------------------------------------------

Acceptable daily intake and the regulation of intense sweeteners.

Renwick AG.

Clinical Pharmacology Group, University of Southampton, Bassett Crescent

East, UK.

At the present time there are four intense sweeteners that are available in a

number of countries: acesulfame-K, aspartame, cyclamate and saccharin.

Extensive toxicity databases are available on each sweetener and these have

been assessed by both national and international regulatory authorities. This

review considers briefly the critical toxicity of each sweetener that is the

basis for establishing the no adverse effect level in animal studies. The

calculation of an acceptable daily intake (ADI) for human intake employs a

large safety factor applied to the no-effect level. The magnitude of the

safety factor for each sweetener is discussed in relation to the ADI values

recommended by the Scientific Committee for Food in 1985.

Publication Types:

Review

Review, Tutorial

PMID: 1697543 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

--------------------------------------

Simon Pitt,

Birmingham,

England