Category Archives: Heart Health

Tackle Unhealthy Triglycerides

By Bonnie Jenkins, Advanced Natural Wellness

Chances are you understand how important it is to know your total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) numbers, but elevated triglycerides can be just as risky for your heart. Unlike cholesterol, which is similar to fat but is actually a sterol, triglycerides are the real deal. They are the type of fat found in the foods you eat and the type created from excess calories and stored as body fat. Usually the body is able to regulate the amount of triglycerides it produces. But sometimes unhealthy levels build up in the blood, raising the possibility of heart attack and stroke, among other health risks. Continue reading →

Cut Cholesterol Safely

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness

It’s no secret that most doctors hand out statin drugs like they were candy. While some people do benefit from these cholesterol-lowering drugs, they can cause problems for many patients. Statins can cause liver damage, nausea, diarrhea, constipation and joint pain. One of the biggest side effects of statins is severe muscle weakness. A new report by the FDA warned that high doses of the cholesterol-lowering drug Zocor increases the risk of muscle injury including the serious complication known as rhabdomyolysis which can result in fatal kidney damage. The study also found that Zocor was even more dangerous when it was combined with other heart drugs used to treat heart arrhythmias, angina and blood pressure. Continue reading →

Prevent Sudden Death with this Mineral

By David Blyweiss, M.D.

I’ve always been a big fan of magnesium because it’s such a multi-tasking tool for good health. So it wasn’t surprising when my eye caught a report in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition on magnesium’s ability to significantly slash the risk of sudden cardiac death.1

First a little background on this marvelous mineral. Magnesium is an essential mineral that is required to sustain healthy blood vessels, generate cellular energy, and maintain healthy nerve and muscle function. Known as the relaxation mineral because of its ability to relax muscle spasms, magnesium is required for more than 300 critical biochemical reactions throughout the body and it’s especially important to heart health.

Dropping dead from a heart attack or other cardiac event is a leading cause of death in those over 40. But it doesn’t have to be. This new study shows that people who have high amounts of magnesium circulating through their blood stream are 41% less likely to die of a heart attack compared to those with low levels. Continue reading →

The Sweet Way To Lower Blood Pressure

By David Blyweiss, M.D. Advanced Natural Wellness

I have a confession to make. I love a good piece of dark chocolate. To some, that might seem like a weakness. But, new evidence suggests that it might be a virtue—at least as far as my cardiovascular system is concerned. Continue reading →

Enhance Artery Health

By David Blyweiss, M.D.

Talk to most doctors about heart health and they will typically bring up two things: Blood pressure and cholesterol levels. But the true villain of heart disease is when plaque begins to build up in the arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis. Eventually, this buildup can block arteries and lead to circulatory problems. It can also trigger sudden blood clots and cause a heart attack or stroke. Continue reading →

Try These Resolutions For A Healthier Heart

By David Blyweiss, M.D.

For many of us, making resolutions is an essential part of our New Year’s celebration. I’ve been known to make one or two myself!

But this year, instead of vowing to finally lose those last 5 pounds or pay off all your bills, why not commit to improving your heart health? Continue reading →

A Natural Antacid, Licorice

By Bonnie Jenkins, Advanced Natural Medicine

I’m so excited about a new natural antacid I recently discovered.

For years, I’ve had what my mother called “a touchy stomach.” And for years I’ve seen doctor after doctor – to no avail. None of them could find anything wrong, even though there were days when I was doubled up in pain. But a few months ago, I finally found a gastroenterologist who was able to pinpoint the problem –irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

IBS (also known as a spastic colon) is a common chronic health disorder affecting more people than asthma, diabetes, and depression combined. Even though about 20 percent of the world’s population suffers from IBS, it’s a condition that doesn’t have a clear-cut cause, which is why it’s so difficult to diagnose. Medical tests don’t find any physical abnormalities, so for years doctors thought the condition was solely psychological. But the symptoms are real enough – intermittent abdominal cramps with either constipation or diarrhea. Stress makes it worse, as does a low-fiber diet. And it often goes hand-in-hand with lactose intolerance.

Unfortunately, there’s no magic bullet to cure IBS. Since stress seems to be the major trigger involved in IBS symptoms, many doctors prescribe antidepressants like Zoloft or Paxil – drugs which are riddled with adverse and often frightening side effects. The new medications specifically designed to treat IBS haven’t proven much better. Last year, Lotronex (used to treat diarrhea-predominant IBS) was pulled from the market by its maker Glaxco Wellcome after the FDA voiced concerns about side effects, including three deaths related to the drug. And Zelnorm, the new medication used to treat constipation-related IBS, can cause diarrhea, headaches, abdominal pain, nausea, dizziness and flu-like symptoms. But, what really worries me is that preliminary evidence links the drug to an increase in abdominal surgery.

My doctor’s drug of choice was Levsin, an antispasmodic drug used to treat various stomach and intestinal problems. But it can also cause bloating, blurred vision, confusion, insomnia, heart palpitations and a rapid heartbeat, headaches, lack of coordination and vomiting.

On the Right Tract

Needless to say, the prescription never got filled – and I set out to find a safe, natural solution. I tried everything – peppermint, ginger, licorice, even charcoal. They all helped to some degree, but except for the dietary changes I made (a natural foods diet with lots more fiber), everything else was just a temporary stopgap. Then a friend told me about probiotics, live bacteria that help modulate gut microflora and improve the intestinal microbial balance.

The gastrointestinal tract is by far the richest environment for bacteria in our bodies. At least 400 species of bacteria typically live there and help normalize and maintain healthy gastrointestinal flora, which can minimize diarrhea, bloating, gas and painful abdominal cramps. Without these beneficial bacteria, we would have far more trouble with digestion, food poisoning and infectious diseases.

But sometimes the balance between good and bad bacteria is thrown out of whack – and if the imbalance is chronic, IBS can develop. In fact, a recent study by researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found that 78 percent of IBS patients have a bacterial overgrowth in the small intestines, which may account for earlier research showing that probiotics can dramatically improve symptoms. . Probiotics favorably alter the intestinal microflora balance, inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, promote good digestion, boost immune function and increase resistance to infection. While probiotics are effective when your gut is under assault from antibiotics, they are particularly helpful for those of us with IBS.

In one clinical trial, Polish researchers found that probiotics relieved IBS symptoms in 95 percent of patients. Forty patients with IBS participated in the study, which lasted four weeks. Half received a probiotic supplement and half were given a placebo. By the end of the trial, all of the subjects in the probiotic group experienced complete relief from abdominal cramping compared to only 11 in the placebo group. The folks taking the probiotics also reported relief from constipation.

Another trial by the Mayo Clinic randomly assigned 25 IBS sufferers to receive either a probiotic or a placebo twice a day for eight weeks. By the end of the study, those taking the probiotics had a significant reduction in abdominal bloating – another primary (and uncomfortable) symptom of the condition. Lab tests have also found that probiotic supplementation improves colonic motility and enhances the barrier function of the cells that line the intestines.

Better Bugs

Two specific types of bacteria, lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, maintain a healthy balance of intestinal flora by producing organic compounds — such as lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide and acetic acid —that increase the acidity of the intestine and inhibit the reproduction of many harmful bacteria. Acidophilus and bifidobacteria are also necessary for your body to manufacture B vitamins, including niacin, folic acid, biotin, and vitamin B6.

Research shows that other Lactobacillus species may be beneficial as well. For example, L. rhamnosus and L. plantarum are involved in the production of several “gut nutrients,” such as short-chain fatty acids, and the amino acids, arginine, cysteine and glutamine. Another probiotic, Saccharomyces boulardii, has prevented diarrhea in several human trials. And some forms of probiotic bacteria produce substances called bacteriocins, which act as natural antibiotics to kill undesirable microorganisms.

But, since probiotics aren’t normally able to establish a permanent home in the human gut, you need to replenish them daily in order to see a consistent health benefit. The problem is that many supplements that boast live cultures don’t actually contain the levels of live bacteria touted on their labels. A good rule of thumb is to look for a refrigerated probiotic supplement that contains the live cells of both Lactobacillus acidopholis and Bifidobacterium bifidus. And if you can find a supplement that contains additional types of bacteria, it’s even better.

One Last Thing …

If you suffer from IBS, you also might want to consider taking some of these natural antacids as well: L-glutamine, the major fuel of the intestines. While conventional science hasn’t really investigated L-Glutamine’s beneficial role in IBS, there are numerous anecdotal reports of its effectiveness – which makes sense since L-glutamine heals intestinal cells and maintains the villi (the absorption surfaces of the gut).

According to James and Phyllis Balch, authors of Prescription for Nutritional Healing, if you have IBS, you should take 500 mg. of L-Glutamine twice a day on an empty stomach. For better absorption, take it with 50 mg. of vitamin B-6 and 100 mg. of vitamin C.

This Just In …

Want to lower your cancer risk? Get a good night’s sleep! A new study shows that how well you sleep may determine how well your body fights cancer – and may help explain how mental well-being plays into cancer recovery and progression.

Two Stanford psychiatrists have found that sleep problems alter the balance of at least two hormones that influence cancer cells. The first, cortisol, helps regulate immune system activity, including the release of certain “natural killer” cells that help the body battle cancer. The second is melatonin, which may have antioxidant properties that help prevent damage to cells that can lead to cancer. But if you don’t get enough sleep or wake up often during the night, it’s likely you don’t have sufficient levels of these hormones to guard against cancer. And if you have cancer, low cortisol and melatonin levels may speed its progression.

But getting a good night’s sleep is often easier said than done. A few months ago, I told you how melatonin supplements can help you get the sleep you need (Catching the zzzz’s, 6/23). Well, now it seems that taking melatonin supplements may also help prevent cancer. According to a study published in Cancer Letters, supplementing with 50 mg. of melatonin reduced the number of cancer cells in mice. The researchers speculated that the hormone effectively caused the cells to commit suicide without harming healthy cells.

Here’s the bottom line: when it comes to balancing these two cancer-fighting hormones, if you snooze, you definitely won’t lose.

References:

Bazzocchi G, et al. “Intestinal microflora and oral bacteriotherapy in irritable bowel syndrome.” Dig Liver Dis 2002;34:S48-S53.

El-Missiry MA, et al. “Influence of melatonin on proliferation and antioxidant system in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells.” Cancer Letters. 2000;151:119-125.

Kim HJ, et al. “A randomized controlled trial of a probiotic, VSL#3, on gut transit and symptoms in diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome.” Aliment Pharmacology and Therapy. 2003;17:895-904.

Niedzielin K, et al. “A controlled, double-blind, randomized study on the efficacy of Lactobacillus plantarum 299V in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.” European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 2001;13:1143-1147.

Resta-Lenert S, et al. “Live probiotics protect intestinal epithelial cells from the effects of infection with enteroinvasive Escherichia coli (EIEC).” Gut. 2003;52:988-997.

Sephton, S, et al. “Circadian disruption in cancer: a neuroendocrine-immune pathway from stress to disease?” Brain, Behavior and Immunity. 2003;17:321-328.

Heartburn and GERD Prevention

By Bonnie Jenkins, Advanced Natural Medicine

For many of us, our meals come with an unwanted side order: heartburn. So we avoid common triggers like onions and spicy foods hoping to prevent the burning pain caused by stomach acid rising up into our esophagus. But according to a surprising new review by investigators at Stanford University, what you eat and drink has absolutely no effect on your heartburn symptoms.

Of course, other studies have found that a variety of diet and lifestyle changes can help prevent heartburn and effectively ease symptoms once they’ve hit. One recent study of 371 volunteers found that eating fat, especially saturated fat, were more likely to suffer from symptoms – especially if they were overweight. On the flip side, the researchers found that those eating a fiber-rich, low-fat diet rarely experienced heartburn. So who’s right? And is this new review just a ploy to boost sales of pharmaceutical heartburn remedies?

Heartburn 101

While almost everyone has heartburn now and then, 44 percent of Americans experience symptoms at least once a month. Sufferers describe heartburn as a burning pain behind the breastbone that may move up toward the neck and throat, and is sometimes accompanied by a bitter or acidic taste in the back of the mouth. When heartburn has you in its grip, the symptoms can be so severe they even mimic a heart attack. But, no matter how it feels, if you suffer from heartburn at least once a week, you may have gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, a disorder that allows the contents of the stomach to flow back up into the esophagus.

The problem with GERD is that this stomach acid can erode the lining of the esophagus in about five percent of those with the condition and, if left untreated, may lead to esophageal cancer. GERD can also aggravate asthma symptoms or cause a chronic cough, sore throat or laryngitis.

But, even if you don’t have GERD, ordinary heartburn is no picnic. Sure you can quench the fire with over-the-counter antacid, but long-tern use can alter bowel habits, leading to diarrhea or constipation. Even worse, the overuse of calcium-containing antacids like Tums can lead to kidney stones.

What about proton-pump inhibitors like Nexium or Prilosec? It turns out that these popular drugs increase the risk of hip fractures. A new University of Pennsylvania study shows that people over the age of 50 who take the standard dose of a proton-pump inhibitor for more than one year have a 44 percent higher risk of breaking a hip. Taking higher-than-normal doses dramatically increases the risk. In fact, long-term, high-dose use of these drugs ups the risk of hip fracture by a whopping 245 percent!

Feed the Fire

Despite the latest research that questions whether diet and lifestyle changes can actually help treat heartburn, these tactics still remain the first line of defense against symptoms. A widely acknowledged aggravator is extra weight since it puts pressure on the stomach and relaxes the esophagus. Even being in the high range of your normal weight can increase your risk of heartburn by about 40 percent.

When it comes to food triggers, the key is to find out what aggravates your heartburn – and then avoid it. Some foods, like chocolate, peppermint, coffee and alcohol, relax the lower part of the esophagus, allowing stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus; Other foods commonly linked to heartburn include garlic, onions, tomato-based foods, spicy foods and fatty foods. Start by eliminating these foods and see if it helps. Keep a food journal so you get an accurate picture of what foods help and what hurts. If these common foods aren’t the culprit, check the size of your portions since large meals put pressure on your stomach and can prompt an attack..

If heartburn is keeping you up at night, make sure you don’t eat within three hours of going to bed. You can also try sleeping on your left side. Research suggests that people who sleep on their left-side suffer less nighttime heartburn. Sleeping on an incline can also ease symptoms. Many nutritionists recommend using blocks to raise the head of your bed six inches.

One Last Thing …

You’ve eliminated your personal heartburn triggers, eating fewer fatty foods and watching your portion size, but still the burn continues. It’s time for extra help.

Licorice is an effective alternative to antacids. Unlike drugs which inhibit acid production, licorice works by stimulating the stomach’s natural protective mechanism. Specifically, this soothing herb protects the mucous membranes lining the digestive tract by increasing the production of mucin, a compound that guards against the adverse effects of stomach acid. Licorice has also been shown to encourage the formation of mucosal cells because of its ability to increase blood flow to mucosal tissue.

How well does it work? One double-blind trial reported that people with significant stomach discomfort who took a licorice supplement showed an average improvement of 78 percent compared to only 34 percent of those taking a placebo. Other studies show that taking 760 mg. of licorice three times a day is just as effective as the popular prescription drug Tagamet. One word of caution though: make sure you get a licorice supplement that has had the glycyrrhizin removed. Glycyrrhizin, which occurs naturally in licorice root, has cortisone-like effects and can cause high blood pressure and water retention. Instead, look for chewable de-glycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) to avoid these side effects. Chew two 250 to 500 mg. DGL tablets at the onset of symptoms or 15 to 20 minutes before meals as a preventive measure.

Like most diseases, prevention is the best medicine. Following a healthy diet and maintaining a healthy weight can help prevent heartburn. But if GERD is already present, dietary adjustments, exercise and soothing herbs can help make it manageable.

This Just In …

I recently got interesting e-mail from a reader concerning infrared saunas. Frankly, I had never heard of this type of sauna, so I decided to investigate. Here’s what I found: Unlike conventional saunas which use heated steam, an infrared sauna heats its occupants with heaters that emit far infrared radiation. This infrared radiation, which is similar to the radiation produced by the sun, heats the skin directly without warming the air. Infrared sauna can benefit a number of conditions. According to a study at Nishi Kyusyu University in Japan , this type of sauna can relieve chronic pain. Other studies show that infrared sauna therapy can help chronic fatigue and may even improve chronic heart failure. It’s also a great way to detox your body because infrared radiant heat penetrates more deeply and stimulates the tissues involved in eliminating toxins from the body. According to some naturopathic doctors, repeated use of an infrared sauna slowly restores skin elimination. Toxic chemicals and metals can be removed faster than with any other method.

This type of sauna is safe for most people providing you follows a few simple rules. When starting out, remain inside no longer than 30 minutes at a time. After the sauna, rest lying or sitting for 10 minutes to help the body eliminate dead cells and other debris. Drink mineralized water before and after the sauna, and add extra sea salt or kelp granules to your diet to replace minerals lost through sweating. Make sure your bowels move regularly, as sauna therapy will increase elimination.

What about taking supplements after a vigorous sauna? It can be a good idea, especially if you take a multi-vitamin multi-mineral supplement. You might also want to take detoxifying herbs like milk thistle or artichoke leaf to enhance the effects of the sauna. Just refrain from taking supplements like cascara or senna that act like laxatives.

There are also some precautions: Use the sauna with supervision if you have a chronic condition – and check with your doctor is you have multiple sclerosis, hyperthyroidism, hypertension or a serious heart condition. And pregnant women should never, ever, use any type of sauna.

Saunas can be a wonderful way to detoxify and renew your body from the inside out. And now that I’ve discovered the health benefits of infrared saunas, all I can say is, sign me up!

References:

El-Serag HB, Satia JA, Rabeneck L. “Dietary intake and the risks of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: a cross sectional study in volunteers.” Gut. 2005;54:11-17.

Goso Y, Ogata Y, Ishihara K, Hotta K. “Effects of traditional herbal medicine on gastric acid.” Biochemistry & Physiology. 1996;113C:17–21.

Kaltenbach T, Crockett S, Gerson LB. “Are lifestyle measures effective in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease? An evidence-based approach.” Archives of Internal Medicine. 2006;166:965-71.

Masuda A, Koga Y, Hattanmaru M, et al. “The effects of repeated thermal therapy for patients with chronic pain.” Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics. 2005;74:288-294.

Reed PI, Davies WA. Controlled trial of a carbenoxolone/alginate antacid combination in reflux oesophagitis. Current Medical Research Opinion 1978;5:637–644.

Yang Y, Lewis JD, Epstein S, et al. “Long-term Proton Pump Inhibitor Therapy and Risk of Hip Fracture.” Journal of the American Medical Association. 2006;296:2947-2953.