Bradley J. Willcox, D. Craig Willcox, and Makoto Suzuki
See book keywords and concepts |  In this way vitamin E may also decrease heart attack risk (less damage to heart artery walls),72 improve immunity73 (less damage to immune cells), decrease cancer risk (less damage to cell DNA),74 and reduce the risk for dementia.75
Top food sources. Almonds, canola oil, hazelnuts, margarine, mayonnaise, olive oil, peanut butter, rice bran oil, safflower oil, shrimp, sweet potatoes, sunflower seeds and oil, wheat germ and oil, whole grains, and cereals.76
Average intake. |
Larry Trivieri, Jr.
See book keywords and concepts |  Estrogen also acts as an anti-aging agent; helps to slow down bone loss, thus helping to prevent osteoporosis; improves skin tone; reduces vaginal dryness; and helps reduce heart attack risk (cardiovascular diseases are the major cause of death in menopausal women).
"There are three main types of estrogen that a woman makes during her menstrual years," Dr. Galitzer says. "Estradiol (El), which accounts for 80% of her estrogen, estriol (E2), and estrone (E3). E2 and E3 each account for approximately 10% of the remaining estrogen. | | According to Harvard University Physicians' Health Study, a comparison of 543 men who had suffered heart attacks with the same number who had not found that elevated levels of inflammation throughout the body increased heart attack risk by 300% and stroke risk by 200%.27
By doing a blood test for C-reactive protein (CRP), a molecule produced by the liver in response to invading bacteria and chemical toxins (both of which can cause inflammation), physicians can determine the degree of inflammation in the body. |
Doug Dollemore, Mark Giuliucci and the Editors of Men's Health Magazine
See book keywords and concepts |  The Physicians' Health Study found that an aspirin every other day helped cut heart attack risk.
A Dutch study showed that smaller doses—perhaps one-tenth the size of a regular tablet—may provide essentially the same results. "This study adds more weight to the view that doses of aspirin currently used for prevention may be higher than need be," says Dr. Muller.
Your doctor should be able to set a proper dosage for you, Dr. Muller says. He also warns not to cut down on your dosage if a doctor has already prescribed aspirin.
Avoid a gut reaction. |
Robyn Landis
See book keywords and concepts |  Research indicates that when the intake of folacin, B6, and B12 is low, heart attack risk increases.
This does not mean that smoking, obesity, high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, high-fat diet, and so on are no longer risk factors. One woman I talked to had interpreted the media blitz on this issue as saying that "400 milligrams of folic acid per day will prevent heart disease no matter what else you do." Not true. Take the 400 milligrams of folic acid, but don't throw all other caution to the wind. |
James A. Duke, Ph.D.
See book keywords and concepts |  A great deal of research shows that low-dose aspirin—one-half to one standard tablet a day—can reduce heart attack risk substantially by preventing the blood clots that trigger it.
The body converts aspirin into salicylic acid, and it also converts the salicin in willow bark into salicylic acid. So if pharmaceutical aspirin helps prevent heart attack, herbal aspirin should, too. If you're allergic to aspirin, though, you probably shouldn't take herbal aspirin either.
Typically, people use the bark of the white willow (S. | | Every 1 percent decrease in cholesterol translates to a 2 percent decrease in heart attack risk, so a clove a day reduces risk of heart attack by 18 percent. Onions have similar benefits, although not as pronounced.
W Ginger (Zingiber officinale). After my USDA colleague persuaded me to explore ginger's anti-angina benefits, I read that it was endorsed for heart attack prevention in Ginger: Common Spice and Wonder Drug by New England herbalist Paul Schulick. He notes that an Israeli cardiology clinic now recommends a daily half-teaspoon of powdered ginger. | | But there's more: The mineral also significantly reduces heart attack risk.
Other high-calcium plants include lamb's-quarters, stinging nettle, broad-beans, watercress, licorice, marjoram, savory, red clover shoots and thyme.
In addition to calcium, pigweed is high in fiber. A six-year Harvard study of more than 40,000 men showed that compared with those who consumed the least fiber, those who ate the most had just one-third the risk of heart attack. You can add pigweed to salads, mixed vegetable dishes and Medistrone. VV\ Willow (Salix, various species). | | Some 30 long-term studies agree that moderate alcohol drinkers—those who have one or two drinks a day—reduce their heart attack risk by some 25 to 40 percent. Meanwhile, a debate rages about why.
Some researchers say that alcohol itself has a heart-protective effect, presumably by lowering LDL cholesterol (the "bad" kind). They say that any type of alcohol helps: beer, wine or distilled spirits.
Others insist that there's something extra in red wine, and I'm inclined to agree with them. Certain chemicals called phenolic compounds that are found in grape skin give red wine its color. | | Some 30 studies suggest that this level of alcohol consumption reduces heart attack risk by 25 to 40 percent. But don't exceed that two-drink limit: Heavier drinking may increase the risk of heart disease.
A few months later, the girl's father called again, elated, to share his good news. Just in time for Christmas, his daughter was off the calcium channel blocker completely, thanks to the hawthorn, coenzyme Q10 and magnesium. At her last checkup, her doctor detected no arrhythmia at all. I suggested that he plant a hawthorn tree in his yard to show to people when he recounts his story. |
Nicola Reavley
See book keywords and concepts |  Low blood folic acid levels also seem to increase heart attack risk in young women. In a 1997 study, researchers at the University of Washington measured the homocysteine, folic acid and vitamin B12 levels in 79 heart attack survivors under 45 and compared these with levels in 3 86 healthy control subjects. Those with the highest homocysteine levels had 2.3 times the risk of heart attack compared to those with the lowest levels. Those with the highest levels of folic acid had around half the risk of heart attack compared to those with the lowest levels. |
Michael Castleman
See book keywords and concepts |  Rosenman showed that changing Type-A's into more relaxed Type-Bs actually reduced their heart attack risk.
Dr. Friedman teamed up with Diane Ullmer, R.N., and they developed an intensive counseling program for Type-A heart attack survivors that was designed to help them mellow out and smell the roses. Among other exercises, participants were encouraged to use mirth. Whenever they felt the bile of hostility rising within them, they were taught to find humor in the situation and point it out instead of yelling about the problem. | | For every 1 percent decrease in cholesterol level, heart attack risk dropped 2 percent. Many other studies have subsequently confirmed the CPPT's findings.
Participants in the CPPT cut their cholesterol with drugs or by reducing the cholesterol and saturated fat in their diets, or both. (Saturated fat is the type found in red meat, butter and whole-milk dairy foods). During the study, Dr. | | Scientists aren't sure, but moderate alcohol consumption increases the proportion of cholesterol known as HDL, or "good cholesterol," which helps protect against heart attack, and decreases the proportion of LDL—"bad cholesterol"—which increases heart attack risk.
But it's not just the alcohol in beer, wine and liquor that helps prevent heart attack. Researchers have compared Europeans in more than a dozen nations who have similar heart disease risk factors and similar drinking habits. The French have the lowest death rate from heart attack, only one-third that of Scandinavians. | | It's still too early to be certain if alcohol, or wine, or red wine reduces heart attack risk, but if you're an occasional drinker, perhaps it's time to cultivate a taste for bordeaux, cabernet and other red wines.
Not so, say those who follow the program. "We eat well," says Werner Hebenstreit. "I don't feel deprived. It takes longer to chop fruits and vegetables than it does to cook our old way, but whenever that bothers me, I think of all the time I'm saving not having to go to doctors."
Hebenstreit has been on the Ornish program for more than four years. | | A four-year Harvard study of 39,000 male health professionals showed that compared with those who took no vitamin E supplements, those who took 100 international units a day for two years reduced their heart attack risk by 37 percent. An eight-year Harvard study of 87,000 female nurses showed 49 percent fewer heart attacks.
High blood pressure. In a study done at the Medical College of Georgia in Atlanta, 21 people with elevated blood pressure took 1,000 milligrams of supplemental vitamin C every day for four weeks. Their average blood pressure declined significantly.
High cholesterol. |
Stephen T., M.D. Sinatra
See book keywords and concepts |  However, during these times the rise of heart attack risk is certainly less for those who exercise regularly.
For this reason, as a clinical cardiologist, I recommend engaging in exercise at least every other day. Walking, dancing, and cycling, in my opinion, are still the most preferred types of exercise. Jogging, running, and other varieties of strenuous exercise may have negative trade-offs, particularly for the "weekend warrior" type. We must also be mindful of our increased need for nutritional support when we do such high-level exercise. |
James A. Duke, Ph.D.
See book keywords and concepts |  They make blood less likely to clot, reducing heart attack risk. They lower cholesterol. They contain antioxidants, which help shrink atherosclerotic plaques. And they reduce blood sugar, an important benefit for people with diabetes, who are at very high risk for angina, heart attack, and stroke.
The cardiology clinic of an Israeli hospital advises its patients with angina to take Vi teaspoon of ground ginger daily. If I had angina, I'd take at least that much. I'd also use lots of ginger and turmeric in my cooking. (Turmeric is the spice that makes curry blends look yellowish. | | Studies by Harvard researchers have shown that a diet rich in the nutrient, daily supplementation (100 to 400 IU), or both can reduce heart attack risk by about 40 percent in men and about 25 percent in women.
Most multivitamins contain vitamin E, as do most antioxidant formulas. But if you're like me, you want to know which foods have the best supplies. Vegetable oils rank first, followed by nuts, then whole grains and poppy and sesame seeds. Among fruits and vegetables, the top sources include bell peppers, tomatoes, currants, blueberries, peaches, and plums (prunes). | | This means that their heart attack risk would fall by 20 to 30 percent.
Unfortunately, the wisdom of a plant-based diet is lost on most Americans. After all, we live in a country where McDonald's spends more in 12 hours to promote its high-fat burgers and fries than the National Cancer Institute spends in a year to promote its "Strive for Five" program, which educates people about the importance of eating at least five servings of fruits and veggies a day. | | So if you cut your cholesterol by, say, 15 percent, you reduce your heart attack risk by about one-third.
While controlling your cholesterol is a good thing, you don't want to go too low. Very low cholesterol—less than 150 mg/dl—actually increases your risk of death from certain other ailments, including liver cancer, hemorrhagic stroke, and lung disease.
If you have very high cholesterol and your doctor puts you on medication, by all means take it. But if your cholesterol is between 220 and 240, I'd recommend trying nondrug measures—nutrition strategies, exercise, and herbs—first. |
Nicola Reavley
See book keywords and concepts | | However, results from the Physicians' Health Study published in 1995 do not suggest a link between selenium levels and heart attack risk. Researchers analyzed blood selenium levels in 251 subjects who had heart attacks and an equal number of healthy people, matched by age and smoking status. The results did not show significant differences.7
HIV/AIDS
As part of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase, selenium is necessary to help prevent oxidative damage and to help the immune system function effectively. | | Low blood folic acid levels also seem to increase heart attack risk in young women. In a 1997 study, researchers at the University of Washington measured the homocysteine, folic acid and vitamin B12 levels in 79 heart attack survivors under 45 and compared these with levels in 3 86 healthy control subjects. Those with the highest homocysteine levels had 2.3 times the risk of heart attack compared to those with the lowest levels. Those with the highest levels of folic acid had around half the risk of heart attack compared with those with the lowest levels. |
James A. Duke, Ph.D.
See book keywords and concepts | | Because heart attack risk rises sharply above that level, the American Heart Association urges everyone to take measures to reduce cholesterol if it's anywhere near that high.
How far below 200 should you go to feel that your risk is significantly less? That's not entirely clear, but research suggests that very low cholesterol levels, below 150 or so, increase risk of death from other causes, including liver cancer, lung disease and certain kinds of stroke. My reaction is that people should strive for a cholesterol range of 170 to 190. |
James A. Duke, Ph.D.
See book keywords and concepts | | Garlic ranks right up there with hawthorn as a cardiovascular herb. It helps prevent atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, delivering a triple whammy that no pharmaceutical can match. Garlic is also a potent antioxidant. In one study, taking garlic supplements every day for a few months "caused a statistically significant reduction of [atherosclerotic plaques] that averaged about 50 percent." Other members of the garlic family—including shallots, chives, onions, and leeks—bestow similar benefits.
But with garlic, as with all things, moderation is key. |
page 3 of 3 | Next ->
FAIR USE NOTICE: The research quoted here is provided under the protection of Fair Use provisions and published by the 501(c)3 non-profit Consumer Wellness Center for the purposes of public comment and education. Authors / publishers may submit books for consideration of inclusion here.
TERMS OF USE: Read full terms of use. Citations of text from NaturalPedia must include: 1) Full credit to the original author and book title. 2) Secondary credit to the Natural News Naturalpedia as a research resource and a link to www.NaturalNews.com/np/index.html
This unique compilation of research is copyright (c) 2008 by the non-profit Consumer Wellness Center.
ABOUT THE CREATOR OF NATURALPEDIA: Mike Adams, the creator of this NaturalNews Naturalpedia, is the editor of NaturalNews.com, the internet's top natural health news site, creator of the Honest Food Guide (www.HonestFoodGuide.org), a free downloadable consumer food guide based on natural health principles, author of Grocery Warning, The 7 Laws of Nutrition, Natural Health Solutions, and many other books available at www.TruthPublishing.com, creator of the earth-friendly EcoLEDs company (www.EcoLEDs.com) that manufactures energy-efficient LED lighting products, founder of Arial Software (www.ArialSoftware.com), a permission e-mail technology company, creator of the CounterThink Cartoon series (www.NaturalNews.com/index-cartoons.html) and author of over 1,500 articles, interviews, special reports and reference guides available at www.NaturalNews.com. Adams' personal philosophy and health statistics are available at www.HealthRanger.org.
|
 |
Refine your search
with Heart attack risk...
...and Anatomy:...and Heart
...and Blood
...and Arteries
...and Muscle
...and Liver
...and Ldl cholesterol
...and Body
...and Kidneys
...and Kidney
...and Breast
...and Concepts:...and Risk
...and Study
...and Therapy
...and Studies
...and Factors
...and Work
...and Average
...and Research
...and Benefits
...and Risk factors
...and Health Conditions and Diseases:...and Heart disease
...and Heart attack
...and Stroke
...and Heart attacks
...and Diabetes
...and Plaque
...and High blood pressure
...and Cancer
...and High cholesterol
...and Breast cancer
...and Key Health Concepts:...and Disease
...and Diet
...and Foods
...and Exercise
...and Health
...and Medicine
...and Drugs
...and Supplements
...and Causes
...and Products
...and Physiology:...and Levels
...and Attack
...and Lowers
...and Increases
...and Prevent
...and Improves
...and Helps
...and Attacks
...and Increase
...and Reduces
...and Who:...and Women
...and Men
...and Patients
...and Doctors
...and Physicians
...and Animals
...and Baby
...and Americans
...and Male
...and Physician
...and Nutrients:...and Vitamin
...and Vitamin D
...and Niacin
...and Magnesium
...and Potassium
...and Hdl
...and Vitamin C
...and Zinc
...and Beta-carotene
...and Calcium
...and Objects:...and People
...and University
...and Oil
...and Vitamins
...and School
...and Strategies
...and Hospital
...and Data
...and Walls
...and Animal
...and Foods and Beverages:...and Beans
...and Fish
...and Nuts
...and Alcohol
...and Sugar
...and Vegetables
...and Cereals
...and Onions
...and Carbs
...and Fruits and vegetables
...and Adjectives:...and Total
...and New
...and Major
...and Regular
...and International
...and American
...and Healthy
...and Medical
...and Healthful
...and Natural
...and Actions:...and Eating
...and Smoking
...and Taking
...and Eat
...and Preventing
...and Finding
...and Protects
...and Enhances
...and Treating
...and Breathing
|
Related Concepts:
Heart
Risk
Women
Blood
Heart disease
Aspirin
Heart attack
Men
Disease
People
Levels
Diet
Attack
Foods
Study
Stroke
Lowers
Vitamin
Heart attacks
Total
Exercise
Increases
New
Health
Prevent
Eating
University
Arteries
Patients
Improves
Diabetes
Beans
Therapy
Insulin
Muscle
Plaque
Studies
Fish
Medicine
Drugs
Blood pressure
Helps
High blood pressure
Cancer
Doctors
Nuts
Increase
Smoking
Factors
Attacks
Reduces
Work
Alcohol
Fish oil
Vitamin D
Average
Dose
Liver
Research
Supplements
Harvard
Ldl cholesterol
Effects
Niacin
Acid
Causes
Effect
Reduced
Taking
Blood sugar
Oil
Benefits
Body
High cholesterol
Risk factors
Sugar
Potassium
Incidence
Magnesium
Intake
Blood cholesterol
Doses
Kidneys
Gastrointestinal bleeding
Time
Cholesterol levels
Triglycerides
Development
Week
Major
Vitamins
Physicians
Products
Regular
Lower cholesterol
Glycemic
Consumption
Vitamin C
Hdl
Side effects
|
Email this page to a friend
