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| | | From: Rene (Original Message) | Sent: 12/22/2005 4:14 PM |
The Hopkins Health Watch - Vol 2, Issue 1A free e-mail newsletter from Virginia Hopkins NEW RESEARCH DEBUNKS CHOLESTEROL MYTHS AND IMPLICATES STATIN DRUG IN POOR BRAIN FUNCTION Drugs that lower cholesterol levels are among the top sellers in the pharmaceutical industry, and yet for decades the research on them has clearly shown that their side effects often outweigh their benefits. And believe it or not, there has never been any definitive proof that high cholesterol levels are a cause heart attacks. The "disease" of high cholesterol was created around and for cholesterol-lowering drugs. In truth, high cholesterol is a symptom of heart disease in much the same sense that a fever is a symptom of the flu. Lowering your fever might help you feel a little bit better, but it won’t make the flu go away, nor will lowering cholesterol with a drug make your heart disease go away. Heart disease isn't the only disease that causes high levels of blood cholesterol. Diabetes, hypothyroidism, kidney disease and liver disease can also significantly raise cholesterol levels. The "High Cholesterol Levels Cause Heart Attacks" Myth Cholesterol is a fat-like material which is found in the brain, nerves, blood, bile and liver. It is the stuff from which your steroid hormones are made, and it is essential for good brain function. Another function of cholesterol is to stick to damaged places in the arteries as part of a repair process, and that’s where it got it’s reputation for causing heart attacks. However, what actually causes the damaged arteries in the first place are factors such as excess sugar and refined carbohydrates in the diet, hydrogenated oils, obesity, stress and toxins. The "Saturated Fats Raise Cholesterol Levels" Myth The myths about cholesterol are closely tied into the myths about cholesterol-containing saturated fats, which were incorrectly pegged as a major cause of heart disease more than 40 years ago. Ironically, saturated fat probably became linked to heart disease because in studies it was lumped in with hydrogenated oils. In other words, in heart disease studies, consumption of hydrogenated oils was never separated out from consumption of other oils—it was ignored or included with data on saturated fats. In all likelihood, it was the hydrogenated oils causing the damaged arteries, not the saturated fats. It is also a myth that eating cholesterol-containing foods raises your cholesterol levels. This is only true for about 30 percent of the population. Your body manufactures about 75 percent of its own cholesterol from the breakdown products of foods we eat. The rest we get directly from what we eat. If we eat more cholesterol, the body makes less or it is broken down by the liver and excreted. People who eat extremely excessive amounts of cholesterol-containing foods so that the body is unable to keep up with the elimination process, or whose livers are not functioning properly, may have high cholesterol due to their eating habits, but this is an exception, not the rule. A recent Harvard School of Public Health study published in the November 2004 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition examined the daily diets and coronary arteries of 235 menopausal women for three years. Three quarters of the women were overweight, and the majority of them were eating less fat overall than the average American. The researchers were surprised to find that the women who had eaten the highest amount of saturated fats had the least amount of additional plaque buildup in their arteries and better cholesterol profiles (lower LDL, higher HDL, lower transfatty acids). The women with the most plaque buildup were eating the most refined carbohydrates and exercising the least. Statin Drugs Interfere with Brain Function The most popular class of cholesterol-lowering drugs is the statins, also known as cholesterol blockers, which interfere with an enzyme needed for cholesterol production. The most common side effect of these drugs is liver damage. Other side effects include enlarged breasts in men, impotence, hair loss in women, insomnia and fatigue. The fatigue may have to do with the fact that statin drugs block the production of coenzyme Q10, a substance essential to a healthy heart and healthy muscles. About one in every 200 people who use statins has side effects of muscle pain and weakness. All indications are that the cause of these symptoms is a deficiency of CoQ10. Now a new study published in the December 1, 2004 American Journal of Medicine points up another side effect of the drug simvastatin (Zocor), which is that it reduces cognitive function, in this case attention, working memory and overall mental efficiency. The same team at the University of Pittsburgh that did this study also found that statin drugs reduce blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids which are well documented to be essential for good brain function. Back to Basics A good cholesterol profile is a reflection of good overall health. The basics of maintaining a good cholesterol profile are avoiding sugar and refined carbohydrates, eating fiber-rich foods such as whole grains, beans and vegetables, and getting plenty of exercise. For more details on how cholesterol really works in your body, read the booklet John R. Lee M.D.’s Commonsense Guide to a Healthy Heart, available on the website. (http://www.johnleemd.com/store/books_booklets.html) If you’d like to know more about saturated fat myths and research, as well as get a wonderful cookbook, read Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats by Sally Fallon and Mary Enig. Copied from: http://www.johnleemd.com/store/hhw_0502.html#cholesterol |
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| | | From: Rene | Sent: 3/22/2006 12:59 AM |
Low Cholesterol on Shaky Ground March 2, 2006:- The mantra in many medical circles concerning LDL cholesterol continues to be "the lower the better," which is understandable because LDL cholesterol, under certain circumstances, is the one that can clog arteries, leading to heart attacks and strokes. But our bodies need LDL because, among other things, it is critical for cellular membrane walls, it forms a protective sheath around the peripheral nerves and it is a precursor for a number of the body's hormones. Some medical professionals have serious concerns about the drive to lower LDL through statin medications, as I have written about before. They point out that possible repercussions of very low LDL (that found in a total cholesterol level of less than 160 mg/dl) include impaired mental functioning, such as depression and anxiety. Now another worrisome link between low LDLs and possible neurological impairment has emerged via a study from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. THE LDL-PARKINSON'S CONNECTION The study found that men with LDL levels between 91 and 135 were six times more likely to have Parkinson's disease (PD) than men with LDL levels higher than 135... men with LDL levels below 91 were four times more likely. This is particularly startling because many doctors consider LDLs of 130 as the point at which statin treatment should begin. I spoke with Xuemei Huang, MD, PhD, lead author of the study, about the possible causes for this increased risk. Dr. Huang theorizes about several possible explanations, including that the body uses cholesterol to help rid itself of environmental toxins that may be contributory to PD. Furthermore, she says, as a precursor of hormones and chemical modulators, cholesterol may contribute to a variety of central nervous system functions. The study results did not find a correlation between lowered LDLs and PD in women, but Dr. Huang points out interesting gender considerations about PD in general. The onset of PD is usually after people turn 60, and two-thirds of those affected people are male. Men's LDL cholesterol begins to drop naturally around age 65 while women's natural decrease doesn't start until age 75. Perhaps, she says, the naturally lower LDL levels in men at a younger age relates to why more men develop PD. Future studies will have to examine that issue, but in the meantime Dr. Huang has advice based on her study. Specifically, she says that people who do not have a family risk of cardiovascular disease but who do have PD in the family, especially if it is a sibling, should think carefully before taking statins or beginning treatment strategies to lower cholesterol. She does not suggest that people who already have PD and are on statin therapy stop it, however, because the study suggests that lower LDLs came before onset of PD. As for general advice, she reminds people that the cultural belief in her native China supports the idea of balance in all things and it might be time to reconsider the belief that promoting low, lower and lowest LDL levels isn't optimal, at least for some groups, after all. Be well, Carole Jackson, Bottom Line's Daily Health News |
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| | | From: Rene | Sent: 5/30/2006 5:53 PM |
The Best and Safest Cholesterol Reducer
As I have written before, whereas it is important to keep cholesterol at a healthful ratio of total cholesterol to HDL (4 or under is ideal), all the focus on low-low cholesterol is not necessarily a good thing. You could keep cholesterol in check with the pop of a statin pill and consider the problem solved. Or, you could avoid the risk of side effects from statins, and instead go the natural route -- policosanol... red yeast rice... blueberries... or plant sterols. Plant sterols -- and their cousins, plant stanols -- are compounds that occur naturally in many fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, cereals, legumes, vegetable oils and other plant sources, and are both cheaper and safer than statins. RESEARCH ABOUNDS There's a considerable amount of research showing that plant sterols can lower cholesterol quite effectively. Early this year a study in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that 2 g of plant sterols taken daily resulted in a 6.5% reduction in total cholesterol. In another study, 1.8 g taken daily, coupled with a fiber called glucomannan (See Daily Health News, December 2, 2004, for more on glucomannan) lowered total cholesterol. A third study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition got similar results. And an article in the British Medical Journal concluded that if 2 g a day of plant sterols (or stanols) were added to the diet, there would be a reduction in the risk of heart disease of about 25%, "larger than the effect that could be expected to be achieved by reducing... intake of saturated fat." The cholesterol-lowering effects of plant sterols have been known for some time. In fact, in September 2000, the FDA authorized a coronary heart disease health claim for plant sterols and plant stanols. According to the "Talk Paper" released by the FDA to the press, this ruling was based on the FDA's conclusion that plant sterols "may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by lowering blood cholesterol levels." GETTING YOUR STEROLS Plant sterols can be gotten in the diet by eating -- you guessed it -- lots of plants. Vegetable oils including safflower, soybean and olive also are a good source, but be sure to buy cold-pressed -- organic if possible -- and balance your vegetable oil intake with nut oils and fish oil. Some new margarines (such as Benecol) tout their cholesterol-lowering properties largely due to the addition of plant sterols, but be careful -- Benecol contains artery-clogging trans fats ("partially hydrogenated oil" is the second ingredient listed on the label). The best sources remain fruits and vegetables... however, supplements based on plant sterols also are becoming widely available (for example, CholestaPro, CholestOff and LipidShield). Some of the top sources of sterols include... - Rice bran oil 1,190 mg
Corn oil 968 mg
Sesame seeds 714 mg
Safflower oil 444 mg
Soybean oil 250 mg
Olive oil 221 mg
Peanuts 220 mg
Italian salad dressing 121 mg
Garbanzo beans 35 mg
Bananas 16 mg
Carrots 12 mg
Tomatoes 7 mg
*Food source sterol content per 100 g of food source. By keeping your cholesterol in check with plant sterols you also will reap additional benefits. According to Sonja Pettersen, ND, "Plant foods -- and the compounds they contain -- improve immune function, have anticancer properties and seem to be helpful in a wide variety of health conditions, from eczema to chronic fatigue." Whole foods win again. Be well, Carole Jackson, Bottom Line's Daily Health News Sources: No More Holdbacks Lauren H. Zander, founder and principal of Personal Evolution, an international coaching company, www.personal-evolution.com
The Best and Safest Cholesterol Reducer, Sonja Pettersen, ND, in private practice in Arizona.
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| | | From: Rene | Sent: 6/29/2007 6:55 PM |
When "Good Cholesterol" Goes Bad 06/21/07; For years doctors have been telling you the importance of having healthy cholesterol levels, but today I’d like us to examine this more closely. And while I know that you’re a smart, informed health consumer, please allow me to start with a few basics: Exactly what is cholesterol? Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is found in many foods, and of course, in our bloodstream, and in all of the cells of our body. In fact, you could not live without it. It’s important to the structure of your cells, for hormone production, and for converting vitamin D into a form your body can use. While a lot of attention has been drawn to the dangerous effects of too much cholesterol, don’t be fooled into thinking that it’s a bad thing. Nothing could be further from the truth. Having a healthy amount of cholesterol in your body is key to overall good health. Cholesterol is packaged in a special molecule called a lipoprotein that allows it to move throughout the body in your bloodstream. There are two main types of these lipoproteins, low-density (LDL) and high-density (HDL). LDL transports cholesterol and triglycerides from the liver and small intestine to many different cells and tissues throughout your body, including the arteries of your heart. When LDL stays in your arteries for too long it can build up, become plaque, and block the flow of blood. If an artery that supplies blood to your heart or to your brain becomes blocked, the result can be a heart attack or stroke. Drugs designed to lower LDL like Lipitor, Zocor, and Crestor, have been the drug industry’s biggest sellers for many years. According to an article in the April 2007 issue of Forbes Magazine, these three alone have generated over $200 billion in sales over the past decade. HDL carries excess cholesterol out of the arteries and to the liver where it is further processed and disposed of. Most doctors will tell you that even if you can’t lower your LDL, you need to do all you can to raise your HDL level so that you reduce your risk of heart disease. Not surprisingly, drug companies have invested a lot in trying to create new drugs to raise HDL. (After all, that would be another huge money-maker for that industry.) But so far, all the clinical trials for new HDL-raising drugs have been very disappointing. Results have been inconsistent and none of the research has resulted in a compound that even appears to merit further research. So now you may be wondering�?Dr. Sinatra, what’s this got to do with me?" ........... Good question. ...... When "good cholesterol" goes bad. Our love affair with HDL is based upon scientifically proven facts. The well-respected Framingham Heart Study suggested several years ago that low HDL levels were the strongest predictor of heart disease. In fact, this study and other research have concluded that every one point rise in HDL decreases the risk of heart disease by 2%-4%. But we’ve also seen examples where the correlation between HDL and the risk of heart disease were not as clean-cut. For example, the Forbes article mentioned a team of Italian researchers who found a family whose HDL was very low due to a genetic mutation. Yet, this family had no trace of heart disease, apparently because the type of HDL they had was particularly beneficial. Then there were some Japanese patients with a gene mutation that caused them to have very high HDL, yet it didn’t appear to be helping them at all. These inconsistencies are troubling and most likely related to the fact that HDL is comprised of an ever-changing combination of cholesterol, protein, and lipids. Depending upon the make up of your individual HDL, it could help lower your risk of heart disease and stroke or it could have little benefit at all. {See Dr. Sinatra's web site for for a very shocking example:} HDL has proven to be much more difficult to understand than LDL, and is still in many respects, a mystery. Here’s what I want you to do now if you’re concerned about your HDL. Ask your doctor for the VAP test. Short for "vertical auto profile," this test has the ability to break down the many individual components of cholesterol to single out the most dangerous fractions. As a result, you get a much more accurate picture of what may or may not be a cholesterol problem. I’ve written all about this test in the July issue of my newsletter, Heart, Health and Nutrition. ........
Take niacin (vitamin B3) Niacin does a stellar job of naturally raising HDL. It also lowers triglycerides and a very dangerous cholesterol component, Lp(a), which we’ll talk more about in an upcoming e-letter. (Please stay tuned for this because managing them is critical to your cardiovascular health.) My colleague, Bob, raised his HDL from 48 to 62 after taking niacin for just three months!
When you take niacin, you’ll likely experience a tingly, pins-and-needles, sometimes hot, flushing of the skin. It usually begins on the forehead and works its way down your arms and chest. It can occur initially at doses as low as 50 mg a day and typically lasts no more than a half-hour to an hour, then disappears. The higher the initial dose, the greater the initial flush. Fortunately, you can minimize the intensity of the flush by taking the pills after meals.
I’ve found that flush is most intense when you first start taking niacin. As you continue, the intensity lessens and often within a week or two it vanishes. (This was Bob’s experience.) But if you stop taking niacin and then resume at a later date, you may experience a full flush again.
The reason you get a flush with niacin is the same reason it works so well in protecting your cardiovascular system. Niacin causes your capillaries to increase in size. When this happens near the surface of your skin, the area turns reddish and feels hot and tingly.
Over the years, I have had patients who became so alarmed that they ran to the emergency room, thinking that they were having a bad physical reaction to the nutrient. However, it is nothing to be concerned about.
Some people use the non-flush form of niacin because they are uncomfortable with the flushing effect. The problem with that is you don’t get the same good vascular benefits. Therefore, if you want reliable results, you should use the standard niacin, which is very inexpensive.
[Stephen Sinatra, M.D.]'s recommendation is that you start with 250 mg of niacin three times daily, and slowly work up to 1�? grams three times a day for HDL raising effect.
The over-the-counter brands I recommend include Slo-Niacin and TwinLab. Niaspan (500, 750, or 1,000 mg), which is available only by prescription, also works well. Ask your doctor about it (my colleague, Bob, takes Niaspan every day).
Please note: Niacin should be used with caution if you have diabetes. However, Niaspan in doses up to 750 mg is well-tolerated with minimal side effects (other than the flushing). Ask your doctor about it.
I hope you’ve found this information helpful and that you’ll refer to it as you continue down the path toward good health. Remember, through the pages of my newsletter, Heart, Health and Nutrition [http://doctorspreferred.com], ........ To Your Health, Stephen Sinatra, M.D. P.S. Readers of my newsletter can rest assured that I’ll continue monitoring this important issue regarding HDL and will provide updates when they’re available. If you’re not currently subscribing, see [ http://doctorspreferred.com] to join us. Dr. Stephen Sinatra is a practicing cardiologist with an integrative approach to health and healing. [He] is also the author of the monthly newsletter, Heart, Health & Nutrition which includes his best advice on heart health, diet & nutrition, exercise, and much more. |
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