3 Things You May Not Know About Heart Health
There are over 400 coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors and mediators now proven. Many physicians fail to measure or are completely unaware of the other risk factors and therefore do not address them.
The basic mechanisms of CVD (and just about every disease known to man) include chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, autoimmune dysfunction (which leads to endothelial dysfunction) and arterial compliance abnormalities.
Here are just a few statics regarding women and heart disease:
- Heart disease is the #1 killer of women. It’s more deadly than all forms of cancer combined.
- Heart disease causes 1 in 3 women's deaths each year killing approximately one woman every minute.
- An estimated 43 million women in the U.S. are affected by heart disease.
- 90% of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease.
- Since 1984, more women than men have died each year from heart disease.
- The symptoms of heart disease can be different in women vs men and are often misunderstood.
- While 1 in 31 American women dies from breast cancer each year, 1 in 3 dies of heart disease.
- Stressful relationships and unhappy marriages are especially harmful to women's hearts, and are linked to an increased risk of heart attacks, heart disease, depression, excess belly fat sickness and other health problems
What causes heart disease? Your risk of heart disease at age 60, 70 or 80 is determined by your risk factors at age 40. Many of these risk factors are lifestyle related: lack of exercise, low vitamin D levels, inflammation overload, obesity, type 2 diabetes, chronic stress and a poor diet.
An inflammatory diet (high in trans fats, HFCS, vegetable oils, GMOs, sugar, fructose, grains, gluten, processed foods), glyphosate exposure, oxidative stress, prolonged mental and emotional stress, gum disease, heavy metal toxicity, being overweight, eating foods you’re sensitive to, smoking, certain OTC and prescription drugs, proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs), underlying infections, diabetes, insulin resistance, high iron, and too little or too much exercise all increase risk of heart disease and many other diseases.
Contrary to popular belief, dietary intake of fat and cholesterol (grass-fed, pasture-raised meats, pastured butter and eggs) does NOT raise cholesterol. The real villains that are poisonous to your heart, waistline and overall health, and promote systemic inflammation include white flour, wheat, grains, hydrogenated frankenfats, trans fats, gluten, sugar, fake fats such as margarine, high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners, eating too many chemicals, GMOs, and omega-6 fats from genetically-modified vegetable oils.
A study in the journal Cardiology Research and Practice reports that long-term adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet results in significant improvements in several risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
A study in the journal Cardiology Research and Practice reports that long-term adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet results in significant improvements in several risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
“3 Things You May Not Know About Heart Disease & Heart Health”
1. Increased C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Homocysteine, HbA1c and Insulin
C-Reactive Protein (CRP) is a simple blood test that is used as a marker of inflammation in the arteries and the body. CRP is used to determine cardiovascular risk and has been found to be a stronger predictor of heart disease than a high LDL cholesterol. CRP is a component of the immune system and becomes elevated when inflammation is rampant in the bodu.
What Causes an Increased C-Reactive Protein (CRP)?
| * Food sensitivities | * Heavy metal toxicity | * Bacterial or viral infections |
| * Injuries or illness | * Autoimmune disorders | * Insulin resistance, diabetes |
| * Obesity | * Chronic stress | * A diet high in inflammatory foods |
| * Smoking | * Depression | * Heart-related conditions |
| * Aging | * Sedentary lifestyles | * Pesticides, GMOs, glyphosate |
| * Hormone replacement | * Over-exercising | * Oral contraceptives |
Elevated CRP values do not produce physical symptoms, so be sure to include this important lab marker in your blood testing as it’s the only way to know if your level is high.
Glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is a form of hemoglobin that identifies the average plasma glucose concentration over prolonged periods of time. HbA1C is a marker that reveals the individuals diet and amount of sugar accumulated in their system from the previous 2-3 months. Elevated levels indicate they’re consuming a diet excessive in processed carbs, grains, sugars and/or alcohol.
High hemoblogin A1c is strongly linked to diabetes, reduced insulin sensitivity, degenerative disease, accelerated aging, glycation, oxidation, and autoimmune disorders. It’s also a marker for inflammation and heart damage. A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology suggests that hyperglycemia is related to cardiac damage independent of atherosclerosis.
Homocysteine is an amino acid that is generated when methionine is metabolized used by the body to make protein and maintain tissues. Homocysteine levels reflect methylation status, sulfur metabolism, detoxification, and epigenetic modulation. An elevated homocysteine usually indicates the body is deficient in B vitamins, specifically folate and B12 and unable to metabolize methionine properly. An increased homocysteine (>8) is associated with vascular inflammation and an increased risk of disease including heart disease, stroke, cancer, dementia, kidney disease, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease and osteoporosis.
Be smart. A simple blood test can identify underlying risk factors for heart disease. Include the following: homocysteine, insulin, HbA1c, glucose, fibrinogen and C-reactive protein.
Sources of Inflammation. An inflammatory diet (high in trans fats, HFCS, vegetable oils, GMOs, sugar, fructose, grains, gluten, processed foods), glyphosate exposure, oxidative stress, prolonged mental and emotional stress, gum disease, heavy metal toxicity, being overweight, injuries, eating foods you’re sensitive to, smoking, underlying infections, leaky gut, existing heart condition, poorly controlled blood sugar, diabetes, insulin resistance, high iron, and too little or too much exercise all increase inflammation.
There are at least two other conditions that have been shown to cause blood-vessel inflammation and elevated CRP levels: chlamydia and H. pylori. Be sure to order blood tests for antibodies to these two microorganisms. —Jonathan Wright, M.D
2. Saturated fat. Contrary to popular belief, saturated fat is actually healthy for your heart, your brain and your body! A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that those who regularly eat the highest amounts of saturated fats have the least amount of plaque buildup in their arteries, and had a healthier balance of HDL and LDL cholesterols. A large meta-analysis of studies with 350,000 participants found no association between saturated fat and heart disease.
High hemoblogin A1c is strongly linked to diabetes, reduced insulin sensitivity, degenerative disease, accelerated aging, glycation, oxidation, and autoimmune disorders. It’s also a marker for inflammation and heart damage. A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology suggests that hyperglycemia is related to cardiac damage independent of atherosclerosis.
Homocysteine is an amino acid that is generated when methionine is metabolized used by the body to make protein and maintain tissues. Homocysteine levels reflect methylation status, sulfur metabolism, detoxification, and epigenetic modulation. An elevated homocysteine usually indicates the body is deficient in B vitamins, specifically folate and B12 and unable to metabolize methionine properly. An increased homocysteine (>8) is associated with vascular inflammation and an increased risk of disease including heart disease, stroke, cancer, dementia, kidney disease, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease and osteoporosis.
Be smart. A simple blood test can identify underlying risk factors for heart disease. Include the following: homocysteine, insulin, HbA1c, glucose, fibrinogen and C-reactive protein.
Sources of Inflammation. An inflammatory diet (high in trans fats, HFCS, vegetable oils, GMOs, sugar, fructose, grains, gluten, processed foods), glyphosate exposure, oxidative stress, prolonged mental and emotional stress, gum disease, heavy metal toxicity, being overweight, injuries, eating foods you’re sensitive to, smoking, underlying infections, leaky gut, existing heart condition, poorly controlled blood sugar, diabetes, insulin resistance, high iron, and too little or too much exercise all increase inflammation.
There are at least two other conditions that have been shown to cause blood-vessel inflammation and elevated CRP levels: chlamydia and H. pylori. Be sure to order blood tests for antibodies to these two microorganisms. —Jonathan Wright, M.D
2. Saturated fat. Contrary to popular belief, saturated fat is actually healthy for your heart, your brain and your body! A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that those who regularly eat the highest amounts of saturated fats have the least amount of plaque buildup in their arteries, and had a healthier balance of HDL and LDL cholesterols. A large meta-analysis of studies with 350,000 participants found no association between saturated fat and heart disease.
Healthy Saturated Fats from coconut oil, pastured eggs, organic grass-fed butter, grass-fed organic meats and pasture-raised poultry, unpasteurized, raw milk and wild fish actually reduce your risk of heart disease and improve lipid profiles. These healthy, healing fats prevent bone loss, kill Candida, help balance hormones, boost immune health, nourish your thyroid, brain and nervous system, stabilize the hormone receptor to insulin, and protect the body from inflammatory damage.
The fats to avoid: soybean oil, canola oil and all genetically-modified oils, trans-fats and hydrogenated fats found in french fries, microwave popcorn, margarine, donuts, cookies, crackers, and processed, packaged, junk and fast foods. These fake frankenfats are responsible for excessive inflammation, and an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer and degenerative diseases.
3. Cholesterol is a steroid found in all body cells and blood. Cholesterol is a precursor to hormone production, used in vitamin D and bile production for digestion of fat from our foods with 80% produced in the liver. Cholesterol is a repair substance needed for cell membrane integrity that controls free radial damage. It is needed for production of sex hormones, healthy immune function, a healthy nervous system, and is vital to brain function activating the release of nerve hormones aka neurotransmitters. It’s not the amount of cholesterol in your blood that drives heart disease risk, but the number of LDL particles.
Testing for Heart Disease. In addition to the basic tests for cholesterol (HDL, LDL, triglycerides and total cholesterol), it’s important to include particle number and particle size. Small particles are associated with pre-diabetes (or metabolic syndrome) and diabetes, and are caused by insulin resistance. Other basic lab values should also be included such as remnant lipoprotein (RLP), Lp(a), Apo-B-100, and as stated above homocysteine, C-reactive protein, hemoglobin A1C and fasting insulin. Order your lab tests today!
No one is Drug Deficient….just Nutrient Deficient. Statin drugs are now one of the top selling drugs in the U.S. Heart disease is not a Crestor or Lipitor deficiency. Statins come with a laundry list of side effects including liver damage, sexual dysfunction, muscle pain, cognitive dysfunction, serious nutritional deficiencies, and Coenzyme Q10 depletion. Taking statin drugs to lower your cholesterol increases risk of type 2 diabetes by 50%, dementia, neurological problems, headaches, muscle pain, digestive disorders, impaired memory & brain dysfunction, and increase risk of developing cataracts by 30 percent!
A study in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that statins increase the risk of diabetes by 71% in post-menopausal women. An analysis by Dr. David Newman in 2010 found that 96% of those with pre-existing heart disease that took statins for 5 years saw no benefit at all. Dr. Newman also analyzed the effect of statin drugs given to people with no known heart disease for 5 years, and found 98% saw no benefit whatsoever!
Take away message: Do your homework. Take control and responsibility of your own health. Your decision to take statin drugs should be factored on your overall risk of heart attack and if you have pre-existing heart disease, the quality of your diet, lifestyle, and correcting nutrient deficiencies. Unless you’re someone that has already had a heart attack, beware if your doctor recommends a statin drug! *** Simple Solutions to Lower Cholesterol Naturally
Drugs don't treat the underlying causes of chronic illness and disease that are rooted in what we eat, how much we move, inflammation, how connected we are to our communities, gut health, how we deal with and manage stress, nutritional deficiencies, toxic overload, chemicals and metals in our environment.
Consuming 12-15 servings of organic, folate-rich dark leafy greens and non-starchy vegetables daily dramatically reduces risk of heart disease and doubles as a way to increase fiber intake. Those who followed this easy, effective method for a study published in the European Heart Journal had a 22% lower risk of dying from heart disease! An effective and easy way to increase your intake of veggies and greens is drinking a green smoothie every day.
If your total cholesterol is considered to be TOO HIGH, (>250) the problem is not the cholesterol. Your body has raised its levels in order to play some type of essential role(s) for your survival. The cause of high cholesterol is often due to an over-consumption of starchy carbs, sugars, alcohol, vegetable oils, trans fats, HFCS and GMOs that result in metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance.
Other reasons for elevated cholesterol include a congested liver, high levels of inflammation, autoimmunity, heavy metal toxicity, underlying infections, and/or hormone imbalances such as hypothyroid. Emotional and physical stress can also influence cholesterol levels. In general, total cholesterol is increased in most endocrine or organ hypofunction, and decreased in most endocrine and organ hyperfunction.
If your cholesterol is considered to be high, the root cause must be identified. It can be a sign that your body, emotions or intellect are under excessive stress. Excess cholesterol is manufactured in times of psychological stress, dehydration, and excessive inflammation, autoimmune dysfunction, toxic metal body burdens, oxidative stress, underlying infections, insulin resistance, environmental toxins or because your body is attempting to produce hormones (i.e.: hypothyroid, menopause or andropause). Testosterone is vital for more than just sex drive; it’s important for heart health. Testosterone levels decline as we age. Those with low testosterone are more likely to have elevated cholesterol, heart attacks and diabetes.
The answer is simple. Drugs don’t treat the underlying causes of chronic illness. Using a functional approach to health, identifying the the root cause is a priority…..not taking a statin drug (which is a band-aid with serious side effects).
A high HDL (>80) is not necessarily an indication of a super healthy individual. Those with an HDL (>80) are either inflamed, infected or eat a bad diet. Inflammation causes HDL to become dysfunctional, therefore it’s highly recommended to determine the root cause of an elevated HDL, which can be caused by mycotoxins, inflammation, hidden infections, bad diet or nutritional deficiencies. (per Mark Houston, M.D., MSc, SCH, ABAAM, FACP, FAHA)
A study in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition concluded that higher vitamin D levels are linked with healthier HDL cholesterol and significant decreases in LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
Remember...Cholesterol is necessary and healthy! It's involved in cellular repair and reducing inflammation. It’s oxidized cholesterol that is unhealthy. High triglycerides, in conjunction with a low HDL versus a high cholesterol total by itself are risk factors for disease. Women with high cholesterol actually live longer. Higher cholesterol predicts lower risk of death from heart disease.
The Journal of the American Medical Association reported that normal cholesterol was considered to be around 200. Today, normal is considered 160!
LOW CHOLESTEROL – Is it harmful? So much has been written concerning the evils of increased cholesterol, however very little has been reported concerning decreased cholesterol.
LOW CHOLESTEROL – Is it harmful? So much has been written concerning the evils of increased cholesterol, however very little has been reported concerning decreased cholesterol.
Decreased cholesterol can be normal for a vegetarian and those with a genetic predisposition. However, cholesterol levels <160 usually signify an underlying health problem.
Low cholesterol is associated with immune dysfunction, chronic inflammation, an increased risk of depression, anxiety and mental health issues, hyperthyroid, infections, manganese deficiency, liver disease, malnutrition, respiratory illness, stroke, cognitive dysfunction, and an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s. Serotonin and other important neurotransmitters are hindered by cholesterol deficiency.
Low cholesterol adversely affects the brain, liver, digestive system and sex hormone production. Those with cholesterol <160 cannot manufacture sex hormones. A study in the journal Neurology reported that low cholesterol is associated with increased risk of dementia. Studies suggest that low cholesterol can increase the risk of death, especially in women and the elderly. Cholesterol that is too low for an extended length of time increases risk of brain hemorrhages. A total cholesterol <140 is one of the red flags of cancer (JAMA, Dec 1980).
Low cholesterol is associated with immune dysfunction, chronic inflammation, an increased risk of depression, anxiety and mental health issues, hyperthyroid, infections, manganese deficiency, liver disease, malnutrition, respiratory illness, stroke, cognitive dysfunction, and an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s. Serotonin and other important neurotransmitters are hindered by cholesterol deficiency.
Low cholesterol adversely affects the brain, liver, digestive system and sex hormone production. Those with cholesterol <160 cannot manufacture sex hormones. A study in the journal Neurology reported that low cholesterol is associated with increased risk of dementia. Studies suggest that low cholesterol can increase the risk of death, especially in women and the elderly. Cholesterol that is too low for an extended length of time increases risk of brain hemorrhages. A total cholesterol <140 is one of the red flags of cancer (JAMA, Dec 1980).
As always, keeping you informed! For a deeper understanding of your blood work, Balance Your Body Chemistry with a personalized Blood Chemistry Analysis. As a holistic nutritionist and functional health practitioner, my philosophy is to identify the root cause of any underlying health issues, slowly "peel away the layers of the onion," and design a healing protocol and comprehensive lifestyle plan specific to your unique biochemistry so you can heal, experience vibrant health, balanced hormones, and look, think and feel better than ever for a lifetime. I consult with men, women and their families throughout the U.S., and with clients locally in the Phoenix area. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation!
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