Coronary Heart Disease

Dear Friends

The number one cause of death for men and women in the US is Coronary Heart Disease (CHD).  And, the leading cause for CHD is Metabolic Syndrome. One-quarter of the American population has Metabolic Syndrome (see NIH: NHLBI, 2015).

CHD’s risk factors include high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, high triglycerides, obesity, physical inactivity, diabetes, and stress (Saini et al., 2010; Serino et al., 2014).

What Therapeutic Food Supplements support a healthy heart?

Therapeutic Food protocol.

Beta Glucan High Potency Synbiotic– 1 heaping tablespoon BID, preferably before 2 largest meals, or 2 tablespoons in your protein shake once daily.

Phyto Power– 2 capsules daily.

Chromium Bio-organic with Beet– 1 capsule BID, preferably before 2 largest meals.

Food Science

Beta Glucan High Potency Synbiotic provides oat bran that is rich in soluble beta glucan fibers, red beet root soluble and insoluble fibers rich in the flavonoid betalain, the soluble chicory root fiber inulin, and pedigreed lactic acid probiotics—all healthy food ingredients shown by research to support the reduction in the risk markers for obesity, diabetes and CVD.

There is a multitude of research that strongly suggest dietary fiber reduces the risk of metabolic syndrome (Grooms, 2013).  The Beta Glutcan Synbiotic provides a diverse collection of fibers shown to nutritionally support healthy heart.

Whitehead et al. (2014) performed a meta-analysis on 28 randomized controlled trial son the effectiveness of oat bran beta glucans to lower LDL cholesterol.  Oat beta glucan reduced LDL and total cholesterol by 0.25 mmol/L and 0.30 mmol/L respectively at doses of 3g.d.

Data from multiple researches find strong support for the hypothesis that the fiber inulin (prebiotic) inhibits hepatic lipogenesis (formation of cėolesterol), inducing a significant hypotriglyceridemic effect (Saini, 2010).

DiRienzo (2014) reviewed 26 clinical studies and two meta-analyses and found amongst others that L. acidophilus plus inulin (prebiotic) significantly decreased LDL cholesterol.
Their conclusion was that probiotic intake as a therapeutic lifestyle change can have a positive effect on reduced CHD risk factors.

Phyto Power contains three species of wildcrafted rosehips (the whole fruit and seeds), four species of wildcrafted dandelions (aerial parts and flower), and four species of wildcrafted blueberry Fruit > 95% and leave and stems < 5%).  Alaska wild berries range from 3 to 5 times higher in ORAC value than cultivated berries from the lower 48 States.  For example, cultivated blueberries have an ORAC scale of 30.  Alaska’s wild dwarf blueberries measured 85 (Dinstel, 2013).

Phyto Power’s broad array of phytonutrients (catechins, organic acids, vitamins, flavonoids, carotenoids, anthocyanins, polyphenols) provide support as antioxidants, in cardiovascular protection, for anti-atherosclerosis, to improvement of endothelial function and for anti-inflammation; as well as supporting, anti-apoptosis, anti-aging, anti carcinogen, anti-microbial and neurological protection (Han, 2007). Pure anthocyanins are up to seven times more effective as antioxidants inhibiting lipid peroxidation than alpha tocopherol (Lila, 2004).

Research has shown that the catechin family of flavonoids provides protective phytonutrients particularly from catechin, epicatechins and epigallocatechin gallate.

Endothelial dysfunction, a prognostically relevant key event in atherosclerosis, is characterized by a decreased bioactivity of nitric oxide (NO) and impaired flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD).  Schroeter et al., (2006) showed in healthy male adults that the ingestion of flavanol-rich cocoa was associated with acute elevations in levels of circulating NO species, an enhanced FMD response of conduit arteries, and an augmented microcirculation.

Nagao et al., (2007) observed, in a protocol sample of 240 subjects, that green tea extract high in catechins reduces body fat and cardiovascular risks including a decrease in systolic blood pressure. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was also decreased to a greater extent in the catechin group.

Lorenz et al. (2007) investigated the effect of milk in preventing the beneficial effects of tea relative to vascular protection, and found that casein in milk binds to catechins inhibiting their beneficial functioning as antioxidants.  Their conclusion was that milk counteracts the favorable health effects of tea on vascular function.

The wilds of Alaska provide an amazing environment for powerful plants and berries— fertile volcanic ash soil, and a harsh environment that challenges plants to put out high levels of phenols (e.g. flavonoids) to protect themselves.

Chromium Bio-organic with Beet is a potent new form of trivalent chromium presented in a food-derived organic carrier. US Patent pending. Each capsule provides 500 micrograms of trivalent chromium and 250 mg of red beetroot with High Actives betalain content. Advanced freeze-drying technology. No excipients. 60 capsules per bottle. 250 mg per vegetarian capsule.

A strong body of evidence links chronic hyperglycemia to microvascular complications, such as retinopathy, neuropathy, and nephropathy, in persons with diabetes.  A metaregression analysis that combined more than 95,000 persons without diagnosed diabetes found a graded relationship between fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels and subsequent risk for a cardiovascular event (Selvin, 2004).

Chromium has been show to improve the glucose/insulin system in subjects with hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, diabetes and hyperlipemia.  Chromium improves insulin binding, insulin receptor number, insulin internalization, beta cell sensitivity, and insulin receptor enzymes with overall increase in insulin sensitivity (Anderson, 1997).

The bottom-line, is that diabetics are 50% more likely to die of heart disease that non-diabetics, and chromium helps support in the lowering of the risk of diabetes.

Bibliography:

• Anderson RA. (1997). Nutritional factors influencing the glucose/insulin system: chromium. Journal of the American College of Nutrition; 16(5): 404-410.
• Dower et al. (2015). Effects of the pure flavonoids epicatechin and quercetin on vascular function and cardiometabolic health: a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. Am J Clin Nutr; 101(5): 914-21.
• Dinstel R.R., Cascio J., & Koukel S. (2013). The antioxidant level of Alaska’s wild berries: high, higher and highest. Int J Circumpolar Health;72 doi:10.3402/ijch.v7210.21188.
• DiRienzo D.B. (2014). Effect of probiotics on biomarkers of cardiovascular disease: implications for heart-healthy diets. Nutr Rev.;72(1):18-29.
• Engler at al. (2004). Flavonoid-rich dark chocolate improves endothelial function and increases plasma epicatechin concentrations in healthy adults. J Am Coll Nutr; 23:197-204.
• Greenwald SE. (2007). Ageing of the conduit arteries. J Pathol; 211(2): 157-172.
• Han et al. (2007). Meta-analysis: Dietary Polyphenols and their Biological Significance. Int J Mo Sci; 8(9): 950-988.
• Lilla M.A. (2004). Plant pigments and their manipulation: Annual plant reviews; Vol. 14, Chapter 8. Oxford, UK: Blackwell Publishing.
• Lorenz et al. (2007). Addition of milk prevents vascular protective effects of tea. European Heart Journal; 28(2): 2219-2223.
• Nagao et al. (2007). A green tea extract high in catechins reduces body fat and cardiovascular risks in humans. Obesity; 15: 1473-1483.
• NIH. (2015). Coronary Heart Disease. National Heart, lung, and Blood Institute; nhibi.hih.gov/health-topics/cad.
• Schroeter et al. (2006). Epicatechin mediates beneficial effects of flavanol-rich cocoa on vascular function in humans. PNAS; 103:1024-1029.
• Saini et al. (2010). Potential of probiotics in controlling cardiovascular diseases. J. Cardiovasc Dis Res;1(4):213-214.
• Serino et al. (2014). Far from the Eyes, Close to the Heart:  Dysbiosis of Gut Microbiota and Cardiovasuclar Consequences. Curr Cardiol Rep.; 16(11):540.
• Saini et al. (2010). Potential of probiotics in controlling cardiovascular diseases. J. Cardiovasc Dis Res;14):213-214.
• Tuso et al. (2013). Nutritional Update for Physicians: Plant-Based Diets. The Permanente Journal; 17(2); 61-66.
• Whitehead et al. (2014) Cholesterol-lowering effects of oat Beta glucan: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Am j. Clin. Nutr.;100(6):1413-1421.

Sincerely yours,

Seann Bardell

We have developed our products based on scientific research and/or the practical experience of many healthcare practitioners.  There is a growing body of literature on food based nutrition and supplements and their application in support of our health. Please use our products under the advisement of your doctor.

Green Facts:

Kaiser Permantente has published a remarkable nutritional update for their 15,000 physicians who care for their 10 million members.  Kaiser is now telling doctors that healthy eating may best be achieved with a plant-based diet, defined as a regiment that “encourages whole, plant-based foods and discourages meats, dairy and eggs as well as all refined and processed junk food (Tuso, 2013).