Heart Benefit from Soy and Prebiotic Combo

HEALTH NEWS

Canadian researchers say that combining prebiotics and soy protein may lower cholesterol levels and boost heart health. 

Consumption of a soy-food-based diet, providing soy protein and isoflavones in combination with 10 g per day of oligofructose-enriched inulin, led to significant reductions in levels of LDL cholesterol, according to results of a small randomized controlled crossover study published in Metabolism Clinical and Experimental. 

The LDL reductions were only observed when soy and prebiotics were co-ingested, an observation that suggests "the provision of fermentable substrates may be one means to increase the effectiveness of soy foods as part of a dietary strategy for cardiovascular disease risk reduction," wrote the researchers led by David Jenkins from the University of Toronto. 

The association between soy protein and blood lipid levels led the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve a cardiovascular disease reduction claim for soybean protein in 1999. 

Twenty-three people with an average age of 58 and average blood LDL levels of 4.18 millimoles per liter were recruited and randomly assigned to one of three groups: One group received a soy-food-containing diet, providing 30 g per day of soy protein and 61 mg per day of isoflavones, plus maltodextrin (placebo); the second group received the soy food diet, plus prebiotic; the final group received a low-fat dairy diet, plus the prebiotic. Two weeks separated each dietary intervention and 23 people completed all three phases.

The results showed that the joint consumption of soy and prebiotic produced greater reductions in LDL cholesterol of around 0.18 mmol/L and improved the ratio of LDL cholesterol to HDL cholesterol, compared with only the prebiotic phase.

HDL cholesterol levels were also significantly increased following the soy plus prebiotic diet, compared with only the prebiotic. 

"These data support the lipid-lowering basis for the current FDA health claim for soy foods. They demonstrate how a non-significant (about three percent) LDL cholesterol reduction seen when soy was consumed alone can be converted to a significant (about five percent) LDL cholesterol reduction when soy was taken with a prebiotic," wrote the researchers.

"We believe the present study therefore supports the value of soy as one of the few cholesterol-lowering foods, in the five percent reduction range, especially when given with fermentable substrates such as would be naturally present in diets that also contained viscous fibers to lower serum cholesterol," they added.

Source: Metabolism Clinical and Experimental

OPCs Show Support for Cardiovascular Health

HEALTH NEWS

Cranberry juice rich in antioxidant procyanidins is effective in boosting the health of blood vessels, thereby supporting earlier research encouraging the use of such compounds for promoting cardiovascular health.

While the potential heart-health benefits of flavonoid-rich diets have been reported previously, there was uncertainty about which constituents in flavonoid-rich foods may be behind the benefits, according to the British and Japanese researchers conducting the new study.

Findings published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry indicate that oligomeric procyanidins (OPCs) had "by far the most potent effects" on the function of the endothelium (the cells lining the blood vessels). The research also builds upon the science and understanding surrounding the consumption of cranberry juice. 

"Cranberry consumption is mostly studied in relation to the beneficial effects of A-type procyanidins on urinary tract health," explained the researchers. "However, when the anti-atherosclerotic actions of OPCs are also considered, the daily consumption of cranberry juice is likely to have multiple health benefits."

Led by Professor Roger Corder at the Queen Mary University of London, the researchers tested the effects of flavonoids on endothelial function. Cultured endothelial cells were used as a bioassay and endothelin-1 (ET-1) synthesis was measured as an index of the response.  

Comparing extracts of cranberry and cranberry juice to those of apple, cocoa, red wine and green tea showed that OPC content determined the extent of inhibition of ET-1 synthesis, they said.

Procyanidin-rich extracts of cranberry juice were also found to produce changes in the morphology of endothelial cells that were independent of the compounds’ antioxidant activity.

"In agreement with previous studies on cultured endothelial cells or isolated vessels, compared to flavonoid monomers, OPCs have by far the most potent effects on endothelial function," wrote the researchers.

Most studies have shown a benefit of OPCs with doses in the range of 100 mg to 300 mg per day.

Source: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry

Vitamin B-6 May Affect Risk of Heart Disease

HEALTH NEWS

Low levels of vitamin B-6 may increase the risk of inflammation and metabolic conditions—and subsequently, cardiovascular disease risk—according to a new study.

A cross-sectional study with 1,205 people found that higher levels of pyridoxal-5’-phosphate (PLP), the active form of vitamin B-6, were linked to lower levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation, as well as lower levels of 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), a marker for oxidative stress, both of which are related to heart disease risk.

CRP is produced in the liver and is a known indicator of inflammation. Increased levels of CRP are a good predictor for the onset of both type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Researchers from the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University reported their findings in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

"Our data suggest that vitamin B-6 may influence cardiovascular disease risk through mechanisms other than [reduction of the amino acid] homocysteine and support the notion that nutritional status may influence the health disparities present in this population," wrote the researchers, led by Jian Shen.

Shen and co-workers measured levels of PLP, CRP and 8-OHdG in 1,205 Puerto Rican adults aged between 45 and 75 living in Massachusetts.

Results showed a strong dose-dependent relationship between PLP levels and CRP levels, with the highest PLP levels associated with CRP levels almost 50% lower than low PLP levels.

Furthermore, the highest average levels of PLP were associated with 8-OHdG concentrations of 108 nanograms per milligram, compared to 124 ng/mg for low PLP levels. The associations were observed even after the researchers took into account homocysteine levels.

Source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 91(2):337-342, 2010

It's The Carbs Not The Fats!

Unless you’re living on another planet, you’ve heard this message: reduce your intake of fat and cholesterol to achieve a healthy weight and decrease the likelihood of developing heart disease. In fact, the terms “healthy” and “low fat” seem inextricably linked. But now we know that the rationale for a low-fat diet is based on two overly simplistic ideas that turn out to be wrong.

Wrong Idea #1

 
Fat contains 9 calories per gram; both protein and carbohydrate contain 4 calories per gram. Presumably then, reducing fat intake should allow you to eat a larger total volume of food, feel satisfied, and promote weight loss. Only one problem; it doesn’t work. Just ask all the people who’ve cut their fat intake, but haven’t lost body fat or have actually gained weight.

Why doesn’t it work? The simple reason is that the amount of calories increases when carbs replace fat because fat is inherently more satisfying than carbs and you wind up eating more carbs as you seek satisfaction and a sense of fullness. Where’s the proof that the low-fat approach has backfired? Just look at the skyrocketing rates of obesity (and diabetes) over the past 40 years. That’s the same period in which we’ve been told to cut down on fat—and, as a nation, we have.

Wrong Idea #2

 
The major emphasis on reducing dietary fat (including saturated fat) was based on the assumption that consuming fatty foods increases blood cholesterol levels, which, in turn, which in turn, increases the incidence of heart disease. This assumption is called the “diet-heart hypothesis.” However, despite decades of research funded by the government at a cost of billions of dollars, there’s little evidence to support the premise.

A Look at the Research

The largest and most expensive study on the role of fat in the diet was called the Women’s Health Initiative, which tracked almost 50,000 postmenopausal women for an average of eight years. The women were randomly assigned to one of two diets: one that reduced total fat intake and increased the intake of vegetables, fruits and grains and a control group that was allowed to eat whatever they wanted. Many different researchers published many scientific papers on this study. All came to the same conclusion: there was no significant benefit in terms of weight loss as a result of following a low-fat diet. Nor was there any impact on the incidence of heart disease (or diabetes or cancer).

It turns out that you are not what you eat, so much as what your body does with what you eat. That’s where following the Atkins low-carb approach comes in. Once you eliminate added sugar, white flour and other “junk” carbs and reduce your total intake of carbs, you convert your body to a primarily fat-burning metabolism. The result is that your excess fat stores become a source of energy and your indicators for heart disease improve, as supported in a number of recent studies.

A Sweet Reversal

 
We’re encouraged to see that based upon a recent study published in Circulation: the Journal of the American Heart Association, the association now takes the position that consuming added sugars may cause weight gain and raise triglycerides, both of which contribute to the risk of developing heart disease. It also offers specific guidelines for the upper limits of added sugar intake. In 2006, the American Heart Association (AHA) recommended reducing intake of added sugars, but set no limits. (The study classifies added sugars as any sugar or syrup added at the table or in the processing and preparation of a food, in contrast to naturally occurring sugars in fruit, for example.) The AHA now says that “a prudent upper limit of intake is half of the discretionary calorie allowance, which for most American women is no more than 100 calories per day and for most American men is no more than 150 calories per day from added sugars.” Six teaspoons of sugar pack about 100 calories and a 12-ounce cola contains about 130 calories.

Most eat far in excess of these amounts. A report from the 2001-04 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) showed the average intake of added sugars by Americans was about 22 teaspoons a day. Lead author of the Circulation study Rachel K. Johnson says that sugar has no nutritional value other than to provide calories. We hope that in its next position statement, the AHA tackles the larger issue of overall carbohydrate intake and its association with heart health.

Source: Reprinted from Atkins Nutritionals  

References:

 
1.    B. V. Howard, J. E. Manson, M. L. Stefanick, S. A. Beresford, G. Frank, B. Jones, et al., “Low-Fat Dietary Pattern and Weight Change over 7 Years: The Women's Health Initiative Dietary Modification Trial,” The Journal of the American Medical Association 295 (2006), 39–49.
2.    L. F. Tinker, D. E. Bonds, K. L. Margolis, J. E. Manson, B. V. Howard, J. Larson, et al., “Low-Fat Dietary Pattern and Risk of Treated Diabetes Mellitus in Postmenopausal Women: The Women's Health Initiative Randomized Controlled Dietary Modification Trial,” Archives of Internal Medicine 168 (2008), 1500–1511.
3.    S. A. Beresford, K. C. Johnson, C. Ritenbaugh, N. L. Lasser, L. G. Snetselaar, H. R. Black, et al., “Low-Fat Dietary Pattern and Risk of Colorectal Cancer: The Women's Health Initiative Randomized Controlled Dietary Modification Trial,” The Journal of the American Medical Association 295 (2006), 643–654.
4.    R. L. Prentice, C. A. Thomson, B. Caan, F. A. Hubbell, G. L. Anderson, S. A. Beresford, et al., “Low-Fat Dietary Pattern and Cancer Incidence in the Women's Health Initiative Dietary Modification Randomized Controlled Trial,” Journal of the National Cancer Institute 99 (2007), 1534–1543.
5.    C. D. Gardner, A. Kiazand, S. Alhassan, S. Kim, R. S. Stafford, R. R. Balise, et al., “Comparison of the Atkins, Zone, Ornish, and LEARN Diets for Change in Weight and Related Risk Factors among Overweight Premenopausal Women: The A TO Z Weight Loss Study: A Randomized Trial,” The Journal of the American Medical Association 297 (2007), 969–977.
6.    I. Shai, D. Schwarzfuchs, Y. Henkin, D. R. Shahar, S. Witkow, I. Greenberg, et al., “Weight Loss with a Low-Carbohydrate, Mediterranean, or Low-Fat Diet,” The New England Journal of Medicine 359 (2008), 229–241.
7.    J. S. Volek, M. L. Fernandez, R. D. Feinman, and S. D. Phinney, “Dietary Carbohydrate Restriction Induces a Unique Metabolic State Positively Affecting Atherogenic Dyslipidemia, Fatty Acid Partitioning, and Metabolic Syndrome,” Progress in Lipid Research 47 (2008), 307–318.
8.    J. Nordmann, A. Nordmann, M. Briel, U. Keller, W. S. Yancy, Jr., B. J. Brehm, et al., “Effects of Low-Carbohydrate vs Low-Fat Diets on Weight Loss and Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials,” Archives of Internal Medicine 166 (2006), 285–293.
9.    M. Dashti, N. S. Al‑Zaid, T. C. Mathew, M. Al‑Mousawi, H. Talib, S. K. Asfar, et al., “Long Term Effects of Ketogenic Diet in Obese Subjects with High Cholesterol Level,” Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry 286 (2006), 1–9.
10.     G. Boden, K. Sargrad, C. Homko, M. Mozzoli, and T. P. Stein, “Effect of a Low-Carbohydrate Diet on Appetite, Blood Glucose Levels, and Insulin Resistance in Obese Patients with type 2 Diabetes,” Annals of Internal Medicine 142 (2005), 403–411.
11.    E. C. Westman, W. S. Yancy, Jr., J. C. Mavropoulos, M. Marquart, and J. R. McDuffie, “The Effect of a Low-Carbohydrate, Ketogenic Diet Versus a Low-Glycemic Index Diet on Glycemic Control in type 2 Diabetes Mellitus,” Nutrition & Metabolism (London) 5 (2008), 36.
12.    E. H. Kossoff, and J. M. Rho, “Ketogenic Diets: Evidence for Short- and Long-Term Efficacy,” Neurotherapeutics 6 (2009), 406–414.
13.    R. K. Johnson, L. J. Appel,  M. Brands, et al., “Dietary Sugars Intake and Cardiovascular Health,” Circulation 2009;120;1011-1020.

Inflammatory Markers Predict Congestive Heart Failure

HEALTH NEWS

Inflammatory markers are independent predictors of congestive heart failure (CHF) and likely reflect the link between obesity and CHF, a new study suggests.(1) In a new analysis of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), researchers led by Dr Hossein Bahrami (Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD) report that serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and albuminuria all predicted the development of CHF over four years, independent of obesity or other established risk factors.

"Our results suggest that inflammation might be involved, directly or as a marker of other underlying conditions, (emphasis added) in the pathologic pathways that link obesity to left ventricular [LV] dysfunction and ultimately CHF," Bahrami et al write.

The study appears in the May 6, 2008 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Authors of the study calculated the hazard ratios (HRs) linking baseline metabolic syndrome, inflammatory markers, insulin resistance, and albuminuria with incidence CHF in the MESA population, after taking into account standard risk factors, interim myocardial infarction (MI), and left ventricular structure and function. MESA enrolled 6814 participants from multiple ethnic backgrounds; median follow-up for the current analysis was four years.

Baharmi and colleagues report that 79 patients developed CHF during follow-up: while obesity was significantly associated with subsequent CHF, the association lost statistical significance after inflammatory markers were included in the model. Obese patients, however were found to have much higher levels of interleukin 6, CRP, and fibrinogen.

According to Baharmi, the findings suggest a mechanistic link between obesity, inflammation, and CHF.

"The implication may be that greater control of obesity may reduce the risk of heart failure and down the road, maybe targeting inflammatory markers may reduce the risk of heart failure related to obesity."

Inflammation may also help explain the link between the metabolic syndrome and CHF risk: inflammation is a known characteristic of the metabolic syndrome, and metabolic syndrome is associated with a higher risk of developing CHF, the authors note.

Reference 

1. Bahrami H, Bluemke DA, Kronmal R, et al. Novel metabolic risk factors for incident heart failure and their relationship with obesity. The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis Study. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2008;51:1775-1783.

Vitamin D Deficiency Associated with Increased Mortality

HEALTH NEWS

Another study suggesting a link between low levels of vitamin D and cardiac risk has been published, this time showing that vitamin-D deficiency is associated with both cardiovascular mortality and all-cause mortality.(1)

The study, published in the June 23, 2008 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine, was conducted by a group led by Dr Harald Dobnig (Medical University of Graz, Austria).

They note that it has been estimated that 50% to 60% of people do not have satisfactory vitamin-D status, and this is probably related to factors such as urbanization, demographic shifts, decreased outdoor activity, air pollution and global dimming, and decreases in the cutaneous production of vitamin D with age.

The minimum desirable serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D has been suggested to be 20 to 30 ng/mL, and levels lower than this are clearly related to compromised bone-mineral density, falls, and fractures and more recently have also been linked to cancer and immune dysfunction, as well as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome, the authors report.

They point out that recent studies have shown an association of low 25-hydroxyvitamin-D levels with important cardiovascular risk factors, supporting previous findings that demonstrated positive effects of vitamin D and its analogs on fibrinolysis, blood lipids, thrombogenicity, endothelial regeneration, and smooth-muscle-cell growth. "Together, these findings strongly suggest that 25-hydroxyvitamin D has beneficial effects, some involving the cardiovascular system, that are independent of calcium metabolism," they comment.

Low 25-hydroxyvitamin-D levels were also significantly correlated with markers of inflammation (C-reactive protein [CRP] and interleukin 6 [IL-6]), oxidative burden (serum phospholipid and glutathione levels), and cell adhesion (vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 levels).

Dobnig et al say that these results show that a low 25-hydroxyvitamin-D level can be considered a strong risk indicator for all-cause mortality in women and in men.

The authors also report that the increase in risk of all-cause mortality with lower levels of vitamin D was seen regardless of the degree of coronary artery disease seen on angiography, and they comment: "Low 25-hydroxyvitamin-D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin-D levels seem to be important mediators of mortality even when there is little or no indication of overt vascular disease."

They say they are unable to tell, based on these results, whether the association between low 25-hydroxyvitamin-D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin-D levels and mortality is causal or not. But they believe there are a few indications pointing to a possible link. These include the association with elevated inflammatory markers, which suggests these compounds may have anti-inflammatory properties, and the effects related to oxidative stress and increased cell adhesion suggest that low levels of vitamin D may detrimentally affect vascular biologic function in multiple ways.

They add that other mechanisms whereby low vitamin-D levels may be associated with mortality include effects on matrix metalloproteinases, which have been shown to affect plaque production and stability, increased susceptibility to arterial calcification, or an increase in renin messenger-RNA expression.

They conclude: "This prospective cohort study demonstrates for the first time, to our knowledge, that low 25-hydroxyvitamin-D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin-D levels are associated with increased risk in all-cause and cardiovascular mortality compared with patients with higher serum vitamin-D levels. Both vitamins seem to have synergistic biologic action that is largely independent of each other. Based on the findings of this study, a serum 25-hydroxyvitamin-D level of 20 ng/mL or higher may be advised for maintaining general health."

Reference

1. Dobnig H, Pilz S, Scharnagl H, et al. Independent association of low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Arch Intern Med 2008; 168:1340-1349.

Hawthorn Extract Seen As Treatment Option for Chonic Heart Failure

HEALTH NEWS

 
A new study published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews states that there is "a significant benefit in symptom control and physiologic outcomes from hawthorn extract as an adjunctive treatment for chronic heart failure."

In beginning the study, researchers noted: "Hawthorn extract is advocated as an oral treatment option for chronic heart failure. Also, the German Commission E approved the use of extracts of hawthorn leaf with flower in patients suffering from heart failure graded stage II."

Researchers reviewed 14 double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trails and concluded that hawthorn berry extract may be used as an oral treatment option for chronic heart failure. In most of the studies, hawthorn was used as an adjunct to conventional treatment. Ten trials including 855 patients with chronic heart failure provided data that were suitable for meta-analysis.

Researchers stated: "For the physiologic outcome of maximal workload, treatment with hawthorn extract was more beneficial than placebo. Exercise tolerances were significantly increased by hawthorn extract. The pressure-heart rate product, an index of cardiac oxygen consumption, also showed a beneficial decrease with hawthorn treatment. Symptoms such as shortness of breath and fatigue improved significantly with hawthorn treatment as compared with placebo."

Source: Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews Issue 1, 2008.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids Linked to Younger Biological Age

HEALTH NEWS

A new study suggests high blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids may slow cellular aging in people with coronary heart disease. 

Researchers from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), looked at the length of telomeres – DNA sequences at the end of chromosomes that shorten as cells replicate and age.

The aging and lifespan of normal, healthy cells are linked to the telomere shortening mechanism, which limits cells to a fixed number of divisions. Some experts have noted that telomere length may be a marker of biological aging. With each replication the telomeres shorten, and when the telomeres are totally consumed, the cells are destroyed. 

" Among patients with stable coronary artery disease, there was an inverse relationship between baseline blood levels of marine omega-3 fatty acids and the rate of telomere shortening over five years," wrote the researchers, led by Ramin Farzaneh-Far. " These findings raise the possibility that omega-3 fatty acids may protect against cellular aging in patients with coronary heart disease," they added.

The UCSF researchers looked at telomere length in blood cells of 608 outpatients with stable coronary artery disease. The length of telomeres was measured in leukocytes (white blood cells) at the start of the study and again after five years. 

Comparing levels of omega-3 fatty acids, EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) with subsequent change in telomere length, the researchers found that individuals with the lowest average levels of DHA and EPA experienced the most rapid rate of telomere shortening, while people with the highest average blood levels experienced the slowest rate of telomere shortening. 

" Each 1-standard deviation increase in DHA, plus EPA levels was associated with a 32% reduction in the odds of telomere shortening," wrote the authors. 

Commenting on the potential mechanism, Dr. Farzaneh-Far and his co-workers noted that this may be linked to oxidative stress, known to drive telomere shortening. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce levels of F2-isoprostanes, markers of systemic oxidative stress, as well as increasing levels of the antioxidant enzymes catalase and superoxide dismutase, thereby reducing oxidative stress. 

The researchers added that a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial would be necessary to definitively confirm the link between omega-3 fatty acids and cellular aging.

Source: Journal of the American Medical Association 303(3):250-257, 2010

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Health Notes on Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

CHF and its Symptoms

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a chronic condition that results when the heart muscle is unable to pump blood as efficiently as is needed. High blood pressure can cause congestive heart failure. Failure of the heart pump can also result from many other causes, such as severe anemia, hyperthyroidism, heart attacks, and arrhythmias of the heart.

Common symptoms of CHF are breathlessness, fatigue, and accumulation of fluid in the lungs or the veins (primarily in the legs) or both.

Helpful Lifestyle Changes

Even with severe disease, appropriate exercise can benefit those with CHF. (1) (2) In a controlled trial, long-term (one year) exercise training led to improvements in quality of life and functional capacity in people with CHF. (3) Nonetheless, too much exercise can be life-threatening for those with CHF. How much is “too much” varies from person to person; therefore, any exercise program undertaken by someone with CHF requires professional supervision.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) appear to significantly increase the risk of CHF. The use of NSAIDs in one preliminary study was found to double the likelihood of hospital admission with CHF the following week. This likelihood increased by more than 10 times for patients with a history of heart disease. (4) This study did not include people taking low-dose aspirin.

Important Vitamins

People with CHF have insufficient oxygenation of the heart, which can damage the heart muscle. Such damage may be reduced by taking L-carnitine supplements. (5) L-carnitine is a natural substance made from the amino acids, lysine and methionine. Levels of L-carnitine are low in people with CHF;(6) therefore, many doctors recommend that those with CHF take 500 mg of L-carnitine two to three times per day.

Most L-carnitine/CHF research has used a modified form of the supplement called propionyl-L-carnitine (PC). In one double-blind trial, people using 500 mg of PC per day had a 26% increase in exercise capacity after six months.(7) In double-blind research, other indices of heart function have also improved after taking 1 gram of PC twice per day.(8) It remains unclear whether propionyl-L-carnitine has unique advantages over L-carnitine, as limited research in animals and humans has also shown very promising effects of the more common L-carnitine.(9)

Magnesium deficiency frequently occurs in people with CHF, and such a deficiency may lead to heart arrhythmias. Magnesium supplements have reduced the risk of these arrhythmias.(10) People with CHF are often given drugs that deplete both magnesium and potassium; a deficiency of either of these minerals may lead to an arrhythmia.(11) Many doctors suggest magnesium supplements of 300 mg per day.

Whole fruit and fruit and vegetable juice, which are high in potassium, are also recommended by some doctors. One study showed that elderly men who consumed food prepared with potassium-enriched salt (containing about half potassium chloride and half sodium chloride) had a 70% reduction in deaths due to heart failure and a significant reduction in medical costs for cardiovascular disease, when compared with men who continued to use regular salt.(12) While increasing potassium intake can be beneficial for heart patients, this dietary change should be discussed with a healthcare provider, because several drugs given to people with CHF may actually cause retention of potassium, making dietary potassium, even from fruit, dangerous.

Taurine, an amino acid, helps increase the force and effectiveness of heart-muscle contractions. Research (some double-blind) has shown that taurine helps people with CHF.(13)(14)(15)(16) Most doctors suggest taking 2 grams three times per day.

As is true for several other heart conditions, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) has been reported to help people with CHF,(17)(18) sometimes dramatically.(19) Positive effects have been confirmed in double-blind research(20) and in an overall analysis of eight controlled trials.(21) However, some double-blind trials have reported modest(22) or no improvement(23)(24)(25) in exercise capacity or overall quality of life. Most CoQ10 research used 90–200 mg per day. The beneficial effects of CoQ10 may not be seen until after several months of treatment. Discontinuation of CoQ10 supplementation in people with CHF has resulted in severe relapses and should only be attempted under the supervision of a doctor.(26)

The body needs arginine, another amino acid, to make nitric oxide, which increases blood flow. This process is impaired in people with CHF. Arginine supplementation (5.6–12.6 grams per day) has been used successfully in double-blind trials to treat CHF.(27) A double-blind trial has also found that arginine supplementation (5 grams three times daily) improves kidney function in people with CHF.(28)

For people with congestive heart failure, intravenous injections of creatine have been found to improve heart function; oral supplementation has not been effective, though it does improve skeletal muscle function.(29)(30)

In a preliminary study, blood levels of DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) were found to be lower in people with CHF than in people without the disease. The lowered blood levels of DHEA among these people was proportional to the severity of their disease.(31) However, there is no evidence that DHEA supplementation can prevent or reverse CHF.

In a double-blind study of people with established heart disease or diabetes, participants who took 400 IU of vitamin E per day for an average of 4.5 years developed heart failure significantly more often than did those taking a placebo.(32) Hospitalizations for heart failure occurred in 5.8% of those in the vitamin E group, compared with 4.2% of those in the placebo group, a 38.1% increase. Considering that some other studies have shown a beneficial effect of vitamin E against heart disease, the results of this study are difficult to interpret. Nevertheless, individuals with heart disease or diabetes should consult their doctor before taking vitamin E.

Beneficial Herbs 

Berberine is used in Asia to treat congestive heart failure. In a double-blind trial, supplementation with berberine (300 to 500 mg, four times per day) for eight weeks significantly improved heart function and exercise capacity and reduced the frequency of arrhythmias in people with congestive heart failure.(33)

Clinical trials have shown that standardized extracts made from the leaves and flowers of hawthorn are effective in helping people with early-stage CHF.(34)(35)(36) Hawthorn extracts appear to increase blood flow to the heart, increase the strength of heart contractions, reduce resistance to blood flow in the extremities, and act as an antioxidant.(37)(38)(39) In a large preliminary trial, people with mild to moderate CHF were given 300 mg of hawthorn flower and leaf extract (standardized to contain 2.2% flavonoids) three times a day for two months(40) Symptoms of CHF—including heart palpitations, chest pressure, and swelling in the extremities—decreased throughout the trial during the use of hawthorn. The efficacy of hawthorn for the treatment of CHF has been confirmed in a double-blind trial.(41)

Hawthorn extracts are available in capsules or tablets standardized to either total flavonoid content (usually 2.2%) or oligomeric procyanidins (usually 18.75%). Doctors who work with herbal medicine often suggest 80–300 mg two to three times per day. Hawthorn berry products that are not standardized may be weaker, and the recommended amount is typically 4 to 6 grams per day for the whole herb, or 4–5 ml of the tincture three times per day.

Coleus contains forskolin, a substance that may help dilate blood vessels and improve the forcefulness with which the heart pumps blood.(42) Recent clinical trials indicate that forskolin improves heart function in people with congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathy.(43)(44) A preliminary trial found that forskolin reduced blood pressure and improved heart function in people with cardiomyopathy. These trials have used intravenous infusions of isolated forskolin. It is unknown whether oral coleus extracts would have the same effect. While many doctors expert in herbal medicine would recommend 200–600 mg per day of a coleus extract containing 10% forskolin, these amounts are extrapolations and have yet to be confirmed by direct clinical research.

A small clinical trial found that supplementation with a bark extract of Arjun (Terminalia arjuna) improved heart function as well as lung congestion in patients with severe CHF.(45) Patients in the study took 500 mg of Arjun extract three times per day and began to exhibit significant improvement in heart function within two weeks; improvement continued over the course of approximately two years. The herb extract used in this study was concentrated but not standardized for any particular constituent. Commercial preparations are sometimes standardized to contain 1% arjunolic acid. Larger clinical trials are needed to confirm the results of this small study.

Self-Care Steps

CHF is a serious condition that requires support from health professionals. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may help your heart keep pumping the blood your body needs:

• Get help from hawthorn. Take 300 mg of an herbal extract three times a day to reduce symptoms and improve exercise capacity

• Try taurine. Improve heart muscle contraction by taking 2 grams of this amino acid three times a day

• Add a carnitine to your routine. Take 1,500 to 2,000 mg of an L-carnitine or propionyl-L-carnitine supplement every day to improve heart function and exercise capacity

• Check out coenzyme Q10. To determine how much of this powerful antioxidant supplement you need daily, calculate 0.9 mg for every pound of body weight

• Mix in some magnesium. Take 300 mg a day of this essential mineral to prevent a deficiency that can lead to heart arrhythmias.

• See a specialist. Find a health expert you can trust to help you manage this medical condition

These recommendations are not comprehensive and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or pharmacist. Read more in-depth, fully-referenced information on medicines, vitamins, herbs, and dietary and lifestyle changes that may be helpful provided.

Source: Copyright © 2010 Healthnotes, Inc.

References

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1. Coats AJS. Effects of physical training in chronic heart failure. Lancet 1990;335:63–6.

2. Oka RK, De Marco T, Haskell WL, et al. Impact of a home-based walking and resistance training program on quality of life in patients with heart failure. Am J Cardiol 2000;85:365–9.

3. Belardinelli R, Georgiou D, Cianci G, Purcaro A. Randomized, controlled trial of long-term moderate exercise training in chronic heart failure. Circulation 1999;99:1173–82.

4. Page J, Henry D. Consumption of NSAIDs and the development of congestive heart failure in elderly patients. Arch Intern Med 2000;160:777–84.

5. Bartels GL, Remme WJ, Pillay M, et al. Effects of L-propionylcarnitine on ischemia-induced myocardial dysfunction in men with angina pectoris. Am J Cardiol 1994;74:125–30.

6. Suzuki Y, Masumura Y, Kobayashi A, et al. Myocardial carnitine deficiency in chronic heart failure. Lancet 1982;i:116 (letter).

7. Mancini M, Rengo F, Lingetti M, et al. Controlled study on the therapeutic efficacy of propionyl-L-carnitine in patients with congestive heart failure. Arzneimittelforschung 1992;42:1101–4.

8. Pucciarelli G, Mastursi M, Latte S, et al. The clinical and hemodynamic effects of propionyl-L-carnitine in the treatment of congestive heart failure. Clin Ther 1992;141:379–84.

9. Kobayashi A, Masumura Y, Yamazaki N. L-carnitine treatment for congestive heart failure—experimental and clinical study. Jpn Circ J 1992;56:86–94.

10. Bashir Y, Sneddon JF, Staunton A, et al. Effects of long-term oral magnesium chloride replacement in congestive heart failure secondary to coronary artery disease. Am J Cardiol 1993;72:1156–62.

11. Packer M, Gottlieb SS, Kessler PD. Hormone-electrolyte interactions in the pathogenesis of lethal cardiac arrhythmias in patients with congestive heart failure. Am J Med 1986;80 (Suppl 4A):23–9.

12. Chang HY, Hu YW, Yue CSJ, et al. Effect of potassium-enriched salt on cardiovascular mortality and medical expenses of elderly men. Am J Clin Nutr 2006;83:1289–96.

13. Azuma J, Sawamura A, Awata N, et al. Double-blind randomized crossover trial of taurine in congestive heart failure. Curr Ther Res 1983;34(4):543–57.

14. Azuma J, Hasegawa H, Sawamura N, et al. Taurine for treatment of congestive heart failure. Int J Cardiol 1982;2:303–4.

15. Azuma J, Hasegawa H, Sawamura A, et al. Therapy of congestive heart failure with orally administered taurine. Clin Ther 1983;5(4):398–408.

16. Azuma J, Takihara K, Awata N, et al. Taurine and failing heart: experimental and clinical aspects. Prog Clin Biol Res 1985;179:195–213.

17. Mortensen SA, Vadhanavikit S, Baandrup U, Folkers K. Long-term coenzyme Q10 therapy: a major advance in the management of resistant myocardial failure. Drugs Exp Clin Res 1985;11:581–93.

18. Soongswang J, Sangtawesin C, Durongpisitkul K, et al. The effect of coenzyme Q10 on idiopathic chronic dilated cardiomyopathy in children. Pediatr Cardiol 2005;26:361–6.

19. Folkers K, Langsjoen P, Langsjoen PH. Therapy with coenzyme Q10 of patients in heart failure who are eligible or ineligible for a transplant. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1992;15:247–53.

20. Morisco C, Trimarco B, Condorelli M. Effect of coenzyme Q10 in patients with congestive heart failure: a long-term multicenter randomized study. Clin Invest 1993;71:S134–6.

21. Soja AM, Mortensen SA. Treatment of chronic cardiac insufficiency with coenzyme Q10, results of meta-analysis in controlled clinical trials. Ugeskr Laeger 1997;159:7302–8.

22. Hofman-Bang C, Rehnqvist N, Swedberg K, et al. Coenzyme Q10 as an adjunctive in the treatment of chronic congestive heart failure. The Q10 Study Group. J Card Fail 1995;1:101–7.

23. Permanetter B, Rossy W, Klein G, et al. Ubiquinone (coenzyme Q10) in the long-term treatment of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. Eur Heart J 1992;13:1528–33.

24. Watson PS, Scalia GM, Galbraith A, et al. Lack of effect of coenzyme Q on left ventricular function in patients with congestive heart failure. J Am Coll Cardiol 1999;33:1549–52.

25. Khatta M, Alexander BS, Krichten CM, et al. The effect of coenzyme Q10 in patients with congestive heart failure. Ann Intern Med 2000;132:636–40.

26. Mortensen SA, Vadhanavikit S, Baandrup U, Folkers K. Long-term coenzyme Q10 therapy: a major advance in the management of resistant myocardial failure. Drug Exptl Clin Res 1985;11:581–93.

27. Rector TS, Bank A, Mullen KA, et al. Randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study of supplemental oral L-arginine in patients with heart failure. Circulation 1996;93:2135–41.

28. Watanabe G, Tomiyama H, Doba N. Effects of oral administration of L-arginine on renal function in patients with heart failure. J Hypertens 2000;18:229–34.

29. Andrews R, Greenhaff P, Curtis S, et al. The effect of dietary creatine supplementation on skeletal muscle metabolism in congestive heart failure. Eur Heart J 1998;19:617–22.

30. Gordon A, Hultman E, Kaijser L, et al. Creatine supplementation in chronic heart failure increases skeletal muscle creatine phosphate and muscle performance. Cardiovasc Res 1995;30:413–8.

31. Moriyama Y, Yasue H, Yoshimura M, et al. The plasma levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate are decreased in patients with chronic heart failure in proportion to the severity. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2000;85:1834–40.

32. Zoler ML. Supplemental vitamin E linked to heart failure. Fam Pract News 2003(October 1):28 [News report].

33. Zeng XH, Zeng XJ, Li YY. Efficacy and safety of berberine for congestive heart failure secondary to ischemic or idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. Am J Cardiol 2003;92:173–6.

34. Leuchtgens H. Crataegus special extract (WS 1442) in cardiac insufficiency. Fortschr Med 1993;111:352–4.

35. Schmidt U, Kuhn U, Ploch M, Hübner WD. Efficacy of the hawthorn (Crataegus)Phytomed 1994;1:17–24. preparation LI 132 in 78 patients with chronic congestive heart failure defined as NYHA functional class II.

36. Pittler M, Guo R, Ernst E. Hawthorn extract for treating chronic heart failure. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2008 Jan 23:CD005312.

37. Maevers VW, Hensel H. Changes in local myocardial blood flow following oral administration of a Crataegus extract to non-anesthetized dogs. Arzneimittelforschung 1974;24:783–5.

38. Weikl A, Noh HS. The influence of Crataegus on global cardiac insufficiency. Herz Gerfässe 1992; 11:516–24.

39. Bahorun T, Trotin F, Pommery J, et al. Antioxidant activities of Crataegus monogynaPlanta Med 1994; 60:323–8. extracts.

40. Schmidt U, Albrecht H, Podzuweit M, et al. High-dose crataegus therapy in patients suffering from congestive heart failure NYHA class I and II. Z Phytotherapie 1998;19:22–30.

41. Rietbrock N, Hamel M, Hempel B, et al. Actions of standardized extract of Crataegus berries on exercise tolerance and quality of life in patients with congestive heart failure [in German]. Arzneimittelforschung 2001;51:793–8.

42. Lindner E, Dohadwalla AN, Bhattacharya BK. Positive inotropic and blood pressure lowering activity of a diterpene derivative isolated from Coleus forskohli: Forskolin. Arzneimittelforschung. 1978;28:284–9.

43. Baumann G, Felix S, Sattelberger U, Klein G. Cardiovascular effects of forskolin (HL 362) in patients with idiopathic congestive cardiomyopathy—a comparative study with dobutamine and sodium nitroprusside. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 1990;16:93–100.

44. Kramer W, Thormann J, Kindler M, Schlepper M. Effects of forskolin on left ventricular function in dilated cardiomyopathy. Arzneimittelforschung 1987;37:364–7.

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Daily Calcium with Vitamin D Reduces Fracture Risk

HEALTH NEWS

"A large randomised controlled trial in women in French nursing homes or apartments for older people showed that calcium and vitamin D supplementation increased serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, decreased parathyroid hormone, improved bone density, and decreased hip fractures and other non-vertebral fractures," write B. Abrahamsen, from Copenhagen University Hospital Gentofte, in Copenhagen, Denmark, and colleagues from the DIPART (vitamin D Individual Patient Analysis of Randomized Trials) Group.

"Subsequent randomised trials examining the effect of vitamin D supplementation — with or without calcium — on the incidence of fractures have produced conflicting results....We used individual patient data methods to do a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials of vitamin D — with or without calcium — in preventing fractures and investigated if treatment effects are influenced by patients' characteristics."

The goals of the study were to identify characteristics affecting the antifracture efficacy of vitamin D or vitamin D plus calcium regarding any fracture, hip fracture, and clinical vertebral fracture and to evaluate the effects of dosing regimens and coadministration of calcium.

"The individual patient data analysis indicates that vitamin D given alone in doses of 10-20 μg is not effective in preventing fractures," the study authors write. "By contrast, calcium and vitamin D given together reduce hip fractures and total fractures, and probably vertebral fractures, irrespective of age, sex, or previous fractures."

"We must emphasise that this analysis does not allow for a direct comparison of vitamin D against vitamin D given with calcium, but only comparisons between each intervention and no treatment," the study authors conclude. "Whether intermittent doses of vitamin D given without calcium supplements can reduce the risk of fractures remains unresolved from the studies in this analysis. Additional studies of vitamin D are also needed, especially trials of vitamin D given daily at higher doses without calcium."

In an accompanying editorial, Dr. Opinder Sahota, from Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham, United Kingdom, notes that these findings are important because they show that vitamin D alone, irrespective of dose, does not reduce the risk for fracture.

"Although the evidence is still confusing, there is growing consensus that combined calcium and vitamin D is more effective than vitamin D alone in reducing non-vertebral fractures," Dr. Sahota writes. "Higher doses are probably necessary in people who are more deficient in vitamin D, and treatment is probably more effective in those who maintain long term compliance. Further studies are needed to define the optimal dose, duration, route of administration, and dose of the calcium combination."

Source: Laurie Barclay, MD/MedScape CME Clinical Briefs, January 22, 2010

___________________________________________________

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ABSORBABLE CALCIUM WITH VITAMIN D (100 softgels)

ITEM # 6272
 
Finally, a liquid Calcium supplement in a convenient softgel form!
Less than 30 minutes after ingestion, each rapid dissolving softgel releases pre-dissolved liquid Calcium. Plus, each softgel is fortified with Vitamin D. Calcium and Vitamin D help maintain healthy bones in adults.Calcium also plays a role in muscle contractions and nerve impulses, while Vitamin D assists in maintaining a healthy immune system.

For your orders, delivery and payment instructions, email us at thevitaminshoppecompany@yahoo.com.

Healthy Heart Month!

The VitaminShoppe Co. greets you all a happy Valentines Day!

For the past four months since we started the blogsite of The VitaminShoppe Co., you may have noticed our newsletters are more focused on issues that are undeniably close your heart ~ heart disease and heart health. This is because heart and vascular system disease remains to be a constant health risk and a top killer here and all over the world. The VitaminShoppe Co. believes that for us to effectively fight this debilitating illness, people needs to be informed in order to make better choices. 

This February, we want to make your love month truly meaningful for your own and family's heart health. The VitaminShoppe Co. celebrates Healthy Heart Month. And true to our promise of helping you "love life by living healthy", we will offer you our choice of quality and affordable heart supplements this Valentine season. Getting enough heart-healthy nutrients each day is the foundation of a healthy lifestyle. 

Omega-3 Fish Oil 1000mg (120 softgels)

Item #  3988
P 490.00 only.

Our fish oil is purified to eliminate mercury content found in fish products. It naturally contains 300 mg of active EPA/DHA per softgel. EPA and DHA are beneficial Omega-3 fatty acids, the “good fats” that Fish Oil is famous for.

* May reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.
* Promotes circulatory health and helps maintain triglyceride levels already within a normal range.
* Contributes to joint comfort and a healthy immune system.
* Packed in rapid-release softgels with enhanced potency and superior absorption.
* Enhanced with mixed tocopherols to preserve freshness.

Q-Sorb Co Q10 100mg (30 softgels)

Item #  15592

P 430.00 only.

 Your  cholesterol-lowering prescription may be lowering your Co Q10 levels. Our Q-Sorb Co Q10 is a powerful weapon in heart health. It can replenish what cholesterol-lowering drugs rob from your body.

* Made with a natural, highly bioavailable form of Co Q10 — Q-Sorb™
* Contributes to your heart and cardiovascular wellness.
* Important for Statin drug users — taking Q-Sorb™ Co Q-10 can help replenish what Statin drugs can deplete.
* Helps support healthy blood pressure levels already within a normal range.
* Promotes energy production within your heart, brain and muscles.
* Provides powerful antioxidant support.
* Hermetically sealed in easy to swallow rapid-release softgels for superior absorption. 

Natural Vitamin E 400IU (50 softgels)

Item #  542

P 330.00 only. 

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps fight free radicals. Studies have shown that oxidative stress caused by free radicals may contribute to the premature aging of cells.

* Promotes immune function and helps support cardiovascular health.

* Our Vitamin E is 100% natural and comes in a convenient to use softgel.

 CholestHealth (60 caplets)

Item #  17125

P 800.00 only. 

Help ease any concerns you might have about your cholesterol with CholestHealth™. CholestHealth™ helps to lower LDL cholesterol levels, which is also known as “bad” cholesterol. CholestHealth™ is also formulated with a unique proprietary blend featuring Pantethine, a B-vitamin metabolite.  It may also reduce the risk of heart disease — those who are least likely to have coronary heart disease tend to also have relatively low blood total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels.

 

* Helps lower cholesterol.

* Helps lower LDL cholesterol levels.

* May reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

* Promotes cardiovascular and circulatory wellness.

* Taking just two caplets twice a day with meals can naturally help lower your blood LDL and total cholesterol, and supports the health of your entire cardiovascular system.

* A serving of CholestHealth™ supplies 1000 mg of plant sterols. Foods and supplements containing at least 400 mg per serving of plant sterols, eaten twice a day with meals for a daily total intake of at least 800 mg, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease through the intermediate link of blood total and LDL cholesterol. 

Ultra-Cee 500mg (100 capsules)

Item #  4750

P 470.00 only.

Vitamin C plays an important role in supporting immune function. As an antioxidant, Vitamin C helps neutralize harmful free radicals in cells.

* Promotes immune system function.

* Our Vitamin C has been designed to be released over a prolonged period of time optimizing absorption in the body.

* Helps strengthen the integrity of blood vessels.

Gingko Biloba 60mg (60 softgels)

Item #  5401

P 370.00 only. 

Scientific research documents the ability of Ginkgo to maintain peripheral circulation to the arms, legs and brain. In addition, Ginkgo helps improve memory, especially occasional mild memory problems associated with aging. Our Ginkgo Biloba consists of high-quality herbs standardized to contain 24% Ginkgo Flavone Glycosides.

* Supports healthy blood circulation.

* Provides antioxidant support.

If you buy a minimum of P1000.00 on any of the feature products you will get a free copy of Dr. Reginald Cherry's God's Pathway to Healing A Healthy Heart book. (Good until supplies last.)

Why wait? Get your orders now! 

For your payment and delivery instructions you may email us at: thevitaminshoppecompany@yahoo.com.

* Note: Our products are not intended to serve as a replacement of your physician's prescription,  nor should you discontinue taking any prescribed medications while supplementing with any of these products.   

All of our products contains: No Artificial Color, Flavor or Sweetener, No Preservatives, No Sugar, No Starch, No Milk, No Lactose, No Gluten, No Wheat, No Yeast, No Fish, Sodium Free.