Many people have little idea as to the causes of heart attacks even the cardiologists in Spore. Its more lucrative for them to just recommend a surgical procedures & medication then to recommend good diet & supplementation.
Why do healthy looking young guys who runs regularly suddenly collapse & die? Cholesterol is the only part of the answer.
If you have the time to dig out the facts from various books you'll find out the real causes. Recently came across an article which I think is pretty good . I've included only parts of the aricle . You can find the full article at :
http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2009/may2009_Heart-Attack-Risk-Factors_01.htm
The article is from a magazine distributed by Life Extension. A very respectable health product company. I 've recently bought some Life Extension product(Pomegranate Extract & Super R-Lipoic Acid)s from iHerb & so far no complaints. If you want to try Life extension products they are available from
www.iherb.com. Get a $5 discount from iHerb by using the discount code "KOK015".
How to Circumvent 17 Independent Heart Attack Risk Factors
THE HEART ATTACK RISK FACTORS
#1 and 2: Excess LDL and Total Cholesterol
#3: Low HDL
#4: Excess Glucose
#5: Excess Homocysteine
#6: Excess C-Reactive Protein
#7: Insufficient Vitamin D
#8: Insufficient Vitamin K
#9: Elevated Triglycerides
#10: Low Blood EPA/DHA
#11 and #12: Low Testosterone and Excess Estrogen (in Men)
#13: Excess Insulin
#14: Nitric Oxide Deficit
#15: Excess Fibrinogen
#16: Hypertension
#17: Oxidized LDL
#1 and 2: Excess LDL and Total Cholesterol
Optimal Blood Level:
160-180 mg/dL of total cholesterol
50-99 mg/dL of LDL (low-density lipoprotein)
Nutrient options:
1. Niacin in doses of 1,000-2,000 mg a day will significantly lower total cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides while boosting beneficial high-density lipoprotein (HDL).3-8 Niacin can cause a skin “flushing” side effect that can be mitigated by taking niacin with aspirin and a meal. Some people cannot tolerate this flushing effect on a daily basis and choose other options to lower LDL and cholesterol.
2. A patent-pending extract of Indian gooseberry fruit called Amlamax® has been shown in human clinical trials to reduce LDL, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and C-reactive protein (CRP).9-14 Amlamax® has also been shown to improve endothelial function.15,16 The suggested dose is 380-500 mg each day.
3. The liver removes cholesterol from the blood and excretes much of it into the small intestines in the form of bile acids. If these bile acids are reabsorbed from the intestines back into the blood, then too much cholesterol can accumulate in the blood and contribute to atherosclerosis. The ingestion of soluble fiber(s) such as oat beta-glucan,17-19 psyllium,20 guar gum,21,22 pectin,23,24 and/or glucomannan25 can result in significant reductions in LDL, total cholesterol, and glucose. The most common way of using these fibers is to mix them in eight ounces of water and drink them before most meals. These fibers can also be taken in capsule form. Start off with relatively modest doses and slowly work up to higher amounts to enable your digestive tract to get used to this higher fiber intake. Depending on the type of soluble fiber you choose, taking two to eight grams (2,000-8,000 mg) before each meal is a reasonable target to attain.
4. Ingestion of 375 mg a day of theaflavins extracted from black tea produces a modest reduction in LDL and total cholesterol.26-28 The primary benefit of theaflavins is to suppress C-reactive protein and LDL oxidation involved in the formation of atherosclerotic plaque.
5. Irvingia extract, taken in the dose of 150 mg twice a day, is associated with beneficial changes in LDL and total cholesterol through reductions in weight and overall calorie intake.29-32
Dietary options:
1. Consume a very low-fat diet (less than 10% of total calories from fat). Make sure to supplement with at least 2,000 mg of EPA/DHA (omega-3 fats) each day. Most people cannot adhere to this kind of strict low-fat diet.
2. Consume a very low-calorie diet (often less than 1,400 calories a day). Most people cannot adhere to a very low-calorie diet.
3. Consume a Mediterranean diet, with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, fish and soy as protein sources, and omega-3 and monounsaturated fats (olive oil), while avoiding saturated fats, refined carbohydrates, cholesterol-laden foods, excess omega-6 fats, and most animal products. An increasing percentage of Americans are adopting this kind of diet.
4. Inclusion of specific cholesterol-lowering foods in one’s diet can markedly lower LDL and total cholesterol levels. Cholesterol-lowering foods with documented proven efficacy include almonds,38 soy protein,38 fiber,19,38 and plant sterols.
Hormone options:
Many women (and some men) suffer from excess cholesterol because they are deficient in thyroid hormone. Blood tests that evaluate TSH, T4, and T3 can help a qualified doctor restore thyroid hormone status to optimal ranges. Cholesterol is a precursor to testosterone and other hormones in the body. When testosterone is deficient in men, the body may compensate by synthesizing more cholesterol. When testosterone and other hormones are restored to more youthful ranges, cholesterol levels may decrease. Aging men sometimes have higher than desirable levels of estradiol.39,40 Excess estrogen in men contributes to elevated LDL and cholesterol.41 Elevated levels of estrogen can be suppressed in men by taking 0.5 mg twice a week of the prescription drug Arimidex®42 or using nutrients like plant lignans (30 mg a day and higher of HMR™ Lignan)43,44 and Bioperine®-enhanced absorption chrysin (1,500 mg a day).45
#3: Low HDL
Optimal Blood Level:
Over 50-60 mg/dL of HDL
Nutrient options:
same as above
Dietary options:
Eating the cruciferous vegetables broccoli, watercress, and cabbage may enhance HDL functionality via several mechanisms. Excess abdominal fat seems to contribute to low HDL. Losing weight and increasing physical activity can result in higher HDL levels by helping to reverse metabolic syndrome. Red wine can also have a profound impact on increasing HDL levels. One glass of red wine with your heaviest meal is suggested, as long as you can tolerate the alcohol.
Hormone options:
When HDL removes cholesterol from the arterial wall, it is taken to the liver where it is broken down for disposal and transformed into beneficial compounds such as vitamin D. The liver contains a receptor called scavenger receptor B1 that acts to stimulate cholesterol uptake for processing and disposal. The liver also has an enzyme called hepatic lipase that functions to remove cholesterol from the surface of HDL and helps enhance the uptake of these HDL-derived lipids by scavenger receptor B1.52,53 The activity of scavenger receptor B1 and hepatic lipase is a crucial component of the reverse cholesterol transport process. Testosterone beneficially increases the activity of scavenger receptor B1 and hepatic lipase.54 It is especially important for men to restore testosterone to youthful levels in order to ensure that the cholesterol that HDL removes from the arterial wall is safely disposed in the liver. Men with pre-existing prostate cancer should avoid testosterone until their cancer is cured.
For the full article go to:
http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2009/may2009_Heart-Attack-Risk-Factors_01.htm
