Tag Archives: HDL

Ginger – Powerful Antioxidant For Alzheimer’s, Cancer And Heart Disease

Posted on by

Not only is ginger (Zingiber officinale) one of the most popular of all the spices but is also of the top five antioxidant foods (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, July 2006). Numerous studies investigating ginger’s medicinal properties have also shown it to be effective in conditions such as motion sickness and the prevention and treatment of diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, inflammatory diseases and stomach ulcers.

Research has shown ginger to have effects against the following conditions:

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

Two of ginger’s most important antioxidants, curcumin and gingerol, have been shown to inhibit and even reverse the deposition in the brain of the amyloid plaques that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Moreover, zingerone, another of ginger’s antioxidants, neutralizes the powerful oxidant, peroxynitrite, which has also been implicated as an aggravating factor in Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.

CANCER

Several phytochemicals found in ginger have demonstrated strong anticancer activities in both laboratory and clinical studies. While ginger’s anti-tumorigenic effects have yet to be fully understood, they are thought to involve the following mechanisms:

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY: Cancer is often associated with inflammatory processes and ginger’s potent anti-inflammatory activity reduces the risk of inflammation-induced malignancy. Ginger is an effective COX-2 inhibitor, curtailing the activity of potentially damaging COX-2 enzymes, the overproduction of which may cause harm to several tissue types.

CANCER CELL DEATH: The pungent vanilloids, gingerol and paradol found in ginger, are very effective in killing cancer cells. They achieve this both by direct cytotoxic activity against the tumour and indirectly by inducing apoptosis in the cancer cells. Reducing tumour initiation and growth: The phytochemical zerumbone antagonises the processes of both tumour initiation and promotion. It does this by inducing antioxidant enzymes and by weakening the pro-inflammatory signalling pathways associated with communication between cancer cells.

PREVENTS DNA DAMAGE: Melatonin is an antioxidant produced by the body that is also found in some plants, such as ginger. It has the valuable property of being able to access most parts of the body, including brain and nervous tissue, and protects DNA against carcinogenic free-radical damage.

ANTIBACTERIAL: Ginger can eliminate all strains of Helicobacter pylori, the bacteria that are the principal cause of stomach cancer.

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE AND CHOLESTEROL

Ginger has been shown to lower dangerously high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, while raising the levels of beneficial HDL. These lipid-modulating effects are partly due to the inhibition of fat absorption from the intestines. In addition, ginger’s cardioprotective effects are enhanced by its ability to reduce platelet stickiness and in so doing further reduce the risk of heart attacks and thrombotic strokes.

ANIT-INFLAMMATORY PROPERTIES

Ginger’s long-valued role as a treatment for arthritis and other inflammatory conditions has now been substantiated by a number of scientific studies that show how it is involved in several anti-inflammatory mechanisms. It is a strong inhibitor of COX-2 enzymes, pro-inflammatory cytokines and prostaglandins that are all important components of the inflammatory response. Abnormal tissue inflammation occurs when an excess of prostaglandins, cytokines and COX-2 enzymes are released by cells in joint tissue. The more of these molecules that are released, the more inflammatory cells and chemicals are attracted to the joints where they cause pain and damage to the joint surfaces. These substances are integral to inflammatory mechanisms that can involve many tissue types, as well as the condition known as chronic systemic inflammation.

ANTIMICROBIAL EFFECTS

The hydrochloric acid found in the stomach is a powerful defence against ingested pathogens and rapidly destroys almost all organisms that are taken in with food. Helicobacter pylori, however, is an unusually resilient bacterial species that thrives in the hostile, extremely acidic environment of the stomach. Once established, this bacteria causes a range of problems including indigestion, esophagitis, gastritis, stomach and duodenal ulcers, and stomach cancer. Ginger has traditionally been used as a treatment for stomach ailments, and it has recently been shown to kill all nineteen pathogenic Helicobacter pylori species. The regular ingestion of ginger should help to kill these dangerous bacteria before they become established, and thereby pre-empt the need for antibiotics which destroy many valuable intestinal bacteria, in addition to their intended targets.

DIABETES

Although there has been relatively little investigation into the antidiabetic properties of ginger, promising early studies show that it can increase insulin sensitivity. This suggests that, in all likelihood, it is a valuable prophylactic spice against this disease.

OBESITY

Ginger has a dual antiobesity effect. The phytochemicals gingerol and shogaol increase the metabolic rate and thus help to “burn off” excessive fat and also suppress the absorption of calorie-dense dietary fats from the intestines.

ANTIOXIDANT EFFECTS

Ginger is a source of a large number of important antioxidants that, amongst other activities, reduce lipid oxidation by enhancing the activities of crucial internally produced antioxidants, such as superoxide dismutase. Melatonin, in particular, is not only a highly effective free-radical scavenger itself, but also stimulates production of the main antioxidant enzyme of the brain, glutathione peroxidase.

Ginger’s prominent role in traditional medical systems have been validated by contemporary research. As is the case with most spices, its preventive effects are enhanced when taken with other spices as there are synergistic effects between the medicinally active compounds that occur in this food group.

Effectively Managing Blood Lipid Levels

Posted on by

The term blood lipid is synonymous with fat, and in fact most blood lipid molecules found floating around in our blood stream are primarily fat. These molecules play an important role in providing us with energy and are the primary building blocks for a number of compounds including bile, vitamin D, testosterone, and estrogen.

As you can see managing blood lipid levels is not as much about doing away with them completely as it is finding a way to balance their benefits and risks.

What are the risks if we fail to manage blood lipid levels?

The most obvious one is high cholesterol leading to atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. Atherosclerosis is process where the smooth interior lining of the arteries and veins becomes damaged leading to the accumulation of plaque deposits. Over time blood lipid particles floating by in the blood start to accumulate eventually culminating when calcium and fibrous tissue start to form causing hardening and narrowing of the artery. When this happens in the arteries surrounding the heart it is known as coronary artery disease, which is single largest cause of heart attack.

Are there any genetic conditions that make managing blood lipid levels difficult?

The answer is yes, and if you have any of these three genetic condition such as hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia, or hypertriglyceridemia your blood lipid levels will be dangerously high primarily due to the overproduction of cholesterol by the liver. These conditions are very dangerous requiring more aggressive blood lipid management methods often including prescription medications such as statins or prescription strength niacin.

How do lipoproteins factor into my management plan?

Blood fats, including cholesterol, are transported through the blood stream by the lipoproteins HDL and LDL. HDL molecules are lean, being composed of primarily protein whereas LDL molecules are primarily fat. It just makes sense that finding ways to keep LDL low and HDL high would be one of the best ways to manage blood lipid levels.

Three helpful management tools for blood lipid levels

*Stay active: As the aging process takes hold and aches and pains become more severe it is easy to fall into a state of semi inactivity. But if you are really serious about lowering blood lipid levels and thus reducing your chances of atherosclerosis and heart disease then you must find creative ways around your maladies. Your doctor is one of the best resources you have to accomplish this. Examples he might suggest are pool aerobics, walking, or even something as simple as gardening.

*Watch your diet: Many blood fats such as triglycerides are very sensitive to diet. Be sure to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables all the while keeping saturated fat and cholesterol to a minimum. One last important point is that some research suggests that increasing the consumption of polyunsaturated fat foods such as fish and avocados are essential to lowering triglyceride levels.

*Supplements can help: The latest research continues to support the idea that supplements can play a pivotal role in lowering blood fat levels. Three that have been getting a lot of press recently are vitamins B12 and B6, omega 3 rich fish oil, and of course safe and effective natural cholesterol reduction supplements.

Dhea Can Prevent Heart Disease

Posted on by

If you’re 50 years old and want to avoid having a heart attack, lower your risk factors. A risk factor is anything that increases your risk of heart attack. The common ones are high cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, high blood pressure, cigarette smoking, and inactivity. I always emphasize the importance of diet and exercise, and the reason for this is simple: It reduces your risk of having a heart attack.
Now, let’s discuss another risk factorlow levels of the hormone DHEA.
DHEA is used by your body to produce all other hormones, including testosterone, estrogen and progesterone. For reasons we don’t yet know, our production of DHEA declines as we get older, and as it drops, a host of diseases seem to come out of the woodwork, heart disease being one of them.
Low DHEA Levels Can Be a Predictor for Heart Disease
A retrospective study on heart patients found that a reduced blood level of DHEA is a specific and independent marker of heart disease. The DHEA levels of 49 male survivors of heart attacks were compared with those of 49 controls. The patients who had the heart attacks had significantly reduced DHEA levels. They remained low even when they were controlled for cholesterol, blood pressure and other risk factors.
Conventional doctors give patients drugs to lower blood cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and even to elevate a low HDL level. All of these drugs have major side effects, and it is not even proven that they reduce the risk of heart disease.
Whereas it has not been proven that elevating the DHEA level in the blood with supplemental hormone will prevent a heart attack, it is far safer and more reasonable than all the cholesterol-lowering drugs guzzled every day. Even though any physician can write a prescription for DHEA and any pharmacist can “compound” (put the hormone in a capsule) and dispense it to a patient, the only physicians who are doing this are the unconventional ones.
Why is there resistance to giving a perfectly safe, naturally occurring hormone that might ward off a heart attack? I cannot answer that, except to say that breakthroughs are simply ignored unless they happen to be a patented prescription drug.
Look for the Real Thing
There are several products on the market that are promoted as containing DHEA, but they don’t contain enough to have a measurable effect on your blood level. Additionally, many who promote the use of plant products often state that true DHEA is not available. That is obviously not true, because I have been prescribing it for many years. The prescription DHEA costs less than many of the drugs used to lower your cholesterol levelthe average cost for 50 mg per day is around $20 a month.
In the same way you measure your blood cholesterol level and blood triglyceride level, you should be measuring your DHEA level as well. If your DHEA is below the average range for your age, strongly consider supplementing with DHEA to bring your blood level up. The dose I use is 25 to 50 mg per day in women and 50 to 100 mg per day in men, while monitoring the DHEA sulfate levels.
DHEA strengthens many other aspects of your body, including brain function, energy level, and immune system. Heart disease is surely not the only condition you could be avoiding by supplementation with DHEA.
Reference:
Mitchell, LE et al. Evidence for an association between dehydroepiandosterone sulfate and nonfatal, premature myocardial infarction in males. Circulation, Jan. 1994;89:89-93.
For more information visit https://www.searchhearthealth.com

Heart Disease Symptoms

Posted on by

The many symptoms of heart disease vary greatly from one person to the next. The reality is some people may experience a myriad of symptoms while others may only experience a small amount of heart disease symptoms or even just one or two symptoms. One or more of these symptoms can occur at the same time depending from person to person where as several may have no symptoms what so ever. The most common symptoms occur in the case of a heart attack. The usual symptoms include pain in the armpits, toothache, and even arm pain.

One or more of these symptoms may occur at the same time depending from person to person where as some may have no symptoms what so ever. This refers to chest pain, one of the major warning signs of a heart attack. Any chest pain needs to be checked out by a doctor as soon as possible. Heart disease symptom recognizing is usually hard as many of these symptoms can be caused by many other different factors as well; this is probably one of the main causes why some people walk in emergency rooms sometimes too late to be able to be helped.

Fatigue is also one of the many familiar symptoms of heart disease. Fatigue or lethargy is fundamentally the inability of the body to carry on functioning at typical levels. This is particularly true if the pain subsides when you rest. If you have any of these symptoms call your doctor and follow her advice. If you cannot reach your doctor, go to the hospital. There is nothing in existence that can replace reducing stress, regular exercise, and an optimum heart diet. If you expect a heart problem to be reversed in this lifetime, a complete 180 degree turnaround is what it’s going to take.

Early heart disease symptoms, which can be overlooked due to the patients age, are a non-injury related thickening of the Achilles tendon, and a condition known as hyperlipoidemia, or an excise concentration of fats in the blood. Frequently finding yourself feeling week or dizzy without any obvious cause could also be a symptom of disease of the heart. Heart disease prevention lies in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and keeping a good diet. One should be particularly careful if high cholesterol, diabetes, and other problems run in the family. Some heart diseases are triggered by these factors.

Every heart disease has different symptoms, but many of them have similar symptoms. In most cases, it depends on the severity of your heart’s condition as to whether you can identify any symptoms. Nowadays, people can already avoid heart disease through education and learning about keeping our hearts healthy. Experts suggest that people should only be occasional eaters with fast foods products and rich foods.

Showing high levels of cholesterol, particularly when levels of HDL are low, is listed as another risk factor for congestive heart disease. Another problem is atherosclerosis. This occurs when there are plaque deposits caused by the buildup of cholesterol and far in the arteries.

In Singapore Heart Disease Is Like Other Common Ailments

Posted on by

Coronary heart disease or atherosclerosis is a state in which the blood vessels responsible for supplying oxygen to the heart muscle, are blocked by gathering of plague. In the early stage of this disease, there is probably no symptom. That time the doctor, too, may be unable to detect it. But after duration of some years the disease may be fatal several times more and that can even cause sudden death due to the inability of the arteries to get blood enough to the muscle of the heart to maintain its functionality. Coronary heart disease is mentioned among the top most causes of death for women and men.

No sole cause is responsible for cardiovascular ailments. However, researchers and doctors have found out some particular risk factors that can enhance the risk of this type of diseases. Some of the vital risk factors include high cholesterol, family history, smoking, obesity, and high blood pressure. Though you can’t alter your family history, you can reduce your risk of coronary heart disease by restraining some of the few other risk factors.

There are seven key steps to reduce the risk of various heart diseases. They are as follows-

Doing physical exercise regularly
Lowering the total cholesterol level of the body
Quitting smoking
Taking a low-dose aspirin every day
Reducing dietary consumption of animal fats
Increasing the dietary consumption of whole grains and fresh fruits
Visiting doctor for a test of cholesterol and angiogram

Besides, some doctors think now that drinking moderated alcohol may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. The doctors now identify two distinct cholesterols good cholesterol or HDL and bad cholesterol or LDL. Analyzing the report of the blood cholesterol test, the doctor may suggest that one should increase the HDL cholesterol level and decrease the LDL cholesterol level.

How can we detect the coronary artery disease? The coronary artery disease treatment entails various medical procedures. A good way to measure and diagnose the depth of coronary artery disease is the use of coronary angiography. It is exercised when a doctor suspects a person of having such a disease.

When the damage is caused, the body will initiate a healing process. The healing process leads the deposition of plagues at a place where the arteries are damaged. We should keep it in mind that building up of plague in the coronary arteries may begin in childhood. This plague can completely block or narrow few of the coronary arteries overtime. Finally, this condition reduces the supply of oxygen-rich blood to the muscles of the heart.

Prevention is better than cure. So, knowing the reasons of coronary heart disease is very essential. There is no substitute to early detection. Following the advice of the doctor is the best practice that we should obey to avoid few of the conditions of heart attack. Dr Lim of Singapore is a renowned heart specialist. She has a unique heart care clinic dedicated to the service of heart patients.