Cholesterol is found in your bloodstream and cells, and is necessary for the production of cell membranes. Cholesterol also plays an important role in the formation of memories and is vital for healthy neurological function. Higher cholesterol levels are associated with better brain health; low cholesterol levels have been shown to increase your risk of depression and suicide. A 2014 study found higher levels of HDL and lower levels of LDL were associated with a reduced risk for amyloid plaque deposits in the brain, independently of age and presence of the APOE4 gene, which raises your risk for Alzheimer’s. Research published in 2008 found elderly individuals who were not genetically predisposed to Alzheimer’s disease who had the highest levels of cholesterol — including the highest levels of LDL — had the best memory. Another study published in 2018 came to a similar, although more complex, conclusion. While having higher total cholesterol at midlife was associated with a reduced risk for cognitive decline after the age of 85, those whose cholesterol levels increased between midlife and late life were at increased risk. Click here to read full article.
Showing posts with label cholesterol. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cholesterol. Show all posts
Friday, May 10, 2019
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Why Coconuts Do a Heart Good
I'm often asked if coconut oil is good for your heart, and my answer is a resounding yes. The
ordinary coconut—known for its sweet milk, great fiber, and ability to
conk people on the heads in Marx Brothers movies—can do your heart
good—and a lot more.Many people shun coconut oil because it’s high in saturated fat, which is true. But coconut oil is also the least vulnerable oil to oxidative stress and free radical formation—in fact it’s probably the safest oil to use in all types of cooking.
What about oil and your cholesterol? Coconut oil contains medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA)—not the long-chain fatty acids found in most oils—so it's heart healthy. In fact those MCFAs have an effect similar to omega-3 fatty acids, so they make blood platelets less sticky.
Researchers also demonstrated that coconut’s MCFAs can neutralize and kill many microorganisms, bacteria, and viruses that are responsible for periodontal disease, herpes, and even bladder infections. Remember, oral bacteria that can cause dental disease can enter the bloodstream via the gum line, cause inflammation and eventually contribute to arthrosclerosis. Plus, research has shown that coconut oil can help to improve memory.
What’s the best way to incorporate coconut oil into your diet?
- Use it for cooking. Just remember not to heat it to the point of smoking. Any oil, including coconut oil, can produce toxic byproducts when overheated. Another way is to eat coconut or coconut products every day.
- Mix it with olive oil in your salad. You might even douse your steamed vegetables with a few teaspoons of it.
- Eat coconut or other products like coconut milk. Coconut milk can be used to make shakes and smoothies. You can also use it in a hot or cold cereal, or pour it over seasonal organic blueberries, raspberries and strawberries. I like to bake fish in coconut milk to keep it moist and enhance the flavor.
- Or try coconut water. I add it it my daily fruit and veggie juice as I’ve writtern about before. If you are not familiar with the procedure you can visit heartmdinstitute.com.
Read more: http://www.drsinatra.com/why-coconuts-do-a-heart-good?key=219154&utm_campaign=Multi-Product&utm_source=loy-email-all&utm_medium=email-Eletter&utm_content=sinatra-eletter_react-062513&sm_mid=626604&sm_rid=626604.16201.40967#ixzz2XFTML41l
Monday, March 25, 2013
Lower Your Cholesterol Naturally
Many
people find elevated cholesterol levels to be worrisome. They’ve been
convinced that having a high cholesterol level means having an increased
heart attack risk. I want you to understand why you need cholesterol
for your health. You should also know the truth behind the
cholesterol-heart disease theory. I can also share some natural ways to
lower your cholesterol.
Dr. Michael Cutler | Mar 25, 2013
Why You Need CholesterolThe liver produces about 80 percent of the cholesterol in your body. You must have sufficient cholesterol in your diet to make sufficient amounts of these critically important hormones:
- Progesterone and estrogens (for women).
- Aldosterone.
- Cortisol.
- DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone).
- Testosterone.
The Cholesterol-Heart Disease Theory
Both doctors and the public embrace the idea that dietary cholesterol is bad for you and that high cholesterol is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD). It’s true that high LD (bad) cholesterol can be associated with CVD, but it is not the actual cause of heart disease. [1] Inflammation is the real cause. We know that elevated, oxidized LDL cholesterol is simply a result of inflammation and that there are numerous causes for inflammation. If your doctor measures your cholesterol to monitor cardiovascular risk, make sure he measures the particle number and particle size of your LDL. That is the new standard in lipid measurements.
Origins Of Theory
The cholesterol-heart disease theory originated in the early 1950s when political pressure was put on the medical industry to find a cause for CVD, a problem that was becoming the top killer in the United States.
In 1964, the famous heart surgeon Dr. Michael DeBakey of Houston reported that he and his colleagues studied 1,700 surgical patients and found no correlation between blood cholesterol levels and the extent of coronary artery disease seen during open heart surgery. This was reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association. [2]
You should also know that about 50 percent of people hospitalized for heart attacks or undergoing CABG (coronary artery bypass graft) surgery have normal cholesterol levels.
Furthermore, in 1992, Dr. William P. Castelli, former director of the Framingham Heart Study, reported a similar discovery: “[I]n Framingham, Mass., the more saturated fat one ate, the more cholesterol one ate, the more calories one ate, the lower the person’s serum cholesterol…” [3]
I’ll qualify this quote by stating two important points. First, animal meat in high amounts generally triggers inflammation, but fresh produce lowers inflammation. Secondly, 15 percent to 25 percent of the population is sensitive to dietary cholesterol, with a threefold disease increase among these hyper-responders. Also, obesity, diabetes mellitus and insulin resistance contribute to a hyper-response to dietary cholesterol. And, according to some recent scientific literature, consuming one to seven eggs per week does not increase the risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke in men and women.
Lower Your Cholesterol Naturally
So you want to lower your risk of heart attack? The most important and effective way to lower heart attack risk is to lower inflammation in your body through a clean (nutrient-rich, whole food) diet, low emotional stress and consistent, enjoyable exercise and then to use nutrient supplements to help even further.
It has been shown scientifically that you can lower (normalize) your lipid measurements with targeted nutrient supplements that rival or surpass what prescription medications can do. [4] The best recommendations for this, according to the American Academy of Anti-aging Medicine (and these references found in the peer-reviewed scientific literature), [5] [6] include:
- Eat mostly whole foods, with six vegetable and four fruit servings daily. [7]
- Exercise 60 minutes daily, both aerobic and resistance exercise.
- Vitamin E (gamma/delta tocotrienols 200 mg) each night with food.
- Pantethine (active form of vitamin B5) 450 mg twice daily.
- Omega 3 fatty acids 4,000 mg daily with EPA/DHA at a 3/2 ratio.
- Lycopene 20 mg daily.
- Trans-resveratrol 250 mg daily.
- N-acetyl cysteine 500 mg twice daily.
- Aged garlic (Kyolic) standardized 600 mg twice daily.
- Carnosine 500 mg twice daily.
- Quercetin 500 mg twice daily.
- Niacin (nicotinic acid) 500 mg to 3,000 mg daily as tolerated. (To prevent flushing, precede this with a baby aspirin or applesauce or other food.)
- Red yeast rice 2,400 mg to 4,800 mg at night (with food).
- Probiotics standardized to 15 billion organisms twice daily.
- Curcumin 500 mg twice daily.
- EGCG 500 mg twice daily or 60 ounces to 100 ounces of green tea daily.
- Plant sterols 1.6 grams to 3 grams daily.
- Pomegranate juice 8 ounces daily with the juice of one lemon or lime.
- CoQ10 (Ubiquinone) 200 mg to 300 mg per day to inhibit LDL-cholesterol oxidation.
To feeling good for life,
Michael Cutler, M.D.
Easy Health Options
[1] Djoussé L, Gaziano JM. Dietary cholesterol and coronary artery disease: a systematic review. Current Atherosclerosis Reports 2009 Nov;11(6):418-22.
[2] DeBakey, Michael: JAMA 189:655, 1964
[3] Castelli, William P: Arch Int Med 152:1371, 1992
[4] Houston M. The role of nutraceutical supplements in the treatment of dyslipidemia.
J Clin Hypertens 2012 Feb;14(2):121-32.
J Clin Hypertens 2012 Feb;14(2):121-32.
[5] Houston, MC et al. Nonpharmacologic Treatment of Dyslipidemia. Progress in Cardiovascular Disease 2009;52:61-94
[6]
Nijjar PS, Burke FM, Bloesch A, Rader DJ. Role of dietary supplements
in lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol: a review. J Clin Lipidol. 2010 Jul-Aug;4(4):248-58.
[7] J Am Diet Assoc 1995; 95:775-780.
Friday, November 30, 2012
The Truth About Fats
by Dr. Isaac Eliaz
Of all the food groups, fat is the most commonly misunderstood. We’re taught to believe that our obesity problems and related health conditions come from eating too many fats. As a result, many people avoid any kind of oils or fats in their weight-management programs. However, the truth is that fats are crucial to numerous areas of health. They just have to be the right kind. Here’s how to know the difference.
Monounsaturated Fats (MUFAs)
Monounsaturated fats are generally liquid at room temperature and are found in many common oils such as flax, sesame, olive and sunflower at various ratios, along with polyunsaturated fats and saturated fats. Some studies suggest that consuming foods with MUFAs can support healthy cholesterol, balance insulin and control blood glucose.
Polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs)
Polyunsaturated fats are found mostly in vegetable or grain oils as well as some fish oils. They demonstrate benefits similar to MUFAs; essential fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6 fats fall into this category.
Essential fatty acids are critical for health; the body doesn’t produce them on its own. They’re obtained from foods such as flax seeds, chia seeds, fish oil and other sources. However, a balanced ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 is critical for preventing chronic illness. Our modern diets are laden with omega-6 (abundant in many commercial vegetable oils) and deficient in omega-3s: a dangerous ratio that can lead to chronic inflammation, free radical, oxidative damage and related conditions. A good solution is to supplement with additional omega-3 oils to balance this ratio. Some nutritionists even recommend a completely balanced 1:1 ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 to address inflammation, cardiovascular health and more.
Saturated Fats
Contrary to popular belief, moderate intake of saturated fats supports cellular integrity, cardiovascular health, immunity, vital energy and other critical areas of health. Found mainly in butter and animal fats, coconut oil, and some other tropical oils, saturated fats are more solid at room temperature. Importantly, they are good cooking oils, particularly clarified butter (called ghee in India) and coconut oil. These fats remain relatively stable at higher temperatures, which means they don’t easily become rancid during cooking. This is very important, because healthy fats can turn dangerous when rancid — the molecular structures of the oils change, wreaking havoc on cells and tissues with free radical damage.
The Dangers Of Trans Fats
The worst fats are trans fats and their newest relatives, “interesterified” fats. These industrial fats are created from a chemical process used in food manufacturing, designed to give oils and processed foods a longer shelf life. Trans fats should be avoided completely: They fuel inflammation, disrupt cell signaling and interfere with numerous critical functions. Furthermore, the body doesn’t recognize them and has a difficult time processing and eliminating them. As a result, these harmful substances build up and contribute to weight gain, unhealthy LDL cholesterol levels and arterial plaque. They are associated with diabetes, heart disease, immune dysfunction and other serious conditions.
How To Use Healthy Fats
Total healthy fat intake should be roughly 25 percent of your daily calories. Incorporate healthy oils such as raw olive oil or flax oil into your meals, as a salad dressing, added to soups or drizzled on cooked foods. Add chia seeds, which are some of the highest sources of omega-3s, and avocado to a morning fruit smoothie. Throw some raw walnuts in a bag to snack on throughout the day and incorporate more cold-water wild fish such as salmon into your diet. You can also look for supplements containing balanced ratios of essential fatty acids.
What About High Cholesterol?
In moderation, good fats can help reduce elevated LDL (bad) cholesterol, improve HDL (good) cholesterol and can help improve cardiovascular markers. Certain healthy fats, such as coconut oil, can actually help burn fat and promote a balanced weight. Furthermore, healthy fats help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, a critical component in promoting heart health and protecting against cardiovascular disease.
We evolved to eat fats. They provide us with critical nutrients and antioxidants, offer a critical source of energy and form the building blocks of cells, tissues and organs, especially the brain and nervous system. Healthy fats, such as olive oil, have been used therapeutically for millennia. In Eastern medical traditions, oils infused with therapeutic herbs and compounds play a very important role internally and externally, helping to restore health physically, mentally and emotionally.
Monounsaturated fats are generally liquid at room temperature and are found in many common oils such as flax, sesame, olive and sunflower at various ratios, along with polyunsaturated fats and saturated fats. Some studies suggest that consuming foods with MUFAs can support healthy cholesterol, balance insulin and control blood glucose.
Polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs)
Polyunsaturated fats are found mostly in vegetable or grain oils as well as some fish oils. They demonstrate benefits similar to MUFAs; essential fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6 fats fall into this category.
Essential fatty acids are critical for health; the body doesn’t produce them on its own. They’re obtained from foods such as flax seeds, chia seeds, fish oil and other sources. However, a balanced ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 is critical for preventing chronic illness. Our modern diets are laden with omega-6 (abundant in many commercial vegetable oils) and deficient in omega-3s: a dangerous ratio that can lead to chronic inflammation, free radical, oxidative damage and related conditions. A good solution is to supplement with additional omega-3 oils to balance this ratio. Some nutritionists even recommend a completely balanced 1:1 ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 to address inflammation, cardiovascular health and more.
Saturated Fats
Contrary to popular belief, moderate intake of saturated fats supports cellular integrity, cardiovascular health, immunity, vital energy and other critical areas of health. Found mainly in butter and animal fats, coconut oil, and some other tropical oils, saturated fats are more solid at room temperature. Importantly, they are good cooking oils, particularly clarified butter (called ghee in India) and coconut oil. These fats remain relatively stable at higher temperatures, which means they don’t easily become rancid during cooking. This is very important, because healthy fats can turn dangerous when rancid — the molecular structures of the oils change, wreaking havoc on cells and tissues with free radical damage.
The Dangers Of Trans Fats
The worst fats are trans fats and their newest relatives, “interesterified” fats. These industrial fats are created from a chemical process used in food manufacturing, designed to give oils and processed foods a longer shelf life. Trans fats should be avoided completely: They fuel inflammation, disrupt cell signaling and interfere with numerous critical functions. Furthermore, the body doesn’t recognize them and has a difficult time processing and eliminating them. As a result, these harmful substances build up and contribute to weight gain, unhealthy LDL cholesterol levels and arterial plaque. They are associated with diabetes, heart disease, immune dysfunction and other serious conditions.
How To Use Healthy Fats
Total healthy fat intake should be roughly 25 percent of your daily calories. Incorporate healthy oils such as raw olive oil or flax oil into your meals, as a salad dressing, added to soups or drizzled on cooked foods. Add chia seeds, which are some of the highest sources of omega-3s, and avocado to a morning fruit smoothie. Throw some raw walnuts in a bag to snack on throughout the day and incorporate more cold-water wild fish such as salmon into your diet. You can also look for supplements containing balanced ratios of essential fatty acids.
What About High Cholesterol?
In moderation, good fats can help reduce elevated LDL (bad) cholesterol, improve HDL (good) cholesterol and can help improve cardiovascular markers. Certain healthy fats, such as coconut oil, can actually help burn fat and promote a balanced weight. Furthermore, healthy fats help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, a critical component in promoting heart health and protecting against cardiovascular disease.
We evolved to eat fats. They provide us with critical nutrients and antioxidants, offer a critical source of energy and form the building blocks of cells, tissues and organs, especially the brain and nervous system. Healthy fats, such as olive oil, have been used therapeutically for millennia. In Eastern medical traditions, oils infused with therapeutic herbs and compounds play a very important role internally and externally, helping to restore health physically, mentally and emotionally.
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