HealthBeat News

Category: Heart and Circulation

  • Ubiquinone (CoQ10) versus Ubiquinol: Which Is Better?

    Ubiquinone (CoQ10) versus Ubiquinol: Which Is Better?

    by Dr. Myatt

     

    Ann wrote Nurse Mark recently to ask:

    Mark

    A friend asked if the body can process coq10 or do we need to get the ubiquinol instead? I could not really find an answer.

    Thank you

    Ann

     

    Most everyone has heard of CoQ10, an important antioxidant produced by the body. CoQ10 benefits everything from the heart function, high blood pressure, the immune and neurological systems to athletic performance and male fertility. It is surely one of the most important antioxidants in the body and levels decline with age. (What doesn’t?! ;-)). Learn about the many crucial functions and benefits of CoQ10, and if you would benefit from taking supplemental CoQ10, here CoQ10: Super-Energizer and Potent Antioxidant.

    Ubiquinone and ubiquinol exist together in the body; the body converts ubiquinone into ubiquinol.

    Current marketing strategies promote the idea that the ubiquinol form of CoQ10 is much more absorbable and therefore preferable, which is what Ann’s question is about.

    Here’s the scoop.

    CoQ10 as ubiquinone is the “old” form of CoQ10 (by “old” I mean the form that has been commercially available for a long time). The ubiquinol form is “new” in the commercial sense, and the form touted as being much more absorbable.

    The “old” CoQ10 (ubiquinone) is quite absorbable, especially when taken with food. There is evidence that oil-based forms might have some additional absorption advantage over powdered forms.[1-3]

    There have been literally hundreds of human studies on CoQ10 in it’s ubiquinone form — the “old” form — but literally only a couple of studies on the ubiquinol form in humans. Check out our descriptive page about CoQ10 and you’ll see dozens of references. All of those references refer to the “old” form of CoQ10, the form that 99% of all studies have used.

    One study cited by everyone selling the “new” form showed improvement in heart patients (4). However, it was not a comparative study looking at ubiquinol versus ubiquinone. So the “new” stuff worked in one heart study and I can’t find any other human studies. The “old” stuff has been proven in dozens of human heart studies, it works amazingly well and is quite safe. (5-18, to list only a few of the many studies)

    Studies showing the effectiveness of CoQ10 in heart disease, arrhythmia, congestive heart failure, Parkinson’s, AIDS, cancer, migraine, muscular dystrophy, fatigue and chronic fatigue, male infertility and other conditions have been done using the “old” form of CoQ10. This is the form that we KNOW works. The safety and efficacy of ubiquinone has been well-established; the safety and efficacy of the “new” ubiquinol form is largely unstudied.

    Remember that people selling supplements are always on the lookout for a marketing angle — as in “my CoQ10 is better than your CoQ10.” It’s about trying to sell supplements in a competitive market. Marketers look for a “new and improved” or “more bioavailable” angle because it sounds important and helps sell product. Sometimes these claims are true, but many times they are just marketing hype.

    When the body of evidence shows that the “new” ubiquinol form of CoQ10 works better and is just as safe as the older form, I’ll switch. Until then, I’m sticking with the well-proven “older” form of CoQ10 known as ubiquinone, and that is what we continue to recommend and offer here at The Wellness Club.

    References

    1.) Bhagavan HN, Chopra RK. Plasma coenzyme Q10 response to oral ingestion of coenzyme Q10 formulations. Mitochondrion. 2007 Jun;7 Suppl:S78-88. Epub 2007 Mar 27.
    2.) Chopra RK, Goldman R, Sinatra ST, Bhagavan HN. Relative bioavailability of coenzyme Q10 formulations in human subjects. Int J Vitam Nutr Res 1998;68:109–13.
    3.) Weiss M, Mortensen SA, Rassig MR, et al. Bioavailability of four oral coenzyme Q10 formulations in healthy volunteers. Molec Aspects Med 1994;15:273–80.
    4.) Langsjoen PH, Langsjoen AM. Supplemental ubiquinol in patients with advanced congestive heart failure. BioFactors. December 2008;32:119-128.
    5.) Kumar A, Kaur H, Devi P, Mohan V. Role of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in Cardiac disease, Hypertension and Meniere- like syndrome. Pharmacol Ther. 2009 Jul 25. [Epub ahead of print]
    6.) Langsjoen PH, Folkers K, Lyson K, Muratsu K, Lyson T, Langsjoen P. Pronounced increase of survival of patients with cardiomyopathy when treated with coenzyme Q10 and conventional therapy. Int J Tissue React. 1990;12(3):163-8.
    7.) Langsjoen PH, Folkers K, Lyson K, Muratsu K, Lyson T, Langsjoen P. Effective and safe therapy with coenzyme Q10 for cardiomyopathy. Klin Wochenschr. 1988 Jul 1;66(13):583-90.
    8.) Langsjoen P, Langsjoen A, Willis R, and Folkers K. The Aging Heart: Reversal of Diastolic Dysfunction Through the Use of Oral CoQ10 in the Elderly. Anti-Aging Medical Therapeutics. Klatz RM and Goldman R (eds.). Health Quest Publications. 1997;113-120.
    9.) Langsjoen PH, Langsjoen A, Willis R, Folkers K. Treatment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with coenzyme Q10. Mol Aspects Med. 1997;18(S):s145-s151.
    10.) Langsjoen PH, Vadhanavikit S, Folkers K. Response of patients in classes III and IV of cardiomyopathy to therapy in a blind and crossover trial with coenzyme Q10. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1985 Jun;82(12):4240-4
    11.) Mabuchi H, Higashikata T, Kawashiri M, Katsuda S, Mizuno M, Nohara A, Inazu A, Koizumi J, Kobayashi J. Reduction of serum ubiquinol-10 and ubiquinone-10 levels by atorvastatin in hypercholesterolemic patients. Journal of Atheroscler Thromb. 2005;12(2):111-9.
    12.) Molyneux SL, Florkowski CM, George PM, Pilbrow AP, Frampton CM, Lever M, Richards AM. Coenzyme Q10: an independent predictor of mortality in chronic heart failure. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2008 Oct 28;52(18):1435-41.
    13.) Mortensen S.A., Vadhanavikit S., Muratsu K., Folkers K. (1990) Coenzyme Q10: Clinical benefits with biochemical correlates suggesting a scientific breakthrough in the management of chronic heart failure. In: Int. J. Tissue React., Vol. 12 (3), pp 155-162.
    14.) Rosenfeldt F, Hilton D, Pepe S, Krum H. Systematic review of effect of coenzyme Q10 in physical exercise, hypertension, and heart failure. Biofactors. 2003;18(1-4):91-100.
    15.) Silver MA, Langsjoen PH, Szabo S, Patil H, Zelinger A. Effect of atorvastatin on left ventricular diastolic function and ability of coenzyme Q10 to reverse that dysfunction. Am J Cardiol. 2004 Nov 15;94(10):1306-10.
    16.) Singh RB; Wander GS et al Randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial of coenzyme Q10 in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther, 12(4):347-53 1998 Sep.
    17.) Singh RB; Wander GS et al Cardiovasc Drugs Ther, 12(4):347-53 1998 Sep.
    18.) Weant KA, Smith KM. The role of coenzyme Q10 in heart failure. Ann Pharmacother. 2005;39(9):1522-6.

  • 7 Reasons To Take Take Grape Seed Extract

    7 Reasons To Take Take Grape Seed Extract



    by Dr. Dana Myatt

    Grape seed extract is on my list of “must take” supplements.” Here’s why.

    Grape Seed Extract Lowers Risk of Heart Disease

    Proanthocyanidin (OPC), a powerful antioxidant found in grape seeds, grape skins, strawberries and French maritime pine bark, has anti-inflammatory properties which have been shown to promote normal blood flow and thus benefit the cardiovascular system. In Doctor Myatt’s words, OPC’s prevent “blood sludge” that can cause strokes and heart attacks. OPC’s work like aspirin (only better and safer) to prevent abnormal blood clotting. OPC’s may be a superior answer for those who need thinner blood (like people with arrhythmias) as a safer alternative to coumadin. OPC’s are also derived from pine bark (the grape seed extract is slightly more potent and less expensive. You will often see the terms proanthocaynadin, OPC’s, and grape seed extract used interchangeably).

    In one study, 38 cigarette smokers were divided into two groups and received either 500 mg of aspirin or 125 mg of Proanthocyanidin. After taking these doses, each subject smoked a cigarette, which is known to increase blood platelet aggregation (blood clumping). After two hours, blood samples were analyzed. Both groups has greatly reduced platelet aggregation, but those in the aspirin group had increased bleeding times while those in the OPC group did not. Other studies in smokers have also shown the anti-aggregation effect of OPC’s.

    In another study, 30 people were given Proanthocyanidin and 10 were given placebo. People in the Proanthocyanidin group had significant reduction in blood pressure, capillary (small blood vessel) leakage, and blood vessel inflammation, all risk factors for heart disease. There were no negative side effects or adverse changes in blood chemistries from Proanthocyanidin.

    Grape Seed Extract A Boon to Diabetics (and those who don’t want to be diabetics)

    Proanthocyanidin benefits the cardiovascular system by decreasing inflammation and improving blood viscosity in both normal and diabetic subjects. These effects can be especially important to diabetics. New research shows that OPC’s have even more benefits for diabetics by helping to lower blood sugar levels and improving microcirculation.

    OPC’s were administered to diabetic patients. Leg ulcers (which often result in gangrene and loss of limbs in diabetics) healed 25-29% faster in the group taking OPC’s. This is a significant benefit for diabetic patients and could help prevent loss of limbs that often occurs in diabetes.

    OPC’s have also been shown to help lower blood sugar levels. Researchers looked at the effect that Proanthocyanidin has on alpha-glucosidase, an enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates into glucose molecules. In this study, Proanthocyanidin was compared to acarbose, a synthetic drug (sold under the brand name Precose) that inhibits alpha-glucosidase. Proanthocyanidin was found to be 190 times more potent at inhibiting alpha-glucosidase, producing a greater delay in glucose absorption. At higher concentrations, OPC’s greatly slowed the entrance of carbohydrates into the blood stream compared to the drug.

    Another study showed that Proanthocyanidin improved the level of microangiopathy (small blood vessel abnormalities) decreased capillary filtration, improved symptoms and reduced edema in 18 out of 18 diabetic patients, with no subjects dropping out of the study due to adverse side effects. There were no improvements seen in the control group.

    OPC’s have been shown in French trials to help limit the progression of diabetic retinopathy. In one study, 60% of diabetics taking 150 mg per day of OPCs from grape seed extract had no progression of retinopathy compared to 47% of those taking a placebo.

    Another trial including 77 subjects with type 2 diabetes, (half receiving 100 mg of Proanthocyanidin and half received a placebo daily), showed after 12 weeks that subjects in the Proanthocyanidin group had significantly lowered their plasma glucose levels compared to placebo. Proanthocyanidin subjects were also found to have improved artery function. In another trial of 30 type 2 diabetics, researchers found that increasing doses of Proanthocyanidin (doses of 50, 100, 200, and 300 mg) lowered blood sugar levels in a dose-dependent fashion. (The more grape seed extract, the lower the blood sugar levels). Subjects who received 100 to 300 mg of Proanthocyanidin had the most significant lowering of their fasting glucose levels.

    Anti-Cancer Effects of Grape Seed Extract

    Talc (talcum powder) increases “ovarian neoplastic transformation” (turns cells of the female ovary into cancerous cells). A brand new study showed that Proanthocyanidin blocked this talc-induced cancerous change in ovarian cells. PC’s have also been shown to induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in breast cancer cells but not in normal breast tissue.

    OPc’s reduce four factors know to stimulate cancer cell growth: blood sugar levels, insulin levels, free radical and inflammation. This means that OPC’s may be a potent factor not only in cancer prevention but also in cancer treatment. (See our medical paper on cancer diet and nutrition for cancer for full details).

    But Wait! There’s More! (More Benefits of Grape Seed Extract)

    If heart-protective, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer effects aren’t enough to make you consider adding grape seed extract to your supplement regimen, here are a few more benefits of this amazing flavonoid for you to consider:

    * anti-allergenic (grape seed stabilizes histamine release and so acts as a natural anti-histamine, without any drowsy side-effects). Asthmatic children who took Proanthocyanidin were able to decrease their asthma medications.

    * improves skin elasticity by increasing collagen in the skin. For this reason, OPC’s are often used in skin rejuvenation programs.

    * prevents varicose veins by strengthening blood vessels and increasing collagen (same reason it helps improve aging skin).

    * helps prevent Alzheimer’s disease by blocking the formation of beta amyloid (a protein associated with Alzheimer’s).

    * Reduces symptoms of endometriosis. This is JUST IN today in Family Medicine journal, yet another study showing positive benefit.

    I Don’t Know About You, But…

    The proven (but non-FDA-approved, blessed or verified) effects of grape seed extract (aka Proanthocyanidin, OPC’s etc.) are just too great for me to overlook. I personally take 100mg, 3 times per day with meals and will continue to do so. The new research coming out on this important herb convinces me that I’ve made a good decision. Learn more about Grape Seed Extract here.

    * The term “pycnogenol” originally denoted the generic proanthocyanidin (OPC) extracts derived from pine bark as researched by Jacques Masquelier, Ph.D.  However, Pycnogenol® is now a registered trademark of Horphag Overseas Ltd., referring specifically to their brand of maritime pine extract. Jacques Masquelier, Ph.D., the original discoverer of OPC’s, initially researched maritime pine as the source of proanthocyanidins. 

    In 1951, Professor Masquelier patented a method of extracting OPC’s from pine bark, and in 1970 used this same technique to extract OPC’s from grape seed.

     

    References
    1.)Inhibition of smoking-induced platelet aggregation by aspirin and pycnogenol. Thromb Res. 1999 Aug 15;95(4):155-61.
    2.) Pine bark extract reduces platelet aggregation. Integr Med. 2000 Mar 21;2(2):73-77.
    3.) Single and multiple dose pharmacokinetics of maritime pine bark extract (pycnogenol) after oral administration to healthy volunteers. BMC Clin Pharmacol. 2006 Aug 3;6:4.
    4.) Inhibition of COX-1 and COX-2 activity by plasma of human volunteers after ingestion of French maritime pine bark extract (Pycnogenol). Biomed Pharmacother. 2006 Jan;60(1):5-9. Epub 2005 Oct 26.
    5.) Diabetic ulcers: microcirculatory improvement and faster healing with pycnogenol. Clin Appl Thromb Hemost. 2006 Jul;12(3):318-23.
    6.) Oligomeric procyanidins of French maritime pine bark extract (Pycnogenol) effectively inhibit alpha-glucosidase. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2006 Nov 10.
    7.) Rapid relief of signs/symptoms in chronic venous microangiopathy with pycnogenol: a prospective, controlled study. Angiology. 2006 Oct-Nov;57(5):569-76.
    8.) Procyanidolic oligomers in the treatment of fragile capillaries and diabetic retinopathy. Med Int 1981;16:432–4 [in French].
    8.) Retinopathies and OPC. Bordeaux Medicale 1978;11:1467–74 [in French].
    9.) Contribution to the study of procyanidolic oligomeres: Endotelon in diabetic retinopathy (in regard to 30 observations). Gaz Med de France 1982;89:3610–4 [in French].
    10.) Antidiabetic effect of Pycnogenol French maritime pine bark extract in patients with diabetes type II. Life Sci. 2004 Oct 8;75(21):2505-13.
    11.) French maritime pine bark extract Pycnogenol dose-dependently lowers glucose in type 2 diabetic patients.Diabetes Care. 2004 Mar;27(3):839.
    12.) Pycnogenol reduces talc-induced neoplastic transformation in human ovarian cell cultures.Phytother Res. 2007 Mar 14; [Epub ahead of print]
    13.) Selective induction of apoptosis in human mammary cancer cells (MCF-7) by pycnogenol. Anticancer Res. 2000 Jul-Aug;20(4):2417-20.
    14.) Nutritional and Botanical Considerations in the Systemic Treatment of Cancer: 2006 Update. http://www.drmyattswellnessclub.com/cancer2006update.htm
    15.) Pycnogenol as an adjunct in the management of childhood asthma. J Asthma. 2004;41(8):825-32
    16.) Stabilization of collagen by polyphenols. Angiologica 1972;9:248–56 [in German].
    17.) Non-enzymatic degradation of acid-soluble calf skin collagen by superoxide ion: protective effect of flavonoids. Biochem Pharmacol 1983;32:53–8.
    18.) Pycnogenol protects neurons from amyloid-beta peptide-induced apoptosis. Brain Res Mol Brain Res. 2002 Jul 15;104(1):55-65.
    19.) Pine Bark Extract Reduces Symptoms of Endometriosis. J Reprod Med. 2007;52:000-000.

  • GERD: Gone! Hypertension: Gone! Overweight: Gone! A Healthy Success Story.

    By Nurse Mark

    We love a good success story!

    Charles is one of many happy stories we hear – he booked a Brief Telephone Consultation with Dr. Myatt last December and it looks like he really received his "money’s-worth"!

    I remember Charles – he was overweight, and had a bunch of other health problems including GERD and hypertension. After he spoke with Dr. Myatt he got serious about his diet and his digestive health – he ordered a Gastric Acid Self-Test and some supplements.

    He sent in an order today for more Maxi Multi vitamins, and included this happy comment with his order:

    I’m off Prevacid – off Diovan and have now lost 67 lbs total since Christmas!  Taking max-multis to supplement days that I have nutrient deficient meals.

    Woo-Hoo!  High-Five! Way to go Charles!

    Now, here’s a hot tip – every day is "nutrient deficient meals" day. Please check out Dr. Myatt’s article Vitaminless Vegetables to learn more about the sorry state of our modern food supply and why everyone should be taking full doses of an optimal dose multiple vitamin like Maxi Multi every single day.

    Oh, and Charles? Howzabout sending us some before and after pictures?

  • Heart Association Appears Blind to Risks of America’s “Omega-Imbalance”

    Heart Association Appears Blind to Risks of America’s “Omega-Imbalance”

    Advisory on omega-6 fats and heart health dismays expert observers and ignores inconvenient evidence and dire implications for overall health

    by Craig Weatherby – Courtesy of Vital Choice Seafood


    Click for full story and printer friendly version

    Substantial evidence links America’s extreme “omega-imbalance” to major health risks, so it was surprising to see a recent statement from the American Heart Association (AHA).

    By “omega-imbalance”, we mean a very low intake of omega-3 fatty acids (from dark leafy greens and seafood), and very high intake of omega-6 fatty acids (from vegetable oils, packaged/prepared foods, and grain-fattened meats and poultry).

    A group of researchers working on behalf of the AHA concluded that America’s extreme omega-imbalance does not raise cardiovascular risks … as long as people eat enough omega-3s from fish or supplements (Harris WS et al. 2009).

      Key Points

    • American Heart Association downplays dangers of the omega-6 fat overload typical of American diets.
    • AHA statement ignores documented heart- and general-health risks associated with America’s extreme “omega-imbalance”.
    • Respected researchers dissected the AHA analysis and found fatal flaws.

    The AHA’s evidence- reviewers affirmed the value of omega-3s to protect against heart-related disease and death.

    But they overlooked or downplayed evidence that eating too many omega-6s blunts the cardiovascular benefits of dietary omega-3s, and promotes known risk factors.

    The omega-imbalance

    Researchers generally agree that ideally, people should consume no more than six omega-6 molecules for every omega-3 molecule they ingest.

    And ideally, most say we should consume only two to three omega-6 molecules for every omega-3 molecule.

    This is the approximate “omega ratio” humans have eaten since prehistoric times … and it’s the ratio still eaten by modern hunter-gatherers, who are remarkably free of the degenerative health conditions that plague Western industrial countries, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

    But in reality, most Americans ingest 20 to 40 omega-6 fat molecules for every omega-3 molecule … a radical shift that took place only over the past 150 years, along with immigration from farms to cities, and the rise of cheap, processed foods and vegetable oils.

    We’ve reported many studies that link cancer, metabolic syndrome, and more to the average American’s “omega-imbalance”.

    In historical and evolutionary terms, the average American diet is extremely high in omega-6 fats, and very low in omega-3s.

    There’s ample evidence to indicate that this modern omega-imbalance has very real health consequences.

    Evidence of harm

    Highly respected research scientists like William E. Lands, Ph.D., and Joseph Hibbeln, M.D., point to a large body of evidence indicating myriad health dangers associated with omega-imbalanced diets eaten here and abroad.

    Their work was the subject of our article, titled “Report Finds Americans Need More Omega-3s and Less Omega-6s”, 

    And we’ve published several other reports on research into the impacts of American’s omega-imbalance:

    “Women’s’ Excess Omega-6 Intake Raises Health Risks”

    “Omega-6/Omega-3 Imbalance Pushes Heart/Diabetes Perils”

    “Omega-3s Seen to Fight Metabolic Syndrome”,

    “Omega-3s Slow, Omega-6s Speed Prostate Cancer Growth”

    “Omega-6 overload linked to depression”

    To see even more reports on the impacts of omega-imbalanced diets, search our news archive for “omega-6”.

    American Heart Association advisory misses the big picture

    We can’t predict whether the AHA team’s conclusion ─ which is both supported and contradicted by substantial evidence ─ will be confirmed over the long run.

    For now, it seems irresponsible to ignore or downplay credible evidence that either flatly contradicts their conclusion or points to long-term risks from Americans’ grossly omega-imbalanced diets … an historically unprecedented eating pattern that’s spreading worldwide very speedily.

    We cannot dispute any of the evidence cited as supporting their conclusions regarding heart risks, of which we were well aware.

    But they ignored inconvenient evidence that contradicts their conclusions regarding heart health … as well as compelling evidence that positions America’s omega-imbalanced diets as a major risk to overall health.

    In other words, the AHA team suffered from tunnel vision.

    They should have acknowledged the large, fast-growing body of evidence which indicates that America’s omega-imbalance raises the risks of cancer, depression, and cardiac-related conditions like arterial inflammation, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes.

    What the AHA review said

    The authors of the AHA advisory analyzed previous evidence reviews (meta-analyses), individual clinical trials, and more than two dozen epidemiological studies, which compared people’s diets to their heart health status.

    Epidemiological studies of various kinds ─ observational, cohort, case-control and others ─ show that people who eat the most omega-6 fatty acids usually have the least heart disease.

    Some (not all) other studies ─ that have compared blood levels of omega-6s in heart patients to the levels in healthy people ─ associate low levels of omega-6s with lower rates of heart disease.

    And, in controlled trials where people were randomly assigned to eat diets containing either high levels or low levels of omega-6s, those assigned to the omega-6-rich diets often have less heart disease and fewer heart attacks.

    The AHA team was not the first to assert the irrelevance of very high omega-6 intake. Brandeis University researchers said this in 2004:

    “… the balance between dietary [omega3 and omega-6] fatty acids an important consideration influencing cardiovascular health … [but] the absolute mass of essential fatty acids consumed, rather than [the omega3/omega-6] ratio, should be the first consideration …” (Wijendran V, Hayes KC 2004)

    There is little doubt that replacing the saturated fats in animal foods with polyunsaturated omega-6 fats in vegetable oils lowers the risk for heart disease, due partly to changes in blood cholesterol profiles.

    But the AHA review compared a heart-unhealthier diet (high in fatty meats and dairy, low in plant-source foods and oils) to a heart-healthier diet (low in fatty meats and dairy, highs in plant-source foods and oils).

    And they ignored evidence that an omega-balanced diet ─ with fewer omega-6s and more omega-3s than average in America ─ represents the ideal diet for heart and overall health.

    Evidence that the omega-imbalance does matter

    The AHA team made sweeping statements that ignored major evidence that undermines their conclusion.

    For example, the AHA’s assertions ignored the findings of the famous Lyon Diet Heart study, which made “Mediterranean diet” a household word.

    This large clinical trial involved two groups of heart patients from France who were fed one of two diets:

    · Mediterranean diet low in omega-6 polyunsaturated fats.

    · A “heart healthy” diet based on American Heart Association guidelines.

    The group eating the Mediterranean diet had a striking 70 percent reduction in all causes of death, including cancer, compared to the group eating the AHA’s “heart healthy diet.”

    The Lyon study was designed to be low in omega-6 fats, in order to mimic the indigenous Mediterranean diet of Aegean Islanders, who have very low rates of heart disease.

    The AHA’s diet guidelines were designed to reduce saturated fats, but made no distinctions between the omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fats expected to take their place.

    Because the American diet is very low in sources of omega-3s, and awash in omega-6 food sources, most people who follow AHA diet guidelines will end up overloading on omega-6s.)

    Just last month, Lyon Heart Study lead author Dr. Michel de Lorgeril criticized researchers who overlook the omega-6 factor in his Lyon Heart Study results, saying, “… the epidemiologists do not capture one major lipid [dietary fat] characteristic of the Mediterranean diet, which is [that it is] actually low in omega-6 [fats].”

    And as bestselling fatty acid and weight control researcher Barry Sears, Ph.D. wrote in response to the AHA statement, “… none of the references in that article referred to the Lyon Diet Heart Study, which represented one of largest dietary intervention studies ever conducted. The failure to discuss this major study and its implications … in your Science Advisory greatly undermines its conclusion that the current consumption of omega-6 fatty acids is safe for the American public.” (Sears B 2009)

    In fact, there was enough scientific evidence 10 years ago to prompt fatty acid researcher Artemis Simopoulos, M.D. to recommend an upper limit for intake of omega-6 fats, to protect heart and overall health (Simopoulos AP et al. 1999; Simopoulos AP 2008).

    In addition to epidemiological evidence, we have a great deal of lab evidence from animal and cell studies, showing that omega-imbalanced diets worsen proven risk factors for cardiovascular disease (Lai CQ et al 2006; Louheranta AM et al 1996; Dwyer JH et al 2004; Ghosh S et al. 2007; Ramsden CE et al 2009).

    Leading researchers publish letter refuting AHA stance

    We’d like to paraphrase key excerpts from a letter to the editor of the journal that published the AHA statement.

    To those familiar with the literature, this letter from three leading fatty acid researchers constitutes a persuasive, pungent rebuttal of the AHA team’s broad generalizations.

    We should note that instead of generic “omega-6s” the letter’s authors actually referred to intakes of the short-chain omega-6 fat in vegetable oils called LA, which blocks conversion of plant-source omega-3s to the essential long-chain omega-3s (EPA and DHA) found in human cells and in fish.

    These were key points made by three expert critics of the AHA statement:

    · The AHA team excluded two studies that showed increased rates of adverse cardiovascular events and mortality in people place on omega-6-rich diets, and one that concluded that diets lower in omega-6s are more effective for prevention of coronary heart disease.

    · One study the AHA included had serious confounding factors, including greater long chain omega-3 intake in the group receiving extra omega-6s.

    · Lead author William S. Harris, Ph.D. overlooked the fact that higher intakes of omega-6 fats lower omega-3 blood levels, which he acknowledges elsewhere as a risk to heart health.

    · Evidence indicates that lower dietary intakes of omega-6s raise tissue levels of long chain omega-3s and lowers levels of omega-6s … changes that clearly benefit humans.

    As they concluded, “The combined available data and flawed meta-analysis do not justify concluding that high omega-6 diets reduce coronary heart disease. On the contrary, careful consideration suggests that omega-6 reduction is likely a better strategy for coronary heart disease prevention.

    “The widespread consumption of diets with more than 2% of calories from omega-6s should be recognized for what it is—a massive uncontrolled human experiment without adequate rationales or proven mechanisms.” (Ramsden CE et al. 2009)

    British review highlights key flaw in AHA statement

    Last year, British researchers interested in the omega-balance issue reviewed the results of a controlled clinical trial called OPTILIP, and of a “stable isotope” tracer study that followed the fate of dietary fats in the body.

    The British review included this statement, which at first blush seems to support the AHA team’s conclusions:

    “These two studies were independently unanimous in concluding that the ratio of omega-6/omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids is of no value in modifying cardiovascular disease risk.”

    However, as they went on to say, the isotope tracer study confirmed a major point made by proponents of omega-balanced diets.

    Namely, the relative amounts of plant-source omega-6s and plant-source omega-3s we eat affects the efficiency with which our bodies convert short-chain, plant-source omega-3s into long-chain omega-3s (EPA and DHA), which are the only kinds proven to enhance heart health.

    In other words, the Brits were warning that omega-imbalanced diets yield too few omega-3s in our cell membranes to provide optimal protection from heart risks.

    Accordingly, the UK team concluded that their review reinforces recommendations to increase omega-3 intakes and decrease intake of omega-6s.

    Sound familiar?

    Sources

    · American Heart Association. Omega-6 fatty acids: Make them a part of heart-healthy eating. Jan. 27, 2009. Accessed online at http://americanheart.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=650

    · de Lorgeril M et al. Mediterranean Diet, Traditional Risk Factors, and the Rate of Cardiovascular Complications After Myocardial Infarction : Final Report of the Lyon Diet Heart Study Circulation1999;99:779-785 (Free full text)

    · de Lorgeril M, Reanud S, Mamelle N, Salen P, Martin JL, Monjuad I, Gidolet J, Touboul P, Delaye J. Mediterranean alpha-linolenic acid-rich diet in secondary prevention of coronary heart disease. Lancet. 1994;343:1454-1459.

    · de Lorgeril M, Salen P, Martin JL, Monjaud I, Delaye J, Mamelle N. Mediterranean diet, traditional risk factors, and the rate of cardiovascular complications after myocardial infarction: Final report of the Lyon Diet Heart Study. Circulation. 1999;99:779-785.

    · Dwyer JH et al. Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase Promoter Genotype, Dietary Arachidonic Acid, and Atherosclerosis. N Engl J Med 2004 350: 29-37.

    · Ghosh S, Novak EM, Innis SM. Cardiac proinflammatory pathways are altered with different dietary n-6 linoleic to n-3 -linolenic acid ratios in normal, fat-fed pigs. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol (2007)293: H2919-H2927.

    · Griffin BA. How relevant is the ratio of dietary n-6 to n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids to cardiovascular disease risk? Evidence from the OPTILIP study. Curr Opin Lipidol. 2008 Feb;19(1):57-62. Review.

    · Harris WS, Mozaffarian D, Rimm E, Kris-Etherton P, Rudel LL, Appel LJ, Engler MM, Engler MB, Sacks F. Omega-6 fatty acids and risk for cardiovascular disease: a science advisory from the American Heart Association Nutrition Subcommittee of the Council on Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Metabolism; Council on Cardiovascular Nursing; and Council on Epidemiology and Prevention. Circulation. 2009 Feb 17;119(6):902-7. Epub 2009 Jan 26.

    · Hibbeln JR et al. Healthy intakes of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids: estimations considering worldwide diversity.Am J Clin Nutr 2006 83: S1483-1493. Free Full Text.

    · Lai CQ et al. Dietary Intake of n-6 Fatty Acids Modulates Effect of Apolipoprotein A5 Gene on Plasma Fasting Triglycerides,Remnant Lipoprotein Concentrations, and Lipoprotein Particle Size: The Framingham Heart Study.Circulation (2006)113: 2062-2070.

    · Lands WE. Dietary fat and health: the evidence and the politics of prevention: careful use of dietary fats can improve life and prevent disease. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2005 Dec;1055:179-92.

    · Leaf A. Dietary Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease: The Lyon Diet Heart Study.Circulation 1999;99:733-735.

    · Louheranta AM et al. Linoleic acid intake and susceptibility of very-low-density and lowdensity lipoproteins to oxidation in men. Am J Clin Nutr 1996 63: 698-703.

    · Okuyama H. Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease From the Cholesterol Hypothesis to omega-6/omega-3 Balance. World Review of Nutrition and Dietetics (2007) Vol. 96:1-158.

    · Ramsden CE, Hibbeln JR, Lands WE. Letter to the Editor re: Linoleic acid and coronary heart disease. Prostaglandins Leukot. Essent. Fatty Acids (2008), by W.S. Harris. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2009 Jan;80(1):77; author reply 77-8. Epub 2009 Jan 14.

    · Sears B. Consume more omega-6 fatty acids? They have to be kidding. February 2009. Accessed online at http://www.drsears.com/tabid/399/itemid/13303/Consume-more-omega6-fatty-acids-They-have-to-be.aspx

    · Simopoulos AP. The importance of the omega-6/omega-3 fatty acid ratio in cardiovascular disease and other chronic diseases.Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2008 Jun;233(6):674-88.

    · Simopoulos AP, Leaf A, Salem N. Workshop on the Essentiality of and Recommended Dietary Intakes for Omega-6 and Omega-3 Fatty Acids.J Am Coll Nutr 1999 18: 487-489.

    · Tribole E..What happened to do no harm? The issue of dietary omega-6 fatty acids.Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2009 Jan 13. [Epub ahead of print] .

    · Wang J et al. 5-Lipoxygenase and 5-Lipoxygenase-Activating Protein Gene Polymorphisms, Dietary Linoleic Acid, and Risk for Breast Cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev October 1, 2008(17): 2748-2754

    · Wijendran V, Hayes KC. Dietary n-6 and n-3 fatty acid balance and cardiovascular health. Annu Rev Nutr. 2004;24:597-615. Review.

  • Want To Do Something About Your Heart Health?

    Heart-Healthy Protocol Rejuvenates Youthful Function

    Do you recall a time when you were younger and had absolutely no worries about your heart? After all, it’s not nearly so common for a person in their 20’s or 30’s to suffer from heart disease, and you probably knew that. Your life wasn’t focused around living close to a hospital, curtailing physical activity because of fear, or even thinking at all about your heart, which just ticked along perfectly from day to day, week to week, and year to year.

    Would you like to return to that liberated, confident feeling, knowing that your heart is healthy and immune to problems, and enjoying the physical and emotional freedom that dependable heart function brings? Why not give yourself the enduring gift of heart-confidence by following these simple, proven, protective measures that can lower your risk of heart disease to that of a 20-year-old? Your heart is a very forgiving organ and can be rejuvenated. Here’s how:
    1.) Stop smoking. Smoking is one of the single biggest causes of heart disease. If you need a good reason to quit, dramatically lowering your risk of heart disease might be the impetus you need.

    2.) Eat a heart-healthy diet. High carbohydrate diets lead to overweight and high blood sugar levels, and very often, to diabetes. As you continue to read this list, you’ll see that these factors are each independent risk factors for heart disease. A VLC diet (very low carbohydrate diet), high in Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids, is the fastest, surest way to lower insulin and blood sugar levels, lose weight, decrease inflammation and slash heart disease risk at least four-fold. Diets higher in "good fats" (NOT low-fat diets!) and low in carbs have proven to be the heart-healthiest.

    3.) Get optimal doses of heart-healthy nutrients. Certain nutrients are essential to healthy heart function and are often missing in the Standard American Diet (S.A.D.). Nutrients needed by the heart include:

    • B complex vitamins, needed for normal nerve function and homocysteine levels.
    • magnesium, the relaxing, anti-arrhythmic mineral that is absolutely necessary for normal heart function. Unfortunately, magnesium is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies in the SAD diet.
    • antioxidant nutrients (especially vitamins C, E, and beta-carotene). Studies have shown that people with higher blood levels of antioxidants have a lower incidence of heart disease. Among people who have a heart attack, higher levels of  antioxidants decrease free radical formation and reduce heart damage.
    • chromium helps stabilize and lower blood sugar levels, thereby lowering sugar-associated heart disease risk.
    • Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oils) are so well-known to decrease inflammation and heart arrhythmias that the FDA now allows label claims for fish oil. We now also have an over-the-top expensive prescription fish oil for heart patients (many of whom would have less stress on their hearts if they bought fish oil for $20 instead of $200!).
    • soluble fiber helps keep blood fats, including cholesterol, at a happy level, although high cholesterol is not the big heart disease risk factor it has been portrayed to be.

    4.) Increase physical activity. If you don’t use it, you lose it. Make your heart work harder than getting up from your easy chair and going to the refrigerator once in a while. This doesn’t mean you need to train for a marathon. As little as ten minutes of brisk walking per day, especially if this is more than you currently do, will improve heart function.

    5.) Lower body-wide inflammation Subtle inflammation, as measured by an hs-CRP test ("highly sensitive C-Reactive Protein", a simple blood test), is a more sensitive measure of heart disease risk than cholesterol or other elevated blood fats. This type of inflammation, which is often so minor that you may not feel it but which irritates the blood vessel lining and sets the atherosclerotic process in motion, can be corrected by simple diet changes, nutritional supplements and anti-inflammatory herbs. Decreasing inflammation also lowers your risk of cancer, arthritis, Alzheimer’s and other "age related" diseases.

    6.) Lower your blood pressure naturally. There’s a lot of evidence that higher blood pressures (especially systolic B.P.’s consistently over 140) are associated with higher risk of heart disease. Interestingly (at least to this physician!), there are a number of big, long-range studies which show NO BENEFIT to lowering B.P. with drugs. People with "normal" blood pressures who were only "normal" because of medications are still at significantly higher risk of heart disease. As naturopathic as this conclusion sounds, these studies point to the fact that lowering blood pressure naturally, by correcting the cause of the elevation, is life-saving where chemical control is not.

    7.) Curb depression, anxiety and stress. The emotional factor doesn’t get much "press" or discussion in the cardiologists office, but there are numerous studies showing that negative emotional states increase subtle inflammation. Possibly because depression and stress (or more accurately described as our reaction to stress) increase inflammation, these emotional states are associated with higher risk of heart disease and poorer prognosis in people with already-existing heart disease or who are recovering from heart surgery. If you suffer from depression, be sure to get help. One common source of stress is marriage and close personal relationship difficulties. And remember that depression isn’t caused by a Prozac deficiency!

    8.) Lower high blood sugar levels. High blood sugar levels, high insulin levels or outright type II diabetes are major risk factors for heart disease. The pitiful part of this connection is that type II diabetes is completely curable through diet alone, usually in under three months. Sadly, I find that many diabetics would rather live with the risk (and worry about their risks), rather than make a few healthy diet changes that would erase this major danger. Go figure.

    9.) Achieve and maintain a normal weight. Overweight increases subtle inflammation, which as you should know by now (if you’ve been paying attention!) is an important risk factor for not only heart disease but also cancer, arthritis, Alzheimer’s and more. When an overweight person loses weight, their hs-CRP (inflammatory marker) also comes down, corresponding to a lower heart disease risk. Of course, the low-carb, high Omega-3 fat diet that lowers blood sugar and corrects diabetes also leads to weight loss, making it easy to correct several problems at once through diet changes alone.

    These same measures that dramatically lower your risk of heart disease also increase natural immunity, slash your risk of cancer, diabetes, arthritis, depression, Alzheimer’s and senile dementia and a host of other diseases that we fall prey to with age. Even at advanced age or stages of disease, much improvement and protection is possible (in other words, you can reclaim a lot of healthy ground), by turning a few habits around in a healthier direction.

    Obviously, a full in-depth examination of each of these factors far is too large for a single newsletter. If you’d like to know more about exactly how to implement these heart-healthy changes, please watch for our soon-to-be-released White Paper!

    References:

    1.) Smoking cessation normalizes coronary endothelial vasomotor response assessed with 15O-water and PET in healthy young smokers. J Nucl Med. 2006 Dec;47(12):1914-20. Summary: some negative cardiac effects of smoking, such as inflammation of blood vessels and abnormal contraction of blood vessels, returns to near-normal after one month of non-smoking in otherwise healthy individuals.
    2.) Primary prevention of cardiovascular disease: Cost-effectiveness comparison. Int J Technol Assess Health Care. 2007 Winter;23(1):71-9. Summary: Quitting smoking is the most cost-effective heart disease prevention measure; statin drugs are the least cost effective measure.
    3.) Cardiovascular risks associated with smoking: a review for clinicians. Eur J Cardiovasc Prev Rehabil. 2006 Aug;13(4):507-14. Summary: Smoking results in sudden death, myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease, worsened outcomes after angioplasty or bypass surgery, cerebrovascular disease, aortic aneurysm, peripheral
    vascular disease, increased risk of complications of hypertension and impotence.
    4.) Smoking and cardiovascular disease. Am J Med. 1992 Jul 15;93(1A):8S-12S. Summary: Cigarette smoking is the most preventable cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Smoking has been associated with a two-to fourfold increased risk of coronary heart disease, a greater than 70% excess rate of death from coronary heart disease, and an elevated risk of sudden death. Smoking cessation results in a dramatic
    reduction in the risk of mortality from both coronary heart disease and stroke.
    5.) Effects of moderate-fat (from monounsaturated fat) and low-fat weight-loss diets on the serum lipid profile in overweight and obese men and women. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 79, No. 2, 204-212, February 2004. Summary: a moderate fat diet was more beneficial in lowering heart disease risk than a low-fat diet.
    6.) Preventive nutrition: disease-specific dietary interventions for older adults.Geriatrics. 1992 Nov;47(11):39-40, 45-9. Conclusion: Fats, cholesterol, soluble fiber, and the trace elements copper and chromium affect the morbidity and mortality of CHD. Decreasing sodium and increasing potassium intake improves control of
    hypertension. Calcium and magnesium may also have a role in controlling hypertension. A decrease in simple carbohydrates and an increase in soluble dietary fiber may normalize moderately elevated blood glucose levels.
    7.) Antioxidant treatment prevents cardiac protein oxidation after ischemia-reperfusion and improves myocardial function and coronary perfusion in senescent hearts. J Physiol Pharmacol. 2006 Dec;57(4):541-52. Summary: In conclusion, antioxidant treatment fully protects the senescent heart against ischaemia/reperfusion but not against prolonged ischaemia injury, indicating that oxidative stress plays a central role in the age-associated vulnerability to ischaemia-reperfusion.
    8.) Relationship between low cardiorespiratory fitness and mortality in normal-weight, overweight, and obese men. JAMA. 1999 Oct 27;282(16):1547-53.CONCLUSIONS: In this analysis, low cardiorespiratory fitness was a strong and independent predictor of CVD and all-cause mortality and of comparable importance with that of diabetes mellitus and other CVD risk factors.
    9.) Inflammatory biomarkers, hormone replacement therapy, and incident coronary heart disease: prospective analysis from the Women’s Health Initiative observational study.JAMA. 2002 Aug 28;288(8):980-7. Summary: Increased hs-CRP and IL-6 (another marker of subtle inflammation) independently predict vascular events among apparently healthy postmenopausal women.
    10.) C-Reactive Protein Distribution and Correlates among Men and Women with Chronic Coronary Heart Disease. Cardiology. 2007 Feb 1;107(4):345-353 [Epub ahead of print]. Summary: Elevated C-reactive protein is associated with atherosclerotic disease. BMI (body mass index) is positively associated with CRP: the higher the BMI, the higher the CRP.
    11.) Blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, glucose intolerance, and smoking: Relative importance of borderline and elevated levels of coronary heart disease risk factors. Ann Intern Med. 2005 Mar 15;142(6):393-402.
    12.) Stroke and coronary heart disease in treated hypertension — a prospective cohort study over three decades. J Intern Med. 2005 Jun;257(6):496-502. There was no relationship observed between achieved systolic or diastolic blood pressure and the risk of stroke or MI nor was there any relationship between the change in blood pressure and such cardiovascular complications. CONCLUSION: In spite of a substantial reduction of their blood pressure, treated hypertensive middle-aged men had a highly increased risk of stroke, MI and mortality from coronary heart disease compared with nonhypertensive men of similar age. The increased risk of cardiovascular complications escalated during the latter course of the study.
    13.) Survival in treated hypertension: follow up study after two decades. BMJ. 1998 Jul 18;317(7152):167-71. Summary: Hypertensive men treated with drugs to attain normal B.P.’s did NOT have lower risks of heart disease.
    14.) Sadness and broken hearts: neurohumoral mechanisms and co-morbidity of ischemic heart disease and psychological depression. J Physiol Pharmacol. 2006 Nov;57 Suppl 11:5-29.Summary: Inflammation is associated with heart disease and is also seen in sadness and depression. It appears that sadness and depression may be risk factors for heart disease.
    15.) Biological mechanisms in the relationship between depression and heart disease. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2002 Dec;26(8):941-62. Summary: Psychological depression is shown to be associated with several aspects of coronary artery disease (CAD), including arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, heart failure and sudden death.
    16.)Negative impact of depression on outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease: mechanisms, treatment considerations, and future directions. J Thromb Haemost. 2005 May;3(5):897-908. Summary: Depressive symptoms are common in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients, and are associated with increased cardiac risk.
    17.) Impact of metabolic syndrome criteria on cardiovascular disease risk in people with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. Diabetologia. 2006 Jan;49(1):49-55. Epub 2005 Dec 10.Summary: High blood sugar and type II diabetes can increase heart disease risk up to FIVE-FOLD. DR. Myatts note: Type II diabetes is completely curable through diet alone.
    18.) Insulin resistance, the metabolic syndrome, and incident cardiovascular events in the Framingham Offspring Study. Diabetes. 2005 Nov;54(11):3252-7. Summary: Metabolic syndrome (fancy name for high blood sugar, high insulin levels) is an independent risk factor for heart disease. DR. Myatts note: Metabolic syndrome, like Type II diabetes, is completely curable through diet alone.
    19.) Glycemic control and coronary heart disease risk in persons with and without diabetes: the atherosclerosis risk in communities study. Arch Intern Med. 2005 Sep 12;165(16):1910-6.
    20.) Metabolic syndrome and mitochondrial function: Molecular replacement and antioxidant supplements to prevent membrane peroxidation and restore mitochondrial function. J Cell Biochem. 2007 Jan 22; [Epub ahead of print]. Summary: Antioxidant therapy restored mitochondrial function in people with metabolic syndrome.
    21.) Insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction: the road map to cardiovascular diseases. Diabetes Metab Res Rev. 2006 Nov-Dec;22(6):423-36.
    22.) Midlife body mass index and hospitalization and mortality in older age. JAMA. 2006 Jan 11;295(2):190-8. Conclusion: "For individuals with no cardiovascular risk factors as well as for those with 1 or more risk factors, those who are obese in middle age have a higher risk of hospitalization and mortality from CHD, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes in older age than those who are normal weight."