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by Julian
Whitaker, MDH
 Heart
disease is the #1 killer in Canada. And for many people, having a heart attack
is the first sign of trouble. But heart disease doesn’t happen overnight –
it develops slowly, often without any symptoms. The good news is that heart
disease can be prevented and reversed, even if you’re at high risk or have
already suffered a heart attack. First, let’s take a look at the underlying
causes of this very common disease.
Not
long ago, scientists believed that high cholesterol was the root of heart
disease. The theory went that consumption of a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet
led to the buildup of cholesterol deposits on artery walls, which set the
stage for a heart attack.
Then came the realization
that the cholesterol issue wasn’t quite so simple. Researchers discovered
that one particular type of cholesterol – high-density lipoprotein (HDL) –
actually has a protective effect on the heart. It was further found that
lipoprotein(a), a low-density lipoprotein (LDL) with a sticky molecule that
adheres to artery walls, is the ultimate "bad boy" of the
cholesterol family. Elevated lipoprotein(a) was shown to be a more reliable
indicator of atherosclerosis than any other type of cholesterol.
Things began to get more
complicated when free radicals entered the picture. We now know that
cholesterol contributes to heart disease only when it is oxidized, or
subjected to free radical damage. When cholesterol is damaged by free
radicals, it is taken up by white blood cells and deposited in fatty streaks
on the artery walls. This fosters plaque buildup in the arteries and is key in
the development of heart disease.
It Isn’t Just About
Cholesterol
Other players have entered
the picture besides cholesterol. Homocysteine, a byproduct of the metabolism
of the amino acid methionine, is another primary culprit in heart disease. It
injures and irritates the arteries, preventing the normal plaque-removing
process and contributing to plaque buildup in the arteries. It also causes the
blood to thicken and helps oxidize cholesterol.
Inflammation has recently
emerged as a significant risk factor for heart disease. The most dangerous
types of cholesterol plaques are small, inflamed clusters of cholesterol, fat,
and white blood cells covered with a weak cap that is prone to eruption.
Elevated levels of inflammatory compounds such as C-reactive protein and
fibrinogen may be the most important markers of heart disease yet identified.
Whew! With all these
different things going on, it makes you long for the days when all you had to
worry about was avoiding red meat. Clearly, it’s not so simple. Preventing
and treating heart disease requires addressing all these known factors. In a
few severe cases, heart surgery may be necessary. However, for the vast
majority of people, addressing the underlying causes of heart disease with
safe, natural therapies is an effective option. And because heart disease is
epidemic in Western civilization, I recommend this program to virtually
everyone, not just those with diagnosed heart disease.
Start With a Plant-Based
Diet and Regular Exercise
By eating a diet that
emphasizes plant foods – fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes, and whole
grains – you’ll automatically lower your intake of saturated fat and
cholesterol. Plant foods are also rich sources of antioxidants that counter
free radicals, B vitamins needed to control homocysteine levels, and fiber,
which helps lower LDL cholesterol levels.
One of the most effective
means of raising heart-healthy HDL levels is regular exercise. I’m not
suggesting you take up marathon running. Simply find a physical activity you
enjoy and do it regularly. For most people, walking is the ideal exercise, as
it requires nothing more than a pair of comfortable shoes. A 30-minute walk
four times a week will improve the supply of blood and oxygen to your heart,
reduce blood pressure and normalize cholesterol levels. Start with ten minutes
of exercise, then gradually build up over a few weeks.
Supplement With Antioxidants
and B Vitamins
As I said above, it’s not
simply cholesterol that’s the culprit in heart disease – it’s
cholesterol that’s been oxidized by free radicals. We are constantly
bombarded by free radicals from our environment, from the foods we eat, and
through chemical reactions occurring within our bodies. To prevent cholesterol
from becoming oxidized, your body needs an ample supply of antioxidants.
Vitamin E is an especially
critical antioxidant, as it interrupts the chain reaction of free radical
damage affecting the fatty tissues in our bodies. In one study involving 2,002
patients with heart disease, participants taking 400 to 800 IU vitamin E had
75% fewer heart attacks than those on placebo. Vitamin C is also important,
for it enhances the health of the arteries and helps regenerate vitamin E.
Vitamin C also blocks the buildup of cholesterol – in one study by an
astounding 95%! Furthermore, high-dose vitamin C (1,000-3,000 mg) lowers
levels of the most damaging type of cholesterol, lipoprotein(a).
I mentioned that
homocysteine is another major player in heart disease. This toxin is converted
in the body into harmless amino acids in a process called methylation, which
requires adequate amounts of B-complex vitamins. When this process goes awry,
homocysteine builds up, damaging the arteries and initiating cardiovascular
disease. Supplementing with 400-800 mcg folic acid, 150-250 mcg B12 and 75-100
mg B6 help normalize homocysteine levels and reduce your risk of heart attack.
Tame Inflammation With
Fish Oil and Aspirin
Omega-3 fatty acids found in
cold water fish are particularly important for patients with heart disease.
This fatty acid can affect the body’s immune system, inflammatory response,
blood flow, blood pressure, and viscosity or "thickness" of the
blood. Omega-3s can also have a marked effect on reducing cholesterol levels.
Researchers at the University of Oregon found that 10 patients experienced a
drop in average cholesterol level from 373 to 207 in only four weeks on a diet
high in fish oils.
A heart-healthy diet should
include two to three weekly servings of omega-3 rich salmon, trout, sardines,
herring, and anchovies, or two to eight fish oil capsules daily.
Finally, no heart disease
treatment protocol is complete without aspirin. Originally an extract from the
bark and leaves of the willow tree, aspirin is one of the most powerful
therapies there is for heart attack prevention. Aspirin blocks the production
of prostaglandins, which cause inflammation and abnormal blood clots, thereby
triggering heart attacks. Long-term studies have shown that small doses of
aspirin (half of a regular aspirin every other day, or one baby aspirin per
day) reduce heart attack rates by 20-44%.
Julian Whitaker, MD, is
editor of the newsletter Health & Healing and author of eight books
including Reversing Hypertension, Reversing Diabetes and Reversing
Heart Disease. Info: www.drwhitaker.com.
1-800-539-8219.
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