The Best Way to Avoid Heart Disease?

[km2000]

Is to start protecting your heart while your young........

i though in light of the recent problems a few members here have had with medical issues specifically heart issues, we could give some basic info on how to prevent these problems from happening instead of argueing back and forth about what caused it...

i think this will help a lot of younger people here to understand that taking precautions early in life is pretty easy to do and can pay major dividens later...

here is an article that is pretty easy to understand and gives some good advice on otc supps to help prevent problems from occuring....



the article is by Deb Knowles, here it is....

The good news is that thanks to skilled emergency medicine techniques, more people today actually survive heart attacks. The bad news is that they then are people living with heart disease.


"Surviving in order to live longer with heart disease is not ideal," said Conrad Earnest, Ph.D., director of exercise physiology at The Cooper Heart Institute. "A better idea is to do everything you can to prevent heart disease. And the younger you make that commitment, the better."

In addition to eating a heart-healthy diet, exercising regularly and quitting smoking, many Americans are improving their heart health with supplements that have been shown to make a real difference. According to The Dietary Supplement Information Bureau, a non-profit organization providing science-based information to the public, the following supplements can lead to a healthier heart:

* Vitamins: Vitamin C helps prevent cardiovascular disease. Vitamin E reduces the progress of hardening of the arteries. The B vitamins, Vitamin B6, B12 and Folic Acid protect your heart.
* Minerals: Magnesium is a key mineral for heart health. It keeps platelets from clumping together, thins the blood, blocks calcium uptake, relaxes blood vessels and helps oxygenate the heart. Copper helps form hemoglobin and collagen and supports healthy cholesterol levels. Potassium lowers high blood pressure and helps protect against strokes. Selenium protects the heart and helps prevent toxic effects of some drugs.
* Coenzyme Q10 (Co-Q10) - This nutrient has recently been recognized as playing a key role in heart health. A Co-Q10 deficiency can seriously affect heart function. Cardiologists often recommend Co-Q10 to patients taking statins (cholesterol reducing medications).
* Omega-3 Fatty Acids - More than 4,500 studies over the last 25 years have shown how vital Omega-3 Fatty Acids are to both preventing and treating cardiovascular-related diseases. Few of us eat enough fish to provide necessary levels of these essential fatty acids. Taking them in supplement form reduces both heart disease and sudden cardiac death.
* Soy - Perhaps the best publicized food for heart health, soy is available in food formats ranging from soy milk to soy hot dogs. Soy isoflavones are an especially popular supplement for preventing heart disease.
* Beta-1,3 Glucan - The major cholesterol lowering agents in oat bran fiber, beta-1,3 glucans lower total cholesterol and LDL (the"bad"cholesterol) and reduce cardiovascular disease risk.
* Herbs
* Hawthorn - Used extensively by doctors in Europe, hawthorn benefits the circulatory system and can decrease the need for pharmaceutical medication It is reported to regulate both high and low blood pressure.
* Garlic - Reported to lower total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and increase "good" cholesterol (HDL), garlic is used to prevent strokes and heart attacks. An antioxidant, it is believed to be beneficial in preventing stroke and arteriosclerosis. Since cooking may reduce its benefits, garlic is best taken raw or as a supplement.
* Psyllium Seed - The FDA has approved psyllium to reduce cardiovascular disease risk. Its high levels of soluble fiber help lower cholesterol.
* Grape Seed Extract - Despite a fairly rich diet, French people have fewer heart attacks, perhaps because they drink red wine every day. But the secret of red wine is probably not the alcohol. More likely it's the antioxidant powers of the seed and skin of the grape. Grape Seed Extract is used to prevent and treat circulatory disorders.

if any of you have anything that you want to add please do!

 

[Moen]

Good read km

Although I'm afraid I will again be one of the few to have actually read it

Might have better luck if you titled it 'how to get heart disease'

 

[Jarconis]

cardio year-round for the win

 

[txbencher]

SIMPLE SAFE GUARDS....

This is rather simple....limit saturated animal fats to start with, as well as maintain reasonable bodyfat levels, 10-12 % for men, better to be on low side of this range....then:

1) Take a child's aspirin each and everyday
2) Take a low dose statin...I take 20 mg per day of Pravachol (pravastatin)
3) Take 4 grams of plain, generic L-Arginine per day
4) One glass of red wine per day surely wouldn't hurt
5) Take 5-6 fish oil capsules per day (1,000 mg per capsule)

That's about it. The statin and aspirin are probably best of the 5 steps.

 

[aesop]

This is rather simple....limit saturated animal fats to start with, as well as maintain reasonable bodyfat levels, 10-12 % for men, better to be on low side of this range....then:

1) Take a child's aspirin each and everyday
2) Take a low dose statin...I take 20 mg per day of Pravachol (pravastatin)
3) Take 4 grams of plain, generic L-Arginine per day
4) One glass of red wine per day surely wouldn't hurt
5) Take 5-6 fish oil capsules per day (1,000 mg per capsule)

That's about it. The statin and aspirin are probably best of the 5 steps.

Why in the world would you take a a low dose statin everday? Every thing else is ok. What about the main things you should be doing to prevent CHD?... the really big ones that everyone tries to cover up with supplements and drugs... CARDIOVASCULAR EXERCISE ATLEAST 30 MINUTES EVERYDAY AND EATING HEALTHY LOW GI, HIGH FIBER, RAW VEGETABLES AND FRUITS ETC.

 

[LEX]

This is rather simple....limit saturated animal fats to start with, as well as maintain reasonable bodyfat levels, 10-12 % for men, better to be on low side of this range....then:

1) Take a child's aspirin each and everyday
2) Take a low dose statin...I take 20 mg per day of Pravachol (pravastatin)
3) Take 4 grams of plain, generic L-Arginine per day
4) One glass of red wine per day surely wouldn't hurt
5) Take 5-6 fish oil capsules per day (1,000 mg per capsule)

That's about it. The statin and aspirin are probably best of the 5 steps.

why not a polycossinol instead of a statin?
why not a pycnogenol instead of asprin?

 

[aesop]

why not a polycossinol instead of a statin?
why not a pycnogenol instead of asprin?

Good insight.. didnt even think of that polycosanol and grape seed extract, as well as resveratrol are great heart supps.

 

[Magnum]

I agree with most of the article. Nutrients are most important. Cardio is not needed in order to stay alive and healthy. I never understood why people think you have to run on ther treamill to nowhere in order for mankind to survive. Cholesterol drugs are poison.

 

[aesop]

I agree with most of the article. Nutrients are most important. Cardio is not needed in order to stay alive and healthy. I never understood why people think you have to run on ther treamill to nowhere in order for mankind to survive. Cholesterol drugs are poison.

Probably because all research done suggest vigorous cardio vascular activity for 2000 + kcals per week improves not only quality of life but increases life expectancy, decreases cancer risk, decreases risk for type II diabetes, decreases incidence rates of dyslipidemia and on and on and on. Dont be foolish humans evolved to run, (and use their large brains) as they are the only primate capeable of significant levels of cardiovascular activity. How long have cars and trains been around 150 years. Even if you dont believe in evolution only your very recent ancestors traveled anywhere by any means other than foot. (with exception of sea travel which was not available to most as an everday means of transportation)

 

[txbencher]

Statins

Pravachol is the safest statin of all and it does PREVEN heart disease and clogged artery buildup. It is the least toxic and at 20 mg/day is very safe. Many physicians (cardiologists) are prescribing as well as taking (themselves) low dose statins even when there is no sign or markers present of heart disease, just as a cautionary measure.....what I recommended above is what I take each and every day, the child's aspirin, the pravachol and the fish oil. I have no liver enzyme elevations and no muscle cramps/pain from the statin.

 

[Magnum]

Pravachol is the safest statin of all and it does PREVEN heart disease and clogged artery buildup. It is the least toxic and at 20 mg/day is very safe. Many physicians (cardiologists) are prescribing as well as taking (themselves) low dose statins even when there is no sign or markers present of heart disease, just as a cautionary measure.....what I recommended above is what I take each and every day, the child's aspirin, the pravachol and the fish oil. I have no liver enzyme elevations and no muscle cramps/pain from the statin.

All statin drugs can and do cause extreme muscle damage. I have seen this happen more than once to people I know. Do some research as they are all very dangerous drugs. Change your diet instead of looking for a quick fix. If your levels are not what the AMA is suggesting they should be then this is just your normal levels. I have talked to Drs before about the levels that are being recommended and some have said that they are too low in their opinion and should not be taken so literally. Too many people are too quick to just pop a pill. IMO a few points lower cholesterol level is not worth the risk of these drugs.

 

[Magnum]

Probably because all research done suggest vigorous cardio vascular activity for 2000 + kcals per week improves not only quality of life but increases life expectancy, decreases cancer risk, decreases risk for type II diabetes, decreases incidence rates of dyslipidemia and on and on and on. Dont be foolish humans evolved to run, (and use their large brains) as they are the only primate capeable of significant levels of cardiovascular activity. How long have cars and trains been around 150 years. Even if you dont believe in evolution only your very recent ancestors traveled anywhere by any means other than foot. (with exception of sea travel which was not available to most as an everday means of transportation)

Can you please supply us with this research? Thanks

 

[txbencher]

All statin drugs can and do cause extreme muscle damage. I have seen this happen more than once to people I know. Do some research as they are all very dangerous drugs. Change your diet instead of looking for a quick fix. If your levels are not what the AMA is suggesting they should be then this is just your normal levels. I have talked to Drs before about the levels that are being recommended and some have said that they are too low in their opinion and should not be taken so literally. Too many people are too quick to just pop a pill. IMO a few points lower cholesterol level is not worth the risk of these drugs.

This may be the case in certain statins such as Lipitor and Crestor. Statins cause your body to lose valuable co-Q10, which is the reason for the muscle damage, cramps, pain, etc. If one is to take a statin, they should supplement with co-Q-10, which I do. Actually, my total cholesterol is only 179, HDL at last check was 62. My numbers are excellant but keep in mind , I have other underlying reasons for this preventative measure of taking a statin. I am type-1 diabetic and heart disease is the #1 KILLER of diabetics. I feel taking a mild statin like Pravachol is a necessity. I am still of the opinion that certains statins are relatively safe, just as testosterone is rather safe is used prudently.
Just my humble opinion.

 

[luckyone]

Thanks for the thread, very informative!

your brother in Christ,

Lucky

 

[Big Danny]

Practicing any kind of sport that involves cardio activity is extremely positive for the heart. Makes you feel young, vigurous and healthy.

 

[Magnum]

This may be the case in certain statins such as Lipitor and Crestor. Statins cause your body to lose valuable co-Q10, which is the reason for the muscle damage, cramps, pain, etc. If one is to take a statin, they should supplement with co-Q-10, which I do. Actually, my total cholesterol is only 179, HDL at last check was 62. My numbers are excellant but keep in mind , I have other underlying reasons for this preventative measure of taking a statin. I am type-1 diabetic and heart disease is the #1 KILLER of diabetics. I feel taking a mild statin like Pravachol is a necessity. I am still of the opinion that certains statins are relatively safe, just as testosterone is rather safe is used prudently.
Just my humble opinion.

Lack of coQ10? You need to do more research. That has nothing to do with the muscle damage. Read this below and I would suggest you do some more reading up on statin drugs. They can and do kill people.

Muscle: Muscle symptoms are common with statin drugs. “Myopathy," involving actual damage to muscle tissue, can be very serious. For this reason, if you develop new muscle pain, weakness, or tenderness on the drugs you should inform your doctor immediately. Very rarely, if myopathy occurs and the drugs are not stopped, a very dangerous condition, called “rhabdomyolysis”, can occur that can sometimes be fatal. Myopathy and rhabdomyolysis are more common if people are on other cholesterol lowering drugs, particularly niacin or gemfibrozil (or other “fibrates”), as well as a statin. Certain other classes of drugs in combination with statins can also increase the risk of problems.
Things You Should Know
If you develop muscle symptoms it is very important that you let your doctor know immediately; your doctor will probably draw a blood test called a “CK” (creatine kinase) test that assesses whether muscle damage is present. CK is a muscle enzyme, and the test is also done during suspected heart attacks, to test for damage to the heart muscle. It is important to be aware that normal levels of "CK" do not exclude a relation to statins.

If you get an infection and are put on antibiotics or antifungal agents, make sure the prescribing doctor knows you are on statins, because several antibiotics and antifungal drugs can interact with the statin drugs to cause problems. In fact, it is a good idea with each new drug you are started on to be sure the doctor is familiar with the rest of your drug list. Also, if you become seriously ill or are scheduled for surgery, you should talk to your doctor about stopping your statin drug until you are better, or well on the road to recovery.

You should be aware that grapefruit juice affects metabolism of most statins (but not pravastatin) and can markedly increase blood levels, so grapefruit juice may be best avoided while you are on statins. This is not true for other citrus juices.

 

[sammarbella]

Very good debate, it's a pity there are so few like this lately.

I used to don't believe in cardio but since 2 weeks i do 30 min each day of treadmill at 80% heart rate and you know what?:

My BP was 14/10, now is 12,5/8,5.
My heart rate at rest was 71, now is 61.

At least for me this is beneficial for my heart health!

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Dahouse]

Is to start protecting your heart while your young........

i though in light of the recent problems a few members here have had with medical issues specifically heart issues, we could give some basic info on how to prevent these problems from happening instead of argueing back and forth about what caused it...

i think this will help a lot of younger people here to understand that taking precautions early in life is pretty easy to do and can pay major dividens later...

here is an article that is pretty easy to understand and gives some good advice on otc supps to help prevent problems from occuring....



the article is by Deb Knowles, here it is....

The good news is that thanks to skilled emergency medicine techniques, more people today actually survive heart attacks. The bad news is that they then are people living with heart disease.


"Surviving in order to live longer with heart disease is not ideal," said Conrad Earnest, Ph.D., director of exercise physiology at The Cooper Heart Institute. "A better idea is to do everything you can to prevent heart disease. And the younger you make that commitment, the better."

In addition to eating a heart-healthy diet, exercising regularly and quitting smoking, many Americans are improving their heart health with supplements that have been shown to make a real difference. According to The Dietary Supplement Information Bureau, a non-profit organization providing science-based information to the public, the following supplements can lead to a healthier heart:

* Vitamins: Vitamin C helps prevent cardiovascular disease. Vitamin E reduces the progress of hardening of the arteries. The B vitamins, Vitamin B6, B12 and Folic Acid protect your heart.
* Minerals: Magnesium is a key mineral for heart health. It keeps platelets from clumping together, thins the blood, blocks calcium uptake, relaxes blood vessels and helps oxygenate the heart. Copper helps form hemoglobin and collagen and supports healthy cholesterol levels. Potassium lowers high blood pressure and helps protect against strokes. Selenium protects the heart and helps prevent toxic effects of some drugs.
* Coenzyme Q10 (Co-Q10) - This nutrient has recently been recognized as playing a key role in heart health. A Co-Q10 deficiency can seriously affect heart function. Cardiologists often recommend Co-Q10 to patients taking statins (cholesterol reducing medications).
* Omega-3 Fatty Acids - More than 4,500 studies over the last 25 years have shown how vital Omega-3 Fatty Acids are to both preventing and treating cardiovascular-related diseases. Few of us eat enough fish to provide necessary levels of these essential fatty acids. Taking them in supplement form reduces both heart disease and sudden cardiac death.
* Soy - Perhaps the best publicized food for heart health, soy is available in food formats ranging from soy milk to soy hot dogs. Soy isoflavones are an especially popular supplement for preventing heart disease.
* Beta-1,3 Glucan - The major cholesterol lowering agents in oat bran fiber, beta-1,3 glucans lower total cholesterol and LDL (the"bad"cholesterol) and reduce cardiovascular disease risk.
* Herbs
* Hawthorn - Used extensively by doctors in Europe, hawthorn benefits the circulatory system and can decrease the need for pharmaceutical medication It is reported to regulate both high and low blood pressure.
* Garlic - Reported to lower total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and increase "good" cholesterol (HDL), garlic is used to prevent strokes and heart attacks. An antioxidant, it is believed to be beneficial in preventing stroke and arteriosclerosis. Since cooking may reduce its benefits, garlic is best taken raw or as a supplement.
* Psyllium Seed - The FDA has approved psyllium to reduce cardiovascular disease risk. Its high levels of soluble fiber help lower cholesterol.
* Grape Seed Extract - Despite a fairly rich diet, French people have fewer heart attacks, perhaps because they drink red wine every day. But the secret of red wine is probably not the alcohol. More likely it's the antioxidant powers of the seed and skin of the grape. Grape Seed Extract is used to prevent and treat circulatory disorders.

if any of you have anything that you want to add please do!

At what dosages should these vitamins and supps be taken?

thanks in advance...

 

[km2000]

At what dosages should these vitamins and supps be taken?

thanks in advance...

good for you, you are actually gonna do it!....

i was wondering how long it would take someone to ask this question.... i'll post it up tomorow when i have a ltiitle more time.... (aseop can probably answer this if he is still around too)....

 

[Dahouse]

good for you, you are actually gonna do it!....

i was wondering how long it would take someone to ask this question.... i'll post it up tomorow when i have a ltiitle more time.... (aseop can probably answer this if he is still around too)....

I actually went out tried to find the ones I didn't already have. Can anyone recommend a good brand or even better a website that sells quality vitamins?

KM2000, thanks for responding so quickly by the way...