Heart Disease Prevention  

Filed under: Dave Carpenter — Copyright©2006 Dave Carpenter @ 9:32 am
by Dave Carpenter, N.D., C. Ac., CCI

For years we’ve been told that an aspirin a day reduces platelet aggregation and protects against heart attacks. This is well-documented and I have no argument with the research. However, many people don’t tolerate taking an aspirin a day for various reasons. I’ve always told them that Pycnogenol (1/2 mg. per pound of body weight per day) is far healthier (because it does so much more) and has no side effects. Recently the University of Arizona Medical School and the University of Munster, Germany, demonstrated with a group of “high risk smokers” that Pycnogenol performs as well as aspirin in reducing platelet clumping, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes. It’s a far healthier option!

HIGH blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and smoking are just some of the well-known risk factor for stroke-the third leading cause of death in most developed countries and the leading cause of disability in adults.

Now an emerging risk factor for stroke called homocysteine has been discovered. Dr K.S. Tan a lecturer in Medicine and Neurology at the Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University Malaya, explained, “Homocysteine is an amino acid derived from the breakdown of dietary protein. To maintain healthy levels of homocysteine in the body, the liver, with the help of folic acid, vitamin B6 and B12, helps catalyse homocysteine to a safer byproduct.

“Genetic defects or deficiency in certain vitamins may hamper this catalysis. As a result, less homocysteine is removed and more remains in our blood”, explained Dr Tan.

How do elevated levels of homocysteine cause stroke?

Dr Tan, a key researcher in the study of Homocysteine Levels in Patients with Ischaemic Strokes conducted by the Neurology Unit, University of Malaya Medical Center, recently found that high levels of the naturally occurring homocysteine is an independent risk factor for stroke.

According to him too much homocysteine in the blood can contribute to hardening and narrowing of blood vessels (atherosclerosis). This may lead to stroke, angina and heart attacks.

Said Dr Tan, “The study we conducted showed that the prevalence of elevated homocysteine levels were significantly higher in stroke patients compared with that of normal subjects. In fact up to 30 per cent of these patients were found to have mildly elevated homocysteine levels (between 12 to 14.99 micromol/l) while 23 per cent were found to have moderately elevated homocysteine levels (values above 15 micromol/l)”.

He further explained, “The average plasma homocysteine levels for these stroke patients was at 13.4 micromol/l. This was significantly higher than in controls at 10.5 micromol/l and that of optimal homocysteine levels of 12 micromoles or less.”

The local study concurs with other western research such as the Rotterdam Study (Jama May/June 1999) which shows that the risk for stroke is 2.53 times greater in patients with high homocysteine levels compared with those with normal levels.

While smoking, high cholesterol and high blood pressure are known risk factors for stroke, high homocysteine levels stacked up against these conventional risk factors further magnifies the risk for stroke. For example, the risk of stroke for a male smoker is 1.9 times more than that of a non-smoker.

However if in addition to smoking this male smoker has concurrent elevated homocysteine levels, his risk of stroke further shoots up 5-fold.

This trend was observed in a large multi-centre case control study conducted by the European Concerted Action Project involving a total of 1,550 patients of both sexes younger than 60 years old in nine European countries. The table below summarises the interaction between high homocysteine levels and conventional risk factors for stroke.

How to lower high homocysteine levels?

To maintain healthy homocysteine levels, it is recommended that foods rich in folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 should be consumed aplenty as these vitamins are involved in the metabolism of homocysteine into safer substances that are less harmful to the body.

Foods rich in folate include fortified breakfast cereals, leafy green vegetables, fruits and legumes. Non-citrus fruits, poultry, beef and vegetables like asparagus, beans and cabbage are rich sources of vitamin B6 while beef poultry and fish are excellent sources of vitamin B12.

If your dietary modification is unable to assist you in achieving desirable homocysteine levels, take heed of the recommendation by the American Heart Association Nutrition Committee, which advises on a daily intake of 400mcg folic acid, 2mg vitamin B6 and 6mcg vitamin B12.

A second local study, as a continuation of the above mentioned study by University Malaya, was conducted to learn about the effectiveness of vitamin B in reducing high homocysteine levels in stroke patients. Dr Tan, an active member of the Malaysian Society of Neurosciences and a key researcher of the study, elaborated: “In our study we recruited patients with borderline or high homocysteine levels. They received 6 weeks of either 1 tablet of high potency vitamin B-complex containing folic acid 0.4mg, vitamin B6 (20 mg) and vitamin B12 (12mcg) or placebo.

“At the end of the study period when compared with placebo, there was approximately a 30 percent reduction in plasma homocysteine levels of subjects who were on the folic and vitamin B supplements.”

“This clinically significant reduction in plasma homocysteine levels is an important finding as it concurs with studies done elsewhere. Ongoing randomised trials are currently underway in Australia and US to prove that lowering homocysteine levels actually improves mortality and morbidity from atherosclerotic disease. “

“This condition is similar to where cholesterol was 25 years ago before landmark cholesterol lowering trials such as the 4S and Care, showed conclusively that lowering cholesterol actually reduces death rates.”

Homocysteine may be like a silently ticking time bomb. The good news is that this bomb can be diffused by simply adding foods rich in vitamin B to your diet or by adding vitamin B supplements to your diet.

For further information on homocysteine I’d suggest you read the book, “The Homocysteine Revolution” by Kilmer S. McCully, M.D. published by Keats Publishing, Inc.. Dr. McCully is one of the original researchers who discovered the connection between low levels of B vitamins and elevated homocysteine levels in heart attack victims. It’s a “must read”, but be prepared, the politics may make you more than disgusted!

Remember, Alkalizing To Energize is the key to good health!  - See Kangen Water System
*****Charlie is a financial manager for an automobile dealership in Idaho. This is a fairly high stress job so he watches his health carefully. Despite his care his blood tests in January of 2003 showed he had Total Cholesterol levels of 270 with Triglycerides of 369 and LDL Cholesterol levels of 170. His Doctor suggested medication but Charlie said he wanted to control this with diet and exercise. He started the Alkalize 4 Health program in mid June of the same year and had another blood test done August 14, 2003. To the total amazement of Charlie and his Doctor his Total Cholesterol levels were 185, Triglycerides were 99, and LDL cholesterol at 122, all in the normal range. *****

TIP: If you, or anyone you know, appear to be having a heart attack you’ll want to know this tip used by masters of acupuncture. The stimulant point for the heart is known as Heart 9 and it’s found 1/10 inch from the corner of the fingernail bed (the nail edge toward the first knuckle) on the side toward the ring finger. By putting both little fingers in one’s mouth and biting down on these points with your teeth you can stimulate or tonify both Heart 9 points at the same time, often aborting a heart attack. This can be done on oneself or on another person. Having the person force a cough every few seconds can also be extremely beneficial!