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Of
course, surgery is often overused in the first place, so it is not too
hard to reduce the "need" for it. Some expert cardiologists
estimate that up to 75 percent of all bypass surgeries are unnecessary,
and they are not even comparing the use of surgery with lifestyle change
and dietary supplements, but with drug therapy.
Chelation Therapy As Part of A
Heart Health Program
In addition, they never mention
chelation therapy, a treatment that I have found to be very valuable for
my patients with heart disease and other circulation problems, such as
strokes and claudication (pain in the legs on walking). Chelation therapy
is a three-hour intravenous treatment with a synthetic amino acid called
EDTA. It is done in a doctor’s office about twice a week for 25 to 40
sessions and it is remarkably safe when administered according to
protocol. Chelation can be combined with any other treatment, but is best
as a part of a comprehensive health program.
What is Heart Disease?
Arteriosclerotic diseases result
from a buildup of plaque (fatty, fibrous, calcified deposits) in the
arterial wall, eventually blocking the blood flow to the vital organs. The
damage to the arteries results from free-radical injury and inflammation,
both of which can be related to lifestyle choices. Common symptoms of
heart disease include chest tightness or pain, which may be felt in the
left arm, the back, or the jaw, shortness of breath, and fatigue. The
chest symptoms may also be perceived as a pressure sensation, like
"an elephant sitting on the chest," as heartburn, or simply as
indigestion. Some of the recent tests to predict heart disease risks are
related to inflammation (the CRP test that I discussed in the June issue
is a test for inflammation).
The most important changes in
lifestyle that help to prevent and treat heart disease are dietary changes
and exercise. In addition, stress management and dietary supplements play
vital roles in reducing the problem. Heart disease is not simply genetic.
When we see that American teenagers between 15 and 19 years old already
have plaque in their arteries we cannot blame it on genetics. It is almost
certainly related to their diets and lack of exercise. In the Korean War,
doctors examined young Americans who died of trauma, and they already had
plaque in their arteries, while the young Koreans did not. When Koreans
move to the US and eat the western diet, they develop the same arterial
diseases.
As fast foods spread around the
world, in their wake we see increases in preventable obesity, heart
disease, and other degenerative diseases.
Diet Changes for Better Health
Cut down on processed foods, white
flour and sugar, artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, and
sweeteners, which are junk, not food. Reduce animal products in the diet.
Although fish is probably beneficial, meat, chicken, and dairy contribute
to increased mortality from heart disease and cancer. In fact, all-cause
mortality is lower in vegetarians than non-vegetarians. Eat more fresh
fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans. Numerous scientific studies
come to this same conclusion, and they come from all over the world, and
the evaluation of many different populations. Many fad diets claim
to be helpful in losing weight. They may lead to weight loss because they
reduce caloric intake, but they are not healthful diets. High protein and
high fat diets are not supported by the medical literature. They are
associated with more osteoporosis, heart disease, diabetes, cancer,
gallstones, gout, and arthritis. They have little fiber, an important
dietary component, and they are low in protective phytochemicals and
bioflavonoids (healthful plant pigments). If you eat dairy products,
choose low fat, organic sources, and if you include eggs, choose organic
brands. Although I used to recommend mainly salmon, the farming of fish is
now widespread, and not many fish farms use natural methods. As a result,
the good essential fatty acid composition of fish is altered. The
growth
hormone used to double the growth rate of the fish, is untested for its
health effects. In order to avoid this problem, I now suggest sardines
(water packed) as the preferred source. You don’t need much animal
product in the diet, but I believe it is beneficial to have some, and
small amounts of organic eggs, fish, or low-fat organic yogurt are the
best sources.
Exercise for The Heart
Exercise has been shown in many
studies to help heart disease, in both prevention and rehabilitation. You
don't have to be a competitive athlete to benefit, and you don't have to
exhaust yourself to be healthy. A simple plan of 30 minutes a day of
regular, repetitive motion, such as walking, jogging, bicycling,
rollerblading, skiing, swimming, or exercise machines is beneficial.
Exercise without getting out of breath, but try to work up a sweat. This
simple guideline should keep you at aerobic levels of exercise. If there
is no exercise you love, get an exercise machine and work out during the
news or while reading a magazine.
Supplements for Preventing
Heart Disease
In this issue I'll conclude with
supplements for prevention. In the next issue I will write about
supplements for treatment of specific heart problems, as well as the value
of relaxation methods. First, I always recommend starting with a
high-potency, multivitamin-mineral combination. This should give you the
B-complex (50 to 100 mg), some vitamins C and E, magnesium and calcium
(500 mg each), and trace minerals. However, no multiple preparation has
everything you need in adequate doses, so you do need to take some extra
supplements for greater protection. For example, extra vitamins C and E
act as potent antioxidants, protecting the blood vessels from free-radical
damage. They also help to lower cholesterol while raising the good HDL-cholesterol.
I usually recommend about 4000 mg of vitamin C, and 400 IU of vitamin E.
If your multiple has this amount of E, then it may be enough until you are
over 40 years old, when you might want to take an extra 400 to 800 IU. I
advise using only the natural d-alpha tocopherol (as opposed to dl-alpha),
plus the mixed tocopherols (beta, gamma, and delta). Selenium is
associated with less heart disease (and less cancer). It works with other
antioxidants as a component of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase, which
regenerates vitamin E. Usually 200 to 400 mcg per day is a good dose. The
same dose of chromium contributes to preventing heart disease because
chromium helps control blood sugar (diabetes is a risk factor for heart
disease) and it promotes normal blood fat and cholesterol. These are the
basics for prevention, although as you get over 45 years old you might
want to take additional coenzyme Q10, and proanthocyanidins as protective
supplements. These and others such as hawthorn berry, L-carnitine, taurine,
and garlic are also useful for treatment, so I'll be discussing them in
the next edition.
If you have specific health
questions that might be of general interest, write to me or submit them
through the Ask Dr J page on my website: www.drjanson.com
Come visit for more health updates.
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