Health Tips From Byron J. Richards
Top Blood Pressure and Heart News of the Past Year
Sunday, February 01, 2009
- Byron J. Richards, CCN
Blood pressure, circulation, and the health of your heart are vital health topics. This past year has provided an amazing amount of information showing how nutrition can really help your maintain your cardiovascular health. Meanwhile, the side effects and lack of effectiveness of medication continues to be a subject of great concern. Below is a handy index so you can quickly look up articles of interest to you. Numerous scientific references are embedded within articles as links.
- February 02, 2009
February is American Heart Month, a good time to get on track supporting your best friend that never gets to take a break – even for 5 minutes. Don’t permit your heart and cardiovascular system to unnecessarily struggle due to a lack of vital nutrients. Dietary supplements offer tremendous risk-free potential to support and maintain healthy cardiovascular function. Wellness Resources is proud to be the industry leader in providing innovative solutions for the discerning and health-minded public – setting a quality standard that is matched by nobody else…
- Saturday, December 20, 2008
It is simple enough – floss and brush every day or it could be the cause of future cardiovascular disease. Numerous studies support this statement. The latest one shows that improving oral hygiene in generally healthy people directly reverses changes in arteries that otherwise lead to heart disease.
- Thursday, November 27, 2008
A number of new studies have been making it clear that elevated triglycerides (excess fat blobs in your circulation) and elevated CRP (an inflammatory compound made by your liver) are key indicators of eventual heart disease. I would also like to point out that these markers are clearly linked to sluggish thyroid as well…
- Tuesday, November 25, 2008
A new study in JAMA indicates that nonfasting triglyceride levels are associated with stroke risk. This data follows other recent research linking them to heart attacks. Nonfasting triglycerides are not measured on routine blood tests, which are typically fasting. Nonfasting triglycerides are more reflective of what your body is actually doing during the day. Every time you snack between meals you raise your triglycerides, which is why rule #2 of the Leptin Diet is to eat three meals a day and do not snack.
- Monday, November 24, 2008
There are a lot of great anti-aging and metabolism boosting nutrients: DHA, pantethine, acetyl-l-carnitine, carnosine, R-alpha lipoic acid, grape seed extracts – the list goes on and on. In fact, most nutrients help cells function better and thus live longer. So, why is resveratrol vying for the position as King of the anti-aging nutrients – with a potent fat-burning twist thrown in for good measure?
- Thursday, November 20, 2008
New research shows that obesity causes heart disease even if the obese person does not have high cholesterol or diabetes. Using advanced nanosensor technology researchers at Ohio University were able for the first time to pinpoint several mechanisms in humans that link obesity to heart disease. The findings center around the fat-hormone leptin, which I have written extensively about in several books.
- Wednesday, November 19, 2008
A new study shows that a poorly functioning thyroid is a contributing factor to worsening cardiovascular health. The most surprising finding in the study is that the thyroid did not have to be clinically out-of-whack for this problem to occur. A slightly off thyroid, one doctors don’t think of treating, was adequate to make heart health significantly worse.
- Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Horse chestnut is in widespread use in Europe to assist a problem known as chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) as well as issues with varicose veins, and has been shown to lower leg pain and improve circulatory function in individuals with this problem.
- Monday, November 17, 2008
Hawthorn berry is widely recognized as a cardiovascular tonic; relaxing your heart while supporting its ability to produce and sustain energetic output. Hawthorn berries are used in traditional medicine in the treatment of chronic heart failure, high blood pressure, irregular heart beat, and digestive problems. They also have mild diuretic properties and a beneficial impact on cholesterol.
- Friday, November 14, 2008
Red Grape Seed Extracts (GSE) are a powerful cardio-protective compound. It has been known for some time that they strengthen arteries/capillaries, offer rather dramatic antioxidant protection for your arteries and heart, and through a number of mechanisms reduce the likelihood that plaque will form in your arteries.
- Thursday, November 13, 2008
A new study shows the clear link between low potassium and elevated blood pressure.
- Wednesday, November 12, 2008
The statistics are painfully clear. African-Americans are 40% more likely to die from cardiovascular disease than the white population; including a 250% increased chance for heart failure between ages 45 and 64. Conditions that increase the risk for heart disease such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, and diabetes are at epidemic levels in young African-Americans and the general trend of these health issues is worsening.
- Wednesday, November 12, 2008
More than 50 years of research indicates that niacin can help lower your triglycerides, raise your HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol), improve your circulation, and lower your LDL cholesterol, including Lipoprotein A. These effects are likely to positively support weight management.
- Thursday, November 06, 2008
Vitamin D has long been known to assist healthy bones by helping to stimulate bone cells to make new bone while enhancing the uptake of calcium into bones. Its role in boosting immunity, hormone regulation, brain health, metabolism, diabetes prevention, cancer prevention, and cardiovascular health are just now becoming clear.
- Thursday, October 30, 2008
The bad news for bisphosphonate bone drugs just keeps on coming. The latest study presented showed that 2.5 to 3 percent of patients taking bisphosphonates experienced atrial fibrillation and 1 to 2 percent experienced serious AF, including hospitalization or death.
- Monday, October 13, 2008
A study of 1373 men over a 40 year period has found that an additional 10 grams of dietary fiber intake per day reduced coronary heart disease mortality by 17% and death from any cause by 9%.
- Sunday, October 12, 2008
A study looking into the affect of various flavonoids on circulatory health, found that quercetin could reduce levels of endothelin-1. Endothelin-1 is a protein that constricts blood vessels and raises blood pressure, whereas nitric oxide that helps relax blood vessels and lower pressure.
- Saturday, September 27, 2008
New research indicates that problems with endothelial cells may trigger baby fat cells to grow up too fast, regardless of diet, opening up a whole new angle on the weight loss issue.
- Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Curcumin is a potent anti-inflammatory nutrient with many health benefits. New research indicates that curcumin can reduce the size of blood clots.
- Friday, September 19, 2008
Following a heart attack or a stroke, a low oxygen situation follows (tissue hypoxia) wherein massive free radical damage ensues, driving the severity of the problem. If free radicals could be stopped then damage would be reduced. Researchers looking into this issue came upon a new finding. Activation of the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase reduced heart attack damage in an experimental model by 60%.
- Tuesday, September 16, 2008
The clear links between dental health and heart disease just got a lot stronger, which may now be a motivational factor for many people to improve oral hygiene. People with bleeding gums allow entry of up to 700 different types of bacteria directly into their circulation, increasing the risk for a heart attack.
- Tuesday, September 02, 2008
In yet another blow to the statin marketing machine, Crestor was found to be of no help at all in reducing mortality in heart failure patients, despite lowering lowering LDL cholesterol.
- Friday, August 29, 2008
1000 mg of olive leaf extract per day was helpful in lowering mildly elevated blood pressure and reducing LDL cholesterol.
- Wednesday, August 13, 2008
The impact of thyroid function on arterial stiffness and consequent elevation in blood pressure is a new finding helping to explain yet another adverse consequence of poor thyroid function on cardiovascular health. Researchers showed that correcting sluggish thyroid function (subclinical hypothyroid) enabled a return of better blood pressure function.
- Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Several studies now point out that sluggish thyroid function (subclinical hypothyroid) is associated with early adverse changes in the electrical function of the heart.
- Monday, August 11, 2008
Women who have sluggish thyroid function, meaning that they are not hypothyroid by lab test but have many of the symptoms of poorly functioning thyroid and their thyroid scores are close to lower limits of “normal,” have 57% increased risk for developing heart disease. This relationship does not exist after age 65, which is also an interesting point.
- Sunday, August 03, 2008
Japanese men have half the heart disease compared to any other industrialized country in the world. This is true even though they smoke more and have similar rates of cholesterol problems, blood pressure issues, and diabetes. Living in Japan, they eat fish every day and their blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids (DHA/EPA) are twice as high as Japanese men living in America and white American men.
- Thursday, July 31, 2008
One year ago JAMA published a major breakthrough article explaining that nonfasting levels of triglycerides (fat blobs) was an independent and highly predictive indicator of true cardiovascular disease risk. In the past year these finding have been widely agreed upon…
- Saturday, July 26, 2008
A new study clearly shows that a lack of key vitamins sets the stage for Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD).
- Thursday, July 24, 2008
A new study shows that sedentary older people age 60-75 who followed an endurance exercise training program of one hour of aerobics 3-5 times per week for eleven months were able to rejuvenate their heart’s ability to utilize glucose – a major improvement in heart health.
- Wednesday, July 23, 2008
By now you have certainly seen the ads – take plant sterols and lower your cholesterol. These wild cholesterol-lowering claims, which the FDA is ignoring because Cargill is pushing them, are associated with various health risks. A new study shows they may be quite dangerous for your heart.
- Sunday, July 06, 2008
t is now well known that inflammation is the driving force behind heart disease. A recent study analyzed the affects of inflammation in response to common pollution and found there was a significant increase in inflammatory markers in their blood, blood cells were more likely to stick together (clot risk), and key antioxidant enzymes were lowered.
- Sunday, June 29, 2008
Antioxidant status was evaluated in 1462 patients undergoing coronary angiography. Researchers found that patients with coronary artery disease had lower levels of vitamin C, gamma-tocopherol, lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin, alpha-carotene, and beta-carotene, compared to controls.
- Wednesday, June 18, 2008
The shocking death of Tim Russert last Friday has left an entire nation wondering what happened. He was a model patient, doing everything his doctors asked. All major media have run articles trying to explain the nuances and difficulties in treating coronary artery disease. These articles find little fault in Russert’s care, trying to create the idea that his heart attack was just too hard to predict and that all that could have been done for him was done. I beg to differ. His death represents the failure of standard medical care to produce a positive result – an occurrence that is all too common in today’s world.
- Thursday, June 12, 2008
New animal research shows for the first time that vitamin D can prevent changes in your heart that lead to heart failure.
- Sunday, June 08, 2008
Researchers trying to figure out why those of lower socioeconomic status have greater rates of heart disease came upon the interesting discovery that they had a significant lack of essential fatty acids in their red blood cells (meaning they don’t consume much dietary or supplemental DHA or EPA).
- Tuesday, June 03, 2008
One enemy for blood pressure is stagnation. A variety of new information is confirming that brisk walking is a major benefit to blood pressure. This information applies to those who are obese as well as those who are simply at risk for blood pressure problems.
- Friday, May 30, 2008
Chemical particles in the air from cars, trucks, and industrial pollution are now linked directly to an increased risk of stroke or mini-strokes. Lynda Lisabeth, lead author and assistant professor in the University of Michigan School of Public Health stated. “The vast majority of the public is exposed to ambient air pollution at the levels observed in this community or greater every day, suggesting a potentially large public health impact.”
- Wednesday, May 28, 2008
High quality green tea extracts are standardized for their powerful polyphenol flavonoids known as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). An investigation into the molecular activity of this antioxidant compound found that it is highly protective to the endothelial cells lining the inside of arteries.
- Sunday, May 25, 2008
A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition adds further evidence linking the use of birth control pills to an increase in heart disease. Researchers were quite surprised to see a societal deficiency in vitamin B6 in women of childbearing age, especially women who have or were taking birth control pills. Former birth control pill users had significantly elevated homocysteine, which leads to the build up of arterial plaque and consequent heart disease.
- Monday, May 19, 2008
Salt, like saturated fat, is a common scapegoat for heart-related health problems. A new study turns the paranoid salt shaker world on its head. It found that those with the lowest intake of salt were 80% more likely to die from cardiovascular disease than those with the highest intake of salt. The low salt consumers were also 24% more likely to die from any cause.
- Thursday, May 15, 2008
Just about everyone now realizes that the size of your waistline reflects your degree of cardiovascular risk. A new angle on the issue has emerged and it has to do with your stomach itself, as opposed to the amount of extra belly fat. It has to do with your stomach’s hunger signal, ghrelin.
- Saturday, May 03, 2008
Extra fat does a lot more than clog arteries. Inflammatory proteins coming from fat directly damage the heart – whether you feel just fine or not. That is the conclusion of new John Hopkins Medicine research tracking 7000 obese men and women across the United States – watching them descend from no heart disease into poor cardiovascular health.
- Friday, May 02, 2008
Miracles never cease and it appears that the Mayo Clinic is trying to enter the 21st century with at least a finger on the nutritional pulse of reality. My cursory review of their website found them woefully lacking even the basic ideas of what really works on most health topics – but at least they have come out and stated that fish oil is a terrific nutrient for the prevention and treatment of heart disease.
- Thursday, May 01, 2008
A stunning thyroid study has just been published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. It showed that women whose TSH scores were in the high end of the normal range were at a 69% increased risk for cardiovascular death.
- Thursday, May 01, 2008
The list of damage found in the path of a Fosamax tornado continues to grow. A new report in the Archives of Internal Medicine offers conclusive proof that users of Fosamax are at an 86% increased risk for developing heart-related damage in the form of atrial fibrillation.
- Sunday, April 27, 2008
A new series of animal experiments shows that your kidneys are the first to show significant signs of Q10 distress – a red flag indicating problems are likely anywhere in your body (whatever your weak spots may be). Signs of kidney stress include…
- Sunday, April 13, 2008
A new British study links inflammation from the womb (low birth weight babies) through early life weight gain and shows that this issue sets the stage for cardiovascular disease in later life.
- Friday, March 07, 2008
Tocotrienols should be a main part of any person’s dietary supplement program. Not only do they offer superior antioxidant protection, they work in numerous other ways to provide powerful health protection – especially to your brain and circulatory system.
- Thursday, February 21, 2008
A person does not typically get a second chance to prevent heart failure. Not only is fish oil very important for this topic, it turns out that magnesium is as well.
- Thursday, February 21, 2008
Researchers around the world continue to trumpet the benefits of fish oil, especially in the prevention of sudden death from heart failure that is often triggered by atrial fibrillation (abnormal heart rhythms). The large scale GISSI prevention trial showed a whopping 45% decrease in sudden cardiac death in patients who had already had a first heart attack.
- Wednesday, February 13, 2008
If Big Pharma ever had a drug that could boost HDL cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and keep blood cells (platelets) from sticking together it would be the biggest blockbuster on the market today. Well, much to the chagrin of Big Pharma Mother Nature has provided several of these and a new study shows that blueberries can be added to the list.
- Monday, February 11, 2008
Some people have a hostile approach to solving problems. Other people feel depressed in regards to life. Either situation is pro-inflammatory – leading researchers to investigate the relationship to heart disease. As it turns out, the combination of hostility with depression is far worse than either issue alone, as it is reflective of more advanced circulatory wear and tear.
- Thursday, February 07, 2008
Several high profile human cardiovascular drug experiments have turned into disasters for Big Pharma. These findings are sure to shake the misguided consumer confidence in drugs as a mainstay of preventive cardiovascular health. Hanging in the balance are billions of dollars of fraudulent drug sales based on the flimsy argument that changing numbers (blood sugar, cholesterol, or blood pressure) with the use of toxic drugs is somehow the same as actually being healthy…
- Wednesday, February 06, 2008
The latest finding in a considerable body of evolving knowledge shows that poor development of leptin-related brain circuitry while in the womb is one common cause of later-life obesity. Individuals who have this developmental weakness (which is no fault of their own) have little or no margin for error in how they live their life, unless they wish to place themselves on the fast track of accelerated aging and early onset of the diseases of aging….
- Thursday, January 31, 2008
A new study has shown that boswellic acid, a natural herbal dietary supplement, dramatically reduced plaque formation in mice. In the experiment mice were injected with a toxin (LPS) that produces circulatory inflammation resulting in arteriosclerosis (hardening of arteries). Mice treated with boswellic acid were far more able to withstand the toxic exposure, showing half the size of lesions compared to untreated mice.
- Monday, January 28, 2008
A scientific review of hawthorn in patients with mild to moderate chronic heart failure has shown that hawthorn has a significant rejuvenating effect on the heart. Amazingly, hawthorn extracts were able to improve oxygen utilization and decrease shortness of breath. Participants were able to exercise better and had significantly less fatigue.
- Thursday, January 24, 2008
The Journal of Nutrition has published a study of Dutch elderly men that shows alpha carotene and beta carotene intake reduces cardiovascular deaths by 20%. Study participants were 72 years old on average at the start of the study. They were followed for 15 years to determine these results.
- Tuesday, January 22, 2008
The circumstantial evidence has been in for quite some time, the larger the abdomen the greater the risk for heart disease…
- Tuesday, January 15, 2008
R-Alpha Lipoic Acid is one of the hottest research nutrients, a powerful antioxidant that is also intimately involved in the metabolism of calories. Researchers from the Linus Pauling Institute and College of Veterinary Medicine at Oregon State University have completed animal studies clearly showing that “lipoic acid can inhibit formation of arterial lesions, lower triglycerides, and reduce blood vessel inflammation and weight gain – all key issues for addressing cardiovascular disease.”
- Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Due to numerous scandals like Vioxx, the public has become very aware that almost all drugs carry serious side effects and using them in the name of prevention requires a mental exam for sanity. Pomegranate, like blueberries, is being thrust into the spotlight as a super-fruit able to ward off heart disease and cancer.
- Monday, January 14, 2008
A new finding about vitamin D shows that optimal blood levels of vitamin D are associated with 20% lower blood pressure. That is a rather interesting finding when you understand that there are 53% more heart attacks in the winter than in the summer and heart attacks in the winter are often more severe.
- Monday, January 14, 2008
Vitamin C is one of those antioxidants that pushers of drugs love to say does nothing good, despite hundreds of studies to the contrary. Now the naysayers are turning orange and purple with envy. A new study following 20,000 people ages 40-79 from the United Kingdom found that after a decade those with the highest levels of vitamin C in their blood had a 42% decreased risk for stroke.
- Friday, December 14, 2007
The essential fatty acids in fish oil, especially DHA, are now recognized as an excellent cardiovascular support nutrient. A new study in healthy younger men and women shows that fish oil at a small dose of 1 gram per day was able to improve the function of their arteries, helping them dilate easier so blood could flow better. It also helped reduce their resting heart rate, meaning the heart did not have to work as hard to get its job done.
- Tuesday, December 11, 2007
It has been known for a while that dental bacterial infections and gum disease are linked to an increase in heart disease. Researchers have now shown that obesity suppresses the anti-bacterial defense system leading to bacterial infections in the mouth. This is the first study of this type to show this correlation
- Thursday, December 06, 2007
On November 29, 2007 the FDA made a rather surprising, almost honest announcement. It said that it could not protect Americans from the dangers of drugs. A 56-page report by its Subcommittee on Science and Technology stated the FDA “suffers from serious scientific deficiencies and is not positioned to meet current or emerging regulatory responsibilities.” This blistering report on the life-threatening shortcomings of the FDA was released with the stamp of approval of the head of the FDA, Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach. The flagrant disregard for human health by the FDA…
- Tuesday, November 20, 2007
A randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study tested 1200 IU of vitamin E per day for two years in patients with coronary artery disease. The study is significant because various forces promoting drugs have fraudulently concocted anti-vitamin E studies in an effort to get older people to take more drugs and to not take vitamin E. Of course, the Big Pharma-sponsored media did not report the pro-vitamin E study.
- Tuesday, September 11, 2007
One-third of Americans are obese, two-thirds are overweight. A new study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine issues a major wake up call. The risk for developing heart disease in moderately overweight people is 32%, for obese people it is 81%. Even if a person has normal levels of cholesterol and blood pressure, being moderately overweight still increases the risk by 17%, compared to 49% for an obese person.
- Monday, September 03, 2007
A new double-blind randomized controlled study tested 300 mg of Coenzyme Q10 per day in patients with heart disease to see if it could improve their circulation and antioxidant defense system. Researchers called the results “remarkable” in terms of the ability of Q10 to restore faulty antioxidant defense systems in the circulation, particularly in those with the greatest health problems. There was a significant improvement in vascular relaxation in the Q10 group, showing that Q10 is a highly superior nutrient in supporting heart health.
- Tuesday, August 14, 2007
A new randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled cardiovascular study evaluating natural vitamin E, synthetic vitamin C, and synthetic beta-carotene has shown that natural vitamin E reduced cardiovascular death or serious cardiovascular disease by a statistically significant 13%, the primary end point of the study. Natural vitamin E also showed improvement in secondary end points, including a 22% reduction in heart attacks, a 27% reduction in strokes (31% when combined with vitamin C), and a 9% reduction in cardiovascular death. These results for natural vitamin E are nothing short of astounding as they used the gold standard of human testing!
- Monday, August 13, 2007
Using the fanciest and most sophisticated high tech cardiovascular imaging equipment researchers at the Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas have just saved the world a bundle of money in cardiovascular diagnostic testing. As it turns out all you need is a tape measure placed around your waist….
- Monday, August 06, 2007
Researchers measured the leptin levels in heart attack patients and found that those with the highest levels of leptin were the most non-responsive to therapies designed to thin the blood…
- Thursday, July 19, 2007
Several new studies published in JAMA show that the nonfasting level of triglycerides is a dramatic predictor of cardiovascular disease. Two points are important…
- Thursday, June 14, 2007
On the cover of my book, The Leptin Diet, is the million dollar question, “How fit is your fat?” Scientists are now catching on to this concept and actively studying how a fit leptin system results in a fit metabolism and proper body weight that are likely to provide significant reduction in the development of cardiovascular disease.
- Sunday, June 03, 2007
A study that is sure to irritate the Big Pharma drug-pushing cartel was published by The Lancet in their June 2, 2007 issue. Despite pushing over 20 billion dollars worth of statin drugs each year down the throats of Americans for prevention of heart disease, when in fact there is no statistical evidence that a statin drug can prevent a first stoke at all, it now comes to pass that a simple B vitamin can do the job of stroke prevention far more effectively. This new study lends support to another study published last month showing that folic acid could dramatically decrease the thickening of the coratid artery over a two-year period.
Related Entries:
Tips for Cardiovascular Health
Top Cholesterol and Statin News of the Past Year
###
Other Health Tips
Pulling Data...
Loading Navigation...
Loading Content...
View complete Health Tips Archives
Wellness Resources RSS feeds
800-717-WELL (9355) 