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Cardiovascular
Disease Protocol
Recall that:
+ Alpha-lipoic
acid is an antioxidant and antidiabetic; is beneficial in congestive
heart failure and stroke prevention, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertension;
and inhibits protein glycation. A suggested therapeutic dosage is 500-1000
mg daily. A preventive dose is 250-500 mg a day.
Angelica (A. archangelica) is an antianginal, anti-inflammatory, vasodilator,
calcium antagonist, ACE inhibitor, and diuretic; dosage, 15-30 drops
1-3 times a day. (See Angelica in the Therapeutic section for an explanation
regarding milligrams per drop.)
L-arginine dilates blood vessels; reduces the atherogenesity of atherogenic
foods; and mimics the actions of nitroglycerine; suggested dose, 1800
mg of L-arginine 3 times a day or 4500 mg before bedtime.
Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) lowers total serum cholesterol and triglycerides;
recommended dose, 1 capsule 3 times a day, containing 300 mg of artichoke
standardized to contain 13-18% caffeoylquinic acid.
+ Aspirin reduces fibrinogen levels, platelet aggregation, C-reactive
protein (CRP), and inflammatory conditions. Low dose aspirin is usually
begun at about 50 years of age, according to the American College of
Chest Physicians, if no physical condition precludes its usage; suggested
dosage, 1 low dose tablet (81 mg a day with a heavy meal). Higher doses
may be required to impact newer risk factors such as CRP.
Bromelain is anti-inflammatory, hypotensive, and antianginal. It reduces
fibrinogen levels and atrial fibrillation, lessens risk of blood clots,
and is particularly beneficial to smokers. Suggested dosage is 1/8 to
1/4 tsp taken between meals to relieve inflammation.
Bugleweed has diuretic and digitalis-like properties; use 30-40 drops
in a little water, 2-4 times a day. (See Angelica in the Therapeutic
section for an explanation of milligrams per drop.)
+ Calcium reduces blood pressure, acts as an antiarrhythmic, reduces
iron overload, and strengthens the bone around the gingival; preventive
and therapeutic doses, 1 gram or more of elemental calcium a day. Factor
amount of calcium obtained from foodstuffs into the amount required
through supplementation.
+ L-carnitine is an energizer and hypolipidemic, aids weight loss, improves
circulation, and is beneficial in angina and diabetic management. Most
clinical trials use 1500-3000 mg daily; preventive dosage, 600-1500
mg a day.
+ Carnosine acts as an antioxidant and reduces glycation and possibly
the likelihood of stroke damage; suggested dosage, 1000-1500 mg a day.
(Not recommended during pregnancy or lactation.)
Chondroitin sulfate is an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant and inhibits
LDL oxidation; suggested daily dose, one to three 400-mg tablets.
+ Chromium, 300-400 mcg a day in divided doses, modulates blood glucose
levels; decreases cholesterol; and is helpful in weight management;
preventive dosage, 200 mcg a day.
+ Coenzyme Q10 reduces angina attacks, arrhythmias, congestive heart
failure, periodontal disease, and heart valve irregularities; lowers
blood pressure; is protective to smokers; and supplies energy to the
heart; suggested dosage, 30-400 mg a day, depending upon the amount
of cardiac support required. (Higher doses require physician supervision.)
Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) aids in weight loss and utilization of
beneficial fats; reduces cholesterol and triglycerides; increases insulin
sensitivity; and has antioxidant activity; suggested dosage, three 1000-mg
capsules taken early in the day.
Curcumin is an anti-inflammatory and hypocholesterolemic; offers protection
to smokers; and inhibits platelet aggregation; recommended dosage, 900
mg 1-2 times daily.
+ DHEA suppresses the activity of proinflammatory cytokines; inhibits
inflammation; and is helpful in lipid management; suggested dosage,
15-75 mg a day, taken early in the day (50 mg a day is a typical dose).
Read about DHEA in the Therapeutic section for caveats.
+ Essential fatty acids modulate blood lipids and body weight; improve
heart function; lessen risk of restenosis and strokes; inhibit platelet
clumping; have hypotensive and anti-inflammatory activity; reduce fibrinogen,
homocysteine, and C-reactive protein levels; and improve insulin sensitivity.
Perilla oil, 1000-mg capsules, provides 550-620 mg of alpha-linolenic
acid, a precursor to EPA and DHA. Use 6 capsules a day. Blends of fish
oils are available, supplying varying amounts of EPA and DHA. Borage
oil is a source of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). A supplement called Super
GLA/DHA provides high concentrations of GLA from borage oil, along with
DHA and EPA from fish oil extract.
Fiber assists in weight management and is a hypolipidemic and antidiabetic.
Begin with 1 tsp until the system adjusts to the new material; increase
to 1 tsp 3 times a day. It is essential to drink additional water when
fiber is added to the diet.
+ Garlic acts as a hypotensive; decreases fibrinogen; protects against
LDL oxidation and arterial wall damage; inhibits platelet aggregation;
thins the blood; modestly lowers blood glucose levels; and reduces damage
associated with iron overload and the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias.
Dosage suggestions are 1-2 Kyolic caplets (1000 mg) twice daily with
meals or 2-8 capsules of Pure-Gar Caps (900 mg) daily with food.
Ginger reduces cholesterol and risk of a blood clot and has anti-inflammatory,
vasodilating, ACE inhibiting, and calcium antagonistic properties; suggested
dosage, one to two 300-mg capsules, 1-3 times a day.
+ Ginkgo biloba improves circulation and memory; reduces platelet aggregation,
arrhythmias, and fibrinogen levels; has antioxidant activity; prevents
capillary fragility; lessens angina attacks, dyspnea, and intermittent
claudication; and decreases the area in the brain plundered by a stroke;
suggested dosage, 120 mg a day (preventive dose) and 120-240 mg daily
(therapeutic dose). Note: Some clinicians routinely prescribe ginkgo
for patients ages 50 and older.
Grapefruit pectin is an effective hypocholesterolemic. If using the
powder, begin with less than 1 scoop a day, gradually increasing to
2-3 scoops. If using tablets, use one 1000-mg tablet a day with meals.
+ Green tea has antithrombotic, antioxidant, hypotensive, anti-inflammatory,
ACE inhibiting, calcium and iron antagonistic, diuretic, and beta-adrenergic
receptor blocking properties. Drink several cups a day or use two to
four 300-mg capsules a day. Each capsule should provide 95% active polyphenols.
Gugulipid lowers cholesterol and triglycerides; regresses plaque formation;
opposes platelet aggregation; and has fibrinolytic activity; suggested
dosage, 500 mg 3 times a day.
Hawthorn berry is an antioxidant, antihypertensive, diuretic, and an
aid to weight loss; reduces hypoxia and premature ventricular contractions;
lowers cholesterol; is beneficial in congestive heart failure; acts
as a vasodilator, ACE inhibitor, and calcium antagonist; and increases
exercise tolerance; daily dosages, 250-900 mg a day.
+ The following daily supplements (used alone or in combination) are
recommended for lowering homocysteine levels: 500-9000 mg of TMG; 800-5000
mcg of folic acid; 1000-3000 mcg of vitamin B12; 250-3000 mg of choline;
250-1000 mg of inositol; 30-90 mg of zinc; 200-800 mg of SAMe; and 100-500
mg of B6. (Use SAMe with other cofactors listed.)
+ Magnesium reduces blood pressure; acts as a calcium antagonist and
antiarrhythmic; blocks the sympathetic nervous system; and is beneficial
in mitral valve prolapse. Use up to 1500 mg in divided doses throughout
the day; preventive dose, about 400 mg elemental magnesium a day.
Niacin lowers Lp(a) and fibrinogen and normalizes cholesterol levels;
1-3 grams of niacin a day may be needed to lower cholesterol, a dose
that must be closely monitored. Lower doses of niacin may be effective
if taken in union with chromium. If high dose niacin is to be used,
liver function tests should be performed regularly.
Olive leaf extract is hypotensive and antidiabetic; is helpful in some
types of arrhythmias; and is protective against LDL oxidation. Use one
to two 500-mg capsules 3 times a day, with meals.
Administering 300 mg of pantethine 3 times a day typically results in
a significant improvement in blood lipids.
Policosanol is hypocholesterolemic; protects LDL cholesterol against
oxidation; inhibits thromboxane and the proliferation of vascular cells;
discourages blood clot formation; has antiplatelet aggregating activity;
and increases exercise tolerance; suggested dose, some individuals will
need only 5-10 mg to maintain healthy levels of cholesterol; others
will require 20 mg a day.
Polyenylphosphatidylcholine (PPC) increases levels of beneficial HDL2b,
reduces angina attacks, improves exercise tolerance, lowers undesirable
blood lipids, and improves apoB/apoA-1 ratio. Take two 900-mg capsules
daily.
+ Potassium reduces blood pressure and maintains fluid balance. (The
estimated safe and adequate daily dietary intake of potassium, as set
by the Committee on Recommended Daily Allowances, is 1.9 grams to 5.6
grams per day.) Many foods richly supply potassium; these sources should
be relied upon to meet nutritional needs (when possible). (See the Therapeutic
Section for a list of dietary sources plus additional dosing instructions
and caveats.)
+ Proanthocyanidins are antioxidants and ACE and beta-adrenergic receptor
inhibitors; protect endothelium against white blood cell adherence;
reduce blood cholesterol and existing cholesterol deposits; and are
beneficial to smokers; the daily dose, 100 mg from grape seed, is considered
a preventive dose; 150-300 mg is a therapeutic dose.
+ Selenium is protective against cardiomyopathy and is beneficial in
ventricular tachycardia, hyperlipidemia, congestive heart failure, and
diabetes; dosage, 200-300 mcg a day; preventive dose, 200 mcg a day.
Taurine is hypotensive; arouses the parasympathetic nervous system;
is beneficial in congestive heart failure and arrhythmias; and has blood
thinning and diuretic properties; suggested dosage, 1500-4000 mg in
divided dosages daily.
Testosterone modulates cholesterol; dilates blood vessels; improves
circulation; lessens angina attacks; and reduces blood pressure. The
objective is to restore testosterone level to that of a healthy 21-year-old.
+ Thiamine (vitamin B1) reduces cardiac arrhythmias, palpitations, congestive
heart failure, and elevated venous pressure. Some patients may realize
benefit from 200-250 mg of thiamine a day; refractory cardiac arrhythmias
may require 500-1000 mg a day.
+ Tocotrienols inhibit platelet-clumping; reduce cholesterol; and have
antioxidant activity. A suggested daily dosage is 100 IU mixed tocopherols
and 100 IU tocotrienols if the person is healthy, young, and without
a family history of heart disease, and 200 IU of mixed tocopherols and
200 IU of tocotrienols for young adults with some cardiac risk factors
or healthy people (50 years of age) without risk factors. 400 IU of
mixed tocopherols and 400 IU of tocotrienols for people who have a personal
or family history of cardiac disease. This dosage is appropriate for
senior subjects and severely stressed or poorly nourished individuals.
Beta-carotene (25,000 to 50,000 IU) may assist in modulating fibrinogen
levels. Beta-carotene is widely available in 25,000 IU strengths.
+ Vitamin C strengthens and dilates blood vessels; promotes gingival
healing; lowers blood pressure; reduces fibrinogen, Lp(a), C-reactive
protein, and atheromatous plaque; lessens damage inflicted by smoking;
and has diuretic activity; suggested preventive and therapeutic dose,
6 grams daily, in divided dosages.
+ Vitamin D appears to lower risk of heart attack in older women; suggested
dosage, 400 IU a day; if housebound, use 800 IU a day.
+ Vitamin E assists in preventing plaque formation; protects LDL from
oxidation; strengthens blood vessels; prevents blood viscosity; is beneficial
in atrial and ventricular fibrillation; reduces C-reactive protein;
and is considered an antidiabetic nutrient; suggested preventive and
therapeutic dosage, 400-1200 IU of dry powder vitamin E daily.
+ Vitamin K prevents calcium from tying up in arteries and reduces the
inflammatory process and risk of a blood clot; suggested daily dose,
10 mg.
+ Zinc, 30-60 mg a day, may increase testosterone levels and is beneficial
to diabetics and those who are overweight. Because high doses of zinc
can increase blood glucose levels, prediabetics and diabetics should
use no more than 35 mg a day.
Simplifying Your Daily Program
You
can take each of the nutrients recommended in this protocol separately
if you choose to. This will involve spending a lot of time and money.
Most people find it more convenient to take specially designed formulas
that provide most of the recommended cardiovascular-protecting nutrients.
Here is a brief description of six formulas that provide optimal potencies
of most of the nutrients described in this protocol:
Life
Extension Mix
This formula contains 89 different ingredients including the following
nutrients that have been shown to benefit cardiovascular health:
Vitamin
A
Beta Carotene
Alpha carotene
Lycopene
Lutein
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Vitamin B1
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B12
Vitamin D
Vitamin E (alpha tocopherol)
Folic Acid
Taurine
Niacin
Chromium
Magnesium
Potassium
Selenium
Zinc
Super Life Extension Booster
This softgel oil capsule provides many important nutrients, including
the following that have been shown beneficial in protecting cardiovascular
health:
Vitamin
K
Ginkgo biloba extract
Tocotrienols
Gamma tocopherol
Lutein
Lycopene
Folic acid
Vitamin B12
Selenium
ChronoForte
These capsules contain potent anti-aging nutrients, including the following
that have demonstrated benefit in preventing and treating cardiovascular
disease:
Alpha
Lipoic acid
Acetyl-L-Carnitine
Carnosine
Super GLA/DHA
Provides optimal potencies of essential fatty acids from fish oil (DHA
and EPA) plus a potent dose of GLA from borage oil.
Super
CoQ10
Provides high potency coenzyme Q10 in an emulsified oil base along with
added tocotrienols.
Participate
in Your Healthcare
Laboratory testing to determine values of traditional and newer risk
factors are valuable to all age groups. Tests are essential in preventive
programs and as a means of monitoring progress for those with established
cardiovascular disease. Be sure that you are being tested using the
latest in screening tools, that is, technology capable of measuring
the smaller, denser LDL particles (the form most susceptible to oxidation)
and high sensitivity CRP screening.
There
are many ways that you can improve your health odds. Become a participant
in your healthcare program. Learn the medical terminology, request specific
tests, and suggest and reject various medicines.
Recall
that the heart beats best when the host is peaceful and less stressful.
Communicate a spirit of contentment and fearlessness to your inner self.
Unresolved stress cannot be justified when you realize the price of
the aggravation may be life-threatening.
Cardiovascular
Disease Protocol Pg (1)
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