Inspiring Points On Why Cholesterol Does Not Cause Heart Disease

The terms cholesterol and heart disease seem to be permanently linked together, almost as if the former is the main cause of the latter. This is not true at all, however, as the majority of evidence links atherosclerosis as the primary cause of coronary heart disease, a condition caused when ruptured scar tissue appears within [...]

Antioxidants help arteries stay healthy in people at risk for heart disease

(NaturalNews) Antioxidants are substances that protect cells against the effects of free radicals — molecules produced when the body breaks down food or is exposed to environmental toxins and radiation. Free radicals are believed to play a role in heart disease, cancer and other disorders. So it makes sense that antioxidants could help protect or even treat many health problems. However, some poorly designed studies have given antioxidants mixed results (http://www.naturalnews.com/023357_pharmas_antioxidants_vitamins.html) and resulted in the mainstream media reporting that antioxidants are virtually worthless. But new research provides hard evidence that taking antioxidant supplements long-term produces dramatic benefits in people with multiple cardiovascular risk factors. That’s the conclusion of a randomized, controlled trial of vitamin C, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10 and selenium capsules. The research results, just reported in BioMed Central’s journal Nutrition and Metabolism , show these dietary antioxidants produce multiple positive effects on sugar and fat metabolism, blood pressure and arterial flexibility (which allows blood to move freely through the body). The study was conducted by scientist Reuven Zimlichman and his research team at Wolfson Medical Center in Israel. They randomly divided 70 high blood pressure patients into two groups. One group was given antioxidants supplements and the other took placebo capsules for six months. Those taking the antioxidants received vitamin C (1000 mg/day), vitamin E (400 i.u/day), coenzyme Q10 (120 mg/day) and selenium (200 mcg/day). Tests at the beginning of the trial, after three months, and again after six months documented that patients in the antioxidant group had marked improvements in their cardiovascular health. They had more elastic arteries and better blood sugar levels. In addition, their cholesterol profiles were healthier with a significant increase in HDL, the so-called “good”, heart-protective cholesterol. In fact, the researchers concluded “antioxidant supplements have the potential to alleviate atherosclerotic damage..” “Antioxidant supplementation significantly increased large and small artery elasticity in patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors. This beneficial vascular effect was associated with an improvement in glucose and lipid metabolism as well as significant decrease in blood pressure,” Dr. Zimlichman said in a statement to the media. “The findings of the present study justify investigating the overall clinical impact of antioxidant treatment in patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors.” More hopeful news for heart patients: another study by Dr. Zimlichman and colleagues published in the June issue of the Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology , found that taking the amino acid L-arginine long-term also helped people with multiple cardiovascular risk factors. In this randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 90 patients were assigned to receive either oral L-arginine capsules or placebo capsules. After six months, tests indicated those taking L-arginine had improved vascular health — including a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure. For more information: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20604917 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20531213 http://www.naturalnews.com/021976.html

All About Lowering Cholesterol

Plums and berries are good for you. And like other fruits and vegetables they can play an active role in helping you to lose weight and reduce cholesterol. Another key aspect is the amount of exercise that you are doing as this is also a key ingredient that you must take a look at.Most people [...]

Lower Bad Cholesterol Without Prescription Meds?

You do actually need cholesterol and fats to sustain good health. So, bear in mind, that fats and cholesterol are needed. The only question is how much, and of what type (as discussed earlier in this article). Vitamin D and other hormones as well as helping to build cell walls, are three examples of some [...]

Startling Facts About Lowering Cholesterol Uncovered

You can lower your cholesterol levels at a steady rate by just sticking to what the doctor suggested by eating more healthily and exercising more frequently. The reason why so many Americans suffer is that they don’t pay attention to their diets or exercise regimes. But I know you will pay attention now, wont you? [...]

Drug side effects "neglected, restricted, distorted and silenced" by drug companies

(NaturalNews) New research shows that information on potentially lethal side effects of the blockbuster painkiller Vioxx was “neglected, restricted, distorted and silenced” by pharmaceutical giant Merck, writes London-based physician and author John Briffa in The Epoch Times . Vioxx was first approved for sale in 1999 and quickly became a top seller. Yet according to an analysis published in the Archives of Internal Medicine , clear evidence existed by 2001 that the drug increased the risk of cardiovascular thrombotic events, including heart attack, stroke and death. This evidence was contained in studies conducted by and for Merck. “Most of the information we are using in this study was never published, or if it was published, they never included the key safety data,” co-author Harlan Krumholz said. It has been proven Merck promoted Vioxx through the popular industry practice of ghostwriting articles and scientific studies for publication in respected medical journals. In addition, a recent article in the British Medical Journal shows that the company employed tactics designed to “neutralize” and “discredit” doctors who tried to raise concerns about Vioxx. Yet Merck still insists that it did not know about the heart risks of Vioxx until 2004, when it voluntarily withdrew the drug from the market. Practices like those Merck used to promote Vioxx are widespread in the drug industry, as revealed by numerous recent lawsuits against companies for concealing drug side effects, illegally promoting drugs for off-label uses, and using questionable marketing techniques. Briffa notes that Merck may now be engaged in an attempt to save the image of the cholesterol-reducing drug ezetimibe (also marketed as Vytorin), which does not appear to reduce the risk of heart attacks but may actually increase the risk of cancer death. “Never mind, though, because it appears Merck has managed to find some scientists who claim that this association is likely to be due to chance, even though the stats show it’s very unlikely to be due to chance,” Briffa writes. “Let’s hope history isn’t repeating itself.” Sources for this story include: www.theepochtimes.com.

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