Cholesterol Heart Disease and Supplements Part 2
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This is Part 2 of this article - this and enormous amounts of other information by Mel Siff are available at his Supertraining Group - health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Supertraining/ and the best of these has been posted at melsiff.com
Guggul:
Guggul is the name given to the yellowish resin produced by the stem of the
mukul myrrh (Commiphora mukul) tree found throughout India. It has been used
in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries in the treatment of arthritis, obesity,
and one of its prime uses was for “medoroga”. Medoroga is basically an
ancient diagnosis for what we know as atherosclerosis. It was effective for
this problem because of its ability to lower serum cholesterol and
triglycerides.
Guggul extract isolates contain safe plant steroid compounds known as
guggulsterones, which have been shown to lower lipid levels in your
blood. They actually lower serum triglycerides and cholesterol, as well as
LDL VLDL cholesterols (the “bad” ones) and as a bonus..raises HDL cholesterol
(the “good” guys). Guggulsterones also act as antioxidants in that they keep
LDL cholesterol from oxidizing, protecting you further from
atherosclerosis. Guggul has also decreased the “stickiness” of platelets,
which of course also lowers the risk of coronary artery disease and stroke.Â
There was a study which actually found guggul extract similar and even
slightly better than clobfibrate for lowering cholesterol levels…..
Niacin:
For some time, some practitioners have been using high amounts of niacin
(Vitamin B3) (also called nicotinic acid) to lower cholesterol. The problem
with this is that at the doses needed, about 3 grams per day, divided dosing,
patients experience side effects of flushing, headache, stomach pains and
even chronic liver damage, diabetic responses, gastritis or stomach
inflammation, eye damage and even gout. The other common form of B3 -
niacinamide (also called nicotinamide) - does NOT help cholesterol levels.
An acceptable variation on niacin called inositol hexaniacinate has more
recently been prescribed by European doctors for cholesterol treatment
without the unwanted effects of niacin. It is used at the 500 to 1,000 mg
taken three times per day. It is newer and fewer studies have been done, so
if one takes it, make sure you have your cholesterol monitored to evaluate
its effectiveness and have liver enzymes, uric acid and glucose levels
checked just to be sure you are not one of the people prone to problems with
B3 therapy…..
[You may also try niacin in the form of "no flush" niacin hexaniacinate,
which most health shops sell - alone or in combination with small doses (less
than 150mg) of regular niacin (to minimise the uncomfortable flushing). It
is a good idea to take the niacin in combination with other members of the
vitamin B family - vit B complex, with at least 50mg of most Bs. MCS]
Other Factors:
Supplementing with Vitamin E (800 IU per day), Vitamin C (2-3 grams per day),
Octacosanol (from wheat germ..another good reason to use this food, as it is
also high in beta-sitosterol), Lecithin (2-3 grams per day), and garlic
supplements (600-900 mg per day) all have shown to be very helpful in
reducing cholesterol and triglycerides levels.
*** Here is some very brief information on other helpful supplements to
assist in managing different cardiovascular problems.
OTHER CHOLESTEROL LOWERING SUPPLEMENTS
Since lecithin is a very effective emulsifying agent, which also contains
choline and inositol, some authorities also suggest taking at least 1200mg of
lecithin capsules or granules 3 times daily. By the way, for those who take
skim or reduced fat milk, blending or shaking a teaspoon or two of lecithin
granules into the milk makes it taste much creamier and more palatable - add
according to your personal taste.
Chinese red yeast extract
Chromium picolinate
L-carnitine (2-4gm daily on an empty stomach)
L-arginine on empty stomach (avoid if suffering from herpes, shingles,
schizophrenia)
Bromelain and pectin enzymes (on an empty stomach)
Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols) 1000mg daily (begin with 200-400mg daily)
Vitamin C (plus bioflavonoids)
Oats (fibre) and other brans
Olive oil (raw, virgin, cold pressed, kept in refrigerator)
Fish oil
Green tea
Hawthorne berry (also for heart arrhythmias and hypertension)
Grapefruit (note that this can accentuate the effects of some cardiac drugs)
Boswellia
Aloe Vera
Alfalfa
Dandelion
Thyme
Turmeric
Other Supplements for Cardiac Use:
(e.g. for reducing inflammation of tissues, reducing blood pressure or
“thinning” the blood)
CoQ10 (75-150mg a day, with lecithin)
Magnesium (maleate, citrate, aspartate)
Willow bark, Aspirin (75mg a day with meals)
L-arginine on empty stomach (avoid if suffering from herpes, shingles,
schizophrenia)
Ginger
Fish oil
Capsaicin (from “hot” peppers)
MSM
Gotu kola
Ginkgo biloba
Bilberry
Primrose oil
Turmeric
AVOID
Refined carbohydrates
Highly sugared drinks (pop, sodas, etc)
Licorice (can increase blood pressure)
Hydrogenated or “partially hydrogenated” fats (in many cereals, margarines,
candies)
Transfatty acids (in many margarines, cakes, cookies etc)
Heated or fried fats and meats
Fatty meats
Lard and animal fat (many fast food chains use these fats in many products)
Coffee
Ephedra, ephedrine
Shark cartilage
NOTE
If you are considering the use of any of the above supplements, remember that
you should find out as much as you can by reading reputable web pages on each
of them, or consulting books such as:
Balch & Balch, “Prescription for Nutritional Healing”
If you suffer from any cardiac problems, it is essential that you seek
professional medical advice and ascertain if any supplements may interact
adversely with any medication which you may be taking. For example, if you
are on anticoagulants such as warfarin (Coumadin) or heparin, other
supplements such as fish oil, garlic, aspirin, vitamin E (large doses) and
several others can reduce the clotting ability of your blood even further.
If you are on a cholesterol-lowering medication such as one of then statins,
then many of the above supplements can increase the potency of these drugs,
so, in consultation with a suitable medical expert, you should adjust your
dosage accordingly or gradually wean yourself off such drugs, according to
your particular situation. If doing this, it is important that you regularly
have your cholesterol and HDL/LDL ratios checked and that you work under the
supervision of your doctor.
Dr Mel Siff Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/cholesterol-heart-disease-and-supplements-part-2-1090548.html
Author of Supertraining & Facts and Fallacies of Fitness
http://www.melsiff.com
Benefits of Fish Oil Supplements - Be The First To Read What The Experts Are Saying!
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If there is just one supplement I would recommend for overall excellent health and well-being — it would be fish oil. The benefits of fish oil supplements are numerous. Find out how you can reap the amazing fish oil benefits in this article.
There are many benefits of fish oil for our brain, heart, joints, skin, hair, digestive system and our overall body. It is one of the richest sources of essential Omega 3 fatty acids.
Fish Oil For Brain Health
Omega 3’s help to enhance memory, boost concentration levels, improve cognitive ability and IQ levels. They help to prevent mental illnesses such as ADD, ADHD, depression, bipolar disorder and Alzheimer’s disease.
Around 60% of our brain mass is composed of fats — and half of those are DHA Omega 3 essential fatty acids. Studies indicate that the average Americans consume 130 to 150 mg of DHA per day.
This is just about 1/5th of the recommended daily allowance and shows the extent of serious omega-3 deficiency in the Western world.
Benefits of Fish Oil Supplements in Heart Health
Scientific evidence and research points towards numerous benefits of fish oil supplements in heart health and prevention of heart diseases. They help to reduce triglyceride levels, which are the precursor of stroke and heart attack.
Fish oil also helps to reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) and improve good cholesterol (HDL) levels. It improves cardiovascular health and prevents coronary heart disease.
Omega 3’s present in fish oil are natural blood thinners. They help in thinning of the blood and prevent the buildup of arterial plaque. Thinner blood flows easily through the arteries and reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Fish oil is a natural anti-inflammatory. It provides effective pain relief in problems associated with inflammation such as arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, cancer, asthma, eczema, acne, inflammatory bowel disorders and many others.
Taking purified fish oil supplements as a part of a healthy diet regimen is among the best means to reap the amazing benefits of fish oil and Omega 3’s. It is the key to excellent health, a healthy mind and body.
Vijay K Raisinghani is a Natural Healthcare Expert and a passionate advocate of Omega 3 Fish oils for a healthy mind and body. His website http://www.your-omega3-fish-oil-guide.com provides a wealth of information on what works and what doesn’t work in Omega 3 fish oils to achieve a young, vibrant and robust health.
Top Rated Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplements - 4 Easy Steps To Avoid Being Cheated!
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Marketers use words such as top rated, best, super, etc. to market their products, but these superlatives might not have any real meaning and truth behind them. To find truly top rated Omega 3 fatty acid supplements, the best decision can only be taken by you - after you gain awareness of the essential facts.
This article shall provide in-depth information that will help you make the right decision to choose the best and top rated Omega 3 fatty acid supplements.
Firstly, if you see that celebrities or doctors are endorsing the products, then it is clear that the supplement brands would be overpriced. This is because the huge celebrity fees have to be paid out through the product sales.
It is not that marketing is wrong, but these expenses do not add any qualitative value to the supplement product, they only make them more expensive and place an additional burden on the pockets of the consumers.
Here are 4 important facts that you should keep in mind while selecting top rated Omega 3 fatty acid supplements –
1) Is it made out of fatty fish? (Fatty fish are the richest source of DHA and omega-3 fatty acids)
2) Does the supplement brand give exact details of the breakup of DHA and EPA omega-3 fats or not? If the product does not give these important details, it means that it does not contain these necessary DHA and EPA omega-3 fatty acids. Avoid them.
3) Is the fish oil supplement molecularly distilled? Molecular distillation is the process of purification of the fish oil from hazardous toxins and contaminants such as Mercury, lead, PCBs, etc. that are found in the flesh of fish. This is essential to ensure the highest product safety and effectiveness.
4) Is the supplement product too expensive? The good news is that it should not be expensive. The highest and top rated Omega 3 fatty acid supplements can be purchased online for only dollars 15 to 20 for one month’s supply.
Anything more that you pay for fish oil supplements is only going towards the funding of celebrity endorsements and expensive advertisements done by the companies.
Vijay K Raisinghani is a Natural Healthcare Expert and a passionate advocate of Omega 3 Fish oils for a healthy mind and body. His website http://www.your-omega3-fish-oil-guide.com provides a wealth of information on what works and what doesn’t work in Omega 3 fish oils to achieve a young, vibrant and robust health.
Natural Supplements for Depression for Effective Symptom Relief
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Although depression can be an life-depleting condition, not all people who experience it choose to use prescription medication. Natural supplements for depression can be an effective strategy for managing the symptoms of depression, plus there is plenty of clinical research to support their use.
Consulting a practitioner of natural medicine may be your best option to assess your alternatives for depression treatment without drugs. That being said, here are a few of the nutritional supplements and herbs that have proven to be effective in clinical studies.
5 HTP
5 HTP is an amino acid complex that is converted by the body into serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in mood, appetite, sleep and sexuality. Although it is found in foods, the amount is very low. Dietary habits and the lack of nutrients in the foods that we eat may have caused 5 HTP deficiencies in many people.
The mainstream medical community rarely looks for the cause of a disorder. Instead, they try to treat the symptoms. Practitioners of natural treatment for depression, on the other hand, may try to identify a cause by evaluating the patient’s dietary habits and lifestyle.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3s are a group of essential fatty acids. They are necessary for human health, but the body cannot produce them. So, they must be present in the diet. The amount of omega-3s in the typical American diet is very low. Some researchers believe that is why we have become the “Prozac Nation”.
The brain contains a great deal of fat. Of that fat, about 40% is a specific kind of omega-3 called DHA or Docosahexaenoic acid. Low blood levels of DHA are an indicator for depressive disorders.
There are a number of omega-3 natural supplements for depression on the market, but not all of them provide sufficient quantities of DHA. Amounts that have been used in clinical studies approach 500mg per day.
St John’s Wort
St John’s wort is probably the best known alternative medicine for depression. Although is it not regulated as a prescription drug in the US, it is prescribed for depressive disorders in some countries.
St. John’s wort works by stimulating the production of the serotonin in the brain which can help bolster emotional stability and reduce stress. Clinical studies of St. John’s wort have shown that for mild to moderate anxiety and depression symptoms this herb can be just as effective as prescription drugs, but without the side effects. If you are taking any prescription medication, you should not take St John’s wort without consulting your doctor.
SAM-e
SAM-e is a nutrient produced within the body. Because of that, it is not considered essential to the human diet. Research indicates that it is effective for most depressive disorders, but co-supplementation is necessary. It must be taken with vitamin B6, B12 and folic acid. Otherwise, it will be ineffective.
There’s no doubt in my mind that natural supplements for depression work. I’ve experienced the results myself. If you would like to avoid the side effects that sometimes come with prescription medications and are looking for a long term solution for depression symptoms, the nutritional supplements and herbs mentioned here have proven to be effective in clinical studies.
Max Wardlow is an independent natural health researcher and helps manage a website about natural remedies. Visit today to find out more about the natural supplements for depression he uses and recommends.
Glutamine Powder - The Ultimate Sports Nutritional Supplements for Muscle Gain
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A common ingredient in many protein blends, and increasingly now seen more often as a stand alone supplement, glutamine is an amino acid with a wide range of benefits. Glutamine is what is known as a conditionally essential amino. This means that although it can be produced by the body in moderate quantities, under certain conditions - in this case conditions of injury, illness, and stress, it cannot be produced in high enough levels to meet physiological demand and must be acquired from diet. However, although a common nutrient found in many foods, it is unfortunately fairly sensitive to heat and much is destroyed when food is cooked, making additional glutamine supplementation extremely beneficial.
Glutamine plays a role in many physiological functions including support of intestinal health, as fuel for the immune system, an alternative to carbohydrates for glycogen replenishment, a regulator of acid-base balance, a constituent of new muscle growth and as an intermediate in many reactions within the body. It also serves as a building block for the manufacture of other non essential amino acids and to synthesise neurotransmitters in the brain. Also playing a vital role in wound healing and recovery, glutamine has recently been considered by the medical community as a nutraceutical – a nutrient derived from food with definite medical benefit.
Glutamines versatility comes from the fact that it is a small, relatively simple protein, containing an extra nitrogen atom – this allows it to be easily utilised by many of the body’s protein dependent systems, especially anti catabolic and hypertrophic processes leading to muscle growth. It is this versatility that makes it especially useful for anyone undertaking vigorous, intense exercise and looking to increase lean mass.
Available in two forms, L-Glutamine and Glutamine Peptides, glutamine is relatively inexpensive and easy to use. Dosing depends upon the type of glutamine taken- L-Glutamine can be used in amounts of up to 20g per day, best split into four doses of 5g taken every three to four hours, or in a more conservative dose of just 5g taken either around training or when convenient. Glutamine peptides are theorised to be more easily absorbed and dosing is suggested at a more modest 3-10g per day.
To summarise, glutamine is a non essential amino acid important to many physiological functions and its addition to diet, particularly in states of stress or exercise, is vital for optimum health and functioning.
Bulk Supplements Direct are Europe’s fastest growing nutritional and sports supplement provider. With a product range encompassing whey proteins,amino acids,creatines and lots more
