Diets rich in fish and fish-oil supplements have long been claimed to prevent heart disease. The evidence to support this is the vast body of research studies and references that support the cardiovascular benefits of fish consumption and omega-3 supplementation. However, a recent large study (Alpha Omega Trial) examining the role of omega-3–enriched margarine as a functional food for secondary prevention of heart attacks revealed negative results. Using a meta-analysis, other investigators also showed insufficient evidence of a secondary preventive effect of omega-3 fatty acid supplements against overall cardiovascular events among patients with a history of cardiovascular disease. Publication of these studies has caused skepticism about the cardioprotective effects of omega-3 fats and has generated controversy over fish-oil and omega-3 supplements.
In 2002 in its scientific statement on fish consumption, fish oil, omega-3 fatty acids, and cardiovascular disease, The American Heart Association announced that “randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that omega-3 fatty acid supplements can reduce cardiac death, nonfatal MI, nonfatal stroke, and atherosclerosis in coronary patients. But, additional research is needed to confirm the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acid supplements for both primary and secondary prevention.”
The FDA has also approved Lovaza (omega-3-acid ethyl esters) as the only fish-oil supplement. While Lovaza is indicated for lowering elevated triglycerides, its labeling specifically states that “the effect of Lovaza on cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in patients with elevated triglyceride levels has not been determined.”
In late 2004, the FDA also announced, “Supportive but not conclusive research shows that consumption of eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA] and docosahexaenoic acid [DHA] omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.”
A recent investigation showed that 60% of U.S. clinicians surveyed agreed that one of their roles as health care professionals is to provide information to patients about appropriate dietary supplements. The most popular supplements among cardiologists were multivitamins, omega-3/fish oil, and vitamin C. A majority of the U.S. population consumes fish-oil supplements daily, and this is due to the fact that a high percentage of health care providers recommend the daily use of these products to the public.
With the results of the above studies, the questions remain: Is fish oil cardioprotective or not? And what happens to the potential advocacy by health care professionals? In this article, we will review recent literature and recommendations on this major food supplement. Ultimately, consumers must educate themselves about the benefits of fish oil as well as consult with their doctors when deciding whether to take the supplements or not.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Polymyalgia Rheumatica
Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory condition of the muscles and joints and is characterized by stiffness and pain in the neck, shoulders, hips, and buttocks. Morning stiffness that lasts several hours is common. The onset of pain can be sudden or gradual and affects both sides of the body. Approximately 15% of patients with PMR develop giant cell arteritis (GCA), and nearly 50% of patients with GCA will develop PMR over time.
PMR is a complicated disease with many complex symptoms. An accurate diagnosis must exclude many other potential diseases. Corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone) are considered the treatment of choice. Patients have an excellent prognosis, although exacerbations may occur if steroids are tapered too rapidly, and relapse is common.
While there have been no major studies on the relationship between inflammatory foods (e.g., wheat products) and PMR, many patients have reported that by following a paleo or gluten-free diet and exercising, they have been able to control their symptoms and taper off the steroids in a period of up to 1 year. In general, avoiding foods that cause inflammation and gastrointestinal problems can sometimes alleviate fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia affects about 2% of the U.S. population, with women older than 50 years being more susceptible to the disorder than men.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
Peripheral artery disease is caused by buildup of fatty materials (atheroma) in arteries that carry blood from the heart to the head, internal organs and the limbs. Overtime this fatty deposits cause circulatory problem that in turn causes narrowing of the arteries and reduce blood flow to the organs to fail. Other causes include blood clots or embolism, congenital heart disease, and inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis).
Men and woman are equally affected by PAD; however, black race/ethnicity is associated with an increased risk of PAD. People of Hispanic origin may have similar to slightly higher rates of PAD compared to non-Hispanic whites. Approximately 8 million people in the United States have PAD, including 12-20% of individuals older than age 60. General population awareness of PAD is estimated at 25%, based on prior studies.
Peripheral artery disease is a warning sign for a more widespread accumulation of fatty deposits or plaques in major arteries that ends up with the hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). This condition will be reducing blood flow to heart and brain and increases the risk of heart attack or stroke.
The reduction of blood flow to the extremities — usually legs — causes leg pain during walking and causes a condition called claudication (pain, fatigue,aching,tightness, weakness, cramping or tingling in the legs). It can also increase skin ulcerations and in severe cases, tissue death in limbs that will end up to leg amputation. PAD leg pain occurs in the muscles, not the joints.
One in every 20 American over age of 50 has PAD. A research funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in June of 2011 revealed only one third of people with PAD, took their medications to control high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
As stated earlier, PAD often goes undiagnosed. Untreated PAD can be dangerous and can cause loss of a leg, increased risk of coronary artery disease and carotid atherosclerosis. The American Heart Association encourages people at risk to discuss PAD symptoms with their healthcare professional to ensure early diagnosis and treatment. By learning about PAD, people can lower their risk for PAD and its other major complications.
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Monday, February 27, 2012
The Emerging Role of Vitamin K2
Vitamin K refers to a group of fat-soluble vitamins with similar chemical structures that are needed for blood coagulation. Research over the last few decades has shown a new and emerging role for this vitamin in treating osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases. Other new and exciting applications for this vitamin have been found in treating Alzheimer’s disease, skin aging, and a variety of cancers. This vitamin was discovered in the 1920s and was called “K” for koagulation due to its role in blood coagulation. Unfortunately, many people are not aware of the health benefits of vitamin K. The K vitamins have been underrated and misunderstood until very recently by both the scientific community and the general public.
Although the effect of magnesium and vitamin D3 on calcium metabolism was previously known, the importance of vitamin K in regulating the healthy function of calcium has only recently been recognized. Vitamin K has now been found to have a role in putting calcium in the right places in the body, such as in the bones and blood, and preventing pathologic calcification of the vessels and soft tissues.
There are three different types of vitamin K: K1, which is found in plants; K2, which is made by bacteria or fermentation; and K3, which is synthetic and, because of the generation of free radicals, is considered toxic. All members of the vitamin K group share a methylated naphthoquinone ring structure and vary in the aliphatic side chain attached at the 3-position. Although these vitamins share a major physiological role, each has other distinct physiological properties. Interestingly, the body is able to convert vitamin K1 to the more active K2.
Unlike other fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, and E), the body does not store vitamin K. It is recycled by the body but not in significant amounts, and therefore deficiencies are common. This is probably due to inadequate dietary intake, lack of cofactors, prescription drugs, and environmental stressors that place high demands on the body’s vitamin K reserves.
Although the effect of magnesium and vitamin D3 on calcium metabolism was previously known, the importance of vitamin K in regulating the healthy function of calcium has only recently been recognized. Vitamin K has now been found to have a role in putting calcium in the right places in the body, such as in the bones and blood, and preventing pathologic calcification of the vessels and soft tissues.
There are three different types of vitamin K: K1, which is found in plants; K2, which is made by bacteria or fermentation; and K3, which is synthetic and, because of the generation of free radicals, is considered toxic. All members of the vitamin K group share a methylated naphthoquinone ring structure and vary in the aliphatic side chain attached at the 3-position. Although these vitamins share a major physiological role, each has other distinct physiological properties. Interestingly, the body is able to convert vitamin K1 to the more active K2.
Unlike other fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, and E), the body does not store vitamin K. It is recycled by the body but not in significant amounts, and therefore deficiencies are common. This is probably due to inadequate dietary intake, lack of cofactors, prescription drugs, and environmental stressors that place high demands on the body’s vitamin K reserves.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Vitamin D3-The Sunshine Vitamin
The major role of vitamin D (calciferol) is to help the body absorb calcium and maintain bone density to prevent osteoporosis. But recent reports suggest new roles for this vitamin in protecting against certain chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and autoimmune disorders. This vitamin is available in two forms, vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). Ergocalciferol has a shorter shelf life compared to cholecalciferol and loses its potency faster.
Vitamin D2 is manufactured by plants or fungus, and it can be acquired through fortified foods such as juices, milk, and cereals. Vitamin D3 is formed when the body is exposed to sunlight. This occurs mainly through the exposure of the skin to the sun's ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Vitamin D3 can also be obtained by consuming animal products. The biologically active form of vitamin D or calcitriol (Rocaltrol) is used to treat and prevent low levels of calcium in the blood of patients whose kidneys or parathyroid glands are not working normally.
Recently, there has been extensive research and concern about the level of vitamin D in United States citizens. This stems from increasing reports of vitamin D deficiency and the fact that an estimated 10 million Americans over age 50 years are diagnosed with osteoporosis.3 This is because vitamin D is not abundant in our usual food sources, so we get most of the vitamin from sun exposure and taking multivitamins. The problem is that the sun is not a reliable source for everyone.
Many factors, such as the season, time of day, geography, latitude, level of air pollution, color of skin, and age, may decrease the skin's ability to produce enough vitamin D. Further, the form of vitamin D found in most multivitamins is vitamin D2, which does not deliver the same amount of the vitamin to the body as the more desirable D3 form.
Vitamin D2 is manufactured by plants or fungus, and it can be acquired through fortified foods such as juices, milk, and cereals. Vitamin D3 is formed when the body is exposed to sunlight. This occurs mainly through the exposure of the skin to the sun's ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Vitamin D3 can also be obtained by consuming animal products. The biologically active form of vitamin D or calcitriol (Rocaltrol) is used to treat and prevent low levels of calcium in the blood of patients whose kidneys or parathyroid glands are not working normally.
Recently, there has been extensive research and concern about the level of vitamin D in United States citizens. This stems from increasing reports of vitamin D deficiency and the fact that an estimated 10 million Americans over age 50 years are diagnosed with osteoporosis.3 This is because vitamin D is not abundant in our usual food sources, so we get most of the vitamin from sun exposure and taking multivitamins. The problem is that the sun is not a reliable source for everyone.
Many factors, such as the season, time of day, geography, latitude, level of air pollution, color of skin, and age, may decrease the skin's ability to produce enough vitamin D. Further, the form of vitamin D found in most multivitamins is vitamin D2, which does not deliver the same amount of the vitamin to the body as the more desirable D3 form.
Curcumin and Alzheimer"s Disease
Curcumin has been used extensively in Ayurveda (Indian system of medicine) for centuries as an agent to relieve pain and inflammation in the skin and muscles. Curcumin, the active ingredient of the spice turmeric, has proven to have anticancer properties and holds a high place in Ayurvedic medicine as a “cleanser of the body.” Today, science is finding a growing list of diseases and conditions that can be healed by the active ingredient in turmeric.
Recent clinical studies reported from a number of credible institutions, such as the University of California, Los Angeles, and UCLA, Riverside medical schools and the Human BioMolecular Research Institute, have revealed that curcumin alone and in combination with vitamin D3 may help stimulate the immune system to clear the beta-amyloid plaques considered to be the main cause of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
AD is a progressive neurodegenerative disease. Although it is not known what starts the disease process, it is established that damage to the brain begins as early as 10 to 20 years before any problems are evident. More than 5 million Americans are believed to have AD, and by 2050, as the U.S. population ages, this number could increase to 15 million. AD is also becoming more common worldwide, with an estimated 26 million people affected. This global figure is projected to grow to more than 106 million by 2050. The emotional and financial costs of this disease alone are very significant. In this article, we will briefly revisit the causes, signs, symptoms, and treatments of AD with a focus on the alternative new findings about the effect of curcumin in prevention and treatment. These new findings were first reported in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease in July 2009.
Recent clinical studies reported from a number of credible institutions, such as the University of California, Los Angeles, and UCLA, Riverside medical schools and the Human BioMolecular Research Institute, have revealed that curcumin alone and in combination with vitamin D3 may help stimulate the immune system to clear the beta-amyloid plaques considered to be the main cause of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
AD is a progressive neurodegenerative disease. Although it is not known what starts the disease process, it is established that damage to the brain begins as early as 10 to 20 years before any problems are evident. More than 5 million Americans are believed to have AD, and by 2050, as the U.S. population ages, this number could increase to 15 million. AD is also becoming more common worldwide, with an estimated 26 million people affected. This global figure is projected to grow to more than 106 million by 2050. The emotional and financial costs of this disease alone are very significant. In this article, we will briefly revisit the causes, signs, symptoms, and treatments of AD with a focus on the alternative new findings about the effect of curcumin in prevention and treatment. These new findings were first reported in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease in July 2009.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Coenzyme Q10: A Cardiotonic and Antioxidant
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a fat-soluble, vitamin-like compound that is also known as ubiquinone. It is produced by the human body (endogenous) and is necessary for the basic functioning of all cells. Of the 10 forms of coenzyme Q found in nature, only CoQ10 is synthesized in humans. CoQ10 levels are reported to decrease with age and to be low in patients with some chronic diseases such as heart conditions, muscular dystrophies, Parkinson’s disease, cancer, and diabetes. It is also reported that some prescription drugs may lower CoQ10 levels.
CoQ10 is naturally in the energy-producing center of the cell known as the mitochondria and is involved in making an important molecule, known as adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP serves as the cell’s major energy source and drives a number of biological processes, including muscle contraction and the production of protein.
The heart contains the largest amount of mitochondria (cell power house) of any muscle in the body, so it is not surprising that CoQ10 has been proven effective for treatment of heart disease. It is claimed that it is beneficial as a cardiotonic in a variety of cardiovascular diseases, including angina, congestive heart failure (CHF), and hypertension. In addition, CoQ10 may be of value in musculoskeletal disorders, periodontal disease, diabetes, and obesity. CoQ10 is also involved in prevention of atherosclerosis, abnormal protein synthesis, and age-related degenerative diseases, and is a cell-membrane stabilizer. It also works as a powerful antioxidant due to its role in electron-transfer processes.
CoQ10 is used as a supplement, and it should be noted that the dosing of dietary supplements is highly dependent on a variety of factors, such as quality of raw materials, manufacturing process, and packaging. Since no official standards have been established to date to regulate the production of dietary supplements in the United States, dosage ranges must be employed as guidelines only.
Fish such as mackeral and tuna, red meat, and vegetable oils are good sources of CoQ10, but it is hard to acquire medicinal amounts of the compound from dietary sources.
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a fat-soluble, vitamin-like compound that is also known as ubiquinone. It is produced by the human body (endogenous) and is necessary for the basic functioning of all cells. Of the 10 forms of coenzyme Q found in nature, only CoQ10 is synthesized in humans. CoQ10 levels are reported to decrease with age and to be low in patients with some chronic diseases such as heart conditions, muscular dystrophies, Parkinson’s disease, cancer, and diabetes. It is also reported that some prescription drugs may lower CoQ10 levels.
CoQ10 is naturally in the energy-producing center of the cell known as the mitochondria and is involved in making an important molecule, known as adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP serves as the cell’s major energy source and drives a number of biological processes, including muscle contraction and the production of protein.
The heart contains the largest amount of mitochondria (cell power house) of any muscle in the body, so it is not surprising that CoQ10 has been proven effective for treatment of heart disease. It is claimed that it is beneficial as a cardiotonic in a variety of cardiovascular diseases, including angina, congestive heart failure (CHF), and hypertension. In addition, CoQ10 may be of value in musculoskeletal disorders, periodontal disease, diabetes, and obesity. CoQ10 is also involved in prevention of atherosclerosis, abnormal protein synthesis, and age-related degenerative diseases, and is a cell-membrane stabilizer. It also works as a powerful antioxidant due to its role in electron-transfer processes.
CoQ10 is used as a supplement, and it should be noted that the dosing of dietary supplements is highly dependent on a variety of factors, such as quality of raw materials, manufacturing process, and packaging. Since no official standards have been established to date to regulate the production of dietary supplements in the United States, dosage ranges must be employed as guidelines only.
Fish such as mackeral and tuna, red meat, and vegetable oils are good sources of CoQ10, but it is hard to acquire medicinal amounts of the compound from dietary sources.
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