Supplements for Cholesterol: What Works? – Cholesterol – Health.com

Supplements for Cholesterol: What Works? – Cholesterol – Health.com.

Omega-3: recommended dosage for prevention and treatment of heart disease

According to state-of-the-art review article published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, omega-3s have shown great promise in both preventing and treating heart disease. Researchers with the Ochsner Medical Center (New Orleans, Louisiana) and the University of Maryland School of Medicine (Baltimore, Maryland) conducted a review of studies on the effects omega-3 fatty acids had on cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Following evaluation of evidence from retrospective epidemiologic studies and from large randomised controlled trials, the reviewers recommended that the target eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) plus docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) consumption should be at least 500 mg /day for individuals without underlying overt CVD and at least 800 to 1,000 mg/day for individuals with known coronary heart disease and heart failure.
The most compelling evidence for cardiovascular benefits of omega-3s comes from 4 controlled trials of nearly 40,000 participants randomized to receive EPA with or without DHA in studies of patients in primary prevention, after myocardial infarction, and most recently, with heart failure.

The lead author of the review, Carl Lavie, medical director of Cardiac Rehabilitation and Prevention at the Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans, said that “there is now tremendous and compelling evidence from very large studies, some dating back 20 and 30 years, that demonstrate the protective benefits of omega-3 fish oil in multiple aspects of preventive cardiology,”

Reference: Journal of American College of Cardiology, volume 54, pp 585-594, 2009.

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Cholesterol Control: Reduce LDL, Boost HDL, Lifelong Supplements™

Cholesterol makes vital contributions to health, a major component of all human cell membranes and a building block of steroid hormones, including cortisol, estrogen, and testosterone.  However, high levels of cholesterol, particularly LDL cholesterol (“bad cholesterol”), have a long association with many diseases, especially cardiovascular diseases (CVD), the leading cause of death in the world. CVD are diseases of the heart and blood vessels that can cause heart attacks and stroke.  More than 100 million adults in the United States have high cholesterol.

High levels of LDL cholesterol dramatically increase the risk for heart attacks, angina, peripheral artery disease, and stroke. Excess LDL cholesterol accumulation in artery walls may lead to chemical changes, including oxidation; the body interprets these changes as “danger” and responds by drawing inflammatory compounds into arteries.  This process ultimately leads to both the build-up of plaque in the artery walls and chronic inflammation. Thus lowering LDL cholesterol, boosting HDL cholesterol (“good cholesterol”) and protecting cholesterol from oxidation are effective ways to maintain a healthy heart and reduce risk of heart disease.

According to recent Harvard HealthBeat report, for healthy people, an LDL of 160 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) was once considered acceptable; now 130 mg/dL is okay, and 100 mg/dL, ideal. For people with stable coronary artery disease, diabetes, hypertension, or other major cardiovascular risk factors, the targets are more stringent still: 100 mg/dL is okay, 70 mg/dL or less, ideal. And for patients with unstable coronary heart disease, it’s 70 mg/dL or bust.

Diet, weight control, and exercise are essential for lowering blood cholesterol. When diet and exercise alone are not enough to reduce cholesterol to goal levels, doctors often prescribe medication, the most prominent being the statins (FDA Consumer Health Information). 

Dietary approaches to lower blood cholesterol and CVD risk include consuming diets low in saturated fats and trans fats and high in heart-healthy ingredients such as fish oil omega-3, soluble dietary fiber (e.g., beta-glucan rich oats and barley), soy protein, plant sterols, dietary antioxidants, etc.  Botanical-based products such as cocoa, green tea and fruits contain heart-healthy flavonoids and other polyphenols that minimize oxidative stress.  These heart-healthy ingredients are also commercially available in concentrated forms as nutritional supplements (powder, capsules, and tablets).  Give your health a boost with lifelong supplements™! Helpful health tips from: blog.lifelong supplements, and health bulletin.

A Recipe for a Healthy Heart

A century or so ago, the biggest health threats for Americans were infection, malnutrition, and poor sanitation. But today, more lives are in jeopardy from chronic conditions largely attributable to diet-chief among them, heart disease. In fact, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States.  Research shows that more than 80% of heart disease can be prevented by maintaining a healthy weight, exercising daily, not smoking, drinking alcohol in moderation, and eating a healthy diet. Source: HealthBeat 8/23/2007, Harvard Health Publications.  Give your health a boost with lifelong supplements™!  Natural nutritional supplements such as antioxidants and omega-3 EPA are linked to heart health and heart disease protection.  Helpful health tips from: blog.lifelong supplements, health bulletin, http://www.lifelonghp.com