A good multivitamin and some modest lifestyle changes can markedly reduce C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation that correlates strongly with risk of heart attacks, according to a study by physicians at Dallas
There is strong evidence that depressed people have greater risk of heart disease and worse outcomes from heart attacks. Ever wonder how a “psychological” disorder like depression can have such direct physical effects? Interleukin-6, an inflammatory signaling molecule, is pointing to some interesting answers.
Conventional medicine is nearly obsessive about cholesterol and other lipids, but chronic inflammation plays just as big a role in the development of heart disease. A number of natural products and non-pharmacologic interventions can help reduce chronic inflammation and improve heart health.
Heart rate variability (HRV), the beat-to-beat change in heart rate, can tell you a lot about your cardiovascular health. People with smooth, coherent, high-amplitude HRV patterns have much lower risk than those with jagged, incoherent, low amplitude patterns. HRV monitoring is inexpensive, and best of all, people can learn how to shift HRV from unhealthy to healthy patterns with a few simple meditation exercises.
There are many different techniques and exercises for reducing stress and shifting heart rate variability from jagged, low amplitude, high-risk patterns to coherent, healthful, high-amplitude forms. Here are two specific techniques from the HeartMath program.
To investigate the health impact of fast food, filmmaker Morgan Spurlock subjected himself to 30-days on an all-McDonald’s diet. A team of three physicians tracked the physiologic changes that occurred. Spurlock gained 25 pounds, his cholesterol soared and his liver enzymes underwent shocking changes, all of which are well documented on film.
A recent study showed that dietary changes can have as profound an effect on cardiovascular risk as statin drug therapy. But making diet and lifestyle changes can be very difficult for many at-risk people. Holistic Primary Care’s physician readers share their experiences and recommendations for helping people shift to healthier lifestyles.
The White House Office of Management and Budget called on the Department of Health and Human Services to issue a recommendation promoting greater consumption of omega-3 fatty acids. The request is part of a broader Federal effort to address the massive public health crisis of heart disease and obesity.
Low blood omega-3 fatty acid levels are a strong risk factor for cardiovascular disease, with the same predictive value as elevated cholesterol or homocysteine levels. Blood omega-3 levels are easily measured by assessing the fatty acid content of red blood cell membranes. New methods for making this assessment are now available.
Nothing helps patients understand the benefits of healthy lifestyle choices like a trip to a health food store.
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