It’s an all-too-common occurrence in America when someone feels chest pain or shortness of breath, goes to the emergency room, has tests run, and then is shocked to find out their arteries are plugged with plaque!
I am not surprised at this common occurrence since the Center for Diseases statistics inform us that 1 in every 4 deaths in the United States is from heart disease.
Atherosclerosis is a slowly progressive disease that may not exhibit early signs and symptoms. In many cases, the advanced atherosclerotic plaque limits blood flow to major organs, including coronary artery (heart artery) perfusion. Reduced blood flow and lack of oxygen predispose one to angina, heart attack, aortic aneurysm, intermittent claudication, hypertension, worsening kidney function, aortic dissection and aneurysm, stroke, and vascular dementia. In addition, the rupture of plaque is the most common cause of acute blood clots of coronary arteries that results in a heart attack.
Most people have the traditional blood lipid panel, which includes total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides (fats). LDL-C, often referred to as “bad cholesterol,” is a misnomer since LDL has vital functions in the body, such as transporting fat-soluble nutrients, and plays a role in the immune system in fighting infections.
However, LDL receives much attention from family doctors and cardiologists since it delivers cholesterol to the tissues and artery wall. LDL plasma levels are associated with increased heart disease risk but are only one part of many risk factors. HDL-C often referred to as good cholesterol, is a concern since it takes cholesterol from the peripheral tissues for metabolism and excretion by the liver.
There is considerable research demonstrating a much more complex model for the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. For example, the size of the LDL particles is important, with the small dense LDL type being more atherogenic due to their ability to enter the artery wall quicker than large LDL particles. In addition, the damaged form of LDL-C, known as oxidized LDL (ox-LDL), attracts immune cells as part of an inflammatory response.
Plaque buildup in the medium and large arteries, known as atherosclerosis, is a disease of chronic inflammation of the medium and large-sized arteries. This inflammatory response involves the artery wall accumulation of damaged cholesterol-carrying lipoproteins, immune cells, and scar-like tissue. Like other chronic diseases, long-term inflammation is at the core of heart disease.
We use several blood tests with patients to identify inflammation in the body, such as C-reactive protein, oxidized LDL, galectin-3, myeloperoxidase, Lp-PLA2, and others. These tests help us determine who is at risk for heart disease in advance.
What diet has the most studies demonstrating that it significantly reduces inflammation and the risk of heart disease? The Mediterranean Diet, of course. Rich in omega 3 and omega 9 fatty acids, antioxidants, and phytonutrients, this diet quenches inflammation and promotes healthy blood flow.
Patients who need more aggressive lipid balancing are recommended Cholesterol Wellness and Bergamot Wellness. Cholesterol Wellness contains Red Yeast Rice extract shown in several studies to reduce cholesterol without the side effects of commonly used statin drugs. Researchers found red yeast rice significantly reduced cholesterol levels in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled prospective study at the UCLA School of Medicine. This 12-week study involved eighty-three healthy people(46 men and 37 women aged 34–78 years old) with high cholesterol levels, known as hyperlipidemia. The participants were treated with red yeast rice 2400 mg a day or a placebo and instructed to consume a diet similar to the American Heart Association Step I diet. Blood lipid levels were measured before the study and throughout for 12 weeks. At weeks 8 and 12, testing showed that total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides were significantly reduced in the group supplementing red yeast rice extract compared to placebo.
Bergamot Wellness contains Bergamot Orange Extract, which integrative cardiologists and holistic doctors use to reduce total cholesterol, LDL-C, triglycerides, and LDL-particles while increasing HDL-C.
Dr. Mark Stengler NMD, MS, is a bestselling author in private practice in Encinitas, California, at the Stengler Center for Integrative Medicine. His newsletter, Dr. Stengler’s Health Breakthroughs, is available at www.markstengler.com and his product line at www.drstengler.com
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Heart Disease Facts. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm.
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