Joerg Gruenwald, Ph.D.
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 LDL cholesterol increases significantly. The use of coffee filters can reduce this by up to 80%.
Digestive tract: Oral intake of 200 mg of chlorogene acid doubles gastric secretion, as does caffeine alone.
Miscellaneous: A diet consisting of 20% green coffee, impedes the growth of DMBA induced tumors in hamsters by 90%.
Outcome of the stimulating effects of caffeine commence a few minutes subsequent to taking the drug. The maximum plasma concentration of caffeine is reached between 15 and 45 minutes later. The plasma half-life amounts to 4 to 6 hours. |
Bill Sardi
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 Lipids 33:981-4, 1998] ldl cholesterol is what transports lycopene. The two nutrients work hand-in-hand. Obviously, lycopene is a strong antioxidant that offers health benefits beyond cancer prevention.
One study showed that men who consumed 18.78 mg of lycopene daily reduced their relative risk for prostate cancer by 16 % compared to men who consumed just 3.42 mg. [Journal National Cancer Institute 94: 391-94, 2002] The American diet provides ~8 mg of lycopene daily, so supplements would appear to be beneficial, though tomato paste and tomato juice are excellent sources as well. |
| Clinical Endocrinology 56: 321-28, 2002]
Whereas pharmaceutical aromatase inhibitors inhibit the production of estrogen to the point where they compromise bone health, flaxseed supplementation appears to mildly reduce estrogen levels, ldl cholesterol and triglycerides, but does not prevent age-related bone loss. [J Clinical Endocrinology Metabolism 87: 1527-32, 2002]
In rodents, flaxseed lignans appear to enhance bone mineral content, but in later life this protective quality does not persist. |
Dr. Steve Blake
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 There is a close association between elevated levels of ldl cholesterol and coronary heart disease, which is a leading cause of death all over the world.
Low density lipoproteins are assembled in the liver. They are not known to contribute to heart disease unless they are oxidized by free radicals. The creation of atherosclerotic plaque and its progression to heart disease is only partially understood. When LDL levels in the blood are elevated, the oxidation of LDL may lead to the accumulation of fatty slabs on the inside of the arterial walls. |
Jacky Law
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 The aggregate data from PROVE-IT and now TNT greatly help convict even so-called normal ldl cholesterol levels as deleterious and worthy of treatment in secondary prevention,' said Dr Carl Vaughan of University College, Cork, at the meeting. 'The concept of "lower is better" has been strengthened this morning with a call to treat to new targets with ldl cholesterol goals of less than 80.'13
In this way, the boundaries of diseases change. In disease areas such as obesity, blood pressure, bone density, depression, pain, the yardsticks are similarly flexible. |
Andreas Moritz
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 But it's primary fat, monounsaturated oleic acid (also concentrated in olive oil), acts as an antioxidant to block ldl cholesterol. A 1996 study by researchers at the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social in Mexico looked at the health benefits of daily avocado consumption. The 45 subjects who ate avocados every day for just one week experienced an average of 17 percent drop in total blood cholesterol. Their cholesterol ratio also changed in a healthy way: Their LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and triglycerides dropped significantly while their HDL (high-density lipoprotein) levels climbed. |
David W. Grotto, RD, LDN
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 Rabbits with high cholesterol that were fed eggplant had decreased weight, total cholesterol, ldl cholesterol, and triglycerides.
DETOXIFIER: A cell study found that eggplant triggered enzymes that detoxify and remove drugs and other harmful chemical substances in the human body.
LIVER CANCER: A cell study found that a component of eggplant called glycoalkaloids killed human liver cancer cells.
Tips for Using Eggplant
SELECTION AND STORAGE:
• Look for firm, shiny, smooth, deep purple skin. Avoid eggplant with cracked or shriveled skin, and stay away from brown, blue, or yellow eggplants. |
Andreas Moritz
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| The result may come as a shock to those who believe that high ldl cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol), is a major risk factor for heart attacks. The study shows that this isn't the case at all.
According to INTERHEART, the number one physical risk factor of heart attack is an abnormal ratio of apolipoproteins- (apoB) to apoAl. Apolipoprotein is cholesterol's protein component. ApoB is the protein found in LDL and apoAl is found in HDL. The ideal apo ratio is one apoB to two apoAl. In other words, an elevated bad cholesterol (LDL) alone poses no major risk for the heart. |
| They also found that an abnormal apo ratio continued to pose the same heart attack risk even when total cholesterol, ldl cholesterol, and triglycerides were within normal ranges.
It is my experience with hundreds of heart disease patients that eliminating animal proteins from their diet has helped restore normal heart functions, sometimes within a matter of six weeks. I, therefore, have come to the conclusion that eating a high protein diet, which is among the most acid-forming diets anyone can eat, greatly upsets the apo ratio and induces an inflammatory response in the coronary arteries. |
| While actually increasing ldl cholesterol, margarine lowers the beneficial HDL cholesterol. It also increases the risk of cancers up to five times. Margarine suppresses both the immune response and insulin response. This highly processed and artificial product is practically resistant to destruction, being one molecule away from plastic. Flies, bacteria, fungi, etc. won't go near it because it has no nutritional value and cannot be broken down by them. It can last for years, not just outside the body, but inside as well. |
Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S.
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 This one-two punch can't really be done with medications, most of which lower either total cholesterol or ldl cholesterol but don't do anything to raise the "good" stuff. In numerous human studies, niacin has consistently shown increases in HDL by up to 45 percent and decreases in LDL by as much as 54 percent. And no matter where you stand on the cholesterol controversy, raising HDL cholesterol is a good thing. |
| Remember, statin drugs are usually good at reducing the "bad" ldl cholesterol but do not have a significant impact on raising the "good" HDL cholesterol.) Niacin did
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| Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center in Maryland, tested the effects of cinnamon on blood glucose as well as other important blood measures like triglycerides and cholesterol in people with type 2 diabetes: They found that even 1 g of cinnamon a day reduced blood sugar (18 percent to 29 percent), triglycerides (23 percent to 30 percent), ldl cholesterol (7 percent to 27 percent), and total cholesterol (12 percent to 26 percent). Not bad for a little brown spice you can get in any grocery store for a couple of bucks.
More recently, in a series of ingenious experiments, Harry Preuss, M.D. |
Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr., M.D.
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 The white blood cells that raced to the rescue, now engorged with oxidized ldl cholesterol, are called "foam cells," and begin to manufacture chemical substances that erode the cap of the plaque. The cap weakens to the thickness of a cobweb. And eventually, the shearing force of blood flowing over the weakened cap may cause it to rupture.
This is catastrophic. Plaque content or pus now oozes into the flowing bloodstream, and that constitutes a thrombogenic event: nature wants to heal the rupture, and so platelets are activated. |
David W. Grotto, RD, LDN
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| The results of a study demonstrated that intake of small amounts of cinnamon per day (no more than six grams or one-fifth of an ounce) reduced serum glucose, triglyceride, ldl cholesterol, and total cholesterol in people with type 2 diabetes.
TYPE 2 DIABETES: In an animal study, male rats who were given an extract of cinnamon had lower blood glucose levels. A human study found that giving cinnamon extract to type 2 diabetics significantly reduced their blood sugar levels.
BLOOD PRESSURE: In one study, rats were given a sugar solution to increase their blood pressure. |
Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr., M.D.
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| That person is, by definition, consuming large quantities of natural antioxidants, which prevents the body from oxidizing ldl cholesterol into its most dangerous, artery-clogging form.
Don't my genes predetermine whether or not I'll get heart disease?
I often hear some variation on the following theme: "My eighty-seven-year-old grandfather eats nothing but eggs, bacon, cheese, and pork, and seems fine. Since I have his genes, why should I change? |
Andreas Moritz
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| In addition to still getting a significant amount of caffeine, drinking three cups or more of decaffeinated coffee may cause an increase in harmful ldl cholesterol by increasing a specific type of blood fat linked to the metabolic syndrome, according to a study presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2005. Decaffeinated coffee is made from more acidic beans than regular coffee. These strong acids have shown to increase the incidence of heartburn, osteoporosis, Glaucoma and rheumatoid arthritis. |
Thomson Healthcare, Inc.
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| Flaxseed reduced serum ldl cholesterol levels significantly (p< 0.02) compared with sunflower seeds in a double-blind, crossover trial. Both treatments lowered total cholesterol levels compared to baseline but there was no difference between the two; flaxseed alone reduced lipoprotein(a) levels compared to baseline but the difference from sunflower seeds was not significant. HDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels were unaffected by treatment. No weight gain was observed during the study despite an overall increase in caloric intake. |
David W. Grotto, RD, LDN
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| CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE: Over fifty trials, including human intervention trials, have shown that consumption of soy products improves cholesterol ratios, and reduces total cholesterol and ldl cholesterol, especially in individuals with elevated cholesterol.
Tips on Using Soy
SELECTION AND STORAGE:
• Dried soybeans can be purchased in prepackaged containers and bulk bins.
• Edamame can be purchased frozen or precooked. Edamame should be deep green and firm with no bruised pods. Fresh edamame may be available seasonally in natural food and specialty markets. |
Hyla Cass, M.D.
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 Studies have found that they can bring down ldl cholesterol counts through the same mechanism as statins, and that they protect the heart.
Dose: Take 100 mg per day of tocotrienols. This dose is fine to take in addition to the tocopherol form of vitamin E that's usually found in multivitamins.
D-Ribose
While we're on the topic of heart health, I'd like to introduce one of my favorite supplements, D-ribose. It works by helping your heart cells to produce energy. |
| In one study, people on statins took sterol tablets; they had an extra 9 percent reduction in ldl cholesterol and a 6 percent decline in total cholesterol.
Dose: Take 1.6-2.4 grams daily, from supplements or sterol-enriched spreads.
Tocotrienols
Tocotrienols are a form of the antioxidant vitamin E. Naturally found in palm oil and available as a supplement, research suggests that tocotrienols are the most potent antioxidants in the vitamin E family. They also show promise for cancer prevention, especially for breast and skin cancer. |
| Besides their potential to cause damage to the heart and liver, other side effects include weight gain—sometimes, extreme weight gain—a common issue with any hypoglycemic drug; water retention (edema) that causes swelling and can contribute to heart failure; sizeable increase in "bad" ldl cholesterol (about 19 percent more than placebo), bad news for heart health; and a slight decrease in levels of hemoglobin, a protein that transports oxygen through the bloodstream—another factor that could cause stress to the heart.
A decision to use any medication is about balancing risks with benefits. |
Jack Challem
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 Have high total cholesterol or ldl cholesterol?
• Have high triglyceride levels?
• Have high C-reactive protein (CRP) levels?
• Take a drug to reduce your blood-sugar levels?
• Know whether you were a low-birth-weight baby (less than six pounds)?
• Know whether you were a high-birth-weight baby (more than ten pounds)?
• Remember whether you grew up exposed to secondhand smoke?
4. Eating Clues Do you
• Skip breakfast or have only coffee and something sweet?
• Tend to pig out while eating?
• Often feel as if you can't stop eating?
• Snack frequently, such as while watching television? |
| Vitamin E also prevents the free-radical oxidation of ldl cholesterol, a very early step in the development of heart disease.
• Pycnogenol, 100 to 200 mg daily. This remarkable antioxidant can improve endothelial function, particularly when combined with L-arginine.
To reduce inflammation, take these supplements:
• Omega-3 fish oils, 1,000 to 3,000 mg daily.
• Pycnogenol, 200 to 300 mg daily.
• Vitamin E, 400 IU daily of the natural form.
• Ginger, follow label directions (or make ginger tea).
• Curcumin, follow label directions. |
| In addition to lowering total cholesterol and ldl cholesterol, this particular form of vitamin B3 raises the "good" high-density lipoprotein form of cholesterol. Note: Taking niacin causes a flushing sensation, in which you will turn beet red for about one hour. Some people find the reaction very uncomfortable, although it does ease with daily use.
• Sytrinol, 150 mg, once or twice daily. This supplement is a proprietary combination of beta-sitosterol, flavonoids, and tocotrienols (part of the vitamin E family of molecules).
• Magnesium, 300 to 400 mg daily. |
| Animal studies have found that vanadium can lower fasting glucose, ldl cholesterol, triglyceride levels, and blood pressure. Several human studies, with very large doses of vanadium, show promising results. The downside is that vanadium, in large doses, may contribute to depression and kidney problems. For this reason, we recommend that supplements, typically in the form of vanadyl sulfate, be used cautiously or under your physician's guidance. If you're taking it on your own, dosages of vanadyl sulfate up to 1 mg (1,000 meg) daily should be completely safe. |
Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S.
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 And inulin is a form of soluble fiber that, in one study published in the Journal of Nutrition, was found to lower blood glucose, triglycerides, and ldl cholesterol as well as inhibit the growth of various kinds of cancer.
Be aware that inulin may cause flatulence in some people. If you're sensitive to that, you might want to avoid eating Jerusalem artichokes raw.
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Okay, I admit it—I had never even heard of jicama until it ff> showed up on my friend Dr. Ann Louise Gittleman's top ten ^ list (see page 72). |
Jack Challem
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| As your eating habits improve, however, your ldl cholesterol level will likely decrease, and your HDL cholesterol level will likely increase—both positive changes.
Glucose-Tolerance Test
Your doctor might ask you to take a glucose tolerance test over two to five hours. In this test, you'll have a blood draw before drinking a glucose solution, followed by additional measurements each hour. The glucose solution is icky sweet, and getting blood drawn every hour isn't a lot of fun. |
Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S.
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| Compared with carbohydrates, for example, monounsaturated fat lowers ldl cholesterol (the bad stuff) and raises the protective HDL cholesterol. Research in the Archives of Internal Medicine concluded that greater adherence to the traditional Mediterranean diet (including plenty of monounsaturated fat) was associated with significant reduction in mortality among people diagnosed with heart disease. And another study in the same journal compared two groups of people with high blood pressure. |
Thomson Healthcare, Inc.
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| LDL cholesterol levels compared to controls (p<0.01 to 0.05). This argued against a dose-dependent effect in healthy rats (Vazquez-Freire et al, 1996b).
Hyperlipidemia was reduced in rats by each of three different polysaccharide fractions of Bladderwrack (Lamela et al,
1996). Orally administered, polysaccharide-rich extracts of
Bladderwrack showed minimal hypocholesterolemic and no effect on lowering triglycerides in normal rabbits compared to untreated controls (Lamela et al, 1989). |
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