According to neurosurgeon and researcher,  Russell Blaylock, “…fatty heart is one of the most common, unrecognized diseases in America today…”

With obesity recognized as existing in over 60% of the U.S. population, this is surprising.  Diabetes II, also a common problem that produces abdominal fat, likewise co-relates to fatty heart.

You may be wondering why fat in the heart can be a significant problem. The reason why is that fat produces toxins… and fat tissue in muscle beds of the heart is especially bad.

There are a lot of free radicals generated in the heart tissue which cause inflammation, and cholesterol plaque formation…thus weakening heart function.

Statistically, upon autopsy, it was found in a study  at the Texas Heart Institute,  that 30% of the heart failure victims had high levels of lipids (fats) and low levels of a necessary fat metabolizer, “L-Carnitine”.

The obese and type II diabetes patients had the worst levels of inflammation and were deficient in L-Carnitine. L-Carnitine is required in fat metabolism into energy.  Fats produce more toxins in the form of cytokines and free radical agents…the inflammatory irritants.

It was further noted there appeared to be an association with cellular insulin resistance, the very cause of diabetes II. This does not mean fat was the cause of diabetes II but probably contributed to it.

While fat is the major source of heart muscle energy, some estimate 75% of the energy, it must be properly metabolized or else it becomes stored into fat beds of the various organ systems. Fat metabolism is thwarted by inflammatory cytokines and free radicals.  Fats toxins inhibit energy utilization by the very heart muscle that needs it. Lipases and L-Carnitine are needed in the conversion of fats into energy.

Dr. Russell Blaylock (and most alternative heart doctors) especially recommend L-Carnitine because it is necessary for the conversion of long chain fatty acids into ATP energy. Also lipases  that come in the good fats of the diet are enzymes that facilitate this fat conversion into energy.

Most alternative heart doctors also highly recommend CoQ-10 (also essential in energy conversion) for the prevention of heart failure. Heart failure occurs when heart muscle is weakened by lack of energy.

Strengthening the heart with other supplemental nutrients and phytonutrients (from plants) is highly recommended by the alternative heart doctors.

All of this goes back to the same bottom line:  “Diet is a hugh factor in prevention of obesity, the accumulation of fatty heart tissue, and ultimately heart failure with death…Denis Van Loan D.D.S.

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Homocysteine is an amino acid found in the blood. Studies have shown that too much homocysteine in the blood (plasma) is related to a higher risk of coronary heart disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease…according to the American Heart Association.

Inflammation of the vascular system comes in many forms.  One of the well recognized causes of inflammation is homocysteine. Homocysteine is an amino acid that can accumulate in excessive amounts from red meats… especially beef.  In the process of digestion and breakdown by your body it is one of the amino acids released.

Vitamin B-12 and Folic Acid are likewise very important in reducing the inflammation  caused by excess homocysteine.

Inflammation in heart disease can occur because of other causes like high insulin levels and triglycerides. They are a story in themselves.   Inflammation is a problem no matter what the cause because it attracts LDL  cholesterol that attaches to the walls of the arteries, making a dangerous plaque, raising blood pressure and increasing heart attack and stroke risk. I want to focus on homocysteine because it is easy to over consume or over indulge in red meats.

In dealing with too much homocysteine it is important to cut back on beef and other red meats. In addition, studies have shown that consumption of the B vitamins is quite effective in neutralizing  excess  homocysteine. The B-vitamins are mutually beneficial to each other and work in unison with each other.  The ones that seem to most benefit you are B-6, B-12 and Folic Acid…Denis Van Loan D.D.S.

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Even if an artery doses not rupture to cause a heart attack or stroke, the same kind of cardiovascular accident occurs if a plaque that lines the blood vessels chips off and plugs the coronary artery or the cerebral artery. When blood flow stops to part of the heart tissue it dies or necroses.  The same thing occurs in the brain. Dead cells in the heart or brain compromise the function of these organs.

A key ingredient for causing arteriosclerosis is the accumulation of calcified plaque that lines the blood vessels and linings of the heart.  This arteriosclerosis occurs when there is inflammation in the blood vessels and it attracts LDL (low density lipids) cholesterol.  Cholesterol alone is not the problem but rather inflammation in the blood vessels.

It behooves us to control inflammation by paying attention to diet and intake of substances that inflame the blood vessels. Certain mineral and vitamins are also crucial to cardiovascular health.  Arteriosclerosis or atherosclerosis is truly a significant risk factor in both coronary heart disease and in cerebral artery disease…Denis Van Loan D.D.S.

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