Research follower, Dr. Mark Stengler, reports that optimal vitamin D was associated with a reduction of 17 different kinds of cancer.   Julian Whitaker, M.D. says colon, breast, and lung cancer was reduced by 60% in a study with optimal levels of vitamin D.

I would like to focus primarily on the risk factor that low vitamin D produces in heart disease. “Circulation” (Journal of the American Heart Association) reports low levels of vitamin D-3 are associated with a 62% increased risk of heart failure.

Researcher Dr. Michal Melamed says this:  “There are studies that link low vitamin D levels to the development of heart disease, peripheral arterial disease and different cancers.” Dr. Malamed backs up this claim by citing a study of over 13,000 people.  Men and women were followed for 8 and 1/2 years.  There were 1806 people in that group that died from cardiovascular disease.  Over half of these were deficient in vitamin D.

Why is vitamin D so effective in reducing degenerative diseases and specifically heart disease? All degenerative diseases are caused by oxidative damage and inflammation.

In the case of heart disease, inflammation in arteries collects LDL cholesterol in a plaque with calcium and other undesirable ingredients. This results in hardening of the arteries or atherosclerosis.  This increases the risk of blood clots, heart attack and stroke.  It also increases blood pressure, causing hypertension and strain on the heart.  Heart failure is shown to also be associated with inflamed coronary arteries.

Russell Blaylock, M.D. reports in his newsletter of July 2009, on the subject of heart failure.  In a study of 3,299 heart failure patients, followed approximately 8 years, found a 500% increased risk of sudden death in those with the lowest vitamin D levels.

Heart attack and stroke are produced in the presence of inflammation.  The best measure of  cardiovascular risk, out of 12 factors tested, was CRP. CRP (C-reactive protein) is a marker of blood inflammation.  High levels of CRP (and not cholesterol) are associated with heart attack and stroke.  Half of all heart attacks occur, proven in a large study, in the “normal” range of cholesterol…150 to 200.

Vitamin D-3 (that used by man) is produced by UVB rays of sunshine with the cholesterol molecule  under the skin. The medical doctors who follow current studies on vitamin D recommend plenty of sunshine and/or a supplement of vitamin D-3 to keep body level up to normal…Denis Van Loan D.D.S.

Technorati Tags: cancer, coronary heart disease, degenerative disease, vitamin D

What is free radical damage?  It is oxidation of your body chemistry that can decrease your longevity by making body cells sick. How does this happen?  Free radical compounds are chemicals that are hungry for electrons.  They steal electrons from weaker compounds if electrons are not freely available from anti oxidants compounds.  What are some examples of anti oxidant electron donors?

Examples of willing electron donors are vitamins A, C and E.  Thousands of flavonoids from fruits and vegetables provide  good sources.  Poly phenols from phytonutrients of tea, coffee and even seaweed can be rich sources.

“We know that most degenerative diseases are limited to free radical damage.”… James Balch, M.D.  In 1954 Dr. Denham Harmon said this: “A single common process, modifiable by genetic and environmental factors, was responsible for ageing and death of all living things.” This is more true today because of the increased assaults on your body and its genetic code.  Disease is produced by damaged DNA and inflammation.

All tissues in the body are subject to degenerative disease. Heart disease is arguably the greatest loser  because it is the number one killer in the Western world. Number two cancer is a prime example of degenerative breakdown of health. There is a proliferation of toxic chemicals and substances that attack the mitochondria, nucleus and the DNA of every cell in the body, often altering the genetic code, causing aging and pre-mature death.

Nearly everyone knows the term “carcinogen” is associated with cancer. What this means is that certain substances, chemicals… can cause alteration of healthy cells which turn into cancer cells.  In layman’s terms, the mitochondria and genetic code of the cells get “screwed up”.  This spawns a misfit, rogue cancer cell.  If enough of these cancer cells proliferate and multiply, tumor cells develop. (anti-oxidants are helpful in preventing this)

Fortunately a healthy body is able to cope with and neutralize some free radical damage, even eliminating cancer and damaged cells.  Good supplementation, vitamins, and raw vegetables that are all proven anti-oxidants, are of enormous benefit.

There is a limit to what the body can handle in detrimental foreign substances. On a daily basis your body takes in toxins in the form of air, water,  food,  free radicals oxidants and  foreign substances.

Your body handles toxins each day, eliminating chemicals and foreign substances. Unfortunately our modern environment sometimes overwhelms your body with huge amounts  that are carcinogenic…cancer causing.  Other diseases like heart disease, arthritis and brain diseases are also propelled by free radical damage.

There are, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 80,000 toxic chemicals that we are exposed to. These foreign substances include, but are not limited to:  herbicides, pesticides (4 billion lbs. in USA per yr.), mercury, cadmium, aluminum, lead, solvents, asbestos, preservatives, trans fats, prescription drugs, cleaning agents, inhaled smoke and auto exhausts, cosmetics, ammonia, artificial food products and numerous biochemical pollutants.

These products cause inflammation and sometimes even genetic aberrations that can cause cancer and other degenerative diseases.

When your body is overwhelmed, then disease and dysfunction prevail. Ultimately life and longevity is compromised.  You lose health!

Water and air pollution are a major source of these noxious chemicals.  We further add to the toxic burden by consumption of excessive trans fats, sugar, alcohol, sodium, caffeine, nitrates, and other “foods” that overload our bodies. Normal function is impaired…Denis Van Loan D.D.S.

Technorati Tags: anti oxidants, cancer, degenerative disease, free radicals, heart disease, longevity

Dr. Bharat Aggarwal, PhD is an expert on the subject of curcumin, having researched it for over 3 decades. In his studies on the subject  he noted that his native country of India had much lower cancer and cardiovascular rates that many other countries that do not  use much curcumin.

Dr. Aggarwal says to date there are 35 studies that show diverse CARDIOVASCULAR BENEFIT to consumption of curcumin.  These include:

• Reduction of the bad LDL cholesterol (and its accumulation in arteries)
• Increased levels of the good HDL cholesterol (needed for steroidal hormones, vitamin D and cell membranes)
• Powerful reduction of inflammation…the mother of heart disease :

Reduces homocysteine activity

Reduces vascular ruptures (aortic aneurysms)

Reduces atherosclerosis (the accumulation of dangerous plaque causing increased heart attack & stroke)

Just how does curcumin work?

It reduces the TNF (tumor necrosing factor) activity, which is the cause of severe inflammation in the form of cytokines.  Heart disease needs inflammation to flourish.

In regards to cancer there is a supression of cancer cell proliferation, metastasis and tumor growth. This apparently occurs because there is a reduction of TNF (tumor necrosing factor) and a reduction of the activity of NFkB, a protein that accelerates cancer cell production and spread.

An interesting additional benefit was that studies demonstrated  patients taking curcumin has fewer undesirable side effect from chemo therapy…lack of sleep, loss of appetite, fatigue and pain.

In the studies followed by Dr. Agaarwal it was found that as much a 8 grams (8000 mg) per day was necessary to have a significant supressive effect for cancer patients.   No significant side effects were reported with this large amount of curcumin…Denis Van Loan D.D.S.

Technorati Tags: cancer, coronary heart disease, curcumin