Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant vitamin.  Glutathione is a most powerful master defender and anti oxidant that guards your health.  The two work together. As antioxidants, both vitamin C and glutathione give up electrons to greedy free radicals…the instigators of all degenerative diseases.

In the case of vitamin C, it needs to have electrons replaced to continue it’s efficacy as an antioxidant. Glutathione does this.  If  inflammatory free radicals  are not reduced, serious problems occur with the heart and coronary artery disease.

LDL cholesterol plaque and calcium build up in the arteries and cause atherosclerosis. This literally is  “hardening of the arteries”. There is less flexibility in the arteries and accompanying cardiovascular inflammation.  This results in coronary artery disease, increased blood pressure, increased blood clotting and ultimately more heart attacks and strokes.

Glutathione helps the arteries by producing nitric oxide  (NO), a vasodilator. This relaxes the smooth muscle in the coronary arteries and reduces the risk of spasm that further reduces blood flow to heart muscle.  (Research confirms that glutathione increases NO, relaxes vascular spasm and improves blood flow.)  Most importantly, as an anti oxidant it reduces inflammation and neutralizes toxins. Vitamin C is also a key issue here.

Cardiologist Dr. Levy says:  “The scientific evidence clearly indicates that a focal vitamin C deficiency (”arterial scurvy”) in the endothelial linings of the arteries is the common link between atherosclerosis and all important coronary heart disease risk factors.”

Dr. Levy goes on to say about current medical literature:  “Atherosclerosis cannot be initiated without this condition of arterial scurvy existing first.”

Cardiologist Dr. Levy reports on a 2007 study that concludes, after heart attack, large oxidative damage occurs.  With diminished cardiac antioxidants like vitamin C and glutathione, the damage is more severe.

The bottom line is this:  maintain good levels of glutathione that come from a heart healthy diet of fresh vegetables, fruit, essential amino acids and especially additional alpha lipoic acid, L-carnitine, vitamins C & E, selenium and the omega 3’s. ..Denis Van Loan D.D.S.

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Smoking is a terrible inflammatory agent affecting most organs of the body but its impact on the heart, circulatory system and lungs is the greatest. Intolerance to physical activity, increased blood pressure, blood clotting tendency, obesity, and bad cholesterol levels are all negatives produced by smoking. Smoking clearly is co-related to inflamed cardio-pulmonary systems.

According to Dr. Clyde Yancy: “Smoking is the most important preventable cause of premature death in the United States…Controlling or reversing atherosclerosis is an important part of preventing future heart attack or stroke.”

Even second hand smoke is to be avoided. According to a report done by Dr. Yancy: “Each year about 37,000 to 40,000 people die from heart and blood vessel disease caused by other people’s smoke.” Fresh air, exercise and avoiding smoke are some of the best remedies you can have for general, as well as, heart health.

Inflammation is the problem that wreaks havoc because of toxic irritants.

Inflammation in the arteries is shown by C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and Interlukin-6 blood tests.  The following list gives  most of the significant risk factors in heart disease.

• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Genetics (heredity)
• Smoking
• Obesity
• Diabetes 2
• Excess homocysteine
• Low testosterone hormone
• Low estrogen hormone
• Low growth hormone
• High triglycerides

Inflammation can be reduced and counteracted by exercise and a good diet with good anti oxidant supplements like vitamins A, C and E. CoQ-10 is a strong anti-oxidant and powerful enzyme for heart health.  Fresh fruits like the berries, especially blue berries are helpful. These measures will only lessen but not cancel the bad effect of risk factors like smoking.

A good diet that emphasizes fresh, raw vegetables, whole grains, minimal red meats, with low sugar and sodium consumption can reduce many of these risks…Denis Van Loan D.D.S.

Technorati Tags: atherosclerosis, heart disease risk, smoking

Other studies that test, beer, white wine and various forms of alcohol do also show a reduction of heart disease…with a qualification. The University College of London, UK followed a study on 9,655 men and women for a 17 year period. A certain profile of those tested demonstrated approximately 50% reduction of heart disease risk.  That profile was for  those with known unhealthy behaviors such as smoking and a poor diet. There was half the risk of heart disease with them.

Those with already healthy lifestyles and good diet did not show a significant difference in risk of heart disease with the alcohol consumption. This again illustrates that single factors can be misleading because other factors can change the equation and results.  What works for one does not necessarily work for another, because other factors are involved…Denis Van Loan D.D.S.

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• High levels of blood glucose
• Insulin resistance
• High triglyceride levels
• Obesity
• High blood pressure
• Physical inactivity
• Bad cholesterol levels

The significance of “metabolic syndrome” is that it is associated with a high incidence of cardiovascular disease. It is estimated that two thirds of those with Syndrome X will suffer from life threatening coronary heart disease.  It is also well known in medical circles as a precursor to Diabetes 2.

Cardiovascular disease is impacted directly by the fatty build up and plaque in the arteries, increasing the incidence of heart attack or stroke. PAD (peripheral artery disease) is a common diagnosis.  The high triglyceride levels and obesity are inflammatory and attract bad (LDL) cholesterol and likewise increase the likelihood of obstructive plaque occluding the coronary artery vessels and producing a heart attack.

The American Heart Association recommends exercise, reduction of fats, weight loss, hypertension reduction and a heart healthy diet. Cardiologists often recommend the Mediterranean diet which consists of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains and olive oil instead of saturated fats.  Elimination of sugar and high glycemic (sugar converting) foods is important…Denis Van Loan, D.D.S.

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A study followed by Eswar Kirshnan, MD and associates found that indeed gout was the third heart disease risk factor after smoking and family history. The study was done over a 6.5 year period on a nationwide sampling of 13,000 U.S. men. The results showed a 26% increased heart disease risk for those with gout after adjustment for the other known factors.

Gout is an inflammatory condition caused by uric acid crystals in the joints, especially the big toe. Why the big toe?  X-rays often disclose crystalline spurs that are sharp.  Most certainly pressure against them from the weight of the body will cause irritation, inflammation and pain. Treatment often recommended by medical doctors is control of diet and pain relievers other than aspirin which increases the acid…Denis Van Loan, DDS

Technorati Tags: coronary heart disease, gout, heart disease risk