Cardiovascular Disease - Beyond Cholesterol
Alternative Medicine Review 1996 (Sep); 1 (3): ~ FULL TEXT
For several decades the nutritional approach of conventional medicine towards cardiovascular disease has been dominated by the classic diet-heart hypothesis, which predicts an adverse effect from high dietary intake of saturated fat and cholesterol and a beneficial effect from polyunsaturated fat. Recent research, however, suggests that the diet-heart relationship is much more complex than previously recognized. Antioxidants, especially vitamin C, vitamin E and Coenzyme Q10, are emerging as potentially useful protective factors. There is also increasing evidence that hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor which may be modified by dietary changes or supplementation.
Cardiovascular Disease - Toward a Unified Approach
Alternative Medicine Review 1996 (Sep); 1 (3): ~ FULL TEXT
Much information has been disseminated in the past two decades regarding
nutrition and cardiovascular disease, mainly atherosclerotic disease. A great deal of this information has addressed cholesterol and fat intake (saturated vs. poly-and-monounsaturated fats) and their impact on blood lipids and the development of heart disease. In addition to these studies, a number of scientists have been investigating the connection between micro-nutrients (vitamins, minerals, amino acids, flavonoids, coenzymes) and heart disease. The oxidation of LDL cholesterol has been linked to vascular damage leading to atherosclerotic plaques. Antioxidant activity and subsequent inhibition of LDL oxidation has been attributed to the dietary and supplemental intake of specific micro-nutrients, including vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin B6, glutathione, flavonoids, beta carotene, lipoic acid, and coenzyme Q10.
Homocysteine Metabolism: Nutritional Modulation and Impact
on Health and Disease
Alternative Medicine Review 1997 (Jul); 2 (4): 234-254 ~ FULL TEXT
Interest and research into the causes and treatment of hyperhomocysteinemia
has increased dramatically in recent years, as increased plasma homocysteine has joined smoking, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and obesity as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In addition, elevated homocysteine levels have been implicated in a number of other clinical conditions, including neural tube defects, spontaneous abortion, placental abruption, low birth weight, renal failure, rheumatoid arthritis, alcoholism, osteoporosis, neuropsychiatric disorders, non-insulin-dependent diabetes, and complications of diabetes. Nutritional intervention with the cofactors required for optimal metabolism of the methionine-homocysteine pathways offers a new, integrated possibility for primary prevention and treatment. Supplementation with betaine, vitamin B12, folic acid, and vitamin B6 assists in optimizing methyl- and sulfur-group metabolism, and might play a significant role in the prevention and treatment of a wide array of clinical conditions.
The Role of Coenzyme Q10 in Clinical Medicine: Part II
Cardiovascular Disease, Hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus, and Infertility
Alternative Medicine Review 1996 (Sep); 1 (3): ~ FULL TEXT
This review discusses the role of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in cardiovascular
disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and infertility. Deficiencies of CoQ10 have been documented in patients with heart disease. Administration of CoQ10 has been shown to prolong survival and improve quality of life in patients with cardiomyopathy. In patients with congestive heart failure, CoQ10 ameliorated symptoms, reduced the number of hospitalizations and appeared to increase the survival rate. Treatment with CoQ10 may also reduce the number of anginal attacks in patients with stable angina pectoris.
CoQ10 has been shown to prevent adriamycin cardiotoxicity and to reduce the incidence of postoperative cardiac dysfunction in patients undergoing heart surgery. Several studies indicate that CoQ10 may also have a role in the treatment of essential hypertension. This nutrient may be of value for patients with diabetes mellitus or male infertility, but additional studies are needed in these areas. CoQ10 status may be adversely affected by treatment with certain cholesterol-lowering drugs, beta blockers, tricyclic antidepressants, and phenothiazines.
Cardiovascular Disease: C-reactive Protein and the Inflammatory Disease Paradigm: HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors, Alpha-tocopherol, Red Yeast Rice, and Olive Oil Polyphenols. A Review of the Literature
Alternative Medicine Review 2001 (Jun); 6 (3): 248-271 ~ FULL TEXT
Alpha-tocopherol also significantly lowers CRP levels in diabetics and nondiabetics, and minimizes other aspects of the acute phase response and inflammatory damage involved in atherosclerosis. This may account for alpha-tocopherol's positive effect on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Finally, polyphenolic compounds present in virgin olive oil also have anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects in cardiovascular disease. The phenolic compounds in virgin olive oil may explain some of the protective effects found in epidemiological studies.
Therapeutic Uses of Vitamin E in Prevention of Atherosclerosis
Alternative Medicine Review 1999 (Dec); 4 (6): 414-423 ~ FULL TEXT
On the basis of the literature search, the authors recommend 400 IU or more per day of vitamin E to patients at high risk or already diagnosed with coronary artery disease. Vitamin E supplementation may also be beneficial in the prevention of cerebro- and peripheral vascular diseases.
Milk and Other Dietary Influences on Coronary Heart Disease
Alternative Medicine Review 1998 (Aug); 3 (4): 281-294 ~ FULL TEXT
While dietary links to ischemic heart disease (IHD) and coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality have been studied for many years, the correlation has not clearly been resolved, especially for older populations. In this paper, a multi-country statistical approach involving 32 countries is used to find dietary links to IHD and CHD for various age groups aged 35+.
Refer to the Vitamin E Page for more information on this topic.
