Coffee Shop | Heart Attacks, Cancer and strokes. Preventative approaches


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From: LindyBill12/4/2008 9:39:54 AM
2 Recommendations   of 24394
 
Free the Animal
HEART SCAN BLOG
Richard Nikoley from the Free the Animal Blog contributes this informative comment:

'Bout 18 months ago, I was at 230 (5'10) and looked awful. I was on Omeprezole for years for gastric reflux, a variety of prescription meds since early 20s for seasonal sinus allergies, culminating finally in the daily, year round squirts of Flonase-esque sprays (the best for control without noticeable side-effects), and finally, Levothroid for about the last 7 years or so, as I had elevated TSH (around 9ish).

My BP was regularly 145-160 / 95-110.

I decided to get busy. I modified diet somewhat, cutting lots of junk carbs, and began working out -- brief, intense, heavy twice per week. BP began coming down immediately, such that within only a couple of weeks I was borderline rather than full blown high. Then after about six months, a year ago, I went to full blown low-carb, high fat, cutting out all grains, sugar, veg oils, etc, and replacing with animal fats, coconut, olive oil. You know the drill. Then, first of the year I felt great and simply stopped all meds, including the thyroid. I also began intermittent fasting, twice per week, and for a twist, I always do my weight lifting in some degree of fast, even as much as 30 hours.

That's when the weight really started pouring off. Take a look:

freetheanimal.com 

freetheanimal.com 

In July I figured it's about time for a physical. Here's the lipid panel, demonstrating am HDL of 106 and Try of 47, great ratios all around:

freetheanimal.com 

However, my TSH was even higher -- 16ish. It seems odd that I was able to lose 40-50 pounds of fat (10-15 pounds of lean gain for a 30 pound net loss at that time -- now an additional 10 pounds net loss).

One disclosure is that I was drinking too much, almost daily, and quite a bit (gotta save some vices...). Anyway, I'm at the point now where I want to drill down. I know I need to see an endocrinologist and have T3 and T4 looked at, but in advance, I wanted to see if the recent changes I've made could make a difference:

1. Stopped all alcohol.
2. Stopped most dairy, except ghee and heavy cream, and cheese is now used as a "spice," i.e., tiny quantities -- no more milk.
3. 6,000 IU Vit D per day.
4. 3 grams salmon oil, 2 grams cod liver oil.
5. Vit K2 Menatetrenone (MK-4) -- side story: getting off grains reversed gum disease for which I have had two surgeries, then supplementing the K2 DISSOLVED calculus on my teeth within days -- hygienist and dentist are dumbfounded. Stephan (Whole Health Source), who comments here, has an amazing series on K2.


If you view his photos, you'll appreciate just how far he has come.

Overall, Richard's program is wonderful and his pictures clearly display his success. However, Richard, thyroid function is indeed a problem, a problem that needs to be fixed ASAP. Remember, low thyroid function used to be diagnosed at autopsy at which time the coronary arteries and other arteries of the body were found to be packed solid with atherosclerotic plaque, even in young people.

I'd recommend:

1) Consider 200 mcg Iodine per day from kelp if you do not use iodized salt.

2) Seeing your doctor right away for thyroid replacement, hopefully with consideration of your T3 status.

3) A heart scan--Not to lead to procedures, but something for you to track over time as your program improves and thyroid function is restored.

Beyond this, keep up the great work. Great blog, too!

heartscanblog.blogspot.com 

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To: Neeka who wrote (2371)12/4/2008 10:18:23 AM
From: Scoobah   of 24394
 
is Splenda not among the rest of the carcinogenic artificial sweeterners, whether somehow chemically derived from natural sugars?

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To: Joe NYC who wrote (2359)12/4/2008 2:00:03 PM
From: Lane3   of 24394
 
I carbonate my water. That does wonders for the taste.

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From: LindyBill12/4/2008 3:03:05 PM
   of 24394
 
Lipoprotein Checklist:
Very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL)


VLDL particles are the first particles to enter the blood after production in the liver. VLDL particles are formed by combining cholesterol, triglycerides, and the protein, apoprotein B. VLDL contains only 10–15% of a person's total cholesterol.



Increased VLDL usually occurs along with increased triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, and small LDL. Contrary to conventional wisdom, increased VLDL can occur even when triglycerides are in a "favorable" range of <150 mg/dl.

VLDL adds to coronary plaque growth. Along with intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL), VLDL can reflect the persistence of digestive particles after a meal, called a "postprandial" (after-eating) disorder. Although elevated immediately after a fat-containing meal, processed carbohydrates in the diet create this pattern long-term. A reduction in processed carbohydrates, such as wheat flour-containing products, can yield substantial drops in VLDL, along with triglycerides.


How to Decrease VLDL

* Weight loss to ideal weight or ideal BMI (25). If achieved with a reduction in processed carbohydrates, the effect will be especially significant.
* Reduction in processed carbohydrates—especially snacks and wheat-flour containing foods like breads, pasta, pretzels, chips, bagels, etc. The reduction of high- and moderate-glycemic index foods is the factor that reduces VLDL.
* Avoidance of high-fructose corn syrup—which skyrockets both triglycerides and VLDL. High-fructose corn syrup is a common sweetener in processed foods.
* Fish oil—Dramatic reductions in VLDL are seen with fish oil. In fact, at a dose of 4000–6000 mg of fish oil (providing 1200–1800 mg of EPA+DHA), complete elimination of excess VLDL results for most people. Occasionally, higher doses are required. Fish oil is the number one strategy for reduction or elimination of excess VLDL.
* Niacin (vitamin B3)—Niacin by itself reduces triglycerides up to 60–70% and can virtually eliminate excess VLDL at doses of 500–2000 mg. (Doses >500 mg per day should be prescribed and monitored by a physician.) Niacin combined with fish oil is a very potent regimen.
* Red grapefruit—Eating red grapefruit can reduce triglycerides and VLDL by around 20%. White or blonde grapefruit lacks this effect. (However, if you take a statin drug or red yeast rice, you should not add grapefruit, since it causes accumulation of these agents.)
* The fibrates (two preparations: Lopid®, or gemfibrozil, and Tricor®, or fenofibrate) are prescription agents that substantially lower VLDL and triglycerides.
* The thiazolidinediones (Actos®, or pioglitazone, and Avandia®, or rosiglitazone), usually prescribed for pre-diabetes or diabetes, can reduce VLDL by 30%. However, these agents are accompanied by weight gain.

Track Your Plaque target: Triglycerides 60 mg/dl or less; Total VLDL <10 mg/dl.LINK

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To: Scoobah who wrote (2374)12/4/2008 3:09:02 PM
From: LindyBill   of 24394
 
The National Cancer Institute says the following:

"in 2002. Sucralose (also known as Splenda®) was approved by the FDA as a tabletop sweetener in 1998, followed by approval as a general purpose sweetener in 1999. Neotame, which is similar to aspartame, was approved by the FDA as a general purpose sweetener (except in meat and poultry) in 2002. Before approving these sweeteners, the FDA reviewed more than 100 safety studies that were conducted on each sweetener, including studies to assess cancer risk. The results of these studies showed no evidence that these sweeteners cause cancer or pose any other threat to human health."LINK

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From: LindyBill12/4/2008 5:36:13 PM
1 Recommendation   of 24394
 
Blood Pressure Pill Combo More Effective Than Diuretics
Pictures of Lowering Blood Pressure

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 3 (HealthDay News) -- A pill that contains two blood pressure drugs was more effective than a diuretic-based strategy in reducing the risk of serious cardiovascular problems and death in people with high blood pressure, according to a study that included more than 11,000 patients in the United States, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland.

The patients took either a tablet containing benazepril (an ACE inhibitor) and amlodipine (a calcium channel blocker) or a tablet that contained benazepril and hydrochloro-thiazide, a type of diuretic (water pill). Both combination pills helped reduce blood pressure in more than 75% of patients, but those taking the first pill had 20% fewer cardiovascular events than those taking the other combination pill with the diuretic. The study defined cardiovascular events as cardiovascular deaths, heart attacks, strokes, hospitalization for unstable angina, and treatments to reopen blocked heart arteries.

The Avoiding Cardiovascular Events Through Combination Therapy in Patients Living with Systolic Hypertension (ACCOMPLISH) study was published in the Dec. 4 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

The results were so significant that the trial was stopped early, said the authors of the study, which was funded by Novartis, one of the companies that offer two-drug tablets for treatment of high blood pressure. The researchers said the findings suggest the need to change current blood pressure control guidelines, which call for initial treatment with a diuretic, with other drugs added only as needed to lower blood pressure.

"This robust study showed us that switching patients to a single-pill combination meant that twice as many patients got to their blood pressure goal, regardless of previous therapy," study leader Dr. Kenneth Jamerson, a professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School and a member of the U-M Cardiovascular Center, said in a university news release.

"The significant reduction in cardiovascular events we observed in patients will, I hope, show physicians that earlier use of a combination medicine, especially with amlodipine, may be in the best interest of the patients," Jamerson said.

As many as 73 million Americans have high blood pressure, which increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, heart failure and other health problems. Drugs can help control blood pressure, but many patients have trouble taking the multiple medications they need, which is why combination pills were developed, according to background information in the news release about the study.

medicinenet.com 

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To: Lane3 who wrote (2375)12/4/2008 6:41:02 PM
From: Judi Simpson   of 24394
 
What do you use to carbonate it?

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To: LindyBill who wrote (2378)12/4/2008 6:42:52 PM
From: LindyBill   of 24394
 
The last post mentioned to BP meds. A good ACE inhibitor is Lisinopril, which I use. Here is an article on Calcium Channel Blockers.

Calcium Channel Blockers
(CCBs)

Medical Author: Omudhome Ogbru, Pharm.D.
Medical Editor: Jay Marks, M.D.

What are CCBs and how do they work?

Calcium channel blockers are a class of drugs that block the entry of calcium into the muscle cells of the heart and the arteries. It is the entry of calcium into these cells that causes the heart to contract and arteries to narrow. By blocking the entry of calcium, CCBs decrease contraction of the heart and dilate (widen) the arteries.

In order to pump blood, the heart needs oxygen. The harder the heart works, the more oxygen it requires. Angina (heart pain) occurs when the supply of oxygen to the heart is inadequate for the amount of work the heart must do. By dilating the arteries, CCBs reduce the pressure in the arteries. This makes it easier for the heart to pump blood, and, as a result, the heart needs less oxygen. By reducing the heart's need for oxygen, CCBs relieve or prevent angina. CCBs also are used for treating high blood pressure because of their blood pressure-lowering effects. CCBs also slow the rate at which the heart beats and are therefore used for treating certain types of abnormally rapid heart rhythms.

For what conditions are CCBs used?

CCBs are used for treating high blood pressure, angina, and abnormal heart rhythms (e.g., atrial fibrillation). They also may be used after a heart attack, particularly among patients who cannot tolerate beta-blocking drugs, have atrial fibrillation, or require treatment for their angina. (Unlike beta blockers, CCBs have not been shown to reduce mortality or additional heart attacks after a heart attack.) CCBs are as effective as ACE inhibitors in reducing blood pressure, but they may not be as effective as ACE inhibitors in preventing the kidney failure of high blood pressure or diabetes.

Are there any differences among CCBs?

CCBs differ in their duration of action, the process by which they are eliminated from the body, and, most importantly, in their ability to affect heart rate and contraction. Some CCBs (e.g., amlodipine) have very little effect on heart rate and contraction so they are safer to use in individuals who have heart failure or bradycardia (a slow heart rate). Verapamil and diltiazem have the greatest effects on the heart and reduce the strength and rate of contraction. Therefore, they are used in reducing heart rate when the heart is beating too fast.

What are the side effects of CCBs?

The most common side effects of CCBs are constipation, nausea, headache, rash, edema (swelling of the legs with fluid), low blood pressure, drowsiness, and dizziness. When diltiazem or verapamil are given to individuals with heart failure, symptoms of heart failure may worsen because these drugs reduce the ability of the heart to pump blood.

With which drugs do CCBs interact?

Most of the interactions of CCBs occur with verapamil or diltiazem. The interaction occurs because verapamil and diltiazem decrease the elimination of a number of drugs by the liver. Through this mechanism, verapamil and diltiazem may reduce the elimination and increase the blood levels of carbamazepine (Tegretol), simvastatin (Zocor), atorvastatin (Lipitor), and lovastatin (Mevacor). This can lead to toxicity from these drugs.

What CCBs are available?

The CCBS that have been approved for use in the US include nisoldipine (Sular), nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), nicardipine (Cardene), bepridil (Vascor), isradipine (Dynacirc), nimodipine (Nimotop), felodipine (Plendil), amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Cardizem), and verapamil (Calan, Isoptin).

medicinenet.com 

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To: Judi Simpson who wrote (2379)12/4/2008 6:53:22 PM
From: Lane3   of 24394
 
sodaclubusa.com 

I've been using their Fountain Jet for maybe five years. Maybe longer. Can't recall. Used to buy selzer in the supermarket. No more schlepping those bottles. Now I make it from tap water.

sodaclubusa.com 

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To: Lane3 who wrote (2381)12/4/2008 7:45:01 PM
From: Judi Simpson   of 24394
 
Thanks, will check it out. I use to have a soda maker but couldn't find parts for it.

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