TOP 12 NUTRIENTS FOR THE HEART Part 2

According to
the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, nearly one in 5 Americans is
dealing with some form of heart disease.
Much of this is needless suffering and can be alleviated with
appropriate life style strategies.
Exercise is important. So is
making good food choices and being a non-smoker. But there is nothing more important than
getting on a good nutritional supplement program. Last post we listed the first part of the top
12 supplement for cardiovascular health.
We conclude with part 2 below.
For more detailed information make sure to listen to The Bright Side on
the Genesis Communication Network, daily 8 to 9 PST, 11-12 EST (www.brightsideben.com).

Omega 3s
–thin the blood and relax blood vessels allowing for more blood flow and
oxygen to the heart. Provide well-researched and dramatic protection against
cardiovascular disease and fatal heart attacks. Reduces inflammation and may
improve blood fats and cholesterol too. Fish oil works but Krill Oil may be
even better.

CoQ10
–super vita-nutrient for the heart. Used by cardiac cells to produce energy and
as a defense against rogue oxygen “sparks”. Thousands of studies show protection against all forms of heart disease. May help lower blood pressure too. Look for oil-soluble gel caps.

B-vitamins
–protection from cardio-toxic homocysteine. Intimate involvement in energy production
chemistry make these nutrient absolutely indispensable for protection against
all forms of heart disease. Vitamin B3 helps lower triglycerides and cholesterol too. Water-soluble format leads to rapid excretion and potential deficiencies. Dissolve in liquid and drink them all day long for maximum benefits.

Carnitine
– take as L-Carnitine or for maximum cardiac benefits as Propionyl L-Carnitine.
A must-have supplement for all form of heart disease. Critical for the production of energy from fat
(fat-burning) by cardiac cells. Numerous studies demonstrate benefits for coronary artery disease as well as myocardial ischemia (lack of blood flow to the heart).

Vitamin E
– provides vital cardiac protection from oxidized (rancid) cholesterol plaques. Thins blood and helps maintain heart oxygenation. Reduces free radical activity in heart. Take as both tocopherols
and tocotrienols (mixed tocopherols and mixed tocotrienols) in mixed format for best results. Especially important for smokers and as protection from a second heart attack.

Chromium
– low levels associated with increased risk of heart attacks. Chromium deficient diabetics especially at risk
for heart attacks. Critical role in sugar metabolism provides benefits for the cardiovascular system. May improve high blood pressure too. Niacin bound form (chromium polynicotinate) most effective for protection from heart disease.

Mental health, sugar and insulin

One of the most important mental health references in my library is called “Insulin Treatment in Psychiatry”. It was published in the 1950’s and it provides ample evidence of how critical changes in blood sugar chemistry are for mental and emotional well-being. There are chapters with titles like “Biochemical Changes in the Brain Occurring During Insulin Hypoglycemia” , “Insulin Therapy in Schizophrenia” and “Trends in Insulin Treatment in Psychiatry” that provide proof positive that manipulations of blood sugar can play a crucial, non-pharmacological role in improving mental health.
Insulin is an anabolic (growth) hormone with many properties, the most striking of which is its ability to encourage fat cells to absorb sugar (glucose) and store it as fat. But what was recognized by old-time medical researchers, many decades ago, was the fact that this same hormone, as well-known as it was for its role in blood sugar control, was also a potential tool for psychiatrists treating various mental disorders.
Why is this so important? Well, the average American is ingesting over 140 pounds a year of sugar and another 60 pounds or so a year of high fructose corn syrup. In 1960 the amount Americans consumed was less than 100 pounds a year of sugar and zero pounds of high fructose corn syrup. If it is indeed true that there is an insulin connection to mental illness, considering the seeming epidemic in mental disorders 21st century Americans are confronting, one is forced to question how much is related to insulin and associated issues with blood sugar.
This question becomes especially significant in the case of children who are the most obvious and notorious consumers of the sweet stuff. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services at any given time one out of five American children are suffering from some kind of mental illness. That’s anywhere from 7.7 to 12.8 million kids! 30 to 40 percent have ADHD, 10% suffer from an anxiety disorder, and at any given time, 1 out of thirty three will be clinically depressed and 3 out of 1000 will be diagnosed as schizophrenic.
The statistics for adults are no less alarming. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly one in four Americans over the age of 18 suffers from a diagnosable mental disorder.
If you go to a physician or psychiatrist and leave with diagnosis of depression, anxiety, ADD/ADHD or some other mental health issue, it’s unlikely anyone will be questioning your diet or suggesting nutritional supplements. In fact, the odds are pretty good that you’re going to get a prescription (or two or three) for a psychotropic drug. In a one year survey period from 2006 to 2007 there were 472 million mental health prescriptions written. That’s almost 10 percent of the total annual number of prescriptions written in the U.S.. There are over 170 prescription drugs used for mental health and there are more on the way. According to the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association, there are 313 new drugs in research and development that are designed specifically to treat a variety of mental health concerns.
If you are suffering from some kind of mental illness, or you or your children are on a prescription drug that you want to get off of, or if you are being pressured by a well-meaning physician or loved one to start taking a prescription drug, please understand that you have options. And one of the most important ones involves (surprise, surprise) blood sugar and insulin.
Laying off the sugar and refined carbohydrates is the obvious first step. But “just say no” doesn’t usually work. Will-power is relatively useless when it comes to resisting sugar. The best way to wean yourself blood sugar and insulin spiking foods is to increase intake protein and essential fatty acids. It’s probably a good idea to start off all meals with a protein powder drink and 3 to 9 Omega6/Omega 3 capsules or a couple of teasponnsful of a good EFA liquid like Udo’s Choice. Then make sure you’re getting all the nutrients that help the body process sugar. The B-vitamins in liquid form are very important. Vitamins B1 and B3 have specific sugar-metabolizing properties. (Interestingly, Dr. Abram Hoffer used to use these two nutrients as medications in his protocol for treating schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders.). Taking 50mg a day of Zinc picolinate and 2000 mg of chelated Magnesium would probably be wise. And, the minerals Chromium and Vanadium are well known for improving insulin response and blood sugar levels. There are many more supplements available for stabilizing blood sugar, and ultimately improving and helping maintain mental health. We’ll be getting to those in future posts.