CVD News Watch for the Weekend, July 25

 

Have a great weekend!

CVD nutrition watch

Margarine, pastry producers slow to reduce trans-fat levels: task force

Some food companies are resistant to lowering the trans-fat content of the food they sell, according to a task force formed by Health Canada and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. Some of these food companies are listed in this CBC News report.

 

CVD pollution watch

Beijing pollution may trigger heart attacks, strokes among spectators

In this podcast, two professors of medicine at the Northwestern University, Dr. Gokhan Mutlu and Dr. Scott Budinger discuss the health risks that visitors to the Beijing Olympics might encounter. It’s not only the athletes who are in danger, it’s the spectators as well.

 

CVD biotech watch

Researchers grow human blood vessels in mice from adult progenitor cells

Another first! Researchers at Harvard have developed human blood vessels from adult blood and bone marrow stem cells for the first time. And they work. The blood vessels have been successfully implanted in mice.

 

CVD weight loss watch

Limiting fructose may boost weight loss

Researchers at the UT Southwester Medical Center report that less fructose in our diet can help get rid of those extra pounds. Fructose occurs naturally in fruits and has always been thought to be a healthier alternative to table sugar. Some food products, especially beverages use this as artificial sweetener. Now we know better.

 

CVD fitness watch

Exercise could be the heart’s fountain of youth

Previous research studies have shown that exercise can delay, even reverse aging. It is also known that the heart deteriorates with age. Researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine studied how exercise can affect the heart - with very encouraging results. Endurance exercise seems to keep the heart younger! More about exercise next week.

 

CVD patient watch

Heart Surgery Survivor Looks Forward to Motherhood

Heart surgery survivor Rebecca Venis was diagnosed with a bad aortic valve at the age of 8. She underwent human aortic valve transplant in 2000. The graft started leaking and she underwent another surgery, this time a pig valve replacement. This one seems to work well and Rebecca is back to running and mountain climbing. It might even now be possible for her to get pregnant.

 

CVD treatment watch

Scientists suspect omega-3 fatty acids could slow acute wound healing

They are supposedly good for the heart, but this popular fish oil used by many as nutritional supplement seems to slow down wound healing, according to researchers at the Ohio State University. In their research, they compared the healing process of blister wounds of people taking omega-3 supplements compared to those taking only placebo. Although healing seemed to have proceeded almost at the same time in the two groups, something different was observed at the cellular level. There were more proteins associated with initiating and sustaining inflammation observed in the blister fluid of those who were taking the active supplement. The researchers expected exactly the opposite and are still trying to figure out the mechanisms behind this.

These findings are very significant because many heart patients are on omega-3 supplementation. If healing is indeed slowed down by these supplements, then such supplements are not suitable for patients scheduled for surgery.

 

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All About Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Diet and supplement fads come and go. But one compound that is recently much in the news is very likely to stay for the long haul: omega-3 fatty acids. The reasons are that ample research shows that these are essential to a wide range of functions, and also help reduce the odds and severity of an equally wide range of problems.

But, unlike cholesterol, the body doesn’t manufacture its own. It has to be gained from the diet.

What Are Omega-3 Fatty Acids?

There are actually three main types, ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). The first is consumed in food, which is then broken down into the latter two. It’s the EPA and DHA that is so beneficial for so many functions.

Why Are Omega-3 Fatty Acids Important?

Numerous reliable studies show that omega-3 fatty acids reduce the risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD), arthritis and certain cancers. Developing fetuses who lack the needed amounts have been shown to be at increased risk for vision and nerve system problems. Omega-3 fatty acids are passed from mother to fetus during gestation.

Many studies strongly suggest they play a vital role in proper cognitive function (memory and thinking). Evidence of their lack shows up in poor memory, mood swings, excess fatigue and other problems.

On the positive side, those who do get appropriate amounts have improved blood sugar levels, better cholesterol levels and more. People who adopt a diet rich in omega-3 tend to have higher HDL levels (the good cholesterol). They tend also to have lower triglyceride levels, the most common form of fat in the body.

How To Get Them From Diet?

They’re actually very easy to get in the proper amounts. The American Heart Association and other official organizations recommend 2 servings of fish per week. Many different species can fulfill the need: mackerel, salmon, herring, tuna, halibut and others. Other marine life also contain this essential substance, including krill (a crustacean similar to shrimp).

The benefits of omega-3 are one major reason for the popularity of such diets as the Mediterranean Diet. It typically includes lower quantities of high-fat red meat and more omega-3-rich fish. It also supplies omega-3 in the form of whole grains, fresh fruit and vegetables, garlic and other foods native to that region. Kiwifruit, for example, contains omega-3 fatty acids, as do lingonberries, walnuts and pecans, and flax (linseed).

Risks and Warnings

Like most things, it’s possible to get too much of a good thing. Some types of stroke have been associated with consuming more than 3 grams of omega-3 per day in supplement form. Also, like any dietary recommendation, how much is good will vary with individual circumstances. Like any aspect of diet, when beginning something new it’s always wise to consult your physician for guidance first.

               

Nutritional Supplements

A supplement, by definition, is something that accompanies something essential. But, in some cases, nutritional supplements can themselves be an essential part of a healthy nutrition regimen.

Whether because of a busy life style, or an individual genetic or physiological condition, there are those who benefit from nutritional supplements. Everyone requires a certain amount of vital biochemicals, with the proportion varying within a narrow range for almost everyone.

But diet doesn’t always supply those amounts, even when a sincere effort is made to eat properly. Some have rigorous exercise routines, others are forced to a more sedentary lifestyle because of work and family life. Most importantly, every individual is unique and therefore requires a particular amount of nutrient that differs slightly from others.

B-complex vitamins, for example, are essential for everyone. But the proper amount will vary depending on weight and unique physiology. For some, an all-purpose daily vitamin pill is enough to supply any needed amount that doesn’t come from a balanced diet. The body has a well-tuned ability, in most cases, to absorb what’s needed and slough off the rest.

For others, added amounts or specialized types are a requirement for good health. Vitamin C is eliminated in the urine when consumed in excess amounts. But what is excess one day may not be enough the next, requiring tomorrow’s deficit to be made up through diet or supplements.

Taking Vitamin C once helped eliminate the dangers of scurvy and rickets. That’s rarely a problem in developed countries today, but there is strong evidence that it helps boost the immune system, leading to fewer colds and infections. Past claims overstated the facts, but Vitamin C remains a needed element.

Many people as they get older consume much less calcium. To an extent, that’s normal and healthy. Young adults don’t require anywhere near the amounts that they did when they were infants or young children.

But the curve picks up again later in life, as bones become less able to manufacture the appropriate amount. For many who are lactose intolerant, or simply don’t care for the taste of cow’s or goat’s milk, getting calcium in the form of a supplement is a great way to get that essential mineral.

Omega-3 are essential fatty acids that help reduce inflammation and prevent heart disease, to name only two benefits. But one of the main dietary sources - fish - isn’t to everyone’s taste. It’s also unfortunately the case that sometimes the local fish supply is temporarily unsafe. In those circumstances a nutritional supplement is an excellent alternative.

There are dozens of supplements that can help balance out hormonal deficiencies that many women and some men suffer from. Soy is one that can smooth out imbalances and help reduce PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome) or menopause symptoms. Others are helpful for thyroid imbalances.

Cortisol is another example. Naturally produced by most people in the proper amount, some people have a deficiency due to a gland weakened by disease, age or genetic condition. Those low in cortisol can suffer from fatigue, aching joints and other symptoms. Taken in the proper amounts, it can make a huge positive lifestyle difference.

Each person should undergo rigorous testing before taking anything more than an average daily vitamin or one of the more common supplements. Ginko, for example, can lead to excessive bleeding in some. You need to know which are safe for you. But once you have the results, taking nutritional supplements can make the difference between mediocre and optimal health.

               

Omega 3 And Cancer

Since I have been involved with Omega 3 for a while now, I found this news article very interesting, and would like to share it with you.

Thursday, March 9, 2006 . Posted: 00:00:00 (AEDT)

Fish oil aids cancer treatment

With more Australians diagnosed with cancer, doctors are trying to find new ways to make treatments easier to tolerate.

They have found giving patients omega 3 or fish oil might help patients get through treatment with fewer side effects.
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