The Real Culprit in Heart Disease
For many years, doctors thought of heart disease as a plumbing problem: arteries, like pipes, became clogged by cholesterol deposits and slowed down blood flow to the heart. But now we are finding that the damage actually starts when artery walls become inflamed by free radicals and other inflammatory chemicals in the body. Over time, the body forms a plaque over the damaged area, possibly in an attempt to heal or contain the damage, and as the inflammation continues the plaque grows larger and larger. Eventually, the plaque may break apart and a clot can get caught within an artery, triggering a heart attack. Thus, inflammation, the body's own defense, could actually be the real culprit in heart disease – even more so than high cholesterol levels.
This "inflammation hypothesis" is supported by research conducted by Dr. Paul Ridker of Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital. In his study of 28,000 women, those with high levels of inflammation were twice as likely as those with high cholesterol to die from heart attacks and strokes. Dr. Ridker measured levels of inflammation through tests that check for C-reactive protein (CRP), a chemical our bodies produce to fight injury or infection but which can become destructive when present at high levels for long periods of time. The lowest risk of heart disease was in women whose CRP readings were below one-half milligram per liter of blood. A woman's risk more than doubled when readings went over about three milligrams. CRP levels can be lowered dramatically through diet and exercise, as well as by aspirin therapy and certain cholesterol- lowering medications.
As a result of Dr. Ridker's study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, many doctors are recommending that their patients have their CRP levels tested – a simple blood test that costs $25 to $50.
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"The CRP test can predict risk 15 to 25 years in the future," Dr. Ridker says. "We have a long time to get our patients to change their lifestyles, and the change does not have to be huge – modest exercise, modest weight loss and stop smoking." "Inflammation, the body's own defense, could actually be the real culprit in heart disease – even more so than high cholesterol levels."
Dr. Ridker also believes a high CRP reading can help doctors persuade people with low cholesterol that they are still at risk for heart disease and that they still need to eat healthfully and exercise regularly.
The Right Diet
Too often what we eat causes COX-2 levels to rise above normal. COX-2 is an enzyme in our bodies that boosts the production of inflammatory compounds such as prostaglandins. When COX-2 levels are normal, inflammation is usually in check, along with your immune system. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case. More likely, many Americans have high COX-2 levels, which leads to abnormally high levels of inflammation. Experts believe that this may be one of the major reasons why heart disease and cancer are so prevalent today. So how does your diet affect COX-2 levels? Let's take a closer look.
Specifically, two types of dietary fat influence COX-2 production. Omega-3 fats are found in fatty fish such as salmon and tuna as well as in flaxseed (and flax oil) and walnuts. Omega-6 fats are found in vegetable oils, such as corn, safflower and sunflower oils. When we eat too much omega-6 fat or too little omega-3 fat, levels of COX-2 increase, which promotes inflammation. Unfortunately, Americans have a tendency to eat excess amounts of vegetable oils, spreads and high-fat snacks that contain omega-6 fats, thus throwing the ratio of omega-3 fats to omega- 6 fats out of balance. By eating less of these foods and more foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids, we can keep the balance of these two fats in check and reduce the amount of inflammatory compounds that are associated with cancer and heart disease risk.
"Extracts from herbs like ginger root, hops, boswellia (frankincense) and turmeric have been shown to inhibit the COX- 2 enzyme and reduce inflammation."
Another way we can fight inflammation is by eating more fruits and vegetables. For years, studies have shown that antioxidants (such as vitamins C, E and beta-carotene) and phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables protect the DNA in cells from damage that can lead to cancer. Now evidence suggests that these same nutrients can also lower COX-2 levels, thus working as natural COX-2 inhibitors.
For years, doctors have prescribed medications that work as COX-2 inhibitors. But why not fight inflammation the natural way? There are natural substances that can help alleviate both acute inflammation (the type often associated with pain and swelling) and chronic, low-grade inflammation (the type we now know can increase our risk of heart disease, cancer and other diseases). And these natural approaches have never been shown to have the types of side effects – in particular, an increase in the risk of heart attack and stroke as well as stomach complications – that we're now seeing with COX-2-inhibiting drugs and over-the-counter pain relievers. The anti-inflammatory properties of a number of natural nutrients can work to alleviate pain associated with both acute and chronic conditions, as well as inhibit inflammation that has been linked to heart disease and cancer.
Berries – sweet cherries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries and especially blueberries – work to fight inflammation by interfering with enzymes that contribute to inflammation (the same way medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen work). In fact, some studies report that berries are even more effective than aspirin – up to 10 times better!
In addition, extracts from herbs like ginger root, hops, boswellia (frankincense) and turmeric have been shown to inhibit the COX-2 enzyme and reduce inflammation. Scientific studies have also shown that bromelain (an enzyme derived from pineapple) and cat's claw extract can help relieve the pain and swelling associated with sports injuries and the muscle soreness after exercise. And if you suffer from headaches, white willow bark, which contains salicin (a natural form of the active ingredient in aspirin), and the herb feverfew have been shown to reduce the reactivity of blood vessels in the brain that can lead to migraine headaches.
God has provided all these nutrients from His plant kingdom to help us combat inflammation in our bodies – insidious low-grade inflammation that attacks healthy tissue in our joints, arteries and brain that can lead not only to chronic pain but also to heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer. Why not make use of God's natural remedies today as an important step on your Pathway to Healing?
