Able Weight Loss Center

During my 36 years as a physician, I have seen firsthand the toll that cardiovascular disease takes on Americans and people in other industrialized countries around the world.

Let's face it: we all need to take better care of our heart and blood vessels. Just look at the obituaries for a few days for a jolt of reality.

We now know that the health of the endothelium and the blood vessels directly affects overall cardiovascular health. Cardiovascular disease kills 500,000 Americans every year in the form of heart attack and stroke. About 16 million more Americans suffer pain and disabilities caused by cardiovascular disease.

Stroke is a form of cardiovascular disease that blocks vessels supplying blood to the brain. Stroke, the leading cause of long-term disability in the U.S., kills about 160,000 Americans every year and is the third-leading cause of death, behind heart disease and cancer.

In the 1990's human trials concluded that homocysteine levels are associated with a significantly greater risk of heart attack and stroke. More recent studies confirm the cardiovascular dangers of homocysteine and also its toxic effect on the brain. Elevated levels of homocysteine increase the incidence of depression, memory impairment and Alzheimer's disease. The New England Journal of Medicine and the Journal of the American Medical Association published articles suggesting that vitamin supplements be used to lower homocysteine levels. Homocysteine overload increases heart attack risk by 300%.

Supplements that can help contribute to a healthy heart:

Coenzyme Q10
Chromium Picolinate
Fish Oil Supplementation

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Coenzyme Q10
Use: congestive heart failure or weak heart CoQ10 is an antioxidant made by the body that helps vitamins C and E to detoxify superoxide anion.

CoQ10 also reduces the oxidation of cholesterol in the blood vessel wall. CoQ10 is widely used in Europe and Japan. The best data to support its use come from clinical trials in patients with heart failure. In these individuals, CoQ10 improves shortness of breath and reduces hospitalizations. However, there is no evidence that CoQ10 prevents heart attack or stroke.

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Chromium Picolinate
Use: Possible helpful in restoring healthy levels of blood sugar and insulin.

Several studies have shown that in people with insulin resistance syndrome, or Type 2 diabetes, chromium supplementation may improve blood sugar control and reduce the deed for diabetes medication. I might slightly reduce LDL cholesterol and triglycerides and increase HDL cholesterol.

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Fish Oil Supplementation (Omega-3 Fatty acids DHA & EPA)
Use: to reduce high triglyceride levels.

Most people could use more fish in their diet (particularly fatty fish such as mackerel, herring, or salmon). Supplementation with omega-3 from fish oil or algae can also help. Omega-3 fatty acids can improve endothelial health; they also reduce triglycerides, keep blood from clotting too quickly, and have anti-inflammatory properties.

American Heart Association report released in 2002 stated Fish Oil Supplements were shown to drastically reduce the risk of sudden death.