Heart Health. The heart beats about 2.5 billion times over an individual’s lifetime, pushing millions of gallons of blood to every part of the body. This steady flow carries oxygen, fuel, hormones, other compounds, and essential cells. It also takes away the waste products of metabolism. However, when the heart stops, the essential functions fail.
Given the heart’s never-ending workload, it can also fail. It can be brought down by a poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, infection, unfortunate genes, and more. One of the key problems is atherosclerosis. This is the accumulation of cholesterol-rich plaque inside the arteries. This plaque can limit blood flow through the arteries, coronary arteries, and other arteries throughout the body. When a plaque breaks apart, it can cause a heart attack or stroke.
Although many develop some form of cardiovascular disease (diseases affecting the heart and blood vessels) as they get older, a healthy lifestyle, especially when starting early, goes a long way to prevent cardiovascular disease. In addition, lifestyle changes and medications can help heart-harming illnesses, like high blood pressure or high cholesterol, before they cause damage. And there are medications, operations, and devices that can help support heart health if damage occurs.
A majority of individuals today are aware about the gut-brain connection and how approximately 90 percent of their body’s serotonin is really generated in the gastrointestinal, or GI, tract as well as the way the gut-brain axis is associated with depression. Overall gut health involving a healthy population of gut microbiota can affect many facets of our well-being, therefore, it’s no mystery that the connection between the gut and chronic health issues, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases, are also significantly strong.
Berberine, an ancient mixture frequently utilized in a variety of medicinal herbs throughout several traditional treatments has been demonstrated to benefit as well as link the gut and the heart. Berberine is an isoquinoline derivative alkaloid found in numerous herbs. Although these berberine-containing herbs aren’t traditionally utilized in food preparations, the active ingredient has been identified and may be isolated from a variety of plant sources, such as Coptis chinensis, or Coptis or Goldthread, Hydrastis canadensis, or goldenseal, Berberis aquifolium, or Oregon grape, Berberis aristata, or Tree Turmeric, Berberis vulgaris, or Barberry, and Arcangelisia flava.
Berberine is most favorably known for its function in gut health, demonstrating activity which can help support gut microbial balance. In fact, scientists have shown a growing interest in many plant-derived compounds which affect bacterial direction and berberine is a pioneer in the group. Additionally, its a botanical proven to influence blood glucose, blood lipids and also the immune system. Researchers today have learned how berberine can provide these tremendous benefits.
Gut Health Equals Heart Health
According to evidence from a 2016 research study, the gut’s immune system is fundamental towards preventing a variety of diseases and it may often contribute to metabolic disorders. However, it might also help provide a treatment goal when observing systemic inflammation in insulin resistance. Moreover, modified gut immunity has been linked with changes to the gut microbiota, intestinal barrier function, gut-residing immune cells, and resistance to antigens which enter the gastrointestinal, or GI, system. Although this has been previously believed to raise the danger of esophageal ailments including, pathogenic infections and chronic inflammation, which may ultimately lead to chronic health issues.
In our currently hectic and stressful world, a growth in the numbers of chronic disease has begun to negatively affect our overall health health. The best instance of this increase in chronic illness is type 2 diabetes, abbreviated in this article as T2DM, which often coexists with hypertension and causes individuals to pursue nutritional advice in order to achieve healthy blood sugar levels. The information viewing T2DM alone are shocking. As of 2015, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported that over 30 million people in the United States had diabetes, where approximately three times as many had pre-diabetes. According to statistics, 70 percent of individuals with pre-diabetes will develop type 2 diabetes.
Natural remedies and botanicals utilized as herbal treatments which have been previously used to promote healthy blood sugar levels have been strongly evaluated in order to determine their safety and effectiveness. Numerous berberine research studies are being conducted, though these are mostly in vitro, or in cell cultures. A majority of in vivo research studies have used animals for the analysis. Despite the quality and size of those research studies, virtually all of the outcome measures throughout the last two decades are positive. One research study from 2012 looked at in vitro results to thoroughly assess the assumed mechanism of action by which berberine affects fat storage. The outcome measures using clinical therapeutics of berberine to observe participants with metabolic syndrome appeared promising.
Another research study evaluated and analyzed the use of berberine in human cell cultures to ascertain how it influenced preadipocyte, a precursor to fat cells, comparison and fat hormone as well as cell activity in patients with metabolic disease. The researchers demonstrated that preadipocyte differentiation was restricted by berberine, while leptin, adiponectin, PPAR?2, or the nuclear receptor known as the master regulator of fat cell biology and target of many diabetes drugs and/or medications, and C/EBP?, a protein necessary for fat cell differentiation, diminished. After several months, participants demonstrated a drop in their BMI and leptin/adiponectin ratio, showing that berberine could boost insulin sensitivity by limiting fat storage, which may also have beneficial effects in the regulation of blood lipid levels.
Concerning how berberine affects cardiovascular biomarkers, many assessments can be found in the literature. The administration of berberine in one analysis generated a substantial decrease in total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, with a marked rise in high-density lipoprotein. Furthermore, a meta-analysis of this anti-diabetic, hypolipidemic and anti-inflammatory effects of berberine were reviewed in twenty-seven randomized controlled clinical trials. The researchers have concluded that berberine is safe and effective due to its support of the cardiovascular system and the maintenance of healthy blood sugar levels, without any severe adverse reactions found in some of the other research studies. Berberine has also been demonstrated to restrict complex I of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, leading to a growth of 5′ adenosine monophosphate, or AMP and 5′ adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, or AMPK activation. This seems to have a direct impact on energy metabolism as well as that in other structures and functions.
The neurological health effects of berberine have also been considered, particularly from the modulation of the dopaminergic system. Berberine has also demonstrated a possibility in the successful management of seizures, diabetes-induced memory malfunction and hyperexcitability. One animal research study investigating obsessive-compulsive disease found that berberine can promote anti-compulsive and/or anxiolytic effects because of its ability to boost brain monoamine levels. Another review from 2016 demonstrated berberine’s ability to reduce oxidative stress and supply neuroprotective benefits. The review further cites research studies which examine the botanical’s function in the evolution of amyloid plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. Berberine has found its function in the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular as well as brain worlds. Truly offering a wholesome dose of gut-heart-brain link, berberine is definitely one to consider.
Dr. Alex Jimenez’s Insight
Research studies have found that the relationship between a healthy gut, brain and heart is fundamental towards overall well-being. Natural remedies and botanicals, such as berberine, can help promote as well as support this gut-brain-heart connection, while other alternative treatment options, such as chiropractic care, can restore balance and encourage the human body’s natural healing abilities by correcting spinal misalignments of the spine. Furthermore, by establishing the proper relationship between the brain, the spinal chord and the rest of the body, chiropractic care can help regulate the proper structure and function of each system in the human body.
With the increasing number of gut health issues, it’s become a priority to find safe and effective treatment options to properly address these common problems. More and more research studies have found a connection between the gut, brain and heart. As previously mentioned, by both supporting and promoting the well-being of the gastrointestinal, or GI, system, the structure and function of a variety of other systems can be sustained. Natural remedies and botanicals, such as berberine, have been utilized for centuries as herbal treatments, however, other alternative treatment options can also be used to help improve gut health. Chiropractic care is a well-known, alternative treatment option which has been demonstrated to help promote the natural healing of the human body through the use of spinal adjustments and manual manipulations as well as other therapeutic techniques to correct spinal misalignments, or subluxations. Moreover, a doctor of chiropractic, or chiropractor, can recommend a series of lifestyle modifications, including exercise and nutritional advice, in order to help further improve the overall health and wellness of the human body. Maintaining the well-being of the gut can help boost brain and heart health as well.
Berberine Warnings
In large doses, berberine may lead to gastrointestinal irritation. Thus, it’s typically administered in divided doses and taken with a meal. In addition, researchers have revealed that berberine can limit particular cytochrome enzymes that also target a lot of different kinds of drugs and/or medications, including certain antibiotics. Inhibiting cytochrome enzymes influences the liver’s detoxification system, which will be required to metabolize and, finally, clear drugs and/or medications. For this reason, it’s essential to carefully monitor those patients that are using berberine if other medicines are used concomitantly. The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic as well as to spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at�915-850-0900�.
Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most prevalent causes for disability and missed days at work worldwide. As a matter of fact, back pain has been attributed as the second most common reason for doctor office visits, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections. Approximately 80 percent of the population will experience some type of back pain at least once throughout their life. The spine is a complex structure made up of bones, joints, ligaments and muscles, among other soft tissues. Because of this, injuries and/or aggravated conditions, such as herniated discs, can eventually lead to symptoms of back pain. Sports injuries or automobile accident injuries are often the most frequent cause of back pain, however, sometimes the simplest of movements can have painful results. Fortunately, alternative treatment options, such as chiropractic care, can help ease back pain through the use of spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, ultimately improving pain relief.
Calcium is one of the most omnipresent mineral in the human body. An average-sized adult’s body, for instance, can contain approximately 1000 to 1200 grams of calcium, which is generally, invisibly integrated into bones and teeth by the widely available type of mineral, identified as calcium-hydroxyapatite (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2) crystals. The rest circulates throughout the blood and soft tissues, as it plays fundamental roles in cell conduction, muscle function, hormone regulation and vitamin K-dependent pathways, as well as for proper cardiac and blood vessel function.
What role does calcium play in heart health?
Several research studies indicate that just about 30 percent of the United States population consumes the Recommended Dietary Allowance of calcium, which calls for approximately 1000 to 1200 milligrams on a regular daily basis. Furthermore, humans can absorb only about 30 percent of calcium from foods, based on the particular source. The body will in turn, demineralize its own skeletal system to maintain the proper serum calcium levels in scenarios where dietary calcium is inadequate and/or absorption is decreased, and/or excretion is increased.
Epidemic of Osteopenia/Osteoporosis
Starting at around the age of 50 years old, postmenopausal women lose about 0.7 to 2 percent of their bone mass each year, while men over age 50 years lose 0.5 to 0.7 % annually. Between ages 45 and 75 years of age, women lose 30 percent bone mass, whereas men lose 15 percent.
According to the US Surgeon General’s Report, one in two Americans over the age of 50 are expected to have an increased risk of developing osteoporosis. Osteoporosis causes 8.9 million fractures annually, with an estimated cumulative cost of incident fractures predicted at US $474 billion over the next 20 years. Among mature women over the age of 45, osteoporosis accounts for more days spent in the hospital than many other conditions and diseaes, such as diabetes, myocardial infarction (MI), chronic obstructive airway disease and even breast cancer. Fragility fractures are the primary cause of hospitalization and/or death for US adults age 65 years and older; and 44 percent of nursing home admissions are caused by fractures.
A Mayo Clinic study noted that compared to 30 years ago, forearm fractures have increased more than 32 percent in men and 56 percent in women. The authors of the research study concluded that dietary changes, such as inadequate calcium and extra phosphate, were considerably associated with increased fractures. Public health approaches are critical to prevent symptomatic bone disease, however, widespread psychiatric prophylaxis is prohibitively costly and carries potentially serious adverse effects.
Cardiovascular Disease and Bone Disease
Strong epidemiological associations exist between decreased bone mineral density (BMD) and increased risk of the cardiovascular disease (CVD) and CVD death. For instance, individuals with osteoporosis have been reported to have a higher risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD), as well as cardiovascular disease. This issue will be magnified if the remedies for osteoporosis (eg, calcium supplements) separately increase the risk of MI.
Issues with Dairy as Primary Source of Calcium
Dairy foods and drinks account for about 70 percent of dietary calcium intake among Americans. Dozens of epidemiological and randomized controlled trials in adults and children have utilized dairy products as the main source of calcium, and have credited dairy intake with preventive benefits on study end points such as bone mass, fractures and osteoporosis. A current meta-analysis of over 270,000 people revealed a strong trend for dairy intake protecting against hip fracture; the relative risk (RR) of hip fracture each day glass of milk was 0.91, 95 percent CI 0.81 to 1.01.
In most industrialized countries, milk is frequently the most cost-effective strategy for achieving recommended levels of calcium consumption in a population level. However, legitimate concerns exist regarding potential deleterious effects of chronic dairy intake on health. Dairy foods, on a time scale, are relative new-comers to the hominin diet. Domestication of cattle, sheep and goats first happened approximately 11,000 to 10,000 years ago. Furthermore, it seems that an estimated 65 percent of the global population expresses the pheno-type of lactase non-persistence.
Consumption of cow’s milk has been inconsistently associated with cataracts, ovarian and prostate cancers, and Parkinson’s disease, as it’s also been implicated in certain autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis. Overall, the evidence for dairy-induced human diseases seems to be consistent for prostate cancer and for type 1 diabetes. A recent study of over 106,000 adults followed for 20 years showed that drinking three or more glasses of milk per day was associated with increased risks for bone fracture and higher mortality rates in comparison to ingesting more than 1 glass of milk every day. By comparison, for the women in that study, daily serving of cheese and/or other fermented milk products such as yogurt was associated with a 10 to 15 percent decrease in the rates of mortality and hip fractures (p<0.001). However, this was an observational study with inherent constraints such as residual confounding and reverse causation. In conclusion, solid results cannot be drawn in the data.
The sugar in milk, lactose, is broken down in the gastrointestinal tract into d-galactose and d-glucose. D-Galactose has been proven to increase inflammation and oxidation in adult humans, and in mature animals this sugar triggers accelerated ageing, neurodegeneration, and a shortened life span. Therefore, cow’s milk, even though rich in many nutrients,including sodium, has issues that leave it less than ideal as a dietary staple for most adults. On the contrary, fermented milk foods, such as cheese and yogurt, appear to be safer than milk, perhaps because the mostor all of d-galactose has been metabolized by bacteria, to make these staple food products.
Calcium, as with many other vitamins and minerals, is a fundamental compound needed to support the proper function of the human body, particularly when it comes to cardiovascular disease and heart health. Although these results have been displayed in several research studies, it’s essential to consult a healthcare professional to discuss your nutritional options. The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Wellness
Overall health and wellness are essential towards maintaining the proper mental and physical balance in the body. From eating a balanced nutrition as well as exercising and participating in physical activities, to sleeping a healthy amount of time on a regular basis, following the best health and wellness tips can ultimately help maintain overall well-being. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables can go a long way towards helping people become healthy.
Coenzyme Q10, or CoQ10, ranks among the best selling nutritional supplements, with global sales forecast to reach $849 million by 2020, according to a recent study. Researchers report that Coenzyme Q10 may have important benefits for those who have cardiovascular disease, or CVD, from reducing the risk of repeated heart attacks and improving outcomes in patients with heart failure, to reducing high blood pressure, or BP, and helping combat side ramifications of cholesterol-lowering statins.
What are the heart health benefits of Coenzyme Q10?
There’s also evidence that CoQ10 might have “important protective heart health effects” that might help prevent CVD, the world’s leading cause of death, reports a recent study published in Cardiovascular Pharmacology: Open Access. As these are fascinating findings, messaging to individuals around CoQ10, especially in the popular media, is frequently confusing, resulting in less than optimum results and inadequate supplement option. Here’s a guide to the most recent discoveries about the heart health benefits of CoQ10 and how to make smart choices in selecting supplements.
What is Coenzyme Q10?
Found in almost every cell of the body, Coenzyme Q10 is a fat-soluble, vitamin-like substance that helps convert food into energy. A potent antioxidant that protects against harm from toxic free radicals, CoQ10 is naturally created by the human body and can also be found in many foods, with high levels found in organ meats, like liver or kidneys; as well as in sardines, mackerel, chicken, cauliflower, broccoli and asparagus.
What are the Different Forms of CoQ10?
There are two kinds of CoQ10: ubiquinone and ubiquinol. Ubiquinol, the active antioxidant form of Coenzyme Q10, is created within the human body from ubiquinone. As we age, the amounts of both kinds drop. As early as age 20, the quantity of ubiquinone our own bodies produce starts to drop. Compounding the issue, the entire body also loses its ability to generate ubiquinol out of ubiquinone. Most dietary supplements comprise ubiquinone and therefore are relatively economical, whilst ubiquinol nutritional supplements, which may be of most benefit as we age, may be harder to find and more expensive.
A simple blood test can be obtained to measure CoQ10 levels. A shortage of this antioxidant may result in oxidative stress, which raises the risk of a variety of disorders, including cardiovascular disease. Recent research links low blood levels of CoQ10 with reduced levels of heart-protective “good” cholesterol which in turn can further increase risk for heart disease. Cholesterol-lowering statins may also reduce blood levels of CoQ10.
What’s the Physiological Role of Coenzyme Q10?
Coenzyme Q10, or CoQ10, best referred to as ubiquinone, can possibly enhance function by means of many different mechanisms. CoQ10 is a highly lipophilic molecule made up of a 1,4-benzoquinone. The Q describes the quinone chemical groups and the 10 describes the amount of isoprenyl chemical subunits in its tail. CoQ10 belongs to a group of chemicals which are characterized by their quinone moieties along with the length and composition of their hydrophobic tails. Even though being a frequent element of most cellular membranes, CoQ10’s most prominent role is to facilitate the production of ATP by participating in redox reactions within the electron transport chain in the mitochondria. Over the electron transfer chain, CoQ10 accepts electrons from complexes I and II and transports them to complex III. Now, it is ready to be decreased by complexes I and II again.
Along with its crucial role as a component of the electron transport chain, CoQ10 can be safely considered to be a potent antioxidant. CoQ10 was shown to inhibit the peroxidation of cell membrane lipids and reduces the oxidation of circulating lipolipids. In vitro analysis demonstrated that supplementation with CoQ10 inhibited low-density lipoprotein oxidation into a significantly greater level compared with other natural antioxidants, such as ?-carotene or ?-tocopherol. In apolipoprotein E–deficient mice fed with a high fat diet, CoQ10 supplementation decreased the concentration of lipid hydroperoxides in atherosclerotic lesions and reduced the size of atherosclerotic lesions in the aorta.
As well as its antioxidant action, Coenzyme Q10 also appears to enhance endothelial function. In vitro investigations in human umbilical vein endothelial cells revealed that Coenzyme Q10 supplementation reduced oxidized low-density lipoprotein–triggered endothelin-1 (a known potent vasoconstrictor) secretion. Furthermore, CoQ10 supplementation enhanced nitric oxide bioavailability and decreased cytochrome c (necessary for activation of proapototic proteins) secretion.
How Does CoQ10 Directly Affect Heart Health?
Recent research indicates that Coenzyme Q10, either alone or blended with other therapies, may be good for the following conditions. However, as with all supplements, patients should consult a healthcare professional prior to taking CoQ10 to assess if it’s suitable for them.
Cardiovascular disease, or CVD. Recent studies indicate that CoQ10 supplements can significantly raise HDL-C and ApoA1 levels, even in individuals taking statins, and may decrease risk for CVD. CoQ10 supplementation reduces levels of inflammatory biomarkers shown to be risk factors for CVD, for example high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Finally, low CoQ10 levels have been associated with greater tissue damage to the heart during a heart attack and also the brain during stroke.
Statin-related muscle symptoms. Though statin therapy can significantly reduce heart attack and stroke risk, up to 25 percent of individuals quit treatment within six months as a result of unwanted effects, such as muscular aches and weakness. In a 2014 randomized clinical research published in Medical Science Monitor, 75 percent of statin users with muscular symptoms reported reduced pain after taking CoQ10 twice daily for 30 days, compared to zero progress in the placebo group. The researchers reasoned that combining statin treatment with Coenzyme Q10 supplements could cause greater compliance with treatment.
Heart failure, abbreviated as HF. CoQ10 was hailed as “the first new medication to improve heart failure mortality in over a decade” after a multi-center randomized study of 420 patients discovered that taking it reduced deaths in patients with acute HF by half, in comparison to a control group. The researchers tracked the patients for two years. The analysis was presented in the Heart Failure 2013 congress in Lisbon and later published in Journal of the American College of Cardiology Heart Failure.
After a heart attack. In a randomized clinical trial, patients that received CoQ10 soon after a heart attack had a much lower rate of subsequent cardiac events during the next year than a control group (24.6 percent versus 45 percent). About half the patients in both groups were also taking a statin drug, prompting the researchers to report that, “therapy with Coenzyme Q10 in patients with recent heart attacks could be beneficial in patients with higher risk of atherothrombosis, despite optimum lipid lowering treatment.”
High blood pressure. In a study of 12 clinical studies, researchers noted that CoQ10 has the potential to lower systolic blood pressure (the top number in a blood pressure reading) by up to 17 millimeter Hg and diastolic pressure by 10 mm Hg without significant side effects.
Additional Clinical Research
Coenzyme Q10 has persistent and significant antihypertensive consequences in patients with hypertension. The literature is outlined below: (1) Compared to normotensive patients, essential hypertensive patients have a greater incidence (6 fold) of Coenzyme Q10 deficiency recorded by serum levels; (2) Doses of 120 to 225 mg/d of CoQ10, depending upon the delivery procedure or the concomitant ingestion with a greasy meal, are essential to reach a therapeutic level of 3 ug/mL. This dose is generally 3 to 5 mg/kg every day of coenzyme Q10. Oral dosing levels may become lower with nanoparticle and emulsion delivery methods meant to facilitate absorption. Adverse effects have not been characterized in the literature; (3) Patients with the cheapest Coenzyme Q10 serum levels might have the best antihypertensive response to supplementation; (4) The ordinary reduction in BP is roughly 15/10 mmHg and heart rate drops 5 beats/min based on reported studies and meta-analysis; (5) The antihypertensive effect takes time to achieve its peak level at 4 weeks. Then the blood pressure, or BP stays stable during long-term treatment. The antihypertensive effect is gone over two weeks following discontinuation of all CoQ10. The reduction in BP and SVR are connected using the pretreatment and post treatment serum levels of CoQ10. About 50 percent of patients respond to oral CoQ10 supplementation for BP; (6) Approximately 50 percent of patients on antihypertensive drugs may be able to stop between one and three agents. Both entire dose and frequency of administration could be reduced. (7) Doctors administered Coenzyme Q10 with enalapril enhanced the 24 hour ABM better compared to enalapril mono-therapy and also normalized endothelial function; also (8) CoQ10 is a lipid phase antioxidant and free radical scavenger, raises eNOS and NO, reduces inflammation and NF-?B and enhances endothelial func-tion and vascular elasticity.
Other positive effects on cardiovascular risk factors include improvement in the serum lipid profile and carbohydrate metabolism with reduced glucose and enhanced insulin sensitivity, decreased oxidative stress, re-duced heartbeat, enhanced myocardial LV function and oxygen reduction and decreased catecholamine levels.�Although these results have been displayed in several research studies, it’s essential to consult a healthcare professional to discuss your options. The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Wellness
Overall health and wellness are essential towards maintaining the proper mental and physical balance in the body. From eating a balanced nutrition as well as exercising and participating in physical activities, to sleeping a healthy amount of time on a regular basis, following the best health and wellness tips can ultimately help maintain overall well-being. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables can go a long way towards helping people become healthy.
Sesame seeds are among the most ancient foods in the world. In fact, sesame plants are the earliest known plant species to be produced mostly for their seeds (pods) and oils instead of for their leaves, fruit or vegetables. Highly appreciated in Asian, African and Mediterranean cultures, sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum) have been used for centuries to flavor foods as well as to provide essential fats and improve skin health.
What is the significance of sesame seeds towards health?
Sesame has among the highest oil contents of any seed along with a rich, nutty flavor. These flexible seeds have long been used by different civilizations around the world, but many people are unaware of their healthy qualities. Evidence demonstrates the benefits of these very small seeds in helping manage common health issues, such as cardiovascular disease, which gives us a lot of reasons to incorporate them into our everyday diet.
Sesame Seed Nutrition Facts
Sesame seeds come out of a flowering plant from the genus Sesamum. Sesame seed pods burst open when they reach full maturity. The actual seeds of the sesame plant are utilized to extract the valuable oils. Sesame seeds contain up to 55 percent oil and 20 percent protein, making them a rich supply of both essential fatty acids and certain amino acids. The seeds contain approximately 50 percent to 60 percent of a fatty oil that’s characterized by two positive members of the lignan family: sesamin and sesamolin. Sesame oil also contains two additional phenolic compounds, sesamol and sesaminol, that are formed through the refining procedure. Oil derived from polyunsaturated is high in linoleic and oleic acids, the vast majority of that are gamma-tocopherol, in addition to other isomers of vitamin. Sesame proteins (amino acids) include lysine, tryptophan and methionine.
One tablespoon of sesame seeds contains approximately:
52 calories
4 grams fat
1 gram carbs
2 grams of protein
4 milligrams copper (18 percent DV)
2 milligrams manganese (11 percent DV)
87 milligrams calcium (9 percent DV)
31 milligrams magnesium (8 percent DV)
3 milligrams iron (7 percent DV)
57 milligrams phosphorus (6 percent DV)
7 milligrams zinc (5 percent DV)
1 milligrams thiamine (5 percent DV)
High Supply of Cholesterol-Lowering Phytosterols
Sesame seeds rank highest in cholesterol-lowering phytosterols from almost all seeds, nuts, legumes and grains. Phytosterols are plant sterols structurally similar to cholesterol that act in the intestine to reduce cholesterol absorption. Phytosterols displace cholesterol inside the gastrointestinal tract, reducing the heart of accessible absorbable cholesterol. Some research has revealed that among 27 distinct nuts and seeds tested, sesame seeds have come out on top (along with wheat germ) as having the highest phytosterol content of them all. They feature approximately 400 grams of phytosterols with each 200 g of seeds. The phytosterol they supply is called beta-sitosterol, which can be tied to improved prostate health and arterial function.
Protect Heart Health
Research shows that lignans help improve lipid profiles and may normalize cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Lignans help naturally lower cholesterol in a couple of ways, they can lower both serum liver and blood cholesterol. Researchers occasionally refer to sesame seed phytochemicals as “hypocholesterolemic agents” for this particular reason. Fifty grams of sesame seed powder taken daily for more than five weeks by healthy adults has revealed favorable effects on total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, LDL-to-HDL cholesterol ratios and antioxidant status.
In an early study, hypercholesterolemic subjects treated with 32 mg/day of sesamin diminished their levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) following eight weeks, compared to control subjects from whom these levels remained unchanged. In another study, 21 subjects with hypercholesterolemia showed reductions in total cholesterol and LDL by 6.4 percent and 9.5 percent respectively, following the consumption of 40 gram of sesame seeds for four weeks. The decrease in cholesterol vanished, however, once the individuals resumed their normal diet for over four weeks. Sesame ingestion also exerts an antioxidant impact by multiplying the lag phase of LDL oxidation (the stage where oxidation proceeds very slowly).
Recent studies have confirmed these findings. Similar persistent reductions in total cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides, as well as the LDL:HDL ratio are detected when sesame extracts were given to people with elevated blood pressure and also to postmenopausal women. What’s more, in the analysis of hypertensive patients, which contrasted the cholesterol-lowering capability of sesame oil with sunflower and groundnut oils, sesame oil revealed superior antioxidant activity and better protection against lipid peroxidation compared to comparators.
Lipid peroxidation is a harmful free radical-generating procedure which frequently precedes the build up of plaque from the arteries (atherosclerosis). Sesame oil has just been shown to directly inhibit atherosclerosis lesion production, while beneficially altering the lipid profile. It’s believed that one potential mechanism whereby sesame lignans exert their beneficial effects may be by working synergistically with vitamin E in the body to improve blood and tissue levels of this biologically significant antioxidant.
Boost Blood Pressure
Sesame oil is thought to be a powerful antihypertensive as it helps stabilize blood pressure levels. One 2006 study published in The Yale Journal of Biological Medicine investigated the effects of hypertensive adults supplementing with sesame oil daily for 45 days and found that sesame could possibly be a great way to reduce blood pressure. After tracking various health markers of 32 hypertensive patients aged 35 to 60 years that was supplied sesame oil (Idhayam gingelly oil) to utilize it as the only edible oil for 45 days, the investigators discovered that sesame oil helped considerably lower high blood pressure, reduce lipid peroxidation and boost antioxidant status in the majority of individuals.
A recent human study to the effects of various edible oils in hypertensive patients being treated with nifedipine, an anti inflammatory therapy, revealed that sesame oil offered better protection, more than blood pressure, lipid profiles, and lipid peroxidation than either sunflower or groundnut oils. Sesame oil also positively improved both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants as well as all the other oils.
Other research has shown that the sesame lignans also have a beneficial impact on nitric oxide, a potent vasodilator with anti-atherosclerotic and antithrombotic properties. Dilation of blood vessels makes it a lot easier for blood to flow through, thus lowering the pressure inside the vessels. In one study, sesamol increased the release of nitric oxide in umbilical vein endothelial cells, while another study found that sesamin metabolites enhanced vasorelaxation too. The authors concluded that sesamin’s antihypertensive effects were directly associated with this vessel relaxation.
Further Clinical Research
Sesame was shown to reduce blood pressure at several small randomized, placebo controlled human research within 30 to 60 days. Sesame lowers BP independently or together with nifedipine diuretics and beta blockers. In several 13 mild hypertensive subjects, 60 mg of sesamin for 4 weeks lowered SBP 3.5 mmHg (de < 0.044) and DBP 1.9 mmHg (p < 0.045). Black sesame meal at 2.52 g/d more than 4 weeks in 15 subjects decreased SBP from 8.3 mmHg (p < 0.05) but there was a non-significant decrease in DBP of 4.2 mmHg[259]. Sesame oil in 35 g/d significantly lowered central blood pressure within 1 hour and also claimed blood pressure reduction chronically in 30 hypertensive areas, reduced heart rate, reduced arterial stiffness, decreased augmentation index and pulse wave velocity, decreased HSCRP, improved NO, diminished endothelin-Iand improved antioxidant ability.
In addition sesame lowers serum sugar, HgbAIC and LDL-C, raises HDL, reduces oxidative stress markers and in-creases glutathione, SOD, GPx, CAT, vitamins C, E and A. The active ingredients are organic ACEI’s such as sesamin, sesamolin, sesaminol glucosides, furou-furan lignans which also suppressors of NF-?B. Each of these effects lower inflammation and oxidative stress, improve oxidative defense and reduce blood pressure.
Many clinical research and evidence-based findings have demonstrated the benefits of sesame oil for cardiovascular disease, where the consumption of sesame can protect overall heart health as well as lower cholesterol and boost blood pressure levels. Although these results have been displayed in several research studies, it’s essential to consult a healthcare professional to discuss your options. The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Wellness
Overall health and wellness are essential towards maintaining the proper mental and physical balance in the body. From eating a balanced nutrition as well as exercising and participating in physical activities, to sleeping a healthy amount of time on a regular basis, following the best health and wellness tips can ultimately help maintain overall well-being. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables can go a long way towards helping people become healthy.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CVD results in 611,105 deaths every year. The most common types of cardiovascular diseases include angina, high blood pressure, or hypertension, heart attack, and atherosclerosis. Cardiovascular disease can develop because of a variety of factors, but it’s widely considered that your risk of heart health issues could be significantly affected by lifestyle choices, such as that of an improper diet and nutrition.
How can seaweed contribute to heart health?
Over the past few decades, researchers have indicated that seaweed may have significant effects on cardiovascular disease. Because of its heart health benefits, we ought to be doing more to include these sea vegetables into our diets. Seaweed covers a vast selection of marine macroalgae, which can be categorized into three groups: brown algae (Phaeophyceae), green algae (Chlorophyta) and red algae (Rhodophyta). Many seaweed species possess an assortment of health benefits. They comprise, among other things, beneficial proteins, antioxidants, minerals, trace elements, dietary fiber and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Seaweed is a rich source of proteins known as bioactive peptides. These chemicals have a similar impact to ACE inhibitor drugs and medications, which are prescribed to help lower blood pressure and prevent heart attacks and strokes.
Seaweed and Cardiovascular Disease
Even though there is not any consensual definition for the word “functional food” globally, this is vastly accepted for foods and food components that have been demonstrated to offer certain health benefits beyond the basic nutrition. The design of functional foods is hence undoubtedly associated to the notion of preventing diseases and/or improving optimal health of consumers, besides the simple nourishment requirements.
Seaweed has been a staple ingredient in Asian cultures for centuries. Given the evidence of the beneficial health effects of seaweeds and/or isolates of macroalgae source, there’s a strong case for their inclusion in regular meals (food and beverages), so as to take advantage of their nutrient benefits. It is expected that the joint efforts of business and research in this field will result throughout the forthcoming decades, in a high number of new functional food products reaching to the current market, including those meant to promote heart health.
As per a study review (over 100 research studies), published in the American Chemical Society’s Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, scientists called for “more attempt to exploit the bioactive compounds as well as their potential for utilization and delivery to consumers in food goods. In a study published in the journal Phycologia, researchers suggest that adding seaweed to processed foods may decrease cardiovascular disease. The authors referred their attention to the manufacturers of such foods to fulfill a responsibility for the well-being of their customers.
Clinical Research
Ole G. Mouritsen, a professor of biophysics at the University of Southern Denmark, and colleagues, examined existing knowledge on the health effects of 35 different seaweed species. In the guide, they provide hints to how both individual consumers and the food industry can use seaweed to create everyday healthier meals. By way of instance, dried and granulated seaweed can substitute some of the flour when producing dry pasta, bread, pizza and snack bars, together with as small as a 5 percent replacement needed. Seaweed salt, according to researchers, can also be a healthier salt. Seaweed’s content of potassium salts does not lead to high blood pressure, unlike the sodium salts, typically used in the processed food.
“We all know that many individuals have difficulty distinguishing between healthy and unhealthy food. With the addition of seaweed to processed foods we could produce healthier food. In many cases we also get tastier food, and it may also help reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases,” the researchers stated. “It is difficult to determine how much seaweed an individual should have to benefit from its great qualities. Five to 10 g of dried seaweed daily is my quote,” states Mouritsen, who has authored several books on seaweed as a healthy food source.
The development of functional foods using seaweeds for boosting heart health have been particularly examined in meat-based products. In these products, it is very important to improve the fatty acid composition and the material of functional ingredients, while decreasing the contents of cholesterol, fat and salt. Different authors have reported that nutritional worth of meat products can be significantly enhanced by the incorporation of whole seaweeds, without hampering quality and sensory properties. Besides, a remarkable work was done by Schultz-Moreira et al., because combined with describing the enhanced nutritional value of restructured meat once augmented with seaweeds, they also assessed different parameters (e.g., lipid profile, antioxidant enzymes and arylesterase) with effect on cardiovascular disease, as demonstrated in hypertensive rats. Additionally, Lim et al. also revealed that chicken and pork patties fortified with Laminaria japonica could improve postprandial plasma glucose and lipids profiles in borderline-hyperlipidemic adults.
For the last decades, development of drinks with seaweeds or extracts has also become the focus of distinct investigations and of many patent registrations. Among those, researchers have patented a beverage containing water-insoluble algal nutritional fibers (0.01% to 20 percent) and citric acid, sugar, fruit juice, plant thickeners and water, which may prevent from distinct diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases. Besides patents, research studies reported the effects of functional drinks. In general, these studies highlighted that beverages made by incorporating macroalgae, particularly using Ecklonia cava, could be of advantage not only because of their minerals and phenolics richness, but also due to their ability to target ACE-I.
Further Clinical Research
Wakame seaweed (Undaria pinnatifida) is the most popular, edible seaweed in Japan. In humans, 3.3 g of dried Wakame for four months significantly reduced both the SBP 14 � 3 mmHg and the DBP 5 � 2 mmHg (p < 0.01). In a study of 62 middle-aged, male subjects with mild hypertension given a potassium-loaded, ion-exchanging, sodium-adsorbing, potassium-releasing seaweed prepara-tion, significant blood pressure reductions occurred at four months on 12 and 24 g/d of the seaweed preparation (p < 0.01). The MAP fell 11.2 mmHg (p < 0.001) in the sodium-sensitive themes and 5.7 mmHg (p < 0.05) in the sodium-insensitive subjects, which connected with PRA.
Seaweed and sea vegetables contain most all of the seawater’s 77I minerals and rare earth elements, fiber and alginate in a colloidal form. The primary effect of Wakame seems to be via its ACEI activity from at least four parent tetrapeptides and possibly their dipeptide and tripeptide metabolites, especially those containing the amino acid sequence Val-Tyr, Ile-Tyr, Phe-Tyr and Ile-Try in certain combination. Its long-term use in Japan has shown its effectiveness. Other varieties of seaweed may reduce BP by decreasing intestinal sodium absorption and raising intestinal potassium absorption.
Conclusion
Seaweeds are a great source of compounds with varied applications, including for heart health and cardiovascular disease, or CVD. This simple fact leaves macroalgae and crude/purified extracts, a possibility of program as ingredients in the formulation of new functional foods in that health field. There’s evidence that diet supplementation with whole macroalgae or products of macroalgae origin can ameliorate several mechanisms underlying the onset and propagation of CVDs. However, we must emphasize that the challenge of working with these components in novel foods should not be restricted to the improvement of the nutritional formulations, but instead, efforts should be done in order to test the promised health benefits of the new products.�The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Wellness
Overall health and wellness are essential towards maintaining the proper mental and physical balance in the body. From eating a balanced nutrition as well as exercising and participating in physical activities, to sleeping a healthy amount of time on a regular basis, following the best health and wellness tips can ultimately help maintain overall well-being. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables can go a long way towards helping people become healthy.
Cardiovascular disease, abbreviated as CVD, is an intricate group of heart-related conditions which are considered to be the top cause of death among Americans and Europeans. Unfortunately, the prevalence of cardiovascular disease is increasing rapidly in developing nations as well. Therefore, finding safe and effective strategies to treat and prevent cardiovascular disease, or CVD, has become a significant priority around the globe.
What are some safe and effective treatment strategies for cardiovascular disease?
Many factors contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease, which involve high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, heart failure, stroke, and congenital cardiovascular defects. Epidemiological studies investigating CVD risk factors have pointed to the role of elevated serum lipids (including cholesterol and triglycerides), elevated blood pressure, or BP, increased platelet aggregation, increased plasma fibrinogen and coagulation factors, alterations in glucose metabolism, as well as smoking. Reduced risk of CVD is associated with increased serum levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C), normalization of abnormal lipid levels, inhibition of platelet aggregation, and increased antioxidant status, according to some research studies.
While these various factors have been determined to lead to cardiovascular disease, dietary factors have been known to play a major role in CVD, where Mediterranean diets, fish, fruit, and whole grains have also been proven to reduce CVD risk. One research study where patients admitted with severe cardiovascular disease were interviewed, found that 78 percent were using natural health products; such utilization was recorded by pharmacists in 41 percent of patients, by doctors in 22 percent and by nurses in 19 percent. Among all the natural health products used to treat cardiovascular disease, garlic (Allium sativa, Family Liliaceae) has been in the top five best selling herbs, and is the most popular herb used by patients with CVD.
History
Garlic has been a significant element in many cultures for centuries. Ancient Ayurvedic texts consult health benefits of garlic concerning improving blood circulation and strengthening the heart. The Egyptian Codex Ebers (1500 BC) recommended garlic for heart disease, and also for tumors, worms and a number of other conditions. The Greek physician, Hippocrates (400 BC), along with the Roman authority, Pliny the Elder (77 AD), recommended garlic for the cardiovascular system. Clinical work as early as 1926 found garlic to have beneficial effects on cardiovascular disease. These effects were again mentioned in the 1960’s and 1970’s when numerous studies noted a decrease in serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels. However, these early studies were conducted using raw garlic administered at very high doses (between seven and 28 cloves per day).
Pharmacology
Garlic’s odor problem has led to much work being done to find more palatable and less odorous formulations. The odor, as well as garlic’s cardiovascular effects, is caused by sulfur-containing compounds. Garlic cloves contain nearly all their sulfur at a storage compound called alliin (a name coming from garlic’s botanical name, Allium sativum). Raw garlic also contains an enzyme known as alliinase. When raw garlic is crushed or cut, the alliinase interacts with alliin to make allicin. The distinctive aroma and flavor of garlic is a result of allicin, which is very volatile and unstable, breaking down either in a couple of hours at room temperature or after a few minutes of cooking. An in vitro study found that garlic’s ability to inhibit platelet aggregation wasn’t changed after 3 minutes or less of immersion. After 6 minutes, cloves had no action, whereas some activity was retained by crushed garlic. After 10 minutes, all activity was gone. By microwaving for approximately 2 minutes, all activity was removed from many samples.
As allicin breaks down or is metabolized, dozens of other more stable sulfur compounds are formed. A number of them are active. Allicin is converted into polysulfides and ajoene which could be stable for over a year, when garlic is macerated with oil. However, each compound’s precise action remains uncertain. Most regard the sulfur-containing compounds as crucial to the health benefits of garlic, although those compounds are also responsible for garlic’s odor-problems. The ways garlic has been processed direct to preparations with various compounds, which might be inconsistent.
Mechanism of Action
In spite of considerable numbers of in vitro research, the component(s) in garlic accountable for its cardiovascular effects remain unclear. Garlic impacts the cardiovascular system via several mechanisms, but a lot of its constituents are biologically active and uncertainty remains about the way they all interact. Ajoene and other compounds inhibit platelet aggregation, which can help prevent cardiovascular disease, or CVD. Allicin has antiplatelet aggregating activity, even though its instability makes it difficult to fully study its clinical effects. Several garlic components inhibit liver enzymes involved in making cholesterol, such as HMG-CoA reductase (the enzyme inhibited by statins), and many others reduced plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels through unclear mechanisms of activity. Garlic also contains antioxidants that could counteract the development of atherosclerosis. Components cause muscle relaxation, which could contribute to decreased hypertension, a common issue along with cardiovascular disease.
Various sulfur compounds derived from garlic trigger the release of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) from human red blood cells. H2S,�naturally occurring cell signaling molecule, provides protection against oxidative damage, including smooth muscle relaxation, and decreased blood pressure. This new research might lead to a means of standardizing preparations, and sheds light on the potential mechanisms of action of garlic.
Clinical Research
Many laboratory and animal tests have demonstrated that garlic and its components have biological activities related to cardiovascular disease; nonetheless, controversy continues over the clinical significance of these findings. Results of trials have been conflicting, with early studies frequently finding beneficial effects that were not replicated in more recent trials which were usually of higher methodological quality. The impact of garlic intake or supplementation on serum cholesterol and lipid levels has received the most research.
Two meta-analyses published in 1993 and 1996 generated curiosity about garlic because they reported 9 percent and 12 percent reductions in total cholesterol levels. More recent meta-analyses have come to various conclusions; one printed in 2009 concluded that there was no evidence from randomized controlled trial (RCTs) of garlic with any favorable effects on serum cholesterol. However, the research in that meta-analysis was criticized for not being comprehensive. The latest evaluation analyzed literature published up to October 2011 – 12 and contained 26 RCTs reporting the effects of garlic on various serum lipids. In general, garlic considerably reduced serum total cholesterol from 0.28 mmol/L (P = 0.001) and triglycerides by 0.13 mmol/L (P < 0.001). At the exact same time, no significant differences were found for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), HDL-C, apolipoprotein B, and overall cholesterol/HDL-C ratio.�The reviewers calculated that the substantial differences were equal to a 5.4 percent decrease in total cholesterol levels to someone with a baseline amount of 5 mmol/L and a 6.5 percent reduction in triglyceride levels for somebody starting with a 2 mmol/L level. The daily doses most widely utilized in the studies reviewed were 10 to 15 mg garlic oil, 900 mg garlic powder, and 1 to 7 g aged garlic extract. Study duration ranged from two weeks to 12 months, with the majority of trials lasting 3 or 6 months.
Many studies have analyzed the role of garlic aids in lowering blood pressure. A 1994 meta-analysis of 10 randomized, controlled trials reported an overall significant reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure of 5 and 8 mmHg. Another meta-analysis published in 2008 comprised 11 RCTs and reported a general decrease of 4.56 mmHg in systolic blood pressure for people taking garlic (P < 0.001). Diastolic blood pressure did not change significantly compared to placebo. There was a planned sub-group analysis conducted comparing those who were normotensive or hypertensive . The hypertensive subgroup had considerable reductions of 8.4 and 7.3 mmHg for systolic and diastolic blood pressures, respectively. Substantial reductions were not shown by the subgroup that is normotensive. The reviewers noted that discounts of 4 to 5 mmHg systolic and 2 to 3 mmHg diastolic are held to be important. At precisely the exact same time, some RCTs have found no significant differences between classes carrying placebo and garlic.
Although a lot of garlic elements have demonstrated antioxidant properties, comparatively few studies are done on the clinical importance of the effects. Another product called aged garlic extract (AGE; brand name Kyolic) is made by soaking garlic slivers in alcohol for 20 months, removing most allicin, and leaving an infusion high in antioxidant capacity. An RCT with 65 patients examined the impact of AGE (250 mg/d) and multivitamins on subclinical atherosclerosis. After 1 year, those in the AGE group had significantly better results than the control group for cognitive markers, vascular function, and progression of atherosclerosis. Another RCT found that people taking 960 milligrams AGE had considerably more reduction in systolic blood pressure (by 10.2 mmHg; P = 0.03).21 However, the total number of clinical studies assessing AGE remains small.
Garlic and its elements have been found to affect platelet aggregation and other aspects of blood clotting. Fibrinolysis leads to the breakdown of blood clots, and this process is promoted by various types of garlic preparations. Platelet aggregation has been beneficially affected by garlic in a small number of clinical trials. However, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality evaluation concluded that these results must be taken as preliminary. While most of the studies identified for this evaluation had beneficial outcomes, the studies were all very modest, of limited duration, and some had flaws.
Adverse Effects
Garlic is well-known for its problematic breath and body odor after oral ingestion. These are the most commonly reported complaints from trial participants. Eating raw garlic and high doses of some supplements can cause mouth and gastrointestinal irritation, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Some individuals are also vulnerable to allergic reactions, one study estimated that 1 percent of people are prone to allergic reactions from garlic.
The effects of garlic on platelet aggregation and fibrinolysis may raise the risk of bleeding, but that is mostly theoretical. While few studies or case reports have found such adverse consequences, individuals taking anticoagulants, those scheduled for an invasive process, or those with bleeding problems must be aware of this possible adverse effect. Some case reports of postoperative bleeding have been reported. But a randomized, controlled trial detected no change in bleeding events among individuals taking warfarin when given both garlic (AGE formula) or placebo. In vitro investigations have identified enzymes whose activities are impacted by aged garlic extracts. These results raise concerns that garlic might interfere with the metabolism of various drugs and medications. Though patients didn’t possess decreased serum levels actual interactions have been reported.
Conclusion
Overall, garlic preparations have some significance as a complementary agent in reducing some risk factors related to cardiovascular disease, or CVD. The evidence in studies indicated a range of benefits, but a number of these studies had small numbers of participants, have been of short duration, or had other methodological weaknesses. Higher-quality studies have found more limited benefits. Reductions in blood pressure, triglycerides, and total cholesterol are identified in meta-analyses. Several other effects have been discovered with research. Given its good safety profile, garlic may offer some protection from cardiovascular diseases, according to the research studies and conclusive data. The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Wellness
Overall health and wellness are essential towards maintaining the proper mental and physical balance in the body. From eating a balanced nutrition as well as exercising and participating in physical activities, to sleeping a healthy amount of time on a regular basis, following the best health and wellness tips can ultimately help maintain overall well-being. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables can go a long way towards helping people become healthy.
Fruits and vegetables are essential sources of vitamins and minerals. Many groups of these plant-based foods provide the body with fundamental nutrients, where some are richer in several varieties of vitamins and minerals, than others. Many fruits and vegetables also provide the body with important antioxidants. Among these antioxidants, lycopene is abundant in red fruits and vegetables, some of which are crowd favorites.
What are the benefits of lycopene consumption?
Substantial evidence indicates that lycopene, a carotenoid without provitamin A activity found in high concentrations in a small group of plant foods, has significant antioxidant potential in vitro and may play a role in preventing cardiovascular disease as well as prostrate cancer in individuals. Lycopene is believed to possess a cholesterol synthesis-inhibiting effect and might enhance LDL cholesterol, or “bad cholesterol”, degradation. Research studies evaluating its effectiveness in this area can simply answer the question of whether lycopene can help to prevent cardiovascular disease.
Lycopene Intake & Absorption
Lycopene is a� fat-soluble phytonutrient in the carotenoid family which has received attention because of its potential role in preventing cardiovascular diseases. Although similar in construction to the more studied ?-carotene, lycopene doesn’t have provitamin A activity. Carotenoids and their many conjugated double bonds turns them into potentially strong antioxidants, and lycopene is no exception.
Sources include tomatoes, guava, pink grapefruit, watermelon, apricots and papaya in high concentrations. Tomato products, including ketchup, tomato juice, and pizza sauce, are the richest sources of lycopene in the United States diet, accounting for 80 percent of the lycopene consumption of Americans. Tomatoes also contain a significant amount of ?-carotene. In fact, they are the fourth-leading contributor to provitamin A and vitamin A intake in the American diet. Tomatoes are rich in potassium and folate, and there is nearly 3 times as much vitamin C as lycopene in a tomato. In studies of health benefits of tomatoes, an individual has to consider that they are also rich in nutrients aside from lycopene.
Absorption of lycopene’s mechanism isn’t fully understood. Studies have demonstrated that lycopene from tomato products appears in the blood flow when a source of fat is included with the meal and if the tomato is warmed. Plasma lycopene concentrations increased only marginally in a group receiving 180 g tomato juice (containing 12 mg lycopene) per day for 6 weeks. This finding has been supported by research studies demonstrating negligible or only slight increases in plasma lycopene concentrations after consumption of various levels of unheated tomato juice. In one study, nevertheless, when tomato juice was absorbed, serum levels of lycopene increased, with an increase within 24 to 48 hours following ingestion. Gartner et al discovered that concentrations of lycopene from the chylomicrons of 5 human subjects increased 3 times as much when they consumed tomato paste as when they consumed raw tomatoes. Thus, the availability and absorption of lycopene depend on the processing and treatment of the food that contains the carotenoid and on the fat content of the meal in which lycopene is consumed.
Lycopene and Cardiovascular Disease
Several studies examined the connection between dietary intake of antioxidants and lipid peroxidation to attempt to determine which antioxidants may play a role in preventing cardiovascular disease. The hydrocarbon carotenoids, including ?-carotene and lycopene, are transported primarily in LDL cholesterol, which positions them in the prime place to protect LDL cholesterol from oxidation.
Romanchik et al isolated LDL cholesterol samples from 5 individuals and enriched them with ?-carotene, lycopene, and lutein to determine whether this would have an impact on LDL oxidation. On copper-mediated oxidation of the LDL, the carotenoids were destroyed until substantial amounts of lipid peroxidation products were transformed, providing evidence that these pigments might be functioning as antioxidants. Although lycopene was the most quickly destroyed of the carotenoids studied, only the LDL cholesterol samples enriched with ?-carotene exhibited increased CD lag time. In another study of LDL from 11 different people, the same researchers actually found increased oxidation of LDL (as quantified by the ferrous oxidation, xylenol orange assay) on enrichment with lycopene and lutein, signaling that the connection between lycopene and LDL cholesterol oxidation is complicated.
Lycopene creates a significant reduction in serum lipids, blood pressure and oxidative stress markers. Paran et al evaluated 30 subjects with Grade I hypertension, age 40 to 65, taking no anti-hypertensive or anti-lipid drugs, treated with a tomato lycopene extract (10 mg lycopene) for 2 weeks. The SBP was reduced from 144 to 135 mmHg (9 mmHg decrease, p < 0.01) and DBP fell from 91 to 84 mmHg (7 mmHg decrease, p < 0.01). Similar results were shown by another analysis of 35 subjects with Grade I hypertension on SBP, but not DBP. Englehard gave a tomato extract to 31 subjects over 12 weeks demonstrating that a significant BP reduction of 10/4 mmHg. Patients on various anti-hypertensive agents including ACEI, CCB and diuretics experienced a significant blood pressure decrease of 5.4/3 mmHg more than 6 weeks when administered a standardized tomato extract. Other research studies haven’t shown changes in blood pressure. Lycopene and tomato infusion improve ED and reduced plasma oxidative stress.
An intriguing nonantioxidant purpose of lycopene was revealed in humans. Fuhrman et al revealed that cholesterol synthesis was decreased by the addition of lycopene to macrophage cell lines and increased LDL cholesterol receptors. Incubation with lycopene in vitro led to a 73 percent reduction in cholesterol synthesis, which has been higher than that achieved with ?-carotene. Additionally, lycopene led to a 34 percent growth in LDL degradation in the cells themselves and approximately a 110 percent increase in the removal of LDL cholesterol in the blood flow. To test their findings in humans, the investigators fed 6 men with 60 milligrams of lycopene per day for 3 weeks (approximately equivalent to the total amount of lycopene in 1 kg tomatoes). They discovered that a decrease in plasma LDL cholesterol with no significant change in HDL cholesterol. Based on the calculations of Peto et al that there is a 3:1 ratio involving the decreased risk of myocardial infarction, where a 30 percent to 40 percent risk reduction in individuals consuming this amount of lycopene. The recommended daily intake of lycopene is approximately 10 to 20 mg in supplement or food form.
Lycopene, along with other antioxidants, are fundamental towards the prevention of cardiovascular disease. When levels of LDL cholesterol, or “bad cholesterol” are out of balance, red fruits and vegetables, rich in lycopene, can help improve overall heart health, according to research studies. The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Wellness
Overall health and wellness are essential towards maintaining the proper mental and physical balance in the body. From eating a balanced nutrition as well as exercising and participating in physical activities, to sleeping a healthy amount of time on a regular basis, following the best health and wellness tips can ultimately help maintain overall well-being. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables can go a long way towards helping people become healthy.
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