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Heart Health

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.

Essential Mineral Intake for Cardiovascular Disease | Wellness Clinic

by Dr Alex Jimenez | Heart Health

An improper diet and nutrition can often lead to a variety of health issues, such as cardiovascular disease and hypertension. Additionally, other food-related risk factors can include, high blood pressure, or BP, obesity and type 2 diabetes. Saturated and trans fats, for example, can increase cholesterol in the blood. It’s this build-up of fatty deposits in the coronary arteries, which can lead to cardiovascular disease, hypertension and even heart attacks.

Which vitamins and minerals can improve cardiovascular disease and hypertension?

A healthy balance of vitamins and minerals can help manage and maintain heart health. According to research studies, the right intake of potassium, magnesium, calcium and zinc can substantially improve cardiovascular disease and hypertension. A proper diet and nutrition can have similar effects as taking cardiovascular disease and hypertension drugs and medications, but through a much more natural approach.

Potassium

The average U.S. dietary intake of potassium (K+) is 45 mmol/d with a potassium to sodium (K+/Na+) ratio of less than 1:2. The suggested intake of K+ is 4700 mg/d (120 mmol) with a K+/Na+ ratio of about 4-5 to 1. Several clinical and observational trials have demonstrated a substantial decrease in BP with greater K+ intake in hypertensive patients. The normal blood pressure reduction with a K+ supplementation of 60 to 120 mmol/d is 4.4/2.5 mmHg in hypertensive patients but may be as far as 8/4.1 mmHg with 120 mmol/d (4700 mg). In hypertensive patients, the linear dose response relationship is 1.0 mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure, or SBP, and 0.52 mmHg decrease in diastolic blood pressure, or DBP, that a 0.6 g/d growth in dietary fiber intake. The solution can involve race (black > white), sodium, magnesium and calcium intake. Those on a higher sodium intake have a greater decrease in BP. Alteration of this K+/Na+ ratio is very important to the two polyunsaturated and outcomes. High potassium intake reduces the prevalence of cardiovascular disease independent of their BP reduction. Furthermore, If the serum potassium is less than 4.0 meq/dL, there is a higher risk of CVD mortality, ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation. Red blood cell potassium is a sign of overall body stores and CVD risk in comparison to the serum potassium. Gu et al discovered that potassium supplementation in 60 mmol of KCl Daily for 12 wk significantly reduced SBP -5.0 mmHg (range -2.13 into -7.88 mmHg) (p < 0.001) in 150 Chinese men and women aged 35 to 64 decades.

Insulin raises natriuresis, modulates sensitivity, vasodilates, reduces the sensitivity to catecholamines and Angiotensin II, raises nitric oxide ATPase and DNA synthesis in the vascular smooth muscle cells and decreases sympathetic nervous system activity. In addition, potassium increases bradykinin and prostate kallikrein, decreases NADPH oxidase, which reduces oxidative stress and inflammation, improves insulin sensitivity, reduces ADMA, reduces intracellular sodium and reduces production of TGF-?.Each 1000 mg increase in potassium intake per day reduces all cause mortality by approximately 20 percent. Potassium intake of 4.7 g/d is estimated to decrease CVA by 8 percent to 15 percent and MI by 6 percent to 11 percent. Numerous SNP’s, such as nuclear receptor subfamily 3 group C, angiotensin IItype receptor and hydroxysteroid 11 beta dehydrogenase (HSD11B1 and B2) determine an individual’s reaction to dietary potassium intake towards their overall health and wellness.

Each 1000 mg drop in sodium intake daily will reduce all cause mortality. A recent study indicated a dose related response to CVA. There has been a RRR of CVA of 23 percent at 1.5-1.99 gram, 27% at 2.0-2.49 g, 29 percent at 2.5-3 g and 32 percent more than 3 g/d of potassium urinary excretion. The recommended daily dietary intake for individuals with hypertension is 4.7 to 5.0 g of potassium and less than 1500 milligrams of sodium. Potassium used out of supplementation should be decreased with care in patients with renal impairment or those ARB, DRI and serum aldosterone receptor antagonists.

Magnesium

A high dietary intake of magnesium of at least 500-1000 mg/d reduces BP in the majority of the reported observational epidemiologic and clinical trials, but the outcomes are much less consistent than those seen with K + and Na +. There’s an inverse relationship between BP and dietary magnesium intake. A report on 60 essential hypertensive subjects given magnesium supplements showed a substantial decrease in blood pressure in an eight week interval reported by 24 h ambulatory BP, office and home BP. The maximum decrease in clinical trials has been 5.6/2.8 mmHg but some studies have shown no change in BP. The blend of high potassium and low sodium intake with increased magnesium intake had.

Magnesium also raises the effectiveness of all anti-hypertensive drugs and medications, according to research studies. Magnesium competes with Na+ for binding sites on vascular smooth muscle and also functions as a direct vasodilator, . Magnesium increases prostaglandin E (PGE), modulates intracellular sodium, potassium, calcium and pH, increases nitric oxide, improves adrenal function, reduces oxLDL, reduces HS-CRP, TBxA2, A-II, and norepinephrine. Magnesium also enhances insulin resistance, glucose and MS, binds at a necessary cooperative manner with potassium, causing EDV and BP reduction, reduces CVD and cardiac arrhythmias, reduces carotid IMT, reduces cholesterol, reduces cytokine production, inhibits nuclear factor Kb, reduces oxidative stress and inhibits platelet aggregation to reduce thrombosis. Magnesium is an essential co-factor because of its delta-6-desaturase enzyme that for conversion of linoleic acid (LA) to gamma linolenic acid (GLA) required for synthesis of this vasodilator and platelet inhibitor PGE1.

A meta-analysis of all 241378 patients utilizing 6477 strokes showed a reverse relationship of dietary magnesium to the incidence of stroke. For each 100 milligrams of magnesium intake, stroke diminished. The mechanism comprise inhibition of induced glutamate release, NMDA receptor blockade, CCB actions reduction in vasodilation and ATP depletion of the arteries. A meta-analysis showed discounts mmHg in 22 trials of 1173 patients. Intracellular level of calcium (RBC) is more indicative of overall body shops and should be quantified along with serum and urinary magnesium. Magnesium might be supplemented in doses of 500. Magnesium formulations may improve absorption and reduce the incidence of diarrhea. Adding taurine in 1000 increases the ramifications of magnesium. Magnesium supplements should be avoided or used with caution in individuals with renal insufficiency.

Calcium

Population studies reveal a link between hypertension and calcium, but clinical trials that handled calcium supplements have shown consequences on blood pressure. The heterogeneous responses to calcium supplementation have been clarified through research studies. This is really the “ionic hypothesis” of hypertension, cardiovascular disease and associated cognitive, cognitive and functional disorders. Calcium supplementation is not recommended at this time as an effective method to decrease blood pressure due to insufficient research studies on its use.

Zinc

Low serum zinc levels in observational research and hypertension correlate as well as CHD, type II DM, hyperlipidemia, elevated lipoprotein that a [Lp(a)], increased 2 h post-prandial plasma glucose levels and insulin resistance. Zinc is hauled to vascular and cardiac muscle and cells by metallothionein. Deficiencies of metallothionein with intramuscular zinc deficiencies can lead to cardiomyocyte oxidative stress , mitochondrial dysfunction, dysfunction and apoptosis with cardiac remodeling hypertension, cardiovascular disease, heart failure, or fibrosis. Intracellular calcium increases oxidative.

Bergomi et al assessed Zinc (Zn++) status in 60 hypertensive subjects compared to 60 normotensive control subjects. A reverse correlation of serum Zn++ and BP has been observed. The BP was inversely associated with a Zn++ dependent enzyme lysyl oxidase activity. Zn++ inhibits gene expression and transcription through NF-?Band activated protein-1 and is now a significant co-factor for SOD. These impacts plus those on insulin resistance and SNS consequences, membrane ion exchange, RAAS might account for Zn++ antihypertensive effects. Intake needs to be 50 mg/d.

Individuals with cardiovascular disease and hypertension can benefit from the proper diet and nutrition. Essential vitamins and minerals found in a balanced, healthy nutrition, such as potassium, magnesium, calcium and zing, among others, can help improve heart health. Deficiencies in these and a diet full of saturated and trans fats can increase the prevalence of cardiovascular disease. While diagnosis and drugs/medications can be prescribed to treat cardiovascular disease and hypertension, a balanced diet and nutrition can have similar effects.� 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.

Epidemiology & Pathophysiology of Cardiovascular Disease | Wellness Clinic

by Dr Alex Jimenez | Functional Medicine, Heart Health

Vascular biology, endothelial and vascular smooth muscle as well as cardiac dysfunction play a primary role in hypertension, cardio-vascular disease and target organ damage. Nutrient-gene interactions and epigenetics are predominant factors in promoting positive and negative effects in cardiovascular health and hypertension. In a series of research studies correlated to cardiovascular disease and hypertension, Dr. Mark C. Houston, MD, discussed the role that vascular biology and nutraceuticals play in relation to treatment of hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

What is the cause of cardiovascular disease and hypertension?

Vascular disease can appropriately be described as the balance between vascular injury and vascular repair (Figure 1). The endothelium is strategically found to be closely associated to the bloodstream as well as the vascular smooth muscle and it is also in charge of discharging a variety of substances in order to preserve vascular homeostasis and health (Figures 2 and 3). Numerous irritations which can provoke damage or harm to the endothelium, can lead to endothelial dysfunction, or ED, and can cause hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases.

Hypertension might be a hemodynamic indication of a damaged or injuried endothelium and vascular smooth muscle which could be connected to definite inflammation responses, oxidative stress and immune dysfunction of the arteries leading to ED, vascular and cardiac smooth muscle disorder, loss of arterial elasticity together with reduced arterial compliance and increased systemic vascular resistance. Hypertension is a significant outcome of the interaction between environmental factors and genetics. Macronutrients and micronutrients are crucial in the regulation of blood pressure, or BP, following target organ damage, or TOD. Nutrient-gene interactions, subsequent gene expression, epigenetics, oxidative stress, inflammation and autoimmune vascular dysfunction have positive or negative influences on vascular biology in humans. Endothelial activation with endothelial dysfunction and vascular smooth muscle breakdown, or VSMD, can ultimately trigger and continue to stimulate the development and growth of hypertension.

Macronutrient and micronutrient deficiencies are extremely common in the general population and may be even more common in individuals with hypertension and cardiovascular disease associated with genetics, environmental factors and even prescription drug and medication usage. These deficiencies have an enormous impact on cardiovascular health issues, such as hypertension, myocardial infarction, or MI, stroke and renal disease. The diagnosis and treatment of those deficiencies will reduce BP and improve ED, vascular biology and health, as well as cardiovascular function.

Epidemiology

Epidemiology,�the branch of medicine that deals with the incidence, distribution, and possible control of diseases and other factors relating to health, emphasizes the role of diet and related nutritional intake when it comes to hypertension and cardiovascular disease. The transition from the Paleolithic diet to our modern diet has produced an outbreak of nutritionally-related diseases (Table 1). Hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, or CHD, MI, congestive heart failure, or CHF, cerebro-vascular accidents, or CVA, renal disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, or T2DM, metabolic syndrome, or MS, and obesity are several examples of those diseases. Table 1 contrasts intake of nutrients included during the Paleolithic Era and modern time, involved in the regulation of blood pressure, or BP. An unnatural and unhealthy nutritional selection process has been established by evolution from a pre-agricultural, hunter-gatherer milieu into an agricultural, refrigeration society. In sum, diet has changed more than our genetics can adapt.

The human genetic makeup is approximately 99.9 percent that of our Paleolithic ancestors, however our nutritional, vitamin and mineral intakes have vastly changed. The macronutrient and micronutrient variations, oxidative stress from radical oxygen species, or ROS, and radical nitrogen species, or RNS, and inflammatory mediators, such as cell adhesion molecules, or CAMs, cytokines, signaling molecules and autoimmune vascular dysfunction of T cells and B cells, have contributed to the greatest prevalence of hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases through complex nutrient-gene interactions, epigenetic and nutrient-caveolae interactions and nutrient responses with pattern recognition receptors from the endothelium (Figure 4). A decrease in endothelin coupled with endothelial activation, increase in angiotensin II and nitric oxide bioavailability can cause coronary artery disease and vascular disease as well as hypertension. Poor nutrition, together with obesity and a sedentary lifestyle have led to an exponential increase in nutritionally-related ailments. In particular, the high Na+/K+ ratio of contemporary diets has contributed to hypertension, CVA, CHD, MI, CHF and renal disorder as have the relatively low intake of omega-3 PUFA, increase in omega-6 PUFA, saturated fat and trans fatty acids.

Pathophysiology

Vascular biology plays a major role in the initiation and perpetuation of hypertension. Oxidative stress (both ROS and RNS), inflammation and autoimmune vascular dysfunction (both T cells and B cells) are the primary pathophysiologic and functional mechanisms that cause cardiovascular disease (Figure 5). All three of them are closely interconnected and provide the absolute combination that leads to cardiovascular disease, or CVD, vascular smooth muscle and cardiac dysfunction, hypertension, vascular disease, atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction, or ED.

Hypertension is not a disease but is the proper and continuous, unregulated reaction with an exaggerated outcome of the infinite irritations to the blood vessel following environmental-genetic expression patterns and downstream disturbances in which the vascular system is the innocent bystander. This really becomes a maladaptive vascular response that was initially meant to provide vascular defense to the endothelial insults (Figure 6). Hypertension is a vasculopathy, characterized by ED, structural remodeling, vascular inflammation, improved stiffness, decreased distensibility and loss of elasticity. These insults are biomechanical (BP, heartbeat, blood circulation, oscillatory flow, turbu-lence, enhancement, pulse wave velocity and reflected waves) and biohumoral or biochemical which includes all the non-mechanical causes like metabolic, endocrine, nutritional, toxic, infectious and other etiologies.

In addition to the connections for endocrine and nutritional causes of hypertension, infections and toxins can increase blood pressure as well. Various toxins, such as mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls, lead, cadmium, arsenic and iron, also increase BP and CVD. Numerous microbial organisms have also been implicated in hypertension and CHD. All of these irritations lead to the altered vascular structure and function that manifests clinically as hypertension. Patients with hypertension have abnormal microvasculature in the form of inward eutrophic remodeling of the tiny resistance arteries leading to impaired vasodilatory capacity, increased cardiovascular disease, increased media to lumen ratio, decreased maximal organ perfusion and decreased flow reserve, particularly in the heart with decreased coronary flow reserve. Significant functional structural microvascular impairment occurs even before the individual’s blood pressure begins to increase in normotensive offspring of the patients with hypertension, as evidenced by endothelial dysfunction, diminished vasodilation, forearm vascular resistance, diastolic dysfunction, increased left ventricular mass index, increased septal and posterior wall thickness and left untreated hypertrophy. Therefore, the processes underlying the circulatory issues are associated to a vascular phenotype of hypertension that may be determined by early life programming and imprinting which may be compounded by cerebral aging.

In conclusion, vascular biology, endothelial and vascular smooth muscle as well as cardiac dysfunction play a primary role in hypertension, cardio-vascular disease and target organ damage. Then, the epidemiology, or the incidence, distribution, and possible control of diseases and other factors relating to health, emphasizes the role of diet and related nutritional intake when it comes to hypertension and cardiovascular disease. And finally, oxidative stress, inflammation and autoimmune vascular dysfunction are the primary pathophysiologic and functional mechanisms that cause cardiovascular disease. Hypertension is an indication of cardiovascular issues which should be addressed by a healthcare professional.

The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .