Archive for the ‘Heart Disease’ Category

Naturally Reduce Your Risk of Heart Disease

Friday, June 10th, 2011

Cholesterol-lowering statin drugs do not treat disease. They do lower cholesterol levels—but, high cholesterol is not a disease per se. It’s simply one of many risk factors for heart disease. That’s why, when patients taking statins come to the Whitaker Wellness Institute, our first order of business is to get them off those medications and started on a multipronged program that lowers cholesterol levels, reduces risk of heart disease, and improves multiple aspects of health.

In place of drugs, we prescribe several nutritional supplements that help reduce cholesterol levels naturally, including plant sterols, supplemental fiber (flaxseed is my favorite), and, perhaps most important, niacin. Unlike statins, niacin not only lowers LDL cholesterol but also elevates HDL, a feat no drug is able to accomplish. In fact, a Pfizer drug aimed at increasing HDL was scrapped after it was found to worsen heart problems and increase risk of death. But the niacin story gets even better. Results from a clinical trial published recently in the New England Journal of Medicine proved that this supplement actually reverses blockages in the carotid arteries!

For its broad cardiovascular benefits, we also recommend high doses of fish oil. EPA and DHA, fish oil’s primary omega-3 fatty acids, reduce inflammation, lower blood lipids (especially triglycerides), improve blood viscosity, normalize heart rhythms, and protect against sudden cardiac death. Name one drug that can do even a fraction of that!

Additionally, we recommend a high-potency multivitamin and mineral supplement. Cardiovascular disease risk factors go far beyond LDL cholesterol and inflammation. B-complex vitamins lower levels of homocysteine, a toxic protein that harms the arteries. Vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, selenium, and other antioxidants protect against free-radical damage. And magnesium and other minerals help keep blood pressure in check and enhance arterial health.

Finally, don’t forget CoQ10 and vitamin D. CoQ10 energizes the heart muscle, lowers blood pressure, and protects against heart failure. And vitamin D deficiencies, which are rampant in the US, are linked with a dramatically increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

The recommended daily doses of these supplements are as follows: ¼ cup freshly ground flaxseed, plant sterols 1,500–2,000 mg, niacin 500–2,000 mg (the regular form, not niacinamide or no-flush niacin; build up gradually and take at bedtime to ameliorate flushing), fish oil 2–8 g, CoQ10 200–600 mg, and vitamin D 2,000–5,000 IU. A therapeutic multi should contain above-RDA levels of folic acid and other B vitamins, antioxidants, and magnesium.

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Bountiful Benefits of Fish Oil

Thursday, March 3rd, 2011

Fish oil is making headlines yet again. Study results published in the journal Cancer revealed that people who took fish oil while undergoing chemotherapy treatment were able to stave off weight loss and muscle deterioration.

Folks, this is a big deal. Muscle wasting and weight loss during chronic illnesses, called cachexia, is a huge problem for people dealing with cancer. And in this particular study, nearly 70 percent of the participants who took fish oil either gained or maintained their muscle mass.

This is wonderful news. Whenever a nutritional supplement shows benefits like these, I’m even more excited about getting the word out. The dose used in the study was around 2 g daily; however, I recommend that everyone—regardless of health status—take 2-8 g of high quality fish oil each and every day.

Total-Body Protection
The reason I recommend fish oil so wholeheartedly is because the essential fatty acids it contains, particularly DHA and EPA, have many profoundly positive effects throughout the body. Fish oil:

• Protects against heart disease
• Reduces inflammation throughout the body
• Ameliorates symptoms of depression
• Staves off sudden cardiac death and arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythms)
• Alleviates arthritis and joint pain
• Supports normal cognitive function and memory

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. There’s really no reason why fish oil shouldn’t be part of your daily supplement regimen.

Eat Plenty of Fish Too
In addition to 2-8 g of supplemental fish oil daily, you should also eat a few servings of cold-water, low-mercury fish per week. Safe species include (but are not limited to) flounder, herring, salmon, sole, and trout. To keep your fish dishes healthy, the best preparation methods are baking, sautéing, or grilling.

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Posted in Alternative Medicine, Cancer, Chronic Pain, Depression, Diet, Foods That Heal, Heart Disease, Nutritional Supplements, Prevention, Vitamins, Wellness | No Comments »

Say No to Surgery, Say Yes to Health

Tuesday, October 5th, 2010

When I tell people about the successes we have at the Whitaker Wellness Institute using natural therapies and nutritional supplements to treat disease, sometimes they are hesitant to believe me. That’s why patient testimonials are so important to what we do. Skepticism can often be overturned by real stories from real people. One of these testimonials comes from Bob. Here’s what he had to say:

“Back in 1989, I went to Scripps Hospital in San Diego, had a treadmill stress test and an angiogram, and was told they would need to do a bypass operation in the morning. I was feeling pretty good so I declined the surgery, got out of that place, and never went back. I started looking into my options and who did I find but Dr. Julian Whitaker.

“After a hands-on examination, he said he thought he could fix me up. He gave me a list of supplements to take, told me to exercise 30 minutes every day, and prescribed chelation therapy. I’ve had a relationship with Dr. Whitaker now for 20 years. I still take the supplements he suggests and exercise regularly. And to think, those folks down at Scripps gave me 30 days to live without the bypass operation!

“I’ve been working steadily in the title business without missing hardly a day of work for 55 years—and I plan to keep on working for another 20 years. I can honestly say that if it weren’t for Dr. Whitaker I wouldn’t be here today.” — Bob Duff, Whitaker Wellness patient

As remarkable as Bob’s story is, he’s actually the rule rather than the exception. Instead of operations and side-effect-riddled drugs, we offer our patients innovative therapies and targeted nutrients. And you know what? They respond better, regain their health, and are better off with this noninvasive approach.

Posted in Alternative Medicine, Avoiding Invasive or Dangerous Procedures, Diet, Exercise, Heart Disease, Innovative Therapies, Nutritional Supplements, Vitamins, Wellness | No Comments »

Protect Your Teeth, Protect Your Health

Friday, June 18th, 2010

If you don’t brush your teeth twice a day, you could be putting more than your oral health at risk. In a new study published in the British Medical Journal researchers found that people with poor oral hygiene had a 70 percent increased likelihood of developing heart disease compared to those who brushed regularly.

In addition to heart disease, high blood pressure, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, cancer, and a host of other health problems have been linked to oral issues. We now know that infections in the mouth can lead to systemic inflammation, which sets the stage for and exacerbates numerous health problems throughout the body.

I shouldn’t have to tell you this but, as the study above demonstrates, the first step really is making sure you are brushing on a regular basis. While it may not be feasible to brush after every meal, making sure you do it at least once in the morning and once before bedtime is crucial. You’ll also want to replace your toothbrush regularly. The American Dental Association suggests that you get a new one every three to four months—sooner if the bristles are frayed or otherwise damaged. To kill bacteria and germs between replacements, try soaking your toothbrush in 3 percent hydrogen peroxide for five minutes at a time, once a week.

Good oral hygiene also includes regular flossing. A study presented at a recent American Heart Association conference looked at 300 patients in a lifestyle modification program for lowering cardiovascular disease risk factors. They found that those who flossed their teeth at least every other day for six months were able to lower their C-reactive protein (CRP) levels into the normal range—and when they stopped flossing, CRP went back up. Another study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that aggressive treatment of severe periodontal disease resulted in marked improvements in the function and health of the arteries over six months.

Yes, you read that right. There is one “sugar” that I recommend for oral health. It’s xylitol and it’s actually a sugar alcohol used to sweeten many sugar-free gums and candies. This naturally occurring carbohydrate—which is derived from corn but is also found in many fruits and vegetables—looks and tastes like sugar, but the similarities end there. Unlike sugar, xylitol is slowly and only partially absorbed by the body and, though it tastes sweet, it actually behaves like an “anti-sugar” in your mouth.

Xylitol inhibits the growth of S. mutans, which is unable to metabolize the sweetener for energy. Xylitol also raises the pH of the mouth, making it less hospitable to S. mutans and, over time, other harmless bacteria crowd out these microorganisms. Studies have shown that xylitol reduces periodontal disease and provides continued protection for months to years after use. In a study carried out at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Dayton, Ohio, patients were given gum or small candies sweetened with xylitol after meals and sugary snacks. After an average of 1.8 years, patients had significantly fewer cavities at the roots of the teeth, and vastly improved gum health. Xylitol products can be found in most health food stores.

These suggestions can improve not only your oral health but your overall health as well.

Posted in Heart Disease, Oral Health, Prevention, Wellness | No Comments »

Do You Really Need That Surgery?

Friday, May 14th, 2010

Unlike drugs, surgical procedures require no proof of safety or efficacy. They’re adopted simply on the assumption that they work. Of course, some of the 75 million operations performed in this country every year are necessary, even lifesaving. But increasing scrutiny of medical costs has led to studies that show many common surgeries are of dubious value, a waste of health care resources, and a cause of costly, sometimes deadly, complications.

Angioplasty. According to findings from the COURAGE trial—the definitive study on elective angioplasty— eight of 10 patients who undergo this procedure are inappropriate candidates who would be better served by more conservative therapy.

Heart Surgery. Harvard cardiologist Thomas Graboys, MD, estimates that 90 percent of coronary artery bypass surgeries—the bread and butter of invasive cardiology—are unnecessary. For the overwhelming majority of patients, this risky procedure has not been proven to prevent heart attacks or death from cardiovascular events.

Arthroscopic Knee Surgery. Researchers at the VA Medical Center in Houston found that for patients with arthritis—which accounts for the bulk of the 650,000 arthroscopies of the knee done every year—placebo or sham surgery (the knee was cut and stitched up but no cartilage was removed) yielded results just as good as the real operation.

Back Surgery. A Dartmouth Medical School team found that lumbar diskectomy, often done on patients with sciatica, is no more effective in relieving pain than noninvasive treatment. And complex spinal fusions, which provide little advantage over simple decompression but cost more than three times as much ($81,000), have increased 15-fold over the past five years.

Hysterectomy and Cesarean Section. Studies suggest that about three-quarters of the 600,000 annual hysterectomies in this country are recommended prematurely and inappropriately. Nearly one in three American women now give birth by C-section, more than double the ideal rate.

Prostate Surgery. Invasive procedures for both prostate cancer and benign, age-related enlargement of the prostate (BPH) are rife with complications and questionable in terms of necessity and long-term success.

Other Surgeries. Gastric bypass and other surgeries for weight loss, tightening of the muscles at the esophagus and stomach to reduce reflux and heartburn, arthroscopy of the shoulder joint, and routine removal of wisdom teeth are other examples of overused surgeries.

If you are told you need to have any invasive procedure, get a second opinion, preferably from a doctor outside your physician’s network, and thoroughly research all your options. Safe, effective, noninvasive alternatives exist for virtually all of these surgical procedures.

Posted in Alternative Medicine, Heart Disease, Wellness | No Comments »

Stepping Toward Weight Loss and Better Health

Tuesday, October 6th, 2009

Here at the Whitaker Wellness Institute, exercise is part of the fabric of day-to-day life. It’s an essential therapy for all of our patients, and one they practice daily while they’re at the clinic. The program we prescribe is simple, convenient, and pleasant: It’s walking.

Walking tones the largest muscles of your body and helps keep off excess weight. It gets your heart rate up and enhances circulation. It strengthens your bones and heart, improves mood and sleep, and lowers blood sugar and triglycerides—all at minimal risk of injury.

At the clinic, we take our patients on a 10-minute walk after each meal. This is particularly important for people with diabetes because it helps clear glucose out of the bloodstream. We also encourage everyone to walk on their own whenever possible.

In order to track their progress and help motivate them, we use pedometers. Researchers from Stanford and the University of Minnesota recently found that these step-counting devices are a real benefit when it comes to losing weight, lowering blood pressure, and increasing activity levels. 

The scientists reviewed data from 26 studies involving more than 2,700 mostly female participants who were fairly inactive and overweight. Over 18 weeks, those who wore a pedometer took approximately 2,000 more steps every day (that’s almost a mile!), lowered their systolic blood pressure an average of 3.8 points, and decreased their body mass index by 0.4 points. These findings led researchers to conclude that if just 10 percent of Americans started walking on a regular basis, $5.6 billion could be saved each year in heart disease costs.

Walking is one of the easiest—not to mention least expensive—forms of exercise out there. Better still, most anyone can do it. Pedometers, which run about $10–$25 can be purchased in most retail stores or ordered by calling (800) 810-6655. Get yourself one ASAP and gradually work your way up to 10,000 steps per day.

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Posted in Diabetes, Exercise, Heart Disease, Weight Loss | 1 Comment »