The Potential Health Benefits of Cardiac Supplements

For people with high cholesterol, or at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, there are a couple of concentrated nutritional supplements that may be helpful to aid in lowering cholesterol and prolonging the healthy life span.

The first is the unique and natural native product from China - red yeast rice. It has been used in customary medical systems from about 800 A.D. This rice is produced when white rice is fermented with (monascus purpureus) red yeast. It is said to be used first in China (more than 2800 years in the past) as food coloring agent and food preservative. The first assumed use of the recipe for making red yeast rice was in 1368-1644 - the Ming Dynasty. It was reported even at that time to boost blood circulation. There is careful production of the red yeast rice extract to prevent any citrinin presence, a by-product of the process of fermentation which is sometimes toxic. When CoQ10 is added, there appears to be further enhancement of the product to support the immune system as well as healthy cardiovascular functions.

Chinese cuisine has used red yeast rice as cardiac supplements for centuries - that is, to encourage blood circulation and reduce clotting. Asian countries use red yeast rice as a staple for diets, used in making rice wine, flavour agent, as well as to maintain the colour and flavour of meat and fish. The yeast rice develops inhibitors referred to as monacolins. These inhibitors (hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMG-CoA reductase)) occur naturally. The healing properties of the red yeast rice positively affect the lipid reports of patients who are hypercholesterolemic.

The second concentrated nutrient that may be of benefit to your heart is omega-3 fatty acid. This appears to be helpful for people that are at risk of heart disease, or are currently experiencing the negative effects of heart disease. Omega-3 fatty acids appear to have an anti-arrhythmic effect, and have been shown in some research to reduce the risk of sudden death by about a half, and reduce the risk of cardiac death by a third. Modest doses are recommended because of the possible interaction with other supplements or medications a person may be taking, such as aspirin and other blood-thinning medications.

The primary side effects of red yeast rice appear to be primarily due to contaminants during production. Selecting a product from a reputable manufacturer is especially important for this supplement. The primary side effects of omega-3 fatty acids likely come from interactions with pharmaceuticals. It is important to let your physician and pharmacist know about what you are taking, so they can help you minimize any side-effects. Also, keep in mind that supplementation does not replace a healthy diet full of plant foods. Balance supplementation with a moderate diet.

REFERENCE

Ong HT, Cheah JS. Statin alternatives or just placebo: an objective review of omega-3, red yeast rice and garlic in cardiovascular therapeutics. Chin Med J (Engl). 2008 Aug 20;121(16):1588-94. PMID 18982874.

Tom Heston is the Editor of the Internet Medical Journal and developer of android medical apps.

Original article

These Vitamin K Benefits Could Be Your Secret Weapon Against Heart Disease

Let me ask you a quick question, do you want to keep yourself healthy for as long as possible? Do you want to escape the heart disease that plagues so much of the country?

Of course you do!

Vitamin K benefits are rocking the medical establishment and with good reason. The benefits range from protecting you from bone loss to safeguarding your heart.

In fact, studies show this vitamin plays an important role in keeping your calcium where it needs to be and out of your arteries where you don't want it.

Powerful Benefits

The Rotterdam Study, a well-known study on Vitamin K, found participants who had a high intake of this vitamin had significantly lower calcium build up in their arteries-where it calcifies and can lead to a heart attack.

This study followed 4800 Dutch participants for 7 years. This is the largest clinical trial to find a direct correlation between vitamin K2 intake and heart disease. The scientists found participants who included the most vitamin K2 in their diets experienced 57% fewer heart attacks than those who got the least.

They also had a higher calcium amount in their bones-where it can protect you from "The Fall" so many seniors experience that lead to hospital visits and a downward spiral in health.

Here's How It Works:

Your body has an enzyme called Matrix Gla-protein (MGP). It's controlled by K2. MGP is a calcium-binding protein found in your bones. You need this.

Research shows lab mice who don't have enough of this protein die with calcified arteries-similar to atherosclerotic plaque in your arteries.

Studies find that one of Vitamin K's biggest benefits is keeping your calcium out of your arteries-and in your bones where it belongs.

That way it protects your heart and your bones.

Not Just Any Vitamin K

Of course, these benefits don't come from all types of Vitamin K. In fact, you need a specific kind-Vitamin K2-to enjoy these benefits.

Vitamin K2 is difficult to get from the typical Western diet.

It's also difficult to find in a lot of supplements.

That's because most manufactures use the cheaper Vitamin K1 which helps with blood clotting. Scientists say you probably do get enough of this in your food.

Yet, only a few supplements contain the all-important Vitamin K2.

A prominent cardiologist at the University Medical Center Utrecht in the Netherlands, conducted a study of 16,057 women between the ages of 49-70, for an average of 8 years. His findings are groundbreaking.
480 women who didn't get enough K2, developed coronary disease.

To make matters worse, the popular blood thinning drug warfarin depletes your already low levels of this important vitamin.

To protect your health you have to get the K2. Now that you know these important Vitamin K benefits, your next step is to find a supplement that has this essential form of the vitamin.

Wouldn't it be great if you could get it in a multi-vitamin?

Jen P. April is a passionate advocate of health and nutrition. To learn more about effective supplements she recommends after extensive research, visit http://vitamin-and-minerals.com/

Original article

Compelling Research Suggests Tea May Save Your Life - 3 Key Benefits

The benefits of drinking tea have vastly immense health benefits which one day, may save your life. As the world's second most popular drink, tea is quickly becoming integrated into western society - yet working magic for our health. Fortunately, the health benefits of tea are a worthwhile joy to indulge the senses and dramatically improve your health.

Tea protects against developing cardiovascular disease

The benefits of drinking tea have been identified to significantly reduce the risk of developing heart disease by up to 36%, and heart disease deaths by 45%. In comparing a moderate tea drinkers (3 - 6 cups/day) with those who drank less than 1 cup/day, the results of 37,514 participants monitored and recorded over 13 years yielded interesting results.

A Netherlands study published by the American Heart Association found that there was a direct association between the consumption of tea and the risk of developing or dying from cardiovascular disease in 37,514 people monitored over a span of 13 years. It was shown that high tea consumers had a 36% reduced chance of developing heart disease, while moderate tea consumers retained a 45% lowered risk of dying from the disease.

Some teas help to control diabetes and reduce bad cholesterol in the body (LDL)

As high LDL (bad cholesterol) levels in the body lead to diabetes and heart disease, green and black tea was found to have been able to reduce the level of LDL in the blood, as well as mimic the effects of insulin in the body.

A study performed by the University of Dundee and Edinborough in Scotland and UK found that the theaflavins and thearubigins in black tea were able to produce similar results of insulin when incubated upon human kidney cells and rat liver cells.

Tea significantly reduces the risk of stroke

The health benefits of drinking tea also help to reduce the risk of stroke by up 21%. As strokes can permanently impair movement or lead to death, drinking tea may one day save your life.

The University of Los Angeles at the International Stroke Conference in 2009 showed unquestionable results suggesting that regular consumption of tea among 194,965 participants and 9 different studies, massively reduced the risk by up to 21%.

The benefits of drinking tea extend to virtually every part of the human anatomy. Found through hundreds of studies, the health benefits of tea are amazing and undeniable. With nature's wonder drug working miracles in our body, it's no surprise that tea is the second most commonly consumed beverage in the world. Come dramatically Improve your health today.

Click here to learn more about the complete benefits of drinking tea, and how you can live longer, happier and healthier today.

AChuah
Tea Guru, from the team at Complete Tea Benefits
http://www.completeteabenefits.com/

Original article

Chocolate Health Benefits May Prevent A Stroke

Just two bars of chocolate per week is all it takes, according to some new research out of Sweden, for a woman to bring down her stroke and possibly prevent a stroke. This latest work builds on earlier findings in both men and women, but also provides us with some new information on stroke type and chocolate health benefits.

A team of researchers from Sweden examined 33,372 subjects taking part in a large study who were from 49 to 83 years old, for a period of ten years that ended in 2008.

The participants completed questionnaires about how regularly they ate chocolate along with 95 other foods throughout the previous year. The subjects were broken into 8 categories depending on how much chocolate they ate. The categories ranged from an astonishing "never" to a far more reasonable "3 or more each day."

Throughout the follow-up period, 1,549 strokes took place, and of that number, 1,200 were brought on by clots or another disturbance of the blood vessels. Burst vessels caused another 224, and the reason for the last 125 was not specified. But even after making an adjustment for stroke risk factors, the team saw that chocolate was protective. This may be because it helps to lower blood pressure, a major risk factor for stroke.

Stroke protection began at over 45 grams (almost 1.5 ounces) of chocolate a week, the group that ate the largest volume chocolate got the greatest benefit, cutting their stroke risk by 20%. The average intake in this group was almost 2.3 ounces of chocolate per week. And while earlier studies have shown a link between chocolate eating and stroke risk, this project uncovered a small difference in the protection in terms of the type of stroke.

The subjects who consumed the highest volume of chocolate had a greater protection from strokes due to hemorrhage than those brought on by obstructions like blood clots. No one is sure why this difference in protection might be.

Chocolate, besides tasting divine, is loaded with beneficial flavonoids that are a natural part of the cocoa and act as antioxidants once inside the body. They help protect our cells from free radical damage that can be especially troublesome for the cardiovascular system.

An intriguing quirk of nature means chocolate has eight times the antioxidants that are a natural part of strawberries.

Also important, the study used Swedish milk chocolate and this variety has around 30% cocoa solids, while the milk chocolate usually found in the U.S. probably has much less than this amount. Dark chocolate naturally has higher amounts of cocoa and is lower in sugar, lower in fat and has fewer calories as well.

What's more, only 1/3 of the fat in dark chocolate is known to be bad for you.

This is just another bit of research that finds chocolate health benefits, but before you tuck in, make a wise and informed choice in order to get the benefits (without the nasty calories, adding pounds) to your body. Many experts recommend chocolate with a minimum 70% cocoa, based on earlier research that found the higher concentration of cocoa lowers the risk of heart disease and may prevent a stroke.

FREE Bonus Secret Health Reports - For a limited time you can grab 5 FREE essential health reports from the Daily Health Bulletin. Click through now to discover more top tips to help prevent a stroke.

Original article