b'ComplianceLEGAL NUTRITIONCouncil The Nutrition- Heart Disease Link:Dr. Joseph Deb More than CholesterolANJC Leadership ANJC Leadership The general public has become wellgenetic type of high cholesterolat abnormal levels, there are several NUTRITIONcan be lowered by the proper type ofother considerations besides the aware of the association between LEGAL EASE high levels of cholesterol in the blooddietary modification. Other causes ofprevious dietary advice. Cardiovascular and cardiovascular disease. However,high cholesterol include hypothyroidism,exercise, smoking cessation, and the precise role that cholesterol playstoxicity, inflammation, oxidative stress,consumption of high fiber foods, soy, in cardiovascular disease, the thingsliver dysfunction, kidney dysfunction,raw monounsaturated fats (found in that influence its metabolism, and theinfections, and stress. Magnesium,avocados, olives, cashews, almonds, existence of other risk factors, are notvitamin C, taurine and glycine arepecans, filberts, and macadamia nuts) REHAB Councilfrom the body. Therefore, high choles- sardines to name a few) all can help. common knowledge. There has beenneeded to excrete excess cholesteroland cold-water fish (salmon, mackerel, an overwhelming amount of research in this area, and much is yet to be learned.terol can be caused by inadequateSeveral natural substances can also The following are what appear to melevels of these nutrients.have powerful effects on normalizing to be a few important pieces to thisStrangely enough, deficiency of certainthese cardiovascular risk factors. puzzle.types of essential fats can actuallyThese include chromium, berberine, Cholesterol is an essential substancecarnitine, garlic, vitamin C, Insinase, LEGAL Q&A CHIROASSIST result in elevation of blood cholesterolplant sterols, fish oil, krill oil, pantethine, manufactured by the body. The bodylevels and the production of other Executive Directors UPDATE makes much more cholesterol than isbiochemicals that are also involved inguggulsterone, red yeast rice extract, eaten in the average American diet. Itcardiovascular disease. These essentialand niacin. There are medical foods serves as a precursor to many hormonesfatty acids, linoleic acid and alphathat are extremely powerful and include and is a component of cell membranes.linolenic acid, are found in various plantnatural supplements for reducing overall However, when cholesterol levels in thefoods. I believe that the types of fatcardiovascular risk factors that patients blood climb too high, problems canin the diet are much more importantcan use. Some of the active ingredients result. It may come as a surprise to learninclude Insinase, plant sterols, soy than the amount of fats in the diet. A Legislative Update that most people do not experience1995 study published in the journalprotein, fiber, magnesium, and folic INSURANCE Update INSURANCE Update an elevation in blood cholesterol fromLipids, demonstrated this very nicely.acid. eating large amounts of cholesterol.One group of people was put on aThere are several other biochemicals in TECHNIQUE Council the blood that are strongly correlated Excessive intake of certain dietaryhigh (39 percent of calories) fat-low carbohydrates and fats is usually thecarbohydrate diet and the other groupwith cardiovascular disease that unfortu-cause of high blood cholesterol. Inof subjects followed a low (22 percentnately are not yet measured routinely. general, these carbohydrates includeof calories) fat-high carbohydrate diet.Homocysteine is a toxic amino acid that simple sugars and refined white flour,Both groups ate the same type of fatsis formed as part of normal metabolism such as breads, pastas, cookies, cakes,in the same healthful proportions. At from the amino acid methionine. When MedicareQ&Acandies, and sodas, including all thosethe end of the study, there were nohomocysteine levels rise, vascular OUR HEALTH differences between the two groups asdamage occurs. This damage to the supposedly healthy fat and cholester-ol-free prepared foods on supermarketfar as blood levels of total cholesterol,lining of blood vessels plays a role in shelves. HDL or LDL cholesterol. The low fat dietthe formation of plaques and the whole Whats more, excessive dietary carbo- group was found to have higher levelsatherosclerotic process. The body has hydrates can raise insulin levels, whichof very low-density lipoprotein andways of converting homocysteine into is another risk factor for cardiovasculartriglycerides - not a favorable change.other, innocuous biochemicals. Folic disease. The types of fats that canThere are many other biologic chem- acid, vitamins B12 and B6, and betaine raise blood cholesterol are saturatedicals, in addition to total cholesterol,all can help to lower homocysteine fats, which are mostly found in animalthat have been found to be relatedlevels. A recent study found that heavy sources, and hydrogenated vegetableto cardiovascular disease. LDL andcoffee consumption was associated with oils, which are originally healthful fatsVLDL cholesterol, lipoprotein (a),higher levels of homocysteine. Other that have been tinkered with by man toApolipoprotein B, and triglyceridesfactors that contribute to elevated improve shelf life. Hydrogenated oilsproduce varying degrees of risk tohomocysteine include alcohol consump-have been added to most commerciallyheart disease, whereas HDL cholesteroltion, genetics, toxicity, smoking, certain prepared foods. and Apolipoprotein A-1 are protectivemedications, menopause, insulin Some people are genetically proneagainst cardiovascular disease.resistance, hypothyroidism, and kidney to higher cholesterol levels. Even theWhen these substances are foundfailure.18 I Spring2019 www.anjc.info'