b'Another one of the largely ignored riskand antigens, including food allergens,should be on reducing sources of free factors is a protein called fibrinogen.is another cause of inflammation.radicals and increasing antioxidant Fibrinogen appears to be of equalArachidonic acid, a fatty acid founddefenses. Any type of damaged dietary or greater importance than totalin animal products and shellfish, is tofat or oil is a source of free radicals. cholesterol in promoting cardiovascularinflammation what gasoline is to fire.These include fried or overcooked disease. It does so by stimulatingExcessive dietary refined carbohydratesfoods containing fats or cholesterol blood clot formation. Females andalso can cause inflammation. Otherand improperly processed oils (which, blacks tend to have higher fibrinogencontributors to inflammation includewith the exception of olive oil products, levels. Smoking, oral contraceptiveinsulin resistance, advanced glycationare the only type of oil sold in super-use, inactivity, obesity, mental stress,end-products, excessive visceralmarkets). Well-cooked animal products diabetes, hypertension, and inflamma- (abdominal) fat, inadequate sleep,(like a steak) contain AGEs (advanced tion all are associated with higher levelshormonal imbalances, dysbiosisglycation end products), chemicals that of fibrinogen. Exercise, weight loss, and(imbalance in the types of organismsdamage cholesterol, cause inflammation and contribute to cardiovascular disease through other mechanisms. Cigarette smoking, pollution, heavy metals, and toxins are other sources of free radicals. Inflammation, insulin resistance, hypoxia (low oxygen states, such as that produced by anemia), and poor mitochondrial function (resulting from toxicity, nutrient deficiency, hypothyroidism, lack of exercise) all increase oxidative stress or free radicals. Antioxidants to protect against free radical damage are found in unrefined plant foods (fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and grains), tea, coffee, and red wine. There is also value in using supplements of vitamin C, carotenoids, tocotrienols, grape seed extract, green tea extract, curcumin, coenzyme Q10, glutathione, lipoic acid, pomegranate extract, and vitamin E, to name a few. consumption of garlic, alcohol, fish oil,inhabiting the gastrointestinal tract),A recent study showed that 400 IU of vitamin E, niacin, gingko biloba, andstress (including feelings of hostilityvitamin E may be the minimum daily bromelain all help to lower fibrinogenand depression), and mechanicalintake required to protect LDL choles-levels. An enzyme from earthwormtrauma, such as that produced by spinalterol from free radical damage. Use called lumbrokinase is perhaps themisalignments. Smoking cessation,natural vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol or, most effective treatment for elevateddietary modification, nutritional supple- preferably, mixed tocopherols) instead fibrinogen. ments and other natural approaches canof the inferior synthetic (d,l-alpha Recent research has found a correlationall help reduce inflammation.tocopherol) vitamin E. Substituting between elevated blood levels ofLipid peroxides can also be measured indietary monounsaturated for polyunsat-C-reactive protein and cardiovascularblood or urine to assess risk to cardio- urated fats will also result in decreased disease. C-reactive protein is a markervascular disease. High levels of thesefree radical damage to LDL cholesterol, of inflammation. Its elevation has beencompounds result from free radicalas will supplementing with a liquid form linked with ischemic stroke and myocar- damage. Free radicals are highly reac- of lecithin.dial infarction (including those hearttive molecules that, when unregulated, attacks that kill without being precededcan cause damage throughout theJoseph A. Deb, DC, graduated from the by any warning signs). C-reactivebody. Free radical damage to the liningSouthern California University of Health protein elevations can precede a firstof the blood vessel wall and to LDLSciences in 1986. He is a Diplomate of myocardial infarction by six or more(bad) cholesterol appear to be pivotalthe American Clinical Board of Nutrition, years. When C-reactive protein is foundsteps in the initiation of atherosclerosis.a Certified Gluten Practitioner, as well as a to be above normal levels, an attemptIn fact, studies have shown that normalCertified Chiropractic Sports Practitioner. should be made to determine theblood cholesterol is relatively harmless.He has treated national and world cham-underlying cause of the inflammation. ItIt is when the cholesterol becomespion athletes. Dr. Deb is co-author of THE ULTIMATE CREATINE HANDBOOK: appears that one cause is infection withaltered by free radical damage that itThe Safe Alternative for Healthy Muscle bacteria or viruses. Exposure to toxinsproduces harm. The focus, therefore,Building. He is a contributor to the NEC.www.njchiropractors.com I 19'