Take the right vitamins, minerals and foods in treating heart disease by Dr James Liddell and Sue Visser
Take the right vitamins, minerals and foods in treating heart disease by Dr James Liddell and Sue Visser
Medicinal effects of supplements and foods
Antioxidants – Vitamin C is most important
A ten-year study found that a daily dose of 300mg of vitamin C (10 oranges) could help to reduce heart attack rates by 50%.
Vitamin E and Vitamin D are essential
Vitamin E can dissolve clots, help the heart to pump more efficiently, widen the arteries and increase oxygen levels in blood. Take vitamin E as mixed tocopherols or d-alpha tocopherol. Do not use the synthetic forms of Vitamin D (dl-alpha tocopherol).
B Vitamins to lower homocysteine
B vitamins alone can dramatically reduce heart disease. Folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 are essential to control homocysteine, a leading cause of blood vessel inflammation.
B6 and magnesium for cardiovascular support
Vitamin B6 is depleted by HRT, birth control pills, alcohol, smoking and too much sugar. Insulin resistance interferes with our normal uptake of dietary magnesium. Take 50 – 100 mg B6 plus at least 350mg (150 mg elemental) magnesium per day to:
- Improve insulin sensitivity
- Prevent blood from clotting (anticoagulant)
- Prevent water retention (oedema) – natural diuretic
- Supplementary antioxidant, helps to thin blood
- Work with magnesium to prevent blood vessel constriction, restless legs, cramps and angina
- Lower high prolactin levels (water retention), helps to release more dopamine and reduce depression
- B6 with magnesium prevents kidney stones and soft tissue calcification (arterial plaque)
- Magnesium lowers blood pressure, reduces blood viscosity and platelet aggregation
- Help control an irregular heartbeat
Magnesium is a natural calcium channel blocker and works as well as medications with none of their side effects. It is beneficial to the heart in many ways. A deficiency of magnesium is associated with: arrhythmias, high blood pressure, increased LDL and reduced HDL cholesterol, blood clotting, angina and tight, constricted blood vessels. It can also be taken as a Homeopathic tissue salt to control muscle and artery spasms, cramps and twitching.
Cinnamon for diabetes 2 and the heart
Tests show that 2 teaspoons of cinnamon powder per day can reduce blood sugar by 20-30%, lower LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels and reduce inflammation of the blood vessels. Cinnamon also has antifungal and antibacterial properties.
Pomegranate juice – amazing results!
Trials have shown that taking 40 – 60 g of pomegranate juice a day for 3 months reduced serum lipid peroxides (oxidized fats) by 57%. Cellular oxygen free radicals were lowered by 71% and antioxidants increased by 141%. There was also a 39% reduction in the uptake of oxidized LDL by white blood cells. Total cholesterol and LDL levels decreased substantially.
Pineapples and bromelain for inflammation
Studies have concluded that bromelain (from pineapple leaves) can effectively treat venous insufficiency, piles and varicose veins. It reduces pain, swelling, bruising and inflammation. Pineapple contains enzymes that break up fibrin and duplicate the effects of anti-clotting drugs like Warfarin on blood platelets.
Garlic keeps control of risk factors
Therapeutic doses of 2 – 4 cloves of garlic a day can duplicate the effects of patent drugs that are used to control high blood pressure, high LDL cholesterol and blood clotting. Garlic releases neurotransmitters that have a relaxing effect on blood vessels. (See page 130).
Ginger as a blood conditioner
Ginger can stimulate circulation, helping to lower blood pressure and prevent atherosclerosis and blood clots (embolus, stroke, heart attack) It can also thin the blood and reduce high blood pressure, according to a recent study published in Pharmaceutical Biology. Ginger contains over 25 different antioxidants. 1 gram of ginger before surgery is more effective than the standard anti-nausea medication given for post-surgical nausea and vomiting.Ginger contains anti-inflammatory properties similar to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Ginger inhibits the action of genes that encode cytokines, chemokines and enzyme cyclooxygenase-2. This strong anti-inflammatory action helps reduce the pain and swelling of arthritis and muscle aches and controls the inflammation of blood vessels.
Medicine from citrus fruit, pith and peel
Oranges, lemons, grapefruit, limes and tangerines (naartjies) have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-viral and anti-proliferative effects. The white pulp is rich in vitamin K, potassium and hesperidin (anti-inflammatory flavone) that can lower blood pressure and block cholesterol synthesis in the liver. It also removes heavy metals.
Taking time to look after your heart health by taking the right vitamins, minerals and foods will save you in the long run. When last did you check your heart health?
