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June 2008 Newsletter – High Cholesterol Part II and True Risk Factors for Heart Disease. Dear Friends and Patients: In the March 2008 Newsletter I presented up-to-date information on cholesterol levels being treated obsessively by doctors with cholesterol-lowering statin drugs in both healthy and unhealthy people to bring down LDL levels to unnatural levels. In spite of this approach, one in six American men will sustain a fatal or nonfatal heart attack before age 65, and half of all men and women will suffer disability or death from atherosclerosis. In this newsletter I will continue to bring our readers up-to-date information on heart disease risks and risk assessment. Much of this data was presented at the recent ACAM (American College for Advancement in Medicine) conference I attended in April 2008. Cholesterol is a substance needed throughout your body and especially your brain. It is a “relative” risk factor for heart disease, and it’s influenced by other factors. It is not an independent or absolute risk factor in the same way high blood pressure is. We talked about how LDL cholesterol is completely safe unless it interacts with molecular fragments called free radicals where the LDL becomes oxidized. It is the oxidized cholesterol that penetrates endothelial cells lining the arteries to become plaque. So the problem is really not cholesterol, but whether your body’s antioxidant system can effectively neutralize free radicals that damage your LDL molecules. This is why heart disease is an inflammatory disease much like arthritis. There is a highly dangerous subtype of LDL cholesterol called Lp(a) that can cause heart disease. It is a very small molecule that can easily slip between the cells lining the arteries to produce plaque. We are now able to measure this type of cholesterol and if it is elevated, offset it with nutrients such as niacin or vitamin C. No drug, including the statins, can reduce Lp(a). If fact, the statins can actually raise this type of cholesterol! Testosterone in men and estradiol in women may lower Lp(a). There are also other subtypes of LDL cholesterol, some of which are small particle sizes and some of which are larger particle sizes (and do not cause heart disease). Measuring the milligrams of LDL does not tell a patient or physician about the particle size. There are four labs in the USA presently that can measure particle size as a risk factor. We can now order a very comprehensive lipid study that includes LDL subtypes and particle sizes/counts through Spectracell labs. True Risk Factors For Heart Disease So if cholesterol is a relative risk factor for heart disease, what are some of the true risk factors? Genetics. Heart disease can run in families and we are just learning specific information about genetic factors related to heart disease. Nutritional therapies can modify genetic expression and reduce risk. High Blood Pressure. Hypertension puts a greater stress and workload on the heart, and damages arterial walls and leads to atherosclerosis. Patients with poorly controlled blood pressures have a several fold higher risk of heart attack or stroke. Physical inactivity. People who are inactive, or "sedentary," are at a higher risk for heart disease. Regular, moderate-to-vigorous exercise is essential to prevent cardiac and vascular disease. The more vigorous the activity, the greater the benefits to your cardiovascular system. Exercise also helps control diabetes, obesity, reduce stress, and has been shown to lower blood pressure in some people. If you do not currently exercise, begin slowly. Even moderate exercise has benefits. If you haven't exercised in a long time, talk to your doctor first to ensure you are healthy enough to participate in regular exercise. Vigorous exercise isn't necessary to achieve good outcomes and reduce your risk of heart disease; even moderate activity such as walking (but doing so on a regular basis) 3 or more times weekly, will be of benefit to you. Hormones. Both estrogen and testosterone have heart protective benefits. As we age, our hormone levels decline and our risk of atherosclerosis and clots increases. Synthetic hormone replacement in women, especially with progestin drugs, puts women at higher risk for heart attacks and strokes. This risk, on the other hand, is reduced with natural human identical hormones such as natural progesterone and estradiol. Excessive insulin. Insulin is secreted by the pancreas and causes glucose to move from the blood into cells. When insulin levels are elevated (as is true in type II diabetes and in people who regularly consume large amounts of sugar or refined carbohydrates), a chain reaction of events occurs within the body that lead to arterial inflammation. Emotional stress. Chronic, uncontrolled stress causes the adrenal glands to secrete cortisol and adrenaline. These stress hormones promote arterial constriction and spasm, elevate blood pressure, increase heart rate, cause blood clotting, and lead to cholesterol oxidation. Severe stress can cause a heart attack or stroke. Oxidative stress. Oxidative stress from free radicals causes LDL cholesterol to stick in the arteries. Oxidative stress can be due to smoking, high sugar intake, excessive physical or emotional stress. Heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and mercury cause oxidative stress. These toxins are in our environment and foods, and can poison enzyme systems and mitochondrial function, elevate blood pressure and damage arterial walls. Few cardiologists are aware of the relationship between toxic metals and heart disease. Some drugs can cause oxidation. Oxidative stress leads to age-related degenerative diseases and accelerates aging as well. Another source of oxidative stress are X-rays and other medical procedures that use radiation. Anti-oxidant supplements can be protective against radiation and may protect the sensitive lining of the arterial walls and other cells of the body. Micro-organisms. Bacterial and viral infections cause inflammation in the body. A leading cause of bacterial infection is periodontal gum disease. We can see heart disease in vegetarians who eat no meat and have low cholesterol levels, but whose dental hygiene is poor. Trans fatty acids. Most trans fats consumed today are industrially created by partially hydrogenating plant oils — a process developed in the early 1900s and first commercialized as Crisco in 1911. These unnatural fatty acids are used to prolong the shelf-life of processed foods. They raise Lp(a), promote cholesterol oxidation, and lower HDL. High heat necessary to fry foods also causes trans fat formation. Read labels on the foods you buy and avoid those that say “hydrogenated” or “partially hydrogenated” at all costs. Other factors. Homocystine is a chemical in the blood that causes inflammation when it becomes elevated. Homocystine levels should be below 10mg/dL and ideally in the 7-8 or lower range. Genetic factors and B vitamin deficiencies can cause homocystine elevation. Cardiac C reactive protein is a key indicator of inflammation and it, along with homocystine, are measured at the Center in our patients at the time of their initial comprehensive evaluations. Lp(a) increases as the result of diabetes, menopause, vitamin C deficiency and genetic factors. Excess ferritin or iron can contribute to cholesterol oxidation. Excessive fibrinogen, a protein that helps regulate the clotting process and is influenced by smoking, diabetes and insulin overload, can make blood too thick and lead to clotting. Protect Your Mitochondria At the ACAM meeting Dr. Stephen Sinatra, a board-certified nutritional cardiologist, author, and world-wide lecturer, presented one of the keynote lectures on plaque stabilization and reversal. He discussed the importance of mitochondrial function and the heart. Mitochondria are microscopic structures within the cells that create energy via ATP production. There are over 5000 mitochondria in each myocyte (heart cell), and mitochondria represent 35% of the weight of the heart itself. Certain nutrients are critical to mitochondrial function, including coenzyme Q10, D-ribose, magnesium and carnitine. Dr. Sinatra also pointed out “electoceuticals” enhance ATP production – red light laser, magnetic therapy, far infra red sauna therapy, and perhaps the most important, “alive” water (distilled water is “dead” water) that has trace minerals. Our bodies are 70% water, so this makes a lot of sense. Many drugs are mitochondrial toxins, including NSAIDs, Viagra, Aricept, antihypertensives, and others. Toxic metals (especially mercury) are mitochondrial toxins as well. In patients with a condition called IDCM (idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy) where the heart muscle becomes weakened and the heart becomes enlarged, biopsies of heart muscle showed mercury concentrations 22,000 times those in normal hearts. This is one reason reduction of an increased body burden of toxic metals via chelation therapy is helpful in patients with heart disease. It is important to remember that ATP restores and repairs the heart muscle cells. I would suggest obtaining Dr. Sinatra’s book “Reversing Heart Disease Now” as the nutritional therapies he discusses are beyond the scope of this newsletter. Glutathione and Prevention of Atherosclerosis A significant number of our patients with toxicities due to toxic metals or other sources have received intravenous glutathione therapy. This is a critical substance for both detoxification and improvement of immune system function. Oral glutathione up until now has not been very useful as it is poorly absorbed. What has not been described in the medical literature is how glutathione can prevent atherosclerosis. Dr. F.T. Guilford, a board certified ENT surgeon who became interested in heavy metal detoxification, was another one of the physician speakers at the ACAM conference. Dr. Guilford presented a study using a new form of glutathione called liposomal glutathione. Liposomal glutathione is much better absorbed by mouth that other oral forms of glutathione, and has anti-oxidant properties that significantly slow the oxidation of LDL and HDL cholesterol in humans. Glutathione has a unique role in humans in maintaining antioxidant function in the body and we need a continuous supply of glutathione to prevent oxidized LDL accumulation. What Dr. Guilford found was glutathione provides the substrate for the enzyme glutathione peroxidase, and along with the mineral selenium, protects both HDL and LDL cholesterol from oxidation and atherosclerosis formation. The Center now carries Essential GSH, which is a high quality liposomal glutathione. Actions to Take:
______________________________________________________________ Success Story – Patient with Adverse Drug Reaction to Statin Medication Mr. L is a 58 year old man who saw me for severe exhaustion. During his initial workup it was discovered that his white blood cell count and also his platelet count were abnormally low. He was also found to have antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus, indicative of either past or present infection with the virus that causes chronic fatigue syndrome. Additional history obtained was that the patient was taken off Lipitor medication by his primary care physician 5 weeks prior because he was having muscle pain. Instead of leaving him off statins, his physician placed him on another statin drug, Pravachol. Muscle pain is one of the symptoms of statin toxicity, but this class of medication can also affect liver and bone marrow. I advised Mr. L to stop his Pravachol and his blood count returned to normal within a month. In the previous issue of our newsletter we discussed how there is no objective evidence showing that statin drugs benefit primary prevention populations in reducing heart disease. This patient had an elevated cholesterol but no history of atherosclerosis or heart disease. He was reminded that cholesterol becomes a problem only if it becomes oxidized. We also obtained a nutritional assessment through Spectracell and a neurotransmitter study through Neuroscience. Mr. L was placed on the appropriate nutrients to correct the deficiencies we found, as well as high doses of coenzyme Q10 to replenish a deficiency caused by the statin medication he had been on. He was also placed on targeted amino acid therapy to correct his neurotransmitter imbalance. The patient’s severe fatigue resolved within 2 months of initiation of therapy. He was very happy that for the first time in years he was able to do yardwork. “I planted 6 rose bushes and hauled 6 wheelbarrows full of sand away.” __________________________________________________________ Patient with Elevated Cardiac C reactive Protein Mrs. K is a 46 year old lady that entered the practice in December 2007 with a complaint of itching of the skin. On examination no rash was seen but it was felt the patient had liver and bile duct meridian stress based on kinesthetic testing of the acupuncture points. She was placed on appropriate supplements and the itching subsided. On routine lab testing Mrs. K was also found to have an elevated cardiac C reactive protein of 8.76 (healthy range is below 1.0). This is an independent risk factor for heart disease. All of her other lab work was normal. The patient was placed on nutritional protocols to correct the deficiencies found on Spectracell analysis as well as Omega 3 fish oil, which has an anti-inflammatory effect on the body. Within 3 months her cardiac C reactive protein had dropped to 1.49, which was in the average range. _____________________________________________________________ Herbal Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction Mr. T is a 58 year old man who came into the practice several years ago. He had multiple sclerosis and was having balance problems. His neurologist told him this was due to the multiple sclerosis and that there wasn’t much that could be done for him. Mr. T was found to have a high body burden of mercury and dental amalgams which contained the toxic metal, mercury, in them. He was not eating excessive seafood or large predatory fish such as swordfish, shark, or tuna that have high mercury contents. He elected to have his mercury amalgams replaced under proper protocol with non-toxic dental materials and then underwent a physician supervised elective series of four chelations with DMPS, a chelating agent that removes mercury from the body. At the completion of this series he stated his gait was better and that he had no flares of his MS. His overall strength was also significantly improved, although he still had some fatigue. This improvement has been maintained up until the present. He recently presented to the office with a complaint erectile dysfunction. His testosterone levels were normal but he was eating a lot of soy products and he had an elevated serum estrogen level. He was also taking Saw Palmetto. He was asked to reduce the soy in his diet and his estrogen levels returned to normal, but his difficulty in obtaining an erection persisted. Every day on TV or in magazines we see ads for various drugs to help male sexual function. Mr. T was placed on an herbal product called BetterMan. He took this for two months and has had no further performance issues. _________________________________________________________ FDA Request for Public Comments on Amalgam Mercury is one of the most toxic metals on planet earth and has no business being placed in human mouths. The US government regulates mercury emissions, waste disposal of mercury, and prohibits dumping into the environment. According to the World Health Organization, there is no “safe” amount of mercury in humans. Dr. Body Haley, professor of chemistry at the University of Kentucky has published multiple papers on the severe toxic effects mercury amalgams have on neurological and immune function, including causing changes consistent with Alzheimer’s disease in brain cell cultures. The FDA has announced that it is reopening public comments on a rule first proposed in 2002 that would place precapsulated amalgam in Class II, with “special controls.” Under intense lobbying by IOAMT, a holistic dental association, and under pressure from legal action brought by Consumers for Dental Choice, the FDA has reopened public comments on ways to amend the rule for 90 days. In my medical opinion, amalgam should be placed in Class III, and the manufacturers be forced to prove that it is safe. When amalgam is removed from a human mouth it cannot be disposed of in the trash, but must be treated in a special manner as “toxic waste.” Based on your experience and knowledge, please express your opinion. Consider the following points:
Send your comments to:
___________________________________________________________ What’s New At the Center – 3 Center Closed For Summer Vacation: The Center will be closed from Friday, July 4th through Friday, July 11th. We will reopen at 9 AM on Monday, July 14th for regular operations. If you have an urgent medical problem while we are closed, please see your primary care physician or go to an urgent care center. Please call no later than June 23rd for prescription refills that you may need. 3 Product Highlights: Essential GSH is a lipolized glutathione supplement the Center now carries. This is a unique, pharmaceutical grade formula that is alcohol-free and glycerin-free. Glutathione is the most powerful antioxidant naturally occurring in all human cells. It is critical for detoxification and elimination of free radicals. It is an immune system booster and is vital to white blood cell function. Other antioxidants in the body depend on glutathione as well, where it recycles vitamins C and E after they have been oxidized. Glutathione binds to toxins, forming a water soluble complex that is excreted by either the liver or kidneys. Liposomes are derived from lecithin and they allow the glutathione to be protected from stomach acid while promoting absorption through the intestinal lining and into cells of the body. Adults can take anywhere from ½ to 2 teaspoons daily. The average maintenance dose is one teaspoon (which contains 430mg of glutathione). 3 10% Off Purchases at Mother Earth Markets: Dr. Erickson’s patients receive 10% off on all purchases at Mother Earth Markets in Gainesville. Simply present a letter from our office documenting you are an active patient to receive this discount. 3 Thermography Services – Do you have a hormonal imbalance in your breasts? This is a treatable risk factor for the development of breast cancer and fibrocystic breast disease. Thermography allows us to visualize this (mammography does not). Check out the Thermography section on our www.prevent-doc.com website. |
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