Praktikos Institute

A multicenter study that previously reported a reduction in heart attack and stroke with a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil or with nuts now also reports a lower risk of peripheral artery disease, according to a study in the January 22/29 issue of JAMA.

A simple way to help naturally lower inflammation and protect your body against atherosclerosis, also known as hardening of the arteries, is to supplement with turmeric and laurel leaf extract. A 2011 study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food found that these two popular culinary herbs possess a unique ability to naturally decrease blood sugar, lower cholesterol and prevent the buildup of arterial plaque, which can lead to heart disease.

Diabetics’ risk of developing heart disease or suffering a fatal heart attack are nearly doubled due to the devastating effect of insulin dysfunction and high blood glucose levels. Experts estimate that as many as one in three Americans will be affected by diabetes through the year 2050, a strong indicator that rates of cardiovascular disease and death from heart attack will skyrocket in a linear fashion. Fortunately, diabetes and heart disease are preventable through proper diet, physical activity, lifestyle alterations and a host of natural compounds including vitamin D.

Low vitamin K1 levels may increases in the progression of arterial calcification, or hardening of the arteries, says a new study that may have greater implications for vitamin K2 than K1.

In a pilot, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study involving patients between the ages of 40 and 70 years with definite or probable amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), who were self-sufficient (able to swallow, cut food/handle utensils, walk), with forced vital capacity of > 80%, who were followed for 48 weeks, supplementation with acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC), 3 g/d, added to riluzole 100 mg/d, was found to be “effective, well-tolerated and safe.”

Long chain omega-3 fatty acids from fish oils (O3) are known to have beneficial effects on a number of vascular risk factors in at-risk populations. The effects of a highly bioavailable emulsified preparation on an overweight young adult population are less well known.

Watermelon might be the next food to ascend to nutritional stardom, as it fights the accumulation of arterial plaque to help prevent a heart attack and is proving to be an important ally in weight management.

Heart disease officially surpassed cancer as the leading cause of death in the US and many western societies. The sad part of the story is that heart disease is largely preventable by adopting healthy lifestyle changes including a natural diet filled with vegetables, nuts, seeds and fruits, regular physical activity and avoidance of commercial and household pollutants. A number of foods have been identified that provide our body with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory phenols that directly lower our risk for developing cardiovascular and other health disorders.

Heart disease officially surpassed cancer as the leading cause of death in the US and many western societies. The sad part of the story is that heart disease is largely preventable by adopting healthy lifestyle changes including a natural diet filled with vegetables, nuts, seeds and fruits, regular physical activity and avoidance of commercial and household pollutants. A number of foods have been identified that provide our body with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory phenols that directly lower our risk for developing cardiovascular and other health disorders.

Arturo Figueroa, a researcher in the Florida State University College of Human Sciences, has confirmed with a team of researchers that Nutrisystem, with or without low intense resistance exercise, improves arterial function in obese, postmenopausal women.