Coronary Heart Disease
DESCRIPTION
The leading cause of mortality in the US, coronary heart
disease accounts for 33% of all deaths. The condition is
caused by Atherosclerosis (the build-up of substances on
artery walls) of the arteries supplying blood and oxygen
to the heart muscles. This causes a decrease in blood flow,
and eventually results in a lack of energy and/or oxygen
for the heart muscle. Angina pectoris (a squeezing/crushing/burning
tightness in the chest that radiates toward the left side
of the body) may be a symptom of heart disease. Too often,
though, the only indication of disease is an unexpected
death.
Many factors contribute
to the development of heart disease, including Smoking,
Obesity, High Cholesterol, high blood pressure, Aging, and
Stress. The best approach toward the disease is through
prevention by modifying diet, exercise levels, and lifestyle.
HERBS
Ginkgo Biloba
Hawthorn (8)
NUTRITIONAL
SUPPLIMENTS
Evening Primrose Oil (1)
Fibre (2)
Fish Oil (3,4)
Garlic (5)
Vitamin B6
Vitamin A (6)
Vitamin E (7)
Wheatgerm
Zinc (9)
REFERENCES
1. Horrobin DF, Manku MS. How do polyunsaturated fatty acids
lower plasma cholesterol levels? Lipids 1983;558-62.
2. Little P, et al. A controlled trial of a low Sodium ,
low fat, high fibre diet in treated hypertensive patients:
the efficacy of multiple dietary intervention. Postgraduate
Med J 1990; 66(778):616-21.
3. Harris WS. N-3 fatty acids and serum lipoproteins: human
studies. Am J Clin Nutr 65(Suppl.): 1645S-1654S, 1997.
4. Dyerberg J. N-3 fatty acids and coronary artery disease:
potentials and problems. Omega-3, Lipoproteins Atherosclerosis
27: 251-258, 1996.
5. Efendi JL, et al. The effect of the aged Garlic extract,
"kyolic," on the development of experimental Atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis 132(1): 37-42, 1997.
6. Kohlmeier L and Hastings SB. Epidemiologic evidence of
a role of Carotenoids in cardiovascular disease prevention.
Am J Clin Nutr 62(Suppl.): 1370S-1376S, 1995.
7. Losonczy KG, Harris TB, and Havlik RJ. Vitamin E and
Vitamin C supplement use and risk of all-cause and coronary
heart disease mortality in older persons: the established
populations for epidemiologic studies of the elderly. Am
J Clin Nutr 64: 190-196, 1996.
8. Mavers VWH, Hensel H. Changes in local myocardial blood
flow following oral administration to a Crataegus extract
to non-anesthetized dogs. Arzneim Forsch 1974;24:783-85.
9. Shah DR, et al: Effect of oral Zinc sulphate on serum
lipids and lipoproteins in human subjects, Indian Journal
of Physiol Pharmacol, 32(1), Jan-Mar 1988, p 47-50.
