Longevity and Cognitive Decline Several studies have found that selenium blood levels fall as we age and those with the lowest levels experience shorter life spans. One study showed a drop of 7 percent at age 60 and 24 percent by age 75. In one study involving 1,389 patients ages 60 to 71, it was discovered that, when compared to those with the higher selenium levels, those with the lower levels have a highest likelihood of experiencing cognitive and neurological problems.
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There have been other studies in the medical literature noting rats that were fed a combination of alpha lipoic acid and acetyl-L carnitine actually had regeneration of brain tissue along with more youthful behavior and activity. Alpha lipoic acid and acetyl-L carnitine have long been regarded as potential anti-aging nutrients. In addition vitamin B6. Researchers from Tufts University reviewed the data collected in a 2003-2004 Health and Nutrition Examination Survey known as NHANES. It was previously thought that B6 deficiency is rare in the United States. B6 has been linked to healthy heart function and immune function. It was found that in a group of over 7,800 men and women, nearly a quarter of them who did not take any supplementation had blood levels of B6 that were deemed to be deficient. In those individuals who took some supplementation, 11% were noted to have a deficiency of B6. Interestingly, in women who reported using oral contraceptives, they were much more likely to have extremely low levels of B6 in their blood stream.
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It’s been known for years that vitamin E helps prevent heart disease, stave off Alzheimer’s, and protect against cancer. This vitamin is also therapeutic for patients with high cholesterol, PMS, and Parkinson’s disease. Now, new research from the Yale School of Medicine reveals another benefit of this powerful antioxidant: Vitamin E also appears to halt physical decline. Scientists took blood samples from nearly 700 people, age 65 and older, who lived in Tuscany, Italy, and determined their levels of iron, folate, and vitamins B6, B12, D, and E. Over three years, they measured the study volunteers’ rates of decline in three areas: rising multiple times from a chair, walking speed, and standing balance. What they found was that people with low levels of vitamin E were 60 percent more likely to have declining physical function. Folks, this is big news. If a simple nutrient can stave off disability in an aging population, it should be recommended for everyone over age 60. You won’t find adequate levels of vitamin E in food sources, so look in your health food store for supplements containing natural vitamin E and take 400 IU daily.
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Chili peppers are one of the unsung heroes of natural medicine. Contrary to what many say, eating chili peppers doesn’t cause ulcers. In fact, peppers have been shown to trigger mechanisms that actually protect the lining of the stomach. Just because the peppers can cause a burning sensation upon entering and exiting your body doesn’t necessarily mean they burn a hole in the stomach or other parts of the gastrointestinal tract. Even if you don’t eat chili peppers, we recommend that you keep a large container of cayenne pepper powder around at all times. It’s safe and inexpensive, and has dozens of uses. Cayenne pepper works wonders for reducing blood pressure. One-half to one teaspoon twice daily mixed in a glass of warm water will often be like magic. If you find it difficult to take it this way, you can encapsulate it or buy capsules in health food stores but it's more expensive.
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Researchers at Laval University in Quebec, Canada have found that drinking cranberry juice can reduce your risk of several forms of heart disease. A group of 30 men was asked to drink up to a pint of cranberry juice each, daily for three weeks. The study was looking for an effect on the oxidation of cholesterol and the level of what are called adhesion molecules. The levels of both decreased significantly, compared to levels at the beginning of the study. Cholesterol in your bloodstream doesn’t become a problem until it oxidizes—at which point it begins to damage the lining of blood vessels. Adhesion molecules play a role in damage to the lining of your blood vessels. Reduced levels indicate an increased ability of your arteries to resist the effects of damaging substances such as oxidized cholesterol.
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There was an interesting small study out of Rome , Italy published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in September regarding coffee. Ten healthy volunteers, after an overnight fast, drank about seven ounces of filtered coffee. Blood was then drawn 30 minutes and 60 minutes after drinking coffee. It was found that resistance to LDL oxidation significantly increased after coffee drinking, although LDL concentration did not increase. It's the oxidation of LDL cholesterol that causes damage. Researchers concluded that resistance to LDL oxidation was probably the result of phenolic compounds in coffee which have antioxidant activity. Another great option is green tea as it provides a large amount of antioxidant nutrients. Look for green tea with high levels of EGCG, one of the key antioxidants.
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In a recent study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition it was found that after adjusting for other factors, individuals with higher plasma folic acid levels had overall better global cognitive function and better performance on tests of psychomotor speed. Researchers felt that these associations may be mediated by vascular mechanisms. In addition to this study there was a second study regarding meta-analysis of 14 double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trials regarding folic acid. The study concluded that high doses of folic acid appeared to improve endothelial function and as a result potentially promote good cardiovascular function.
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Well the FDA has been up and down on the decision on this drug. We don't know but it seems that pressure from the pharmaceutical industry may be involved. Watch the video and read the article and decide for yourself. We are concerned because we care about the heart health of or readers.
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Cutting back on salt does more than lower blood pressure. Harvard researchers recently tracked the rates of heart attack, stroke, and death of more than 3,000 people who participated in two 1996 clinical trials on sodium and blood pressure. The results were astounding. Those who were assigned to the low-salt group cut their sodium intake by 25 to 35 percent for at least 18 months during the study and were 25 percent less likely to have had a cardiac event in the intervening 10 to 15 years than those who were in the control group and had not altered their sodium consumption. More impressive, the mortality rate among those who ate less salt was 20 percent lower.
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PCI, also known as angioplasty, is a surgery in which a catheter is snaked into the blood vessels of the heart, usually through an artery in the leg. A small balloon is then inflated to open the artery and a mesh tube called a stent is inserted to help keep the artery open. After evaluating seven years of results, the researchers found that both groups of patients had practically the same number of heart attacks and strokes. The surgery was also no more effective at preventing future cardiovascular events or at reducing the death rate. The only benefit of the surgery over the medication therapies was that it reduced the amount of angina or chest pains. (American College of Cardiology 56th Annual Scientific Session 2007)
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