Tag: cardiovascular

Stress 壓力

Stress can come from any situation or thought. Interpretation of that scenario can lead to feelings of frustration, anger or anxiety. A healthy body is able to detect and respond to stress. Prolonged exposure to stress may lead to fluctuating responses or an insensitivity / hypersensitivity to stress, which may further lead to undesirable habits and conditions such as alcoholism, temper issues and depression.

Under sudden stress, adrenal glands release cortisone, deoxyribose, adulterine and IL-6. These require A, B2, C, E, pantothenic acid and linoleic acid.

Adrenaline accelerates the metabolism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates into energy for the body to use. This causes to body to excrete amino acids, potassium and phosphorous. It also depletes magnesium in muscle tissue and reduces calcium storage. It can destroy membranes (soft protein structures) if constantly released or becomes uncontrollable. Ulcers, breathing problems and eczema can result.
Cortisol ages brain cells and builds fat around the body’s midsection.
Interleukin-6 has direct effects on most cells in the body and is associated with many disorders, including diabetes, arthritis, cancer, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease, periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease.

Our enzymes and bodily fluids responsible for the millions of actions our bodies undertake everyday are made from micronutrients and amino acids which are reduced by stress. With inadequate supplies, the body tries to make something similar, but which is actually a histamine, an agent which causes inflammatory responses. Histamine is useful where there is actual cell injury since it brings white blood cells and blood to the area. If histamine is produced randomly, it can be an unnecessary irritant.

Stress is regulated by the release of calcium. If there is inadequate supplies in the blood, calcium is forced from bone where 99% of it is stored. Therefore, long periods of stress can result in osteoporosis and arthritis. If that occurs, calcium is not a first priority. Vitamin C and glucosamine is. Vitamin C is needed together with amino acids to fulfil its potential.

Phosphorous comes from processed meats and foods. This mineral replaces calcium and magnesium in our bodies, leading to lower absorption of those essential minerals. If the body has inadequate magnesium, calcium gets stuck in membrane structures leading to splinters, stones and arthritis.

The body does not absorb nutrients well when under stress, which can cause a multitude of other problems. It promotes the growth of free radicals that can oxidise and damage body tissues, especially cell membranes. Stress suppresses the immune system and long term stress will increase susceptibility to illness and slow healing.

In short, stress is to be avoided as much as possible.

Possible signs and symptoms

Twitching or trembling, muscle tension, headaches, sweating, dry mouth, difficulty swallowing and abdominal pain. General fatigue, inability to sustain concentration and short tempers.

Applied nutrition

Nutrition serves to help the body respond properly to stress. It is also essential to target and reduce the source of stress, and to help interpret and discuss appropriate responses to the stress being experienced.

Supplement Benefit Suggested Dosage
Vitamin B All B vitamins are necessary for health and proper functioning of the nervous system. B5 is an anti-stress vitamin needed by the thymus gland 5x twice daily
Vitamin C Essential to adrenal gland function. Stress depletes the gland’s anti-stress hormones 5x twice daily
Calcium + magnesium Replaces minerals lost by stress. Deficiency is common in highly stressed persons and can result in anxiety, fear and even hallucinations 4x twice daily
Q10 Also includes taurine which increases energy and protects brain, heart and immune system 2x twice daily
Multivitamin + phytonutrients Supplements nutrition lost or prevented from absorption from stress As directed
Selenium E Disarms free radicals caused by stress, improves immunity 1-2x daily

High blood pressure 高血压

Blood pressure is the force applied against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood through the body. The pressure is determined by the force of the heart, the amount of blood pumped and the size and resistance of the arteries. The force (blood pressure) may be higher when arteries are blocked by atherosclerosis, when blood is thicker (e.g. less water content or higher salt content) or when there are abnormal hormone levels.

What do blood pressure number indicate?

Diastolic Systolic  Pulse pressure
Normal range 60-80 100-130 35-45

Blood pressure readings are given in two numbers. The top number is the maximum pressure your heart exerts while beating (systolic pressure), and the bottom number is the amount of pressure in your arteries between beats (diastolic pressure). The numeric difference between your systolic and diastolic blood pressure is called your pulse pressure. For example, if your resting blood pressure is 120/80 millimetres of mercury (mm Hg), your pulse pressure is 40 — which is considered a normal and healthy pulse pressure.

The pulse pressure may be abnormal even if the absolute blood pressure readings are within the ‘normal’ range.

  • If the pulse pressure is below 40, it may indicate low heart power and/or very viscous blood (which is typical for diabetes patients)
  • If the pulse pressure is above 40, it may indicate constricted arteries and atherosclerosis.

Possible signs and symptoms

Usually, no symptoms are present. Occasionally, there may be a mild headache. If, under high blood pressure, the headache is severe or symptoms below are experienced, please advise visiting the doctor immediately:。 Other symptoms include: fatigue, confusion, vision changes, crushing chest pain, heart failure, blood in urine, nosebleed, irregular heartbeat or buzzing in the ears.

Applied nutrition

Please refer to the section: applied nutrition for heart disease.

Supplement Benefit Suggested Dosage

Heart Palpitations 心悸

Palpitations are heartbeat sensations that feel like pounding or racing. You may simply have an unpleasant awareness of your own heartbeat.

Palpitations are often not serious. However, it depends on whether or not the sensations represent an abnormal heart rhythm. You are more likely to have an abnormal heart rhythm if you have: a known heart problem; material risk factors for heart disease; an abnormal heart valve; or an electrolyte deficiency, e.g. low potassium levels.

Applied nutrition

Supplement Benefit Suggested Dosage
Protein Essential amino acids help repair body tissues 1 scoop,
3x daily
CoQ10 Improves heart muscle oxygenation and may help prevent heart attacks and follow-on attacks 2 tabs,
2x daily
Omega 3 Important for circulation and lowering blood pressure. Protects heart muscle cells and reduces tryglyceride levels in the blood 2 tabs,
3x daily
Garlic + licorice Beneficial for the heart, promotes circulation and effective in reducing high blood pressure 2 tabs,
3x daily
B Complex Important for circulatory function and lowering blood pressure. B6 reduces water content in tissues to relieve pressure on the cardiovascular system 3 tabs,
3x daily
Calcium + magnesium Deficiencies have been linked to high blood pressure. If taking high blood pressure drugs, take extra potassium to counteract depletion of calcium. Important for maintaining proper heart rhythm and blood pressure 2 tabs,
3x daily
Vitamin C + bioflavonoids Improves adrenal function, reduces blood-clotting tendencies 3 tabs,
3x daily
Lecithin E Powerful antioxidants that improve circulation and thins the blood, reducing clotting risk. Lecithin also reduces plaque buildup in the blood vessels 3 tabs,
3x daily
Ginkgo biloba + ginseng Improves circulation 2 tabs,
2x daily
Green tea extract Lowers cholesterol and lipid levels As indicated

Atherosclerosis 动脉粥样硬化

Atherosclerosis is a common disorder of the arteries. Fat, cholesterol and other substances accumulate in the walls of the arteries and form “atheromas” or plaque. Oxidation of these substances contribute to the accumulation.

Eventually, this fatty tissue can erode the wall of the artery, diminish its elasticity and interfere with blood flow. Plaques can also rupture/break off, causing debris to migrate downstream within an artery. This is a common cause of heart attack and stroke.

Clots can also form around the plaque deposits, further interfering with blood flow and posing additional danger if they break off and travel to the heart, lungs and brain. Many doctors now suspect that people with a high inflammation risk are at risk from atherosclerosis.

Risk factors for atherosclerosis include: smoking, high blood pressure, excessive dietary fats, poor blood cholesterol levels, diabetes, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease, and kidney disease.

Applied nutrition

See “heart attack / stroke”. The theme is to reduce inflammatory risk, increase anti-oxidative nutritional intake, reduce fat and cholesterol and slowly increase exercise levels.

Heart Disease 心脏病

A heart attack occurs when an area of heart muscle dies or is permanently damaged because of inadequate oxygen supply.

A stroke or “brain attack” occurs when blood supply to the brain is interrupted and brain tissue dies. Victims can suffer from lifelong disabilities, speech difficulties, paralysis and even death.

Possible causes

Most heart attacks are caused by a blood clot that blocks one of the coronary arteries (blood vessels that bring blood and oxygen to the heart muscle). The clot usually forms in a coronary artery that has been narrowed due to atherosclerosis (inflammation and/or cholesterol buildup).

A clot in the coronary artery interrupts the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart muscle, leading to the death of heart cells in that area. The damaged heart muscle loses its ability to contract and the remaining heart muscle needs to work hard to compensate for that weakened area. This overwhelming stress can trigger a heart attack.

Risk factors for coronary artery disease and heart attack include: smoking, high blood pressure, excessive dietary fats, poor blood cholesterol levels, diabetes, being male, being over 40 and heredity.

In many cases, the pain may be subtle or even completely absent (silent heart attack), especially in the elderly and those with diabetes. Often the pain radiates from the chest to the arms, shoulders, neck, jaw, abdomen and back.

The pain typically lasts for over 20 minutes and is not fully relieved by rest. Other symptoms include: shortness of breath; coughing; dizziness; fainting; nausea/vomiting; sweating; and a feeling of impending doom.

Applied nutrition

Supplement Benefit Suggested Dosage
Protein Essential amino acids help repair body tissues 1 scoop,
3x daily
CoQ10 Improves heart muscle oxygenation and ,may help prevent heart attacks and follow-on attacks 2 tabs,
2x daily
Omega 3 Important for circulation and lowering blood pressure. Protects heart muscle cells and reduces tryglyceride levels in the blood 2 tabs,
3x daily
Garlic + licorice Beneficial for the heart, promotes circulation and effective in reducing high blood pressure 2 tabs,
3x daily
B Complex Important for circulatory function and lowering blood pressure. B6 reduces water content in tissues to relieve pressure on the cardiovascular system 3 tabs,
3x daily
Calcium + magnesium Deficiencies have been linked to high blood pressure. If taking high blood pressure drugs, take extra potassium to counteract depletion of calcium. Important for maintaining proper heart rhythm and blood pressure 2 tabs,
3x daily
Vitamin C + bioflavonoids Improves adrenal function, reduces blood-clotting tendencies 3 tabs,
3x daily
Lecithin E Powerful antioxidants that improve circulation and thins the blood, reducing clotting risk. Lecithin also reduces plaque buildup in the blood vessels 3 tabs,
3x daily
Ginkgo biloba + ginseng Improves circulation 2 tabs,
2x daily
Green tea extract Lowers cholesterol and lipid levels As indicated

Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance found in all parts of the body. It is made by the body and also obtained from animal products in the diet.

Lipid disorders occur when one has excessive fatty substances in the blood. These substances include cholesterol and triglycerides. Having a lipid disorder makes one more likely to develop atherosclerosis and heart disease.

Functions

HDL is used to make bile, which helps in transporting fat and liver detoxification. This friendly scavenger also cruises the bloodstream. As it does, it removes harmful bad cholesterol from where it doesn’t belong. High HDL levels reduce the risk for heart disease — but low levels increase the risk.

LDL collects in the walls of your blood vessels, where it can cause blockages. Higher LDL levels put you at greater risk for a heart attack from a sudden blood clot that forms there.

Triglycerides are a type of fat (lipid) found in your blood. When you eat, your body converts any calories it doesn’t need to use right away into triglycerides. The triglycerides are stored in your fat cells. Later, hormones release triglycerides for energy between meals. If you regularly eat more calories than you burn, particularly “easy” calories like carbohydrates and fats, you may have high triglycerides (hypertriglyceridemia).

Possible causes

Cholesterol can be bound to fat at different densities. Two main types are:

  • Low-density lipoproteins – LDL – bad cholesterol, to be kept low.
  • High-density lipoproteins – HDL – good cholesterol, to be kept high.

High bad cholesterol and other lipid disorders can be associated with:
fatty diets; diabetes; hypothyroidism; Cushing’s syndrome and kidney failure; certain medication including birth control pills, estrogen, corticosteroids, certain diuretics and beta-blockers; lifestyle factors including excessive alcohol consumption and lack of exercise leading to obesity.

People who smoke and also have high cholesterol are at even greater risk since the cholesterol in the blood are rapidly hardened through oxidation.

Cholesterol levels

Good Borderline Caution
Total Cholesterol < 200 200 – 239 240+
HDL > 45 35 – 44 < 35
LDL < 130 130 – 159 160+
Ratio ≤ 3.4 5.5 – 7.4 ≥ 7.5
Triglycerides < 200 200 – 399 400+

Applied nutrition

Recommend to reduce fat intake, trans-fat intake, high-heat treated oils and fats. Increase deep sea fish intake (caution on tuna), increase fiber intake, lose weight and increase physical activity.

Supplement Benefit Suggested Dosage
Protein Supplies balanced amounts of nine essential amino acids 1 scoop,
3x daily
Coenzyme Q10 Improves heart muscle oxygenation and may help prevent heart attacks. 2 tabs,
2x daily
Omega 3 Important for circulation and lowering blood pressure. Protects heart muscle cells and reduces triglycerides level in the blood. Thins the blood. 2 tabs,
3x daily
Garlic + licorice Beneficial for the heart, promotes circulation and effective in reducing blood pressure. 2 tabs,
3x daily
Calcium + magnesium Deficiencies have been linked to high blood pressure. If taking high blood pressure medication, take extra potassium to counteract the depletion of calcium. Important for maintaining proper heart rhythm and blood pressure. 2 tabs,
3x daily
Fiber Bulk forming and increases water content of stool, detoxifying the colon and cleansing the breath. 3 tabs,
3x daily
B Complex Important for circulation function and lowering blood pressure. B6 reduces water in tissues to relieve pressure on the cardiovascular system. 3 tabs,
3x daily
Vitamin E + lecithin Powerful antioxidants that improve circulation and thins the blood, reducing clotting risk. Lecithin also aids in blood-thinning. 3 tabs,
3x daily
Vitamin C + bioflavonoids Powerful free radical destroyer and anti-inflammatory agent. Bioflavonoids enhance the activity of vitamin C. 3 tabs,
3x daily
Green tea extract Delivers catechins and theaflavins in synergy with phytonutrients to help maintain healthy cholesterol levels. 2 tabs,
2x daily

 

Anaemia 贫血

Anaemia is a condition in which there aren’t enough healthy red blood cells (haemoglobin) to carry adequate oxygen to body tissues causing fatigue. To produce haemoglobin and red blood cells, your body needs ample iron and complimentary vitamins from the foods you eat.

Many forms of anaemia exist, each with its own cause. Anaemia can be temporary or long-term, and it can range from mild to severe. Anaemia can be a sign of serious illness. Some types of anaemia can be prevented by having a healthy, varied diet, through serious cases have to be referred to medical professionals.

Possible signs and symptoms

Weakness, pale skin, rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, cognitive problems, numbness or coldness in the periphery, headaches.

Possible causes

Broadly, causes of anaemia may be classified as impaired red blood cell (RBC) production, increased RBC destruction (hemolytic anaemias), blood loss and fluid overload (hypervolemia). Several of these may interplay to cause anemia eventually. Indeed, the most common cause of anaemia is blood loss, but this usually does not cause any lasting symptoms unless a relatively impaired RBC production condition develops, in turn most commonly by iron deficiency.

Applied nutrition

Supplement Benefit Suggested Dosage
Protein A high-quality protein supplement specially formulated wholly from plants. It supplies balanced amounts of the nine essential amino acids. 1 scoop,
3x daily
Multivitamin + minerals + phytonutrients Supplies a balance of nutrients important in red blood cell production As indicated on packaging
B Complex Essential in red blood cell production and to break down and prepare protein for cellular use 4 tabs,
3x daily
Iron + folic acid Needed for red blood cell formation. Plant-derived iron does not interfere with vitamin E absorption. 1 tab,
3x daily
Vitamin C + bioflavonoids Important for iron absorption 2 tabs,
3x daily