Fish or Fish Oil Capsules for Heart Disease?
by Emilia Klapp, R.D., B.S.

A lot has been said, and written, about fish, fish oil capsules, and Omega-3 fats when it comes to heart disease. However, the never ending questions are: what is better for my heart, fish or fish oil capsules? Can I replace fish with fish oil capsules and obtain the same health benefits? Well, here is the answer.

The American Heart Association and several other groups recommend Omega-3s, the main fat found in fish and fish oil capsules, to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, there has been little research on whether the body processes fats from fish oil capsules and fish in the same way. To investigate the matter, Dr. Harris, from the University of South Dakota and his team had a group of 11 women eat two servings of tuna or salmon each week, while another group of 12 women took the same amount of omega-3s, an estimated 485 milligrams daily, in capsule form.

After 16 weeks, the amount of omega-3 fatty acids in the red blood cells of women in both groups had risen by 40 percent to 50 percent, while omega-3s in the plasma, the liquid portion of the blood, had risen by 60 percent to 80 percent.

We went into the project assuming that fish would be better, based on some previous literature from other studies, Dr. Harris indicated. Based on the current findings, it doesnt make any difference whether we get our omega 3 fatty acids from a concentrate in a fish oil capsule or in fish they have the same effect as far as enriching our tissues with omega 3s.

Nevertheless, Dr. Harris emphasized that he would encourage people to eat fish rather than relying on fish oil capsules. Fish contributes proteins, vitamins, and minerals to our diet that the fish oil capsules dont bring.

Benefits of Omega-3s for the Heart

Improved heart rhythms

Uncontrolled heart rhythms are responsible for nearly half of all cardiac mortality. By affecting the electrical activity of the heart, Omega-3s from fish help maintain stable heart rhythms.

Improved heart rate

Heart rate is the number of beats your heart pumps per minute at rest. Heart rate is lower in people who are physically fit and higher in the obese. Normal heart rate is between 60 and 80 beats per minute and usually increases with age. Consumption of marine omega-3s is associated with lowering heart rate, a condition that lowers the chance of heart attacks.

Reduced blood clotting

Some blood clotting is essential for life, but an excessive tendency towards clotting increases the risk of blocked arteries. These can be fatal when a clot completely closes a blood vessel in the heart, lungs, or brain. Omega-3 fatty acids from fish or marine plants reduce platelet clumping, improve blood flow, and make red blood cells more flexible so they pass through small blood vessels more easily. Omega-3s do not pose a serious risk to blood clotting unless a person consumes very large amounts of them (roughly 10 grams a day) or is already taking blood thinners (anti-coagulants) and consuming large amounts of omega-3s

Less inflammation

Although we can not notice it, low-level inflammation of the blood vessels is linked to heart disease and impaired blood vessel function. High levels of the protein CRP in the blood are linked to the inflammation observed in heart disease. Some studies have reported that consumption of omega-3s reduces CRP in people with heart disease. Omega-3s are well known for their anti-inflammatory properties.

Final thoughts

Remember that although fish and fish oil capsules can provide the same benefit as far as Omega-3 fats is concerned, eating fish will contribute to much more than just Omega-3s. Fish, whether fresh, frozen or canned, will provide you with iron, needed to prevent anemia; phosphorus, needed for the brain; iodine for the thyroid; as well as good quality protein. Best source of Omega-3s from fish: salmon, mackerel, tuna, sardines, and trout. If you do not have a heart condition, 2 or 3 portions of fish a week will contribute with the needed omega-3s, 2 grams a week.

If you already have had a cardiovascular episode, you can add some capsules of fish oil to your diet. Do not exceed 1 gram a day of Omega-3s.

Lower Blood Pressure Naturally – Why You Need to Check Your Blood Pressure at Home

This may be one of the easiest methods for lowering blood pressure naturally. Did you know that your blood pressure could change by the hour and even by the minute? If you check your blood pressure occasionally at the doctor’s office or at some location where there is a self-checking blood pressure monitor you may not be getting an accurate picture of your true blood pressure.Your reading that your doctor or nurse takes is a quick flash of your blood pressure at that time. For some folks this can be a true reading but in others it is not. Up to 20% of those who indicate an abnormal reading have what is called white-coat hypertension, which is the result of stress incurred by a visit to the doctor. Others have the opposite result where they have normal blood pressure in the doctor’s office but everywhere else it is elevated.Various conditions can cause fluctuations in blood pressure such as watching an exciting sporting event or movie. If you are in a relaxed mood your blood pressure will tend to belower.So how can you really be sure what your blood pressure is? If you are interested in a way of lowering your blood pressure naturally then consider a new recommendation by the American Heart Association, the American Society of Hypertension, and Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association. They recommend that individuals with high blood pressure and those who are at high risk for developing it should monitor their blood pressure at home.Better Control.If individuals check their blood pressure at home on a weekly basis they are more likely to lower their blood pressure naturally. If you are able to take your blood pressure at any time you can better relate your activity at the moment to your reading. Furthermore, since you are taking your readings more often you’ll discover a norm. If you notice a spike in your reading as compared to the norm it may be a warning sign that you need to discuss with your doctor.If you are taking medication for high blood pressure, having the ability to monitor it frequently will provide better feedback on the effectiveness of the medication.Save time and medications.Checking your blood pressure at home will mean fewer trips to the doctor’s office and help you to lower your blood pressure naturally. If you have white-coat hypertension it may mean reducing or even eliminating medication.

Reversing the Metabolic Syndrome

What is the Metabolic Syndrome?The metabolic syndrome is a collection of high-risk symptoms including elevated lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides), hypertension and a proinflammatory state. Having the metabolic syndrome places the individual at high-risk for heart disease and diabetes. Men are more prone to developing the metabolic syndrome due to their natural tendency to deposit excess fat as visceral adipose tissue (VAT) also called intra-abdominal fat. Postmenopausal women are also at risk due to lower estrogen to androgen ratios. The shift from a pear shape to an apple shape displays this hormonal shift. In fact, the apple shape is primarily caused by VAT as opposed to subcutaneous (fat under the skin) fat.The American Heart Association has established standards for diagnosing the metabolic syndrome. The patient must have 3 of the following conditions:1. Waist circumference greater than 40 inches for men, 35 inches for women.2. Triglycerides greater than 150 mg/dL.3. HDL Cholesterol less than 40 mg/d for men, less than 50 mg/dl for women.4. Blood pressure greater than 130/85 mm Hg.5. Fasting glucose greater than 100 mg/dL.What causes the Metabolic Syndrome?The metabolic syndrome appears to be caused by insulin resistance and the associated accumulation of VAT. VAT releases inflammatory adipocytokines, which contribute to the proinflammatory state. Fatty liver is also strongly correlated with VAT [1], and is a likely cause of the elevated lipids.VAT accumulation correlates with fasting insulin, total whole-body glucose disposal, glucose oxidation and nonoxidative whole-body glucose disposal [2]. Also, factors associated with insulin resistance are also correlated with VAT accumulation, including triglycerides [3], hepatic lipase [4] and HL/LPL ratio [5]. Likewise, factors inversely associated with insulin resistance are also inversely correlated with VAT accumulation including HDL [3]. How can the Metabolic Syndrome be reversed?Improving insulin sensitivity is of primary importance. This requires an improved diet along with exercise. 1. Lose weight. Weight loss greatly improves insulin sensitivity.2. Upgrade your fat intake. Saturated fat significantly worsens insulin resistance, while monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids (especially omega-3) improve it [6].3. Exercise. Even something as simple as daily walking reduces visceral adipose tissue areas and improves insulin resistance [7].4. Minimize stress. Cortisol appears to be involved in VAT accumulation and insulin resistance.5. Eat more fiber. Fiber improves insulin sensitivity and is associated with lower amounts of VAT [9]. Pectin appears to be an especially effective fiber for reducing VAT [10].6. Take supplements. Pantethine [11], taurine [12], calcium [13] and tea [14] all improve insulin sensitivity and reduce VAT.David SpeltsFat Loss Nutrition[1] Kelley DE, McKolanis TM, Hegazi RA, Kuller LH, Kalhan SC. : Fatty liver in type 2 diabetes mellitus: relation to regional adiposity, fatty acids, and insulin resistance. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 10/2003.[2] Laakso, Markku: Insulin resistance, body fat distribution, and sex hormones in men. Diabetes, 2/1/1994. [3] R. B. Terry, P. D. Wood, W. L. Haskell, M. L. Stefanick and R. M. Krauss: Regional adiposity patterns in relation to lipids, lipoprotein cholesterol, and lipoprotein subfraction mass in men. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 1989. [4] C. E. Tan; L. Forster; M. J. Caslake; D. Bedford; T. D. G. Watson; M. McConnell; C. J. Packard; J. Shepherd: Relations Between Plasma Lipids and Postheparin Plasma Lipases and VLDL and LDL Subfraction Patterns in Normolipemic Men and Women. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, 1995. [5] Despres JP, Couillard C, Gagnon J, Bergeron J, Leon AS, Rao DC, Skinner JS, Wilmore JH, Bouchard C: Race, visceral adipose tissue, plasma lipids, and lipoprotein lipase activity in men and women: the Health, Risk Factors, Exercise Training, and Genetics (HERITAGE) family study. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, 2000. [6] Riccardi G, Giacco R, Rivellese AA.: Dietary fat, insulin sensitivity and the metabolic syndrome. Clin Nutr. 8/2004.[7] Miyatake N, Nishikawa H, Morishita A, Kunitomi M, Wada J, Suzuki H, Takahashi K, Makino H, Kira S, Fujii M.: Daily walking reduces visceral adipose tissue areas and improves insulin resistance in Japanese obese subjects. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 11/2002.[8] Gluck ME, Geliebter A, Lorence M.; Cortisol stress response is positively correlated with central obesity in obese women with binge eating disorder (BED) before and after cognitive-behavioral treatment. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 12/2004.[9] DS Ludwig et al: Dietary fiber, weight gain, and cardiovascular disease risk factors in young adults. Journal of the American Medical Association 1999. [10] Hendricks KM et al. High-fiber diet in HIV-positive men is associated with lower risk of developing fat deposition. Am J Clin Nutr 78: 790-5, 2003. [11] Osono Y, Hirose N, Nakajima K, Hata Y: The effects of pantethine on fatty liver and fat distribution. J Atheroscler Thromb, 2000. [12] Nakaya Y, Minami A, Harada N, Sakamoto S, Niwa Y, Ohnaka M: Taurine improves insulin sensitivity in the Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty rat, a model of spontaneous type 2 diabetes. Am J Clin Nutr, Jan 2000. [13] Soares MJ, Binns C, Lester L: Higher intakes of calcium are associated with lower BMI and waist circumference in Australian adults: an examination of the 1995 National Nutrition Survey. Asia Pac J Clin Nutrition, 2004. [14] C. Wu, et al: Relationship among Habitual Tea Consumption, Percent Body Fat, and Body Fat Distribution. Obesity Research, September, 2003.

Learn How To Use An AED

An AED is an external medical device that delivers an electrical shock to the heart to restore a normal heart rhythm in people who have suffered a specific type of cardiac arrest, known as sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). SCA is not the equivalent of a heart attack, nor are AEDs used to treat all heart conditions. Rather, AEDs are only indicated for the treatment of sudden cardiac arrest.In the majority of cases, SCA is caused by ventricular fibrillation (VF), which is a complete lack of heartbeat that can be fatal within minutes. However, SCA can also result from ventricular tachycardia (VT), a rapid heartbeat that can occur after fever, exercise, or nervous excitement.Sudden cardiac arrest can strike people of any age, race, or gender. For example, electrocution, drowning, choking, and trauma can all disturb the heart’s normal rhythm. Although certain individuals are genetically predisposed to SCA, most people who have this condition have no prior symptoms or warning. Often, when you read about an apparently healthy young athlete collapsing during a game, SCA is the cause. Still, the majority of SCAs do occur in older adult males.An AED is the appropriate emergency treatment in those cases when an electrical malfunction of the heart has stopped its normal rhythm. In these cases, a shock must be delivered via the AED within the first ten minutes of the SCA to restore a regular pulse.Defibrillation can restore the heart’s normal rhythm if it’s done within minutes of the arrest. According to the American Heart Association, every minute that passes without defibrillation decreases the victim’s chances of survival by 10 percent. This is significant when you consider how long it can take for emergency medical services (EMS) to respond to treat a victim of SCA.According to researchers who evaluate public access defibrillation programs, the average EMS response time from call to shock interval in the United States is likely to be greater than five minutes. Response times vary greatly and can be longer in very urban settings with heavy traffic or in more isolated rural settings.Effectiveness of AEDsAccording to a recent study that looked at survival rates in Las Vegas casinos, which were among the first establishments to implement the use of AEDs, these devices have been demonstrated to be effective. The study, published in the October 2000 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, found that the overall survival rate for patients with ventricular fibrillation (VF) was 53 percent. This finding is most impressive when you compare their success to victims who don’t receive defibrillation. Most studies show survival rates for ventricular fibrillation/ventricular tachycardia to be about 10 percent. Having rapid access to an AED could improve survival rates by as much as 40 percent. In plain terms, that is four more lives saved for every ten people afflicted.The American Heart Association recommends that AEDs be available wherever large numbers of people congregate. Such places include airports, convention centers, sports stadiums and arenas, large industrial buildings, high-rise offices, and large health and fitness facilities.

What Is Apoliprotein B?

Apoliproteins are essential to the transport of blood lipids through the bloodstream and to the uptake of blood lipids into body cells. Apo B-100 is manufactured in the liver. It combines with very low-density lipo­proteins (VLDL) to carry triglycerides and LDL cholesterol in the blood­stream. By measuring levels of Apo B, it is possible to measure the exact number of LDL particles.Some researchers believe that measurements of Apo B may be better than LDL measurements when it comes to predicting the risk of heart disease. This is because levels of Apo B can be measured directly, while LDL cholesterol levels are often calculated indirectly from levels of total cholesterol. These indirect calculations tend to be less accurate as triglyceride levels increase. But experts believe that research evidence is not sufficient to support the superiority of Apo B over LDL cholesterol measures. Therefore, federal government guidelines do not yet recommend the Apo B measure as a factor in risk assessment. This may change as new tests continue to be developed and are more accurate and standardized.Most LDL levels are calculated indirectly, by measuring the total weight of all LDL cholesterol present rather than by calculating the actual number of LDL particles. Tests that measure Apo B measure the exact number of LDL particles, providing insight into whether the LDL cholesterol is composed of the large, fluffy type or the small, dense type that is worse for health.Research on Apo BIn October 2003, results from the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study were published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association. Researchers used a number of tests to determine whether people should be put on therapy. Interestingly, researchers found that 19 percent of subjects would have received a different treatment recommendation if they had been tested for Apo B levels rather than for LDL levels. Investigators who conducted the study confirmed that LDL is still an important marker for heart disease risk. However, researchers believe that testing for Apo B levels provides even more valuable information. The test is inexpensive and does not require fasting.Alice Lichtenstein, a spokesperson for the American Heart Association, said, “This is an important observation and needs to be considered carefully in light of prior data to determine whether current guidelines should be modified to recommend routinely measuring Apo B levels in high risk individuals.” National government guidelines in Canada recommend use of the Apo B test. Watch for potential changes in government guidelines in the United States.

Risk Factors for Heart Disease-Health

The risk factors for cardiovascular disease have been categorized by the american heart association (AHA) as follows:Major risk factors that cannot be changed (increasing age, male gender, and heredity)Major risk factors that can be changed (elevated blood cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, cigarette smoking, and physical inactivityOther contributing factors (obesity, diabetes, and stress). Major Risk Factors That Cannot Be Changed Age Approximately 55% of all heart attacks occur in people who are 65 years of age or older. This age group accounts for more than 80% of the fatal heart attacks.Male Gender Until recently, the incidence of coronary heart disease among women has been largely unexplored. Men have been the primary subjects in the coronary heart disease and risk factor studies because of the high incidence of both among men. However, coronary heart disease is also the leading cause of death and disability among women, accounting for almost 250,000 deaths annually. Women have less heart disease than men, particularly before menopause. The reasons for the difference include the following:The female hormone estrogen protects the coronary arteries from atherosclerosisWomen have higher circulating levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, which also protects the arteries. After menopause, though, the heart attack rate among women increases significantly until the mid-60s, when women’s risk is equal to that of men the same age. An alarming trend in recent years is the increased incidence of heart attacks in premenopausal women who have been smoking cigarettes long enough for it to affect their health, especially when combined with oral contraceptive use.HeredityAccording to the AHA, “A tendency toward heart disease or atherosclerosis appears to be hereditary, so children of parents with cardiovascular disease are more likely to develop it themselves.” A history of first degree male relatives (father, grandfather, and brothers) who died of coronary heart disease before the age of 55 or first degree female relatives (mother, grandmother, and sisters) who died of coronary heart disease before the age of 65 indicates a strong familial tendency. If the family history is positive, the modifiable risk factors must be controlled. Major Risk Factors That Can Be ChangedCholesterolCholesterol is a steroid that is an essential structural component of neural tissue; it is used in the construction of cell walls and for the manufacture of hormones and bile (for the digestion and absorption of fats). A certain amount of cholesterol is required for good health, but high levels in the blood are associated with heart attacks and strokes. The AHA suggests that Americans reduce cholesterol consumption to less than 300 milligrams per day (300 mg/day), that fat intake be reduced to a maximum of 30% of the total calories consumed, and that saturated fat be reduced to no more than 10% of the total calories. Many authorities are convinced that limiting total fat and saturated fat is more important than being overly restrictive of cholesterol. Americans have made substantial progress in reducing cholesterol consumption. The average cholesterol consumed by men and women respectively in 1960 was 704 mg/day and 493 mg/day. By 1994, How LDL cholesterol contributes to coronary artery disease is not completely understood, but the “lipid oxidation theory” appears to have the support of the scientific community. According to this theory, LDLs do not latch on to the artery linings, depositing the cholesterol that eventually forms plaque. Instead, high circulating levels of LDL in the blood stimulate the cells beneath the artery lining to transport the LDLs into the artery wall. This process is facilitated when artery linings are damaged by any one or a combination of the following: cigarette smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, viruses, and other toxic substances. After infiltrating the artery wall, LDLs are oxidized, or converted to harmful forms that are toxic to endothelial and smooth muscle cells, thus further damaging the artery lining. This process triggers the body’s immune system, which responds by sending white blood cells, called monocytes, that also penetrate into the inner layer of the artery. The monocytes turn into macrophages, which engulf oxidized LDLs in an effort to protect the artery from further damage. The macrophages become bloated from gobbling up LDLs, and in this condition they eventually develop into foam cells. Foam cells in turn stimulate the smooth muscle cells in the affected arteries to grow in size and number. This adds to the thickness of the artery walls. Concurrently, blood platelets congregate at the sites of disease, further adding to the thickening process. The culmination of these events results in the development of fatty streaks in the arteries. This is an initial sign of coronary artery disease. Some of these streaks develop into atherosclerotic plaques, which are the lesions that define diseased coronary arteries. In some instances the cells lining the artery flake off or retract, exposing the foam cells lying beneath. Once again, the body attempts to repair the damage, but the restoration process causes the wounded artery to scar down as a fibrous plaque. This represents a later-stage lesion in the development of atherosclerotic plaque. Lesions grow over time by accumulating fibrous tissue, cholesterol, and other debris from the blood stream. Concomitantly, the channel narrows severely, diminishing blood flow to the myocardium. At this point the lesion has progressed to a mature plaque. Finally, further damage to the artery wall may cause either a blood clot to develop or bleeding to occur into the core of the plaque, or the artery may go into spasm. Any of these events can abruptly interrupt or block the flow of blood to a portion of the heart muscle, resulting in a heart attack. Heart attacks are rare when LDL values in the blood are below 100 mg/dl. A national panel of experts has developed guidelines for safe and unsafe levels of LDL. A high circulating level of LDL cholesterol is positively related to cardiovascular disease. Weight loss, a diet low in saturated fat and total fat, exercise, and medication (if needed) will lower LDL levels in the blood. HDLs are involved in reverse transport; that is, they accept cholesterol from the blood and tissues and transfer it to VLDLs and LDLs for transport to the liver, where it can be degraded, disposed of, or recycled. HDLs protect the arteries from atherosclerosis by clearing cholesterol from the blood. Cardiovascular health depends greatly on low levels of total cholesterol and LDLs and a high level of HDLs. Cigarette smoking, diabetes, elevated triglyceride levels, and anabolic steroids lower HDL, whereas physical exercise, weight loss, and moderate alcohol consumption raise it. Moderate alcohol consumption (two drinks or less per day) increases HDL cholesterol levels. An alcoholic drink is defined as a 5 ounce glass of wine, or a 12 ounce beer, or 11/2 ounces of 80 proof spirits. However, alcohol is a depressant that is responsible for nearly 50,000 traffic deaths annually and contributes to one third of all drownings and boating deaths. Alcohol impairs judgment and removes inhibitions so that people under its influence behave in ways they ordinarily would not while sober. Alcohol consumption is not an acceptable way to raise HDL cholesterol. The higher the HDL, the greater the protection from cardiovascular disease. The average value for men is 45 mg/dl, and for women it is 55 mg/dl. This biological difference in HDL levels between genders partly explains the lower incidence of heart disease in premenopausal women as compared with men. After menopause, HDL levels in women begin to decrease, as does their protection provided by this subfraction of cholesterol. The ratio between total cholesterol (TC) and HDL (TC/HDL) should also be considered when the risk is interpreted. This ratio is determined by dividing TC by HDL. Another blood fat, the serum triglycerides, is involved in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. Average serum triglycerides, depending on age and gender, range from 50 mg/dl to 200 mg/dl. Elevated triglycerides may not directly cause atherosclerosis, but they often accompany and add to the severity of other blood fat abnormalities. For example, high triglycerides tend to be accompanied by low HDLs, high LDLs, and high total cholesterol. This profile is predictive of the development of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. A number of studies have shown that sedentary hypertriglyceridemic people can reduce serum triglycerides by as much as 45% when they participate regularly in moderately intense exercise. Physically fit people metabolize serum triglycerides more effectively than sedentary people and are able to clear them from the blood more rapidly after a high-fat meal.

Learn How To Use An AED

An AED is an external medical device that delivers an electrical shock to the heart to restore a normal heart rhythm in people who have suffered a specific type of cardiac arrest, known as sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). SCA is not the equivalent of a heart attack, nor are AEDs used to treat all heart conditions. Rather, AEDs are only indicated for the treatment of sudden cardiac arrest.In the majority of cases, SCA is caused by ventricular fibrillation (VF), which is a complete lack of heartbeat that can be fatal within minutes. However, SCA can also result from ventricular tachycardia (VT), a rapid heartbeat that can occur after fever, exercise, or nervous excitement.Sudden cardiac arrest can strike people of any age, race, or gender. For example, electrocution, drowning, choking, and trauma can all disturb the heart’s normal rhythm. Although certain individuals are genetically predisposed to SCA, most people who have this condition have no prior symptoms or warning. Often, when you read about an apparently healthy young athlete collapsing during a game, SCA is the cause. Still, the majority of SCAs do occur in older adult males.An AED is the appropriate emergency treatment in those cases when an electrical malfunction of the heart has stopped its normal rhythm. In these cases, a shock must be delivered via the AED within the first ten minutes of the SCA to restore a regular pulse.Defibrillation can restore the heart’s normal rhythm if it’s done within minutes of the arrest. According to the American Heart Association, every minute that passes without defibrillation decreases the victim’s chances of survival by 10 percent. This is significant when you consider how long it can take for emergency medical services (EMS) to respond to treat a victim of SCA.According to researchers who evaluate public access defibrillation programs, the average EMS response time from call to shock interval in the United States is likely to be greater than five minutes. Response times vary greatly and can be longer in very urban settings with heavy traffic or in more isolated rural settings.Effectiveness of AEDsAccording to a recent study that looked at survival rates in Las Vegas casinos, which were among the first establishments to implement the use of AEDs, these devices have been demonstrated to be effective. The study, published in the October 2000 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, found that the overall survival rate for patients with ventricular fibrillation (VF) was 53 percent. This finding is most impressive when you compare their success to victims who don’t receive defibrillation. Most studies show survival rates for ventricular fibrillation/ventricular tachycardia to be about 10 percent. Having rapid access to an AED could improve survival rates by as much as 40 percent. In plain terms, that is four more lives saved for every ten people afflicted.The American Heart Association recommends that AEDs be available wherever large numbers of people congregate. Such places include airports, convention centers, sports stadiums and arenas, large industrial buildings, high-rise offices, and large health and fitness facilities.

What Is Apoliprotein B?

Apoliproteins are essential to the transport of blood lipids through the bloodstream and to the uptake of blood lipids into body cells. Apo B-100 is manufactured in the liver. It combines with very low-density lipo­proteins (VLDL) to carry triglycerides and LDL cholesterol in the blood­stream. By measuring levels of Apo B, it is possible to measure the exact number of LDL particles.Some researchers believe that measurements of Apo B may be better than LDL measurements when it comes to predicting the risk of heart disease. This is because levels of Apo B can be measured directly, while LDL cholesterol levels are often calculated indirectly from levels of total cholesterol. These indirect calculations tend to be less accurate as triglyceride levels increase. But experts believe that research evidence is not sufficient to support the superiority of Apo B over LDL cholesterol measures. Therefore, federal government guidelines do not yet recommend the Apo B measure as a factor in risk assessment. This may change as new tests continue to be developed and are more accurate and standardized.Most LDL levels are calculated indirectly, by measuring the total weight of all LDL cholesterol present rather than by calculating the actual number of LDL particles. Tests that measure Apo B measure the exact number of LDL particles, providing insight into whether the LDL cholesterol is composed of the large, fluffy type or the small, dense type that is worse for health.Research on Apo BIn October 2003, results from the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study were published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association. Researchers used a number of tests to determine whether people should be put on therapy. Interestingly, researchers found that 19 percent of subjects would have received a different treatment recommendation if they had been tested for Apo B levels rather than for LDL levels. Investigators who conducted the study confirmed that LDL is still an important marker for heart disease risk. However, researchers believe that testing for Apo B levels provides even more valuable information. The test is inexpensive and does not require fasting.Alice Lichtenstein, a spokesperson for the American Heart Association, said, “This is an important observation and needs to be considered carefully in light of prior data to determine whether current guidelines should be modified to recommend routinely measuring Apo B levels in high risk individuals.” National government guidelines in Canada recommend use of the Apo B test. Watch for potential changes in government guidelines in the United States.

Vibrant Health With Coenzyme q10

You may not be aware of it, but if it weren’t for coenzyme q10, you would feel as if you had no energy at all. The fact is that this particular biochemical substance is what governs 95% of our metabolic processes, especially heartbeat and liver functions. This substance is actually an antioxidant and is similar to a vitamin, A shortage of it cause serious health problems; medical science has shown numerous links between coenzyme q10 deficiency and various diseases, including some forms of cancer.How It Can Help YouCoenzyme q10 supplements can be used to treat a variety of disorders, including:• mitochondrial disease• metabolic disorders• migrainesMitochondrial disorders are diseases that affect the body at the cellular level. The mitochondria are miniature organelles inside of living cells that serve as “batteries,” providing the cells with the energy to carry out their biological functions.Metabolic disorders are any one of a number of health problems which make cells unable to covert nutritive elements in food to useful energy. Many of these are inherited or genetic diseases, and may manifest symptoms such as stunted growth, stroke, seizures, skin rashes and hirsutism (excessive body hair).Migraines are still a mystery to medical science; although recent evidence suggests that hypothyroidism – a disorder in which the thyroid gland fails to produce a sufficient amount of that particular hormone – may be a culprit.Medical research shows that all three of these conditions can be treated with nutrition supplements that contain coenzyme q10. In addition, there is strong evidence to suggest that health and wellness products that contain this substance can help to protect our brains from neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.Other BenefitsThe American Heart Association observes that coenzyme q10 deficiency is a common factor in people who have experienced heart failure for one reason or another. Studies indicate that such heart patients respond well when given coenzyme q10 supplements.Natural SourcesIn addition to soybean oil and peanuts, one can obtain coenzyme q10 from animal-based foods such as beef as well as mackerel and sardines. Organ meats such as heart, liver and kidney are also rich in this substance. However, those who do not wish to consume animal-based foods and for some reason cannot digest soy or peanuts will find coenzyme q10 supplements an attractive option. This is a case in which you’ll want to keep health supplements containing coenzyme q10 close at hand for maintenance of good cellular health.

Carbohydrates and Fats

Carbohydrates are the body’s source of fuel, giving the body energy to be active and to carryon its daily metabolic activities. Carbohydrates contain four calories per gram of weight. Simple carbohydrates are found in simple sugars, such as table sugar, honey, corn syrup, sorghum, date sugar, molasses, brown sugar, powdered sugar, turbinado sugar, and any substance that ends in ose (for example, glucose and fructose). Complex carbohydrates are cereals, breads, pastas, and vegetables. Fruit contains both simple and complex carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrates are rapidly digested; complex carbohydrates are digested more slowly. Fats Fat contains a more concentrated source of calories (with nine calories per gram) than do carbohydrates or protein. Fats carry vitamins and important or essential fatty acids. Examples of fatty foods include butter and margarine, cream, salad dressings, oils, and lard. Some foods, such as avocados, olives, and certain nuts, contain large amounts of fat. There are five terms in the language of fat that you should know. The American Heart Association recommends the use of monounsaturated fats in controlling heart disease. Cholesterol is a fatlike alcohol found in animal fats and oils. Most of it is developed in the liver, but it can also be absorbed from the diet. Cholesterol is blamed for much of the heart disease in our culture. Recent research indicates that it is one of cholesterol’s fats-Iow-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) that is the bigger culprit. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is the “good guy.” Triglyceride in the body is affected by the cholesterol and saturated fat in the diet. When the blood sugar is lowered, the triglyceride level is usually lowered, too.