Cholesterol & The French Paradox

By Frank Cooper

Summarized with permission of Monahan Publishing.
All rights reserved.

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Clinical Tests for your Heart

In actuality, many people with coronary heart disease (CHD) have low cholesterol levels. They thought low cholesterol made them safe from CHD but it didn't. Following are the blood tests that will give a realistic picture of your risk of CHD:

• C-reactive protein: A substance produced by inflamed arteries
• Homocysteine: An amino acid that is present in large amounts when artery walls are damaged; often a result of deficiencies in Vitamin B12, B6 and Folate
• Lipoprotein: High levels note high risk for CHD; related to a deficiency of Vitamin C.

Blood pressure and resting heart rate are also good predictors of coronary heart disease. More and more doctors are realizing that high cholesterol and clogged arteries are symptoms of other problems, rather than the problem itself.

Blood Pressure/Hypertension

High blood pressure is a problem for the body because it puts a strain on the heart, circulatory system and kidneys. Since blood pressure changes throughout the day and from one day to the next, it's best to check it many times to get an average reading. The range of acceptable readings has changed over the years but is currently from 90/60 to 120/80. Blood pressure is known to increase with age so the levels need to be interpreted differently for younger people than for older ones.

"Recently, for instance, the market for blood pressure medication was increased when an expert panel changed the definition of high blood pressure (hypertension). For many years it was defined as a blood pressure above 140/90. But this panel decided to recognize something called Prehypertensive. This, they said, is a blood pressure between 120/80 and 140/90. Overnight, people with blood pressures in this range found they had a medical condition. Although the panel recommended that Prehypertensive generally be treated first with diet and exercise, human nature being what it is, many people will almost certainly be treated with drugs."

The truth is that high blood pressure is typically the result of lifestyle, such as poor diet, smoking, overweight and excessive alcohol consumption. These habits lead to an imbalance in the electrolytes sodium, magnesium, and potassium, generally caused by too much salt in the diet. By eating fewer prepared foods and less salt, or by using a salt formulation that includes minerals, blood pressure can easily returned to normal.

If a diet change doesn't solve the problem, then taking some simple supplements probably will. Magnesium, omega-3 fish oils, vitamin C, and Coenzyme Q10 are the most useful. Be sure to check with a doctor first if you are taking other medications, including aspirin, because supplements can cause serious reactions with some drugs.

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