Category: Preventive Cardio

Toxic metals are known to cause significant human health problems, and one of the areas where this impact is most prominent is in the development of coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD is a condition in which the arteries that supply blood to the heart become narrowed or blocked due to the buildup of plaque, a combination of cholesterol, white blood cells, and other substances. This can lead to a decrease in blood flow to the heart, which can result in chest pain, heart attacks, and even death. Heavy Metal Poisoning and the Connection to Coronary Artery Disease Several toxic metals, including lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic, have been shown to be associated with an increased risk of CAD.[i] These metals can enter the body through various sources, such as contaminated food and water, air pollution, and occupational exposure. Once inside the body, they can accumulate in tissues and organs, including the heart, and disrupt normal physiological processes. Lead, for example, is a well-known toxic metal that has been linked to an increased risk of CAD. Studies have shown that exposure to lead can lead to inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction, all of which are key factors in the development...

Can exercising be bad for your heart? Starting in the early 1980s several studies showed an association between endurance exercise and coronary artery disease. [1] Since the discovery of this unexpected finding, follow-up studies have been able to determine that risk of cardiovascular events is still lower compared to sedentary people. Aengevaeren et al [2] investigated whether there were differences between runners and cyclists. They found that cyclists had less arterial plaque compared to runners. The majority of the data was collected from white, middle-aged men. It is common for health minded individuals over 40 to get coronary artery calcium (CAC) tests. My athletic patients are always shocked when they discover they have above average amounts of calcified plaque in the coronary arteries. The notion that a fit individual may have more plaque compared to less fit people, but less risk of a coronary event can be confusing. Types of Arterial Plaque There are three types of plaque: calcified, noncalcified, and mixed. Coronary artery calcium analysis only reveals the calcified type. The type of plaque that athletic endurance individuals develop is denser and more calcified rather than mixed or soft. This is the least risky type of plaque. This “accelerated...

There is burgeoning evidence that gut health and the microbiome have direct links to artery disease. Arterial disease is the main way we develop cardiovascular problems. When arterial plaque develops it can cause either a stroke or heart attack when it ruptures. The plaque may also become so extensive that it completely blocks the artery over time. Additionally, arterial disease in the brain is a common cause of dementia. SIBO and Its Association with Other Diseases Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is the presence of excess colonic bacteria in the small intestine. In contrast to the large intestine, the concentration of the bacteria in the small intestine rarely exceeds 1,000 organisms/ml. This is because gastric acid secretion and intestinal motility limit the overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine. When these protective mechanisms against excessive bacterial growth fail, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) can result. SIBO is associated with several symptoms that typically include gas, abdominal pain, nausea, fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, and bloating. This condition may also irritate the liver. Associations with other diseases have been established and they include rosacea, interstitial cystitis, prostatitis, restless leg syndrome, and fibromyalgia. [1] Related Post: New Research on the Cause of SIBO The...

Dr. Steve Parcell and NatureMed Integrative Medicine have partnered with Cleerly to provide the most detailed noninvasive analysis of coronary artery plaque available. Cleerly uses supercomputing to identify, characterize, and quantify arterial plaque. This test outperforms stress tests and calcium scoring alone in terms of both sensitivity and specificity. A coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) test from Cleerly has higher sensitivity and specificity compared to traditional stress tests and calcium scoring. Read on to find out why. Image courtesy of Cleerly   The Limitations of a Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) Scoring Scan 20 years ago, Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) scoring scans were the cutting edge in preventive cardiology. Now it is an aging technology with limited use compared to a CT angiogram. Calcium scoring adds value to a complete cardiology work-up (electrocardiogram, echocardiogram and a stress test) because it provides an estimate of calcified plaque. It can help individualized treatment for a patient who is asymptomatic. But by the time there is chest pain from blocked arteries it is too late and calcium scoring is not helpful. In these cases, the patient will typically, but not always, fail the stress test, ECG, and an angiogram will show blocked arteries. A...

Many of us involved in extending life span and preventing disease are very excited about rapamycin right now. This is because low-dose rapamycin can slow, or even reverse aging. It is the best thing we have to date when it comes to extending life span. There is considerable research in motion on rapamycin and its role in human disease. I am particularly interested in its role in cardiovascular prevention, especially in reversing arterial disease and heart disease. What is Rapamycin and How Does it Work? Rapamycin was discovered on Easter Island in 1965. It is made by a bacterium called Streptomyces hygroscopicus and was first used as an antifungal. Because it is a naturally occurring compound it is a naturopathic medicine. It is now used in conventional medicine to prevent organ rejection, after vascular surgery, and as a cancer treatment. There can be considerable side effects of rapamycin with the high doses given for these conditions. The lower doses used for cardiovascular prevention and aging mean that side effects are rare. The treatment of middle-aged mice with a rapamycin has been shown to extend lifespan and reduce several age associated diseases. Rapamycin works by inhibiting mTOR, a protein that regulates...