Cardiovascular Health Archives - Today's Practitioner

Glucosamine Supplementation May Reduce Cardiovascular Disease Risk

Glucosamine is a popular non-vitamin, non-mineral supplement widely used for osteoarthritis and joint pain. While the effectiveness of glucosamine in patients with osteoarthritis and joint pain is well known, emerging evidence from epidemiological studies suggests that glucosamine could have a role in preventing cardiovascular disease (CVD) and reducing mortality. A previousRead …

New Study Says Egg Consumption Does Not Contribute to Stroke

In recent months the humble egg has taken a beating. In April, a study suggested that daily egg consumption posed a heart health risk. A new study from Finland, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, counters this theory and shows that a moderately high intake of dietary cholesterolRead …

Do Low-LDL Levels Contribute to Higher Risk of Hemorrhagic Stroke?

In April, 2019, new research from the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA, reported that women with low-LDL levels below 100 mg/dl may be more at risk of hemorrhagic (bleeding) stroke. This less common type of stroke than ischemic stroke is more difficult to treatRead …

Stress-Related Disorders and Heightened Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

Do you ask your patients if they have experienced a stress related event or trauma. This new study shows that you may want to carefully watch these patients, especially within 6 months of the event. Stress related disorders – conditions triggered by a significant life event or trauma – mayRead …

Full-Spectrum Amla Extract Shown to Support Healthy Triglycerides and Cholesterol

In this study, researchers discovered that a simple extract from the amla plant ((Emblica officinalis, Indian gooseberry), could be a supportive therapy for dyslipidemia, a frequently implicated risk factor for development of atherosclerosis. This study was published in BMC, Complementary and Alternative Medicine. A previously published pilot study, by AntonyRead …

New Study Shows Certain Food Combinations Lower LDL-C as Well as Statins

Seventy million Americans are eligible to take cholesterol-lowering statins. Yet as many as 20% of outpatients receiving HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) experience treatment reluctance because of side effects. This leaves a large population at increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). One solution is foods to reduce LDL-C. A study, presentedRead …

Blue Light Decreases Systolic Blood Pressure, Arterial Stiffness & Improves Endothelial Function

This study shows a novel method to decrease systolic blood pressure. During this study, published in the European Journal of Preventative Cardiology, participants were exposed to 30 minutes of whole-body blue light at approximately 450 nanometres, a dose comparable to daily sunlight – followed by exposure to a control lightRead …

Podcast – Who Is Right, the U.S. or European Hypertension Guidelines?

Within the last 2 years, major guidelines have been issued from U.S.-based and European organizations that differ in their recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of hypertension. In 2017, the American College of Cardiology in United States issued new guidelines for hypertension. They are as follows: In Europe, The TaskRead …

Nitrate-Rich Fruit and Vegetable Supplement Reduces Blood Pressure in Healthy Individuals

beets, fruits and vegetablesblood pressure

In the past decade nearly 30 studies have shown that beet root juice is highly effective in reducing cardiovascular risk factors, such as blood pressure. The primary reason dates back to a 2008 study showing that the bioactives in nitrate-rich foods are primarily responsible for their ability lower blood pressure.

Is Aspirin Beneficial? That Depends on Dosage and Body Weight, says Lancet study

It is well known that aspirin can inhibit the aggregation of platelets and reduce the risk of certain cancers such as colorectal cancer, thus the commonly prescribed recommendation of 81mg baby aspirin (one quarter the dose of 325 mg adult aspirin). This Lancet study explored the one-dose-fits all approachRead …