As you may know, I’m a big proponent of supplements. They’re a great way to add nutrients to your diet to protect you from disease. However, in the last few years, I’ve noticed that many people who take supplements to protect their heart still get heart disease. Why? Are the supplements not doing their job? Hardly. As you’ll soon see, the nutrients work extremely well. But avoiding heart disease requires more than just a good diet and supplements. Let me explain.

Arthritis, heart disease, high blood pressure, and macular degeneration run in my family. But although I’m over 70, I don’t have any of them. I’ve avoided these diseases by focusing on balance, which I learned from studying Chinese medicine. A balanced approach is more broad-based than when you target a specific problem or organ system. It combines prevention with looking for an immediate response.

Pharmaceutical companies don’t care about balance. They look for quick fixes. If you have high blood pressure, your doctor gives you a drug to lower it. Then, if that drug has side effects, your doctor prescribes another drug that treats those symptoms. This creates more imbalance than before. And it doesn’t address any underlying causes.

Supplement companies are becoming more like pharmaceutical companies. They just use natural substances rather than drugs. They know that we all want a quick fix. Who wouldn’t? But I’d rather strengthen my weaknesses to prevent early symptoms from turning into a disease. In the long run, the quick fix fails.

Achieving balance takes time and patience, especially when you want to prevent or reverse a serious condition like heart disease. The key is to address an acute condition and still get long-term benefits. This is tricky, because a substance that’s strong enough to give an initial response is often too strong for continuous use.

It’s frightening to see so many people taking supplements for their hearts who aren’t getting better. I have no doubt that they would improve if they took a broader approach. This means both looking at nutrients that support heart health and addressing how heart disease relates to other imbalances.

To prevent or treat heart disease, you need to take a long, hard look at your blood sugar, blood pressure, and other interrelated conditions. Next, it’s important to modify your diet, lifestyle, and supplement regime to address as many of your risk factors that could lead to poor health as you can. Your heart will benefit, and so will your total health.

The hip bone’s connected to the thigh bone

Let’s start with blood sugar problems. Heart disease and diabetes are so closely related that you should never treat only one without the other. Still, that’s precisely what many doctors do. Diabetes often progresses to heart disease. Here’s why: When blood sugar remains high, it damages the walls of your blood vessels. This damage makes it easier for plaque to form in the arteries, and plaque causes blockages. These blockages often lead to strokes or heart disease. Or both.

A simple blood test, A1C, gives a three-month picture of your blood sugar levels. Ask your doctor to order this test if you have heart disease or want to know if you’re heading toward diabetes. If your blood sugar is high, stop eating sugars and refined foods that turn into sugar quickly. Then make some lifestyle changes, such as adding exercise and stress reduction. Then look for supplements that address both conditions.

Why a quick fix won’t work

Many doctors know about the connection between heart disease and diabetes. Still, they concentrate on a single risk factor for heart disease: high cholesterol. And they offer one solution: statins. The problem is, high cholesterol is not necessarily a predictor of heart disease, and statins often don’t lower your risk.
To lower your risk for heart disease with an emphasis on balance, don’t fixate on a single aspect of your health. Instead...

Look at the broader picture

There’s a better way to lower your risk for heart disease. One that is based on balance. Your heart is affected by stress, the thickness (or thinness) of your blood, how well it circulates, and your immune system. To have a healthy heart you need to support your immune system and your adrenal glands, lower inflammation, regulate your blood sugar, dissolve artery-clogging fibrinogen, increase your circulation, and lower your blood pressure.

Whew!

But wait. Don’t get overwhelmed. This is easier than you think. You can improve your heart function AND address weaknesses in other related areas ... without completely changing your lifestyle or taking dozens of supplements.

Which would you rather change,
your diet or your health?

Adjust your diet and you reduce your risk factors for heart disease and other serious conditions. Even though it’s not the biggest risk factor for heart disease (inflammation is), cholesterol is one aspect to evaluate.

To do so, you have to understand how cholesterol gets into your arteries. Cholesterol doesn’t come from foods high in cholesterol. Your liver makes 85% of it. When you have too much LDL (bad) cholesterol, it remains in your body and builds up in your arteries.

While cholesterol doesn’t come from the food you eat, you can control your cholesterol (both total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol) by modifying your diet.

One way to lower your cholesterol is to eat foods high in phytosterols. They greatly reduce the production and absorption of harmful LDL cholesterol.

Phytosterols are unsaturated fats found in some plants. These fats compete with the cholesterol in your body to occupy cholesterol receptor sites. Phytosterols rush to occupy these “parking spaces” and keep harmful cholesterol out.

Add phytosterols to your diet by increasing raw nuts, legumes (lentils, garbanzo beans, kidney beans, etc.), and plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet every day. They will not only reduce your bad cholesterol, they’ll reduce inflammation as well.

The biggest problem — inflammation

Heart disease is an inflammatory disease. It’s the result — not the cause — of a series of imbalances. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a marker of inflammation. When it’s high, it’s a serious risk factor for heart disease. Inflammation increases hypertension and hypertension increases inflammation. Also, excess blood sugar produces free radicals which stimulate inflammation.

Inflammation is at the core of most imbalances and chronic diseases. And sugar feeds it. Your meals should contain a combination of foods that turn into sugar slowly. This is called the glycemic load (GL).

Lifestyle changes

There’s no way around it. If you want to be healthy, you need to exercise regularly and use daily stress reduction techniques. You can do these separately or together — by yourself or with a friend. But you need to both exercise your heart and calm it.

Supplement your whole body at once

You don’t need to take every supplement that targets the heart. In fact, you may be better off taking some that help balance conditions that lead to heart problems. The trick is to take nutrients that address an acute situation now and give a continuous long-term response.

You’ve heard of the importance of CoQ10, but there’s a better supplement most people don’t know about. And heart-healthy hawthorn is an herb that strengthens other nutrients when it’s used in combination formulas. Next month, I’ll give you details about these and other nutrients that support the heart. I’ll also address interrelated conditions, such as inflammation, diabetes, and hypertension.

I’ve found a formula that combines Eastern with Western medicine and is unlike any heart formula I’ve ever seen. I’m extremely impressed with its actions that go beyond its benefits to the heart, and have been taking it since the day I received it. Now I’m taking fewer supplements, saving money, and getting better support than before. I’ll give you details next month, but if you don’t want to wait, call 800-791-3395 and ask about the new Circutol.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/137911.php.

Tran, N., and L. Barraj. “Contribution of specific dietary factors to CHD in US females,” Public Health Nutrition, July 2009.

This Heavy Metal Can Rob You of Your Memory or Even Kill You ... And It’s Easy to Remove

You’ve probably heard about the dangers of heavy metal toxicity. It can contribute to cancer, neuropathies, and literally dozens of other serious health problems. But to me, the most disturbing consequences of heavy metals are their effects on the brain.

Previously, sound scientific studies have linked them to learning disabilities and neurological problems in young children. Then researchers connected various heavy metals with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s in adults.

Now, several new studies indicate that one heavy metal in particular can seriously impair cognition — and even lead to death — particularly in older women. This heavy metal is lead. As an older woman myself, these studies caught my attention.

Lead affects your brain

These studies show very clearly that the higher the quantities of lead in your body, the faster your memory is likely to decline. One study in particular assessed lead levels in a group of women between the ages of 47 and 74. The researchers found that loss of cognition was greater in women who had been exposed to lead over the years, than in women with recent exposure.

How did they figure this out?

Blood tests and hair mineral analysis can detect recent exposure to lead. Blood tests are more accurate than hair analysis, but either will give you an idea of whether or not you have lead toxicity. The authors of this report examined lead in bone tissue. This is a more accurate test to determine lead levels accumulated over time, although it isn’t practical for most of us. But lead doesn’t just affect your brain.

Lead affects your heart

High levels of lead in your body can affect your heart so adversely that it can be lethal. One study followed over 500 women between the ages of 65 and 87. The researchers found that those women with blood levels of lead higher than 8 mcg/dL were three times more likely to die of heart disease. Notice that these women were all over the age of 65. This is important.

Why older women?

You can’t escape lead. Although the government banned it as a paint additive in 1978, old chipped or sanded painted surfaces may still contain lead. And many plumbing materials, including water pipes and solder, used to contain lead. So older homes may have a lot of lead around that can get into your body.

In addition, lead from these products as well as batteries, car radiators, and some colored inks makes its way into our landfills and eventually pollutes our waterways, soil, and air.

The longer you’re exposed to lead, the more of a problem it poses to your health. If you’re over the age of 60, you’ve been exposed to more lead over the years than someone younger. Although they’ve removed it from these and other products, they haven’t removed it from the environment.

And once lead gets into your body, it’s there to stay — unless you use chelation therapy to bind it to another substance and pull it out. Unfortunately, some forms of chelation don’t work as well as others.

The best oral chelator, based on scientific studies, is modified citrus pectin (MCP) — a substance I’ve talked about before. You can read these articles on my website and in a small book I’ve written on the subject, Modified Citrus Pectin (800-610-2107).

Since I wrote this book, a small Chinese study supported MCP’s ability to detoxify lead. Researchers gave a group of children with lead levels higher than 20 mcg/dL 15 grams of MCP a day for four weeks. All of the children had a significant decrease in their blood lead levels. The MPC used in this and other studies was PectaSol. Since the size and weight of MCP’s molecules are critical to its ability to detoxify heavy metals, this is the only oral chelator I use and recommend.

PectaSol products for removing heavy metals have become more effective than before. PectaSol Chelation Complex (PCC) is a relatively new product that contains both MCP and sodium alginate — a substance found in seaweed known to remove heavy metals. PectaSol works in the circulatory system, while sodium alginate works in the intestines.

Any detoxification program should begin with PCC for at least three months to start removing heavy metals, pesticides, and other toxins. Then you can add PectaSol Detox Complete (PDC), a gentle chelation formula with sulfur amino acids and detoxifying herbs that binds to heavy metals in organs.

By taking both of these formulas, you can remove deeply embedded toxins without stirring them up and causing other tissues to absorb them.
You can order these products, and get specific information on how to use them, by calling Advanced Bionutritionals (800-791-3395).

Lead is a dangerous heavy metal that can rob you of your memory and ability to think. Its link to chronic heart disease may also explain why so many women get heart disease. Removing lead and other heavy metals with MCP can be a slow, effective way to improve your health. Especially if you’re over the age of 60.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/144088.php

Khalil, N., John W. Wilson, Evelyn O. Talbott, Lisa A. Morrow, Marc C. Hochberg, Teresa A. Hillier, Susan B. Muldoon, Steven R. Cummings, and Jane A Cauley. “Association of blood lead concentrations with mortality in older women: a prospective cohort study,” Environmental Health, 2009.

Zhao, Z.Y., MD, et al. “The role of modified citrus pectin as an effective chelator of lead in children hospitalized

Six Reasons Why Your Bone Support Formula May Not Work And What You Can Do About It

Several subscribers have written to me recently complaining that the bone formula they’re taking is not working for them. In some cases, their conditions have even gotten worse. They’re disappointed and confused. One thing they all have in common is a desire to find a solution other than osteoporosis drugs, such as Fosamax, that have dangerous side effects. They also want to understand why their formula isn’t working. I can give them six reasons.

If you’re taking a good bone formula, such as Ultimate Bone Support, and it isn’t working, something other than its nutrients is missing. You can’t just take a supplement for a serious condition without making necessary lifestyle changes and expect it to work.

In past issues, I’ve talked extensively about osteoporosis and ways you can both prevent and reverse it. Today, I’d like to summarize some of the most important additional steps to take to help you get the most benefit from any bone formula.

First, make sure you’re taking 500 mg each of calcium and magnesium. Studies show that taking more than 500 mg of calcium doesn’t result in good absorption. And they indicate that dietary calcium is better utilized than calcium supplements. Don’t overdo calcium. The recommendation for taking 1,500 mg of calcium a day includes the calcium in your foods. Many foods, including
whole grains and green leafy vegetables, contain calcium.

Second, be sure to take Ultimate Bone Support, or another bone formula containing strontium. Make sure you take it away from food or other supplements. Strontium is one of the most important nutrients to protect your bones, which is why I insisted it be included in my bone formula. But strontium competes with both calcium and magnesium. If you take all of your supplements together, you won’t get the benefits of any of them. Take any formula with strontium in the morning and evening on an empty stomach.

Third, stress increases bone loss. We’re living in extremely stressful times, and it’s impossible to avoid stress. But we can learn to handle it differently. Make time to take care of yourself every day. Regular stretching and other exercises, consistent deep sleep for eight hours, and daily meditation or prayer all help reduce your stress. Herbs such as kava and rhodiola, and herb teas with chamomile and passion flower, all help your bones indirectly by supporting your adrenal glands.

Fourth, drink enough fluids to stay hydrated. Your adrenal glands handle all of your stress — both negative stress (e.g., worrying about finances) and positive stress (e.g., going on a vacation). The adrenal glands sit on top of your kidneys (or renals) and need sufficient fluids to function properly. But as we get older, we are less able to absorb fluids. So we need more. Drink herb teas, diluted juices, and water throughout the day to avoid age-related dehydration.

Fifth, you may be low in hydrochloric acid (HCl), the digestive substance in your stomach that breaks down and helps utilize protein, calcium, magnesium, and other nutrients. Without enough HCl, you’re not able to use bone-saving nutrients. Most of us over the age of 50 have insufficient HCl. One solution is to take it in a supplement form. But do this only under the direction of a health care professional. Another solution that is safer but takes longer to work is Integrative Digestive Formula (800-791-3395). This supplement helps repair your digestive tract and encourages your body to produce more HCl.

Sixth, you could be gluten intolerant. This inability to digest the protein gluten, found in wheat, rye, and barley, can cause a malabsorption of nutrients in your small intestines. This is because an inflammatory reaction to gluten destroys the hair-like villi in the small intestines. When they don’t function properly, it prevents your body from absorbing vitamins and minerals.

People who have Celiac disease know they’re at increased risk for osteoporosis. But many people with gluten intolerance who are not celiacs may not know they have to avoid gluten or risk calcium and magnesium malabsorption. My recommendation is to stop all traces of gluten in your diet for a year or two and recheck your bone density. You may be getting enough bone-building nutrients, but unable to utilize them. I’m working on an enzyme formula that helps your body digest gluten so you can be compliant-free more easily. Watch for this news, coming soon.

Finally, if your doctors suggest you take a bisphosphonate, such as Fosamax or Boniva, say “No thank you.” Instead, ask for a prescription to Calcitonin nasal spray. It doesn’t cause bone cells to die, which is what bisphosphonates do. This medication, made from salmon, is both natural and effective. It’s possible that lifestyle changes and a bone supplement are just not enough for you — at least until you repair your intestines and build up your bones.

Don’t rely on any one supplement. It takes doing everything necessary to stop or reverse bone loss. And, as you may know, what’s necessary for you may not be necessary for me. An individualized approach is best.

NUTRITION DETECTIVE

Your Digestive Problems May Be a Sign of Something Much More Serious

If you have digestive problems, such as bloating, belly pain, and indigestion, they might have a simple cause. This can include eating fried or fatty foods. Or your digestive problems may have a deeper cause. This can include parasites, gluten intolerance, or a need for more friendly bacteria (probiotics).

But digestive problems also can be signs of an aggressive disease: ovarian cancer. In fact symptoms of this potentially fatal disease are so common that most women dismiss them. Some doctors do, too. If you have digestive problems, make sure your doctor checks for this serious disease. It could save your life.

Common symptoms of ovarian cancer include:

• Bloating

• Back pain or abdominal pain

• Loss of appetite

• Feeling full quickly

• Indigestion or heartburn

• Unexplained weight loss or weight gain

• Unexplained fatigue

A number of symptoms of ovarian cancer are also signs of benign conditions. But if you have any of them and they’re unusual for you — especially if they’re persistent and you haven’t found a way to resolve them — get screened for ovarian cancer. All it takes is a blood test, CA-125. This test should be part of your yearly exam.

The normal range for the CA-125 blood test is between 0 and 35. If your results are just a little higher than 35, get re-tested in three months. Follow the results closely and make sure your levels go down. Chances are your symptoms are the result of a minor problem. But don’t bet your life on this when the CA-125 test is so readily available.

LETTERS

Q: I read somewhere that a fast pulse rate is a matter of concern. My resting pulse is constantly about 80. My blood pressure is normal, but the difference between my diastolic and systolic is always more than 40, which I heard is troublesome. Other than a high CRP (which I’m working on), all other heart indicators are normal. What do you think? — A.M., Littleton, CO

A: My first question is: How much exercise are you getting? Your heart needs regular, daily exercise and this is often reflected in your heart rate. The stronger your heart muscle, the slower it can beat and still move blood. This is why high-performance athletes have very low pulses.

Your case could simply be a situation where you’re paying enough attention to your body’s dietary and supplemental needs, but you’re not getting enough exercise.

Smoking and taking stimulants including drinking a lot of coffee, could also explain your fast pulse rate. But since you’re a subscriber I doubt that this is your particular problem. At least I hope it’s not.

I do have one other suggestion. If your diastolic (bottom) rate is less than 60, you could have a heart valve insufficiency. If you haven’t checked this out, please do. You’re probably fine, but I’d like a cardiologist to listen and rule this out.

Meanwhile, consider taking a strong anti-inflammatory supplement to bring down your CRP. Reduloxin is my favorite. In fact, it’s the one I had my formulators design for readers like you. Begin by taking two capsules twice a day with food for two weeks. Then take just one twice a day. I’ll have more on this powerful supplement in the January issue. In the meantime, you can order it by calling 800-791-3395.

Q: I’m concerned about taking large doses of strontium that’s in your Ultimate Bone Support. One source I found says that strontium in large doses (1,000 mg) can cause blood clots, dental caries, rickets, abdominal spasms, fainting, and seizures. Since I’m a small-framed Caucasian, I need to know what’s safe for me. — F.P.F., e-mail

A: I can understand your concern, but the form of strontium this study used – and found to cause negative side effects — was strontium ranelate. Ranelic acid is a synthetic organic acid. It’s different from the strontium in Ultimate Bone Support. The combination of strontium and ranelic acid, strontium ranelate, is an experimental drug. No one knows whether the strontium or the ranelic acid caused the side effects.

I’ve seen no side effects associated with other forms of strontium like the strontium citrate in our formula. In fact, natural strontium, like strontium citrate, is stable, non-radioactive, and nontoxic. We use strontium citrate in Ultimate Bone Support because citric acid is a naturally metabolized compound. I don’t see any problem with the amount or form of strontium used in this formula, nor have I seen any negative studies. If I did, I wouldn’t take it myself. I do.

And from all I’ve seen and read, strontium is far safer than Fosamax.

I’ve found strontium to be a valuable nutrient. It increases bone formation and decreases bone loss — something that Fosamax and other bisphosphonates can’t do. So don’t be afraid to take it.