Podcast Summary
Heart Disease Risk Factors: Heart disease is a leading cause of death in America, increasing risk for subsequent attacks and complicating conditions like diabetes. Functional medicine addresses heart health holistically, considering factors like hormonal imbalances, diet, immune system, and oral health.
Heart disease is a major health issue affecting half of the population, making it the number one cause of death in America. It's important to note that having a heart attack increases the risk of subsequent attacks, and heart disease often complicates other conditions like diabetes. Functional medicine approaches heart disease holistically, recognizing the interconnectedness of various body systems. Heart disease can be linked to factors like hormonal imbalances, diet, immune system health, and even oral health. By measuring certain parameters with non-invasive devices, healthcare professionals can assess heart and vascular health quickly and accurately. When starting a functional medicine journey, focusing on heart disease and its related conditions can lead to significant improvements in overall health.
Root causes of heart disease: Many heart issues are caused by underlying problems with the liver, blood vessels, and kidneys, not just high cholesterol or high blood pressure. Addressing inflammation and the root causes can help prevent and treat heart disease, even in those with normal cholesterol levels.
Heart disease is often not caused by the heart itself, but rather by underlying issues with the liver, blood vessels, and kidneys. Many people who believe they have heart problems due to conditions like high cholesterol or high blood pressure are actually dealing with functional medicine issues. Large-scale studies like the Framingham Heart Study and the Accord Studies have shown that simply lowering cholesterol levels does not significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Instead, addressing inflammation and the root causes of liver dysfunction, blood vessel problems, and kidney issues can help prevent and treat heart disease. Shockingly, half of all heart attacks occur in individuals with normal cholesterol levels, emphasizing the importance of looking beyond cholesterol to understand the true causes of heart disease.
Identifying causes of inflammation: Focusing solely on lowering cholesterol levels may not effectively reduce cardiovascular disease risk. Instead, addressing underlying causes of inflammation, such as insulin resistance and low testosterone, can help reduce risk.
Addressing high cholesterol levels by only focusing on lowering cholesterol levels may not be the most effective approach to reducing cardiovascular disease risk. Instead, it's essential to identify and address the underlying causes of inflammation in the body. Cholesterol is the body's natural antioxidant, and high levels may indicate the body is trying to fight inflammation. Adequate levels of testosterone can help decrease inflammation and insulin resistance, both of which contribute to cardiovascular disease risk. Conversely, low testosterone levels can increase inflammation and insulin resistance. Furthermore, having very low cholesterol levels can be detrimental as it may impact the production of necessary hormones, including testosterone. Therefore, a functional medicine approach to heart disease would involve identifying and addressing the root causes of inflammation to allow the body to naturally regulate its cholesterol levels.
Body systems interconnection: Ignoring the interconnection between body systems can lead to complex health issues like diabetes, hormonal imbalances, and inflammation. A pulse analyzer is a valuable tool for evaluating overall health by measuring heart rate variability, arterial elasticity, and nervous system balance.
Our body systems are interconnected, and ignoring this fact can negatively impact our long-term health. Conditions like diabetes, hormonal imbalances in women, and even prostate issues are linked to inflammation and hormonal imbalances. By focusing on the body as a whole, we can better understand and address these complex health issues. The pulse analyzer is a valuable tool in evaluating overall health. It measures heart rate variability, which reflects the health of the heart and blood vessels, and the elasticity of the arteries. Additionally, it assesses the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, providing insight into stress levels. A healthy body is characterized by high heart rate variability, elastic arteries, and a balanced nervous system. This non-invasive, quick office procedure offers valuable information for improving overall health and preventing chronic diseases.
Stress analysis, cardiovascular health: Stress analysis offers insights into potential health issues related to cardiovascular system by measuring body's response and revealing poor stress resilience, which can lead to health crises and cardiovascular damage.
Our body's response to stress, as measured by an autonomic nervous system analysis, can provide valuable insights into potential health issues, particularly those related to the cardiovascular system. This test can reveal not only if someone is experiencing high levels of stress but also how well they can handle it. Poor stress resilience can lead to health crises and impact the cardiovascular system. Stress and cardiovascular disease are closely linked, and even top athletes, who are physically fit, can experience negative effects on their cholesterol and other markers due to stress. Understanding the causes of poor stress resilience is crucial for addressing underlying health issues and preventing or reversing cardiovascular damage.
Lipoprotein fractionation and inflammation markers: Focusing on lipoprotein fractionation and inflammation markers provides more valuable information for heart disease risk assessment than just total cholesterol levels. LPPLA2 activity, lipoprotein(a), omega-3 levels, and genetic markers like apolipoprotein E can help tailor treatment plans.
While total cholesterol levels are important, they don't tell the whole story when it comes to heart disease risk. Instead, focusing on lipoprotein fractionation and inflammation markers provides more valuable information. For instance, LPPLA2 activity can indicate leaky plaque, which is a dangerous type of plaque that can lead to strokes or heart attacks. Additionally, testing for lipoprotein(a), omega-3 levels, and genetic markers like apolipoprotein E can help tailor treatment plans. It's crucial to undergo thorough testing before starting any treatment to avoid potential harm, as some supplements or diets may not be beneficial for everyone. Moreover, genetic testing can reveal specific risk factors and treatment options. In essence, comprehensive testing and personalized treatment plans are essential for managing heart disease risk effectively.
Cardiovascular Nutrients: Optimizing nutrients like Omega-3, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Vitamin K2 can significantly contribute to cardiovascular health. Vitamin K2 directs calcium to the bones, Vitamin C maintains the health of blood vessels, Vitamin E reduces inflammation, and underconsumed nutrients like Vitamin D3 and K2 may require supplementation. Incorporating foods rich in these nutrients can be beneficial.
Optimizing certain vitamins and nutrients can significantly contribute to cardiovascular health. Omega-3 fatty acids, while generally beneficial, may have limitations, and it's essential to consider other nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin K2. Vitamin K2, in particular, plays a crucial role by directing calcium to the bones instead of the arteries, preventing atherosclerosis. Vitamin E, our fat-soluble antioxidant, is vital for reducing inflammation. Vitamin C, which is often referred to as "arterial scurvy," is essential for maintaining a healthy glyco-calix layer in our blood vessels, ensuring their slickness and longevity. Other nutrients, such as vitamin D3 and K2, are often underconsumed in the standard American diet and may require supplementation. Additionally, incorporating foods rich in these nutrients, such as natto, miso, and green tea, can be beneficial.
Green tea and supplements: Green tea in moderate amounts and certain supplements like Bergamot and Berberine can significantly reduce mortality and cardiovascular disease risk factors
Green tea and certain supplements, such as Bergamot and Berberine, have been shown to reduce the risk of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease. Green tea, when consumed in the three to five cup range per day, can reduce mortality by 30% and cardiovascular disease risk factors by 27%. Bergamot, found in Earl Grey tea, helps the body make proper cholesterol particles and improves arterial stiffness and elasticity. Berberine, a compound in some supplements, helps balance cholesterol levels, regulates insulin resistance and blood sugar, and balances the gut microbiome. IV nutrition is another effective method for delivering high doses of vitamins directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the gut, and providing hydration benefits.
Dehydration and Inflammation: Chronic dehydration and inflammation can significantly impact cardiovascular health, and IV nutrition can help address both issues by effectively hydrating the body and reducing inflammation.
Chronic dehydration and inflammation are pervasive issues in society, and they can significantly impact our health, particularly in relation to cardiovascular health. Dehydration, as simple as it may seem, can be a major issue that goes unnoticed, and it can be effectively addressed through IV nutrition. Moreover, inflammation, which is often present in individuals who are overweight or dealing with cardiovascular issues, can make it harder to lose weight and heal the body. IV nutrition can help put out the "fire" of inflammation and create an environment for the body to heal and rebuild. It's essential to address these underlying issues before focusing on specific symptoms or conditions.
Inflammation in blood vessels: Address underlying health issues related to inflammation in blood vessels to prevent serious health problems like heart attacks, through natural methods like IV formulas and lifestyle changes.
Inflammation in the blood vessels can be compared to a small fire or termites in a house that you don't know about until it's too late. These issues can lead to serious health problems, such as heart attacks. Instead of waiting for symptoms to appear and then treating them with medication, it's essential to address the underlying health issues. Specific formulas, such as IV formulas, can help increase arterial wall flexibility, decrease stiffness, and stop the plaque build-up process. Lowering blood pressure and getting rid of inflammation triggers can also help fix the problem. The healthcare system often reacts reactively rather than proactively, but there are natural ways to improve cardiovascular health. For more information, visit INHSTL.com, email [info@INHSTL.com](mailto:info@INHSTL.com), or call 314-293-8123.
