Friday, March 28, 2008

Vitamin D's Co-Factor (and Its Cousin)

Scientists may have been wrong about sunscreen... and perhaps even more wrong about vitamin D (by a magnitude of ten)...

FREE TO WEAR SUNSCREEN
Enjoy these 'meandering experiences' and pearls
(it's... calcium+Vitamin D3!)
Courtesy of Youtube.com

So what are scientists saying now about Carotenoids and Vitamin A (Retinoids)? Let's review the data available and examine what lessons may be learned for further plaque eradication and heart protection.

The below researchers from Sweden believe that Vitamin A and Carotenoids have a strong role in preventing restenosis after coronary intervention. And like vitamin D, low blood concentrations of Carotenoids and Vitamin A are statistically correlated to greater ischemic heart disease and coronary events. Additionally, recently published is one of the first studies to show low serum total carotenoids are independent predictors of all-cause 5-y mortality among older women living in the community. The main cause of mortality (14.1%) in the cohort was cardiovascular disease (32.6%). Clearly the advantages for heart protection with these fat-soluble vitamins mirror many of the same spectacular effects witnessed with the other fat-soluble vitamin, the 'D.' (As well as natural E and K2/menaquinones)

Vitamin D is one of many members in a superfamily of steroid nuclear receptors.... like superheroes. If the vitamin D receptor (VDR) is the 'super daddy', then is the retinoid X receptor (RXR) 'super mommy?' So WHO'S your Daddy???! (Remember Brad Pitt in Mr. and Mrs. Smith? *ha haaa*)

You are already aware that I do love my Soltriol (i.e. vitamin D -- the early nomenclature as it related to its initially discovered solar-related powers). Now after reviewing some of the literature on the incredible anti-inflammatory, heart rhythm stabilizing, and plaque-exterminating effects of Vitamin A and Astaxanthin (a carotenoid, cousin of vitamin A), I am convinced that these dietary components have extremely high heart protective value. Is my heart growing for Vitamin A and its cousin Carotenoid?

Recruit
Potent, Un-Paralleled Plaque-Busting Power
RRRXXXRRR
super-XXX MILF warrior
(sorry, NSFW)

Both vitamin D and A receptors are ubiquitious not only throughout the eukaryotic kingdom, but also found in EVERY cell of every eukaryotic cell. Scientists continue to locate these receptors in the most intersting places (like human sperm -- discovered in 2006). These receptors appear to be super-switches for energy production and balance, growth, development, reproduction, survival, and life extension. Thus it may reflect why they are found e-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e.

T-o-g-e-t-h-e-r.

In the nucleus of the cell, RXR, the vitamin A receptor has the ability to 'crosstalk' and influence the activity of nearly all the other steroid receptors (including thyroid, PPAR, glucocorticoid, estrogen, progesterone and testesterone). RXR also heterodimers with VDR, the vitamin D receptor. Heterodimer is as heterodimer does... which means RXR binds with VDR to work together. (and if one is missing, does the other partner help out? I believe that may be the case)

Severe vitamin A deficiency as you are probably aware is one of the leading causes of global blindness. What does chronic vitamin A deficiency cause? Infertility? Cancer? Skin disorders (ie psoriasis, exczema, acne)? Heart disease?

YES. To all.

Does it sound familiar?

Like Vitamin D, Vitamin A, its derivatives (retinoids) and Beta-carotene and its derivatives (carotenoids) have been shown in human trials to treat and prevent cancers:
--suppresses carcinogenesis of skin, lung, breast, oral, prostate, ovary--acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) -- in fact 'cures' APL without a doubt

Vitamin A is used short term at high dose 50,000 IU to 100,000 IU adjunctly to augment cancer therapy as part of core integrative nutraceutical programs (incl natural beta-carotene, high dose vitamin D 25(OH)D 75ng/ml, high dose fish oil (4-20g/day), glutamine, butyrate, etc)

---------------------
If you want to go fast... go alone.

If you want to go far... go together.

-----AFRICAN PROVERB


Why is Vitamin A used together with Vitamin D? Why are they found in potent quantities together in nature (ie, fish liver, oily fish, salmon, oysters, trout, catfish, egg yolk, zooplankton, butter, pate, fish eggs/roe/caviar, breastmilk)? All the best foods in life... (breastmilk -- my kids were really into that stuff). Pasture-raised cows indeed produce butterfat brimming with a wealth of cardioprotective vitamins K2, A, D and E! I wonder why??

A synergistic effect has been observed for nearly all benefits studied. This makes absolute sense since they exist co-dependently physically located in the nucleus of our cells.
  • Synergistic cardioprotection of Vitamin D3 and retinoic acid protect against hypertrophy of neonatal rat cardiac myocytes induced by endothelin
  • Synergistic anti-proliferative effective of vit D derivatives and 9-cis-retinoic acid on neuroblastoma cells
  • Synergism between vit D derivative and retinoids on skeletal cells
  • Synergistic inhibition of prostate cancer cell lines by vit D analogues and a retinoid
  • Synergistic terminal differentiation of leukemia cells by Vitamin D3 and retinoic acid
Astaxanthin is a member of the carotenoid family which provides the bright orange color in salmon, shrimp and krill. For its anti-inflammatory properties and anti-cancer benefits, Astaxanthin exhibited the highest anti-tumor activity among 3 of the most potently bioactive carotenoids.

For heart protection, Li et al demonstrated that Astaxanthin dramatically reduces MMP-3 expression in the plaque found in the thoracic aorta of atheroscleroic rabbits (p<0 .05=".05" activity="activity" and="and" been="been" br="br" de-stabilization="de-stabilization" have="have" high="high" implicated="implicated" in="in" mmps="mmps" of="of" plaque="plaque" rupture.="rupture.">

Li W, et al. Alpha-tocopherol and astaxanthin decrease macrophage infiltration, apoptosis and vulnerability in atheroma of hyperlipidaemic rabbits. J Mol Cell Cardiol. 2004 Nov;37(5):969-78.





    Cardioprotective Effects of Astaxanthin (carotenoid)




    Cardioprotective Effects of Vitamin A(RA=retinoic acid is the carboxylic acid of vitamin A) (All-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) is the primary active metabolite of vitamin A) (9-Cis retinoic acid, a metabolite of vitamin A, is the most potent ligand of RXR)
    • Wu J 1996: Vitamin D3 and retinoic acid protect against hypertrophy of neonatal rat cardiac myocytes induced by endothelin
    • Zhou MD 1995: Retinoid-dependent pathways suppress myocardial cell hypertrophy by minimizing alpha-adrenergic receptor-dependent hypertrophy
    • Kang, Leaf 1995: All-trans-retinoic acid protects against cardiac arrhythmias induced by ischemia, adrenaline-like stimulants
    • de Paiva 2003: Retinoic acid at small physiological doses remodeled damaged heart issue in adult rats
    • Wang 2003: All-trans-retinoic acid prevented remodeling in cultured rat cells and cardiac hypertrophy induced by angiotensin II
    • Worley JR 2003: 9-cis-retinoic acid prevent MMP-9 in human monocyte-like cells
    • de Paiva 2005: Retinoic acid supplementation attenuates ventricular modeling post-myocardial infarction in rats
    • Preston 2005: All-trans retinoic acid elicits inhibition of serontonin-induced changes in cultured human smooth muscle cells (took cells from human subjects with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension who often demonstrate low serum levels of RA and 13-cis-RA compared with healthy controls)
    • Choudray 2007: All-trans-retinoic acid in pressure overloaded rats (by aortic band) prevented systolic and diastolic dysfunction and change in cardiac structure by inhibiting the rennin-angiotensin system.
    • Choudray 2008: All-trans-retinoic acid prevents angiotensin II and mechanical stretch induced ROS generation cardiomyocyte cell death
    • Mercader 2006: with retinoic acid remodeling of WAT in mice, increased thermogenesis in skeletal muscle, triggered reduction in body weight, reduction in visceral fat, improved glucose tolerance
    Consider for supercharging a health program:
    Vitamin A (Natural)
    • Dose of Vitamin A: 5,000 to 10,000 IU** daily in the morning with food
    • Use Natural only
    • Side effects: Rare (unless high dose or synthetic analogue and/or vitamin D deficient -- hepatitis, hypertriglyceridemia, osteoporosis, joint aches)
    • Food Sources: Bioavailability increases with presence of fat, fiber, protein, acidity, being heated (for vegetables; for fish, least amount of cooking maintains activity). Animal sources include liver and organ meat, red meat, whole fish, fish oils, cod liver oil, egg yolk, butter, dairy products, and breastmilk. Dark green vegetables, yellow and red fruits (excluding citrus) and vegetables, and red palm oil are rich sources of retinoids and carotenoids.
    • Teratogenic (with high dose or synthetic analogues) -- Avoid supplementation without MD supervision if pre-conceiving, pregnant.

    • **Caveat: Discuss with your physician prior to starting -- If you already at goal for vitamin D 25(OH)D 50 - 80 ng/ml, then consider reducing your vitamin D dose by 25-50% and re-checking the vitamin D status 25(OH)D 6-8 weeks later to verify that the 25(OH)D has not increased excessively (supratherapeutic levels). Both A and D are fat-soluble vitamins, co-factors and synergize each other's respective actions and I believe blood concentrations (like the addition of other steroid nuclear receptor agonists increases Vitamin D blood concentrations, and... vice versa. Yes...The latter has been demonstrated anecdotally. Rare studies also confirm this phenomenon). Therefore, it's prudent to reduce vitamin D supplementation if you begin vitamin A supplementation... and t-r-a-c-k i-t . :)

    Astaxanthin (Natural)
    • Dose of Astaxanthin: 1.5 to 2 mg daily in the morning with food
    • Use Natural only
    • (Synthetic Astaxanthins are used commercially in farmed salmon, trout and other aquaculture; these fake analogues are apparently made from benzene/petrochemicals; avoid all un-natural vitamins if possible. A synthetic beta-carotene, Lurotin by BASF, was shown to increase cancer, heart attacks, and mortality in clinical human trials.)
    • Side effects: Rare (limited human trials but so far none reported). Less joint aches, wrinkles, cancer, H.pylori dyspepsia, infections, male infertility, etc.
    • Food sources: Microalgae, yeast, wild salmon (especially wild sockeye), wild rainbow trout, krill, shrimp, shellfish.

    Friday, March 21, 2008

    Immortality, Vampires and T-Y-P

    Want to live forever?
    (End of video NSFW)

    (San Francisco, Godfather-like, feuding vampire
    clans, compelling characters; only o-n-e season??
    Courtesy of Youtube.com)

    During the '90s I enjoyed many shows and movies w/a similar theme... Remember these?

    I'm an immortality-groupie... (that's why I'm here)

    What are the characteristics of immortality?

    --Hotness (although not required)-- (have you ever heard of a vampire with wheat-belly? of course, absolutely sunlight-resistance...)
    --Zen-quality calm and fearless focus
    --Absence of plaque or vascular disease or erectile dysfunction (future blog topic)
    --Live forever (this is a sorta requirement)

    You don't have to be bitten by a vampire to live supernaturally long... like Mr. Nicholas de Brabant of the moralistic series Forever Knight (see below). He was the reluctant vampire who preferred to drink from lab samples in his girlfriend's pathology fridge.
    There are many things that elongate telomeres, and therefore lengthen lifespan and induce unsurpassable mortality.

    Telomeres are the caps at the end of nuclear DNA (chromosomes), like a strand of pearls on a necklace. The longer the strand, the longer the life of the organism and cells.

    Want to experience maximal lifespan extension?
    Vitamin D may be your link to immortality (like a vampire -- without all the biting and body bags) through the TrackYourPlaque program.

    A few years ago, this discovery was made by Dr. Davis (even prior to the telomere connections) in Wisconsin. How in the world did Dr. 'D' aspire to such a cure? Why is he so divine? Divine... like Da Vinci... Someone even compared his prescient abilities in eludicating tools to eradicate plaque to the 'Nostradamus of heart disease'.. or 'even doggone spooky'... like... X-files Fox Mulder...!

    Dr. D is truly an extraordinary cardiothoracic-surgeon... doing extraordinary things.

    FOREVER KNIGHT
    (Once in a Lifetime by Sisters of Oz)
    (Courtesy of Youtube.com)

    OVERVIEW:

    Cardiovascular risk modulators and telomere length reducers:
    • Vitamin D deficiency (25(OH)D less than 50 ng/ml)
    • Oxidative stress
    • Psychological stress (ie, sleep deprivation)
    • Hypertension
    • Estrogen deficiency
    • Sedentary during leisure time
    • Insulin resistance (ie, NAFLD, cardiac steatosis, metabolic syndrome, PCOS)
    • Type 2 Diabetes
    • Type 1 Diabetes
    • Obesity
    • Homocysteine
    • Smoking
      (All of the above are modifieable factors in the TrackYourPlaque program)

    Fuster JJ, Andrés V. Circ Res. 2006 Nov 24;99(11):1167-80. Telomere biology and cardiovascular disease.
    Richards JB, Valdes AM, Gardner JP, Paximadas D, Kimura M, Nessa A, Lu X, Surdulescu GL, Swaminathan R, Spector TD, Aviv A. Higher serum vitamin D concentrations are associated with longer leukocyte telomere length in women. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Nov;86(5):1420-5.
    Aviv A.
    Hypothesis: pulse pressure and human longevity. Hypertension. 2001 Apr;37(4):1060-6.
    W. Browner, et al.
    The genetics of human longevity. The American Journal of Medicine, Volume 117, Issue 11, Pages 851-860.
    Kenyon C. The plasticity of aging: insights from long-lived mutants. Cell. 2005 Feb 25;120(4):449-60.
    Njajou OT, Cawthon RM, Damcott CM, Wu SH, Ott S, Garant MJ, Blackburn EH, Mitchell BD, Shuldiner AR, Hsueh WC.
    Telomere length is paternally inherited and is associated with parental lifespan. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2007 Jul 17;104(29):12135-9.
    Haussmann MF, Mauck RA. Telomeres and longevity: testing an evolutionary hypothesis. Mol Biol Evol. 2008 Jan;25(1):220-8.
    Richards JB, et al. Homocysteine levels and leukocyte telomere length. Atherosclerosis. 2008 Feb 14; [Epub ahead of print]
    Cherkas LF, et al. The association between physical activity in leisure time and leukocyte telomere length. Arch Intern Med. 2008 Jan 28;168(2):154-8.

    (i've got infinite un-perpetual links, sorry in advance!)

    Sunday, March 16, 2008

    JJ and G Love: Better Together

    Gotta luv Jack Johnson -- the consummate folk/country-blues/rockstar/surfer/kayak musician...


    Jack Johnson w/ G Love:
    Better Together
    (Courtesy of Youtube.com)


    There are 4 things that I'm amazed at and take for granted living in this great country:

    1) clean drinkable hygienic water -- most of the globe could not say this. I could even drink from the septic tank of most toilets if I really even had to.

    2) our pony express/postal system -- 41 c to mail one ounce to anywhere in the U. S. within a day or two

    3) Youtube.com -- need I say more!

    4) I can buy vitamin D cheaply on the internet. My favorite legal drug, hormone, steroid and vitamin corrects a deficiency, raises my HDL cholesterols, raises my low estrogen, regresses vascular plaque, and gives me better brain, better skin, better nails, more hair, better heart, better lungs, better immunity and a feeling of incomparable optimal health. It's TOP compared to chocolate and caffeine and alcohol --- that's quite a statement from me...


    Jack Johnson: Breakdown
    ...But you can't stop nothing if you got no control
    Of the thoughts in your mind that you kept
    Then you know, you don't know nothing
    But you don't need to know
    The wisdom's in the trees, not the glass windows
    You can't stop wishing
    If you don't let go of the things that you find and you lose
    But you know
    You keep on rolling
    Put the moment on hold
    The frame's too bright so put the blinds down low...
    Nice to relax.. breakdown every once in a while, esp on a beach, wave-watching!
    (Live at the Greek Theatre, Berkeley
    Courtesy of Youtube.com)

    Sunday, March 9, 2008

    Eden and Almonds

    What if Eve had chosen the other nut-fruit, Almonds, instead of the Apple in the Garden of Eden?

    Sarah Brightman: Eden (Enigma Remix)


    (Isn't she ethereal/timeless? Courtesy of Youtube.com)

    Why do we love Almonds in the TYP regimen of plaque solutions? See links below.

    Certain diet components affect our receptors in thesame way that drugs do, to regress and eradicate plaque. For approx 17-25% of the world population, Lp(a) affects plaque in malevolent, vicious way. It's not entirely understood why but this appears to be the case. Is Lp(a) somewhat protective for those who over express this lipoprotein (conversely as high quantities of FLUFFY low-density-lipoprotein and HIGH levels of LARGE high-density-lipoprotein are cardio-protective)?

    Lp(a) is an equal opportunity plaque-builder: it affects both elite athletes as well as non-elite- and non-exercisers.


    Yet ... there is a hypothesis that Lp(a) may in fact be PROTECTIVE. Hyper-protective, like a 'friendly' appearing pitbull.

    Against infections (people with Lp(a) have reported anecodotally that they 'never get sick').

    Against cancers. Frequently individuals who carry high Lp(a) are survivors of cancer -- it's been observed any cancer Thymus, Breast, Kidney, etc.

    Someone recognized it as a form of 'hyperimmunity' on the TYP forum (I *heart* that phrase -- Rich, you ROCK, dude)...


    Almonds are GREAT plaque-BUSTERS!

    They've have been shown to lower glycemic index, insulin, small dense LDL as well as Lp(a).

    Help yourself to a HEAPING handful of raw almonds... or 2 or even 3!

    What arethe side effects almonds? The side effects are a feeling of satiety, fullness, happier-hearts, lower blood glucoses, lower inflammation, lower Lp(a), reduction of other plaque-building risk factors.


    And maybe it can help you reach . . . Eden . . .




    ------------------------------------------------------------
    Nus M, Ruperto M, Sánchez-Muniz FJ.[Nuts, cardio and cerebrovascular risks. A Spanish perspective] Arch Latinoam Nutr. 2004 Jun;54(2):137-48. Review.

    Jenkins DJ et al. Dose response of almonds on coronary heart disease risk factors: blood lipids, oxidized low-density lipoproteins, lipoprotein(a), homocysteine, and pulmonary nitric oxide: arandomized, controlled, crossover trial.Circulation.2002 Sep 10;106(11):1327-32.

    Josse AR, Kendall CW, Augustin LS, Ellis PR, Jenkins DJ.
    Almonds and postprandial glycemia--a dose-response study.Metabolism. 2007 Mar;56(3):400-4.

    Jenkins DJ, Kendall CW, Josse AR, Salvatore S, Brighenti F, Augustin LS, Ellis PR, Vidgen E, RaoAV.Almonds decrease postprandial glycemia ,insulinemia, and oxidative damage in healthy individuals.J Nutr. 2006 Dec;136(12):2987-92.

    Homage to the American Heart Association

    This is homage to the AHA... love you guys...

    Today... But it may change TOMORROW...

    February, the American Heart Health Month has passed...

    Is there hope offered beyond low fat, insulinogenic diabetes-generating diets, statins, interventionalist surgeries and stents by the common cardiovascular community?

    Why still is vascular disease the #1 killer of men and(increasingly) women?

    The hope for the future is that plaque eradication is here already...

    One thing that the AHA has progressively portrayed is their Advocacy for Cure campaign: 'You are the CURE'.

    And the second things is that the AHA supports: heart scans.

    Work collaboratively with your team including physician/cardiologist/NP/PA/PT/ NURSE/pharmacist/personal trainer/chef/etc and get empowered with the T-Y-P program.

    And advocate your own C-U-R-E . . .


    (at her Dublin Ireland concert, Avril dedicates this particular song to her grandfather who slipped away earlier that day, from what I believe was without warning vascular disease (stroke); I didn't post her tearful performance b/c it's painful to watch)



    Couldn't have said it any better...



    TOMORROW

    By Avril Lavigne


    And I wanna believe you
    When you tell me that it'll be ok
    Ya... I try to believe you

    B-U-T . . . I D-O-N- 'T . . .
    When you say that it's gonna be
    It always turns out to be a different way
    I try to believe you

    NOT T-O-D-A-Y , today, today, today, today...

    [Chorus:]I don't know how I feel
    tomorrow, tomorrow
    I don't know what to say
    tomorrow, tomorrow
    Is a different day
    It's always been up to you
    It's turning around
    IT'S UP TO M-E

    [remember... YOU ARE THE CURE, according to the AHA]
    I'm gonna do what I have to do
    Just don't give me a little time
    Leave me alone a little while
    Maybe it's not too late
    Not today, today, today, today, today...

    I'm not ready
    Maybe tomorrow
    And I wanna believe you
    When you tell me that it'll be ok
    Ya I try to believe you
    Not today, today, today, today, today... Tomorrow it may change

    Wednesday, March 5, 2008

    Seeing is not believing

    I met a friend in college named Rick (well, of course, not real name but close enough). He was the son of a wealthy soda-pop executive and looked like a blond godversion of Richard Gere (same swagger pre-Buddhism days.)

    Since childhood, Rick had an optic nerve disorder that left his vision narrowed to a field within only 2-4 inches of his eyes. His wicked sense of humor was intense and empathy even more exquisite. He could tell our mood by just a few cues like voice or posture. His articulation of life was indescribable.
    Rick wasn't born with amazing senses of smell, taste, touch or hearing (or drinking with his frat mates). These were honed skills (like imbibing). It seemed with a disruption of the one single visual sense, the other routes of his perception of the world were super-trained. Super-heightened. SUPER-freightening. Way above and way beyond normal.

    When someone engages in a TYP-styled life and adjunct therapy, similarly, multiple pathways for plaque-regression are super-charged, super-optimized. Plaque growth immediately halted. Plaque damage overridden... eventually eradicated. Anginal pains go away. We all have the ability to be whole and complete. Our bodies hold the key to these resources and the capacity to heal. Don't believe?

    Read about the TYP successes. Many people share achievements on the forum with (mild) pride--it's not necessarily an easy task. Incredible outcomes happen all the time. Although small dense atherogenic LDL numbers are reduced in nearly all cases, the most reliable index for plaque eradication is demonstrated when EBT scan measurement (scored at baseline then infrequent intervals) reductions occur to 10%, 20% or even record-breaking 50-60% levels. Seeing how healthy one lives or wonderful lab measurements are not necessarily adequate. Looking hot, hip and healthy aren't enough for heart and vascular disease prevention. As even my mechanic could tell you, relying on sight offers no guarantees, (and this is why he charges me a lot for running diagnostic tests). Even the most energetic marathoner can have silent indicators of heart disease and isn't aware. Just like lumps and bumps (polyps), asymptomatic plaque is hidden -- undetectable to the naked eye.

    Scans are not done often (routinely, in similar fashion to cancer preventive screening tools, i.e. mammograms or sigmoids). Yet these are the only tools and metrics that conveniently, safely and quickly assess the presence of plaque (also, inexpensively, with minimal radiation, and without dyes that harm kidneys).

    What does scanning offer? Not much but a number (and a pretty picture). That number (positive calcium score) is irrefutable and pathognomic for plaque. It's like a financial debt or a crazy lover -- don't want one, to be undone, right?

    Europeans are perhaps more advanced than the U. S. for using heart scan screenings to reduce unnecessary death, disability and damage from heart disease.

    Non-invasive screening for coronary artery disease: calcium scoring

    Cardiac computed tomography: indications, applications, limitations, and training requirements

    Determinants of Progression of Coronary Artery Calcification in Type 2 Diabetes: Role of Glycemic Control and Inflammatory Vascualr Calcification Markers


    Ok... let's give the U.S. some credit now! In addition to Dr. Davis, here is another luminary endorsement of scans for screening:
    Noninvasive Screening for Coronary Atherosclerosis and Silent Ischemia in Asymptomatic Type 2 Diabetic Patients, Dr. George A. Beller, MD, MACC, Cardiovascular Division, Virginia.

    And like Dr. Davis, a physician (in primary care, no less--say YAHHH for the primary care in the deep trenches) who experienced virtually no cardiovascular events in his primary care practice in Colorado (no CAD surgeries, no cabgs, no stents, no PTCAs, no MIs, no deaths):
    Dr. William Blanchet, MD

    If there is premature vascular disease in the family tree (stroke, heart disease or surgeries, ED, kidney disease, ocular strokes, aneurysms, etc), then do not be fooled. Risks are present even with the so-called healthiest living. Even if you are not blind like Rick, in regards to the vigor of the heart, know that seeing is not believing.

    Passion for Eradication

    (Part One)
    Why does low carb, high saturated fat evo paleo lifestyles and diet work?

    Several components of this program demonstrate success where 'conventional' therapy stops short. "Why does conventional therapy stop short?" is also a good question.

    I've pondered this... and really have few answers. Some of the best, brightest minds work on improving conventional peer-reviewed consensus guidelines. Is the mob mentality massively misinformed? I dunno... However history demonstrates that the herd happens to be often wrong when quantum leaps of thinking and theories occur... (as in playing with lead leads to retardation, H. pylori causes cancer, 'the earth is round', energy travels at the speed of light, e=mc2, etc). Unfortunately, evidence-based medicine requires clinical trials. How much resources are required for trials? Well, for a good RCT (randomized controlled trial) much much much LETTUCE $$$$$$$ is mandatory. Without deep pockets from Pharma and good favor from the NIH, few can achieve the outcomes typically generated from Pharma. This is currently a sad reality for science. And a minor obstruction for progress?


    What might be helpful to monitor and track, neolithically?
    ---periodic scans
    ---lab monitoring
    ---frequent fingerstick monitoring (glucose, lipids, etc)

    Why is tracking a good gauge?

    Because chronic conditions and plaque growth is multi-factorial.

    Like soccer or football, both offensive as well as defensive strikes are necessary to effectively eradicate plaque. Would you go into a competitive sports match without a good game plan? Without a coach? Without knowing who you are playing against?

    There are a few universal truths out there. I know that I'm more preoccupied with my NEXT meal... than my 'last meal'.

    Fugguhdabout my MTV !

    I want my F O O D N E T W O R K !!!!

    As a nation (I am not alone), we care more about food than heart protection. I'm guilty... I can't resist Giada . . . and her RACK . . . of lamb. Or Tyler . . . and his BEEF, C A K E recipes!! Or Nigella… and her… luscious… TARTS ! And naked… chef Jamie… and his homegrown… pumpkins…

    Although I pay for car insurance, I still regularly pay out of pocket for its maintenance. Mainly out of fear as well. Will my car manufacturer's warranty be voided if I dare get my oil changes at a non-Honda dealership?! But are there really any guarantees?

    When I first delved into the waters of evo/paleo... I was frankly S H O C K E D. I trolled PubMed and found nearly hundreds of studies that backed up every facet of the paleo strategy and food components of hunter-gatherers (high omega-3, low omega-6, high potassium/magnesium, low sodium, high protein, shore-based minerals and carotenoids, etc). Current conventional therapies fall precipitiously are short.


    Here is actually one of my favorite websites which defines treatment across the United States for all endocrinology issues. The AACE was only created a few yrs ago (1991 to be exact) but they are highly advanced and respected. The diabetes lipid guidelines are a little more updated than the dyslipidemia and atherogenesis guidelines--they list the factors that we target-- and offer some solutions (see page 44) but again a strategy that has totalitarian striking front against plaque is lacking (partly again due to a paucity of highly-funded RCTs). Where does current conventional therapy lead us? It is a fact that statins do work. See pg 43-45. Any statin will reduce the risk of a first or second coronary event by 22 to 55% in 3 to 5 yrs (of a clinical trial). That is decent heart protection. But, what about the rest of the 45 to 78% ??

    Actually, I am very grateful for the first landmark trials using statins. Pravastatin (from Bristol Myers) was the FIRST and therefore created the history and body of evidence that we have so far. As mentioned earlier, trials are expensive to run (and with the statistician being the most highly paid *ha haaa*). What the trials really have demonstrated is that the course of heart disease can not only be changed, heart protection is a STRONG possibility with adjunct therapy.

    My mechanic can't even guarantee that!
    (part deux, coming soon)