Featured Product

Zwell Reflexir

Zwell Reflexir Zwell has picked REFLEXIR™ as the best natural product to address joint pain, and the stiffness and inflammation that are commonly associated with arthritis and overuse. Why settle for temporary relief of pain when you can get to the root of the problem?

Read More >>

$32.00 90 capsules/bottle

Buy Now


Sign up for newsletter

Be Zwell informed and gain greater control of your health!  Get straight forward information, specifically for people 50 years and older, from Trusted Advisors in the Health and Wellness field.  It's FREE.

"The article on low stomach acid by Jill Hillhouse was the best, most comprehensive I have ever read on the topic.  Kudos to the writer.  This newsletter is going to get forwarded to a lot of nutrition clients."

Helen P. - BA, RNCP, ROHP

Sign Up Now

Learn : How your body works, how various conditions effect your body, how to fight disease, get health news, product information, the lastest scientific discoveries on aging and special Zwell offers.

"I have to admit, I was somewhat in the dark before I started getting your newsletter. Keep it coming."

Nancy (Fredricton, NB)

Jill Hillhouse
High Cholesterol - The Canary In The Coal Mine?PDFPrintE-mail
Written by Jill Hillhouse

We all need to be concerned about how low our cholesterol numbers are because high cholesterol causes heart disease right? What if this wasn’t the whole story? What if cholesterol levels aren’t the smoking gun of heart disease as we have been told for the past couple of decades? What if cholesterol is in fact the canary in the coal mine? To examine the cholesterol theory of heart disease, we first need to understand what cholesterol is and what it does in the body.

Cholesterol is a waxy fat-like molecule made by the liver that circulates in the blood stream. It is a vital component of every cell membrane in the body including those in the brain that insulate nerve cells and the synapses that transmit nerve impulses. We also need it to make bile that helps us digest fat, synthesize vitamin D after sun exposure and make all our steroid hormones including estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and adrenaline.

Since cholesterol is fat soluble, it cannot dissolve in the blood, so the liver combines it with special proteins (lipoproteins) in order for it to be transported. Lipoproteins are characterized by their density: very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and low density lipoproteins (LDL) are responsible for transporting fats (mainly triglycerides and cholesterol) from the liver to the body’s cells, while high density lipoproteins (HDL) are responsible for returning fats to the liver where they are metabolised. So HDL lipoproteins can be seen as being the good guys and LDL lipoproteins theoretically promote arterial plaque build up and are bad for you.

According to the cholesterol theory of heart disease, circulating cholesterol causes plaque to accumulate on the arterial walls. But this isn’t the whole story; in fact the cholesterol that is deposited is there for a reason – to repair a problem. In a simplified explanation, when there is damage to the arterial wall, the body makes plaque from cholesterol, calcium, collagen and fibrin to act as “repair cement” so the arterial wall won’t develop a leak. So cholesterol is part of the solution, not the problem. The problem is that various factors cause damage, scarring and inflammation in the arteries that then need to be fixed. So if you have damaged cells, your liver will be notified to make more cholesterol and release it into your bloodstream. This is a deliberate process that takes place in order for your body to produce new, healthy cells. So what causes damage or inflammation to the arterial walls? Well, among other things:

  • High homocysteine levels. Homocysteine is an amino acid produced as a normal by-product of the breakdown of methionine (from proteins), which is an essential amino acid acquired mostly from eating meat. Homocysteine generates substances that have been linked to damage of the endothelial lining of arterial vessels. Studies have shown that too much homocysteine in the blood is related to a higher risk of coronary heart disease and stroke.
  • Too much Omega-6 fatty acid in the diet. The body converts linoleic acid, the primary fatty acid found in bottled vegetable oil, to arachidonic acid which is turn is then converted to the hormone-like prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) which promotes inflammation in the body in general and in the arterial walls in particular.
  • Eating high levels of meats and animal fat from grain fattened animals saturates the body with large amounts arachidonic acid (see above). As a point of interest, the high levels of arachidonic acid found in most meat are accumulated from the conversion of Omega-6 fatty acids present in the grains used to fatten the animals. Much lower levels of arachidonic acid are found in grass-fed beef making it a far healthier choice than the more common grain-fed variety.
  • Inflammation from other causes. C-reactive protein (CRP) is an inflammatory marker — a substance the liver releases in response to inflammation somewhere in the body. Many physicians will include this test on blood work requisitions.  Among other things, high CRP may be an early warning sign of heart disease – a sign that shows up before cholesterol rises. The statin medicines reduce levels of CRP. This may be more significant in accounting for the ability of these drugs to statistically lower the incidence of heart disease than the role these drugs play in lowering cholesterol levels.

Real recommendations to help prevent cardiovascular disease

Comprehensive diet, exercise, supplements and other lifestyle approaches can have a huge impact on the risk of heart disease and will actually improve cholesterol numbers. As an added benefit, this approach also reduces your risk of nearly all chronic diseases.

  • Eat protein with every meal, especially at breakfast (yes, whole eggs are okay) to avoid the blood sugar imbalances that increase your risk for heart disease.
  • Increase omega-3 fatty acids by eating cold-water fish (salmon, sardines, herring), even seaweed. Appropriate supplementation is also recommended.
  • Include flaxseeds by using two to four tablespoons of ground flaxseeds every day in your food. This can lower cholesterol substantially. Use it in protein shakes, in yogurt or sprinkled on salads.
  • Eat at least 35 grams of fibre per day. Beans, legumes, vegetables, nuts and seeds, and fruit all contain beneficial fibre, not to mention vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients for antioxidant protection.
  • Use lean animal protein like fish, turkey, chicken, grass-fed meat, and vegetable protein from nuts, beans, and legumes.
  • Avoid all processed junk food, including sodas, juices, and diet drinks, which impact sugar and fat metabolism. For the same reason, avoid white flour and sugar.
  • Eliminate all hydrogenated fat, which is found in margarine, shortening, and processed oils, as well as many baked goods and processed foods.
  • Strive to eat at least 3-4 cups of vegetables and 2 cups of fruit per day – everyday.
  • Try not to eat three hours before bed.
  • Recognize, monitor and manage your perception of stress and how it affects your life.

So can we ignore our cholesterol numbers? No. High cholesterol is indicative of other problems – just like the canary in the coal mine. The key is to take care of the root problem, not just the warning signs.

References :

1. http://www.jonbarron.org/heart-health-program/05-24-2004.php

2. http://drhyman.com/lower-your-risk-of-heart-disease-without-drugs-575/

3. Jenkins DJ, Kendall CW, Marchie A, Faulkner DA, Wong JM, de Souza R, Emam A, Parker TL, Vidgen E, Lapsley KG, Trautwein EA, Josse RG, Leiter LA, Connelly PW. Effects of a dietary portfolio of cholesterol-lowering foods vs lovastatin on serum lipids and C-reactive protein. JAMA. 2003 Jul 23; 290(4):502-10.

4. The Emerging Risk Factors Collaboration. C-reactive protein concentration and risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, and mortality: an individual participant meta-analysis. The Lancet. Jan 9, 2010; 375:132-140.

 

Heart & Cardiovascular Products

Formula F-L-W

Formula F-L-W An incredible product that has helped a great many people avoid the need for bypass and related surgeries. FLW uses an all-natural approach which is both safe and effective, and can be used as both therapy and prevention. A great, proven product.

Read More >>

$59.00 300 tablets/bottle
(DIN #01963872)
Buy Now

Heart Chocolate with CM-X

Heart Chocolate with CM-X Heart Chocolate™ with CM-X™ is a delicious, rich chocolate made to satisfy your craving for chocolate. Amazingly, CM-X can actually lower blood sugar and cholesterol - a perfect choice for people with Type 2 diabetes or cholesterol conditions.

Read More >>

$39.00 1 box
12 bars in a box
Buy Now

Natural Heart Health Pack

Natural Heart Health Pack Heart health, done naturally, is delivered in this unique combination of products. The foundation is knowledge - David Rowland’s “The Nutritional Bypass” - and then optimal heart health is built on three key products that can reset and maintain it.

Read More >>

$89.00 FLW + Krill Oil + Vitamin D3 +
FREE BOOK with this pack
Buy Now

The Nutritional Bypass - Reverse Atherosclerosis Without Surgery

The Nutritional Bypass - Reverse Atherosclerosis Without Surgery Circulatory Problems! Bypass Surgery! Maybe you should read this! This informative book is yours FREE when you purchase the "Natural Heart Health Pack".

Read More >>

$5.00 Printed Paperback
54 pages
Buy Now

OPC-10

OPC-10 OPC-10 is a nutritious and delicious isotonic drink. As our selection as the best OPC product on the market, it has a full range of the most potent antioxidants, delivering the crucial polyphenols and proanthocyadins for maximum health benefit.

Read More >>

$48.00 300gliquid/bottle
30 servings
Buy Now

Reverse Heart Disease Now

Reverse Heart Disease Now

Two leading cardiologists draw on their collective 50 years of clinical cardiology research to show you how to combine the benefits of modern medicine, over-the-counter vitamins and supplements, and simple lifestyle changes to have a healthy heart.

Read More >>

$18.00 Printed Paperback
272 pages
Buy Now

OrderWin_Web

Click the above image for more details

 

Zwell_SpringSummer_2011

Click the above image to order your FREE copy of the Zwell Magazine.

 

Did you know?...

For many people, eating the nightshade family of food (tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, peppers) can worsen Osteoarthritis. Read More...

 

Chocolate can reduce cholesterol and blood sugar, and can be a perfect treat for people with Type 2 diabetes.  Read More...

 

Zwell has a user community here where you can ask questions, get answers, and share ideas with fellow Zoomers.

 

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER

 Submit >>

 

 

Healthy Tidbits

As you advance in your senior years, the seasonal changes can have a greater impact on your system.

Your body is naturally built to strive for balance between external and internal environments and your brain acts like a natural thermostat.

 

When your body is overcome by heat in the environment, you may feel dizzy, thirsty, weak or nauseous.

 

Drinking plenty of fluids is a natural way to help your body maintain a proper internal temperature, prevent heat related muscle cramps and heat exhaustion.

 

An average of 75% of Canadian adults is chronically dehydrated, meaning they are consistently losing more fluid than they are taking in.

The feeling of thirst is NOT an accurate indicator of dehydration, so you must drink plenty of clear fluids consistently throughout each day.