Do the French Know Something about Heart Disease We Don't?
The people in France have one of the lowest rates of heart
disease of any country in the world. What makes that statement even
more unusual is the diet of the French. It is high in sugars & fats.
Vegetarianism is almost non-existent. They are also not worried
about smoking or wine consumption. The prefect diet for
arthrosclerosis and heart disease. Yet, their rate of cardiovascular
disease is the lowest in the western world.
So what gives? The French have one of the highest consumptions of
red wine in the world. Many smoke cigarettes. They also have some of the longest life
expectancies. French red wine has a magic ingredient, oligomeric
proanthocyanidine (OPC) in the grape seeds. This substance has
amazing properties to protect the consumer against degenerative
diseases, especially cardiovascular issues. (1) White wine doesn't
offer this protection since the seeds do not remain in the white as
it ferments.
Maybe adding red wine to your diet might be an answer, but there
are some other things you can do for protection against
cardiovascular disease. Nutritional deficiencies can be an issue.
Some deficiencies in the diet can cause an amino acid called
homocysteine to accumulate in the bloodstream. There is a direct
relationship between high levels of homocysteine and the risks of
strokes and heart attacks. Another indication of those at risk is
low Vitamin C levels especially in smokers and elderly males.
Even taking a small amount of Vitamin E, about 25 IU a day, can
counteract the oxidation of LDL cholesterol. It can also stop
the formation of blood clots. The Harvard University published two
studies that demonstrated that people who took at least 100-750 IU of
Vitamin E a day reduced their risk of heart disease substantially
(2) Vitamin E can also protect against Drinker's Heart (alcoholic cardiomyopathy)
(Oxidation of LDL means free radicals convert it to a free radical
making it sticky inside your arteries.)
Other vitamins that can help with homocysteine include
Vitamin B6, B12
and folic acid. Studies show the lower the level of these vitamins,
the higher the level of homocsyteine.
A high zinc intake can block the amount of copper that is
absorbed by the body. Copper deficiency can cause damage to the
heart and arteries. Just 3 mg of copper a day can lower LDL
cholesterol and raise the good HDL. Levels of zinc and copper should
be checked.
Magnesium levels also have a link to heart disease. Supplementing
with magnesium can definitely reduce risk of cardiac arrest, angina
and premature death. Seventeen coronary bypass patients were studied
after surgery. Magnesium was found to aid in prevention of blood
pressure increase caused by adrenaline. The magnesium prevented
coronary artery constriction. (3)
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Footnotes:
(1) C. Kilham - OPC: The Miracle Antioxidant, 1997
(2) New England Journal of Medicine - 1993; 328: 1444-9
(3) Anaesthesiology, 1991: 74-973-9)
Source of information:
What
Doctors Don't Tell You - Heart Disease by
Harald Gaier