Antioxidants and Cardiovascular Disorders

A feature article by New Vitality Editorial Team, Apr 19, 2008         

Summary: The article talks about the major cardiovascular diseases prevalent in America and the causes leading to a rise in such disorders. It showcases the role and impact of antioxidants in controlling cardiovascular diseases. The article also discusses the various factors to be considered while selecting an antioxidant supplement for the cardiovascular disorders.

 
Major Cardiovascular Disorders:
The United States Government noted in their Report on Chronic Disease Overview (1999) that cardiovascular disorders alone caused 30% of all deaths in America. This is startling information!
The American Heart Association states that America’s number one killer is heart disease. Some of the major cardiovascular disorders prevalent in America are Cardiogenic shock, Congenital heart disease, Coronary artery disease (CAD), Heart attack, Heart failure, Pulmonary stenosis, to name a few.
Most of us think that heart disease only manifests in the elderly, or middle-aged. Heart disease is not limited to a particular age group. Nearly one million people living in America were born with a congenital heart disorder. Besides those born with heart disorders, histological study shows that vascular injury begins in childhood. (This was reported by the PDAY Research Group, Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 1999; 19: 753-61 and 2000; 20: 1998–2004). It is only after a decade of progress when symptoms of heart disease begin to show in adulthood that the disease is usually diagnosed, and has already reached an advanced stage.
Americans now, more than ever, need to be taking care of their hearts, beginning from childhood.

Causes of Cardiovascular Disorders
Interestingly, research indicates that our negative emotions, such as hostility, distrust, anger, worry and stress, can promote heart attacks. For more information on this read the following reported studies:

• A prospective study of anger andonary heart disease. The Normative Aging Study. Circulation 1996;94:2090-5
• Is worrying bad for your heart? A prospective study of worry and coronary heart disease in the Normative Aging Study. Circulation 1997;95:818-24
• Job strain, social support at work, and incidence of myocardial infarction. Occup Environ Med 1998;55:548-53

Stressful relationships can also triple the risk of suffering a heart attack, dying from heart disease, or requiring bypass surgery or angioplasty. Studies show that these negative emotions can reduce the levels of certain heart-healthy antioxidants, needed to maintain and support good health (Ref. Marital stress worsens prognosis in women with coronary heart disease: the Stockholm female coronary risk study. JAMA 2000;284:3008-14).
Increased risk to cardiovascular diseases is also contributed by tobacco smoking, diabetes milletus, elevated cholesterol levels, obesity, high blood pressure, stress, sedentary lifestyle, exposure to high levels of noise, sleep deprivation. Along with these high-risk factors, scientists also indicate that an absence of key nutritional elements such as omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants contribute to a higher risk of heart disease.

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Impact of Antioxidants:
Antioxidants are the good guys found in vitamins and minerals like Vitamin A, C, E, beta carotene and trace elements like selenium and manganese. They neutralize free radicals that scavenge the artery linings, encourage blood clots, and alter the functions of the blood vessels. Oxidative stress (higher free radical activity due to lower antioxidant levels) can result in damage to the heart cells, resulting in damage to the tissue, thus increasing our risk to cancer, heart disease, and other diseases, as well as accelerated ageing.
People with a history of heart attacks, are reported to have lower antioxidant nutrients, like vitamins A, C, and E, and beta-carotene, as compared with healthy individuals (Ref. Plasma levels of antioxidant vitamins and oxidative stress in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Acta Cardiol 1994;49:441-52). Free radical activity is also much higher, which suggests a need for antioxidants.

How to Identify Supplements for Cardiovascular Disorders:
Scientists recommend a diet with adequate intake of fruits, vegetables, fish, almons,dark chocolate, wine, and garlic to decrease risks of cardiovascular disease. Eating oily fish at least twice a week and using olive oil in your cooking is also recommended.
Nutritional supplements like Red Defense , Theramin , CocoPure are rich in antioxidants and have been associated with decreased risk of heart related diseases. They are all-natural and chemical-free.
NOTE: Only Royal Greens Original is Organic – being able to say a product is organic requires a certification, it is highly illegal to make this claim without a certificate. You can substitute organic with all-natural.

What is the state of your heart? Are you taking care of it? Eat a heart-healthy diet that consists of a variety of food from natural sources. If your busy schedule prevents you from eating healthy regularly, don’t let that keep you from the benefits that a daily intake of antioxidants can provide you. Vitamin supplements can provide the daily intake you need. A healthy diet, along with plenty of regular aerobic exercising, and you are on your way to good health and longer living. Keep a smile on your face and use positive emotions to deal with life and what comes our way.

The Good Book is right “, "A merry heart does good, like medicine." (Proverbs 17:22, The Bible). Live happy and healthy!

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