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Showing posts with label cardiovascular-disease. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cardiovascular-disease. Show all posts

Monday, October 13, 2014

Exciting news about tocotrienols, inflammatory diseases cardiovascular health

 2011;17(21):2147-54.

Tocotrienols and cardiovascular health.

Abstract

This review emphasizes the effects of tocotrienols on the risk factors for atherosclerosis, plaque instability and thrombogenesis, and compares these effects with tocopherol. Tocotrienols reduce serum lipids and raise serum HDL-C. Alpha-tocopherol, on the other hand, has no effect on serum lipids. Tocotrienols have greater antioxidant activity than tocopherols. Both reduce the serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and advanced glycation end products, and expression of cell adhesion molecules. The CRP-lowering effects of tocotrienols are greater than tocopherol. Tocotrienols reduce inflammatory mediators, δ-tocotrienol being more potent, followed by γ- and α-tocotrienol. Tocotrienols are antithrombotic and suppress the expression of matrix metalloproteinases. They suppress, regress and slow the progression of atherosclerosis, while tocopherol only suppresses, and has no effect on regression and slowing of progression of atherosclerosis. Tocotrienol reduces risk factors for destabilization of atherosclerotic plaques. There are no firm data to suggest that tocotrienols are effective in reducing the risk of cardiac events in established ischemic heart disease. Alpha-tocopherol is effective in primary prevention of coronary artery disease (CAD), but has no conclusive evidence that it has beneficial effects in patients with established ischemic heart disease. Tocotrienols are effective in reducing ischemia-reperfusion cardiac injury in experimental animals and has the potential to be used in patients undergoing angioplasty, stent implantation and aorto-coronary bypass surgery. In conclusion, experimental data suggest that tocotrienols have a potential for cardiovascular health, but long-term randomized clinical trials are needed to establish their efficacy in primary and secondary prevention of CAD.
PMID:
 
21774782
 
[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21774782
________________________________
Gary:
My interpretation is as follows:

CRP, as a measure of inflammation, is arguably a better predictor of cardiovascular risk than cholesterol.  You will note that tocotrienols also reduce glycation which is exciting news for diabetics.  Glycation is also one of the best indicators of the decrement in cellular health associated with ageing.

Tocotrienols may be beneficial for other inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and, I suspect, diseases such as multiple sclerosis.

Tocotrienols reduce the risk of blood clots such as seen in cases of deep vein thrombosis and reduce and may even reverse the formation of artherosclrotic plague that can lead to heart attack, stroke, poor eyesight and dementia.

Tocotrienols may reduce ischemia-perfusion cardiac injury - better known as angina and the damage it may cause to heart muscle.

They may be a safe alternative to drugs like aspirin and warfarin.

Tocotrienols are more effective for the above as compared to vitamin E.

As per usual, no researcher is ever going to finish their conclusions without recommending more research.  Got to keep the funding coming in to keep employed.  That's fine - we need much more research about nutrition alternatives to expensive and harmful pharmaceutical drugs; but that does not mean we sit on our hands and wait and wait and wait....

Incidentally, I am not aware of any side effects from taking these other than looking good and feeling great!

Conclusion:

If you are one of the 80% of the population who are at risk of suffering cardiovascular-related ailments during your life time, it makes sense to include tocotrienols in your daily diet.

Please contact me if you are interested in learning more about tocotrienols and whether this may be beneficial for you.  If you have a health condition and on medication then you must arrange a consultation before making any changes or adding a supplement such as these:
http://www.garymoller.com/Consultation/Private-Consultation.aspx

More related articles:










About this website 
The advice in these articles is given freely without promise or obligation. Its all about giving you and your family the tools and information to take control of your health and fitness.
Candida and Fungal Infections? Gary Moller recommends you explore this programme: Click Here!

Saturday, March 08, 2014

Karapoti results are in - More evidence that nutritional balancing works better than drugs! (Updated 08/03/2013)



Latest news:I completed the 48km race last Saturday in excellent track conditions, setting my personal best after only about 24 years of on and off trying. I finally cracked the three hour barrier!  In fact, I smashed it, slashing more than 26 minutes off my personal best!

Over the last few months I have concentrated my focus on nutritionally supporting my adrenals and thyroid, using the skills and experience I have gained as a clinician in the treatment of thyroid and adrenal disorders.  Gosh - it is so effective, especially for older athletes! 

My PB was 2hrs 12min.  Only one 60 year old has ever broken three hours in the 30 year history of the race (The legendary Peter Reynolds in 2013 in a time of 2hr 55min).  Well, I reduced the record to 2hr 46min 44s.  That's staggering.  And I did it the easiest ever- not a single cramp - Just a badly bruised knee from a wee spill down the Rock Garden (Caused by other riders putting me off my line though the rocks).  I know I can go faster.

My goal has been to be one of the fittest 60 year olds anywhere and I think I am well on the way to achieving that.  I have chosen mountain biking for a number of reasons: I really enjoy it; it is intense and brutal (especially when you fall off) and it requires skills such as precise balance and lightening fast reactions - all of which deteriorate as we get older.

60 year olds don't bounce as well as a youngster and healing sure is slower


Well, I have set out to prove that its not all downhill from 30 years - We can still bounce well at 60!

How did I manage to make such a spectacular reduction in my times despite now being in my early 60's.  Well it was not from doing more and more training - doing that is futile unless the body can handle the stress and respond in a positive, anabolic manner.  Everything we have been told about the ageing process is that the body progressively weakens along with its capacity to heal and to respond to stress.  That is true; but does it actually have to be?

How much of ageing is due to uncontrollable degradation and how much of what we think is ageing is due to things that are within our control, such as nutritional deficiencies and imbalances and reversible scarring of tissues?

I have achieved this remarkable turnaround through a patient 10 year programme of targeted nutrition and equally carefully applied body work (not consisting of furiously lifting weights in the gym!)

The end result is that my ability to train and my response to training is estimated to be on a par with where I once was in my 20's.  How can I say that -To make such an outrageous claim?  Well I don't have to: The performances say it all!  I have had at least a 30% gain in performance over the previous 10 years; despite all that we know about ageing and the inevitable decline in performance.

Better than Lance, if I may so so!


My earlier article about this topic of anti-aging and reversing heart disease here:
http://blog.garymoller.com/2011/07/more-about-reversing-cardiovascular.html

Gary
(My previous article below (pre-race comments)

For about the last 20 years, I have been trying to break the magical 3hr barrier for the Karapoti Race (Refer to the article below for more about Karapoti).  My success has been less than glorious with my best a frustrating 3hr 12min - so far.  Is time running out, since I am a lot older than when I made my first attempt?  I don't think so.

My Karapoti goal this year, as a 60 year old, is not just to break 3hrs, but to break the 60 plus record of 2hr 55m.  And I am confident that it can be done.  In fact, I will be aiming for 2hr 50.

This summer has been one of fantastic successes on the bike and in duathlon, with several victories that have me way ahead of any other 60 year old athletes - so far.  Currently, I am ranked 2nd in the 50+ age category in NZ Mountain Biking Crown and finished 4th in the NZ championships, less than 1 second behind 3rd.  Calculating the difference between myself and the overall age group champion, Ian Paintin, who also happens to hold the 50+ record for Karapoti (2hr 42), I can work out what time I should be able to do Karapoti this year.  Which works out to be about 2hr 50m or less.

However, the current 60+ record holder, the legendary Peter Reynolds, is competing again this year and he is not about to let me spoil his party.  I have heard rumours that he has been training hard and even upgraded to a new bike.  He will be aiming to be the first Old Fart to break 2hr 50, I suspect.  That will be really something!  But my plan is to have my nose in front.

We will know the result by tomorrow midday.  As with most of my previous Karapoti races, I just hope the course does not have the final say - crashes, punctures, mechanical failures, or simply disappearing in one of its infamous bogs!

February 27, 2014 at 6:07 PM

The Race of Champions
A who’s-who of New Zealand mountain biking will go head to head in Upper Hutt on Saturday as more than 700 riders from eight countries line up for the Scott Karapoti Classic.
NZMTB14R2Cooper.jpgTwenty eight years ago 45 hardy souls lined up in Upper Hutt’s Akatarawa Ranges for New Zealand’s first annual mountain bike race. Almost 30 years later, more than 700 riders from eight countries and all ends of New Zealand will line up for what has become the Southern Hemisphere’s longest running mountain bike event.
Established in 1986,
Rest of article here:  http://www.sportzhub.com/news/karapoti-race-champions/



About this website 
The advice in these articles is given freely without promise or obligation. Its all about giving you and your family the tools and information to take control of your health and fitness.
Candida and Fungal Infections? Gary Moller recommends you explore this programme: Click Here!





About this website 
The advice in these articles is given freely without promise or obligation. Its all about giving you and your family the tools and information to take control of your health and fitness.
Candida and Fungal Infections? Gary Moller recommends you explore this programme: Click Here!

Friday, August 31, 2012

Older runners can compete in marathonswithout worrying about permanent cardiac damage

Lorraine Moller winning the first
ever London Marathon.
Now over 50yrs and still no signs of
heart damage!
Older runners can compete in marathons without worrying about permanent cardiac damage, a new study has found. Headed up by Manitoba University professor Davinder Jassal, a team of researchers subjected a group of healthy volunteers from the 2010 and 2011 Manitoba Full Marathons to blood tests, heart ultrasounds, and CT and MRI scans. The group discovered that marathon runners over 50 had the same temporary cardiac abnormalities post-race as younger runners, but didn't incur any permanent damage. "What our study shows is that if you've trained well and you've done your homework in terms of keeping yourself hydrated, things will be OK," Jassal told theCanadian Broadcasting Corporation. The number of Canadians over 50 who run in marathons has doubled over the past two decades.
Via CBC
____________________
Gary:

When you finish a marathon it is "normal" that you muscles will be extremely sore and stiff as boards.  As you cross the line, your legs are more than likely operating like wooden ones than anything else.  And it will be several days before you are even half way back to running "normally"!

Your heart is a muscle and it is equally affected.  If we were to monitor the blood pressures and pulse of a marathon runner for several hour following running a marathon (I have done this) we will find that the pulse remains weak and unresponsive and blood pressure low to the point of being downright unhealthy.  Fortunately, as this report above bears out, there does not appear to be lasting damage.

Having said this I would still take great care of my heart if I were you - runner or not.  Marathon running does not confer immunity from heart disease.  Here's a ground-breaking article on the subject:
http://blog.garymoller.com/2011/07/more-about-reversing-cardiovascular.html

_______________________________________
About this website
The advice in these articles is given freely without promise or obligation.  Its all about giving you and your family the tools and information to take control of your health and fitness.

Monday, August 15, 2011

More about reversing arteriosclerosis

Dear Gary,

Read your last mail subject ... with great excitement how did you do this as we are all told it is irreversible?
I have suffered with this condition since my mid 40s. I am now 67 still moving about but with restrictions.
Are you willing to share the knowledge because I would like to live something like a normal life as would many others with this condition?

"I"
_______________________________
Gary:
"I" is referring to this article about reversing arteriosclerosis.  Arteriosclerosis is the process of increasing stiffness of the arterial walls, principally through calcifying.  This is a dynamic process that can go either way.  If there is an excess of calcium in circulation in the presence of inflammation, this may drive the process of laying down of calcium deposits in the arterial walls and elsewhere - but not the bones.  This process can be reversed if inflammation is eliminated and the concentration of free calcium relative to other minerals is reduced.

Arteriosclerosis is a process that builds over decades, perhaps beginning within your first ten years of life, eventually presenting as an intractable disease (Poor circulation, high blood pressure, heart problems, stroke, dementia, arthritis).  These conditions are not really the cause - they are the result - the cause is inflammation and calcification.  Drugs that reduce blood pressure and calm the heart may be necessary to rescue a precarious situation; but they do not address the underlying causes - they merely rescue and quell the symptoms.  The underlying causes continue to wreak their damage with the inevitability that the drugs will no longer be able to keep the lid screwed tight - something, somewhere in the body will blow with catastrophic consequences.

The key to health success is to identify the underlying drivers of disease and then to reduce and, hopefully, eliminate them altogether.

Treat the causes of disease - not the symptoms

The first step to take is to get a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis completed and to go through the report with me.  This test helps us see what is going on inside your cells and to compare your profile with that of healthy populations and people with similar health conditions.  Armed with this information, we then commence a programme of diet, supplements and lifestyle changes with the purpose of gradually nudging you towards the profiles of healthy populations.  The Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis will need to be repeated every 6-12 months to guide the programme.  Its actually quite a simple process but it does takes a huge amount of patience and persistence.

Reversing a process that may have been percolating away for decades can not be reversed overnight.

Yes! Success requires persistence and time - as well as being prepared to spend some money.  In addition to dietary changes each hair analysis costs about $220-$240 and there will be some supplements to take and these will amount to about $4-6 per day for as long as you can see and feel you are heading in the right direction.

A final point to make: Getting from poor health to good health is not a steady upwards climb; but more a series of lifts, dips and plateaus.  There may be times that you go backwards.  We all go through highs and lows of energy.  Right now, during the depths of winter, most of us tend to be less well than at other times of the year.  Some people describe it as being like walking up a very steep sand dune: Five steps up, four down, three up, five down, five up, two down and on and on and on it goes.  Hard work but well worth the effort over the long run.  No matter how long it takes, you will eventually make it to the top.

But what happens when you make it to the top?  Well, the cynic says there is only one way from there and that's down!  I like to be more positive: The challenge is to stay on top, if there ever is an actual "top".  The idea is to die healthy - a long time from now!



_______________________________________
About this website
The advice in these articles is given freely without promise or obligation.  Its all about giving you and your family the tools and information to take control of your health and fitness.  Please give me your support by subscribing to my free email updates. Please shop at my Online Store. Please encourage your family and friends to do the same. While we may not always be able to compete with the big operators on price, we aim to more than compensate through personal service!

Your email address:

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Do you have a question?  Email Gary: gary@myotec.co.nz. Include any relevant background information to your question.  Please be patient and be aware that I may not be able to answer every inquiry in detail, depending on workloads (My paying clients take precedence!). I will either reply by email or, most likely, by way of an article (Personal identifying details will be removed before publication).

Monday, August 01, 2011

Low Salt Diet Found to Increase Mortality

by Jeffrey Dach MD

The Low Salt Diet Revisited

A recent study on the effect of a low salt diet made headlines, finding that a low salt diet increases mortality for patients with congestive heart failure.(1-6)  The study concluded there was not enough evidence to advise a low-salt diet for the rest of us.  They doubted a low salt diet would benefit the population.(6)  In this article we will re-examine the low salt diet, clear away the confusion, and make recommendations about salt intake, hypertension, and health.  

http://jeffreydach.com/2011/07/22/low-salt-diet-found-to-increase-mortality-by-jeffrey-dach-md.aspx
__________________________
Gary:
Thanks you Dr Dach for such a comprehensive review of the evidence and for backing up what I have been saying for several years now - salt is good for you! (So long as it is the right kind).

I have more than quadrupled my intake of salt over recent years, after a decade or two of trying to restrict intake. This increase has been principally through the use of Himalayan Sea Salt which most closely replicates the mineral makeup found in the healthy human being.  Despite this big increase in salt intake my blood pressure is a healthy 100/70 and I feel great.

Here is what I have written most recently on the subject of water consumption and salt.

And here about low salt diets.

And about reversing cardiovascular disease.

Please help get the word out by passing this article onto others, thanks.

_______________________________________
About this website
The advice in these articles is given freely without promise or obligation.  Its all about giving you and your family the tools and information to take control of your health and fitness.  Please give me your support by subscribing to my free email updates. Please shop at my Online Store. Please encourage your family and friends to do the same. While we may not always be able to compete with the big operators on price, we aim to more than compensate through personal service!

Your email address:

Powered by FeedBlitz
Do you have a question?  Email Gary: gary@myotec.co.nz. Include any relevant background information to your question.  Please be patient and be aware that I may not be able to answer every inquiry in detail, depending on workloads (My paying clients take precedence!). I will either reply by email or, most likely, by way of an article (Personal identifying details will be removed before publication).

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Cardiovascular Disease (Arteriosclerosis) Reversed - Here is the evidence!

The Author (58 yrs) back on his bike.
Strong heart, strong circulation.
Evidence of magnesium malabsorptivity and  adrenal fatigue.
By age 50, my blood pressure was all over the place and I was consulting a cardiologist about an irregular pulse.  I was tired - damn tired!  In addition, my left knee was getting worse, two operations later.  On my 50th birthday my partner, Alofa, gave me a surf kayak.  She knew it and I got the message - my legs had had enough, I was tired and it was time for sit-down past-times.  Arthritis and cardiovascular disease were starting to rear their ugly heads in less than subtle ways.  If this was how I felt at fifty, how was I going to feel at sixty?  Seventy? Eighty?  I did not like the imagery going through my head.

Evidence of calcium (Ca) excretion: Ca in hair sample has doubled,
despite adoption of a low calcium diet!  Mg now being absorbed.
Getting worse before getting better:  Metabolism has
deteriorated from "Slow 3"to "Slow 4".
It was time for some serious intervention!  Several years on, I can report brilliant success.

Please read this article about cholesterol and cardiovascular disease in conjunction with what I have written below.

Slowing turning to stone
The principal driver of cardiovascular disease - leading to ailments like heart attack, stroke, loss of circulation to limbs, impotence, declining eyesight and dementia - is calcium deposition into soft tissues - including the blood vessels - aided by chronic inflammation (More about inflammation in a future article).

Ca has skyrocketed to an astonishing 215 from an original of 40 despite low
Ca diet!  Major Ca dump is occurring from soft tissues.  Blood pressure
has normalised.  Brain works better.  Aerobic capacity and
endurance have improved to where they were about 20 years ago.
This process of gradual calcification happens over decades and affects at least 80% of the New Zealand population.  It sneaks up on us. This leads to a number of ageing-related health issues, including osteoporosis, gall stones, weight gain, thyroid disorders arthritis and arteriosclerosis.  We are going to focus on arteriosclerosis in this  article.

My Hair Tissue Mineral Analyses, which now cover several years, show how I reversed this most unwanted process of gradually turning to stone.

Calcium dump from soft tissues continues, though at a lower level.
Mercury also continues to be excreted via the hair cells.  Sense of
well-being continues to improve, as do measure of cardiovascular
health.  Athletic performances defy age.
Arteriosclerosis is the deposition of calcium in the walls of the arterial blood vessels of the body.  This causes a gradual loss of flexibility and scarring of the blood vessels.  there is a progressive die-off of the tiniest of blood vessels (arterioles) and this may be seen as purple spider veins on the cheeks, chin, legs and ankles.  As this process of arterial calcification and tiny blood vessel die-off progresses, there is a gradual increase in blood pressure and a steady reduction of blood flow to the limb and organs, including the brain.  When your optometrist looks into the rear of your eyes, one of the things she is assessing is the health of the tiny blood vessels that nourish the retina: Arteriosclerosis causes a progressive die-off of these tiny vessels.  Arteriosclerosis explains why cardiovascular related ailments are the leading causes of disability and death in New Zealand.

Calcium dump continues.  Magnesium (Mg) by supplementation is being
 absorbed into the organs (Compare Mg levels with the first chart).
Mercury (Hg) continues to be excreted, but at much lower levels.
Health and athlete performance continue to improve, despite now
being several years older.
Arteriosclerosis happens when there is an imbalance of calcium circulating in the body relative to quite a number of nutrients, including magnesium, sodium, potassium, copper, zinc, phosphorus, selenium and various other nutrients including pyridoxine and vitamin D.



Toxins such as mercury and lead,  even in the tiniest amounts, may interfere with calcium metabolism, leading to calcium deposition in unwanted places like the joints and blood vessels.  High calcium plus toxic elements gives you a double whammy of calcium deposition.

Excess Calcium = Premature Ageing
If circulating calcium can not be properly utilised inside the cells, such as for bone, muscle and nerve function, it will end up precipitating into the spaces between the cells of the soft tissues, causing them to be clogged by chalk.  This chalkiness may contribute to transparent dry skin, fine wrinkles, brittle nails, lifeless hair and unsightly spider veins.  Deposition in joints drives arthritis.  Because excess calcium affects thyroid function, the affected person may feel very tired, suffer cold hands and feet, sleep restlessly and gain weight about the hips and waist. Libido may be poor to non-existent.

Reversing arteriosclerosis
Everything I have been taught, to date, is that the processes of arteriosclerosis are progressive and irreversible: All that can be done is to mask or alleviate the symptoms with drugs and surgery.  This is a bleak point of view: Dementia, impotence, stroke, heart attack, arthritis - inevitable?  We now know that this process of calcification can be halted and even reversed.  But it does take time and a whole lot of effort.

Please refer to the charts above: These document the commencement and the ongoing process of my body mobilising and then dumping excess calcium from my soft tissues over several years.  During this period, I have repeated the Hair Tissue Mineral Analyses about once a year to guide me as to what I should be doing with my diet and supplementation.

The first chart hints of the imbalances that drive the the process of calcium deposition into the soft tissues.  Dietary and supplement measures were then put in place to reverse this process and this appears in the next chart as improvements in the uptake of Mg and other minerals and an associated dump of excess calcium commencing. The third chart show this dumping gather astonishing pace, while the fourth and fifth charts show that the calcium dump has peaked and is now in decline but still continuing to this day.

The process of "detoxification" can bring about periods of discomfort when it may be that you feel you are going backwards.  In my case, when I look at the big picture of progress overall, since 2007, the gains have been absolutely amazing!  I feel half my age and the stop watch does not lie - My athletic performance is at least as good as it was during my 30's.  Incidentally, I am carrying more muscle than I did back then which is unusual because muscle is lost as we get older - and this despite no longer working out in a gym.

Here are some of the things I have noticed have improved since 50 years:

Libido
A good measure of general health, including circulation is libido which, for me, is at least as good as it was decades ago; but that's as much detail as you're going to get out of me!

Cholesterol 
I have been keeping an eye on my cholesterol for over 20 years and it has been steadily creeping up, even despite being on a cholesterol lowering diet.  For the first time ever, cholesterol levels have started to trend down.  And this is despite my quadrupling my intake of fats and proteins during the same period!


Skin Kerastoses
I used to visit the dermatologist about once every two years to get precancerous skin kerastoses burned off - there has been no need for the last five years because they have all dropped off or faded away!

Joint Arthritis
My left knee is close to 100% pain free and functional which is miraculous.  It should be getting worse at my age - not better.  I am able to ride a bike and run competitively without discomfort or limitation.

Blood Pressure
My blood pressure at 50 years was all over the place, often above 150/90 and at times less than 100/60.  It is now consistently about 120/80 and I can fell the difference.

Pulse
I did consult a cardiologist about ten years ago regarding an excessively low pulse and irregular rhythm.  At one point, my peak pulse in a lab stress test was 109 beats per minute!  Normal maximum pulse is 220- Your Age, so I was in trouble back then.  Both these issues have completely resolved in line with what is indicated in the Hair Tissue Analysis Reports; but the real proof is the regaining of my sporting Mojo in quite spectacular fashion.  My peak heart rate during exercise is now slightly over 180 beats per minute which is excellent for my age and there are very few veteran male athletes in New Zealand who can outdo me on the cardiovascular stamina front.

The Challenge Ahead
This exercise of improving and maintaining good health is never finished because the natural processes of ageing dictate that one's physiology must eventually fall into terminal disrepair, resulting in death.  The challenge is to keep the wheels of the machinery of life bolted on tight and turning despite the ravages of time and life itself.  Of course, this exercise of staying healthy gets more difficult as time passes.  Depressing as it might be to think about these matters, I actually find it to be a fascinating challenge.

My goal is to die healthy, quickly and with a smile.  Hopefully I will wake up one morning only to discover I am dead.  Hopefully that is many years away!

Please read this article about cholesterol and cardiovascular disease in conjunction with what I have written above.

_______________________________________
About this website
The advice in these articles is given freely without promise or obligation.  Its all about giving you and your family the tools and information to take control of your health and fitness.  Please give me your support by subscribing to my free email updates. Please shop at my Online Store. Please encourage your family and friends to do the same. While we may not always be able to compete with the big operators on price, we aim to more than compensate through personal service!






Your email address:

Powered by FeedBlitz
Do you have a question?  Email Gary: gary@myotec.co.nz. Include any relevant background information to your question.  Please be patient and be aware that I may not be able to answer every inquiry in detail, depending on workloads (My paying clients take precedence!). I will either reply by email or, most likely, by way of an article (Personal identifying details will be removed before publication).

Monday, June 15, 2009

Statin Drugs: The Treatment was a Success - However, the Patient Fell Apart

10 June, 2008
“Since this time I have struggled with incredible muscle stiffness and pain. I feel 70 years old no joke intended. This year in a 4 month period I suffered the following injuries or disorders.

Compartment Syndrome Both Legs, Operation for Release of calf muscles. Groin Tear. Physio Rest. 8 Weeks. Hernia, Operation Repair. Detachment of Left Bicep Tendon to the forearm, Surgery next week. 6 week in cast + Long recovery. Hip? Back Disorder . Pain Left Buttock to ITB and Calf. MRI to be done next week then off to the Orthopaedic again.

My Question to any one is what the hell do I do about this extreme muscle stiffness that continues to cause injuries. I guess I will start with giving up the Lipitor, however my readings were up around 7.8 and its Hereditary cholesterol.”
(Male 48yrs)
_____________________________
Gary responds:
I was guest speaker at a cardiac rehabilitation conference last week. It was sponsored by a statin manufacturer which I duly noted on arrival.

Should I recount my experiences to the conference audience of the carnage I encounter every week from the side effects of statins? I was reminded of the John Cleese "Fawlty Towers" skit about "Don't mention the War" while in the prescence of his German guests. Of course, Basil Fawlty (John Cleese) could not resist the temptation, adding a few goose steps and Nazi salutes for good measure. Well, I did a John Cleese. I had to be true to myself and not shut up lest I offend the people paying the bills. The conference organsiers were very good about it and thanked me and generously gave me an Icebreaker Merino Beanie as a gift.

Some statins appear worse than others. Regardless, there is a common thread of fatigue, joint and muscle pain and muscle damage to the severity of rupture.

Unless there is an urgent and compelling case for administering these drugs, safe natural alternatives should be tried and exhausted before resorting to them. If a person is on these drugs they should be taking daily Coenzyme Q-10 to help offset the damage.

If a person on a statin reports fatigue, brain fog, muscel and joint pain, the possibility of the stain being a contributor should be considered and not ignored as it most often is. It should be withdrawn immediately and replaced with natural alternatives, including Coenzyme Q-10.

There is a general reluctance by doctors to withdraw an offending drug - Why?

Is it because to do so implies that there is harm by prescription with all the potential ramifications of a complaint being made to the Health and Disability Commissioner and a claim laid with ACC for medical error? No doctor want this with all the disruption to their practice and everything else that goes with an investigation. Better to say nothing, keep the patient on the drugs, tell the patient they have Polymyalgia caused by a mystery virus and prescribe prednisone and methotrexate.

There are many alternatives to taking a statin. Read the many articles and follow the links to the likes of Dr Dach's website.

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Do you have a question?
Email Gary: gary at myotec.co.nz (Replace the "at" with @ and remove spaces). Please include any relevant background information to your question.

Sunday, July 08, 2007

Stroke study misses the point

Stroke rates have been falling over the past 20 years, but findings from an extensive study have
found that Maori and Pacifi c populations in Auckland are not benefi ting from this drop. Research carried out by HRC Pacific Health PhD scholar Kristie Carter, shows that stroke rates for Pacific people have increased since 1981 to almost double that of New Zealand Europeans.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in New Zealand and a major cause of disability. This number is predicted to double by 2020.

The study has drawn similar conclusions to related research in the United States and the United Kingdom, which showed disparities between African-Americans and Caucasians.
________________________

Gary Moller Comments:
With the other half of my family being Polynesian, I feel I have a reasonably good insight into the healthcare practices of Polynesians, including the standard of health services provided. The standard of health care; especially following an episode of ill health could be much, much better and much more can be done to improve risk factors, principally diet, which trends away from healthy traditional foods to most unhealthy Western junk food.

However; an equally important factor and probably the most important reason why Maori, Pacific Islanders and Africans suffer substantial declines in health status across the board, when moving from their natural homelands to higher latitudes and large cities, is Vitamin D deficiency. While I need just 5 minutes of sunlight a day to keep healthy, my darker skinned relatives require from 10-50 times as much sunlight, depending on their complexion.

In some populations as many as 90% of urbanised dark skinned people are Vitamin D deficient and this greatly increases their susceptibility to all kinds of serious health problems including heart attack, heart failure, diabetes, stroke, internal cancers, depression and osteoporosis.

While studies, like the one referred to here are useful, I remain frustrated that the obvious and extemely well documented role of Vitamin D (Obtained mainly via sunlight) continues to be ignored by health experts who should know much better. Vitamin D levels are seldom, if ever measured, in cases of ill health, including stroke.

If any of your family or friends suffers a bad turn of health, including stroke, insist that his or her doctor orders a test of Vitamin D levels in their blood.


To be exact; what you are asking to be measured is their "25(OH) vitamin D". If those levels are found to be below 40 ng/ml, you must get those levels boosted immediately and the best way to do that is to recommend an extended holiday in a place like tropical Rarotongo or Samoa.