Complete Heart Health: Part I

Healthy Arteries: it is more than just cholesterol, the role of inflammation in arterial health

The Res-Q product line offers a more complete approach to total cardiovascular health. We know that cardiovascular health is about more than just cholesterol. There are other areas that should not be ignored. These other areas of cardiovascular health are gaining more attention and should be inclusive of our cholesterol lowering regimen.

By examining multiple factors for good heart health, we can offer our customers more ways to help maintain healthy arteries and a strong heart, for a more complete, total look at cardiovascular health: the big picture. Cholesterol is only one piece of the puzzle.

You may be aware of the importance of having healthy cholesterol levels. You may even be aware of the role that cholesterol plays with regard to maintaining healthy arteries, but are you aware of the role of inflammation with regard to heart health?


Although there are many topics and many ways to help maintain healthy arteries, let’s look at the topic of inflammation. In 2005, medical news reported that C-Reactive protein may be comparable to LDL cholesterol as an indicator of recurrent coronary events. One report published in the New England Journal of Medicine, suggested maintaining “CRP levels less than 2mg/L” in addition to maintaining healthy LDL cholesterol numbers. The reduced rate of arterial build up was attributed to reductions of both inflammation (crp) and cholesterol (LDL).

According to the American Heart Association, “C-reactive protein (CRP) is one of the acute phase proteins that increase during systemic inflammation. It’s been suggested that testing CRP levels in the blood may be an additional way to assess cardiovascular disease risk.”

To learn more about the role of inflammation in heart health, click here:

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4648


Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to help balance out the inflammatory response produced by the body. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, concluded that taking enough omega-3 from fish oil, decreased production of an inflammatory protein and compound involved in the inflammatory immune response. This means that supplementing with omega-3 can help correct and balance the body’s inflammatory response helping to balance out excess inflammation.

You may already realize the role that inflammation plays in our health, such as those everyday aches and pains, but do you know that inflammation is also a villain to healthy arteries?


It seems that more is involved in maintaining healthy arteries, than just maintaining a cholesterol level that is already within normal range. As mentioned in Time Magazine, Chronic inflammation can “destabilize cholesterol deposits in the coronary arteries.” The article also pointed out that people with normal cholesterol levels were having heart attacks.

The research shows us that anyone maintaining cholesterol levels already within a normal range, can improve their cardiovascular health by adding Res-Q 1250, our pure and potent source of the omega-3 fatty acids to their cholesterol regimen, and possibly add years to their life.

To help maintain healthy arteries, research suggests that maintaining a healthy inflammation level, is just as important as maintaining a healthy cholesterol level, especially in high risk populations and for those taking statin medications.

References:

Medscape Medical News: C-Reactive Protein May Be Comparable to LDL Cholesterol as an Indicator of Recurrent Coronary Events. Jan 6, 2005.
The effect of dietary supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on the synthesis of interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor by mononuclear cells. The New England Journal of Medicine Volume 320:265-271 February 2, 1989. Number 5
Inflammation, Heart Disease and Stroke: The Role of C-Reactive Protein, American Heart Association.
The Fires Within, Time Magazine, February 23, 2004