Cardiovascular Health Archives - Dan Hammer Health LTD

Eliminating Heart Disease Naturally Thru Nitric Oxide Therapy

Archive for Cardiovascular Health

CoVid19 and Endothelial Health

Posted by Dan Hammer //

11/08/2020

My daughter sent me an article from NPR that talks about CoVid19 and endothelial health. The title of the article is “Clots, Strokes And Rashes. Is COVID-19 A Disease Of The Blood Vessels?”

As more and more research is being done on the CoVid19 virus, one of the areas of focus has been the lining of the vascular system.

This lining is call the endothelium.

It’s only one-cell thick. But it actually regulates most of your cardiovascular health.

To give you an idea how large this tissue is, there is approximately 60,000 miles to the average vascular system. This includes all your arteries, veins, and capillaries. Lining all of this is the endothelium. If you took it out and laid the endothelium on the ground it would cover the surface area of a football field.

That’s a lot of surface volume.

Dr. William Li, who is a vascular biologist and the founder of the Angiogenesis Foundation, compared the endothelium to a freshly resurfaced ice skating rink before a hockey game. Smooth ice that allows the players and puck to glide smoothly.

However, the CoVid19 virus has an effect on the enthelium. In Dr. Li words,

“When the virus damages the inside of the blood vessel and shreds the lining, that’s like the ice after a hockey game. You wind up with a situation that is really untenable for blood flow.”

Dr. Li and his researchers came to this conclusion when they compared the lung tissues of people who died from CoVid19 to those who died from influenza. CoVid19 patients had nine times as many tiny blood clots when compared to influenza patients. And the endothelial lining of the blood vessels of the lungs were severely injured.

A normally functioning endothelium helps to: Read More →

Methylation and Gene Expression

Posted by Dan Hammer //

11/01/2020

There is emerging science on how methylation and gene expression are critical to good health and disease prevention. Now before we dive into this subject let’s define these words:

Methylation – this is a biological process where your body adds a “methyl group” or molecule to another substance to enable it to function properly.

Gene Expression – is the process the body uses to take the information encoded in a gene and use it to direct the assembly of a protein molecule.

Optimal methylation enables gene expression to properly occur. If gene expression is properly used, then the correct protein molecules are created to help people stay healthy.

Another way to state this relationship between methylation and gene expression comes from Life Extension:

“Methylation controls genes that must precisely turn “on” and “off” in order to maintain cellular health.”

This means that proper methylation is essential to maintaining your health and all the biochemical reactions that need to take place. Here’s one example how this works:

Methylation and Gene Expression – Excess Homocysteine

Homocysteine is an amino acid that causes inflammation of the endothelium, which lines all of your cardiovascular system. This inflammation has been associated with both circulatory and neurological concerns.

Proper methylation is used to detoxify homocysteine. This helps to keep its level in check.

As we age, the methylation process can be disrupted.

One of the reasons for this is the inability to convert dietary folate or folic acid into the biologically active formed called methylated folate or 5-MTHF.

Why is this called 5-MTHF? Because there are at least 5 steps the body uses to convert folate to this final form. Here’s the process: Read More →

5 Key Health Benefits of Cayenne Pepper!

Posted by Dan Hammer //

10/15/2020

I was talking with one of my long-standing clients and he reminded me of the health benefits of cayenne pepper. He uses this ingredient to help him with both digestive and cardiovascular health concerns.

And he believes that cayenne pepper has been a key ingredient for a long and healthy life.

He is not the only person who believe in the health benefits of cayenne pepper. Many consider this herb to be the “King of Medicinal Herbs.” For example:

“If you master only one herb in your life, master cayenne pepper. It is more powerful than any other.” – Dr. Schulze

“Cayenne pepper – prized for thousands of years for its healing power. Folklore from around the world recounts amazing results using cayenne pepper in simple healing and in baffling health problems. But cayenne pepper is not just a healer from ancient history. Recent clinical studies have been conducted on many of the old-time health applications for this miracle herb. Again and again, the therapeutic value of cayenne pepper has been medically validated.” – Dr. Patrick Quillin from The Healing Power of Cayenne Pepper.

Of these two quotes. Dr. Patrick Quillin is the more recognizable name. Dr. Quillin served from 1990 to 2000 as the Vice President of Nutrition for Cancer Treatment Centers of America. His 15 books have sold over 1 million copies and include the best sellers Healing Nutrients and Beating Cancer with Nutrition.

Before we look at the 5 key health benefit of cayenne pepper, it’s important to note its nutritional value. One tablespoon or 5 grams contains the following:

44% of the RDI for Vitamin A

8% of the RDI for Vitamin E

7% of the RDI for Vitamin C

6% of the RDI for Vitamin B6

5% of the RDI for Vitamin K

5% of the RDI for Manganese

3% of the RDI for Potassium

3% of the RDI for Riboflavin

And the active ingredient that gives cayenne pepper its potency as a medicinal herb is capsaicin. This ingredient also gives this herb its hot taste. The higher the amount of capsaicin, the hotter the taste.

Which is one of the reasons why people do not use cayenne pepper as part of their daily food intake. However, there are ways around this. But before we discuss this, let’s look at the following health benefits of cayenne peppers: Read More →

Health Benefits of Serrapeptase

Posted by Dan Hammer //

10/08/2020

Here in America most people are completely unfamiliar with the health benefits of Serrapeptase. But in Europe and Asia, this proteolytic enzyme is prescribed for a wide range of health issues, especially as an anti-inflammatory that is without side effects. But more on this later.

In fact I had never heard of Serrapeptase until a doctor friend of mine suggested I research it for one of my health articles. He personally uses it as a way to lower his risk for cardiovascular disease, while protecting himself from infections.

As stated Serrapeptase is a proteolytic enzyme. This type of enzyme breaks down proteins into amino acids.

It is produced in the gut of silkworms to help them digest their cocoons. Hence the image at the top of this article.

When isolated and coated for human consumption, this enzyme acts as an anti-inflammatory and pain-blocker. Similar to aspirin and ibuprofen, this enzyme eases inflammation and may prevent pain.

But without side effects like ulcers, stomach bleeding, and blood thinning.

Multiple studies have shown it to be extremely effective in reducing inflammation in the ears, nose, and throat.

While much still needs to be leaned about the health benefits of Serrapeptase, it is thought to work in three ways: Read More →

Health Benefits of Onions

Posted by Dan Hammer //

10/01/2020

Today we’re going to look at the health benefits of onions. Just as there are multiple layers to this vegetable, with multiple ways you can cook it, there are also multiple health benefits of onions.

Onions belong to the allium family of vegetables, which include garlic, shallots, chives, and leeks. This means they are a good source of sulfur, which help in both detoxification and protein formation. But they also have important antibacterial and immune-boosting properties.

And while modern day medicine is beginning to acknowledge these health benefits, onions have been used since the beginning of recorded history as key to treating a wide range of health concerns.

Nutrient Dense

A medium onion is only 44 calories but packed with key vitamins and minerals. It is high in vitamin C, which is a key nutrient in helping to regulate your immune system. And as a powerful antioxidant, it helps to protect you from free radical damage. This means that it can aid in reducing cellular membrane damage and inflammation.

Onions are also a good source of both B6 and B9, which aid in regulating your immune system. Plus these two B vitamins play a key role in metabolism, nerve function, and the production of red blood cells.

And like bananas, they are a good source of potassium, which is key for proper muscle relaxation.

Heart Health

As already noted onions help to fight inflammation. Inflammation is at the heart of almost all cardiovascular health issues.

A key antioxidant found in onions is the flavonoid quercetin, which has been shown to be a powerful anti-inflammatory ingredient that helps to reduce heart disease risk factors. One of which is helping to reduce cholesterol levels.

Antioxidant Powerhouse

As I’ve shared many times in my health articles, antioxidants protect you from free radical damage. Plus they inhibit oxidation. It is oxidized LDL cholesterol that typically starts plaque formation in the vascular system.

Onions contain over 25 different flavonoid compounds, which all act as excellent sources of antioxidants.

Particular to red onions is the flavonoid called anthocyanins. There are multiple population studies that show how a diet rich in anthocyanins can lower the risk of a heart attack in men by 14% and for women by 32%. Read More →

Statin Drugs and CoQ10

Posted by Dan Hammer //

09/22/2020

If you are on cholesterol lowering medication, then you need to know about statin drugs and CoQ10. Statin drugs are designed to interfere with the liver’s production of cholesterol. This interference can significantly reduce the cholesterol levels in your blood stream.

Statin drugs also have some significant side effects like fatigue and muscle pain.

But what usually gets overlooked is that statins deplete CoQ10 from your body. The same pathway that produces cholesterol in the liver also produces CoQ10.

CoQ10 is a needed energy source for multiple organ system. Two of which are your heart and kidneys.

As you age your body’s ability to naturally produce CoQ10 declines with age. For example, on average CoQ10 levels decrease by the following percentage when compared to age 20:

For Your Kidneys: 27% reduction by age 40 and a 35% reduction by age 80.
For Your Heart: 32% reduction by age 40 and a 57% reduction by age 80.

If your physician has you on a statin drug, then this can drive your CoQ10 levels even lower.

To help you better understand this decrease, there is a 2004 study that looked at the effects statin drugs had on CoQ10 blood levels. The average age of the study participants was 70 years old. At the start of the study the baseline levels of blood CoQ10 was 1.26 mcg/mL.

After 14 days on a statin drug the CoQ10 blood levels dropped to .67 mcg/mL. And at the 30 day mark they were down to .62 mcg/mL.

This was a 49% reduction. And most of this reduction occurred in the first two weeks.

Optimal blood levels of CoQ10 for normal people without heart disease should be between 2 – 3 mcg/mL. And for heart failure patients, it is recommended that their CoQ10 blood levels be around 4 mcg/mL or higher.

As you can clearly see by this study, statin drugs lowered blood CoQ10 to dangerously low levels.

This is why statin drugs and CoQ10 is a very serious matter.

Additionally, statin drugs also interfere with the synthesis of vitamin K2. Vitamin K2 is needed to regulate calcium levels in the blood stream.

It does this by keeping calcium in the bones where is belongs.

Without proper vitamin K2 levels, calcium can enter epithelial cells causing hardening of arteries, heart, and kidneys.

All of these statin effects can lead to other health issues like muscle pain, cramps, weakness, and a feeling of tiredness.

In a 2018 meta-analysis of 12 randomized, controlled trials two key observations were noted: Read More →

Health Benefits of Quercetin

Posted by Dan Hammer //

09/15/2020

Today we’re going to talk about the health benefits of quercetin, which is a plant flavoniod that helps to address multiple health issues.

Quercetin is found in a wide range of foods such as grape skins, red onions, green tea, and tomatoes. And while this ingredient is naturally abundant in plant foods, most people do not get enough quercetin through their daily diets.

Part of the reason why is that the American diet is centered on high protein from animal sources. Or high in carbohydrates from processed grains, which strips out needed nutrients.

This is unfortunate because the research clearly shows the health benefits of quercitin on a wide range of concerns.

Cardiovascular Disease

The number one killer of all people is cardiovascular disease. Quercetin can be a significant help in this area. In a study of 805 men that ranged in age from 65-84 years old, those with the highest intake of quercetin were 68% less likely to die from coronary heart disease when compared to those with the lowest intake.

Other studies in this areas showed a reduction in death rates of 31% for women and 24% for men, when all causes were factored. And scientists attribute this reduction to several key factors, which include the following:

Reduction of dangerous accumulations of abdominal and liver fat.
Reduction in total cholesterol.
Reduction in LDL (Bad) cholesterol.
Increase in HDL (Good) cholesterol.
Reduction in blood sugar.
Reduction in blood pressure.
Increased plasma levels of nitric oxide.
Inhibits platelet aggregation to reduce potential for blood clots.
Inhibits the oxidation of LDL cholesterol.

This last benefit of inhibiting the oxidation of LDL cholesterol is significant because oxidized LDL cholesterol causes vascular inflammation that leads to plaque formation and the disease know as atherosclerosis.

In one human study, those who supplemented with just 30 mg/day of quercetin had a 28% reduction in LDL oxidation in as little as two weeks.

Cancer

The second leading cause of death in the United States is cancer. This is another area that the health benefits of quercetin show up. Numerous research studies have shown those with the highest intake of quercetin had a significantly lower risk for most of the leading causes of cancer. For example: Read More →

Combining Walnuts and Pecans for Heart Health

Posted by Dan Hammer //

06/15/2020

When it comes to heart health, combining walnuts and pecans can be a winning team. Most of the positive press associated with using nuts for heart health goes to walnuts. But pecans can also be a positive force for good cardiovascular health.

To start our discussion I’d like to do a nutritional comparison of these two nuts. And I’m going to use information from Dr. Edward Group of Global Healing.. Below is his table comparing one ounce of walnuts to one ounce of pecans:

https://globalhealing.com/natural-health/pecans-vs-walnuts/

Nutrient	Walnuts (14 halves)	Pecans (19 halves)
Water	1.15g	1g
Calories	185kcal	196kcal
Protein	4.32g	2.6g
Total Fat	18.49g	20.4g
Carbohydrates	3.89g	3.93g
Fiber	1.9g	2.7g
Sugars	0.74g	1.13g
Minerals
Calcium, Ca	28mg	20mg
Iron, Fe	0.82mg	0.72mg
Magnesium, Mg	45mg	34mg
Phosphorus, P	98mg	79mg
Potassium, K	125mg	116mg
Sodium, Na	1mg	0mg
Zinc, Zn	0.88mg	1.28mg
Vitamins
Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid	0.4mg	0.3mg
Thiamin	0.097mg	0.187mg
Riboflavin	0.043mg	0.037mg
Niacin	0.319mg	0.331mg
Vitamin B-6	0.152mg	0.06mg
Folate, DFE	28µg	6µg
Vitamin B12	0µg	0µg
Vitamin A, RAE	0µg	1µg
Vitamin A, IU	6IU	16IU
Vitamin E	0.2mg	0.4mg
Vitamin D (D2 + D3)	0µg	0µg
Vitamin D	0IU	0IU
Vitamin K	0.8µg	1µg
Lipids
Fatty acids, total saturated	1.737g	1.752g
Fatty acids, total monounsaturated	2.533g	11.567g
Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated	13.374g	6.128g
Cholesterol	0mg	0mg
Caffeine	0mg	0mg

Combining Walnuts and Pecans For a Healthy Snack

The key to helping people improve their health is to find healthy snacks that will fuel their body with good nutritional calories.

One ounce of either walnuts or pecans is under 200 calories. This is good.

What makes them a better choice than potato chips is that they will satisfy your hunger and hold your appetite for a longer period of time. And the reason why is their combination of protein and fiber with healthy fats. Read More →

Vitamin D and Heart Health

Posted by Dan Hammer //

05/15/2020

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about CoVid19 and Vitamin D Deficiency. Today I want to focus on vitamin D and heart health.

Additional studies are showing how optimizing your vitamin D intake can help to prevent both heart disease and stroke. And it seems to do this by:

Improving endothelial function
Reducing arterial stiffening

Vitamin D does this by increasing your endothelium’s ability to create nitric oxide. Nitric oxide dilates your blood vessels to improved blood flow.

Additionally, vitamin D helps to decrease the destructive chemical compound called peroxynitrite, which can cause inflammation that leads to arterial stiffness.

Researchers at the Nanomedical Research Laboratory at Ohio University conducted a study that examined this relationship between nitric oxide and peroxynitrite. For simplicity, please remember the following:

Nitric oxide is good
Peroxynitrite is bad

In their study, the researcher introduced a human hormone called angiotensin-II. This hormone causes endothelial dysfunction. The result was a decrease in nitric oxide and an increase in peroxynitrite.

When vitamin D3 was introduced, this was significantly reversed. There was a 10 fold increase in nitric oxide and a 10 fold decrease in peroxynitrite.

This study suggests that by maintaining normal levels of vitamin D in your blood stream, you can help to maintain normal endothelial function. This helps your body to properly produce nitric oxide for improved blood flow.

And, normal levels of vitamin D help to prevent the destructive peroxynitrite, which can cause vascular inflammation that leads to arterial stiffness.

So the question becomes:

How much vitamin D to you need to take to see a benefit? Read More →

Blueberry Polyphenols Reduce Heart Disease

Posted by Dan Hammer //

04/22/2020

Several recent studies have shown how blueberry polyphenols reduce heart disease risk factors. Specifically these polyphenols inhibit the formation of foam cells that lead to atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis is the buildup of fatty deposits called plaque that narrows the arterial wall. The vast majority of heart disease is associated with this process. In fact, here is a simple overview of what happens:

The process starts when monocytes (a type of white blood cell) adheres to the endothelial cells that line your arterial walls.
These monocytes invade this one cell thick lining and develop into macrophages.
Macrophages are used by your body to engulf oxidized LDL cholesterol.
The accumulation of oxidized LDL particles in the macrophages form foam cells.
Foam cells then stimulate the body to produce smooth muscle cells and excess connective tissue, which leads to the narrowing of the inside of the artery or atherosclerosis.

If these foam cells are stable, then the risk for a stroke or heart attack is lower. But if these foam cells are inflamed, then the risk for a heart attack or stroke is significantly increased.

Given the above progression, there are two key points to stop the formation of plaque. One is to prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol. This is where a diet high in antioxidants can play a major role.

And blueberries are high in antioxidants.

The second area is were the polyphenols come in. Blueberries are rich in two types of polyphenols: Read More →