health topics

Cardiovascular disease refers to diseases that involve the heart, arteries and veins. The major form of cardiovascular disease is called atherosclerosis. Preventable causes of cardiovascular disease include:

• Smoking
• Hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol)
• Obesity
• High blood pressure
• Physical inactivity
• Stress & depression

Nutritional supplementation focuses on controlling cholesterol as a way of contributing to cardiovascular health. Specifically, elevated concentrations of oxidized LDL (low-density lipoprotein) particles have been associated with arethoma formation in the walls of arteries, a condition called atherosclerosis. Another type of blood lipid called HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol has been shown to have beneficial health attributes.

There is mounting evidence pointing to the fact that nutraceutical supplements can improve blood lipid health.

Some of these include:

Dietary Fiber

Plant foods like whole grains, oat bran, barley, meals and more

Omega 3 fatty acids

A broad range of plant and animal-based foods contain omega 3 fatty acids – the most popular of which are fish oil, flaxseed oil and chia seed oil. Omega 3s have an anti-inflammatory effect in the body, decrease the growth of plaque in the arteries, and aid in thinning blood

Phytosterols

Phytosterols (plant sterol and stanol esters) are compounds found in small amounts in foods such as whole grains as well as in many vegetables, fruits, and vegetable oils. They decrease LDL cholesterol, mostly by interfering with the intestinal absorption of cholesterol.

Policosanols

Policosanols are a blend of compounds isolated from natural plant waxes, with sources like sugar cane, beeswax, rice and others. Policosanol contains several long chain fatty alcohols, including octocosanol, hexacosanol and triacontanol. Animal and in-vitro research has shown that these compounds inhibit lipid peroxidation and support macrophage activity.