Dyerberg and group in 1978 reported in the Lancet, a health paradox that they noted in the Greenland Eskimos. The Eskimos, despite a high-fat diet, had a low rate of coronary heart disease. The researchers postulated that a protective effect was provided by the fatty oils present in their diet, rich in meat from seals, caribou and fish. Since then, this inverse relationship between fish intake and cardiovascular disease has become well established.

Fish oils are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Along with omega-6 fatty acids, they are called polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Both of these fatty acids cannot be synthesized by humans and are therefore considered 'essential'. Besides fish, omega-3 fatty acids are also found in walnuts, flaxseed, canola oil, broccoli, cantaloupe, kidney beans, spinach, grape leaves, Chinese cabbage, and cauliflower. Two omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are health and heart protective. A third kind, alpha-linolenic acid, is less potent. Omega-6 fatty acids are detrimental to heart health, and have been associated with depression. Omega-6 fatty acids are abundant in refined vegetable oils commonly used for cooking.

What is the link between fish oil intake and cardiovascular disease protection?

Several studies have shown an inverse relationship between fish consumption and coronary heart disease and death. In the DART study, 2003 men with a previous history of a heart attack were divided into two groups and monitored - one group had an increased fish oil consumption, either by diet or by supplementation compared to the other group, The increased fish oil group had a 29% reduction in death. Studied by Burr and group, this data was published in Lancet in 1989.

In a large GISSI-Prevenzione trial, 11,324 patients with a history of a heart attack were randomly assigned into groups; each group was given either 850 mg omega-3 fatty acid, 300 mg vitamin E, both, or neither. The results showed that the group given the fatty acid alone had a 45% reduction in sudden death and a 20% reduction in all-cause mortality. This was published in Lancet in 1999.

In a review of 11 studies, Markmann and Granbaek found that in populations at a higher risk of coronary heart disease, intake of 40-60 grams of fish per day could reduce the risk of death by 40%-60%. They published their data in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 1999.

How do omega-3 fatty acids protect against heart disease?

Fish oils lower blood pressure and serum triglyceride levels. They also have anti-arrhythmic, anti-thrombotic, anti-atherosclerotic, and anti-inflammatory properties. They also improve endothelial function. All these effects protect against heart attacks from coronary heart disease and sudden death due to an irregular heart rhythm.

How much omega-3 fatty acids do you need?

It is recommended that the daily intake of omega-3 fatty acid be 2.85 g/day. Healthy marine sources are fresh tuna, sardines, salmon, herring, trout and oysters. Fish should be grilled, baked, or broiled -- not fried. Fried fish loses all of its benefits. This lack of benefit from fried fish was documented by Mozaffarian in the Cardiovascular Health Study published in Circulation in 2003. As noted earlier, omega-3 fatty acids are also found in walnuts, flaxseed, canola oil, broccoli, cantaloupe, kidney beans, spinach, grape leaves, Chinese cabbage, and cauliflower. Recently, omega-3 fatty acid enriched eggs have become available in the supermarkets and can help meet the daily requirements. If one is unable to eat enough fish or other food sources of omega-3 fatty acids, fish oil supplementation should be considered. The usual amount is 1 gm EPA and DHA per day, although your physician may recommend higher doses in certain situations.

Is fish safe?

Fish at the top of the food chain often contain significant levels of methylmercury, polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxins, and other environmental contaminants. These include mackerel, shark, swordfish, and tile fish (golden bass or golden snapper). The FDA advises pregnant women, women wanting to become pregnant, nursing mothers and children to avoid these fish as they may be at an increased risk of mercury intoxication.

Are fish oils safe?

In general, most fish oils sold over the counter in the USA are safe. The FDA in 1997 indicated that the consumption of up to 3 g EPA + DHA/day from all sources is safe for American adults. Fish oils do not interact with other drugs and usually have no side effects. Fishy aftertaste can be lessened by keeping the supplements in the freezer. Rarely nausea, bloating and belching can occur. Excessive intake may cause bleeding. There is only one FDA approved fish oil preparation in the USA. It is available by prescription under the trade name of Omacor. Because of a patented refining process, toxins such as mercury are completely removed, It also has more PUFAs - 90% compared with 60% in some commercially available products. This makes Omacor more reliable and efficacious.



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Testosterone is predominantly produced by the testes in men. Small quantities are produced by the ovaries in women. The adrenal glands also produce small amounts in both sexes. Testosterone plays a key role in sexual functioning. Besides helping in the production of sperms, this steroid hormone also enhances libido, increases energy, helps produce red blood cells and protects against osteoporosis. Testosterone is an androgen and an anabolic steroid.

The blood levels of testosterone vary over a wide range. Testosterone levels gradually start declining during the third or early fourth decade of life at a constant rate. As a result, older men have significantly lower levels compared to their younger counterparts. Testosterone levels may also be low due to several diseases. The cutoff number is 250 ng/dL, levels below these are considered low.

What is the connection between testosterone and heart disease?

Low testosterone levels have been associated with increased risk of development and death from cardiovascular disease. In a recent study by Laughlin and associates, men with low levels and in the lowest quartile were 40% more likely to die early, especially from cardiovascular diseases. These findings were unaffected by age, lipid levels and other risk factors. The study involved 794 men aged 50-91 years, who were monitored for 20 years. The study was published in 2008 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.

In 2007, results of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer in Norfolk Study were published in Circulation. In this study, Khaw and associates monitored 11,000 patients aged 40-79 for their testosterone levels and death. They found that the latter were inversely related - low testosterone levels correlated with a higher rate of death from cardiovascular disease, cancer and all other causes.

In another study, Shores and colleagues, found that low testosterone levels were associated with an increased risk for mortality in male veterans. The male population was over 40 years of age and did not have prostate cancer. The study was done in Seattle and published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in 2006.

How does low testosterone cause cardiovascular disease?

The exact mechanism by which low testosterone causes cardiovascular disease is not clear, but there are several postulated mechanisms . Patients with low testosterone levels tend to have more visceral obesity. Visceral obesity is responsible for the apple shaped body (as compared to the pear shaped body, in which the fat is predominantly deposited in the hips and buttocks). More commonly, this is called the 'pot belly' or 'beer belly'. The visceral fat is packed in between the internal organs in the peritoneal cavity (abdominal cavity). In contrast the subcutaneous fat is found under the skin and the intramuscular fat in the skeletal muscle. Visceral fat is more metabolically active and synthesizes more heart unhealthy fatty acids, triglycerides, and adipokines than nonvisceral fat. Low testosterone is also associated with the development of metabolic syndrome and diabetes. In a study published in 2007, men in the lowest levels of testosterone were four times more likely to develop diabetes when compared to men with the highest levels. This data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, was published by Selvin and group in Diabetes Care. Patients with low testosterone levels have higher levels of insulin and triglycerides, both detrimental to the cardiovascular system.

Should you take testosterone to reduce heart disease?

There has been no scientific study in which testosterone replacement has been found to reduce heart disease. A study has just not been done. However, English and associates found that in patients with established coronary artery disease, testosterone replacement reduced exercise induced chest pain. This data was published in the European Heart Journal in 2000.

Summary

Testosterone is a predominantly male hormone produced by the testis and adrenals. It is responsible for libido in both sexes and the production of sperms in the male. It is also associated with increased energy, production of red cells and prevention of osteoporosis. Testosterone levels normally decline with age, with older men having a much lower levels than their younger counterparts. Low testosterone levels have been linked to an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease and mortality, and death from all causes. There is no published research on whether taking supplemental testosterone will reduce cardiovascular disease and death.



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You can use your own mind for blood pressure help and support. Self-hypnosis can guide you to reduce hypertension naturally. The first step is to discover whether you have the condition in the first place. There are no red flags to indicate that you have hypertension, so you may need to take tests.

Testing for Hypertension

You can take some tests to see if you need support and assistance. Your physician can take a urine test to see if there is blood or protein in your urine. An ECG (electrocardiogram) can measure heart activity. You can have your blood tested for sugar and cholesterol levels. Your physician may check to see if your kidneys are functioning properly as well.

If you think that you need to help blood pressure improve, these tests are necessary. They help your physician rule out any underlying illnesses like kidney disease. The tests check for diabetes and high cholesterol and they determine if the heart has been damaged.

The Problem with Symptoms

The major problem with the symptoms of hypertension is that there really aren't any. The condition is insidious in nature and you can have problems with hypertension without knowing it. Regular check-ups with your physician are necessary to assure that you manage your condition.

Having no symptoms does not mean that the condition doesn't cause problems in your system. Cardiovascular disease, kidney damage and damaged arteries can result from this condition.

Blood Pressure Help

Diet and exercise along with drinking lots of water are common suggestions for natural approaches to deal with hypertension. You also want to avoid excessive stress because the stressful feelings have physical ramifications. If your trouble is serious, your physician may prescribe medication.

You can improve your hypertension by using self-hypnosis as a complementary approach. This strategy makes sense for a number of reasons and you can benefit greatly from adopting hypnosis into your treatment plan. You will feel the difference right away.

Benefits of Self-Hypnosis

You can control how your body responds to stressful situations by changing your thought patterns through the subconscious mind. This process also provides the necessary relaxation you need on a regular basis. Many people do not take time to meditate or calm their systems.

When you undergo hypnosis, you are more open to suggestion. This makes you more apt to follow your physician's orders. You are more likely to make the necessary changes in your diet and exercise routine when you use hypnosis as a guide.

Self-hypnosis puts you in the frame of mind that you need in order to overcome hypertension. As you adopt new thought patterns that are conducive to relaxation and healthy living, your medication will work better. Eventually, you find that you may not need medication for you condition.

You can take control of your body by changing your thought patterns and lifestyle habits. Self-hypnosis is the perfect guide to blood pressure help.



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Today, heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States. High blood cholesterol levels present a significant risk factor for heart problems. Researchers estimate that 17% of our population has cholesterol levels in the danger zone.

Although the human body needs a certain amount of cholesterol, the liver manufactures all the cholesterol required by the body. In addition, cholesterol enters the body through ingestion of certain foods. Since the body cannot use this excess cholesterol, it is deposited on the walls of the arteries. Here the deposits harden and build up resulting in plaque.

The passages through which blood and oxygen are transported become narrow due to this accumulation of fatty deposits. The result is less blood and oxygen reach the heart and the brain. This situation is conducive to heart attacks and strokes.

Excessively high cholesterol levels are linked to two factors. One is the rate at which the body produces cholesterol. This is beyond the control of the individual. The other factor is the type of food a person eats. This is very much under individual control.

People can lower their cholesterol to healthy levels by making certain lifestyle changes.

It is important to maintain a healthy weight. If you are overweight, you should make every effort to drop the extra pounds. This is particularly important if you are carrying the weight on your belly or waistline.

It is also important to lose the weight sensibly. Do not opt for fad diets or pills. Try to lose slowly but steadily and not more than a pound per week. This will make it easier to keep the weight off once you accomplish your goal.

Make exercise a regular part of your daily routine. You don't have to join a gym or buy expensive equipment. A thirty-minute walk each day will do the trick. If you find walking boring, invest in some music and try dancing thirty minutes a day. This is also a good alternative for bad weather days.

Be careful about your diet. Avoid or limit foods that are high in saturated fats. Use monosaturated-cooking oils such as olive oil or canola oil.

Avocados, walnuts and almonds are good sources of heart healthy fats, however, if you have a weight problem, keep the servings small.

Definitely avoid foods that contain trans fats. To do this you must read your labels carefully. Even if the label reports 0 trans fat, read the ingredient list. If it includes the word "hydrogenated", don't buy the product.

Select lean meats and low fat or fat free dairy products.

Choose high fiber foods, fruits and fresh vegetables.

Opt for whole-wheat grains over refined flour products.

Try to eat heart healthy fish at least once a week. Alaska wild salmon and mackerel are excellent choices.

Talk to your health care provider about supplements such as Omega 3 oils, flaxseed, and COQ10.


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