Lifestyle Factors and Cardiovascular Health: The Gut-Heart Axis
A growing body of evidence shows that susceptibility to adult-onset CVD begins in early life, even in utero, presumably as a result of epigenetic dysregulation.
Tag: cardiovascular
Genetics and Genomics in Cardiovascular Health Risk: It’s Complicated
A growing body of evidence shows that susceptibility to adult-onset CVD begins in early life, even in utero, presumably as a result of epigenetic dysregulation.
High Blood Pressure: A Major Risk Factor for Heart Failure
Over time, increased hemodynamic stress on the heart from high blood pressure leads to the compensatory development of left ventricular hypertrophy.
The Role of Viral Infection in Heart Failure
Mounting evidence suggests that some viruses can persist in heart tissue after an initial infection, and become reactivated under certain conditions, triggering a cell-mediated immune response that leads to myocarditis and, potentially, dilated cardiomyopathy.
Berberine in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health
Both pre-clinical and clinical studies continue to shed light on berberine’s therapeutic potential, corroborating many of its traditional uses.
Cardiovascular Health Update: Red Yeast Rice
Studies have shown that daily consumption of Red Yeast Rice lowers plasma levels of LDL cholesterol by 15-25% within six to eight weeks.
Berberine
Indications Dysbiosis, diabetes, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia, and inflammatory bowel disease. Mechanism of Action Berberine is a compound found in the protoberberine group of isoquinoline alkaloids, and is considered the major active component present in several plant species.1 Besides antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects,2 recent studies have shown that berberine and…
Mistletoe (Viscum album)
Indications Hypertension, congestive heart failure, arrhythmia, cardiac weakness, atherosclerosis, and vascular inflammation. As a vagal nerve tonic, Viscum album may help strengthen weak pulse, slow tachyarrhythmia, or enliven bradycardia. Cardiac enlargement, valvular incompetence, angina, shortness of breath, dyspnea, edema, palpitation with exertion, inability to lie down, and other symptoms of…
Triphala (Combination of Terminalia bellirica, Terminalia chebula, and Emblica officinalis)
Indications Hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, diabetes, obesity, digestive disorders, dyspepsia, diarrhea, dysentery, joint pain, and osteoarthritis. Also used as an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial. Mechanism of Action Triphala inhibits lipid peroxide and promotes scavenging of hydroxyl and superoxide radicals in vitro.1 The precise mechanisms of its antiobesity effects have not yet been elucidated.…
Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum 3)
Indications Hyperlipidemia supporting liver function and metabolism of glucose, lipids, and hormones. Liver disease including cirrhosis, cancer prevention, hepatitis, and viral-induced inflammation and protection from exogenous chemicals and toxins1 (parenteral preparations have become established as a viable treatment to save the liver after acute ingestion of hepatotoxins such as poison…
Reishi Mushroom, Lingzhi (Ganoderma lucidum)
Indications Hyperlipidemia, hypertension, prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Mechanism of Action Heart disease is associated with decreased mitochondrial function in cardiac muscle cells. Ganoderma lucidum has been shown to protect against mitochondrial dysfunction in animal models of cardiotoxicity.1 Some of its cardioprotective effects are thought to be attributable to…
Red Yeast Rice, Xuezhikang (Monascus purpureus)
Indications Hyperlipidemia and associated conditions such as renal damage, cardiovascular disease, and prevention of and recovery from myocardial infarction. Mechanism of Action Monascus purpureus acts act as a natural HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor.1,2,3 It regulates serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) as well as the expression of inflammatory transcription factors.…