By Sarah A LoBisco, ND
My latest blog on my homepage
discusses the new guidelines for statin
use. These guidelines move away from the lipid-numbers-only game and
instead recommend that doctors prescribe statins on the basis of four factors
of a patient:
- Present cardiovascular disease
- Diabetes
- LDL levels over 190
- Having a risk factor calculator
score of 7.5 percent or more.
The release of these new guidelines has created
quite a controversy. Many integrative practitioners and conventional physicians
feel these guidelines are too broad. Indeed, these new guidelines could double
the amount of prescriptions of statins to 72 million people.
Furthermore, many are concerned
that practicing prevention with prescriptions is not truly treating the cause of
heart disease. In fact, it could be argued it may just be covering up the
lifestyle factors that are contributing to our cardiovascular mortality rates
and obesity epidemic.
Cholesterol has many functions,
including a role in heart, brain, and hormonal health. It is also important for
forming bile for fat absorption, and synthesizing vitamins A, D, E, and K.
There are many studies that show
the heart protecting benefits of lifestyle medicine. Below are some of the
recent studies I came across this past month. These include incorporating a
healthy fat into the diet, moving your buns, and de-stressing with aromatherapy.
Sesame Seeds
Healing Heart Properties
Below
is a summary from GreenMedInfo.com on the heart healthy benefits of sesame seed
oil:
- A 2012
study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology
found that sesame seed oil assisted with healthy vascular function in men
with high blood pressure. - A 2010
study published in the journal Clinical Nutrition found that this
seed oil worked synergistically with anti-diabetic medication. - A 2006
study published in the Journal of Medical Food found that sesame
oil substitution for other oils helped lower blood pressure and glucose in
those diabetics with high blood pressure. - A 2006
study published in the Yale Journal of Biological Medicine found
that those who were treating high blood pressure with diuretics or beta
blockers benefited from sesame seed oil.
Ji, S. Why Eating Sesame Seed Paste (Tahini) Could
Save Your Life. GreenMedInfo.com. November 25, 2013.
Physical Activity Reduces
Heart Hurts
A recent study from the
University of Maryland demonstrated that physical activity in sedentary older
adults reduced the progression of injury to the heart. The study included 310
older individuals (aged 70 years and older). The researchers measured the blood
marker troponin T as an indicator of heart injury. Troponin T is a blood-based which
historically has been used for the diagnosis of heart attack. Its levels were
found to be lower in those who participated in physical activity.
WorldHealth.net. Physical Activity Reduces
Heart Injury. December 11, 2013.
Study Demonstrates Essential Oil
Combination Reduces Stress and Blood Pressure
I recently found a study abstract
from 2006 that included fifty-two subjects. The participants were divided into
an essential oil group (lavender, ylangylang, and bergamot), placebo group, and
a control group by random assignment. The effects on blood pressure, stress
hormone levels, and subjective stress and anxiety were measured before and
after treatment in the three groups. The results demonstrated that essential oils could reduce subjective
stress response, stress hormone levels, and blood pressure in those with
essential hypertension.
Hwang
JH.The effects of the inhalation method using essential oils on blood pressure
and stress responses of clients with essential hypertension (abstract). Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi. 2006 Dec;36 (7):1123-34.
On
January 16th, Living Well will be hosting another Young Living
Essential Oils workshop. Its focus will be on a wellness tool kit that can be
used as a natural means to care for you and your loved ones. Please contact us
for details.
