Nutrition

By Kevin DiDonato MS, CSCS, CES

Heart disease is still the number one killer in the US.

It may be a silent killer and may be DEADLY.

If you are at risk for developing heart disease, then please take note.

This article may provide POWERFUL information for your heart health.

Most people know that krill oil may be superior to fish oil due to the structural makeup of krill oil.

And this makeup may supply a higher concentration of omega-3 fatty acids, which may promote better heart health.

Now for the serious stuff, and something that may help you LIVE LONGER.

A heart attack is very real event, and may be deadly.

Reducing your risk factors for having a heart attack should be your number one priority.

Sometimes though, you may not be able to prevent a heart attack from occurring.

You can take all the necessary precautions, but it still may occur.

Along with heart attacks, there may be an EVEN worse condition for your heart health.

And that is heart failure.

Taking the right steps now may PREVENT devastating effects of HEART DISEASE and heart failure.

Heart Failure

In the Western world, heart failure may be the biggest cause of cardiovascular death.

Heart failure may occur due to a weakened heart over time or due to injury to the cardiac muscles, which control the beating of your heart.

As a result, your heart is unable to pump as much oxygen-rich blood to the rest of your body.

This may weaken other organs, due the lack of oxygen.

Even though heart failure is a very serious condition, your heart is STILL BEATING.

Your heart may be weakened due to lifestyle choices or injury.

And yes, your heart still beats and works, but just not efficiently.

Here are some STAGGERING statistics on heart failure:

• 5.8 million people have heart failure in the US, and over 300,000 people die each year from complications associated with heart failure

• It is estimated that 670,000 people are diagnosed every year

• 1 in 5 people die from heart failure within the first year

• In 2010, heart failure cost the US $39.2 billion, yes with a B, dollars

• Most common causes of heart failure are: coronary heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes

Heart failure is very serious and sometimes deadly.

Proper diet, exercise, and adherence to medications, may help people live longer, fuller lives with heart failure.

You may be wondering what, if anything, may be effective at reducing heart failure symptoms.

That is a valid question and one that may have a NEW answer.

Let me explain…

Krill Oil and Heart Failure

Omega-3 fatty acids may help promote better heart health.

And omega-3 fatty acids may help raise good cholesterol and lower bad cholesterol and triglycerides.

But now, research may have found a new benefit for omega-3 fatty acids, mostly coming from Krill Oil.

And Krill may improve heart function in patients experiencing heart failure.

When you experience a heart attack, there may be damage to your heart muscle.

This damage may result in the size, shape, and function of your heart changing – and not for the better.

After a heart attack, your heart undergoes cardiac remodeling, which may be a result of the lack of oxygen to the heart muscle.

Now remodeling usually is associated with something good.

However, when it comes to your heart, it refers to something potentially deadly.

Cardiac remodeling may occur when you have had damage or injury to your heart, like during a heart attack.

And this may result in structural changes, typically occurring on the left side, and in the left ventricle.

As an anatomy review, your left ventricle is a chamber in your heart that pumps blood to the rest of your body.

Sometimes you experience a thickening of your left ventricle, called left ventricular hypertrophy, which may cause a decline in your left ventricle function.

Which means there may be a possibility that your heart may be unable to pump as much blood to the rest of your body.

This may decrease your systolic function and your stroke volume.

I know – a lot of technical words.

Simply put, damage to your heart may cause significant changes which may result in loss of function.

So how can omega 3, specifically Krill Oil, help in heart failure?

Let me explain…

The Research

Researchers aimed to determine if Krill oil was beneficial in remodeling of the heart after a heart attack and in heart failure.

Their results were SHOCKING.

The study separated mice into three groups:

• Pre-treatment with Krill oil before MI (heart attack)

• Post MI treatment group

• Placebo

They discovered that pre-treated mice, before the onset of a heart attack, showed significant benefits after the heart attack.

The pre-treated group showed a smaller increase in heart weight, lung weight, and other factors which may be related to cardiac remodeling.

Comparatively, the post MI group only showed increase ventricular dilation, or opening of the left ventricle.

Also noted, during cardiac remodeling there may be increased inflammatory cytokines present in the heart.

And if you remember, increased omega-3 fatty acids in your diet may alter the ratio between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids – for the better.

This may reduce inflammation, which may be one of the reasons for the reduction in inflammatory cytokines found during cardiac remodeling.

So why is this?

The researchers noted that by introducing omega-3 fatty acids, there was an increase in EPA and DHA in the heart muscle.

This may be the driving factor behind the reduced concentration of saturated fatty acids found in the heart.
The best part is: since Krill oil may be more readily absorbed by your body in the phospholipid form, this may increase DHA and EPA concentration found in your heart muscle.

Great news, right?

It gets even better!

Krill oil not only increased the DHA and EPA found in the blood, but it INCREASED the concentration in the heart’s cell membrane – in both heart failure patients AND healthy individuals.

This may have increased anti-inflammatory mediators, which may have decreased the production of inflammatory cytokines.

And last but not least, the researchers found by incorporating more omega-3 fatty acids into the heart muscle, possibly increased or maintained myocardial oxidative function.

Why is this important?

Typically when you experience a heart attack, there is a blockage which may prevent oxygen-rich blood from reaching the heart.

This may reduce the amount of oxygen reaching your heart muscle.

This is where damage or injury to your heart muscle occurs – due to ischemia, or lack of oxygen.

And damage that occurs to your heart may reduce your oxidative function.

Supplementing your diet with omega 3-rich Krill oil may increase oxidative function, which may supply your heart with the necessary oxygen it needs to survive.

The Amazing Power Of Omega 3

Due to weakness or injury your heart may weaken, causing oxygen-rich blood to not get to your major organs – even your heart.

Due to cardiac remodeling, your heart may undergo changes possibly leaving it less efficient.

The size of your heart may increase, which may lead to reduced function from your heart and left ventricle.

Omega-3 fatty acids have been used for years as a way to promote heart health.

However, fish oil has been the major player – up until now!

Krill oil, which is structurally different than fish oil, may provide more benefit prior to having a heart attack or developing heart failure than fish oil does.

The omega-3 fatty acids in Krill, which are bound by a phospholipid backbone, may allow the DHA and EPA to be better absorbed by your body.

And this may increase DHA and EPA concentrations in your heart tissue.

This may reduce inflammation associated with cardiac remodeling, which increases the function of your heart.

Higher concentrations PRIOR to heart attacks may alter cardiac remodeling – for the better

The research is new but may prove promising for the countless people suffering from heart failure.

“Cures” Are Often More Hype than Help

— By Becky Hand, Licensed & Registered Dietitian

Whether browsing the Internet, surfing through 500 channels, or flipping through your favorite magazine (or tabloid), you’ll find them everywhere: weight loss supplements that offer quick and easy solutions to shedding unwanted pounds. Simply pop a pill, put on a patch, or tone up with the touch of a cream. Do these “cures” work, or are they more hype than help?

Let’s take a look at some of the most popular weight loss products, their claims, their risks…and why they’re NOT such a great idea.

Weight Loss Supplements

• Bitter Orange, Citrus Aurantium, and Sour Orange:
  These products are concentrated extracts from the orange peel. They are often used in “ephedra-free” products, claiming that they increase metabolism, but tests involving people haven’t even been conducted! They contain the stimulant synephrine, which can cause hypertension and cardiovascular toxicity. Orange supplements can also interact with medication. Their risks are even greater when used with other stimulant-containing ingredients such as caffeine and decongestants. Individuals with heart disease, hypertension, and glaucoma should avoid these at all costs.
• Chromium(Examples: Puritan’s Pride Chromium Picolinate, Vitamin World Naturally Inspired Yeast Free Chromium Picolinate, Nutrilite Trim Advantage):
  Claims that chromium increases weight loss and improves body composition have only been backed by one study, while all other studies failed to find any supporting evidence. There are two types of chromium: Trivalent (which the body requires and is considered safe in doses of 200 micrograms or less daily) and Hexavalent (which may cause stomach upsets, ulcers, convulsions, kidney and liver diseases, and death). Hexavalent chromium can be toxic and shouldn’t be used in supplements, but some do contain this dangerous form!

• Lecithin, Guar Gum, Psyllium Hulls, Chickweed, and Chitosan (Examples: Chito-Trim, Exercise in a Bottle, Fat Blocker—Chitosan Complex, Fat Grabbers, Fat Trapper, Fat Trapper Plus, Metabo Fat Blocker, Miracletab, Now Chitosan with Chromium):

These products claim to help break down fat so that it can be absorbed, emulsified, trapped, and eliminated by the body. There is currently no competent and reliable scientific research to support such claims.

Starch Blockers

• White Bean Extract, White Kidney Bean Extract, Green Tea Extract, Chlorogenic Acid from Coffee, Banaba Extract, Phaseolus Vulgaris, Natural Bean Extract (Examples: Carb Blocker Triple Action, CarboGetic, Carbo Grabbers, Carb Shuttle, CarboVal, Extreme Carb Blocker, Maximum Strength Phase 2 Carb Blocker, Now Phase 2 Carb Blocker, Starch Blocker Plus, UltraCarb, Xenadrine CarboCurb):
  These products claim to prevent the digestion and neutralization of sugar and carbohydrates, therefore reducing the calories available to the body. The undigested carbohydrates are carried to the intestine for elimination. These claims lack scientific research and are false and misleading.

Stress, Craving, and Appetite ControllersHoodia Gordonii: For years the South African San bush people have used the succulent plant, Hoodia gordonii, to stave off hunger during long hunts.  A few preliminary and unpublished research studies indicate that there may be some type of appetite-suppressing mechanism from a molecule in Hoodia called P57. This molecule supposedly affects the hypothalamus of the brain to reduce appetite. Now this plant from the Kalahari Desert is being imported and made into Hoodia pills, tablets and capsules to supposedly help with hunger control for those trying to lose weight. However, there is no conclusive evidence to support these claims regarding appetite control and weight loss. For now, more evidence is needed to determine if Hoodia is effective for any clinical condition.   Beyond that, there is plenty of fake Hoodia on the market.   News reports suggest that some Hoodia products don’t even contain any actual Hoodia.

 

By Kevin DiDonato MS, CSCS, CES

You made it through the winter.

And now you are moving along through spring.

You may be busting your butt at the gym along with a TON of other people.

You are curling your dumbbells when the person next to you suddenly sneezes, releasing possibly dangerous bacteria.

Uh-oh, now you remember another reason why you DISLIKE New Year’s.

Not only are you in the middle of Summer prep time, but you are also in the middle of cold and flu season.

You think to yourself that this is no time to get sick.

But it may be too late.

You feel the familiar scratchy feeling in your throat, or your nose just got stuffier.

So you run to your doctor to stop your cold…DEAD.

You ask for some antibiotics.

But you may have made a very poor choice…

Antibiotic Use

During cold and flu season, it may seem like doctors are very quick to prescribe antibiotics.

And you may jump at the opportunity even if you have the common cold (which usually is a virus).

Thinking that antibiotics may help (which more than likely they won’t) to cure your cold before it explodes into something bigger.

But the problem is this: antibiotics DESTROY bacteria, NOT viruses.

Don’t get me wrong, antibiotics may have saved us from some very terrible diseases.

Diseases that killed thousands, if not MILLIONS, of people!

So if you are suffering a severe bacterial infection or a life threatening situation calling for antibiotics, then you NEED them.

But for your common cold or flu, the use of antibiotics may be the WORST thing you want to do.

Especially if you want to LOSE FAT,

Wait…what’s that, antibiotics may lead to WEIGHT GAIN?

Let me explain…

Inside Your Body

Inside each and every one of us lives certain “good” bacteria.

And these friendly bacteria may help your immune system.

This may keep you healthy from other invading “bad” bacteria.

Plus, these “good guys” may regulate certain hormones responsible for weight loss or gain.

They may help DIGEST FAT, breaking it down into smaller absorbable nutrients.

But how exactly do antibiotics lead to weight gain?

Imagine you are a farmer.

And you want to sell your meat to the local grocery store.

But you are in competition with the next farmer over, who have MUCH LARGER and FULLER cows than you do.

So you start your cattle on antibiotics.

After a few weeks, you notice an increase in the weight of your cows, leading to BIGGER and MEATIER cows.

This happens almost every day, all across the country.

The antibiotics used in livestock may destroy healthy bacteria, which may result in bigger and fatter cows.

Plus, the meat you end up with is FATTIER instead of leaner.

So the meat you eat is fattier and possibly full of hormones and ANTIBIOTICS.

So if that happens in cows, do you think it might translate in humans?

My guess is you might be right!

Antibiotics and Weight Gain

Your fat tissue releases hormones which may regulate your energy status.

One hormone communicates with your brain, letting it know your energy needs have been met.

But the other hormone also talks to your brain.

It tells your brain when your energy is low and you need to EAT.

This may increase Ghrelin secretion, which then tells your brain that you need to EAT MORE.

And this may reduce your concentration of Leptin, or your body may become resistant  to Leptin and its signaling.

This may cause you to overeat and possibly storing it as fat.

Your intestines also have certain receptor sites which bind to the tails of those bacteria.

This may stimulate metabolism of certain nutrients.

And this may increase your blood sugar.

Then, your pancreas secretes insulin to shuttle that sugar into your muscles to be used for energy.

The problem is: When there is an unhealthy gut environment (too many bad bacteria and not enough good bacteria), there may be an increase in inflammation.

So then your body sends a response to deal with the inflammation.

As a review, when your cells become inflamed, they may be more resistant to certain powerful hormones resulting in reduced cell signaling.

And this is especially true with insulin.

When your body becomes resistant to insulin, your chances of developing metabolic syndrome increases.

Metabolic syndrome may be associated with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and
increased risk for developing diabetes or heart disease.

By altering your gut bacteria, you may alter your body’s ability to control inflammation and your sensitivity to insulin.

But it does not stop there…

A study conducted on mice deficient in TLR5, which is a protein located on your intestinal wall, produced some AMAZING results.

These genetically altered mice exhibited classic signs of metabolic syndrome.

They showed insulin resistance and inflammation.

And they exhibited altered gut microflora.

When the gut microflora were transferred to mice lacking an immune system (that way the mice would not fight off the bacteria), the researchers noticed the mice ate more.

This resulted in increased body weight gain and eventually led to metabolic syndrome.

Good Germs,  Bad Germs.

Antibiotics are powerful drugs which may rid your body of good and bad bacteria.

By altering your gut microflora, your appetite may increase.

This increase may raise your chances of weight gain, especially FAT GAIN.

Farmers have used antibiotics for many years to increase the size to make fatter and bigger cows with more meat.

This use of antibiotics may also destroy a certain bacteria which may be on the brink of extinction.

This bacteria may aid in digestion, and without this bacteria, ghrelin secretion may INCREASE possibly increasing your appetite.

Hope is not lost though!

There may be a chance to replace your good bacteria after using antibiotics.

Probiotics are products that may contain healthy bacteria.

And these bacteria may help your normal gut bacteria flourish, possibly protecting your body from harmful bacteria.

So, next time someone sneezes by your side, reach for a tissue and wash your hands.

This may prevent you from having to use bacteria-killing antibiotics.

Your health and the health of the millions of tiny good bacteria may depend on it.