Lifestyle Changes Before Statins for Individuals wiith High CRP

Recent studies, notably the JUPITER study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, reinforces the evidence that reducing the level of inflammation in the arteries as measured by C-Reactive Protein (CRP) levels may reduce the development of arterial plaque. The Jupiter study also was focused on the role of cholesterol-lowering medication (the statin, Crestor) to reduce both LDL (bad) cholesterol and CRP. The positive results of the study suggested that many more people --- even those with otherwise good cholesterol levels but with high CRP levels---be prescribed these medications.

Not so fast, suggests Doctor Roger Blumenthal, director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Prevention of Heart Disease. In an online interview, Dr Blumenthal emphasizes that lifestyle changes, including dietary changes, are the appropriate course of action.

Kardea Nutrition-Heart Healthy & Inspired-enabling cholesterol management, naturally and nutritionally.

Omega-3s & Heart Health: Strong Science Supports Broad Recommendations

Broad medical recommendations, like those now advanced by the American Heart Association (AHA) and National Cholesterol Education Program, come only after extensive research has confirmed usefulness. Multiple types of research are used. Epidemiologic studies compare the difference in disease and diet across groups of people. Experimental studies assess the role of a nutrient or medication in laboratory animals. Clinical studies assess the impact when given to a test group of people. This impact is compared to a “control” group not taking the nutrient or medicine.

Omega-3s from fish oils have been subject to all types of studies, and the benefits associated with cardiovascular health and disease prevention have been consistently shown. As a result, leading medical organizations now recommend Omega-3s from fish oil for cardiovascular health. The recommendations include:

• 500mg/day of Omega-3s from fish oil for adults that have not been diagnosed with coronary artery disease.


• 1000mg (1g)/day for adults that have been shown to have coronary artery disease.


• 3000mg-4000mg (3-4g)/ day for adults with highly elevated triglycerides.

Omega-3s are not associated with reductions in LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. Yet, cholesterol alone is only part of the cause of heart disease. A number of other factors can determine the damage that cholesterol can do. Omega-3s appear to favorably affect these factors including decreased blood pressure, reduced inflammation that leads to plaque formation, and the stabilization of existing plaque.

How significant is the impact on Omega-3s? Studies have indicated as much as a 18-20% reduction in a cardiovascular event such as a heart attack for healthy adult. For those with a history of heart disease, the impact has been shown at least as significant, and perhaps higher.

Omega-3s from fish oil represent an important component of an integrated and comprehensive nutritional approach to cardiovascular health. Other broad recommendations include the consumption of 10+ grams/day of selected soluble fibers such as those from oats, beans, barley and psyllium, 2 grams/day of plant sterols, and diet that restricts saturated fats, trans fats and dietary cholesterol. Click here for more information on nutritional and natural cholesterol management.

Link to report on Fish Consumption, Fish Oil, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, and Cardiovascular Disease in Circulation Journal of the American Heart Association, 2002.

Cardiovascular Disease Prevention: Between Healthy Habits and Prescription Medications

With cardiovascular disease the largest cause of death and disability in the United States, the scientific community continues intense investigations into approaches for prevention. In the New England Journal of Medicine, Doctor Mark Hlatky of Stamford University School of Medicine, writes, "The aphorism 'prevention is better than cure' makes perfect sense when applied to healthy habits such as following a sensible diet, maintaining an ideal body weight, exercising regularly, and not smoking. But increasingly, prevention of cardiovascular disease includes drug therapy, particularly statins to lower cholesterol levels."

In this editorial, Dr. Hlatky is reponding to the growing interest in prescribing cholesterol-lowering medications to a much larger segment of the American population---including those with cholesterol levels well below the risk standards established by the National Cholesterol Education Program of the National Institutes of Health. These medications already are the single largest class of drugs sold in the U.S. today, exceeding $30 billion/year.

There is mounting evidence that lowering LDL cholesterol below the NCEP risk-adjusted standards is reducing the incidence of cardiovascular events such as heart attack and strokes. Further, recent studies, notably the JUPITER study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, reinforces the evidence that statin medications not only favorably alters cholesterol levels but also reduce the level of inflammation in the arteries. In addressing inflammation, the medication may reduce a root cause of arterial plaque development.

Yet, what remains lost in the discussions between healthy habits and drug treatment is the positive, therapeutic power of nutrition. Nutritional solutions extends beyond the restriction of saturated fats, trans fats and cholesterol to nutrients that actively improve cholesterol levels and reduce inflammation. For many, these nutritional tools can allow the individual to achieve target cholesterol levels and serve as an effective statin alternative. For others, the nutritional approach offers an opportunity for reductions in the dosages and number of medications required to achieve heart healthy targets.

The tragedy: compared with the funding for pharmaceutical studies, an incredible small amount of money is being spent to advance the nutritional science. With few major studies reporting on the benefits of nutritional cholesterol management, the news media reports on the pharmaceutical studies. The extensive and widely reviewed understanding of the nutritional solution is then overshadowed.

Here at Kardea, we are working to provide you with both the knowledge and the natural products that advance heart health. We are only one source. For others, discuss with your medical providers. Also, check out our the resource page on the Kardea Nutrition website or for great recipes for cholesterol management, click over to Kardea Gourmet .

Another good source of information: http://cholesterol.about.com/od/treatments/u/Treatments.htm

Kardea Nutrition, Heart Healthy & Inspired.

Monounsaturated Fats: Recommendations from National Cholesterol Education Program

NCEP Evidence Statement: Monounsaturated fatty acids lower LDL cholesterol relative to saturated fatty acids. Monunsaturated fatty acids do not lower HDL cholesterol nor raise triglycerides. Strength of Evidence: A1, B2

NCEP Evidence Statement: Dietary patterns that are rich in monounsaturated fatty acids provided by plant sources and rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and low in saturated fatty acids are associated with decreased CHD (cardiac heart disease). However, the benefits of replacement of saturated fatty acids with monounsaturated fatty acids has not been adequately tested in controlled clinical trials. Strength of Evidence C1

NCEP Recommendations: Monounsaturated fatty acids are one form of unsaturated fatty acid that can replace saturated fatty acids. Intake of monounsaturated fatty acids can range up to 20 percent of total calories. Most monounsaturated fatty acids should be derived from vegetable sources, including plant oils and nuts.

Kardea Nutrition's Natural Bars for Cholesterol Management

O.K. I have gone off on a policy & political tangent over the past view days. I do think that the events and debates of last week regarding cholesterol medications required that I chime in.

Focusing back to the core goal of Kardea: to develop nutritional tools that enable natural cholesterol management. As a formulation standard we look to multiple product attributes: delicious, convenient, natural, calorie-mindful and therapeutic.

To optimize these attributes, I started looking at those foods that I am likely to eat everyday. If I was already eating, I was likely to keep eating it. If I wasn't already eating, I did not want to add a new source of calories. The trick was how to keep it something I crave while being effective, being therapeutic.

The nutritional bars were a really convenient place to start. Before founding Kardea, I had spent the last 12 years of my life running a specialty chocolate company. I had developed a habit--a craving--for a daily piece piece of dark chocolate (with a late morning cup of coffee--this has to be one of nature's great taste combinations!).

Certainly, dark chocolate is getting good reviews for its cardiovascular benefits. I certainly have tracked this, and discussed it with some people over at the Yale Medical School. This science seems promising, but I am not sure I would yet incorporate chocolate into my program for natural cholesterol management. Instead, I looked to develop a substitute for my morning craving. The Kardea bars achieved this goal, and then some.

First off, I think these bars really are tasty. All natural ingredients such as almond butter, authentic spices like nutmeg, clove or cardamom, real fruit and full flavors.

These bars also provide meaningful levels of plant sterols (1 full gram), fiber (7 grams; 3 grams of heart hearthy soluble fiber) and protein (7 grams total and close to 4 grams of soy protein). The FDA has endorsed these nutrients for their ability to help improve blood lipid profiles including a lowering of LDL (bad) cholesterol.

While only 150 calories each, these bars are more satisfying that the morning chocolate fix. I suspect this is a tribute to the protein and fiber levels.

Further, the bars are sweentened with lower glycemic agave syrup and brown rice syrup. Couple these with the fibers which slow glucose uptake, and I feel that I evened out the sugar spike. So by lunch, I no longer have the urge to eat too fast and too much.

The whole family has been eating the samples through the development process. We all ---friends and family--really enjoy them. Our first production run is now scheduled for mid-February, and they will be available to ship at the end of this month.

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