Heart Disease & Potassium
Potassium is involved in the normal function of nerve and muscle cells, including the heart. Most potassium in the body – 98% – is found within cells (i.e. intracellular). When extracellular potassium levels become too high a condition known as hyperkalemia develops.
Hyperkalemia is a condition where serum potassium levels are greater than 5.5 mEq/L.
Hyperkalemia & Heart Disease
Do you need D-Ribose?
Every cell in the human body slowly produces d-ribose. Liver, fat tissue, and adrenal glands produce the highest levels to meet the production needs of hormones and fatty acids. Heart, brain, nerve, and skeletal muscle only make enough d-ribose to manage day-to-day needs during a normal state of health.
The body is not able to produce high levels of d-ribose quickly when under levels of stress, such as oxygen and blood deficiency connected to heart disease. Any time oxygen or blood flow is compromised the body tissues are not able to produce adequate levels of d-ribose, which leads to a depletion of cellular energy.
D-Ribose Deficiency
Characteristics of individuals at increased risk for a d-ribose deficiency include men and women over the age of 45 showing early signs of cardiac dysfunction, statin drug users, women with mitral valve prolapse, and individuals with high blood pressure and/or heart disease.
D-Ribose Benefits
Is alcohol damaging your heart?
Occasionally splurging on alcohol once or twice a week is no big deal, right? New research published in the British Medical Journal this past November 2010 would argue otherwise. Researchers found heavy drinking or binge drinking a couple days a week worse for the heart than drinking a moderate amount of alcohol throughout the week.
The 10 year study analyzed the Prospective Epidemiological Study of Myocardial Infarction (PRIME) for 9778 men (2405 men from Belfast, Northern Ireland and 7373 men from France) between the ages of 50-59 years-old.
The participating men were divided into four groups – non-drinkers, former drinkers, regular drinkers, and binge drinkers. Binge drinking was defined as excessive alcohol consumption equivalent to 4 or 5 drinks in a short period of time, such as a weekend day.
Risk Factors . . .
High cholesterol, Chronic Kidney Disease – Good combo?
A recent study found a link between high cholesterol levels and increased kidney treatment problems. To better understand the impact of cholesterol levels on the treatment of kidney disease, physicians need to take into account malnutrition and inflammation status of chronic kidney disease patients.
Individuals living with chronic kidney disease often develop heart disease and die from heart complications. In the general population its well know high cholesterol levels put you at an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, the relationship between kidney disease and cholesterol levels is not as clear. Research has actually shown individuals with high cholesterol and receiving dialysis diet at lower rates than those with lower cholesterol levels. This isn’t to say high cholesterol is desirable, but it may indicate a reduced degree of malnutrition and inflammation. Malnutrition and inflammation are two serious complications of kidney disease.
Heart Healthy Family – Are you raising a heart healthy family?
You probably think heart disease is only a problem for “older” individuals. Unfortunately rates of children being diagnosed with high blood pressure and high cholesterol are on the rise. This is largely linked to rising rates of childhood obesity.
Childhood Obesity
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, childhood obesity has more than tripled since 1980. Obesity in children between the ages of 6 to 11 years has increased from 6.5% to 19.6% and for adolescents between 12 to 19 years the rate has increased from 5.0% to 18.1%.
Also, 70% of obese youth had at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease in a sample population of 5 to 17 year-olds.
Here are two steps you can take today:
Choline and Memory
I previously shared some information on the potential link between choline and coronary artery disease. Here’s a little more info on choline you may find useful:
Acetylcholine and lecithin are derived from the B vitamin choline. Acetylcholine may protect against some forms of age related dementia. In the early 1970’s and 1980’s, abnormal uptake of acetylcholine, synthesis, and release was identified in individuals with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. However, there has been a lacks of strong experimental support to validate these findings in recent years.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
How to Lower Cholesterol in 8 Simple Steps
https://lisanelsonrd.com/howtolowercholesterol.html
