Use of Essential Fatty Acids in Hypertension & Stroke

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Use of Essential Fatty Acids for Hypertension & Stroke

JoAnn Guest

Jan 12, 2004 13:11 PST

 

 

 

Early detection is of great importance, since life style changes is

likely to prevent further development of serious complications.

 

Incorporation of GLA and DHA in the diet has proven to be one of

these changes that can reduce the blood pressure and help lower the

risk of heart attacks, stroke and kidney failure.

 

Borage oil and DHA have blood pressure lowering effects In contrast

to earlier beliefs, we now know that a stable systolic

blood pressure (below 140 mmHg) is equally or even more important

than a " normal " diastolic pressure (less than 90 mmHg).

 

Systolic blood pressure increases with aging as a result of

increased

stiffness of the arteries and is a stronger predictor of risk in the

elderly than the diastolic pressure. A pulse pressure (the

difference between systolic and diastolic pressure) of more than 60

is a marker for advanced atherosclerosis and indicates a high risk

for a cardiovascular event.

 

In most cases of hypertension (95%) no specific reason can be found

for the elevated pressure, a condition known as essential or

idiopathic hypertension.

 

Results from a clinical, double blind, crossover study by Venter et

al.

(1988) support the hypothesis that deficiency of the enzyme D6D, so

common in aging, may play an important part in the etiology of

idiopathic hypertension.

 

The study furthermore validates the earlier findings that a ratio of

2:1 of GLA and DHA/EPA is beneficial in prevention of cardiovascular

diseases. This trial involved 25 non-obese patients with mild-

moderate essential hypertension.

 

One group was given capsules containing 360 mg GLA and 180 mg

EPA/day, while the other group received capsules containing only

linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid, the parent EFAs that need

the enzyme D6D for their metabolism to GLA and EPA/DHA.

 

The average systolic blood pressure in the first group was

significantly reduced (~ 10 %) after 8 to 12 weeks of therapy, while

there was no significant change in the second group, indicating that

deficiency of the enzyme D6D is likely to promote an increase of

blood pressure.

_________________

 

Post subject: Prostaglandins-The Good and the Bad

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Too much prostaglandin E2 can lead to 'degenerative' disease,

whereas high levels of beneficial prostaglandin E1 and E3 " protect "

the body.

 

Here is a brief description of how these prostaglandins function in

the body:

• Prostaglandin E1 prevents blood platelets from sticking together,

thereby helping to prevent heart attacks and strokes caused by blood

clots.

It relaxes blood vessels, improving circulation and lowering

blood pressure.

It reduces inflammation, makes insulin work more

effectively and enhances the T-cell function of the immune system.

*GLA* increases this beneficial prostaglandin.

 

• Prostaglandin E2 " promotes " platelet aggregation, the first step

to clot formation, increasing the risk for heart attack and stroke.

It makes the kidneys *retain* sodium, leading to water retention,

and it causes 'inflammation'.

 

Diets high in saturated fats (arachidonic acid (AA) increase levels

of this " pro-inflammatory " prostaglandin.

 

• Prostaglandin E3 has similar functions as prostaglandin E1.

It also has a powerful effect of preventing the 'release' of

arachidonic acid stored in cell membranes and its conversion to

prostaglandin E2.

 

Omega-3 fatty acids are the source of this beneficial prostaglandin.

The first step in both these conversion processes is controlled by

the enzyme D6D (delta-6 desaturase).

 

Unfortunately, D6D activity declines with age, and is reduced in

some individuals even at a younger age (Horrobin, 1981).

 

This not only inhibits the synthesis of GLA and DHA, but also leads

to a prostaglandin imbalance with decline of the good series-1 and

series-3 prostaglandins and other beneficial eicosanoids,

which exhibit potent anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory effects.

 

The reduced capacity to convert parent EFAs to GLA and DHA is

associated with conditions including cardiovascular disease,

diabetes, alcoholism, atopic dermatitis, premenstrual syndrome,

rheumatoid arthritis and cancer (Bolton-Smith et al., 1997;

Leventhal et al., 1993; Horrobin, 1993),

as well as learning deficits and development of dementia.

 

The exciting news is that supplementation with GLA and DHA can

circumvent impaired D6D function,

and restore levels of the 'good' prostaglandins.

 

Moreover, *GLA* supplementation actually `increases' D6D activity,

reversing the effect of aging on the enzyme itself (Biagi

et al., 1991).

In this way, GLA supplementation improves the metabolism of both

omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids (EFAs).

 

It has also become clear that the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA

limit the production of the bad series-2 prostaglandins by

preventing the 'release' of " arachidonic " acid from cell membranes,

inhibiting its further metabolism.

 

A *high* amount of linoleic acid (omega-6),

on the other hand, 'limits' the availability of alpha-linolenic acid

(omega-3) as a precursor for the *good* series-3 prostaglandins

and stimulates the `formation' of arachidonic acid

(normally found mainly in saturated fats from animal proteins, i.e.

meat & Dairy),

the `precursor' to the bad prostaglandins (series-2) and other

'pro-inflammatory' eicosanoids.

 

Biagi et al. (1991) studied both old and young rats that were fed

either a GLA-rich diet or a control diet.

Old animals fed the control diet showed a clear decline in the level

of delta-6-desaturated meta- bolites of both the omega-6 and the

omega-3 series.

 

In the GLA group of old mice there was no decline of these

metabolites.

 

A study of more than 10,000 middle-aged men and women in Scotland

showed that aging influences

the fatty acid composition of adipose (fatty) tissue independently

of diet (Bolton-Smith et al., 1997).

The study confirms the earlier mentioned experimental findings of an

age-related decline in the rate-limiting step of delta-6-

desaturation,

and in addition discovered a greater decline in women than in men.

 

The results indicate that an increase in dietary GLA could offset

the age-related 'imbalance' in fatty acid levels.

 

GLA and DHA both have 'preventive' effects on atherosclerosis and

heart attacks by lowering blood pressure

and serum `lipids' and reducing cardiovascular `reactions' to

stress.

 

While GLA in addition has anti-aging effects, DHA has a unique role

in the development and maintenance of the nervous system.

 

It has proven to be important for development, learning and behavior

in children as well as for prevention and treatment of dementia.

 

Cardiovascular disease

Beneficial effects of both GLA and DHA on the cardiovascular system

have been extensively documented in experimental and human studies:

 

moderate but consistent blood pressure lowering effects, significant

reductions of serum lipids,

and beneficial influence on insulin

resistance which plays a large role in the development of diabetes,

atherosclerosis and heart attacks.

Much research is currently focused on unraveling the many-fold

mechanisms of action behind these favorable influences.

 

Hypertension

 

Early detection is of great importance, since life style changes is

likely to prevent further development of serious complications.

 

Incorporation of GLA and DHA in the diet has proven to be one of

these changes that can reduce the blood pressure

and help lower the risk of heart attacks, stroke and kidney failure.

 

Borage oil and DHA have blood pressure lowering effects-

 

In contrast to earlier beliefs, we now know that a stable systolic

blood pressure (below 140 mmHg) is equally or even more important

than a " normal " diastolic pressure (less than 90 mmHg).

 

Systolic blood pressure increases with aging as a result of

increased stiffness of the arteries and is a stronger predictor of

risk in the elderly than the diastolic pressure.

 

A pulse pressure (the difference between systolic and diastolic

pressure) of more than 60 is a marker for advanced atherosclerosis

and indicates a high risk for a cardiovascular 'event'.

 

In most cases of hypertension (95%) no specific reason can be found

for the elevated pressure,

a condition known as essential or idiopathic hypertension.

 

Results from a clinical, double blind, crossover study by Venter et

al. (1988) support the hypothesis that deficiency of the enzyme D6D,

so common in aging, may play an important part in the etiology of

idiopathic hypertension.

 

The study furthermore validates the earlier findings that a ratio of

2:1 of GLA and DHA/EPA is beneficial in prevention of cardiovascular

diseases.

This trial involved 25 non-obese patients with mild-moderate

essential hypertension.

 

One group was given capsules containing 360 mg GLA and 180 mg

EPA/day, while the other group received capsules containing only

linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid,

the parent EFAs that need the enzyme D6D for their metabolism to

GLA and EPA/DHA.

 

The average systolic blood pressure in the first group was

significantly reduced (~ 10 %) after 8 to 12 weeks of therapy, while

there was no significant change in the second group,

indicating that deficiency of the enzyme D6D is likely to promote an

increase of blood pressure.

 

www.udoerasmus.com

www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/EFAs.html

www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Botanicals.html

---

Pascal's Ribs

---

Four ribs of celery is about 94 percent water and high in both

potassium and sodium. According to James Duke (Handbook of Medicinal

Herbs),

" clinically, celery juice has proven 'hypotensive' in those taking

40 milliliters orally three times a day. "

 

Dr. William Elliot (St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago) has

investigated a component of celery oil (3-n-butyl phthalide)

which may be responsible for lowering systolic blood pressure.

 

In a 1992 abstract (clinical research) Elliot concluded that

phthalide

directly relaxed vascular smooth muscle through a mechanism which

decreased circulating catecholamines

(amines that stimulate the nervous system).

 

In an earlier paper (1991), Elliot discussed how phthalide lowered

systolic blood pressure and its related effects on 'serum

cholesterol'

and high density lipoprotein cholesterol.

 

Celery contains other compounds which are said to enhance the

activity

of certain white blood cells.

A Minneapolis study suggested that the class of bioactive natural

products occurring in edible umbelliferous plants may be effective

as chemo- preventive agents.

 

Celery is a member of the umbelliferous family—

with carrots, parsley and fennel—and is valued for its distinctive

flavor and crisp texture.

Served in salads, as a relish, with meats and fish, a flavoring or

vegetable in soups stews and stuffings, celery is exceptionally low

in calories.

 

Originally from the Mediterranean, celery was cultivated

from an indigenous wild celery. A bunch of celery is known as a

stalk,

and the stalk is made up of individual ribs. The best celery is

light green in color. Dark green celery has more

nutrients but can be stringy. Limp celery should be avoided.

___

______________

JoAnn Guest

mrsjo-

DietaryTi-

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest