The Truth About Cholesterol

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http://www.newswithviews.com/Howenstine/james23.htm

 

THE TRUTH ABOUT CHOLESTEROL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Dr. James Howenstine, MD.

February 20, 2005

NewsWithViews.com

 

Cholesterol is not really the villain portrayed in the pharmaceutical

ads. It is actually a vital substance needed in every cell of the

body as it is the chemical precursor from which the body produces

bile acids, provitamin D3, male and female sex hormones, and adrenal

hormones (hydrocortisone and aldosterone that regulates sodium and

potassium balance). Cholesterol is needed to construct the important

membranes which surround cells.

 

The body is able to manufacture cholesterol but is unable to destroy

this substance. Cholesterol is removed from the body combined with

bile acids. This removal is increased by dietary fiber and diminished

in the absence of dietary fiber. Up to 94% of cholesterol and bile

acids are reabsorbed and reused when dietary fiber is lacking.[1]

This is one reason that low fiber diets may increase blood

cholesterol levels.

 

The body can make cholesterol whether there is any cholesterol in the

diet or not. By removing all cholesterol from the diet, the blood

cholesterol will only fall by about 20% to 25%.

 

Cholesterol is dissolved and kept in solution as a flowing liquid

when there are adequate amounts of essential fatty acids. The melting

point of cholesterol, where it would deposit on artery walls, is 300

degrees F. When lecithin is present, the melting point of cholesterol

falls to 180 degrees where it is still insoluble. However, when the

essential fatty acids linoleic and linolenic are present in

sufficient quantity, the melting point of cholesterol falls to 32

degrees which is below normal body temperature. Even in the presence

of an arterial injury, cholesterol will have a more difficult time

depositing with fibrin and platelets on an injured artery surface

because the essential fatty acids have made the blood more fluid.

 

After gazing at a television advertisement depicting an attractive

young woman collapse on the street with a heart attack because her

cholesterol was 280 mg. % you would certainly be justified in having

considerable fear if your cholesterol is elevated. Massive amounts of

money are being spent by pharmaceutical firms on advertisements to

convince the public that their lives are in great danger if their

cholesterol levels are high.

 

These firms have gained nearly total control over the curriculums

taught in medical schools, the articles published in medical journals

and who receives research grants and what they are going to be

allowed to study in these grants. This control over research

expenditures prevents research that might lead to cures of serious

diseases (cancer, schizophrenia, HIV, Alzheimer's Disease).

Conventional medical therapy uses drugs which generally have no

ability to cure these diseases. Persons thinking outside the box who

might discover information that would disturb the current

pharmaceutical dogma about diseases will experience considerable

difficulty getting funds.

 

Of great importance the pharmaceutical industry has established the

precedent with the state boards of medical license that any therapies

that do not use pharmaceutical drugs are quackery which is dangerous

to the public and should be suppressed. This pressure to conform to

pharmaceutical drug use has caused great personal anguish and

financial loss to many innovative physicians who have dared to treat

patients with alternative therapies that do cure patients. Often

these physicians must spend large amounts of money defending

themselves from attempts to remove their licenses.

 

The current dogmas about treating cholesterol are formulated by a

committee named National Cholesterol Education Program NCEP. This

committee is a part of the National Institute of Health within the

National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.

 

Their most recent recommendations (2004) included more aggressive

efforts to lower blood cholesterol. The lower limit of safety for LDL

cholesterol was lowered from 130 mg. to 100 mg. Cholesterol lowering

drugs were recommended for all diabetics and elderly patients with

high cholesterol levels. If implemented, these recommendations would

add about 4,000,000 persons to the multitudes already taking statin

drugs. (What a bonanza for drug company profits). Six out of the nine

members[2] of the NCEP making these new recommendations are

affiliated with the drug companies that manufacture statin drugs. Do

you think this is a coincidence?

 

This 2004 call for the " aggressive and increased use of statin

medication to treat high blood cholesterol values " would not be

alarming if there would actually be many lives saved by these new

recommendations. The disturbing part of this information is that

there is little credible scientific information to support these

changes and there is a large amount of valid scientific information

suggesting that many persons taking statin drugs are suffering

serious even fatal side effects. Obviously increasing the number of

persons taking statin drugs would greatly increase the number of

patients being injured by these drugs.

 

Two years ago Dr. Julian Whitaker proposed to the FDA that the

package insert supplied with a statin drug contain information that

statin drugs decrease the levels of the critical nutrient CoQ 10 in

patients. He wisely suggested. that all patients taking statin drugs

should also be taking 100 to 200 mg. of CoQ 10 daily to avoid

complications (heart failure, muscle breakdown with potentially fatal

kidney failure {myoglobulinuria}, muscle weakness, peripheral

neuritis, transient global amnesia etc.) The FDA ignored Dr.

Whitaker's suggestion because admitting that there was a danger from

statin drugs, even if true, might hurt the sales of statin drugs.

 

Cholesterol Is Not A Major Cause Of Arterial Disease

 

Several factors appear to be of greater importance than cholesterol

in causing arterial disease. Among these are deposition of toxic

metals in the lining endothelium of arteries, Vitamin C deficiency,

excessive amounts of lipoprotein (a), inflammation in arteries,

excessive clotting of blood, homocysteine elevation

(hyperhomocystinemia) and dangerous foods.

 

An important study by Dr. Harlan Krumholz revealed that persons with

low cholesterol levels over the age of 70 died twice as often from

heart attacks[3] as older persons with high cholesterol values. Most

studies in old persons have shown that cholesterol is not a risk

factor for coronary artery disease. Approximately 90 % of

cardiovascular disease is seen in persons over 60 years of age.

Almost all studies have shown that high cholesterol is not a risk

factor for women.[4] This leaves cholesterol as a risk factor for

less than 5 % of those persons dying of a heart attack.

 

High cholesterol values protect against infection. In a review of 19

studies involving 68,000 persons low cholesterol values revealed an

increased risk for dying from lung and gastrointestinal diseases.

Both lung and g.i. diseases are often related to infections. This

information was confirmed by a 15 year study of 100,000 healthy

persons in the San Francisco area. Persons entering this study with

low cholesterol values were more often admitted to hospitals because

of infectious diseases.[5] Patients with a history of a sexually

transmitted disease or liver disease were twice as likely to develop

HIV infection[6] over 7 to 8 year follow up if they had a low

cholesterol value when entering the study.

 

Patients with severe heart failure have high levels of endotoxins and

cytokines in their blood. Endotoxins are toxic substances derived

from gram negative bacteria. Cytokines are hormones secreted from

white blood cells responding to an inflammatory process in the body.

A medical team in Germany learned that the strongest predictor for

death in a patient with heart failure was the concentration of

cytokines[7] in the blood. They felt that bacteria in the gut found

it easier to penetrate tissues when the pressure in abdominal veins

was elevated by heart failure. Endotoxins were highest in patients

with edema and endotoxin levels fell significantly when heart failure

improved with therapy. Patients with heart failure whose immune

function is unable to respond to bacterial antigens (anergy) had a

higher mortality than patients who still responded to bacterial

antigens. In addition the mortality was higher in those patients who

had the lowest cholesterol, LDL, and triglyceride values. The risk of

dying in a group of 1000 patients with heart failure followed for 5

years was 62 % in patients whose cholesterol was below 129 mg/dl.

whereas patients whose cholesterol was over 223 mg./dl had only one

half this risk of death.

 

When arteries are examined visually, by xrays or ultrasound there has

never been any correlation between changes in cholesterol values and

the extent of arteriosclerosis.

 

Why Metal Deposition In Artery Linings (Endothelium) Is So Important

 

After more than 30 years of use intravenous chelation therapy (EDTA)

has become an accepted form of therapy because it has been found to

be an effective, safe relatively inexpensive way to reverse occluded

arteries to the heart, brain, kidneys and extremities. Chelation is

known to have powerful anti-oxidant effects but this may not afford a

complete explanation for the benefits observed.

 

An important new concept about chelation relates to the inner lining

of blood vessels (endothelium). This lining tissue generates the

powerful arterial vessel dilator nitric oxide. The endothelium also

produces prostacyclin which decreases the clotting of blood and also

causes dilating of arteries. A third important endothelial product is

heparin, a potent substance that helps prevent clots from forming.

Excessive deposition of heavy metals in the endothelium diminishes

the endothelium's ability to produce nitric oxide, prostacyclin, and

heparin.[8] Chelation may restore the body's ability to create these

important substances by removing these metals (iron, cadmium, lead,

mercury) from the endothelial lining. Additionally removal of excess

iron can decrease the risk of subsequent heart attacks.[9] By

improving blood circulation, chelation may benefit patients with

angina pectoris, claudication, impotence, macular degeneration,

glaucoma, pancreatitis, gout, rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, chronic

fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, dementia, multiple sclerosis, and

cancer. Several of the pioneers in chelation therapy are alive in

good health in their 90's after receiving thousands of intravenous

chelation treatments.

 

The latest improvement in chelation permits this therapy to be

adminstered orally. Oral chealtion obviously will not be as fast as

intravenous chelation but this is not an important issue for most

patients who have massive amounts of metals needing removal. Doing

chelation orally is simpler and less expensive than the intravenous

approach.

 

Lead poisons enzyme systems in the body. The bones of modern man

contain 1000 times more lead[10] than the bones of men living 400

years ago. It takes 7 to 20 years for the body to completely replace

the tissue in bone. Since bone is the primary storage area for lead

there is clearly no necessity in most patients for rapid chelation by

intravenous therapy. Nearly all health problems (learning disorders,

cancer, heart disease, infections, AHHD, autism, hypertension etc.)

are made worse by the high levels of lead found in our bodies. Lead

is an important cause for hypertension and removal of lead from

patients with hypertension often permits blood pressure values to

return to normal. Recent studies have implicated lead in the genesis

of cataracts. The EDTA present in chelating solutions binds lead so

it can be excreted by the kidneys.

 

One of the leading authorities in chelation therapy, Dr. Garry

Gordon, has developed an oral chelation product Essential Daily

Defense EDD. EDD contains Niacin, garlic powder, Calcium EDTA, MSM

(Methyl Sulfane Methane), Malic Acid, Betaine HCL, Carrageenan,

Papain, Silica, dl Methionine, Beta-Sitosterol, Crataegus 6x

(Hawthorne Berry), Modified Cellulose Gum, Cholesterol Free Stearic

Acid, and Gelatin.

 

Iron is now being recognized as a health hazard. The malic acid in

EDD derived from apples binds iron and decreases iron stores in the

body. This does not proceed to a state where iron deficiency anemia

appears but it does lead to decreased production of free radicals

which is, of course, desirable.

 

One of the most important components in EDD is the sulfated

polysaccharide derived from red algae. This polysaccharide interacts

with EDTA to produce a definite decrease in the clotting tendency of

blood (lower viscosity due to heparin). This decrease in viscosity

permits blood to flow more freely which decreases the work load on

the heart. Additionally, this heparin anti-clotting effect acquired

with EDD therapy makes it nearly impossible for a patient to have a

heart attack, stroke or gangrene. In this state of absent clotting

and high anti-oxidant activity arteriosclerotic plaques are slowly

and steadily dissolved. There is no problem with bleeding. Blood

clots in arteries often occur in sites where there is no or minimal

plaque formation. The anticlotting effect of heparin produced by

chelation may help explain the nearly complete disappearance of

strokes and heart attacks in patients receiving chelation therapy.

Patients with severe arteriosclerosis may need 6 to 9 capsules daily

along with other measures to improve arteries (anti-oxidants, correct

diet, cessation of cigarettes etc.) The garlic, which EDD contains,

binds mercury facilitating its removal from the body.

 

Anyone taking EDD needs to be taking a good vitamin mineral

supplement because EDD over time might deplete the body of minerals.

Half of all Americans are taking a daily Multiple Vitamin Mineral

Supplement. The results of this supplementation are less than optimal

because our bodies are being steadily poisoned by toxic substances

found in our water, food, and air. Oral chelation is proving so

effective in improving health that many practitioners have largely

switched from intravenous to oral forms of chelation.

 

Oral and intravenous chelation are complex so therapy ideally should

be guided by a practitioner experienced in chelation. At times the

metals simply move from one site in the body to another instead of

leaving the body. There is no doubt that removing metals from the

endothelial membranes improves oxygenation and nutrient entry into

cells resulting in improved health. Because of the toxic metal,

chemical, herbicide and pesticide exposure we all are exposed to I

think everyone should consider taking EDD or a similar oral chelation

product and remain on it permanently. Many leaders in the natural

health field are already doing so.

 

Essential Daily Defense can be obtained from Longevity Plus

sales or 800-580-7567. and from Natural Health team

at 1-800-416-2806 or www. naturalhealthteam.com

 

Vitamin C Deficiency

 

The late Dr. Linus Pauling and his associates were convinced that the

arteriosclerotic plaque is formed because of a deficiency of Vitamin

C. In their explanation of arteriosclerosis the structural protein

(collagen) of arteries is lacking due to Vitamin C deficiency. This

causes the body to supply lipoprotein (a) to these weak areas in an

attempt to patch the weakness. This substance lipoprtotein (a) is

very sticky and when it deposits onto an injured artery surfaces it

seizes platelets, calcium, fibrin and cholesterol from the blood

which causes a deposit (plaque) that narrows the opening in the

artery. These narrowed openings can proceed to clot over (heart

attack, stroke, or gangrene), produce symptoms (angina, leg pain with

exertion, brain symptoms from lack of adequate blood flow) and small

pieces of fibrin clot may break off the plaque and are thrown to

arteries more distant again producing strokes, heart attack and

gangrene.

 

In 1994 Linus Pauling and his associates announced that

arteriosclerosis could be cured by a substance important in making

collagen (lysine 6 grams daily) and large doses of Vitamin C (6 grams

daily). The Pauling associates have never seen an individual who was

taking 10 grams of Vitamin C daily who had any evidence of

arteriosclerosis. Ninety five per cent of patients with advanced

arteriosclerosis admitted they took no Vitamin C or less than 500 mg.

daily. These findings have been confirmed by the Life Extension

Foundation of Hollywood, Florida.

 

The Pauling associates relate that end stage arteriosclerosis

patients have been completely cured by high dosage Vitamin C and

lysine often within weeks. These individuals lose their anginal pain,

blood pressure drops to normal, arterial blockages disappear, lipid

profiles become normal, and energy increases. They become able to

pass treadmill tests normally.

 

Human beings and guinea pigs are unable to manufacture Vitamin C.

Depriving guinea pigs of vitamin C leads to the production of

arteriosclerotic lesions similar to human arteriosclerosis. No plaque

forms in control guinea pigs getting Vitamin C. Dr. Kilmer. McCulley

has shown that guinea pigs depleted of Vitamin C get high blood

levels of homocysteine whereas the control guinea pigs have normal

homocysteine values.

 

Animals other than guinea pigs do not develop arteriosclerosis.

Arteriosclerotic plaques were studied by Dr. Earl P. Benditt with an

electron microscope[11] in 1977. His studies showed that plaques

contain almost no cholesterol. They are actually composed of new cell

growth resembling what would be seen in a tumor. The absence of

cholesterol is certainly not what would expect if cholesterol

circulating in the blood was the cause of the atherosclerotic plaque.

 

The human arteriosclerosis plaques are often located at sites where

injury to blood vessels occurs from the impact of the arterial stream

of blood rather than in a random fashion which should occur if a

toxic material in blood i.e. cholesterol was the cause of

arteriosclerosis. This explains why major plaque formation often

occurs at the sites where the forceful blood stream from the aorta

strikes the arteries to the heart and the arteries to the brain. Dr.

Pauling's findings have been ignored by the conventional medical

community because to accept such convincing insights would spell the

end of the multi billion dollar coronary bypass industry and the

lucrative sales of cholesterol lowering drugs.

 

All this evidence makes a strong argument that lack of vitamin C

plays a role in causing arteriosclerosis and that taking large

quantities of vitamin C along with lysine should help narrowed

arteries open back up. Large dosages of vitamin C are safe but may

cause loose stools.

 

Another aspect of Vitamin C therapy that has considerable importance

is the widely acknowledged role that Vitamin C has in healing

infections (polio, HIV etc.) The healing of infections might also be

a reason for favorable response of arteries to high doses of Vitamin

C therapy as infections are becoming recognized as a probable cause

for arteriosclerosis.

 

High Levels Of Lipoprotein (a) Cause Accelerated Arteriosclerosis

 

Elevation of blood levels of Lipoprotein (a) is considered one of the

best predictors of impending trouble with heart disease. Lipoprotein

(a) is a substance found in the blood that has a " sticky " character.

It has a strong tendency to attach to sites of artery damage. This

permits a clumping together with platelets, calcium, cholesterol and

fibrin derived from circulating blood at this location decreasing the

size of the artery. Free flow of blood past this site is obstructed

which may produce symptoms (angina, brain ischemic symptoms and

muscle ischemic symptoms i.e. claudication) or actual occlusion of an

artery (stroke, heart attack, gangrene).

 

The amino acid N-Acetyl Cysteine has been found to be the most

effective agent to lower lipoprotein (a) levels in the blood. With

NAC therapy lipoprotein (a) levels may decrease by up to 70 %.

Obtaining lipoprotein (a) values during health evaluations is a wise

idea. Patients with elevated levels of lipoptotein (a) should take N-

acetyl cysteine 500 mg. twice daily. This can be obtained from

Natural Health Team and health food stores.

 

Arteriosclerosis Caused By Elevated Homocysteine And Its Correction

 

Methionine from red meat, milk and milk products is converted in the

body into homocysteine. When the body's stores of B6 (pyridoxine),

folic acid and B12 fail to bring this homocysteine down to normal

values there is a three times greater risk of heart attack in males

than in males with normal homocysteine values.

 

Dr. Kilmer McCulley gets credit for discovering the critical role

homocysteine plays in the genesis of arteriosclerosis. Homocysteine

stops the production of the valuable vasodilating nitric acid, causes

blood to thicken, and facilitates the oxidation of LDL cholesterol,

thus setting the stage for an atherosclerotic plaque and blood clots

to form. As more patients are studied it has become evident that

elevated levels of homocysteine are a common cause for

arteriosclerosis (at least 40 % of patients). If you have artery

problems, measuring homocysteine in the blood will frequently provide

clear evidence that homocysteine is causing the problem, not

cholesterol.

 

A Norwegian[12] study discovered that in 587 patients with coronary

heart disease the risk of death within four years was proportional to

total plasma homocysteine level. The risk rose from 3.8 % with

homocysteine below 9 micromols per liter to 24.7 % in patients with

homocysteine levels above 15 micromols per liter.

 

The only way to be certain that you are getting the proper dosage of

folic acid, Vitamin B 12, Vitamin B6 and trimethylglycine to treat

homocysteine excess is to have regular blood homocysteine tests. Each

3 unit increase in HC causes a 35% increase[13] in the risk of heart

attack.

 

Trimethylglycine (TMG) also called Glycine Betaine is the most

effective[14] agent to lower homocysteine levels. The usual dose is

500 mg. three times daily. If Homocysteine levels have not fallen

adequately, up to 9000 mg. daily of TMG may be needed daily.

 

Folic acid (800 mcg with each meal) and 1000 mcg. of B 12 daily is

also needed.

 

B6 (pyridoxine) reduces HC by a different method than folic acid. The

dose of B6 should be 100 to 200 mg. daily.

 

In a patient with previous bypass surgery, anginal chest pain

reappeared along with new areas of blockage of heart arteries. This

man was taking 15,000 mcg. of folic acid daily. His blood

homocysteine (HC) level was very high risk at 18. On 6 grams daily of

trimethylglycine, his HC fell to 4 in one month.

 

Trimethylglycine functions in treating elevated HC levels by donating

methyl groups, which convert HC to the harmless aminoacid methionine.

Trimethylglycine (Glycine Betaine) can be purchased in health food

stores.

 

Inflammatory Conditions In the Body Predispose To Artery Damage

 

Inflammation in the body is strongly associated with the development

of occlusion in arteries. For this reason blood tests that measure

inflammatory reactions (sedimentation rate, C reactive protein) have

been found to be of great value in detecting persons who are at

higher risk of developing heart attacks and strokes.

 

Bacteria and viruses from inflammatory conditions in the body

(gingivitis) and acute infections (cytomegalovirus, Chlamydia

pneumonia (TWAR bacteria), Coxsackie, herpes, etc. appear to be

responsible for 25 % of heart attacks and a similar percentage of

strokes. Evidence of bacterial and viral infections in the walls of

arteries have been found by electron microscopy and

immunoflourescence microscopy in many patients. Two hundred reviews

about infectious relationships to arteriosclerosis[15] have been

published but this evidence has been largely ignored as it does not

encourage the use of statin drugs which remains the prime focus of

the pharmaceutical industry with their control over the media and

medical community. Infectious disease causes deleterious affects on

blood clotting with sludgy blood flow which promotes vascular

occlusion. Discovering and treating inflammatory conditions like

gingivitis may permit patients to avoid vascular occlusions.

 

During the weeks preceding a heart attack or stroke many patients

have experienced a bacterial or viral infection. Thirty seven of 166

patients with a stroke had a bacterial or viral infection[16] within

7 days of the vascular accident. Eleven of 40 male patients below age

50 had suffered an influenza like illness within[17] 36 hours of

onset of their heart attack.

 

During infections an inflammatory infectious reaction may be

occurring in the arteries. Infections also are associated with slow

sludgy blood flow which would make it easier for a clot to occlude an

already narrowed artery where blood flow is already slower than

normal.

 

There appears to be a conflict between the concept that high

cholesterol causes arterial disease and the observation that high

levels of cholesterol have an ability to protect against infection.

The high cholesterol causing arteriosclerosis theory is damaged by

the observations that:

 

Persons with high cholesterol do not have any more arteriosclerosis

than persons with low cholesterol values

 

Lowering cholesterol values by drugs does not cause a decrease in the

amount of arterial disease

 

High cholesterol is associated with longevity in older persons. High

cholesterol occurs in elderly persons with the lowest mortality rates

and appears to protect against infectious illnesses.

 

Less than 50 % of persons having heart attacks have abnormal

cholesterol values

Measuring indices of inflammation appears to be a wise preventative

health measure. There is evidence that the statin drugs have an anti-

inflammatory effect and this may be the main reason for any

beneficial effects seen with statin therapy rather than actual

lowering of cholesterol values.

 

Dangerous Foods Cause Arteriosclerosis

 

The proper diet for patients with angina and heart attacks to follow

has been a source of controversy. The two parts of the world that

have the lowest incidence of arteriosclerotic heart disease are the

island of Crete and the Japanese island of Kohama. People in both

these places eat a diet that is high in linolenic acid, an essential

fatty acid. The Cretans get their linolenic acid from walnuts and

purslane, whereas the Japanese islanders are getting their linolenic

acid from non genetically modified soybeans and canola oil (rapeseed

oil).

 

Researchers in France followed 605 patients after a first heart

attack, with one half receiving the American Heart Association Diet

(low cholesterol) and the other half receiving the Cretan Diet (lots

of whole grains, roots, and green vegetables, fish, daily fruit,

chicken and olive oil). The study was terminated at 27 months and all

patients were switched to the Cretan diet because of dramatic

benefits from this diet (see chart)

 

American Heart Association Diet

Total # of Heart Attacks 33

Deaths from Heart attacks 16

Sudden Death 8

 

Mediterranean Diet Cretan

Total # of Heart Attacks 8

Deaths from Heart attacks 3

Sudden Death 0

 

Linolenic acid has two desirable qualities. It makes blood less

likely to clot and prevents ventricular arrhythmias. Note the 8

sudden deaths on the AHA diet and the absence of sudden death in the

Cretan diet.

 

Sudden death is caused by an electrical gradient being established

between an area of well oxygenated heart muscle and an adjacent area

of poorly oxygenated heart muscle. This gradient often permits a

dangerous heart rhythm (ventricular fibrillation) to occur. This is a

condition where purposeless, small, feeble muscle contractions move

no blood and cause instant death. This is seen often in smokers, when

the nicotine constricts a coronary artery so much a gradient is

created leading to ventricular fibrillation. When smokers quit

cigarettes their incidence of sudden death instantly returns to the

same as a nonsmoker. Tragically, in approximately 35 % of

individuals, the presence of serious coronary artery arteriosclerosis

is uncovered by the occurrence of sudden death.

 

Linolenic acid is found mainly in seeds (flax, hemp, soybean, walnut,

pumpkin). It is easily destroyed by light, air, and heat. By the end

of 27 months, the blood linolenic acid levels in the French patients

had reached the same range as those seen in Crete. Notice that all

foods consumed in the Cretan diet will spoil (no processed food).

 

The processed food diet consumed by 90 % of Americans certainly

contributes to promoting arteriosclerosis. The U.S. soil has been

seriously depleted of nutrients with important minerals lacking.

Selenium is no longer found in much of the U.S. soil. This mineral

has dramatic effects in lowering the incidence of cancer when 200

mcg. is consumed daily.

 

Highly significant deterioration in the health of U.S. citizens was

brought about by the introduction of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium

NPK chemical fertilizer which has promoted the development of chronic

degenerative diseases. This use of chemical fertilizer instead of

manure caused the protein content of vegetables to drop. Additionally

farmers no longer can afford to replace the vital soil minerals. This

has lead to steadily decreasing deficiencies in the mineral content

of food grown from U.S. soil. Humans lacking the trace minerals from

food have failure of proper enzyme function. The trace minerals

(zinc, chromium, manganese, vanadium, selenium etc) are vital to

normal enzyme performance in the body. Many soil samples lack some or

most of these minerals and the quantity of minerals in U.S. soil has

been steadily declining since the introduction of NPK fertilizer.

 

Numerous foods have been genetically modified which subjects the

consumer to a myriad of unnecessary dangerous problems. No testing

for safety could be done on GMO foods because these GMO foods were

likely to increase the incidence of cancer and degenerative diseases

like arteriosclerosis. Powerful agribusiness forces wanted GMO foods

released.

 

One of the world's leading geneticists Dr. Mae-Wan Ho states " Genetic

engineering bypasses conventional breeding by using artificially

constructed, parasitic, genetic elements, including viruses as

vectors to carry and smuggle genes into cells. The insertion of

foreign genes into the host genome has long been known to have many

harmful and fatal effects[18] including cancer of the organism " .

 

Ninety percent of U.S. families are using synthetic chemical oils to

cook food. These are dangerous transfats that the body has a hard

time processing. Use of this synthetic food causes massive production

of free radicals and leads to the development of Type 2 diabetes,

arteriosclerosis and cancer.

 

The substances Americans think they use in cooking (corn, saffola,

canola, sunflower, and soy oils) are actually chemicals compounds

manufactured at high temperatures using harsh chemicals that

completely remove all nutrient value from food. These chemical oils

will not spoil, have no nutritional value and are very hard for the

body to process and eliminate. Prolonged usage of these synthetic

chemical oils leads to arteriosclerosis, Type 2 diabetes and cancer.

These synthetic oils are a major factor in the deteriorating health

of the American people.

 

The nutrients, vitamins, minerals and fiber have been largely removed

from white bread, white flour, and white rice. Non organic food

consumed by most persons has heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides,

chemicals and estrogenic hormones. A simple remedy would be to eat

only organic food that spoils.

 

Increased Clotting Can Produce Heart Attacks And Strokes

 

An increased tendency of blood to clot can have a major influence in

causing vascular occlusions in persons with narrowed arteries. Among

the conditions which make blood clot easier are fibrinogen excess,

increase in number of platelets, abnormal platelet function,

lipoprotein [a] excess, high blood lipids values and infections.

Screening tests for fibrinogen excess are prudent as systemic enzyme

therapy with products like Vitalzym or Wobenzyme may correct the

increased clotting tendency and prevent vascular accidents from

occurring.

 

Males living in Kampala, Kenya in 1960 were found to have the same

degree of arteriosclerosis in their heart arteries as those living in

St. Louis, Missouri. However, an autopsy study of 2237 males in St.

Louis and 827 males in Kampala revealed only one well healed heart

attack in the Ugandan males whereas in the black and white males in

St. Louis one quarter of the deaths were caused by heart attacks.

There was extensive clotting in the arteries in St. Louis males and

nearly none in Kampala males. The population of Uganda at that time

were grain vegetarians existing on corn and millet. Millet contains a

protease inhibitor that prevents blood from clotting which may

explain the lack of blood clots in the arteriosclerotic arteries of

the Ugandan males.

 

Dr. Kilmer McCully,[19] who discerned the importance of homocysteine

in producing -arteriosclerosis, believes that B6 (pyridoxine) has

unique anti-oxidant[20] properties that cause the human body to be

protected from damage from sugar loaded diets by blocking the

infectious problems usually caused by excess sugar. Studies have

shown that individuals consuming Western diets are more depleted of

B6 than other vitamins. Fats, which constitute 30 to 40 % of the

calories in the Western diet, are lacking in water soluble B

vitamins. Additionally, foods grown in soils fertilized for decades

by NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium) fertilizer (USA) are low in

micronutrients including B6 even if grown organically. In addition to

both these problems Vitamin B6 is fragile so much of the B6 found in

western food is lost in food processing, storage, transport and

cooking.

 

To compound this problem sugar intake depletes[21] B6 from the body.

The air we inhale, our food and medicines are full of substances that

destroy B6 in our bodies and thus increase our need for it. Stress,

which is high and rising, depletes the body of B6 as does the new

sources of electromagnetic radiation[22] according to Dr. Robert

Becker.

 

The simple taking of B6 (Pyridoxine) in doses of 100 mg or more.daily

decreased the incidence of heart attacks by 70 % in two large medical

practices. Additionally, B6 decreases the incidence of cancer[23]

even in persons who continue to smoke.[24]

 

The Ireland Boston Brothers Heart Study[25] compared the health of a

brother eating Irish food with a brother who had immigrated to the

U.S. At that time the Irish brothers were eating approximately 1 ½

pounds of butter weekly and had oatmeal daily for breakfast. The

brother living in the U.S. was eating the standard low cholesterol

and saturated fat and high polyunsaturated fat diet consumed by most

Americans. Many were surprised by the results which showed that there

were far more heart attacks in the U.S. brothers that those in

Ireland. The protease inhibitor found in oatmeal appeared to be

protecting the Irish brothers from heart attacks while the synthetic

low saturated fat diet in the U.S. was proving to be dangerous.

 

In England during the 1800s persons ate lots of saturated fats like

butter, lard, meat, milk and eggs and there were almost no heart

attacks discovered by reviewing London hospital records. In the 1960s

persons living in Udaipur, India ate large quantities of ghee

(butter) but had very few deaths from heart attacks. Sharp increases

in deaths from heart attacks were noted in Udaipur in the 1980s when

inexpensive margarine had replaced ghee as the primary fat eaten.

Obviously type and character of the food we eat has major influences

on heart disease.

 

Many Health Problems Are Associated With Statin Drug Usage

 

Among the health conditions related to therapy with statin drugs are:

 

Congestive Heart Failure The decrease in CoQ 10 blood levels caused

by statin therapy diminishes the energy output of heart muscle cells

leading to congestive heart failure. A mysterious rise in the

incidence of heart failure has been noted in the U.S. in recent years

which may well relate to the continually increasing use of statin

drugs

 

Muscle Weakness Weakness of muscles when taking statin drugs probably

relates to decreased muscle cell energy production caused by

diminished levels of CoO Q 10. When severe this muscle weakness may

progress to a state where muscle soreness and pain appears. In this

state the muscle cells break up releasing muscle protein and enzymes

into the blood. If the muscle damage is extensive kidney failure

(myoglobulinuria) and severe acidosis due to lactic acid production

may occur (often a fatal problem).

 

Hyperinsulinemia Rise in fasting insulin values by 13 % is seen after

statin therapy is started. This is undesirable because high levels of

insulin increase the construction of arteriosclerotic plaques over

time. Also high insulin values accelerate the rate of development of

both diabetes and aging.

 

Anti-Oxidant Blood Levels Decrease Alpha Tocopherol and Beta Carotene

levels in the blood fall by up to 22 % in patients taking statin

drugs. Decreasing one's anti-oxidant stores in the blood is obviously

undesirable as this means that our ability to remove free radicals

will be impaired.

 

Peripheral Neuritis The cause for peripheral neuritis is often

obscure. The incidence of peripheral neuritis is 15 times greater in

persons taking statin drugs than in control subjects. This could also

relate to deficiency of CoQ 10.

 

Transient Global Amnesia TGA This interesting neurologic disorder

causes patients to have a total loss of memory for several hours.

During these episodes the person does not know who he or she is, does

not know what they are doing and often has a complete loss of memory

about their past history. Recently it has been discovered that many

persons taking statin drugs have experienced TGA and that there are

thousands of persons with memory dysfunction, extreme forgetfulness,

incapacitating confusion and profound disorientation for every person

who has an episode of TGA. The relationship of these memory problems

to usage of statin drugs is nearly completely unknown in the medical

community. Stopping the statin drug leads to recovery which may take

several months.

 

Liver Injury Abnormal results of liver function tests are common in

persons taking statin drugs. Severe abnormalities are uncommon and

the abnormal liver function disappears when statin therapy is

stopped. The package insert gives guidelines for the levels where

abnormal liver tests should cause therapy to be terminated.

Stroke risk goes up when cholesterol values are lowered below 140 mg.

Dr. Gilbert Gordon suggests keeping cholesterol values near 220 mg.

[26] to preserve the natural antioxidant benefits of cholesterol for

the body.

A large population study of cholesterol levels in patients taking

statin drugs revealed a decrease in deaths from heart disease but

this occurred at the expense of an equivalent increase in deaths from

suicide and cancer. Lowering cholesterol decreases the number of

receptors for serotonin on brain cell membranes. Serotonin acts to

suppress aggressive behavior so lowered serotonin levels could lead

to increased violence and suicide.

 

Possibly of greater importance several early studies of the results

of statin therapy suggested that there might be an increased risk of

developing cancers and lymphomas in persons taking statin drugs.

These studies were ignored and aggressive marketing of statins began.

Such adverse results could easily take more than 10 years of statin

usage to become manifest and the rapidly increasing rates of cancer

might tend to obscure cancers being caused by statin therapy.

Certainly some of this increase in cancer incidence could be due to

the rapidly increasing statin drug usage. Knowing that CoQ 10 is a

fine therapy for cancer suggests that lowering the levels of CoQ 10

with statin drugs might increase the risk of cancer. All persons

using statin drugs should be taking 100 to 200 mg. of CoQ 10 daily

which could probably prevent some of these adverse effects.

 

The availability of natural substances like food (flax oil) to lower

cholesterol and fish oil to lower triglycerides suggests that these

natural products might be able to safely replace the more expensive

and somewhat dangerous statin drugs. Many physicians are not aware of

the necessity for patients taking statin drugs (Mevacor, Lipitor,

Lescol, Zocor, Pravachol, etc.) to take regular doses of Co Q10 (at

least 100 mg. to 200 mg. daily). If you take statins be sure you get

CoQ 10.

 

Footnotes:

 

1 Fats That heal Fats That Kill Udo Erasmus page 68 Alive Books

Vancouver, Canada

2 Well Being Journal September/October 2004 pg. 44

3 Krumholz HM et al Lack of association between cholesterol and

coronary artery mortality and morbidity and all-cause mortality in

persons older than 70 years. Journal of the Americam Medical

Association 272, 1335-40, 1990

4 Ravnskov U. Quarterly Journal of Medicine 96, 927-934, 2003

5 Iribarren C et al Serum total cholesterol and risk of

hospitalization, and death from respiratory disease. International

Journal of Epidemiology 26, 1191-1202, 1992

6 Claxton AJ et al Association between serum total cholesterol and

HIV infection in a high risk cohort of young men Journal of Acquired

Immune Deficiency Syndromes and Human Retrovirology 17, 51-57, 1998

7 Rauchhaus M et al Plasma cytokine parameters and mortality in

patients with heart failure. Circulation 102, 3060-3067, 2000

8 Arnold, J., Clean out your arteries -at home, without the needle,

and at a fraction of the cost.Health Sciences Institute Members Alert

August 2003 pg. 1-4

9 Sullivan, J.L., Iron and the sex differences in heart disease risk

Lancet 1981 June 13; 1(8233):1293-1294

10 Dr. Garry Gordon

11 Benditt, Earl P. Scientific American Feb. 1977 pg 74-80

12 New England Journal Of Medicine July 24, 1997

13 American Journal Of Epidemiology 1996, 143:9:845-859

14 Disease Prevention and Treatment (Life Extension Media) 3rd

Edition page 86

15 Ravenskov, Uffe Cholesterol Not Guilty New Research Shows

Cholesterol is Natural and Beneficial The Benefits of High

Cholesterol Well Being Journal Sept/Oct 2004 pg 43

16 Grau AJ et al Recent Bacterial and viral infection is a risk

factor for cerebrovascular ischemia Neurology 50, 196-203, 1998

17 Mattila KJ Viral and bacterial infections in patients with acute

myocardial infarction. Journal of Internal Medicine 225, 293-296,

1989

18 Ciola Greg Beware of the Coming Food Apocalypse GMOs (genetically

modified organisms) pg. 9

19 Surfontein, William S. DSc. Interview near Pretoria, South Africa,

1992

20 Vir SC et al Vitamin B6 levels in the elderly Vitamin Nut Res

1977;47:364-372

21 Louis J Iguarro, M.D. Nobel Laureate 1998 for his discovery of

functions of nitric acid in the body. Interview in Bland JS, Funct

Med Update 2002 Sept

22 Becker, Robert O. MD Cross Currents: The Perils of

Electropollution. Los Angeles, Ca: Tarche,r 1990.

23 Maksymowych AB et al Efficacy of Pyridoxal treatment in

controlling the growth of melanomas in cell cultures and an animal

pilot study Anticancer Research 1993, 13; 1925-1938

24 Hattersley JG Enough Vitamin B6 Reduces Heart Attacks by 70

%.Townsend Letter forDoctors & Patients August/September 2004 pg. 125

25 Stare F World Review of Nutrition and Dietetics Vol 12, 1970 pg 1-

42

26 Dr. Garry Gordon Chelation Discussion Group Feb 11, 2004 How low

for cholesterol?

 

 

 

© 2005 Dr. James Howenstine -