Goji and Heart Disease

[Guest guest]

Goji and Heart Disease

What Is Heart Disease?

When most people consider heart disease, they tend to think

specifically of coronary artery disease, a narrowing of the arteries

leading to the heart. It's no wonder - coronary artery disease is the

single largest killer of American adults, causing roughly 1.5 million

heart attacks each year (about one every 26 seconds).

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one-third

of those suffering heart attacks do not survive, with about 340,000 of

them dying in the emergency room. Even more troubling, another 250,000

people with heart attacks will succumb before they ever reach the

hospital. Most of these are sudden deaths caused by cardiac arrest.

And yet, as deadly as coronary artery disease may be, it is just one

of a number of serious conditions known collectively as cardiovascular

disease (CVD). CVD includes dysfunctional conditions of the heart,

arteries, and veins that supply oxygen to vital life-sustaining areas

of the body like the brain, the heart itself, and other vital organs.

A lack of oxygen causes the tissue or organ to die.

The American Heart Association states that CVD claims more lives each

year than the next 5 leading causes of death combined, which are

cancer, chronic lower respiratory diseases, accidents, diabetes

mellitus, and influenza and pneumonia.

The National Center for Health Statistics estimates that if all forms

of major CVD were eliminated, our life expectancy would rise by almost

seven years. Compare that with the estimate for cancer. If all forms

of cancer were eliminated, the gain would be only three years. (U.S.

Decennial Life Tables for 1989-91, Vol. 1, No. 4, Sept. 1999)

Some Common Forms Of Cardiovascular Disease

Ischemic Heart Disease (and Stroke)

Obstruction of the blood vessels caused by excess deposits of

cholesterol-laden fat (arteriosclerosis) or plaque (atherosclerosis).

Depending on where in the body it occurs, the obstruction can restrict

oxygen flow, resulting in heart attack or stroke.

High Blood Pressure(Hypertension)

Nearly one in four U.S. adults has high blood pressure. Uncontrolled

high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure,

or kidney failure. This is why high blood pressure is often called the

" silent killer. "

Arrhythmia

An abnormal rhythm or rate of heartbeat caused by a disturbance in the

electrical nerve impulses of the heart. The most common cause of

arrhythmia is arteriosclerosis, as a result of inadequate blood supply

to the heart muscle. Arrhythmias occur more frequently after a heart

attack. They can cause palpitations, faintness and dizziness, and can

even initiate a heart attack.

Diabetes

Although not a cardiovascular disease itself, type II (adult onset)

diabetics are two to four times more likely to develop cardiovascular

disease.

High Cholesterol

There are both 'good' (HDL) and 'bad' (LDL) forms of cholesterol. LDL

cholesterol becomes dangerous when it oxidizes in the body. The

resulting lipid peroxides adhere to the walls of arteries in the form

of atherosclerotic plaques.

 

 

CVD Is Not Just An American Disease

Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of mortality worldwide.

38% of all deaths in Australia

National Heart Foundation of Australia

27.5% of all deaths in the Philippines

Department of Health, Republic of the Philippines

World Health Organization statistics inform us that::

17 million people around the globe die of CVD each year

600 million people worldwide suffer from high blood pressure

 

 

What Are The Risk Factors For Heart Disease?

There are several risk factors for heart disease; some are

controllable through changes in diet, exercise, and behavior. Other

risk factors are uncontrollable. These include:

Male Sex

CVD used to be thought of as a " male disease. " Although it afflicts

more men on a percentage basis, women are catching up. CVD is now the

number one killer of women, responsible for more deaths than the next

seven causes combined!

Older Age

Those over 65 have an increased risk, yet CVD is the number one killer

of all adults over 35.

Family History of Heart Disease

Genetics plays a large part in the risk for CVD.

Post Menopausal Women

After menses cease, women no longer have the heart-protective benefit

of reproductive hormones.

Race

Those of African or Latin descent are more likely to have heart

disease than are Caucasians.

Still, there are many risk factors that can be controlled. By making

changes in your lifestyle, you can actually reduce your risk for heart

disease. Controllable risk factors include:

Quitting Smoking

The use of tobacco is the most preventable major risk factor for CVD.

Smokers have more than twice the risk for heart attack as nonsmokers,

and are much more likely to die if they suffer a heart attack.

Improving Cholesterol Levels

The risk for heart disease increases as your total amount of

cholesterol increases. A total cholesterol level over 200, an HDL

('good') cholesterol level under 40, or an LDL ('bad') cholesterol

level over 160 indicates an increased risk for heart disease. A diet

high in fiber and low in saturated and trans-fats will lower

cholesterol levels and reduce your risk for heart disease.

Controlling High Blood Pressure

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, more than 50

million people in the U.S. have hypertension, or high blood pressure,

making it the most common heart disease risk factor.

 

 

Depressurize With Goji

The effects of goji's master molecule polysaccharides on endothelial

function were observed by Jia YX et al. (1998) in China. Their results

showed that the increase of blood pressure in the hypertensive rats

could be prevented significantly by the treatment with goji

polysaccharides.

A new cerebroside was isolated from the goji berry that could protect

the liver cells of rats from the toxicity induced by carbon

tetrachloride. In a further study, Kim SY et al. (1999) postulated

that the goji cerebrosides may preserve hepatic mitochondrial levels

of glutathione by scavenging reactive oxygen species produced and

thereby reduce lipid peroxidation and cellular damage.

 

 

Increasing Physical Activity

People who don't exercise have higher rates of death and heart disease

when compared to those who engage in even gentle activities like

walking or gardening.

 

 

Energize Your Exercise With Goji

An animal study showed that goji's polysaccharides induced a

remarkable increase in exercise tolerance and stamina, and helped to

eliminate fatigue. Goji enhances glycogen storage (glycogen is the

body's primary energy fuel).

Goji also helps in post-workout recovery. It may limit sore muscles by

increasing activity of the lactic acid removing enzyme lactate

dehydrogenase. It also accelerates clearance of blood urea nitrogen, a

toxin produced during exercise.

 

 

Eating Right

A heart-healthy diet means more than just lowering saturated fats and

cholesterol. Antioxidants are important, as they have been shown to

lower your risk for heart disease. The most important antioxidants for

preventing CVD are those that inhibit or block lipid peroxidation.

 

 

Goji Fights Lipid Peroxidation In Two Ways

The accumulation of lipid peroxides in the blood can lead to

cardiovascular disease, heart attack, atherosclerosis, and stroke. Our

blood contains the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) to

fight against lipid peroxidation, but levels of SOD decrease as we

age. In a Ningxia Medical University study, goji berry consumption was

accompanied by a remarkable 40 percent increase in SOD levels, and a

decrease in lipid peroxides of an impressive 65 percent. It has been

noted that goji actually contains a unique iron-containing form of SOD.

An investigation by Huang Y et al. (1999) in China found that lipid

peroxidation was also significantly inhibited by goji's flavonoids.

 

 

Maintaining A Healthy Weight

Excess weight strains the heart and can exacerbate several other heart

disease risk factors such as diabetes. Research is showing that

obesity itself increases heart disease risk. By eating right and

exercising, you can lose weight and reduce your risk of heart disease.

 

 

Goji - The Asian Weight Loss Secret

In an Asian anti-obesity study, patients were given goji each morning

and each afternoon. Results were excellent with most patients losing

significant weight.

In an animal study, it was shown that goji's master molecule

polysaccharides enhanced the conversion of food into energy, and

reduced body weight.

 

 

Controlling Diabetes

Research has proven that tight control of blood sugar can allow

diabetics to reduce their mortality risks almost to those of the

normal population. If not properly controlled, diabetes can lead to

significant heart damage, including heart attacks and death.

 

 

Goji And Diabetes

Goji has been used in China for the treatment of adult-onset diabetes

for many years, as it is said to balance blood sugar and insulin response.

 

 

Managing Stress

Uncontrolled stress and anger is a significant contributor to heart

attacks and strokes. The use of stress and anger management techniques

can lower your risk.

 

 

Beat Stress Naturally With Goji

Goji provides the energy reserves to help one handle just about any

difficulty. In Asia, it is said that constant consumption of goji

brings a cheerful attitude, and nothing beats good cheer for

overcoming stress!

 

 

Usual Dosage Level

For all cardiovascular conditions, research suggests a usage of 2

ounces of high-quality standardized goji juice, taken twice daily at

mealtime for a total daily intake of 4 ounces.

[Guest guest]

I am a practitioner of Traditional Oriental Medicine with extensive

knowledge and practice using this Chinese herb. It is a very good herb

when added to a formula with other herbs but I don't know how all

these claims can be made about this herb. Yes it contains a high

concentration of anti-oxidants just like blueberries and I guess you

could make all these same claims about blueberries but is it better

then eating blueberries? I wonder about this.

Also this herb can cause uterine contractions. So it should be used

with extreme caution when pregnant.

 

 

, " mfj01923 "

<mfj01923 wrote:

>

> Goji and Heart Disease

> What Is Heart Disease?

> When most people consider heart disease, they tend to think

> specifically of coronary artery disease, a narrowing of the arteries

> leading to the heart. It's no wonder - coronary artery disease is the

> single largest killer of American adults, causing roughly 1.5 million

> heart attacks each year (about one every 26 seconds).

> According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one-