LIFE EXTENSION WEEKLY UPDATE, NOVEMBER 2 2001
IN THIS ISSUE, NOVEMBER 2 2001:
LIFE EXTENSION WEEKLY UPDATE EXCLUSIVE: Vitamin C helps in congestive heart
failure
PROTOCOL: Congestive heart failure
FEATURED PRODUCTS OF THE WEEK: Arginine capsules, Taurine capsules
LIFE EXTENSION MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2001 ISSUE NOW ONLINE
CHAT WITH DR BAER ABOUT CHELATION THERAPY
LIFE EXTENSION WEEKLY UPDATE EXCLUSIVE
Vitamin C helps in congestive heart failure
Congestive heart failure patients experience dysfunction of the blood
vessels' endothelium leading to a restriction of blood supply to the body,
associated with weakening of the heart muscle. This endothelial dysfunction
is caused by programmed cell death, or apoptosis, resulting from systemic
inflammation and an increase in oxidative stress. In a study published in
the October 30 2001 issue of of Circulation: Journal of the American Heart
Association, European researchers established a benefit of vitamin C in
suppressing the signal for cell death within the inner lining, or
endothelium, of blood vessels in congestive heart failure patients.
In this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, thirty-four patients with
congestive heart failure were randomized to receive infusions of either 2.5
grams vitamin C or a placebo. Baseline blood samples were drawn prior to
and 15 minutes after the infusion. This was followed by a regimen of oral
vitamin C or a placebo twice per day for three days. Blood samples were
taken on the fifth day and plasma levels of apoptotic microparticles were
measured to determine the level of apoptosis.
Study participants were found to have apoptotic particles that were 32% of
baseline levels, while those receiving a placebo experienced no change.
Study coauthor Stefanie Dimmeler, Ph.D., a professor at the University of
Frankfurt in Germany commented, "Increasing evidence suggests that oxidative
stress regulates apoptosis of endothethial cells. Therefore, we questioned
whether antioxidatant treatment with vitamin C could reduce endothelial cell
death in CHF patients. This study, for the first time, proves the relevance
of these findings by demonstrating that antioxidant treatment inhibits
apoptosis of endothelial cells in patients with CHF. The findings might
contribute to our understanding of the mechanisms of heart failure
progression and could add antioxidant treatment as a novel strategy to delay
progression of heart failure."
PROTOCOL
Congestive heart failure
Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to pump blood
throughout the body (but not all patients with heart failure have
congestion). There are two categories of congestive heart failure: systolic
and diastolic. In the systolic type of the disease, blood coming into the
heart from the lungs may be regurgitated so that fluid accumulates in the
lungs (pulmonary congestion). In the diastolic type, the heart muscle
becomes stiff and cannot relax, leading to an accumulation of fluid in the
feet, ankles, legs, and abdomen.
Congestive heart failure is in itself not a diagnosis. Rather it is the
physiological result of damage to the heart caused by some underlying
condition. Therefore, it is not enough to say that a person has congestive
heart failure. The CHF has to be due to some underlying process, and that
diagnosis is important in terms of treatment and prognosis.
The most common underlying cause for congestive heart failure is
hypertension (high blood pressure). The Framingham Heart Study recently
reported that high blood pressure increased the risk of developing heart
failure about 2 times for men and 3 times for women. A second important risk
factor for the disease is diabetes mellitus. The incidence of heart failure
among diabetics is three to eight times greater than in the normal
population. Other forms of cardiac disease, such as myocardial infarction,
valve disease, rheumatic heart disease, and certain types of congenital
conditions, also increase the potential for developing heart failure.
Secondary risk factors include smoking, obesity, and high cholesterol.
Recent studies indicate that coenzyme Q10, human growth hormone, taurine,
magnesium, and L-carnitine can be of substantial benefit in the treatment of
CHF and IDC (idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy) when used as adjunctive
therapies. Chelation therapy may be beneficial. Patients who do not respond
well to medication may benefit from other types of therapy such as LVAD
devices and mitral valve surgery. Organ transplantation may be the last
option for a number of patients with CHF or cardiomyopathy. Prior to
considering any adjunctive therapy, consult with your cardiologist. Here is
a review of the treatment options:
1. Coenzyme Q10 has proven to be an effective treatment for patients with
CHF and cardiomyopathy by improving cardiac workload and contractility of
the heart muscle and increasing exercise tolerance. The recommended dosage
of coenzyme Q10 is 100 mg, 3 times daily.
2. Carnitine has been shown to benefit patients with IDC (particularly
children) by increasing left ventricular function. The recommended dose is
2000 mg a day.
3. Taurine, when used in combination with other therapies, may benefit CHF
patients. The daily dosage of taurine is 2000 mg.
4. Growth hormone, when used in conjunction with conventional medications,
was proven to increase cardiac output, particularly left ventricular
function. The recommended dosage for growth hormone is 1 to 2 IU daily, or
as recommended by a cardiologist.
5. In lieu of growth hormone, arginine may provide the same benefits. Daily
dosage of arginine is 6 to 10 grams.
6. When used in conjunction with other therapies, magnesium can improve
cardiac hemodynamics and reduce the risk of arrhythmia in patients with CHF.
The daily dose of magnesium is 1000 mg. Patients may want to consider taking
magnesium-rich Life Extension Mix. The recommended dose is 3 tablets, 3
times daily.
7. Fish oil may increase cardiac output and reduce the risk of arrhythmia.
The recommended dosage is 5 to 8 capsules a day containing at least 400 mg
of EPA and 300 mg of DHA.
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FEATURED PRODUCTS OF THE WEEK
Arginine capsules 900 milligrams
L-arginine is an essential amino acid. L-ornithine may be used as an
alternative since it metabolizes to L-arginine in the body. If taken in
doses larger that those normally obtained from your diet or if taken on an
empty stomach, these amino acids may be helpful for:
Hypertension: L-arginine is required for the body to synthesize nitric
oxide, which enables the arterial system to retain its youthful elasticity,
thus alleviating hypertension in some people. Nitric oxide also helps to
produce endothelial relaxation factor, which is needed by the arterial
system to expand and contract with each heartbeat. The inability of arteries
to expand and contract is a major cause of hypertension associated with
aging. If you decide to try L-arginine to lower blood pressure, ask your
physician to reduce your antihypertensive medication while you are
increasing your intake of arginine. The suggested dose of L-arginine as a
blood pressure lowering agent is 4500 mg three times daily. For some people,
L-arginine does not lower blood pressure, so it's crucial that your blood
pressure be monitored to ensure that it is under control. L-ornithine is not
a suitable alternative for this purpose since quick synthesis of nitric
oxide is required.
Growth hormone: L-arginine and L-ornithine have been shown to promote
natural growth hormone (GH) release from the pituitary gland. GH promotes
healthy anabolic metabolism throughout the body, helping to maintain
youthful protein synthesis within cells. Aging causes a decline in protein
synthesis that results in many of the degenerative diseases of aging, which
may be partially corrected by enhancing GH serum levels. You can measure the
GH enhancing effects of L-arginine/L-ornithine by measuring your blood
levels of somatomedin C (IGF-1), a GH metabolite.
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Taurine capsules
Taurine is a conditionally essential amino acid produced from cysteine by
the body and found abundantly in the body, particularly throughout the
excitable tissues of the central nervous system, where it is thought to have
a regulating influence. However, taurine is deficient in many diets and may
not be sufficiently produced by the body in certain disease states.
Taurine has been reported to:
Prevent cataracts
Boost cardiac output in those suffering from congestive heart failure or
cardiomyopathy
Be frequently deficient in cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy
Control epileptic seizures, uncontrollable facial twitches, and motor tics
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LIFE EXTENSION MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2001 ISSUE NOW ONLINE!
As we see it: Achieving maximum health
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Cover story: The Wizard is Oz
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Reports:
Are body scans safe?
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Unsafe at any dose
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In the news:
New research shows how broccoli beats cancer, Folic acid and B12 save lives
and money, Lutein helps prevent atherosclerosis
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Profile
Into the light
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Questions and answers:
Skin repair, High triglycerides versus low cholesterol, EDTA,
glycation-reduced diets
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November 2001 Medical Updates:
Studies from throughout the world that can help you live longer
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November 2001 Abstracts
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Check out back issues of Life Extension Magazine at
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html Life Extension's website has archived its magazine issues from 1995
to the present.
Dr Andrew Baer's live chat topic this coming week is chelation therapy. To
find out more about this interesting treatment for congestive heart failure,
atherosclerosis and other conditions, go to
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this Wednesday at 7:00 pm eastern time, or 7:00 pm pacific time to sign in
and chat with Dr Baer.
Visit Life Extension's website www.lef.org, and take part in our weekly
poll. If you have questions or comments concerning this issue or past issues
of Life Extension Weekly Update, send them to ddye@lifeextension.com, or
contact me at 1 800 841 5433 extension 7716.
For longer life,
Dayna Dye
ddye@lifeextension.com
Editor, Life Extension Update
Life Extension Foundation
www.lef.org
1 800 841 LIFE
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