Herbs for a Healthy Heart

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Herbs for a Healthy Heart
Tuesday, 28 December 2004
by Yam Cher Seng
New Straits Times

CARDIOVASCULAR disease (CVD) remains the number one killer in most industrialised countries. In 1997, 75 per cent of cases admitted to government hospitals in Malaysia were due to cardiovascular disease.

It's a disease that can be prevented. But it is a progressive one where it may take years before the symptoms unfold. Many people do not realise that they have it until they get a heart attack or stroke.

Risk factors

Risk factors are those that cause the narrowing and hardening of blood vessels called atherosclerosis which leads to cardiovascular disease.

These factors are: age, gender, ethnicity, family history, diabetes, obesity, smoking, high blood pressure, lack of physical activity and high cholesterol.

Men are at a greater risk of developing heart disease at an earlier age compared to women. This is attributed to the protective effect of the woman's hormone oestrogen against heart disease until menopause when the risk becomes the same. South Asians, in particular Indians, have a higher risk compared to other ethnic groups.

Coronary risk prediction chart

A coronary risk prediction chart is used by doctors to calculate the individual's risk of having a heart attack or stroke over the next 10 years. This takes into account the age, gender, cholesterol and blood pressure readings, whether he is a smoker or nonsmoker and if he suffers from diabetes.

Prevention strategies are called for if the calculation indicates that he is a high-risk individual. These focus on the risk factors that can be changed with diet, lifestyle modifications and, if needed, with medicines or herbs.

Diabetes

Diabetes increases heart attacks and strokes by two to three times in men and four to six times in women. This condition is due to the dysfunction of insulin, a hormone that maintains normal blood sugar level. Uncontrollable blood sugar causes damage to blood vessels and nerves. Diabetics should learn to manage their blood sugar level to reduce the risk of heart disease.

Obesity

Obesity is a major risk factor, as well as Type II diabetes, hypertension, gall bladder disease and arthritic conditions. Diet and increased physical activity are the only ways to reduce and maintain body weight. Crash dieting is not advisable as it leads to a yo-yo effect in weight that causes more harm than good. Adopt an eating plan that can be sustained and as part of a lifestyle.

Smoking

Smoking is known to decrease the good HDLcholesterol and cause the thickening of blood and clotting that contribute to fatty deposits that line the walls of the arteries. Smokers who smoke at least 20 cigarettes a day have two to four times the risk of getting a heart attack than non- smokers. The occasional puff is no assurance either as no level of smoking has been determined to be safe. Stop smoking and within a few months of cessation, the risk of coronary heart disease starts to decline. A smoker who had stopped for two to three years reduces his risk to the level of a non- smoker.

High blood pressure

High blood pressure pummels the blood vessel walls, causing damage to its lining. The damage attracts more fats to be deposited on the vessel wall thus narrowing the arteries. A narrowed blood vessel requires more force for the blood to push through and this raises the blood pressure further. This ultimately leads to kidney damage and death. Obesity, excessive alcohol consumption, excessive salt intake and lack of physical exercise also contribute to high blood pressure or hypertension. Diet modification, exercise and weight loss should be the first approach to reducing blood pressure.

Lack of exercise

Regular exercise strengthens heart muscle, raises good HDL levels, thins the blood, reduces blood pressure and imparts a general sense of wellbeing.

High cholesterol levels

High cholesterol contributes to coronary heart disease deaths. A low-fat diet has little impact on cholesterol levels as 90 per cent of the cholesterol in the body is a by-product of some of the body's vital processes.

Animal fats and trans-fatty acids raise LDL levels (harmful cholesterol) and lower HDL levels. Transfatty acids are found in deep-fried foods, processed foods, margarines and commercial baked goods.

A diet high in fibre, whole grains, fresh greens, vegetables, fruits, garlic, onions and nuts is excellent for removing excess cholesterol from the body. Marine fish is also a good source of fatty acids that help in lowering cholesterol levels.

Anti-cholesterol herbs

Apart from lifestyle changes, recent studies now affirm that guggulipid, a gum resin from the Commiphora mukul tree can help to remove cholesterol. A double-blind placebo-controlled study shows that supplementing with guggulipid capsules containing 100mg guggulsterones daily over six months together with a low fat diet results in an 11.7 per cent drop in the total cholesterol, along with a 12.7 per cent decrease in LDL cholesterol and a 12 per cent decrease in triglycerides. At the same time it raises the total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio by 11.1 per cent.

Guggulipid has been used for over 2,000 years in Ayuverdic medicine for obesity and fat disorders. It has also been approved by the Indian health authorities for the treatment of heart disease. More than 300 tons of the resin is used annually for medical purpose in India.

Red yeast rice is produced in the fermentation of rice by the red yeast (Monascus purpureus). Red yeast rice has been used for centuries in China as a food as well as a medicine. A scientific analysis has shown that red yeast rice extract contains monacolins such as lovastatin which can inhibit the activity of the enzyme involved in the production of cholesterol, hydroxymethyglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase and lower total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted in 1999 in the US which involved 83 healthy subjects with high cholesterol level for 12 weeks showed that red yeast rice significantly reduced total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides levels compared to a placebo. Both guggulipid and red yeast rice were very safe and no adverse events were reported throughout the trial. However, individuals who are taking medication should consult the doctor before consuming any cholesterol- lowering herbs.

* Yam Cher Seng is a pharmacist who is actively involved in the dissemination of information on natural healthcare and holistic therapies.