The Cholesterol Conspiracy Podcast by Ladd McNamara, M.D.

In this episode Dr. Ladd McNamara discusses vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids: a real an alternative way to reduce the risk of death from heart disease and stroke.

• Chapter 33: Vitamins, Minerals, Antioxidants, and Essential Fatty Acids: The Real Way to Reduce the Risk of Death from Heart Disease and Stroke – Part 3

Chapter Excerpts

Alpha-Lipoic Acid works in many ways to protect against disease and maintain health. ALA protects LDL cholesterol from oxidation, reduces the inflammatory reaction of the arteries, along with magnesium helps to maintain a health blood pressure. Alpha-Lipoic Acid works together with co-enzyme Q10 in the metabolism of sugar into energy.

Olive Oil and Olive Oil Extracts contain polyphenol antioxidants that are in part responsible for the benefits of the Mediterranean diet. Studies have shown those who consume more of these antioxidant compounds have a greatly reduced risk of heart disease and cancer, let alone a prolongation of life.

Fish oil supplements (containing DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) have been shown to decrease the risk of cardiac death greater than the use of statin drugs, …and without any toxic side-effects. Thus, more evidence of the Cholesterol Conspiracy.

In addition to magnesium supplementation, researchers are finding promise in the higher rates of survival after heart attacks when high-dose antioxidants are commenced shortly after such an attack.

Diets high in both soluble and insoluble fiber help reduce blood lipid levels, cholesterol, and insulin intolerance.

Ladd McNamara, M.D.

Chapter References

• 130: Zhang WJ, Frei B. Alpha-lipoic acid inhibits TNF-alpha-induced NFkappa B activation and adhesion molecule expression in human aortic endothelial cells. FASEB J 2001 Nov;15(13):2423-2432.
• 131: El Midaoui A, de Champlain J. Prevention of hypertension, insulin resistance, and oxidative stress by alpha-lipoic acid. Hypertension 2002 Feb;39(2):303-307.
• 132: Takaoka M, et al. Effects of alpha-lipoic acid on deoxycorticos-terone acetate-salt-induced hypertension in rats. Eur J Pharmacol 2001 Jul;20;424(2):121-129.
• 133: Koufaki M, et al. Novel potent inhibitors of lipid peroxidation with protective effects against reperfusion arrhythmias. J Med Chem 2001 Nov 22;44(24):4300-4303.
• 134: Gonzalez-Perez O, Gonzalez-Castaneda R, Huerta M, et al. Beneficial effects of -lipoic acid plus vitamin E on neurological deficit, reactive gliosis and neuronal remodeling in the penumbra of the ischemic rat brain. Neuroscience Letters, 2002 March 15, 321(5);1:100-104.
• 135: Chen C et al. Endogenous sex hormones and prostate cancer risk: a case-control study nested within the carotene and retinal efficacy trial. Cancer Epidimeiol Biomarkers Prev. 2003 Dec;12(12):1410-1416.
• 136: Upritchard J, Suterhland W, Mann J. Effect of supplementation with tomato juice, vitamin E, and vitamin C oxidation and products of inflammatory activity in type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2000 Jun;23(6):733-738.
• 137: Decker E, et al. Inhibition of low-density lipoprotein oxidation by carnosine histidine. J Agric Food Chem 2001 Jan;49(1):511-516.
• 138: Owen RW, et al. Olive oil consumption and health: the possible role of antioxidants. Lancet Oncol, 2000, Oct., 1:107-12.
• 139: Visioli F, et al. Antioxidant and other biological activities of phenols from olives and olive oil. Med Res Rev. 2002 Jan;22(1):65-75.
• 140: Simopoulos Ap. The traditional diet of Greece and cancer. Eur J Cancer Prev. 2004 Jun;13(3):219-30.
• 141: Visioli F., et al. Low density lipoprotein oxidation is inhibited in vitro by olive oil constituents. Atherosclerosis. 1995 Sep;117(1):25-32.
• 142: Cullinen K. Olive oil in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Med Health R.I. 2006 Mar;89(3):113.
• 143: Nagyova A, et al. Effects of dietary extra virgin olive oil on serum lipid resistance to oxidation and fatty acid composition in elderly lipidemic patients. Bratisl Lek Listy. 2003;104(7-8):218-21.
• 144: Martinez-Gonzalez MA. The SUN cohort study (Seguimiento University of Navarra). Public Health Nutr. 2006 Feb;9(1A):127-31.
• 145: Bogani P., et al. Postprandial anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of extra virgin olive oil. Atherosclerosis. 2006 Feb 17; [Epub ahead of print].
• 146: Fito M., et al. Antioxidant effect of virgin olive oil in patients with stable coronary heart disease: a randomized, crossover, controlled, clinical trial. Atherosclerosis. 2005 Jul;181(1):149-58.
• 147: Fernandez-Jarne E., et al. Risk of first non-fatal myocardial infarction negatively associated with olive oil consumption: a case-control study in Spain. Int J Epidemiol. 2002, Apr;31(2):474-80.
• 148: Visioli F., Galli C. Antiatherogenic components of olive oil. Curr Atheroscler Rep. 2001. Jan;3(1):64-7.
• 149: Visioli F., et al. Low density lipoprotein oxidation is inhibited in vitro by olive oil constituents. Atherosclerosis. 1995 Sep;117(1):25-32.
• 150: Nestel P, et al. The n-3 fatty acids eiosapentaenoid acid and docosahexaenoic acid increase systemic arterial compliance in humans. Am J Clin Nutr 2002 Aug;76(2):326-330.
• 151: McLennan O. Myocardial membrane fatty acids and the antiarrhythmic actions of dietary fish oil in animal models. Lipids 2001 36 Suppl: S111-S114.
• 152: Marchioli R, Barzi F, Bomba E, et al. Early protection against sudden death by n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids after myocardial infarction: time-course analysis of the results of the Gruppo Italian per lo Studio dells Soprvvivenza nell’Infarto Micardico (GISSI)-Prevenzione. Circulation. 2002 Apr 23;105:1897-1903.
• 56: Rosenson RS. Statins in atherosclerosis: lipid-lowering agents with antioxidant capabilities. Atherosclerosis. 2004. Mar;173(1):1-12.
• 57: Tsimikas S, et al. High-dose atorvastatin reduces total plasma levels of oxidized phospholipids and immune complexes present on apolipoprotein B-100 in patients with acute coronary syndromes in the MIRACL trial. Circulation. 2004 Sep 14;110(11):1406-12.
• 152: Marchioli R, Barzi F, Bomba E, et al. Early protection against sudden death by n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids after myocardial infarction: time-course analysis of the results of the Gruppo Italian per lo Studio dells Soprvvivenza nell’Infarto Micardico (GISSI)-Prevenzione. Circulation. 2002 Apr 23;105:1897-1903.
• 154: Bernier M, et al. Reperfusion-induced arrhythmias and oxygen-derived free radicals. Circulation Res. 1986 58:331-340.
• 203: Studer M, et al. Effect of different antilipidemic agents and diets on mortality: a systematic review. Archives of Internal Medicine, 2005 Apr 11;165(7):725-30.
• 153: Grech E, et. al. Reperfusion injury after acute myocardial infarction. Brit Med J 1995 310:477-478.
• 154: Bernier M, et al. Reperfusion-induced arrhythmias and oxygen-derived free radicals. Circulation Res. 1986 58:331-340.
• 155: Chamiec T, et al. Effects of antioxidant vitamins C and E on signalaveraged electrocardiogram in acute myocardial infarction. Am J Cardiol. 1996 77:277-281.
• 156: Dzizinskii AA, et al. Effects of antioxidants and membrane protectors on clinical course and hemodynamics of patients of myocardial infarct. Ross Med Zh. 1992 1:32-34.
• 157: Kramer J, et al. Magnesium-deficiency potentiates free radical production associated with post-ischemic injury to rat hearts: vitamin E affords protection. Free Rad Bio Med. 1994 16:6:713-723.
• 158: Altura BM. Cardiovascular risk factors and magnesium: relationships to atherosclerosis, ischemic heart disease and hypertension. magnesium and trace elements. Switzerland, S. Karger AG, Basel, 1991-92;10:182-192.
• 159: Van Leer EM, et al. Dietary calcium, potassium, magnesium and blood pressure in the Netherlands. Internation J Epidem. 1995 24:6:1117-23.
• 160: Bernier M, et al. Reperfusion-induced arrhythmias and oxygen-derived free radicals. Circulation Res. 1986 58:331-340.
• 161: Chamiec T, et al. Effects of antioxidant vitamins C and E on signalaveraged electrocardiogram in acute myocardial infarction. Am J Cardiol. 1996 77:277-281.
• 162: Dzizinskii AA, et al. Effects of antioxidants and membrane protectors on clinical course and hemodynamics of patients of myocardial infarct. Ross Med Zh. 1992 1:32-34.

Ladd McNamara, M.D.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download