Cadiovascular Diseases
Cardiovascular diseases represent the first cause of premature death in industrialized countries. |Numerous studies have demonstrated that, beside hypercholesterolemia, several parameters directly depending upon nutrition have a significant impact on the cardiovascular system.
Which tests?
The functional diagnostics tests useful for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases are:
Cardiovascular Risk Test: This test includes measuring cholesterol, omega3 fatty acids, homocysteine in the blood. Omega 3 fatty acids play a double protector role: they maintain an optimal fluidity of the bi-phospholipid layer and they have anti-inflammatory, anti-platelet aggregation and vasodilatation activities.
Hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor for cardio-vascular diseases. Hyperhomocysteinemia results usually from a deficiency of vitamins B6, B9 and B12.
Oxidative Stress Test: This test includes antioxidant profile, SOD, GSH, GPX, Anti LDL Ab, 8OH-D Gluanosine. Free radicals are considered to day as the main cause of atherosclerosis. By oxidizing LDL, they stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies directed against the oxidized-LDL. These latter by interacting with the oxidized lipoprotein accumulated in the artery walls initiate an inflammatory reaction which will progressively destroy the vessel.
Organic Acid Test: By measuring different metabolites in the urine we are looking at the important metabolic pathways: fatty acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, energy metabolism (Kreb’s cycle), vitamin B complex markers, methylation markers, neurotransmitter markers, antioxidant markers, toxicity and de-tox markers, and collectively gain information of potentially needed nutrients for optimal functioning.
Functional test re-evaluation preformed three to four months after the implementation of nutritional and micro nutritional advices enable the physician to test their impact.
References:
Cardiovascular disease and long-chain omega-3 fatty acids. Harris, WS, Park Y, Isely WL. Curr Opin Lipidol. 2003; 14:9-14
Antioxidant vitamins and enzymatic and synthetic oxygen-derived free radical scavenger in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Nayak DU, Karmen C, Frishman WH, Vakili BA. Heart Dis. 2001 Jan-Feb: 3(1):28-45
Homocysteine as a risk factor for artherosclerosis. Temple ME, Luzier AB, KAzierad DJ. Ann Pharmacother, 2000 Jan; 34(1):57-65
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