Protect Your Heart

1. Take an Omega-3 Supplement

The immune system attacks viruses, bacteria, invaders and promotes rest, relaxation and healing after injuries by creating pain, swelling and inflammation. Without the immune system, we would be helpless victims to germs. However, over years of time, excess inflammation puts you at a higher risk for having a heart attack. Evidence indicates that LDL cholesterol in the bloodstream becomes harmful to the arteries once inflammation and oxidation occur.

Chronic or silent problems that you may not even be aware of can explain why even those with normal cholesterol levels are at risk for a heart attack. Inflammation is linked to type 2 diabetes, allergies, cancer, arthritis, heart disease and even Alzheimer’s disease.

2. Eat for Your Heart

Diets that include lots of fruits and vegetables may help balance cholesterol levels. If cholesterol becomes low enough, it is possible for plaque buildup to be reversed. As arteries become narrowed, heart attack can occur. Diets that include plants (Drs. Esselstyn and Campbell) have been used to reverse coronary heart disease (blocked arteries). The diet’s success is largely attributed to cholesterol reduction.

3. Manage Your Cholesterol

If your LDL cholesterol is extremely high, you may need more than dietary interventions. According to the American Heart Association, “The more risk factors you have, the greater your chance of developing coronary heart disease. Also, the greater the level of each risk factor, the greater the risk. For example, a person with a total cholesterol of 300 mg/dL has a greater risk than someone with a total cholesterol of 245 mg/dL, even though everyone with a total cholesterol greater than 240 is considered high-risk.”

If you have high blood pressure, add another major risk factor for heart attack. If you smoke tobacco, have diabetes and are overweight, add three more risk factors to the equation.

4. Supplements

Nature’s Shield’s L-D-L less contains red yeast rice, a unique type of natural yeast that helps balance the body’s production of cholesterol.

Res-Q LDL-x2 with niacin helps inhibit the absorption of dietary cholesterol when consumed with food.

Res-Q 1250 reduces inflammation, improves circulation, supports a healthy heartbeat and promotes overall cholesterol well-being.

Additional Tips:

Get your cholesterol checked and arteries scanned if you are older, have diabetes or are overweight. Quit smoking, manage weight with productive exercise and muscle building, and learn how to manage blood pressure.

Understanding Your Risk of Heart Attack

Omega-3 Supplement Review

Just because a product costs more money doesn’t always mean that it is more expensive. For example, some products cost more but the number of units may be greater: i.e., 500 paper plates for $3 is a better value than 50 paper plates for $1. I reviewed a name-brand omega-3 supplement that I will refer to as Brand X so as not to mention any names.

Brand X Krill Oil

One capsule of Brand X contains:

300 milligrams of krill oil
90 milligrams of omega-3 fatty acids
50 milligrams of EPA
24 milligrams of DHA

Res-Q 1250

I also decided to review Res-Q 1250, a popular omega-3 supplement that is marketed for cardiovascular health and cholesterol well-being.

One capsule of Res-Q 1250 provides:

1250 milligrams of omega-3 oil (anchovy, sardine, mackerel)
750-850 milligrams of omega-3 fatty acids
390-425 milligrams of EPA
300-325 milligrams of DHA

Heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) are found predominantly in marine (sea) life: fish, krill, phytoplankton or calamari (squid). I would have to take 12½ capsules of Brand X’s krill oil to equal the amount of DHA in one Res-Q 1250 capsule. DHA benefits the heart, brain and eyes, while EPA reduces inflammation, inhibits cholesterol synthesis and encourages a healthy cardiovascular system.

The bottle of Res-Q 1250 contains 200 capsules whereas Brand X only provides 60. Res-Q 1250 costs $56; Brand X krill oil costs $32.98. In other words, the unit price of a Brand X capsule is 54 cents ($32.98/60).1 One Res-Q 1250 capsule costs 28 cents ($56/200). Therefore, Res-Q is the least expensive of the two supplements; it’s the best buy.

N3 Oceanic, maker of the Res-Q product line, always offers price discounts or promotional offers. Prior to placing your first order, have a product consultation with one of our Res-Q consultants. Call the customer service department at 1-800-262-5483 (26-ALIVE). Res-Q consultants are not only knowledgeable but can offer you a reduced price, special discounts or free shipping.



1 current retail price as of 01/17/13

The Perfect Omega Ratio

Fats play an important role in our health, especially the good ones! The three basic types of fats are monounsaturated, polyunsaturated and saturated. The omega-3 and omega-6 fats are polyunsaturated.

The omega-6 fatty acid (linoleic acid) is plentiful in both nature and diet but this is not the case with omega-3. Walnuts, flaxseed and spinach are a poor source of heart-healthy omega-3 because these foods don’t provide any of the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, also known as EPA and DHA.

The Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, a unit of the University of Southern Mississippi‘s College of Science and Technology, refers to this dietary fat balance as having “resulted in an overwhelming surplus of omega-6 fatty acids and a deficiency in omega-3 fatty acids.” They estimate the balance of polyunsaturated fats in the Western diet as having at least 20 times more omega-6 then it should. This dietary imbalance is thought to contribute to heart disease, cancer, diabetes and other inflammatory diseases.

Fast food, including such processed foods like cakes, crackers, pies and all deep-fried foods, are one reason why there is too much omega-6 in the diet. Omega-6 oils (vegetable, corn, soybean, sesame, safflower, sunflower and cottonseed oils) provide the texture and taste that Americans enjoy. However, the typical American diet is causing a dietary fat imbalance.

Omega-3 is needed by every cell in the body! As the number of double bonds increases, so does fluidity, so highly unsaturated, long-chain omega-3 fatty acids are essential for healthy, flexible cells.

Only certain types of fish provide a significant source of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. The healthiest fish are extremely expensive, which limits how often they are consumed. The long-chain omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are found predominantly in marine life: fish, calamari, seafood and algae. EPA and DHA reduce inflammation and improve cardiovascular health.

The Fats Handbook explains it best: “The omega-3-produced eicosanoids elicit anti-inflammatory responses while omega-6 eicosanoids elicit inflammatory responses. When the diet contains high concentrations of omega-6 fatty acids, cell membranes have high concentrations of omega-6, and the highly potent eicosanoids that are produced by the omega-6 precursor, arachidonic acid, are released.”

You need to supplement the diet with fish oil to help restore the dietary balance of fats to the optimal ratio. Fish oils contain the long-chain omega-3 EPA and DHA, but not all fish oils are equal!

Some fish oils are not concentrated. Don’t be fooled by the word concentrate like “fish-oil concentrate.” Look for EPA and DHA on the label. Also, it is important to make sure it is only a pure, omega-3 supplement; we get enough omega-6 in the diet!

Res-Q 1250 is a great brand! It is a highly concentrated EPA/DHA supplement that promotes optimal cardiovascular health and helps to reduce inflammation. It is something that everyone needs. Since Res-Q 1250 is at least twice as potent as most fish oils, it represents an exceptional savings.

To contact us by telephone, call 1-800-262-5483.

References:

Types of Dietary Fats and Oils
Fats HandBook

Preventing Alzheimer’s Disease

 

Among the elderly, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia and is named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer, who discovered specific changes in the brain tissue accompanied by memory loss. Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth-leading cause of death and usually occurs among those 65+.

Regular Exercise

Physical exercise is not just for the body. Moving around actually improves brain function; regular exercise may improve memory and thinking. According to a research study that tracked movement: “If a person had a low overall physical activity, they had a faster rate of cognitive decline. People with low activity were more likely to develop [Alzheimer’s disease]. Compared to those with high rates of activity, the risk of developing AD was two times higher.”

Proper Nutrition

Alzheimer’s research reveals that a specific type of healthy fat known as omega-3 is beneficial for the brain: “One of the key strategies of an Alzheimer’s prevention program involves healthy brain nutrition. A diet rich in antioxidant fruits and vegetables, omega-3 fats from fish and nuts, and whole grains will strengthen brain cells and protect the body from diabetes, which studies now show doubles the risk for Alzheimer’s disease.”

Include vegetables, fruits and nuts in the diet, and limit how often you eat red meat. In the Columbia University study, “more than 2000 people age 65 and older found a lower risk for Alzheimer’s disease in the volunteers who ate a greater amount of nuts, fish, tomatoes, poultry, vegetables and fruits, and a lesser amount of high-fat dairy products, red meat and butter.”

Supplement the Diet

In addition to eating healthy, there are some great dietary supplements. Featured in Dr. Oz’s video, taking 600 milligrams of DHA, a specific type of omega-3, can help memory and support the aging brain.

Low levels of vitamin D are associated with cognitive impairment. Since such deficiencies are easy to acquire, taking a vitamin D supplement is a good idea. This can help ensure that vitamin D levels are met and help improve brain health.

Also essential for the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease, antioxidants like those found in fruits such as blueberries, strawberries and cranberries have been shown in studies to improve cognitive function. Additionally, antioxidants help protect the lipids found in brain cells that are important for cell function.

Watch Your Blood Sugar 

Since elevated blood sugar increases the risk for Alzheimer’s disease, if you are diabetic, try to avoid foods that spike the blood sugar. It is better to have small, frequent meals rather than large ones. “Eating at regular intervals helps to maintain consistent blood-sugar levels. Also avoid refined carbohydrates high in sugar and white flour, which rapidly spike glucose levels and inflame your brain.”

Additionally, simple activities like switching hands to brush your hair can help improve your brain health. Find ways to challenge your brain or become more active! 

Res-Q’s Omega-3 Supplements

Res-Q 1250+ provides the omega-3 fatty acids DHA & EPA, and vitamin D. Res-Q 1250+ supports brain health and is intended to supplement the diet. It contains more DHA per capsule than most fish-oil supplements. DHA helps support brain and eye health; vitamin D is important for brain and bone health.

References:

Alzheimer’s Disease Fact Sheet
Alzheimer’s Risk Factors and Prevention
Preventing Alzheimer disease with exercise
Foods and Spices to Bolster Brain Health