| You might disagree, but hear me out on this...The | | | | scientists to be as good as or better than drug |
| drug companies know what they want you to think. | | | | therapy at combating C-reactive |
| They want you to think that the only reliable | | | | protein.Diet--Healthnotes Newswire reported the |
| predictor for heart disease is an elevated low-density | | | | conclusions of one study that showed that making |
| lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level, and the best way | | | | several positive changes to one's diet could |
| to decrease your risk to take "statin" drugs such as | | | | significantly reduce C-reactive protein levels. Adding |
| Zocor and Lipitor. Cholesterol-reducing medications are | | | | plant sterols, insoluble fiber, soy protein, and almonds |
| among the highest-grossing pharmaceutical products | | | | to the low-fat, vegetarian diets of test subjects |
| ever, so drug companies want to lead you to their | | | | helped reduce C-reactive protein levels by 28 percent |
| medications. But an elevated LDL-cholesterol level is | | | | more than a control group fed a low-fat, vegetarian |
| not the only predictor of heart disease. It's not even | | | | diet.Other studies have found links between |
| the best predictor--that honor goes to a little known | | | | increased consumption of whole grains and reduced |
| test that looks for elevated levels of C-reactive | | | | C-reactive protein levels. These studies show that |
| protein.What is C-reactive protein?C-reactive protein | | | | subjects who ate more simple carbohydrates had |
| is produced by the body during times of inflammation. | | | | higher C reactive protein levels than subjects who |
| Doctors are not exactly sure why some people have | | | | ate more complex carbs.Supplementation--Vitamin |
| elevated C reactive protein and others have normal | | | | and mineral supplements have also shown to be an |
| levels, but they do know that high C reactive protein | | | | inexpensive, effective weapon against C-reactive |
| is linked to higher rates of heart disease, stroke, | | | | protein.Niacin--Niacin is a B-complex vitamin that |
| heart attack, and sudden cardiac death.Traditional | | | | works so well to lower cholesterol and C-reactive |
| doctors agree that a test for C-reactive protein is a | | | | protein that it is regulated by the FDA and available |
| better measure of a person's risk for heart disease | | | | by doctors in prescription strengths. Consumers can |
| than cholesterol. The New England Journal of Medicine | | | | also buy high-quality B-complex vitamins, which have |
| reported in November of 2002 that elevated C | | | | many other benefits, from any health food |
| reactive protein predicts cardiovascular problems | | | | store.Coenzyme Q10 and Vitamin E--Supplementing |
| better than elevated LDL-cholesterol. The American | | | | with vitamin E will reduce your C-reactive protein |
| Heart Association agrees.How Is Elevated C Reactive | | | | levels and enhance your health. Scientists have |
| Protein Determined?The test to determine C-reactive | | | | recently proven that combining vitamin E |
| protein levels is quite simple. A blood sample is taken, | | | | supplementation with coenzyme Q10 is even more |
| and the sample is analyzed in the laboratory. It's a | | | | effective, and can reduce C-reactive protein levels by |
| test that's neither expensive nor invasive.Even | | | | as much as 30 percent.ConclusionsIt's still a good idea |
| though doctors agree that C-reactive protein is such | | | | to make the diet and lifestyle changes that will lower |
| a powerful predictor for heart disease, the simple | | | | your LDL-cholesterol levels. Reducing your intake of |
| test is not often offered to patients. Why? They | | | | trans and saturated fats will help you live a longer life. |
| don't ask for it. Commercial advertising (supported by | | | | If you're concerned about your risk of coronary |
| pharmaceutical companies who make money from | | | | disease, though, focus on you C-reactive protein |
| lowering people's cholesterol levels) leads patients to | | | | levels. Ask your doctor for a blood test to determine |
| ask their doctors to prescribe cholesterol-lowering | | | | your level of C-reactive protein. If it's high, talk to |
| statin drugs. They rarely ask about C-reactive protein | | | | your physician about using diet and exercise, along |
| tests and remedies because it's not a big-money | | | | with nutritional supplementation, to lower your |
| business.What Home Remedies Treat High C | | | | C-reactive protein levels and your risk of heart |
| Reactive Protein?Drug companies that sell statin | | | | disease.References"Comparison of C-Reactive Protein |
| drugs know that they could lose money if people | | | | and Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels in the |
| start worrying more about their C-reactive protein | | | | Prediction of First Cardiovascular Events." Paul M. |
| levels than they do about their LDL-cholesterol levels. | | | | Ridker, M.D., Nader Rifai, Ph.D., Lynda Rose, M.S., Julie |
| They are quick to point out that studies show that | | | | E. Buring, Sc.D., and Nancy R. Cook, Sc.D. The New |
| the same drugs used to lower cholesterol will also | | | | England Journal of Medicine. 347:1557-1565, Nov. 11, |
| lower C-reactive protein. However, these drugs are | | | | 2002."Inflammation, Heart Disease and Stroke: The |
| both expensive and dangerous. Muscle reactions have | | | | Role of C-Reactive Protein." Changes Can Reduce |
| left patients severely disfigured, and even physicians | | | | Cholesterol and C-Reactive Protein as Much as |
| are questioning the wisdom and efficacy of | | | | Medication." Ho is editor of both Nutritional |
| widespread use of statin drugs.Happily, natural healing | | | | Supplement Info Spotlight, and Beat Your Health |
| offers many ways to keep C-reactive protein levels | | | | Condition which offer unconventional and unique |
| in the healthy range. These methods can be used to | | | | solutions for common health issues. Claim your FREE |
| lower elevated C reactive protein, or to maintain | | | | subscription to his newsletter now at Nutritional |
| good heart health. Even better, natural methods for | | | | Supplements Info Newsletter. |
| reducing C-reactive protein have been proven by | | | | |