Anti-Aging Medicine

by Ronald Klatz, MD, DO, and Robert Goldman, MD, PhD, DO, FAASP

American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M; www.worldhealth.net)

An Anti-Aging Approach to Heart Disease

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the US; one in every three deaths is from heart disease and stroke, equal to 2200 deaths per day. Cardiovascular–disease related hospitalizations in 2010 cost the nation more than $444 billion in health-care expenses and lost productivity. Medical experts generally agree that we can reduce our risk for heart disease through dietary and lifestyle choices. Indeed, these nondrug interventions may be essential to reducing the numbers of premature deaths due to cardiac events. In this column, we review present the latest study findings suggesting nutritional and lifestyle approaches that may help to promote heart health.

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Be one in a million this American Heart Month. http://www.cdc.gov/Features/HeartMonth [Web page]. Accessed 1 February 2012.

Diet Rich in Fruit and Vegetables Can Modify Heart Disease Risk Genes

Research has shown that it is possible to favorably modify a gene with a strong link to heart disease simply by eating a diet containing plenty of fruit and vegetables. Joint principal investigator of the study Dr. Jamie Engert, a researcher in cardiovascular diseases at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) and associate member in the Department of Human Genetics at McGill University, and colleagues investigated the effect of diet on the 9p21 gene – the strongest genetic marker for heart disease – in more than 27,000 people. Results showed that that participants with the high-risk genotype who consumed a diet composed mainly of raw vegetables, berries, and other fruits had a similar risk of heart attack to those with the low risk genotype. “We observed that the effect of a high-risk genotype can be mitigated by consuming a diet high in fruits and vegetables,” said Sonia Anand, joint principal investigator of the study, researcher at the Population Health Research Institute, and professor of medicine and epidemiology at the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine at McMaster University. “Our results support the public health recommendation to consume more than five servings of fruits or vegetables as a way to promote good health.”

Do R, Xie C, Zhang X, et al. The effect of chromosome 9p21 variants on cardiovascular disease may be modified by dietary intake: evidence from a case/control and a prospective study. PLoS Med. 2011;9:e100110.

Soy Protein Improves Lipid Profile

Previously, a number of studies have demonstrated that soy protein reduces low-density lipoprotein (LDL, “bad”) cholesterol and increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL, “good”) cholesterol, providing evidence for beneficial effects exerted for heart health and cholesterol profile. Elaine Krul and colleagues completed a randomized, controlled three-phase crossover trial involving 352 American adults with serum total cholesterol level of less than 240 mg/dl, conducted for a five-year period. Study subjects were assigned to 40 g/day supplementation of soy protein, milk protein or complex carbohydrate for 8 weeks in random order. The team observed a total cholesterol reduction as well as the total/HDL cholesterol ratio reduction that was statistically significant with soy protein supplementation compared with carbohydrate. Compared with milk protein, soy protein supplementation significantly increased HDL and significantly reduced total/HDL cholesterol ratio as well as lowered LDL cholesterol. Observing, “Compared with carbohydrate, soy protein supplementation was significantly associated with a net change in total cholesterol and total/HDL cholesterol ratio of −3.97 mg/dl and −0.12 mg/dl, respectively,” the researchers conclude: “ Soy protein … supplementation improves the lipid profile among healthy individuals.”

Wofford MR, Rebholz CM, Reynolds K, et al. Effect of soy and milk protein supplementation on serum lipid levels: a randomized controlled trial. Eur J Clin Nutr. 28 September 2011.

Strawberry Boosts Heart Health

Daily supplements of strawberry powder may improve heart health measures in obese men and women. Susan J. Zunino and colleagues from the US Department of Agriculture’s Western Human Nutrition Research Center completed a study involving 20 obese but otherwise healthy participants, ages 20 to 50 years. Each subject consumed the daily equivalent of four servings of frozen strawberries as a freeze-dried powder in a milkshake, yogurt, cream cheese, or beverage; or the same products with no added powder. After three weeks, total cholesterol decreased by 4%, and the LDL-to-HDL profile improved in those participants who consumed strawberry powder. Noting that 2 g of fiber are present in every 100 g of strawberries, the researchers submit that fiber may be responsible for the cholesterol-lowering benefits of strawberries. The study authors conclude: “Dietary strawberry powder reduced risk factors for [cardiovascular disease], stroke and diabetes in obese volunteers, suggesting a potential role for strawberries as a dietary means to decrease obesity-related disease.”

Zunino SJ, Parelman MA, Freytag TL, et al. Effects of dietary strawberry powder on blood lipids and inflammatory markers in obese human subjects. British J Nutr. 9 November 2011.

Rose Hip Extract Aids Cardiovascular Health

Rose hip (Rosa canina) extract may help to reduce blood pressure and improve cholesterol among obese men and women. C Holm and colleagues from Lund University (Sweden) investigated the effects of a six-week-long daily intake of rose hip powder on the metabolic profile among obese men and women. The researchers recruited 31 obese individuals with normal or impaired glucose tolerance. Each subject was randomly assigned to receive either rose hip powder beverage (containing a daily dose of 40 g of rose hip powder) or control drink for six weeks. At the conclusion of the study period, systolic blood pressure decreased by 3.4%, LDL cholesterol fell by 6%, and total cholesterol dropped by 4.9%, among the subjects who consumed the rose hip powdered beverage. Overall, the risk of cardiovascular disease was decreased by 17% in the rose hip group. Study authors conclude: “Daily consumption of 40 g of rose hip powder for 6 weeks can significantly reduce cardiovascular risk in obese people through lowering of systolic blood pressure and plasma cholesterol levels.”

Andersson U, Berger K, Hogberg A, Landin-Olsson M, Holm C. Effects of rose hip intake on risk markers of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease: a randomized, double-blind, cross-over investigation in obese persons. Eur J Clin Nutr. 14 December 2011.

Health Hazards of Modern Living

Alarmingly, a recently published study suggests that certain modern-day conveniences raise heart attack risks. In a case-control study of 10,043 cases of first myocardial infarction (heart attack) and 14,217 controls who did not report previous angina or physical disability, Claes Held and colleagues from Uppsala University (Sweden) assessed leisure-time and occupational physical activity. Study subjects who had a heart attack were more likely to be sedentary during leisure time and work, as compared with controls. For leisure-time activity, the odds of a heart attack were lower with as little as mild-exertion exercise, with beneficial effects seen in as little as 30 minutes of exercise per week. For occupational activity, both light and moderate physical activity associated with lower odds of heart attack, as compared with being sedentary; strenuous work activity was not related to an increased risk of heart attack, in large part because such activity did not involve extended aerobic exertion. The team also explored various markers of sedentary behavior. They found that owning a car, radio or stereo, and a home was significantly associated with the risk of heart attack. Owning a television was of borderline significance. Observing, “Leisure-time [physical activity] and mild-to-moderate occupational [physical activity], but not heavy physical labour, were associated with a reduced risk,” the study authors warn: “ownership of a car and TV was associated with an increased risk of [myocardial infarction] across all economic regions.”

Held C, Iqbal R, Lear SA, et al. Physical activity levels, ownership of goods promoting sedentary behaviour and risk of myocardial infarction: results of the INTERHEART study. Eur Heart J. January 11, 2012.

To stay updated on the latest breakthroughs in natural approaches to promote cardiovascular health, visit the World Health Network (www.worldhealth.net), the official educational website of the A4M and your one-stop resource for authoritative anti-aging information. Be sure to sign up for the free Longevity Magazine e-journal, your weekly health newsletter featuring wellness, prevention, and biotech advancements in longevity.