Into the Heart

Estrogen a Natural Antioxidant

Reactive oxygen species or free radicals are a type of cellular chemical energy that have a single unpaired electron in their outer orbit. Free radicals are highly reactive; unstable cells that are generated as a natural result of oxygen breakdown.

 

Oxidative stress is defined as the imbalance in favor of reactive oxygen species generation over cellular antioxidant protectors. Oxidative stress contributes to an increase in arterial blood pressure and the subsequent progression of hypertension by decreasing nitric oxide bioavailability.

 

Within the artery nitric oxide is a highly protective molecule that maintains vascular tone and reactivity.  Nitric oxide helps arteries stay relaxed and dilated. When nitric oxide is diminished arteries tend to tighten and become damaged which contributes to increased blood pressure.

 

  The hormone estrogen, (estradiol) provides natural antioxidant properties because it increases the expression of antioxidant enzymes and decreases troublesome NADPH oxidase enzyme activity and superoxide production. Estrogens have a phenolic hydroxyl group at position 3 and a methyl group at position 13. The presence of this phenol group gives estrogen its antioxidant property by neutralizing oxygen free radicals. The estrogens estriol and estradiol confer significant antioxidant activity.

 

During the menopause transition estrogen production naturally diminishes. This decrease in estrogen tends to result in an increase in oxidative stress for post menopausal women. This increase in oxidative stress (reduction in nitric oxide bioavailability) is a mechanism which places women age 45 and older at increased risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Enhancing antioxidant enzyme systems and efficiency for menopausal and post menopausal women will help to compensate for the age/sex related loss of antioxidant balance.

 

In addition to enjoying antioxidant rich foods such as berries, plums, pecans, and red wine, fitness (for men and women) enhances enzymatic antioxidant efficiency. Exercise improves (upregulates) antioxidant enzyme efficiency which decreases oxidative stress which then results in enhanced (artery relaxing/protecting) nitric oxide bioavailability.

 

The University of Calgary/Canada conducted a study (noted below) specific to oxidative stress and blood pressure in post menopausal women. The results of this study demonstrated that after menopause, fitness level and regular physical activity mediate (protect) against oxidative stress by maintaining antioxidant enzyme efficiency. More specifically, hushing/blocking oxidative stress by regular physical exercise helps modulate blood pressure and cerebral vascular conductance (blood flow to the brain) after menopause. 

 

Healthy antioxidant rich foods each day, blended with regular physical activity is therapeutic to the prevention and management of hypertension for midlife women. As such, a brisk walk nurtures the soul and relaxes the arteries.

Source:

Effect of Cardiorespiratory Fitness on Vascular Regulation and Oxidative Stress
in Postmenopausal Women
Vincent Pialoux; Allison D. Brown
Hypertension. 2009; 54:1014.

Strawberries and Plums for Healthy Arteries

High blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes predispose individuals to cardiovascular events. These conditions are also associated with oxidative stress.

 

Oxidative stress is an imbalance between the level of antioxidant defence system and production of oxygen derived species. In general, the body can compensate for a  degree of oxidative stress and neutralize oxidatively damaged molecules by activating antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione S-transferase and glutathione peroxidase. However, aging, stress and an unhealthy diet can weaken the antioxidant defence system which then predisposes the body to cell dysfunction and disease.

 

With regard to coronary artery disease, oxidative stress can alter the function of the artery by direct oxidative damage or by activating cellular signaling pathways that lead to arterial contraction (tightening), arterial inflammation, and arterial growth and/or remodeling. Oxidative stress also causes LDL cholesterol in the artery to become polluted and troublesome. Essentially, oxidative stress stimulates unfavorable changes in the structural and mechanical properties of the arteries which over time reduces the transport of oxygen and nutrients to the heart and other body tissues.

 

Certain foods, beverages and herbal supplements, such as Chinese herbal medicines  possess antioxidant properties and are thought to help the body naturally inhibit and/or accelerate recovery from the effects of oxidative stress.

 

According to research findings regarding the Total Antioxidant Capacity of Fruits (study noted below), on the basis of the wet weight of fruits (edible portion), strawberry had the highest oxygen radical absorbance capacity activity followed by plum, orange, red grape, kiwi fruit, pink grapefruit, white grape, banana, apple, tomato, pear, and honeydew melon. On the basis of the dry weight of fruits, strawberry again had the highest oxygen radical absorbance capacity activity followed by plum, orange, pink grapefruit, tomato, kiwi fruit, red grape, white grape, apple, honeydew melon, pear, and banana. The studyed noted, that most of the antioxidant capacity of these fruits was from the juice fractions.

 

Fresh strawberries with plain yogurt (instead of ice cream) provides a healthy summertime treat.

Prune or plum juice is available each season. A prune/plum juice with no artificial sweetners and no added sugar is healthier for the arteries.With age the body tends not to process sugar efficiently, the excess sugar stresses cell function. High sugar intake also tends to cause LDL cholesterol to beome polluted which contributes to arterial inflammation.

 

Sources:

A Comparison of Arteries and Veins in Oxidative Stress: Producers, Destroyers, Function, and Disease

Theodora Szasz1, Keshari Thakali,

Exp. Biol. Med. 2007; 232:27-37

 

Total Antioxidant Capacity of Fruits

Hong Wang,  Guohua Cao

J. Agric. Food Chem., 1996, 44 (3), pp 701–705

Yes, Menopause Hot Flashes are Clinically Important

Hot flashes . . . a sudden feeling of heat in the face, neck or chest are experienced by eighty percent of women during the menopause transition. However, for years, perhaps decades, hot flashes have been considered as a symptom that mainly affects quality of life for menopausal women without any other clinical significance. Recently this simplified premise has been challenged.

 

The presence of hot flashes is now being associated with an elevated cardiovascular risk profile. Higher total cholesterol levels, blood pressure and body mass index are more likely in menopausal women who experience (symptomatic) hot flashes when compared to women who do not (asymptomatic) experience hot flashes.

 

The study noted below found menopausal women with moderate/severe/very severe hot flashes had significant endothelial dysfunction, as shown by reduced brachial artery flow mediated dilation and greater aortic calcification when compared with menopausal women of similar age without hot flashes (vasomotor symptoms).

 

The endothelium is the extremely thin inner lining of the artery. The endothelium protects the artery, like a glove protects the hand from harsh elements. If the endothelium becomes damaged or dysfunctional the artery can become torn and inflamed. Such damage generates a type of cellular buildup which eventually hardens and reduces blood flow within the artery.

 

Of additional importance, this study demonstrated that HDL cholesterol levels were significantly lower in women with moderate/severe/very severe hot flashes when compared with women with no/mild hot flashes. HDL cholesterol transport fats (lipids) away from the arteries. HDL also possesses artery protecting antioxidant properties. Low circulating levels of HDL cholesterol indicate increased cardiovascular risk.

 

The severity of hot flashes is clinically significant and is viable indicator (prognostic value) of arterial function and health in menopausal and post menopausal women.

 

Information presented within this website Into The Heart. com  relates how to maintain healthy HDL cholesterol and arteries.

 

Source:

Endothelial Function, But Not Carotid Intima-Media Thickness, Is Affected Early In Menopause and Is Associated with Severity of Hot Flushes.

Aris Bechliouis, Sophia N. Kalantaridou

J Clin Endocrinol Metab, March 2010, 95(3); 1199-1206

Low Folate Levels and Depressive Symptoms Among Men

Folate a B-complex vitamin and homocysteine an amino acid have been implicated to have a role in depression. A high serum homocysteine level is also associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The objective of a recent study by The International Medical Center of Japan, Toyama was to clarify the association between serum folate and homocysteine concentrations and depressive symptoms in Japanese adults.

The study analyzed data from 530 municipal employees  313 men and 217 women, aged 21–67 years, who participated in a health survey at the time of periodic checkup. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale.

Results found in total, 113 men (36.1%) and 79 women (36.4%) had depressive symptoms.  Higher serum folate was associated with a lower prevalence of depressive symptoms in men. Low serum folate was related to an increased prevalence of depressive symptoms among these men.

However, in women neither folate nor homocysteine was associated with depressive symptoms.

Spinach, asparagus, beets, lentils provide the most abundant natural sources of folate. 
Fortified cereals are a good source of folic acid.

The terms folic acid and folate are often used interchangeably. Folic acid, the more stable form, occurs rarely in foods or the human body but is the form most often used in vitamin supplements and fortified foods.

Homocysteine is a sulfur-containing amino acid, which is an intermediate in the metabolism of another sulfur-containing amino acid, methionine. The amount of homocysteine in the blood is regulated by three vitamins: folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6.

Please keep in mind this study relates to depressive symptoms . . . not depression.

Source:
Serum folate and homocysteine and depressive symptoms among Japanese men and women
A Nanri, T Mizoue, Y Matsushita,
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2010) 64, 289–296

Celery Calms Blood Pressure

Celery produces a tranquil effect on the body’s nervous system by hushing stress hormones.  Within the blood vessels this calming effect helps relax blood pressure. The natural vasorelaxant effect of celery is attributed to compounds named phthalides: more specifically 3-n-butylphthalide.

3-n-butylphthalide, is thought to reduce systolic blood pressure by relaxing the smooth muscle cells within the middle layer of the artery. Studies indicate 3-n-butylphthalide inhibits extracellular calcium influx into the smooth muscles, possibly by modulation of calcium channels, thereby causing a vasorelaxant effect. Arteries that are relaxed and dilated provides more space for blood to flow; which allows blood to flow at a lower pressure.

Flavanoids are compounds with antioxidant properties that protect cells against damage by oxygen molecules. Celery provides a very, very potent source of the flavonoid apigenin. Studies indicate apigenin counteracts cellular oxidative stress and prevents the expression of several inflammatory factors.  Oxidative stress produces a state of cellular imbalance that leads to cell disfunction and disease. Within arteries oxidative stress renders the vessel less pliable and decreases responsiveness to vasorelaxants. Celery also helps prevent clots from forming inside the blood vessels because it provides a natural, subtle source of coumarin.

Celery is  naturally alkalizing; it balances the body's PH, which is essential for good health. The salt provided in celery is soluble and organic (a bit different than white table salt). Organic salt allows the body to use other nutrients. The vibrant green celery leaves are nutritionally dense with vitamin C, calcium and potassium. One cup of raw celery provides 344.40 mg of cell balancing potassium. The natural organic salt in celery enables the body absorb these nutrients.

The information and research findings I have provided are specific to celery (stalks & leaves) not celery seed or celery seed dietary supplements. This is because pure foods are bio-active and work in synergy. Serving an equal portion of finely sliced celery with albacore tuna (omega 3) is intensely cardioprotective. The natural DHA/EPA provided in oily fish helps inhibit arterial inflammation and reduces the incidence of cardiac arrhythmia.

Sources:
Cardiovascular Pharmacology of 3-n-butylphthalide in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats
D. Tsi and B. K. H. Tan
Phytotherapy Research. 1997; Vol. 11, 576—582

Apigenin: Is It a Pro- or Anti-Inflammatory Agent?
Raquel Soares and Isabel Azevedo
American Journal of Pathology. 2006;168:1762-1763

Hot Flashes, Menopause and Cardiovascular Health

Concern regarding hot flashes, menopause and cardiovascular health had been related in an earlier post on this blog. High global readership on this topic indicates more clarity would be beneficial for women with hot flash concerns. As such, the enclosed provides more perspective.

Vasomotor symptoms, hot flashes correlate with lower level of plasma antioxidant activity, an increased cardiovascular reactivity to stressful situations, elevated cholesterol, higher sympathetic nerve activity, impaired flow-mediated dilation, hypertension and a higher risk of aortic calcification.

Hot flushes are an indicator of, a marker for underlying arterial changes among otherwise healthy menopausal women. More specifically, healthy postmenopausal women with hot flashes have different cardiovascular risk factors than postmenopausal women without hot flashes.

Hot flashes are more than just bothersome, they are an indication, a message to women of potential heightened cardiovascular risk factors . . . as noted in the second paragraph.

Source:
Vasomotor symptoms and cardiovascular risk.
Climacteric. 2009;12 Suppl 1:32-5.
Gambacciani M, Pepe A.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Menopause and Osteoporosis Center,
Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy

Peaceful Arteries

A bump above the eyebrow or a cut on the arm becomes tender and swollen due to cellular activity. In a similar manner arterial inflammation contributes to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.  Medical studies have found elevated concentrations of inflammation and vascular cell activation markers in individuals with cardiovascular disease.  Dietary components and dietary patterns are thought to influence cardiovascular risk due to their effect on arterial inflammation.

 Foods rich in omega 3 such as walnuts, and cold water fish have been shown to improve endothelial function, and  nuts, cocoa, and berries are associated with less inflammatory biomarkers. Red wine, dark chocolate and tea consumption have been shown to hush  inflammation, and nurture artery health because of there antioxidant properties. Research strongly suggests that diets high in antioxidant-rich fruit and vegetables and whole grains decrease inflammation and improve endothelial function.

The post below regards a research study noting how four different dietary patterns influence cardiovascular disease risk.  Keep in mind, most often foods are not consumed in isolation, there is synergy among and within foods. The blended effect of the diet's parts is greater than the individual effects of single foods and nutrients.

Beautiful Food Hushes Arterial Inflammation

Dietary patterns influence cardiovascular disease risk through effects on inflammation and endothelial activation within the artery. The endothelium is a thin lining covering the internal surface of blood vessels. Blood moving through the arteries glides along side the protective endothelium lining.

The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis examined the relationship between dietary patterns and markers of inflammation and endothelial activation. In this study, concentrations of C-reactive protein, interleukin 6, homocysteine, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and soluble E selectin were assessed in 5089 non diabetic participants.

With this study four dietary patterns were analysis. The dietary pattern of fats, oils, processed meats, fried potatoes, salty snacks, and desserts was associated with inflammation, noted by  C-reactive protein , interleukin 6, and homocysteine.

The beans, tomatoes, refined grains, and high-fat dairy products diet pattern was associated with  intercellular adhesion molecule-1activity. In the artery, cell adhesion molecules draw monocyte cells to the endothelium . . . The monocyte cell then nests between the endothelial cells and become swollen with oxidized LDL cholesterol. This swollen cholesterol tends to bubble and brew, eventually causing arterial build up.

However, in the study a diet that emphasized whole grains, fruit, nuts, and green leafy vegetables suppressed/hushed inflammatory messengers: C-reactive protein, interleukin 6, homocysteine, and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1activity. The fish and dark-yellow, cruciferous, and vegetables dietary pattern suppressed interleukin 6.

The inflammation associated  (C-reactive protein, interleukin 6, and homocysteine) with the fats and processed meats dietary pattern was independent of demographics and lifestyle factors.

The lack of inflammation (the goal is less inflammation) associated with the whole grains and fruit dietary patterns was also independent of demographics and lifestyle factors.

The results of this study indicate race or ethnicity does not generate inflammation in the arteries. More so, a dietary pattern contributes to arterial inflammation. A whole grains, fruit, nuts, green leafy vegetables, and fish diet comforts the protective endothelium and reduces arterial stress/inflammation.

For three peaceful recipes to hush arterial inflammation visit:
http://www.ForHerHeart.org/a.aspx

Source:
Dietary patterns are associated with biochemical markers of inflammation and endothelial activation in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 83, No. 6, 1369-1379, June 2006
Jennifer A Nettleton, Lyn M Steffen

Fresh Ginger Root: Healthy Arteries

5-lipoxygenase is a member of a large family of enzymes called lipoxygenases.  5-lipoxygenase is expressed in the cardiovascular system: the aorta, coronary, and carotid arteries. Under certain circumstances such as cell oxidation (pollution) this enzymatic pathway generates inflammatory mediators called leukotrienes.

Essentially, select leukotrienes signal and collect fatty type deposits that build-up in the arteries. Inhibiting 5-lipoxygenase enzyme helps protective the aorta, coronary, and carotid arteries from damage and irritation.

Medical research suggests that ginger, the underground stem of the plant Zingiber Officinale suppresses leukotriene biosynthesis by inhibiting 5-lipooxygenase. This is significant because ginger is now thought to possess duel anti-inflammatory inhibitor properties via leukotriene and prostaglandin pathways.

Ginger has been found to suppresses prostaglandin synthesis and inflammation through inhibition of the cyclooxygenase enzyme, much like non-steroid anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve). For generations ginger root has been used as an herbal medicinal product to suppress nausea, soothe sore throats and reduce inflammation and joint pain.

Fresh ginger root is available at the produce section in most food stores. It is a light weight, low cost item. Fresh grated ginger provides a warm and spicy substitute for salt when preparing certain meals and a healthy substitute for sugar in fresh baked cookies & muffins.

Keep in mind, omega 3 fatty acids from cold water fish (salmon, albacore tuna) also help inhibit inflammation that initiates and inflames fatty build-up in the arteries (atherosclerosis). Omega 3 fatty acids help suppress three types of inflammatory mediators: prostaglandins, leukotrienes and thromboxanes. Blending ginger and omega 3 fatty acids into meal planning will help block inflammation that brews and becomes troublesome in the arteries.


Sources:
The 5-Lipoxygenase as a Common Pathway for Pathological Brain and Vascular Aging
Cardiovascular Psychiatry and Neurology Volume 2009
Jin Chu MD, Domenico Praticò MD

Ginger: An Herbal Medicinal Product with Broad Anti-inflammatory Actions
Journal Med Food 2005
Grzanna R, Lindmark L

Folate Helps Nurture Cardiovascular Health for Postmenopausal Women

Folate is a water soluble B vitamin. Low intake or low levels of folate, elevated homocysteine and high blood pressure contribute to cardiovascular disease. High homocysteine levels* are associated with an increased risk for stroke, myocardial infarction, and venous thrombosis (blood clot). The amount of homocysteine in the blood is regulated by folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6.

A placebo-controlled study completed in Italy investigated whether in healthy postmenopausal women a three week administration of folate at a dose of 15 mg/day was capable of modifying 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure. The study also investigated the relationship of folate to homocysteine and insulin metabolism.

The study found the folate supplement significantly decreased nocturnal systolic blood pressure -4.48 mm Hg, diastolic blood pressure -5.33 mm Hg and mean blood pressure -5.10 mm Hg. The placebo did not  produce any changes in blood pressure.

Folate also reduced homocysteine and insulin resistance.
The recommended dietary allowance for folate is 400 mcg a day.
Doses equal to or greater than 1 mg require a prescription. Keep in mind, this study used high-dose short-term folate administration.

*The endothelium is a thin layer of protective cells inside the artery. Plasma total homocysteine concentration of 10-30 µM produces endothelial dysfunction, including impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilatation and decreased thrombomodulin anticoagulant activity.

Sources:
High-dose short-term folate administration modifies ambulatory blood pressure in postmenopausal women.
A Cagnacci MD
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2009) 63, 1266–1268

Folate dependence of hyperhomocysteinemia and vascular dysfunction
in cystathionine -synthase-deficient mice
Steven R. Lentz, Rochelle A. Erger
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol
Vol. 279, Issue 3, H970-H975, September 2000