Triglycerides are BAD?

Triglycerides are the scientific name for the chemical formulation of three molecules of fatty acid combined with a molecule of the alcohol glycerol. It is derived externally from edible fat which can provide the body with energy and store any unused calories for future use. In comparison, cholesterol is produced internally by the liver to build cells and certain hormones.

Stored fat as energy


When your body needs energy for exercise, it comes from three sources -- glucose in your blood, glycogen in your muscles and liver, and triglycerides in your fat cells and in the form of free fatty acids. Blood sugar is the easiest for your body to access for energy, followed by glycogen. Fat takes longer to convert into the glucose your body needs for energy.


Other functions of fat


Triglycerides are a common type of fat found in both plants and animals accounting for about 95% of all dietary fats. Fat is required to provide insulation to keep our body warm. In fact the fat beneath the skin is like a heat pad to warm up when temperature drops. It also cushions and protects some vital organs as well as body components eg. the myelin sheath covering the brain consists of 70% fat. Recommended daily intake of fat is about 20% of our total diet.


Fat metabolism


When food containing fat enters the stomach followed by the small intestines, triglycerides are being released in globule form into the bloodstream. Similar to cholesterol, triglycerides are unable to dissolve in blood and move around with the help of proteins that transport the lipids (lipoproteins) to be used as fuel to our muscles. However, both can obstruct blood flow causing high blood sugar, excess fat around the waist and increased risk of heart disease and stroke.

The sequence of events are as follows:

1. Large fat droplets get mixed with bile salts from the gall bladder in a process called emulsification. The mixture breaks up the large droplets into several smaller droplets called micelles, increasing the fat's surface area.
2. The pancreas secretes enzymes called lipases that attack the surface of each micelle and break the fats down into their parts - glycerol and fatty acids.

     3.  These parts get absorbed into the cells lining the small intestine.

     4.  In the intestinal cell, the parts are combined with cholesterol to reassemble into packages of fat molecules called chylomicrons to allow the fat dissolve more easily in water. 
     5.  The chylomicrons are released into the lymphatic system and not go directly into the bloodstream given their size to pass through the wall of the capillaries.
     6.  The lymphatic system eventually merges with the veins, at which point the chylomicrons can then pass into the bloodstream.

     7.  Chylomicrons lasts only about eight minutes as enzymes called lipoprotein lipases found in the walls of blood vessels, fat tissue, muscle tissue and heart muscle break the fats into fatty acids for energy use.    
     8.  Under the stimulation by insulin, fatty acids are made into fat molecules and stored as fat droplets in adipose (fat) tissue around our hips (or belly) and liver, waiting to be released as energy as and when required.
     9.  When the need for energy arises, fatty acids and glucose from the liver or adipose tissue are broken apart and proceed to the mitochondria inside the muscle cells.

   10.  Excessive free fatty acids floating around are returned to the liver where they are reattached to glycerol, creating another triglycerides to be stored for further use.


 Adipose or Fat cell

Your weight is determined by the rate at which you store energy from the food that you eat, and the rate at which you use that energy. On average, a typical young male adult stores about 60,000 to 100,000 calories of energy in body fat cells. This is sufficient to support metabolic functions for 30 to 40 days without additional food. However, water intake must be maintained.


An infant usually has about 5 - 6 billion fat cells. This number increases during early childhood and puberty. Come adulthood, a healthy adult with normal body composition has about 25 to 30 billion fat cells with women having more fat cells than men. A typical overweight adult has around 75 billion fat cells and in severe obesity, this number can be as high as 250 to 300 billion!


In most instance, the number of fat cells stabilize in later years. With proper control, as the body breaks down fat, each fat cell simply gets smaller. On the contrary, frequent intake of more calories than you burn results in overweight and thus larger fat cells.


Note that other than fat, any extra food taken of carbohydrates or protein is also chemically converted into triglycerides but is 10 times less efficient than simply storing fat in a fat cell.


Causes

High level indicates the body's inability to convert fat into energy due to:

• Obesity.
• Poorly controlled diabetes.
• An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism).
• Kidney disease.
• Excessive intake of sugar.
• Excessive alcohol consumption.
• Drug medications eg. tamoxifen, steroids, beta-blockers, diuretics, estrogen, birth control pills.
• Hereditary.

When excessive calories are not burn away, they may spill over into other tissues, like the liver and the muscle giving rise to “metabolic syndrome” -- a group of risk factors for heart disease and type 2 diabetes which include:

• Obesity, especially excessive fat tissue in and around the abdomen
• High blood pressure
• Increased blood sugars (pre-diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance)
• High levels of inflammatory proteins in the blood

Range


To convert from mg/dL to mmol/L, divide by 88.5


+ Normal: Less than 150 mg/dL
Note: 35-50mg/dl and lesser is considered severely low and may be associated with hyperthyroidism, malnutrition, mal-absorption, auto-immune disorder, drug medication, low fat diet, severe stroke.

+ Borderline High: 150-199 mg/dL
Reduce carbohydrate intake is advisable. High fat diets usually do not raise trigylcerides

+ High: 200-499 mg/dL

+ Very high: 500 mg/dL or above (above 1000 mg/dL may be due to pancreatitis)
It is necessary to reduce dietary fat intake and avoid alcohol consumption to lower excessive triglycerides.

Natural remedies

+ Natural path towards lowering triglyceride levels should begin with reducing alcohol intake, cutting out smoking, and avoiding high fat foods such as red meat, fried products, high fat dairy products and simple sugars.

A diet low in saturated fats, trans fat, cholesterol and simple carbohydrates is recommended when trying to reduce high triglycerides. Get rid of “white” foods such as:

• White rice
• White bread
• Regular potatoes
• Pasta

Substitute with carbs with high fiber content that take awhile to absorb such as:

• Brown rice
• Whole grain bread
• Sweet potatoes
• Whole wheat pasta

Note:  For extra carbohydrate intake, the body is able to store about 1,200 to 1,600 calories worth of energy in the form of glycogen in the liver and muscle cells for quick use. Once glycogen stores are full, the liver sends any extra glucose to be turned into triglycerides and stored in the fat cells.

Do not forget to add healthy fats (mono- and polyunsaturated fats) as in:

• avocados
• walnuts
• chicken without the skin
• canola oil and
• olive oil

Good control of blood glucose levels often dramatically reduces triglyceride levels.

+ Incorporating a balanced exercise program into your lifestyle should be a priority, consisting of both aerobic and anaerobic exercises, performed for at least 30 minutes per day, 3 times per week.
Exercise intensity plays a role in determining whether you use triglycerides, glycogen or blood glucose for fuel. Low-intensity exercise relies mainly on free fatty acids along with a small amount each of muscle triglycerides and blood glucose. As exercise intensity increases, the amount of free fatty acids used decreases slightly, the amount of blood glucose used increases slightly and the amount of muscle triglycerides and glycogen used increases. As such aerobic exercises should be a priority to reduce triglyceride levels.

+ The main goal of a nutritional approach to lowering triglycerides is to restore or improve the body's metabolism of lipids and carbohydrates, in particular sugars and grains. This can be achieved by providing the body with vital nutrients in the right balances, eating smart with the goal of stabilizing the body's insulin levels and undergoing the ongoing process of detoxification.

There are two products proven scientifically in lowering your triglyceride levels:

1) Omega 3 Fish Oil

Omega-3 fatty acids have an amazing triglyceride lowering ability and raising HDL level. Fish oil contains an abundant amount of omega-3. The typical dose is 300 mg to 1.2 grams per day. One study found that taking 2.4 gms of EPA and 1.6 gms of DHA reduced triglycerides levels by about 26% and HDL improved by 25% in women.  Another study found an average reduction of 38% in triglyceride levels and an increase of 24% on HDL for both men and women participants taking fish on a daily basis.

A clinical trial found daily 1g doses of highly concentrated omega 3 within three months of a heart attack cut the risk of a patient later dying suddenly by 45%.

2) Garlic

A study conducted on 50 male subjects over a 12 week period showed with Omega3 taken in combination with garlic yielded better result - triglycerides dropped 34% whilst LDL fell by 9.3%.

Another study published in Clinical Cardiology proved that fish oils help decrease plasma triglyceride levels. Supplementation of highly purified DHA and EPA range from 3 to 5 grams per day has consistently shown triglyceride-lowering properties. In addition, Mayo Clinic published a review of 18 trials including 823 subjects and established that fish oil supplements significantly reduced triglycerides. According to American Heart Association's guidelines, people who have elevated triglycerides may need 2 to 4 grams of EPA and DHA per day provided as a supplement.

VIVA corner

VIVA Lipoguard is a unique revolutionary nutraceutical product developed exclusively by VIVA Life Science. Invited participants had gone through a rigorous clinical trial led by Dr. N.C. Marcos, an authority in the field of cardiovascular research at the Department of Medicine, University of Irvine, USA. Results obtained have been published in the Journal of the National Medical Association in 1997. 

The study showed after a month's intake of this product containing 1.8 gms of EPA and 1.2 gms of DHA (10 capsules daily) it reduced total cholesterol by 11%, LDL by 10% and triglycerides by 34%. Even subsequent reviews showed all participants to have normal functions of kidney and liver. At the same time, an FDA report reviewing studies on the effect of 24 fish oil products to reduce cardiovascular disease found only this product effectively tackles this problem.

Homocysteine can be very risky

There are new evidence that beside cholesterol, there is another culprit called homocysteine independently responsible for heart attack or stroke. High levels of homocysteine are related to the early development of heart and blood vessel disease. It is capable of causing atherosclerosis (fatty deposits in blood vessels) by damaging the inner lining of arteries and promoting blood clots. By promoting the oxidation of the bad cholesterol (LDL), it facilitates the cholesterol depositing as plaques in the blood vessels.

Homocysteine is a common amino acid converted from methionine, an essential amino acid found abundantly in animal-derived foods like meats, seafood, dairy products and eggs. Most vegetables such as beans, peas and lentils, are low in methionine. Few exceptions are like sesame seeds and Brazil nuts.

History

The unexpected discovery dated back to 1969 when Dr. Kilmer S. McCully, as a member of the Harvard human genetics group then, was present when pediatricians presented the story of the death of an eight-year old boy. Suffering from a rare hereditary disease called homocysteinuria, he had died of a stroke at that tender age. This rare condition had been discovered only six years earlier by medical investigators in Belfast.

In the ensuing years several more cases were identified. In this condition, a genetic error occurs in a liver enzyme known as cystathionine synthase. When this conversion enzyme is lacking or is present in inadequate amounts, toxins built up leading to abnormal arteries, with hardening and loss of elasticity that greatly increase the tendency for heart attacks and strokes.

Not only did McCully focus on this observation, but he also knew of the work of George Spaeth, an ophthalmologist friend, who informed him of the dramatically beneficial effect of vitamin B6 supplementation on some of the homocysteinuria patients he had treated with dislocated lens. He informed that the excretion of homocysteine in the urine of such patients frequently could be increased dramatically by this vitamin.

His further findings showed the child's walls of the carotid arteries leading to the brain were severely thickened and damaged by arteriosclerosis. He also found fibrous plaques forming in virtually all the small arteries of the body as a result of blood platelets clustering more readily. Soon he had identified ten more cases of homocysteinuria in children, mostly died of blood clots to the brain, heart and kidneys.

How much is dangerous level?

+ Blood levels of total homocysteine increase throughout life in men and women.

+ Prior to puberty, both sexes enjoy optimally healthy levels (about 6 µmol/L).

+ During puberty, levels rise and more in males than females to almost 10 µmol/L and more than 8 µmol/L respectively. (because most guys are meat eaters)

+ As we age, levels continue to rise with males exceeding the females.

+ Even at 12 micromoles per liter of blood plasma the risk of heart attack and stroke doubles, with increasing blood clots in the veins.

+ At 15 micromoles or above, a heart attack rate is three times as high as normal.

Pertinent health issues

+ The higher homocysteine levels seen in the elderly may be caused by many factors including mal-absorption of B12 or a suboptimal intake of B-vitamins (especially vitamin B12), reduced kidney function and medications that reduce the absorption of vitamins.

+ In a remarkable study published in The New England Journal of Medicine in 2002, a large contingent of elderly people free of dementia were studied in advance. The results showed those with an elevated blood plasma level of homocysteine were more inclined to develop Alzheimer’s later. At a high level (over 14 micromoles per liter of blood), the risk of Alzheimer’s disease doubled.

+ Elevated levels of homocysteine have been linked to increased fractures in elderly persons. Homocysteine does not affect bone density but has corrosive effect on collagen by interfering with the cross-linking between the collagen fibers and the tissues they reinforce.

Vitamin B effects

+ High homocysteine is associated with low intake of vitamin B2, B6, B12 and folate. They are involved in homocysteine metabolism - to keep it at bay and to convert from methionine into the beneficial amino acid - cysteine, a precursor to glutathione, a substance that detoxifies the liver by binding with harmful substances there. Cysteine can be used for treating most illnesses, promotes collagen formation and retards aging.

 

+ Though some medical research has shown that reducing homocysteine levels with vitamins does not reduce the risk of heart disease, the contention is that inadequate doses of B vitamins were applied to reduce study participants’ homocysteine levels to the optimal target range of <7-8 µmol/L.


Stress-related?


As B-vitamin levels decline, the methylation cycle becomes impaired-leading to a concurrent increase in homocysteine levels as it is no longer being recycled efficiently. This may cause a disruption in neurotransmitter synthesis affecting the change of mood especially during times of stress, depression and anxiety.


Lowering homocysteine levels through supplementation with B-vitamins might reduce symptoms of mood disorders by freeing up metabolic resources involved in neurotransmission. Other studies have clearly tied genetic abnormalities such as a mutation in the folic acid-activating enzyme, MTHFR, to high homocysteine levels. As such, it becomes a prime target in psychiatric imbalances.

Other comments

+ Higher homocysteine levels related to lifestyle factors such as smoking, coffee consumption, excessive alcohol intake, lack of exercise, obesity and stress can be avoided.

+ High-risk patients with high homocysteine levels should increase their intake of B-vitamins so as to recycle homocysteine into methionine or convert into cysteine. Include in the diets a wide variety of fruits, green, leafy vegetables and grain products fortified with folic acid. The high content of Vitamin C present in these foods acts a powerful antioxidant that has been shown to prevent the plaque that builds up in the arteries.

+ Combining heart disease and stroke account for 70% of all deaths. Even children as young as 14 are beginning to face the deadly consequences plaguing the adults in recent times. Now you understand why having low cholesterol does not render you free of heart disease.


VIVA corner

VIVA B-easy is a special formulation to offer the entire range of Vitamin Bs for easy absorption and healthy bodily functioning like reduce stress, protect the liver, gastrointestinal tract, nervous system and skin structure.

Control Cholesterol with STATINS? (with testimony)

While cholesterol remain possibly the most vilified natural and essential body constituent, we are constantly reminded to put downward pressure on our cholesterol levels. Unknown to most people, low cholesterol is associated with an enhanced risk of specific health issues including hemorrhagic stroke (stroke caused by bleeding of rather than blockage in blood vessels) and cancer.


Statins can help?


Statins have been around for a long time usually prescribed by doctors to lower cholesterols for heart patients. Only in recent times, people are skeptical if there are adverse side effects and feel that the giant drug makers are over-rewarding the medical practitioners to promote their whole range of statins like rosuvastatin, atorvastatin, simvastatin, lovastatin and pravastatin.


Researchers at the Tufts University School of Medicine found that among people taking “statin” drugs – like Lipitor and Zocor – there was a higher rate of cancer.  The pooling of the results of three relevant studies on the combination of two cholesterol-reducing drugs (simvastatin and ezetimibe) over four years was associated with raised risk of cancer death by 45%.


Despite that, big pharmaceutical firms continue to sell the notion that the best way to fight heart disease is to lower LDL levels, the so-called “bad” cholesterol.

Yet 75% of people who suffer heart attacks have normal cholesterol levels !!

Benefits?

They are right as most recent studies conducted showed a high rate of adverse side effects and not achieving the desirable results. Amongst which a huge meta-analysis found that statins reduce overall risks of death by 17%, heart attacks by 28% and stroke by 22%. These figures are not significant and only a fraction do benefit but all have to bear with the adverse side effects.

Another study conducted showed that patients with severe heart failure who opted for bypass surgery is only slightly better off than those who use these conventional drugs. Dr Eric J. Velazquez who led a team of researchers studied 1212 severe heart patients across 99 medical centres in 22 countries over 5 years period found the difference in the number of deaths for those who received medical therapy only and bypass surgery alone to be insignificant. This findings was published online on Apr 4, 2011 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Cholesterol problem

Before we go further, let us examine the source of the problem.

Cholesterol is a fat-soluble yellowish substance, about 80% of which is manufactured by the liver, with the balance derived from external sources, mainly from animal and marine products.

Plant-based foods contain no cholesterol at all and are excreted as waste. In fact, plants mostly contain strong antioxidants which might prevent oxidative damage to biomolecules such as DNA, lipids and proteins and thus play a role in chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease


The worst kinds are saturated fats and trans fats which can raise the cholesterol level quickly. Some cholesterol is secreted into the intestinal tract in bile and mixed with the dietary cholesterol. Under normal circumstances, the body excretes the extra cholesterol from the system through bowels and kidneys. However, when the body is unable to cope with the excessive amount from body self-production and external sources from foods, it may result in blockage of heart and brain arteries.



Sounds bad but not really. In fact our body needs about 1000mg of cholesterol for normal metabolism daily. For vegans, 100% of their cholesterol is from the liver. It is required for healthy cell membranes (outer layers), nerve fibres (fatty sheaths) and digestive bile salts, and is a precursor to the natural steroid hormones, including testosterone, progesterone and oestrogen. Other important functions performed are: transporting fats, providing defense mechanism, protecting red blood cells and preserving your nerve cells through the formation of the protective “sheaths” that cover them.

To elaborate further, we have to differentiate the 'good' (HDL) and 'bad' cholesterol. As cholesterol is unable to dissolve in blood to move around, lipoproteins have to provide the transportation means.

The 'good' ones, converted from unsaturated fat, is like a waste removal truck which removes unused cholesterol from the bloodstream to the liver for proper disposal. Thus, it protects and reduces the likelihood of cholesterol deposits in the walls of the arteries.

On the other hand, the' bad' ones, converted from saturated fat, is like a delivery truck that moves around the blood vessels and delivers cholesterol to some organs involved in production of hormones, new cells and other functions. Obviously, excessive LDL is bad as cholesterol is being deposited in the walls of the arteries causing congestion.

A narrowing of the arteries may cause chunks of it to break off and totally block an artery, resulting in a heart attack or stroke. It has been estimated for every 1% rise in cholesterol, there is a corresponding rise in the risk of heart attacks by 2% especially for patients who are low on HDL and high on LDL.

Note that cholesterol deposits starts as early as foetal development. Hence, mothers with high cholesterol levels can pass a small fraction over to the foetus. Genetic factor contributes 80% of most cholesterol-related problems in the adult patients. It is observed that the average figures differ from sex, age and nationality. Western populations tend to have higher normal cholesterol values which may have to do with their diets.


Cholesterol test

When cholesterol levels are tested, results are normally given for total cholesterol as well as LDL, HDL and triglycerides.

. Total cholesterol levels should not be more than 200mg.dL. High level shows pre-diabetes, fatty liver, artheriosclerosis, hypothyroidism. Above 220 with SGPT below 10 suspect liver congestion/fatty liver.
Caution:  A cholesterol level below 160 mg/dl is said to increase one’s risk of many cancers, stroke, neurological problems such as memory loss and dementia, and many other health problems ranging from digestive to hormonal.

. LDL cholesterol levels should be less than 120mg.dL. High level correlates to artheriosclerosis (fatty deposits in blood vessels).

. HDL cholesterol should be above 50 mg/dL. High level indicates a healthy metabolic system and inhibits cellular uptake of LDL.

. Triglycerides (blood fats) should not exceed 120 mg.dL. High level indicates overconsumption of carbohydrates or caused by hyperlipidism, diabetes and alcoholism.

Eating excessive amount of sugar has been linked to high levels of triglyceride and low levels of HDL or good cholesterol in the blood.

Causes

High cholesterol levels are usually caused by unhealthy lifestyle leading to heart disease. What is often seen as plaque formation choking the arteries, is due more to infection, excessive intake of sugar and unhealthy fats. Under normal circumstances, the body sends cholesterol to patch up any reparable damage by forming a plaque. However, if the arteries keep rupturing, the build-up of abnormal plaque tends to get thicker and thicker. When excessive cholesterol accumulate in the wall of the blood vessel and get trapped, a swelling or inflammation occurs.

Though inflammation is simply our body’s natural defence to a foreign invader such as a bacteria, toxin or virus, constant exposure results in chronic inflammation that poses the real danger to the arterial walls, leading to heart disease, stroke, diabetes and obesity.

1. While it is advisable not to eat too many high-cholesterol foods, it is more important to avoid foods that will increase the liver’s production of cholesterol. These are saturated fats, mainly from red meat and dairy products, sugar, alcohol and refined carbohydrates, i.e. white rice, white bread, white flour (pizza, pasta, cakes, biscuits, etc).

2. Other causes of increase in cholesterol are bad habits like smoking and drinking alcohol.

3. Stress has been a major cause of increased level of cholesterol. Adrenaline and cortison are both released in the body under stress. This, in turn, produces a fat metabolizing reaction. It is observed that aggressive persons produce more adrenaline and suffer 6-8 times more heart attacks than the easy going ones.

4. Genetics - Note that cholesterol deposits starts as early as foetal development. Hence, mothers with high cholesterol levels can pass a small fraction over to the foetus. Genetic factor contributes 80% of most cholesterol-related problems in the adult patients.


5. Ethnicity - Western populations tend to have higher normal cholesterol values which may have to do with their diets.

Users of statins

Statins is introduced to block one of the steps in the production of cholesterol in the liver. Most statin prescriptions are recommended for patients with high cholesterol levels and other risk factors such as family history of heart disease, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, narrowing in the neck or limb arteries. For these patients, a statin can do is to prevent inflammation and provide stabilisation of the lining of the arteries, so that an occurrence of a heart attack can be minimised.

Side effects

Those on the medicated drugs like statins, be careful of the side effects. For patients with very high cholesterol levels or those with very high risk, drug therapy may be initiated immediately to prevent disastrous effect. However, prolonged medications can result in side effects like:

• Muscle cells which are being broken down too rapidly release toxic muscle cell components into the general circulation causing fatal kidney damage.
• Complications like acute kidney failure, vascular blood clots, elevated blood potassium levels and cardiac arrest.
• Permanent and debilitating muscle pain and weakness.
• Studies showed that 4.5 in 1000 who took statins had memory loss or cognitive difficulties such as impairment in thinking, concentration, mentation, judgment or irrational thinking.
  Memory loss is also reported by patients who recovered almost immediately upon the stopping the statin.
• Congestive heart failure.
• Elevated liver enzymes, indicating liver damage.

Though concerns about liver toxicity can be addressed by regular analysis of liver enzymes, patients have to weigh the benefits and risk of side effects to determine if taking the prescribed drug should be an on-going affair. As a guide, if liver enzyme levels are three times more than normal, the statin has to be discontinued or reduced depending on the severity.

Studies showed that 4.5 in 1000 who took statins had memory loss or cognitive difficulties such as impairment in thinking, concentration, mentation, judgment or irrational thinking, and recovered almost immediately upon discontinuing the statin.

More.....

+ One grave side effect that affects our body's functionalities is the reduction of the level of a co-enzyme or vitamin-like metabolite called Q10, much needed for the proper functioning of mitochondria, the power stations (energy-giver) found in our trillion of cells. Statins (cholesterol meds) block CoQ10 from being produced naturally in the body, thus increasing free radical damage and further oxidizing LDLs. Symptoms may include fatigue, difficulty in getting up from a sitting position, shortness of breadth and difficulty in walking.

+ Mood changes, including increased hostility, aggression and depression are reported in some users.

+ Statins are also linked to a much greater risk of developing diabetes as a “side effect”. Simvastatin (Zocor) in particular has been shown to interfere with cellular glucose signaling and insulin secretion, and reduce beneficial adiponectin levels.

+ Drugs such as cyclosporine, itraconazole, diltiazem and erythromycin, bile acid sequestrants (cholestyramine, colestipol), fibric acid derivatives (bezafibrate, fenofibrate, gemfibrozil), and other substances such as niacin and grapefruit juice should not combine with statins.

+ Other side effects, include pancreatitis, an increase in respiratory infections and pneumonia, peripheral neuropathy, skin rashes, sexual dysfunction, headaches, diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain and cramping, heartburn, constipation and dizziness.

Hence, taking those wonder drugs is not a panacea for cure. It is a long term liability that you have to bear with for the rest of your life. In this blog, we have illustrated that Red Yeast Rice is not risk-free as it contains the statin lovastatin and users are similarly at risk of statin side effects.

Try the natural remedies for long-term health benefits:

There are plenty of good foods out there to choose from -

• Soluble fiber dissolves in water into a gel that helps to prevent cholesterol absorption from the food you eat. Good sources include whole grains, fruits and vegetables. 
• Apples contain pectin, a fibre that can help to lower cholesterol. Recent study done found that after taking 3 months of dried apple, total cholesterol dropped by 9% and LDL cholesterol also dropped by 16%.
• Olive oil, garlic, onions, apples, fish, artichokes, beetroot, carrots, oats and lentils have proven cholesterol-lowering properties.
• Walnuts and almonds have excellent sources of cholesterol-lowering nutrients.
• Fresh fruit and vegetables contain antioxidants needed to repair artery and blood-vessel walls. Aim to eat a spectrum of colours to provide wide-ranging protection. Free radical damage is often the result of lack of antioxidants in the body, such as vitamins A, C, and E.
• Complex carbohydrates found in brown rice, millet, buckwheat, oats, quinoa and barley.
• Essential fats found in oily fish (tuna, salmon, sardines, etc), raw nuts, seeds and cold-pressed oils are all needed for healthy circulation.
• Mono-saturated fats found in olive oil, olives, avocados have been shown to lower blood cholesterol levels.
• Plant sterols is a natural product derived from plants such as nuts, soybeans and vegetable oils which help to maintain healthy cholesterol levels by reducing the amount of cholesterol absorbed from food.
• Turmeric, ginger and cayenne pepper are good for blood circulation.
• B vitamin supplements help to reduce buildup of homocysteine and fat metabolism.
• Sprinkle lecithin granules on your food as it also aids in fat metabolism and is a source of essential fats.
• Vitamin C with bioflavinoids can help to lower cholesterol and repair damaged artery walls.
• Fish oils contain fats that are important for blood circulation and prevent inflammation. Do not take if you are on blood-thinning medication like warfarin.
• Daily intake of Vitamin E can help to repair damaged arterial walls and prevent oxidation of cholesterol. Do not take if you are on blood-thinning medication.
• Supplements with probiotics, such as acidophilus is important for the metabolism of cholesterol in the digestive system.
• Reduce cholesterol level by exposing to sunlight constantly as this interaction results in conversion to Vitamin D in the body as it possesses potent anti-cancer properties.

Avoid

• Margarines, heated fats, junk food, processed food, palm oil and fried food which increase the total cholesterol.
• Refined carbohydrates like sugar, white flour, white bread, white rice, white pasta, white table salt.
• Fatty meats (foie gras in one of the worst), processed meats (sausages, deli meats, corned beef, bacon), dairy products.
• Alcohol, coffee and soft drinks.
• Deep-fried food.

Other tips

• Daily moderate exercise can improve heart function, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and reduce weight. Start with a brisk 20-minute walk everyday and build up gradually. Resistant training has been found to be effective in lowering elevated triglycerides and increasing HDL level.
• Learn to relax. Stress is a major cause of high cholesterol and heart disease generally. Try and review your daily life to eliminate and avoid causes of stress in your life or try and alter how you respond to them.
• Meditation, yoga, tai-chi and breathing exercises are ways to relax the mind and body.
• A warm bath with lavender oil in the evening is a good way to wind down for the day.
• Low cholesterol earned through high vegetable consumption and a micronutrient rich diet is linked to protection against all cancers.

VIVA corner

VIVA Life Science offers 3 excellent products to deal with cholesterol problem.

+ VIVA Green Barley contains dietary fibre that can reduce blood cholesterol level.

+ VIVA Lipoguard is the first product around that combines the goodness of fish oil and garlic with other proprietary ingredients such as antioxidants, phytochemicals and lecithin.  The high concentration of EPA (30%) and DHA (20%) enables its efficacy to better many other fish oil products available in the market.  The garlic juice contained therein is in a concentrated form using high technology processing techniques under a low temperature to maintain the potency of Allicin in the garlic can help to lower triglycerides and cholesterol. 
An FDA report reviewing clinical studies on the effects of fish oil on LDL cholesterol also showed that VIVA LIPOGUARD was the only brand out of 24 comparisons o be effective.


+ Another premium product, VIVA Dailyguard is clinically tested to show specific cardiovascular health support by effectively maintaining healthy, normal cholesterol levels, primary by antioxidant effects. Hence extended usage can reduce oxidation of cholesterol in the blood, with positive result like increase in HDL by 30% and reduction of LDL and triglycerides.

Taking both products simultaneously can bring down LDL and triglycerides and raise HDL quickly.  Statin drugs have side effects on the liver especially on prolonged usage whereas supplements have only side benefits.




Testimony

My T CHOLESTEROL from 245 to 188……  

Owing to the nature of my job, I have to entertain a lot.  In spite of this, I have been keeping healthy and seldom fall sick.  What was really shocking was, when I finally went for my full medical review.

The doctor discovered that I had high blood pressure, high cholesterol and my rheumatoid factor was high. To make matter worse, the ultra scan of my heart vessels had indicated blockages in my carotoid artery. The doctor was very concerned as my lipid profile was quite unfavorable (see below).  He wanted to put me on statin drugs for cholesterol and high blood pressure.  I knew the side effects and decided to opt for supplements instead.

The nutritionist at VIVA LIFE SCIENCE recommended taking their following products:

Biogarlic – 6 caps,   Lipoguard – 8 tabs    Omega 3 – 6 tabs daily
After about 3 weeks, I went for another cholesterol test.  To my pleasant surprise, my cholesterol was down so rapidly.

See below for my cholesterol test before and after:

LIPID PROFILE			31/7/2009	11/7/2009		REF RANGE
TOTAL CHOLESTEROL			188	245		<200 mg/dL
HDL CHOLESTEROL			38	44		>38 mg/dL
LDL CHOLESTEROL			132	176		<130 mg/dL
CHOLESTEROL/HDL RATIO			4.9	5.6		<4.5
TRIGLYCERIDES			96	129		<200 mg/dL

Thank you VIVA for saving me from expensive medication and most importantly, away from its harmful effects.

by Peter Lee (VIVA ID 71005714)

Red yeast rice

 

Red yeast rice is rice that has been fermented by the red yeast, Monascus purpureus which has been used by the Chinese for over 1000 years as a food preservative, food colorant (red coat on Peking duck), spice and an ingredient in rice wine. This dietary staple is extended to Japan and Asian communities in the United States as well, with an estimated average consumption of 14 to 55 grams of red yeast rice per day per person.

Also popular for traditional medicinal purposes, its usage include improving blood circulation and for alleviating indigestion and diarrhea. In recent years, it has been developed by Chinese and American scientists as a product to lower blood lipids, including cholesterol and triglycerides.

Effective in reducing cholesterol?

Small scale studies using pharmaceutical-grade red rice yeast have continued to demonstrate efficacy and safety. However, in the United States it is no longer legal to sell supplements of red yeast rice that contain more than trace amounts of cholesterol lowering substances. Hence, red rice yeast has been removed from Cholestin marketed in the United States. (Hypocol, another product containing red yeast rice is no longer being sold in the United States.)

Research has shown that red yeast rice contains substances that are similar to prescription statin medications. One of these substances, called monacolin K, has the same makeup as the drug lovastatin. Statins are prescribed to lower “bad” LDL cholesterol levels and help reduce the risk of heart disease.

Research has shown that red yeast stops the action of an enzyme in the body called HMG-CoA reductase, which helps make cholesterol but are not sure if the cholesterol-lowering effect of red yeast rice was due to the presence of lovastatin or other compounds in red yeast rice. However, many red yeast rice supplements do contain lovastatin, the Food and Drug Administration considered them to be drugs, not supplements, and required that manufacturers remove any red yeast rice products that contained lovastatin from the market.

Some disagreed and claimed the amount of lovastatin in red yeast rice is below what you would find in the prescription drug, and think there may be other substances in red yeast rice that help lower cholesterol. More studies are needed.

A study presented before the American Heart Association also showed that red yeast rice lowered LDL cholesterol. In the first study, 187 people had mild-to-moderate elevations in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. The study showed that treatment with red yeast rice reduced total cholesterol by more than 16%, LDL cholesterol by 21%, and triglycerides by 24%. HDL cholesterol also increased by 14%.

 

Precautions

 

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the dosage of dietary or supplemental red yeast rice is as high as 6,000 – 9,000 mg per day. However, most studies have used standardized extract of 600 mg (oral doses) two to four times daily. It is reported that elderly people who took 1,200 mg per day of red yeast rice in an 8-week study had no significant side effects. Going further, it is not clear whether it is safe to use red yeast rice for longer than 12 weeks.

 

Who should avoid

 

+ Patients with liver disease and those at risk for liver disease should not take red yeast rice as it may side effect as statin drugs
+ Patients with kidney disease, thyroid disorders, cancer and musculoskeletal disorders
+ People who drink more than two alcoholic beverages a day
+ People who have a serious infection or physical disorder
+ People who have undergone an organ transplant
+ Teenagers
+ Pregnancy and breastfeeding women

Side Effects

Side effects of red yeast rice are rare but can include:

• Headache
• Stomach ache or bloating
• Gas
• Dizziness
• Heartburn
• Muscle aches and weakness — this can lead to a serious condition called rhabdomyolysis, and you should stop taking red yeast rice immediately and call your doctor

Interactions and Depletions:

 

+ Cholesterol-lowering medications — Red yeast rice should not be taken with cholesterol-lowering medications unless supervised by your doctor as it may make the effect of these drugs stronger, increasing the risk of liver damage.

+ Anticoagulants (blood-thinners) — Red yeast rice may increase the risk of bleeding.

+ Grapefruit juice – If you take a statin, grapefruit and grapefruit juice can increase the amount of the drug in your blood. That can increase your risk of side effects and liver damage. As red yeast rice may act like statins in the body, never combine with grapefruit juice or grapefruit for the same reason.

+ Coenzyme Q10 — Statins can lower the amount of Coenzyme Q10 in the body – an element very important in heart and muscle health, and in energy production. Side effects of CoQ10 depletion include fatigue, muscle aches, pains and damage.

Alternative Names:

Angkak; Beni-koji; Hong qu; Hung-chu; Monascus; Red koji; Red leaven; Red rice; Xue zhi kang; Zhitai

Source: http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/red-yearice-000323.htm
http://www.medicinenet.com/red_yeast_rice_and_cholesterol/article.htm

VIVA corner

VIVA LIPOGUARD is the first product around that combines the goodness of fish oil and garlic with other proprietary ingredients such as antioxidants, phytochemicals and lecithin. The high concentration of EPA (30%) and DHA (20%) enables its efficacy to better many other fish oil products available in the market. The Garlic juice contained therein is in a concentrated form using high technology processing techniques under a low temperature to maintain the potency of Allicin in the garlic can help to lower triglycerides and cholesterol. An FDA report reviewing clinical studies on the effects of fish oil on LDL cholesterol also showed that VIVA LIPOGUARD was the only study out of 24 comparisons that can work effectively.

For clinical studies, please refer to link:
http://www.vivalife.com/nutritional_science/?page=clinical_studies.ascx

VIVA DAILYGUARD is clinically proven to provide specific cardiovascular health support by effectively maintaining healthy normal cholesterol levels. To achieve higher HDL combine this wonderful product with exercise to see maximum result.

Taking all the above products simultaneously can bring down LDL and triglycerides, and raise HDL steadily. Red yeast rice (including hypocol) and statin drugs have side effects on the liver especially on prolonged usage whereas supplements have only side benefits.

The HUMBLE Lemon

  

Lemon is an oval shape citrus fruit commonly used as a beverage and a flavor-enhancer for some dishes. Citric acid gives it its acidity taste.  This acidic component becomes a weak acid and the other components become alkaline upon entering the stomach. In pH term the acid base of 3 is pushed up to 9 (shares the high alkalinity as watermelon). Compared it with most fruits and vegetables within the range of 6.5 to 7.

NUTRITIVE Values of Lemon : Per 100 gm.

• Vitamin B : Thiamine .04 mg;
• Riboflavin : Trace;
• Vitamin C : 50 mg;
• Calcium : 40 mg;
• Phosphorus : 22 mg;
• Carbohydrates : 8.7 gm;
• Protein : .9 gm;
• Calories : 32

HEALTH BENEFITS:

Vitamin C

Lemon is especially appreciated for its high Vitamin C content. When Vasco da Gama made his voyage round the Cape of Good Hope, nearly two-thirds of his crew died of scurvy.  In the present era, the recurrence of such a disaster is no longer possible with the wide spread of fruits available. Innumerable boatmen moving in sea have saved their lives by bringing lemon along their trips.

Vitamin C plays a vital role in the synthesis of collagen in the tissues, cartilages and bones and being anti-inflammatory. For weight management purpose it can accelerate the burning of fat. As it does not limit the coagulation of blood in case of injuries, the blood flow is more fluid and can expedite recovery.


Other benefits:

• As a natural antiseptic, it destroys harmful bacteria found in the cuts and infected area by activating the white cells and strengthening the body’s immunity.
• For toothache, apply fresh lemon juice on the painful area to reduce infection.
• For skin problems like acne and eczema, leave some lemon juice on the skin and allowed to dry for 15 minutes and then remove with water and olive oil added. This can be applied for the removal of blackheads, freckles and wrinkles too.
• When applied to hair after rinsing, it gives shine and volume to your hair as blood circulation is intensified.
• Helps to prevent and cure osteoarthritis.  Even in pregnancy, it will help to build bone in the child.
• Helps to prevent diabetes and other renal problems. As a diuretic, it gives relief in kidney and bladder disorders.
• Helps in preventing the development and progression of atherosclerosis. Potassium in lemon (more than grape and apple) nourishes the brain and nerve cells, strengthens the blood vessels and prevents hemorrhage especially for patients with high blood pressure and other cardiac problems.  
• It provides a natural strengthening agent to the liver enzymes when they are too dilute. Also, more enzymes can be made out of fresh lemon juice than any other food element. When the liver removes uric acid and other toxins from the bloodstream, it converts them to free radicals and its antioxidant properties (eg. flavonoid, ascorbic acid) can act as the neutralising agent.
• The ascorbic acid also prevents stomach cancer or damage to the stomach lining even for those who are suffering from peptic ulcers. Calcium carbonate - synthesized from lemon juice in the stomach helps in neutralizing the acid. Other contents like pectin and fiber ameliorate the pain and inflammation in the esophagus.  

Note: However, in patients suffering from acid reflux, the acidic contents of the stomach which contains inactive pepsin can get push up to the esophagus and the throat. Coming into contact with lemon's acidic contents there, it gets activated and breaks down the protein present in the tissues of the esophagus and the throat to cause damages.

• The bowels are aided in eliminating waste more efficiently thus controlling constipation and diarrhea.
• After barbecuing your seafood and meat, remember to spray some lemon juice to eliminate as much as 70% of carcinogenic content.  Squeezing lemon juice on meat, potatoes, beans and even rice adds an acidic burst of flavor, and an extra shot of vitamin C to enable higher absorption of iron in these foods.

Application -

Instead of having tasteless tap water, enhance with lemon for a refreshing flavor and health purpose. Though lemon water can be drunk at any time, it is advisable to drink this preparation 20 minutes before your meals to prevent any reactions that can be caused by the contents of your food. Though it can be diluted according to taste, the guideline is as follows:

+  If you are in good health and weigh less than 150 pounds, squeeze the juice of one half a lemon (one ounce) into a glass of purified water and drink this mixture twice a day. (one whole lemon a day)

+  If you weigh over 150 pounds, squeeze the juice out of an entire lemon (two ounces) into a glass of purified water and drink this mixture twice a day. (two whole lemons a day)
Warning: One should note take concentrated lemon juice to avoid injuries to the enamel of teeth. It is recommended to drink it using a straw to prevent such damage. 


More comments

Lemon has been proven to be a blessing for mountaineers when there is a lack of oxygen and coping with breathing difficulties. The first man to set foot on Mt Everest - Edmund Hillary admitted that his victory was much attributed to this lifesaver. Do not forget to bring along this humble friend on your next mountain trek.

Some common digestive problems

 

From a nutritional point of view, the gastrointestinal tract is considered one of the most important organs in the body. Maintaining a healthy digestive tract is paramount in achieving optimal health, as poor digestion can cause a multitude of seemingly unrelated problems. Nutritional health and gastrointestinal health are therefore closely correlated.


Some common digestive problems are as follows:


Heartburn or GERD (Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease)

Heartburn is a burning sensation and pain in the stomach and/or chest behind the breastbone. It may be accompanied by bloating, gas, nausea, shortness of breath, and/or an acidic or sour taste in the throat. This occurs when hydrochloric acid, which is used by the stomach to digest food, backs up into the esophagus causing sensitive tissues to become irritated. Normally the sphincter muscle pinches itself shut and prevents stomach acid from surging upward. However, if the sphincter is not functioning properly the acid can slip past it and enter the esophagus causing damage to the lining which can induce cancer if not treated. Another route is to the lungs to cause asthma-like symptoms.


Causes


-  Excessive consumption of spicy foods, fatty or fried/smoked foods, alcohol, coffee, citrus fruits, chocolate or tomato-based foods can trigger GERD. In fact, in nearly 80% of acid reflux cases, low stomach acid is the culprit. As such, food that has been sitting in the stomach without enough stomach acid ferments and creates gas. By taking antacids the stomach acid is being reduced further which is the opposite of what is required.


-  Ulcers, gallbladder problems, stress, allergies and enzyme deficiencies can also contribute to its occurrence.


-  People with certain illnesses, like cancer, often have excessive amounts of acid in their systems. For some who develop an esophageal cell lining that is more acid-resistant, it can be pre-malignant and transform into cancerous cells.  Such chest discomfort can be mistaken for a heart attack at times.

What to do?

+ At the first sign of heartburn, drink a large glass of water or swallow saliva.

+ Vegetable juices are known to contain large amount of enzymes. Juices from raw potato, fresh cabbage and celery can be taken daily. Raw vegetables can be eaten in smaller, more frequent meals. However, most vegetables contain high amounts of fiber which may irritate your gastritis when get gassy. Preferred are orange vegetables like butternut squash, winter squash, summer squash, carrots, yellow peppers, yellow tomatoes, sweet potatoes and sweet corn which contain beta-carotene, capable of protecting the mucus lining of your esophagus and stomach from erosive gastritis.

+ Avoid citrus fruits and acidic foods like carbonated beverages, fats, fried foods, processed foods, tobacco, caffeinated products and sugar especially on an empty stomach. Fresh papaya and pineapple are good choices which can aid digestion.


+ Food should be well chewed to put less burden on the stomach to breakdown further. More frequent meals are recommended.

+ A local study found that curry can worsen the pain in people with upper abdominal symptoms. The more curry a person consumes in a single sitting, the more intense the pain that can last for about 3 hours. The suspected culprit is chili that triggers the pain.

+ Do not eat for 3 hours before bedtime.

+ Stop smoking as it reduces the functioning of the lower esophageal sphincter.

+ Maintain an exercise program that includes walking, biking or low-impact aerobics. Avoid running and weight-training as these activities put pressure on the stomach. Reduce the stress level if possible.

Other possible help –

+ Elevate the head of the bed when lying so that less stomach acid can flow back into the esophagus.

+ Obese people should lose weight as excessive fats exert pressure on the abdomen and stomach, thus inducing stomach acid to backflow into the esophagus.

+ Wearing loose-fitting clothes can help to reduce abdominal pressure as well.

Critical conditions -

Mild occasional heartburn is easily self-manageable, but experiencing persistent heartburn or alarming symptoms like vomiting blood, dizziness, difficulty in swallowing, chest pain in the night, black stools or unintended weight loss should warrant medical help. Surgery may be required as a last resort to tighten the lower esophageal sphincter so that acid reflux is likely to happen.

PEPTIC ULCERS DISEASE (PUD)


Peptic ulcer disease including both gastric and duodenal ulcer form a substantial part of patients seeking medical opinion world-wide.

A peptic ulcer is a spot where the lining of the stomach or small intestine and the tissues beneath has been eroded, leaving an internal open wound. The surrounding tissue is usually swollen and irritated. Failing to protect against the effect of digestive acids and enzymes, the stomach can be digested itself. The symptoms of a peptic ulcer include the chronic burning or gnawing stomach pain that usually begins 45 to 60 min after eating or awakening at night. Pain can be mild or severe. Other possible symptoms include unintended weight loss, lower back pain, headaches, a choking sensation, black stools, itching, nauseating and vomiting.


Causes
 

+  Stress is usually considered a risk factor as it increases the production of stomach acid.


+  Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and low-dose aspirin can be responsible for increase of stomach acidity over prolonged period of usage.


+ However, recent study showed that about 80% of cases are due to ulcers infection with Helicobacter pylori bacteria combined with the presence of stomach acid. This transmittable infectious bacteria, hard to rid, burrows into the inner lining of the stomach and small intestine causing damage to the mucous layer that protects the lining from digestive acids.

+  Foods and other substances that are acidic and anti-inflammatory should be avoided to reduce or prevent symptoms include:

• Alcohol and smoking
• Spicy foods eg. chilli, peppers
• Fatty foods
• Fried and barbecued foods
• Acidic foods eg. meat, coffee, processed foods

Also note following foods that are detrimental:

• Toxic eg. cigarette smoking
• Burning effect or irritate eg. garlic, tomato, drugs

Remedies

Most sufferers have few or short-term symptoms and recover completely. Even those with underlying causes that are appropriately treated can recover fully too.
A classic example of clinical study done is Vitamin U, administered as raw cabbage juice to 100 patients with peptic ulcer, was apparently effective in promoting the rapid healing of uncomplicated peptic ulcers. The evidence of therapeutic benefit was -

1. the rapid relief of the symptom, pain, without the use of any set plan of symptomatic treatment, and;
2. the average crater healing time for seven of these patients who had duodenal ulcer was only 10.4 days, while the average time in 62 patients treated by standard therapy of diet and drug therapy was 37 days. Also, the average healing time for six patients with gastric ulcer treated with cabbage juice was only 7.3 days, compared with 42 days for similar number treated by standard therapy.

However, if left unattended after prolonged period, inflammation and anemia can develop, with growths appearing as polyps and cancer if left unattended. Watch for any signs like indigestion, bloating, heartburn, nausea and loss of appetite.


For stomach cancer - see link: http://vivajoyhealth.blogspot.sg/2014/02/gastric-cancer.html


LACTOSE INTOLERANCE

 

Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest lactose (milk sugar). It is caused by a lack or deficiency of lactase, an enzyme manufactured in the small intestine that splits lactose into glucose and galactose. Hence, when a person with lactose intolerance consumes milk or other dairy products, some or all of the lactose they contain remains undigested, retains fluid and ferments in the colon, resulting in abdominal cramps, bloating, diarrhea and gas. Most Asians are lactose intolerant but it is not a serious threat to health and can be easily managed through dietary modification.

BULIMIA NERVOSE / ANAREXIA

Bulimia is an eating disorder characterised by episodes of uncontrolled binge eating, often involving extremely large amounts of high-calorie foods, followed by one or more of the following: induced vomiting or the use of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas and/or obsessive exercising to purge the body of the food eaten during the binge. The binge/purge episodes vary in frequency, from a few times a week to several times daily.
 

Some of the many serious problems Bulimia can lead to include anemia, depletion of fluid balance, electrolyte imbalances, erratic heartbeat, hypoglycemia, infertility, internal bleeding, kidney or liver damage, malnutrition, cessation of menstrual cycles, mental fuzziness, loss of muscle and bone mass, a low pulse rate and blood pressure, a ruptured stomach or esophagus, stones in the salivary glands, tooth and/or gum erosion, ulcers, and a weakened immune system. Not only is the body turns topsy-turvy, life-threatening problems can result, including cancers of the organs and cardiac arrest.

Just the reverse is an Anorexia patient who tends to think she is fat though underweight. Such person starves herself, vomit deliberately and/or takes huge doses of laxatives resulting in depletion of minerals like potassium and zinc. Zinc deficiency can lead to heart failure, menstruation irregularity, dry skin, brittleness of hair and nails, premature death. Many anorexia patients require hospitalisation to feed potassium and multivitamins through intravenous tube.

CONSTIPATION

Constipation is difficulty in passing stools or the infrequent passage of hard, dry stools as a result of food moving slowly through the large intestine. Most people experience constipation at one point of their life but usually improved lifestyle and better eating habits help to relieve the symptoms and prevent recurrences.


Causes

In most instances, inadequate intake of fibre and fluids in the diet causes constipation. As we know fibre is found in plant foods, such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Fibre that is soluble in water takes on a softer texture and helps soften the stools. Insoluble fibre passes through the intestine largely unchanged and adds bulk to stools, which helps in peristalsis movement.

Other contributory factors are: lack of exercise, advanced age, muscle disorders, structural abnormalities, bowel diseases and a poor diet, especially heavy consumption of junk food. Iron supplements, painkillers and antidepressants can cause constipation too. Also a common problem for pregnant women.

Constipation can give rise to many different ailments, including appendicitis, bad breath, body odor, coated tongue, depression, fatigue, gas, headaches, hemorrhoids, hernia, indigestion, insomnia obesity and varicose veins. The worst to happen is colon cancer.

Regulating bowel movements are an important mechanism for removing toxins from the body. The colon serves as a holding tank for waste matter. If toxins are not discharged timely, they can be re-circulated into the bloodstream and poison the other organs. As a result 80% of diseases originate from the colon.

Hard to swallow? Do not worry…

Having examined the eating disorders mentioned above, good nutrition is urgently needed to put ‘house in order’. Patients may display a variety of medical and psychological complications but reversible results appear through re-balancing of lifestyle.

 

(1) Multivitamins, protein and mineral supplement are three essential components to replenish in such extreme dire condition.

 

(2) Our gut consists of a maze of both friendly and bad bacteria totally about 100 trillion. The friendly bacteria protect against harmful pathogens by guarding our intestine. To ensure a stronger defend, is advisable to introduce probiotics and prebiotics at a frequent interval. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria whereas prebiotics are non-digestible foods that stimulate the growth of friendly bacteria

(3) As we age, digestive enzymes are depleting from our liver. The main enzymes, namely amylase (carbohydrates), protease (protein) and lipase (milk sugar) help to break down food into smaller molecules of nutrients which our body can assimilate.

(4) Last but not the least, fibre in the form of soluble and insoluble fiber is indispensable to our gastrointestinal health. Soluble fiber from fruits and vegetables help to promote movement of waste material while insoluble fiber from oats, brown rice and green barley are crucial in adding bulk to the waste material.

Source: Prescription to Natural Healing, Ezyhealth and Beauty,www.hpb.gov.sg

VIVA corner:

+ VIVA Dailyguard provides full range of vitamins and minerals to replenish nutrient loss;

+ VIVA Floraguard stabilises intestinal floras providing both prebiotics and probiotics;

+ VIVA Calmag & D Plus aids in development and maintenance of bone health and calming effect;
+ VIVA Cleanse Tea, a synergistic blend of herbs that support gentle cleansing of digestive tract. Its main ingredient, buckthorn is an effective stool softener yet milder than other purgative herbs. It helps to increase the colon's ability to contract spontaneously and avail more fluids in the colon by conserving water absorption in the intestines. For those who are seriously constipated, this is a wonderful relief.

+ VIVA B-easy - with its full range of Vitamin B is effective for cellular function, aids in food digestion and assimilation of all nutrients including iron;

+ VIVA Nutrazyme supports the digestives system with 3 main enzymes (protease, amylase and lipase) and bromelain (pineapple enzyme) to aid in breaking down food and for anti-inflammatory purpose;

+ VIVA Fibercleanse, a blend of soluble and insoluble dietary fibers that promote regularity of bowel movement;

ENZYMES – your LIFETIME companion

 

In our body numerous biological reactions take place at the cellular level to maintain balance. Some reactions are performed with the help of certain substances like enzymes. Hence, life cannot exist without enzymes. Take a good look at this illustration on how food ingested is being broken down.

What are enzymes?

Enzymes are energized protein molecules produced in minute quantities by the cells to stimulate a vital reaction in our body. Metabolic enzymes play a crucial role in reactions that provide energy for cells. In fact, vitamins, minerals and hormones must have enzymes to work properly. How?

For individuals who are enzyme deficient, the nutrient rich food are wasted because they cannot be properly broken down. Hence, enzymes are the facilitating agent to deliver nutrients to the cells. Simply put, digestive enzymes break down the food we eat, release nutrients for energy production and promote cell growth.

Why do I need digestive enzyme supplements?

Raw food contains digestive enzymes which promotes digestive health but most of us do not live on a raw food diet. If you eat foods cooked at temperatures higher than 104 F (40 deg ƒ), or consume processed, prepackaged meals, the accompanying enzymes are destroyed and our body has to produce its own to digest the food. This puts stress on our digestive system especially for those who like to eat processed foods and meals higher in calories and fat. In the long run, you are not getting an adequate supply of the enzymes that are critical for the break down of proteins, carbohydrates and fats into the molecules of nutrients your body can assimilate. This can result in bloating, gas, occasional heartburn and acid reflux. More critical condition gives rise to disease and degeneration including arthritis, diabetes, allergies, skin diseases and cancer.


Putting back digestive enzymes can help to digest your food more efficiently and increase the nutrient uptake. This can reverse the trend with removal of free radicals and toxins, and thus strengthen the immune system.


What’s happen to our enzymes store?

The main reason we are running out of enzymes store in the body is the change in our lifestyle.

- Research has shown that older people and patients with chronic disease have fewer enzymes in their saliva, urine and tissues.
- Our poor dietary habits require excessive amounts of enzymes to digest our foods.
- Stress kills and damages cells, resulting in our enzyme-making machinery having to work overtime to help rebuild and replace them.
- Environmental pollution causes cellular damage and requiring ongoing assistance from enzymes just to maintain a healthy immune system.

Hence, for most people there is a need to replenish enzymes from the external source through diet or health supplements.

What is a good enzyme formulation and why?

Enzyme therapy is the use of enzymes to stimulate chemical reactions in the body, designed to improve digestion of foods (raw or cooked) and to cleanse, feed and nurture the trillion of cells for optimal balance.

Cleansing involves removing the causative agents such as allergens, environmental and digestive toxins, bacteria, parasites or viruses. Once the elimination process is done up, digestive enzymes can be introduced. This can then be followed up with providing nutrients to heal the lining of the gastrointestinal tract and nourish cell membranes. (or repair inflamed tissues)

Back to what we eat. About 95% of the food ingested comprising protein, carbohydrates and fats. A great enzyme formulation contains substantial amounts of protease, amylase and lipase with high activity and potency. Protease digests proteins, amylase digests carbohydrates and lipase digest fats.

Why plant-derived digestive enzymes are better?

Plant enzymes (bromelain and papain) are active in a broad pH range of 2 to 12, well within the human body’s normal pH ranges. This is effective even in breaking down and reducing inflammation. A healthy digestive system promotes the growth of healthy intestinal flora.

On the other hand, animal enzymes are derived from animal stomach or intestines, and can work in the alkaline environment of the small intestines. Thus, the enzymes involved (pancreatin, pepsin and trypsin) only start working during the later stage of digestion and not very effective at aiding our body in pre-digestion or be active in the upper alkaline portion of your stomach.

How much enzymes to take?

Enzymes are energy-giving food to aid in digestion greatly. There are 2 choices: to use the energy in the enzymes to help digest your food or the energy in your body to digest the food. Using the digestive enzyme energy conserves the body’s energy and the enzyme reserves.

Does it matter if taking antacids for heartburn and indigestion at same time?

Enzymes will help heartburn and indigestion almost immediately. Antacids provide only temporary relief by neutralizing the acidity in the stomach, but will cause a much greater problem. Antacids stop the body from doing its digestive job while enzymes help the body to perform this specific task.
Also to note, in nearly 80% of acid reflux cases, low stomach acid is the culprit. As such, food that has been sitting in the stomach without enough stomach acid ferments and creates gas. By taking antacids the stomach acid is being reduced further which is the opposite of what is required.

How quick can result be realised?

Most people having acid indigestion, upset stomach, bloating or problems with digestion will usually see immediate results. People having problems with bowel movements will usually see improvement within a week or two. Many people will see increased energy within a couple of weeks to a month. The people that see the best results are the people that continue to take digestive enzymes daily.

What are some physical conditions associated with enzyme deficiencies?

Here are some conditions associated with the decreased levels of each individual enzyme:

*Protease (digests proteins): anxiety, low blood sugar, kidney problems, water retention; depressed immunity, bacterial and viral infections, cancer, appendicitis, bone problems such as osteoporosis, arthritis and bone spurs.
*Amylase (digests carbohydrates): skin problems (rashes, hives, herpes, canker sores), liver and gallbladder disease.
*Lipase (digests fats): high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular problems, high blood pressure, chronic fatigue, spastic colon, and dizziness.
*Cellulase (digests fiber): gas, bloating, acute food allergies, facial pain or paralysis, candidiasis (yeast infections).

Any help in improving aging skin?

- Enzymes can fight the aging process by increasing the blood supply to the skin. Better circulation helps bring nutrients to the skin and removes the waste products that can make the skin look dull and wrinkled.

- Grape seed and pine bark antioxidants* can also help make the skin softer and more supple. Beautiful skin can be realized and enzymes can definitely help.

Source: http://www.digestive-enzymes.com/enzq&a.html

VIVA corner

VIVA Nutrazyme formulated specifically from plant sources and include special enhancers to increase enzyme effectiveness to help in breaking down food into nutrients you use. It contains:
* Lactose - Helps to breakdown lactose (milk sugar). Beneficial for those lactose intolerance.
* Amylase - Enzyme to break down carbohydrate to simple sugar.
* Protease - Enzyme to break down protein to amino acids.
* Lipase - Enzyme to break down fat to fatty acids.
* Cellulase – Enzyme to break down cellulose fiber.
* Papain (Papaya enzyme) has a mild and soothing effect on the stomach and is very useful in helping to aid protein digestion.
* Bromelain - Protein-digesting enzyme shown to be helpful as a blood thinner and as an anti-inflammatory.

Direction: Take one (1) tablet 30 minutes before each meal.