One step forward, two steps back.

Chocolate Cheerios are good for the heart. If you don't believe this go here http://www.cheerios.com/ourCereals/ChocolateCheerios/ChocolateCheerios_home.aspx

I had a bowl of bran flakes and checked my blood sugar. 141. Yikes!

I have been down on wheat family of grains for a long time, but for other reasons than the health consequences tied to peak blood sugar elevations [and consequent hypoglycemic phases].  I'm down on the inflammatory oils and the allergy aspects.

Have you investigated HEMP SEED?  It is high in protein and packed with good oils.   How does it rate with your diet suggestions?    Would it be good to run some trials?

CEREAL FACTS This site has some interesting factsheets about the different cereals.

In particular I found this The influence of high vs. low sugar cereal on children’s breakfast consumption shows what kids will eat away from home and provided with sugary cereals or not.
These are the cereals most heavily promoted to kids
and here is their sugar content.

AHA Nutritional Criteria for Certified Foods

"they have blundered big time by pushing low-fat ... it is time to quietly start backpedaling."

They're backpedaling all right, but it's not because they are abandoning the low fat message.  The average consumer is not quite ignorant enough to believe Cocoa Puffs are healthy, and they don't want that 60% that are affected by their check mark to drop.

Just got an AHA solicitation in the mail this week.  Like so many other organizations, they do not act in the best interest of the people they claim to serve.  My money and time are better spent pursuing the more promising preventative practices such as those promoted by TYP.

A colleague eats a Quaker oatmeal square for breakfast every morning.  Among the ingredients listed on the label is partially hydrogenated soybean oil, not enough, apparently, to bump the transfat content above .5 grams, so the nutrition label lists 0 grams of transfat.  No amount of transfat is healthy, yet this product has the AHA seal of approval. I used to eat granola bars when I thought they were healthy.  I read labels and noticed that quite a few use partially hydrogenated oils, including brands that boast of high fiber or Omega 3 content.

Maybe the people at Cocoa Puffs stopped writing checks. Who needs an endorsement when your product contains wheat, sugar and chocolate and is marketed to kids in an I-want-to-be-my-child's-friend mileau?

As if these cereals aren't bad enough...
KFC is selling their fried chicken in Pink "Buckets for the Cure" for Breast Cancer fund raising.
It left me speechless.
I've said it before... we're on our own.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/homestyle/04/28/kfc.pink.bucket.campaign/

The site Ted linked to (www.cerealfacts.org) has a list of Top 10 Cereals by Nutrition Score.  None of those top 10 are on the AHA list of heart-healthy cereals.

Scientific American Magazine - April 27, 2010, Title: "Carbs against Cardio: More Evidence that Refined Carbohydrates, not Fats, Threaten the Heart"

Dr Davis,

This question is off the topic. I read your book Track your plaque a month back and had been to AZ heart institute and got my plaque measured.

I am a Type 2 Diabetic for the past 11 years and am actively low carbing (<30g carbs per day) and 100% grain avoiding since May 2008.

My calcium score was 0.

But the staff was not able to say whether the machine they used was EBT/MDCT. They said it is newer than EBT. The machine had GE 64 slice VCT printed on it. Can you confirm if this is the one you are asking people to have it calcium scored?

I live in Phoenix, AZ and had been to AZ Heart Institute (got the information from "Track your plaque" book).

Please let me know if I got calcium score done in a machine in which I am supposed to do.

Thanks for all the help.

Thanks

Venkat

IS VERY GOOD..............................

> I had a bowl of bran flakes and checked my blood sugar. 141. Yikes

It is a great idea to check blood glucose levels after meals, just bear in mind that they can vary rather erratically:

http://healthcorrelator.blogspot.com/2010/05/blood-glucose-variations-in-normal.html

Oats, oats, oats is the common thread of the "survivors." Either the oat industry is doing an excellent coordinated marketing attack or there is something to the claim that oats are good for cardiovascular health.

I don't eat cereal of any kind. Have no desire to. A much healthier choice altogether would be cottage cheese with fruit or just fruit, scrambled eggs or even bacon cooked extra crispy.

There are  thousands of websites which provides information  about  
how is angioplasty done.
But dilseindia is one  of the websites where one can get good info about the  angioplasty.

Sad....but not surprising.

I'm on a diet web site that offers recipes. Many are labeled "healthy" or "heart healthy" because they contain less oil, no egg yolks, etc....but they are still using white flour, sugar (sometimes raw! lol)....and offer little more than carbohydrates with a tiny bit of protein and/or fat(often less than 10% total!). But they're "healthy" because they have little or no fat!

And oh man the commercials about "healthy" whole grains!

"Heartzels are a healthy snack alternative for anyone wanting to control fat intake and add fiber to their diet,".  

Right.  Fiber knocks down total cholesterol.  What effect does it have on dense / fluffy / oxidized subtypes?

Oh man, that would be a dream if Bisquick, with a little maple syrup poured on top, was heart healthy.  If true I'd have the healthiest cardiovascular system in America.

Hi Dr Davis,
Thought to pass on a cute story  for a chuckle.  Talking about how science can evolve and how all low fat foods were once considered heart healthy but today we are learning that is not the case - this morning my mother received a call from a friend saying that her doctor suggested she begin taking fish oil.  Knowing that my mom is following a heart healthy program, the friend called to ask which fish oil capsules to buy and if there is anything else worth taking.  Mom gave her suggestions of what to purchase and thought that was the end of the conversation.  A few hours later the friend called back to say her husband, an intelligent man as he is a retired University professor but also very much a grizzled guy, said she should not take that "crap" as probably in 5 years from now it will be found to cause prostate cancer.  The friend called to say she bought the suggested items, she was willing to take the risk.

In George Orwell's, 1984,

"The three slogans of the Party, on display everywhere, are

    * WAR IS PEACE
    * FREEDOM IS SLAVERY
    * IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH"

Could "Heart Healthy" be added to the list?

In keeping with times, evidently, the recently appointed Attorney General of the United States hangs a portrait of George Orwell in his office.  Honest.

http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/
idUSN2536540620080125

(paste two lines of link together)

Great article in the New York Times:  http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/27/opinion/27taubes.html?_r=1&ex=1359090000&en=83d7fc4ab59036ac&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin

Shows that the word is getting out.

As always, Gary Taubes cuts to the bone and makes clear, concise, no nonsense, and persuasive arguments.

From this heated discussion, I predict that the number of small LDL particles as measured by NMR will emerge as the explanation behind the lukewarm value of Friedewald (calculated) LDL cholesterol.

Did you see the statins article in latest issue of BW? It is a MUST read!

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/08_04/b4068052092994.htm?chan=magazine+channel_top+stories

I'd make it akin to pregnancy: ya either are or ya aint... no grey areas.  
could be 9mos, could be 3mos but you're still pregnant.

Scan and Track yourself...You either have a positive CAC score, lucky dude (or dudette) it's zero. If it's positive then Obliterate that Plaque (S.T.O.P.) with TYP and DR. Davis!

And if you look 3mos pregnant (and you're male) there's a 100% chance you have plaque.
And if you're female... and NOT pregnant, ditto because central obesity typically indicates Insulin Resistance the strongest plaque builder out there. 70% of the world's population are pre-diabetic or have type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and it's growing everyday.

I can't tell you how many people have come to me and told me that a doctor told them statins were "magic" or a virtual "cure" for heart disease. Of course, they are not. They don't even come close.

Yes, statins do provide a role. In a $26 billion industry, perhaps 20% of that is truly necessary.

Well said.

Maybe I should post a piece called "Are you a pregnant male?"

A little off subject, but any comments on the latest report( I believe from the  Framingham study ) that says low vitamin D levels is a very definite cardiac risk factor ONLY in people with high blood pressure and not at all in anybody else?

As with any observational study in which no intervention (e.g., treatment with vitamin D) was made, various factors as predictors of death and heart attack emerge only when powerful effects are likely.

We see enormous effects from vit D replacement regardless of BP effects. Remember also that there is more to life and health than reduction of cardiovascular disease risk. Vit D also reduces risk of falls/fractures, osteoporosis, various cancers (esp. colon and prostate), reduces blood sugar, inflammatory responses, etc.

I know this is probably not the right place to post this message but I do not know where else to. I live in the UK and I have had 'Track Your Plaque' on order for the past two weeks with Play.com (similar to Amazon). I queried why my order is taking so long and they said that the book is printed on demand. Is this correct ? If so please can you tell me when you are next doing a printing because I really do need the book before the beginning of February when I will be seeing my cardiologist and asking him for a referral for an EBCT scan. I want to go to my appointment armed with 'Track Your Plaque' !

with kind regards,
Anne

Yes, this far out from its original printing, it is now printed only on demand.

Dear Dr Davis,

Have you any idea how long it takes to get a copy printed ? I have a bicuspid aortic valve with moderate stenosis and I think it would be a good idea for my cardiologist to refer me for a scan so that we can see why the stenosis is progressing if it is due to calcification of the valve - I don't see what else it could be - but he may take some convincing and I was hoping that if I had the book it would be helpful. If I don't get a referral it will be too expensive for me to pay for myself as an EBCT scan in the UK costs around £500 or $1000.

with best wishes,
Anne

Hi, Anne-
Unfortunately, a heart scan will not be very helpful for the question of aortic valve disease. Yes, it can quantify calcium on the valve, but this is not a factor in determining when replacement is necessary, nor does it help track progression, unlike in coronary arteries.

Be sure to take a look at vitamin D--this is crucial in aortic valve issues.

Dear Dr Davis,

Oh, I see :-( My cardiologist is doing yearly echocardiograms to determine when to replace the valve, but, from my limited knowledge, I had been thinking that if I knew the exact extent of any calcification on the valve and took all steps necessary to reverse the calcification then I could reverse the progression of the stenosis and never have to have a valve replacement. I have started to take 5000iu of D3 per day yes

with best wishes,
Anne

Hi Dr. Davis,

I have a friend whose wife has mitral valve prolapse.  Would Vitamin D3 supplementation be useful in treating this?

anne,

I bought 8 books -- and they arrived in < 1wk.  Once you read it, you'll want your best friends and family to get onboard too!   No point in being immortal... ALONE.
Also, if you're considering trackyourplaque.com membership, the TYP book is included!

g

Hi, WC--
No. Vit D will not have any specific effect on mitral valve prolapse. However, it's still worth taking for all the other benefits, however.

I received a zero score in a coronary artery calcium screening. However, the clinic mailed me a report that had some comments related to mild ectasia of the ascending aorta and subtle calcification involving the descending aorta.  Any thoughts?

Then it's likely that high blood pressure, vitamin D deficiency, and some other factors (see lipoproteins) are active issues.

Dr. Davis
Thank you for the response. I am fascinated by your blog and will follow up on your suggestions.

wccaguy,

Re mitral valve prolapse: Is magnesium a factor? Bit of an obscure ref but Mg is pretty non toxic by mouth...

Peter

Magnesium depletion seems common also in diabetes.  Could perhaps Mg depletion and it's negative consequences, including valve damage as per Peter's reference, be caused by the excessive carbohydrate consumption as the primary factor?

Stan (Heretic)

http://www.chiro.org/nutrition/magnesium.shtml#carbohydrate_metabolism

Yes, magnesium depletion can develop on high-carbohydrate diets, and it also aggravtes pre-diabetic tendencies.

However, while magnesium supplementation can reduce some of the consequences of mitral valve prolapse (such as abnormal heart rhythms), it does not actually protect the valve.

A bit confusing.

Dr. Davis wrote:  However, while magnesium supplementation can reduce some of the consequences of mitral valve prolapse (such as abnormal heart rhythms), it does not actually protect the valve.

Very interesting!  That would suggest that magnesium depletion may be a coincidental marker of something else that is the common cause of both heart damage and magnesium depletion. Much like in the serum cholesterol case, perhaps?

Dear Dr Davis,

You wrote: "Unfortunately, a heart scan will not be very helpful for the question of aortic valve disease. Yes, it can quantify calcium on the valve, but this is not a factor in determining when replacement is necessary, nor does it help track progression, unlike in coronary arteries."

I've just found this article which suggests that the stenosis associated with bicuspid aortic valve can be reversed, and likens the progression of the calcification on the valve to that in atherosclerosis in arterial walls: http://content.onlinejacc.org/cgi/content/full/42/4/593

Can you comment on this please because if it were true then the strategies employed in Track Your Plaque would work for valves too wouldn't they ?

with best wishes,
Anne

Anne--

The review you cite preceded publication of two studies that attempted to affect progression of aortic valve disease using high-dose Lipitor or Crestor. Lipitor had no effect; Crestor, 40 mg per day, did have a small effect.

Because the Track Your Plaque program does not track aortic valve disease, I cannot say whether or not it has any effects. However, it is probably small to none--with the exception of vitamin D. I have great hopes for vitamin D's effect on slowing or reversing aortic valve disease. We are accumulating an experience with vit D, but it's too preliminary to publish.

I saw my cardiologist today for my yearly echocardiogram. The pressure gradient across my bicuspid aortic valve has increased from 35mmHg to 38mmHg since last year which my cardiologist said was good....but he's going to refer me for an EBCT scan !  And because I have private health insurance I should be covered.....they don't do EBCT scans under the NHS here in the UK so I'm really lucky

all the best,
Anne

Dear Dr Davis,

I had the results of my scan today. There's no calcification in the coronary arteries But calcification showed up on the bicuspid aortic valve. My cardiologist said there's nothing I can do about that because of the turbulent blood flow, but I'm determined that I will be able to halt the calcification or reverse it and I will be watching your blog for anything you write about aortic valve disease, especially when you write about your work with vitamin D and aortic valves. I'm currently taking 4000iu D3.

with best wishes,
Anne

Coronary atherosclerosis is a diffuse process that involves much of the length of the artery. It is therefore folly to believe that a 15 mm long stent has addressed the disease. This is no more a solution than to replace the faucet in your kitchen in a house with rotting pipes from the basement up.

As a follower of your blog and TRP recommendations, which I am doing, I added a small iodine supplement in a kelp tablet.  I have low thyroid and take Armour thyroid everyday.  Just recently I have read different doctors saying that taking iodine makes low thyroid worse and should not be done.  Am I inhibiting the action of the medication by taking the kelp tab?

Jan

i was looking for (UI) urine iodine testing kit. i found the next line which didn't surprise me. the UI kit was priced,
" Price is set at 2 USD excluding postage and tax on delivery".
the web site adress.
http://www.il.mahidol.ac.th/eng/index.php/resources/test-kits.html
this is from Thailand Mahidol University.
it also sells test kit for iodine in the kitchen salt.
i can never imagine purchasing something in north america with 2bucks.

iodine test kit.
i just got mixed up. the us 2$ was the price for iodine in salt testing kit not the UI testing as i wrote earlier. can you please change the info? thanks.

Dr D.

Can you please give us a clue as to what happens to the unstable iodide?
Does it evaporate, or combine with some impurity to produce a non-absorbable form?

Curious Non chemistry major

After reading about iodine here, I started eating nori (dried seaweed). I don't know what catagory that puts me in, or how much iodine I am getting.

Jeanne

Jan--

That's an absurd and outdated notion.

It is true that initial supplementation yields a paradoxic increase in TSH that subsides over a few months. But iodine is essential for health.

Remember: Most physicians think supplements are stupid and a waste of money. If it came with a prescription and a good-looking representative, they would suddenly be prescribing it galore.

Hi, Mike--

See the Track Your Plaque Special Report, Does iodine deficiency contribute to plaque growth.

There is a graph that shows the degradation of iodine due to volatilization (evaporation). See it athttp://www.trackyourplaque.com/library/fl_03-017iodine.asp (open access).

Dr. Davis, I have been following this thread with interest.  After being on Synthroid for several years, I was switched to Armour Thyroid and had a bad experience with it. I decided to consult an endocrinologist rather than continue going to my PCP for my thyroid issues.  The endocrinologist DC'd the Armour, and put me back on Synthroid.  Told me  she was opposed to use of Armour and of Cytomel, and under no circumstances to take an Iodine supplement.  I have to say that I appear to be better off without the Armour, but my TSH has not come back down to an acceptable level yet--new dose increase today, so another wait for labs. I don't know what my next step should be, but in this area I am not confident enough of the facts or how they might apply to my situation to dose myself with Iodine.  It's not as clear-cut to me as the case for dosoing myself with Vitamin D.  If anyone knows of an open-minded Iodine-friendly physician in North Carolina, I would consult with her/him, but otherwise I would be afraid to do it.  I believe that some people have very bad reactions to Iodine, or is this misinformation?

What dose and type of supplement do you recommend, doc?

Re: Vanishing iodide.

Thanks for that Doc.
I presume keeping your salt stash in a a zip-loc bag in the refrigerator would lengthen its effective life.
I wonder if there is a problem with short lifetime on any of the supplement forms?
MikeV

PS What are the odds of rejuvenating aging (hypo)thyroid glands that have been successfully supplemented for many years?

PPS I truly appreciate your work in breaking down the blood-brain barrier between 'Medicine' and intelligent nutrition/prevention.

Hi, Mike--

Tightly storing iodized salt in an air-tight container would likely preserve iodine content.

To my knowledge, the degradation of iodine-containing supplements or medications has not been formally examined. But it is probably best to keep tightly closed in a cool place to be safe.

Jenny,

I think the bad reaction to iodine you refer to could have 2 origins.  There are people who are allergic to iodine and can have severe reactions to ingesting iodine. They don't eat shellfish and cannot have iodine dye injected for x-rays,etc.  Also, as I related to Dr.D in my post here, (see 1st post) recently I have read about drs saying patients should not take iodine if they have low thryroid because it will cause lower production of thyroid hormone.  Dr. D responded to my post here and like you, I wasn't sure about dosing myself. I will continue to take a small amount in an organic kelp tab, take my Armour thyroid everyday and get levels checked at appropriate intervals. My PCP is really only involved in testing my levels and working with me on rx meds. I make supplementation decisions based on my own research. Hard to find a dr who values an integrated approach.
Good luck!
Jan

jenny.
some times the problem with adrenal gland may  give bad experience with armour. adrenal have to be fixed first before armour can be given. and some times, it is just adrenal issue and not hypothyroid issue at all.
http://thyroid.about.com/od/drdavidderry/l/bl11.htm

also.
ALWAYS treat your adrenals first!
        If the adrenals are weak, replacing thyroid hormone first would most likely make a person feel much worse and may stir up 'hyperthyroid' symptoms bu increasing the metabolism and initiate an adrenal crisis. The adrenals must be strong enough to cope with the increase in metabolism. This is the most common mistake made in the medical management of these conditions.

http://www.livingnetwork.co.za/healingnetwork/adrenals_thyroid.html

from personal experience the supporting "B" vitamins and magnesium must be started first before starting on dessicated hormones. but it must be decided first that if you are truly hypothyroid?
when i started the thyroid hormones, it felt like starting up an old motor with different timing  belt. body, brain, heart and several other cells were going through adjustment of control and distribution of the energy. it took about 6 months or so for me to deiced the right dose and timing of vitamins, iodine and dessicated thyroid hormones. i felt that above dosing and timing can not be decided by a doctor. it is only the patient can figure it out with a learning curve. it is lots of work but believe me it is worth it.

jenny.
i forgot to add the list of suggested thyroid doctors in us and canada.
http://www.thyroid-info.com/topdrs/

What do you think about Kelp and tyrosine in combination?

NOW has a thyroid supplement that combines these. What do you think?

http://www.bulknutrition.com/?products_id=1366

Hi Mike,

http://chem-eng.utoronto.ca/~diosady/sltstblty.html

here is a paper on the loss of Iodine from salt.  It compares Potassium Iodide to the Iodate with the latter being more stable at higher temps and in high humidity. The two environmental factors mentioned are key to degradation and loss of Iodine from the table salt.  Not only should you store your salt in a sealed container in refrigerator, but you should ensure the salt you buy is in a vapor barrier lined package so that it is in the best condition when you purchase it.
cheers
Trevor

Kelp warning?

http://www.curezone.com/faq/q.asp?a=13,281,2962&q=657

Researchers at the University of California/Davis found that eight out of nine kelp supplements contained abnormal levels of arsenic (Env. Health Perspectives, April, 2007).

Thanks for the info on the home testing kit...I live in Europe and it's sometimes hard to find these. I've been taking kelp (along with culinary practice) for iodine issues.

People should know that genetically susceptible individuals can give themselves graves disease by taking iodine supplements such as Lugols. While supplementation may be healthful for some people, it can really ruin your life if you happen to be one of them.

I am heartened by the number of respondents taking iodine in some form. After all, iodine is an essential trace mineral. Without it and health suffers, often dramatically.

Since I was diagnosed with hypothyroid disease, I started taking porcine thyroid supplements for my hormone deficiency. I feel energized now.

I believe this happened to me when my PCP was out of town in mid-July.  His "sub" directed me to a local hospital and chose a cardiologist for me.  I had gone for upper left dull chest pain, ended up being admitted to the hospital, and underwent the gamut of heart tests - nuclear stress testing, echocardiograms, even a heart catheterization, all by doctors who did NOT know my history and had no way of finding it out.  Admission through the ER, tests for two days, while my PCP was out of the picture.  And now the cardio, who told me she would notify the PCP and endocrinologist whom I have been seeing for 5 years, has not done that.  I don't even know whether I want to see her or have my PCP recommend another cardiologist.