Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Disease - Smoking and Elevated CRP Levels

Smoking

The most important lifestyle modification in preventing atherosclerosis is to get away from the air pollution of smoking. If you’re a smoker, it’s time to stop smoking! Secondly, whether you smoke or not, avoid secondhand smoke. Cigarette smoke fills the air with over four thousand different chemicals, fifty of which have been proven to be cancer causing. Further, these chemicals trigger significant free-radical reactions that may damage the lining of the arteries. They also damage healthy cholesterol and form oxidized cholesterol, which leads to more plaque formation. Smoking also causes blood platelets to clump together and also raises fibrinogen levels, which increases your risk of both heart attack and stroke.

The bottom line is that smoking sets you up for cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other degenerative diseases. It is imperative that you take steps to get cigarettes and cigarette smoke out of your life for good – and that includes secondhand smoke.

Elevated CRP Levels

C-reactive protein (CRP) is both a marker of inflammation and a promoter of inflammation. Elevated CRP blood levels create a constant environment prone to inflammation within your entire body. When CRP levels are high, every cell in your body is vulnerable to the damaging effects of inflammation. When this chronic inflammation occurs in the blood vessels, it usually causes the atherosclerosis, which is the first step toward having a heart attack and stroke.

There are now blood tests that determine CRP levels. Numerous recent studies have shown that CRP is likely a better predictor of heart attack and stroke risk than traditional cholesterol tests alone. Those with elevated CRP levels but acceptable cholesterol levels are more likely to have heart attacks or strokes than those with high cholesterol but low CRP. Also, those with high CRP levels are less likely to survive when a heart attack or stroke does occur. We will probably be seeing more in the media in the coming years about testing CRP levels as an important means of detecting chronic cardiovascular risk.

CRP is produced in many cells of the body in response to the presence of the cytokines that promote inflammation. C-reactive protein is mainly produced by fat cells, especially belly fat, and the liver in response to excess interleukin-6 – a cytokine. CRP is released by abdominal fat and then is dumped directly into the liver. As a result, those who are overweight or obese, especially those who have abdominal fat, often have significantly higher levels of CRP in their bloodstream than do lean people.

To reduce CRP levels, you should follow a Mediterranean diet and avoid foods high in saturated fats and trans fats. You should also avoid fried foods and foods that are high glycemic – or raise the blood sugar rapidly. Sweets, white bread, white rice, and instant potatoes are prime examples of high-glycemic foods. Instead, you can choose to eat foods high in fiber, such as raw almonds, lentils, beans, peas, seeds, nuts, apples, berries, and so forth. Again, eating a Mediterranean diet is one of the simplest ways to lower CRP as well as many other risk factors.

USANA RESET has low-glycemic ingredients providing a source of sustainable energy to help control carbohydrate cravings. USANA Vitamins Supplements RESET provides balanced nutrition including everything you need for weight-loss success.

A superantioxidant found in French maritime pine bark or made from combination of grape seed, pine bark, and red wine extract has been shown to lower CRP levels. Studies have shown oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) can lower CRP by 50 percent. Most studies have used doses of 120 to 300 mg daily.

Another way to address CRP levels is by taking daily supplements that include

• Fish oil, pharmaceutical grade (1,000 mg, two to three times a day) - USANA’s BiOmega™ supplement is produced from cold-water, deep-sea fish oil and contains a balanced, concentrated daily dose of two important omega-3 fatty acids
• Coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinol) (100-200 mg a day) - USANA Vitamins Supplements CoQuinone 30 contains a full 30 mg of CoQ10 and 12.5 mg of alpha lipoic acid per soft gel capsule. USANA’s unique formulation provides these important antioxidants in a natural mixture of lecithin and vegetable-derived glycerin monooleate in a base of medium chain triglycerides
• Pine bark extract and grape seed extract, or OPCs (120-300 mg a day) -
• Red yeast rice, or LipiControl (1,200 mg, twice a day with food)
• Irvingia extract (150 mg, twice a day)

Made with no artificial flavors, sweeteners, preservatives, or colors, each USANA Rev3 Energy Drink is low glycemic to provide longer lasting energy and a natural boost. USANA Rev3 uses powerful, energy-producing ingredients to improve the body’s response to stress and fatigue and support efficient cellular energy production. Important antioxidants and phytonutrients also provide free-radical defense to help maintain optimal cellular health. USANA Rev3 products use caffeine derived from all-natural teas. Research shows that caffeine may also have positive effects on weight loss and maintenance and mental function.