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July 2008 Newsletter
by Beth Ley, Ph.D.
www.blpublications.com
NHL Ministries
IN THE NEWS
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Chinese Red Yeast Rice May Prevent Heart Attack.. Significantly Lowers Cholesterol
I have long recommended Red Yeast Rice for patients looking to lower their cholesterol
and triglycerides. Now researchers have found additional heart benefits. A new study suggests
that people who have had a heart attack may be able to reduce the risk of another attack by 45
percent by taking a purified extract of Chinese red yeast rice.
In addition, the need for bypass surgery or angioplasty was reduced by one third, and death from
cancer was reduced by two-thirds among those taking the extract, called Xuezhikang (XZK). "A
purified form of Chinese red yeast rice significantly reduced the risk of having another heart attack,"
said lead researcher Dr. David M. Capuzzi, director of the Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
Program at the Myrna Brind Center of Integrative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University in
Philadelphia.
In the study, almost 5,000 people in China who'd had a heart attack were randomly selected to
receive capsules containing XZK or a placebo. The XZK capsules contained a combination of
lovastatin, lovastatin hydroxyl acid, ergosterol, and other components, the report said.
During five years of follow-up, the researchers found that 10.4 percent of those receiving a
placebo had a second heart attack, compared with 5.7 percent of those receiving XZK. Also,
those treated with XZK were 30 percent less likely to die from a cardiovascular problem and 33
percent less likely to die from any cause. And the need heart surgery or angioplasty was reduced
by one third, the researchers reported.
The findings are published in the June 15 2008 issue of the American Journal of Cardiology.
One heart expert thinks this study shows that Chinese red yeast rice may be another way to lower
cholesterol, thereby preventing heart attack. "Numerous clinical trials have established that statin
medications in conjunction with lifestyle modification reduce the risk of recurrent cardiovascular
events and prolong life in patients with prior myocardial infarction [heart attack] and elevated,
average, or below average cholesterol levels," said Dr. Gregg C. Fonarow, director of the
Ahmanson-UCLA Cardiomyopathy Center at the University of California, Los Angeles.
This new study may extend these prior findings to the statin medication lovastatin, which is derived
from Chinese red yeast, Fonarow said. The extract of red yeast rice contains lovastatin, a drug
that has been proven to improve cholesterol profiles and decrease risk of heart attack, said Dr.
Byron Lee, an associate professor of cardiology at the University of California, San Francisco.
"However, the improvement in the patients on the extract is far beyond what you would expect with
lovastatin alone, so maybe there is some other natural component in the extract that is conferring
the extra benefit," Lee said. "That would be quite exciting."
Chinese red yeast rice is rice that has been fermented by red yeast. This rice has been used in
China for many centuries as a food preservative, food coloring, spice, and in rice wine. Red yeast
rice remains a staple in China, Japan and in Asian communities in the United States.
Red yeast rice also has been used as a medicine for more than 1,000 years. It has been used to
improve blood circulation and treat indigestion and diarrhea, the study authors said.
Prevent Heart Disease... Quit Smoking!
A new study appearing in the August '08 issue of the American Journal of Public Health shows
how the reduction of smoking in Massachusetts reduced the number of heart disease deaths.
Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US, and the leading cause of death
caused by smoking. Most people are aware that smoking is not good for their lungs... but
research shows that smoking is harder on the heart.
Did you know smoking is the most important preventable cause of premature death in the United
States.
Smokers have a higher risk of developing many chronic disorders, including
atherosclerosis — the buildup of fatty substances in the arteries — which can lead to heart attack
(coronary artery disease). Controlling or reversing atherosclerosis to prevent future heart attack or
stroke is one of the goals of your treatment plan.
You can modify or control six major independent risk factors for coronary heart disease:
* Cigarette and tobacco smoke
* High blood cholesterol
* High blood pressure
* Physical inactivity
* Overweight or obesity
* Diabetes
Smoking by itself increases the risk of coronary heart disease. When it acts with the other factors,
it greatly increases your risk from those factors, too. Smoking increases blood pressure,
decreases your tolerance for physical activity and increases the tendency for blood to clot. It
decreases HDL (good) cholesterol. Your risks increase greatly if you smoke and have a family
history of heart disease. Smoking also creates a higher risk for peripheral artery disease and
aortic aneurysm. It increases the risk of recurrent coronary heart disease after bypass surgery, too.
Smoking is also an important risk factor for stroke. Inhaling cigarette smoke produces several
effects that damage the cerebrovascular system. Women who take oral contraceptives and
smoke increase their risk of stroke many times.
What to do if you are a smoker....
1. Increase fruits and vegetables in diet, 5-9 servings daily.... (see Phytoglow above)
2. Increase antioxidants to help prevent the free radical damage.
(Alpha lipoic acid, grape
seed extract, etc.)
3. Increase Omega-3 fatty acids found in flax seed oil and fish oil.
4. Take Chlorella and eat a diet high in greens to help you detox.
References:
Fewer Heart Disease Deaths:
Smoking and smoking cessation:
For more information on risk factors associated with heart disease...
Omega-3 Foods May Lower Eye Disease Risk
High intake of fatty acid associated with reduction of both early and late AMD
Most people are aware of the heart benefits of Omega-3s, but here is some new data. Consuming
fish and other foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of age-related macular
degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of severe vision loss in elderly people.
Australian researchers reviewed nine published studies that included a total of 88,974
participants, including 3,203 people with AMD. The combined findings from the studies suggest
that a high dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids is associated with a 38 percent reduced risk of
late (advanced) AMD, and that eating fish twice a week is associated with a reduced risk of both
early and late AMD.
The study was published in the June 2008 issue of the journal Archives of Ophthalmology.
The University of Melbourne researchers noted that long-chain omega-3 fatty acids form an
integral part of the layer of nerve cells in the retina. Outer cells of the retina are continually shed
and regenerated. Because of this, deficiencies in omega-3 fatty acids may cause AMD.
"A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and fish, as a proxy for long-chain omega-3 fatty acid intake,
has therefore been hypothesized as a means to prevent AMD," the researchers wrote.
Want to Lose Weight? GO TO BED!!!
Apparently people need to be convinced that lack of sleep is harmful. A National Sleep
Foundation survey found that 60% of the women polled said they only get a good night's sleep a
few nights a week -- or less. I doubt it's much different for men. "Studies now are showing that if
you are sleep-deprived, you have a tendency to gain weight," said Donna Arand, director of the
Sleep Disorders Center at Kettering Medical Center in Kettering, Ohio, and a spokeswoman for
the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
Sleeping less than seven hours a night is associated with a higher body mass index (a ratio of
weight to height) and a higher likelihood of obesity, according to a study of more than 25,000
people published in the journal Sleep.
Other researchers looked at the results of 23 studies and found that 17 of them supported an
inescapable link between insufficient sleep and increased weight. The findings were published
online Jan. 17 08 in the journal Obesity.
A recent German study reports a reduction of sleep duration to 4 h for just one to two consecutive
nights decreases circulating leptin levels and increases ghrelin levels, as well as self-reported
hunger. The study results provide further evidence for a disturbing influence of sleep loss on
endocrine regulation of energy homeostasis, which on the long run may result in weight gain and
obesity.
But the health risks aren't limited to weight gain. Cardiovascular problems such as high blood
pressure have been linked to lack of sleep. The National Sleep Foundation says too little sleep
can lead to an increased risk of diabetes, psychiatric problems such as depression and
substance abuse, and a greater risk of motor-vehicle accidents. The foundation also says
insufficient sleep can hinder attentiveness and make it tougher to remember new information. In
fact, performance can be impaired after just four nights of five hours' sleep or less, researchers
reported online Feb. 12 08 in the journal Sleep Medicine.
Journal of Sleep Research. 2008 Jun 19.
A single night of sleep deprivation increases ghrelin
levels and feelings of hunger in normal-weight healthy men.
Schmid SM, Hallschmid M, Jauch-Chara K, Born J, Schultes B.
Departments of Internal Medicine I, University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany.
Sleep deprivation
Need a little help?
PS Plus is what I recommend for stress-related sleep problems.
5 HTP is a natural precursor to serotonin (sleep and relax "happy" hormone) if you are also
prone to depression.
GABA - a natural relaxer - excellent for shutting off "racing thoughts" interfering with your
sleep.
IN BETH'S KITCHEN
Next Time...
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FEATURED BOOKS
How Did We Get So FAT?
by Beth M. Ley, PhD
We spend billions of dollars on diets ... and we are still fat
120 pages
On SALE!!! Just $4.00
(reg. $8.95)
Chlorella
The Ultimate Green Food
by Beth M. Ley, PhD
Nature's Richest Source of Chlorophyll, DNA & RNA
56 pages
$4.95
ORDER [click here]
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FEATURED SUPPLEMENTS
Drs. Best Red Yeast Rice
Worried about high cholesterol or triglycerides?
Drs. Best Red Yeast Rice can help!
1,200 mg plus CoQ10
60 count (2 month supply)
Suggested Retail: $26.00 US
Alpha Lipoic Acid
Research demonstrates this powerful antioxidant Lipoic Acid benefits individuals with:
Diabetes (aids in insulin utilization and prevents complications), Cataracts,
Macular degeneration, Glaucoma, Neuropathy. Vascular disorders (ie. varicose veins,
cold hands & feet), Liver disease, Heart disease, Arthritis & Asthma!
Alpha Lipoic Acid is 50 times more potent as an antioxidant as Vitamin E or C!!!
120 count bottle
Suggested Retail: $23.00 US
PhytoGlow
The Antioxidant Power of 7 Daily Servings of Fruits and Vegetables In Convenient,
Easy-to-Swallow Veggie Caps!
90 Veggie Caps.
Suggested Retail: $20.00 US
Sequel Naturals ChlorEssence
Premium Chlorella
Highest natural source of Chlorophyll, RNA and DNA to aid in detoxification & healing.
Helps maintain proper pH in body, support health of bones & teeth, blood pressure & much more!
300 tablet count bottle (30-45 day supply)
Suggested Retail: $34.00 US
ORDER [click here]
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UPCOMING EVENTS!
INTERNATIONAL HEALING CONFERENCE
OCTOBER 8-11, 2008
GRACE CHURCH
9301 Eden Praire Road
Eden Praire, MN
Main speakers include:
Heidi Baker
Randy Clark
and James Maloney
For more info call:
763-566-7411
or email:
questions@rainministries.org
also visit Rain MInistries
for registration and details.
I will be doing a workshop, but do not know what day yet. I will keep you posted.
Books and supplements will be available for purchase in the bookstore
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NUTRITION COUNSELING
with Dr. Beth now available in TWIN CITIES.
Available:
In Golden Valley, call 763-391-7636
For more info click here
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QUESTIONS and ANSWERS
Q and A:
Send in your questions... there's a good chance
other's would like to hear the answer too.
contact us by e-mail at
bley@blpublications.com | |
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TESTIMONIES
Have a testimony to share about how God has used Dr.
Beth to help you with your health problems? send us an
email! We'd love to hear from you!
contact us by e-mail at
bley@blpublications.com | |
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