When a cardiovascular patient comes into my office I like to evaluate some of the risk factors that their cardiologists are not assessing. I use Spectracell LPP Basic and LPP Plus testing which offers a great analysis of the sizes of cholesterols, remnant lipoproteins as well as Lp(a). (PRINT MY PATIENT HANDOUT THAT I GIVE TO EVERY PATIENT WITH THEIR RESULTS ON IT.) I use Lifelabs for MPO, PLA2 and CRP testing. Lipomatrix (Cytomatrix) which has a natural statin effect, increases the LDL sizes and lower PLA2 inflammation. I use Berberine to lower remmant lipoproteins and insulin resistance and Lp(a). I always use Hawthorne either in tincture or solid extract form, to help with angina, blood pressure and arrhythmias. Hawthorne acts as a natural beta blocker without the side effects. I have also used Gingko or berberine to lower Lp(a). If the Lp(a) is very high I find that nothing will lower it so I emphasize lowering risk factors such as increasing LDL and HDL size, lowering PLA2, insulin, homocysteine and CRP using other natural remedies and monitoring every 6-12 months as needed. Once I know a remedy is working then I repeat the Spectracell testing every 2 years. Cardiovascular support is life-long so I explain the benefits of taking these remedies for other body systems long-term. Hawthorne (Crataegus) flowers or berries reduce myocardial oxygen demand. It is an anti-oxidant, cardioprotectice and a coronary artery vasodilator. It is safe for long-term usage and very safe to combine with conventional drugs such as digitalis, beta-blockers and other hypotensive drugs. Crataegus reduces blood pressure as well as has a mild cardiotonic effect on the heart muscle and important in the treatment of mild congestive heart failure. It improves heart rate variability and is an anti-arrhtythmic. It may lower LDL cholesterol through bile acid excretion and decreased hepatic cholesterol synthesis. It stabilizes collagen and has a mild astringent effect. Why would you not use it? 🙂  I recommend the tincture form as 1 tsp dosage per day in the morning, explaining to the patient that the longer they take it the better it is for their heart. There is no restriction on the long-term use of crataegus according to Kerry Bone and should be taken at least for 2 months to see effect. Hawthorne ½ tsp- 1 tsp daily (500mg per ml) or now in tablet form at 2 per day is equivalent. Mediherb Garlic is another consideration for your patients with elevated cholesterol, blood pressure and circulation problems. This tablet is enteric coated and provides alliin along with alliinase to allow for the full conversion to allicin, the most active component of garlic. My patients never complain about the “garlic” smell of this tablet. Take at least one per day in combination with Gingko and Hawthorne for best results. Gingko: has been researched to lower Lp(a) so I try it and monitor it with Spectacell testing. If it does not work I switch to Berberine 500mg (Thorne) if tolerated or Berberine (Cytomatrix). Kerry Bone talks about using Gingko at 9 per day ( in divided doses) to help with jet lag when he is lecturing so I recommend this for jet lag control. It is also very popular in Europe for stroke prevention which I dose at one per day and stronger if I am concerned about cognitive decline as well. There is no evidence that gingko increases bleeding time contrary to popular belief by most surgeons. Use with caution with blood thinners such as warfarin and aspirin but it is not a contraindication. Ginkgo has been effective for the treatment of cerebral insufficiency which includes the following conditions: dementia, dizziness associated with labyrinth or vestibular disorders, acute cochlear deafness, senile cognitive decline, vertigo, healing loss or tinnitus. Ginkgo was also found to be of benefit in the treatment of recent stroke victims improving cerebral blood flow, motor recovery, intellectual performance, memory, mood and behavior. Ginkgo was also found to effective for the improvement in cognitive function in Alzheimer’s disease. Ginkgo is also useful for peripheral arterial disease where there is significant improvement in walking performance in this patient population. My favorite combination for this purpose is Horsechestnut Complex. I have seen great results for hemorrhoids as well as varicose veins and May-Thurner Syndrome with this formula. Galectin 3 is involved with inflammation, fibrogenesis and cardiac remodeling. It can easily be measured in the blood and Lifelabs offers this testing for $78.00. I have used it in the past to monitor breast cancer patients with high levels being lowered by taking Pectasol(MCP) a galectin 3 inhibitor. In 2016 several studies came out showing benefit of MCP in the treatment of calcific aortic valve stenois. Galectin 3 was implicated in the inflammatory, fibrotic and ostegenic markers of valvular interstitial cells of aortic valves. Inhibiting galectin 3 could be a new therapeutic approach to delay the aortic valve calcification of aortic stenosis. In heart failure the use of MCP and an aldosterone antagonist, resulted in more pronounced effects on cardiac hypertrophy, inflammation and fibrosis when compared with the use of MCP alone. Using galectin 3 as another cardiovascular risk marker for inflammation and calcification you can monitor these levels with the use of a simple inexpensive blood test and using MCP in your treatment protocols. Of course when you are recommending life-long usage of MCP in these cases you are also offering the patient long term heavy metal detoxification, immune support and cancer prevention, as well as liver and kidney support. Wow!
Fish oils of course are an important part of any cardiovascular treatment protocol, just make sure the daily dosage is a total of 3000mg of EPA and DHA in combination. The Arctic Cod Liver oil at ½ tsp daily will provide a 4 month supply and the Ultimate Omega capsules at 3per day will provide a 40 day supply.
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