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Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., D.A.C.B.N., MS With cardiovascular disease claiming the lives of one out of three people in America today, it's no wonder people look to medicine for help preventing heart attacks and strokes.
However, the focus on high cholesterol as the main cause of heart attacks and strokes is woefully misguided. The clinically proven indicators of cardiovascular disease include elevated levels of trigycerides, insulin, cortisol and C-reactive protein, but not high cholesterol. Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., D.A.C.B.N., M.S., CFM An under appreciated highway danger has been shown to cause sudden cardiac arrest or clotting of a coronary artery.
What baffles me is that this has been known for over ten years and has even been published in cardiologists' leading journal, Circulation (published by the American Heart Association)! We now know the mechanisms by how this happens. Research has shown that diesel and traffic exhaust fumes (unavoidable chemicals) poison the ability of the body to make nitric oxide (it poisons the endothelial nitric oxide synthase enzyme). The endothelial cells of our vasculature protect us against atherosclerosis and thrombosis. A major weapon of endothelial cells to fight vascular disease is endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), an enzyme that generates the vasoprotective molecule nitric oxide (NO·). However, many of us unintentionally mistreat our endothelial cells. From diabetes to hypertension, cancer to strokes, memory and learning disorders to septic shock, male impotence to tuberculosis, there is probably no pathological condition where nitric oxide does not play an important role. But there is a way to fix it. As a brief review, our body's make our own nitroglycerine (nitric oxide, actually) to dilate our blood vessels out of the amino acid arginine. So for any long drives especially, whether it's business or pleasure, it is a good idea to take 1000 mg of Arginine Powder. But remember this heart triggering can happen with very short auto exhaust exposures as well. At least you now know how to protect yourself and your loved ones from diesel induced arrhythmias and heart attacks. Good solution A car air purifier would be a great addition to the interior of your car or truck, and to put the air on recycle rather than sucking in highway fumes. So where are the cardiologists who should be telling folks these simple things to do to protect themselves? Compliments from Functional Medicine University www.FunctionalMedicineUniversity.com References:
Peretz A, et al, Diesel exhaust inhalation causes acute vasoconstriction in vivo, Environ Health Persp 116:937-42, 2008 Peters A, et al, Exposure to traffic and the onset of myocardial infarction, New Engl J Med 351:1721-30, 2004 Rich DQ, et al, Association of short-term ambient air pollution concentrations and ventricular arrhythmias, Am J Epidemiol 161:1123-32, 2005 Dockery DW, et al, Association of air pollution with increased incidence of ventricular tachyarrhythmias recorded by implanted cardioverter defibrillators, Environ Health Persp, 113:670-74, 2005 Mills AL, et al, Diesel exhaust pollution causes vascular dysfunction and impaired endogenous fibrinolysis, Circulation 112:393036, 2005 Cherng T-W, Mechanisms of Diesel-Induced Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Dysfunction in Coronary Arterioles, Environ Health Perspect. 2011 January; 119(1): 98–103. 2/23/2017 Hemoglobin A1C and Brain AtrophyRonald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., D.A.C.B.N., M.S. Many of you reading this short article already know that hemoglobin A1C is extremely useful revealing what the "average" blood sugar has been over the previous ninety days. This is the same standard laboratory measurement used to measure blood sugar control in diabetics. What many people may not be aware of is the fact that hemoglobin A1C has important implications for your brain health. In a landmark study published in the journal Neurology, the researchers documented that elevated hemoglobin A1C is associated with changes in brain size. The study showed researchers looking at MRIs to determine which lab test correlated best with brain atrophy and found that the hemoglobin A1C demonstrated the most powerful relationship. They commented, “when comparing the degree of brain tissue loss in those individuals with the lowest hemoglobin A1C (4.4 to 5.2) to those having the highest hemoglobin A1C (5.9 to 9.0), the brain loss in those individuals with the highest hemoglobin A1C was almost doubled during a six-year period.  Hemoglobin A1C and Brain Atrophy This profound study strongly indicates that hemoglobin A1C is far more than just a marker of blood sugar balance.
The good news is in most cases you have absolute control over your A1C. An ideal hemoglobin A1C would be in the 4.8 to 5.4 range. Keep in mind that reducing carbohydrate ingestion, weight loss, and physical exercise will ultimately improve insulin sensitivity and lead to a reduction of hemoglobin A1C. Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., D.A.C.B.N., MS  A study published in the the Canadian Medical Association Journal revealed that people low in vitamin B12 had an increase risk of a fatal heart attack and stroke. The study focused on the relationship between homocysteine, B-12 and carotid artery plaque. The study showed that higher blood levels of B vitamins are related to lower concentrations of homocysteine leading to decrease plaquing in the carotid arteries. However, an elevated blood homocysteine level revealed a strong risk factor for heart disease and stroke. How the Study was Conducted The study examined 421 people with the average age being 66. Vitamin B12, homocysteine levels and degree of plaque in the carotid arteries (via ultrasound) were evaluated. The Results Seventy-three patients (17%) had vitamin B12 deficiency with significant elevation of homocysteine. In addition and most important, carotid plaque was significantly larger among the group of patients who had deficiency of vitamin B12 In conclusion, the authors found that low blood vitamin B12 levels are a major cause of elevated homocysteine levels and increased carotid plaque area. Dr. Grisanti's Comments
Have your physician order a blood homocysteine test and a methylmalonic acid (MMA) test. This is the most specific test for B12 status NOT the serum B-12 blood test. 2/20/2017 Silent Bug and Heart DiseaseRonald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., D.A.C.B.N., M.S. How secure should you feel if your doctor tells you that your cholesterol levels are normal? Are you immune to heart disease just because you have been informed you have normal cholesterol levels? If you have been a reader of my weekly articles for any length of time, you should know that cholesterol is not the culprit we have all been led to believe.
I also recommend you ruling out Chlamydia in the event you have a high calcium score. Click Here to read more about the calcium score. You may be wondering how do you get Chlamydia? This bug is a common cause of colds, flus, or bronchitis, and we've all had these. But for some folks this is not the end of the story, for the coronary plaque can emerge decades after a common cold. Again if you have have coronary artery plaque found from a Heart Scan (calcium score), elevated hsCRP and/or fibrinogen, your next step is to get the antibody test to Chlamydia pneumoniae. The problem is not many doctors including cardiologists are familiar with Chlamydia as a diagnosable and treatable cause of coronary artery plaque. You now have increased knowledge to prevent or minimize your risk of a heart attack or stroke. References:Linnanmaki E, et al, Chlamydia pneumoniae---Specific Circulating Immune Complexes in Patients with Chronic Coronary Heart Disease, Circulation, 87:1130-34, 1993
Gupta S, et al, The effect of azithromycin in post-myocardial infarction patients with elevated Chlamydia pneumoniae antibody titers, J Am Coll Cardiol, 29:209a, 1997 Gupta S, et al, Elevated Chlamydia pneumoniae antibodies, cardiovascular events, and azithromycin in male survivors of myocardial infarction, Circulation, 96:404-07, 1997 Vojdani A, A look at infectious agents as a possible causative factor in cardiovascular disease: part II, Lab Med, 4; 34: 5-9, April 2003 Bachmaier K, et al, Chlamydia infections and heart disease linked through antigenic mimicry, Sci, 5406; 283: 1335-39, Feb 26, 1999 Muhlestrin JB, et al, Increased incidence of Chlamydia species within the coronary arteries of patients with symptomatic atherosclerotic versus other forms of cardiovascular disease, J Am Coll Cardiol, 27:1555-61, 1996 Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., D.A.C.B.N., M.S.  Study finds that a common bacteria known as to cause ulcers may now also be responsible for irregular heart rhythm, known as atrial fibrillation (AF). Dr. Annibale Montenero, lead researcher and chairman of Multimedica General Hospital's Cardiology Department and Arrhythmia Center, has discovered a strong link between the bacteria helicobacter pylori and an increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation. What is Atrial Fibrillation? Atrial fibrillation is a heart disorder affecting about 2.2 million Americans, according to the American Heart Association. Atrial fibrillation/flutter is a disorder of the heart's rhythm. In atrial fibrillation, the heart's two upper chambers (the atria) quiver or flutter instead of beating effectively. Unfortunately, the blood isn't pumped out completely. This has the potential to cause the blood to pool and clot. Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation:
Is Atrial fibrillation Dangerous? If a blood clot in the atria leaves the heart and becomes lodged in an artery in the brain, a stroke results. About 15 percent of strokes occur in people with atrial fibrillation. How the Study was Conducted 59 patients suffering from persistent atrial fibrillation were administered a series of tests including a test to measure the levels of C-reactive protein in the blood and a test for H. pylori. The results of these tests were then compared with results from the control group, which included 45 healthy people. In addition to having C-reactive protein levels roughly 5 times higher than the control group, researchers found AF patients were also shown to be 20 times more likely to show levels of H. pylori. In the overall analysis, 97.2 percent of atrial fibrillation patients were positive for H. pylori compared with just 5.3 percent of controls. Investigators note that the link between H. pylori and atrial fibrillation is "highly significant. Based on the findings, physicians are advised to check their AF patients for H. pylori and eliminate it whenever it is found. References
Montenero AS, Mollichelli N, Zumbo F, Antonelli A, Dolci A, Barberis M, Sirolla C, Staine T, Fiocca L, Bruno N, O'Connor S. Helicobacter pylori and atrial fibrillation: a possible pathogenic link. Heart. 2005 Jul;91(7):960-1. Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., D.A.C.B.N., M.S. Your fingernails can provide clues to your overall health — but do you know how to read the signs? Check out photos of seven nail conditions that warrant medical attention.
Comments: Your nails can provide a missing key to a critical diagnosis. Unfortunately, this is something that is commonly overlooked. Functional medicine practitioners have been trained to go the extra mile in clinical investigation including the review of the nails. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Grisanti and his functional medicine community. Dr. Grisanti encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional. Visit www.FunctionalMedicineUniversity.com to find practitioners thoroughly trained in functional medicine. Look for practitioners who have successfully completed the Functional Medicine University's Certification Program (CFMP) www.functionalmedicinedoctors.com.
Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., D.A.C.B.N., M.S.
If the insurance companies would take the time to study the enormous amount of research on actually fixing folks, I would think they would jump all over it. And I mean actually getting people better instead of pumping them with a truckload of expensive drugs. As a chiropractor for over 30 years, it never made sense to me that us chiropractors have to fight tooth and nail to get paid for a few chiropractic adjustments while the insurance companies don't blink an eye to paying thousands upon thousands of dollars for, many times, needless back surgeries. Well you won't believe what I discovered from an article published in the Wall Street Journal.
Yes, I know that may be a hard pill to swallow (sorry for the pun) but you can read about it yourself and see that what I am sharing with you is correct. For what it is worth this continual income is the essence of their business. There simply is no incentive or motivation to get to the root cause of health problems. Let me quote directly from the Wall Street Journal, "insurers generally earn a profit by charging a premium on claims they pay", so "they don't necessarily have an incentive to crack down on excess spending". So the bottom line is, insurance companies make money on handling the claims they pay for, sort of like a sales commission, but at your and my expense. You deserve better than that. The only way we will change the face of drug induced medical care is to become super educated on how to fix and solve disease. References:
Winslow R. Study questions evidence behind heart therapies, Wall Street Journal, Dl, Feb. 25, 2009 Winstein, KJ, A simple health-care fix fizzles out, WSJ, 2/11/10, Al, A18 The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Grisanti and his community. Dr. Grisanti encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional. Visit www.FunctionalMedicineUniversity.com to find practitioners thoroughly trained in functional medicine. Look for practitioners who have successfully completed the Functional Medicine University's Certification Program (CFMP). Michael Jurgelewicz, DC, DACBN, DCBCN  Magnesium is probably the greatest predictor of all aspects of heart disease. Approximately more than 50% of Americans are deficient in this mineral. Magnesium plays a key role in more than 350 enzymes and is involved in virtually every metabolic process occurring in the body. Studies have suggested an association between low serum magnesium levels and cardiovascular disease. Low magnesium intake has also been associated with future risk of hypertension and stroke. Furthermore, numerous studies have shown that low serum magnesium is associated with vascular calcification, but there have been no studies examining a relationship to coronary artery calcification. In a new study published in Nutrition, Metabolism & Cardiovascular Diseases, researchers analyzed 34,553 participants who underwent coronary multi-detector computed tomography and serum magnesium level measurement from 2010 to 2012 as part of a health examination program. According to the analysis, low serum magnesium was associated with coronary artery calcification after adjustment for age, sex, BMI, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, systolic blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, eGFR, serum calcium and phosphorus, hs-CRP, current smoking status, alcohol intake and vigorous exercise frequency. Low serum magnesium was significantly associated with coronary artery calcification for those at low risk for developing cardiovascular disease. This association was significant after adjustment for various risk factors related to cardiovascular disease and was even withheld in groups without risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. Keep in mind that serum magnesium only represents only 1% of magnesium stores. Magnesium is homeostatically controlled in the serum and measuring serum magnesium levels provides many false negatives. By the time an individual's serum magnesium is low, they are very deficient in magnesium, as the body cannot maintain the serum magnesium levels. RBC magnesium is definitely a better choice and the most accurate test we have. This can be done by most laboratories. We have seen decades of increased dietary calcium intake in the American population that has not been balanced with an increase in dietary magnesium intake, and as a result the majority of adults have become magnesium deficient. Dietary calcium-to-magnesium ratios have continued to increase and studies are showing that calcium supplements not balanced with magnesium actually contribute to an increase in the risk of heart disease. To find a healthcare professional certified in functional medicine, go to www.FunctionalMedicineDoctors.com. These are clinicians who have been trained at Functional Medicine University (www.FunctionalMedicineUniversity.com) 9/10/2016 Hypertension and Mercury Toxicity
The clinical consequences of mercury toxicity include hypertension, coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrhythmias, reduced heart rate variability, increased carotid intima-media thickness and carotid artery obstruction, cerebrovascular accident, generalized atherosclerosis, and renal dysfunction. Mercury inactivates catecholaminei-0-methyl transferase (COMT). COMT is an enzyme principally involved in catabolism (the breaking down) of catecholamines at the sympathetic nerve endings. Catecholamines are hormones made by the adrenal glands. These glands are on top of the kidneys. Catecholamines are released into the blood when a person is under physical or emotional stress. The main catecholamines are dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine (which used to be called adrenalin). The consequence of mercury on COMT is the fact that serum and urinary epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine will increase. This effect will increase blood pressure and may be a clinical clue to mercury-induced heavy metal toxicity. It is important to note that mercury diminishes the protective effect of fish and omega-3 fatty acids which has been found to have value in the management of reducing high blood pressure. Mercury toxicity should be evaluated in any patient with hypertension, coronary heart disease, cerebral vascular disease, cerebrovascular accident, or other vascular disease. If you are suffering with hypertension it is of vital importance to have your doctor order the following labs: Erythrocyte and whole blood toxic element levels and/or a 24 hour toxic metal urine tests using a challenging chelating agent like DMSA. If your test reveals high levels of mercury it is important to find a doctor trained in functional medicine and is able to prescribe an effective protocol to chelate the toxic metal and decrease the load on your body. This in fact may be the missing piece of the puzzle in reducing high blood pressure. Reference: Houston MC, Role of mercury toxicity in hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and stroke.J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2011 Aug;13(8):621-7. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Grisanti and his functional medicine community. Dr. Grisanti encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional. Visit www.FunctionalMedicineUniversity.com to find practitioners thoroughly trained in functional medicine. Look for practitioners who have successfully completed the Functional Medicine University's Certification Program (CFMP). Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., D.A.C.B.N., M.S.
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