Científicos analizarán últimas novedades en tratamiento del cáncer

Por Agencia EFE 09/24/2014 | 10:45 a.m.

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En el congreso se expondrán más de 1,550 estudios científicos que suponen avances en el tratamiento en terrenos no explorados hasta ahora.

Madrid.- El Congreso de la Sociedad Europea de Oncología Médica (ESMO 2014), una de las mayores citas científicas sobre cáncer del mundo, reunirá desde el próximo viernes a más de 18,000 profesionales en Madrid, donde se presentarán las últimas novedades en el tratamiento de los tumores.
El congreso, que por primera vez se celebra en la capital de España, estará dedicado a la "Medicina de precisión en el tratamiento del cáncer", según fue anunciado hoy en su presentación.
En el congreso se expondrán más de 1,550 estudios científicos, que suponen avances en el tratamiento en terrenos no explorados hasta ahora, y alrededor de 80 de ellos no se han presentado antes en ninguna reunión científica.

"Algunos de los avances" que se van a conocer en este congreso "van a cambiar la práctica clínica", aseguró el doctor Andrés Cervantes, representante de la ESMO, durante la presentación de esta cita.
Entre ellos, los referidos al ámbito de la biología molecular o de la inmunoterapia (tratamiento para estimular o reponer el sistema inmunitario).

El doctor Cervantes explicó que muchas enfermedades que tradicionalmente no tenían beneficios con la quimioterapia, hoy pueden tener buenos resultados con medicamentos que abordan anomalías moleculares específicas. Es lo que se llama la medicina de precisión o personalizada.
También se van a presentar estudios sobre el cáncer de pulmón, de mama, o melanomas.
Aunque hay pocos estudios sobre cáncer infantil, debido a que su incidencia es escasa, en la reunión se presentarán datos sobre los efectos secundarios a largo plazo de la radioterapia en niños y adolescentes.

El doctor Cervantes incidió en que no se trata sólo de un foro de debate, sino que también se va a plantear el esfuerzo que hay que hacer para llevar a la práctica clínica los tratamientos más novedosos.

Modified Citrus Pectin and Cancer

 http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/prostatesupplements/healthprofessional/page4#Section_76

Modified Citrus Pectin

Overview
General Information and History
Preclinical Studies/Animal Studies
        In vitro studies
        Animal studies
Human Studies
        Intervention studies
        Current Clinical Trials
Adverse Effects


Overview

This section contains the following key information:

• Citrus pectin is a complex polysaccharide found in the peel and pulp of citrus fruit and can be modified by treatment with high pH and temperature.
• Preclinical research suggests that modified citrus pectin (MCP) may have effects on cancer growth and metastasis through multiple potential mechanisms.
• Very limited clinical research has been done with a couple of citrus pectin-containing products. For prostate cancer patients, the results suggest some potential clinical benefits with relatively minor and infrequent adverse events.

General Information and History

Pectin is a complex polysaccharide contained in the primary cell walls of terrestrial plants. The word ‘pectin’ comes from the Greek word for congealed or curdled. Plant pectin is used in food processing as a gelling agent and also in the formulation of oral and topical medicines as a stabilizer and nonbiodegradable matrix to support controlled drug delivery.[1] Citrus pectin is found in the peel and pulp of citrus fruit and can be modified by treatment with high pH and temperature.[2] Modification results in shorter molecules that dissolve better in water and are more readily absorbed by the body than are complex, longer chain citrus pectins.[3] One of the molecular targets of MCP is galectin-3, a protein found on the surface and within mammalian cells that is involved in many cellular processes, including cell adhesion, cell activation and chemoattraction, cell growth and differentiation, the cell cycle, and apoptosis; MCP inhibits galectin-3 activity.[2]

Some research suggests that MCP may be protective against various types of cancer, including colon, lung, and prostate cancer. MCP may exert its anticancer effects by interfering with tumor cell metastasis or by inducing apoptosis.[4]

MCP was also shown to activate natural killer cells in leukemic cell cultures, suggesting it may be able to stimulate the immune system.[5]

Preclinical Studies/Animal Studies

In vitro studies

In a 2007 study, pectins were investigated for their anticancer properties. Prostate cancer cells were treated with three different pectins; citrus pectin (CP), Pectasol (PeS, a dietary supplement containing modified citrus pectin), and fractionated pectin powder (FPP). FPP induced apoptosis to a much greater degree than did CP and PeS. Further analysis revealed that treating prostate cancer cells with heated CP resulted in levels of apoptosis similar to those following treatment with FPP. This suggests that specific structural features of pectin may be responsible for its ability to induce apoptosis in prostate cancer cells.[4]

In a 2010 study, prostate cancer cells were treated with PeS or PectaSol-C, the only two MCPs previously used in human trials. The researchers postulated that, because it has a lower molecular weight, PectaSol-C may have better bioavailability than PeS. Both types of MCP were tested at a concentration of 1 mg/mL and both were effective in inhibiting cell growth and inducing apoptosis through inhibition of the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway and activation of the enzyme caspase-3.[6]

In another study, the role of galectin-3, a multifunctional endogenous lectin, in cisplatin -treated prostate cancer cells was examined. Prostate cancer cells that expressed galectin-3 were found to be resistant to the apoptotic effects of cisplatin. However, cells that did not express galectin-3 (via silencing RNA knockdown of galectin-3 expression or treatment with MCP) were susceptible to cisplatin-induced apoptosis. These findings suggest that galectin-3 expression may play a role in prostate cancer cell chemoresistance and that the efficacy of cisplatin treatment in prostate cancer may be improved by inhibiting galectin-3.[7]

Animal studies

Only a few studies have been reported on the effects of MCP in animals bearing implanted cancers and only one involving prostate cancer.[8,9] The prostate cancer study examined the effects of MCP on the metastasis of prostate cancer cells injected into rats. In the study, rats were given 0.0%, 0.01%, 0.1%, or 1.0% MCP (wt/vol) in their drinking water beginning 4 days after cancer cell injection. The analysis revealed that treatment with 0.1% and 1.0% MCP resulted in statistically significant reductions in lung metastases but did not affect primary tumor growth.[9]

Human Studies

Intervention studies

In a 2007 pilot study, patients with advanced solid tumors (various types of cancers were represented, including prostate cancer) received MCP (5 g MCP powder dissolved in water) 3 times a day for at least 8 weeks. Following treatment, improvements were reported in some measures of quality of life, including physical functioning, global health status, fatigue, pain, and insomnia. In addition, 22.5% of participants had stable disease after 8 weeks of MCP treatment, and 12.3% of participants had disease stabilization lasting more than 24 weeks.[3]

The effect of MCP on prostate-specific antigen (PSA) doubling time (PSADT) was investigated in a 2003 study. Prostate cancer patients with rising PSA levels received six PeS capsules 3 times a day (totaling 14.4 g of MCP powder daily) for 12 months. Following treatment, 7 of 10 patients had a statistically significant (P ≤ .05) increase in PSADT.[10]

Current Clinical Trials

Check NCI’s list of cancer clinical trials for CAM clinical trials on modified citrus pectin for prostate cancer that are actively enrolling patients.

General information about clinical trials is also available from the NCI Web site.

Adverse Effects

In one prospective pilot study, MCP was well tolerated by the majority of treated patients, with the most commonly reported side effects being pruritus, dyspepsia, and flatulence.[3] In another study, no serious side effects from MCP were reported, although three patients withdrew from the study due to abdominal cramps and diarrhea that improved once treatment was halted.[10]

References

1. Mohnen D: Pectin structure and biosynthesis. Curr Opin Plant Biol 11 (3): 266-77, 2008.  [PUBMED Abstract]
   
2. Glinsky VV, Raz A: Modified citrus pectin anti-metastatic properties: one bullet, multiple targets. Carbohydr Res 344 (14): 1788-91, 2009.  [PUBMED Abstract]
   
3. Azemar M, Hildenbrand B, Haering B, et al.: Clinical benefit in patients with advanced solid tumors treated with modified citrus pectin: a prospective pilot study. Clin Med Oncol 1: 73-80, 2007. Available online . Last accessed March 20, 2014.
   
4. Jackson CL, Dreaden TM, Theobald LK, et al.: Pectin induces apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells: correlation of apoptotic function with pectin structure. Glycobiology 17 (8): 805-19, 2007.  [PUBMED Abstract]
   
5. Ramachandran C, Wilk BJ, Hotchkiss A, et al.: Activation of human T-helper/inducer cell, T-cytotoxic cell, B-cell, and natural killer (NK)-cells and induction of natural killer cell activity against K562 chronic myeloid leukemia cells with modified citrus pectin. BMC Complement Altern Med 11: 59, 2011.  [PUBMED Abstract]
   
6. Yan J, Katz A: PectaSol-C modified citrus pectin induces apoptosis and inhibition of proliferation in human and mouse androgen-dependent and- independent prostate cancer cells. Integr Cancer Ther 9 (2): 197-203, 2010.  [PUBMED Abstract]
   
7. Wang Y, Nangia-Makker P, Balan V, et al.: Calpain activation through galectin-3 inhibition sensitizes prostate cancer cells to cisplatin treatment. Cell Death Dis 1: e101, 2010.  [PUBMED Abstract]
   
8. Hayashi A, Gillen AC, Lott JR: Effects of daily oral administration of quercetin chalcone and modified citrus pectin on implanted colon-25 tumor growth in Balb-c mice. Altern Med Rev 5 (6): 546-52, 2000.  [PUBMED Abstract]
   
9. Pienta KJ, Naik H, Akhtar A, et al.: Inhibition of spontaneous metastasis in a rat prostate cancer model by oral administration of modified citrus pectin. J Natl Cancer Inst 87 (5): 348-53, 1995.  [PUBMED Abstract]
   
10. Guess BW, Scholz MC, Strum SB, et al.: Modified citrus pectin (MCP) increases the prostate-specific antigen doubling time in men with prostate cancer: a phase II pilot study. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis 6 (4): 301-4, 2003.  [PUBMED Abstract]
    

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Desintoxicación celular y reconstrucción genética para combatir el cáncer

reportemedico • July 25, 2013 • Comments (1)

Dr. Benny Nieves / Foto: Lemuel Meléndez

Por: Marilyn Vicens
Especial para Reporte Médico

Se respira paz allí. La gente saluda con alegría. Un adolescente flacucho y de pelo largo camina sereno junto a su madre y se despide de nosotros con un entusiasta “¡bendiciones para todos!”. Contestamos al unísono, como si estuviéramos en práctica coral, “¡igualmente, bendiciones para ti!”. Yo me sorprendo ante este escenario. Parecemos apreciarnos al instante. Y no todos nos conocemos, algunos siquiera nos hemos visto antes.

Me siento agradecida. Casi feliz. Pero no del todo porque estoy en una oficina médica de pacientes de cáncer y de enfermedades y condiciones llamadas “terminales”, entre otros padecimientos. Sin embargo, en el despacho del Dr. Benny Nieves, en el Hospital HIMA San Pablo de Fajardo, reina un ambiente de esperanza. Lo puedo palpar en el lenguaje corporal y en las miradas de los paz-cientes.

Mientras espero mi turno para entrevistar al doctor en bioquímica y medicina biológica, graduado del Recinto de Ciencias Médicas de la Universidad de Puerto Rico, y de la Universidad de León, en España, conozco a don Felipe (nombre ficticio). Es paciente de cáncer de próstata en recuperación. La conversación no se hace esperar.

“¿Qué edad usted cree que tengo?”, me pregunta pero yo sólo sonrío. El no se da por vencido y continúa: “Mire yo tengo siete dos (72) y estoy como un corozo. A mí me habían desahuciado cuando llegué aquí. Me mandaron a mi casa a morirme, ¡y yo ahora lo que estoy es buscando a mi futura esposa! ¡Ja! ¡Ja! Yo tenía un cáncer de próstata ‘reventao’. Pero doctor Benny me cogió y me puso nuevo. Dios primero, claro. Aquí uno tiene que tener fe y disciplina. Hacer lo que el tratamiento pide, usted sabe. Y casi todos echamos pa’lante, usted verá”.

En eso oigo mi nombre y me despido de don Felipe. Voy en ruta a mi encuentro con doctor Benny, así le llaman cariñosamente sus pacientes. En una ultra sencilla oficina donde nada sobra y nada falta, me espera el reconocido médico de uno de los querendones de Puerto Rico: el compositor y cantante Robi ‘Draco’ Rosa, posiblemente su más famoso paciente de cáncer en recuperación.

Nada en él habla de glorias, de hecho, Dr. Benny no pierde tiempo en señalar que “toda la gloria es de Dios”. Es un hombre de fe. Pero también de ciencia. Es un bioquímico conocido y distinguido internacionalmente. Su desarrollo profesional se dio, en parte, en el Florida Hospital College por invitación del renombrado Dr. Neil Ross, a quien se conoce como la “biblia de las vitaminas”.

Fue en ésa institución hospitalaria, en Fort Lauderdale, donde Dr. Benny comenzó a hacer realidad uno de sus más grandes anhelos: atender pacientes pediátricos de escasos recursos económicos. En unión al también boricua y químico, Dr. Edwin Valladares, y con el respaldo de un equipo multidisciplinario, se dieron a la tarea de desarrollar un nuevo protocolo de cáncer (para tratar la enfermedad) basado en la desintoxicación celular y la reconstrucción genética. 

“Todo lo que se utiliza en este protocolo es formulado por mí”, afirma  Dr. Benny. “Esto de lo que se trata es de hacer una recombinación genética de las células CD4 y CD8, que son unos tipos de linfocitos que actúan en el cuerpo cuando hay infecciones; son las llamadas células ‘asesinas’ porque matan lo malo y dejan lo bueno. Esto es hablando de forma sencilla para que todos lo podamos comprender”.

El especialista agrega que el protocolo “funciona así; primer paso: Se saca sangre del paciente, se saca el suero aparte de lo que quedó de plasma, se incuban los linfocitos por tres días, se convierten en células dendítricas a las que se les añade el antígeno de la célula maligna y se crea una vacuna para el cáncer de la persona en particular. Son vacunas autólogas. Luego, como segundo paso, se hace manipulación del ph en sangre. Se utiliza bicarbonato de sodio al 8.4% intravenoso en ciclos de cinco días por cinco semanas. Esto se hace para mantener un medio alcalino en la sangre. El cáncer en medios ácidos hace ‘fiesta’. Por ende, de esta manera se crea un tipo de angiogénesis donde el tumor o el cáncer que sea, esté encapsulado o no se mueva de su área. Posteriormente, como tercer paso, se da un 10% de Quimioterapia Natural Bioactiva. Se baja el nivel de azúcar del paciente y se le pone la quimio. Luego de media hora, sacamos una gota de sangre al paciente y vemos cómo ocurre la apoptosis, que es la muerte de la célula cancerígena. Esto lo vemos en un microscopio que conocemos como microscopio ciego. Muy especializado. En este protocolo entonces podemos ver cómo las células malas mueren y las buenas no. Lo próximo, en el cuarto paso, es poner unas dosis muy específicas de vitamina C (ácido ascórbico y ascorbato de sodio). No se trata de una sobredosis de vitamina C, ¡ojo! Esto tiene que hacerse con un gran conocimiento del protocolo. Se hace intravenoso y dura 24 horas en el cuerpo. De esta forma engañamos a la célula cancerígena. Es la molécula más parecida a la de la glucosa. Elimina los radicales libres en el hígado. Es un proceso complejo, pero esta es una forma sencilla de describirlo para que todos podamos relacionarnos con él”.

Y esto, de acuerdo con el profesional de la salud, “es lo perfecto de la integración de la llamada medicina tradicional y la bioactiva. Desintoxicación celular es lo que hacemos para crear comunicación celular y, por ende, los suplementos o químicos que podamos estar tomando puedan ser absorbidos de un 90 a un 100 por ciento”.

Este no es el único protocolo que trabaja el Dr. Nieves, quien atiende además a pacientes de VIH, lupus, leucemia, osteoartritis, osteoporosis, diabetes y otras condiciones y procesos como  ‘anti-aging’ o anti-envejecimiento.

Eso sí, asegura que “en todos mis protocolos hay un denominador común: todo lo que uso es orgánico, natural y no tóxico. Mira, en la Biblia dice que en los elementos de la tierra –y hay 72 elementos en la Tabla Periódica- y en las plantas está la salud del hombre (y la mujer). Hay tanta sabiduría en la Palabra. Yo ahora mismo me encuentro en el proceso de escribir un libro sobre lo que llamo ‘la verdadera cara del cáncer’. Será escrito desde la perspectiva médico-científico-espiritual. Estos componentes son inseparables para mí en el acercamiento que le hago al proceso de tratamiento de mis pacientes”, afirma Nieves.

Actualmente la tasa de sanación de sus pacientes de cáncer, de acuerdo con el galeno, está entre un 70 y un 90 por ciento “si siguen fielmente y disciplinadamente mis instrucciones y el tratamiento o los tratamientos, cuyos componentes diseño yo y los envío a manufacturar en laboratorios en los Estados Unidos”.

Los efectos secundarios del protocolo de desintoxicación celular son mínimos, de acuerdo con Dr. Benny, y pueden incluir sed y/o náusea de uno a dos minutos de duración. Si el paciente así lo desea, este protocolo se puede combinar con otros tratamientos que la persona esté recibiendo de otro médico o médicos.  “Aquí yo no le digo a ningún paciente que deje ésto o aquéllo, es su decisión. Quien viene aquí lo hace libremente, casi siempre por recomendación de otro paciente mío, yo le explico cómo funciona y le hago mis recomendaciones, pero cada persona es quien decide. Y de hecho, muchas de las personas que vienen aquí -como mi primera paciente cuando regresé de Estados Unidos: una bióloga, hermana de un médico de Mayagüez que llegó en metástasis de colon a cerebro y huesos y hoy día está sana, vienen donde mí porque ya les han dicho que no hay nada más que se pueda hacer por ellos. Así yo recibo pacientes de Estados Unidos, de toda Latinoamérica y el Caribe y de tantos otros lugares del mundo”.

El Dr. Benny Nieves abrirá oficinas próximamente en el Hospital San Lucas de Guayama, y en el Centro Médico de  Mayagüez;y aunque le han ofrecido establecerse – a “sus anchas”-  en México y Estados Unidos el sueño que él persigue está aquí en suelo borincano:  “Mi anhelo, mi meta es tener un hospital de 30 habitaciones para niños pacientes de cáncer, desahuciados, sin recursos económicos, y que podamos atenderlos gratuitamente para ofrecerles no sólo sanación, sino calidad de vida, a ellos y ellas y sus familias”. Ese es el gran sueño de Dr. Benny, que se despide de mí entre una sentida oración de bendición, carreras y sonrisas. Y es que su fanaticada lo espera ansiosa en la sala. A juzgar por el recibimiento… ¡no tiene nada que envidiarle a su paciente Robi Draco Rosa!

Tags: Cáncer, Desintoxicación Celular, featured, full-image, Genética

http://www.prostate.net/nutrition-cancer-diet/natural-foods-for-prostate-health/bisphenol-a-bpa-and-prostate-cancer/

Bisphenol A (BPA), Prostate Cancer and Sexual Health

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical that is used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. It is ubiquitous in the environment, found in common, everyday products. BPA is used in food and beverage containers and packaging, and the chemical leaches into the products. That means your canned beans, peas, soups, and chili have likely been exposed to BPA, as well as milk cartons and foods in plastic containers.

It’s been estimated that 90 percent of people in the United States have detectable levels of BPA toxin in their bodies, which is not a good thing because BPA has been associated with various health problems, including an increased risk of cancer, including prostate cancer.

- See more at: http://www.prostate.net/nutrition-cancer-diet/natural-foods-for-prostate-health/bisphenol-a-bpa-and-prostate-cancer/#sthash.3JvuIV6m.dpuf

Bisphenol A (BPA), Prostate Cancer and Sexual Health

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical that is used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. It is ubiquitous in the environment, found in common, everyday products. BPA is used in food and beverage containers and packaging, and the chemical leaches into the products. That means your canned beans, peas, soups, and chili have likely been exposed to BPA, as well as milk cartons and foods in plastic containers.

It’s been estimated that 90 percent of people in the United States have detectable levels of BPA toxin in their bodies, which is not a good thing because BPA has been associated with various health problems, including an increased risk of cancer, including prostate cancer.

- See more at: http://www.prostate.net/nutrition-cancer-diet/natural-foods-for-prostate-health/bisphenol-a-bpa-and-prostate-cancer/#sthash.3JvuIV6m.dpuf

Bisphenol A (BPA), Prostate Cancer and Sexual Health

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical that is used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. It is ubiquitous in the environment, found in common, everyday products. BPA is used in food and beverage containers and packaging, and the chemical leaches into the products. That means your canned beans, peas, soups, and chili have likely been exposed to BPA, as well as milk cartons and foods in plastic containers.

It’s been estimated that 90 percent of people in the United States have detectable levels of BPA toxin in their bodies, which is not a good thing because BPA has been associated with various health problems, including an increased risk of cancer, including prostate cancer.

- See more at: http://www.prostate.net/nutrition-cancer-diet/natural-foods-for-prostate-health/bisphenol-a-bpa-and-prostate-cancer/#sthash.3JvuIV6m.dpuf

Bisphenol A (BPA), Prostate Cancer and Sexual Health

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical that is used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. It is ubiquitous in the environment, found in common, everyday products. BPA is used in food and beverage containers and packaging, and the chemical leaches into the products. That means your canned beans, peas, soups, and chili have likely been exposed to BPA, as well as milk cartons and foods in plastic containers.

It’s been estimated that 90 percent of people in the United States have detectable levels of BPA toxin in their bodies, which is not a good thing because BPA has been associated with various health problems, including an increased risk of cancer, including prostate cancer.

- See more at: http://www.prostate.net/nutrition-cancer-diet/natural-foods-for-prostate-health/bisphenol-a-bpa-and-prostate-cancer/#sthash.3JvuIV6m.dpuf

Remedios para piedras en los riñones

http://www.remediospopulares.com/calculosrenales.html




http://search.yahoo.com/search?ei=utf-8&fr=ytff1-&p=piedras%20en%20los%20ri%C3%B1ones&type=


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 http://lavidaenmipatio.blogspot.com/2011/03/la-de-los-muchos-nombres.html

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13 Ways To Lower Blood Pressure Naturally

http://www.prevention.com/health/health-concerns/how-lower-blood-pressure-naturally

Reducing high blood pressure without drugs is easier than you think

High blood pressure is one of the most preventable conditions.

But it plays a contributing role in more than 15% of deaths in the United States, according to a new Harvard study. Although it causes no symptoms, high blood pressure boosts the risks of leading killers such as heart attack and stroke, as well as aneurysms, cognitive decline, and kidney failure. 28% of Americans have high blood pressure and don't know it, according to the American Heart Association. If you haven't had yours checked in 2 years, see a doctor.
While medication can lower blood pressure, it may cause side effects such as leg cramps, dizziness, and insomnia. Fortunately, most people can bring down their blood pressure naturally without medication. First, get to a healthy weight (check out these 100 Simple Ways To Lose Weight for ideas). Then try these strategies to reduce the risk of heart disease.

1. Go for power walks

Hypertensive patients who went for fitness walks at a brisk pace lowered pressure by almost 8 mmhg over 6 mmhg. Exercise helps the heart use oxygen more efficiently, so it doesn't work as hard to pump blood. Get a vigorous cardio workout of at least 30 minutes on most days of the week. Try increasing speed or distance so you keep challenging your ticker.

2. Breathe deeply

Slow breathing and meditative practices such as qigong, yoga, and tai chi decrease stress hormones, which elevate renin, a kidney enzyme that raises blood pressure. Try 5 minutes in the morning and at night. Inhale deeply and expand your belly. Exhale and release all of your tension. (Try these stress-busting yoga poses to relieve tension.)

3. Pick potatoes

Loading up on potassium-rich fruits and vegetables is an important part of any blood pressure-lowering program, says Linda Van Horn, PhD, RD, professor of preventive medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medical. Aim for potassium levels of 2,000 to 4,000 mg a day, she says. Top sources of potassium-rich produce include sweet potatoes, tomatoes, orange juice, potatoes, bananas, kidney beans, peas, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, and dried fruits such as prunes and raisins.

4. Be salt smart

Certain groups of people—the elderly, African Americans, and those with a family history of high blood pressure—are more likely than others to have blood pressure that's particularly salt (or sodium) sensitive. But because there's no way to tell whether any one individual is sodium sensitive, everyone should lower his sodium intake, says Eva Obarzanek, PhD, a research nutritionist at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. How far? To 1,500 mg daily, about half the average American intake, she says. (Half a teaspoon of salt contains about 1,200 mg of sodium.) Cutting sodium means more than going easy on the saltshaker, which contributes just 15% of the sodium in the typical American diet. Watch for sodium in processed foods, Obarzanek warns. That’s where most of the sodium in your diet comes from, she says. Season foods with spices, herbs, lemon, and salt-free seasoning blends. (For more ways to reduce your sodium, see Pass (On) The Salt.)

5. Indulge in dark chocolate

Dark chocolate varieties contain flavanols that make blood vessels more elastic. In one study, 18% of patients who ate it every day saw blood pressure decrease. Have 1/2 ounce daily (make sure it contains at least 70% cocoa).

6. Take a supplement

In a review of 12 studies, researchers found that coenzyme Q10 reduced blood pressure by up to 17 mmhg over 10 mmhg. The antioxidant, required for energy production, dilates blood vessels. Ask your doctor about taking a 60 to 100 mg supplement up to 3 times a day.

7. Drink (a little) alcohol

According to a review of 15 studies, the less you drink, the lower your blood pressure will drop—to a point. A study of women at Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital, for example, found that light drinking (defined as one-quarter to one-half a drink per day for a woman) may actually reduce blood pressure more than no drinks per day. One "drink" is 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of spirits. Other studies have also found that moderate drinking—up to one drink a day for a woman, two for a man—can lower risks of heart disease. "High levels of alcohol are clearly detrimental," says Obarzanek. "But moderate alcohol is protective of the heart. If you are going to drink, drink moderately."

8. Switch to decaf coffee

Scientists have long debated the effects of caffeine on blood pressure. Some studies have shown no effect, but one from Duke University Medical Center found that caffeine consumption of 500 mg—roughly three 8-ounce cups of coffee—increased blood pressure by 4 mmhg, and that effect lasted until bedtime. For reference, 8 ounces of drip coffee contain 100 to 125 mg; the same amount of tea, 50 mg; an equal quantity of cola, about 40 mg. Caffeine can raise blood pressure by tightening blood vessels and by magnifying the effects of stress, says Jim Lane, PhD, associate research professor at Duke and the lead author of the study. "When you're under stress, your heart starts pumping a lot more blood, boosting blood pressure," he says. "And caffeine exaggerates that effect." If you drink a lot of joe, pour more decaf to protect your ticker.

9. Take up tea

Lowering high blood pressure is as easy as one, two, tea: Study participants who sipped 3 cups of a hibiscus tea daily lowered systolic blood pressure by 7 points in 6 weeks on average, say researchers from Tufts University—results on par with many prescription medications. Those who received a placebo drink improved their reading by only 1 point. The phytochemicals in hibiscus are probably responsible for the large reduction in high blood pressure, say the study authors. Many herbal teas contain hibiscus; look for blends that list it near the top of the chart of ingredients—this often indicates a higher concentration per serving.

Published November 2011, Prevention

10. Work (a bit) less

Putting in more than 41 hours per week at the office raises your risk of hypertension by 15%, according to a University of California, Irvine, study of 24,205 California residents. Overtime makes it hard to exercise and eat healthy, says Haiou Yang, PhD, the lead researcher. It may be difficult to clock out super early in today’s tough economic times, but try to leave at a decent hour—so you can go to the gym or cook a healthy meal—as often as possible. Set an end-of-day message on your computer as a reminder to turn it off and go home. Follow these tips to make your weekends stress-free.

11. Relax with music

Need to bring down your blood pressure a bit more than medication or lifestyle changes can do alone? The right tunes can help, according to researchers at the University of Florence in Italy. They asked 28 adults who were already taking hypertension pills to listen to soothing classical, Celtic, or Indian music for 30 minutes daily while breathing slowly. After a week, the listeners had lowered their average systolic reading by 3.2 points; a month later, readings were down 4.4 points

12. Seek help for snoring

It's time to heed your partner's complaints and get that snoring checked out. Loud, incessant snores are one of the main symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). University of Alabama researchers found that many sleep apnea sufferers also had high levels of aldosterone, a hormone that can boost blood pressure. In fact, it's estimated that half of all people with sleep apnea have high blood pressure. If you have sleep apnea, you may experience many brief yet potentially life-threatening interruptions in your breathing while you sleep. In addition to loud snoring, excessive daytime tiredness and early morning headaches are also good clues. If you have high blood pressure, ask your doctor if OSA could be behind it; treating sleep apnea may lower aldosterone levels and improve BP.

13. Jump for soy

A study from Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association found for the first time that replacing some of the refined carbohydrates in your diet with foods high in soy or milk protein, such as low-fat dairy, can bring down systolic blood pressure if you have hypertension or prehypertension.

Read more: http://www.prevention.com/health/health-concerns/how-lower-blood-pressure-naturally/13-jump-soy#ixzz2WhCv3vIS

The Safest (and Cheapest) Cholesterol Treatment

By Lisa Collier Cool
Apr 10, 2013

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http://health.yahoo.net/experts/dayinhealth/safest-cholesterol-treatment

Day in Health

by Lisa Collier Cool

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The safest, most effective, and cheapest treatment for high cholesterol is a vitamin that costs 7 cents per pill, according to a new report from Orthomolecular Medicine News Service (OMNS), a nonprofit research group in Wichita, Kansas.
Vitamin B3—also called niacin or nicotinic acid—has been safely used for 60 years to control cholesterol, with some 42,000 scientific papers in PubMed describing its benefits and effects.
“Unlike statin drugs, which mainly reduce LDL cholesterol, niacin is a very safe, effective treatment for all lipid issues, improving levels of both good and bad cholesterol and triglycerides, ” says Bradley Bale, MD, medical director of the Heart Health Program for Grace Clinic in Lubbock, Texas.
One landmark study published in Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that at therapeutic doses, niacin boosted HDL by up to 35 percent and cut triglycerides by as much as 50 percent.
Most remarkably, when the researchers tracked the 8,431 participants—all of whom had suffered heart attacks prior to enrolling in the study—for 15 years, those on niacin had a 26 percent lower risk for both heart attacks and strokes, even after treatment was discontinued, compared to those taking a placebo.

Highly Effective, But Often Overlooked

Despite some 42,000 scientific papers in PubMed describing niacin’s effectiveness and medical uses, it’s remained the ugly duckling of heart medicines, for a variety of reasons.
“The simple answer is to follow the money,” contends OMNS. “Cholesterol-controlling drugs [such as statins] are cash cows for the trillion-dollar-per-year pharmaceutical industry,” while there’s no marketing push to persuade medical providers to recommend a cheap, OTC remedy like niacin.
In his practice, Dr. Bale typically recommends niacin for the following patients, if medically appropriate:

• People with high cholesterol who can’t tolerate statin drugs. About 20 percent of statin users quit taking their medication due to side effects.
• Patients with complex lipid issues, such as low levels of heart-protective HDL (good) cholesterol and high triglycerides (a type of blood fat).
• People with inherited cholesterol disorders, such as elevated levels of lipoprotein (a), a type of cholesterol that triples heart attack risk and does not respond to statins. Taking niacin can reduce lipoprotein (a) levels by up to 40 percent, according to the European Atherosclerosis Society.
• Patients whose cholesterol problems aren’t responding to statins. Several studies show that statins plus niacin is more effective than statins alone.

A Guide to Cholesterol-Free Foods

Side Effects of Niacin

In doses typically used to control cholesterol the vitamin can have an annoying side effect known as “the niacin flush,” a temporary and sometimes itchy or tingling redness of the skin that lasts about 30 to 60 minutes.
“Doctors know that if they advise niacin, they get calls from patients complaining about flushing, particularly at first,” says Dr. Bale. “However, this problem is harmless and can often be avoided by starting with a low dose that’s gradually increased.” Patients who experience flushing initially will typically find that the problem disappears or greatly diminishes over time.
While “non-flush” and extended-release forms of niacin are available, they appear to be less effective or may even have dangerous side effects, Dr. Bale adds. “There are two pathways through which the body can metabolize niacin, and the one that doesn’t cause flushing is more likely to harm the liver.”
Dr. Bale advises avoiding non-flush or extended-release formulations. In addition, niacin should only be used under the supervision of a healthcare provider, after a full discussion of the potential risks and benefits.
Like statins, niacin can cause muscle problems in some patients. It can also spark flare-ups in people with gout, and may contribute to GI bleeding in patients with ulcers, cautions Dr. Bale. “Any cholesterol treatment can cause side effects, but compared to statins, niacin is relatively safe.”
Migraine vs. Headache: How to Tell Them Apart

A Controversial Niacin Study

In March, results of a highly publicized study of Tredaptive, an experimental drug containing extended-release niacin plus an anti-flushing drug called laropiprant, were interpreted by the media as showing that niacin may have dangerous side effects.
In the study, 25,673 patients who were already being treated with statins were randomly divided into 2 groups. One group took a statin drug plus Tredaptive and the other group received the same dose of statin along with a placebo.
Patients taking Treadaptive had higher rates of bleeding (2.5 percent vs. 1.9 percent) and infections (8 percent vs. 6.6 percent), as well as higher rates of new onset diabetes (9.1 percent vs. 7.3 percent). Nor did the patients on the experimental drug have lower rates of heart attack or stroke.
The study was halted prematurely, after four years, due to these problems and the maker of the experimental drug, Merck, announced that it wouldn’t be seeking FDA approval.
While media reports blamed these problems on niacin, Dr. Bale and other experts point out these adverse effects haven’t been seen in numerous previous studies of the vitamin on its own, so the anti-flushing drug is the likely culprit.
“Niacin is being thrown under the bus when it’s an inexpensive, effective treatment that’s been used very safely for decades,” says Dr. Bale. “What this study is telling us is that this particular no-flush combination drug doesn’t work and can have significant side effects.”