XTEND-YOUR-LIFE Newsletter
Issue - 20th August 2003
Aspirin... enzymes... and heart health...
It has been quite common for a number of years for Doctors to prescribe an aspirin to patients 50 years of age or more. The rationale for this practice is the belief that by taking an aspirin a day it will help protect you against heart disease. Most people go along with this, and why shouldn't they? It costs very little and there is strong evidence that it helps protect against atherosclerosis!
But is there a downside?
Before I answer this question lets quickly review why aspirin has proven to be effective in helping reduce the prospect of a heart attack. The popular belief is that it 'thins' the blood, but that is not strictly true although it could be argued that the end result is similar. What aspirin does is reduce inflammation in the blood and in particular C-Reactive Protein. This lessening of inflammation is what makes it easier for the blood to flow through the arteries and in particular the small capillaries of the brain.
As a result of the improvement of blood flow due to the reduction of the inflammation, the incidence of heart attack and strokes has been proven to lessen markedly.
OK, so that's the good news... what's the downside?
Aspirin has significant complications with long-term use. When it comes to gastrointestinal tract complications, including micro-bleeding and ulcers, aspirin is usually at the top of the list as the cause. Because of this, the use of aspirin should be limited to short term use for specific problems, not as a 'lifetime' choice. There is also a small but very real risk among aspirin users for hemorrhagic stroke.
Is there a natural alternative with none of the downside?
Interestingly, there is. In a word... 'enzymes'...
For a number of years now a significant amount of medical research has been performed on enzymes and their use for circulatory and cardiovascular health. Scientists worldwide have found that vascular and circulatory disorders respond extremely well to systemic oral enzymes.
If you're suffering from, or at risk for, arteriosclerosis, thrombosis, and other coronary heart disorders, phlebitis, edema, serious varicose veins and other circulatory problems that affect the various organs, including the brain, lungs, heart, kidneys, and liver, combination oral enzymes may be an important supplement regimen for supporting your circulatory health.
Medical scientists from Harvard Medical School agree...
Medical scientists from Harvard Medical School, long involved with the Physicians' Health Study, reported in the New England Journal of Medicine that curbing inflammation may be at the ""heart"" of a sensible cardiovascular health program. They said...
"Substances that down-regulate the inflammation of blood and coronary vessels can help to prevent heart disease. Both aspirin and enzymes work extremely well, but enzymes have far fewer complications with long-term use".
These findings tie in with many clinical trials and experimental studies that have found enzymes to safely lower the specific types of inflammation closely linked to heart disease much the same way as aspirin but with none of the negative side effects.
Here is a bit more information about why enzymes work...
They benefit your circulatory health well beyond just reducing your levels of C-Reactive Protein. This is because enzymes also help breakdown fibrinogen in the blood which impedes the flow of blood throughout the body. The key to blood flow and reduced risk of clots is typically low levels of fibrinogen. Unfortunately, impeded bile flow, diabetes mellitus, malignant processes and the natural aging process increases your bloods fibrinogen concentration. You need to breakdown excess fibrinogen in order to improve circulation in your body.
A combination of specific enzymes will help bring fibrin levels back into the optimal range.
Another way that your blood circulation is affected by oral enzymes is due to the ability of your blood cells to alter their shape. As you age your red blood cells lose their capability to adapt their form in order to pass through the finest capillary vessels. The loss of this capability inhibits or blocks the smooth flow of blood through your capillaries. There is however numerous studies that prove enzymes can improve the ability of your red cells to alter their shape or regain their youthfulness.
So, is taking some enzymes the answer for good heart health?
Wouldn't it be great if it was that simple! Sadly it is not! Enzymes are just one small component in restoring or retaining good heart health. Good heart health as with general health is not achieved by a few 'fix all' substances, pills or potions! It must be approached in a multifaceted manner. You also need amino acids, bioflavanoids, specific minerals both marco and trace, various vitamin type substances and so on.
What is interesting is that many of the substances that are good for the heart are also good for other organs and vice versa, although some specifically target certain organs. When many of these substances are combined their effectiveness can be greatly increased PROVIDED that they are compatible, BUT many are not, so, you have to be careful!
I frequently see supplements advertised that really look good at first glance, but when the formula is reviewed there are many ingredients present that are known to conflict with each other due to varying alkaloid types. This means not only poor efficacy but in some cases they can have a negative effect on your body. Sadly, there are very few scientists working in the supplement industry that have the knowledge to put complex formulas together.
We are very fortunate in this regard in having Dr Munem who is a world authority on complex natural formulas and how to target specific nutrients to various organs using various metabolic pathways.
The new generation Total Balance that Dr Munem and his team spent thousands of hours designing for us at Xtend-Life not only addresses cardiovascular health but also other major ailments including cancer prevention. Enzymes play a major role in this formula even though they only comprise about 5% in number of the 80 odd ingredients present.
They are much more effective in this form when combined with other nutrients than in isolation.
Until the next issue.
In good health,
Info about the editor.
P.S. Don't be fooled with the references to enzymes currently being made popular by the promoters of so called liquid 'supplements'. The enzyme component is negligible as the enzymes are not added and these products are reliant upon traces of enzymes present in the food 'matrix' ingredient which is of virtually nil value. They cannot add enzymes because enzymes can only survive in a liquid form for 2 - 3 hours. This is why we do not manufacture a liquid supplement.
**** NEW GENERATION - XTEND-LIFE TOTAL BALANCE ****
This is our most advanced formula so far. It encompasses the latest knowledge known to science in order to maximize the efficacy of proven ingredients. Each ingredient used in the new generation Total Balance is supported by scientific studies and trials. Thousands of ingredients were reviewed and discarded until reaching what is considered today to be the optimum in synergy and efficacy.
Total Balance is designed to normalize the major organs of the body including the brain, resulting in a boost to your health, energy and immunity never before possible. The benefits that it generates for many people are often visible to other people in the form of improved skin tone and the reversal of other obvious signs of aging.
For more click here.
Important notice: All material provided within the newsletter XTEND-YOUR-LIFE is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not to be construed as medical advice or instruction. No action should be taken solely on the contents of this publication. Consult your physician or a qualified health professional on any matters regarding your health and wellbeing or on any opinions expressed within this newsletter. The information provided in this newsletter is believed to be accurate based on the best judgment of the editor but the reader is responsible for consulting with their own health professional on any matters raised within.
