More on the American Heart Association Check Mark program

11. June 2007 William Davis (3)
Take a look at the list of foods on the American Heart Association's (AHA) Check Mark endorsement program (below). After I saw the list, I was convinced either that the people who designed the program are either startlingly ignorant, or the AHA simply does this for money.

Many of these foods have nothing to do with health, heart or otherwise. In fact, many of these foods are prominent culprits that contribute to the American epidemic of obesity. There are cured meats with sodium nitrite (a potent cause of colon cancer). Some of these companies have been accused of unhealthy food manufacturing practices. Tyson Foods, for instance, has been in court many times defending their brutal factory farm practices and were the focus of a federal investigation for paying bribe money to USDA Secretary, Mike Espy. (Espy was acquitted but two Tyson executives were convicted, only to be later pardoned by then President Bill Clinton.)

This is a smarmy list to be included on. Though there are some rare healthy exceptions on the list, from the Track Your Plaque viewpoint, this is a list of shame, foods that have no place in a genuinely heart healthy nutrition program.



8th Continent, LLC
8th Continent Fat Free Premium Original Soymilk
8th Continent Fat Free Premium Vanilla Soymilk
8th Continent Light Chocolate Soymilk
8th Continent Light Original Soymilk
8th Continent Light Vanilla Soymilk
8th Continent Premium Chocolate Soymilk
8th Continent Premium Original Soymilk
8th Continent Premium Vanilla Soymilk

American Italian Pasta Company
Golden Grain Mission Whole Grain Penne Rigate
Golden Grain Mission Whole Grain Rotini
Golden Grain Mission Whole Grain Spaghetti
Heartland Whole Grain Penne
Heartland Whole Grain Rotini
Heartland Whole Grain Spaghetti
Heartland Whole Wheat Angel Hair
Heartland Whole Wheat Elbow Macaroni
Heartland Whole Wheat Penne
Heartland Whole Wheat Rotini
Heartland Whole Wheat Spaghetti
Mueller's Whole Grain Penne
Mueller's Whole Grain Rotini
Mueller's Whole Grain Spaghetti

Atalanta Corporation
Celebrity 99% Fat Free Premium Imported Healthy Ham

Beefmaster Cattlemen, L.P.
Nolan Ryan's All Natural Ground Beef Round 96/4, 4% Fat

Bimbo Bakeries USA
Bimbo's 100% Integral/Bimbo 100% Whole Wheat Bread
Mrs. Baird's 100% Whole Wheat Bread
Oroweat 100% Whole Wheat Bread
Oroweat Country 100% Whole Wheat Bread
Oroweat Double Fiber Bread
Oroweat Original Health Nut Bread
Boar's Head Provisions Company, Inc.
Boar's Head Aroastica Seasoned Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
Boar's Head Blazing Buffalo Style Boneless Skinless Roasted Chicken Breast
Boar's Head Branded Deluxe 42% Lower Sodium Ham
Boar's Head Cracked Pepper Mill Smoked Turkey Breast
Boar's Head Golden Classic Oven Roasted Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
Boar's Head Hickory Smoked Black Forest Turkey Breast - 43% Lower Sodium
Boar's Head Hickory Smoked Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
Boar's Head Italian Style Oven Roasted Seasoned Beef with Classic Braciole Seasoning
Boar's Head Lemon Pepper Boneless Skinless Roasted Chicken Breast
Boar's Head Londonport Top Round Seasoned Roast Beef
Boar's Head Maple Glazed Honey Coat Cured Turkey Breast
Boar's Head Mesquite Wood Smoked Skinless Roasted Breast of Turkey
Boar's Head Our Deluxe Low Sodium Low Fat Oven Roasted Choice Beef Cap Off Top Round
Boar's Head Our Premium Oven Roasted 47% Lower Sodium Turkey Breast - Skinless
Boar's Head Our Premium Oven Roasted 50% Lower Sodium Turkey Breast
Boar's Head Ovengold Roast Breast of Turkey
Boar's Head Ovengold Roast Breast of Turkey - Skinless
Boar's Head Pastrami Seasoned Turkey Breast
Boar's Head Salsalito Roasted Breast of Turkey
Bryan Foods, Inc.
Bryan 97% Fat Free Butcher Fresh Pork Tenderloin

Bumble Bee Foods LLC
Kirkland Signature Solid White Albacore Tuna in Water
Member's Mark Solid White Albacore Tuna in Water

California Giant
California Giant Strawberries
California Strawberry Commission
California Fresh Strawberries
California Frozen Strawberries

Campbell Soup Company
Calcium Enriched V8 100% Vegetable Juice
Campbell's Chunky Healthy Request Chicken Noodle
Campbell's Chunky Healthy Request Classic Chicken Noodle Microwaveable Bowl
Campbell's Chunky Healthy Request Grilled Chicken and Sausage Gumbo
Campbell's Chunky Healthy Request Grilled Chicken and Sausage Gumbo Microwaveable Bowl
Campbell's Chunky Healthy Request Hearty Beef Barley
Campbell's Chunky Healthy Request New Englad Clam Chowder
Campbell's Chunky Healthy Request Old Fashioned Vegetable Beef
Campbell's Chunky Healthy Request Vegetable
Campbell's Healthy Request Condensed Chicken Noodle Soup
Campbell's Healthy Request Condensed Chicken Noodle Soup (Food Service)
Campbell's Healthy Request Condensed Chicken Rice Soup
Campbell's Healthy Request Condensed Cream of Celery Soup
Campbell's Healthy Request Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup
Campbell's Healthy Request Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup
Campbell's Healthy Request Condensed Homestyle Chicken Noodle
Campbell's Healthy Request Condensed Minestrone Soup
Campbell's Healthy Request Condensed Tomato Soup
Campbell's Healthy Request Condensed Vegetable Beef Soup
Campbell's Healthy Request Condensed Vegetable Soup
Campbell's Healthy Request Tomato Juice
Campbell's Low Sodium Tomato Juice
Campbell's Select Healthy Request Chicken and Egg Noodles
Campbell's Select Healthy Request Italian Style Wedding Microwaveable Bowl
Campbell's Select Healthy Request Italian-Style Wedding
Campbell's Select Healthy Request Mexican Style Chicken Tortilla
Campbell's Select Healthy Request Mexican Style Chicken Tortilla Microwaveable Bowl
Campbell's Select Healthy Request Savory Chicken and Long Grain Rice
Campbell's V8 Fusion Strawberry Banana
Campbell's V8 Fusion Tropical Orange
Campbell's V8 Regular Vegetable Juice
Campbell's V8 V.Fusion Light Peach Mango
Campbell's V8 V.Fusion Light Strawberry Banana
Campbell's V8 V.Fusion Pomegranate Blueberry
Essential Antioxidants V8 100% Vegetable Juice
Low Sodium V8 100% Vegetable Juice
Prego Heart Smart Mushroom Italian Sauce
Prego Heart Smart Traditional Italian Sauce

Cargill Meat Solutions
96/4 All Natural Extra Lean Ground Beef
Excel's Tender Choice 97% Fat Free Pork Tenderloins
Excel's Tender Choice Extra Lean Boneless Pork Loin
Our Certified 100% Pure All Natural Ground Beef 96/4
Sterling Silver Extra Lean Pork Tenderloins - 12% Marination
Sterling Silver Lean Boneless Pork Loin - 12% Marination

Chiquita Brands Company, N.A.
Chiquita Bananas

Clearwater Seafoods Limited Partnership
Clearwater Frozen Arctic Surf Clams

Cliffstar Corporation
Deerfield Farms No Sugar Added 100% Grape Juice (Purple)
Safeway 100% Grape Juice (Purple)
Sam's Choice 100% Grape Juice (Purple)
Walgreens 100% Grape Juice (Purple)

Clougherty Packing Company
Farmer John® California Natural® 4% Fat Extra Lean Ground Pork
Farmer John® California Natural® Premium Extra Lean Boneless Pork Tenderloins


Minute Maid Premium Blends - Orange Passion Calcium Juice-Frozen
Minute Maid Premium Blends - Orange Tangerine Calcium Juice - Frozen
Minute Maid Premium Country Style Orange Juice
Minute Maid Premium Country Style Orange Juice - Frozen
Minute Maid Premium Extra Vitamins C and E Plus Zinc Orange Juice - Frozen
Minute Maid Premium Home Squeezed Style Calcium + Vitamin D Orange Juice
Minute Maid Premium Low Acid Orange Juice
Minute Maid Premium Low Acid Orange Juice - Frozen
Minute Maid Premium Original Calcium + Vitamin D Orange Juice
Minute Maid Premium Original Calcium Orange Juice - Frozen
Minute Maid Premium Original Orange Juice
Minute Maid Premium Original Orange Juice - Frozen
Minute Maid Premium Pulp Free Calcium + Vitamin D Orange Juice
Minute Maid Premium Pulp Free Orange Juice
Minute Maid Premium Pulp Free Orange Juice - Frozen
Simply Orange Calcium Pulp Free 100% Orange Juice
Simply Orange Country Stand Calcium Medium Pulp 100% Orange Juice
Simply Orange Grove Made High Pulp 100% Orange Juice
Simply Orange Original Pulp Free 100% Orange Juice

Colleen Strawberries, Inc. / EKT Farms
Colleen Strawberries

ConAgra Dairy Foods
Egg Beaters 99% Real Eggs-Frozen
Egg Beaters 99% Real Eggs-Refrigerated
Egg Beaters Cheese & Chive
Egg Beaters Egg Whites
Egg Beaters Garden Vegetable
Egg Beaters Ham & Cheese
Egg Beaters Southwestern

ConAgra Food Service
Lamb Weston Sweet Things Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Frozen

ConAgra Frozen Foods
Healthy Choice Café Selections Apple Glazed Pork Medallions
Healthy Choice Café Selections Beef Merlot
Healthy Choice Café Selections Cajun Style Chicken & Shrimp
Healthy Choice Café Selections Chicken Fried Rice
Healthy Choice Café Selections Chicken Margherita
Healthy Choice Café Selections Chicken Tuscany
Healthy Choice Café Selections Creamy Dill Salmon
Healthy Choice Café Selections Four Cheese Pizza
Healthy Choice Café Selections General Tso's Spicy Chicken
Healthy Choice Café Selections Gourmet Supreme Pizza
Healthy Choice Café Selections Grilled Basil Chicken
Healthy Choice Café Selections Grilled Chicken & Roasted Red Pepper Alfredo
Healthy Choice Café Selections Grilled Chicken Baja
Healthy Choice Café Selections Grilled Chicken Caesar
Healthy Choice Café Selections Grilled Chicken Marinara
Healthy Choice Café Selections Grilled Whiskey Steak
Healthy Choice Café Selections Italian Style Pepperoni Pizza
Healthy Choice Café Selections Roasted Chicken Chardonnay
Healthy Choice Café Selections Roasted Chicken Marsala
Healthy Choice Complete Selections Asiago Chicken Portabello
Healthy Choice Complete Selections Beef Pot Roast
Healthy Choice Complete Selections Beef Stroganoff
Healthy Choice Complete Selections Beef Tips Portabello
Healthy Choice Complete Selections Beef with Classic BBQ Sauce
Healthy Choice Complete Selections Blackened Chicken
Healthy Choice Complete Selections Chicken Broccoli Alfredo
Healthy Choice Complete Selections Chicken Parmigiana
Healthy Choice Complete Selections Chicken Teriyaki
Healthy Choice Complete Selections Classic Grilled Chicken BBQ
Healthy Choice Complete Selections Country Breaded Chicken
Healthy Choice Complete Selections Country Herb Chicken
Healthy Choice Complete Selections Creamy Garlic Shrimp
Healthy Choice Complete Selections Fiesta Chicken
Healthy Choice Complete Selections Four Cheese Manicotti
Healthy Choice Complete Selections Glazed Chicken
Healthy Choice Complete Selections Grilled Chicken Monterey
Healthy Choice Complete Selections Grilled Turkey Breast
Healthy Choice Complete Selections Grilled White Meat Chicken with Smokehouse BBQ Sauce
Healthy Choice Complete Selections Honey Balsamic Chicken
Healthy Choice Complete Selections Lemon Pepper Fish
Healthy Choice Complete Selections Meatloaf
Healthy Choice Complete Selections Mushroom Roasted Beef
Healthy Choice Complete Selections Roasted Chicken
Healthy Choice Complete Selections Salisbury Steak
Healthy Choice Complete Selections Sweet Bourbon Steak
Healthy Choice Complete Selections Sweet and Sour Chicken
Healthy Choice Complete Selections Traditional Turkey Breast
Healthy Choice Low Fat Premium Sorbet & Cream Bars-Orange or Strawberry
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Healthy Choice Premium Fudge Sandwich
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Healthy Choice Premium Low Fat Ice Cream Bar
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Healthy Choice Simple Selections Breaded Chicken Breast Strips with Gravy
Healthy Choice Simple Selections Cheese French Bread Pizza
Healthy Choice Simple Selections Cheesy Chicken and Rice
Healthy Choice Simple Selections Chicken Enchilada
Healthy Choice Simple Selections Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo
Healthy Choice Simple Selections Chicken Rigatoni
Healthy Choice Simple Selections Four Cheese Manicotti
Healthy Choice Simple Selections Glazed Chicken
Healthy Choice Simple Selections Grilled Chicken White Meat Chicken & Pasta
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Healthy Choice Simple Selections Lasagna Bake
Healthy Choice Simple Selections Macaroni & Cheese
Healthy Choice Simple Selections Mandarin Chicken
Healthy Choice Simple Selections Pepperoni French Bread Pizza
Healthy Choice Simple Selections Roast Turkey Breastin Savory Sauce with Mushrooms
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Healthy Choice Simple Selections Spaghetti
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ConAgra Grocery Foods
ACT II 94% Fat Free Butter Microwave Popcorn
ACT II 94% Fat Free Butter Mini Bags Microwave Popcorn
ACT II 94% Fat Free Kettle Corn Microwave Popcorn
Healthy Choice Bean & Ham Soup
Healthy Choice Beef Pot Roast Microwavable Bowl Soup
Healthy Choice Chicken & Dumplings Soup
Healthy Choice Chicken Tortilla Soup
Healthy Choice Chicken with Rice Microwavable Bowl Soup
Healthy Choice Chicken with Rice Soup
Healthy Choice Country Vegetable Microwavable Bowl Soup
Healthy Choice Country Vegetable Soup
Healthy Choice Fiesta Chicken Soup
Healthy Choice Garden Vegetable Soup
Healthy Choice Garlic & Herb Pasta Sauce
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Healthy Choice New England Clam Chowder Soup
Healthy Choice Old Fashioned Chicken Noodle Microwavable Bowl Soup
Healthy Choice Old Fashioned Chicken Noodle Soup
Healthy Choice Split Pea & Ham Soup
Healthy Choice Traditional Pasta Sauce
Healthy Choice Vegetable Beef Soup
Healthy Choice Zesty Gumbo with Chicken & Sausage Soup
Hunt's Family Favorites Seasoned Tomato Sauce for Lasagna
Hunt's Organic Crushed Tomatoes
Hunt's Organic Diced Tomatoes
Hunt's Organic Pasta Sauce Roasted Garlic
Hunt's Organic Whole Tomatoes
Hunt's Tomatoes Crushed in Thick Tomato Puree
Hunt's Tomatoes Diced
Hunt's Tomatoes Diced in Sauce
Hunt's Tomatoes Diced with Mild Green Chilies
Hunt's Tomatoes Diced-Green Pepper, Celery & Onions
Hunt's Tomatoes Petite Diced
Hunt's Tomatoes Stewed-No Salt Added
Hunt's Tomatoes Whole
Hunt's Tomatoes Whole-No Salt Added
Orville Redenbacher's Mini Bags Smart Pop Butter Microwave Popcorn
Orville Redenbacher's Mini Bags Smart Pop Butter/Kettle Corn Microwave Popcorn Variety Pack
Orville Redenbacher's Mini Bags Smart Pop Kettle Corn Microwave Popcorn
Orville Redenbacher's Organic Kernal Jar
Orville Redenbacher's Organic Smart Pop Butter Microwave Popcorn
Orville Redenbacher's Original Kernal Jar
Orville Redenbacher's Original Kernal Jug
Orville Redenbacher's Smart Pop Butter Microwave Popcorn
Orville Redenbacher's Smart Pop Kettle Corn Microwave Popcorn
Orville Redenbacher's Smart Pop Movie Theater Butter Microwave Popcorn
Orville Redenbacher's White Kernal Jar
Rosarita Diced Green Chilies
Rosarita Green Chilies Strips
Rosarita Whole Green Chilies

ConAgra Refrigerated Foods
Healthy Choice Deli Thin Baked Cooked Ham
Healthy Choice Deli Thin Honey Ham
Healthy Choice Deli Thin Honey Ham & Honey Roasted & Smoked Turkey Breast Variety Pack
Healthy Choice Deli Thin Honey Roasted & Smoked Turkey Breast
Healthy Choice Deli Thin Mesquite Turkey Breast
Healthy Choice Deli Thin Oven Roasted Chicken Breast
Healthy Choice Deli Thin Oven Roasted Turkey Breast
Healthy Choice Deli Thin Pastrami
Healthy Choice Deli Thin Smoked Ham
Healthy Choice Deli Thin Smoked Turkey Breast
Healthy Choice Deli-97% Fat Free Honey Ham
Healthy Choice Deli-97% Fat Free Honey Maple Ham
Healthy Choice Deli-97% Fat Free Medium Cooked Roast Beef-20% Marination
Healthy Choice Deli-97% Fat Free Mesquite Smoked Honey Ham
Healthy Choice Deli-97% Fat Free Roast Beef-20% Marination
Healthy Choice Deli-97% Fat Free Smoked Ham
Healthy Choice Deli-97% Fat Free Virginia Brand Ham
Healthy Choice Deli-98% Fat Free Browned Chicken Breast
Healthy Choice Deli-98% Fat Free Chicken Breast
Healthy Choice Deli-98% Fat Free Golden Oven Roasted Turkey Breast
Healthy Choice Deli-98% Fat Free Honey Roasted & Smoked Turkey Breast with Broth
Healthy Choice Deli-98% Fat Free Mesquite Smoked Chicken Breast
Healthy Choice Deli-98% Fat Free Mesquite Smoked Turkey Breast
Healthy Choice Deli-98% Fat Free Smoked Turkey Breast
Healthy Choice Deli-98% Fat Free Southwest Grill Turkey Breast
Healthy Choice Deli-Honey Cured Ham
Healthy Choice Deli-Honey Roasted & Smoked Turkey Breast
Healthy Choice Deli-Oven Roasted Chicken Breast
Healthy Choice Deli-Oven Roasted Turkey Breast
Healthy Choice Deli-Roast Beef-20% Marination
Healthy Choice Deli-Virginia Brand Cooked Ham
Healthy Choice Deluxe Thin-Sliced Baked Cooked Ham
Healthy Choice Deluxe Thin-Sliced Honey Ham
Healthy Choice Deluxe Thin-Sliced Honey Ham/Oven Roasted Turkey Breast Variety Pack
Healthy Choice Deluxe Thin-Sliced Oven Roasted Turkey Breast
Healthy Choice Honey Ham
Healthy Choice Low Fat Smoked Sausage
Healthy Choice Pre-Sliced Sandwich Solutions Roast Beef
Healthy Choice Pre-Sliced Sandwich Solutions Skinless Oven Roasted Turkey Breast
Healthy Choice Pre-Sliced Sandwich Solutions Skinless Smoked Turkey Breast
Healthy Choice Pre-Sliced Sandwich Solutions Virginia Brand Ham
Healthy Choice Virginia Brand Ham
Healthy Choice Zip Pack Cooked Ham
Healthy Choice Zip Pack Honey Ham
Healthy Choice Zip Pack Oven Roasted Chicken Breast
Healthy Choice Zip Pack Oven Roasted Turkey Breast
Hebrew National 97% Fat Free Beef Franks

ConAgra Retail Foods
Healthy Choice Hearty 100% Whole Grain Bread
Healthy Choice Hearty 7-Grain Bread

Coolham Holdings, Inc. DBA SunMilk Dairy Co.
SunMilk-Fat Free Milk with Sunflower Oil (The Taste of 1%)
SunMilk-Fat Free Milk with Sunflower Oil (The Taste of 2%)

Cooper Farms
Cooper Farms All Natural Turkey Breast Fillet

Crider, Inc.
Kirkland Signature Premium 99% Fat Free Chunk Chicken Breast

Dare Foods Incorporated
Breton Reduced Fat & Sodium Wheat Crackers

El Aguila Food Products, Inc.
El Aguila Stoneground Corn Tortillas

Eurofresh Inc.
Eurofresh Campari Tomatoes

FPL Foods, LLC
96/4 All Natural Extra Lean Ground Beef

Farmland Foods
Farmland 97% Fat Free Fresh Ground Pork
Farmland Nutrition Wise 97% Fat Free Boneless Center Cut Pork Loin Filet
Farmland Nutrition Wise Boneless Butterfly Cut Pork Loin Chops
Farmland Nutrition Wise Boneless Center Cut Pork Loin
Farmland Nutrition Wise Boneless Center Cut Pork Loin Chops
Farmland Nutrition Wise Boneless Center Cut Pork Loin Roast
Farmland Nutrition Wise Boneless Pork Chops - America's Cut
Farmland Nutrition Wise Boneless Pork Tenderloin
Farmland Nutrition Wise Boneless Pork Top Round Roast
Farmland Nutrition Wise Boneless Pork Top Round Steak
Farmland Nutrition Wise Boneless Sirloin Tip Pork Roast
Farmland Nutrition Wise Pork Cube Steak
Farmland Nutrition Wise Pork Cubes
Farmland Nutrition Wise Pork Scallopini
Farmland Nutrition Wise Pork Strips

Fieldale Farms Corporation
Jewel All Natural 99% Fat Free Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts with Rib Meat
Jewel All Natural 99% Fat Free Chicken Breast Tenders
Our Premium 98% Fat Free Boneless Skinless Breast with Rib Meat - 15% Marination
Springer Mountain Farms All Natural 98% Fat Free Boneless Skinless Breasts

Florida's Natural Growers
Florida's Natural Calcium & Vitamin D No Pulp Orange Juice
Florida's Natural Growers Style Most Pulp Orange Juice
Florida's Natural Home Squeezed Calcium & Vitamin D with Pulp Orange Juice
Florida's Natural Home Squeezed with Pulp Orange Juice
Florida's Natural Original No Pulp Orange Juice

FoodTech International
Veggie Patch California Veggie Burgers

Foster Poultry Farms
Foster Farms 98% Fat Free Honey Roasted & Smoked Breast of Turkey
Foster Farms 98% Fat Free Oven Roasted Breast of Turkey
Foster Farms 98% Fat Free Oven Roasted Chicken Breast
Foster Farms 99% Fat Free 100% Natural Boneless & Skinless Breast Fillets
Foster Farms 99% Fat Free 100% Natural Boneless & Skinless Breast Steaks
Foster Farms 99% Fat Free 100% Natural Boneless & Skinless Breast Tenders
Foster Farms 99% Fat Free Honey Roasted & Smoked Turkey Breast
Foster Farms 99% Fat Free Oven Roasted Turkey Breast
Foster Farms All Natural 99% Fat Free Boneless & Skinless Chicken Breast Tenders (8% Marination)
Foster Farms Fresh & Easy 99% Fat Free 100% Natural Boneless & Skinless Breast Fillets
Kirkland Signature/Foster Farms 99% Fat Free 100% Natural Boneless & Skinless Breasts
Kirkland Signature/Foster Farms All Natural 99% Fat Free Boneless & Skinless Chicken Breasts (8% Marination)

Fresh Express Incorporated
Chiquita Apple Bites
Fresh Express American Salad
Fresh Express Hearts of Romaine Salad
Fresh Express Italian Salad
Fresh Express Triple Hearts Salad

GFA Brands, Inc.
Smart Balance Smart 'N Healthy Deluxe Microwave Popcorn
Smart Beat Healthy Fat Free Non-Dairy Slices - American Flavor
Smart Beat Healthy Fat Free Non-Dairy Slices - Lactose Free
Smart Beat Smart Squeeze Nonfat Margarine Spread

General Mills, Inc.
Apple Cinnamon Cheerios
Berry Berry Kix
Berry Burst Cheerios-Strawberry Banana
Berry Burst Cheerios-Triple Berry
Berry Lucky Charms
Cheerios
Cheerios Crunch
Chocolate Lucky Charms
Cocoa Puffs
Cookie Crisp
Count Chocula
Dora The Explorer
Frosted Cheerios
Fruity Cheerios
Heart Smart Bisquick
Honey Nut Cheerios
Kix
Lucky Charms
Multi-Grain Cheerios
Oatmeal Crisp Crunchy Almond
Oatmeal Crisp Hearty Raisin
Oatmeal Crisp Maple Brown Sugar
Pillsbury Oven-Baked Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls
Progresso Healthy Favorites Chicken & Wild Rice Soup
Progresso Healthy Favorites Chicken Gumbo Soup
Progresso Healthy Favorites Chicken Noodle Soup
Progresso Healthy Favorites Garden Vegetable Soup
Progresso Healthy Favorites Italian-Style Wedding Soup
Progresso Healthy Favorites Minestrone Soup
Total Cranberry Crunch
Total Honey Clusters
Total Raisin Bran
Total with Strawberries
Trix
Whole Grain Total
Yogurt Burst Cheerios Strawberry
Yogurt Burst Cheerios Vanilla

Hain Celestial Group, Inc., The
DeBoles Organic Ancient Grain Penne
Health Valley Empower Cereal
Hodgson Mill, Inc.
Hodgson Mill Oat Bran All Natural Hot Cereal
Hodgson Mill Whole Wheat Angel Hair
Hodgson Mill Whole Wheat Fettuccine
Hodgson Mill Whole Wheat Lasagna
Hodgson Mill Whole Wheat Penne
Hodgson Mill Whole Wheat Spinach Spaghetti
Hodgson Mill Whole Wheat Whole Grain Elbows
Hodgson Mill Whole Wheat Whole Grain Spaghetti

Indiana Packers Corp.
Indiana Kitchen All Natural Boneless Pork Sirloin Roast
Indiana Kitchen All Natural Pork Tenderloin

Interstate Brands Corporation
Home Pride Whole Grains 100% Honey Whole Wheat Bread
Home Pride Whole Grains 100% Whole Wheat Bread
Merita Country Whole Grains 100% Whole Wheat Bread

KFP International, Ltd.
Kedem 100% Pure Concord Grape Juice-No Sugar Added

Kansas City Steak Company
Kansas City Seasoned Beef Chuck Tender Steak
Kansas City Seasoned Beef Medallions

Kashi Company
Kashi Heart to Heart Honey Oat Waffles
Kashi Heart to Heart Honey Toasted Cereal
Kashi Heart to Heart Instant Oatmeal - Apple Cinnamon
Kashi Heart to Heart Instant Oatmeal - Golden Brown Maple
Kashi Heart to Heart Instant Oatmeal - Raisin Spice
Kashi Heart to Heart Oat Flakes & Wild Blueberry Clusters

Kellogg USA, Inc.
Kellogg's All-Bran Bran Buds
Kellogg's All-Bran Extra Fiber
Kellogg's All-Bran Original
Kellogg's Frosted Mini-Wheats - Strawberry Delight
Kellogg's Frosted Mini-Wheats - Vanilla Creme
Kellogg's Frosted Mini-Wheats Big Bite
Kellogg's Frosted Mini-Wheats Bite Size
Kellogg's Frosted Mini-Wheats Maple & Brown Sugar
Kellogg's Smart Start Antioxidants - Original
Kellogg's Smart Start Healthy Heart - Maple & Brown Sugar
Kellogg's Smart Start Healthy Heart - Original
Kellogg's Smart Start Healthy Heart Cinnamon Raisin

King Soopers
Ground Beef 96/4 Extra Lean

Kroger Company, The
Kroger Moist & Tender Silver Platter Pork Tenderloin

Laura's Lean Beef Company
Laura's Lean Beef - Beef Pot Roast Au Jus
Laura's Lean Beef - Shredded Beef with Barbecue Sauce
Laura's Lean Beef 4% Fat Ground Round
Laura's Lean Beef 4% Ground Sirloin
Laura's Lean Beef Sirloin Steak

LiDestri Foods, Inc.
Francesco Rinaldi No Salt Added Traditional Pasta Sauce

Lido Veal & Lamb Inc.
Veal USA Boneless Veal Shoulder Roast from Lido Veal
Veal USA Low Fat Ground Veal from Lido Veal
Veal USA Veal Leg Cutlets from Lido Veal
Veal USA Veal Stew from Lido Veal

M & I Seafood Manufacturing Inc.
Chesapeake Bay Gourmet Crab Cakes

MW Polar Foods
Polar All Natural Chunk Light Tuna in Water
Polar All Natural Solid White Albacore in Water
Polar Chunk Light Tuna in Water
Polar Solid White Albacore Tuna in Water

Malt-O-Meal Company
Malt-O-Meal Balance
Malt-O-Meal Crispy Rice
Malt-O-Meal Frosted Mini Spooners
Malt-O-Meal Honey & Oat Blenders
Malt-O-Meal Honey Nut Scooters
Malt-O-Meal Hot Wheat Cereal - Chocolate
Malt-O-Meal Hot Wheat Cereal - Maple & Brown Sugar
Malt-O-Meal Hot Wheat Cereal - Original
Malt-O-Meal Maple & Brown Sugar Mini Spooners
Malt-O-Meal Mom's Best 100% Natural Quick Oats
Malt-O-Meal Mom's Best Instant Oatmeal - Apples & Cinnamon
Malt-O-Meal Mom's Best Instant Oatmeal - Maple & Brown Sugar
Malt-O-Meal Mom's Best Instant Oatmeal Variety Pack - Maple & Brown Sugar/Apples & Cinnamon/Cinnamon & Spice
Malt-O-Meal Raisin Bran
Malt-O-Meal Scooters

Maple Leaf Consumer Foods
Maple Leaf Sodium Reduced 98% Fat Free Cooked Ham with Natural Juices

Maverick Ranch Association
Maverick Ranch 96/4 Extra Lean Grass Fed Organic Ground Beef
Maverick Ranch 96/4 Extra Lean Natural Ground Buffalo
Maverick Ranch 96/4 Extra Lean Natural Ground Pork Sirloin
Maverick Ranch Free-Range Chicken-All Natural Air Chilled Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
Maverick Ranch NaturaLite 96/4 Extra Lean Ground Beef Round
Maverick Ranch NaturaLite Beef - 96/4 Extra Lean Ground Beef Chuck
Maverick Ranch NaturaLite Beef - 96/4 Extra Lean Ground Beef Sirloin
Maverick Ranch Natural Beef Cubed Steak
Maverick Ranch Natural Beef Top Sirloin Steak
Maverick Ranch Natural Buffalo Top Sirloin Steak
Maverick Ranch Natural Center Cut Pork Loin Chops
Maverick Ranch Natural Lite 96/4 Extra Lean Natural Ground Beef
Maverick Ranch Natural Pork 4% Fat Extra Lean Pork Tenderloin
Maverick Ranch Natural Skinless Chicken Drumsticks
Maverick Ranch Natural Skinless Chicken Thighs
Maverick Ranch Organic Air-Chilled Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts

Mayoli Inc.
Mayoli All Natural Reduced Fat Mayonnaise Dressing with Pure Olive Oil

McNeil Nutritionals, LLC
LACTAID® Calcium-Fortified Fat Free Milk
LACTAID® Fat Free Milk

Meijer Distribution, Inc.
Meijer Purple Grape Juice

Michael Foods, Inc.
All Whites Egg Whites - White Cheddar
Better 'n Eggs Ham & Cheese
Better 'n Eggs Plus
Better 'n Eggs Three Cheese
Kirkland Signature Egg Starts
Kroger Break-Free 100% Liquid Egg Whites
Kroger Break-Free Real Egg Product
Papetti Foods All Whites - 100% Liquid Egg Whites
Papetti Foods Better 'n Eggs

Mills Family Farms
Mills Family Farms Green Cascade Mix-Baby Romaine & Baby Green Leaf
Mills Family Farms Wholeaves Sandwich & Salad Lettuce - Green Leaf
Mills Family Farms Wholeaves Sandwich & Salad Lettuce - Red Leaf
Mills Family Farms Wholeaves Sandwich & Salad Lettuce - Romaine
Milton's Baking Company
Milton's Baking Classics Cinnamon Raisin Wheat Bread
Milton's Baking Classics Corn Bread
Milton's Baking Classics Oat Bran Bread
Milton's Baking Classics Wheat Bread
Milton's Healthy Multi-Grain Plus Bread
Milton's Healthy Whole Grain Plus Bread
Milton's Original Healthy Multi-Grain Bread
Milton's Whole Grains 100% Whole Wheat Bread

Motts LLP
Yoo-hoo Lite Chocolate Drink

Murray's Free Roaming Chicken, Inc.
Murray's Extra Lean 99% Fat Free Boneless & Skinless Chicken

New World Pasta Company
Ronzoni Healthy Harvest Multi-Grain Pasta-Fusilli
Ronzoni Healthy Harvest Multigrain Pasta - Spaghetti Style
Ronzoni Healthy Harvest Whole Wheat Blend Extra Wide Noodle - Style
Ronzoni Healthy Harvest Whole Wheat Blend Pasta - Linguine
Ronzoni Healthy Harvest Whole Wheat Blend Pasta - Penne Rigate
Ronzoni Healthy Harvest Whole Wheat Blend Pasta - Rotini
Ronzoni Healthy Harvest Whole Wheat Blend Pasta - Spaghetti Style
Ronzoni Healthy Harvest Whole Wheat Blend Pasta - Thin Spaghetti
Ronzoni Healthy Harvest Whole Wheat Blend Pasta-Lasagna
Ronzoni Healthy Harvest Whole Wheat Blend Wide Noodle - Style

Nonna's Kitchen, Inc.
Columbus Reduced Sodium Turkey Breast

North American Beverage Company
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What's the best lipoprotein test?

29. May 2007 William Davis (5)
This is a frequent question from Track Your Plaque Members and others interested in improving their heart disease prevention program beyond that of simple-minded cholesterol testing.

I obtain lipoprotein testing every day on patients. I can tell you with the confidence of having done thousands of these tests that plain, old-fashioned cholesterol testing is like relying on riding a scooter to work compared to an 8-cylinder modern automobile. The scooter might get you there, but any rain, snow, or long distance to travel and you can just forget it.

All too often, lipoprotein testing uncovers abnormalities that standard cholesterol testing simply fails to uncover.

So, among the various lipoprotein tests available, which is best?


There are three commercial tests available today:

1) Gel electropheresis (GGE)--often known by its "brand" name as the Berkeley lipoprotein profile, after Berkeley HeartLabs. GGE uses a gel with an electric field applied to cause lipoproteins to migrate, based on particle size and charge.

2) Vertical auto-profile (VAP)--a form of centrifugation, or high-speed spinning of blood plasma to separate lipoprotein particles.

3) Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)--the idea of putting plasma in an NMR (also known as MRI) device to characterize blood proteins.

All three tests do an excellent job. All are competitively priced. All have validating data--lots of it--to justify their broad use (though health insurers, in their vast wisdom, would still have you believe that the tests are "experimental").

But is one better?

Having done many of all three (though least of VAP), I am partial to Liposcience's NMR. (By the way, I receive no fees from Liposcience to use their test, nor to promote it in any way.)

I believe NMR is superior in a few ways:

1) I believe that the LDL particle number is the best way to truly quantify LDL, better than apoprotein B and "direct" LDL.

2) It provides what I believe to be more accurate small LDL measures.

3) It provides intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL), a post-prandial, or after-eating, measure not available on the other two.

Perhaps I'm biased because I use the NMR most frequently. But I've used it because I felt it yielded superior, more clinically believable, data.

In truth, all three laboratories do an excellent job and you'd be served fine by obtaining any of the three. But my heart goes to NMR.

Vitamin K2, aspirin, fish oil and blood thinning

27. May 2007 William Davis (12)
An interesting question came up from one of our Track Your Plaque Members on the Forum.

"I am now taking 9 mg of vitamin K1 and 1000 mcg of K2.

Does taking this supplement with this much K1 have a counteracting effect on the thinning/anticlotting properties of aspirin and fish oil that I also take?"


Great question (along with lots of other greater discussions we have on the Forum.)

The answer: Vitamin K should have no effect on the platelet-blocking effects of aspirin or fish oil. The majority of blood clot inhibiting effects of aspirin and fish oil arise from their ability to keep blood platelets from "clumping" (just like the TV commercials for Plavix).

Vitamin K, on the other hand, participates in the liver production of blood clotting factors (like II, VII, IX, and X, among others for you curious ones).

Thus, vitamin K-dependent clotting factors and platelet-blocking are two separate pathways to forming blood clots. Some of us refer to the difference as "red clots" from the vitamin K pathway and "white clots" from the platelet pathway, since they really do have this different physical appearance.

The vitamin K2 conversation, like that about vitamin D, is fascinating for its potential to provide the missing link between the tightly-tied fortunes of bone health and atherosclerosis. Why is someone with a high CT heart scan score far more likely to have osteoporosis? Vitamin D and K2 deficiency may provide the missing link for many people.

"Drug no cure for gluttony"

24. May 2007 William Davis (0)
That's the headline I'd like to see associated with rosiglitazone, brand name Avandia.

The recent negative press, whether deserved or not, surrounding the prescription drug rosiglitazone for pre-diabetes and diabetes highlights the fact that drugs never--never--substitute for what we can achieve with lifestyle changes.

Typically, rosiglitazone reduces blood sugar a few milligrams, reduces C-reactive protein, and very modestly reduces triglycerides and its associated evil lipoprotein friends. It also causes an average weight gain of 8 lb in the first year of use.

What will weight loss achieve, especially if accomplished through dramatic reduction or elimination of processed carbohydrates and wheat products, along with fish oil supplementation, vitamin D normalization, and exercise? Extraordinary benefits, far superior to what is achievable with this drug. In fact, while rosiglitazone is a Band-Aid for this process, the lifestyle changes can represent a cure in many or most instances.

It should come as no surprise that a drug that does nothing more than increase sensitivity to insulin cannot erase the devastating effects of an unhealthy life. Take rosiglitazone but neglect exercise, don't bother with vitamin D, indulge in pretzels and breakfast cereals, gain more weight . . . It serves the drug company's agenda better than it serves health.

Rosiglitazone not so rosy?

23. May 2007 William Davis (3)
Dr. Steve Nissen of the Cleveland Clinic published a study that suggests that the pre-diabetes and diabetes drug, rosiglitazone, may increase likelihood of heart attack by 43%.

I say "suggests" because the analysis was something called a "meta-analysis", a re-examination of data obtained by pooling unrelated studies and reanalyzing the data. Strengths of this sort of analysis: Sometimes trends that are not evident in smaller studies finally become evident in the larger numbers of participants obtained through pooling of data. Downside: Any statistician will tell you that a meta-analysis can only suggest an association, it cannot prove it.

Nonetheless, we are talking about people's lives. As they say, if you are taking this drug, also known by the brand name, Avandia, then talk to your doctor. I think that this is sound advice, as there are a number of factors to weigh in decision making. For instance, how far along the diabetic path are you? Have you had negative experiences with other agents?

It will, unfortunately, be months to years before confirmatory evidence on this question become available. In the meantime, Nissen will accuse the drug industry of pushing drugs through the FDA approval process without full safety data. GlaxoSmithKline, the manufacturer of Avandia, will counter with claims of weak data, the existing trials not confirming Nissen's findings, etc. We've seen it before.

My take on this is to step back and look at the broad picture. Do we need yet another reason to say that it's far better to maintain normal body weight, dramatically reduce reliance on processed carbohydrates and wheat, exercise, and following other insulin-sensitizing strategies, rather than rely on insulin-sensitizing drugs? (That's what rosiglitazone is supposed to do.) Metabolic syndrome, also known as pre-diabetes, or diabetes is present to various degrees in two thirds of all adults I meet. Nearly all of it is self-inflicted. Nearly all of it is curable with the above lifestyle strategies if undertaken early enough in the process.

A 190 lb, 5 foot 2 inch woman, or a 220 lb, 5 foot 10 inch man, both of whom are surprised that they have pre-diabetes really need to get a grip on reality and health. To me, it's no surprise that drugs do not reverse all the nasty manifestations of lifestyle gone berserk. It should also come as no surprise that the complex, chaotic physiologic mess created by metabolic syndrome and pre-diabetes is not perfectly managed by adding one drug.

The lipid distorting effects of weight loss

22. May 2007 William Davis (0)
Roger experienced a near-fatal heart attack 6 years ago. He survived thanks to the quick action of bystanders who initiated CPR and called 911. An emergency catheterization was performed and a stent implanted into the closed right coronary artery. But that's not why I tell Roger's story.

Since then, Roger has become comfortable with the idea that he has heart disease. His initial commitment to good nutrition and exercise has waned, as it often does in us distractable humans. So Roger gained about 30 lbs through a long winter, inactivity, eating frozen dinners, and the cookies and baked goodies his daughters made him.

As a result of the weight gain and inactivity, Roger's HDL dropped to 32 mg/dl, triglycerides rose to 211 mg/dl, blood sugar crept up into the pre-diabetic range of 116 mg/dl. Undoubtedly, small LDL was out of control beneath the surface. His tummy reflected the weight gain, flaccid and overhanging his belt.

I read Roger the riot act. I reminded him of what he had experienced and nearly didn't survive. Weight loss and a re-invigoration of his nutrition and exercise efforts was going to be crucial.

Roger listened and took it to heart. Over three months, he lost 24 lbs, a phenomenal result. However, his repeat lipid panel showed an HDL of 28 mg/dl, triglycerides 234 mg/dl, blood sugar unchanged.

"I don't get it! I lose all this weight and the number get worse?!" Roger was understandably upset after his enormous effort.

I told Roger that after a profound weight loss, lipids can go berserk for up to two months after weight has stabilized. Typically, HDL drops and triglycerides rise--the opposite of what we want. But wait another two or so months after weight has stabilized and the numbers begin to look beautiful.

Why does this crazy effect happen? I really don't know and I've never heard a satisfactory explanation for it. But it is very real and quite predictable.

The lesson: after a substantial weight loss, be patient. Check your lipid numbers too soon and you might be confused or disappointed. If you do check them, bear in mind that additional time may need to pass before you see the weight loss fully reflected.

Cholesterol reduction and wheat

22. May 2007 William Davis (0)
In my previous post, Identical twins and the explosive influence of weight , we witnessed an excellent example of the profound influence of food choices and weight control on lipoproteins. The heavier twin among these 35-year old male twins (Steve) had an LDL particle number over two-fold higher than his more slender counterpart (Alfred).

The heavier twin, Steve, got here through numerous and longstanding dietary excesses: fast foods, saturated fats, sweets, processed foods. The conventional answer to Steve's lipid dilemma would be to modestly reduce his reliance on saturated fat, exercise, and limit snacks.

How far would that get Steve? Not very far at all. With regards to his high LDL particle number of 2256 nmol/l (representing an "effective" LDL cholesterol of around 225 mg/dl), it would be reduced a little, perhaps 10%.

Notice, however, that 72% of all Steve's LDL particles are small (1639/2256). This is the pattern that responds dramatically to a sharp reduction in processed carbohydrates, especially wheat-containing products.

If Steve were to eliminate all wheat products--all breads, breakfast cereals, pretzels, cookies, cakes, pasta, crackers--LDL particle number will drop dramatically, perhaps 50%, often more depending on the magnitude of weight loss. Small LDL will respond most obviously and will be sharply reduced, perhaps disappear. Incidentally, these changes might not be well reflected by the conventional calculated LDL cholesterol, since small LDL particles are well-concealed by standard measures.

Reducing corn products, white and brown rice, and potatoes would also add to the effect. But, in 2007, wheat products represent 90% of the problem for the majority of people. Reducing or eliminating wheat therefore yields the biggest effect by a long shot.

Steve therefore represents an excellent example of how reducing processed carbohydrates, esp. wheat-containing products, can yield an unexpected and paradoxical reduction in LDL cholesterol as evidenced by the highly accurate LDL particle number (or apoprotein B). Reducing saturated fat sources also helps, but it certainly will not yield the kind of results most people need. You've got to be smarter than the simple-minded conventional advice.

Identical twins and the explosive influence of weight

21. May 2007 William Davis (1)
A Track Your Plaque member, Eugene, brought this fascinating story to my attention.

Eugene has two nephews, identical twins aged 35 years. Despite their similar personalities and appearances, somehow these two drifted apart in weight with Steve outweighing Alfred by 30 lbs.

Eugene explains:

These guy's are big not, but overly fat. Just big. One is about 30 lbs heaver than the other. They live 2 blocks apart, they ate the same (together) meal the night before the blood work. Their mother is a type 2 diabetic with a heart condition. Steve does not eat as well as his twin, junk food and a lot of processed starches.


Their results:



LDL-Particle number
Alfred 900
Steve 2256

Small LDL-P
Alfred 400
Steve 1639

HDL-C
Alfred 44
Steve 36

Triglycerides
Alfred 85
Steve 355

Metabolic Syn.
Alfred no
Steve yes


Glucose

Fasting
Alfred 93
Steve 112

1hour
Alfred 134
Steve 206

2 hour
Alfred 105
Steve 172


Identical twins begin with the very same genetic background. As these two graphically illustrate, weight can have a profound influence in the genetically susceptible.

LDL particle number alone is 250% greater in the heavier twin. The dreaded small LDL particle is over 400% worse! Look also at the dramatic differences in blood sugar.

If you ever had any doubts about the importance of excess weight and nutrition, just remind yourself of this fascinating illustration.

Thanks, Eugene.

Low-fat diets raise triglycerides

19. May 2007 William Davis (4)
Martin, a hospital employee, knowing that I fuss a great deal with lipids and lipoproteins, showed me his lipid panel because the result triggered a "panic value" for triglycerides at 267 mg/dl. He asked if he should go on a serious low-fat diet.

I asked Martin what he had for breakfast: a whole wheat bagel with no-added-sugar jam. Lunch: a turkey sub on whole grain bread, no mayonnaise. Snacks: baked chips, pretzels ("a low-fat snack!").

In years past, if person developed high triglycerides levels, a very low-fat diet was prescribed. Someone would come to the hospital, for instance, with abdominal pain from pancreatitis (an inflamed pancreas)due to the damaging effects of triglyceride levels >1000 mg/dl. For this reason, many people still believe that all instances of elevated triglycerides should be treated with a reduction in fat intake.

This is absolutely wrong. While a fat restriction may reduce triglycerides in genetically-programmed responses when triglycerides are >1000 mg/dl, lesser levels of high triglycerides of, say 250 or 300 mg/dl, do not respond to dietary fat restrictions as a sole strategy.

Yes, a reduction in unhealthy fats (saturated, trans, polyunsaturated) helps. But a reduction in fats of all sorts is not necessary and can, in fact, worsen the problem. We learned this lesson years ago with the Ornish diet and similar ultra low-fat approaches. When you reduce fat intake significantly to <10% of calories, triglycerides go way up. In those days, it wasn't uncommon to see triglycerides skyrocket past 200 or 300 mg/dl on these diets.

Why are triglycerides important? Triglycerides are an ingredient in creating the lipoproteins VLDL, IDL, small LDL. Elevated triglycerides trigger a drop in HDL, a shift towards small, ineffective HDL, and contribute to heightened inflammation. Higher triglycerides also tend to go hand in hand with lipoproteins that persist for extended periods (12-24 hours or longer) in the blood after a meal.

Triglycerides respond very nicely to a dramatic reduction in processed carbohydrates, especially wheat and corn. Of course, wheat is the bulk of the problem, since it has grown to occupy an enormous role in many people's diet, not uncommonly eaten 3,4, or 5 times per day in various forms, as it has in Martin's diet. Eliminating all sources of high-fructose corn syrup is also helpful, since high-fructose corn syrup shoots triglycerides way up. (Recall that high-fructose corn syrup is everywhere: ketchup, beer, low-fat or non-fat salad dressings, breads, fruit drinks, sports drinks, breakfast cereals, etc.)

Curiously, it is a fat that also powerfully reduces triglycerides in the form of fish oil. In the Track Your Plaque program, fish oil, taken at truly effective doses of 4000 mg per day or more (to provide at least 1200 mg EPA+DHA), is our number one choice after reduction of processed carbohydrates for reduction of high triglycerides.

The dreaded niacin "flush"

18. May 2007 William Davis (55)
As most anybody who takes niacin knows, it can cause a hot flushed feeling over the chest and face that is generally harmless, though quite annoying.

Many doctors are frightened by this response and will warn patients off from niacin. Some people who take niacin are so annoyed that they find it intolerable.

However, a very simple maneuver can relieve the hot flush in over 90% of instances: Drink water. Let me explain.

I usually instruct patients to take niacin at dinnertime. That way, food slows absorption modestly. I also ask them to drink water with dinner. If the flush occurs after dinner (usually 30-60 minutes later), then drinking two 8-12 oz glasses of water immediately breaks the flush within 3 minutes in the great majority of people. It's quite dramatic.

Doing this around dinner (lunch works just as well) allows sufficient time to clear the excess water from your body before bedtime and spare you the aggravation of disrupted sleep to urinate. Drinking plenty of water works most of the time. Only an occasional person will need to take a 325 mg uncoated aspirin to more fully break the flush. I generally suggest that patients keep the uncoated aspirin in reserve if the water doesn't provide relief within a few minutes.

Thankfully, the intensity of the niacin flush lessens, often disappears, with chronic use.

Why do some people develop the flush and other don't? It is believed that some people metabolize niacin more rapidly to a compound called nicotinuric acid, a niacin metabolite that causes dilation (relaxation) of skin capillaries--thus the flush. The rapidity of converting niacin to nicotinuric acid is determined genetically.

An occasional person really struggles with niacin to the point of intolerance. However, on the positive side, these people may also be "hyper-responders" to niacin, i.e., they show exagerated benefits in raising HDL, reducing small LDL, etc., from small doses such as 250 mg per day.

If you experience the hot flush of niacin, think water to put out the fire.

A cure for pessimism?

16. May 2007 William Davis (3)
Followers of the Track Your Plaque program know that we place great value on having an optimistic outlook. Not only are you more likely to be happy and successful in life, you are also far more likely to drop your CT heart scan score. Virtually everyone who has succeeded in dropping their heart scan score dramatically has been an optimist, including our most recent record holder who dropped his score an astounding 51%.

But what if you are a pessimist, someone who gripes and complains about everything, sees the bad in other people, blames others for anything and everything that goes wrong--yet you still desire to drop your heart scan score? Are you a lost cause? Should you just give up?

I don't think so. I will admit that, of all the hurdles we encounter in trying to purposefully stop or reduce heart scan scores, overcoming a pessimistic attitude is probably the toughest. Tougher than being overweight, maybe tougher than even Lp(a).

Perhaps there's a solution in two years of psychotherapy sessions with a counselor, or exploring unresolved childhood conflicts with a psychologist, or an antidepressant drug. Pessimism is, after all, a deeply-ingrained pattern of behavior, something that can't be changed just by suggesting it or simple self-realization.

The closest thing I know of to a quick and relatively easy solution for converting a pessimist to an optimist is very simple:

Do good things for other people.

Something peculiar happens to the pessimist when he/she starts to help others. They are less threatened by other people (since much griping is really fear in disguise), begin to see others as vulnerable creatures who could use their help rather than sources of annoyance, and a kinship with others is acquired.

Doing good things can mean giving blood, donating money to the Sierra Club or other charity, volunteering with the Boy Scouts, tipping the hard working waitress trying to pay for college more generously, paying compliments to people around you, helping a neighbor carry the groceries when you see him struggling, showing a child how to make a paper airplane . . .

Good deeds can take a million different forms. But it must involve you personally. It can't mean delegating a helpful activity to your spouse. You must also do it frequently, not just once a year. It doesn't have to cost money, it doesn't have to involve a lot of time (though your personal bodily involvement does yield the greatest return in optimism). These are things anyone can do and help make the world around you a little better.

If taking these small steps towards an optimistic attitude are too much for you, then I would worry that you are destined to fail in dropping your heart scan score.

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