Dr Davis,

I can highly recommend Nairns Oatcakes if you want another, and its quite a tasty  way,  way to eat oats. They replace english muffins and crackers in my diet.

Best,
Jim

Dr Davis
I took fish oil (6/day) and red rice yeast for several months and my cholestral score went up a few points tp 278. I had a CTScan done and have palque (stage 2). I really don't want to take Lipitor etc because of side effects. any suggestions???

The Track Your Plaque website, www.trackyourplaque.com, is devoted to answering that question. You're welcome to take a look and see if it's right for you.

My husband and I are both in our
50's and have incorporated lots of wheat in our diets, which we thought was wonderful for us but now we have our doubts, we feel we had been getting too much! We have switched to oats and reduced our
gluten intake by 75%. We feel less gasy, bloated and more energy. Any other baby boomers bloated?  
overwheated in Wisconsin.

Regardless, both oats and wheat are healthy. One should not stick to just one.

I started adding lots of oat bran to my oatmeal after you pointed out that it's an excellent cholesterol lower.  I became anemic.  I read that oat bran can interfere with iron absorption, so I discontinued the oat bran and the anemia went away.

Now, this was a study conducted under the somewhat artificial circumstances of a study. But imagine this sort of habitual intake continues, not for just three months, but for years. After all, wheat has expanded and metastasized to all three meals, snacks, every day, 7 days a week in most Americans' diet.

If you don't mind, how much Vitamin D do these people take? Do they take it in divided doses or all at once?

Dr. Davis, very exciting info!  
Could you comment on the typical time lag seen in improved HDL as a response to vitamin D supplementation?

How do your observations jive with research showing that vitamin D inhibits apo-A1, which appears to confer greater protection against heart disease than HDL?

Wehmeier K, Beers A, Haas MJ, Wong NC, Steinmeyer A, Zugel U, Mooradian AD (2005). "Inhibition of apolipoprotein AI gene expression by 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3". Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1737 (1): 16–26. PMID 16236546.

You might not be selling vitamin D... but these guys are!

For Vitamin D, Drink Schlitz!

Perhaps you could work this into your daily vitamin protocol...

I just noticed that I've been taking a Vit D and fish oil gel cap every time I read one of your posts about them, to make up for my 'forget' days 8^)

Just wanted to say thanks for your observations, that's very interesting.  Maybe someone will catch on and do a clinical trial.  Perhaps vitamin D will be the long-awaited HDL-raiser.  

Hopefully some drug company will create an analog they can patent.  Just kidding.

Because I have high LP(a)I take Niacin,exercise,mostly lean meats and veg/fruit diet. I have kept acurate blood draw records since 2002.Starting HDL was 50,had risen to mid 60's by 2007. Added 2000mg Vitamin D oil base gel caps 07 and 08. Last blood draw HDL was 85. I know it worked for me. It had no affect on LP(a)unfortunately remaining at 30 - 40. Thanks Dr Davis for making this known on your blog, it should help many.

I have HDL of 103, how common is this? I can't find much information about HDL levels this high...

Missbossy -- funny! Yeah, a comedian (?) used to joke that he took vitamins with his beer so that while he was tearing himself down he was also building himself up.

I have been taking 6000 units Vit D3 daily to achieve measured blood vitamin D level (25-OH-vitamin D3) of 60 ng/ml.  Your mileage may vary.

What about getting some sunshine?  Does that work?

I'm also interested in your response regarding  vitamin D inhibiting apo-A1. It appears contrary to improved HDL.

In my own case, vitamin D hasn't done anything for my HDL. I started with a D level at 21 and my HDL has hovered in the 27-34 range. Raised my D levels to 54, and my HDL sunk near the low point of 27

I also had my Apo A1 tested separately, but my doctor isn't entirely sure how to read the data. My Apo A1 is in the reference range provided by the lab, although a bit towards the lower end. I have no way in determining if it's truly decent or not though.

I started with a "D" level of 17 and an HDL of 63, started taking "D" supplements and raised my "D" level to exactly 60 and my HDL went down to 56.

I too started with a low HDL of 35, added Vitamin D3, 3-4,000iu/daily and my HDL went to 71! I am a firm believer of Vitamin D>

I'd like too see a reference to published research linking D3 supplementation to greater HDL.  I think D3 does have anti-atherosclerotic properties - despite what it does at a high dose.  When high doses are given to animals on a high fat diet, vitamin D3 actually induces atherosclerosis.  This is a common model for atherosclerosis in the lab which might account for why so many doctors seem to have missed the clinical benefits for D3 in heart disease.  Since D3 induces self-tolerance (partly via IL-10) and atherosclerosis has recently been described as an autoimmune condition caused by underfunctional regulatory T-cells, at a normal dose D3 probably has a protective effect against atherosclerosis.

I would appreciate if anyone can help answer as to what is the daily dosage(in I.U's) of Vitamin D required to have an effect on raising the HDL number?

I was actually trying to google why my HDL is so high and what it means (110 and double checked two years in a row), my LDL is 68.  I'm 47, walk 2.5 miles 4 or 5 days a week but other then that not sure what I'm doing.  I take a womens one a day vitamin and a caltrate.

I found this web site because I was looking for an explanation why my HDL level jumped to 115 from a 2-year earlier level of 97.  My diet is the same, year round.  The only thing different is the increased amount of vitamin D (1400 IU/daily).  I have been diagnosed with osteopenia and the doctor suggested increasing my calcium and vitamin D intake. Conversely, my LDL is 79.

Helene

Lack of exposure to sunlight, and therefore lack of Vitamin D, is implicated in over 60 illnesses.
- including Heart health

More at:

www.grassrootshealth.net
www.vitamindcouncil.org
www.vitamindwiki.com
www.vitamindandcholesterol.com

I have posted a Personal Action Plan that explains testing and dose size at:

www.rufusgreenbaum.com
- see Downloads

.

The first few times this occurred, I thought it was an error or fluke. But now that I've witnessed this effect many dozens of time, I am convinced that it is real. Just today, I saw a 40-year old man whose starting HDL was 25 mg/dl increase to 87 mg/dl.

I have ahistory of consistently lower HDL, around 30. In my recent blood test, it is idicated that my Vit D level is also low (22.6 ng/ml). I have been taking D-3 2000 IU. I n reecnt months  may have taken it irregularly. A month ago, I had the blood test and the same old results. I am not sure if I took D-3 daily. I will start taking it regularly for two months and do the test again. Do I need to raise the dose to 4000 IU instead of 2000/day? I jog every other day for 40 minutes. Diet consists of very low fat, and also take fish oil caaplets daily.
My reecnt blood test results:
Fasting cholesterol = 152 mg/dL
HDL cholesterol = 32 (L)
LDL cholesterol = 84
Total Cholesterol / HDL ratio = 4.8
TGL = 180
Non-HDL cholesterol = 120

I also have a throat problem. I do get clear mucus secretion in throat abnormally. Constantly spit out. Allergy medicine helps a bit but does not go away. I do not know if these three problems have  a common root. Any suggestions??? Appreciate your help.

Interesting! How is this going now? I am looking for a solution like that. My posting added to the blog today is as follows:
mobani says:

December 11, 2011 at 11:21 pm


I have ahistory of consistently lower HDL, around 30. In my recent blood test, it is idicated that my Vit D level is also low (22.6 ng/ml). I have been taking D-3 2000 IU. I n reecnt months may have taken it irregularly. A month ago, I had the blood test and the same old results. I am not sure if I took D-3 daily. I will start taking it regularly for two months and do the test again. Do I need to raise the dose to 4000 IU instead of 2000/day? I jog every other day for 40 minutes. Diet consists of very low fat, and also take fish oil caaplets daily.
My reecnt blood test results:
Fasting cholesterol = 152 mg/dL
HDL cholesterol = 32 (L)
LDL cholesterol = 84
Total Cholesterol / HDL ratio = 4.8
TGL = 180
Non-HDL cholesterol = 120

I also have a throat problem. I do get clear mucus secretion in throat abnormally. Constantly spit out. Allergy medicine helps a bit but does not go away. I do not know if these three problems have a common root. Any suggestions??? Appreciate your help.

Please read the vitamin D posts here, Mobani, and you will see that we achieve 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels of 60-70 ng/ml. Then wait about two years and HDL generally shows its full rise.

You may have reflux; 20% of reflux suffers don't get heartburn; feels like congestion. I know, I'm one of the 20%.

Fantastic blog!  Just what I was searching for when I found you via a blog directory (BlogFlux).

Question though....where is the "Track Your Placque" website that accompanies this blog?

Thanks.

Mike--

The website address is:

www.trackyourplaque.com

Dr. Davis

These tactics are consistent with the experiences I've had with the sales representatives from the company (when I used to actually talk to sales reps; my office is now barred from them). The reps very aggressively would urge me to consider having everyone take Plavix. No kidding.

What would life be like without CVD deaths?

For a while, the way you describe. But as more people lived into their 80s and 90s the rate of dementia would rise dramatically.

If you visit any dementia facility you will find it is full of normal weight people many of whom are in otherwise "excellent" health--that's what got them to live to 88 or 92.

But once demented, their lives are tragic. Saddest are those who are just demented enough to be totally confused, but not enough that they are oblivious to their condition. All people with moderate dementia  need round the clock care which is not covered by Medicare unless they have no assets. This depletes the savings of humble people who have worked for decades who are left with nothing to leave their children.  Depending on the cause of their dementia people may need full time care for a decade. Once they have no money they are turned over to the warehousing of nursing homes, many of which are horrendous  where those who are still conscious may pray daily for death.

Right now one half of those in the 80-100 age group are demented. The humiliation  dementia inflicts on loved ones is so terrible that anyone who has a relative in this condition (and we have two in our family) will pray that they have enough heart disease to take them out before they go through that long, slow degrading decline.

Many people have unrealistic ideas that they could take care of a loved one with dementia which stem from not having been put face to face with it since the truly demented are usually locked away somewhere.

Note too that though there are attempts to blame dementia on diabetes, I don't buy it. The rate of dementia has climbed with the climb in lifespan though "senile dementia" has always been the fat of a good portion of those who lived to be old-old.

The diabetes diagnosed late in life is part of the gradual failing of their organs and often not the same as diabetes diagnosed in the 40s. It may be associated with dementia but it is far from proven that it is causative.

Beside that, eliminate CVD and the rate of people dying from the prolonged agony of cancer would go up too, because the older people get the more likely they are to develop cancers. Something many people don't know is that chemotherapy administered to older people id prone to cause dementia. It causes mild cognitive problems  in younger people too, but in the old-old it is much more likely to take out their memories.

I'm all for eliminating the kind of CVD that takes people out young, especially since it is so often linked to genetic abnormalities.  But for those in their 70s and beyond, eliminating CVD might simply be to trade one condition for another far worse.

No one lives forever.

It sure doesn't seem like that will happen anytime soon, at least not here... I spent all day calling around to local docs (including cardiologists) and NO ONE had even heard of advanced lipid testing...  I'm ashamed to say that I work for a large hospital system that wants to be "cutting edge" and all about research yet they have no knowledge of basic preventative care in regards to the leading cause of death in our country?!!

Is advanced lipid testing really that advanced?

That is part of my dream, too. But first, people have to have access to correct information, stop being so passive with medical professionals  and then take an active role in establishing and maintaining their own heath.  The real "health" care reform would do everything that you say but would come directly from the people who are receiving so-called medical "care."

Of course, the vested interests will fight this tooth and nail but it would be tough to stop if our population would finally wake up to the way they are being manipulated!

Hi, Jenny--

Thanks for your thoughts.

But I would rather succumb to dementia at age 90 (that I helped delay with vitamin D and other mental-preservation methods) than heart attack at age 59, bypass at age 60, three stents at 63, four more at age 68, living a life of hospital revolving doors. Don't forget about the defibrillator that aborts the ventricular tachycardia that comes from the scar in your left myocardium from the original heart attack.

Millions of people live this way and have not been told that it doesn't have to be this way. That's what I'm talking about.

Lucy--

NOT having advanced lipid testing impairs the identification of the causes of heart disease. It is a big step towards better control over heart disease risk. It identifies treatments that often have nothing to do with more need for medication--that's why your doctors don't know about it.

You probably already know that the bulk of medical "education" does not come from journals or scientific publications, but from the pretty drug representative with dinner invitation in hand waiting in the doctor's waiting room.

Dear Dr Davis,

Your mention of congenital heart disease sufferers made me wonder if you could possibly write a blog about how people with congenital heart disease can improve their heart health please.

Anne

Dr. Davis

I am with you! And to be honest – it is actually horrible WRONG that we are not yet there. We (or at least many people) already know how to escape the dreadful C V and D. Why it is not already implemented in every hospital, doctors’ office, and even in education is scary! But most of it has got to do with a short-term money flow, I would guess.

As boldly as I think we can put most cardiologists out of business I also believe we can eliminate many cancer diseases by natural remedies!

No one has to believe me, but sometimes we are to do ourselves a favor and listen to those who have the degrees to say and act upon statements. What about these well selected and bold statements:

John P. Cook M.D. Ph.D. in his book “The Cardiovascular Cure – How to strengthen your self defense against heart attack and stroke” In his book you can read this: “There is magic within all of us. It comes in the shape of a molecule known as nitric oxide.  A substance so powerful that it can actually protect you from heart attack and stroke.  Best of all your body can make it on its own.  Nitric oxide is your body’s best defense against heart disease.  The body is capable of healing itself.  What you do with the magic is up to you.”

Dr. Louis J. Ignarro; Nobel Prize Laureate in Medicine, 1998; “NO more heart disease – How Nitric Oxide can prevent, even reverse, heart disease and stroke” and you can read this in the book: "You do not have to wait for the rest of the world to see the light--and the drug companies to put new Nitric Oxide-based prescription drugs on the market--in order to take advantage of what Nitric Oxide has to offer.  Even if you have high blood pressure, have suffered a heart attack, or are at high risk...You can beat the odds.  The power to lead an entirely new and healthier life is in your hands.  Carpe Diem--Seize the day!  Start boosting your Nitric Oxide production right now!“

Dr. Jonathan S. Stamler; Professor of Medicine; Duke University Medical Center - "It [Nitric Oxide] does everything, everywhere. You cannot name a major cellular response or physiological effect in which [Nitric Oxide] is not implicated today. It's involved in complex behavioral changes in the brain, airway relaxation, beating of the heart, dilation of blood vessels, regulation of intestinal movement, function of blood cells, the immune system, even how fingers and arms move.“
        
What these gentlemen are talking about is Arginine (arginine transforms into Nitric Oxide once in your body). And Arginine has also been found to: “Improve Memory & Cognitive Functions” (J Physiol Pharmacol 1999), and “May inhibit the division and proliferation of cancer cells” (Br J Surg. 1997)

The list goes on and on… Arginine 5gr or more a day along with Citruline and antioxidants on a daily regularly basis can do all these things and we can at the same time fight cancer and dementia! It is all out there in the nature for us to use!!!

Thanks again for a wonderful blog – if anyone is interested in learning about different product options they can email me (don’t want to advertise anything here – this is about people, not money) Helena.mathis@hotmail.com.

Dr. Davis

I am with you! And to be honest – it is actually horrible WRONG that we are not yet there. We (or at least many people) already know how to escape the dreadful C V and D. Why it is not already implemented in every hospital, doctors’ office, and even in education is scary! But most of it has got to do with a short-term money flow, I would guess.

As boldly as I think we can put most cardiologists out of business I also believe we can eliminate many cancer diseases by natural remedies!

No one has to believe me, but sometimes we are to do ourselves a favor and listen to those who have the degrees to say and act upon statements. What about these well selected and bold statements:

John P. Cook M.D. Ph.D. in his book “The Cardiovascular Cure – How to strengthen your self defense against heart attack and stroke” In his book you can read this: “There is magic within all of us. It comes in the shape of a molecule known as nitric oxide.  A substance so powerful that it can actually protect you from heart attack and stroke.  Best of all your body can make it on its own.  Nitric oxide is your body’s best defense against heart disease.  The body is capable of healing itself.  What you do with the magic is up to you.”

Dr. Louis J. Ignarro; Nobel Prize Laureate in Medicine, 1998; “NO more heart disease – How Nitric Oxide can prevent, even reverse, heart disease and stroke” and you can read this in the book: "You do not have to wait for the rest of the world to see the light--and the drug companies to put new Nitric Oxide-based prescription drugs on the market--in order to take advantage of what Nitric Oxide has to offer.  Even if you have high blood pressure, have suffered a heart attack, or are at high risk...You can beat the odds.  The power to lead an entirely new and healthier life is in your hands.  Carpe Diem--Seize the day!  Start boosting your Nitric Oxide production right now!“

Dr. Jonathan S. Stamler; Professor of Medicine; Duke University Medical Center - "It [Nitric Oxide] does everything, everywhere. You cannot name a major cellular response or physiological effect in which [Nitric Oxide] is not implicated today. It's involved in complex behavioral changes in the brain, airway relaxation, beating of the heart, dilation of blood vessels, regulation of intestinal movement, function of blood cells, the immune system, even how fingers and arms move.“
        
What these gentlemen are talking about is Arginine (arginine transforms into Nitric Oxide once in your body). And Arginine has also been found to: “Improve Memory & Cognitive Functions” (J Physiol Pharmacol 1999), and “May inhibit the division and proliferation of cancer cells” (Br J Surg. 1997)

The list goes on and on… Arginine 5gr or more a day along with Citruline and antioxidants on a daily regularly basis can do all these things and we can at the same time fight cancer and dementia! It is all out there in the nature for us to use!!!

Thanks again for a wonderful blog – if anyone is interested in learning about different product options they can email me (don’t want to advertise anything here – this is about people, not money) Helena.mathis@hotmail.com.

Alzheimer's and heart disease are thought to be connected -- they may both be the result of arterosclerosis.

So a world with fewer CHD victims might not be a world with more dementia patients.

Yes I see both your points. I strongly suspect I am going to die significantly younger than others in my family thanks to the clueless doctors who decided not to diagnose my diabetes, and worse, put me on a high carb low fat diet to "cure" my appalling lipids.

On the one hand going quick of a heart attack while in my prime would be far preferable to what happened to one of my mother's friends: after a quad bypass she gradually declined from being a fit active sociable person to someone who was blind, deaf and incapable but whose heart would NOT stop and give her the release she prayed for. Once you get into that state they can warehouse you for years.

My mom was one who met Jenny's tragic fate.  She did Pritikin and McDougall for years, decades actually.  Though she was a lawyer, played piano and read constantly, Alzheimer's (or a similar dementia) overtook her in her 70s.  She spent several years with caregivers in her home, and then six long years in a deluxe nursing home, burning up all the assets she had saved her entire life.  All we could do was watch.

I believe the low-fat diet she followed wasn't what her brain needed.  She was probably chronically starved for EFAs, especially Omega-3.  But we didn't know what we know now, so we couldn't help.  Of course, I can't know for sure this was the causative factor...maybe this is just my defense mechanism.  But I think Dr. Davis's point is that addressing CVD in no way excludes also addressing dementia.  There's tons of exciting research being done.  Plenty of folks make it to the very end with all their faculties intact.  Why?

Dr. Davis,

What is your opinion on genetic testing and it's potential effect on the treatment of both CVD and (since it's been mentioned in this discussion) dementia?   I know both my ApoE and KIF6, and find it all very fascinating.  I am a 4/3 and a noncarrier for the risky form of KIF6.  I do think there are some potential ethical concerns with genetic testing, but I do see benefits as well.  For instance, supposedly my KIF6 result means that I would likely not benefit from a statin.  So, it's extra leverage in my mind when discussing treatment options with my cardiologist.

"I believe the low-fat diet she followed wasn't what her brain needed. She was probably chronically starved for EFAs, especially Omega-3"

My God, that's an excellent point! Nursing home/hospital food is almost always high carb low fat (and cheap)

Dr. Davis
From what I have learned here and in other like minded blogs (Eads, Stephan, Hyperlipid, BG and others)it seem that the whole metabolic syndrome can be prevented + autoimmune diseases and probably many cancers. This has the potential of really emptying out the hospitals and leaving maily the preventative medicine heroes like yourself and Eads in the front where you belong
I have recently started a blog in Israel, translating to Hebrew some of your (and  the other's) posts. The spreading of ideas resemble sometimes the spread of epidemics. It picks up suddenly so lets be optimistic!
keep up the good work!
Miki Ben Dor http//

Dr. Davis,

Life without CVD is not something that can be dreamed about, but rather something that existed in the recent past.  I have heard stories from MD's who served in the US military during the Korean and Vietnamese wars, and while over there, and in Japan, during those years, were asked by local doctors to call them when the military MD was treating a patient (usually American) for a heart attack or having a heart problem, because they had never or very infrequently seen those kinds of problems in their practices, and wanted to see what it was all about.  So, some parts of the world escaped CVD problems already!

DIB

Hi, DIB--

Excellent point!

I agree: Many lessons are being RE-learned.