According to an article in the New York Times titled Body’s Defender Goes on the Attack, “Scientists are coming to realize that inflammation may underlie many other common chronic diseases that come with aging, including atherosclerosis, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and osteoporosis. Inflammation is also implicated in asthma, cirrhosis of the liver, some bowel disorders, psoriasis, meningitis, cystic fibrosis, and even cancer. 1

What is internal inflammation?

According to WebMD, inflammation can affect our internal organs, especially in cases of autoimmune disorders. This type of inflammation can cause many different symptoms, including pain; however, pain may not be a main symptom of internal inflammation due to the fact that many of our organs contain only a few pain-sensitive nerves. 2

Symptoms may depend on which organs are affected. For example:

• Inflammation of the heart (myocarditis) may cause vague chest pain or fluid retention
   
• Inflammation of the kidneys (nephritis) may cause high blood pressure or kidney failure
   
• Inflammation of the large intestine (colitis) may cause cramps and diarrhea
   
• Inflammation of the eye (iritis or uveitis) may cause pain or decreased vision
   
• Inflammation of the muscles (polymyositis) may cause achiness or weakness
   
• Inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis) may cause rash, headaches, or internal organ damage
   
• Inflammation of the small tubes that transport air to the lungs (bronchiolitis) may cause shortness of breath similar to an asthma attack

As you can see, inflammation of the organs can be responsible for many different symptoms and conditions. Therefore, getting inflammation under control can be very important for overall health and proper organ function.

There are many medications available to help decrease pain and inflammation, such as Celebrex, aspirin, and ibuprofen, but they do not come without the risks of side effects. Using systemic enzymes like those in Vitalzym can naturally help reduce pain and inflammation without the use of prescription medications or over the counter pain relievers.

Inflammation and C-Reactive Proteins

C-reactive protein (CRP) is produced by the liver and is a clinical marker of general and/or cardiac-related inflammation.  When internal inflammation is present, CRP levels can rise.  According to Thomas "Tate" P. Erlinger, M.D., M.P.H., lead author of the study and an assistant professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins,  "higher levels of C-reactive protein are linked to an increased risk of several apparently distinct, chronic diseases: heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and now colon cancer." http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/Press_releases/2004/02_10_04.html

The New York Times article continues to say “two large studies — one in men and one in women — have demonstrated that the higher a person's C-reactive protein level, the greater the risk of a heart attack or stroke.  Doctors nationwide are adding the C.R.P. test to cholesterol screening to assess people's risk of atherosclerosis. 1

CRP testing can be useful in assessing patient’s with: 3

• Heart disease
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Some forms of arthritis
• Autoimmune diseases
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

CRP can be used to screen otherwise healthy people for the following conditions. However, in these cases, the more sensitive high-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein test (hsCRP) will be ordered:

• Coronary heart disease (CHD)
• Cardiovascular disease

A health care professional may test someone for elevated CRP levels to check for internal inflammation or to help determine a person’s risk for heart disease.  However, a low CRP level does not necessarily mean that inflammation is not present.  For example, those with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus (inflammatory conditions) may or may not have increased levels of CRP; the reason for this is not known.

Reducing Inflammation and CRP Naturally

A primary goal for heart attack prevention, should be to keep inflammation to a minimum, says Dr. Peter Libby, chief of cardiovascular medicine at Brigham and Women’s hospital, and others. 1

Research results regarding the connection between CRP, inflammation, and degenerative diseases are on the rise, which is leading many health care professionals to believe that lowering CRP levels can also help reduce internal inflammation and reduce the risk of chronic, degenerative diseases. Along with a healthy diet and exercise, systemic enzyme therapy has been shown to help reduce elevated CRP levels, inflammation, and symptoms associated with such conditions. 

We offer these systemic enzyme products that can be helpful in reducing inflammation:

	Vitalzym was formulated specifically for pain, inflammation, and systemic fibrosis of the organs and tissues. This formula is the best choice for tissue and organ inflammation, and fibrosis conditions.
	VitalzymSEB is a formula that was created with the cardiovascular system in mind. It contains an enzyme called nattokinase in combination with other "heart healthy" enzymes that have been shown to reduce the levels of CRP and vascular inflammation, which may lead to heart disease if left unchecked, as mentioned above.

http://www.gordonresearch.com/articles_cardiovascular/nattokinase_&_cardio_health.pdf

http://www.gordonresearch.com/articles_cardiovascular/landmark_dev_for_cardio_dis.html

Suggested Further Reading 

Definition of Inflammation

http://www.energeticnutrition.com/vitalzym/serrapeptase.html#insect

Journal of the American Medical Association related articles and extracts

Inflammation, Heart Disease and Stroke: The Role of C-Reactive Protein

FDA cautions of using over the counter pain relievers

References

1. New York Times article, Body’s Defender Goes on the Attack
    
2. http://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/guide/arthritis-inflammation
    
3. http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/crp/tab/test

When it comes to heart health, women need a wake up call! Heart disease is often considered a man’s diagnosis, however, according the National Institute for Health, heart disease is actually the No. 1 killer of both men and women in America today.

 A staggering 1 in 4 women die from heart disease, whereas 1 in 30 women die from  breast cancer. The U.S. Department of Health reports that nearly two-thirds of American women who die suddenly of a heart attack had no prior symptoms. Yes, that should be shocking! Yet, this is a preventable disease.

Why Are These Numbers So High? 
Likely it is a combination of stress, the Standard American Diet (also known as S.A.D.), lack of exercise, smoking, and other environmental toxins and lifestyle choices that have become a common way of life for many people. 

What Can You Do to Stay Healthy and Heart Happy? 
Think preventative!  Or, if you have already been diagnosed with having heart disease or being at risk of heart disease, then consider making efforts to  bring your body back into balance.  This means taking the time to get to know your body, and then doing what you need to do to thrive!

Where to Start?

Keeping an eye on your cholesterol is key.  It’s all about the ratio. 

We have all heard that high cholesterol is bad.  Many in the health care field, however, believe that “high” is relative, and what is equally important as total cholesterol is the ratio of HDL (“good” cholesterol) to LDL (“bad” cholesterol).  This is not to say that you should throw your total cholesterol number out the window, but rather, educate yourself on the importance of an appropriate total cholesterol, as well as the ratios of HDL and LDL mean. 

Mary Enig, PhD and author of the book “Know Your Fats,”  has spent her life’s work studying the importance of fats and their role in good health.  She states that “blood cholesterol levels between 200 and 240 mg/dl are normal… and in fact they have been shown to be associated with longevity.”  Total cholesterol is determined by combining HDL and LDL, along with other markers like triglycerides.  To obtain a truly accurate evaluation, we must examine the ratios within those numbers.

What Do Healthy Cholesterol Levels Look Like?

• HDL:LDL ratio of  4 or less.  This ratio is determined by dividing HDL into LDL.  For example, if a person’s HDL is 60 and their LDL is 150, their ratio would be 2.5.  Because their ratio is less than 4, many would consider this to be a healthy.  
• HDL (good) cholesterol: at least 40
• LDL (bad) cholesterol: below 100 (slightly more may be alright if HDL is high)
• Triglycerides: below 150
• Total cholesterol below 240.  Remember, it is important to make sure HDL is high and that LDL is low.

The Inflammation Factor

There are many factors that play into high cholesterol, one of the key factors being inflammation within the body.  Inflammation can occur for a number of reasons, some of the more common being:

• Oxidative stress with in the body.  This means you have more free radicals (inflammation promoting atoms which damage cells) in your body than you do antioxidants to quench them.
   
• Poor diet high in trans or damaged fats.  Examples of damaged fats include fried foods, highly processed fats like partially hydrogenated oils, and fats that have been oxidized by heat or light.
   
• Inadequate omega-3 fats.
   
• Exposure to inflammatory toxins.  These may include everyday substances from products like cleaning supplies, pesticides from conventionally grown foods, lotions and shampoo products.
   
• Elevated Homocysteine levels. Homocysteine is an amino acid that is produced in the body during the process of methionine metabolism.  It has been shown that elevated homocysteine levels are associated with increased risk of cardio vascular disease, likely because homocysteine has an inflammatory effect on the arteries.  This promotes the oxidization of LDL, making it more likely for plaque to be laid down in the arteries. The metabolization of homocysteine requires abundant B Vitamins, which help to quickly break down and move homocysteine through and out of the body.  Supplementing with B Vitamins is an excellent way to support healthy homocysteine levels. 
   
• Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP). CRP is a bloodtest which measures a special type of protein in the blood that is present during times of inflammation. It IS possible to have inflammation in the body, even with a low CRP test result.  A high CRP  test result, however, is a good indication that there is either acute or chronic inflammation in the body that needs to be addressed.   

Weighing In

Maintaining a healthy body weight really does matter.

• Become familiar with your waist to hip ratio.  Women should have a waist to hip ratio of about 0.80, and men about 1.0.  If excess fat is stored in the waist (belly) area, there is a higher risk of heart disease associated.  You can evaluate your waist to hip here.

Are You At Risk?

The most common risk factors include:

• Being overweight
• Eating a nutrient poor diet
• Lack of exercise
• Smoking cigarettes
• High blood pressure
• Metabolic Syndrome. Risks for metabolic syndrome include:
  1. High fasting glucose levels
  2. High (poor ratio) cholesterol
  3. High blood pressure
  4. Being overweight, especially in the abdomen

What You Can Do About It

Providing your body with the extra support it needs can go a long way in keeping your heart happy. These excellent supplements are available at Energetic Nutrition.

→ Healthy Heart Support 

	VitalzymSEB is a unique enzyme formula designed specifically to support heart health by supplying enzymes that may cleanse the blood of excess fibrin and arterial plaque.  It also lowers C-Reactive Protein levels, which is the cause of vascular inflammation.
	Omega-3 fats like the ones found in ArcticPure Omega-3 are a critical component of any heart health plan. Omega-3 fats have been shown to reduce inflammation, raise HDL, support healthy circulation and promote heart health by thinning the blood and dilating blood vessels.
	A good quality multi-vitamin like Life Essence Multiple provides essential vitamins and minerals along with anti-oxidants, amino acids, and countless other co-nutrients necessary to keep your body strong and your heart whistling a happy tune.

→ Detoxify

Environmental toxins have a tremendous impact on heart health. A simple herbal spring cleanse (see our Complete Body Cleanse Kit) can help support the natural release of stored toxins that collect over the winter months. Combined with delicious organic foods and some sweating, your heart will surely be grateful.

→ Hormone Balance

Estrogens play a complex role in non-reproductive tissues including the brain and cardiovascular system. The risk of stroke and heart disease is increased dramatically when a person is estrogen dominant. Water logging of the cells and an increase in intercellular sodium, which predispose a person to high blood pressure or hypertension, frequently occur with estrogen dominance.Balance is key. 

	DIM promotes beneficial estrogen metabolism and healthy hormonal balance.  DIM protects against hormone-related cancer and heart disease.
	Myomin is an all-natural Chinese herbal blend ideal for normalizing estrogen levels in both men and women. Additionally, Myomin can also induce more interferon in the system, which activates natural killer cells, a major component of the immune system.

→  Fuel Your Body with Antioxidants
 

	Coenzyme Q10 is a powerful antioxidant which has been shown to safeguard LDL cholesterol from oxidation.  CoQ10 is a critical component in the primary energy cycle, and is most abundant in the heart. Deficiencies in CoQ10 strongly correlate with heart disease.
	Antioxidants like Vitamin E have been shown to help neutralize destructive free radicals and support cardiovascular health by preventing the oxidation of cholesterol and inhibiting plaque formation. Oxidized cholesterol is an unstable molecule that damages the integrity of arteries.

Eat for Health

A healthy diet goes a long way to longevity.

Choose an array of organic, hormone-free and antibiotic-free whole foods.

Portion size is important if you are trying not to overeat. Eat at regular intervals throughout the day to keep blood sugar regulated and dietary stress at a minimum.  Try to include: 

• Up to 7 servings of delicious garden vegetables, especially leafy greens
• Two servings of juicy fresh fruits.
• Meats, poultry and fish without fillers and chemicals.  A serving size is about the size of the palm of your hand and the thickness of a deck of cards.
• Nuts and seeds, healthy oils, avocados and olives in moderation. Be sure you are getting  adequate fiber (at least 30 g/day), as fiber has been shown to lower LDL by helping to escort it out of the body.

Keep That Body Moving

Moderate exercise 3-4 times per week for at least 30 minutes is essential to support circulation, vitality, and heart health.  Consider exploring the outdoors, getting to the gym, or even just sweating it out at home. Swim, run, bike, dance or do whatever keeps your heart pumping. Add in some weight training a couple of days a week and treat your muscles to some stretching or yoga and you’ll have a recipe for a healthy metabolism and a happy, strong heart.

Stress Less

Stress is a major concern when it comes to hypertension and heart health. Keep those stress hormones in check and that blood pressure down by taking time to relax, meditate, walk, take a bath, or do whatever it is you do that relaxes you.  Even if it is only for 5-10 minutes per day, it makes a difference.

Electromagnetic stress from things like cell phones, computers, and other electronic devices also contribute to our “total load,” or the total amount of stress that our body is required to deal with. Keeping EMF’s at bay while using your favorite electronic tools can make a difference in your health.

The Aulterra Neutralizer and Enhance by Aulterra are both excellent to reduce EMF stress and protect the body on a cellular level.

We sometimes forget that our heart is working day in and day out to keep us moving.  It is easy for women to overlook heart health, especially with so much emphasis being put on so many other health issues today.  Recent statistics on women and heart health, however, are showing that our hearts are in need some extra love!  So consider taking the time to give your heart the support it deserves, it will surely appreciate the extra TLC.

According to the University professor, Jeffrey Woods, “obese people have higher levels of circulating inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive proteins, which are produced and secreted by fat tissue.  This inflammation then triggers the systemic diseases, such as Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.”

 In this study, Woods and his colleagues examined the effects of diet and exercise on the inflammation of belly fat tissue in mice after a high-fat diet was used to induce obesity.  After six weeks, the mice were assigned to a sedentary group, an exercise group, a low-fat diet group, or a group that combined a low-fat diet with exercise.  Maybe people will react differently, but only the sedentary mice got the inflammation that usually results from having big bellies.

 "The surprise was that the combination of diet and exercise didn''''t yield dramatically different and better results than diet or exercise alone," says Victoria Vieira, a University of Illinois Ph.D. candidate and the study''''s lead author.

Please note:  Exercise does not take the place of healthy eating habits.  While this study has shown that you may still be able to lose weight even if your diet is high in fat, high-fat diets are known to create a variety of health problems, including diabetes, so be sure to make healthy food choices and get some exercise in the meantime.

Further Reading

Exercise Fights Hidden Body Fat

Exercise May Reduce Belly Fat

Effects of exercise and low-fat diet on adipose tissue inflammation and metabolic complications in obese mice