"Unfortunately, many of us know someone who has had a heart attack. In most instances, doctors have attributed the cause to smoking, eating habits, weight problems, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure. But a growing number of people--actually half of those who have heart attacks--are experiencing sudden heart attacks without the normal warning signs, shocking doctors and family members who thought they were healthy. Due to the nature of unexpected heart attacks, doctors so far have not been able to study the illness, understand its causes, or properly treat patients.
After years of scientific research, this is starting to change. Thanks to a major study conducted in Paris, we may have finally found the significant contributing factor: a fatty acid. The study shocked the medical community, which expected to find genetics or stress at the root of the problem. But after thirty-five years of research, involving 5,240 middle-aged Parisian men with no known cardiovascular disease, doctors are now shifting their attention to non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA). Doctors found that when age, body mass index (weight), heart rate, systolic (or diastolic) blood pressure, tobacco consumption, parental history of myocardial infarction or sudden death, cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting plasma glucose (diabetic status), and insulin concentration were simultaneously entered into a matrix that looked at how and why each person died, they found that the fasting plasma NEFA concentration remained an independent risk factor for sudden death.
Circulating NEFA concentration in the blood is a factor that deserves added attention. It isn’t just implicated in sudden heart attacks, but there is also growing evidence that it’s implicated in the onset of cancer too. So, what exactly are non-esterified fatty acids? In short, NEFAs in the blood represent a buildup of excess omega-6 fats in the body. As we discussed in Chapter 7, this is caused by eating an overabundance of polyunsaturated fats such as corn, peanut, sunflower, and safflower oils--in other words, virtually every vegetable oil and processed food you buy in the supermarket. Although members of the medical community might be 'shocked' by this information, it would barely elicit a knowing nod from anyone who has read this far.
How do NEFAs cause sudden heart attacks? Scientists are still trying to find a direct link, but some studies have shown that high levels of NEFAs can alter potassium channels, which means they inhibit the proper flow of potassium in and out of heart cells. This is important since the heart is a pump controlled by the exchange of ions through the aforementioned channels, thereby generating electrical signals. Voltage dependence is regulated by the concentration of extra-cellular potassium. As external potassium is raised, the voltage range of the channel opening shifts to more positive voltages. Simply put, heart cells regulate the positive potassium charge with other ions and the result is a heartbeat. Upset the balance and you upset the heartbeat--and NEFAs upset the balance. Also, scientists found a correlation between NEFAs and high intra-cellular sodium and calcium levels, which also affect heart rhythms. And finally, studies have shown that an overabundance of NEFAs can interfere with endothelial nitric oxide production, which can lead to hypertension.
Numerous studies have shown that a dietary supplement of omega-3 fatty acids can reduce the NEFA concentration in plasma and in cell membranes and suppress fast heart rhythms associated with heart attacks. Eating fish and taking omega-3s reduces the risk of sudden cardiac arrest. Another option, of course, is just cutting back on the amount of highly refined, high omega-6 vegetable oils."
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After years of scientific research, this is starting to change. Thanks to a major study conducted in Paris, we may have finally found the significant contributing factor: a fatty acid. The study shocked the medical community, which expected to find genetics or stress at the root of the problem. But after thirty-five years of research, involving 5,240 middle-aged Parisian men with no known cardiovascular disease, doctors are now shifting their attention to non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA). Doctors found that when age, body mass index (weight), heart rate, systolic (or diastolic) blood pressure, tobacco consumption, parental history of myocardial infarction or sudden death, cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting plasma glucose (diabetic status), and insulin concentration were simultaneously entered into a matrix that looked at how and why each person died, they found that the fasting plasma NEFA concentration remained an independent risk factor for sudden death.
Circulating NEFA concentration in the blood is a factor that deserves added attention. It isn’t just implicated in sudden heart attacks, but there is also growing evidence that it’s implicated in the onset of cancer too. So, what exactly are non-esterified fatty acids? In short, NEFAs in the blood represent a buildup of excess omega-6 fats in the body. As we discussed in Chapter 7, this is caused by eating an overabundance of polyunsaturated fats such as corn, peanut, sunflower, and safflower oils--in other words, virtually every vegetable oil and processed food you buy in the supermarket. Although members of the medical community might be 'shocked' by this information, it would barely elicit a knowing nod from anyone who has read this far.
How do NEFAs cause sudden heart attacks? Scientists are still trying to find a direct link, but some studies have shown that high levels of NEFAs can alter potassium channels, which means they inhibit the proper flow of potassium in and out of heart cells. This is important since the heart is a pump controlled by the exchange of ions through the aforementioned channels, thereby generating electrical signals. Voltage dependence is regulated by the concentration of extra-cellular potassium. As external potassium is raised, the voltage range of the channel opening shifts to more positive voltages. Simply put, heart cells regulate the positive potassium charge with other ions and the result is a heartbeat. Upset the balance and you upset the heartbeat--and NEFAs upset the balance. Also, scientists found a correlation between NEFAs and high intra-cellular sodium and calcium levels, which also affect heart rhythms. And finally, studies have shown that an overabundance of NEFAs can interfere with endothelial nitric oxide production, which can lead to hypertension.
Numerous studies have shown that a dietary supplement of omega-3 fatty acids can reduce the NEFA concentration in plasma and in cell membranes and suppress fast heart rhythms associated with heart attacks. Eating fish and taking omega-3s reduces the risk of sudden cardiac arrest. Another option, of course, is just cutting back on the amount of highly refined, high omega-6 vegetable oils."
Like & Share (G.Shyam)
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thanks for feedback, hope from U to share this!