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Cardio Care™


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Cardio Care™ - Heart Health Formula

60 Veggie Capsules

Dr. Bo's® Cardio Care contains ingredients that have been shown to support optimum cardiac health and helps reduce risk factors that include high cholesterol, high triglycerides, high blood pressure, high homocysteine and glucose intolerance. The ingredients in this unique heart formula have also been shown to provide powerful antioxidants to prevent oxidant damage, and assist fat metabolism. Cardio Care works best with Dr. Bo's Vasu Care™. Use Cardio Care and Vasu Care as a capsule alternative to Dr. Bo's Heart Supreme powder. Use Cardio Care as a capsule alternative to Dr. Bo's Total Cardio™ powder.

Gluten FREE, Casein FREE (GFCF), and Vegan Formula.

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Cholesterol

It is produced mainly from saturated fats in the liver. The LDLs (low-density lipoproteins) are the primary carriers of cholesterol through the blood and the plaques, so the higher the intake of saturated fats (which increases cholesterol and LDLs), the greater the potential for plaque formation.

HDLs (high-density Lipoproteins

They carry cholesterol away from plaque and out of the bloodstream, back to the liver for reprocessing. Consequently, higher HDL levels reduce the likelihood of plaque formation. Factors known to cause injuries to artery walls and increase the incidence and extent of plaque formations include:

Hypercholesterolemia (High Cholesterol)
Oxidized Low-density Lipoprotein (LDL)
Diabetes
Obesity
Homocysteine
Diet high in cholesterol and saturated fats
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
Cigarette smoking

Hypercholesterolemia (High Cholesterol)

Total cholesterol measurement is the cholesterol contained in all lipoprotein fractions. Research indicates that 60% to 70% of the total is carried on low density lipoprotein (LDL), 20% to 30% on high density lipoprotein (HDL) and 10% to 15% on very low density lipoprotein (VLDL). For general screening purposes, blood cholesterol can be measured using a non-fasting blood sample.

Blood Cholesterol Levels

Desireable: Less than 200mg/dl
Boderline High: 200 to 239mg/dl
High (hypercholesterolemia): 240mg/dl

While a total cholesterol reading can indicate a major risk factor, approximately 40% of those tested require a further lipoprotein anallysis. Further tests can identify the various components that are included in the total cholesterol count.

Triglycerides

They comprise about 95% of the lipids in food and in our bodies. They are the storage form of fat when we eat calories in excess of our energy needs. Triglyceride-rich lipoproteins known to be atherogenic include: chylomicrons, VLDL and LDL.

Tryglyceride levels are an important indicator

Normal: Less than 200mg/dl
Boderline High: 200 to 400mg/dl
High: 400 to 1000mg/dl
Very High: Greater than 1000mg/dl

Triglycerides in the very high range place patients at risk for pancreatitis.¹ Patients with a deficiency of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) will also have very high triglyceride levels.²

Chylomicrons

They are the largest particles of the lipoprotein. They are made in the intestines to transport digested fats (mainly triglycerides) into circulation to be carried to the liver and other organs. Once in the bloodstream, they triglycerides in the chylomicrons are hydrolyzed by lipoprotein lipase. When approximately 90% of the triglyceride is hydrolyzed, the particle is released back into the blood as a remnant. There, chylomicron remnants are metabolized by the liver, but some deliver cholesterol to the arterial wall as plaque and are, thus, considered atherogenic.

The consumption of high-fat meats produces more chylomicrons and remnants. Therefore, reducing your consumption of highly processed meat by-products and meats may be necessary to create a more desirable balance in the bloodstream.

VLDLs (Very Low-Density Lipoproteins

They are made in the intestines and the liver to carry fats throughout the body. Though they carry mostly triglycerides, they carry a small component of cholesterol to the tissues.

LDLs (Low-Density Lipoproteins

They are made by the liver (and possibly by transformation of VLDLs in the blood) and are the primary molecular complexes that carry cholesterol in the blood to the organs and cells. LDLs are conclusively linked to CHD development and acute events.³ Consequently, LDLs are the primary blood lipid target for intervention efforts.

A decrease of 1mg/dl in LDL cholesterol results in about one to two percent decrease in the relative risk of CHD.⁴

There are a number of factors that can cause an increase in LDL cholesterol, including:

Aging
Genetics
Diet
Reduced Estrogen Levels (post-menopausal women
Progestins
Diabetes
Hypothyroid
Nephritic Syndrome
Obstructive Liver Disease
Obesity
Some steroid and anti-hypertension drugs

Of these factors, an improper diet and obesity are the most prevalent. Diets high in saturated fats elevate LDL by down regulating the LDL receptors in the liver.⁵ Lowering one's LDL cholesterol has been shown to regress lesions, delay progression of atherogenesis and reduce events, morbidity and mortality.⁶

HDLs (High Density Lipoproteins

They are large, dense protein-fat molecules that circulate in the blood, picking up used or unused cholesterol and taking it back to the liver as part of a recycling process. HDLs may be the most protective form of lipoprotein in the preventing the buildup of cholesterol.

People with higher HDL levels have less risk of cardiovascular disease because their cholesterol is cleared more readily from the blood.

It also appears that HDL may be able to collect cholesterol from artery plaque, thus reversing the atherosclerotic process that leads to heart attacks. HDL will deliver cholesterol to the VLDL, converting them to LDL, which has more density. The liver removes the LDLs from the blood and converts their cholesterol into bile acids, which are then eliminated. High HDL levels are, therefore, associated with low levels of chylomicrons, VLDL remnants, and small LDL particles.

As such, a which HDL cholesterol level (greater than 60mg/dl) is considered to be a negative risk factor, and a low HDL cholesterol level (less than 35mg/dl) is considered to be a positive risk factor.⁷

There are major factors that increase HDL levels:

Exogenous estrogen helps raise HDL levels. Women have less cardiovascular risk than men, possibly because of this hormone.

Exercise

Loss of excess body fat

Good Dietary Practices

HDL can be lowered by obesity, inactivity, cigarette smoking, anabolic steroids, progesterone dominant oral contraceptives, beta-adrenergic blocking agents, hypertriglyceridemia, and genetic and poor dietary factors.⁸

In general, a 1mg/dl increase in HDL cholesterol has been shown to reduce the risk of Cardiovascular Heart Disease by two to three percent.⁹

A Desirable Blood Lipid Profile

Cholesterol - less than 200mg/dl
HDL - greater than 35mg/dl
For women aged 50 - 69, HDL - greater than 50mg/dl is desirable
LDL - less than 130mg/dl

Homocysteine

It is an amino acid, that is positively associated with an increased risk of CHD and peripheral artery disease.¹⁰ At any given time, 25% to 45% of patients with CHD may have high serum homocysteine levels. These high levels translate into dangerous blood clots and injury to the endothelial or protective cells in blood vessels.¹¹ Research has shown that inadequate dietary intake of folate (found in green leafy vegetables) and vitamins B12 and B6 increase plasma homocysteine levels.¹² Low dietary folate intake, lack of exercise, older age, smoking and coffee consumption (more than one cup a day) were associated with higher levels of homocysteine in a large population study.¹³ Of these factors, smoking, coffee consumption and folate intake were the strongest predictors of homocysteine levels.¹⁴ Adults with hyperhomocysteinemia (greater than 10umol/L) are thirty times more likely to have premature cardiovascular disease.¹⁵ Increasing folate intake by two hundred micrograms per day reduces homocysteine levels by 4umol/L.¹⁶

A 1umol/L rise in 10% in homocysteine level is associated with a 10% increase in CVD risk.¹⁷

Oxidative Stress

Heart and coronary blood vessels are highly susceptible to oxidative stress. Oxidation of LDL in the vessel wall hastens the atherogenic process by increasing LDL uptake and increasing vascular tone and coagulability.¹⁸ Dietary factors that can decrease LDL oxidation include vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, selenium, flavonoids, Magnesium and monounsaturated fats. In contrast, iron, copper, zinc and saturated fat increase LDL oxidation.¹⁹ Consuming foods high in nutrients that theoretically could reduce the oxidation potential is prudent.

Nutritional support such as vitamins and antioxidants has been shown to help reduce the effect of the stress response at the physiological level. They include antioxidant nutrients such as, coenzyme Q10, Vitamin E and green tea polyphenols, plus the following:

B Complex Vitamins help rejuvenate mood and emotional well-being by facilitating carbohydrate metabolism and the cellular conversion of glucose to usable energy.²⁰ Deficiencies of B vitamins, including vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and folate have been shown to contribute to psychological distresses and symptoms such as depression, irritability, fatigue and other psychiatric disturbances that correlate to the progression of coronary heart disease.²¹

Calcium is needed for muscular activity and in regulating the heartbeat. Heart function is mediated by several minerals: calcium stimulates contraction, magnesium supports the relaxation phase, and sodium and potassium are also important in generating the electrical impulse. Calcium supplements produce small decreases in LDL cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic men. In a double-blind placebo-controlled trial, 1200 mg of calcium citrate was reported to lower LDL cholesterol by 4.4% and increase HDL cholesterol by 4.1% in men on a Step I Diet (Bell et al., 1992).²²

Magnesium is considered the "anti-stress" mineral. It is a natural tranquilizer, as it functions to relax skeletal muscles as well as the smooth muscles of blood vessels and the gastrointestinal tract. (while calcium stimulates muscle contraction, magnesium relaxes them.) Because of its influence on the heart, magnesium is considered important in preventing coronary artery spasm, a significant cause of heart attacks. To function optimally, magnesium must be balanced in the body with calcium, phosphorus, potassium and sodium chloride. For example, with low magnesium, more calcium flows into the vascular muscle cells, which contracts them, leading to tighter vessels and higher blood pressure. Adequate magnesium levels prevent this. Besides preventing heart attacks, Magnesium also has a mild effect on lowering blood pressure and is often recommended to prevent hypertension. Magnesium supplements also increase HDL levels, decrease platelet aggregation and prolongs clotting time. Magnesium is often depleted by stress.

Hawthorne (Crateagus oxyacantha) contains active constituents found in the leaves, flowers and berries that may help lower blood pressure and pressure rate product (an indicator of economization of cardiac work). They may also increase the ejection fraction - the percentage of blood leaving the heart during each beat.²³ The higher the ejection fraction, the better the heart's ability to pump oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. Hawthorne is also believed to dilate coronary blood vessels, reduce peripheral vascular resistance and increase myocardial perfusion.²⁴ In animal studies, hawthorne has been shown to increase peripheral and coronary artery blood flow and decrease arterial blood pressure.

Bioflavonoids are also known as vitamin P for "permeability factor". This name was given to this group of nutrients because they increase the strength of the capillaries and regulate their permeability, allowing the passage of oxygen, carbon dioxide and nutrients through the capillary walls. As such, vitamin P helps prevent hemorrhage and rupture of these tiny vessels. Bioflavonoids are closely associated with vitamin C, in that natural forms of vitamin C are more effective than are synthetic ascorbic acids without the bioflavonoids in the equivalent amounts.

Lipoic Acid is being referred to as the most versatile and powerful of all antioxidants.²⁵ Because of its small, unique chemical structure, it is both fat and water soluble and is thus able to work its miracles in both the watery and fatty portions of the cell. Lipoic acid is the only antioxidant that can recycle or regenerate itself and four other crucial antioxidants: vitamins E and C, glutathione and coenzyme Q10. This means that when an antioxidant like vitamin E or C is exhausted and depleted, Lipoic acid rushes in to restore it to its full antioxidant powers. Lipoic acid neutralizes nitrogen radicals, including nitric oxide, the free radical most apt to injure brain cells.

Studies (particularly by Dr. Lester Packer, one of the world's leading authority on antioxidants) indicate that Lipoic acid may keep you from having a stroke and, if you have one, it may help limit the damage and speed your recovery.²⁶ In animals studies conducted by Dr. Packer, strokes were induced by blocking the carotid artery that carries blood and oxygen to the brain. In such strokes, blood flow is disrupted, but then suddenly resumes as the blockage dissipates. This is the most dangerous part of the stroke and is referred to as reperfusion, when the oxygen rushes back into the brain. This rush provokes a burst of free radical formation in the brain of such magnitude that the brain's ordinary antioxidant defenses cannot handle it. As a result, defenseless brain cells are injured and killed resulting in temporary or permanent damage and possibly death. Dr. Packard's research proved that Lipoic acid performed magic by preventing free radical damage to vulnerable parts of the brain and dramatically increased stroke survival.²⁷

A preventive dose of 10 to 50 milligrams of Lipoic acid a day is recommended for health people. (Dr. Packer takes 100 mg daily, half in the morning and half in the late afternoon or evening.)²⁸

Lecithin: Over 25 years ago, Dr. Lester M. Morrison, director of a research unit at Los Angeles County General Hospital first published (Geriatrics, January, 1958) his findings that lecithin could be used to lower cholesterol levels. He reported that 80% of his patients suffering from high serum cholesterol levels showed an average decrease of 41% in serum cholesterol after staking lecithin for several weeks. Instead of "blocking" absorption of cholesterol in the digestive tract as other cholesterol reducing agents did, lecithin enhanced the metabolism of cholesterol in the digestive system and aided in its transport through the circulatory system. The lecithin acted as an emulsifier and broke down the fats and cholesterol in the diet into tiny particles and held them in suspension, preventing them from sticking to blood platelets or arterial walls.

Highest Quality

The ingredient in Dr. Bo's Cardio Care is of the highest quality, its benefits are numerous and it is formulated using Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) in our ultra-modern FDA registered manufacturing facilities. This formulation contains no artificial ingredients, colors, flavors, additives, stimulants, gluten, casein, wheat, dairy, gliadin, avenin, corn, nuts, yeast, oats, sugar, animal products or preservatives that can rob you of your good health, and is manufactured with a process that does not require the use of lubricants or flow agents assuring the purity of Dr. Bo's Cardio Care and bypassing the need for any superfluous ingredients.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Consult your physician if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or have a medical condition before beginning supplementation. Information contained in this bulletin is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician.

Bibliography

Carper, Jean, Your Miracle Brain, New York, Harper Collins Publishers, 2000.
Hass, Elson M., Staying Healthy with Nutrition, Berkeley, Celestial Arts Publishing, 1992.
Levin WEG, Miller VT, Muesing RA, Stoy DB, Balm TK, LaRosa JC. Comparison of psyllium hydrophilic mucilloid and cellulose as adjuncts to a prudent diet in the treatment of mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia. Archives of Internal Medicine 1990, 150;1822-7.
Mahan, Kathleen L., Escott-Stump, Sylvia, Krause's Food, Nutrition and Diet Therapy, 10th Edition, Philadelphia, W.B. Saunders Company, 2000.
Pierce, James B., Heart Healthy Magnesium, Garden City Park, NY., Avery Publishing, 1994.
Weiss, Decker, Cardiovascular Disease: Risk Factors and Fundamental Nutrition, Intonational Journal of Integrative Medicine, July/Aug, 2000, Vol. 2 No. 4, pp. 6-13

Footnotes

Kathleen L. Mahan, Krause's Food, Nutrition and Diet Therapy, 10th Edition, p. 565.
Ibid.
Ibid., p.570
Ibid.
Ibid.,p. 571.
Ibid
Elson M. Hass, Staying Healthy with Nutrition, p. 71.
Ibid., p. 572.
Ibid.
Ibid., p. 573-574.
Ibid.
Ibid.
Ibid.
Ibid.
Ibid.
Ibid.
Ibid.
Ibid.
Ibid.
Ibid., p. 7.
Ibid.
Kathleen L. Mahan, Krause's Food, Nutrition and Diet Therapy, 10th Edition, p. 581.
Decker Weiss, "Cardiovascular Disease: Risk Factors and Fundamental Nutrition", Intonational Journal of Integrative Medicine, July/Aug, 2000, vol. 2 No. 4, p. 11.
Ibid.
Jean Carper, Your Miracle Brain, p. 253.
Ibid.
Ibid.
Ibid.