April 18, 2023

Reducing Your Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases With Natural Compounds

Although reduced by 56% over the past forty years, cardiovascular disease, affecting 17 million patients worldwide per year, remains the leading cause of death worldwide. (1) Advances in lifestyle, including nutrition exercise programs, diagnostic regimens, and evidenced-based treatment recommendations, assist in reducing risk factors significantly and limit exposure to preventable occurrences of heart-related issues.

For individuals with a family history of heart disease or high-risk factors, these advances in medical research provide comfort and peace of mind regarding measures to mitigate their risk. However, there is an underlying fear for those with a personal or family history of heart-related issues or high-risk factors:

“I am 61. Poppa passed on at 62 of a heart attack, and Granddaddy died at 60. Will I be next?”

Medical experts and laypeople agree prevention remains our best option. Eating well, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding smoking and excessive drinking, exercising regularly, and practicing stress reduction techniques all help reduce inflammation and lower the risk of developing cardiovascular issues.

We use several remarkable cardioprotective nutraceuticals to tip the scale further. Our two favorites, resveratrol and rice bran phytate (inositol hexaphosphate or IP6), are the main subjects of this post.

The cardioprotective effects of resveratrol

Resveratrol, a natural polyphenol compound found in grapes, berries, peanuts, red wine, and giant knotweed, was the subject of our last post concerning Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. (2)

Chronic, low-level inflammation can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. (3) Resveratrol suppresses cytokines IL-1 alpha, IL-2, IL-6, IL-12, IL-17, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, and Nf-Kb to provide an anti-inflammatory effect. (4)

The inner lining of the blood vessels, the endothelium, becomes dysfunctional in the presence of cardiovascular disease. Resveratrol improves endothelial function by increasing nitric oxide, a vasodilator, thus improving blood flow to damaged cardiac tissue. (5)

Resveratrol, dosed at 10 mg/kg, lowers blood pressure by 16-18%. This blood pressure improvement is achieved by scavenging H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) and preventing oxidative stress-induced endothelial cell death. (6)

Oxidative stress is a disturbance in the balance between producing reactive oxygen species and antioxidant defenses, which damages cells and contributes to cardiovascular disease. (7)   Resveratrol significantly attenuates increased ROS (reactive oxygen species) and oxidative damage while up-regulating the decrease of antioxidant enzyme activity induced by aging. (8)

Resveratrol significantly reduces total cholesterol by up to 7.65 mg/dL. (9)

Resveratrol reduces the area of damage in the heart following an acute myocardial infarction from 41.3% – a lethal outcome – to just 17%. This difference turns a terminal event into a non-fatal one. (10)

The cardioprotective effects of rice bran phytate

A natural compound found in whole grains, legumes, and nuts, rice bran phytate, also known as inositol hexakisphosphate or IP6, contains phytochemicals. Its salt form, phytate, is the primary storage matter of phosphorus in plants. (11)

Rice bran phytate inhibits cholesterol absorption in the gut, lowering LDL (low-density lipoproteins) on average by 6.91 mg/dL. For every 1 mg/dL drop in LDL cholesterol, cardiac disease risk decreases by 1-2%. Rice bran phytate reduces the risk of high-fat diet-induced hyperglycemia. (12-13)

Rice bran phytate is associated with a decreased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-1B, IL-2, TNF-alpha, and INF-gamma. Conversely, it increases the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines like IL-22 and IL-23. (14)

Rice bran phytate is a potent antioxidant, anti-hypertensive, and improves endothelial function. (15-16)

Combining resveratrol with rice bran phytate synergistically improves cardiac outcomes

Resveratrol and rice bran phytate combined (RERBP) exhibits superior antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-inflammatory properties and free radical-scavenging properties for preventing or delaying cardiovascular diseases than either ingredient alone.

The RERBP combo inhibits the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1B, IL-6, IL-12, IL-17, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, and Nf-Kb while synergistically increasing the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, IL-22, and IL-23. (17-18 ) It reduces cholesterol levels in greater volumes than expected when each component is measured individually. (19)

RERBP versus control provided superior cardiac performance, reduced infarct size, and induced survival signals increasing autophagy, the body’s process of clearing and recycling damaged cell components. (20-21)

Summary

Taking a combination resveratrol supplement containing rice bran phytate reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. Our RERBP compound provides nutrients that reduce oxidative damage and other important ingredients to lower cholesterol and maintain blood pressure. Best of all, it is a natural, safe alternative to traditional prescription medications.

Taking advantage of this “dynamic duo” is the key to improving long-term health and protecting oneself from life-threatening cardiovascular illnesses.

Where might we go from here?

In future posts, we will discuss other anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and cardiovascular protective ingredients compatible with resveratrol and rice bran phytate. These include quercetin, red grape concentrate, green tea extract, turmeric root extract, Chinese skullcap root extract, radish seed extract, devil’s claw root extract, ginger rhizome powder, lemon balm leaf extract, and coenzyme Q-10.

References:

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Achievements in Public Health, 1900–1999: Decline in Deaths from Heart Disease and Stroke — United States, 1900–1999. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 1999;48(30):649–656.
  2. https://longevinex.com/resveratrol-use-in-polycystic-ovarian-syndrome/
  3. Danesh, J et al. “Low-grade inflammation and coronary heart disease: prospective study and updated meta-analyses.” BMJ (Clinical research ed.) vol. 321,7255 (2000): 199-204. doi:10.1136/bmj.321.7255.199
  4. Meng, Tiantian, et al. “Anti-Inflammatory Action and Mechanisms of Resveratrol.” Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 26,1 229. 5 Jan. 2021, doi:10.3390/molecules26010229
  5. Xia, Ning, et al. “Resveratrol and endothelial nitric oxide.” Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 19,10 16102-21. 9 Oct. 2014, doi:10.3390/molecules191016102
  6. Grujić-Milanović, Jelica, et al. “Resveratrol Protects Cardiac Tissue in Experimental Malignant Hypertension Due to Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Anti-Apoptotic Properties.” International journal of molecular sciences vol. 22,9 5006. 8 May. 2021, doi:10.3390/ijms22095006
  7. Betteridge DJ. What is oxidative stress? Metabolism. 2000;49(2 Suppl 1):3-8. doi:10.1016/s0026-0495(00)80077-3
  8. Liu T, Qi H, Ma L, et al. Resveratrol Attenuates Oxidative Stress and Extends Life Span in the Annual Fish Nothobranchius guentheri. Rejuvenation Res. 2015;18(3):225-233. doi:10.1089/rej.2014.1618
  9. Akbari M, Tamtaji OR, Lankarani KB, et al. The effects of resveratrol on lipid profiles and liver enzymes in patients with metabolic syndrome and related disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Lipids Health Dis. 2020;19(1):25. Published 2020 Feb 17. doi:10.1186/s12944-020-1198-x
  10. Sato M, Ray PS, Maulik G, et al. Myocardial protection with red wine extract. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2000;35(2):263-268. doi:10.1097/00005344-200002000-00013
  11. Anni Kortekangas, Pia Silventoinen, Emilia Nordlund, et al., Phytase treatment of a protein-enriched rice bran fraction improves heat-induced gelation properties at alkaline conditions, Food Hydrocolloids, Volume 105,2020,105787, ISSN 0268-005X, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodhyd.2020.105787.
  12.  Jolfaie NR, Rouhani MH, Surkan PJ, Siassi F, Azadbakht L. Rice Bran Oil Decreases Total and LDL Cholesterol in Humans: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials. Horm Metab Res. 2016;48(7):417-426. doi:10.1055/s-0042-105748
  13. Soo Mi Kim, Catherine W. Rico, Sang Chul Lee, Mi Young Kang, Modulatory Effect of Rice Bran and Phytic Acid on Glucose Metabolism in High Fat-Fed C57BL/6N Mice, Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition, 2010, Volume 47, Issue 1, Pages 12-17
  14. Su, Weifa, et al. “Co-fermented defatted rice bran alters gut microbiota and improves growth performance, antioxidant capacity, immune status and intestinal permeability of finishing pigs.” Animal nutrition (Zhongguo xu mu shou yi xue hui) vol. 11 413-424. 7 Aug. 2022, doi:10.1016/j.aninu.2022.07.008
  15. Sapwarobol, Suwimol, et al. “Biological Functions and Activities of Rice Bran as a Functional Ingredient: A Review.” Nutrition and metabolic insights vol. 14 11786388211058559. 5 Dec. 2021, doi:10.1177/11786388211058559
  16. Duansak, Naphatsanan, et al. “The Effect of Rice Bran Extract on Arterial Blood Pressure, Hepatic Steatosis, and Inflammation in Mice Fed with a High-Fat Diet.” Journal of nutrition and metabolism vol. 2020 8374287. 26 Jun. 2020, doi:10.1155/2020/8374287
  17. Silva RBM, Maciel IS, Ribeiro A, et al. Improvement of Resveratrol Effects When Combined with Rice Oil in Rat Models of Inflammation. Inflammation. 2020;43(1):204-219. doi:10.1007/s10753-019-01110-1
  18. Limagne, E., Lançon, A., Delmas, D., Cherkaoui-Malki, M., & Latruffe, N. (2016). Resveratrol Interferes with IL1-β-Induced Pro-Inflammatory Paracrine Interaction between Primary Chondrocytes and Macrophages. Nutrients, 8(5), 280. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu8050280
  19. Saji, N., Francis, N., Schwarz, L. J., Blanchard, C. L., & Santhakumar, A. B. (2020). The Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Rice Bran Phenolic Extracts. Foods (Basel, Switzerland), 9(6), 829. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods9060829
  20. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/24058-autophagy#:~:text=How%20long%20do%20you%20have,to%2048%20hours%20of%20fasting.
  21. Mukherjee S, Ray D, Lekli I, Bak I, Tosaki A, Das DK. Effects of Longevinex (modified resveratrol) on cardioprotection and its mechanisms of action. Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 2010;88(11):1017-1025. doi:10.1139/y10-082

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