We know that it is sometimes mind-numbing to read all the articles in a long newsletter. Consequently, we have decided to publish our newsletter more frequently, with fewer articles.

The purpose is to be able to have a more constant supply of interesting articles, for our readers, only in smaller - more digestible - doses. So, starting this month, we will publish a couple of articles every few weeks. We believe this will be a positive change for our subscribers.

In this month's edition, we have an important article on Cardiovascular disease by our nutrition expert, Kareyn Talson. Also, Dr. Mark Force has contributed intriguing information on sleep deprivation, which I know you will find beneficial.

For your good health. . . .

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In this article, I want to discuss cardiovascular disease, because it affects so many people - in so many ways. Most everyone has had some experience or contact with cardiovascular disease, whether personally or with a loved one.

Despite decades of research, and an ever-growing body of knowledge, the unfortunate fact is that cardiovascular disease is still the leading health problem in the Western world. Beyond that, it is the leading cause of death in the U.S., claiming well over one million lives annually.

Simply stated, the cardiovascular system is made of the heart and blood vessels. Blood is pumped by the heart and circulated throughout the body by the blood vessels. Anything that impedes this smooth, continuous action results in some category of cardiovascular disease. This includes anything from hypertension to heart failure.

Medical research has provided the basis for the development of many prescription drugs that aid in controlling the symptoms and slowing the degenerative advancement of cardiovascular disease. Often, though, cardiovascular disorders are at an advanced stage before symptoms are apparent. About 25% of people who have heart attacks have had no previous warning symptoms.

There are some environmental and genetic factors, of which we have no control, that may contribute to cardiovascular disease. However, there are many more factors, of which we do have control, that can decrease our level of risk. Even aging does not make cardiovascular disease inevitable. All things considered, it certainly makes sense to know about the control factors, and implement them into our lives.

The controllable factors are lifestyle changes that will keep your heart healthy. The most well known contributors to cardiovascular disease are smoking, elevated serum cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, stress and a sedentary lifestyle. Most contributing factors can be controlled with changes in eating habits along with the proper nutritional supplementation.

Dietary recommendations have been addressed enough, so we should all know by now what the basic inclusions and exclusions should be. I have found, however, that most people do not know enough about the nutritional supplementation that is helpful - or even critical - to maintaining a healthy heart and preventing cardiovascular disease.

Some of the most recent research has focused on a new predictor of cardiovascular disease: hyperhomocysteinemia. This is a condition in which the blood has elevated levels of the amino acid, homocysteine, an intermediary in protein metabolism.

Mounting evidence is emerging that points to homocysteine as an important indicator for increased cardiovascular risk. This conclusion is based on data from 80 clinical studies including more than 10,000 patients.

It was recently reported that the risk of cardiovascular disease due to hyperhomocysteinemia is equivalent to that of both smoking and elevated blood fats. Ongoing research will reveal more about the link between elevated homocysteine levels and cardiovascular disease, but information to date warrants attention.

The good news is that the successful treatment for hyperhomocysteinemia is known. Increased intake of folic acid, in combination with other B vitamins and other nutrients, reduce homocysteine by breaking it down and allowing it to be cleared from the bloodstream.

Applied Health Solutions has translated the research information on homocysteine control into a formula called Preferred B12-Folate. Preferred B12-Folate is formulated to help maintain healthy levels of homocysteine to support a healthy heart.

Research on every aspect of human health is flourishing, now more than ever. It should be no surprise to anyone that research results, concerning human health disorders, always indicate a nutritional imbalance.

In a future newsletter, I will continue this discussion and present other nutrients that support a healthy heart and may aid in prevention, or treatment, of cardiovascular disease..

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Experience tells me that you are most likely sleep deprived! How can I say that? - Because most of the people who come to see me are sleep deprived, and it is the cause of a great many of the various illnesses that people have.

We are a society that lives at far too fast a pace. Sleep seems to be the first thing that many of us are willing to compromise, and yet, it is so crucial to good health. We think that if we sleep less, we can get more done - but, how long can that work and at what cost?

I have been using a test, called the Adrenal Stress Index, which measures the levels of cortisol (an adrenal hormone) in a person's body, at different times of the day. One of the main things that cortisol does is draw proteins and fats out of the cells and into the bloodstream. Then, the liver can take those fats and proteins, and turn them into sugar for energy.

The normal pattern is for cortisol levels to be the highest in the morning, so you feel charged up and ready for the day. Also, and this is very important, cortisol levels should be the lowest at midnight, so the proteins and fats can go into the cells of your body for repair and rebuilding. This activity is absolutely essential to your health.

If cortisol levels do not decrease at night, your health will suffer and you will become ill. You rebuild every part of your body at night when you are asleep. Your skin, bones, mucous membranes of your lungs, sinuses, and intestinal tract - all of the few trillion cells in your body - repair themselves at night.

What is the main reason that cortisol levels do not decrease at night? Stress! When you go to bed in a stressed state, the cortisol levels will remain high, because your body is set up to release cortisol under stressful conditions. Thus, proteins and fats are not available as building materials for the cells of your body.

The wear and tear of life accumulates over time, and then you find you do not feel so good. You do not have the energy and endurance you used to have. You might be saying to yourself, "I'm just getting old"; when you really need to be saying to yourself, "I'm not getting enough good sleep".

So how do you get enough good sleep? First, make sure that you are getting enough 'hours' of sleep. Some people can get by on less, but it is best to assume that you need at least eight hours of sleep each night. Get that much for a month, or so, and see how you feel. You may eventually find that a little less is OK, but start with a good eight hours.

Some exercise, a couple of hours before bed, helps reinforce the natural release of melatonin that occurs at night (melatonin decreases cortisol levels) and deepens the restfulness of your sleep. The exercise needs to be nothing more than a brisk walk for twenty minutes.

Melatonin release decreases when you are exposed to bright light at night. Darkness triggers the release of melatonin and sets you up for normal sleep rhythm. Decrease the light around the house at night by using dimmer switches, lower wattage bulbs, and even candles. Reading lights are OK, if the light is focused on what you are reading.

Exposure to radiation, as from microwaves and televisions, upsets the normal release of melatonin. Being near electrical fields (as in plug in radios, clocks, and electric blankets) also limits release of melatonin.

Last, try to get to bed by 10PM. This is the normal time to see the melatonin levels rise and the cortisol levels go down. If you consistently stay up much past that time, you will upset the normal hormonal rhythms and your body ends up not knowing when to sleep.

Many people take melatonin to help them sleep, but I recommend not taking it, unless you have been tested for needing it. The doses that melatonin usually comes in (1 to 3 mg) is far above what your body normally releases. Prolonged use has been tied to testicular atrophy in men.

Instead, look for supplements that do not contain melatonine, such as those that can be found at your local naturopathic or holistic practitioner's office. Neuroplex (made by Standard Process Laboratories) is one such supplement that has no melatonin in it, but does contain amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and glandular extracts that enhance the normal release of your body's own melatonin.

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