Inflammation & Vascular Disease

Just a quick post regarding recent studies where inflammation is the target of treatment and not just lipid lowering. Inflammation is a necessary step in the transformation of LDL-cholesterol to atherosclerotic plaque. I will not try to discuss all the inflammatory factors involved in vascular disease; however, IL-6 and IL-1B are two that have recently gotten much press in the literature.

Of course, pharm sees much potential in creating agents that can target inflammation. I will first ask you to look at inflammation related to IL-1B and disease felt associated with IL-1B. I do not believe any one factor causes the problem. Multiple factors are usually behind inflammation and disease.

First, what can raise IL-1B and result in more inflammatory issues?

(1) Fat cells produce IL-1B, so being overweight can be an issue.

(2) Sleep deprivation

(3) Smoking

(4) Excessive intake of sugar

(5) Alcohol intake

(6) Vitamin C Deficiency

Instead of a pill or injection...look at foods and supplements that lower IL-1B and don't forget that lowering alcohol intake, sugar intake, getting more sleep, reducing stress and keeping abdominal fat and weight to goals will also avoid doing things to raise IL-1B in the first place. So foods that lower IL-1B include:

(1) Fruits high in cyanidin-3-O-B-glucosides / anthocyanin like red raspberries.

(2) Ginger containing lectins.

(3) Cruciferous vegetables.

(4) Polyphenols from oats.

(5) Beets containing betalain.

(6) Fish containing astaxanthins.

Then there are supplements and drugs that can possibly inhibit IL-1B:

(1) Berberine

(2) Tart Cherry Extract

(3) ACE Inhibitors

(4) Canakinumab - new drug being studied and in journals this month!

(5) Grape Seed Extract

(6) Curcumin Extract (Tumeric)

(7) EGCG from tea

(8) Leucine was shown to block IL-1B induced cartilage breakdown.

(9) EPA from fatty fish attenuates IL-1B as well in some studies.

And many others like Resveratrol (Trans) can be beneficial, but I think it is best from wine and not supplements. I am always concerned about supplements surviving the acid environment of the stomach and actually getting absorbed. Studies have shown that Resveratrol was actually absorbed much more effectively from the oral mucosa with slow slipping of wine than by slamming the entire glass of wine. Also, fasting increases IL-1RA and this can indirectly inhibit/balance IL-1B inflammatory response and thus explains some of the possible benefits of fasting.

The problem is we don't often have good evidence or safety data for many OTC supplements. Start by eliminating the top 6 ways we can raise IL-1B levels, and thus inflammation, and then increase consumption of foods possessing IL-1B lowering abilities to maximize your anti-inflammatory effect.

We should be able to start monitoring IL-6 (more later) and IL-1B levels in clinic soon.

We have noticed that our patients who follow a strict diet (I.e. Furhman, Ornish, Esselstyn) have noticed not only improvement in their lipid values, but less arthritis symptoms.

Targeting the inflammatory system to reduce heart and vascular disease is key.

Just to remind our readers, I am only offering this information to my current patients - clients. You should not do anything from this website unless discussed with your own personal health care provider first. This information is only for educational purposes and we must pick and choose supplements carefully since not all mix well with medications and other supplements. Something as simple as turmeric or curcumin can raise levels of the blood thinner Coumadin and result in serious bleeding and thus end this blog discussion with this warning. Thank you for understanding.