Inflammation Not LDL Increases Risks

Arteries are made up of living cells, inflammation initiates artery lesion by making adhesion VCAM-1 molecules that attract monocytes white blood cells and T-cells that engulf lipids forming fatty streaks progressing into plaque. Narrowing of the arteries might not necessarily cause heart attack, but treatment with stents and bypass surgery is not guaranteed to prolong life.

Multiple lines of evidence suggest inflammation increases the risks for CVD, cancer, and other chronic illnesses. Dr. Simone has written that LDL cholesterol only contributed modestly to overall risks, as published in the Lancet, as subjects with the most reduction in inflammation not LDL had the least recurrent vascular events.

Genetic loci that relate to statin induced LDL reductions are distinct from genetic loci associated with statin induced reductions of inflammation, subjects with the most reduction in inflammation had the least recurrent vascular events. Subjects with low LDL and ordinarily would not require statin treatment but were treated anyway had reduced heart attacks, strokes, and all cause mortality.

Lowering LDL to very low levels using evolcumab antibodies did not extend life, the group receiving treatment had more deaths in another study; low LDL did not protect, but big pharma says yes, according to Dr. Simone.

Cantos trial subjects given canakinumab monoclonal antibodies to lower a interleukin-1 Beta protein within the body that causes inflammation, reduced inflammation and cardiovascular events including stroke without lowering cholesterol or LDL levels. Subjects taking the antibody had higher incidence of fatal infection and there was no significant difference in mortality. Conclusion was decreasing inflammation decreased risk of cardiovascular events without lowering cholesterol of LDL, and subject receiving highest doses had 51% lower cancer mortality and a 77% lower lung mortality.  

Inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, and rheumatoid arthritis have increased risks for cardiovascular disease; receiving anti-inflammatory treatments has been shown to decrease risk of CVD and cardiovascular events in these patients. The National Institutes of Health is investigating use of low dose methotrexate to reduce inflammation to decrease incidence of cardiac events for those with history of heart attack, diabetes, or metabolic syndrome.

Charles B Simone, M.MS., M.D says “it’s all about inflammation and oxidation.” Lipids are markers of foods that increase these, taking prescriptions or herbals to lower lipids while continuing to consume high levels of fats, sugar, and low fiber foods will still continue to cause inflammation and oxidation within the body. Inflammation is also increased by other controllable risk factors such as smoking and alcohol among other things.

Antioxidants in correct doses, chemical forms, and in correct ratios of one another along with anti-inflammatory agents may help to control inflammation and oxidation. Anti-inflammatory foods include leafy green vegetables such as spinach and kale; bright coloured fruits and vegetables that contain quercetin such as blueberries, cherries, and oranges; and sources of omega-3 fatty acids such as walnuts, wild caught salmon, and tuna. Supplements that may help to reduce inflammation include: ginger, sage, rosemary, cayenne, cloves, cinnamon, omega-3, curcumin, turmeric, alpha-lipoic acid, and resveratrol.