In the Bernama article dated October 10, 2018, Malaysians are developing heart disease at a younger age compared with other countries. According to National Heart Institute (IJN) consultant cardiologist, Datuk Ahmad Khairuddin Mohamed Yusof said in 2017, Malaysian developed heart disease at the age of 58 years, compared to Thailand (65 years), mainland China (63 years), western countries (66 years) and Canada (68 years) which was based on Health Ministry statistics.
In 2014, the World Health Organisation (WHO) stated that Malaysia’s proportional mortality rate of cardiovascular disease (CVDs) was at 36%.
Dr. Ahmad Khairuddin said high levels of cholesterol in the blood lead to CVDs, which include heart attacks and strokes.
In 2015, the National Health and Morbidity Survey estimated 47.7% of Malaysians aged 18 and above have high blood cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia). It had been increased compared to 32.6% in 2011.
“Behavioral modifications are important, especially those related to one’s lifestyle (to reduce cholesterol levels). Exercising, eating healthy food, avoid alcohol and foodstuff containing polyunsaturated and lower calorie intake are important”, he told Bernama.
Although treatment is available, prevention is always better than cure, the cardiologist said.
Introduce you the Red Yeast Rice & Artichokes Extract
The Red Yeast Rice was extracted from rice that’s been fermented with a type of yeast called Monascus purpureus and had been used in China and other Asian countries for centuries as traditional medicine. It is used to help control cholesterol levels. These include a number of monacolins, most importantly monacolin K. People often used it as a cost-effective alternative to pricey medications to help reduce cholesterol levels and support heart health. Monacolin K is chemically identical to the active ingredient in the cholesterol-lowering drug lovastatin, known as statins. Its function is to lower blood cholesterol levels by reducing the production of cholesterol by the liver. The benefit of monacolin K is for inflammation, metabolic syndrome, blood sugar levels and more. Artichokes Extracts contains high concentrations of compounds found in the plant t is loaded with powerful nutrients as shown in the table below.
- Reduce Cholesterol Level
Red Yeast Rice contains statin that can significantly lower the levels of total cholesterol and specifically LDL (bad cholesterol). By taking 2.4 grams per day reduced LDL levels by 22% and total cholesterol by 16% in 12 weeks and taking 1.2 grams per day lowered LDL levels by 26% in just 8 weeks showed by another study. But these studies depend on the amount of statin that is in the extract and it can vary widely. Artichoke Extract also has a positive effect on cholesterol levels. In 1 of the study 700 people supplemented with artichoke leaf extract daily for 5-13 weeks resulted in a reduction in total and “bad” LDL cholesterol. An animal study shows a 30% reduction in “bad” LDL cholesterol and 22% reduction in triglycerides after regularly consuming artichoke extract. Artichoke extract affects cholesterol in 2 primary ways. 1st, artichokes contain luteolin, and antioxidant that prevents cholesterol formation. 2nd, artichoke encourages the body to process cholesterol more efficiently, leading to overall levels. - Help Regulate Blood Pressure
Artichoke extract can promote the eNOS enzyme, which helps in widening blood vessels. In 1 study 98 men with high blood pressure consuming artichoke for 12 weeks reduce diastolic and systolic blood pressure by an average of 2.76 & 2.85mm Hg. - Improve Liver Health
Artichokes Extract can protect the liver from damage and promote the growth of new tissue. Increase production of bile helps remove harmful toxins from the liver. Artichoke given to rats resulted in less liver damage, higher antioxidant levels, and better liver function. In 1 trial in 90 people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease revealed that consuming 600mg of artichoke extract daily for 2 months led to improved liver function. In another study in obese adults with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, taking artichoke extract daily for 2 months led to improved liver function. This is due to certain antioxidants are found in artichokes which are cynarin and silymarin. - Improve Digestive Health
Artichokes are a great source of fiber, that can help with our digestive system, by promoting friendly gut bacteria, reducing the risk of bowel cancers, and alleviating constipation and diarrhea. It contains inulin, which is a type of fiber that acts as a prebiotic. In 1 of the study, 12 adults experience improvement in gut bacteria when they consume artichoke for 3 weeks. Artichoke also relieves symptoms of indigestion, such as bloating nausea and heartburn. A study in 247 with indigestion consume artichoke for 6 weeks reduce symptoms flatulence and fullness compared not taking artichoke leaf extract. This is due to cynarin, found in artichokes that cause positive effects by stimulating bile production, accelerating gut movement, and improving fat digestion. - Help Lower Blood Sugar
1 small study indicates, by consuming boiled artichoke at a meal can reduce blood sugar and insulin levels by 30 minutes after eating. Artichoke has shown to slow down the activity of alpha-glucosidase, the enzyme that breaks down starch into glucose, potentially impacting blood sugar. - Help with Heart Health
Heart health is a serious condition that affects millions and estimated to account for 31.5% of deaths around the world. This causes by arteries to narrow and stiffen, leading to an increase of heart attack and stroke. In 1 study, 25 people showed that red yeast rice lowered total cholesterol by an average of 15% and “bad” LDL cholesterol by 21% over about 2 months in treatment. This is similar in an 8-week study of 79 people taking 600mg of red yeast twice daily reduced “bad” LDL cholesterol levels, compared to control groups. In one review of 21 studies found that red yeast rice was effective at reducing levels of total & “bad” LDL cholesterol, as well as triglycerides and blood pressure when combined with statin drugs. - Treat Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic Syndrome is a cluster of conditions that increases your risk of chronic conditions, like heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. Some of the criteria of this syndrome are high blood pressure, excess body fat, increased blood sugar and alterations in cholesterol or triglyceride levels. - Reduce Inflammation
The immune system response was designed to protect the body against acute infections and foreign invaders. Sustained inflammation is due to chronic conditions like diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. A study in 50 people with metabolic syndrome containing red yeast and olive extract reduces oxidative levels of oxidative stress which is the key cause of chronic inflammation had gone up to 20%. - An Anticancer Properties
Red yeast rice may help reduce the growth and spread of cancer cells. Mice were given red yeast rice significantly decreased tumor volume and compared to a control group showed in 1 study. By treating prostate cancer with red yeast rice were able to decrease cancer cell growth more than using lovastatin (a cholesterol-lowering medication with anticancer effects) showed in a test tube study. An animal and test-tube studies note that artichoke extract weakened cancer growth. There are certain antioxidants which are rutin, quercetin, silymarin and gallic acid are responsible for these anticancer effects.
References:
- webmd.com
- healthline.com
- nccih.nih.gov
- www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2018/10/419749/malaysians-developing-heart-disease-younger-age#:~:text=According%20to%20the%202015%20National,32.6%20per%20cent%20in%202011
