Category Archives: Endothelial Dysfunction

Metabolic Syndrome: The Common Link Between Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease?

The metabolic syndrome is a cluster of metabolic dysfunctions that centre on the development of insulin resistance. Insulin resistance, is a condition that occurs when the hormone insulin no longer is able to elicit cellular effects efficiently. As a result … Continue reading

Posted in Adipose Tissue, Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes, Endothelial Dysfunction, Insulin Resistance, Metabolic Syndrome, Nitric Oxide | Comments Off on Metabolic Syndrome: The Common Link Between Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease?

Why Are Walnuts Cardioprotective?

Walnuts are nutritionally interesting. Like most nuts, walnuts are a good source of fibre, are high in protein and fat, and low in carbohydrates. Walnuts also contain high concentrations of vitamin and minerals, although the mineral content is dependent on … Continue reading

Posted in Cardiovascular Disease, Cholesterol, Ellagic Acid, Endothelial Dysfunction, HDL, LDL, Nuts, Walnuts | Comments Off on Why Are Walnuts Cardioprotective?

The Vascular Benefits of Flavonoids

Observational studies show that flavonoid rich foods, including fruits and vegetables, are protective of cardiovascular disease. Further, clinical studies investigating the effects of isolated flavonoids in humans and animals show that they are biologically active. The protective effects of flavonoids … Continue reading

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Folic Acid Deficiency: The Cardiovascular Disease Link

Homocysteine is a product of cellular methionine metabolism. Evidence suggests that high levels of plasma homocysteine are a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Homocysteine may interfere with endothelial physiology through inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis, inducing endothelial dysfunction possibly via … Continue reading

Posted in Cobalamin, Endothelial Dysfunction, Folate, Homocysteine, Nitric Oxide, Oxidative Stress, Pyridoxine, Vitamin B | Comments Off on Folic Acid Deficiency: The Cardiovascular Disease Link

The Cholesterol Theory of Cardiovascular Disease: Another Nail In the coffin

The cholesterol theory of cardiovascular disease states that dietary cholesterol and saturated fatty acids are the cause of atherosclerosis, which is in turn is the cause of cardiovascular disease. However, this theory is so shot full of holes it is … Continue reading

Posted in Antioxidant, Blood Pressure, Cardiovascular Disease, Cholesterol, Endothelial Dysfunction, Saturated Fatty Acids, Western Diet | Comments Off on The Cholesterol Theory of Cardiovascular Disease: Another Nail In the coffin

The Cardioprotective Effects of Walnuts

Posted in Alpha Linolenic Acid, Cardiovascular Disease, Ellagic Acid, Endothelial Dysfunction, Essential Fatty Acids, L-arginine, Nitric Oxide, Walnuts | Comments Off on The Cardioprotective Effects of Walnuts

Blueberries For Blood Vessel Health

Diets high in plant foods are protective of health. In particular, plant based diets appear to be protective of cardiovascular disease. Plants produce polyphenolic substances as secondary metabolites and many of these chemicals are biologically active in humans. The absorption … Continue reading

Posted in Anthocyanins, Blueberries, Cardiovascular Disease, Endothelial Dysfunction, Flavonoids, Polyphenols | Comments Off on Blueberries For Blood Vessel Health

Fish Oils and Artery Stiffness

Fatty fish are a rich source of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6 (n-3)) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5 (n-3)). These fatty acids are produced by algae, and bioaccumulate in fish, becoming more concentrated in the larger fish at the top of … Continue reading

Posted in Docosahexaenoic Acid, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Endothelial Dysfunction, Fish, Fish Oils, Inflammation, Oxidative Stress | Comments Off on Fish Oils and Artery Stiffness

Dietary Arginine and Nitric Oxide Production

Nitric oxide is a signal molecule that has an extensive role in the regulation of cellular function. In particular, nitric oxide is required for the dilation of arteries and low levels in the endothelial lining of the arteries is thought … Continue reading

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Isoflavones Improve Vascular Function: More on Equol

Flavonoids are polyphenolic molecules that are produced by plants. In plants, flavonoids are thought to be used as attraction molecules for insects as well as antioxidants to protect fruits and other delicate and important structures from environmentally produced free radicals. … Continue reading

Posted in Blood Pressure, Cardiovascular Disease, Endothelial Dysfunction, Equol, Flavan-3-ols, Flavonoids, Isoflavones | Comments Off on Isoflavones Improve Vascular Function: More on Equol