Unlocking the mystery of heart health.

Issue No. 8
May 25,2005

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Today's Heart Health Articles  

1. Millen's musings.

2. Coconut Oil: Deadly or Life Saving?

3. New and revised web pages.

    a. Saturated Fat Will Reduce Your Risk of A Heart Attack

    b. Triglycerides, A Big Word and A Big Problem

4. Heart Health Tip: 15 minute heart rate test.

5. Laughter is the best medicine.

Millen's Musings

I admit it. I'm a "sweet-o-holic". My nutrition motto is "Life is uncertain...eat dessert first." When I was a kid I couldn’t wait for those delicious pies and cakes I loved so much to come out of the oven. And I still can't.

The shortening that Mom used for baking in those days was Crisco. In the "olden days" we had never heard of trans fats and had no inkling that one tablespoon of Crisco contains 2 grams of trans fats. Some of you are thinking, "And your point is?" The point is trans fats can give you a heart attack.

In the Nurses' Health Study of over 80,000 nurses, it was shown that adding about 3 grams of trans fat daily to their diet increased heart disease risk by nearly 200%! Although I can't prove it, I believe that the trans fat/sugar combination played a big part in clogging 6 of my favorite arteries.

Gene

Coconut oil has gotten a bad rap.

You may be surprised to learn that Coconut oil is the heart health oil choice for baking and frying. It has a pleasant flavor, can be heated to 375 degrees without breaking down and is perfect for popcorn.

The negative publicity for coconut oil started four decades ago when researchers fed animals  coconut oil that was altered to remove the essential fatty acids.

For reasons that are unclear, the researchers destroyed the excellent coconut oil by heating it to a high temperature and pumping hydrogen into it thus changing it to a highly toxic trans fat. 

In summary they ruined the coconut oil and then blamed the oil for the resulting negative health results. Go figure.

According to Jane Heimlich, author of “What Your Doctor Won’t Tell You”, the American Soybean Association jumped on the band wagon by advising their members to protest to public officials that coconut and palm oils were “a threat to health and stealing U.S. soybean oil markets.”
 

Major food companies, sensitive to consumer fears replaced the healthy tropical oils with toxic trans fat laden hydrogenated vegetable oils.

This is a perfect example of how great lobbying and advertising can mold public opinion. The ironic and sad thing about the 40-year negative campaign against coconut oil is the amazing health benefits that are being missed.

Coconut oil has been found to aid the body in destroying dozens of harmful viruses, supports the immune system, improves chronic fatigue, boosts energy and will even help you lose excess body fat.
 

Dr. Mary G. Enig, one of the world’s leading biochemists and a pioneer in research on fats and oils explains: "The fact is that for the last four decades, saturated fats, including coconut oil, have been condemned for the misdeeds of polyunsaturated fats, trans fats, and refined carbohydrates.” The diet police have arrested the wrong suspect.

Dr. Enig is also coauthor of a new eye opening book titled "Eat Fat Lose Fat" which discusses in depth the research on fats and oils and many of the erroneous conclusions that we take for granted as the truth.

Jon J. Kabara, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Michigan State University says, “Never before in the history of man is it so important to emphasize the value of the Lauric oils in coconuts. These fats are similar to fats in mother’s milk and have similar nutriceutical effects.”

If you going to try coconut oil there are some things to watch for. The quality can vary widely so be sure to look for organic virgin coconut oil made from fresh coconuts. Avoid the expeller pressed brands even though they are naturally cheaper. We use and recommend the Nutiva brand which you can find at the Heart Health Store.

Well, it’s time to wrap this up. I’m heading into the kitchen to pop a batch of popcorn…in delicious, nutritious, coconut oil. Topped off with a generous amount of butter. Ummm good.

PS Micro wave popcorn is high in trans fats.

 New and revised web pages

1. Saturated Fat Will Reduce Your Risk of A Heart Attack

2. Triglycerides, A Big Word That Can Create A Big Problem

 Heart Health tip

1. The 15 Minute Heart Rate Test

Researchers at Cleveland Clinic Foundation have developed a predictor of heart disease based on your recovery heart rate. Here's how it works. Exercise for a few minutes (that's the hard part for some of you) to get up to 70% or more of your maximum rate.

To find your maximum heart rate deduct your age from the number 220. For example if you are age 50 your maximum heart rate is 220-50 = 170 and 70% of 170 is your "target.

Stop and rest for one minute and check your heart rate. It should drop 13 beats or more below the exercise heart rate.

If it doesn't your exercise needs to be beefed up.

Laughter is the Best Medicine

Lost in the darndest places
An elderly Floridian called 911 on her cell phone to report that her car has been broken into. She is hysterical as she explains her situation to the dispatcher: "They've stolen the stereo, the steering wheel, the brake pedal and even the accelerator!" she cried. The dispatcher said," Stay calm". An officer is on the way." A few minutes later, the officer radios in. "Disregard." He says. "She got in the back-seat by mistake."