March 10, 2022 general

When clinical pharmacist, board-Certified Clinical Nutritionist and prolific author Jim LaValle was on the show last week we hoped to spend more time on cardiovascular health and how it relates to immune function. Between discussing immune health and taking listener calls, we didn’t get to these notes and I thought they were worthwhile.

1. A) Cholesterol. Evidence suggests that cholesterol crystals can build up along the inner walls of arteries and trigger the release of immune molecules called NLRP3 inflammasomes. These molecules can cause inflammation and promote blood vessel injury, leading to certain cardiac events like a stroke or heart attack. Immune cells have receptors that serve as sentry guards. They can sense the presence of harmful molecules like foreign proteins, cell debris, damaged DNA, or cholesterol crystals, and then send out cellular “soldiers” called cytokines to remove the threat. The problem is, abnormally elevated cytokine levels have been linked with coronary artery disease.²Studies suggest that high cytokine levels can overstimulate the immune system, causing inflammation in the inner layer of the blood vessel wall. Lowering cytokine levels with medication or by adopting healthy lifestyle changes may help reduce the risk of unhealthy heart events.
2. B) Circulation also plays a role in a healthy immune system via the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is made up of tissues and organs that extend throughout the body and help eliminate waste and unwanted materials through a fluid called lymph. Lymph contains white blood cells which are crucial to fighting infection. If bacteria are detected in the lymph, your lymph nodes produce more white blood cells to deal with the invaders. Lymph moves through the body via contractions in the lymph vessels, but it is also aided by general movement like breathing in and out, and by the pressure created by pulsating arteries. If circulation is reduced in any way, it may lead to poor lymphatic drainage. This, in turn, reduces the flow of infection-fighting white blood cells, which can lead to an increased risk of infection.
3. C) Blood Pressure. Your blood pressure can also impact your immune health. High blood pressure, technically known as hypertension, is present in more than one billion adults worldwide. While many lifestyle factors contribute to hypertension, the immune system also plays a role. Traditionally, hypertension has been linked to reduced blood flow to the body’s organs and tissues as well as an uptick in inflammation. But some recent evidence suggests that inflammation can also contribute to the development of high blood pressure.

Jim’s lifestyle recommendations for cardio health: Daily exercise, getting seven to nine hours of sleep, eating the recommended daily servings of fruits/veggies/whole grains, etc. And taking the “Rock Star” nutrient Aged Garlic Extract (AGE). On a chemical level, the aging process transforms the unstable, oil-based, odor-causing compounds contained in fresh garlic into stable, water-based, and odor-free ones. In hundreds of studies, these new compounds in AGE have been shown to provide a range of benefits for cardiovascular and immune health.