Prescription Alternatives

by Earl Mindell; Virginia Hopkins

  Water

  Geoffroy-Perez, B., and S. Cordier. “Fluid Consumption and the Risk of Bladder Cancer: Results of a Multicenter Case-Control Study.” International Journal of Cancer 93, no. 6 (September 15, 2001): 880–87.

  Kahn, H. A., et al. “Association Between Reported Diet and All-Cause Mortality: Twenty-One-Year Follow-Up on 27,530 Adult Seventh-Day Adventists.” American Journal of Epidemiology 119, no. 5 (May 1984): 775–87.

  Chapter 10

  Drugs for Heart Disease and Their Natural Alternatives

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  Classen, U. G. “Influence of High and Low Dietary Magnesium Levels on Functional, Chemical and Morphological Parameters of ‘Old’ Rats.” Magnesium Research 7, nos. 3–4 (December 1994): 233–43.

  Decensi, A., et al. “Effect of Transdermal Estradiol and Oral Conjugated Estrogen on C-Reactive Protein in Retinoid-Placebo Trial in Healthy Women.” Circulation 106, no. 10 (September 2002): 1224–28.

  Durlach, J. “Primary Mitral Valve Prolapse: A Clinical Form of Primary Magnesium Deficit.” Magnesium Research 7, nos. 3–4 (December 1994): 339–40.

  _____. “Magnesium and Therapeutics.” Magnesium Research 7, nos. 3–4 (December 1994): 313–28.

  Elin, R. “Magnesium: The 5th But Forgotten Electrolyte.” American Journal of Clinical Pathology 102, no. 5 (1994): 616–22.

  “Final Report on the Aspirin Component of the Ongoing Physicians’ Health Study.” New England Journal of Medicine 321, no. 3 (July 20, 1989): 129–35.

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  Gardner, C. D., et al. “The Effect of Plant-based Diet on Plasma Lipids in Hyper-cholesterolemic Adults.” Annals of Internal Medicine 142, no. 9 (May 3, 2005): 725–33.

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  Igawa, A., et al. “Comparison of Frequency of Magnesium Deficiency in Patients with Vasospastic Angina and Fixed Coronary Artery Disease.” American Journal of Cardiology 75 (April 1, 1995): 728–31.

  Jialal. I., and S. Devaraj. “Inflammation and Atherosclerosis: The Value of the High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein Assay as a Risk Marker.” American Journal of Clinical Pathology 116, supp. (December 2001): S108–15.

  Julius, M., et al. “Glutathione and Morbidity in a Community-Based Sample of Elderly.” Journal of Clinical Epidemiology 47, no. 9 (September 1994): 1021–26.

  Kang, S. S., et al. “Hyperhomocyst(E)Inemia as a Risk Factor for Occlusive Vascular Disease.” Annual Review of Nutrition 12 (1992): 279–98.

  Kinscherf, R., et al. “Effect of Glutathione Depletion and Oral N-Acetyl-Cysteine Treatment on CD4+ and CD8+ Cells.” The FASEB Journal: Official Publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology 8, no. 6 (April 1, 1994): 448–51.

  Lanza, F. L. “A Review of Gastric Ulcer and Gastroduodenal Injury in Normal Volunteers Receiving Aspirin and Other Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs.” Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology 24, no. 163 (supp.) (1989): 24–31.

  Loralie, J., et al. “Hyperhomocyst(e)inemia and the Increased Risk of Venous Thromboembolism.” Archives of Internal Medicine 160 (2000): 961–64.

  Malinow, M. R., et al. “Homocyst(E)Ine, Diet, and Cardiovascular Diseases: A Statement for Healthcare Professionals from the Nutrition Committee, American Heart Association.” Circulation 99 (1999): 178–82.

  Miura, K., et al. “Cystine Uptake and Glutathione Level in Endothelial Cells Exposed to Oxidative Stress.” American Journal of Physiology (January 1992): 262.

  Mizui, T., et al. “Depletion of Brain Glutathione by Buthionine Sulfoximine Enhances Cerebral Ischemic Injury in Rats.” American Journal of Physiology (February 1992): 262.

  Nozue, T., et al. “Magnesium Status, Serum HDL Cholesterol, and Apolipoprotein A-1 Levels.” Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition 20 (1995): 316–18.

  Nygård, O., et al. “Plasma Homocysteine and Mortality in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease.” New England Journal of Medicine 337 (1997): 230–36.

  Paolisso, G., et al. “Plasma GSH/GSSG Affects Glucose Homeostasis in Healthy Subjects and Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetics.” American Journal of Physiology (September 1992): 263.

  Peterson, J. C., and J. D. Spence. “Vitamins and Progression of Atherosclerosis in Hyper-Homocyst(E)Inaemia.” The Lancet 351 (1998): 263.

  Pittler, M. H., R. Guo, E. Ernst, et al. “Hawthorn Extract May Benefit Patients with Chronic Heart Failure.” Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, no. 1 (2008); Issue 1, Art. no.: CD005312. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005312.pub2.

  Pradhan, A. D., et al. “Inflammatory Biomarkers, Hormone Replacement Therapy, and Incident Coronary Heart Disease: Prospective Analysis from the Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study.” Journal of the American Medical Association 288, no. 8 (August 28, 2002): 980–87.

  Ridker, P. M., et al. “Homocysteine and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease Among Postmenopausal Women.” Journal of the American Medical Association 281 (1999): 1817–21.

  _____. “Inflammation, Aspirin, and the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in Apparently Healthy Men.” New England Journal of Medicine 336, no. 14 (April 3, 1997): 973–79.

  Rifai, N., and P. M. Ridker. “Inflammatory Markers and Coronary Heart Disease.” Current Opinion in Lipidology 13, no. 4 (August 2002):
383–89.

  Rifai, N., et al. “C-Reactive Protein and Coronary Heart Disease.” Cardiovascular Toxicology 1, no. 2 (2001): 153–57.

  Sastre, J., et al. “Exhaustive Physical Exercise Causes Oxidation of Glutathione Status in Blood: Prevention by Antioxidant Administration.” American Journal of Physiology 263 (5Pt2) (November 1992): R992–95.

  Schulman, S. P., L. C. Becker, D. A. Kass, et al. “L-arginine Therapy in Acute Myocar-dial Infarction: The Vascular Interaction with Age in Myocardial Infarction (VINTAGE MI) Randomized Clinical Trial.” Journal of the American Medical Association. 295, no. 1 (January 4, 2006): 58–64.

  Selhub, J., et al. “Vitamin Status and Intake as Primary Determinants of Homocysteinaemia in an Elderly Population.” Journal of the American Medical Association 270 (1993): 2693–98.

  Toto, K. H., et al. “Magnesium: Homeostasis, Imbalances, and Therapeutic Uses.” Critical Care Nursing Clinics of North America 6, no. 4 (December 1994): 767–83.

  Van Zandwijk, N. “N-Acetylcysteine for Lung Cancer Prevention.” Chest 107, no. 5 (May 1995): 1437–41.

  Wang, T. J., et al. “C-Reactive Protein Is Associated with Subclinical Epicardial Coronary Calcification in Men and Women: The Framingham Heart Study.” Circulation 106, no. 10 (September 3, 2002): 1189–91.

  Wang, T. J., M. J. Pencina, S. L. Booth, et al. “Vitamin D Deficiency and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease.” Circulation 117, no. 4 (January 2008): 503–11.

  Zairis, M., et al. “C-Reactive Protein and Multiple Complex Coronary Artery Plaques in Patients with Primary Unstable Angina.” Atherosclerosis 164, no. 2 (October 2002): 355.

  High Blood Pressure/Hypertension Drugs

  Beckett, N. S., R. Peters, A. E. Fletcher, et al. (HYVET Study Group). “Treatment of Hypertension in Patients 80 Years of Age or Older.” New England Journal of Medicine 358, no. 18 (May 1, 2008): 1887–98.

  Borok, G. “Nutritional Aspects of Hypertension.” South African Medical Journal 76 (August 5, 1989): 125–26.

  Devereaux P. J., H. Yang, S. Yusuf, et al. (POISE Study Group). “Effects of Extended-Release Metoprolol Succinate in Patients Undergoing Non-Cardiac Surgery (POISE trial): A Randomised Controlled Trial.” Lancet 371, no. 1926 (May 2008): 1839–47.

  Gale, C. R., et al. “Vitamin C and Risk of Death from Stroke and Coronary Heart Disease in Cohorts of Elderly People.” British Medical Journal 310 (1995): 1563–66.

  Kisters, K., et al. “Plasma Magnesium and Total Intracellular Magnesium Ion Content of Lymphocytes in Untreated Normotensive and Hypertensive Patients.” Trace Elements and Electrolytes 13, no. 4 (1996): 163–66.

  Levy, D. “Hypertension from Framingham to ALLHAT: Translating Clinical Trials into Practice.” Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine 74, no. 9 (September 2007): 672–78.

  Lindberg, G., U. Lindblad, L. Bent, et al. “Use of Calcium Channel Blockers as Antihypertensives in Relation to Mortality and Cancer Incidence: A Population-Based Observational Study.” Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety 11 (2002): 493–97.

  Nicolson, D. J., et al. “Lifestyle Interventions for Drugs for Patients with Essential Hypertension: A Systematic Review.” Journal of Hypertension 22, no. 11 (November 2004): 2043–48.

  Oates, D. J., D. R. Berlowitz, M. E. Glickman, et al. “Blood Pressure and Survival in the Oldest Old.” Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 55 (2007): 383–88.

  Romero-Alvira, D., et al. “High Blood Pressure, Oxygen Radicals and Antioxidants: Etiological Relationships.” Medical Hypotheses 46 (1996): 414–20.

  Sanjuliani, A. F., et al. “Effects of Magnesium on Blood Pressure and Intracellular Ion Levels of Brazilian Hypertensive Patients.” International Journal of Cardiology 56 (1996): 177–83.

  Stoschitzky, K., A. Sakotnik, et al. “Influence of Beta-Blockers on Melatonin Release.” European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 55, no. 2 (1999): 111–15.

  Yoshida, M., T. Matsumoto, T. Suzuki, et al. “Effect of Concomitant Treatment with a CYP3A4 Inhibitor and a Calcium Channel Blocker.” Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety 17, no. 1 (January 2008): 70–75.

  Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs

  Aleman, C. L., et al. “A 12-Month Study of Policosanol Oral Toxicity in Sprague Dawley Rats.” Toxicology Letters 70 (1994): 77–87.

  Araghiniknam, M., et al. “Antioxidant Activity of Dioscorea and Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in Older Humans.” Life Sciences 59, no. 11 (1996): 147–57.

  Barnard, J. R., Ph.D., et al. “Effects of Diet and Exercise on Qualitative and Quantitative Measures of LDL and Its Susceptibility to Oxidation.” Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology 16, no. 2 (February 1996): 201–7.

  Batista, J., et al. “Effect of Policosanol on Hyperlipidemia and Coronary Heart Disease in Middle-Aged Patients: A 14-Month Pilot Study.” International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, Therapy and Toxicology 34, no. 3 (1996): 134–37.

  Boston, P. F., et al. “Serum Cholesterol and Treatment-Resistance in Schizophrenia.” Biological Psychiatry 40 (1996): 542–43.

  Brown, D. “Hyperlipidemia and Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease.” Quarterly Review of Natural Medicine (Spring 1997): 61–71.

  Canetti, M., et al. “A Two-Year Study on the Efficacy and Tolerability of Policosanol in Patients with Type II Hyperlipoproteinaemia.” International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology Research 15, no. 4 (1995): 159–65.

  Carbajal, D., et al. “Effect of Policosanol on Platelet Aggregation and Serum Levels of Arachidonic Acid Metabolites in Healthy Volunteers.” Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes, & Essential Fatty Acids 58 (1998): 61–64.

  Chang, A. K., et al. “Low Plasma Cholesterol Predicts an Increased Risk of Lung Cancer in Elderly Women.” Preventive Medicine 24 (1995): 557–62.

  Gardner, C. D., et al. “The Effect of Plant-Based Diet on Plasma Lipids in Hyper-cholesterolemic Adults.” Annals of Internal Medicine 142, no. 9 (May 3, 2005): 725–33.

  Gatto, L. M., et al. “Ascorbic Acid Induces a Favorable Lipoprotein Profile in Women.” Journal of the American College of Nutrition 15, no. 2 (1996): 154–58.

  Gigleux, I., et al. “Comparison of a Dietary Portfolio of Cholesterol-Lowering Foods and a Statin on LDL Particle Size Phenotype in Hypercholesterolaemic Participants,” British Journal of Nutrition 98, no. 6 (December 2007): 1229–36.

  Gotto, A. M., et al. “The Cholesterol Facts: A Summary of the Evidence Relating Dietary Fats, Serum Cholesterol and Coronary Heart Disease.” Circulation 81 (1990): 1721–33.

  Harris, W. S. “N-3 Fatty Acids and Lipoproteins: Comparison of Results from Human and Animal Studies.” Lipids 31, no. 3 (1996): 243–52.

  Heber, D. “Dietary Supplement or Drug? The Case for Cholestin.” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 70, no. 1 (July 1999): 106–8.

  Heber, D., et al. “Cholesterol-Lowering Effects of a Proprietary Chinese Red-Yeast-Rice Dietary Supplement.” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 69, no. 2 (February 1999): 231–36.

  Jancin, B. “Psyllium Adds to Diet for Lowering Cholesterol.” Family Practice News (November 1, 1996): 13.

  Jenkins, D. A., C. C. Kendell, and A. Marchie. “Diet and Cholesterol Reduction.” Annals of Internal Medicine 142, no. 9 (May 3, 2005): 793–94.

  Keys, A. “Coronary Heart Disease in Seven Countries.” Circulation 41, supp. 1 (1970): 1–211.

  Kondo, K., et al. “Inhibition of LDL Oxidation by Cocoa.” The Lancet 348 (November 30, 1996): 1514.

  Kraus, W. E., et al. “Effects of the Amount and Intensity of Exercise on Plasma Lipoproteins.” New England Journal of Medicine 347, no. 19 (November 7, 2002): 1483–92.

  Lien, W. P., M.D., et al. “Low Serum, High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Concentration Is an Important Coronary Risk Factor in Chinese Patients with Low Serum Levels of Total Cholesterol and Triglyceride.” American Journal of Cardiology 77 (May 15, 1996): 1112–15.

  Link, E., S. Parish, J. Armitage, et al. “SLCO1B1 Variants and Statin-Induced Myopathy—A Genomewide Study.” New England Journal of Medicine 359, no
. 8 (August 21, 2008): 789–99.

  “Lipid-Lowering Effects of Red Yeast Rice.” Medical Sciences Bulletin, no. 244 (January 1999).

  Malhotra, S. C., M. M. S. Ahuja, and K. R. Sundarum. “Long-Term Clinical Studies on the Hypolipidemic Effect of Commiphora Mukul (Guggul) and Clofibrate.” Indian Journal of Medical Research 65 (1977): 390–95.

  Mas, R., et al. “Effects of Policosanol in Patients with Type II Hypercholesterolemia and Additional Coronary Risk Factors.” Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 65, no. 4 (1999): 439–47.

  Nestel, P., et al. “The N-3 Fatty Acids Eicosapentaenoid Acid and Docosahexaenoic Acid Increase Systemic Arterial Compliance in Humans.” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 76, no. 2 (August 2002): 326–30.

  Newman, T. B., et al. “Carcinogenicity of Lipid-Lowering Drugs.” Journal of the American Medical Association 275, no. 1 (1996): 55–60.

  Prat, H., O. Roman, and E. Pino. “Comparative Effects of Policosanol and Two HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors on Type II Hypercholesterolemia.” Revista Medica de Chile 127, no. 3 (1999): 286–94.

  Ravnskov, U., M.D. The Cholesterol Myths. Washington, D.C.: New Trends Publishing, 2000.

  Ridker, P. M., N. Rifai, L. Rose, et al. “Comparison of C-Reactive Protein and Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels in the Prediction of First Cardiovascular Events.” New England Journal of Medicine 347 (November 14, 2002): 1557–65.

  Simons, L. A., et al. “What Dose of Vitamin E Is Required to Reduce Susceptibility of LDL to Oxidation?” Australian New Zealand Journal of Medicine 26 (1996): 496–503.

  Steiner, M., et al. “A Double-Blind Crossover Study in Moderately Hypercholesterolemic Men That Compared the Effect of Aged Garlic Extract and Placebo Administration on Blood Lipids.” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 64 (1996): 866–70.

  Stusser, R., et al. “Long-Term Therapy with Policosanol Improves Treadmill Exercise-ECG Testing Performance of Coronary Heart Disease Patients.” International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, Therapy and Toxicology 36 (1998): 469–73.