Page 5 - June Rolling Stone

Page 5
June, 2016
Alert!
Dr. Julie Smith AIH Complementary Medicine
Administrator’s Corner
By Andres Bardelas Administrator, Liberty Village of Freeport A Not-For-Profit Medicare 5-Star Rated Provider
I know that I have already written an article about the use of statin drugs, however this new research cannot be ignored. Researchers in Japan found that statin drugs do indeed lower circulating levels of "bad" LDL (low density lipoprotein) but exhibit no benefit in prevention of coronary heart disease!
Statin drugs reduce cell energy to the heart muscle cells as measured by ATP in the power plant (mitochondria) of the living cells. Statins reduce cellular energy by depletion of an internal antioxidant coenzyme Q10. Statin drugs are described as "mito- chondrial toxins". Cellular energy depletion leads to heart mus- cle damage.
Statin drugs deplete the trace mineral selenium that is required to produce an internal antioxidant-glutathione peroxi- dase, which is inhibited by statin drugs. A decline
in glutathione levels is associated with coronary heart disease, (among other issues including brain function). . Statin drugs also inhibit the conversion of vitamin K-1 from vegetable sources to vitamin K-2 that in turn acts to inhibit calcification of coronary arteries that supply the heart with oxygen and nutrients. The combination of vitamin K- depleting blood thinners, (warfarin), with statin drugs, which is a common combination, hastens the development of artery stiffening calcifications. Researchers in Japan also note that statin drugs impair the human immune sys- tem. They found on a large-scale study on patients with choles- terol higher than 220 that after 6 years of statin use an increase in mortality for cardiovascular disease, cancer and all causes was recorded.
Statin drug users may experience heart failure on average 6 years following statin drug use. Cessation of statin drug use by heart failure patients and supplementation with 240 mg of coen- zyme Q10 showed significant improvement in the heart muscle function.
Also keep in mind one of the major complaints of statin users is muscle weakness and pain in muscles and joints.
I am encouraging those that are on statin medications to please consult with your medicine prescriber and re-evaluate your need for the medication. And please be sure to supple- ment with coenzyme Q10. Here’s to your good health and longevity.
Sincerely submitted, Julie D. Smith DN DC AIH Complementary Medicine 418 W. Meadows Dr. • Freeport Illinois 815 297-0889 • www.aihcompmed.com
Today’s active seniors know that a full, vibrant and independ- ent lifestyle demands that they participate in activities for the body, mind and spirit. None is more important than the other, but a healthy balance of all three is critical to keep one tuned up. The following are some suggestions of local activities to help you “stay in shape”.
Activities that Build the Body – make sure you get your physician’s approval before embarking on a new exercise pro- gram.
• Exercising – the YMCA, Fitness Lifestyles and Curves (among others) provide individualized exercise programs. AJ’s Fitness Center is available to those living on the Liberty Village of Freeport campus and for those requiring short-term reha- bilitation, our Bounce Back program’s goal is “Rehab, Recover, Return Home”.
• Walking – now that we are starting to have great weather, a walk in your neighborhood, the Burchard Hills Walking Path, Krape Park, Oakdale Nature Preserve, or the Jane Addams Trail, is a great way to start your day.
• Biking – there are several bikeways in our area. Sites per- mitting both walking and biking include the Jane Addams Trail (you can start at the Tutty’s Crossing Trailhead on Stephenson Street), the Dakota Nature Trail, the Stephenson-Black Hawk Trail in Lena and Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Park.
• Other activities include:
- Golf – Park Hills Golf Course, Bush Creek Golf Course, the Lena Golf Club. For a little less physical challenge, try the Krape Park miniature course, the Lions Club Park miniature course or Eilerts Tee Box, an indoor golf facility featuring hi- definition video of premier golf courses;
- Tennis – Krape Park, Read Park and Taylor Park courts;
- Softball – contact the different park districts for informa-
tion;
- Baseball – nothing is better than a little whiffle ball action at Little Cubs Field;
- Swimming at the YMCA, Fitness Lifestyles, Read Park or Cont. on page 11, Corner