🎧How to keep your heart ticking healthy
Did you know there is something more important that garlic or reseveratrol for your heart that are often overlooked? Learn what tests to get to keep your heart ticking healthy. Read or Listen now.
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How do you make a lasting marketing impressions when you have no internet, TV wasn’t a thing yet and cars were still a thing of luxury? You make your product as fun and colourful as you can. In the 1930’s R.H. Burton, owner of Shell gas distributor Quality Oil Co., along with his son, Ralph came up with the idea to turn their gas stations into the brilliant orange-yellow clam Shell Oil company logo. In total there were 8 clamshell gas stations, 7 in Winston-Salem North Carolina area, the 8th in the neighboring town of Kernersville. Only one remains today sitting quietly surrounded by homes at the corner of Sprague and Peachtree Street in Winston-Salem. It finally closed its one door in 1950s. Members of Preservation North Carolina bought the building and spent $50,000 restoring it to its glory days and was successful in placing the site on the National Register of Historic Places. As the cars were whizzing by me, I tried to imagine what this intersection looked like back then.
1111 East Sprague St., at the intersection of Sprague and Peachtree Sts., Do not worry, you will not miss it! it’s the brightest thing on the corner.
How to keep your heart ticking healthy
As we age, safeguarding our heart's health becomes a priority. By the time we hit 50, it feels like we either know someone who's survived a heart attack or lost someone to it. Many believe that consuming a healthy diet and taking a daily multivitamin guarantees heart protection. But does it?
While a multivitamin is a good starting point, the way we eat and process food today often means even with a multivitamin we fall short. Moreover, without understanding our genetic SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms), investing in supplements might prove futile.
Through utilizing Diagnostic Solutions Labratory OMX | Organic Metabolomics Plasma and Urine lab testing in my practice, I found a startling revelation surface: a staggering ninety-eight percent of my clients exhibited deficiencies in B vitamins.
Even a client recovering from cancer, who consumed a multitude of supplements and nutritional IV’s without desired outcomes on cancer screening tests, discovered deficiencies in 3 B vitamins through the OMX tests. Administering high doses of these vitamins for 3 months, alongside her existing regimen, finally normalized her markers. This realization was eye-opening indeed.
B vitamins surpass trending ingredients like garlic, collagen or resveratrol in importance. B vitamins act as vital cofactors in enzymatic reactions within the body, facilitating hormone and neurotransmitter production, influencing amino acids, and impacting our organs, skin, hair, nails, moods, behaviors, intestinal tract, and heart health.
During your annual physical, consider asking your doctor to include a homocysteine test in routine medical labs. While some physicians might resist, this test, priced at less than a week's worth of a daily Starbuck coffee, assesses heart disease risk and potential B vitamin deficiencies such as vitamins B6, B12 and B9 (folate) often overlooked by conventional medical assessments.
Markers like homocysteine, hemoglobin, MCV, MCH, and MCHC on blood work are specifically linked to B vitamins. Additionally, checking iron and ferritin levels can reveal more about potential deficiencies. Iron deficiencies are often misunderstood and merely supplementing iron without addressing B vitamin deficiencies could be ineffective. Not to mention causing iron overload in some, feeding opportunistic bacteria and constipation.
Studies indicate the critical role of vitamins in cardiovascular health, with deficiencies in vitamins like A, B6, folic acid, C, D, and E linked to cardiovascular abnormalities. Conversely, supplementing these vitamins has shown promise in reducing cardiovascular risk factors and do not carry threatening side effects that some cardiovascular drugs do.
Research further suggests that higher intakes of folic acid, vitamin B6, and B12 are associated with lower cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in the general population.
Elevated homocysteine levels often indicate deficiencies in folate, vitamin B6, and B12. Studies have demonstrated supplementing with Folic acid and vitamin B12 can reduce plasma homocysteine concentrations, potentially mitigating cardiovascular risk.
One of my younger clients in his early 20’s was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis and put on the drug ELIQUIS®, a life long drug. We found from the results of regular blood tests, OMX | Organic Metabolomics Plasma and Urine lab testing he was extremely deficient in folate, vitamins B2, B6, B12, B9 (folate). Then I ran his raw 23AndMe data through my PureGenomics Nutritional Data base and the puzzle came together. Turns out he has the genetic polymorphisms for Vitamins B2, B6, B12 and folate. Which means, taking regular or synthetic B vitamins are of detriment.
No wonder his homocysteine was high; his B vitamins were low. When B vitamins are low, they can lead to increased homocysteine, blood clots and cardiovascular dysfunction. The Pure Genomics results also revealed he needed more vitamin B2, B6 and zinc than the average person. We immediately started him on high dosages of B vitamins and a particular form of zinc.
Getting off the ELIQUIS®, we got lucky. He had to have an unrelated surgery, which meant the doctors stopping the drug. We had the doctors check his homocysteine before leaving the hospital and it was now very low and did not require the ELIQUIS®, any more. That is the power of knowing your genes and physiology and how it can not only protect your heart but prevent other illness.
It is not just taking B vitamins. We of course have to take inventory of lifestyle and diet factors that could contribute to B vitamin deficiencies. Various factors can deplete B vitamins, including
stress
digestive issues impacting absorption
SIBO (small intestinal overgrowth)
surgeries
daily alcohol consumption
smoking, tobacco
low B vitamin foods
prolonged keto, vegan, or low-carb diets
Gentic polymorphism SNPs
Long-term malnutrition significantly contributes to heart disease development.
Considering taking B vitamins solely depends on individual blood work results. Advocating for necessary tests from doctors can be challenging; however, comprehensive plasma and urine testing like OMX provide deeper insights into metabolic health. If you are struggling to get them, these are tests I can get for you including routine blood work. Completely private, if you do not want to share the results, with me, you do not have to. I sign you up for a private account, send the requisitions, kits to you and that’s it. However, I am always available for a one-on-one consultation to discuss your results and plan of action.
Email me hellokarenlangston@gmail.com or call/message me 623 203.5223
Apart from routine blood work, additional tests like
vitamin B12
folate
thiamine
pyridoxal 5'-Phosphate (PLP)
homocysteine
iron
ferritin
hemoglobin
urine transketolase
urine methylmalonic acid
can be pivotal in assessing B vitamin status. Don’t take “no” for an answer when you approach your doctor. If it is “no”, other than a couple of states you can order your own tests.
Taking B vitamins can be beneficial, especially if genetic analysis from services like Ancestry or 23andMe indicates polymorphisms for B6, B12, and folic acid, requiring methylated forms.
Moreover, neglecting specific B vitamins, especially thiamine (B1), could lead to severe neurological and cardiac implications. Thiamine deficiency, often disregarded unless linked to alcohol abuse, can manifest as mental health issues, neurological abnormalities, and even congestive heart failure. Imagine protecting your heart with thiamine?
Deficiency in thiamine can lead to not only neurological abnormalities but also congestive heart failure. Most of us are deficient in thiamine. A study in Cells, Hiding in Plain Sight: Modern Thiamine deficiency found
“With an average diet, even a poor one, it is not difficult to meet that daily requirement, and yet, measurable thiamine deficiency has been observed across multiple patient populations with incidence rates ranging from 20% to over 90% depending upon the study. This suggests that the RDA requirement may be insufficient to meet the demands of modern living. Inasmuch as thiamine deficiency syndromes pose great risk of chronic morbidity, and if left untreated, mortality, a more comprehensive understanding thiamine chemistry, relative to energy production, modern living, and disease, may prove useful.”
Did you know that all it takes is 3 weeks for a clinical manifestations of symptoms related to a deficiency of thiamine?
Thiamine when it dips too low, can cause behavioral and mental heath issues including psychiatric symptoms including confusion, reduced memory and sleep disturbances. The brain is highly vulnerable to thiamine deficiency due to its heavy reliance on mitochondrial ATP production. Extreme deficiency can cause seizures that can result in permanent brain damage to death.
Unrecognized B vitamin deficiencies are common in early-onset dementia and Alzheimer's cases. Sometimes neuropathy is misdiagnosed requiring medication whereas it could be as simple as a B vitamin deficiency. Or, the right type of B vitamin. B vitamins play a significant role in regulating blood sugar, and their impact extends far beyond heart health.
In essence, incorporating B vitamins into your daily supplement regimen could be a game-changer for maintaining heart-ticking health and overall well-being, potentially reducing the need for unnecessary medications.
Is the health of your heart worth it?
In general, it is best to avoid synthetic or fortified B vitamin complexes if you do not know what your genetic SNYPs are. Always take a B vitamin complex and with food as they help to break down fats, protein and carbohydrates.
What B Vitamins should I get?
Here are 3 I recommend* and use personally with my family. They are gluten free and NON-GMO. You can get these through your free Fullscript account where you always get 10% off your order plus, free shipping (over $49) All you have to do is sign up here, copy and paste either the name below or the SKU into the search field in Fullscript. That simple. Plus, I appreciate your business.
*Pure Encapsulations PureGenomics B-Complex
SKU: PUR-PGB1
Designed to address the nutrient requirements of common genetic variations in the methylation pathway with a unique blend of B vitamins in highly researched and activated forms. One Vegetable Capsule contains ;
Thiamin ... 25mg (as thiamin HCl)(B1)
Riboflavin ... 15mg (vitamin B2 and 67% riboflavin 5 phosphate (activated B2))
Niacin ... 50mg (as niacinamide)
Vitamin B6 ... 50mg (as pyridoxine HCl and 20% pyridoxal 5 phosphate (activated B6))
Folate ... 1,333 mcg DFE (L-5-MTHF 800 mcg) (as Metafolin®, L-5-MTHF)
Vitamin B12 ... 800mcg (as adenosylcobalamin and 50% hydroxycobalamin)
Biotin ... 400mcg
Pantothenic Acid ... 100mg (as calcium pantothenate)(B5)
Choline ... 40mg (as choline bitartrate)
Inositol ... 25mg
BenfoPure® Benfotiamine ... 3mg
*Pure Encapsulations B-Complex Plus
SKU: PUR-BCP6
B-Complex Plus is a blend of various B vitamins including methylated forms that specifically supports the functionality of the nervous system. It is a higher source of thiamine. 1–2 capsules daily, in divided doses, with meals contains;
Thiamin ... 100mg (as thiamin HCl)(B1)
Riboflavin ... 12.7mg (vitamin B2 and 60% riboflavin 5' phosphate (activated B2))
Niacin ... 108mg (as niacinamide and 8% inositol hexaniacinate (no-flush niacin))
Vitamin B6 ... 16.7mg (as pyridoxine HCl and 40% pyridoxal 5' phosphate (activated B6))
Folate ... 667mcg DFE (L-5_MTHF 400mcg) (as Metafolin®, L-5-MTHF)
Vitamin B12 ... 400mcg (as methylcobalamin)
Biotin ... 400mcg
Pantothenic Acid ... 100mg (as calcium pantothenate)(B5)
*Pure Encapsulations B6 Complex
SKU: PUR-B6C26
B6 Complex is a blend of B vitamins with an emphasis on the methylated forms of vitamin B6 and thiamine. Vitamin B6 is important in amino acid metabolism, hemoglobin formation, nerve impulse transmissions, hormone synthesis and and cognitive function. One capsule provides;
Thiamin ... 100mg (as thiamin HCl)(B1)
Riboflavin ... 15mg (as vitamin B2 and 67% riboflavin 5 phosphate (activated B2))
Niacin ... 110mg (as niacinamide and 9% inositol hexaniacinate (no flush niacin))
Vitamin B6 ... 200mg (as pyridoxine HCl and 5% pyridoxal 5 phosphate (activated B6))
Folate ... 667mcg DFE (L-5-MTHF 400mcg) (as Metafolin®, L-5-MTHF)
Vitamin B12 ... 1000mcg (as methylcobalamin, 30% adenosylcobalamin and 30% hydroxycobalamin HCl)
Biotin ... 400mcg
Pantothenic Acid ... 100mg (as calcium pantothenate)(B5)
Choline ... 12mg (as choline bitartrate)
Inositol ... 25mg
If you are interested in getting your 23andme done, the kit you require is the Health + Ancestry Service.
Until next time have a healthy week full of robust heart beats.
Cheers,
~Karen
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
The opinions in this post and audio are those of the author based on personal experience only and are not intended as medical or psychological advice. If you are experiencing symptoms that require professional treatment, please contact a licensed medical practitioner.