John Arts Abundant Living www.johnarts.co.nz

Well formulated supplements can introduce nutrients and compounds that can have profound health benefits.

Most people will have heard of the ‘French paradox' – this is the apparent contradiction that the French have a diet high in saturated fats, yet have very low rates of coronary heart disease.
The French diet also has one of the highest intakes of certain antioxidants found in red wine that help prevent cholesterol from becoming dangerous.
Red wine is loaded with antioxidants, but the two with the greatest heart protective qualities are proanthocyanidins (known as OPC) and resveratrol.
These potent antioxidants protect cholesterol from oxidation and can help reduce inflammation in the coronary artery walls. Additionally, they help to prevent blood from becoming too sticky, allowing good blood flow.
A study titled ‘Cardioprotective Effects of Dietary Polyphenols' (Zern et al, 2005), observed the benefits these compounds have on cholesterol metabolism; and very importantly in reducing the inflammatory process that is a major contributor to blocked arteries.
Both OPC and resveratrol can also reduce levels of inflammatory compounds called cytokines, which is why I always include therapeutic levels through supplements in people with cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases.
Also, they are helpful for any form of inflammation as they deal with the source of the problem.
Rather than rushing out to buy a supplement with OPC or resveratrol, the real benefits are when different antioxidants are combined at the right doses.
The ideal solution is an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant dense diet combined with appropriate antioxidants, minerals and vitamins from well formulated supplements.
But it is very important to have a programme created for your circumstances, so feel free to contact me if you need some ideas.
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John Arts is a qualified Nutritional Therapist and founder of Abundant Health. Contact John on 0800 423 559.
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