Before you get chelation treatment or take any other type of alternative medicine for heart disease, learn about the risks. If you’r...
Before you get chelation treatment or take any other type of alternative medicine for heart disease, learn about the risks.
If you’re thinking
about trying alternative medicine to treat your heart disease, speak
to your doctor first. Some herbs and dietary supplements can have serious side
effects, and a popular treatment called chelation therapy could put your health
at risk.
Donald Novey, MD, a
family physician and natural medicine specialist in Chicago, recommends “that
people either consult with their physician, or see an integrative cardiologist
who is a heart specialist and knows about the safe use of herbs and
supplements.” He cautions against using supplements for heart disease
without first discussing it with your doctor, since there’s the possibility “of
failing to treat a heart condition properly because herbs and supplements are
being used [instead of] of better treatment.”
Alternative Medicine
for Heart Disease: The Key Is Prevention
Conventional and
alternative medicine experts agree that lifestyle choices can influence your
risk of developing heart disease, the nation’s No. 1 killer. “Exercise is
cheap, and there are no drug interactions,” Dr. Novey says. A diet that’s low
in saturated fat and high in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids can also help guard
against heart disease.
According to Novey,
omega-3 fatty acids are “one of the most outstanding cardiac risk reducers out
there.” Omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation, a risk factor for heart
disease; boost high-density lipoprotein (HDL), known as "good"
cholesterol; and act as a mild blood thinner, which may help stave off blood
clots.
To get those omega-3s,
the American Heart Association (AHA) recommends eating fish at least twice a
week or taking natural fish oil. People with heart rhythm problems should talk
to their cardiologist before taking fish oil capsules, however, since these
supplements may exacerbate underlying conditions that cause irregular
heartbeats.
Reducing stress is key
to controlling blood pressure and helping to prevent heart disease. Alternative
medicine like deep breathing, yoga, and tai chi are good stress-relieving
activities. “One of the biggest gifts you can give yourself is to learn how to
relax,” Novey says.
Alternative Medicine
for Heart Disease: Chelation Therapy
Chelation therapy is
a medical treatment commonly used to rid the body of heavy metals, like treating
lead or mercury poisoning. Its use in treating heart disease is controversial
and questionable.
During chelation
treatments, an amino acid called EDTA (ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid) is
injected. It binds to heavy metals and minerals and leaves through the urine.
People who support the use of chelation therapy for heart disease say EDTA can
also remove the calcium deposits that help form dangerous arterial blockages.
Typically, chelation
therapy for heart disease requires many infusions over the span of four weeks
and costs thousands of dollars, which is not covered by insurance. The FDA, the
AHA, the National Institutes of Health, and the American College of Cardiology,
among others, say there’s no proof that chelation therapy helps to treat or prevent
heart disease.
According to the AHA,
the EDTA used in chelation therapy can lead to serious complications, including
kidney failure, low blood pressure, seizures, and difficulty breathing.
Chelation therapy has even been associated with several deaths.
A large, long-term
study is being conducted to determine the safety and effectiveness of chelation
therapy for heart disease. Until the study is completed, the known risks of
chelation therapy for heart disease appear to outweigh any potential benefits.
Alternative Medicine
for Heart Disease: Dietary Treatments
High cholesterol is a
major risk factor for developing coronary heart disease. Novey says certain
foods and supplements can help you manage your cholesterol:
- Niacin. This B vitamin works
in the liver to reduce the fatty acids that form cholesterol. Niacin can
help lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglyceride levels while
boosting HDL. Potential side effects include nausea, intense flushing, and
liver problems. Niacin should only be taken under a doctor's supervision
since special blood tests are necessary to monitor for liver damage.
- Red
yeast rice. Researchers
have found that this Chinese supplement can lower LDL and triglycerides.
Red yeast rice contains monacolin K, which is a statin — a chemical
compound that lowers cholesterol. In fact, monacolin K is the principal
ingredient in the prescription cholesterol drug lovastatin (Mevacor).
The U.S.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned certain brands of red yeast rice
due to concerns that the statin levels can cause muscle, liver, and kidney
damage. The FDA ordered manufacturers to remove the statin in red yeast rice
sold in the United States, but several brands still contain it. Talk to your
doctor before taking red yeast rice to treat your heart disease, since it can
interact with prescription drugs.
- Plant
sterols (phytosterols). Sterols are naturally found in
nuts, fruits, vegetables, and some vegetable oils. They have been shown to
help lower LDL and are now being added to food products such as juice,
mayonnaise, and margarine.
- Oat
fiber. The
soluble fiber in oats likely helps the body get rid of excess cholesterol,
which can improve heart disease. The American Dietetic Association
recommends three grams of soluble fiber a day to help lower cholesterol
and possibly lower blood pressure.
Novey recommends
eating natural, unprocessed foods for optimal heart health. “Nature has this
all figured out — changing the food changes what nature intended.”
