The Secret Cause of Heart Attacks (Hint: It’s NOT Cholesterol)
Dear Reader,
It’s not every day that a mainstream medical myth is busted by the mainstream itself.
But mark your calendars, folks, because today is that day.
A landmark study has identified the true underlying cause of major cardiovascular events like heart attacks and stroke.
And guess what?
It had nothing to do with cholesterol!
I’ve been saying for years that cholesterol isn’t the killer the majority of the medical community makes it out to be. Millions of Americans are on cholesterol-lowering statins, yet it hasn’t put a dent in heart attacks and strokes.
A full 25 percent of those who have had one cardiovascular event will have ANOTHER within 5 years even though they’re taking a statin drug.
I was beginning to think no one in the mainstream was putting two and two together, but this latest study gives me hope.
This study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine, and it included more than 10,000 people who had a previous heart attack.
The researchers wanted to find out if targeting inflammation – as opposed to cholesterol – would reduce the risk of having another cardiovascular event in the future.
All of the patients in this study had chronically high levels of “high sensitivity C-reactive protein” or hsCRP, which is a standard marker of inflammation.
For the study, the researchers gave the patients an anti-inflammatory drug called canakinumab over a four-year period.
And the results did not disappoint.
Lowering inflammation brought about a 15 percent reduction in the risk of heart attacks and strokes, and a 30 percent reduction in the need for procedures such as bypass surgery and angioplasty.
And the patients who experienced the greatest reductions in hsCRP also experienced the most dramatic benefit: a remarkable 30 percent reduction in their risk of having a second heart attack, stroke, or even dying from a cardiovascular event.
As happy as I am that the mainstream is finally starting to recognize the connection between inflammation and cardiovascular events, I would NOT recommend taking ANY type of drug to lower inflammation levels.
And the good news is, you don’t have to!
Nature has its own anti-inflammatory “wonder drug” – the spice turmeric.
More than 6,000 scientific studies on the compounds in turmeric – namely curcumin – show the anti-inflammatory powers of this flavorful spice.
But whether you’re taking turmeric itself, or a curcumin supplement, make sure you take it with black pepper. The active ingredients in turmeric are poorly absorbed, but adding black pepper makes it 7 times more bioavailable.
If you want to reduce the inflammation in your body, this is hands down one of the best ways to do it.
To a brighter day,
Dr. Richard Gerhauser, M.D.
p.s. I use the hsCRP with my patients to find out if inflammation is a problem, and you can ask your doctor for this simple lab test as well. My cutoff for a healthy CRP is less than 1.
Written By Dr. Richard Gerhauser, M.D.
For years he’s been the trusted doctor for celebrities, world-class athletes, and countless seniors looking to reclaim their health.
And now…for the first time ever… he’s making his medical breakthroughs available to readers all across America.
Dr. Richard Gerhauser, M.D. is one of the most pioneering and innovative minds in medicine today – and he delivers cutting-edge cures each month through his Natural Health Response newsletter.
Natural Health Response readers get full access to Dr. Gerhauser’s protocols for chronic pain… heart disease… diabetes… Alzheimer’s… and even cancer. These are the very same treatments Dr. Gerhauser recommends to his own patients at his practice in Tucson, Arizona.
In addition to being a board-certified medical doctor, Dr. Gerhauser has earned two master’s degrees and has served as a clinical professor at the University of Arizona.
And as a physician at the world-famous Canyon Ranch, Dr. Gerhauser treated celebrities from around the world who paid dearly for the type of next-generation health information he provides Natural Health Response readers each month.
View More Free Articles
Vitamin Intervention SLASHES Blood Pressure
There are a lot of risks that go along with being overweight. Obesity increases your risk of 13 types of cancer, type 2 diabetes, joint issues, bone problems, and even mental health. But number one on the list is the increased risk of high blood pressure, which ultimately raises your risk of heart disease and […]
Fat Fix Puts the Brakes on Brain Aging
Your lifestyle is the biggest factor affecting your health. But if you have a genetic predisposition to a particular disease or condition, you might need to amp up the preventive measures you put into practice. For example, some people carry the APOE4 gene, which is known to increase Alzheimer’s risk. Well, researchers have identified a […]
A 243% Increase in Heart Disease Deaths?!
I’ll never understand why doctors think the answer to the heart disease epidemic is at the bottom of a pill bottle. Has no one noticed that no matter how many prescriptions we write for high blood pressure or high cholesterol, heart disease STILL kills more people in the U.S. than any other disease? I have […]
The Holiday Blues: Protecting Your Mental Health
The holidays are a time of joy and connection for many. But for some folks, they’re the most challenging weeks of the year. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, mental health challenges often peak. With everything from financial worries to the pressure of social expectations, it’s no wonder the holidays bring out the “blues” for so many. […]
Better Blood Sugar in 60 Minutes
Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you have the perfect, peaceful holiday today. But let’s be honest, plenty of us will have to deal with a family member that gets on our nerves. However, dealing with annoying Uncle Al could be the least of your worries because if you’re not careful, the worst thing for your nerves […]
Dr. G’s Holiday Eating Survival Guide
The holidays bring a parade of indulgences—cocktail parties, cookie exchanges, and feasts brimming with carb-heavy, sugar-laden temptations. For the next couple of months, we’ll be surrounded by festive foods and treats we only see this time of year. With all these gatherings, it’s easy to feel torn between enjoying the season and staying healthy. The […]
Simple Ways to Protect Your Mental Health This Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is often portrayed as a time of joy, togetherness, and gratitude. But for many, this season can highlight feelings of loneliness, stress, or loss. With pressures from social media, past family conflicts, or even memories of loved ones, Thanksgiving can be challenging for mental health. Fortunately, nurturing your mental well-being in small ways—starting with […]
The Holiday Treat That Lowers Blood Sugar
I’ll admit it… one of my favorite things about Thanksgiving is homemade pumpkin pie. It’s a guilty pleasure this time of year. So, my advice is to go ahead and indulge. But limit it to a slice, and then do your blood sugar a favor by loading up on plain old pumpkin instead. Here’s why… […]
FDA Declares Popular Decongestant USELESS
If you’ve ever turned to over-the-counter (OTC) cold meds for relief from a stuffy nose, well this news may surprise you… The FDA is proposing a ban on oral phenylephrine, the ingredient in many popular decongestants. Why? Because it doesn’t work. Despite being the main decongestant ingredient in OTC brands like Sudafed PE, Tylenol Cold […]
5 Ways to “Beat the Bloat” This Thanksgiving
As we prepare for Thanksgiving week, there’s a lot to look forward to and be thankful for. Family gatherings, football games, great food, and even better desserts top the list. Then there are all the leftovers. It’s not a holiday that’s known for moderation. But if you’re not careful, overdoing it on Thanksgiving could leave […]