Endothelial dysfunction: what is it?

Patrick Blanchard said:

I just wanted to give you some information about endothelial dysfunction
that you might interesting, since there are some threads about this and
fish oil. enjoy! pb

Volume 5, Number 6: November 2003 • Nutrition • pp. 506-513

Assessing Endothelial Function As a Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Disease

by Alan L. Hinderliter, MD and Melissa Caughey, BS

The vascular endothelium plays a key role in the prevention of
atherosclerosis. Endothelial dysfunction is an antecedent of clinical
cardiovascular disease and can be viewed as the final pathway between
coronary risk factors and the development of atherosclerosis. The
development of a noninvasive method of assessing endothelial health (ie,
measurement of flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery) has enabled
investigators to evaluate the effects of dietary patterns on vascular
function. Emerging evidence indicates that dietary fats may acutely impair
endothelial function, but this effect is dependent on the type of fat and
on the other nutrients consumed. Although inconclusive, studies in cohorts
of modest size suggest that antioxidants,

An exception:
"This large trial did not show that
antioxidant vitamins were beneficial for
preventing vascular events."

Reference:
http://www.cfpc.ca/cfp/2003/Jun/vol49-jun-critical-1.asp

Quoted message said:

L-arginine, and folic acid may
modulate endothelial function. Additional research is needed to define the
impact of complex, long-term dietary patterns on the vascular endothelium.

--
~~~
Patrick Blanchard, M.D., A.B.F.P.
Board Certified in Family Practice

What sentence structures can be used to
spread rumours?
Here are some examples:
"... can be viewed as ..."
"Emerging evidence indicates ..."
"Although inconclusive,..."
"... may ..."
"Additional research is needed..."

Fortunately, they are used only sparingly.

Excessive use of these structures should
raise a flag to the reader that there is very
little substance in the paragraph and lots of
speculation.

Political parties and politicians also
publish speculation.

A.L.

In article <[email hidden]>,

Al. Lohse said:

"This large trial did not show that
antioxidant vitamins were beneficial for
preventing vascular events."

Reference:
http://www.cfpc.ca/cfp/2003/Jun/vol49-jun-critical-1.asp

In my opinion, the dosages - especially for vitamin C is much too low.
Dr. Pauling put forth the idea that the levels should be more to the
tune of 5-12 grams/day, not 250mg. I'd certainly like to see a study
done at the levels he proposed.

Owen Lowe said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

Al. Lohse said:

"This large trial did not show that
antioxidant vitamins were beneficial for
preventing vascular events."

Reference:
http://www.cfpc.ca/cfp/2003/Jun/vol49-jun-critical-1.asp

In my opinion, the dosages - especially for vitamin C is much too low.
Dr. Pauling put forth the idea that the levels should be more to the
tune of 5-12 grams/day, not 250mg. I'd certainly like to see a study
done at the levels he proposed.

You might be right, but:

Dr. Pauling certainly had the stature, if not
the resources, to direct research in that
area.

IMHO, antioxidants are overemphasized. The
vitamins are essential, but there is a super
antioxidant in Buckminsterfullerine, a
molecule of many carbon atoms (C64?), which
the proponents of vitamins C and E have
apparently ignored.

A.L.