by Lewis Chang, PhD 1 . What was observed among patients with COVID-19 infection? According to three recently published studies, the most common comorbidities in patients with COVID-19 are hypertension (high blood pressure) and diabetes; roughly 20-30% of them had hypertension, and 6-22% of them had diabetes.1-3 There are other comorbidities reported, such as coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular disease. But hypertension and diabetes appear to be the most common, at least based on currently available data. 2.  Do scientists…

by Mark Houston, MD and Sara Gottfried, MD Abstract. Cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in the United States, is not a single disease. It encompasses three different pathophysiological processes that involve the heart or the blood vessels. When considering whether omega-3 fatty acids have any benefit for our cardiovascular system, there is an enormous amount of misinformation in the news and reputable medical journals. Several articles state that omega-3 fatty acids have no role in cardiovascular disease, but…

HDL cholesterol plays vital roles in lipid biology and coronary heart disease pathophysiology. The main function of HDL is to scavenge for and carry LDL cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, for redistribution, metabolism, and excretion. A high HDL measurement was previously thought to represent high reverse cholesterol transport, conferring heart-protective benefits for patients. But newer research indicates a more complicated HDL picture—where five different HDL forms and unique functionalities are at play. In this MAPS…

Understand components and mechanisms of HDL particles, reverse cholesterol transport,  and how to treat dysfunctional HDL.  

Host: Deanna Minich, PhD Guest: Ali Miller, RD "One person’s superfood can be another’s kryptonite.” – Ali Miller, RD In this discussion, Ali Miller, RD, and Deanna Minich, PhD explore all things food and mood. Their conversations provides an overview of the gut-brain axis and the role that the gut and microbiome play in mood. Ali opens the discussion by describing her personal experience with anxiety. Her unexplained symptoms helped her realize the impact stress could have on the HPA-axis, and…

Get the inside scoop from Sara Gottfried, MD on the latest research on intermittent fasting, time-restricted eating, and the relationship to your metabolism and detoxification abilities. Explore several periodic fasting regimens and how to implement them.

by Mark Houston, MD and Sara Gottfried, MD The top five cardiovascular risk factors are hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, obesity and smoking. Numerous clinical trials suggest that we have reached  a limit in our ability to lower the incidence of coronary heart disease with conventional diagnostic evaluation, prevention and treatment strategies for these risk factors. About 80% of heart disease (heart attacks, angina, coronary heart disease and congestive heart failure) can be prevented by optimal nutrition, optimal exercise, optimal weight…

Alan Christianson, NMD specializes in natural endocrinology with a focus on thyroid disorders. In this episode, Dr. Christianson explores a 28-day approach to weight management designed to reset the metabolism.  

by Mark Houston, MD and Sara Gottfried, MD Abstract. Hypertension is the most common and modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Rather than a disease, hypertension is a manifestation of an abnormal vascular system. Therein is both the problem and opportunity: we need a systems biology approach to address the root cause of hypertension and reduce our patient’s risk of cardiovascular disease. In 2017, new guidelines lowered the criteria for the diagnosis of hypertension from 140/90 to 130/80. As more patients…