| | Grapefruit fiber for Heart HealthPage 1 of 2 (1, 2) | Anyone ever take Profibe or other brand of grapefruit fiber for heart health? I started taking Profibe about a month ago based on some good reports that I read about in a natural health remedy book. I have metabolic syndrome with high total cholesterol, low HDL (good cholesterol), high LDL (bad cholesterol), and high tryglicerides. Based on what I've read this powder is very helpful in not only improving the aforementioned issues, but also helps remove plaque build-up in arteries. There is no danger to the liver either since this powder is composed of natural ingredients such as grapefruit rinds, pectin and guar gum.
I'm planning to have another lipid analysis done soon since I've been on this powder to see if it makes a difference for me. Hopefully all turns out well. I'd rather take this than the prescription meds that can hurt the liver. I've also been taking 1000 mg of vitamin C and 400mg of vitamin E. Vitamin C has been shown to keep arteries relaxed and allow better blood flow. Vitamin E also has many heart benefits.
Have you guys heard about creased earlobes? I have the creases in both my earlobes and have had them for sometime (most of the male members on my dad side's of the family have them) and some people say they are a warning of possible heart issues. I'm not sure if that is a valid predictor or not since I've read conflicting claims. | |
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| Grapefruit fiber for Heart Health
Posted: 11/25/2011 8:06:45 AM | I haven't heard of that specifically.....
With metabolic syndrome (pre-diabetes), concentrate on keeping it simple through eating a low-glycemic diet and exercise. The important thing is getting the weight off of you which is done through proper diet and exercise. You can take all the powders you want, but if you are not doing those other two.....the powder will have mild benefit. | |
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| Grapefruit fiber for Heart Health
Posted: 11/27/2011 7:34:09 AM | I doubt grapefruit fiber will do much and certainly won't fix metabolic syndrome by itself.
No matter what the question, the answer is most often the same: healthy diet (mostly fresh plant-based, and low carb) and exercise, the absence of both is what causes avoidable, self-inflicted lifestyle diseases.
The (excess) carbs get converted into tryglycerides, which "some think" are more dangerous than high cholesterol (if high cholesterol is dangerous at all). | |
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| Grapefruit fiber for Heart Health
Posted: 11/28/2011 9:19:34 AM | It's not the same as just eating grapefruit though. The article specifically points that out. The special mix of pectin, guar gum, etc. in Profibe is what makes the difference. Based on the research many people taking it lose up to 100 points off their total cholesterol (without changing diet) within a month as well as improving their other blood lipid levels. One testimonial of an elderly gentleman who was in his early 70's had significant blockage of both carotid arteries and suffered a mild stroke. His doctor advised blood thinners and close monitoring while putting the patient on prescription lipid meds. The patient didn't like the possible side effects and instead took this Profibe product 3 times a day (no other diet changes) based on his son's recommendation (who was also a doctor). Within a year another scan was completed and the blockage in the worst carotid artery decreased from 65% to under 45%. The blockage decreased in both arteries but that was the more substantial decrease. He claimed to feel better and more energetic than he had in felt in years.
Another lady with metabolic syndrome saw her total cholesterol drop 100 points to normal levels, her HDL increased, LDL dropped to normal, and triglycerides dropped to normal.
I can't quote the exact numbers since i don't have the document in front of me, but I have a photocopy at home of the entire chapter dedicated to grapefruit fiber.
The product works independently on the 2 issues (blood levels and plaque build-up)and it is still kind of a mystery how it works. One supposed theory is that the fiber leaves a minor level of water in the intestines that prevents excess LDL fat from being absorbed in to the blood stream. | |
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| Grapefruit fiber for Heart Health
Posted: 11/28/2011 2:14:10 PM | Question for you OP
Are you looking to change your health by way of changing your lifestyle or a quick fix in the form of a pill?
-Lifestyle changes are what work long term and lifestyle choices are what put you in the position you are currently facing.
Or...are you merely advertising for the supplement? If this is the case, which I hope it is not, then this is neither the time nor the place for it. | |
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| Grapefruit fiber for Heart Health
Posted: 11/28/2011 2:57:09 PM | this OP sounds suspiciously like SPAM trying to sell some crap.. as a wonder cure
-snake-oil salesman
~M~ | |
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| Grapefruit fiber for Heart Health
Posted: 11/29/2011 6:16:41 AM | It's harder to change diets and lifestyle. I make little changes here and there, but from what I've read changing diet only alters blood lipid levels by a small amount anyway unless you go to a radical pritikin diet or something similar (which most people can't maintain).
I'm not advertising the product. Not yet anyway lol. Once I get my results back from my lipid analysis (and if they are really positive) I will be motivated to let a lot of people know. | |
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| Grapefruit fiber for Heart Health
Posted: 11/29/2011 8:01:42 AM | "changing diet only alters blood lipid levels by a small amount anyway"
BS
Sure it's hard to reform your diet away from the Standard American Diet because SAD is so pathogenically distant from a healthy diet.
the Mediterrannean diet and its near, essentially equivalent DASH diet is the way to go.
Metabolic syndrome at your age almost guarantees CVD and diabetes in a couple decades. A good diet is hard? Try living with CVD, diabetes. | |
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| Grapefruit fiber for Heart Health
Posted: 11/29/2011 9:27:53 AM |
"Metabolic syndrome at your age almost guarantees CVD and diabetes in a couple decades. A good diet is hard? Try living with CVD, diabetes."
I'm hoping to avoid that so I try to learn about natural remedies and lifestyle choices. I haven't officially been diagnosed with metabolic syndrome from a doctor. I just read in a health book that if you have 3 or more of the factors I mentioned previously (low HDL, High LDL, high total cholesterol or tryglicerides, or diabetes) they consider it that. No one in my immediate family has diabetes. My father is sixty five and has had a similar lipid profile as mine for many years. He is not diabetic.
He's been on statins for a couple of years now but his tryglicerides are still a little high. His doctor recommended that he take fish oil for the tryglicerides.
I'm more concerned with the CVD as you mention. I eat more fruits and vegetables,tuna,etc. than the rest of my family but I still often slip back in to fast/processed food habits. I was getting regular aerobic exercise every day earlier this year but need to get back to doing that again since I've been slacking.
To one of the previous posters: it's not really fair to say that just lifestyle choices lead one to their current health. Genetics is still a huge factor. That is why in some situations 2 family members can follow similar lifestyle patterns and the one will get sick while the other is undisturbed. | |
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| Grapefruit fiber for Heart Health
Posted: 11/29/2011 7:46:41 PM |
To one of the previous posters: it's not really fair to say that just lifestyle choices lead one to their current health. Genetics is still a huge factor. That is why in some situations 2 family members can follow similar lifestyle patterns and the one will get sick while the other is undisturbed.
Type II Diabetes: Lifestyle
Type I Diabetes: Genetics
No matter what natural remedy you try, the bottom line is with your specific scenario, it is absolutely coming from what you are doing to yourself in both diet intake (ie nutrition) and exercise (or lack of).
Just because your Dad has had a similar lipid profile and does not have Diabetes (yet) does not mean that you can bet on the same. How your body reacts to what you are doing to it is an individual response. Genetics can only be blamed for a very small % while lifestyle choices carry the major brunt of what happens with your body.
I certainly would use your Dad as an example of how you don't want to end up. The fact he is taking statins to control something that can be controlled through diet and exercise should be motivation for you to become serious about your health.
Not only could you end up with Diabetes (remember, Type II is lifestyle choices) but other things that can become a factor: hypertension (High Blood Pressure), Congestive Heart Failure, higher risk for Cancer, higher risk for bone density loss (the list can go longer but I think you get the point).
Eventually, destroying your body long enough will also put stress on your kidneys. Common precursors to kidney damage or failure? Diabetes, CHF, and HTN. Common link with these and why kidneys fail? Poor diet.
I worked for a company that specializes in Dialysis. Do you know how many patients I had tell me that they wish they knew what they were doing to their bodies as well as teaching their family? Just because you may have been raised in an environment where diet choices were not smart (based on comment that you eat more fruits/veggies and tuna then your family) certainly does not mean you cannot make changes now.
What are the alternatives? Continue down your current path and wait until you have an onslaught of issues to control/manage with medication.
Or you could start making choices now that will give you a new lease on life. Stop making excuses and start taking your health serious!!
Some things to help get you in the direction of healthy diet choices (and diet is being used as it should.....diet=nutrition or daily nutritional intake)....
1) Med. Diet (mentioned before)
2) Low glycemic diet
You can also look at things like The Biggest Loser website and see what they have for reading materials on healthy choices.
Other options for you to consider, especially for your Dad......
-national kidney foundation (kidney.org)
-kidneytrust.org
FYI- for your Dad....tell him to be careful with using fish oil supplements if he already has high cholesterol. There are other alternatives that will help lower the triglycerides. If he has a Trader Joes or another health food store near by, there should be other options available...garlic and flax seed helps too. | |
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| Grapefruit fiber for Heart Health
Posted: 11/30/2011 9:28:00 AM |
Metabolic syndrome at your age almost guarantees CVD and diabetes in a couple decades. A good diet is hard? Try living with CVD, diabetes.
good point: saw a poster at the gym the other day.. a doctor with clipboard in hand talking to a patient:
"so, what fits in to your busy schedule better? an hour of exercise a day, or being dead 24 hours a day?"
~M~ | |
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| Grapefruit fiber for Heart Health
Posted: 11/30/2011 10:00:22 AM |
"I certainly would use your Dad as an example of how you don't want to end up. The fact he is taking statins to control something that can be controlled through diet and exercise should be motivation for you to become serious about your health."
I don't believe it can necessarily be controlled entirely through diet and exercise. Numerous cardiologists seem to concur. From what I've read a large portion of people with hypercholesterolemia have it due to a liver that produces too much cholesterol (independently of dietary intake). That is why they say altering diet only helps slightly with those individuals. They still usually end up on statins or some other remedy.
However as the other gentleman stated I don't believe that cholesterol is the main culprit in heart disease anyway. I believe in the oxidation theory instead. As you are probably aware it states that diseases such as heart disease are primarily triggered by a lack of antioxidants in the body (from eating too much processed food, not getting enough vitamins, etc.). It's a pretty good theory in my opinion since many cultures of people have been known to have high cholesterol levels with no heart disease issues. The eskimos for example eat a lot of cold water fish and it has been discovered the omega 3s protect the heart. The mediterranean diet is heavy on mono-unsaturated fats (cooking with olive oil,etc.) , vegetables, fish etc. which is very beneficial. Our ancestors probably had high cholesterol levels but received enough anti-oxidants in the fresh food to protect from the free radicals. They cooked with lard and ate big omelets made with regular eggs as well as other traditional foods. The french use wine as a frequent staple which has many anti-oxidant properties as well. | |
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Posted: 11/30/2011 3:50:26 PM | Yendor
All the examples you just gave are examples of what you get from diet ie nutritional intake.
Again.....the nutritional intake.....with eating the wrong things, you can end up with a "fatty liver" what it sounds like you might be referring to...
Think about it this way. A Cardiologist typically sees someone who already has a lot of damage to their body from what they are taking in through diet and lack of exercise (primary population) OR genetics (smaller amount of the population). Their primary non-surgical solution is prescribing medication. Why? While on one hand they can/do receive kickbacks for prescribing certain drugs....many times they use the medication route because they know statistically, their patient will not do what they need to do themselves through lifestyle changes (diet/exercise). Some actually do get proactive and do everything they can so they are not on medication the rest of their life once they see the negatives (financial cost as well as taxing the organs processing the meds).
Regardless, of what studies show, the point of the whole thread is you and your health and not where other people are with their health. You self diagnosed with metabolic syndrome which while self diagnosing seemed to miss the fact that it is a pre-Diabetic cursor and waived off the chance of diabetes because your father has a similar blood lipid panel as you and does not have Diabetes (but is on statins).
Bottom line: Either continue down the path you are and be prepared to take medication. OR take accountability for what you are doing to yourself and start being proactive about your health rather then reactive. Obviously you have some sort of concern, why else would you take the last ditch effort and take "grapefruit fiber" and post about it on a dating forum? Of course, if you post a topic, you have to be ready for the information you receive and not always talk around the fact that the issues are coming from 2 steady things you already admitted to having poor choices of doing.
@Mandy
I would love a copy of that poster!!!!! I would hang it in my office when I'm done with school...haha | |
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| Grapefruit fiber for Heart Health
Posted: 12/1/2011 10:20:22 AM | modivin: thanks for your posts. I appreciate it. Awhile back I read an interesting book titled "Heart Frauds" and it stated the same things that you mentioned (specifically about american doctors quick to issue drugs and push for surgeries instead of trying a more natural approach instead. The incentives coming from drug companies etc.). The author was a retired cardiologist who had performed numerous surgeries early in his career but also believed in trying natural remedies as well. He showed a lot of evidence that debunks the cholesterol myth as a contributor to heart disease. He believes in the oxidation theory instead.
As far as my own personal life is concerned, I like to read up on health issues and find natural remedies to try. On my dad's side of the family the men have all seen to carry this bad lipid profile situation. I'm sure that it is a combination of bad diet, lack of activity, smoking, some genetic influence, diabetes,etc. My dad feels like he is the "lucky" one since his one brother has adult diabetes and has had multiple bypasses through the years, one of his other brothers is paralyzed from the waist down (from a motorcyle acident about 15 years ago) and has bad lipid numbers, his oldest brother died of bone cancer about 10 years ago, and his other brother is a survivor of throat cancer but his health is very poor right now. Compared to all this my dad has been put on statins but no surgeries or any other issues so far.
I've never smoked in my life and drink alcohol rarely. My doctor wants me to lose 10 pounds though and I know I can do it. She put me on an anxiety medicine about a year ago and an unfortunate side affect is weight gain since I don't feel full right away when eating. I just have to eat healthier and smaller portions as well as get regular exercise.
I'm going to have my lipids checked again tomorrow since it has been 2 years since my last blood analysis. Back then my total cholesterol was 256 and my HDL was only like 32, my LDL and tryglycerides were both in the high category. I'm curious to see if the grapefruit fiber will have a positive effect. I'll post the results once I know. | |
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Posted: 12/1/2011 1:14:59 PM | As far as natural remedies, I am for, obviously. I'm in Chiropractor school and there are classes we take that are not taught in Med school. Information I feel is detrimental when the health of another human being is in your hands.
-You mentioned oxidation. This is a direct link to lifestyle (ie diet and exercise). Which can result in various chronic diseases such as ones you mentioned are in your family tree.
While it is great you don't smoke and drink rarely, think of the things you do on a frequent basis....many of the things add up over time whether you do them....or don't do them...the fewer good things for your body will be trumped by all the bad things for your body.
Eating out (fast food or sit down dinners)
Buying frozen foods ex: diet meals are high in sodium and are highly processed (exclude some things like veggies that you can steam in a bag)
Coffee: what goes in it and how often are you drinking it?
Other caffeinated beverages that are high in sugars
Are you getting enough veggies: 5-6 servings a day and how many are green? Steamed vs raw? Are you eating lean meats or eating oily fresh fish (ex: salmon) at least 2 times a week? Canned tuna is not good-fyi
How much water do you drink?
Are you eating a diet high in fiber?
How often do you exercise?
Do you take any supplements? Vitamin D and Fish oils are two important ones. Vitamin D must be taken with 5-10 g of fat (glass of 2% milk is an example). The reason being is due to absorption and the type of Vitamin it is. D helps tremendously with many things in the body. Fish oil, as I said before...is healthy but a contraindication is high cholesterol (specifically: LDL).
Please do not rely specifically off of one thing, which is something I have been stressing over and over. Taking a grapefruit fiber supplement which may or may not have benefit not to mention how it is processed (clean vs not). With a cholesterol panel such as yours, do take things more serious and review everything you do or do not do with your doctor. I would also suggest that you might want to explore other alternatives to reducing your anxiety or at least find out why you have it. I'm sure there are excellent Chiropractors in your area, if you need a referral, let me know. | |
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| Grapefruit fiber for Heart Health
Posted: 12/2/2011 9:10:41 AM | I'm not a coffee drinker but I'm addicted to sodas which are just as bad. I'll drink on average about three or four 12 ounce cans in a given day. Way too much sugar I know. I need to cut back. I read a book about people that are "sugar sensitive" and I fit into that mold. I can't go too long without eating something in the day or I start to feel sick, lightheaded, and get anxious.
I drink flavored water since I'm not a big fan of just plain water. I mix my grapefruit powder in with the flavored water and drink about three 20 ounce bottles a day (since the powder recommends you take it 3 times a day). Each serving of the powder contains 6 grams of soluble fiber so I'm getting at least 18 grams per day not counting my normal diet. For awhile I was drinking plain water with natural lemon juice added. I want to start doing that again since the lemon juice helps bring the body to a more alkaline balance instead of acidic. I read a lot so that's why I frequently like to mention things I've heard and share them with others. Some people think an out of balance acidic body is what causes diseases such as cancer,etc. The jury seems to still be out on that though since the research isn't all factored in yet.
As far as vitamins I started taking a minimum 1,000 mg of vitamin C and 400 mg of vitamin E per day about 2 months ago. The same book that had a chapter on the grapefruit fiber also had an entire chapter on vitamins A,C, and E and the benefits/dosages recommended. I've been taking a B complex vitamin for several years since I don't eat enough "greens" in my diet. Since I started taking more vitamin C I noticed that my allergies don't bother me as much which is great. My nose doesn't get nearly as stuffy as it used to.
Well, I wish you much luck in your schooling and thank you again for your comments. Early this morning before work I had my lipid test and am anxious to see how that turned out. Hopefully I'll know something by early next week at the latest. | |
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| Grapefruit fiber for Heart Health
Posted: 12/2/2011 11:51:28 AM | you don't have to a "type" to become addicted to fast, cheap, empty carbs.
Carbs are not essential nutrients. Ask the Eskimos.
It's the carbs that increase the triglycerides, not the fats and oils. The carbs also cause insulin spikes, which is really nasty stuff.
Vit C has a half-life in the body of 15 minutes :) Vit C "therapy" would be drinking Vit C dissolved in (lemon) water (not sugary juice) a couple times/hour.
There are 8 types of Vit E. http://www.vitamins-nutrition.org/vitamins/different-vitamin-e.html so choose carefully
The recent study showing Vit E increased risk of prostate used synthetic Vit E that was already known to be useless crap. Same with their choice of Selenium.
sodas, suagred or synthetically sweetened, are much worse than coffee. caffeine has actually been shown to beneficial in reasonable amounts, and therapeutic in some types of cancer. | |
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| Grapefruit fiber for Heart Health
Posted: 12/2/2011 12:20:35 PM | Given the choice between soda and coffee, coffee is far better of a choice for caffeine. 3 cans of sugar is far exceeding what you should be drinking. Check and see if the grapefruit fiber has sugar in it as well.
If you want a healthier remedy for allergies, buy unpasteurized honey from a local farmer (within 50 miles) and mix a tsp in with say hot green tea.
Now, it is possible to overdose on some vitamins (not all) so be careful with the daily amount you are taking.
Clearly there will be conflicting opinions on everything when it comes to what are essential nutrients, minerals, vitamins, etc. For example, I know carbs are an essential part of diet (healthy carbs, not unhealthy) because your brain needs 130g/day to function. Depleting yourself of ALL carbs can in turn, become very bad in the long run.
Stax, you mentioned asking the Eskimos. I'm sure if you look at their diet, they are getting carbs from other sources. Maybe you mean highly processed carbs (flour, sugar, etc)? | |
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| Grapefruit fiber for Heart Health
Posted: 12/2/2011 12:38:42 PM | A certain amount of carbs is necessary for balance from what I've read. Those fad diets that push extremely low carbs high protein are not very healthy. People end up binging on carbs because their body is craving them and then they gain a lot of weight quickly. Too much in carbs though raises the tryglicerides like you said.
The research I've read on vitamin C shows that the more expensive brands are no better than the cheaper generic ones. One study showed a test of several researchers who ate a high fat breakfast at McDonalds and had their arteries in their arms scanned. The scans showed definite contraction and slowing of blood flow due to the excess fat absorbed in to the blood. The same test was performed again with same subjects and this time they were given vitamin C 20 minutes before eating the same fatty breakfast at McDonalds. After scanning again blood flow remained normal and the arteries remained relaxed even with the fat from the meal. Vitamin C seems to help prevent heart attacks by preventing vascular spasms even with plaque built up present.
I can quote more specific studies on the vitamins C and E later when I can consult the document I use. | |
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| Grapefruit fiber for Heart Health
Posted: 12/2/2011 12:47:03 PM |
"Now, it is possible to overdose on some vitamins (not all) so be careful with the daily amount you are taking."
I think you are referring to the fat soluble vitamins such as A, K, D,etc.
The vitamins I take are water soluble so the body flushes out what it doesn't need. | |
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| Grapefruit fiber for Heart Health
Posted: 12/2/2011 12:52:24 PM | Why don't you just provide the source of your material rather then consult the document?
Fat soluble: A,D,E,K
Toxic in high levels. Didn't you say you take E?
Do you take D? | |
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| Grapefruit fiber for Heart Health
Posted: 12/2/2011 12:59:19 PM | | I don't take D but I take E (400 mg a day). I have photocopied chapters at home (i'm on break at work) of the book I read that had chapters on the vitamins, grapefruit fiber, fish oil, co-enzyme Q-10, etc. I picked the book up at my local library and think it was called Natural Health Remedies or something like that. I'll find out and reference it with any further studies I mention. | |
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| Grapefruit fiber for Heart Health
Posted: 12/2/2011 1:10:13 PM | | Between the two, Vitamin D is much more important since there are many issues linked with a Vit D deficiency. And given that you live in the more Northern part of the US, it is especially important in the Winter months as well. CoQ10 is excellent! | |
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| Grapefruit fiber for Heart Health
Posted: 12/2/2011 1:34:26 PM | I'm starting to think the best one would be"Vitamin M" (for modivin)
have heard people speak of vitamin E (meaning 'exercise') being most important
or 'taking their iron pills' - (often in 45-lb. increments- Olympic wight plates)
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