In my last post “Energy Production and Cardiovascular Health!” we talked about how aerobic respiration produces 18 times more energy than anaerobic respiration. How the proper use of oxygen by your cells’ mitochondria is a powerful tool for creating energy. However, when oxygen is used it also creates free radicals which can damage your cells. To prevent this damage you need antioxidants. This post will examine the need for antioxidants to fight free radical damage.
What’s A Free Radical?
No, it’s not a 1960s hippie from Berkeley. Rather, it is an unstable atom or molecule. In very simple terms a free radical is an atom or molecule that is missing an electron in its outer orbit. Because of this unbalanced state the free radical will try to steal an electron from a different atom or molecule to stabilize itself. This process causes the affected atom or molecule to become unstable resulting in a new free radical. The result is a chain reaction that can continue until the final free radical steals an electron from a cell wall resulting in the disruption of a living cell. This constant process of free radicals stealing electrons from living tissue results in the aging process we all experience. It’s also a major cause of damage to the endothelial cells that line all of your cardiovascular system.
What’s An Antioxidant?
An antioxidant is a molecule that freely gives away its outer electrons. Thus, it will give the free radical its needed electron to return it back to a stable compound. Now, you might be thinking that this molecule will become a free radical. Here is the really impressive aspect of this process. They do not become free radicals because they are stable in either form (with or without an even number of electrons in their outer orbit). This stability allows them to act as free radical scavengers to help prevent cell and tissue damage.
3 Most Common Antioxidants
If it weren’t for the remarkable stability of these compounds, as they freely give their electrons to stabilize free radicals, we would age quite rapidly. The three most commonly known antioxidants are:
Vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol) is the most abundant fat-soluble antioxidant in the body. It may protect against cardiovascular disease and is commonly found in nuts, seeds, vegetable and fish oils, whole grains, and certain fruits.
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is the most abundant water-soluble antioxidant in the body. It has the unique ability to return Vitamin E to its active form. It is commonly found in citrus fruits and juices, green peppers, cabbage, spinach, broccoli, kale, cantaloupe, kiwi, and strawberries.
Beta-carotene (precursor to Vitamin A) is the most misunderstood of all these compounds. It’s commonly found in liver, egg yolk, milk, butter, spinach, carrots, squash, broccoli, yams, tomato, cantaloupe, peaches, and grains. Beta-carotene is water-soluble and has no set RDA requirements. However, it’s the precursor to Vitamin A. Vitamin A is fat-soluble, has no antioxidant properties, and can be quite toxic when taken in excess. Because of this, most physicians warn against Beta-carotene. However, they forget that the body controls the conversion of Beta-carotene to Vitamin A on a “needs only” basis. Thus, your body will only make as much Vitamin A from Beta-carotene as it needs. This usually prevents any toxicity.
It’s extremely important to note that these compounds are all critical for proper health. The body cannot manufacture them. They must be supplied in the diet. That’s why nutritionists encourage us to eat a balanced diet consisting of 5-8 servings of fruits and vegetables per day.
Additional Protection!
As nutritional scientists continue to explore this realm of antioxidants, and their ability to offset free radical damage, some amazing compounds are being discovered like:
Alpha-Lipoic Acid – This powerful compound does double duty. Not only can it neutralize free radicals but it can also restore the antioxidant properties of vitamins C and E. Alpha-Lipoic Acid stimulates the body’s production of glutathione and assists in the absorption of coenzyme Q10. It helps to detoxify the liver, prevent cataract formation, protect nerve tissue, reduce blood cholesterol levels, and aid cells in metabolizing sugar.
Anthocyanidins – This is a phytochemical that helps to lower blood pressure, inhibit clot formation, enhance vision, strengthen collagen, and enhance the blood supply to the nervous system. It can provide up to fifty times the protection of vitamin E and ten times the protection of vitamin C.
Coenzyme Q10 – This compound has a structure similar to vitamin E. It’s critically important for cellular energy because it aids in metabolizing fats and carbohydrates. Since most free radicals are created in the oxidative process of creating energy, coenzyme Q10 plays a significant role in stopping free radical damage.
Flavonoids – Flavonoids are chemical compounds that plants produce to protect themselves. They have very powerful antioxidant properties. There are more than 4,000 chemically unique flavonoids with many of them having greater effectiveness than vitamins C and E or beta-carotene. Science is just beginning to discover this amazing world of flavoniods.
Glutathione –Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant produced in the liver from the amino acids cysteine, glutamic acid and glycine. Glutathione neutralizes the oxygen molecule before it can harm the cell. Additionally, it can combine with other molecules like selenium to create other powerful antioxidants. Glutathione is critically important to your health. It protects individual cells as well as the tissues of the arteries, brain, heart, immune system, kidneys, eyes, liver, lungs, and skin.
Melatonin – This hormone has the ability to penetrate the cell’s mitochondria and protect it from free radical damage. Most of the cell’s energy is produced by the mitochondria. Since energy production creates free radicals, compounds specific to the mitochondria play a huge role in protecting cell function.
OPCs – Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins are unique flavonoids that can cross the blood-brain barrier to protect the brain and spinal nerves against free radical damage. OPCs are found in plant life. The two main sources are pine bark extract (commonly called Pycnogenol) and grape seed extract.
Polyphenols – This is a phytochemical produced by plants. They have antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, and other health-enhancing properties.
Selenium – This is an essential trace mineral which partners with vitamin E to provide oxidative protection. Use caution when taking supplemental selenium. The recommended maximum safe dosage is 400 micrograms daily.
Superoxide Dismutase – This is an enzyme that helps to revitalize cells and reduce the rate of cell destruction. It’s particular important in neutralizing the most dangerous free radicals called superoxide radicals. These free radicals breakdown the synovial fluid which lubricates the body’s joints leading to joint friction and inflammation.
Zinc – This mineral’s main function is in the prevention of fat oxidation.
Final Notes
This is just the tip of the iceberg regarding antioxidants. This post doesn’t even cover some of the newly discovered super foods like Brazilian Acai which have tremendous anti aging properties and heart health benefits. It’s important to note that antioxidants work synergistically in providing their protection against free radical damage. Thus, it’s better to take smaller doses of a variety of these compounds than just a large amount of only one type. For most fruits and vegetables the majority of the beneficial properties are contained in the skin.
Since free radical damage is the leading cause of many cardiovascular health issues it makes perfect sense to consume foods and products that contain antioxidants. This reduces free radical damage to help slow down the oxidative damage done to your endothelial cells. Cells that are critically important to the proper production of nitric oxide, your body’s master signaling molecule for the cardiovascular system..
Together we can work to save a million lives!
Dan Hammer
Dan Hammer is a Wellness Educator who has a background in biology, chemistry and exercise physiology. He used to run one of the largest health club operations in the Chicago area and has been helping people with their wellness issues for more than 25 years.
The information contained in this article is for general information purposes only and never as a substitute for professional medical advice or medical exam. The information contained in this article has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of a qualified medical doctor.
I was going through some storage bins over the weekend and came across this crazy drawing you see on the left. It’s from my biochemistry class in college. It represents energy production. It also has a direct application to cardiovascular health. In fact, once you understand it you will realize how important good circulation is to your health and your ability to produce energy.
It looks pretty confusing but let me help you understand it by asking you a very simple question:
If You Had a Stock Option That Paid You a Return of 2% or 36% Which Would You Choose?
Every person I’ve ever asked this question to always chooses 36%. Why? Because it returns a higher yield. Well, this is the difference in energy production between anaerobic respiration and aerobic respiration.
Anaerobic Respiration – Energy Production Without Oxygen!
The top half of this drawing represents the energy production achieved by anaerobic respiration. As your blood filters through the liver, glucose (blood sugar) is added to your blood stream. This is carried to your cells to be converted into energy. When your cell lacks oxygen it uses a chemical process called anaerobic respiration to convert the glucose into energy. It’s extremely inefficient and the net result is just 2 units of energy.
Plus it produces a byproduct called pyruvic acid. If oxygen is not present then the cell converts this pyruvic acid to lactic acid. This allows the cell to continue to produce a small quantity of energy. However, lactic acid is an irritant. It causes that burning sensation you feel when you’ve overused a muscle and it interferes with proper cell function.
The net result of anaerobic respiration is poor energy production and a large amount of waste material that disrupts the proper function of the cells, tissues, and organs.
Aerobic Respiration – Energy Production With Oxygen!
When oxygen is present the pyruvic acid will enter the mitochondria of your cells to be used in the Kreb’s cycle. (If you think this drawing is confusing and crazy you should see the drawing for the Kreb’s cycle.) Think of your mitochondria as an energy producing factory.
This process will take that one unit of glucose and convert it into 36 units of energy. This is 18 times more productive than anaerobic respiration. Plus, the waste products are carbon dioxide and water. You breath out carbon dioxide and you eliminate any excess water. Neither of these two waste products damage your cells, tissues, and organs.
While aerobic respiration can cause oxidative stress to cells, the net result is large energy production with waste material that is not disruptive to the proper functioning of your cells, tissues, and organs.
Government versus Private Sector
Some have even compared this process of energy production to the difference between government run programs and private sector programs. Anaerobic respiration, like the government, is very inefficient and produces only a small return on investment; 1 unit of glucose yields 2 units of energy with bureaucratic red tape that can clog and slow down the system.
Aerobic respiration, like the private sector, is very efficient and produces a large return on investment; 1 unit of glucose yields 36 units of energy with an assembly line that is highly productive but also needs proper maintenance to continue its accelerated production.
What Does All This Have To Do With Cardiovascular Health?
Your red blood cells carry oxygen to your tissues and cells. If your cardiovascular system is damaged bycholesterol, excess sugar that causes oxidative stress, plaque formations, and other contributing factors, then you begin to limit blood flow. This damage limits the delivery of oxygen and causes your cells to depend more on anaerobic respiration for their energy needs.
Because anaerobic respiration can’t keep up with the needs of the cells, the cells have to slow down. They become less efficient and sluggish in their job. Compound this with the waste products produced from anaerobic respiration and you have a cycle that leads to poor organ health and poor overall wellness.
The Key to Reversing This Cycle!
The key to reversing this degenerating cycle is to improve blood circulation by repairing the damage caused to the endothelial cells that line all of your cardiovascular system. As you improve the health of your endothelial cells they are able to properly produce nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is the master signaling molecule of the cardiovascular system. This means that nitric oxide is needed to properly regulate blood flow to the cells, tissues, and organs.
This dramatically improves blood flow, which then delivers more oxygen. More oxygen produces more energy and waste products that are easily transported away from the cells, tissues, and organs. The net result is improved organ function, improved energy, and a higher level of overall wellness.
By properly combining the amino acids L-arginine and L-citrulline with key antioxidants you can repair your endothelial cells and improve their ability to create nitric oxide. This has been clinically shown to improve circulation and reverse many cardiovascular health issues. It’s what makes theProArgi-9 Plusproduct so effective in helping people improve their energy production and cardiovascular health.
It’s pretty amazing how improved blood flow to all your cells, tissues, and organs can make such a significant difference in your overall health. But, there is still one other factor we need to address. That factor is the need for antioxidants to help protect your cells when oxygen is used to create all this wonderful energy. We’ll talk about this in my next post.
Together we can work to save a million lives!
Dan Hammer
Dan Hammer is a Wellness Educator who has a background in biology, chemistry and exercise physiology. He used to run one of the largest health club operations in the Chicago area and has been helping people with their wellness issues for more than 25 years.
The information contained in this article is for general information purposes only and never as a substitute for professional medical advice or medical exam. The information contained in this article has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of a qualified medical doctor.
When I wrote the title for this post I immediately thought of my father who passed away in 1987. He died of a massive heart attack. He died while on a fishing trip in Minnesota. He was sitting in the cabin with his friends eating his favorite snack. Popcorn loaded with butter. He died at the young age of 67.
Like his father who died of a heart attack and his mom who died of a heart attack, he followed their pathway. Was it genetics and heredity that caused this event? Or, was it lifestyle and food choices? Most likely a combination of both with a greater emphasis on food choices.
Just like in 1987, as it is today, heart attacks and cardiovascular disease are still the number one killer of all people. So, the question is still the same:
Can Heart Attacks Be Prevented?
While the question remains the same the outcome can be significantly different!
Eleven years after my father’s death from a heart attack the 1998 Nobel Prize in Medicine was awarded to three American researchers for their remarkable discovery of how the endothelial cells, which line all of your cardiovascular system, create nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is the master signaling molecule of the cardiovascular system and it has a huge impact on cardiovascular health.
One of those researchers who won the Nobel Prize in Medicine is Dr. Louis J. Ignarro. In his 2005 National Bestseller entitled NO More Heart Disease, Dr. Ignarro made the following statement:
“NO – as it is known by chemists – is produced by the body specifically to help keep arteries and veins free of the plaque that causes stroke and to maintain normal blood pressure by relaxing the arteries, thereby regulating the rate of blood flow and preventing coronaries. Nitric oxide is the body’s natural cardiovascular wonder drug.”
Even before Dr. Ignarro’s Nobel Prize there was an event taking place that has significantly moved the discoveries made in the lab to practical clinical results in humans.
Let me introduce you to Dr. J. Joseph Prendergast or Dr. Joe as he prefers to call himself. Dr. Joe is a leading endocrinologist from Palo Alto, CA and a nationally acclaimed expert on L-arginine therapy. L-arginine is the amino acid your endothelial cells use to create nitric oxide, the master signaling molecule of your cardiovascular system.
Since 1991, Dr. Joe has been personally using L-arginine and recommending it to his patients. Through his close personal association with Dr. John Cooke at the Stanford School of Medicine’s Cardiovascular Research Center, Dr. Joe has been able to incorporate cutting edge vascular research done in the lab into actual patient care. True clinical application that has benefited thousands of his patients and tens of thousands of people around the world.
Dr. Joe’s clinical application of proper L-arginine therapy has benefited over 7,000 of his own patients resulting in less than 1% patient hospital admissions in 17 years. This is a phenomenal record especially then you realize that 80% of his patients are diabetics who typically have hospital admissions for cardiovascular issues. Because of this remarkable record the American Diabetes Association awarded Dr. Joe the Father of the Year Award in 2008.
Dr. Joe is the product formulator of ProArgi-9 Plus and it causes me to ask the question:
Would my dad be alive today if he had access to ProArgi-9 Plus?
From all the clinical research I’ve seen and the people I’ve been able to help, I believe he would have greatly benefited from this product. It’s one of the reasons why I’m so passionate about ProArgi-9 Plus. I truly believe in this product and its ability to improve the cardiovascular health of every person.
To help you better understand how unique and powerful ProArgi-9 Plus is, I’ve created a webinar for you. Here is the link:
(Please note that the webinar presentation is 30 minutes long. Once you click on the arrow to start it, please give it 10-15 seconds to load. The remaining time is used to answer questions from those attending.)
Now you can understand why I believe so strongly in ProArgi-9 Plus. It is a remarkable product that has huge potential to benefit people. Especially those who have cardiovascular health issues.
Together we can work to save a million lives!
Dan Hammer
Dan Hammer has a background in biology, chemistry and exercise physiology. He used to run one of the largest health club operations in the Chicagoland area and has been helping people with their wellness issues for more than 25 years.
The information contained in this article is for general information purposes only and never as a substitute for professional medical advice or medical exam. The information contained in this article has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of a qualified medical doctor.
There is a new published study that sheds additional light on carbohydrates and heart disease in men and women. At least in Italian men and women. It’s entitled “Dietary Glycemic Load and Index and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease in a Large Italian Cohort.” The study was published in the 4/12/2010 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine. Dr. Sabina Sieri was the study leader, and she made the following statement:
“High consumption of carbohydrate from high-glycemic foods, rather than overall quantity of carbohydrate consumed, appears to influence the risk of developing heart disease in women.”
If you click on the study title you can read the full text but here is a quick overview of this study.
Women who ate the most “high-glycemic” carbohydrates had twice the risk of heart disease then those who ate the least.
The type of carbohydrate consumed showed no significant differences for cardiovascular disease in men.
Men are most likely cheering.
Women are most likely cursing.
But before you get too far in your celebration or disgust, we need to take a closer look at this study. Why? Because it is not all good news for men and not all bad news for women.
Let’s start with the men first because they’re ready to go watch TV, eat some corn chips, and wash it down with a sports drink. This study looked at the effects of Glycemic Load and Glycemic Index on increasing the risk for heart disease.
Basically, Glycemic Load and Index look at how quickly the food that you eat is converted to sugar to cause spikes in your blood sugar levels. Increased blood sugar levels cause oxidative stress or damage to the endothelial cells that line all of your cardiovascular system. This leads to a host of cardiovascular health issues like high blood pressure, diabetes, hardening of the arteries, and erectile dysfunction to name just a few.
While this study showed no additional increase in risk for cardiovascular disease for men it does not mean that they were not already at risk. Your food choices play a significant role in your overall health and do, in fact, affect your cardiovascular system. As Dr. Sieri points out,
“It’s a good idea for people to choose foods with a lower glycemic index over higher ones.”
This was true for women. It wasn’t the total carbohydrates consumed that was a problem for women. It was the type of carbohydrate they consumed that doubled their risk for heart disease. As women have adopted more of a lifestyle, in both eating and work habits, associated with men, they have also seen an increase in cardiovascular disease. An increase that has now allowed heart disease to become an even greater risk to the health of women than breast cancer and all other cancers combined.
So, the good news for women is to watch the type of carbohydrate that you eat. Choose “good” or “low-glycemic” carbohydrates that do not cause spikes in your blood sugar levels.
To help you better understand the Glycemic Index, please click on the article “A Glycemic Index Chart Can Improve Your Health!” This article will help you better understand this whole issue and how to make better food choices. Food choices that can have a significant impact on reducing your risk for heart disease as well as diabetes and a host of other blood sugar related illnesses that can damage your body.
Together we can work to save a million lives!
Dan Hammer
Dan Hammer has a background in biology, chemistry and exercise physiology. He used to run one of the largest health club operations in the Chicagoland area and has been helping people with their wellness issues for more than 25 years.
The information contained in this article is for general information purposes only and never as a substitute for professional medical advice or medical exam. The information contained in this article has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of a qualified medical doctor.
In my last post I showed you the amount of food you would need to consume to take in 5 grams of L-arginine, 1 gram of L-citrulline, and 400 micrograms of folic acid. Three key nutrients for cardiovascular health.
I’m using these quantities because most research shows that to receive a therapeutic benefit you would need to consume these amounts. L-arginine and L-citrulline are necessary for improved nitric oxide production. Folic acid is needed for proper red blood cell production and heart health. When people realize all the food they need to eat, and the limited menu they have to choose from, they begin to ask the question:
Is it better to get these critical nutrients through food or supplementation?
This video answers that question. Enjoy it and I’ll have some observations to make after you watch it:
Observation 1 - As you saw from the video there is a strong case for proper supplementation especially when you factor in calories, cost, and convenience. The cheapest meal you could consume was 12 ounces of black beans, 2.7 pounds of watermelon and 1 cup of Total cereal at a cost of $4.45. This meal would also bring 813 calories into your body.
Observation 2 – Instead of conventional food you had two other choices. Your first choice would be to go to your local health food store and purchase three supplements: L-Arginine, L-Citrulline and Folic Acid. While this is the least expensive way at $1.86 it also means taking 13 capsules per day. You would need to take 1 Folic Acid tablet, 2 L-Citrulline capsules, and 10 L-Arginine capsules.
Just remember, if you choose supplementation then make sure that you only use the natural “L” form of the amino acid and never the “D” or synthetic form. Additionally, make sure that the product uses “pharmaceutical grade” ingredients. This ensures that the ingredients meet exacting standards so that product quality and consistency is maintained from batch to batch. This is especially important for L-arginine products.
There are a lot of “nitric oxide” products in the marketplace. They are widely used by weight lifters to help them experience improved workouts and increased muscle mass. But, “nitric oxide” products are not to be played around with. It’s extremely important to know who the product formulator is and what experience they have in properly isolating L-arginine so that it can be effectively brought into your system.
It’s also important to know if the product you’re considering has any clinical studies associated with it. Clinical studies that can support its effectiveness in truly improving the health of your endothelial cells so that they can properly produce higher levels of nitric oxide.
Observation 3 – As you know I’m a firm believer in ProArgi-9 Plus. It’s your other choice. While it’s slightly more than the supplements, it does provide you with 9 additional ingredients all designed to help improve cardiovascular health. When compared to the food choices, it is $2.00 cheaper and significantly lower in calories. This allows me to properly support my cardiovascular system, especially my endothelial cells. It also allows me more flexibility in my diet for other healthy organic foods. While there are a handful of other good products in the marketplace, none have the clinical studies to support their effectiveness like ProArgi-9 Plus.
Observation 4 – I made a pitch for eating organic foods at the end of the video. While organic foods are certainly higher in cost than the store bought brands it’s worth the extra expense in helping improve liver function. As I shared in the video, every added “chemical ingredient” has to be processed by your liver, which takes away its ability to help your body in other needed areas. If you want to have your eyes opened to the food industry and how they manufacturer our food sources, then rent the DVD Food Inc. from your favorite rental source.
Well, I hope this video and post has been educational and beneficial in helping you see proper supplementation as a complement to making good food choices.
Together we can work to save a million lives!
Dan Hammer
Dan Hammer has a background in biology, chemistry and exercise physiology. He used to run one of the largest health club operations in the Chicagoland area and has been helping people with their wellness issues for more than 25 years.
The information contained in this article is for general information purposes only and never as a substitute for professional medical advice or medical exam. The information contained in this article has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of a qualified medical doctor.
I’ve written many articles about the need for L-arginine and L-citrulline. How critical they are for nitric oxide production. How your endothelial cellsuse these two amino acids to create nitric oxide, the master signaling molecule of your cardiovascular system.
Quite frankly, you could not live without nitric oxide. It’s a critical molecule in many biological functions but especially for good cardiovascular health. So, I’m often asked:
What foods can I eat that contain L-arginine and L-citrulline?
To answer that question I went shopping, bought some foods and put together the following video. Enjoy the video and I’ll have some observations to make after you watch it:
In preparing this video I came across an excellent chart that lists food sources high in the amino acid L-arginine. I’ll provide you a link to this chart at the end of this article. It was an eye opener, even for me. It changed my thinking on dairy products and it even helped me to discover the reason why Rocky Balboa was able to beat Apollo Creed in the Rocky movies. Let’s start with some observations.
Observation 1 – Plant based foods are a better source of L-arginine then animal products. The chart I found lists the L-arginine content in 100 grams of food. 100 grams is just slightly less than a ¼ pound. You’ll note that if you wanted to get 1 gram of L-arginine or more in your diet, there are 15 choices for plant products but only 5 choices for animal products.
Observation 2 – So much of the literature recommends dairy products as a good source of L-arginine yet it’s listed last on the chart. You would have to drink 44 ounces or just slightly less than 1 ½ quarts of milk to get 1 gram of L-arginine. Not good for those who are lactose intolerant.
Observation 3 – Most research indicates that for you to receive a therapeutic benefit from L-arginine you need to consume at least 5 grams of this amino acid at one time. So I selected 6 food items from the list that I thought would be common food choices. I did the math conversations to look at how much food you would need to eat to take in 5 grams of L-arginine. I also looked at the number of calories and grams of fat it would bring into your body. Here’s what I discovered and what I based most of the above video on:
Peanuts – 6 oz / .36 lb = 918 calories and 70 g of fat
Beans – 12 oz / .75 lb = 338 calories and 1.5 g of fat
Tuna – 10 oz / .63 lb = 528 calories and 18 g of fat
Chicken Breast – 15 oz / .92 lb = 756 calories and 5 g of fat
Salmon – 15 oz / .92 lb = 865 calories and 42 g of fat
Eggs (Whole, Raw) – 21 oz / 1.34 lbs = 915 calories and 55 g of fat
Observation 4 – Now you can see why weight lifters choose beans, tuna, and chicken breasts as their primary source of protein. It provides them with the proper amount of L-arginine with the least number of calories and grams of fat. Even though peanuts have a higher concentration of L-arginine when you factor in calories and grams of fat it’s not the first choice if you need to watch you weight.
How Rocky Balboa Beat Apollo Creed!
Observation 5 – This is the Rocky Balboa observation. Go back and watch the first movie and compare Rocky’s diet to Apollo Creed’s. Remember the scene where Rocky cracks open about a half dozen eggs into a glass and then drinks them raw, yoke and all. Whether he realized it or not (and I’m sure he and Sylvester Stallone didn’t) he was loading his body with L-arginine to improve his blood flow. This maximized his workout program and improved his cardiovascular stamina.
Observation 6 – There is not much of a choice in foods for L-citrulline. Watermelon is your one and only good food choice. You can read my article, “The Need for L-Citrulline!” to get more information on this subject.
When people realize all the food they need to eat, and the limited menu they have to choose from, they begin to ask the question:
Is it better to get these critical amino acids through food or supplementation?
Well, I’m putting the finishing touches on this video and will have it posted in a couple of days.
Together we can work to save a million lives!
Dan Hammer
P.S. Here is the URL for the chart I used in the information above:
Dan Hammer has a background in biology, chemistry and exercise physiology. He used to run one of the largest health club operations in the Chicagoland area and has been helping people with their wellness issues for more than 25 years.
The information contained in this article is for general information purposes only and never as a substitute for professional medical advice or medical exam. The information contained in this article has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of a qualified medical doctor.
I’ve been asked by many of my clients and visitors to this website to put together a short video on ProArgi-9 Plus instructions. I’ve just completed this video. In it I go into detail on how to take this unique and remarkable product. A product designed to help repair the endothelial cells of your cardiovascular system; toimprove their ability to properly produce nitric oxide over a long period of time.
If you remember from previous posts, nitric oxide is the master signaling molecule of the cardiovascular system. Additionally, nitric oxide is critical to other very important biological functions.
Here is the video. In addition to the ProArgi-9 Plus instructions I also answer several questions like:
How much ProArgi-9 Plus should you take?
When is the best time of day to take ProArgi-9 Plus? Mornings? Afternoon? Before you go to bed?
Can you take ProArgi-9 Plus with food?
Can athletes use ProArgi-9 Plus?
Does ProArgi-9 Plus interfere with medications?
I hope this video was helpful in understanding how to take ProArgi-9 Plus. Please feel free to share this information with family and friends.
To Order ProArgi-9 Plus!
If you’re interested in ordering ProArgi-9 Plus then please click on “Quick Order Page for ProArgi-9 Plus.” Once on the page I would ask you to “Bookmark” it so that you can conveniently return to it whenever you need to.
I absolutely believe in this product and have witnessed its amazing ability to improve the cardiovascular health of people. With that said I’m not a doctor and would never want to replace your physician or doctor. Instead, I want to work with you and your health care provider to make sure this is right for you. If you or your health care provider have any questions, then please email me or call me. My contact information is:
I will try to provide you and your health care provider with the information you need to make the best decision for you. Our goal is to help as many people as possible see significant improvements in their cardiovascular system so that they can enjoy a higher quality of life.
Together we can work to save a million lives!
Dan Hammer
Dan Hammer has a background in biology, chemistry and exercise physiology. He used to run one of the largest health club operations in the Chicagoland area and has been helping people with their wellness issues for more than 25 years.
The information contained in this article is for general information purposes only and never as a substitute for professional medical advice or medical exam. The information contained in this article has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of a qualified medical doctor.
What’s a picture of a watermelon have to do with L-citrulline? I’ll answer that in a little bit. Let’s first start with nitric oxide and L-arginine.
So much of the buzz about improved nitric oxide production centers on L-arginine. Unfortunately, many forget about L-citrulline. While L-arginine is the main amino acid used by the endothelial cells to create nitric oxide, some feel that L-citrulline is actually more important for long term nitric oxide production and improved cardiovascular health.
I bring this to your attention because I’m in the process of developing an educational module designed to help those with sickle cell anemia. One complication for those who have sickle cell anemia is the negative effects of the enzyme arginase.
Arginase is an enzyme located primarily in the liver. It is used to help complete the fifth and final step in the urea cycle. This urea cycle helps your body dispose of harmful ammonia. It is also found in the kidneys and prostate. Some research indicates that arginase is located in the mitochondria of most cells. The mitochondria are the portions of your cells that produce the bulk of your energy.
Arginase and Circulation!
While arginase has a useful role in the body it can also play a negative role in circulation. Why? Because arginase destroys L-arginine. Your endothelial cells convert the amino acid L-arginine to nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is the master signaling molecule of your cardiovascular system. It regulates blood pressure, helps to improve blood flow, keeps blood platelet cells from sticking together, prevents LDL cholesterol from adhering to the vascular walls and is a factor in a host of other very important health issues.
Everyone carries arginase in their bloodstream which can have some affect on lowering nitric oxide production. This is a bigger problem in the African American community especially for those with sickle cell disease. Thankfully, your body has an alternative pathway that enables the endothelial cells to create nitric oxide. It’s through the amino acid L-citrulline.
How Important is L-citrulline?
Well, let me introduce you to Dr. Louis J. Ignarro to answer that question. Dr. Ignarro is the 1998 Nobel Laureate in Medicine. He, and two other American researchers, were awarded the Nobel Prize for their discovery of how the endothelial cells create nitric oxide (NO) from the essential amino acid L-arginine. In Dr. Ignarro’s book, NO More Heart Disease, he makes the following statement:
“My research shows that if you take only L-arginine, which is the dominant producer of NO, you will not receive the maximum benefit. I have found that by including the synergistic partner L-citrulline, your ability to boost NO production is greatly enhanced over the effects of L-arginine alone.”
Your endothelial cells use an alternative pathway to convert L-citrulline to nitric oxide. This helps bypass the arginase enzyme so that good nitric oxide production can be restored. Plus, L-citrulline provides a 24 to 36 hour window for enhanced nitric oxide production whereas L-arginine by itself usually only has a 30 minute to 2 hour window of enhanced nitric oxide production.
This means that L-arginine can help start the process of nitric oxide production to improve circulation. Then the L-citrulline can take over to continue the improved nitric oxide production helping to maintain improved circulation.
Dr. Ignarro goes on to say, “Any supplement program that does not contain L-citrulline and antioxidants to augment the L-arginine – and most on the market do not – is missing out on a major piece of the potential of NO to improve your cardiovascular health.” This statement and the information I shared so far leads to two important questions:
What foods contain L-arginine and L-citrulline?
Is it better to get these critical amino acids through food or supplementation?
I’m preparing two new videos to help answers these questions and to visibly show you the best and most effective method for enhanced nitric oxide production. But the first question brings me back to the picture of the watermelon.
The Watermelon!
In March of 2007 there was a study published in the Journal of Nutrition. The article was entitled “Watermelon consumption increases plasma arginine concentrations in adults.” This article created a significant buzz on the internet because L-arginine is needed to produce nitric oxide which is needed for a male erection. In the media, watermelon became the new and natural Viagra. While this study didn’t examine the effects on male anatomy it did provide some very important information confirming the body’s ability to convert L-citrulline to L-arginine to improve nitric oxide production.
The study subjects were given either 780 grams (equivalent of 1 g of citrulline) of watermelon or 1560 grams (equivalent of 2 g of citrulline) of watermelon. The study lasted three weeks. At the end of the study the 780 grams of watermelon group saw a 12% increase in fasting plasma arginine concentrations. The 1560 grams of watermelon group saw a 22% increase when compared to a control group that received no watermelon.
This clearly shows that your body has an alternative pathway for creating the necessary L-arginine from the amino acid L-citrulline.
So, is eating watermelon an effective way to improve nitric oxide production?
Well, the 780 grams of watermelon is equal to 1.72 pounds. The 1560 grams of watermelon is equal to 3.43 pounds. That’s a lot of watermelon to eat even if you like it. Plus, it includes the rind, that thick green outer covering of the watermelon. I believe there’s an easier way to achieve an even better result. I’ll show you in one of my upcoming videos.
Together we can work to save a million lives!
Dan Hammer
Dan Hammer has a background in biology, chemistry and exercise physiology. He used to run one of the largest health club operations in the Chicagoland area and has been helping people with their wellness issues for more than 25 years.
The information contained in this article is for general information purposes only and never as a substitute for professional medical advice or medical exam. The information contained in this article has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of a qualified medical doctor.
I’d like you to know about the new Quick Order Page for ProArgi-9 Plus. This page provides one central location to order this “remarkable” and unique product. It’s available to my existing customers and to those considering ProArgi-9 Plus. This short video tutorial will show you how to quickly and effectively use this page.
ProArgi-9 Plus is the nutritional supplement at the heart of the High Desert Heart Institute study. This study has had a profound impact on the method of treatment for the patients at the High Desert Heart Institute.
ProArgi-9 Plus is the product created by Dr. J. Joseph Prendergast. Dr. Joe (as he prefers to call himself) has used this L-arginine / L-citrulline supplement with other heart healthy ingredients to benefit over 7,000 patients of which 80% are diabetics. For those who have followed his advice on how to use this supplement, Dr. Joe made the following recent statement:
“. . . 80% of the people have diabetes and in 17 years we have had no problems with strokes, no problems with heart attacks, I’ve not even had any admissions in 17 years. So this is a striking example in how we can use this product for real power for health. . . “
If you’re interested in ordering ProArgi-9 Plus then please click on “Quick Order Page for ProArgi-9 Plus.” Once on the page I would ask you to “Bookmark” it so that you can conveniently return to it whenever you need to.
Additionally, if you watched the video you know that we are close to releasing our first information module “Help with Pain from Sickle Cell Anemia!” Our goal is to have this information platform up on the internet sometime between March 31st and April 15th. When it becomes live we will announce it here and provide you with a link to this platform.
Our next information module will be “Help with Complications from Diabetes!” We hope to have this one completed by the end of May. Please feel free to share the information with family and friends.
Together we can work to save a million lives!
Dan Hammer
Dan Hammer has a background in biology, chemistry and exercise physiology. He used to run one of the largest health club operations in the Chicagoland area and has been helping people with their wellness issues for more than 25 years.
The information contained in this article is for general information purposes only and never as a substitute for professional medical advice or medical exam. The information contained in this article has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of a qualified medical doctor.
The High Desert Heart Institute Study was conducted in July of 2009. This study was the most comprehensive human clinical trial ever conducted on a nutritional supplement. This study included 33 high risk congestive heart failure patients.
Prior to the start of the study 60% of them were on a heart transplant list. All participants were pharmacologically and medically managed to the maximum. Each participant was given 2 scoops of ProArgi-9 Plus in the morning and 2 scoops in the evening for 90 days. ProArgi-9 Plus incorporates an integrative L-arginine / L-citrulline combination with other heart healthy ingredients. It is designed to help the endothelial cells that line all of your cardiovascular system function optimally so that they can properly produce nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is the master signaling molecule of the cardiovascular system.
The Outcome of This Study was “Remarkable!”
All patients were removed from the heart transplant list. All patients were able to eliminate or greatly reduce the drugs they were taking. All patients were able to recover normal lives.
One of those patients is Angelo Cici. Prior to the start of this study Angelo experienced renal failure, congestive heart failure and a pacemaker failure all at the same time. Life saving surgery kept Angelo alive. After being released from the hospital, Angelo continued to relapse and need medical attention. Usually after 4 to 5 days at home he would end up with a medical challenge that required Angelo to go back to the hospital. This pattern kept repeating itself over and over and over again.
Not wanting to be a burden to his wife, and not wanting to exhaust their life savings on medical expenses, Angelo made the difficult decision to pull out all of the IVs and go home to die. It was at this point that Angelo was invited into a clinical study that had just been started at the High Desert Heart Institute.
It’s with great honor and pleasure that I’m able to bring you an extensive video interview with Angelo Cici.This interview was conducted by John Hewlett of theComoCardio Institute. It’s a fascinating look at how a man’s life was not just saved but returned to a vibrant and healthy life. Enjoy the 2-part video and I’ll have some short comments to make after you’ve watched it.
Angelo Cici Interview – Part 1
Angelo Cici Interview – Part 2
There are a couple of comments I’d like to make:
The data collected for this study is being prepared for publication. This data and the results seen in this study will have a significant impact on how treatment programs are viewed for a wide range of cardiovascular issues. But the most significant part of this groundbreaking study is the impact it had on the health and wellness of its participants. Angelo feels his life was not just saved but given a level wellness and passion that he had not seen for a very long time.
During the video interview it was mentioned that there were 35 participants for this study. In most of the written literature you will see 33 participants. Originally, the study started with 35 participants but two dropped out. One because they received a heart transplant and the other because they could not be compliant with the study’s protocols.
John Hewlett and Angelo Cici are very passionate about what ProArgi-9 Plus has done for them personally. I absolutely believe in this product and have witnessed its amazing ability to improve the cardiovascular health of people. With that said we are not doctors and we would never want to replace your physician or doctor. Instead, we want to work with you and your health care provider to make sure this is right for you. If you or your health care provider have any questions, then please email me or call me. My contact information is:
I will do my best to provide you and your health care provider with the information you need to make the best decision for you. Our goal is to help as many people as possible see significant improvements in their cardiovascular system so that they can enjoy a higher quality of life.
Because of the ten-minute time limitation for YouTube videos I had to trim a small portion of the video out and divide it into 2 parts. Those wanting to see the complete interview without any editing can purchase it directly from the ComoCardio Institute. The original DVD also includes a segment with Angelo’s medical assistants. Click on“High Desert Heart Institute – Nurses Interview!” to see the rest of the information.
For those wanting more information about this study please click on “High Desert Heart Institute!”Dr. Siva Arunasalam, the Founder and Director of the High Desert Heart Institute, also gave a recent video interview with John Hewlett. You can see that interview by clicking on “Dr. Siva Interview!”
I will continue to post additional information about the High Desert Heart Institute Study as it becomes available. Another good source of information about this study is the ComoCardio Institute.
Together we can work to save a million lives!
Dan Hammer
Dan Hammer has a background in biology, chemistry and exercise physiology. He used to run one of the largest health club operations in the Chicagoland area and has been helping people with their wellness issues for more than 25 years.
The information contained in this article is for general information purposes only and never as a substitute for professional medical advice or medical exam. The information contained in this article has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of a qualified medical doctor.
ProArgi-9 Plus is one of, if not the best, nitric oxide supplements in the market. Its formulator is Dr. Joe Prendergast who has treated over 6,000 patients with incredible results. Click on image to learn more about this amazing product.
Featured Book
This featured book is written by Dr. Louis J. Ignarro who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1998 for his discovery of the importance of nitric oxide to the cardiovascular system. In Dr. Ignarro’s own words, “Nitric oxide is the body’s natural cardiovascular wonder drug.” Click on image to order this paperback!
Featured e-Book!
The Mediterranean Diet has long been considered the best diet for heart health. The best e-Book on this diet is by Emilia Klapp a Registered Dietitian by the American Dietetic Association. Click on image to order this e-book!
In my last post “Energy Production and Cardiovascular Health!” we talked about how aerobic respiration produces 18 times more energy than anaerobic respiration. How the proper use of oxygen by your cells’ mitochondria is a powerful tool for creating energy. However, when oxygen is used it also creates free radicals which can damage your cells. To prevent this damage you need antioxidants. This post will examine the need for antioxidants to fight free radical damage. 
I was going through some storage bins over the weekend and came across this crazy drawing you see on the left. It’s from my biochemistry class in college. It represents energy production. It also has a direct application to cardiovascular health. In fact, once you understand it you will realize how important good circulation is to your health and your ability to produce energy.
When I wrote the title for this post I immediately thought of my father who passed away in 1987. He died of a massive heart attack. He died while on a fishing trip in Minnesota. He was sitting in the cabin with his friends eating his favorite snack. Popcorn loaded with butter. He died at the young age of 67.
There is a new published study that sheds additional light on carbohydrates and heart disease in men and women. At least in Italian men and women. It’s entitled 
instructions. I’ve just completed this video. In it I go into detail on how to take this unique and remarkable product. A product designed to help repair the 
What’s a picture of a watermelon have to do with L-citrulline? I’ll answer that in a little bit. Let’s first start with nitric oxide and L-arginine.
The 
