The role of cholesterol and fats in cardiovascular disease (CVD)

Cholesterol and fat receive a lot of attention in the health and wellness media especially in connection with cardiovascular disease (CVD).  Most of it is negative and places the blame for heart disease on high fats diets in general and more specifically the cholesterol molecule.  Of course there are numerous CVD risk factors such as age, genetics, sedentary lifestyles, obesity, diabetes and so on but this blog is focused on clarifying the role of cholesterol and fats.

Where does cholesterol come from and what does it do?

Only about 20% of our cholesterol comes from diet, the remaining 80% is made by the liver.  So why does our body make it, if it’s harmful?

Cholesterol is an essential component of many processes in the body including the formation of every cell membrane. Our cell membranes consist of 1/3 saturated fat, 1/3 polyunsaturated fat and 1/3 cholesterol and it is here that all cellular activity (metabolism) takes place.

Cholesterol is the raw material of hormone production and we manufacture vitamin D from it, via the action of sunlight. We also need it for bile, which facilitates fat absorption and toxin excretion. It’s a key component of the myelin sheath surrounding our nerve fibres making it important for brain and nerve function. The list goes on, but you can see how important it is for many critical functions.

How does cholesterol go wrong?

The problem occurs when there is damage to the delicate lining of our blood vessels. The immune system steps in creating plaques to try and repair the situation and over time they can narrow our arteries.  This process can result in an oxidised cholesterol molecule (LDL-c), which depending on the size, density and number of them can increase cardiac risk.

If our cholesterol metabolism is working correctly however LDL-c should be picked up by HDL-c and returned to the liver for excretion. For this process to work properly it requires a consistent supply of antioxidants. 

So as is often the case it’s a question of balance.

What causes blood vessel damage?

The biggest culprits are high blood pressure from stress, sugar, trans fats and inflammation. This is because:

  1. High blood pressure caused by the stress hormone adrenaline causes turbulent blood flow, which can easily damage the delicate blood vessel lining. Adrenaline can be triggered by any stressor such as: erratic blood sugar, lack of sleep, financial or emotional difficulties.
  2. Refined carbohydrates and refined sugar are pro-inflammatory and can form ‘advance glycation end products’ (AGE) which stick to plaques further narrowing the arteries. 
  3. Trans fats which are contained in most biscuits, cakes and ultra processed food, raise LDL-c as well as making these particles more dangerous (atherogenic).
  4. Inflammation arises from various sources such as infection and toxicity but vascular cell damage is also inflammatory so a vicious cycle emerges. 

What if cholesterol is high? WHAT IF TOTAL CHOLEST

This may or may not be a problem but it’s always wise to investigate. Ideally our total cholesterol:HDL-c ratio should be less than 4.5 for men and less than 4 for women. The other important ratio is the HDL:LDL - c ratio and this is kept in balance by our level of antioxidants.

Preliminary check

An easy way to assess if there might be an issue is to calculate your waist to hip ratio (WHR). This is a good indicator of the presence of fat around the organs (visceral fat). Women should be 0.8 or more with a waist measurement below 90 cm (35 inches). The ratio for men is 1.0 or more with a 102 cm (40 inch) waist or less.

Can nutrition and lifestyle help?

The good news is there is so much you can do with nutrition, lifestyle and supplements to balance cholesterol metabolism and reduce risk. Medication may be necessary especially if there are genetics at play but this can often be minimised if every thing else is addressed.

Nutritional therapy is always very unique and personalised but it tends to focus on the following:

Nutrition

Testing and supplementation

Lifestyle

References:

Samsel, A and Seneff, S. (2013) Glyphosate, pathways to modern diseases II: celiac sprue and gluten intolerance. Interdisciplinary Toxicology 6(4): 159–184. doi: 10.2478/intox-2013-0026

Wannamethee, G. et al. (1995) Low serum total cholesterol concentrations and mortality in middle aged British men. British Medical Journal 12:311(7002): pp. 409-13. doi: 10.1136/bmj.311.7002.409.

Suffering with acne; infertility; tiredness and irregular menstrual cycles? Could it be polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

This is such a distressing condition especially for young girls. As I am seeing it in clinic and the incidence is rising I thought I would summarise some of the current scientific information and clinical approaches here.

Diagnosis

For a diagnosis two out of the following three factors are required:

  1. Irregular menstrual cycles: for years rather than months and this can mean they are very close together or more than 35 days apart and may include random bleeding.
  2. Androgen excess – this can include total testosterone, free testosterone  Dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) and androstenodione.
  3. Polycystic ovaries on ultra-sound – these are not cysts but follicles with an egg inside. In teenagers there is a risk of mis-diagnosis due to very sensitive ultra sound scans which are no longer recommended for this age range. This is because they may just have a lot of eggs because they have not fully gone through puberty yet or due to high stress levels. In addition birth control can cause cysts.  A higher than average anti-mullerian hormone may help to clarify this.

Presentation and symptoms

So what’s going on?

1. Insulin resistance

This occurs when cells stop allowing insulin to escort sugar (glucose) into the cells.  It is very often but not always present in PCOS although the severity is variable. If glucose can’t get into the cell it gets deposited in the liver resulting in abdominal fat, hence insulin is often called ‘the fat storage hormone’. With no glucose (energy) in the cells clients often feel exhausted and hungry and therefore eat more, so a vicious cycle emerges.  Food should generate energy but instead it’s stored as fat (weight) which the body doesn’t utilise, for various reasons, and the resulting lack of energy promotes more food intake. Weight gain, especially abdominal, is therefore a common feature of PCOS. Both glucose and insulin in the blood are undesirable over certain levels and will damage blood vessels.

Insulin resistance can be tested by measuring and testing for: fasting insulin; fasting glucose; an oral glucose tolerance test; Haemoglobin A1c and High sensitivity CRP levels. Some clients will react to very low glucose levels as the sugar levels in their blood drop, others will have low levels of insulin or may struggle to detox it from the body.

2. Low oestrogen

Oestrogen is required for many actions in the body including regulating metabolism and it is made from testosterone. The pituitary gland in the brain triggers luteinising hormone (LH) to signal testosterone which is converted to oestrogen by the ovaries. The conversion is carried out by an enzyme called aromatase which is initiated by a hormone called follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) also controlled by our pituitary gland. In PCOS this conversion isn’t working properly so oestrogen levels remain low and the brain keeps stimulating testosterone production. This then results in high testosterone levels which cause inflammation and overload the liver. Poor detoxification of testosterone and oestrogen can result and these metabolites tend to become toxic.

3. High androgens

High androgens such as testosterone will be an issue for most PCOS clients because of the hormone cascade detailed above. High testosterone alters the gut microbiome which in turn results in greater testosterone production. A vicious cycle emerges of low oestrogen triggering LH, FSH and testosterone production resulting in high androgens which cause distressing acne and hair growth or loss symptoms

4. Problems with immunity

There are many Immune cells lining the gut which also contain oestrogen receptors. Dr Gersh considers oestrogen the master of the immune system for men as well as women.  Oestrogen helps to turn inflammation on and off as required but also modulates the reaction to avoid a strong inflammatory chemical cascade. In PCOS, compared to controls, the threshold for inflammatory process activation is much lower. This inflammation can create all sorts of gut issues including toxicity and permeability resulting in dysbiosis and it’s many associated issues.

The underlying cause

Genetically a mild defect in oestrogen production was an evolutionary benefit as slightly higher testosterone made women a little less fertile (fewer children) as well as stronger and braver. Modern times, chemical toxicity and the modern Western diet have twisted this advantage into a modern disease.

Many of the issues above start with metabolic dysfunction, which is the process of converting food into energy, in the gut and the liver.

1. Endocrine (hormone) disrupting chemicals (EDC’s)

The research is showing that plastics, phthalates (plasticisers), BPA, BPF, herbicides, heavy meals and air pollution present in the environment, in utero and during puberty cause hormonal and metabolic disruption, especially in women who are predisposed. These EDC’s can block, mimic or interfere with the body’s hormone system causing many health problems.

 2. Microbiome

The gut lining and the enteric nervous system have oestrogen receptors which play a key role in the metabolism of food into energy.  Low oestrogen levels can result in gut dysbiosis, gut permeability and poor gut motility (constipation).  These factors in turn can lead to an increase in toxicity and inflammation for the liver to deal with.

3. Liver function and jet lag

Oestrogen is the master clock hormone and it co-ordinates our metabolic function in tune with our circadian rhythm. Over a third of our genes are clock genes and many others interact with these (60%).  Dr Felice Gersh describes the body and it’s organs as an orchestra all tuned to our inbuilt circadian rhythm. Each and every one of your gut microbes (bacteria) has it's own circadian rhythm.   So without sufficient oestrogen and poor absorption of what is produced, the body’s metabolism malfunctions. It thinks it’s day when its night and vice versa. Remember how awful you feel when you have jet lag?  It’s the same scenario just a different cause.

The absence of food at the correct time is highly stressful, so the body will trigger cortisol. In response to this the liver will manufacture its own sugar (gluconeogenesis), for energy to respond to the ‘stressor’. This means the liver pours out sugar overnight thinking it is daytime, which triggers insulin which then stores as fat. In time this can lead to fatty liver.  It is this overloaded and confused liver which results in the downstream effects of insulin resistance, poor detoxification and immune dysfunction known collectively as metabolic dysfunction.

Why weight gain and infertility are such a problem

1. Weight gain

PCOS sufferers are susceptible to weight gain for a number of reasons. Oestrogen regulates energy control (metabolism) and also appetite so low levels can result in increased appetite and poor energy generation. When we are tired we often over eat.  In addition there may be insulin resistance which leads to fat storage. The metabolism and regulation of energy becomes very dysregulated hence the weight can increase.  There are different types of PCOS however and a lean PCOS syndrome has also been identified.

2. Infertility

In addition to low oestrogen production the receptors for oestrogen often malfunction in PCOS sufferers. Every organ in the body has oestrogen receptors and oestrogen connects metabolic and reproductive mechanisms. Pregnancy is inherently a metabolic stressor and in PCOS there are already many metabolic issues. Infertility is therefore a common downstream issue.

Recovery strategy

It can seem like a rather depressing picture and PCOS sufferers do have a lot of work to do.  But the good news is by paying attention to diet and lifestyle there is a great deal that can be done.

PCOS can be helped dramatically with resetting circadian rhythm via obtaining light at the right time and eating at the correct times. In one study insulin and testosterone fell by over 50% in one month just by changing the structure of meals.

There are also various eating strategies which can ease pressure on the liver and help to regulate insulin function.  Eating a very nutrient dense diet helps the microbiome to flourish so it’s important to work on the quality of food as well as the diversity and quantity. There are lots of therapeutic ways to nourish and rebuild the gut lining which in turn helps with reducing toxicity and supporting the immune system.  We also work to support the liver which controls insulin production and whether we burn glucose or fat for energy.

In addition there are several supplements which I have found can really support clients with their energy generation and regulation and help with cortisol regulation.  This does two things. It gives the client hope and also with less fatigue they have more energy to make the changes required.

Finally stress management is key as nervous system sympathetic tone is important. So breath work and meditation, yoga or alternative techniques can all help with this.

So the message is one of positivity and hope. By working in a personalised way we can support the body to make the changes required in a way that suits each individuals physiology and lifestyle.

References:

Parker et al, (2022) Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: An Evolutionary Adaptation to Lifestyle and the Environment Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(3), 1336; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031336

https://www.anhinternational.org/news/oestrogens-not-just-for-women/

https://yourlongevityblueprint.com/sos-pcos-part-1-dr-felice-gersh

How to Optimise Your Vitamin D Level

There are two major forms of vitamin D from two different sources.

  1. Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is our main source (80-90%) and it is produced in the skin following sunlight exposure but it is also found in foods of animal origin. Technically this makes vitamin D a pro hormone.
  2. Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) is found in foods of vegetable origin and supplements

In the UK our main dietary sources of vitamin D are food of animal origin, foods fortified with vitamin D and supplementation. Naturally rich food sources include egg yolk and oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring and sardines.

Absorption

We probably absorb between 62 to 92% of our dietary vitamin D. It is fat soluble and absorbed in the small intestine from where it is transported via the lymph into the circulation. Vitamin D produced under the skin enters the fluid between our cells (extracellular) before defusing into the circulation and being transported to the liver.

Common food sources of vitamin D

Food sourcesInternational Units (IU)
Salmon 140g408
Sardines canned 140g184
Mackerel 140g476
Mushrooms 80g (enriched)128
1 egg64
Tuna 140g60
Beef mince 100g24
Lamb 90g20
Butter 10g4
Vitamin D content is taken from British Nutrition Foundation ‘Vital vitamin D’ resource sourced  from McCance and Widdowson's The Composition of Foods: Seventh Summary

Total vitamin D production depends on a combination of factors:

The body appears to store vitamin D in adipose tissue (fat cells) and possibly muscle tissue. Studies suggest that levels of vitamin D decline as our body mass index (BMI) increases, and increase as BMI decreases. However the ability of the body to access these stores is unclear and it may be sequestered rather than stored.

There are in fact, a whole lot of factors that affect how much vitamin D our bodies can make including:

Role in the body

The main role of vitamin D is to help regulate the absorption and metabolism of calcium and phosphorus from the gut. To a lesser extent it also regulates magnesium absorption.

Vitamin D is therefore vital for bone mineralisation, bone growth and bone health. Without it bones will be soft, malformed, and unable to repair themselves normally. This results in the disease called rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. Vitamin D also plays an important role in musculoskeletal health and neuromuscular function because of its’ role in calcium homeostasis.

However evidence is emerging of other roles for vitamin D including:

Measurement

Both vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 are converted by the liver to 25-hydroxyvitamin D written in shortform as 25(OH)D and then to the active hormone 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D. Tests measure 25(OH)D to estimate the status of vitamin D in the body because it is the most useful indicator. It remains in the blood longer and is present at much higher concentrations than the active form.

Picture source https://www.anhinternational.org/campaigns/test-take-vitamin-d/

Vitamin D blood levels

The National Osteoporosis society (NOS) guidelines (UK, 2013) and the Institute of Medicine (US) classify vitamin D results as follows:

The Scientific Advisory Committee Report (SACN) report (2016) considers levels in the UK below 25 nmol/L to be inadequate with an increased risk of rickets and osteomalacia.

However the Endocrine Society Task Force concluded 50 nmol/L as the cut off for deficiency and recommended that concentration “should exceed 75 nmol/L” for maximum benefit on calcium, bone and muscle metabolism. Other researchers have proposed thresholds between 50-120 nmol/L to reduce the risk of adverse non-skeletal outcomes.

Dr Damien Downing, president of the British Society for Ecological Medicine and vitamin D expert, recommends a vitamin D blood level of at least 75 nmol/L for immune support and levels over 100 nmol/L to lower your risk of cancer and autoimmune disease.  Grassroots Health (vitamin D global expert Group) suggest anything below 100 nmol/L is inadequate and recommend optimum levels of 100-150 nmol/L.

Your magnesium and vitamin K2 intake can also influence your vitamin D absorption. Magnesium is required for the conversion of vitamin D into its active form. If your magnesium level is too low you may store vitamin D in its inactive form.

How to supplement if blood levels are low

Low blood levels of vitamin D may mean that you are not getting enough exposure to sunlight or enough dietary intake or that there is a problem with its absorption from the intestines.

In the UK most people should be able to obtain enough vitamin D from sunlight from the end of March to the end of September.

During autumn and winter as many of us don’t get enough sun exposure a supplement may be required.  The best way to determine your requirement is to measure your vitamin D (https://www.vitamindtest.org.uk/) level and then use the Grassroots vitamin D calculator to work out the correct dose. https://www.grassrootshealth.net/project/dcalculator.

Grassroots Health also suggest taking 600mg of magnesium and supplemental K2 of 90 mcg for women and 120 mcg for men daily. This helps to support bioavailability of your vitamin D as well as conversion to the active form.

Elderly people, those with darker skin tones, overweight or obese individuals or those exposed to limited sunlight have a much higher risk of becoming deficient. The Department of Health and Social Care recommends a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms (400IU) of vitamin D for higher risk groups like these.

You can also get some idea of where your level might be by using the D Minder Pro app from the App Store. This app is expertly designed to help you track and manage your vitamin D levels. It also provides other useful data related to your geographical location.

How much to supplement

Official recommendations on how much to supplement vary widely. In the UK it's 400 IU (international units) or 10mcg (micrograms). The EU and many countries go for 400-600 IU, the exception is Italy's 2000 IU (50 mcg), in the USA its1000 IU (25 mcg). Some vitamin D researchers and experienced clinicians, such as Professor Hollick, recommend 4000 to 5000 IU (125 mcg) for daily maintenance.  A general guideline for adults over the age of 18 is between 50-100 mcg (2000 – 4000IU) for the colder months. It is recommended to work with a healthcare practitioner before supplementing at these levels.

Which form of vitamin D to supplement

Clinicians usually recommend vitamin D3 for supplementation as D2 isn’t so effective at raising vitamin D levels in the blood.

Toxicity

Commercially vitamin D is synthesised by UVB irradiation of 7DHC (from sheep wool) and ergosterol (from fungi).  Prolonged sunlight doesn’t cause excess production but high dose supplementation can be toxic and can cause hypercalcaemia (soft tissue deposition of calcium). High levels will usually reflect supplement intake.

To evaluate how your sun exposure and/or supplement dose is working for you it’s a good idea to re measure your vitamin D level after three to six months.

N.B. 1 microgram of vitamin D is equal to 40 International Units (IU). So 10 micrograms of vitamin D is equal to 400 IU.

References

Alliance for Natural Healthhttps://www.anhinternational.org/campaigns/test-take-vitamin-d/

Bikle, D.D. (2009) Vitamin D and immune function: understanding common pathways; Curr Osteoporos Rep; Jul; 7(2); pp.58-63. doi: 10.1007/s11914-009-0011-6.

Haddad, J.G. et. al (1993) Human plasma transport of vitamin D after its endogenous synthesis; Journal of Clinical Investigation; June; 91(6) pp.2552-5. doi: 10.1172/JCI116492.

Holick, M.F. (2011) Evaluation, treatment, and prevention of vitamin D deficiency: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline; J Clin Endocrinol Metab; July; 96(7); pp.1911-30. doi: 10.1210/jc.2011-0385.

Ovesen, L. et. al (2003) Geographical differences in vitamin D status, with particular reference to European countries; Proceedings of the Nutrition Society; Symposium on optimal nutrition for osteoporosis prevention; 62 pp. 813-821.

SACN (2016) Vitamin D and Health; The Scientific Advisory Committee on nutrition; Available from https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/scientific-advisory-committee-on-nutrition. (SACN)

Supporting immunity

I am receiving lots of enquiries about how to support their immune system and health through the winter season. I’ve put together some information on key nutrients to consider for support and why, together with some practical suggestions of what and how much to take. There is no substitute for eating a healthy nutritious diet but if you regularly suffer from colds, flu or infections over the winter season this extra support may be useful. As always please consult your GP or health practitioner if you are already taking medication or supplements to ensure there are no contraindications.

Vitamin D3

Recent studies show vitamin D3 supports the immune response to infection and protects against respiratory tract infection especially in vitamin D deficient people1,3. UK NHS guidelines recommend 400 IU per day 2 but many researchers recommend more especially if you aren’t getting at least 10 minutes sunshine per day. I usually recommend 1000 IU but it’s always a good idea to test first. Finger prick tests are available. I use a company called FORTH but you can also ask your GP to test. Use this link to benefit from my discount code:

https://www.biomarkertracking.com/p/store/DNRMAXWELL/2/

Zinc

Has been shown to stimulate antiviral immunity 4.  Best taken with copper, 15mg per day should be sufficient for prevention 4.  Lower serum concentration of both vitamin D3 and zinc have been detected in patients suffering with moderate Covid 19 symptoms as compared to mild or asymptomatic patients5.

Propolis

Propolis honey bee resin is formed from the resins which the bees collect from trees which form part of the plants natural immune system. It contains more than 300 naturally derived bio-active compounds. These flavonoids and phenolics are what make Propolis a powerful natural defence which may soothe sore throats and support upper respiratory tract infections.

Mushrooms

Mushrooms are fascinating powerhouses of nutrients and compounds that provide many positive health promoting actions including antiviral and antibacterial.  We share 40% of their DNA making them more similar to us than plants. Many mushrooms have anti-viral properties and can inhibit viral replication. They can improve T-lymphocyte proliferation and increase Natural Killer cell activity to increase our natural defences against cancer and provide immunomodulatory benefits 6.

Quercetin

Quercetin is a flavonoid found in plants such as onions, brassicas, apples, grapes and berries. It is known to stimulate the immune system to generate aniviral activity and decrease pro-inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory mediators. It has also been shown to reduce the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) due to exercise and can be utilised in URTI’s such as asthma and allergic reactions. 7

Ginger

Ginger has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory benefits and positive effects on acute respiratory distress syndrome.8

Ginger tea - take a large palm sized piece of ginger and cope into a few pieces.  Bash each piece to release the flavour better or grate it and boil in 1 litre of water for 30 minutes.  Optional - add 1/2 tsp of ground turmeric and a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper. Once it has cooled a little you can add the juice of 1/2 a lemon about 3 tbsp. Strain if desired and pour the liquid into a flask to drink when desired.

Get in touch for more information on nutrition to support your health and immunity. Call 07740 876233 or email me at helen@helenmaxwellnutrition.co.uk. https://helenmaxwellnutrition.co.uk/contact-2/

Please use this link to access product information and immune boosting juice and smoothie receipes

https://www.dropbox.com/s/qxd4bx7lynr4ucu/IMMUNITY%20.pdf?dl=0

References1 Calder, P.C. et al. (2020) Optimal Nutritional Status for a Well-Functioning Immune System Is an Important Factor to Protect against Viral Infections Nutrients 12(4) p1181. 2 https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-d/ 3 James, P.T. et al. (2021) The Role of Nutrition in COVID-19 Susceptibility and Severity of Disease: A Systematic Review. The Journal of Nutrition;151 pp.1554-1878. 4 National Academies Press (US) (2001) Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc. Institute of Medicine (US) Panel on Micronutrients. Washington (DC) 5 Golabi, S. et al. (2021) The Association between Vitamin D and Zinc Status and the Progression of Clinical Symptoms among Outpatients Infected with SARS-CoV-2 and Potentially Non-Infected Participants: A Cross-Sectional Study Nutrients 13(10) pp. 3368.6 Chan, G.C-F. et al. (2009) The effects of beta-glucan on human immune and cancer cells; Journal of Hematology and Oncology 2(25)   DOI: 10.1186/1756-8722-2-25 7 Micek, J. et al. (2016) 7 Nyguen, H.A. et al. (2020) Quercetin and its anti-allergic immune response; Molecules 623; doi:10.3390 8 Ginger on Human Health: A Comprehensive Systematic Review of 109 Randomized Controlled Trials 12(1) 157 https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12010157

Breathing-pattern - could it be the missing link?

The way we breathe is intricately linked to the way our body functions on both a physical and psychological level. When we breathe correctly we oxygenate our organs to maximise their function.

Between 50-80% of the general population have some level of breathing-pattern disorder

The researcher and professor of physical therapy, Kiesel (2017), has found that between 50-80% of the general population have some level of breathing-pattern disorder.  The Oxygen Advantage® programme is designed to reset and optimise your breathing-pattern to improve your overall health and well-being.  It also works specifically on performance for sports and exercise.

Signs and symptoms that your breathing is disordered

Signs that your breathing may be disordered or that you need to improve your breathing include.

Why consider learning to breathe correctly?

Correcting how you breathe may be the missing link in your health journey.  For example if you wake up tired or struggle to focus in the morning this may because of how you breathe during the night. 

When we learn how to breathe properly we can impact all kinds of health issues such as:

DigestionImmune function
Weight lossEnergy levels
AnxietyChronic fatigue
AsthmaExercise induced breathlessness
ConcentrationFocus
Sleep problemsSnoring
Sports performanceCOPD

How is breathing connected to weight loss, energy levels, chronic fatigue and anxiety?

There is a close link between breathing and metabolism which is connected to energy and weight. There seems to be a relationship between the amount we eat and over breathing. Exercises designed to stimulate the para sympathetic nervous (PNS) system seem to bring the body back into balance. This PNS stimulation helps to lower anxiety levels, reduce emotional eating and appetite as well as improve the basal metabolic rate. This is through complex interactions between respiratory rate, heart rate, and the increased capacity of the blood to carry oxygen.

What about asthma and breathing difficulties?

This is one of the key reasons people undertake the programme.  The mechanics and depth of how we breathe affects the amount of air and blood in our lungs. If we breathe well our lungs will protect us against pulmonary infections and we will generate an important molecule called nitric oxide. This molecule is generated in the nasal passages and is our first line of defence against foreign particles. Nitric oxide is anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-viral and it dilates our airways and blood vessels to enhance delivery of oxygen and micronutrients to the tissues. Generating nitric oxide has been found to have significant health benefits especially with regard to chronic and age related disease.

By learning to breathe correctly, improving oxygen uptake and controlling the amount of air you breathe asthma symptoms may reduce or resolve and the need for medication can diminish.

Why does our breathing affect our digestion and our immune function?

Our gut membrane is the barrier between our internal and external world. It is the vital link between what we eat and the nutrients our body digests and absorbs. It’s surface area is as big as two tennis courts but it is delicate, only one cell thick and half the width of a human hair. Most of our immune system is situated just behind this membrane which starts in the sinuses and runs all the way down our throat to the stomach and intestines. It works to protect us from any unwanted substances we may ingest.

Many of us eat on the run, in a rush or whilst feeling stressed.  When we learn to breathe correctly we oxygenate our gut so it can relax, digest and function optimally which in turn supports our immunity.

How can changing how we breathe improve our exercise performance?

Many of us gas-out too soon when we exercise.  This breathlessness can actually put us off exercising.  We instinctively think this is because we can’t get enough oxygen. It has much more to do with being unable to tolerate the build up of carbon dioxide and lactic acid in the body combined with weak respiratory muscles. This chemical oversensitivity can be retrained and reset so the body can do more with less.  We can also retrain the mechanics of breathing to improve the strength of our diaphragm, and the inspiratory and expiratory muscles.

What is the Oxygen Advantage® programme ?

The Oxygen Advantage® programme teaches you the science and the practice of breathing right.  You learn the science of breathing and the ‘how to’ practical part which has two stages. The first stage is to assess your breathing and then learn how to retrain and repattern this for optimal function.  The second stage of the programme uses exercises which simulate high altitude training.  This teaches the body to do more with less, improving athletic performance for both recreational and professional sports people. 

Once you have learnt the exercises and reset your breathing receptors you simply incorporate it into your daily activities.

Benefits

The physiological benefits will depend on how your body responds to the core benefits of:

We pay little attention to the way we breathe because it’s such an automatic process. The Eastern philosophies such as yoga and Tai Chi have always taught that it is a key component of health.  We have never been taught to address it but with the Oxygen Advantage® programme you will learn the science and the practice from a fully qualified instructor.

You can read more about the Oxygen Advantage® programme here.

Helen Maxwell

www.helenmaxwellnutrition.co.uk

Helen@helenmaxwellnutrition.co.uk

07740 876233

References

Kiesel, P.T. et al (2017) Development of a screening protocol to identify individuals with dysfunctional breathing. The International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy 12(51), DOI: 10.16603/ijspt20170774

Djupesland, P.G. et al. (1999) Nitric oxide in the nose and paranasal sinuses – respiratory tract physiology in a new perspective; Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen 119(27); pp.4070-4072.

Bryan NS, et al. (2017) Oral microbiome and nitric oxide: the missing link in the management of blood Pressure. Current Hypertension Reports:19(4):33.

Stephan BCM, et al. (2017) Cardiovascular disease, the nitric oxide pathway and risk of cognitive impairment and dementia; Current Cardiology Reports: 11;19(9):87.

Enter 'The zone'

An air of mystery surrounds ‘The Zone’, a near mythical state of mind-body alignment which athletes seek but few master. Rupert Sheldrake (author and biologist) suggests that sport may be one of the few remaining ways for people to experience an altered state of consciousness.  Sport requires: total concentration on the ‘present’; dedication; discipline and a will to explore and stretch beyond normal physical and mental capabilities. These qualities are all elements of committed spiritual practice potentially leading to similar experiences.

HeartMath® research suggests that this flow state is about heart-brain synchronisation achieved by connection with your intuitive heart.  When we do this over and over, with intention, it gradually becomes easier. We begin to understand it’s not a one-shot experience but a place we can train ourselves to enter at will.  There is a formula to get there to become physically, mentally and emotionally coherent. When we are coherent we are present, we think clearly, react intuitively and can play great sports.

The biofeedback from HeartMath® technology helps to build awareness of how our different emotional states affect the rhythmic pattern of heart activity.  It gives real time information on your heart rate variability (HRV) which is a measurement of the time intervals between consecutive heartbeats. 

Physically active individuals tend to have a higher HRV and this is associated with better health status. Athletes (recreational and professional) with a high HRV can respond, flex and adapt to the demands of their training and sport more easily.  But like most things in life it’s about balance and sport has a positive and negative relationship with HRV.  Your heart-beat is affected by your respiratory/cardiac cycle known as respiratory sinus arrhythmia or RSA. The sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight) is activated to cope with the demands of sport or exercise. If this exceeds available resources then vagus nerve function will diminish, negatively affecting our RSA and HRV. 

Teaching people to sustain positive emotions facilitates emotional and psychological coherence, enhancing mind-body co-ordination and shortening reaction time.  Tiger Woods was once asked during a championship game if there was a specific area players should look out for.  His response “No, not really.  I think the guys who are really controlling their emotions are going to win”.  I remember some years ago watching my son play football and thinking how much time and energy the players were wasting on emotions like frustration and anger at referee’s decisions or missed goals.  At the height of competition the ability to manage emotional reactions, make clear decisions and trust your intuition is often the difference between winning and losing.

Studies have shown that coherence can spread through entrainment, so team chemistry may result from a kind of collective team coherence or resonance. Perhaps a shared sense of energy, rhythm and intuitive knowing occurs to generate interaction and a successful team outcome. High school teacher and basketball coach Beth McHamee included HeartMath®  techniques in their training.  Before each game the team did a Heart Lock -in® and they used Quick coherence® on court and at half time. They ended the season with a record 15 wins compared to the previous six.

In Sweden hockey players trained in HeartMath® have used the techniques to switch from a chaotic to coherent emotional state when they are in the box watching the game.  This has improved their game observation ability but in addition they improved their physical stamina. Master Kelly (World Martial Arts Champion) also found benefits outside of his sport.  He used

HeartMath® techniques to maintain his edge to fight whilst competing in a younger competition category. He also used them to relax and handle stress from competition and travelling as well as to overcome injury setbacks and spark creativity and focus when writing his book.

HRV training and biofeedback have also been shown to play a useful role in the psychological response to injury and the rehabilitation process. The techniques can help them to deal with their roller coaster of emotions and the inevitable pain catastrophising which can become predictive. Compared to controls the HRV trained subjects lowered their respiration rates and improved on all psychological outcomes.  Their perceived level of control increased with the opportunity to become an active participant in their treatment.

Get in touch to learn how to use the Heartmath® biofeedback technology and techniques to tackle those situations where you react emotionally rather than respond intelligently. 

Experience science-based technology and coaching for taking charge of your life.

Proven to help you reduce stress and anxiety by increasing your inner balance and self-security.

Learn to access your heart’s intuition to become the best version of yourself more often.

“The brain thinks, but the heart knows” Joe Dispenza (neuroscientist) 

Helen Maxwell

HeartMath® certified coach

www.helenmaxwellnutrition.co.uk

Helen@helenmaxwellnutrition.co.uk

REFS

Perry, J., et al. (2018) Effectiveness of athletes’ mental strategies in maintaining high heart rate variability: Utility of a brief athlete-specific stress assessment protocol, ‘Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology’, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1123/jcsp.2017-0016

Ravi, S., et al. (2018) Heart rate variability: biofeedback and controlled breathing, competitive and recreation sport athletes, 2nd International conference on lifelong education and leadership for all, Latvian Academy of Sport Education, pp.413-418.

Rollo, S., et al. (2017) Effects of a heart rate variability biofeedback intervention on athletes psychological responses following injury: A pilot study; International Journal of Sports and Exercise Medicine, 3(6) DOI: 10.23937/2469-5718/1510081.

Sheldrake, R., (2019), Ways to go beyond and why they work: 7 spiritual practices for a scientific age, Hodder and Stoughton Ltd.