4: ‘How To Improve Cardio-Metabolic Health’ | Dr. Fred Pescatore

AIR DATE: February 2, 2012 at 7PM ETFEATURED EXPERT: FEATURED TOPIC: “How To Improve Cardio-Metabolic Health”

Episode 4 of “Jimmy Moore Presents: Ask The Low-Carb Experts” features Dr. Fred Pescatore, M.D. who is the author of several nutritional health books, including the New York Times bestselling book  among many others. He is a traditionally trained physician who practices nutritional medicine and is internationally recognized as a health, nutrition and weight loss expert. You may have seen him as an expert nutrition contributor on The Rachael Ray Show and he is currently on the editorial board of US weekly magazine as well as a regular contributor to In Touch, First for Women and Women’s World magazines.

Dr. Pescatore also has a masters degree in public health and is deeply involved in the philanthropic community devoting his time working in hospitals in Tanzania, while also helping to support organizations in the United States. Prior to opening his own medical practice, he was the Associate Medical Director of The Atkins Center for Complementary Medicine working closely with the late great Dr. Robert C. Atkins for five years. His extensive knowledge of the role nutrition play in improving both metabolic and cardiovascular health make him an excellent expert to call upon to address this week’s issue.

MEET JIMMY MOORE AT  IN AUSTIN, TX ON MARCH 14-17, 2012:

Here are some of the questions Dr. Pescatore addressed in Episode 4:

BILL ASKS:We know that chia and flax seeds are okay for low-carbers because they do not raise blood sugar. But are there any other metabolic disadvantages to consuming them? I eat 2 Tbs chia seed gel a day with stevia, cocoa powder and blueberries and I wonder if I am harming myself metabolically.

KATHY ASKS:Why do you think congestive heart failure is such a common admitting diagnosis these days? Is it the increased use of statins and perhaps CoQ10 deficiency? Or is it related in some way to the increases in chronic respiratory disease like COPD? Are there different reasons in different countries?

TOM ASKS:I am 34 years old and I have been eating processed foods and junk foods my whole life. I am sure I have a fair amount of insulin resistance going on, as well as some significant muscle atrophy. I am wondering, one, if my heart could have atrophied as well? Also, now that I am 100% Paleo, how can I work on reversing the atrophies and two, what steps should I take to start rebuilding my body now that I am keeping my carb intake minimal? I am concerned about how slow I should start with exercise until I can be certain my heart is strong enough and my insulin sensitivity is adequate to start building muscle.

MARYANN ASKS:I would appreciate it if you could have Dr. Pescatore talk about atrial fibrillation. It is something I have occasionally but I never hear it discussed. Can low-carb or Paleo eating help it?

JAMIE ASKS:Dr. Pescatore, your books span weight loss for adults as well as asthma and weight loss for kids. Regarding the relationship between what we eat, our metabolism and inflammation, is there an eating style that is less inflammatory for most people, less likely to create heart problems for adults and possible reduce asthma suffering for children?

PETER ASKS:What does Dr. Pescatore think that about someone with hypertension watching their dietary salt intake and how can people tweak their diet to help get their blood pressure numbers down?

I’ve had premature ventricular contractions for many years. They seem to be more frequent now that I am 40 years old. Is this a cause for concern and can PVCs be treated through diet and lifestyle changes?

FRAN ASKS:It seems that discussions of heart issues are actually only about cardiovascular factors and rhythm disturbance is ignored. The same advice to take statins and eat low-fat is given in both cases. A few weeks ago while we were attending a church service my husband collapsed then went into fibrillation, no pulse and was turning blue. Fortunately by this time an ER nurses in the congregation was with us and successfully performed CPR and restarted his heart immediately. I have to think that if he had followed the constant advice of his cardiologists to take statins and eat low fat his survival would have been questionable. He has no blockages just rhythm dysfunction which we have known about for years and which has claimed most of the males in his family. We are feeling very fortunate that we were where we were when this struck and with his pacemaker/defibrillator hope to spend many more years together. Why do they give the same wrong advice for such different etiologies?

RHODA ASKS:How do you lower CRP levels with the use of food, supplements and exercise?

JOAN ASKS:I was just on Dr. William Davis’ blog and noticed he is recommending the use of therapeutic niacin (1-2,000). It made me re-think stopping the niacin. Does Dr. Pescatore agree with this for people on low-carb?

SUSAN ASKS:Will you please comment on the factors you look at to assess whether someone is at risk for coronary artery disease. It seems the physicians on the front lines of health, with their prescription pads close at hand, are still focused solely on “the numbers” – total cholesterol, HDL, LDL and Trig. A few clicks of my mouse and a dose of Jimmy Moore has told me there might be a bit more to the story.

My doctor would like me to come in for a “discussion” on my alarming numbers.

I am a short/small person – 102 pounds. I exercise daily and have been low carb now for several months. I was not trying to lose weight (but did shave a few pounds anyway) but rather I wish to prevent the diabetes, obesity and heart disease that is a reality for many on both sides of my family.

fasting glucose is 85Total Cholesterol is 269LDL 182 – calculatedHDL 76Trig. 53

The doctor is not in the habit of testing for LDL particle size and only agreed after my insistence and after seeing my shocking LDL number. The doctor did not seem to appreciate the value of performing that test. I have read otherwise — that the particle size is enormously critical.

What do you look at when determining heart health/risk and what can you suggest a person say to their doctor?