Cardiovascular Foundations Protocol From Robert Sheeler, MD

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Foundations for Cardiovascular Health

Every individual has a unique cardiovascular health profile which includes these basics:

• Family history and genetic predisposition
• Smoking history
• Diet history and nutritional influences
• Weight, metabolic status and blood sugar levels
• Presence of inflammation
• Current symptoms or cardiovascular conditions

Persistence of any combination of these factors over time can affect different aspects of cardiovascular health. We’ve learned much through scientific study, about the impacts of lifestyle and we know exercise and nutrition can play a major role in. Dietary changes, such as converting to a plant based diet, have been shown to have strong positive impact.

So how can we translate what we know about dietary and nutritional influences on heart health, into a supplemental nutrient protocol to support cardiovascular health?  We asked our Medical Advisory Board Chairman, Dr. Bob Sheeler, what he considers to be the most important nutrients for supporting the anatomical and functional health of the cardiovascular system, and he shared his preferred Cardiovascular Foundations Protocol.

Inside the Protocol

Dr. Sheeler’s evidence based protocol is based on well researched dietary components, which provide synergistic support for heart function, lipid balance and healthy endothelial structure and function. Some key nutrients Dr. Sheeler recommends include the following:

Ubiquinol: Ubiquinol is the reduced (not oxidized) form of CoQ10, considered the “active” form.  It’s essential in the body’s natural production of cellular energy but also provides powerful antioxidant protection to help modulate inflammation. As such, CoQ10 supports cardiac ATP production and endothelial function. CoQ10/ubiquinol are produced by the body but levels decline with age. The Q-SYMBIO trial found that CoQ10 supplementation in patients with heart failure supported functional capacity.

Resveratrol. As a free radical scavenger, resveratrol offers multiple health benefits. Found in grapes, wine, berries and peanut skins, research on resveratrol began the inquiry into the “French paradox”. The presence of resveratrol in red wine was initially thought to be responsible for red wine’s beneficial cardiovascular effects. Clinical research on resveratrol has been positive for supporting many aspects of cardiovascular health, including healthy effects on lipid balance, inflammatory balance and platelet activity. Although not fully delineated, some of the beneficial cardiovascular effects of resveratrol are mediated through activation of silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and endogenous antioxidant enzymes. Although more research is needed to elucidate all the mechanisms of resveratrol’s action, there is ample research over the past two decades to support that resveratrol offers significant heart health benefits.

Garlic (Allium sativum), arguably the most well researched herb in the world, is also the most popular herb for supporting cardiovascular health, with good reason. Garlic has been shown in studies to support cardiovascular health with its antioxidant activity and ability to support healthy blood pressure and lipid levels, and platelet function.

Supporting immune, methylation, homocysteine and calcium balance are also important components of maintaining cardiovascular health. Dr. Sheeler’s Cardiovascular Foundations Protocol includes the heart healthy supplements he recommends to his patients.  Log in to Wellevate® to see the full protocol in addition to over 100 other protocols, provided by today’s leading integrative experts and thought leaders. Don’t have a Wellevate account? Visit www.wellevate.me to get started.