Cardiovascular Disease- How to Reverse Heart Disease

Kiwi fruit and cardiovascular disease:

Consuming kiwi fruit, rich in vitamins C and E and polyphenols, may be beneficial in cardiovascular disease. A randomized cross-over study found that eating 2-3 kiwi fruit per day for 28 days significantly reduced platelet activation response to collagen and adenosine diphosphate (ADP) by 18% compared to those not eating the fruit. Compared to placebo, kiwi fruit consumption also lowered blood triglycerides levels by 15%. Reduced platelet aggregation and blood triglyceride levels in subjects have been linked with reduced incidence and severity of cardiovascular disease. (47)

Resveratrol has potential applications in cardiovascular disease:

Resveratrol was found to possess several potential benefits for heart health in in-vitro and in animal studies requiring more research for confirmation in humans. Fukuda, S et al found that resveratrol promoted angiogenesis (growth of new blood vessels) from pre-existing vessels of an ischemic heart (restriction in blood supply to tissues) in a rat model of myocardial infarction (MI) (61). Resveratrol at a dose of 2.5 or 5 mg/kg improved post-ischemic ventricular recovery, reduced myocardial infarct size, and reduced cardiomyocyte cell compared to the control group, but doses at 25 or 50 mg/kg had multiple harmful heart effects (65). Sato et al. demonstrated that an ethanol-free red wine extract and trans-resveratrol are cardio-protective against ischemia (restriction in blood supply to tissues) by functioning as a strong antioxidant (62). These findings support the benefits of red wine on heart health which may be a much safer way of obtaining the benefit of resveratrol rather than resveratrol supplements due to safety concerns of lack of regulation, unknown effective dose, and lack of standardization. Resveratrol (and red wine) also provides cardio-protection by mechanism of the inhibition of platelet aggregation (63). This may result in lower risk of thrombosis in atherosclerotic coronary arteries.