Go-Red-For Women Campaign: American Hearat Association Feb 5-12

Tomorrow is National Wear Red Day. Thousands of Americans will be wearing red to draw attention to this startling fact: Over 430,000 women are silenced each year by cardiovascular disease – and most of these deaths are preventable.

Kardea encourages you to wear something red tomorrow to honor those women – and that you’ll help fund the research and programs that can save them. Today, the American Heart Associataion is launching a Go Red & Give campaign. One week, one goal: $100,000 to keep our sisters, mothers, daughters and wives safe.

Donate directly to the American Heart Association to support education, outreach and research programs to help save women’s lives.

Your donation could help keep someone you love safe from the #1 killer disease in the U.S.

Looking Beyond Lowering LDL Cholesterol

The risk of developing cardiovascular diseases is typically assessed based on a standard cholesterol test measuring LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and HDL (high-density lipoprotein) levels and then factoring advanced age, gender, family history of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking. Taking these factors into account, LDL lowering targets can then be established, and a program of therapeutic changes in lifestyle and nutrition can be established. If these changes are unable to bring cholesterol levels in line, medications are routinely provided.

However, studies indicate that these risk factors can account for only a portion, perhaps 50%, of the incidence of coronary artery disease. The scientific community has continued its investigations, and is finding that a number of other risk factors can be identified through blood test. On its website, Berkeley Health Lab, a leading medical lab with an integrated program for cardiovascular treatment, identifies many of these important factors including:

Size of LDL Particles: Some LDLs Are Worse Than Others

• Small LDL particles can cause plaque build up to progress much faster because they can enter the artery wall easier than large LDL particles
• Too many small LDL particles can increase your risk for a heart attack beyond any other risk factors you may have, such as smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.
• Certain medications, proper nutrition, and regular exercise can help your body produce fewer small LDL particles

Size of HDL Particles: Some HDLS Are Better Than Others

• HDL helps to protect against progression of plaque build-up in the artery wall
• HDL2b is the workhorse of all of the HDL particle types. It has the ability to pick up and remove cholesterol
• Certain medications, improved nutrition, loss of body fat, stopping tobacco use, and increased physical activity are some ways that HDL-C and HDL2b can be improved

Apolipoprotein B: Accurate LDL Particle Number

• ApoB is a direct measurement of the amount of LDL ("bad" cholesterol) particles
• A high apoB number indicates increased risk for heart disease
• Improved eating habits, increased physical activity, and loss of body fat are some lifestyle changes that improve apoB
• Your physician uses apoB to determine if certain medications are needed and to monitor their effectiveness

C-Reactive Protein-hs (CRP)

• High levels of CRP indicate inflammation within the body due to infection or tissue injury; it can also predict heart disease risk levels
  Certain medications may help reduce this risk
  Certain foods have anti-inflammatory benefits

ApoE Genotype

• ApoE is a genetic test that plays a role in helping to identify how people respond to different amounts of dietary fat. Your body's response to dietary fat impacts the formation of small or large LDL particles
• There are 3 types of apoE genotypes: apoE2, apoE3 and apoE4
• People with an apoE4 have a greater risk for heart disease
• ApoE can be used to help guide the right nutrition plan for you

Other risk factors measurable through blood tests also are discussed on this site.

Overall, most of us typically receive the standard test for cholesterol, with these more thorough tests reserved for those individuals at high risk. Yet, for those of us interested in the information needed to optimize our long term health, this more complete assessment can be very useful. Check with you healthcare provider about obtaining these more extensive blood test to better direct your unique course for optimizing your health.

Juvenile Diabetes & Cholesterol Management

Diabetes is not simply a challenging and chronic disease in its own right, but it also is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.

As a consequence, those with diabetes, including children and teenagers, are encouraged to take a more active approach to managing cholesterol levels. The American Academy of Pediatrics, for instance, recently recommended wider cholesterol screening for children. Underpinning these recommendations is the understanding that elevated LDL (bad) cholesterol in kids can lead to an onset of cardiovascular disease earlier in adulthood. It recognizes that the plaque in an adult's arteries may have begun developing very early in life.

The AAP also suggested that for a selected group of children, prescribing a statin medication might be appropriate. Drug treatment, according to these recommendations, should be considered for children 8 and older who face multiple risk factors for developing heart disease.

Yet, statins are not typically considered the first line of treatment. Instead, medical nutrition therapy is recommended. Medical nutrition therapy includes the following: decreasing saturated fat (less than 7% total daily calories), avoiding trans fatty acids, decreasing dietary cholesterol to less than 200 mg daily, increasing soluble fiber from oats, beans, psyllium or fruits, and adding plant sterols daily.

In a recent study published in Diabetes Education, the role of medical nutrition therapy was evaluated in a patient with Type II diabetes. The patient achieved a desired LDL cholesterols level through nutrition alone. Medications were not required.

The Study's author concluded that evidence-based nutrition guidelines have been evaluated and reviewed to demonstrate the effectiveness of heart-healthy eating for children with hyperlipidemia and type 1 diabetes.

Omega-3s & Heart Health: Strong Science Supports Broad Recommendations

Broad medical recommendations, like those now advanced by the American Heart Association (AHA) and National Cholesterol Education Program, come only after extensive research has confirmed usefulness. Multiple types of research are used. Epidemiologic studies compare the difference in disease and diet across groups of people. Experimental studies assess the role of a nutrient or medication in laboratory animals. Clinical studies assess the impact when given to a test group of people. This impact is compared to a “control” group not taking the nutrient or medicine.

Omega-3s from fish oils have been subject to all types of studies, and the benefits associated with cardiovascular health and disease prevention have been consistently shown. As a result, leading medical organizations now recommend Omega-3s from fish oil for cardiovascular health. The recommendations include:

• 500mg/day of Omega-3s from fish oil for adults that have not been diagnosed with coronary artery disease.


• 1000mg (1g)/day for adults that have been shown to have coronary artery disease.


• 3000mg-4000mg (3-4g)/ day for adults with highly elevated triglycerides.

Omega-3s are not associated with reductions in LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. Yet, cholesterol alone is only part of the cause of heart disease. A number of other factors can determine the damage that cholesterol can do. Omega-3s appear to favorably affect these factors including decreased blood pressure, reduced inflammation that leads to plaque formation, and the stabilization of existing plaque.

How significant is the impact on Omega-3s? Studies have indicated as much as a 18-20% reduction in a cardiovascular event such as a heart attack for healthy adult. For those with a history of heart disease, the impact has been shown at least as significant, and perhaps higher.

Omega-3s from fish oil represent an important component of an integrated and comprehensive nutritional approach to cardiovascular health. Other broad recommendations include the consumption of 10+ grams/day of selected soluble fibers such as those from oats, beans, barley and psyllium, 2 grams/day of plant sterols, and diet that restricts saturated fats, trans fats and dietary cholesterol. Click here for more information on nutritional and natural cholesterol management.

Link to report on Fish Consumption, Fish Oil, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, and Cardiovascular Disease in Circulation Journal of the American Heart Association, 2002.

Bloggers Taste Test Kardea Nutrition Bars

Yep, we are a mission-driven start-up with a love and a passion for what we do. Delivering plant sterols and soluble fiber for cholesterol management, the bars also deliver wonder aromas, great tastes and satisfying texture and finish. Here is what some bloggers are saying about the Kardea Gourmet Nutrition Bars:


Mark at Hangry Pants
Unlike some other bars I have eaten in this category, eating one gave me the feeling that Kardea bars are made with love ...

Vicky at Frenchy Addict
Yes, I love the Kardea bar "almost" as much as I love my beloved Larabar. Check your health food markets to see if they're available in your neck of the woods. I encourage you to try them, they're moist and chewy. ...

Caoline at Eat, Pray, Run
Try This Bar!! So, y’all know that I am a devout Larabar lover. But I just have to introduce to you this bar that I had the opportunity to try this weekend. This Kardea Nutrition Bar was sent to me last week from founder Rob Leighton. I had one of these babies pre-workout on Friday, and I have got to tell you — it is YUMMY, YUMMY, YUMMY! I went in with the intention of eating just half, but ended up gobbling the whole thing down!

Abby at Eat, Drink and Be Aware
Lemon Ginger- We loved the lemon ginger! The texture is a little more hearty than Larabars and the taste combination is out of the world good! Does anyone ever buy those Carr's English Ginger Lemon Creme Cookies at the store? ...
Banana Nut- first words out of Emmet's mouth was Wow! "I like the taste and texture- tastes like Banana Bread"- we all like the texture of these bars. They look like caramel and are moist and chewy but have a little nibble to them as well.Cranberry Almond- extremely fresh tasting. I can't seem to put my finger on it but this bar reminds me of something.... something good. The one thing that I come back to is the flavorings-- they all taste really fresh and are not overpowering.

Heather at Hangry Pants
Delicious! I love lemon flavor…the best way I can describe it is “gentle… I was pleasantly surprised when I bit into it and it had some chew, but was still soft. I looked more closely at the ingredients and realized it must be the rolled oats I am loving in there…

Juilet at Daily Eats
Well, in the case of Kardea Nutrition, food not only tastes good, but it’s also very good for you. Kardea’s snack bars deliver 50% more heart healthy soluble fiber than found in oatmeal, and each provides 1 gram of cholesterol lowering ...

Tina at Carrots 'N' Cake
The Chai Spice Kardea Bar had an amazing chai aroma, which hit me as soon as I opened the package. The flavor of the bar was equally wonderful-- nice and strong...

Rose at On a Lobster Placemat
I am certainly going to add Kardea bars to my shopping list. They feel like a good alternative to Larabars and Clif Bars, which I eat on a regular basis. It would probably be good to have something with a little less fat and calories ...

Sammie at Running with a Recipe
I had a Lemon Ginger Kardea bar - these bars are really becoming a favorite of mine. This was the 3rd flavor that I have tried and I love them all. The flavor was delicious …

As our sampling budget allows, we will send out more products for review. Interested. Email us at customerservice@kardeanutrition.com.

Cholesterol Education Month A Good Time to Consider Statin Alternatives

September is National Cholesterol Education Month.

The stakes are high. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death and morbidity in the U.S. Cholesterol management is a leading focus for disease prevention. Sales of related medications now exceed $30 billion in annual sales.

With a passion for natural health, we know well that therapeutic nutrition---based on balanced diets incorporating good fats, viscous soluble fiber, plant sterols and selected other nutrients---can achieve significant improvements in blood lipid profiles. We can lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides. We can raise HDL (good) cholesterol. We can reduce the inflammation that trigger arterial plaque development.

The science is more than solid. It is endorsed by the National Institutes of Health, the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association. The FDA endorses health claims associated with these nutritents. Overall, therapeutic nutrition can deliver results comparable to many cholesterol-lowering medications.

Yet, the new Lipitor ad campaign eclipses any public education promoting the natural alternatives.

We certainly are not opposed to the medical solution, but as a matter of public policy, our society would be far better served by an extensive therapeutic nutrition campaign than by the Pharma consumer campaigns.

Perhaps we should insist on equal time---for every dollar Big Pharma spends to promote a cholesterol-lowering medication, it should be required to spend an equivalent amount on a separate therapeutic nutrition campaign. In the meantime, raising consumer awareness remains an important function of the natural and health food retailers, and the nutritional health professionals.

Kardea Nutrition--hearty health and inspired---enabling natural cholesterol management.