Most of us visualise the unfit, over weight bloke as the ideal candidate for a heart attack, but fact there are more women aged between 16-44 with heart disease than men.

The startling statistics come from British Heart Foundation (BHF) research, that found that in the UK there are 710,000 women, aged 16-44, living with heart disease compared to 570,000 men.

BHF medical director, Professor Peter Weissberg, says that many of the signs of heart disease in women are going unnoticed because there is a tendency for women to ignore symptoms because they identify it as a “man’s problem”.

Doctors believe that the heightened risk to women may in part be due to their susceptibility to some of the rarer forms of under researched diseases such as coronary artery dissection, where around eight out of ten cases are women.

Professor Peter Weissberg said: “We’ve seen heart attack deaths plummet in older people in the last 20 years but I suspect these rarer forms of heart disease have stayed pretty stable.

“We’re doing a lot of research on the more common heart problems that affect people in middle to later age and are having great success at that and now we need to focus our attention on some of the more rare conditions that affect younger people.”

This phenomenon has existed for a number of years with the number of young women living with cardiovascular disease remaining higher than men. In 2006 there were 760,000 women living with heart conditions, compared to 580,000 men.

In fact it is estimated that one in every four men and one in every six women die from heart disease.

In the UK around 180,000 people die annually from circulatory system failures and over 91,000 are women.

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The stand, manned by Nigel and Amy, was inundated by GP’s eager to learn more about the ‘Tomato Pill’- in particular how one capsule of Ateronon containing LactoLycopene is equivalent to 1kg of tomatoes cooked in olive oil. The specially formulated LactoLycopene is what makes Ateronon not only the leading lycopene supplement but also the only one with proven scientific results.

Joseph Cheriyan’s research poster detailing the Cambridge University study results and the link between arterial flexibility and lycopene piqued the GP’s interest. Cheriyan’s poster was presented at the American Heart Association conference in November 2012 and was the leading factor in Ateronon being featured on the front pages of national newspapers.

The opportunity to directly speak with GP’s one on one and inform them about the research behind Ateronon; the on going clinical trials at Harvard; and the reasons why it stands head and shoulders above other lycopene supplements; was so beneficial that the team has already confirmed their attendance next year!

Not only did Amy and Nigel answer questions on the stand but they also took a number of queries that have been directed to the senior medical and scientific team in Cambridge.

If you have a health related question and would like to put it to our medical team, please feel free to email info@camnutra.com

Turn off the alarm, keep the curtains drawn and roll over for a few extra hour's sleep - it will reduce your blood pressure and be good for your heart.

If ever you needed an excuse for a lie in now you have the perfect 'official' one - a study claims it can reduce your blood pressure by up to 39%!

Scientists in South Korea recruited 2,782 adults and studied their sleeping habits and blood pressure throughout the week.

After taking into account risk factors such as smoking or doing no exercise the researchers discovered that those having less than six hours sleep a night during the week were 70 per cent more likely to have dangerously high blood pressure compared to adults snoozing between seven and nine hours.

But those who stayed in bed for just an extra hour at the weekend reduced their risk by nearly 40 per cent compared to those that did not make up for their loos of sleep.

However in the people getting plenty of rest during the week, there was only a six per cent drop in risk from staying in bed on their days off.

The research published in the journal Sleep Medicine said: "Our results suggest sleeping more at the weekend to compensate for short weekday sleep duration could lower the risk of high blood pressure, especially in those who self-report a feeling of sleep insufficiency."

BUT - for those just getting used to the idea of guilt free lie in, Professor Jim Horne, from the Sleep Research Centre at Loughborough University, recommends getting up early and going for a long walk!

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Hundreds of Ateronon customers responded to our recent survey, which provided some very interesting data. Surprisingly eight out of ten respondents were male; it is great to see so many men taking proactive steps regarding their health.

Customers are split between those who take Ateronon for an existing condition (56%) and those who take it as a preventative or for general wellbeing (44%).

Health Benefits

Our scientific team were delighted so many people reported that they have experienced a clear health gain. We know how important this is to everyone and CamNutra is forging ahead with more research to demonstrate and understand the health benefits Ateronon can deliver.

The reasons for taking Ateronon were diverse. Many scientific studies demonstrate a wide range of health benefits for lycopene and our customers’ reasons for taking Ateronon reflected this:

• Heart health
• Side effects from statins
• Stroke risk reduction
• Blood pressure concerns
• Health benefits from increased lycopene levels
• Prostate benefits

Clinical Trials

Many respondents were very interested to know the results of our next round of doctor-led independent clinical trials. The studies are being carried out at Cambridge University medical school, and the prestigious Brigham Women’s Hospital, an offshoot of Harvard Medical School in America.

Analysis of the trial data is already underway, and we expect to have more results later this year, to add to those already announced from Cambridge.

Statins

One in four of you said you had started taking Ateronon because you had suffered intolerable side effects from cholesterol-lowering statin drugs, and were looking for a natural alternative treatment, which would also bring heart-health benefits.

Our studies indicate that Ateronon has significant effects on the health of blood vessels, which we believe may be the main benefit in protecting them from the effects of bad cholesterol.

Price

There were a number of comments regarding Ateronon’s price being higher than other dietary supplements. Ateronon is a premium product that has had millions of pounds invested in it to develop LactoLycopene, an easily absorbed form of lycopene, and millions more to fund research into the effects of Ateronon, allowing us to better understand the health benefits it delivers.

Ateronon’s LactoLycopene formulation has been developed to boost its bioavailability, or absorption by the human body. This allows the lycopene to reach the blood and permeate our body to deliver health benefits.

By subscribing to Ateronon4life you can purchase Ateronon with a 20% discount – to find out more click here

Spreading the word and receive an extra discount!

Nine out of ten of our customers said they would recommend Ateronon to a friend – and remember, females suffer the same risk as males.

You will receive 10% discount off your next purchase for each person you introduce to Ateronon – plus the person you introduce will also receive a 10% discount. Log into your account for more details.

However, in Asian cultures, mushrooms have been used to treat and prevent illness and disease for centuries, and studies are now shedding light on how beneficial mushrooms really are.

A 2000 report published by Cancer Research UK and the University of Strathclyde looked at different types of mushroom in relation to cancer. The review found Japanese studies that used a particular type of exotic mushroom extract a week before people started cancer treatment appeared to see a reduction in the side effects of both chemotherapy and radiotherapy, including sickness and hair loss.

In China, Japan and South Korea purified compounds of reishi, shiitake and maitaki mushrooms are not only commonly used in conjunction with chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but are also used to treat blood pressure and liver disease. Lentinan, a component extracted from shiitake mushrooms, is an approved anti-cancer drug in Japan.

A number of studies have already ­revealed the ­incredible cancer fighting and health benefits of mushrooms, while some research has suggested that they can slash the risk of breast, stomach and prostate cancer by two thirds.

A study published in 2009 by the New York Medical College found that the maitake mushroom can shrink tumours by as much as 75%. This particular breakthrough could have major implications in the fight against cancer and lead to new treatments.

Dr Sensuke Konno, who carried out the research, acclaimed the findings as “very significant” and said it would improve the quality of life of cancer sufferers.

Other studies seemed to show that mushrooms could stimulate the immune system to fight disease. There is some evidence from a Japanese study that people who eat a particular type of mushroom all their lives have a lower risk of getting cancer.

So, whilst research is still in it’s early stages, the implications that mushrooms- in particular Asian varieties such as reishi, shiitake and maitaki, could provide the key to combating cancer is very real indeed.

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Statins may be harmful to one in five patients, cardiologist Aseem Malhotra writes in the Daily Mail and that many people may be able to control cholesterol by diet alone.

Statins are taken by eight million Britons, and routinely prescribed to someone who suffers a heart attack as it will reduce the likelihood of a further attack.

GP's dish out more than 55 million statin prescriptions each year in the hope that it will lower patients levels of cholesterol and help prevent heart attack or stroke.

While no one disputes that statins lower cholesterol, the medical profession is increasingly concerned that the health benefits of lower cholesterol have been exaggerated.

Two recent studies into the original statin trials in the 1980's have cast doubt on the culture of over-prescribing the drug. These trials overplayed how good for us they could be and suggested significant side effects of statins may have been underplayed.

In March 2013, the respected British Medical Journal reported that doctors, encouraged by extra funding to meet targets, have put an extra three million people in the UK on statins over the last 10 years.

While there has been a 40 per cent reduction in the number of heart attack deaths in which statins may have played a role, there have been no studies that prove this link.

This improvement may be explained by studies showing a connection between reduction in deaths and the now-routine practice of undergoing emergency surgery to unblock the artery with a stent or balloon as soon as someone suffers a heart attack.

Another major reason for the reduction in deaths is that there are far fewer people smoking now than there were 30 years ago. The number of smokers has dropped from approximately 40 per cent of the population in the 1980s to 20 per cent now.

A 1995 study suggested that statins would cut cardiac disease by 30 per cent but the number of cardiovascular sufferers has increased from around eight per cent of the adult population in 1995 to 12 per cent today.

Earlier this year the Annals Of Internal Medicine reported that 20 per cent of those taking statins suffered a significant side effect – muscle pains, stomach complaints and memory disturbance – far higher than the one per cent that was first suggested by drug companies.

The article continues by recommending people to follow a Mediterranean diet as evidence shows that for those who have suffered a heart attack, consuming olive oil, nuts, oily fish, plenty of fruit and vegetables and a moderate amount of red wine may almost three times more powerful a lifesaving tool than statins.

The phrase that a dog is "Man's best friend" has been in use for centuries, but now the American Heart Association (AHA) claims that owning a pet, in particular having a canine companion, is associated with a lower risk of heart disease.

Professor Glen Levine says in the scientific journal Circulation: “Pet ownership, particularly dog ownership, is probably associated with a decreased risk of heart disease”

The panel of experts, chaired by Dr. Glenn Levine, a professor of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, found that having the companionship of a dog or a cat lowered the risk of having a heart attack and reduced blood pressure.

Previous studies showed that the close relationship that owners build with their pets can boost levels of anti-stress hormones that can increase resilience and help people to cope with stressful or traumatic situations.

One study found that those who adopted dogs enjoyed a drop in blood pressure, while another reviewing 5,200 adults, showed that people who owned dogs were 54% more likely to get recommended levels of exercise and be active than non-dog owners.

“In essence, data suggest that there probably is an association between pet ownership and decreased cardiovascular risk,” Levine said.

“What’s less clear is whether the act of adopting or acquiring a pet could lead to a reduction in cardiovascular risk in those with pre-existing disease. Further research, including better quality studies, is needed to more definitively answer this question.”

Garlic or Allium sativum, if you want the posh Latin name, along with its bigger cousin the Onions are amazing foods that contain phytochemicals that can break down fatty cholesterol deposits in the body, kill viruses, bacteria and fungi and protect against heart disease.

Turmeric, this popular spice associated with Indian cooking is a known source of beta-carotene an antioxidant that helps protect your liver from free radical damage. Many studies have also shown that turmeric can protect the brain, including diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Cinnamon:  Researchers at the United States Department of Agriculture showed that between a quarter and one teaspoon of cinnamon with food helps metabolise sugar up to 20 times better than without cinnamon.  Excess sugar in the blood can lead to fat storage and because cinnamon balances blood sugar levels this can lead to stabilising mood and energy levels.

Chillies:  These can really fire up your metabolism - quite literally! The active ingredient in chili peppers, Capsaicin, is reputed to significantly improve fat burning and assist in boosting energy levels.

So if you want introduce these fat-burning spices to your diet, simply start adding more fresh garlic and onions to your vegetable dishes, soups, stir-fries, stews, and curries.  Turmeric is excellent in curry dishes.  Cinnamon is not only good with sweet foods, it is also excellent in savoury dishes and can be added to Asian-inspired foods like curries, stir-fries, and stews ….. and if you want a real blast - pile in the chillies - they can be added to almost anything to liven up a meal.

CamNutra - producers of Ateronon  “Supplements with Science”

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New research has found that drinking two glasses of wine daily may help heart attack patients live longer.

For years, many of us have been comforted by the suggestion that a daily tipple of wine may help to prevent heart disease.

But now new research has indicated that it even has benefits for those who have suffered a heart attack previously.

The study, published in the International Journal of Cardiology, says that patients who have suffered a heart attack stand less chance of another one, and a better chance of living longer with a moderate consumption of wine.

Those who enjoy drinking around two large (250ml) glasses of either red or white wine a day were 13 percent less likely to suffer another heart attack. The research also found that it also reduced the chances of dying from heart disease by around 17 per cent compared to non-drinkers.

The famous Harvard Medical School who linked with a number of research centres across Italy, pointed out that the findings only apply to patients who already drank wine on a regular basis when they joined the study and warned against heart attack patients just taking up the habit to try and prevent future problems.

According to the World Health Organisation, 17.3 million people die each year globally from cardiovascular disease - many from heart attacks and strokes.

Findings from studies such as these go a long way in raising awareness not only of issues surrounding heart health, but also in highlighting preventative measures that can be easily taken. Small changes to diet and exercise regimes go a long way to help keeping your heart healthy.

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New research sheds light on how to avoid temptation when you go for your weekly shop

The study from Cornell University in the US has found that going to the supermarket when you’re hungry could have a direct impact on the amount of junk food you purchase. The experiment found that you’re more likely to buy unhealthy food such as crisps and sweets when feeling a bit peckish, than if you visit the shops when you’re full.

Previous studies suggested that people buy and eat more food when they have been fasting or dieting. However, Cornell scientists have taken this a step further to see if hunger has a direct impact on the type of food purchased as well as the amount.

“The study has health implications, given the rise in extreme dieting,” say Cornell University scientists.

"Even short-term food deprivation can lead to a shift in choices such that people choose fewer low-calorie, and relatively more high-calorie, food options," they report in the Journal of American Medicine Internal Medicine.

The results of the experiment found that people who shop when they are hungry choose to purchase a higher proportion of junk food than their less hungry counterparts, but the overall amount of food bought does not increase.

"Given the prevalence of short-term food deprivation, this has important health implications."

Prof Walsink says one of the key messages for consumers is that doing your weekly food shop on an empty stomach - perhaps late afternoon rather than early afternoon - can have a big impact on healthy eating.

"One decision to shop hungry pretty much messes you up for the rest of the week. Every time you go shopping, make sure you grab an apple to eat on the way."