What's the number one cause of death in U.S.A.?
According to the U.S. Centers of Disease Control, heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States (1). 1 in 4 Americans die from heart disease and the biggest killer in the United States for both men and women is atherosclerosis which causes heart attacks, strokes and heart failure. 647,000 Americans die from heart disease each year. In 2017, 18.2 million adults age 20 and older have coronary artery disease (CAD), killing 365,914 people.
In the Framingham Heart Study, Scientist followed 3,196 adults, starting in their 20s and found:
- By age 50, only 30 percent of people had healthy arteries.
- By age 70, only one percent of people had healthy arteries.
Healthy arteries are flexible and elastic. Atherosclerosis is a condition where plaque builds up and overtime cause the arteries to harden. The plaque built up eventually breaks away and forms a clot preventing oxygen-rich blood to your heart which can damage your heart muscle, organs and tissues resulting in different diseases including the heart, brain, kidney, arms and legs. If left untreated, can lead to heart attacks, stroke or heart failure.
Based on the statistics, heart disease is a big problem. Changes to diet, lifestyle choices, and reducing stress are necessary for those suffering from heart diseases. However, factors beyond our control such as the effects of aging contributing to "hardening of the artery " is unavoidable. So, what can you do about it?
What does Research say about Collagen and Heart Health?
Research has shown that reduced collagen production in the body leads to a weakening of the arterial wall (2). High LDL (bad) cholesterol or low HDL (good) cholesterol can clog the arteries with fatty buildup within the artery walls which contributes to the hardening and narrowing (Atherosclerosis) of the inner artery wall which can potentially lead to heart attack and stroke.
The amino acid, Proline in collagen prevent plaque buildup in the artery wall thus, prevent the hardening of the arteries (Atherosclerosis). The Arginine found in Collagen helps with nitric oxide production, which allows for better vasodilation, which is the widening of arteries and relaxation of muscle cells and blood vessels that allows for better circulation.
For 6 months, 30 healthy adults were given 16 grams of collagen. The study showed that collagen has significantly reduce the measures of artery stiffness, lowered LDL levels, and increased the HDL (high density lipo-protein) or "good cholesterol" levels by 6% on average in healthy patients (3)
The epicardium which is a thin layer of elastic connective tissue and fat protects the heart from trauma. The epicardium also contains coronary blood vessels which oxygenate the tissues of the heart.
A study conducted at the Stanford University School of Medicine and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, shows that the collagen patches grafted onto the damaged heart tissue of mice, speeds up the repair of heart tissue (epicardium) which provides protection and support to the heart muscle (myocardium) in mice. The new cells and blood vessels generated improved oxygen and nutrient delivery to the tissue, thus reducing the number of dead cells (4).
Based on the research, Collagen Peptides Protein Powder may help promote heart health.