Prevention With Joel Kahn, MD

Cardiology

Dr. Kahn is a summa cum laude graduate of the University of Michigan School of Medicine. He practices cardiology in Detroit, is a clinical professor of medicine at Wayne State University School of Medicine, and specializes in vegan nutrition and heart disease reversal.


Meat Allergy (Alpha-Gal Syndrome) and the Heart

Dear readers,

One of the strangest syndromes identified in the last few decades is a serious allergic response to red meat or anything containing meat components, such as the gelatin found in many pills. This week, two articles on Alpha-Gal Syndrome are included. The number of people with this syndrome is rising rapidly. The cost of plant-based diets is in the news and is not as high as many think. The Fasting Mimicking Diet for type 2 diabetes shows benefits in the reversal of the syndrome. Fragmented sleep raises atrial fibrillation risk. The number of fatal heart attacks in the USA is down, but sudden deaths and deaths due to hypertension and CHF are up. Microplastics are abundant in our waters and are linked to the risk of metabolic disease. Finally, a coronary artery calcium CT score in women with breast care may predict cardiac outcomes and guide preventive therapy.

Be well,

Joel Kahn, MD, FACC


Articles
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    • Beyond mechanistic concerns, AGS has practical implications for cardiovascular care. Many commonly used medications and devices contain mammalian-derived components, which may trigger allergic reactions in sensitized individuals. This highlights the importance of recognizing AGS not only as a systemic allergic condition but also as a potential cardiovascular risk modifier that intersects with both pharmacologic safety and atherosclerotic disease biology.

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      • Dietary changes are a crucial component of managing type 2 diabetes and can even help achieve remission of the disease.
      • Fasting diets, which involve calorie restriction during specific hours or days, have been shown to be effective in alleviating symptoms of type 2 diabetes.
      • A previous randomized controlled trial demonstrated that a monthly cycle of a fasting-mimicking diet that limits calorie intake during five consecutive days can lower blood sugar levels and reduce reliance on medications.
      • Data from a recent study provides real-world evidence to support the effectiveness of a 5-day fasting-mimicking diet, beyond the controlled conditions of a clinical trial.

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    • Heart disease mortality has decreased over the past 5 decades. There is an increasing burden of mortality from other heart conditions including heart failure, hypertensive heart disease, and arrhythmias. Further efforts must be undertaken to address the growing challenge of these other heart conditions.