Heart disease is the No.1 killer of men and women despite the advances in medicine In fact some might argue that our advances in medicine have overshadowed common sense and may even be contributing to the mortality rate.
Essential fatty acid supplements along with correct nutrition and some lifestyle changes may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease - so says the FDA following a recent petition from a number of health companies.
Heart disease and heart attacks are the result of a number of problems and understanding the causes makes you better equipped to put some prevention strategies in place.
Arteriosclerosis - Hardening of the Arteries
Hardening of the arteries can occur as the result of a mineral deficiency, particularly magnesium - which then causes calcium to build up on the walls of the arteries. This will usually occur in the major arteries - particularly the aorta and other major arteries of the heart.
Excess Vitamin D (more than 400IU - international units) in the diet should be avoided as an adult, as this is another cause of the calcium build up.
Symptoms include angina, headaches, loss of memory, breathlessness and leg cramps in the early stages.
If you have high cholesterol then the cholesterol may be deposited in the arteries and you eventually get a blockage. This will lead to a classic heart attack (myocardial infarction) when the blood supply to the heart is interrupted.
Diet and Lifestyle adjustments
If you have arteriosclerosis you should:
o Avoid fried foods, hydrogenated oils and margarine (the 'bad fats' - also see section on cholesterol).
o Have a high fibre diet low in animal fat.
o Exercise, as this can help improve the 'muscle tone' of your arteries.
o Reduce your stress level - this will help lower blood pressure and your heart rate.
Recommended Heart Health Supplements for Arteriosclerosis:
o Plant derived liquid minerals contain a broad spectrum of over 70 minerals involved in a healthy cardiovascular system.
o Heart health supplements should contain herbs such as Ginkgo, Hawthorn, Garlic and CoenzymeQ-10 - these have been known to help support the arteries, prevent the build up of deposits on the arterial wall and assist with blood flow.
o An essential fatty acid supplement containing omega 3 fish oil and flaxseed oil is the ideal heart health supplement. It works by making the blood less 'sticky' and help reduce cholesterol by raising HDL (good cholesterol) levels and lowering LDL (bad cholesterol).
o High quality multivitamins - should contain all of the nutrients mentioned above and additional antioxidant vitamins A, C and E
Cardiomyopathy Heart Disease
Cardiomyopathy (also called Keshan disease) is recognized by the World Health Organization as a Selenium deficiency disease. It occurs in a number of cystic fibrosis patients and diagnosis is made from an ECG and an x-ray or CAT scan showing an enlarged heart.
As the disease develops it causes severe fatigue and damage to the heart muscle. A heart transplant is one alternative offered by conventional medicine.
Known as "white muscle disease" in cattle, sheep and horses - this disease has been eliminated by the veterinary industry through simple and effective supplementation of selenium.
Compare that to a $250,000 US heart transplant operation!
Former world champion boxer Evander Holyfield was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy heart disease and banned from boxing for a year. His doctor put him on a supplement program including selenium and he was able to return to the sport...and the rest is history.
Recommended heart heath supplements for Cardiomyopathy Heart Disease:
o Plant derived colloidal minerals containing selenium.
o A good selenium supplement also high in Vitamins A, C & E - consult your health care professional regarding therapeutic dosage.
o Essential fatty acid supplements including omega 3 fish oil and flaxseed oil are important for blood flow.
o Current research indicates that heart health supplements with Coenzyme Q-10 may be of benefit to patients with Cardiomyopathy heart disease.
Heart Attack - Cardiovascular Disease
Every year over one and a half million people in the U.S. alone suffer a heart attack - and one in three die from them.
The heart picks up oxygenated blood from the lungs via the coronary arteries and then pumps it around the body.
If the blood flow through the coronary arteries is restricted either through a blood clot or a build up of cholesterol, then the blood flow to the heart can be cut off and if it isn't restored within a few minutes then the heart muscle can be damaged (if the blood flow to the brain is interrupted, then you have a stroke).
In this instance, prevention is crucial and heart health supplements and doing things which are good for your heart and cardiovascular system are very important.
Diet and Lifestyle Treatment
o Avoid fried foods and margarine - use butter and extra virgin olive oil on low heat when cooking.
o Have a high fibre diet low in animal fat.
o Exercise regularly as this can help improve the 'muscle tone' of your arteries - a 30-minute walk or a swim each day is enough.
o Reduce stress - research clearly shows that enzymes and hormones associated with stress will cause an increase in your heart rate and increased blood pressure - not good if you're at risk of a heart attack.
o Work closely with your health care professional
Recommended Heart Health Supplements for Cardiovascular Disease
o Supplementation with essential fatty acids containing fish oil is an absolute must. They keep the blood flowing by making it 'less sticky' and because they are "good fats" they assist with reducing cholesterol.
o Antioxidant supplements containing Selenium, Vitamin E and Vitamin C have a protective function for the heart.
o Heart health supplements containing Coenzyme Q-10, (which is produced naturally within the body) have the ability to improve and strengthen cardiac function and should also be considered.
o Digestive enzymes along with Plant Derived Minerals may be beneficial for many people with heart problems - particularly as we get over 40 - as this ensures that you are able to get adequate nutrients to assist you on the road to recovery.
Cardiac Arrhythmia
Cardiac Arrhythmias such as an irregular or very fast heart rate are very common and kill more people each year than heart attacks. In an emergency situation, the heart stops pumping blood and can be returned to normal function by 'shocking' the patient.
Food allergies, such as sensitivity to MSG, and deficiencies of the minerals and nutrients important for the contraction and relaxation of the heart are associated with this disease
Diet and Lifestyle Treatment
o Check to see if you have a food allergy to MSG, sugar etc and avoid the offending foods. Dr Wallach sometimes refers to this as the 'Chinese restaurant syndrome'.
Recommended Heart Health Supplements Cardiac Arrhythmia
o Plant Derived Minerals - supplementation with a good source of highly absorbable minerals including potassium, chromium, selenium and magnesium is important; plant derived minerals are 100% safe, 98% absorbable and contain over 70 different minerals in liquid form.
o Look for heart health supplements with Coenzyme Q-10 and B complex vitamins.
In summary, the terms heart attack and heart disease can encompass a number of different health challenges however there are some common factors involved in support through health supplements:
1. A small and regular amount of exercise and a lot of stress reduction is very important
2. Avoid fried foods, margarine and "bad fats" - check out the website below for free health reports on healthy eating, reducing cholesterol, heart health and more.
3. Heart health supplements which include essential fatty acids, plant derived colloidal minerals and antioxidants - particularly Vitamins A, C, E and the mineral Selenium - may offer promising results.
