Healthy Remedies for a Healthy Heart
Over the years, cardiovascular or heart disease have been consistently at the top of the list of causes of death in this country, not in the least place because our current society and lifestyles are not particularly “heart-friendly.”
Junk foods, smoking, alcohol, stress, high cholesterol and lack of exercise may be the major causes but there are other contributing factors, even for those to try to live healthy. Pollution, chemical substances and psychological factors contribute to heart conditions as well. There has been continued research to help define more precisely the cardiovascular risk of an individual with respect to genetic factors and inflammatory conditions, but it was reconfirmed that the conventional risk factors as noted above accounted for over 90% of heart attacks.
Overall, there are 247 risk factors that can damage the heart, and with risks that injure the lining of the blood vessels (such as air pollution, food additives, gasoline fumes, or tobacco) and clogged arteries to family medical history and obesity, it’s easy to see why cardiovascular disease is so pervasive.
Common sense dictates that there will be three major things that help keep a heart healthy: a nutritious diet, exercise and choosing a healthier lifestyle without alcohol, tobacco and other harmful substances. For most people, however, this means a very significant change in their lives and not that easy to accomplish.
But here’s the good news: There are some simple and easy remedies you can start using that will help make your heart healthier with less risk of a heart condition. For example, fresh garlic, lean proteins, such as fish and beans, plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains are tasty and extremely heart-friendly.
Try and make a habit of taking 15 – 30-minute walk every day. Take the dog out, walk to your local store or simply go shopping! Some people go to a mall to walk around and get some motion – maybe not the best exercise but as far as moving your body goes, it’s better than taking the car or watching TV!
Try and reduce stress in your life. Not easy, you will say, but it’s actually quite doable. If you’re feeling stressed, take a couple of minutes, go outside and breathe deeply for a few minutes. Or write down exactly what you are stressed about and you’ll see that the more precise you are in describing your stress, the calmer you will feel. Aroma candles and essential oils are said to be of significant help in times of stress, as are B Vitamins, calcium and magnesium.
Control your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Consult with your alternative practitioner for management with supplements and diet. An ounce of prevention is certainly worth a pound of cure.
In all, changing a lifestyle does not happen overnight, but taking the first steps to a healthier heart is a start and doesn’t require much effort.
“Our mission is to guide our patients to a healthier life – not just a healthier mouth. Since teeth and gums are connected to many organs in the body (See the Meridian Tooth Chart) our patients’ well being is most important to us,” says Dr. Gashinsky.
Questions? Contact us – we stand ready to help you!
Sources:
Mayo Clinic News Network
NCBI: Cardiovascular Disease
Healthline: Heart Attack Alternative Treatments
Tasteforlife.com: Holistic Heart Health: Strategies for Wellness
