Heart disease is a silent killer. According to the National Institutes of Health, it will kill nearly 500,000 people this
year. If more Americans took control of their health, this statistic could be reduced by as much as 87%. That means 435,000
people would literally save their own lives each year.
Your lifestyle, diet, and environment subtly and profoundly affect
your heart -- by restoring or depleting over 30 essential nutrients. For optimum heart health, your body needs
the correct balance of these 30 nutrients. In the context of a wholesome diet and healthy lifestyle, supplementation is the
easiest, most effective way to promote maximum heart health.
A diet high in fats has been recognized as a primary villain and risk factor
in cardiovascular disease. The difficulty many people have in understanding the risk of a high fat diet
is not so much in the total fat but in the types of fat included in the diet.
There are two types of fats - one of which is good, one of which
is bad.
Saturated fats are one of the villains when it comes to the bad fat part
of the formula and this type of fat is commonly found in almost all foods. Unsaturated
fats are far less harmful.
It is recognized that approximately 95 percent of the population
is deficient in essential fatty acids.
Essential fatty acids are involved in energy production, the transfer of
oxygen from the air to the bloodstream, and the manufacture of hemoglobin. They are also involved in growth,
cell division and nerve function. Essential fatty acids are found in high concentrations in the brain and are essential for
normal nerve impulse transmission and brain function.
Essential fatty acids
are also involved in the manufacture of prostaglandins, substances which play a role in a number of body functions including
hormone synthesis, immune function, regulation of the response to pain
and inflammation, blood vessel constriction, and other heart and lung functions.
Symptoms of essential fatty acid deficiency may include fatigue, dry skin,
immune weakness, gastrointestinal disorders, heart and circulatory problems, growth retardation, mental
problems and sterility. It is likely that a lack of dietary essential fatty acids plays an important role in the development
of many common diseases.
There are many types of essential fatty acid supplements available, including
flaxseed oil, fish oils, evening primrose oil, black currant oil, and borage oil. These are available in
capsule and free oil forms. Some experts advise avoiding fish oil supplements because they may have toxic contaminants, particularly
mercury. Fish oil supplements should not be taken during pregnancy due
to the damaging effects of high doses of vitamin A.
Several risk factors have been linked to heart disease. These include unchangeable
factors such as an early family history of heart disease. If a family member developed heart
disease relatively young, before age 50, your risk is increased. Usually, however, heart disease is more likely to strike
a woman after menopause.
Certain medical conditions play key roles. High blood pressure increases
your risk of both heart attack and stroke, so controlling it is very important. Diabetes also increases your
risk of developing heart disease, especially in women. Unfortunately, many diabetic women have a nerve disorder which makes
them less sensitive to pain, so they might miss the heart attack warning
sign of chest pain.
Keep in mind that lifestyle plays a crucial role. Smoking and fatal heart
disease go hand-in-hand. If you smoke, quit. Oral contraceptives used by smokers might cause trouble
too, so if you smoke and take the pill, you might be in greater danger of having a heart attack than someone who doesn't.
Obesity and a sedentary "couch potato" outlook also add to your risk.
What counts is not how many risk factors you have, but what you do to change
them. Maintain a lean weight and good blood cholesterol level. Cut the saturated fat content from
your food and increase your intake of essential fatty acids. Eat less meat and chicken. Bulk up on vegetables and fruits.
You'll be eating healthier and you will probably lose some weight!
Most importantly, exercise! This is critical to good health. Too often, we
say we don't have time. Make time. Put yourself first and work out, even if you have to schedule it into
your appointment book.
For years, we were told women didn't have to worry about heart disease. Now
that we know the truth, we must all make the changes needed in the name of healthier and happier
hearts.
