Heart disease was uncommon in the early years of the 20th century. In 1900 it was the fourth most common cause of death, trailing infectious diseases such as pneumonia and tuberculosis.

Three decades later, heart disease deaths have become the most common cause of death in the US and it still remains the leading cause of death in the US today.

It doesn’t need to be that way!

The healthiest hearts in the world have been found in the Tsimane people in the forests of Bolivia. Researchers found that diet and lifestyle had a major impact in these unique findings.

Of course, most of us cannot revert to a hunter-gathering and early farming existence, however these offer lessons for all of us. One of those lessons is to take a more holistic approach to your health and take an active role in learning about natural solutions.

In the wellness webcast, The Heart Health Buyers’ Guide, Dr. Bruce Daggy and Registered Pharmacist Rusty Ost discussed the major risks of heart disease and what you can do to maintain heart health, including nutrient-based solutions and natural supplementation.

You can watch the replay here.

While you cannot control your genetic predisposition, major heart disease risk factors such as cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and obesity can be controlled with diet, exercise, food supplements, and other lifestyle changes.

Obesity and heart disease

It’s long been known that being overweight increases your risk to develop conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and diabetes which can lead to heart disease.

However, new research shows that obesity itself can be causing silent damage to your heart muscles which may eventually lead to heart failure.

Getting on a program that is clinically tested like our weight-loss program where you learn to eat right is one thing you can do if weight is part of your risk.

Nutrient-based solutions

Because heart disease is such a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, it has been studied to a great extent that a consensus has been reached around several nutritional approaches.

Here are 5 nutrient-based solutions to manage your heart disease risks:

  1. Soluble dietary fiber – Soluble fiber may reduce the risk of heart disease as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol. FDA has approved health claims for some, such as oats and psyllium.
  2. Plant sterols and stanols – Plant sterols and stanols are cholesterol-like molecules that interfere with the absorption of cholesterol in your body, thus, lowering your cholesterol levels.
  3. Omega-3 fatty acids – EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids are known to lower triglyceride levels. FDA has also recognized that omega-3s may be beneficial for moderating blood pressure, a risk factor for heart disease.
  4. Soy protein – Numerous studies have provided scientific evidence of the cholesterol-lowering benefits of soy protein in the diet. FDA has approved claims that soy protein may reduce the risk of heart disease as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol.
  5. CoQ10 – CoQ10 is a powerful antioxidant found in every cell of the human body, most abundantly in the heart and major organs. It facilitates energy production and cells, and supports blood vessel health. The body produces less coQ10 as you age so you may want to consider taking clinically proven high-quality supplements.

    Also, you can learn more about the heart health benefits of CoQ10 in this article in my wellness center.

Here’s to a healthy heart!

Contact me at any time if you have any questions or would like any additional information!

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