The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically affected global health, especially heart health. Here are some startling statistics:
about 1 in 12 (or 2.6 million) Canadian adults age 20 and over live with diagnosed heart disease
every hour, about 14 Canadian adults aged 20 and over with diagnosed heart disease die
The leading cause of death in the world is Cardiovascular Disease
2nd leading cause of death in Canada
One specific heart condition that is sharply on the rise is Myocarditis. You may or may not have heard of this, but myocarditis is heart inflammation. Myo- "muscle" cardia- "heart" itis- "inflammation."
An interesting paper from Basel, Switzerland, looked at the presence and mechanism of heart inflammation in 777 participants (1). These individuals all had a Moderna booster jab. The average age was 37, and 70% of them were female.
Researchers found that 1 in 35 recipients had a booster-associated myocardial injury.
Myocarditis is interesting because some people have symptoms and others do not. The disease is self-limiting in most patients and should resolve without treatment. However, death may occur due to ventricular arrhythmia (abnormal heartbeats in the heart's lower chambers).
It is important to note that the study mentioned above was from the European Journal of Heart Failure, a top-flight journal. It is independent of the industry and is free to view yourself.
So taking care of your heart health is more important than EVER! Here are five ways to benefit your heart health today!
Heart Health and Nutrient Deficiency
One primary global health concern is a massive rise in nutrient deficiency, which can have an adverse effect on heart health. Deficiencies of essential vitamins and minerals such as B Vitamins, Potassium, Magnesium, Vitamin D and Omega-3s have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease. Yet, the need for these nutrients is largely overlooked.
It's no secret that heart disease is a significant concern for many people. Our busy lives make it easy to grab a fast food burger or choose processed convenient meals. But did you know eating healthy can help reduce your risk of heart disease? In this blog post, we will share some tips and tricks on eating healthy and improving your overall heart health.
1. Choose Heart-Healthy Foods
One of the best ways to improve your heart health is to incorporate heart-healthy foods into your diet. These foods include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy proteins and fats such as grass-fed beef, avocados and nuts. Reducing your intake of trans fats, poor salt sources, and sugar will also help lower your heart disease risk.
2. Smart Supplementation
One of the best ways to reverse critical nutrient deficiencies is to supplement using high-quality, bioavailability products. EMPower Plus is a blend of 36 essential nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants, providing your brain and body with the building blocks to create healthy tissue and proper cellular function.
The process by which Truehope EMPower Plus is formulated is highly unique and takes up to 12 times longer than that of regular multivitamins. The result is a supplement that is highly absorbable and effective.
Both the nutrient combination and nutrient balance are emphasized, which ensures your body receives proper proportions of each nutrient in relation to each other.
We use a Proprietary 4 Step Manufacturing Process, which formulates the nutrients closer to how nature would provide them. As part of this Proprietary 4 Step Process, each mineral in Truehope EMPower Plus is chelated (bonded) to an organic ligand in a unique way. By applying this process to EMPower Plus, each nutrient can overcome your body's barriers to keep unnatural substances out.
This helps each nutrient to:
• Cross the intestinal wall and enter the bloodstream
• Cross cell walls to work at the cellular level
• Cross the blood-brain barrier to help correct deficiencies in the brain
Then we have our Olive Leaf Extract (OLE), which can benefit your heart in many ways.
First, as an anti-inflammatory, OLE can reduce the inflammatory factors associated with high blood pressure.
When blood pressure is high, all structures involved are under severe strain, so when you reduce systemic inflammation, your body can lessen that strain and start healing.
OLE also acts to repair endothelial tissue. This single-cell layer lines all blood vessels and regulates the exchange between the bloodstream and surrounding tissues. We need this cell layer that works optimally to regulate healthy blood pressure.
Finally, OLE is angiogenic, meaning it helps the body create new blood vessels. When blood pressure is high, smaller capillaries and vessels can break apart from that high pressure. But we need these smaller vessels to function correctly. When we take OLE, we give our body something that repairs these vessels to balance hypertension.
CLICK HEREÂ to learn more about OLE.
3. Portion Control
Another essential component of eating healthy is portion control. No matter how nutritious a food is, overeating it is never good. Try using smaller plates to help manage your portions, or divide your plate into sections filled with various heart-healthy foods. It's best to eat slowly, savour each bite and listen to your stomach; stop eating when you feel 80% full.
4. Eliminate Sugary and Processed Foods
It's common knowledge that too much sugar and processed food isn't good for you. Studies have shown excessive sugar intake can lead to heart disease and high blood pressure. Instead of eating snacks with added sugar or processed foods, choose healthier options. Fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins are a good choice. Stock up your pantry with these snacks instead of packaged goods.
5. Stay Hydrated
Consuming healthier foods is a significant step, but you can do more. It is essential to stay hydrated by drinking water consistently throughout the day. Avoid sugary drinks like soda, energy drinks, or sports drinks high in sugar and calories, increasing your risk of heart disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other severe conditions. Caffeinated drinks contribute further to dehydration, so keep them to a minimum or consume more water in combination.
6. Move your Body
The research has been clear for 50 years. Daily exercise promotes improved health and lifespan. A 30-minute walk every day will do wonders for your cardiovascular health, and you will begin to feel the improvements quickly.
In Conclusion.......
Incorporating these healthy eating tips and tricks into your daily routine can improve your heart health and prevent heart disease. Remember to choose heart-healthy foods, incorporate good quality supplementation into your routine, reduce processed and sugary foods, control your portions, move your body and stay hydrated.
A healthy lifestyle benefits your heart and helps with many other aspects of your well-being.
You don't need to wait until you're 60 with a heart condition to start making better health choices. Whether you're 18, 30, 50 or 80, start today!
Simon Brazier. Dip HN, NNCP
REFERENCES
Buergin N, Lopez-Ayala P, Hirsiger JR, Mueller P, Median D, Glarner N, Rumora K, Herrmann T, Koechlin L, Haaf P, Rentsch K, Battegay M, Banderet F, Berger CT, Mueller C. Sex-specific differences in myocardial injury incidence after COVID-19 mRNA-1273 Booster Vaccination. Eur J Heart Fail. 2023 Jul 20. doi: 10.1002/ejhf.2978. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37470105.