February will soon be upon us, and in case you forgot, February is Heart Health Month!
Unfortunately, much of the hoopla that will be bombarding us for 28 days has very little to do with actual heart health!
As usual, we’ll all be reminded to wear red, to control our cholesterol (with statins, of course) and avoid saturated fats while using “heart healthy” vegetable oils.
What a crock of BS.
That translates as follows:
…Drug companies get richer. Note that statins have NEVER, EVER been proven to prevent a single case of heart disease, while their side effects continue to mound and become increasingly deadly.
…Food companies get richer selling inflammatory vegetable oils…yet inflammation is a leading cause of heart disease, so these oils are anything BUT heart healthy.
…And of course we’re all supposedly “raising awareness” (as if we’re all not already very well aware of our #1 killer) by resembling Thing 1 and Thing 2 in our apparel.
If you want to skip all the hype and learn about REAL protection against heart disease, read on.
An emerging key in heart disease prevention—your immune system!
Most people don’t realize this, but your immune system plays a major role in whether or not heart disease will come knocking at your door.
A study performed at the Imperial College London in the United Kingdom examined 19,000 patients with high blood pressure—a group of people who most assuredly are at risk for heart attack and heart disease.
The researchers found those with higher levels of Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies had the lowest risk of heart attack - and this was independent of other risk factors, such as cholesterol.
IgG is the most abundant antibody in your immune system, and its primary role is to protect you against bacterial and viral infections.
And now apparently heart attacks!
The more healthy and robust your immune system is, the better able it is to produce IgG antibodies.
So clearly this is another reason why your immune system is truly worth its weight in gold in terms of disease prevention—because now its blanket of protection includes our number one killer.
The inflammation connection
The immune system’s connection to heart disease isn’t limited to just IgG antibodies—there’s also an inflammation connection.
Inflammation is a major contributing factor to atherosclerosis and heart attack. Most people point fingers at cholesterol, but cholesterol is only “summoned” to help repair damage to your arterial walls—largely caused by inflammation! So inflammation is the true culprit that gets the whole clog process going.
Much of your body’s inflammation stems from your GUT—a weak, unhealthy gut wall can allow toxins, bacteria and poorly digested food molecules to seep into your bloodstream, which can in turn put your immune system on alert and trigger an inflammatory response.
Keep your immune system strong AND sharp!
The true key here is to help support an immune system that’s strong enough to produce the antibodies you so desperately need, while at the same time keeping your gut wall strong so you’re not taunting that immune system with garbage leaking in your bloodstream!
The best way to encourage a well-functioning immune system and a healthy gut wall environment is through supplementation with a complete, full-spectrum probiotic formula like Super Shield.
Super Shield contains a carefully designed blend of both Bifidobacterium species (that reside in your colon) as well as Lactobacillus strains (that inhabit your small intestine), so your entire intestinal wall is well-supported!
In addition, eating fiber-rich foods like fresh vegetables and getting sources of TRULY healthy fats like real butter (NEVER margarine), olive oil, coconut oil, nuts and avocado are a must.
It’s also important to avoid sugars and refined carbs. These are nourishment for harmful bacteria and yeasts in your intestines, which then “eat away” at the gut wall and make it leaky.
Nutritional heart disease prevention
Two of the best nutrients for cardiovascular support are vitamin D and Omega-3 essential fatty acids.
Vitamin D has anti-inflammatory properties that can counteract inflammation in your arteries. It’s also a common deficiency because so many people completely shun the sun, and your body needs sun exposure (and cholesterol!) to manufacture vitamin D. To ensure you have proper levels of this heart-healthy nutrient, supplementation with a top-notch formula like Optimum D-K Formula with FruiteX-B® is the way to go.
Omega-3 fatty acids have been medically proven to help lower blood pressure, they can fight inflammation in your arteries and they help reduce the stickiness in your platelets and curb fibrinogens (which contribute to plaque). VitalMega-3 is your ticket to getting a health-supporting dose of these crucial fats.
Other important heart disease prevention measures
Here are 3 other ways you can stack the deck in your favor and help prevent heart disease.
Get 7-9 hours of sleep each night
Studies have shown that adults who sleep fewer than five hours a night have 50 percent more calcium in their coronary arteries than those who slept seven hours. Calcium buildup is a primary signal of heart disease.
Plus regular sound sleep has a significant impact on your level of insulin sensitivity.
Reduce stress
Chronic stress leads to high levels of the stress hormone cortisol in your bloodstream. Elevated cortisol can trigger inflammation, as well as lower your immune function, lead to digestive difficulties and nutritional deficiencies, and sap your energy and mental focus.
Engage in regular exercise
Exercise lowers your blood pressure, strengthens your heart and improves blood flow.
Now that sounds like heart disease prevention to me!
No excuses—we’re talking about your health and your life here! Get your doctor’s OK and get working up a sweat.
Now you are armed with something to really celebrate for Heart Health Month—safe, natural, effective ways to truly have a healthy heart!
To your health,
Sherry Brescia
Hi Evelyn!
We are glad that you enjoy your products! If your doctor believes that your Vitamin D levels are too high and that your multi-vitamin dosage is sufficient for your needs, we’d concur that stopping the Optimum DK is in order. Each person has different needs and we are happy that you have found what yours are!
Have been taking Optimum D-K. Dr. says D level too high (47). I should stop. The 1000 in multi is enough. I’m happy with your products.
Hello Margaret,
Thank you so much for your kind words! We are so glad that you enjoy Sherry’s articles.
If there is ever a topic that you’d like to see her address, please let us know:
support@holisticblends.com
Thank you ever so much for the invaluable health information you share with us. You are a life saver!
Margaret Meerabux.