Reversing Heart Disease; It’s Totally Possible!!

On this beautiful Thursday morning I have this overwhelming feeling to write a blog.  As my life has become chaotically busy, I have not had the opportunity to write as much as I would like. So while I have a morning to myself to sit in my covered porch and listen to the birds singing, I can share with you my discoveries about Heart Disease.

This disease is one that comes up frequently in my job as a Paramedic.  Just the other day I picked up a patient with an acute onset of numbness and loss of feeling to his left arm.  In his case, this was an early stroke symptom.  I don’t think I have ever seen a grown man cry as much as he did that trip to the hospital.  His father recently passing away from a heart attack, making this experience all to real.  With a long transport time ahead and very little I could do for this patient in the pre-hosptail setting, I decided to discuss his current diet with him.  I eased his anxiety, as we talked about alternative foods he can incorporate in his diet that could improve the state of his arteries, reducing his risk for stroke and heart attack.  He was so fascinated and eager to make changes, taking took home a list that he planned to immediately implement into his life.

As one of our major organs, the heart is the engine of our bodies, it is the single mechanism that makes life possible.  Without the synchronicity of the heart beat there is no life, no breath and no spirit.  Our experience of life is not eternal but it can be long, if we choose not to take health for granted and make healthy choices.  Our veins and arteries are the transport highways that go directly to and from the heart; distributing nutrients, glucose and oxygen to all the organs and cells of the body.  Like engine oil that goes in your car, keeping your cars motor lubricated and running efficiently, nutrient dense foods are our bodies, natural lubricant.

A build up plaque on the artery walls (caused by consuming a diet heavy in saturated fats) can result in high blood pressure. High blood pressure acts as the bodies warning sign, that the body system is not running efficiently and is becoming sick.  If left to worsen, this could eventually take you  down a path of either, stroke or heart attack.  Both of which do not have a positive outcome for your health.  With heart attack as the second leading cause of death in Canada, the good news is this is not a random occurrence in your health and can be prevented and even reversed!  A very powerful documentary, which I urge each and everyone of you to watch is Forks Over Knives http://www.forksoverknives.com/the-film/, discussing this very idea.

If you or someone you love is suffering from high blood pressure, it’s time to make change!! Here is a short list of foods you should be reducing and incorporating everyday:

Foods to Avoid/Reduce:

• Meats
• Dairy
• Deep Fried Foods
• Processed Foods

Foods to Increase:

• Fruits and Vegetables
• Legumes, beans, grains, nuts and seeds
• Plant based oils (ex: coconut, extra virgin olive oil)

Other Factors To Incorporate: 

• Exercise (ex: walk, run) 20 minutes 3-4 times a week
• Healthy mindset, through balance of work & life and reduction of stressors.

Eating minimum 7-10 servings (1 serving = 1/2 cup) of fruits and vegetables everyday OR 8-16 servings if your active, is the right amount of lubricant for our bodies to stay healthy and to help prevent heart disease.  If you find this to much to consume daily, check out this study using whole food fruit and veggie capsules or micro-nutrition (fruits and vegetables) to reduce plaque build up and improve cardiovascular circulation http://media2.newsnet5.com/uploads/WEWS_EffectsOfSupplementalPhytonutrients.pdf

To learn more about this supplement contact me 

Don’t take my word for it, check out these links to learn more about how reversing heart disease is possible!

1. In the news: http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/08/19/heart.attack.proof.diet/
2. If your a doctor Oz fan, he has outlined an example meal plan for the reversal of Heart Disease: http://www.doctoroz.com/article/reverse-your-heart-disease-28-days