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Nutrition and Lifestyle for Heart Health

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of mortality worldwide – responsible for 17 million deaths last year, it’s expected to rise by another 6 million by the year 2030.

Those are staggering statistics, but don’t let the numbers scare you… a little education can go a long way in learning how to minimize your risks and improve your heart health, naturally.

The heart is the center of our cardiovascular system and beats an average of 100,000 times per day supplying oxygen rich blood to the whole body. Every day we make choices that have a profound effect on the health of this vital organ. Most cardiovascular or heart disease (CVD or HD) maybe linked to lifestyle risk factors such as lack of exercise, obesity, smoking, stress, and poor eating habits. Though there is a genetic component that might also play a hand.

The Silent Killer

One of the most common risk factors of CVD is elevated blood pressure or hypertension (HTN). Often called the ‘silent killer’, hypertension can cause significant damage throughout the cardiovascular and other body systems and ultimately results in over 80 million deaths each year.

Blood pressure is the amount of pressure exerted on the inside of blood vessels as the heart pumps the blood through the body. When there is resistance in the vessels, the pressure rises and hypertension results. The longer hypertension goes undetected and/or uncontrolled, the greater the damage to blood vessels and other organs. Hypertension can lead to heart attack, stroke, ruptured blood vessels, kidney disease or failure, and heart failure.

Warning signs for high blood pressure are rare (hence the name “Silent killer”) but can include headaches, blurred vision, lightheadedness, shortness of breath and nosebleeds.

Know Your Numbers

Hypertension is diagnosed by analyzing the 2 numbers in your BP reading:

  • Systolic pressure (the top number) is the pressure in your arteries when the heart beats (contracts).
  • Diastolic pressure (bottom number or think D for “Down”) represents the pressure in your arteries between beats.

Normal blood pressure is below 120/80

Prehypertension is 120 – 139 systolic or 80 – 89 diastolic.

Hypertension is 140/90 or higher

It’s also good to note that HTN is a risk factor for metabolic syndrome (or pre-diabetes) along with 4 other factors that include abdominal weight gain, elevated Triglycerides, and low HDL (that’s the good cholesterol).

The Potassium* Secret for Heart Healthy

You’ve no doubt heard the best thing to do when you have hypertension is to reduce the amount of salt/sodium in your diet. Did you know the average adult needs 4,700 mg of potassium daily compared to only 200 mg of sodium. Unfortunately for most of us, our eating habits give us way too much sodium – 3,300 mg a day – and not nearly enough potassium. This imbalance can increase your risk of developing hypertension.

What’s truly important for your heart, and a more accurate strategy to prevent high blood pressure, is to balance the relationship between potassium and sodium (salt) in your daily diet. Proper sodium-potassium balance is necessary for nerve transmission, muscle contraction, fluid balance, and the optimal health of all the cells in your body. In regard to the heart, potassium is particularly important for regulating heart rhythm and maintaining blood pressure.

By reducing your sodium intake, you are often correcting the sodium-potassium imbalance without realizing it. For the best benefit to heart health, eat more potassium-rich foods such as sweet potato, spinach, banana, peas, legumes, apricots, avocados, halibut and molasses*.

5 Heart Heart Health Tips

  1. Heart-healthy diet do’s: Eat a variety of fresh fruits and dark green veggies daily. Use plant-based oils for cooking. Eat mindfully, not on-the-run. Reduce or eliminate packaged foods, sugar, and red meat.
  2. Exercise: Walk, no need to run- as little as 30 minutes of daily, brisk walking lowers your risk for hypertension.
  3. Spend less time sitting: In a recent study, those who logged in more than 4 hours of screen time where at 125% higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Invest in a standing desk, take frequent moving breaks throughout the day, track your daily steps, or use a balance ball to sit instead of a chair.
  4. Learn to manage stress: Using healthy coping techniques, such as, deep breathing, yoga, meditation, gratitude journaling, and getting quality sleep.
  5. Supplemental support: Nutritional supplements** shown to support heart health include Hawthorn, CoQ10, Essential Fatty Acids, Magnesium, Garlic and B-vitamins. There’s heaps of research to support the use of these supplements and herbs effectively. Talk with your healthcare provider or nutritionist to learn what would be best for you.

*Because some blood pressure medications affect the potassium level in the body, be sure and discuss the best strategy for making this adjustment with your doctor.

 **Supplements you might have heard about—Natto-K (nattokinase), Guggul, or Niacin—should not be taken without the supervision of your health practitioner.

Resources

  1. Murray, M. “Hypertension” as cited in Pizzorno, Joseph E. (2013). Textbook of Natural Medicine. St. Louis, MO Elsevier. (chapter 174), 1475-1485.
  2. Johnson, R.L., S. Foster, Low Dog, T. and Kiefer, D. “Plants and the Heart” in National Geographic Guide to Medicinal Herbs: The World’s Most Effective Healing Plants. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic, 2012. 100-101.
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. Underlying Cause of Death 1999-2013 on CDC WONDER Online Database, released 2015. Data are from the Multiple Cause of Death Files, 1999-2013, through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program. Accessed on December 11, 2015.: http://wonder.cdc.gov/ucd-icd10.html
  4. Mayo Clinic. “High Blood Pressure- Hypertension.” Updated November 10, 2015. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/basics/definition/con-20019580
  5. National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute. “Risk Factors for High Blood Pressure.” Updated September 2015. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hbp/atrisk
  6. Lelong, H., Galan, P. et al., “Relationship Between Nutrition and Blood Pressure: A Cross-Sectional Analysis from the NutriNet-Santé Study, a French Web-based Cohort Study” Am J Hypertens first published online September 3, 2014 doi:10.1093/ajh/hpu164. Accessed on Dec 21, 2015: http://ajh.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2014/09/03/ajh.hpu164
  7. Study above cited in Time magazine article, accessed on Dec 21, 2015: http://time.com/3313332/salt-and-blood-pressure/
  8. Appel, L.J., Brands, M.W., et al., American Heart Association. “Scientific Statement: Dietary Approaches to Prevent and Treat Hypertension.” Updated January 2014. http://dx.doi.org/10.1161/01.HYP.0000202568.01167.B6
  9. American Heart Association. “Learn more about heart disease and high blood pressure.” Accessed on December 11, 2015. http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HighBloodPressure/High-Blood-Pressure-or-Hypertension_UCM_002020_SubHomePage.jsp
  10. American Heart Association. “Walk, Don’t Run Your Way to a Healthy Heart.” Accessed on December 11, 2015. http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/PhysicalActivity/Walking/Walk-Dont-Run-Your-Way-to-a-Healthy-Heart_UCM_452926_Article.jsp#.Vop0pDYwcrg
  11. http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Conditions_UCM_001087_SubHomePage.jsp
  12. American Heart Association. “Walking Can Lower Risk of Heart Related Conditions” Accessed on December 11, 2015.http://newsroom.heart.org/news/walking-can-lower-risk-of-heart-related-conditions-as-much-as-running
  13. American Heart Association. “Potassium and high blood pressure.” Last Updated August 04, 2014. Accessed on December 11, 2015. http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HighBloodPressure/PreventionTreatmentofHighBloodPressure/Potassium-and-High-Blood-Pressure_UCM_303243_Article.jsp#.Vopz2DYwcrg
  14. Harvard School of Public Health. “Shifting the Balance of Sodium and Potassium in Your Diet.” Accessed on December 11, 2015. http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/sodium-potassium-balance/
  15. Linus Pauling Institute: Micronutrient Information Center. “Sodium (Chloride).” Last Reviewed 2008. Accessed on December 11, 2015. http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/minerals/sodium
  16. Linus Pauling Institute: Micronutrient Information Center. “Potassium.” Last Reviewed 2010. Accessed on December 11, 2015. http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/minerals/potassium
  17. Saba, Magdi M. et al., “Concepts of the Heart in Ancient Egypt” Med Sci. (Paris). 20, no.3 (March 2004): 367 – 373. http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/medsci/2004203367
  18. Levine, J. A., M.D., Ph.D. (2015, September 04). What are the risks of sitting too much? Retrieved February 10, 2016, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/sitting/faq-20058005

 

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Hawthorn berries

Hawthorn Berry (Crataegus oxyacantha)

Hawthorn Berry (Crataegus oxyacantha)

Hawthorn berry Crataegus oxyacantha (Latin binomial), sometimes called Maybush, is a thorny shrub found that can be found growing on hillsides and in sunlit woodsey areas throughout the world. It’s been used for centuries to prepare foods, beverages, and medicines.

In folk medicine, Hawthorn was used for the treatment of diarrhea, insomnia, and asthma. In China, it has been used to treat digestive problems, high cholesterol, poor circulation, and shortness of breath. During the early 1800’s, doctors in North America used Hawthorn to treat heart conditions, circulatory, and respiratory disorders.

Hawthorn has a rich supply of flavonoids (antioxidants that protect cells from damage) and anti-inflammatory properties, which are important to heart health. It plays a role in helping dilate blood vessels, improves blood flow to the heart, and lowers blood pressure. In fat, in Europe Hawthorn is regarded as a safe and effective treatment for early-stage heart disease. It is used to promote the health of the circulatory system and to treat angina, high blood pressure, and congestive heart failure. In studies, patients with heart failure who took Hawthorn showed improvement in clinical symptoms and sense of well-being.

Hawthorn berry is available as tea, capsule, tincture, and standardized extract found in prescription drugs (not in the US), over-the-counter medication, standardized herbal medicine, or dietary supplements. Before taking Hawthorn, especially if you suspect or have a heart or lung condition, consult with a holistic integrative health practitioner.

Resources

  1. Hawthorn. Complementary and Alternative Medicine Guide. University of Maryland Medical Center Online. https://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/hawthorn
  2. Johnson, Rebecca L. & Foster, Steven et al., National Geographic Guide to Medicinal Herbs: The World’s Most Effective Healing Plants. (National Geographic Society. (2010, 2014), 123-125.
  3. Hawthorn Berry (Crateagus Oxycanthus): Health Benefits. http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-hawthorn-berry.html
  4. Mars, Bridgitte & Fiedler, Chrystle. Home Reference Guide to Holistic Health & Healing. (Beverly, MA: Fair Winds Press. 2015.), 189.
  5. Dahmer, S., Scott, E. “Health Effects of Hawthorne,” Amer Family Phys. (Feb 15, 2010) 81:4, 465-468. Accessed: Dec. 09, 2015:  http://www.aafp.org/afp/2010/0215/p465.html 
  6. Chang, W., Dao, J., and Shao, Z. “Hawthorn: Potential Roles in Cardiovascular Disease.” American Jnl.  Chinese Medicine (January 2005) 33:01, pp. 1-10. DOI: 10.1142/S0192415X05002606. http://www.worldscientific.com/doi/abs/10.1142/S0192415X05002606?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori%3Arid%3Acrossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%3Dpubmed&
  7. ie Wang, Xingjiang Xiong, and Bo Feng, “Effect of Crataegus Usage in Cardiovascular Disease Prevention: An Evidence-Based Approach,” Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol. 2013, Article ID 149363, 16 pages, 2013. doi:10.1155/2013/149363. http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2013/149363/ 

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Sage

Sage (Salvia officinalis)

Sage (Salvia officinalis)

Clear Your Mind with Sage.

Sage, with its woody stems, grayish leaves, and lovely purplish-blue flowers, is a native perennial of the Northern Mediterranean coast and an herbal member of the mint family. If you’re only familiar with Sage for seasoning savory dishes, you’re missing out on a fascinating botanical remedy.

Ancient Greeks and Romans burned sage in ceremonies, believing it would impart wisdom. Early European herbalists used Sage to clear congestion, purify the blood, and cleanse the teeth. In Native American and indigenous cultures around the world, shamans use White Sage to cleanse both persons and spaces of evil influences. Priests still burn Sage in religious ceremonies. Even though it has not been proven that Sage will raise your consciousness, many people burn Sage to facilitate relaxation during yoga or meditation.

Today, we know that Sage leaves and flowers contain chemicals with antibacterial, astringent, and antiseptic properties. At your local holistic market, you can find Sage in a variety of products. It is used in natural deodorant, and in mouthwash because it fights bacteria responsible for gum disease. In herbal remedies, a sage tea or tincture can help ease sore throat, congestion, digestive cramping, and support mental wellness. In aromatherapy preparations, sage is most often used as an essential oil in an air diffuser or in candles. Dried White Sage is most commonly burned (known as smudging) as incense with the intention to clear the lungs, ease mental stress, and enhance mood.

Using Sage as a botanical remedy is very different from cooking with the herb. Medicinal preparations and essential oils derived from Sage contain thujones, a naturally occurring chemical in the plant. If you take a higher dose of medicinal Sage than is recommended, it could cause serious health problems such as tremors, rapid heart rate, vertigo and vomiting. Consult your holistic health practitioner for guidance on the safe use of any Sage remedy.

Looking for tips on getting a more restful sleep?

Resources  

Mars, Bridgitte & Fiedler, Chrystle. Home Reference Guide to Holistic Health & Healing. (Beverly, MA: Fair Winds Press. 2015.), 30, 143, 203.

Johnson, Rebecca L. & Foster, Steven et al., National Geographic Guide to Medicinal Herbs: The World’s Most Effective Healing Plants.(National Geographic Society. 2010, 2014.), 90-93

Sage: Herb Wisdom.com  http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-sage.html

National Centers for Complementary and Integrative Health Info Sheet: Sage:https://nccih.nih.gov/health/sage

Smudging with Sage: http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-17875/a-sage-smudging-ritual-to-cleanse-your-aura-clear-your-space.html

Walch SG, Kuballa T, Stühlinger W, Lachenmeier DW. “Determination of the biologically active flavour substances thujone and camphor in foods and medicines containing sage (Salvia officinalis L.)”.

Chem Cent J. (Jul 21, 2011): 5-44. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3155476/

Kennedy, D. O., Wightman, E. L. “Herbal Extracts and Phytochemicals: Plant Secondary Metabolites and the Enhancement of Human Brain Function.” Advances in Nutrition: An International Review Journal. (11 January 2011): 2(1), 32–50. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3042794

MedLine Research Citations Indexed for Salvia officinalis in herbal teas and tinctures http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed

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