Heart disease continues to cause significant health concerns and death worldwide, plaguing morbidity and mortality charts across countries. Although some heart conditions are congenital and affect babies at birth, most heart problems are acquired and caused by infections, inflammation, and environmental effects. The good news is that the most powerful tools for nurturing your heart health and preventing alarming heart conditions are already present in nature and in your daily habits!
Naturopathic medicine nurtures heart health by focusing on prevention, applying natural and holistic solutions that consider the interconnectedness of the processes within. The Power of Food
Optimal heart health begins with healthy food choices. Your body, most especially your cardiovascular system, hates chronic inflammation. One of the best ways to nurture a healthy inflammatory response that does not persist and become chronic is through eating food with rich anti-inflammatory properties. By simply adding in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables in your meals, you are already one step ahead to protecting your heart against damage!
Healthy Fats
A common misconception is that too much fat consumption can increase your chances of having heart disease because it can raise cholesterol levels that eventually build-up inside your blood vessels and cause heart disease. This is only partly true. Saturated fats, in combination with inflammation, can increase bad cholesterol levels and increase plaque build-up in important blood vessels, while unsaturated fats can actually lower heart disease risks!1 This means that by simply incorporating food sources rich in unsaturated fats, such as salmon, into your meals instead of saturated fats, effectively lowers bad cholesterol levels and reduces your risks of developing atherosclerosis (plaque buildup) that can eventually damage your heart!1
Antioxidants
Both the environmental factors and internal processes can cause oxidative stress, which is a phenomenon that predisposes your body to damage and disease. Oxidative stress is caused by the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are primarily responsible in regulating cell death, as well as your body’s inflammatory response. The overproduction of ROS can actually create oxidized versions of bad cholesterol, which triggers inflammation, while at the same time cause dysfunction to blood vessels.2 Antioxidants are substances from food and herbs that can help fight off the effects of oxidative stress, thereby protecting your heart against diseases that affect its optimal functioning.
Lifestyle as the Best Medicine
Your daily habits are very powerful factors that affect your overall health, especially your cardiovascular system.
Movement
Regular exercise has been associated with reduced risks of developing heart disease and death from cardiovascular causes.3 This is because physical activity can help lower blood pressure, nurture blood sugar levels, and maintain better cholesterol balance.3 That being said, the best form of exercise is dependent on your preferences because consistency is very important. Taking everyday walks, enrolling in dance classes, or practicing yoga are few of many routines that foster movement and heart health.
Sleep
Having restful sleep at night is as important as practicing movement during the day. Sleep is very important in regulating processes within the body and should not be taken for granted. Lack of sleep can trigger inflammation and increase your risks of developing acquired heart diseases. To learn more about the benefits of a good snooze and what you can do to achieve this, we have the perfect blog post for you!
Nature’s Cure
Supplementing your food and lifestyle choices with essential nutrients and botanical herbs can help boost heart health and protect it against damage.
Supplements
Magnesium and fish oil are two supplements that can be taken every day to nurture optimal heart health. Magnesium helps nurture a healthy heart rhythm, while fish oil (rich in omega-3) is rich in anti-inflammatory properties that help nurture cholesterol levels.
Botanical Medicine
Hawthorn (Crataegus sp.) is a medicinal plant that has centuries worth of evidence of its wonders for heart health. The plant contains bioactive components that can help regulate blood pressure, blood sugar levels, oxidative stress, and cholesterol levels.4 The primary mechanism that causes heart disease worldwide is atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in your blood vessels). Hawthorn is effective in preventing the development of this harmful process because it contains high amounts of flavonoids and polyphenols, which are compounds that help decrease the absorption of lipids from food and synthesis of cholesterol in the liver, thereby preventing the formation of plaque that eventually leads to buildup.4
The Naturopathic Approach
Naturopathic care focuses on nurturing optimal health through preventing and targeting the root cause behind your health problems, not just managing your symptoms. It is a philosophy that uses the healing power of nature to protect and heal your body from within. At Natural Path to Wellness, your team of naturopathic care advisors will help you discover the best natural and holistic options for your long-term health, ensuring the uniqueness and interconnectedness of your organ systems are nurtured, especially the major pump that delivers blood and nutrients to your cells! Talk to us today!
It is important to remember that the use of herbs for your health and wellness is best explored with your healthcare provider or naturopathic doctor. Most herbs are contraindicated during pregnancy and in special populations. Hence, talking to your healthcare provider or naturopathic doctor will help you discover the best herbal remedies for your unique case and preferences and at the same time prevent health risks that may be associated with its misuse or ineligibility.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your licensed naturopathic physician or other licensed healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or supplements. Disclosures & Policies: This and other blog posts may contain affiliate links. Please view our disclosures page for more information. REFERENCES:
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THE BLOG AT NATURAL PATH TO WELLNESSAuthorSNatural Path to Wellness values community education and welcomes contributions from writers with a background in Naturopathic Medicine, natural health and wellness, herbalism, homeopathy, Nature Cure, and more. Disclosures & Policies: This and other blog posts may contain affiliate links. Please view our disclosures page for more information.
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