Do You Suffer From Heart Disease?

Cardiovascular disease is the number-one preventable cause of death in Canada today. A healthy diet of whole natural foods, regular exercise and good quality sleep can go a long way to reduce the stresses on our heart, arguably the body's most important organ. Sometimes, however, prevention isn't enough, in which case a diagnosis of blocked arteries or a recommendation for angioplasty or even bypass surgery invasive and temporary solutions at best because they don't treat the cause of the problem would cause even the strongest amongst us to catch our breath.

What Causes Blocked Arteries?

Free radicals are highly reactive chemical components within the body that are capable of damaging healthy cells and are believed to contribute to cancer, heart disease and a host of other diseases; they form as a direct result of poor diet and environmental pollution. Over time, these free radicals can cause the inner wall of our arteries to harden. As a result, tiny micro-injuries tiny nicks and cracks develop. When this occurs, our body's defence mechanisms kick in and rush to repair the damage by applying a "Band-Aid" or patch over the area. In order to ensure that blood flow is not impeded by this patch, a coating of cholesterol is then put over the patch. Cholesterol, being very slippery in nature, allows the blood to flow by the patch with a minimum of problems. However, over time, these patches can grow in size and number, eventually blocking the artery completely, not to mention raising cholesterol levels in the process.

Antioxidants for Arterial Cleansing

The human body is a magnificent piece of machinery and will, if given the proper balance of nutrients, expel most invaders and correct most health problems including blocked arteries. If you are considering adding supplements to your heart health program, the secret is to use discretion in choosing the correct "arterial cleansing" formula with a combination of nutrients and in sufficient quantities that will clear blockages and rejuvenate the tissues. High quality "arterial cleansing" formulas should contain a high amount of betaine hydrochloride, a digestive enzyme and source of hydrochloric acid for the gut, which enhances the absorption of nutrients. Your choice should also contain glandular extracts specifically indicated for cardiovascular support. Look for labels that fully disclose all medicinal and non-medicinal ingredients.

Some reputable companies offer other heart-supportive supplements as well, including:

• hawthorn herb for its general heart-strengthening effects
• dant properties
• essential fatty acids for protection and treatment
• liquid tonics for circulation
• plant-sourced digestive enzymes to help nutrient absorption.

In addition, symptoms of flora imbalance in the intestinal tract may cause gas and abdominal distension. This can cause the diaphragm to rise up and exert pressure on the heart, contributing to high blood pressure, chest pain or irregular heart rates. For this reason, supplementing with a high quality, non-dairy, superior strain acidophilus product, such as DDS acidophilus, will not only improve digestion and assimilation of nutrients, but will be beneficial for your overall heart health as well.

Recently I have been monitoring the conditions of patients suffering from angina, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and hypercysteinemia (high blood cysteine levels), to whom I have recommended using a line of heart healthy supplements. Patients' conditions were monitored by photoplethysmography (PPG) testing, which measures arterial stiffness. Of these patients, the average rate of improvement in the arterial stiffness index was 8.7 percent per month. Imagine the significance of knowing that with an arterial cleansing formula, patients could reduce their arterial stiffness by almost nine per cent every month! After three to six months on this formula, patients who were at high risk for cardiovascular disease are now at low risk.

If you suffer from heart disease, the most effective and natural solution in the long run is to support the body's own systems to heal itself. Luckily, in the world of natural medicine, there are myriad of substances designed to treat cardiovascular conditions.