Heart Matters
Natural Solutions|February 2017

13 Simple Ways to Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease
 

Kate Hanley
Heart Matters

 

If you’re thinking, “Why should I worry about heart health?” here’s a reality check: One-third of Americans already have some form of heart disease. Even if you don’t have a family history of cardiovascular problems, you should take steps to protect your ticker. Why? Because your heart rules the health of every other system in your body.

“Every disease is connected to heart health, including Alzheimer’s, arthritis, diabetes, and breast cancer,” says Mark Moyad, MD, director of preventative and alternative medicine at the University of Michigan Medical Center. “When you protect the heart, you protect the body from head to toe.” Safeguarding your heart means more than simply exercising, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, and keeping tabs on your cholesterol and blood pressure.

The following tips represent the latest research on the foods, supplements, and mind-body techniques you need to keep your cardiovascular system strong in the years to come.

Eat the Right Foods

“Beyond a doubt, of all the foods out there, fruits and vegetables [which are high in fiber, antioxidants, and compounds that block absorption of bad LDL cholesterol] have the most evidence of being heart protective,” says Ryan Bradley, ND, assistant professor at the Bastyr University School of Naturopathic Medicine in Kenmore, Washington. Pile your plate with produce, and work these nutrients into your diet to shield and nourish your heart.

FIBER

This story is from the February 2017 edition of Natural Solutions.

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This story is from the February 2017 edition of Natural Solutions.

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