HEART HEALTH & HEALTHY LIFESTYLE CHOICES - PART 2

In our last post, we discussed Artherosclerosis & the importance of cholesterol. This week our discussion will focus on Healthy Lifestyle Choices, dieting, and some myths around diets and foods.

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE CHOICES
Research has found that - eating a balanced diet rich in organic fruit and vegetables, leaner meats and fibre reduces heart disease risk.

Whether that diet is rich in fats, protein-rich or carb-rich matters less for cardiovascular health, as long as it contains a healthy balance. The quality of foods matters more than focusing on any specific macronutrients.

A study examined the cardiovascular health impacts of the three main components of our diets– fat, carbohydrates, and protein — called macronutrients.

The results of research have shown that balancing a healthy ratio of the macronutrients - fats, carbohydrates, and protein– were similarly effective in decreasing inflammation and injury to the heart muscle and in improving the heart health. Changing the macronutrients of the diet did not offer any other advantages.

YO-YO DIETING WON’T DO YOUR HEART ANY FAVOURS
A new study found that women who lost at least 10 pounds but then put that weight back on within a year, were more likely to have risk factors for heart disease. The more times someone went on a yo-yo diet, the worse their heart health.

MYTHS
A Low Fat Diet Is Best, Eggs Are The Enemy.

HEART HEALTH SOME TIPS TO PONDER

1. CONTROL YOUR PORTION SIZE
2. EAT MORE FRESH VEGETABLES & FRUITS
3. SELECT WHOLEGRAIN FOODS
4. HEALTHY & UNHEALTHY FATS
5. CHOOSE HEALTHY FAT PROTEIN SOURCES
6. REDUCE THE SALT
7. PLAN AHEAD SO TEMPTATION IS LESS
8. ALLOW YOURSELF THE OCCASIONAL TREAT

Incorporate these eight tips into your life, and you'll find that heart-healthy eating is both doable and enjoyable. With planning and a few simple substitutions, you can eat with your heart in mind.

Read full article @ https://zurl.co/Hi9Y

BALANCED HEALING can provide Support & guide you with Healthy Lifestyle Choices. Contact us today.

There are more misconceptions about statins on the Internet than there are truths. Our cardiologists answer 10 frequently asked questions.

HEART HEALTH - PART 1

With the focus on HEART HEALTH in September, I would like to take a look at the primary cause of the heart & vascular disease process…. ATHEROSCLEROSIS.

WHAT IS ATHEROSCLEROSIS?
Atherosclerosis is the narrowing of arteries due to “plaque buildup” on the artery walls. Arteries carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body. They are lined with a thin layer of cells that keeps them smooth and allows blood to flow easily. This is called the endothelium. Atherosclerosis begins when the endothelium becomes damaged, allowing the harmful build up & plaque formation in the artery wall.

HOW DO THE ARTERIES GET DAMAGED?
High levels of inflammation, generally caused through acidity levels in the body based on a poor diet, stress and toxin loads. Metabolic Syndrome ….is a major contributing factor as it is associated with the consumption of processed carbohydrates, causing permanent glucose overload. This leads to an overproduction of insulin - ultimately leading to INSULIN RESISTANCE. These raised levels of insulin create a constantly raised level of inflammation in the body ultimately manifesting in inflammatory responses = ATHEROSCLEROSIS. (simply put)

HOW DOES THE BODY TRY TO RECTIFY THIS?

The body sends a type of white blood cell to clean up this damaged area, but, sometimes, the cells get stuck at the affected site. Over time, plaque can build up, made of cholesterol, macrophages, calcium and other substances from the blood. Sometimes, the plaque grows to a certain size and stops growing, causing the individual no problems. However, sometimes, the plaque clogs up the artery, disrupting the flow of blood around the body. This makes blood clots more likely, which can result in life-threatening conditions – Heart attack and stroke.

IS CHOLESTEROL ALL BAD?
Cholesterol is the most misunderstood substance in all history of health care. Cholesterol is the stuff of life and we should be very careful when altering its biochemistry. Never in the history of health care has a substance been so demonized as cholesterol. It is synonymous with everything that is bad to your health when is actually — good. The bad guy is inflammation caused by terrible diet, sugars, and starchy foods. Cholesterol is not the cause of health problems; it is just around when problems happen.

Cholesterol performs IMPORTANT functions:
• Helps to make the outer coating of cells and support both cell creation and maintenance
• Makes up bile salts * acids that aid digestion and vitamin absorption in the intestines
• Is responsible for vitamin D production and hormonal production like testosterone and estrogen
• Forms part of the Myelin sheath that protects out nerve fibers
• Play an essential role in cognitive function, assisting the memory development for neurological longevity.

Without cholesterol, none of these primary functions could occur and we as humans would simply not be here.

Should you be on statins? Statin therapy has shown to have huge implications and alter your body in profound and permanent ways. Statins should only be used as a last resort but in health care today, statins are prescribed to just about everyone. Even children and people who are not at risk for heart disease are prescribed statins as a prophylactic.

Read More @: https://zurl.co/vVfX

BALANCED HEALING can Provide Support & Guide you with HEALTHY LIFESTYLE CHOICES!

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Find out why weight is an issue during menopause, and how you can hack your hormones and your diet to stay slim during this new phase of your life.

CELEBRATING AFRICAN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE 26th-31th AUGUST

The celebration of African Traditional Medicine week recognizes the work done by traditional healers for centuries. This holistic medicinal practice incorporates natural herbs, ingredients and African spirituality to bring physical, mental and spiritual healing to individuals.

The WHO offers the following description – “Traditional medicine refers to health practices, approaches, knowledge & beliefs incorporating plant, animal & mineral-based medicines, spiritual therapies, manual techniques & exercises, applied singularly or in combination to treat, diagnose and prevent illness or maintain well-being.”

The tradition of a treating the person as a “WHOLE ENTITY” – body mind & spirit has far-reaching effect as the cause of physical ailments stem from a spiritual or emotional malady – manifesting physically as an ailment. Too often in medicine today we seek advice for a SYMPTOM and seldom do the medical fraternity seek the ROOT CAUSE… The Traditional healers approach the “PATIENT” as a whole and not just as a disease or ailment.

Let’s take a look at some of the SOUTH AFRICAN traditional indigenous plants and their incredible medicinal properties:
ALOE PLANT
WORMWOOD
AFRICAN POTATO
BUCHU
SUTHERLANDIA (CANCER BUSH)
WILD GINGER
PENNY WORT
HOODIA
MADAGASCAR PERIWINKLE

Read more on plant benefits @ https://zurl.co/VBzF

Contact BALANCED HEALING for more information regarding the benefits of traditional medicine.