Heart failure is one of the fastest-growing causes of hospitalization and deaths in the Western world. The United States takes the lead in this disease — an estimated 5.3 million Americans live with heart failure and 660,000 new cases are diagnosed each year.
Heart failure is defined as the inability of the heart to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. Of all the cardiovascular diseases, it is the only one that is increasing in incidence. It’s obvious that we have a real problem on our hands.
The condition is hitting senior citizens especially hard. A new 27-year study has found that heart failure in people over age 65 increased 131 percent, with women showing the greatest increase. Among younger people, men are more likely to suffer heart failure.
About 50 percent of both genders will die within five years of diagnosis — when conventional treatments are used.
Seven strategies can put the odds in your favor. We will discuss the first four this week.
1. Take vitamin D3.
Vitamin D3 is being shown to be one of our most
important supplements. In truth, vitamin D3 is not a vitamin; rather, it is a neurohormone.
As we have seen, the primary cause of heart failure, or at least its progression, is chronic inflammation. Therefore, anything that reduces inflammation also should lessen the chances for heart failure.
A number of studies are confirming this observation. Vitamin D3 has been shown to suppress the release of the inflammatory cytokine TNF-a and to increase the anti-inflammatory cytokine called IL-10 — the higher the dose of vitamin D3, the greater the beneficial effect.
For information on the powers of vitamin D3, read my special report “Vitamin D’s Hidden Role in Your Health.”
2. Avoid Statin Drugs.
Statin drugs have been shown to lower CoQ10 levels dramatically in the heart. It is interesting to note that the dramatic rise in congestive heart failure started about the same time as the widespread use of these drugs. Only recently have some cardiologists started recommending CoQ10 supplementation to their patients who use statins. Many still do not use it.
3. Increase Omega-3’s.
Omega-3 fats play a major role in reducing heart disease and especially death from heart disease. One of the major ways omega-3 oils reduce cardiovascular deaths is by reducing fatal arrhythmias.
Not only are omega-3 oils important for heart health during our adult years but also new research indicates they may play a role in regulating our heart rate from early life.
4. Reduce Excitotoxins in Your Diet.
Excitotoxins have been shown to raise blood glutamate levels anywhere from 20-fold to 50-fold higher than fasting levels.
At high levels, glutamate overstimulates the heart and can lead to destruction of heart muscle cells and the electrical conduction system. This can lead to heart failure and arrhythmias. For information on how to avoid excitotoxins and other poisonous foods in your diet, go here for the report “How to Avoid Poisonous Foods.”
{ 4 comments }
