By: Brigitte M. Britton, C.H.N.
Founder-Holistic Nutritionist-Author, Organic Chef & Alchemist

 

In order to meet your body’s energy requirements, your heart must beat at least 100,000 times per day. The average adult body contains less than 1.5 gallons of blood, but the heart pumps 2,000 gallons of blood each and every day! The arteries are the largest blood vessels and carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the cells and tissues of the body. The veins are smaller vessels and carry oxygen-poor blood and waste products back to the heart. Capillaries are microscopic and link the arteries and veins to the tissues of the body. Oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange takes place across thin capillary walls. All this occurs without your thought participation. It’s a given, daily bodily function. But not everyone is born with good heart health.

 

Helen was at her wits end having been diagnosed again with dangerously high blood pressure and high cholesterol. As her holistic nutritionist pretty much on and off over the last 16 years this is not a big surprise. High blood pressure and high cholesterol runs in her family and is also in part due to extremely poor eating habits, lack of exercise including a high stress job. At this point she was ready to seriously commit to a customized holistic nutrition program and some mild exercise (a 20 minute daily power walk) I also created a custom organic meal replacement protein shake adding some beneficial herbs, fiber and roots that would balance and support heart health-and over all body balance.

 

These herbs and roots will keep the blood flowing clean, without blockage including lowering her LDL and raising her HDL. The base of the shake was a combination of Hemp and grass fed whey proteins including some of the following-ingredients; Cayenne(Capsicum frutescens) This Indian spice stimulates, strengthens, and tones the heart, balances circulation, and calms palpitations. It may also speed up the metabolism and prevent parasites in the body. Cacao (Theobroma cacao) A natural source of theobromine, long considered a heart tonic and mild stimulant, cacao also contains epicatechin, a flavonol that improves the function of the blood vessels. Garlic (Allium sativum) Swallowing one small clove a day with water is suggested. Several studies have shown that a small clove a day inhibits bad cholesterol (LDL) production and raises the good kind (HDL). They also show that garlic can reduce the tendency of the blood to form life-threatening clots (usually leading to heart attack or stroke) by the ability of the blood to destroy clots that may be forming is increased by 60 to 80% when using even 1 clove a day.

 

Hawthorn (Crataegus oxycanthus) Can improve oxygen and blood supply. Rich in flavonoids that protect small capillary vessels from free-radical damage, hawthorn normalizes blood pressure, assists in lowering cholesterol and fat deposits in the liver and aorta. I have used this herb, as well for my father to strengthen his heart and significantly increase the quality of his circulation. Ten years ago he had a heart attack and has since been taking hawthorn in extract form in his custom shakes for over 10 years with excellent results. Minerals also play a big part in heart health & lowering cholesterol I have suggested the following for my clients preferring they obtain them from organic food sources ; Calcium ,1000 mg daily (broccoli & cabbage), Potassium 2,000 mg daily (prunes, bananas & sweet potatoes), Magnesium 300 mg (Swiss chard & lentils) These are just some of the heart health ingredients I suggest but for the most part I advocate a daily diet high in fiber, greens and Omega 3 protein like grilled salmon, flax seed and grape seed oils including power walking at least three to four times a week and breathing exercises to support the emotional and mental body systems. If you need a more simple, and faster approach than I suggest trying MEGA Way Organic Protein Shakes complemented with Natures Optimal Nutrition Liquid Vitamins.