Heart Health 101
Who doesn’t want a healthy heart? Don’t neglect this vital organ. Take these simple do-it-yourself tips to heart:
1) Get your cholesterol count. Look at HDL, LDL and total cholesterol numbers. It is not about one component but instead, the full picture.
2) Calculate your waist/hip ratio: the higher the ratio, the greater your risk for heart disease.
3) Don’t let homocysteine accumulate, it’s toxic! Take supplements to convert homocysteine to non-toxic forms.
4) Increase your fiber intake: Fiber will bind to cholesterol in the intestines and excrete it.
5) Avoid hydrogenated oils and trans fat because these elevate cholesterol and are atherogenic! Throw out the margarine, cookies, crackers, baking products and vegetable shorting that contain these harmful ingredients.
6) Restrict sugar intake.
7) Choose lean protein, fish and vegetable proteins often. Organ meats, pork and processed meats are to be consumed rarely.
8) Move often! Get your heart rate kicking by partaking in aerobic excercise 3-5 times a week for 20-30 minutes at moderate intensity. Try a salsa class or hit the ski slopes!
9) Supplement with a multi-vitamin, fish oil, bioflavanoids, Pantethine, CoQ10, Carnitine, Vitamin C, Niacin, Magnesium and more! (note: It is not necessary to supplement with everything listed - an individualized protocol should be followed depending on your own personal situation).
10) Eat garlic and fenugreek. They both lower LDL and total cholesterol.
11) Donate blood to remove excess iron in the body — while at the same time giving love to someone in need!
12) Practice loving yourself-up! Nourish your body with positive messages. Wipe out negative self-talk and learn to love and accept yourself daily.
13) Build healthy relationships at work, in your family and with the people behind you at the supermarket checkout line. Make connections with others and learn to embrace life through the people you meet along your journey.
14) Tap for heart health using The Emotional Freedom Techniques. Download the free manual to learn this useful technique or hire an EFT practitioner like Alison Held to guide you toward personal freedom.
15) Practice the whole brain posture for heart health. This is an excellent position to eliminate stress, anger, resentment, forgiveness or any unhealthy emotions that might be limiting you from being your best-self. The whole brain posture is one of the most common Psych-k balances.
16) Hug yourself and others for a healthy heart. When you hug someone, make sure you are aligning your heart to their heart (many people hug the other way which can give a negative charge….change that negative to a positive!)