Diet to strengthen the heart?

[geesler]

An older lady I know (upper 40's/early 50's) recently had a heart attack. I would love to give her some advice on nutritional steps that she could take to strengthen her heart and system. Does anyone have any advice to share as far as foods, juices and supplements I could suggest to her? Thanks for any input!

[mick-G]

Re: Diet to strengthen the heart?

How is her weight and bf?? If it is advisable for her to at least go for some walks that would be a good start. Also is it genetic in her family? I have a very large list of supplements, but the best thing for her is to get the book "Prescription for Nutritional Healing" by Phyllia A. Balch, CNC and James F. Balach, M.D. She can pick one up at most good healthfood stores. Here is a partical list:

• Aerobic Heart from Aerobic Life Industries-Lowers homocysteine lever, vital for maintaining a healthy heart.

• Alpha-linolenic Acid (ala)-An Omega 3 fatty acid found to lower heart attack by 1/3 in some French studies.

• Alpha-lipoic acid-An antioxidant that loweers LDL levels.

• Chinese Red Yeast Rice-Promotes blood circulation and regulates cholesterol levels.

• Coenzyme Q10-Improves heart muscle oxgenation and may help prevent second heart attacks. Apatented for of coenzyme Q10 this is more easily absorbed than standard forms, so you can take less with the same effect. Also eases depression and fatigue, increease energy, support adrenal glands, process fats, remove toxins from the body, and boost the immune system.

• Grape Seed extract- Powerful antioxidants. Reduces the clotting tendency of the blood. Best used in combination with phosphatidyl choline, a natural pomponent of lecithin.

• Inositol Hexaphosphate(IP6)- Protects the heart by preventing blood clots and reducing cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

• L-Arginine- An amino acid that boosts production of nitric oxide, which dilates the arteries to allow better blood flow.

• Potassium-Needed to maintain regular heart rhythm. Lowers cholesterol.

• Selenium-deficiencies have been implicated in heart disease.

• Vitamin B complex

• Acetyl-L-Carnitine- To reduce blood lipid levels, increase cellular glutahione and coenzyme Q10, protect against lipid peroxidation, and assits in the breakdown of fats, preventing fatty buildup in the arteries, which helps restore blood flow to the heart.

• Calcium and Magnesium-Important for maintaining proper heart rhythm and blood pressure. Use chelate or citrate forms.

• EFA's-Protects heart muscle cells. Reduces triglyceride levels in the blood.

• Garlic-Beneficial for the heart, promotes circulation, and aids in reducing high blood pressure.

• Heart Science from Source Naturals-Contains antioxidants, cholesterol-fighters, herbs, and vitamins that work together to promote cardiovascular function.

• Proteolytic enzymes-Anti-inflammatory agents that prevent free radical damage to the arteries.

• Vitamin A with mixed carotenoids-Helps prevent free radical damage to the arteries. Use emulsion form for easier assimilation.

• Zinc plus Copper-Necessary for propeer balance with copper and for thiamine utilization. Use a chelate form. Deficiency has been linked to heart disease.

• Vit-C with Bioflavonoids-Aids in thinning the blood. Prevents blood clots and free radical damage.

I may add it is good to have a health diet consisting of fresh fruits and dark leafy vegatables. Low in sat and trans fats. Adding fresh fish and poultry is also a good reccomendation.

[geesler]

Re: Diet to strengthen the heart?

Thanks Mick- her weight is pretty good- shes fairly "regular" for a woman her age,she does have those wider dutch hips but her upper body is fine. I want to give her some suggestions about her diet as well, I'm not sure how it has been in the past, but hse has had a big wake up call to say the least. I would not have expected her to have heart problems from looking at her.

[DJDIGGLER]

Re: Diet to strengthen the heart?

I know that a glass of wine a day is supposed to be very good for your heart because it's supposed to thin your blood out. They say not to drink more than 1 per day though. Most people can't control themselves and stop at one that's why most doctors to reccomend that as part of your diet.

[KUCAK]

Re: Diet to strengthen the heart?

I think the best heart health a person can give themselves is keep active.. sure the diet and all.. but without getting the heart pumping healthy, none of it will help.

[geesler]

Re: Diet to strengthen the heart?

I know that a glass of wine a day is supposed to be very good for your heart because it's supposed to thin your blood out. They say not to drink more than 1 per day though. Most people can't control themselves and stop at one that's why most doctors to reccomend that as part of your diet.

The glass of wine a day goes along the same lines as aspirin correct?

[DJDIGGLER]

Re: Diet to strengthen the heart?

Sort of but not exactly. Aspirin is very damaging to your liver and could cause Reye's sydrome. Whereas a glass of wine a day is not as damaging to your liver and thins your blood which prevents clots. Aslong as you don't drink more than 1 glass then it's not damaging to your liver. Once you cross that line then its no longer a positive thing. Alot of doctors won't condone a glass of wine a day because they know most people can't limit themselves. But it does thin the blood thats why they can't do surgery on you if you've been drinking, because your blood can't clot with alcohol in it.

[mick-G]

Re: Diet to strengthen the heart?

Sort of but not exactly. Aspirin is very damaging to your liver and could cause Reye's sydrome. Whereas a glass of wine a day is not as damaging to your liver and thins your blood which prevents clots. Aslong as you don't drink more than 1 glass then it's not damaging to your liver. Once you cross that line then its no longer a positive thing. Alot of doctors won't condone a glass of wine a day because they know most people can't limit themselves. But it does thin the blood thats why they can't do surgery on you if you've been drinking, because your blood can't clot with alcohol in it.

Bro, i really don't know where you get that asprin is very damaging to your liver. This is just totally false period. Ive been talking asprin for yrs. It will help with platelet flow to help prevent blockage of the arteries. As far as the wine is concerned, she might want to check with her caridologist first before consuming alcohol. Actually cider vinegar will have the same benefits as wine other than the stimulation of the heart. I fix my dad who turns 90 tomorrow, about 1 1/2 teaspoon cider vinegar to three parts water and alittle honey mixed in and he takes it at night. It helps with circulation also.

[HungarianBeast]

Re: Diet to strengthen the heart?

Sort of but not exactly. Aspirin is very damaging to your liver and could cause Reye's sydrome. Whereas a glass of wine a day is not as damaging to your liver and thins your blood which prevents clots. Aslong as you don't drink more than 1 glass then it's not damaging to your liver. Once you cross that line then its no longer a positive thing. Alot of doctors won't condone a glass of wine a day because they know most people can't limit themselves. But it does thin the blood thats why they can't do surgery on you if you've been drinking, because your blood can't clot with alcohol in it.

Standard aspirin protocol is ~81mg every day. That is not damaging to the liver. Aspirin may cause Reye's syndrome in children if they take it during high fevers.

"The cause of RS remains a mystery. However studies have shown that using aspirin or salicylate-containing medications to treat viral illnesses increases the risk of developing RS. A physician should be consulted before giving a child any aspirin or anti-nausea medicines during a viral illness, which can mask the symptoms of RS."
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/r...s_syndrome.htm

[mick-G]

Re: Diet to strengthen the heart?

What can be damaging to the liver is acetaminophen which is in the Tylenol PM, and even at that you would have to mega dose on it to cause a breakdown of the liver cellular structure.

[DJDIGGLER]

Re: Diet to strengthen the heart?

Bro, i really don't know where you get that asprin is very damaging to your liver. This is just totally false period. Ive been talking asprin for yrs. It will help with platelet flow to help prevent blockage of the arteries. As far as the wine is concerned, she might want to check with her caridologist first before consuming alcohol. Actually cider vinegar will have the same benefits as wine other than the stimulation of the heart. I fix my dad who turns 90 tomorrow, about 1 1/2 teaspoon cider vinegar to three parts water and alittle honey mixed in and he takes it at night. It helps with circulation also.

I've got liver problems and I was told by multiple doctors to try not to take any aspirin if possible because it damages your liver.

[Slightly Enhanced]

Re: Diet to strengthen the heart?

Red Wine also makes your body create HDL, but I think exercise is the best thing. No supplement is going to make the heart stronger

[mick-G]

Re: Diet to strengthen the heart?

I've got liver problems and I was told by multiple doctors to try not to take any aspirin if possible because it damages your liver.

Now i don't know? If you already have liver probs maybe it could affect it, but for the normal person, asprin once ed will do nothing to damage the liver. Are you sure they are not talking about the Tylenol PM?? Aprin is very good for freeing up platelet flow, to prevent blockage of the arteries that lead to the heart, and can prevent stroke. I take one St. Joseph 82mg ed.

[DJDIGGLER]

Re: Diet to strengthen the heart?

Now i don't know? If you already have liver probs maybe it could affect it, but for the normal person, asprin once ed will do nothing to damage the liver. Are you sure they are not talking about the Tylenol PM?? Aprin is very good for freeing up platelet flow, to prevent blockage of the arteries that lead to the heart, and can prevent stroke. I take one St. Joseph 82mg ed.

No I'm sure. My fiancee went to school to University of Maryland for nursing and she agreed that aspirin is not a good thing for your liver. It's not going to kill you right away, but repeated doses for years will cause major damage. There's been alot of studies on this. But then they always go back and forth with these stories anyway.