Matters of the Heart, Physiologically Speaking
Simple steps to promote your heart health
During February, we are prone to think about romance and matters of the heart. Romantic gestures, receiving chocolates and flowers are bound to make some hearts soar, but truly taking care of your heart goes beyond this.
February is Heart Month, an important time to be aware of your heart health and ensure you are taking the proper steps for your wellbeing. Keeping your heart and blood vessels in good condition is an important part of overall health, and there is no underestimating the importance of loving your heart.
The heart is a body’s engine, responsible for pumping life-sustaining blood and important nutrients throughout the body. You can help keep your body’s engine running optimally by eating heart healthy foods, staying physically active and taking the right supplements.
Here are some practical steps for maintaining your heart health.
Eat heartily
Add more fibre to your daily routine and food intake. To get more fibre in your diet, try adding fresh fruit, vegetables and healthy whole grains.
Sugar and salt are also linked to increased blood pressure. To help manage the amount of sugar and salt you are consuming, try cooking from scratch. This way you know exactly how much sugar and salt is going into your meal.
Heart health supplements
Carefully selected natural health products, such as Webber Naturals’ Triple Strength Omega-3 and Coenzyme Q10, can offer additional support for heart health.
Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce serum triglyceride levels and promote overall cardiovascular health.
Coenzyme Q10 plays a key role in energy production in every cell in the body and helps to support cardiovascular health. Your body makes some CoQ10 naturally, however synthesis declines with age and can be affected by certain medications.
Get your engine going
Get your motor running and your blood pumping by getting active. Find what works for you, maybe that’s a daily walk or using the stairs instead of an elevator. The Heart and Stoke Foundation recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity per week, that’s only about 22 minutes per day!
Maintain a healthy body weight
Being overweight is a risk on its own for heart disease. If you are concerned about your weight, ask your doctor for ways to reduce your risk.
Even a five to 10 per cent reduction in body weight can help lower the risk of developing health conditions associated with being overweight, such as elevated blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, triglyceride levels and blood sugars.
Quit smoking
It should be no surprise that non-smokers have a much lower risk of heart conditions and have both more years in life, and more life in those years.
Speak with your doctor for solutions on how kick this habit to the curb.
Check yourself (your cholesterol, that is)
It’s recommended that adults aged 18 and older, with an average risk of heart disease, get their cholesterol levels checked every five years. If you are at higher risk (or think you might be) it may be best to visit your doctor more regularly.
This February – think beyond those romantic gestures and take action to truly care for your heart. For more information on heart-healthy supplements and other wellness tips, visit webbernaturals.com.
