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To adequately prescribe a restorative course of action for the
heart, it is important to understand the intricate processes
of heart function and what affects it. At the Naturopathic Medical
Practice, we completely analyse the heart function, looking for
damage, strain, chemical levels and it's working relationship
with other body organs. Once completed, the diagnosis is used
to shape the customized personal rejuvenation program, the quick
path to your improved site.
Heart function
Cardiovascular disease is rampant in the western society. To
be appraised of one’s heart function takes careful analysis.
The common stress test are just not good enough to give an accurate
impression of the heart function. Cardiovascular conditions
are
intimately related to the functions of the liver and the kidney,
and subject to endocrine hormonal flows. The heart function depends
on the vitality of the network of arteries, capillaries, the
venous return, and the lymphatic system. A number of chemical
substances play an important role in the heart function, such
as high density and low density lipoprotein, triglycerides, potassium,
calcium, magnesium, homocystine, pyridoxine, and the list goes
on. All these factors have to be assessed thoroughly and integrated
in the overall holistic medical picture that presents, before
one can embark on a plan of treatment of the heart function.
Heart disease
Elevated homocystine levels have been established as an independent
risk factor for intermittent claudication, and deep vein thrombosis.
Elevated homocystine levels impair heart function and correspond
with an increased incidence of intermittent claudication and
decreased serum folate levels. A fourfold increase in risk of
peripheral vascular disease was noted in individuals with hyperhomocystinemia
compared with those with normal homocystine levels. An increased
risk of peripheral vascular occlusion has been noted in women
taking oral contraceptives, which might be linked to the significantly
increased homocystine levels in women so affected. It is already
known that oral contraceptives cause declines or deficiencies
of pyridoxine, vitamin B12, and folate, nutrients integral to
the processing of homocystine.
Stroke
Heart function and stroke are closely related. Stroke patients
have significantly elevated homocystine levels, with a linear
relationship between risk of stroke and homocystine levels, and
a significant decrease in blood folate concentrations in those
with elevated homocystine levels. Glycosaminoglycans, such as
hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate inhibit platelet aggregation,
and as such prevent against stroke. A satellite remedy often
used is Ginkgo biloba, for the prevention of a subsequent heart
attack, while hawthorn is prescribed to reduce hypertension.
Hypertension
An elevated blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart
function deterioration. Over 60 million Americans have high blood
pressure. Most case of hypertension can be brought under control
through changes in diet and lifestyle. In fact, in head-to-head
comparisons, many non-drug therapies, such as diet, exercise,
and relaxation therapies, have proved superior to drugs in cases
of borderline to mild hypertension.
Conventional antihypertensive drugs claim to protect heart function
An increasing body of evidence is indicating that drugs may
be doing more harm than good in protecting heart function. People
taking antihypertensive drugs (most often diuretics and beta-blockers)
suffer from several side effects including an increased risk
for heart disease. Despite the substantial evidence and medical
opinion, blood pressure-lowering drugs are still among the most
widely prescribed. The possible explanation is as follows: “Treatment
of hypertension has become the leading reason for visits to physicians
as well as for drug prescriptions.” Yearly sales of antihypertensive
drugs are estimated to be greater than $ 10 billion.
Dietary and lifestyle factors and heart function
Hypertension is closely related to lifestyle and dietary factors.
Some important lifestyle factors which may cause hypertension
include coffee consumption, alcohol intake, lack of exercise,
stress and smoking. The most important dietary factors include
obesity, high sodium-to-potassium ratio, low fibre, high sugar
diet, high saturated fat and low essential fatty acids intake,
a diet low in calcium, magnesium and vitamin C. The most useful
foods for people with hypertension include celery, garlic, onions,
nuts and seeds and their oils, cold water fish, green leafy vegetables
for their rich source of calcium and magnesium, whole grains
and legumes for their fibre, foods rich in vitamin C, like broccoli
and citrus fruit.
General therapeutic consideration in regards to heart
function, hypertension and atherosclerosis
Antioxidant nutrients like beta-carotene, selenium, vitamin
E, and vitamin C have shown to be very important in protecting
heart function against the development of heart disease, cancer,
and other chronic degenerative diseases. In addition, antioxidants
are also slowing down the aging process. Fats and cholesterol
are particularly susceptible to free radical damage, When damaged
fats, and cholesterol form lipid peroxides and oxidized cholesterol
which can then damage the artery wall as well as accelerate the
progression of atherosclerosis and hypertension. At our health
and wellness clinic we address the oxidative status in depth.
Life lymphocytes are tested for antioxidant stress in relationship
to the requirements of vitamin C, and aqueous phase antioxidant,
and vitamin E, a lipid phase antioxidant, and proanthocyanidins,
also referred to as procyanidins.
Other nutritional factors relating to heart function
Omega 3 fatty acids, antioxidant nutrients and flavonoids, pyridoxine,
niacin, garlic, and alpha-linolenic acid lower blood pressure
and reduce elevated levels of homocystine. For the heart function
to be proper magnesium and potassium are absolutely essential.
At our health and wellness clinic we take all nutritional factors
into account, the life style influences, the chemical imbalances
are qualified and if necessary corrected. The wellness Spa promotes
relaxation, the workshops inspire participants to change chronic
behaviour patterns with no capacity for adaptation into a relaxed
fulfilling individual shared expression. In this way stress is
eliminated.
For more information on the specific areas of heart function
that we examine, please click on a link below:
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