By Dr Sonya Jensen ND
We’ve all heard about Inflammation and the damage it can do to our bodies, and in particular to the heart. Statins, which are cholesterol lowering drugs, are the second most prescribed drug in Canada, with over 23 million prescriptions yearly!
Statins work by reducing the production of HMG CoA Reductase to reduce the production of cholesterol by the liver. So essentially it is a bandaid, the theory is by reducing the cholesterol, risk of heart disease should go down by 50%. But have you ever wondered what made your cholesterol production increase in the first place? Is it your lifestyle, your toxic exposure, genetics, your altered microbiome?
Cholesterol is our body’s way of protecting us from inflammation and damage to the arterial walls. It is needed to create hormones and is one of the foundational components of all our cell membranes. So by taking a drug that lowers that production we are also lowering our body’s ability to protect itself. As of recent there have been several studies documenting the side effects of statins, from memory loss and increasing blood glucose levels to doubling the risk of Women for two types of breast cancers, invasive ductal carcinoma and invasive lobular carcinoma. [1]
So what are some ways that we support our Cardiovascular System? It starts first with knowledge. Learn about your body and what is creating inflammation.
What are the stressors you face today? Take not of the toxins are you exposed to daily, these can include products we use to the pesticides and glyphosate on our food. How do you respond to emotional stress? Is your day filled with a to do list or are you able to slow down and be present in your life?
Find out the status of your microbiome. There is so much we still don’t know about this topic, begin with the basics. It starts all the way back to your birth. Were you a C section baby?, were you breastfed?, learn about how your early days and how they influence your health today. We are learning more about the different strains of bacteria that support different parts of the body and the mind. Find out what you need.
Dr Bruce Lipton has a great way of communicating the link between genetics and disease. We have the ability to turn these genes on and off according to our lifestyle and belief system. This puts us in the driver seat when it comes to our health, we are no longer victim to the health of the generations before us but have the ability to create change towards great health. However, it is still important to know what your predisposition is to disease, this gives you the chance to prepare and prevent.
The following are some tips for a healthier and stronger heart!
- Pomegranates and their juice: this powerful antioxidant has been proven to improve blood flow, lower blood pressure, and delay oxidation of LDL cholesterol in patients with
coronary artery disease. Enjoy a cup a day! - Curcumin: this powerful antioxidant has shown to reduce incidence of atherosclerosis. It has been proven to reduce fatty deposits by 26% in just 16weeks of consumption.
- MitoKit by Xymogen: this Medical grade supplement pack is filled with heart supportive nutrients. It contains alpha lipoic acid, Quercitin, resveratrol, arginine and more. All
shown to strengthen the arteries, reduce inflammation and support blood flow.
[1] M. Goldstein & L. Mascetelli, Journal of Cancer Epidemiology. 2013