Nearly one million people develop heart disease each year. The vast majority of these people are unaware that this devastating condition can be prevented with a natural diet. Researchers from the European study EPIC (European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition) have developed a plan that can reduce the risk of coronary artery disease by 81%.
Medical researchers understand that heart disease begins early in life and progresses to become life-threatening as we approach old age. The good news is that heart disease can be controlled and reversed with simple lifestyle and dietary changes.
Drugs cannot cure heart disease
The typical patient diagnosed with heart disease is put on a low-fat diet and given a handful of medications, including a statin. Statins cause muscle pain in 40% of those who take them, and information from a study published in The Lancet Journal confirms that this class of drugs causes diabetes. Extensive research confirms that high cholesterol is not the cause of heart disease, but it remains a popular treatment target because it is easily controlled with medication. Similarly, a low-fat diet prolongs and worsens heart disease because it triggers continuous spikes in blood sugar and high triglycerides.
Correcting the true cause of heart disease
EPIC study results, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, show that changing your diet could reduce your risk of heart attack by 81% by reducing inflammation and lowering blood pressure. The study highlighted four dietary factors that lead to heart disease.
Refined carbohydrates, grains and sugars: Processed foods have become a staple in the typical diet. These foods are loaded with simple carbohydrates that quickly break down into glucose and cause rapid spikes in blood sugar. This eventually leads to insulin resistance and damages the delicate inner endothelial layer of the coronary arteries. Cut out all breads, pastas, rice, sugary treats, and any foods made from wheat (including whole grains) or corn.
Excess vegetable omega-6 oils: Vegetable oils are stable at room temperature and are used in virtually all baked and processed foods to enhance flavor and extend shelf life. Excessive amounts of vegetable fats trigger the release of pro-inflammatory messengers that increase oxidative stress and damage the vascular system. Don’t use vegetable oils in cooking and avoid fried foods and corn-fed meats.
Omega 3 fat deficiency: Our modern diet is virtually devoid of the health-maintaining omega-3 fats that have been part of the human diet for countless generations. The ideal ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids is 1:1. Experts agree that many people are closer to a 20:1 ratio. This creates an imbalance and promotes systemic inflammation. Add tuna, salmon, sardines, nuts and seeds to balance your fat ratio, or add a high-potency fish oil supplement.
Oxidative Stress: The normal process of breathing, eating, and moving creates free radicals that can damage our genetic makeup and cause LDL cholesterol to oxidize. We can’t avoid the process entirely, but we can add healthy amounts of fresh vegetables, berries, and targeted supplements to negate the effects of free radicals on our heart and other organs.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death among people in western society. Most of these deaths can be prevented with a natural diet and a healthy lifestyle. Reduce your risk of dying from heart disease by making these changes today and live to spread the word to your great-grandchildren.
Thanks to John L. Phillip
