"Low-Cost Cardiovascular Cure #1: Psyllium Husk.
Psyllium husk is a soluble fiber, meaning it is an indigestible, complex carbohydrate. Once consumed, it undergoes fermentation in the large intestine, yielding a broad range of heart-healthy benefits, most notably the control of appetite, blood sugar and insulin.
"A pooled analysis of 10 prospective cohort studies of dietary fiber intake in the US and Europe found that each 10 grams/day increase in total dietary fiber intake was associated with a 14% decrease in the risk of coronary events, such as myocardial infarction (MI), and a 24% decrease in deaths from coronary heart disease.
"Psyllium husk is one of my favorite supplements due to its ability to help control blood glucose. Excess glucose in the blood stream can cause heart disease for its ability to become "oxidized." This oxidation leads to a change in the molecular structure of glucose - causing what is known as advanced glycation end products or AGE-products. Like a knife carving clay, AGE products scar arterial walls. The scarring results in plague buildup and excess blood clotting. This mechanism is why diabetics have a 4.5 times increase of suffering from heart attack and stroke relative to non-diabetics.
"Go to your local health food store and purchase psyllium husk. This will cost you no more than a few bucks. In the bulk isle, psyllium can be purchased for about $3 per month.
"Low-Cost Cardiovascular Cure #2:B Vitamins.
These vitamins are required for proper functioning of the brain, nervous system, and the formation of blood. They are also involved in the metabolism of every cell of the human body, especially for proper DNA synthesis and regulation, but also for fatty acid synthesis and energy production. Harvard researchers writing in the Journal of the American Medical Association stated that women could cut their risk of heart disease by half with daily consumption of B vitamins.
"B vitamins are responsible for igniting a chemical cascade within the body known as methylation. This process rids the arteries of the damaging molecule known as homocysteine. The lower your levels of homocysteine, the less risk you have of suffering from cardiovascular disease.
"Start supplementing with B vitamins today. A daily B vitamin supplement should cost no more than $10 per month.
(Publisher’s note. I personally don’t like isolated or synthetic nutritional supplements. I think that taking supplements in a form of a super food is more balanced, more easily digested and so utilised. My all time favourite is spirulina or blue green algae. Madeleine.)
"Low-Cost Cardiovascular Cure #3: Flavonoids.
These are plant derived pigments. Over 4,000 have been studied for their cardiovascular and anti-cancer benefits. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported a 20% decrease in heart disease mortality risk among those who consumed at least 7.5 mg daily.
"Flavonoids preserve the cardiovascular system and heart by three major actions:
- improving blood flow in order to enhance oxygen and nutrient delivery throughout the 100,000 miles of adult veins, arteries and capillaries
- preventing the formation of artery-scarring, oxidized LDL
- relaxing the coronary arteries to prevent high blood pressure
"Make sure your shopping cart is loaded with food that are packed with flavonoids. The best sources of flavonoids are broccoli, hawthorn, grapeseed extract, black tea, citrus fruits and organic dark chocolate.
"Using these three cardiovascular cures to preserve health rather than drugs is a wise investment. It could potentially save you $64,000 in drug costs. What could you do with an extra $64,000 and good health? For me, it is more education, snowboarding, and of course Date Nights in exotic places around the world."
