Proper nutrition plays a key role in the functioning of the heart, similar to the maintenance of a car’s engine relative to its ability to function. Without proper care, the engine will have major dysfunctions and eventually quit running. If we’re not mindful, the same can happen with the heart.
Proper functioning of the heart relies heavily on five key nutrients:
• Calcium – Essential for nerve conduction, muscle contraction, blood clotting and membrane permeability. Vital for the transmission of nerve impulses, blood pressure maintenance and cardiac muscular contraction.
• Magnesium – Maintains potassium and calcium balances and is important for neuromuscular activity and myocardial functioning.
• Potassium – Plays a key role in cardiac muscle contraction and maintenance of normal blood pressure.
• Vitamin E – Protects fat-soluble vitamins, prevents cell structure and membrane damage, and functions as an antioxidant.
• Coenzyme Q10 – This organic molecule aids the heart in cellular metabolism and the production of cellular energy. Don’t forget that statin drugs (cholesterol- lowering medications) block this valuable nutrient. If you take such a drug, make sure you supplement with this nutrient.
Considering all that it is responsible for, the heart is quite small in size. In fact it’s only about the size of a closed fist; but as the center of the cardiovascular system, the heart’s job is anything but small. It propels more than 1,800 gallons of blood through approximately 60,000 miles of blood vessels daily. The pumping action of the heart delivers refreshed blood containing nutrients and oxygen to the cells while it also retrieves wastes and carbon dioxide for clean up. The most incredible aspect of the heart is that it is constructed to last a lifetime without even a moment’s rest. Our most advanced technology has yet to equal such extraordinary functioning and durability.
With the heart being so vital to life itself, it’s sad that heart disease kills over 1.4 million people each year and that over half a million of these are women. Isn’t it great to know that the right nutrition can greatly reduce and eliminate the risk of heart disease? Women’s Health Advantage knows the importance of a woman’s heart! And our goal for you is and always will be prevention. Partner with us to identify and nurture your specific needs.
For more information, please call Jill Redfern RN, Nutrition and Digestive Health Specialist of Women’s Health Advantage at 661-310-7373 or visit womenshealthadvantage@msn.com .