Diet and Supplements

Introduction

The cardiovascular system is consisting of the heart, the arteries, blood vessels, and the blood itself. This system makes sure that oxygenated blood is being pumped and transported from the heart to the rest of the body. However, when chronic illnesses like cardiovascular diseases start to affect the body and start to target the heart, it can cause the body to be dysfunctional and over time cause many problems like inflammation or high blood pressure that can cause a person to be miserable. In this 2 part series, we will be taking a look at diets that can help prevent cardiovascular disease in the body. Part 2 will be looking at different nutritional food that can help lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. By referring patients to qualified and skilled providers who specialized in cardiovascular services. To that end, and when appropriate, we advise our patients to refer to our associated medical providers based on their examination. We find that education is the key to asking valuable questions to our providers. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

Can my insurance cover it? Yes, in case you are uncertain here is the link to all the insurance providers we cover. If you have any questions, please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900.

What Is Cardiovascular Disease?

Cardiovascular disease is a cluster of conditions that can affect the heart. When there are unwanted pathogens that entered the body and start to cause problems it can lead to chronic problems developing over time. Research studies have shown that some of the symptoms of cardiovascular disease vary from males and females but they include:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Weakness in the legs or arms
• Chronic back pain

Sometimes even if a person is getting a routine check-up from their primary physician, the diagnosis of that person having cardiovascular disease can be found.

Diets To Prevent Cardiovascular Disease

When the body starts to feel dysfunctional and a person is wanting to get their health and wellness back, maintaining a healthy diet can provide beneficial results in the body. When making the switch to eating healthier, it can be hard at first due to eliminating all the unhealthy foods that are so good yet so bad. However, if a person has cardiovascular disease and wants to make a change to prevent the symptoms from rising, having a heart-healthy diet can provide beneficial properties to their health and well-being.

The Guidelines

Taking the first step to live a healthier lifestyle can be difficult but here are some of the guidelines to make the transition easier for people that want to improve their health.

• Follow a healthy eating pattern: All food and beverage choices matter. By choosing a healthy eating pattern at an appropriate calorie level can help achieve and maintain a healthy body weight, support nutrient adequacy, and reduce the risk of chronic disease.
•  Focus on variety, nutrient density, and amount: By meeting the nutrient needs within the calorie limits, it is best to choose a variety of nutrient-dense foods across and within all food groups in recommended amounts.
• Limit added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium intake: Cut back and limit eating added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium intake from food and beverages that contain these components to fit within healthy eating patterns.
• Shift to healthier food and beverage choices: By choosing nutrient-dense foods and beverages that are in all the food groups in place of the unhealthy choices. Consider cultural and personal preferences to make these shifts easier to accomplish and maintain.
• Support healthy eating patterns for all: Everybody has a role to help create and support healthy eating patterns in multiple settings.

 General Disclaimer *

The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, licensed physician, and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified health care professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and support, directly or indirectly, our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.

We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico*

Several research studies indicate that just about 30 percent of the United States population consumes the Recommended Dietary Allowance of calcium, which calls for approximately 1000 to 1200 milligrams on a regular daily basis. Furthermore, humans can absorb only about 30 percent of calcium from foods, based on the particular source. The body will in turn, demineralize its own skeletal system to maintain the proper serum calcium levels in scenarios where dietary calcium is inadequate and/or absorption is decreased, and/or excretion is increased.

A majority of individuals today are aware about the gut-brain connection and how approximately 90 percent of their body’s serotonin is really generated in the gastrointestinal, or GI, tract as well as the way the gut-brain axis is associated with depression. Overall gut health involving a healthy population of gut microbiota can affect many facets of our well-being, therefore, it’s no mystery that the connection between the gut and chronic health issues, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases, are also significantly strong.

Berberine, an ancient mixture frequently utilized in a variety of medicinal herbs throughout several traditional treatments has been demonstrated to benefit as well as link the gut and the heart. Berberine is an isoquinoline derivative alkaloid found in numerous herbs. Although these berberine-containing herbs aren’t traditionally utilized in food preparations, the active ingredient has been identified and may be isolated from a variety of plant sources, such as Coptis chinensis, or Coptis or Goldthread, Hydrastis canadensis, or goldenseal, Berberis aquifolium, or Oregon grape, Berberis aristata, or Tree Turmeric, Berberis vulgaris, or Barberry, and Arcangelisia flava.

Berberine is most favorably known for its function in gut health, demonstrating activity which can help support gut microbial balance. In fact, scientists have shown a growing interest in many plant-derived compounds which affect bacterial direction and berberine is a pioneer in the group. Additionally, its a botanical proven to influence blood glucose, blood lipids and also the immune system. Researchers today have learned how berberine can provide these tremendous benefits.

There’s also evidence that CoQ10 might have “important protective heart health effects” that might help prevent CVD, the world’s leading cause of death, reports a recent study published in Cardiovascular Pharmacology: Open Access. As these are fascinating findings, messaging to individuals around CoQ10, especially in the popular media, is frequently confusing, resulting in less than optimum results and inadequate supplement option. Here’s a guide to the most recent discoveries about the heart health benefits of CoQ10 and how to make smart choices in selecting supplements.

What is Coenzyme Q10?

Found in almost every cell of the body, Coenzyme Q10 is a fat-soluble, vitamin-like substance that helps convert food into energy. A potent antioxidant that protects against harm from toxic free radicals, CoQ10 is naturally created by the human body and can also be found in many foods, with high levels found in organ meats, like liver or kidneys; as well as in sardines, mackerel, chicken, cauliflower, broccoli and asparagus.