There is more and more evidence that a few easy lifestyle changes can make a big difference in your heart health.

Inflammation is now seen as a large contributor to heart disease. This appears to be far more important than the role of cholesterol in heart disease. Inflammation occurs in the body in large part from eating unhealthy foods. It also occurs due to extreme stress, inadequate water intake, elevated blood sugar and lack of sleep. Processed foods are a big player in inflammation. A recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that for every 10% increase in eating ultraprocessed food, there was a 14% increase in the risk of death. Ultraprocessed food is described as instant noodles and soups, breakfast cereals, energy bars and drinks, chicken nuggets and many other packaged snacks and ready-made meals which are loaded with toxic chemicals.

Action Items to Improve Your Heart Health

1. Chiropractic adjustments re-set the chemistry of the brain and re-allocates blood flow back to the areas of the body that need it. The alignment of the top 2 bones of the neck (C1 and C2) are vital to a properly functioning brain stem, Vagus nerve, and normal heart function. The upper thoracic spine (T1, T2 and T3) are also directly involved in healthy heart function.
2. Load up on anti-inflammatory foods: vegetables, fruits (especially berries), turmeric, ginger, parsley and fish oil have powerful ant-inflammatory properties
3. Cut back or eliminate inflammatory foods: dairy, meat, sugar, processed foods and simple carbohydrates.
4. Lose weight: too much fat is inflammatory and toxic.
5. Manage stress: high stress levels increases cortisol and adrenalin, raises blood sugar, inflammation and strains your heart.
6. Take good care of your gums and teeth by brushing, flossing, irrigating, and regular dental visits. Bacteria lives in plaque on teeth and we swallow it and it reaches the blood system, causing systemic inflammation.
7. Make time to exercise: exercise is amazingly beneficial to physical, mental and emotional well-being. Moderate exercise just 30 minutes a day, 5 times per week, reduces the risk of heart disease by 30%.