Helpful or Harmful

Today, we want to continue discussion by focusing on nutrition, herbs or actions that may be helpful or harmful to the most important muscle in our body, the heart. While all muscles play vital roles, the heart is essential for life, pumping blood and oxygen throughout the body. Let’s consider Prov 4:23 NIV says Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do, flows from it. And just as the heart is the core of the person spiritually, physically it is also the center keeping us alive!

So let’s begin with some helpful nutrition, herbs or actions:

1. Cayenne Pepper- this herb is not only is an effective blood thinner, but also a dilator. It dilates the blood vessels and strengthens the arterial walls.  You can take in capsule form or a teaspoon of cayenne pepper in a cup of hot water. 
2. Both Garlic and ginger contain blood thinning and cholesterol lowering active ingredients in their chemical structure. 
3. Omega 3 is an essential fatty acid found in flaxseed, chia seeds, and walnuts. With 3 double bonds in its chemical structure, this oil has a blood thinning effect. Many fish contain Omega 3, but are commonly found to contain high amounts of mercury as well. So, you need to eat it, yes, but in moderation. 
4. Fats that are healthy, like avocado, coconut oil, olive oil, nuts and seeds, contain essential nutrients that are required for heart cell membrane function and repair. 
5. The most effective exercise for heart strength, is High Intensity Interval Training otherwise known as HITT. HITT is known as intervals of high intensity of 30 seconds and recovery of 90 seconds.  This may be done in cycles of 3, 6, 9 etc.

Now, for the harmful nutrition, herbs or actions

1. Licorice root. This herb, sometimes used for digestive issues or sore throats, can raise blood pressure and potentially interfere with blood pressure medications. It can also cause a dangerous drop in blood potassium levels; and potassium is crucial for the heartbeat. 
2. People with irregular heartbeat, should abstain from having wheat in their diet. The complex structure of wheat is hard for the gut to digest and can cause, partially or undigested particles to enter the bloodstream. This, can potentially cause an allergic reaction or response, which in turn, may produce irregular heartbeat 
3. Red Meat. As good as that burger may look and taste, red meat and processed meat have been associated with increased deaths from cardiovascular disease. There are also some studies that associate red meat, with a higher risk of strokes. 
4. You are four times more likely to die of heart disease. With its 4000 chemicals, tobacco has the potential to damage the heart muscle. The carbon monoxide, that is released by the cigarette, competes with oxygen, which effectively robs the heart cell of oxygen. And may I add, smoking of cigars, pipes, vapes etc., is just as harmful. 
5. You’ve heard the saying, “A glass of red wine, is healthy for the heart.” While this may be true to a degree, drinking it in excess, can lead to high blood pressure, heart failure or stroke. Excessive drinking can also contribute to cardiomyopathy, a disorder that affects the heart muscle.