15 surprising heart helpers
12. Snooze longer. People who sleep less than seven hours a night have higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which leads to elevated blood pressure and an increase in belly fat that’s linked to heart disease and diabetes, according to Goldberg. For balanced cortisol levels, avoid light exposure from your TV or computer after 10 p.m. so your adrenal glands can start releasing the sleep-wake hormone melatonin, which helps regenerate your body while you sleep.
13. Ramp up with ribose. What nutrient can literally pump up your heart? A new study in Te Open Pain Journal showed that D-ribose, a type of sugar made by the body, can increase a person’s energy production by an average of 61 percent. Teitelbaum recommends taking 5 grams of supplemental ribose powder three times a day for six weeks, and then two times a day after that.
14. Ditch BPA. A 2012 study found that people with narrowed arteries had higher urine levels of bisphenol-A (BPA), a food and beverage packaging chemical. Although researchers didn’t establish a causal link, you can minimize your BPA exposure by choosing BPA-free cans and plastic bottles and refusing thermal-paper receipts at checkout.
15. Sip tea. Cut out sugary drinks, which are linked to cardiovascular disease. Instead, each day sip on one to two cups of brewed tea, which lowers heart attack (and diabetes) risk, says Teitelbaum. Use stevia if you miss the sweet taste.
Health writer Pamela Bond is a frequent contributor to Delicious Living.
3 HEART-HEALTH MYTHS
Myth: More is better. Enjoying a small amount of nuts or chocolate rather than overindulging helps your heart while fending off unwanted weight gain. Sipping a small glass of wine reduces cholesterol more than imbibing more. And frequent short walks may boost heart health better than intense exercise.
Myth: Aspirin prevents heart attacks. Research shows that taking daily aspirin to prevent heart disease can cause stomach bleeding. Experts believe magnesium is partly responsible for benefits found in the original aspirin studies, which used buffered aspirin containing the heart-supportive mineral.
Myth: Supplements can do it all. ”The best way to get vitamins and minerals that benefit your heart is by eating a varied, colorful diet,” says Martha Gulati, MD. ”Supplements can play a role, but a good diet should be people’s first aim.”
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deliciousliving.com | february 2013
ALLOY PHOTOGRAPHY / VEER
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