Heart Disease and Women

There are many reasons for women’s heart problems. However, few people realize the connection between inflammation and disease including heart disease. Here is what I mean by this.

As you are well aware, the human body is marvelously made with so many amazing intricacies and abilities. Amid its functioning is the work of the immune system to protect you.

Years ago, infection was the major cause of disease, including heart disease, and death. However, with advancement in personal hygiene and ways of preventing infection’s onslaught, deaths from this source declined. Today researchers have turned their attention to inflammation as the major factor in many chronic diseases, disabilities and deaths.

Inflammation is the body’s response to harm, which can result from bacterial, viral or parasitic infection, injury or trauma, stress, genetic abnormalities, metabolic disorders and even poor lifestyle choices, amongst other sources.

When the body is assaulted, the immune system kicks into gear. Immediately white blood cells are sent to the problem area to start destroying the damaged cells by secreting various inflammation-promoting chemicals. As such, these chemicals and the heat associated with them can cause the following symptoms: redness, swelling, warmth and pain. As well, flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, fatigue and aching may also be the result of inflammation.

The body’s normal and natural response to damage is called acute inflammation which is short-lived for the specific purpose it’s addressing. However, being overworked or impaired by things such as lifestyle factors, the immune system may either overreact or react inappropriately. In this state it loses its ability to tell good or healthy cells from bad or sick ones. As a result it starts to attack all cells of a particular type preventing that body system or region from ever healing. This causes chronic inflammation and gives rise to autoimmune diseases.

If the immune system attacks connective tissue the person is said to have lupus. If it attacks the beta cells of the pancreas, they are said to have Type 1 diabetes. If it attacks the joints they suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. Inflammation of the airways is called asthma, inflammatory skin reactions are known as eczema and an inflamed bowel lining is called ulcerative colitis (Crohn’s disease).

Cancer, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, heart disease and women’s heart problems, Alzheimer’s, gum disease, allergies … and the list goes on, are all associated with chronic inflammation.

The saying ‘prevention is better than a cure’ can certainly stand its ground when you consider the above diseases. So what can be done on the preventative side? There are some simple, easy steps that taken daily can yield significant positive changes. If you follow these steps, the liklihood of your developing women’s heart problems, will be reduced.

1. Breathe Deeply. There is simply no other means of expelling body toxins faster.

2. Drink Enough Water. Many people are chronically dehydrated. To ensure you drink enough water, take your weight in pounds and divide it in half. Drink at least that amount in ounces per day. Drinking water will not only give you an energy boost, it will help you eat less and more importantly, will help your body flush toxins out.

3. Eat Quality Nutrition. More than quantity, the body needs quality nutrition as its fuel. Most authorities agree that the quality of today’s food is lacking in providing what the body requires to function at an optimal level. Therefore taking a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement is recommended. Search around to find nutritionally dense whole-food supplements that are readily assimilated by the body.

4. Be Active. The body was created to move. Research has repeatedly shown that your body functions so much better when you are active on a regular basis. To increase the likelihood of staying active, find an activity that you enjoy doing, or find a friend that you can exercise with so you can encourage each other to keep at it.

5. Get Enough Rest. A sufficient amount of sleep is needed by the body for repair and regeneration. It is recommended that adults get between seven and a half to nine hours of sleep every night. Of course, non-interrupted, peaceful sleep is the ideal! It is also suggested that the room be as dark as possible – the darker the better.

6. Deal With Stress. Emotions, inner turmoil, negative thought patterns and the demands of everyday life all affect the body’s ability to function. People need to have coping mechanisms in place that allow them to be at peace with themselves and others. Without this, the body’s immune system is never given any down time for it to be rested and repaired.

7. Be Grateful. There is a lot to say for simply stopping and counting your blessing each day. Yes at times life seems to deal you more than seems fair, but even in those hard times if you can find it within yourself to be grateful, the positive impact it will have on you physically will be well worth the effort.

This is not a comprehensive list, but starting to implement these easy-to-do steps will certainly aid your body’s immune system. You will develop a healthy heart too and limit ever having any type of women’s heart problems!

Monique Hawkins
540-858-2885
mentormonique@gmail.com
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