7 Steps to a Healthy Heart
By Alexis Mills
Your heart is constantly working to keep you healthy and at your best, even when you aren't doing what you can to help it. If you want to improve your heart health and keep it simple, look at the tips below to achieve a healthy heart and reduce your risk of heart issues in the future.
Get your Vitamin D
The majority of patients with heart issues are Vitamin D deficient. Take a Vitamin D supplement or get some sunlight to give your heart the nutrients it needs to fight off disease.
Have an Optimistic Outlook
A study by Journal of the American College of Cardiology in 2018 found that staying positive actually can have a positive effect on your heart health. When you are being optimistic, you are more likely to make healthier decisions for yourself and help your heart health.
Don't Sit for Too Long
Even if you exercise, it's not good for your health or your heart to sit for extended periods of time. For people with office jobs that require them to do a majority of their work sitting down, this is something to take into account. Try your best to move throughout the day, park farther away from the front door, take more walks, or try a standing desk.
Drink Green Tea
This tea is one of the healthiest drinks other than water for the body because of its powerful antioxidants, ability to prevent buildup in arteries, and lower your cholesterol. All great things for your heart!
Avoid Smoke at All Costs
For all smokers and non-smokers out there, listen up because this is important. It's shown that for people who are exposed to secondhand smoke at home or work are 25 to 30 percent more likely to develop heart disease. This statistic is not for smokers, but for people who are around people smoking. For smokers, realize that you are not only damaging your own body, but everyone else around you. There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke, so avoid it at all costs. See the resources for yourself.
Incorporate Healthy Fats
There is a perception in the American diet that all fat is bad, and we are taught this at a young age. What you should be eliminating are trans fats, omega-6 fatty acids, and triglycerides because they all increase your risk of heart disease. Read the labels of your food because these types of fats are hidden in a lot of foods. The healthy fats you should be eating are omega-3 fats and monounsaturated fat such as avocados, coconut oil, olive oil, almonds, peanut butter, salmon, and flax seed. These foods reduce your risk of heart disease and help the body burn food more efficiently.
Follow these steps and incorporate these into your life to feel better and protect your heart from future damage.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Seminole, Fla.