Are Your Habits Hurting Your Heart?
By Sara Butler
Are you doing everything possible to keep your heart in great shape? You should be! Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of people in the United States today, so you need to make sure that caring for your heart is at the top of your to-do list. But there are some things you may be doing (or not doing) that aren’t great for your heart -- things you have no idea are potentially hurtful. Some of the following habits might be something you're engaging in that aren’t so great for your ticker.
Neglecting to Floss
OK, flossing is kind of a pain. It takes a while, you do it right before bed when you’re tired and just want to slide in between your sheets and some blissful oblivion for a few hours. But neglecting to floss is bad for more than just your teeth and gums, it’s bad for your heart, too.
Gum disease and heart disease are linked together. Untreated gum disease can lead to an inflammatory response in your entire body, and that increases your chances of developing heart disease exponentially. It can also lead to infections in your heart valves. So, kill two birds with one stone and floss!
You’re Eating Foods Labeled as “Zero Trans Fats”
You already know that trans fats are terrible for your heart, which is why you’re avoiding them. The problem is that you may be eating them when you think you’re not. That’s because in order for food manufacturers to claim their foods have “zero trans fats,” it doesn’t actually require the food be free of the stuff. Any food that contains less than 0.5 grams of trans fats per serving can claim to be free of it. Considering that you shouldn’t have more than two grams of trans fats per day, this can be quite dangerous.
You Don’t Get Enough Sleep
Quality sleep is really important, so you should be getting your minimum eight hours per night if you want to stay healthy and keep your heart healthy, too. If you’re getting less than the recommended amount of sleep nightly, then you are more susceptible to developing a chronic disease such as obesity, hypertension, or diabetes. You also are more prone to chronic inflammation, which has a huge impact on your heart.
If you have questions about how to best care for your heart, ask your chiropractor at The Joint!
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.