I realized that I didn’t know too much besides the obvious- that heart disease is no good and that there are many preventive measures people can take. It’s hard to see heart disease as more than two words that connote something dreadful. The average person probably won’t take the time to understand and react until it’s too late.
Conventional opinion tells us that lowering our cholesterol levels will do wonders for the prevention of coronary conditions. The notion that cholesterol antagonizes the body has become popular in the realm of health. In this casual conversation with Dr. Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., we dive into the real heart of the matter. Dr. Bowden challenges this traditional belief with his theory that the real culprit behind heart disease is chronic inflammation of the vascular wall. Due to the number of micro-injuries and tears that occur over the years, our arteries get clogged by the debris that is trapped in our blood stream.
Instead of devoting all of our attention on lowering cholesterol levels, we need to shift to a more dynamic perspective. The best way to promote longevity is to make positive lifestyle and diet changes. Stress and obesity are powerful contributors to inflammation. According to the Nurses Health Study, there are five basic behaviors that can reduce the risk of heart disease by 82 percent.
The Five Basic Behaviors:
1. Maintain a healthy weight
2. Exercise regularly
3. Eat a diet rich in omega-3 fats and vegetables and fruits
4. Consume alcohol only moderately
5. Abstain from smoking
