The song goes “…all I want for Christmas is my two front teeth…”
Well, I have my teeth…now for the healthy heart! I have confirmed that my heart is “in the right place”, beating steadily along, being kind to strangers, etc…but how specifically can we assure that our heart is healthy?
I am presenting a talk in a couple of weeks on “Foods To Be Thankful For” here at our office in Tacoma. Among the topics to share and discuss will be the impact of what we eat on how healthy we are. And even more targeted on how healthy our heart and circulation is.
“A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues.” – Cicero, Roman orator
And when it comes to the importance of whole body and individual organ health…a healthy heart is at the top of my ‘thankfulness’ list!
The World Health Organization recognizes that heart and circulation issues are the top health concern on the planet. By 2025 over 1.5 billion people around the world will have a clinically diagnosable condition of hypertension, which is a health challenge credited with being the greatest factor limiting a person’s life and well-being.
And of course we know that hypertension (as well as most other heart related conditions) is considered preventable, simply (though not too often easily) deterred with lifestyle choices. Exercise. Limiting stress. And of course, what we choose to eat.
Nutrition in the world is rarely “just right”. Either too little nutritious calories available (common in the under-developed world) or way too much (common in the developed, more affluent sections of the planet). In our world it is likely to be too many calories, many of these calories increasingly devoid of real nutrition. High levels of starchy calories, imbalance of Omega 6 to 3, high triglyceride and lipid content, high sodium, etc., etc.
As the weather here in our northern hemisphere cools and the nights get longer we look forward to the holidays and the many sources of nostalgia and comfort. Many of the dietary sources of comfort will be…well, not good for us. Lots of refined sugar, plenty of meat (especially red), refined carbohydrates, tasty foods loaded with fats, salt and sugar…we are blessed with plenty.
So here we are, only 63 shopping days until Christmas and there is STILL TIME to be the fittest YOU that YOU can be! A bit of exercise every day, foregoing the croissant or chocolate doughnut in favor of a healthy smoothie or piece of fruit, these little “heart-smart” choices will benefit your waistline and your quality of life…far beyond the time it takes to pay for all those Christmas presents.
The lining of your blood vessels, that little cellular factory that creates the nitric oxide and other inflammatory-reducing cellular mediators, needs your help! Be kind to your heart and give yourself the gift of abundant health this season! Try to make most of your food choices count in a heart-healthy way.
“A good heart is better than all the heads in the world.” – Edward Bulwer Lytton
IN-JOY your health!
Perry
Dr. Chinn is a 1986 Life University graduate (Marietta), has been practicing for 37 years, currently in NW Montana. He has served as a board member and vice-president of the Gonstead Clinical Studies Society. As a Gonstead technique diplomate, Dr. Chinn is authorized to teach and coach the Gonstead system to other doctors of chiropractic. He is the author of Symphony of Wellness and Soaring Beyond Fear (www.PerryChinn.com), his book Symphony of Wellness (now in an expanded 3rd edition) focuses on the science and benefits of the Nobel Prize winning science of nitric oxide for cardiovascular health and whole body wellness. He is available for keynote speaking and coaching. Dr. Chinn can be reached at DrPChinn@gmail.com