Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of disease and death in the U.S. And it typically runs in families. But you’re not necessarily doomed by your genetics. In fact, you can significantly reduce your personal risk by following these three simple steps…
1.) Work with a good doctor—but think twice about the cardiologist
It’s important to see your general practitioner to establish a baseline of relevant factors, such as blood pressure and blood sugar (HbA1C). It’s also useful to measure your vitamin B12 and vitamin D levels, as research links low levels of these key nutrients to a higher risk of heart disease.
Plus, once you know this baseline, you can take steps to improve your numbers with diet, exercise, and smart supplementation.
Your general practitioner can also order additional, non-invasive studies—such as EKG and CT scans for atherosclerosis. So work with your doctor first—and think twice before visiting your cardiologist. Because as I’ve told you, a recent study shows only 8 percent of cardiologists’ recommendations are actually backed by science!
No wonder studies in the U.S. and Canada show that patients with heart disease are healthier if they live in a town with fewer cardiologists. Other studies even show you’re much more likely to survive a heart attack if the cardiologist is “off-duty” when you show up at the hospital!
2.) Eat more meat—with one word of caution
It can be difficult to make your way through all the old, mixed messages about meat and heart disease risk. So, let me clear a few things up for you…
Studies show eating red meat DOESN’T raise your heart disease risk. For one, it’s a rich source of bioavailable minerals (like calcium, magnesium, selenium), as well as B vitamins, and fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and E.
Plus, it’s an excellent source of protein. And studies show that older men need twice as much protein as the government’s daily recommended allowance in order to maintain muscle mass (and the heart is a muscle too). Especially as they age.
You also need the cholesterol and fat in meat for good health.
Just make sure you opt for meat that comes from organic, free-range, “grass-fed” animals as opposed to meat that comes from conventionally raised animals, which are grain-fed and filled with hormones and antibiotics. (Being force-fed carbs, with antibiotics and artificial hormones, is no better for the health of livestock than it is for humans!)
In addition, make sure to avoid mass-produced, “ultra-processed” meats, such as mass-market packaged hot dogs or bologna. Regularly eating any kind of ultra-processed food results in poor nutrition and poor health.
On the other hand, fresh-cut, seasoned, and dried delicatessen delicacies are just fine. So, go ahead and enjoy all the traditionally prepared, freshly sliced meats from your favorite German, Hungarian, Italian, Jewish, Polish, or Spanish delis.
3.) Return to full-fat dairy
By now, you should know to ditch the “low-fat” and “skim” milks, yogurts, and other dairy products, which contain loads of sugars and empty calories, but without the heart-healthy, essential fats and fast-soluble vitamins.
Instead, go ahead and enjoy several servings of full-fat dairy every day. Remember, the Mediterranean Diet is the healthiest diet on the planet. And it includes a serving of full-fat cheese at each and every meal. (Though it seems as though most nutritional “experts” conveniently omit that fact, since it doesn’t fit their narrative.)
In fact, a recent study on more than 130,000 adults in 21 countries found that men and women who ate two or more daily servings of full-fat dairy had a 22 percent lower risk of heart disease and 34 percent lower risk of stroke compared to those who ate less dairy.
You can learn more about how to address ALL of the REAL factors behind heart disease—without resorting to dangerous drugs or procedures—by referring to my online learning tool, the Heart Attack Prevention & Repair Protocol. To learn more or to sign up today, click here now!