Prevent Heart Attacks Naturally

Unlike most physicians, naturopathic doctors don’t look to pharmaceutical companies as their first line of defense against heart disease. Instead, they turn to natural means of lowering risk.

If a patient has angina caused by cholesterol-forming blockages to the heart, a cardiologist might use angioplasty to compress or remove the blockages, and prescribe a statin drug to lower cholesterol. But in addition to the risks involved in the procedure itself, results are often temporary and the blockages return in a few short months. Statins also cause side effects, including severe muscle pain or weakness and sleep disturbances.

A naturopathic physician would prescribe treatments to restore blood flow to the heart by naturally lowering cholesterol and decreasing artery-clogging deposits. Below are steps a naturopath might use to lower cholesterol levels:

• High fiber diet. In addition to helping keep your heart healthy, a diet rich in fiber also keeps your digestive system functioning properly and may also lower the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. A daily high-fiber intake would include five to ten grams of soluble fiber.

• Red yeast rice extract. This supplement can reduce LDL by as much as 30 percent. Red yeast rice extract has the same effect on the body as a statin drug, and studies have shown it to be as effective. Like statins, it may lower amounts of CoQ-10 in the body, so you might need to take a CoQ-10 supplement. Niacin, which may help boost the effects of red rice yeast, might also be added to the daily regime. A typical recommendation for red yeast extract is 300 mg twice a day.

• Nuts. All nuts, but especially walnuts and almonds, contain heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E and soluble fiber. Studies have shown that people who eat a handful of nuts twice a week lower their risk of heart disease by 30 to 40 percent.

• Plant sterols. Sterols, which are found naturally in many plant foods, decrease the amount of cholesterol absorbed by the body. Check food labels and choose items such as brands of orange juice with added plant sterols, and fortified margarines, such as Benecol. Aim for two grams a day.

• Omega-3 fatty acids. Oily fish high in omega-3 fatty acids lower a type of fat in the bloodstream called triglycerides. Eat three or more servings of fish, such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines, every week or take supplements that provide 1,000 mg to 3,000 mg of omega-3 oils every day.