Gut Health: The Missing Link to Optimal Cardiovascular Health
photo: Giulia Bertelli
Are you familiar with the gut-heart connection? In recent years, more focus has been placed on the gut microbiome and its effects on our health has been a major area of study. The balance of bacteria in the gut has been proven vital in our mental health, metabolism, immune function and cardiovascular system. As it turns out, the health of your heart has a whole lot to do with what’s going on inside your gut! Here’s Why.
Gut Bugs and Heart Disease
Studies have found that an imbalance of intestinal bacteria, known as dysbiosis, is linked to a wide range of conditions. These include heart failure, hypertension, atherosclerosis, kidney disease and type 2 diabetes, to name a few. These gut bugs pack some major power and certain types of good bacteria, such as lactobacillus and bifidobacteria, have shown to decrease inflammatory cytokine production, resulting in less inflammation. Other bugs such as parasites, viruses, yeast and their toxins may also damage the intestinal lining, leading to leaky gut and systemic inflammation, which can affect the heart. Furthermore, factors that significantly alter gut flora include antibiotic use, poor diet, stress and lack of sleep.
Allergies and Heart Problems
What do allergies have to do with your heart? A lot. Hidden allergens trigger an immune response via a damaged intestinal barrier (leaky gut), which leads to widespread inflammation, an underlying factor in nearly all chronic diseases. They can also contribute to high blood pressure and put additional stress on the body. Chronic inflammation elicits major negative consequences on our blood vessels, arteries and heart. Removing common food allergens and refined foods, eating organic, supplementation, using non-toxic cleaning and personal care products and consuming anti-inflammatory foods can all help reduce inflammation.
Your Heart Needs Proper Nutrition to Thrive
What we eat has a direct impact on the diversity and presence of healthy gut bacteria, and therefore, on our cardiovascular system. But as important as eating a heart-healthy diet is, if we aren’t properly digesting our foods and absorbing nutrients well, those healthy foods aren’t going to do much good for us. Supporting a healthy digestive system, healing the gut lining and supplementing with cardio-supportive nutrients like magnesium, vitamin D3 with K2 and omega-3s is key. Probiotics and prebiotics also allow for healthy bacteria in the colon to flourish.
Is Your Heart Getting the Right Signals?
With trillions of nerves running through the digestive tract, making sure they’re firing properly is crucial in preventing and treating heart-related diseases. The heart also has neurotransmitters and neurons just like the gut and brain, which are responsible for sending and receiving electromagnetic impulses for proper nerve communication. We can support these nerves through eating an anti-inflammatory diet, reducing stress and through regular chiropractic adjustments, which enables the channels of communication to open, allowing the heart to send and receive the necessary signals.
How Else Can We Boost Our Heart and Gut Health?
Consume foods rich in fiber, such as leafy greens and other non-starchy vegetables (find some of the best foods and nutrients for cardiovascular health here)
Eat plenty of nutrient-rich fats, such as nuts, seeds, avocados and coconut.
Consume moderate amounts of clean protein, including grass-fed beef, organic chicken, pastured eggs, and unprocessed plant protein
Add in a variety of anti-inflammatory spices, including turmeric and ginger
Include more calming, meditative exercises such as breath work
Get on a regular exercise program
Spend more time in nature and practice grounding whenever possible
Spend more time with loved ones
Have a few deep belly laughs every day!
Are you familiar with the gut-heart connection? In recent years, more focus has been placed on the gut microbiome and its effects on our health has been a major area of study. The balance of bacteria in the gut has been proven vital in our mental health…