5 Natural Ways to Slow Heart Failure and Strengthen Your Heart

by HealthLifestyle

5 Natural Ways to Slow Heart Failure and Strengthen Your Heart

Claremont Colonic Clinic
Some six million Americans are currently living with congestive heart failure (CHF). If you’re one of them, here are five natural ways to strengthen your heart and slow the disease.
Heart failure meds have serious side effects

People of all ages can be affected with congestive heart failure, with around one-third of patients under the age of 60. The illness causes more hospitalizations than all the forms of cancer combined. People diagnosed with it are often encouraged to take boatloads of medications, with some pretty intense side effects.

Doctors prescribe medicine that aims to improve how well your heart pumps, and other medicine to dilate blood vessels. Beta-blockers lower the heart rate, while ACE inhibitors reduce the amount of hormones in your body that can damage the heart. These medications, while often quite necessary, tend to cause dizziness, tiredness, changes in kidney function, swelling, nausea and appetite and digestive problems.

Users of beta blockers, like Metoprolol, have claimed to have experienced huge weight gain, sleep disturbances, depression, extreme dizziness, chest pressure and burning arms. Other patients described getting abdominal cramps, tinnitus and acid reflux. So, to the extent that it’s possible, it’s always good to seek out natural remedies and lifestyle changes to either replace or complement these medicines. Here are some useful natural ways to slow down heart failure:

1. Make dietary changes

It may seem a little counter-intuitive, but CHF patients are better off increasing their consumption of monounsaturated oils like extra virgin olive oil, as well as foods high in essential fatty acids. Patients should eat more fruits, vegetables and fiber — especially garlic, onions and celery, as they have been proven to lower blood pressure. Salmon, chia seeds and walnuts are also great for a healthy heart.

It’s important to limit processed salt consumption to 2,000 milligrams (i.e., one teaspoon) per day — and that includes those hidden sources of salt and sodium like sauces, soups and pre-prepared food. If you’re going to use salt, make sure it’s pink Himalayan salt or sea salt. Soy sauce is definitely a high-sodium food to avoid, and cheeses are also typically high in sodium as well. The reason why you need to avoid processed salt is that sodium sponges up water in the body, making your heart work harder.

Some great alternative seasonings to salt include cumin, paprika, pepper, oregano, garlic, onion powder and sage. Spicy foods are a great strategy to curbing salt cravings, and if you do need to add a bit of salt to your food, know that your body handles unrefined salts better.

When a lot of food that is available is processed or fast food, it might initially feel daunting to have to limit salt intake. However, try to see it as an opportunity to be creative and to discover some incredible and rich herb combinations. For chicken or fish, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, allspice and anise will do wonders. For Italian dishes, add a blend of dried basil, marjoram, thyme, rosemary, red pepper, garlic powder or natural garlic, and dried oregano.

2. Consume hawthorn

The hawthorn herb, also known as thornapple, May-tree, whitethorn or hawberry, is the heart herb. Clinical studies have found that the herb extract has a positive effect on the treatment of left ventricular dysfunction and combats the symptoms associated with mild and moderate CHF. Hawthorn has been found to help with heart pumping efficiency and ACE inhibition. The hawthorn berry is recognized by the German government as a heart medicine — it apparently helps the heart to metabolize energy and use oxygen, and the flavonoids in the berry increase the heart muscle’s force on contraction. One of the best ways to consume hawthorn is through tinctures: and you can make your own. Steep berries in vodka or brandy for a few weeks, then filter. You can also use apple cider instead — though that will make the tincture less potent. After around three weeks, strain the berries out, and use a dropper bottle to put around 15 drops under your tongue, per day.

3. Magnesium and vitamin supplements

While a decrease in magnesium intake can be fatal to sufferers of CHF, magnesium supplements have been shown, in some cases, to be effective in combating tachydysrhythmias (fast, irregular heartbeats). Other natural supplements that may benefit CHF patients include vitamin C (helps with cell metabolism), vitamin E (anti-oxidative), all the B vitamins (for heart function), creatine (for cardiac function), fish oil and potassium (if the CHF is caused by low potassium levels).

4. Use Coenzyme Q10

Also known as CoQ10, this supplement is a coenzyme that naturally occurs in animals and in all cells of the human body. Many certified cardiologists prescribe CoQ10 to treat CHF, while doctors who resist natural treatments are often reluctant to. Doctor Stephen Sinatra, however, argues that COQ10 “is the greatest addition to the treatment of congestive heart failure in this century.” A heart typically has ten times more CoQ10 than other organs, but it is deficient in heart failure patients, meaning the heart isn’t strong enough to pump blood. Sinatra recommends 180 to 360 milligrams of this supplement daily.

5. Make lifestyle changes

It’s well known that people suffering from heart failure and other related ailments like coronary heart disease need to make drastic changes in their daily routine. You need to maintain a healthy weight that reduces strain on the heart, avoid excessive alcohol consumption and restrict salt intake. Regular exercise has been shown to decrease symptoms and prolong life.

The three key exercise types that can benefit people with heart failure are flexibility, aerobic and strength training. For flexibility, some basic stretching, tai chi and yoga can be great. Aerobic exercise is important for improving the way your body uses oxygen, and useful exercises to try include fast walking, jogging, bike riding, rowing and water aerobics. Lastly, strength training involves lifting weights or using resistance bands. The benefits include weight control and balance.

Be sure to wait 90 minutes after eating to do aerobic exercise, and increase your amounts of exercise gradually. The key to reaping heart health benefits is regularity. Thirty minutes of walking, five days a week, for example, is a brilliant and simple program. Are you or someone you know currently using CHF medications? Are they helping or hindering? Have you tried any natural remedies? Let us know in the comments!


Contributor — Tamara Pearson – Alternative Daily

The Planet is Getting Hotter Fast. This is What Happens to Your Body in Extreme Heat

by HealthLifestyleNews and Information

The Planet is Getting Hotter Fast. This is What Happens to Your Body in Extreme Heat

Claremont Colonic and Nutrient Resource Clinic Newsletter

Human-caused climate change has already made heat waves around the world more frequent and intense.

Scientists who study the role of global warming on weather say that every heat wave today bears the fingerprints of the climate crisis.

Climate change, driven primarily by humans burning fossil fuels, is worsening global extreme weather in general, but much of that change is related to heat.

In the US, heat kills more Americans than any other weather-related disaster, and it will only continue to worsen as the world heats up from burning fossil fuels.

Here’s what happens to your body in extreme heat, what you need to watch out for and how to stay safe.

What happens to your body

Normally, your body is used to a certain range of temperatures, usually between 97 to 99 degrees Fahrenheit. When your brain senses a change – either lower or higher than that – it attempts to help your body cool down or heat up, according to Dr. Judith Linden, executive vice chair of the department of emergency medicine at Boston Medical Center and a professor in the emergency medicine department at Boston University’s school of medicine.

“There are a number of different ways in which (the brain) attempts to cool the body down. One way, the most common way we think of, is that you sweat,” Linden said. “The pores open, the body sweats and the sweat evaporates, that cools the body.”

The second way your body cools itself down is by dilating vessels and upping your heart rate, which helps bring heat and blood to the surface of your body and helps releases that excess heat. When you’re exposed to high temperatures, it becomes harder for your body to try and keep up with cooling itself down. And if your environment is hot and humid, sweat doesn’t evaporate as easily – which pushes your body’s temperature even higher, according to the Mayo Clinic.

“The higher the humidity, the lower temperatures you need for extreme heat,” Linden said.

High body temperatures can lead to damage to the brain and other vital organs, the CDC says. They can also lead to several heat-related illnesses.

Types of heat-related illnesses

Mild-heat related illnesses, including heat cramps, are most common, Linden said. Heat cramps can develop in people who sweat a lot, including during exercising. The excessive sweating uses up all of the body’s salt and moisture and can lead to muscle pains or spasms, usually in the abdomen, arms or legs, according to the CDC.

A heat rash can also develop. That’s a skin irritation caused by too much sweating in hot and humid weather, and is most common in young children, the CDC says. It is usually a red cluster of pimples or blisters, and tends to be in places including the neck, upper chest or in elbow creases.

When your body’s beginning to exceed its ability to cool itself down, you can develop what’s known as heat exhaustion.

“In this case you’re going to see excessive sweating because your body is really going to try and keep up with that extra heat. You’re going to feel light-headed, you may feel dizzy, often people present with nausea, headaches and their skin often looks pale and clammy and their pulse is often fast,” Linden said.

“This is the body’s last attempt to cool itself before it really goes into a point of no return.”

A heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness, and, if left untreated, can lead to death.

“That’s where your body’s temperature goes above 104 to 105 degrees or so, and this is where your mechanisms are starting to fail,” Linden said.

Warning signs may include extremely high body temperatures, red and dry skin, a rapid pulse, headache, dizziness, nausea or loss of consciousness, according to the CDC.

The hallmark of a heat stroke is confusion and agitation, Linden said.

“So when somebody’s in the heat and they become confused and agitated, that’s heat stroke until proven otherwise and you need to call 911 for that or get help immediately and get the person out of the heat.”

Who is most at risk

Elderly, people with chronic medical conditions as well as children are at higher risk for severe heat-related illnesses.

The elderly and people with chronic medical conditions may be less likely to sense and respond to temperature changes and may be taking medication that make the heat effects worse, the CDC said.

“Very young (people) as well, because they’re less likely to recognize heat-related illness and they’re less likely to get out of the heat if they’re starting to feel overheated,” Linden said.

Student-athletes and pets are also at higher risk, she added.

“In this weather, you must never, ever, ever leave a child or a pet in the car for even a minute,” Linden added.

How to stay safe

When your community is facing extreme heat, there are several things you can do to keep yourself and others safe.

First, keep an eye out for symptoms of heat exhaustion or other illnesses. “If somebody starts feeling light-headed, dizzy, nausea or headache, that is the time to act immediately,” Linden said. “That means getting them out of the heat and into a cool environment.” Putting water on someone who may be experiencing symptoms and giving them fluids can help cool them down. If someone is starting to lose consciousness or has nausea or vomiting, call 911.

“If you see anybody with any type of confusion, that’s an immediate red flag,” Linden added.

When it’s hot outside, try to avoid outdoor activities – especially between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., according to Linden. If you have to go outside, wear light-colored clothing, cover your head and drink plenty of fluids.

Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink water – as that can be a sign of dehydration. Linden recommends drinking at least one glass of water – or more – an hour.

“If you do start to feel light-headed, dizzy, sweating, fast pulse, get out of the heat immediately,” Linden said.

Try to find air conditioning, or places in your area where you can go to stay cool, according to Ready.gov. Even spending a few hours in a shopping mall or public library can help.

When you’re home, fans can help, but don’t rely on them as your only way of cooling down – while it may feel more comfortable, they won’t help prevent heat-related illness.

“If you’re in a super hot room, if you’ve got a fan, is it helpful? No. I think, if you’ve got a fan, and you’re able to mist yourself … then fans can be helpful,” Linden said. “Fans are not foolproof.”

Finally, make sure you’re checking on your neighbors, parents and friends – especially older individuals who may be living alone or are isolated, Linden said.


Contributors: Christina Maxouris , Antoinette Radford & Rachel Ramirez – CNN Health

A List of Ultraprocessed Foods Most Harmful to Your Health, According to Recent Research

by HealthLifestyleNutrition

A List of Ultraprocessed Foods Most Harmful to Your Health, According to Recent Research

Claremont Colonic Clinic
A new study found that certain types of ultraprocessed foods have a greater impact on your risk of cardiovascular disease than other types.
We all know that ultraprocessed foods aren’t the healthiest choice, but a new study has found that some can have worse effects on your health than others — and that some ultraprocessed foods may even benefit your health.

One of the most thorough studies to look at which ultraprocessed foods have the most harmful health effects, the research was published in the journal Lancet Regional Health – Americas and looked at more than 200,000 U.S. adults. Researchers then analyzed which dietary habits were linked to an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

It found that the group that consumed the most ultraprocessed foods was 11% more likely to develop cardiovascular disease and 16% more likely to develop coronary artery disease than the people who consumed the least ultraprocessed foods.

The researchers also conducted another analysis, where they included their study with other, looking at a total of about 1.25 million adults. The findings on coronary artery and cardiovascular disease were similar, but it also pointed to an increase risk of stroke by 9% for those who consumed the most ultraprocessed foods.

And there were two types of processed foods that drove most of the health risks: sugary drinks and processed meat, poultry and fish.

On the other hand, breakfast cereals, flavored yogurts, frozen yogurt and packaged snacked like popcorn and crackers were linked to a reduce risk of cardiovascular disease.

It’s important to note, however, that the study doesn’t prove that these foods cause these health problems — just that there’s an association.

This is far from the first study to find that ultaprocessed foods and meats in particular can increase risk of health problems.

Research presented in July at the American Society for Nutrition meeting based on over 500,000 adults found that eating more ultraprocessed foods was linked to increase in death from any cause, as well as death from heart disease and diabetes.

One published in The BMJ in May followed more than 100,000 people for 30 years who’d never had cancer, heart disease or diabetes. The data looked at lifestyle and dietary habits, and tracked how their health changed. Study authors concluded that eating more ultraprocessed food led to a slightly higher risk of death, but that certain types of processed foods had an especially strong link.

Ultraprocessed foods are easy to grab in the grocery store without realizing it. So what are some examples of processed foods? And how do they impact your health? Here’s what to know.

What are ultraprocessed foods?

Ultraprocessed foods have undergone an extensive transformation of the original food and often contain only extractions of it.

A 2019 commentary in the journal Public Health Nutrition defined ultraprocessed foods as “industrial formulations of processed food substances (oils, fats, sugars, starch, protein isolates) that contain little or no whole food and typically include flavorings, colorings, emulsifiers, and other cosmetic additives.”

Examples include meat products like ham and hot dogs, potato chips, soda, commercial bread, candy and more.

The difference between whole, processed and ultraprocessed foods

Processed food, on the other hand, has undergone only some processing from its original, natural state. This could be adding salt, sugar or other additives to ensure freshness. Examples include fruit juice, refined flour, canned fish and beans, fresh bread, cheese and pre-cut fruits and vegetables.

Whole foods, as the name implies, have gone through either no or minimal processing. A key indicator of whole foods is that most to all of their nutrient density (vitamins, minerals and fiber) remains intact. Examples include steel-cut oats, whole fruits and vegetables, raw nuts and seeds, grains such as quinoa or wild rice, dry beans and legumes, fatty wild fish, lean poultry or meat, and yogurt.

What are the health effects of eating ultraprocessed foods?

A handful of corn chips during a football game or a store-bought cookie after dinner won’t make a huge difference in your overall health. However, when these foods become staples in your diet, research shows that adverse physical and mental health implications may arise.

In fact, one February 2024 study found that eating ultraprocessed foods can lead to 32 different dangerous health outcomes.

Poor mental health

A 2022 cross-sectional examination in the journal Public Health Nutrition found that individuals who consumed the greatest amount of ultraprocessed foods were significantly more likely to report mild depression and more anxious days per month. The authors noted that the associations with adverse mental health outcomes and ultraprocessed foods might be due to higher amounts of biologically active food additives and low-essential nutrients. Another study published in the August 2023 issue of the Journal of Affective Orders found that high consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with depressive symptoms, especially in people with obesity.

Increased risk of cancer and other fatal conditions

A 2022 study published in The BMJ found that men who ate a large amount of ultraprocessed foods had a 29% greater risk of colorectal cancer than those who had smaller amounts. The men with the highest ultraprocessed-food intake ate mostly ready-to-eat products derived from meat, poultry or fish. Another study in the BMJ found that consumption of highly processed foods was linked with higher mortality risk, especially from cardiovascular disease.

Excess ultraprocessed food consumption has also been linked to obesity, heart disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and early death.

How much ultraprocessed food is safe to eat?

Recent research on ultraprocessed foods clearly shows the greater the consumption, the greater the risk. That means that occasionally having ultraprocessed food is not likely to lead to early death — rather, it’s when you’re eating these foods much more than nutrient-rich whole foods that it becomes a problem. A good rule is to make 85% of your diet nutrient-dense and consider the remaining 15% percent your allowance for everything else. The goal should be finding a ratio that’s sustainable, not perfect.

How to avoid ultraprocessed foods

Completely avoiding all ultraprocessed foods may not be realistic for everyone due to budget or time constraints. So it’s important to assess the level of processing and nutritional value. Some healthy cereals and whole grains may be considered ultraprocessed, but they can still contain important micro and macronutrients.

And the level of processing can vary even among sources of the same food. For example, a burger cooked at home has different nutritional value and processing from one bought frozen from the store, which is different from those sold at a fast-food restaurants. Processing of general snack foods may vary as well based on brand.

If you’re looking to avoid ultraprocessed foods, skip those that meet these factors:

A long list of ingredients not found in the average kitchen and that the average consumer won’t recognize, such as colorings, preservatives and other additives

  • Foods that have been stripped of fiber
  • Foods that contain large quantities of calories, fat, sugar or salt
  • Foods low in cost, convenient, easy to prepare and difficult to stop eating

What are examples of ultraprocessed foods?

It would be close to impossible to list every ultraprocessed food, as you’ll find dozens upon dozens of examples in your average grocery store. But here are some of the most accessible examples:

  • Processed reconstituted meat products, like ham and hot dogs, chicken sausage, and fish sticks
  • Potato chips
  • Frozen French fries
  • Candy
  • Store-bought cookies
  • Soft drinks
  • Refined grain pretzels
  • Commercial bread
  • Sweetened breakfast cereals
  • Baking mixes

Ultraprocessed foods to avoid most

Not all ultraprocessed foods are equally harmful to your health. In fact, some research has drawn distinctions among the different types and their health impact. Studies have found the following ultraprocessed foods may be associated with higher risk of death:

  • Ready-to-eat meat, poultry and seafood products
  • Artificially- or sugar-sweetened beverages, such as soft drinks
  • Ultraprocessed breakfast foods
  • Dairy-based desserts

However, more research is needed to more fully understand which ultraprocessed foods are most harmful and why.


Contributor– Kristin Kirkpatrick, Today.com

4 Signs Your Thyroid Is Making You Sick

by Health

4 Signs Your Thyroid Is Making You Sick

Claremont Colonic Center Newsletter
Literally millions of Americans are living with either an under-treated or undiagnosed chronic condition. Unfortunately, symptoms simply become a part of everyday life. Groggy mornings, fatigue, lack of focus, anxiety and other negative symptoms simply become the norm. Except there’s only one major problem — that isn’t normal.
Many people with these types of symptoms are living with hypothyroidism. Could you too be suffering from a low functioning thyroid? Here are some of the signs to look out for.

What does your thyroid do?

To understand this condition, we must first look at the “master gland” that, in this case, leads to abnormalities. Your thyroid itself is a large gland that secretes hormones, regulating both growth and development. Once it slows down, so does every other system in your body, including your gut, muscles, brain and heart. Well, that doesn’t sound very good, now does it?

As stated by the Thyroid Foundation of Canada, approximately 200 million people across the globe suffer from some type of thyroid dysfunction. This includes hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), goiters, cancer and other related conditions. Of those, as many as 50 percent are undiagnosed.

What is hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism tends to be the most common. Although a critical condition to treat, it is often misunderstood, even among physicians. Unlike many illnesses, which can be accurately diagnosed through approved testing, hypothyroidism isn’t as black and white — and that’s the issue.

A TSH test is often administered, which measures the amount of TSH in a patient’s blood. More often than not, patients will generally only receive a diagnosis and treatment if their blood level is over 5.0.

The only problem is, this discounts those who are living with subclinical hypothyroidism — triggering low-grade symptoms that reduce one’s quality of life. Some adults will fall within the 1.5 to 3.0 range, and in turn, not receive treatment. These levels, however, may still indicate that thyroid support is needed.

Due to a range of common factors, including toxins in our food, nutritional deficiencies and chronic stress, our everyday lives are interfering with thyroid function. More specifically, for those who are suffering from poor thyroid function, you may notice the following signs.

Signs your thyroid is making you sick

You may now be thinking, “Am I suffering from thyroid dysfunction? I’m tired and struggle to lose weight, could this gland be to blame? If so, how else is it affecting my well-being? If doctors struggle to diagnosis this condition, how will I know if I have it?”

I can’t stress this often enough: listen to your body. If you feel as though something is abnormal, then you need to investigate. With so many common symptoms, affecting such a large portion of the population, many of us just “accept” dysfunction as a normal part of life.

The worst thing you can do is nothing at all. The best thing you can do is become more aware of how you feel. Only then will you be able to effectively intervene. If you are feeling less than great, potentially due to your thyroid, here are some clues:

1. Your skin is abnormally dry or puffy

When you begin to notice issues with your skin, this is your body’s way of telling you that something isn’t quite right. These symptoms will generally be more severe than the type of dry skin you suffer from during the winter months. They are often accompanied by pale yellowish skin, cracked heels, itchy scalp and even eczema.

Since the thyroid hormone is an important regulator of epidermal homeostasis, when there’s an internal imbalance, external signs begin to surface. More often than not, patients experience scaly, dry skin. In more severe cases, myxedema becomes a significant issue. Although rare, it can be life-threatening.

The dermatological changes associated with myxedema can occur in patients with either hypo or hyperthyroidism. As long chains of sugar molecules are deposited in the dermis, swelling results. More common in women than in men, individuals often notice issues within their lower legs or around their eyes as their skin begins to thicken.

2. You have very little energy

Does this sound like you? Are you noticing that you’re just too tired to do the things you used to? This is definitely one of the top signs that your thyroid isn’t functioning at an optimal level. For those suffering from thyroid dysfunction, the fatigue they experience can be debilitating.

Since your thyroid impacts all of your energy systems, it may be to blame. Of course, there are many reasons why people experience fatigue. But when you develop a thyroid problem, you cannot generally sustain energy long enough. For many, they begin to rely on stimulants such as cigarettes, coffee and sugar — which can worsen one’s condition.

One of the most significant signs is a heavy head. For some, when they sit down, they can’t help but conk out. Since thyroid-related fatigue is often due to poor conversion of hormone T4 to the biologically active T3, nutrition can help. In order to improve mood, energy levels and your metabolism, selenium, manganese, vitamin B12 tyrosine, iodine and zinc are all required for healthy thyroid function.

3. Issues with digestion

A major area of concern among those who suffer from thyroid dysfunction is poor gut health. From constipation to diarrhea, these symptoms may be a sign of poor thyroid health. Once thyroid hormones are out-of-whack, you bet your digestive system will take notice.

Once again, hormones T4 and T3 are involved. The majority of your cells want T3 and T4 to be effectively converted — and in this case, the gut is involved. A highly complex process, low conversion rates and poor gut health generally lead to diarrhea for those with hyperthyroidism and constipation for those with hyperthyroidism.

Within one study, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, researchers found that 54 percent of patients with a history of hypothyroidism suffered from small intestinal bacterial overgrowth — influencing clinical gastrointestinal manifestations.

4. Fluctuations in weight

For those who suffer from hypothyroidism, they are experiencing the effects of an underactive thyroid. Meaning, their basal metabolic rate is generally quite low. Once this occurs, weight gain is generally a noticeable symptom, as well as difficulty shedding those extra pounds. In comparison, hyperthyroidism can cause patients to suffer from unhealthy weight loss.

Within one study, published in Archives of Internal Medicine, researchers found that even a slight increase in TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone), across time, was associated with weight gain. A key point here is, the patients fell within the “normal” range of 0.5 to 5.0, as discussed above. Yet, even slight increases caused weight-related symptoms.

See your doctor for a thyroid evaluation

If you are currently overweight and cannot seem to shed those excess pounds, despite a balanced, active lifestyle, it’s best to have a thorough thyroid evaluation. Before you see a physician, write down all of your symptoms. Even if your TSH levels are within the “normal” range, you must listen to your body. Immediately begin to actively balance thyroid function — these superfoods can also help!

Become more aware of your body and what it’s trying to tell you. Half the battle is figuring out why you’re experiencing problematic symptoms, as that will be the best way to implement effective, natural treatments. If you are currently suffering from hypothyroidism, you may also be sensitive to the cold, experience symptoms of depression, have brittle nails and suffer from regular brain fog.

Take action today. Eliminate refined sugars, increase your intake of quality protein, support your gut and address adrenal fatigue. You can achieve internal balance, but you need to start changing external habits!


Contributor: Krista Hillis — Alternative Daily