Did you know that heart disease kills nearly 610,000 people in the country every year? That's 1 in every 4 deaths, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. By making poor lifestyle choices and neglecting to give your heart the attention it needs to thrive, you're less likely to live a healthy life. In addition to heart disease, your chance of developing high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, stroke, heart attack and other chronic conditions rises when you don't fuel this vital organ properly.
Doctors and other "health experts" may tell you that proper treatment and medication can reduce your risk or ward off symptoms of chronic disease, but have you ever considered the scam behind all of this? As Rev. George Malkmus stressed in his book "God's Original Diet," these so-called "doctors" aren't interested in helping your heart - they're interested in helping their wallets.
"And what do these doctors tell us we need to do in order to get well?" he questioned. "Is it not that we need to take drugs, be burned with radiation, or mutilated with surgeries in order to overcome physical problems we have gone to them for help with? … We get drugs that cover up the symptoms but never eliminate the problem. And instead of getting well, we continue in sickness, debilitating disease, an early grave and an empty bank account.
Fueling a Healthy Heart on Your Own
What these self-proclaimed "experts of health" forget to admit is how you can nurse your own heart out of sickness. By breaking bad habits - such as smoking and drinking alcohol - and exercising regularly, you're less likely to experience those heart-threatening conditions. Alongside those lifestyle choices, if you faithfully follow a primarily-raw, plant-based diet, you can completely avoid heart disease and other conditions.
Out With the Old
You know that processed foods loaded with trans fats in general are no good for you. But they're extremely harmful in the sense that they can raise your risk for heart disease, diabetes and stroke. Sodium, which is also found in many processed foods, has been linked to heart disease when consumed too often. Removing refined, processed foods from your diet is key if you want to keep your heart in the best shape possible.
Foods to remove:
- Animal products, such as meats, eggs, milk and cheese
- Margarine and fried foods
- Refined sugars
- High-sodium snacks
In With the New
Eliminating dangerous, life-threatening foods from your diet is a good start. But now it's time to give your heart the attention it deserves - after all, it works so hard every second of the day to keep you alive - with nutritious, natural sustenance. With a plant-based, heart-healthy diet, you can reduce your risk for developing various chronic conditions and maintain optimal overall health. Foods loaded with antioxidants, anti-inflammatory nutrients, high levels of fiber and plant proteins will do your body good.
Heart healthy foods to include:
- Organic whole grains
- Beans
- Nuts
- Berries
Beyond these plant-based foods, raw vegetables are key in a wholesome diet. Eating vitamin-rich veggies such as leafy greens, broccoli and carrots will help your body thrive.
Making the transition
Whether you're concerned about the health of your heart or just want to be proactive for the future, it's never too late to get started. If you're ready to make your way onto the path to better health, consider trying our Get Started Kit. You'll receive all of the tools you need, plus some of our best-selling supplements to jumpstart your new and improved lifestyle.
