How Heart attacks, strokes and Bowel movements are connected…

December 20th, 2008 Posted in Men's cardiovascular health

 

Who would have thought that having a daily bowel movement and flossing your teeth (not at the same time!) can reduce your risk of a heart attack and stroke? …well its true!

 

Heart Disease continues to be the # 1 killer, and one area that deserves more attention in preventing heart disease and stroke is inflammation.

Inflammation plays an important role in the formation of atherosclerotic plaques on the inside of artery walls, especially the coronary arteries (heart) and the carotid arteries (neck).

 

 Inflammation also makes the blood platelets become sticky and clumpy which promotes blood clots that block arteries and then…Bam! You have a big “Gripper.”

 

Two major areas where inflammation silently grows without attracting much attention include the mouth and the gut.

 

The Mouth

Bacteria that builds up at the gum-tooth interface between teeth, easily enters into the bloodstream and spreads around the body.  These bacteria act like seeds of inflammation and take root on the inner walls of arteries …especially in the coronary and carotid arteries.

The bacteria causes an inflammatory reaction which together with the cholesterol develops into an atherosclerotic plaque and narrowing of the artery.   

 

 

Flossing & dental care

 

 

It has been shown that daily flossing and regular dental cleaning (2X per year) dramatically reduces the bacterial buildup around teeth and significantly reduces the risk of a heart attack, stroke and dementia.  Dentists have known this for years and even our cardiologists are finally waking up to the idea.

Take home Point:  Clean and floss your teeth every day and have a professional dental cleaning at least twice a year…it will make your heart happy, your brain safe and make you smile more.

 

 

The Gut

 

Another area that is a ‘spark plug’ for inflammation is the gut.

Just think about it for a second, the gut is the main gateway into the body and is exposed to tons of foodstuff, toxins and bacteria over a lifetime.  This creates an intestinal surface that becomes chronically inflamed and hyper-permeable (porous), allowing large undigested particles to enter the system.  These large particles are now free to roam around the blood stream and set up shop in a variety of different places…the arteries, joints, and even the gut itself.  Since, the body doesn’t recognize these large undigested fragments, it mounts an inflammatory reaction to defend itself from what it thinks is a ‘foreign particle.’  

 Therefore, gut protection is a must to prevent inflammation.

 

Gut Protection

  A star-studded line up to suppress inflammation and protect the gut should include;

-Fiber 25-30 grams/day

 -Probiotics, these are the friendly microbes that defend your gut

 -Omega-3 fatty acids…provide anti-inflammatory protection to gut lining

  -Cumin (Curcumin) the Indian spice that possesses natural anti- inflammatory and anti cancer properties to fortify and protect the gut.

 

Do yourself a favor!  Floss your teeth and protect your gut…you’ll live longer.