| | Work stress and Heart Disease | Results of a new study published in the British Medical Journal show that work stress is associated with a doubling of the risk of death from heart disease. In promoting cardiovascular health, the traditional advice has always been for people to stop smoking, cut down drinking, eat less fat, and get moving through physical activity. These latest findings suggest that attention should also be paid to the prevention, mastering or management of work stress, according to the researchers.
Research shows the following: 400 IU's Vitamin E per day lowers the risk for a heart attack up to 77%. 100 IU's per day, lowers it by 43%.
Stress management is of the utmost importance to maintain health and wellbeing and restore a sense of serenity and peace while maintaining your creative, productive, high profile lifestyle.
Stress accelerates your heart rate through secretion of the adrenal stress hormones adrenalin, noradrenalin and the longterm stress hormone cortisol. Refer chapter 1.
Homocystein:
Have your homocystein (a sulphur containing amino acid) risk measured together with your regular lipid profile tests
High levels mean high risk: accumulated homocystein damage the inner lining of the arteries, and encourages the formation of atherosclerosis
A study done at Ohio State University in the USA, showed a link between high homocystein levels and an attitude of hostility and anger - finally science has caught up with the mind-soul-body link! The stress associated with hostility and anger may elevate homocystein levels, accelerating damage to the inside of the arterial walls (atherosclerosis)
The treatment is cheap, simple and extremely effective: 400 IU's vitamin E 50mg vitamin B6 50 microgram B12 400 microgram folic acid
These nutrients ensure the conversion of homocystein into beneficial antioxidants. People with a genetic tendency for high homocystein levels, often have a deficiency of these nutrients.
In all cultures and religions, the experience of peace, love, healing and harmony are seated in the heart chakra (energy wheel) or heart and thymus region in the chest.
Research now shows that the heart does have an effect on our health and happiness:
If, for instance, you focus on or visualise feelings of love, peace and gratitude, your breathing and heart rate slow down, and become synchronised and harmonious.
Meditation has a similar effect.
Feelings of love also have a positive influence on the immune system, hormones and cognitive brain function.
'Love & Survival' (Harper Collins 1998), written by Dr Dean Ornish (American cardiologist and developer of the world renowned Heart Disease Reversal Programme) on the most important contributing factor to heart health: love and intimacy (from close relationships).
Research has shown that people in Japan and France have very close family and friendship links, signifying the perception they have of having a support system in times of trouble.
Lack of love and intimacy has been shown to be the most consistent predictor of heart disease! This is a more consistent factor than genetics and risk factors such as obesity, too little exercise, high LDL-cholesterol, poor nutrition and smoking. Even some of the risk factors can be attributable to lack of social interaction and feeling isolated and alone! People smoke, drink, or overeat as an ineffective, harmful way of stilling the mind from the stressful monkey chatter, to try and prevent the emotions from surfacing.
The countries around the Mediterranean Sea also have a daily siesta time after their phyto (=plant) nutrient, fish and olive oil rich lunch as part of their cultural habit - this lowers stress levels by allowing the parasympathetic nervous system to re-balance the sympathetic or stress nervous system response.
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