Recent research has paved the way for stronger, and younger, arterial health. Cardiologist Dr Jason Kaplan explains how it may be possible to help your heart become, and stay, younger.
It’s easy to see the changes the years marks upon our appearance. Our skin loses its elasticity, our hair goes a little greyer and our waists may widen. But what about the ageing you can’t see? The toll the years take on our organs inside our body?
These organs – the heart, kidney, lungs and kidneys – change as we get older. These changes mean that these organs may not function at their optimal level, although as this level decreases slowly, it’s mainly unnoticeable. Since we may not notice these internal changes to our organs, health problems may start to occur when organ function has been low for some time.
For instance- The heart and circulatory system and major blood vessels may experience stiffening as you age. This means that your heart will need to work just that bit harder to pump blood through the body. Arterial stiffness subsequently leads to high blood pressure. The additional load may put a strain on the heart muscles and increases the risk of developing heart complications associated with high blood pressure.
Almost six million Australian adults have been shown to have a risk factor for cardiovascular related problems, one of the biggest health concerns in the nation.
The good news is that recent research has reported that aged garlic extract may help our hearts as we get older. The study, published in Frontiers of Nutrition, found that Kyolic aged garlic extract (KAGE) was effective in reducing blood pressure in patients with hypertension and has the potential to improve arterial stiffness, inflammation and gut health. The study found that Kyolic aged garlic extract made arteries more flexible and reduced arterial age. In comparison, raw garlic does not have the same benefits to heart health, since garlic loses its active component, allicin, when it is cooked.
The study also found that patients who had improved gut health: an imbalance of which is linked to poor cardiovascular health. Those who suffer from side-effects of blood pressure medication, or are interested in reducing the amount of medication that they take may find that Kyolic aged garlic extract is a useful adjunctive therapy and in the study was as effective as taking a full dose of some commonly prescribed BP medications
Of course, it’s still important to adopt positive, everyday day habits. Doing moderate-intensity physical activity for least 30-45 minutes most days of the week can help you avoid the dreaded middle-age spread, which in turn, may also lower your risk of heart disease., Make sure your meals consist mainly of fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, high-fibre foods and lean protein such as fish and chicken. Avoid foods which are packaged, highly processed and high in trans fats and sugar. Cut the stress and increase the sleep – both will help keep your heart healthy and allow you to deal with the demands of everyday life.
Want to read more about heart health? – Prevention of secondary heart attacks needed
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