The Heart of the Matter

"The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities."- Someone

What is our heart? How does it work? How can we protect it from damage? How can we schedule our priorities to maintain a healthy heart?

An early lesson in physiology taught me that our heart, in its innate wisdom, nourishes itself first with the fresh blood produced by this miraculous little muscle. The adult heart is a cone-shaped organ about the size of your closed fist. It lies obliquely within our chest cavity, protected by a double-walled membrane called the pericardium.

During embryonic development, changes become apparent from the fifth week when the transition from a pulsating tube occurs to the four-chambered organ complete with valves, and a midline partition by the seventh week - the foundation of the magic organ that will last us a lifetime - may it are long and healthy!

These early pulsation’s of the circulatory pump of our body become the "lub-dub" beat of a healthy heart that results in our blood pressure. Arteries carry blood away from our heart and veins bring it back. In taking blood pressure, the high number, or systolic pressure, represents the pressure when our heart is contracted, while the diastolic pressure (low number) is the pressure when the heart is relaxed. An adult reading of 120/80, measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg), is considered normal and pressures above 150/90 mmHg are considered to be dangerously elevated, a.k.a. Hypertension, the silent killer. It is thought that increased peripheral resistance in the blood vessels is the primary suspect. That makes sense. I’m sure most of us have experienced a similar situation in our attempts to blow up a thick-walled party balloon.

In our cardiovascular system, which includes the heart (pump) and the blood vessels, a nutritional imbalance in our basic electrolytes can create many problems.

Clinical Research has shown that a deficiency of Sodium (Na) will result in the systolic reading being too high and when there is a deficiency of Potassium (K), the diastolic will also be too high. i.e.) 175/120. Do not confuse Sodium Chloride (NaCl), or common table salt, with organic sodium (Na) - a distinction that seems to evade most doctors who have no nutritional training. This often results in a person receiving very poor advice from the person they trust as tender of their health.

Remember the Law of Cause and Effect? Another aspect of this Law is if we remove or correct the Cause, the Effect will disappear. Expressed another way, your RV may be in perfect mechanical condition but how far will it go with an empty fuel tank? Now ask yourself - why would my body function without proper nutrients?

Normally the left side of our body is governed by Organic Sodium and the right side by Potassium. The Heart is the only organ located in the left (Sodium) side of our body that is governed by Potassium. This creates an electro-impulse reaction between the Potassium and Sodium, which generates energy to make the heart function. Another important mineral for the heart is Magnesium (Mg), some natural sources include the herb Black Walnut and Kelp. Amino acids Carnitine and Taurine are also helpful in strengthening the heart. Carnitine, along with the amino acids Methionine and Cysteine is also the antidote to a fat allergy, which can cause heart problems. Amino acids are essential to the healthy functioning of our body and are derived from the inclusion of complete proteins in our diet.

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) is primarily a meat tenderizer and people wonder why they can experience heart palpitations after ingesting it. Perhaps the heart muscle senses that some foreign chemical is attempting to melt it down, and is fighting for its life? If you want to play, most canned soups are a good source of this legal drug.

Allergies in the blood will cause inflammation and palpitations, and can often contribute to a mis-diagnosis. A simple pulse test will allow you to determine which foods you are allergic to, and then you can correct the nutrient imbalances as required.

The Pulse Test for allergens is performed as follows. Our normal adult at rest pulse rate is about 70 beats per minute (lower is better). Check and note your pulse prior to eating a food, wait ten minutes after ingestion, and then check your pulse. Digestion is a metabolic action that requires energy so it is normal for our pulse rate to increase by ten beats per minute i.e.) 70 to 80 bpm. If we get an increase greater than ten, our body is experiencing an adverse reaction to that food, and we know that we have to take action to correct that sensitivity. Questions? <mailto:Hardman-acupuncture@telus.net>

I suspect that the majority of Cardiovascular Dis-eases are the result of improper nutrition. Some of the other common ailments in our society are Arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), Atherosclerosis (fatty deposits), Aneurysms (vessel rupture), Phlebitis (vein inflammation), which can advance to Thrombosis (clots), and Varicose Veins (vein and/or vein valve dysfunction). When life-long accumulations of nutrient deficiencies take effect, they are often classified as age related cardiovascular dis-ease.

In addition to those mentioned above, some nutrients that have been shown to be very beneficial to good heart health, and relief of existing symptoms, include Vitamins B-Complex, Beta Carotene, C, E; Minerals Calcium, Chromium, Iodine, Selenium, Sulfur; Herbs Alfalfa, Bee Pollen, Blessed Thistle, Burdock, Fibre, Garlic, Hawthorn Berries, and Shepherd’s Purse. Lecithin is an excellent fat emulsifier and breaks up cholesterol. Flush your system with lots of pure water.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the Heart’s most important functions are those of governing Blood and housing the Mind and most of the pathological changes of the heart reflect involvement with the Blood and Mind. It is considered a solid organ, designated Yin by category and associated with the element Fire. Joy is the positive emotion associated with Fire, so Be Happy - it is good for your heart!

Also in TCM, we know that the heart energy channel opens into the tongue, and some landmarks and colours can indicate the presence of energy imbalances. The pulse will often reveal energetic symptoms of disharmony long before any physical symptoms manifest. When this early diagnosis is made, the energy imbalance can be corrected with acupuncture, and the physical symptom may never occur. Our Heart Energy has to be balanced to empower us to reach our full body, mind and spiritual potential. Lifestyle is a major factor in maintaining a healthy heart. Diet and exercise are at the top of the list, and can be supplemented by meditation, positive thinking, therapeutic breathing and opening your heart to your Creator.

As Albert Einstein observed the significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them so elevate thought patterns and ask for enlightenment. It will occur.

I would recommend reading The K Factor by Richard D. Moore, MD, PhD and George D. Webb, PhD as well as A Change of Heart by Claire Sylvia with William Novak. They will assist in elevating your thought patterns.

It was great meeting some of the avid RV Times readers at the recent Tradex show - what a wonderful group. Our world would be a better place if more people had the attitude of the RV folk I’ve had the pleasure of meeting.

Blue skies, smooth highways, good health and God Bless.

Article originally published in: RV Times #68 March/April 1999

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