Mailbag! How to Conquer Heart Failure
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted May 31, 2022
My doctor told me today that I have heart failure. Is there a way to recover from such a grim diagnosis?
–Janice from Rocky Mount, NC
Janice,
While it’s hard to hear a diagnosis of heart failure, the good news is that it’s typically a slow-moving disease.
And thankfully, there’s a lot folks can do to stack the odds in their favor.
Congestive heart failure is a condition where the heart progressively loses the ability to pump blood. Currently, 5 million Americans suffer from congestive heart failure.
Studies have shown that people with heart failure have significantly malnourished hearts. Specific deficiencies include:
- L-carnitine,
- CoQ10,
- creatine,
- thiamine,
- and taurine.
One of the first steps is to supplement with those nutrients to give your heart the nutrients it needs to function.
Here are some others to consider:
- Antioxidants. There are many antioxidants to choose from, like vitamins A, C, E, and others, but I prefer plant phytonutrients such as carotenoids, polyphenols, and flavonoids for great antioxidant protection. Examples include green tea extract, red wine extract (resveratrol), Pycnogenol, olive leaf extract, and curcumin.
- Hawthorn. This is an herb that has long been used for heart health. It helps lower blood pressure while also strengthening the heart muscle. Whole hawthorn berries are full of flavonoids for extra antioxidant protection. Hawthorn extract been shown to enhance heart pumping efficiency.
- Magnesium. This mineral is essential for good heart function. It’s been shown to both improve ventricular dysfunction and increase exercise tolerance.
Talk with your doctor about developing a nutrition plan that’s right for you. Don’t be discouraged—there’s still a lot you can do to manage this disease.
P.S. Have a health concern that’s worrying you? Click here to submit your questions and get featured in the weekly mailbag!
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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