Issue 01/21 – December 2021
DR. RATH HEALTH LETTER As long as there are no complaints, people usually give little thought to the many tasks of the organism and how the repair mechanisms work. The body simply has to "function". But things can get serious when the energy flow comes to a standstill, and internal processes get out of balance. The interaction of the individual organs forms
Health!
the "orchestra" that sets the tone. The heart muscle cells send out impulses and stimulate the heartbeat. Essential minerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium are needed to ensure a smooth process.
AN AFFAIR OF THE HEART WHEN THE HEART SKIPS A BEAT The heart regulates blood distribution and is responsible for supplying oxygen and nutrients to the cells. It accomplishes hard work every day – but the cardiovascular system reacts sensitively to overload and may respond with disorders. The causes are not always organic. An unbalanced potassium and magnesium level promotes extrasystoles and cardiac arrhythmias. Heart palpitations and other functional heart complaints can be the result of a mineral imbalance. The essential nutrients influence the activity of the heart muscle. The need for these micronutrients increases during stress or other daily challenges. In addition to potassium and magnesium, calcium, iron, and vitamin B6 play an important role. Magnesium ensures relaxed muscles; calcium is responsible for muscle contractions. Magnesium also has a beneficial effect on calcium absorption and acts as an energy supplier. Iron and vitamin B6 are involved in the formation of red blood cells, which supply the organism with oxygen. A synergistic micronutrient combination is particularly effective – it also prevents other heart diseases and circulatory imbalances. Atrial fibrillation is one of the most common cardiac arrhythmias. Typical symptoms are an irregular heartbeat and palpitations. Obese people with coronary heart disease have an increased risk of atrial fibrillation. www.dr-rath-health-alliance.org l Tel.: 0031-457111112 redaktion@dr-rath-gesundheitsbrief.de
Issue 01/21 – December 2021
• Vitamin B12 & folic acid – to promote homocysteine degradation • Vitamin B3 (niacin) – to scavenge free radicals • Coenzyme Q10 – to supply energy to the cells Due to their favourable interactions, micronutrients have the best effect as a coordinated combination. An individually dosed potassium-magnesium administration can also relieve arrhythmias and reduce the symptoms of coronary heart disease. ARGININE IS KEY TO HEART AND CIRCULATION Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid and an antioxidant that scavenges oxidative stress. Arginine keeps blood vessels elastic and dilates them, lowers bad cholesterol (LDL), protects against deposits and keeps blood pressure within the normal range. The blood flow is regulated and the heart is relieved. Arginine is found in the following foods: Fish, meat, poultry, dairy products, pulses, seeds and nuts. Arginine also alleviates stress symptoms and inflammatory processes associated with an excess of free radicals. Sleep disorders can also improve after taking this amino acid. RECOGNISING MENTAL STRESSORS If you take things too much to your heart, you burden your most important organ. Your inner core should be a haven of peace. However, reality looks different for people un-
der stress. Unresolved conflicts, emotional problems, and repressions affect the whole body and negatively impact blood circulation. Good quality of sleep also promotes heart health. Hecticness and stress should have no place in everyday life – those who put themselves under pressure provoke the release of catecholamines, which weaken the heart and may lead to a heart attack when under constant stress. Catecholamines increase blood pressure and heart rate. We need to pause more often, be attentive, admire nature, and learn to be amazed again. What is the best way to relax? Laughter! Laughter relaxes the walls of the heart and dilates the arteries. A mantra that keeps you calm may relieve your stress. If you become filled up with too much energy, get yourself moving and free yourself from the burdens of everyday life with sports.
NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY IN FRUIT AND VEGETABLES The nutrient content of food has declined significantly over the past 50 years. A study published in 2004 in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition documented the decreasing vitamin and mineral content in dietary products. Minerals are needed for functional muscles. Even a temporary deficiency of the vital substances can lead to muscle cramps. If the deficit persists, a heart attack can occur in the worst case. An optimised micronutrient supply is a natural prevention. The substitution of the electrolytes sodium and potassium contributes to the maintenance of nerve functions and the regulation of muscle contractions. Supplementing the finely tuned cellular nutrients supports the organ system and promotes health.
TIP: A mix of regular fitness training, yoga, or meditation also strengthens resilience. In addition, the release of the stress hormone cortisol is slowed down. THE BEST DIET FOR THE HEART A healthy, balanced, and anti-inflammatory diet strengthens the body, mind, soul, and the heart in particular. Omega-3 fatty acids are particularly useful in this regard. They keep the cell membranes supple and prevent vascular deposits. The polyunsaturated fatty acids can lower blood pressure and cholesterol and triglyceride levels. When eating a plant-based diet, ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) is particularly valuable. Foods high in omega-3 are: Fatty sea fish, tuna, flaxseeds, chia seeds, kale, soybeans, avocado, berries, olive oil, algae oil, linseed oil, rapeseed oil, almonds, walnuts. These food products are full of antioxidants that act as protectors against silent inflammation. Chronic inflammation is associated with a deficiency in DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). In the worst case, this can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
www.dr-rath-health-alliance.org l Tel.: 0031-457111112 redaktion@dr-rath-gesundheitsbrief.de
SOURCES: Dr. Rath Health Foundation (2016). The Importance of Minerals in Optimum Function of the Heart and other Muscles. https://www.dr-rath-foundation.org/2017/10/ the-importance-of-minerals-in-optimumfunction-of-the-heart-and-other-muscles/ ?lang=de Stühlinger H. G., Kiss K., Smetana R. Significance of magnesium in cardiac arrhythmias. Wien Med Wochenschr. 2000;150(15-16):330-4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11105328/ Sueta C. A. et al. Effect of acute magnesium administration on the frequency of ventricular arrhythmia in patients with heart failure. Circulation. 1994;89(2):660-6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7508827/ Lutsey P. L. et al. A Pilot Randomized Trial of Oral Magnesium Supplementation on Supraventricular Arrhythmias. Nutrients. 2018 Jul 10;10(7):884. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29996476/
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CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE (CAD): CHEST PAIN AND DISCOMFORT Coronary artery disease (CAD) manifests itself in a narrowing of the coronary arteries, which is accompanied by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle. This increases the risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke. Some vitamins and nutrients are elementary for the health of the coronary arteries and can be used as an adjunctive medical treatment. In this way, the disease can be positively influenced. Vitamin K2 supports blood clotting and reduces plaques in the arteries. The following micronutrients are recommended for CAD:
