Straight From the Heart

 

“British scientists say they have developed a super broccoli that can help fight heart disease. You know, if you want to fight heart disease, why don’t you come up with a food people will actually eat? Like a super glazed doughnut.” — Jay Leno

 

This issue marks the end of the 13th year (156 consecutive issues) that we’ve published the South Central PA edition of Natural Awakenings. It is also the 13th annual opportunity to highlight heart health as our feature topic. Even though “every issue is a healthy heart issue,” each February we shine a spotlight on new and evolving information, articles and resources about cardiac health.

 

This and every month, you’ll find information and motivation to focus on the basic steps to maintain good heart health, which includes a nutritional balanced diet from local sources, limiting processed foods, regular exercise, healthy weight maintenance, stress management, adequate sleep and hydration, eliminating smoking, limiting alcohol and consulting with your healthcare professional to monitor your heart and measurables regularly.

 

This month’s feature article, Oral Health Tips to Prevent Heart Disease, looks at new research tying the mouth itself to heart health with best practices and innovative treatments. It reviews the gut-heart connection and how intestinal bacteria can affect oral health, inflammation, the circulatory system and ultimately, the heart.

 

To get your full dose of heart health information and a complete picture that includes a holistic approach to treating the heart, be sure to read at least two of our online exclusive articles, highlighted on page 29.

 

First, author Dr. Mimi Guarneri, board certified in cardiovascular disease, internal medicine, nuclear cardiology and integrative holistic medicine, is interviewed in our Wise Words department and advocates that holistic cardiology is about treating the whole person—body, mind, emotions and spirit.

 

Secondly, again online, in our Inspiration department, you’ll learn about The Magic of Hugs. During a hug, preferably the 20-second variety, we can experience a drop in anxiety thanks to a decrease in the stress hormone cortisol and a friendly burst of the bonding hormone oxytocin. Even hugging a pet or stuffed animal can lower blood pressure, take the edge off pain and curb the effects of certain pro-inflammatory cytokines.

 

With all of Cupid’s magic, these pages are wrapping our readers and advertisers in a huge hug of gratitude as we continue our walk together on the path toward feeling good, living simply and laughing more.